10/9 Report of the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances
Document Type: Final Report
Date: 2009 Feb
Session: 10th Regular Session (2009 Mar)
Agenda Item: Item3: Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to development
GE.09-11184 (E) 090309
UNITED NATIONS
A
General Assembly Distr. GENERAL
A/HRC/10/9 25 February 2009
Original: ENGLISH
HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL Tenth session Agenda item 3
PROMOTION AND PROTECTION OF ALL HUMAN RIGHTS, CIVIL, POLITICAL, ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO DEVELOPMENT
Report of the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances* **
* As the present report greatly exceeds word limitations currently allowed under relevant General Assembly resolutions, the annexes, with the exception of annex I, are circulated as received in the language of submission only.
** Late submission.
Summary
Established by resolution 20 (XXXVI) of 29 February 1980 of the Commission on Human Rights, the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances was the first United Nations human rights thematic mechanism to be established with a global mandate.
This report, submitted in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 7/12, covers the period 1 December 2007 to 30 November 2008 and reflects communications and cases examined by the Working Group during its sessions in 2008, and general allegations considered at its eighty-third session in 2007. The total number of cases transmitted by the Working Group to Governments since its inception is 52,952. The number of cases under active consideration that have not yet been clarified or discontinued stands at 42,393 and concerns 79 States. The Working Group has been able to clarify 1,763 cases over the past five years.
During the period under review, the Working Group transmitted 1,203 new cases of enforced disappearances to the Governments of Algeria, Argentina, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Chad, Colombia, India, Indonesia, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Iraq, Japan, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Mexico, Morocco, Namibia, Nepal, Pakistan, Peru, the Philippines, the Russian Federation, Sri Lanka, the Sudan, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, Viet Nam, Yemen and Zimbabwe. Of the newly-reported cases, 83 allegedly occurred during the same period.
A summary of activities during the last year is presented in a table for each country, with a detailed text description of the areas of activity.
During the reporting period the Working Group conducted a country visit to Argentina (see A/HRC/10/9/Add.1).
CONTENTS
Paragraphs Page
I. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................... 1 - 9 7
II. ACTIVITIES OF THE WORKING GROUP ON ENFORCED OR INVOLUNTARY DISAPPEARANCES: 1 DECEMBER 2007 TO 30 NOVEMBER 2008 ................................................................... 10 - 31 8
A. Meetings ..................................................................................... 10 - 14 8
B. Communications ......................................................................... 15 - 20 8
C. Country visits .............................................................................. 21 - 28 9
D. Statements.................................................................................... 29 - 31 10
III. INFORMATION CONCERNING ENFORCED OR INVOLUNTARY DISAPPEARANCES IN VARIOUS COUNTRIES AND TERRITORIES REVIEWED BY THE WORKING GROUP ON ENFORCED OR INVOLUNTARY DISAPPEARANCES ............................................. 32 - 444 11
Afghanistan .......................................................................................... 32 11 Algeria .................................................................................................. 33 - 43 11 Angola .................................................................................................. 44 - 46 13 Argentina .............................................................................................. 47 - 61 14 Bangladesh ........................................................................................... 62 - 64 16 Belarus .................................................................................................. 65 - 68 17 Bhutan .................................................................................................. 69 18 Bolivia .................................................................................................. 70 - 80 18 Brazil .................................................................................................... 81 20 Burundi ................................................................................................. 82 20 Cameroon ............................................................................................. 83 - 85 21 Chad ..................................................................................................... 86 - 90 21 Chile ..................................................................................................... 91 - 93 22 China .................................................................................................... 94 - 97 23 Colombia .............................................................................................. 98 - 123 24 Congo ................................................................................................... 124 27
CONTENTS (continued) Paragraphs Page
Democratic People’s Republic of Korea .............................................. 125 - 129 28 Democratic Republic of the Congo ...................................................... 130 29 Dominican Republic ............................................................................. 131 29 Ecuador ................................................................................................. 132 - 141 30 Egypt .................................................................................................... 142 - 146 31 El Salvador ........................................................................................... 147 - 148 32 Equatorial Guinea ................................................................................. 149 - 151 33 Eritrea ................................................................................................... 152 33 Ethiopia ................................................................................................ 153 34 France ................................................................................................... 154 - 155 34 Gambia ................................................................................................. 156 - 158 35 Greece ................................................................................................... 159 - 161 35 Guatemala ............................................................................................. 162 - 167 36 Guinea .................................................................................................. 168 37 Haiti ...................................................................................................... 169 37 Honduras .............................................................................................. 170 - 174 38 India ...................................................................................................... 175 - 187 39 Indonesia .............................................................................................. 188 - 196 41 Iran (Islamic Republic of) .................................................................... 197 - 202 42 Iraq ....................................................................................................... 203 - 207 43 Israel ..................................................................................................... 208 44 Italy ....................................................................................................... 209 - 218 45 Japan ..................................................................................................... 219 - 224 47 Jordan ................................................................................................... 225 - 226 48 Kuwait .................................................................................................. 227 - 228 48 Lebanon ................................................................................................ 229 - 231 49 Libyan Arab Jamahiriya ....................................................................... 232 - 236 50 Mauritania ............................................................................................ 237 51
CONTENTS (continued) Paragraphs Page
Mexico .................................................................................................. 238 - 250 51 Montenegro .......................................................................................... 251 - 261 53 Morocco ............................................................................................... 262 - 267 54 Mozambique ......................................................................................... 268 55 Myanmar .............................................................................................. 269 - 270 56 Namibia ................................................................................................ 271 - 276 56 Nepal .................................................................................................... 277 - 292 57 Nicaragua ............................................................................................. 293 - 295 60 Pakistan ................................................................................................ 296 - 309 60 Peru ...................................................................................................... 310 - 313 63 Philippines ............................................................................................ 314 - 329 64 Russian Federation ............................................................................... 330 - 340 66 Rwanda ................................................................................................. 341 68 Saudi Arabia ......................................................................................... 342 - 343 68 Senegal ................................................................................................. 344 - 346 69 Serbia .................................................................................................... 347 - 348 69 Seychelles ............................................................................................. 349 70 Spain ..................................................................................................... 350 70 Sri Lanka .............................................................................................. 351 - 370 71 Sudan .................................................................................................... 371 - 383 74 Switzerland............................................................................................ 384 - 385 75 Syrian Arab Republic ........................................................................... 386 - 388 76 Tajikistan .............................................................................................. 389 77 Thailand ................................................................................................ 390 - 403 77 Timor-Leste .......................................................................................... 404 - 407 79 Togo ..................................................................................................... 408 80 Turkey .................................................................................................. 409 - 416 81 Uganda ................................................................................................. 417 82 Ukraine ................................................................................................. 418 - 420 82 United Arab Emirates ........................................................................... 421 83
CONTENTS (continued) Paragraphs Page
United States of America ..................................................................... 422 - 426 83 Uruguay ................................................................................................ 427 84 Uzbekistan ............................................................................................ 428 - 432 85 Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) ..................................................... 433 - 435 86 Viet Nam .............................................................................................. 436 - 437 86 Yemen .................................................................................................. 438 - 439 87 Zimbabwe ............................................................................................. 440 - 443 88 Palestinian Authority ............................................................................ 444 88
IV. AREAS OF CONCERN, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ..................................................................... 445 - 460 89
Annexes
1. Revised methods of work of the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances ............................................................................................................ 92
2. Decisions on individual cases taken by the Working Group during the reporting period .......................................................................................... 99
3. Statistical summary: cases of enforced or involuntary disappearance reported to the Working Group between 1980 and 2008 ............................................ 100
4. Graphs showing the development of disappearances in countries with more than 100 transmitted cases during the period 1980-2008 .................................. 105
5. Lists of names of newly-reported cases, from countries where there were more than 10 newly transmitted cases during the reporting period ............................ 119
I. INTRODUCTION
1. The Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances was the first United Nations human rights thematic mechanism to be established with a universal mandate. The original mandate derives from Commission on Human Rights resolution 20 (XXXVI) of 29 February 1980. This resolution followed General Assembly resolution 33/173 of 20 December 1978, in which the Assembly expressed concern at reports from various parts of the world relating to enforced disappearances and requested the Commission on Human Rights to consider the question of missing or disappeared persons.
2. The primary task of the Working Group is to assist families in determining the fate or whereabouts of their family members who are reportedly disappeared. In this humanitarian capacity, the Working Group serves as a channel of communication between family members of victims of disappearance and Governments.
3. Following the adoption of General Assembly resolution 47/133 on 18 December 1992 and of the Declaration on the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, the Working Group was entrusted to monitor the progress of States in fulfilling their obligations derived from the Declaration. The mandate was most recently extended by Human Rights Council resolution 7/12 of 27 March 2008.
4. Following a review of its methods of work in 2007, the Working Group decided that adjustments were needed. The revised methods of work, approved on 4 December 2008, are contained in annex 1 to the present report and will come into immediate effect.
5. The report reflects communications and cases examined by the Working Group during its three sessions in 2008, covering the period 1 December 2007 to 30 November 2008.
6. A summary of activities during the reporting period is presented in a table for each country, with a detailed text description of the areas of activity. Where there has been no information from the Government or the sources, notwithstanding the annual reminder sent by the Working Group concerning outstanding cases, only the table is provided and a reference is made to a description of cases.
7. In countries where the number of newly-reported cases is less than 10, the names of the persons appear in the country section. If the number of newly-reported cases is greater than 10, the list of names appears in annex 5.
8. The total number of cases transmitted by the Working Group to Governments since its inception is 52,952. The number of cases under active consideration that have not yet been clarified, closed or discontinued stands at 42,393 and concerns 79 States. The Working Group has been able to clarify 1,763 cases over the past five years.
9. It is recalled that recent cases of disappearance are the priority of the Working Group. Large volumes of cases submitted to the Working Group many years after the persons
disappeared are reviewed by it and processed by the Secretariat as an ongoing process. The Working Group is pleased to inform that as at the end of the present reporting period, there is no backlog of cases, due to the continuous support given by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). The Working Group thanks OHCHR and hopes to maintain the adequate level of staffing which it now enjoys.
II. ACTIVITIES OF THE WORKING GROUP ON ENFORCED OR INVOLUNTARY DISAPPEARANCES: 1 DECEMBER 2007 TO 30 NOVEMBER 2008
A. Meetings
10. During the period under review, the Working Group held three sessions: the eighty-fourth from 10 to 14 March in Geneva, the eighty-fifth from 24 to 26 July in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and the eighty-sixth from 26 November to 4 December 2008, in Geneva.
11. The Chairman-Rapporteur of the Working Group is Mr. Santiago Corcuera. The other members are Mr. Olivier de Frouville, Mr. Darko Göttlicher, Mr. Saied Rajaie Khorasani and Mr. Jeremy Sarkin. Mr. de Frouville and Mr. Sarkin were appointed in 2008.
12. On 11 March 2008, the Chairman-Rapporteur presented the Working Group’s annual report for 2007 to the seventh session of the Council and on 14 March participated in the interactive dialogue with its member States. On 17 March 2008, Mr. Göttlicher participated, on behalf of the Chairman-Rapporteur, at the review, rationalization and improvement of the mandate, as a result of which the Working Group was renewed for an additional three years.
13. On 22 May 2008, the Chairman-Rapporteur participated in a panel discussion on the Convention for the Protection of all Persons from Enforced Disappearance, cosponsored by the Permanent Mission of Argentina to the United Nations and OHCHR. From 24 to 27 June 2008, Mr. Corcuera participated in the International Seminar on Enforced Disappearances in Bogotá organized by OHCHR in Colombia. From 23 to 27 June 2008, Mr. Göttlicher, on behalf of the Chairman-Rapporteur, attended the fifteenth annual meeting of special rapporteurs, representatives, independent experts and chairpersons of working groups of the Council. On 24 and 25 November 2008, Mr. Corcuera represented the Coordination Committee of the Special Procedures at the Regional Arrangements Workshop called for by Council resolution 6/20.
14. During the period under review, the Working Group met formally with representatives of the Governments of Argentina, Iraq, Japan, Montenegro, Nepal and Sri Lanka. Upon the initiative of the Working Group, meetings were requested with all regional groups and held with the Asian and the Latin American and Caribbean Regional Groups. The Working Group looks forward to meeting all other regional groups in the future, as part of an ongoing initiative. The Working Group also met with representatives of human rights non-governmental organizations and associations of relatives of disappeared persons and families or witnesses.
B. Communications
15. During the reporting period, the Working Group transmitted 1,203 new cases of enforced disappearance to the Governments of Algeria, Argentina, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Chad,
Colombia, India, Indonesia, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Iraq, Japan, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Mexico, Morocco, Nepal, Pakistan, Peru, the Philippines, the Russian Federation, Sri Lanka, the Sudan, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, Viet Nam, Yemen and Zimbabwe.
16. The Working Group sent 69 of these cases under the urgent action procedure to the Governments of Algeria, Cameroon, Chad, India, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Mexico, Morocco, the Philippines, the Russian Federation, Sri Lanka, the Sudan, Viet Nam and Zimbabwe.
17. Of the newly-reported cases, 83 allegedly occurred during the reporting period and relate to Algeria, Bangladesh, Cameroon, India, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Mexico, Morocco, the Philippines, the Russian Federation, Sri Lanka, the Sudan, Viet Nam and Zimbabwe.
18. During the same period, the Working Group clarified 54 cases in the following countries: Algeria, Argentina, China, Colombia, Ecuador, India, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Morocco, Nepal, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and Turkey. Of those, 38 cases were clarified based on information provided by the Government and 16 cases were clarified based on information provided by sources.
19. During the reporting period, the Working Group sent 12 prompt intervention communications addressing harassment of and threats to human rights defenders and relatives of disappeared persons in Argentina, Colombia, Guatemala, Mexico, Namibia, the Philippines, Senegal, Sri Lanka and Thailand. Five of these were sent as joint communications with one or more of the following special procedures: on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, the situation of human rights defenders, and the independence of judges and lawyers.
20. Following its eighty-third session in 2007 and its first two sessions in 2008, the Working Group sent 14 general allegations to the Governments of Bolivia, Colombia, Egypt, India, Italy, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, the Sudan, the United States of America and Thailand. During its eighty-sixth session, the Working Group decided to transmit general allegations to some Governments, inviting them to comment thereon. Summaries of the general allegations considered during the eighty-sixth session, including government responses, if any, will be included in the 2009 annual report.
C. Country visits
21. Upon the invitation of the Government of Argentina, Mr. Corcuera, Chairperson-Rapporteur, and Mr. Saied Rajaie Khorasani, member of the Working Group, visited the country from 21 July to 24 July 2008, assisted by staff from the Secretariat. The purpose of the mission was to examine practices carried out to clarify cases of enforced disappearances as well as the programmes and measures adopted to guarantee the rights of the victims, including the right to reparation.
22. The report on the visit to Argentina is contained in A/HRC/10/9/Add.1. Among others, the Working Group recommended to the Government of Argentina to define enforced disappearance
as an autonomous crime and to adopt a comprehensive protection programme for witnesses, families, lawyers, prosecutors, judges and civil society organizations involved in the investigation of cases of enforced disappearance.
23. The Working Group requested visits to Algeria, Indonesia, Iran, Nepal, Nicaragua, the Philippines, the Russian Federation, Sri Lanka, the Sudan and Timor-Leste.
24. The Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran agreed to a visit by the Working Group in 2005, which was delayed at the request of the Government.
25. In 2007, the Governments of Sri Lanka, the Russian Federation and Indonesia stated that it would not be possible to schedule a visit by the Working Group because other special rapporteurs would be visiting the country at that time. To date, and notwithstanding reminders by the Working Group, no possible dates have been proposed by the above-mentioned Governments.
26. The Working Group deeply regrets that Algeria has not responded to its repeated requests to visit the country.
27. The Working Group invites the Governments of Nepal, Nicaragua, the Philippines, the Sudan and Timor-Leste to respond to the continued interest expressed to visit these countries.
28. The Working Group welcomes the official invitation from the Government of Ecuador on 17 September 2008 to visit the country after February 2009.
D. Statements
29. On 11 June 2008, the Working Group issued a press release deploring the large number of cases of disappearances in Sri Lanka. It expressed concern that both women and humanitarian aid workers were being targeted. It also called upon the Sri Lankan authorities to take effective measures to prevent and terminate acts of enforced disappearances, carry out thorough investigations and bring the perpetrators to justice. Finally, it reiterated its request to conduct an official country visit.
30. To commemorate the International Day of the Disappeared, the Working Group issued a press release on 29 August 2008, expressing its concern over the increasing number of cases of enforced disappearances around the world and reiterating its solidarity with the victims and human rights defenders helping the victims. The Working Group also expressed concern about the phenomenon of under-reporting, as it considers that cases of disappearances are happening in certain parts of the world but are not being reported.
31. On 6 October 2008, the Working Group issued a joint statement with 12 other special procedures mechanisms at the start of the Dignity and Justice for Detainees Week, a global initiative launched by the High Commissioner for Human Rights. The statement called on all States to do their utmost to ensure that detainees are treated with respect and dignity and to provide for effective complaints and monitoring mechanisms in places of detention, including efficient avenues to challenge the legality of detention and access to legal counsel.
III. INFORMATION CONCERNING ENFORCED OR INVOLUNTARY DISAPPEARANCES IN VARIOUS COUNTRIES AND TERRITORIES REVIEWED BY THE WORKING GROUP ON ENFORCED OR INVOLUNTARY DISAPPEARANCES
Afghanistan
Cases transmitted to the Government during the period under review
Cases clarified during the period under review by:
Number of outstanding cases at the beginning of the period under review
Cases sent under the urgent action procedure
Cases sent under the standard procedure
Government Non-governmental sources
Number of outstanding cases at the end of the year under review
3 0 0 0 0 3
Number of cases on which the Government has replied
Multiple replies on some cases Number of cases of possible clarification by Government (6-month rule)
0 No 0
General allegation N/A Government response N/A Prompt intervention letter N/A Government response N/A Working Group request for a visit N/A Government response N/A
32. All outstanding cases were retransmitted and no response was received from the Government. A summary of the situation in the country appears in E/CN.4/2006/56 and Corr.1.
Algeria1
Cases transmitted to the Government during the period under review
Cases clarified during the period under review by:
Number of outstanding cases at the beginning of the period under review
Cases sent under the urgent action procedure
Cases sent under the standard procedure
Government Non-governmental sources
Number of outstanding cases at the end of the year under review
1 952 2 768 0 3 2 7042
Number of cases on which the Government has replied
Multiple replies on some cases Number of cases of possible clarification by Government (6-month rule)
2 No 0
General allegation N/A Government response N/A Prompt intervention letter N/A Government response N/A Working Group request for a visit Yes Government response None
1 See Annex 5 for the list of names of the newly-reported cases of disappeared persons.
2 The Working Group determined that 15 outstanding cases were duplicated and were
subsequently eliminated from its records.
Urgent actions
33. The Working Group sent two cases under its urgent action procedure to the Government. The first concerned Adel Saker, disappeared in Skikda Province in May 2008. The second concerned Mohamed Ben Missoum, arrested at his home in El Oued in March 2008.
Standard cases
34. The Working Group transmitted 768 newly-reported cases to the Government. The majority concerned males disappeared between 1992 and 1999, mainly in 1994 and 1995 in Constantine, Tipaza, Algiers, Oran and Tiaret. Most disappearances are attributed to the Police, the Military and the Department of Investigation and Security Forces. Five cases concern minors and one case concerns a man disappeared in February 2008 in Boumerdes.
Information from the Government
35. The Working Group received two communications from the Government, dated 2 February and 19 May 2008. The first concerned two outstanding cases, where the Government stated that both persons had been questioned and released by the authorities. The information was insufficient to clarify them. The second referred to the Government’s interpretation of the Working Group’s mandate and concerns regarding its implementation.
Information from sources
36. The Working Group received communications from sources concerning three outstanding cases, stating that one victim was being held at Blida prison, one had been killed and a third had been released.
Clarification
37. Based on information provided by the sources, the Working Group clarified three cases.
Request for a visit
38. On 25 August 2000, the Working Group requested to undertake a mission to Algeria. Notwithstanding several reminders a reply has not been received yet.
Total cases transmitted, clarified and outstanding
39. Since its establishment, the Working Group transmitted 2,743 cases to the Government. It clarified 24 cases: 9 on the basis of information provided by the Government and 15 on the basis of information provided by the source; 15 were found to be duplications and were therefore deleted; 2,704 remain outstanding.
Observations
40. The Working Group expresses concern that during the period under review, two urgent actions and a standard case occurring in 2008 were sent to the Government.
41. The Working Group reiterates its call from previous years that little progress has been made in clarifying cases of disappearance in Algeria. A high number of newly-reported cases arising from the 1990s continues to be received by the Working Group and is being transmitted to the Government.
42. The Working Group reiterates the observation made in 2007 regarding the Government’s obligations under article 13 of the Declaration to take steps to ensure that all involved in the investigations are protected against ill-treatment, intimidation or reprisal.
43. The Working Group strongly reaffirms its request to the Government of Algeria for a country visit aimed at clarifying the 2,704 outstanding cases.
Angola
Cases transmitted to the Government during the period under review
Cases clarified during the period under review by:
Number of outstanding cases at the beginning of the period under review
Cases sent under the urgent action procedure
Cases sent under the standard procedure
Government Non-governmental sources
Number of outstanding cases at the end of the year under review
3 0 0 0 0 3
Number of cases on which the Government has replied
Multiple replies on some cases Number of cases of possible clarification by Government (6-month rule)
3 No 0
General allegation N/A Government response N/A Prompt intervention letter N/A Government response N/A Working Group request for a visit N/A Government response N/A
Information from the Government
44. The Working Group reviewed a communication sent by the Government on 1 July 2008, regarding three outstanding cases and requesting further information.
Summary of the situation prior to the period under review
45. In May 2003, three persons were reportedly arrested and disappeared at the hands of soldiers while travelling from the village of Quisoqui to the village of Caio-Guembo.
Total cases transmitted, clarified and outstanding
46. Since its establishment, the Working Group transmitted 10 cases to the Government. It clarified 7 cases on the basis of information provided by the Government and 3 cases remain outstanding.
Argentina
Cases transmitted to the Government during the period under review
Cases clarified during the period under review by:
Number of outstanding cases at the beginning of the period under review
Cases sent under the urgent action procedure
Cases sent under the standard procedure
Government Non-governmental sources
Number of outstanding cases at the end of the year under review
3 303 0 1 8 9 3 2863
Number of cases on which the Government has replied
Multiple replies on some cases Number of cases of possible clarification by Government (6-month rule)
4 No 0
General allegation N/A Government response N/A Prompt intervention letter Yes Government response Yes Working Group request for a visit Yes Government response Yes
Standard cases
47. The Working Group transmitted one newly-reported case of disappearance to the Government concerning Iván Eladio Torres, disappeared in the Province of Chubut on 2 October 2003, after being arrested by police officers.
Information from the Government
48. The Working Group received two communications from the Government on 6 June and 27 June 2008, regarding the disappearance of a witness in trials against perpetrators of enforced disappearances. A third was received on 3 October 2008, regarding four outstanding cases. However, the information reviewed was considered insufficient to constitute a clarification. On 28 December 2006 the Government provided information on 8 cases to which the Working Group applied the six-month rule at its eighty-fourth session.
Information from sources
49. The Working Group received new information from sources on 13 cases regarding children born in captivity. The sources informed that nine of these children have been found and identified. Additional four children, who were filed under their parents’ names, have also been found and identified.
Clarifications
50. The Working Group clarified eight cases on the basis of information received from the Government and nine on the basis of information received from the sources.
3 One case was erroneously recorded and has now been deleted.
Meetings
51. Representatives of the Government of Argentina met with the Working Group at its eighty-fourth session to discuss efforts to clarify outstanding cases and the visit to the country.
Prompt intervention letters
52. On 16 May 2008, the Working Group sent a prompt intervention letter to the Government of Argentina regarding the short-term disappearance of a witness on various trials against perpetrators of enforced disappearances which occurred during the military dictatorship. The witness disappeared on 29 April 2008 and he was released the following day. The prompt intervention letter was jointly sent with the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on the situation of human rights defenders.
53. The Working Group received two communications from the Government on 6 June and 27 June 2008 providing information on the actions taken by the Government regarding the above-mentioned disappearance as well as actions taken to protect him and his family after his release.
Deleted case
54. The Working Group decided that one case was erroneously reported. Although this case was originally submitted to the Working Group as a disappearance, the source recently informed that the person left voluntarily. Therefore, the case has been deleted from the Working Group’s records.
Visit
55. The Working Group undertook a mission to Argentina from 21 to 24 July 2008 (see A/HRC/10/9/Add.1), followed by its eighty-fifth session held in Buenos Aires from 24 to 26 July 2008.
Press releases
56. Press releases were issued prior to and following the mission to Argentina in July 2008. On the last day of the mission, the Working Group held a press conference in Buenos Aires.
Total cases transmitted, clarified and outstanding
57. Since its establishment, the Working Group has transmitted 3,446 cases to the Government. It clarified 159 cases: 107 cases have been clarified on the basis of information provided by the Government and 52 on the basis of information provided by the source; 1 case was erroneously reported and subsequently deleted; 3,286 remain outstanding.
Observations
58. The Working Group thanks the Government for the cooperation extended during its country visit and for hosting its eighty-fifth session.
59. The Working Group welcomes the continuous efforts made by the Government to clarify outstanding cases.
60. The Working Group notes with satisfaction that 13 children born in captivity had their true identity determined.
61. The Working Group congratulates the Government for ratifying the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance.
Bangladesh
Cases transmitted to the Government during the period under review
Cases clarified during the period under review by:
Number of outstanding cases at the beginning of the period under review
Cases sent under the urgent action procedure
Cases sent under the standard procedure
Government Non-governmental sources
Number of outstanding cases at the end of the year under review
2 0 1 0 0 3
Number of cases on which the Government has replied
Multiple replies on some cases Number of cases of possible clarification by Government (6-month rule)
0 No 0
General allegation N/A Government response N/A Prompt intervention letter N/A Government response N/A Working Group request for a visit N/A Government response N/A
Standard cases
62. The Working Group transmitted one newly-reported case to the Government, concerning Mohammad Shafik Ullah Monayem, reportedly arrested by the Rapid Action Battalion elite force in December 2007.
Information from sources
63. The source provided additional information on one outstanding case, informing the Working Group that the victim, female, was a minor at the time of her disappearance.
Total cases transmitted, clarified and outstanding
64. Since its establishment, the Working Group has transmitted three cases to the Government, all of which remain outstanding.
Belarus
Cases transmitted to the Government during the period under review
Cases clarified during the period under review by:
Number of outstanding cases at the beginning of the period under review
Cases sent under the urgent action procedure
Cases sent under the standard procedure
Government Non-governmental sources
Number of outstanding cases at the end of the year under review
3 0 0 0 0 3
Number of cases on which the Government has replied
Multiple replies on some cases Number of cases of possible clarification by Government (6-month rule)
3 No 0
General allegation N/A Government response N/A Prompt intervention letter N/A Government response N/A Working Group request for a visit N/A Government response N/A
Information from the Government
65. The Government replied to the three outstanding cases in a communication dated 3 October 2008 stating that the investigation term was being extended until 24 December 2008.
Information from sources
66. The Working Group received information from sources reporting that the Government has not carried out any activities on the determination of the circumstances of the disappearance regarding the three outstanding cases.
Total cases transmitted, clarified and outstanding
67. Since its establishment, the Working Group has transmitted three cases to the Government; all of which remain outstanding.
Observations
68. The Working Group reminds the Government of its obligations to conduct thorough and impartial investigations “for as long as the fate of the victim of enforced disappearance remains unclarified”, in accordance with article 13.6 of the Declaration.
Bhutan
Cases transmitted to the Government during the period under review
Cases clarified during the period under review by:
Number of outstanding cases at the beginning of the period under review
Cases sent under the urgent action procedure
Cases sent under the standard procedure
Government Non-governmental sources
Number of outstanding cases at the end of the year under review
5 0 0 0 0 5
Number of cases on which the Government has replied
Multiple replies on some cases Number of cases of possible clarification by Government (6-month rule)
0 No 0
General allegation N/A Government response N/A Prompt intervention letter N/A Government response N/A Working Group request for a visit N/A Government response N/A
69. All outstanding cases were retransmitted and no response was received from the Government. A summary of the situation in the country appears in A/HRC/4/41.
Bolivia
Cases transmitted to the Government during the period under review
Cases clarified during the period under review by:
Number of outstanding cases at the beginning of the period under review
Cases sent under the urgent action procedure
Cases sent under the standard procedure
Government Non-governmental sources
Number of outstanding cases at the end of the year under review
28 0 0 0 0 28
Number of cases on which the Government has replied
Multiple replies on some cases Number of cases of possible clarification by Government (6-month rule)
0 No 0
General allegation N/A Government response N/A Prompt intervention letter N/A Government response N/A Working Group request for a visit N/A Government response N/A
Information from the Government
70. On 18 November 2008, the Government replied to the general allegation. The response could not be translated by the Secretariat in time for consideration by the Working Group for inclusion in the present report.
General allegation
71. The Working Group received information from credible sources concerning obstacles encountered in the implementation of the Declaration on the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance in Bolivia. This information was transmitted to the Government through the following general allegation.
72. In March 2004, the Government enacted Law 2640 on Exceptional Reparation to Victims of Political Violence during Inter-Constitutional Governments (Law CONREVIP), in which it agreed to pay compensation to victims of political violence, including victims of enforced disappearance that occurred between 1964 and 1982. Law 2640 created a National Commission (CONREVIP) to evaluate the victims’ requests. Notwithstanding that, Law 2640 determined that CONREVIP be established after 90 days from its publication, Statutory Decree 28015, which regulated Law 2640; it was adopted only 11 months later.
73. It was reported that CONREVIP has serious administrative problems, mainly because of a lack of institutional support from the Ministry of Justice, which chairs the Commission.
74. It has been alleged that huge administrative and human resource constraints faced by the Commission have caused delays in the procedure. According to the information received, if CONREVIP continues to work with its current resources, it is unlikely that the review of the pending applications will be concluded by 2010.
75. It was reported that the Government has not provided payments to victims. Rather, the Government enacted complementary rules that are causing delays in the processing of compensation to victims, such as: Law 3275, which determines a new deadline for the submission of requests but also determines a delay in the procedure of compensating victims who had already applied for reparation before the new deadline; Law 3449, which determines that the CONREVIP Presidency, which was under the Ministry for Presidency, is now under the Ministry for Justice, and that two members from the legislative power become members of CONREVIP, which involves further delays in providing the victims with reparation; and Statutory Decree 29214, which establishes new deadlines to CONREVIP causing further delays.
76. According to credible sources, the main obstacle is that Law 2640 requires that 80 per cent of the total amount of the compensation is to be funded by the international community. This substantial part of the required financial resources is unlikely to be obtained from the international community; it is the State that is directly responsible for human rights violations and compensation. It was reported that a lack of funds prevents the Government from providing reparation to victims.
77. As reported above, on 18 November 2008, the Government replied to the general allegation.
Total cases transmitted, clarified and outstanding
78. Since its establishment, the Working Group transmitted 48 cases to the Government. The majority occurred between 1980 and 1982, in the context of measures taken by the authorities after two military coups d’état.
79. The Working Group clarified 20 cases; 19 on the basis of information provided by the Government and 1 on the basis of information provided by the source; 28 remain outstanding.
Observation
80. The Working Group reminds the Government of its responsibility, according to article 19 of the Declaration, to provide adequate compensation to victims, regardless of the level of funds received from the international community.
Brazil
Cases transmitted to the Government during the period under review
Cases clarified during the period under review by:
Number of outstanding cases at the beginning of the period under review
Cases sent under the urgent action procedure
Cases sent under the standard procedure
Government Non-governmental sources
Number of outstanding cases at the end of the year under review
13 0 0 0 0 13
Number of cases on which the Government has replied
Multiple replies on some cases Number of cases of possible clarification by Government (6-month rule)
0 No 0
General allegation N/A Government response N/A Prompt intervention letter N/A Government response N/A Working Group request for a visit N/A Government response N/A
81. All outstanding cases were retransmitted and no response was received from the Government. A summary of the situation in the country appears in E/CN.4/2006/56 and Corr.1.
Burundi
Cases transmitted to the Government during the period under review
Cases clarified during the period under review by:
Number of outstanding cases at the beginning of the period under review
Cases sent under the urgent action procedure
Cases sent under the standard procedure
Government Non-governmental sources
Number of outstanding cases at the end of the year under review
52 0 0 0 0 52
Number of cases on which the Government has replied
Multiple replies on some cases Number of cases of possible clarification by Government (6-month rule)
0 No 0
General allegation N/A Government response N/A Prompt intervention letter N/A Government response N/A Working Group request for a visit N/A Government response N/A
82. All outstanding cases were retransmitted and no response was received from the Government. A summary of the situation in the country appears in E/CN.4/2006/56 and Corr.1.
Cameroon
Cases transmitted to the Government during the period under review
Cases clarified during the period under review by:
Number of outstanding cases at the beginning of the period under review
Cases sent under the urgent action procedure
Cases sent under the standard procedure
Government Non-governmental sources
Number of outstanding cases at the end of the year under review
14 1 0 0 0 15
Number of cases on which the Government has replied
Multiple replies on some cases Number of cases of possible clarification by Government (6-month rule)
0 No 0
General allegation N/A Government response N/A Prompt intervention letter N/A Government response N/A Working Group request for a visit N/A Government response N/A
Urgent actions
83. One case was sent to the Government of Cameroon under the urgent action procedure. It concerned Cipriano Ngema Mba, who was allegedly arrested in Texaco Emana, in the city of Yaoundé in Cameroon by Cameroon police officers and security personnel of the Embassy of Equatorial Guinea in Yaoundé. In accordance with its methods of work, the Working Group sent a copy of this case to the Government of Equatorial Guinea.
Total cases transmitted, clarified and outstanding to date
84. Since its establishment, the Working Group transmitted 19 cases, 4 were clarified on the basis of the information provided by the Government and 15 remain outstanding.
85. A summary of the situation in the country appears in E/CN.4/2006/56 and Corr.1.
Chad
Cases transmitted to the Government during the period under review
Cases clarified during the period under review by:
Number of outstanding cases at the beginning of the period under review
Cases sent under the urgent action procedure
Cases sent under the standard procedure
Government Non-governmental sources
Number of outstanding cases at the end of the year under review
22 7 0 0 0 29
Number of cases on which the Government has replied
Multiple replies on some cases Number of cases of possible clarification by Government (6-month rule)
0 No 0
General allegation N/A Government response N/A Prompt intervention letter N/A Government response N/A Working Group request for a visit N/A Government response N/A
Urgent actions
86. The Working Group transmitted seven cases under the urgent action procedure to the Government of Chad. The cases concerned Abdelaziz Moussa, Abdelkarim Mahamat Toraye, Ali Kaikit, Brahim Idriss Ibrahim, Haroun Mahamat Abdoulaye, Yakoubaye Oumar Adam, and Youssuf Abdekarim Abdoulaye, all members of the Tama ethnic group, arrested on 30 November 2007 in the town of Guéréda by members of the Chadian security forces.
Total cases transmitted, clarified and outstanding
87. Since its establishment, the Working Group transmitted 32 cases to the Government. Three were clarified on the basis of the information provided by the Government and 29 remain outstanding.
88. A summary of the situation in the country appears in E/CN.4/2006/56 and Corr.1.
Observations
89. The Working Group expresses concern that during the period under review, seven urgent actions were sent to the Government, demonstrating an ongoing pattern of enforced disappearances, and that no response was received.
90. The Working Group encourages the Government to take steps to clarify outstanding cases, and reminds the Government of its obligations under article 2 (obligation to prevent and eradicate enforced disappearance), 3 (obligation to take effective legislative, administrative, judicial or other measures to prevent and terminate acts of enforced disappearance) and 14 (obligation to try those accused of enforced disappearance before competent ordinary civil courts) of the Declaration to prevent and to terminate all acts of enforced disappearance and to prosecute alleged perpetrators.
Chile
Cases transmitted to the Government during the period under review
Cases clarified during the period under review by:
Number of outstanding cases at the beginning of the period under review
Cases sent under the urgent action procedure
Cases sent under the standard procedure
Government Non-governmental sources
Number of outstanding cases at the end of the year under review
816 0 0 0 0 816
Number of cases on which the Government has replied
Multiple replies on some cases Number of cases of possible clarification by Government (6-month rule)
0 No 0
General allegation N/A Government response N/A Prompt intervention letter N/A Government response N/A Working Group request for a visit N/A Government response N/A
Information from the Government
91. One communication was received from the Government on 18 August 2008 which could not be translated by the Secretariat in time for consideration by the Working Group for inclusion in the present report.
Total cases transmitted, clarified and outstanding
92. Since its establishment, the Working Group transmitted 908 cases to the Government. It clarified 92 cases, 69 on the basis of information provided by the Government and 23 on the basis of information provided by the source; 816 remain outstanding.
93. A summary of the situation in the country appears in E/CN.4/2006/56 and Corr.1.
China
Cases transmitted to the Government during the period under review
Cases clarified during the period under review by:
Number of outstanding cases at the beginning of the period under review
Cases sent under the urgent action procedure
Cases sent under the standard procedure
Government Non-governmental sources
Number of outstanding cases at the end of the year under review
31 0 0 2 0 29
Number of cases on which the Government has replied
Multiple replies on some cases Number of cases of possible clarification by Government (6-month rule)
7 No 3
General allegation N/A Government response N/A Prompt intervention letter N/A Government response N/A Working Group request for a visit N/A Government response N/A
Information from the Government
94. The Government transmitted two communications dated 20 November 2007 and 6 March 2008 concerning seven outstanding cases. Based on the information received from the Government, which provided the home address where three victims are currently living and which stated that a fourth victim was in detention, the Working Group decided to apply the six-month rule. In two cases, the Government did not provide specific addresses for the victims. In one case, the Government indicated that the information provided was too limited to allow for identification.
Clarification
95. Based on information provided by the Government, the Working Group clarified two cases following the expiration of the six-month rule.
Total cases transmitted, clarified and outstanding
96. Since its establishment, the Working Group transmitted 114 cases to the Government. It clarified 85 cases. 74 were clarified on the basis of information provided by the Government and 11 on the basis of information provided by the source; 29 remain outstanding.
Observations
97. The Working Group continues to express its appreciation to the Government of China for its cooperation and hopes that it will lead to the clarification of outstanding cases.
Colombia
Cases transmitted to the Government during the period under review
Cases clarified during the period under review by:
Number of outstanding cases at the beginning of the period under review
Cases sent under the urgent action procedure
Cases sent under the standard procedure
Government Non-governmental sources
Number of outstanding cases at the end of the year under review
957 0 2 4 0 955
Number of cases on which the Government has replied
Multiple replies on some cases Number of cases of possible clarification by Government (6-month rule)
41 Yes 0
General allegation Yes (2) Government response N/A Prompt intervention letter Yes (2) Government response N/A Working Group request for a visit N/A Government response N/A
Standard cases
98. The Working Group transmitted two newly-reported cases to the Government of Colombia concerning Edgar Jaimes Niño and Victor Julio Ricardo Villalba, arrested in the municipality of Sahagun in the province of Cordoba, allegedly by members of the Prosecutor’s Office.
Information from the Government
99. The Working Group reviewed 14 communications from the Government: 11 communications dated 18 July 2007, 23 August 2007, 28 September 2007, 27 November 2007, 5 December 2007, 3 January 2008, 12 February 2008, 22 February 2008, 20 May 2008, 20 May 2008 and 1 July 2008. Information on cases was reviewed but considered insufficient to constitute a clarification. In the remaining three communications dated 16 August 2007, 22 October 2007 and 12 November 2007 the Government provided death certificates related to four cases, to which the Working Group applied the six-month rule.
Information from sources
100. Additional information was received from sources concerning 40 outstanding cases.
Clarifications
The Working Group clarified four cases for which the six-month rule expired as no observations were received from the source.
Prompt intervention letter
101. On 6 October 2008, the Working Group sent a prompt intervention letter to the Government of Colombia regarding acts of intimidation and reprisals suffered by the family members of a person who disappeared on 29 July 2002. According to the source, the Mayor of Agua Azul, the city where the family lived, was not only responsible for the disappearance of the victim but also for intimidating his family.
102. On 13 October 2008, the source informed that on 11 October 2008, the Mayor of Agua Azul was arrested after the Prosecutor of the Human Rights Unit issued an arrest warrant against him for the alleged crime of enforced disappearance and conspiracy to commit a criminal offence.
103. On 17 November 2008, the Working Group sent a joint communication together with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders and the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, regarding the threats and acts of intimidation suffered by five human rights defenders due to their activities related to the investigation of enforced disappearances.
104. No response was received from the Government regarding the above reported prompt interventions.
General allegation
105. Information was submitted by credible sources to the Working Group concerning obstacles allegedly encountered in the implementation of the Declaration. This information was transmitted to the Government through two general allegations.
106. On the first general allegation, credible sources reported that the number of people that have disappeared in Colombia in recent years may reach 30,000. In 2000, the Government investigated 3,500 disappearances. In 2007, that number rose to 15,600 investigations.
107. According to credible sources, the number of disappearances is much higher than the official figures because of a poor and inefficient administrative system in the country, especially in the rural areas of Colombia.
108. It was reported that demobilized paramilitary commanders and troops confessed to no less than 1,009 mass graves, enabling authorities to find the remains of 1,996 missing persons.
109. It was reported that there have hardly been any convictions for the enforced disappearances. Most crimes have never been solved and most confessions were made under the Justice and Peace law, granting lower sentences for cooperation with justice.
110. On the second general allegation, credible sources reported that despite the legislative efforts undertaken by the Government of Colombia during the past decades, including the enactment of Law 589 of 2000 which criminalizes the practice of enforced disappearance, the families of the disappeared still face many difficulties, particularly with regard to the rights to truth, justice and reparation. 111. It was reported that one of the main legal problems is that according to Law 418 of 1997 and Decree 7381 of 2004, victims of enforced disappearance and their families are not considered victims of political violence, thus depriving them of humanitarian assistance.
112. In order to receive humanitarian assistance, the families must apply for a declaration of presumption of death, and then a death certificate. This lays down preferential treatment for victims of other crimes such as kidnappings, who are not required to obtain death certificates in order to receive assistance.
113. According to the reports received, this legal obligation re-victimizes families by making them go through the process of having a death certificate, although neither the fate nor the whereabouts of the disappeared person are known.
114. In addition, the fact that a disappearance is treated as a direct death does not take into account the continuous nature of the crime, the right to truth for the families of the disappeared and the obligation of the State to continue the investigation. There is also fear that a declaration of presumed death may lead to a legal registry as a death rather than a disappearance.
115. No reply was received from the Government regarding both general allegations.
Total cases transmitted, clarified and outstanding
116. Since its establishment, the Working Group transmitted 1,227 cases to the Government. It clarified 272 cases, 205 on the basis of information provided by the Government and 67 on the basis of information provided by the source; 955 remain outstanding.
117. A summary of the situation in the country appears in document E/CN.4/2006/56 and Corr.1.
Observations
118. The Working Group notes that only two newly-reported cases were received. However, it expresses deep concern at the fact that allegedly the real number of disappearances is much higher than the number reported in official figures.
119. The Working Group is pleased to note that a number of mass graves have been revealed by demobilized paramilitary commanders and troops. In this connection, it encourages the Government to identify all remains, some of which may lead to the clarification of cases.
120. The Working Group notes that although the number of investigations has increased, few convictions have occurred. In this regard, it reminds the Government of its obligation to bring to justice all persons presumed responsible for an act of enforced disappearance, according to article 14 of the Declaration.
121. The Working Group expresses concern about the increasing number of cases of intimidation and reprisals. In this connection, it reminds the Government of its obligation to protect against ill-treatment, intimidation or reprisal according to article 13.3 (protection against ill-treatment, intimidation or reprisal) and 13.5 (ill-treatment, intimidation or reprisal should be punished) of the Declaration.
122. The Working Group expresses concern that compensation is subject to a presumption of death and then a death certificate, which is not in accordance with article 19 of the Declaration.
123. The Working Group sent a letter to the Government of Colombia requesting a report on the implementation of its recommendations following its country visit in 2005. The Working Group regrets that no such report was received.
Congo
Cases transmitted to the Government during the period under review
Cases clarified during the period under review by:
Number of outstanding cases at the beginning of the period under review
Cases sent under the urgent action procedure
Cases sent under the standard procedure
Government Non-governmental sources
Number of outstanding cases at the end of the year under review
114 0 0 0 0 114
Number of cases on which the Government has replied
Multiple replies on some cases Number of cases of possible clarification by Government (6-month rule)
0 No 0
General allegation N/A Government response N/A Prompt intervention letter N/A Government response N/A Working Group request for a visit N/A Government response N/A
124. All outstanding cases were retransmitted and no response was received from the Government. A summary of the situation in the country appears in E/CN.4/2006/56 and Corr.1.
Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
Cases transmitted to the Government during the period under review
Cases clarified during the period under review by:
Number of outstanding cases at the beginning of the period under review
Cases sent under the urgent action procedure
Cases sent under the standard procedure
Government Non-governmental sources
Number of outstanding cases at the end of the year under review
9 0 0 0 0 9
Number of cases on which the Government has replied
Multiple replies on some cases Number of cases of possible clarification by Government (6-month rule)
3 Yes 0
General allegation N/A Government response N/A Prompt intervention letter N/A Government response N/A Working Group request for a visit N/A Government response N/A
Standard cases
125. In accordance with its methods of work, the Government of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea received a copy of the cases concerning Tsuyosi Ko and Kiyomi Ko, reportedly abducted in Japan by secret agents of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. These cases are recorded under the Government of Japan.
Information from the Government
126. The Government transmitted three communications to the Working Group, dated 10 January 2008, 6 May 2008 and 2 October 2008, in which it replied on all outstanding cases. The information was considered insufficient to clarify them.
Information from sources
127. The source provided additional information on all outstanding cases, stating that many contradicting and questionable points were observed in the explanations of the investigations and in the evidence presented by the Government. The source also informed on the agreement by the Government of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to carry out a complete investigation into all outstanding cases.
Total cases transmitted, clarified and outstanding
128. Since its establishment, the Working Group transmitted nine cases to the Government, all of which remain outstanding.
Observations
129. The Working Group notes the positive steps taken by the Governments of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and Japan and is hopeful that new investigations may be carried out and lead to the clarification of the outstanding cases.
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Cases transmitted to the Government during the period under review
Cases clarified during the period under review by:
Number of outstanding cases at the beginning of the period under review
Cases sent under the urgent action procedure
Cases sent under the standard procedure
Government Non-governmental sources
Number of outstanding cases at the end of the year under review
43 0 0 0 0 43
Number of cases on which the Government has replied
Multiple replies on some cases Number of cases of possible clarification by Government (6-month rule)
0 No 0
General allegation N/A Government response N/A Prompt intervention letter N/A Government response N/A Working Group request for a visit N/A Government response N/A
130. All outstanding cases were retransmitted and no response was received from the Government. A summary of the situation in the country appears in E/CN.4/2006/56 and Corr.1 and A/HRC/7/2.
Dominican Republic
Cases transmitted to the Government during the period under review
Cases clarified during the period under review by:
Number of outstanding cases at the beginning of the period under review
Cases sent under the urgent action procedure
Cases sent under the standard procedure
Government Non-governmental sources
Number of outstanding cases at the end of the year under review
2 0 0 0 0 2
Number of cases on which the Government has replied
Multiple replies on some cases Number of cases of possible clarification by Government (6-month rule)
0 No 0
General allegation N/A Government response N/A Prompt intervention letter N/A Government response N/A Working Group request for a visit N/A Government response N/A
131. All outstanding cases were retransmitted and no response was received from the Government. A summary of the situation in the country appears in E/CN.4/2006/56 and Corr.1.
Ecuador
Cases transmitted to the Government during the period under review
Cases clarified during the period under review by:
Number of outstanding cases at the beginning of the period under review
Cases sent under the urgent action procedure
Cases sent under the standard procedure
Government Non-governmental sources
Number of outstanding cases at the end of the year under review
11 0 0 7 0 4
Number of cases on which the Government has replied
Multiple replies on some cases Number of cases of possible clarification by Government (6-month rule)
11 No 0
General allegation N/A Government response N/A Prompt intervention letter N/A Government response N/A Working Group request for a visit Yes Government response Yes
Information from the Government
132. The Working Group received one communication on 11 June 2008 from the Government of Ecuador on the four outstanding cases. However, the response was considered insufficient to clarify them. On 2 September 2008, another communication was received from the Government rectifying the name of one of the victims of the outstanding cases.
Information from sources
133. Additional information was received from sources regarding one case.
Clarifications
134. Based on information received from the Government, the Working Group clarified seven cases for which the six-month rule had been applied and no observations were received from the source.
Truth and Justice Commission
135. In a communication received on 11 June 2008, the Government informed the Working Group that a Truth and Justice Commission had been established in Ecuador on 3 May 2007.
Visit
136. In a communication dated 17 September 2008, the Government invited the Working Group to undertake an official visit in 2009.
Total cases transmitted, clarified and outstanding
137. Since its establishment, the Working Group transmitted 26 cases to the Government. It clarified 22 cases, 18 on the basis of information provided by the Government and 4 on the basis of information provided by the source; 4 cases remain outstanding.
138. A summary of the situation in the country appears in E/CN.4/2006/56 and Corr.1.
Observations
139. The Working Group thanks the Government for its cooperation and the efforts deployed to clarify seven outstanding cases.
140. The Working Group congratulates the Government on the establishment of the Truth and Justice Commission and hopes that it will achieve successful results to the benefit of victims of enforced or involuntary disappearances.
141. The Working Group thanks the Government for the invitation extended to undertake a country visit.
Egypt
Cases transmitted to the Government during the period under review
Cases clarified during the period under review by:
Number of outstanding cases at the beginning of the period under review
Cases sent under the urgent action procedure
Cases sent under the standard procedure
Government Non-governmental sources
Number of outstanding cases at the end of the year under review
15 0 0 0 0 15
Number of cases on which the Government has replied
Multiple replies on some cases Number of cases of possible clarification by Government (6-month rule)
0 No 0
General allegation Yes Government response No Prompt intervention letter N/A Government response N/A Working Group request for a visit N/A Government response N/A
General allegation
142. The Working Group received information from credible sources concerning obstacles encountered in Italy in the implementation of the Declaration on the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance. This information was transmitted to the Governments of Egypt, Italy and the United States of America after its eighty-third session.
143. The allegation concerned a report of one case of extraordinary rendition, which allegedly occurred in Italy on 17 February 2003, and which involved an enforced disappearance for a
certain period of time. The Working Group was informed that this case took place in the context of extraordinary rendition programmes that were allegedly carried out by the United States of America together with Egypt, where the person was secretly imprisoned and reportedly tortured.
144. No response was received from the Government regarding this general allegation.
Total cases transmitted, clarified and outstanding to date
145. Since its establishment, the Working Group transmitted 23 cases to the Government. It clarified 7 cases on the basis of information provided by the Government and 1 case on the basis of information provided by the source; 15 remain outstanding.
Observations
146. The Working Group requests the Government to provide information on the allegation, in particular whether the rendition, which would amount to enforced disappearance, regardless of its purpose, took place on 17 February 2003.
El Salvador
Cases transmitted to the Government during the period under review
Cases clarified during the period under review by:
Number of outstanding cases at the beginning of the period under review
Cases sent under the urgent action procedure
Cases sent under the standard procedure
Government Non-governmental sources
Number of outstanding cases at the end of the year under review
2 270 0 0 0 0 2 270
Number of cases on which the Government has replied
Multiple replies on some cases Number of cases of possible clarification by Government (6-month rule)
0 No 0
General allegation N/A Government response N/A Prompt intervention letter N/A Government response N/A Working Group request for a visit Yes Government response Yes
147. All outstanding cases were retransmitted and no response was received from the Government. A summary of the situation in the country appears in E/CN.4/2006/56 and Corr.1. The country visit report is contained in A/HRC/7/2/Add.2.
Observation
148. The Working Group sent a letter to the Government of El Salvador requesting a report on the implementation of the recommendations of the Working Group following its country visit in 2007. The Working Group regrets that no such report was received.
Equatorial Guinea
Cases transmitted to the Government during the period under review
Cases clarified during the period under review by:
Number of outstanding cases at the beginning of the period under review
Cases sent under the urgent action procedure
Cases sent under the standard procedure
Government Non-governmental sources
Number of outstanding cases at the end of the year under review
8 0 0 0 0 8
Number of cases on which the Government has replied
Multiple replies on some cases Number of cases of possible clarification by Government (6-month rule)
0 No 0
General allegation N/A Government response N/A Prompt intervention letter N/A Government response N/A Working Group request for a visit N/A Government response N/A
Urgent actions
149. According to the Working Group’s methods of work, the Government of Equatorial Guinea received a copy of the case concerning Cipriano Ngema Mba, allegedly arrested in Texaco Emana in the city of Yaoundé in Cameroon by Cameroon police officers and security personnel of the Embassy of Equatorial Guinea in Yaoundé. This case is recorded under the Government of Cameroon.
Total cases transmitted, clarified and outstanding to date
150. Since its establishment, the Working Group transmitted eight cases to the Government of Equatorial Guinea; all remain outstanding.
151. A summary of the situation in the country appears in E/CN.4/2006/56 and Corr.1.
Eritrea
Cases transmitted to the Government during the period under review
Cases clarified during the period under review by:
Number of outstanding cases at the beginning of the period under review
Cases sent under the urgent action procedure
Cases sent under the standard procedure
Government Non-governmental sources
Number of outstanding cases at the end of the year under review
54 0 0 0 0 54
Number of cases on which the Government has replied
Multiple replies on some cases Number of cases of possible clarification by Government (6-month rule)
0 No 0
General allegation N/A Government response N/A Prompt intervention letter N/A Government response N/A Working Group request for a visit N/A Government response N/A
152. All outstanding cases were retransmitted and no response was received from the Government. A summary of the situation in the country appears in E/CN.4/2006/56 and Corr.1.
Ethiopia
Cases transmitted to the Government during the period under review
Cases clarified during the period under review by:
Number of outstanding cases at the beginning of the period under review
Cases sent under the urgent action procedure
Cases sent under the standard procedure
Government Non-governmental sources
Number of outstanding cases at the end of the year under review
112 0 0 0 0 112
Number of cases on which the Government has replied
Multiple replies on some cases Number of cases of possible clarification by Government (6-month rule)
0 No 0
General allegation N/A Government response N/A Prompt intervention letter N/A Government response N/A Working Group request for a visit N/A Government response N/A
153. All outstanding cases were retransmitted and no response was received from the Government. A summary of the situation in the country appears in E/CN.4/2006/56 and Corr.1 and A/HRC/7/2.
France4
Cases transmitted to the Government during the period under review
Cases clarified during the period under review by:
Number of outstanding cases at the beginning of the period under review
Cases sent under the urgent action procedure
Cases sent under the standard procedure
Government Non-governmental sources
Number of outstanding cases at the end of the year under review
1 0 0 0 0 1
Number of cases on which the Government has replied
Multiple replies on some cases Number of cases of possible clarification by Government (6-month rule)
0 No 0
General allegation N/A Government response N/A Prompt intervention letter N/A Government response N/A Working Group request for a visit N/A Government response N/A
154. All outstanding cases were retransmitted and no response was received from the Government. A summary of the situation in the country appears in E/CN.4/2006/56 and Corr.1 and A/HRC/7/2.
4 In accordance with the practice of the Working Group, Olivier de Frouville did not participate
in the decisions relating to this section of the report.
Observations
155. The Working Group congratulates the Government for ratifying the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance.
Gambia
Cases transmitted to the Government during the period under review
Cases clarified during the period under review by:
Number of outstanding cases at the beginning of the period under review
Cases sent under the urgent action procedure
Cases sent under the standard procedure
Government Non-governmental sources
Number of outstanding cases at the end of the year under review
1 0 0 0 0 1
Number of cases on which the Government has replied
Multiple replies on some cases Number of cases of possible clarification by Government (6-month rule)
0 No 0
General allegation N/A Government response N/A Prompt intervention letter N/A Government response N/A Working Group request for a visit N/A Government response N/A
Information from sources
156. The Working Group received new information from sources on the outstanding case, which did not lead to clarification.
Total cases transmitted, clarified and outstanding to date
157. Since its establishment, the Working Group transmitted two cases to the Government of Gambia. One was clarified on the basis of information provided by the source and the other remains outstanding.
158. A summary of the situation in the country appears in E/CN.4/2006/56 and Corr.1.
Greece Cases transmitted to the Government during the period under review
Cases clarified during the period under review by:
Number of outstanding cases at the beginning of the period under review
Cases sent under the urgent action procedure
Cases sent under the standard procedure
Government Non-governmental sources
Number of outstanding cases at the end of the year under review
1 0 0 0 0 1
Number of cases on which the Government has replied
Multiple replies on some cases Number of cases of possible clarification by Government (6-month rule)
1 No 0
General allegation N/A Government response N/A Prompt intervention letter N/A Government response N/A Working Group request for a visit N/A Government response N/A
Information from the Government
159. The Working Group reviewed a communication sent by the Government on 11 February 2008 regarding the outstanding case, which was considered insufficient to clarify it.
Total cases transmitted, clarified and outstanding to date
160. Since its establishment, the Working Group transmitted three cases to the Government; two were discontinued and one remains outstanding.
161. A summary of the situation in the country appears in E/CN.4/2006/56 and Corr.1.
Guatemala
Cases transmitted to the Government during the period under review
Cases clarified during the period under review by:
Number of outstanding cases at the beginning of the period under review
Cases sent under the urgent action procedure
Cases sent under the standard procedure
Government Non-governmental sources
Number of outstanding cases at the end of the year under review
2 899 0 0 0 0 2 899
Number of cases on which the Government has replied
Multiple replies on some cases Number of cases of possible clarification by Government (6-month rule)
3 Yes 0
General allegation N/A Government response N/A Prompt intervention letter Yes Government response N/A Working Group request for a visit N/A Government response N/A
Information from the Government
162. The Working Group received four communications from the Government: one on 19 October 2007 concerning three outstanding cases, on which the Working Group decided that the response was insufficient to clarify them; the second on 6 June 2008, replying to the prompt intervention letter; a third on 23 September 2008, which could not be translated by the Secretariat in time for consideration by the Working Group for inclusion in the present report; and a fourth on 26 November 2008, on the implementation of the recommendations of the Working Group following its country visit in 2007, which could not be translated by the Secretariat in time for consideration by the Working Group for inclusion in the present report.
Prompt intervention
163. On 29 May 2008, the Working Group sent a prompt intervention letter to the Government of Guatemala regarding the intimidation and threats suffered by seven persons due to their engagement in investigating enforced or involuntary disappearances which occurred in Guatemala.
164. On 6 June 2008, the Government informed that the prompt intervention had been transmitted to the competent authorities.
Total cases transmitted, clarified and outstanding
165. Since its establishment, the Working Group transmitted 3,155 cases to the Government. It clarified 256 cases, 177 on the basis of information provided by the Government and 79 on the basis of information provided by the source; 2,899 remain outstanding.
166. A summary of the situation in the country appears in E/CN.4/2006/56 and Corr.1.
Observations
167. The Working Group is grateful to the Government for its cooperation and for the report on the implementation of the recommendations of the Working Group following its country visit in 2007.
Guinea
Cases transmitted to the Government during the period under review
Cases clarified during the period under review by:
Number of outstanding cases at the beginning of the period under review
Cases sent under the urgent action procedure
Cases sent under the standard procedure
Government Non-governmental sources
Number of outstanding cases at the end of the year under review
21 0 0 0 0 21
Number of cases on which the Government has replied
Multiple replies on some cases Number of cases of possible clarification by Government (6-month rule)
0 No 0
General allegation N/A Government response N/A Prompt intervention letter N/A Government response N/A Working Group request for a visit N/A Government response N/A
168. All outstanding cases were retransmitted and no response was received from the Government. A summary of the situation in the country appears in E/CN.4/2006/56 and Corr.1.
Haiti
Cases transmitted to the Government during the period under review
Cases clarified during the period under review by:
Number of outstanding cases at the beginning of the period under review
Cases sent under the urgent action procedure
Cases sent under the standard procedure
Government Non-governmental sources
Number of outstanding cases at the end of the year under review
38 0 0 0 0 38
Number of cases on which the Government has replied
Multiple replies on some cases Number of cases of possible clarification by Government (6-month rule)
0 No 0
General allegation N/A Government response N/A Prompt intervention letter N/A Government response N/A Working Group request for a visit N/A Government response N/A
169. All outstanding cases were retransmitted and no response was received from the Government. A summary of the situation in the country appears in E/CN.4/2006/56 and Corr.1 and A/HRC/4/41.
Honduras
Cases transmitted to the Government during the period under review
Cases clarified during the period under review by:
Number of outstanding cases at the beginning of the period under review
Cases sent under the urgent action procedure
Cases sent under the standard procedure
Government Non-governmental sources
Number of outstanding cases at the end of the year under review
127 0 0 0 0 127
Number of cases on which the Government has replied
Multiple replies on some cases Number of cases of possible clarification by Government (6-month rule)
4 No 0
General allegation N/A Government response N/A Prompt intervention letter N/A Government response N/A Working Group request for a visit N/A Government response N/A
Information from the Government
170. The Working Group received three communications from the Government dated 30 October 2007, 14 February 2008 and 21 October 2008. The first two communications provided information on four outstanding cases. The Working Group decided that the responses were insufficient to clarify them. The third communication provided information on the implementation of the recommendations of the Working Group following its country visit in 2007, which could not be translated by the Secretariat in time for consideration by the Working Group for inclusion in the present report.
Total cases transmitted, clarified and outstanding
171. Since its establishment, the Working Group transmitted 207 cases to the Government. It clarified 80 cases: 37 on the basis of information provided by the Government and 43 on the basis of information provided by the source; 127 remain outstanding.
172. A summary of the situation in the country appears in documents E/CN.4/2006/56 and Corr.1, and A/HRC/4/41. The country visit report can be found in document A/HRC/7/2/Add.1.
Observation
173. The Working Group is grateful to the Government of Honduras for its cooperation and for the report on the implementation of the recommendations of the Working Group following its country visit in 2007.
174. The Working Group congratulates the Government for ratifying the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance.
India5
Cases transmitted to the Government during the period under review
Cases clarified during the period under review by:
Number of outstanding cases at the beginning of the period under review
Cases sent under the urgent action procedure
Cases sent under the standard procedure
Government Non-governmental sources
Number of outstanding cases at the end of the year under review
331 1 32 2 0 362
Number of cases on which the Government has replied
Multiple replies on some cases Number of cases of possible clarification by Government (6-month rule)
5 Yes 0
General allegation Yes (2) Government response No Prompt intervention letter N/A Government response N/A Working Group request for a visit N/A Government response N/A
Urgent action
175. The Working Group transmitted one case to the Government under its urgent action procedure. The case concerned Mr. T. S. Abi Chiru, aged 17, disappeared near the border with Myanmar.
Standard cases
176. The Working Group transmitted 32 newly-reported cases to the Government of India. The majority occurred between 1986 and 1994, mainly in 1992 and 1993. One case took place in 2005 in Barmullah District. All victims were males last seen at their homes or at police stations in Punjab. Information from the Government
177. The Government transmitted three communications to the Working Group, dated 31 January, 3 September and 9 September 2008, concerning five cases. The Working Group decided that in two cases, where the Government stated that the victims were at home, the replies could constitute clarifications, provided the source did not raise an objection within six months. In the other three cases, the information was insufficient to clarify the cases.
Clarification
178. Based on information provided by the Government, the Working Group decided to clarify two cases, following the expiration of the six-month rule.
5 See Annex 5 for the list of names of the newly-reported cases of disappeared persons.
General allegations
179. Information was submitted by credible sources to the Working Group concerning obstacles reportedly encountered in the implementation of the Declaration. This information was transmitted to the Government after its eighty-third and eighty-fifth sessions.
180. It was reported that there is an absence of domestic remedies to address enforced disappearances, particularly those that took place between 1984 and 1995 in Punjab. The Government of India has allegedly refused to take effective legislative, judicial and administrative measures to end enforced disappearances.
181. In 1997, the Supreme Court appointed the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of India as its sui generis body to examine secret cremations and to redress fundamental human rights violations. However, the NHRC limited its mandate to secret cremations, ignoring the violations of the right to life and the right to liberty; territorially restricted its mandate to three crematoriums; and refused to investigate any disappearances, relying on police admissions to determine the status of victims, rather than hearing any evidence from family members.
182. In a separate allegation, it was reported that hundreds of unidentified graves have been uncovered from 2006 in Jammu and Kashmir. The graves of at least 940 persons have been found in 18 villages in Uri District alone.
183. These graves are believed to contain the remains of victims of unlawful killings, enforced disappearances, torture and other abuses which occurred from 1989. However, it was reported to the Working Group that the Indian Army has claimed that the graves belong to armed rebels and foreign militants killed lawfully in armed encounters with military forces and that there have been no investigations or exhumations of the gravesites.
184. No responses were received from the Government regarding both general allegations.
Total cases transmitted, clarified and outstanding
185. Since its establishment, the Working Group transmitted 423 cases to the Government. It clarified 61 cases, 51 on the basis of information provided by the Government and 10 on the basis of information provided by the source; 362 remain outstanding.
Observations
186. The Working Group reminds the Government of its obligations under the Declaration, mainly the right to a prompt and effective remedy (art. 9), the obligation to investigate all cases of enforced disappearances (art. 13.1), the obligation to make available findings of investigations to those concerned (art. 13.4) and to conduct thorough and impartial investigations “for as long as the fate of the victim of enforced disappearance remains unclarified” (art. 13.6).
187. The Working Group requests the Government to comment on the information contained in the general allegations, which may lead to the clarification of outstanding cases.
Indonesia
Cases transmitted to the Government during the period under review
Cases clarified during the period under review by:
Number of outstanding cases at the beginning of the period under review
Cases sent under the urgent action procedure
Cases sent under the standard procedure
Government Non-governmental sources
Number of outstanding cases at the end of the year under review
159 0 3 0 0 162
Number of cases on which the Government has replied
Multiple replies on some cases Number of cases of possible clarification by Government (6-month rule)
0 No 0
General allegation N/A Government response N/A Prompt intervention letter N/A Government response N/A Working Group request for a visit Yes Government response Under consideration
Standard cases
188. The Working Group transmitted three cases to the Government under its standard procedure. The first concerned Marsaid Jamrong Thaib Tarab, arrested at the Military District Command in Lampung in 1965. The second concerned Kaswan Tarab, arrested by the Military and last seen in detention on Buru Island, Maluku, in 1966. The third concerned Simad Tarab, arrested in 1965 by the Military and Police and taken to a factory in Central Java and last seen in 1966.
Information from the Government
189. The Government submitted one communication to the Working Group dated 27 November 2007, in response to a general allegation sent in 2007.
190. The Government stated that:
“any serious human rights violations which occurred before this law [Act. No. 26/2000] was established must be investigated and decided on by the Ad Hoc Human Rights Court, additionally, it must be supported by a Presidential Decision and must follow a request from the Indonesian legislative. The Ad Hoc Human Rights Court mentioned above was not in fact created until a much later date, thus post-dating the aforementioned disappearances. Therefore, from the judicial perspective, the investigation results from the National Human Rights Commission concerned with the involuntary disappearances which occurred from 1997 to 1998, did not follow the prescribed steps necessary needed for the next investigative step to take place.”
Request for a visit
191. On 12 December 2006, the Working Group requested to undertake a mission to Indonesia. The Government responded that it would not be possible to receive the Working Group during 2007 and that greater benefit would be derived from a visit at a later date. A reminder letter was sent on 3 April 2008; the Government has not yet responded.
Total cases transmitted, clarified and outstanding
192. Since its establishment, the Working Group transmitted 165 cases to the Government. Of those, 3 cases have been clarified on the basis of information provided by the source; 162 remain outstanding.
Observations
193. The Working Group reiterates its observations made in previous reports, since it received no information from the Government thereon.
194. The Working Group encourages the Government of Indonesia, in cooperation with the Government of Timor-Leste, to communicate with the Working Group to further the clarification of all outstanding cases.
195. The Working Group reminds the Government of its obligations under the Declaration to conduct thorough and impartial investigations “for as long as the fate of the victim of enforced disappearance remains unclarified” (art. 13.6).
196. The Working Group notes the Government’s reply to the request for a visit, in which it indicated that the visit could not take place at the proposed time, and looks forward to receiving proposed dates as soon as possible.
Iran (Islamic Republic of)6 Cases transmitted to the Government during the period under review
Cases clarified during the period under review by:
Number of outstanding cases at the beginning of the period under review
Cases sent under the urgent action procedure
Cases sent under the standard procedure
Government Non-governmental sources
Number of outstanding cases at the end of the year under review
513 2 0 0 0 515
Number of cases on which the Government has replied
Multiple replies on some cases Number of cases of possible clarification by Government (6-month rule)
0 No 0
General allegation N/A Government response N/A Prompt intervention letter N/A Government response N/A Working Group request for a visit Yes Government response Yes - postponed
Urgent action
197. The Working Group sent two cases under its urgent action procedure. One concerned Iraj Hasani, arrested in the Province of East Azerbaijan, by Special Forces. The second concerned Vadood Asadi (Vedud Esedi), arrested at his home by Security Forces in July 2008.
6 In accordance with the practice of the Working Group, Saied Rajaie Khorasani did not
participate in the decisions relating to this section of the report.
Standard cases
198. In accordance with its methods of work, the Government of Iran received a copy of the case concerning Fathollah Manouchehri Fouladvand, reportedly disappeared in Yuksekova, Turkey. It is believed that he may be currently detained in Iran. This case is recorded under the Government of Turkey.
Request for a visit
199. The Government of Iran agreed to a visit by the Working Group in 2004, which was delayed at the request of the Government.
Total cases transmitted, clarified and outstanding
200. Since its establishment, the Working Group transmitted 532 cases to the Government. It clarified 17 cases, 4 on the basis of information provided by the Government and 13 on the basis of information provided by the source; 515 remain outstanding.
Observations
201. The Working Group expresses concern that during the period under review, two urgent actions were sent to the Government and no response was received.
202. The Working Group reaffirms its request for a visit, which was postponed in 2004 and looks forward to a reply from the Government regarding proposed dates.
Iraq
Cases transmitted to the Government during the period under review
Cases clarified during the period under review by:
Number of outstanding cases at the beginning of the period under review
Cases sent under the urgent action procedure
Cases sent under the standard procedure
Government Non-governmental sources
Number of outstanding cases at the end of the year under review
16 387 0 9 0 0 16 396
Number of cases on which the Government has replied
Multiple replies on some cases Number of cases of possible clarification by Government (6-month rule)
0 No 0
General allegation N/A Government response N/A Prompt intervention letter N/A Government response N/A Working Group request for a visit N/A Government response N/A
Standard cases
203. The Working Group transmitted nine cases to the Government under its standard procedure. Four cases concerned Ahmad Chaloub Hamad Teina Al Dulaimi Al Dulaimi, Abdel Qadir Chaloub Hamad Teina Al Dulaimi, Abdel Karim Chaloub Hamad Teina Al Dulaimi and Rida Al Din Abdallah Ashoor Al Dulaimi, arrested at their family home
in 2005. The other five concerned Andre Durant, Carl Angus Scheepers, Johannes Stephanus Enslin, Gerhadus Greeff and Yaakob Niaim Mushi Shehribani, stopped by the police at a checkpoint and taken by a militia to an unknown location in 2006.
Information from the Government
204. The Government of Iraq transmitted three communications to the Working Group, dated 9 September 2007, 21 April 2008 and 10 July 2008. The first two communications contained general information. The latter could not be translated by the Secretariat on time for consideration by the Working Group for inclusion in the present report.
Meetings
205. Representatives of the Government met with the Working Group at its eighty-sixth session to discuss their efforts to clarify outstanding cases.
Total cases transmitted, clarified and outstanding
206. Since its establishment, the Working Group transmitted 16,526 cases to the Government. It clarified 130 cases, 23 cases on the basis of information provided by the Government and 107 have been clarified on the basis of information provided by the source; 16,396 remain outstanding.
Observations
207. The Working Group appreciates the meeting held with representatives of the Government of Iraq and looks forward to continued cooperation.
Israel
Cases transmitted to the Government during the period under review
Cases clarified during the period under review by:
Number of outstanding cases at the beginning of the period under review
Cases sent under the urgent action procedure
Cases sent under the standard procedure
Government Non-governmental sources
Number of outstanding cases at the end of the year under review
2 0 0 0 0 2
Number of cases on which the Government has replied
Multiple replies on some cases Number of cases of possible clarification by Government (6-month rule)
0 No 0
General allegation N/A Government response N/A Prompt intervention letter N/A Government response N/A Working Group request for a visit N/A Government response N/A
208. All outstanding cases were retransmitted and no response was received from the Government. A summary of the situation in the country appears in E/CN.4/2006/56 and Corr.1.
Italy
Cases transmitted to the Government during the period under review
Cases clarified during the period under review by:
Number of outstanding cases at the beginning of the period under review
Cases sent under the urgent action procedure
Cases sent under the standard procedure
Government Non-governmental sources
Number of outstanding cases at the end of the year under review
0 0 0 0 0 0
Number of cases on which the Government has replied
Multiple replies on some cases Number of cases of possible clarification by Government (6-month rule)
0 No 0
General allegation Yes Government response Yes Prompt intervention letter N/A Government response N/A Working Group request for a visit N/A Government response N/A
Information from the Government
209. The Working Group received one communication from the Government dated 7 August 2008, regarding the general allegation.
General allegation
210. The Working Group received information from credible sources concerning obstacles encountered in the implementation of the Declaration on the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance in Italy. This information was transmitted to the Government after its eighty-third session through the following general allegation.
211. In the context of one case of extraordinary rendition that occurred in Italy on 17 February 2003, which involved an enforced disappearance for a certain period of time, and in the context of the extraordinary rendition programmes carried out by the United States of America together with Egypt, where the person was secretly imprisoned and allegedly tortured, it was reported that:
(a) Under Italian criminal legislation, enforced disappearance is not codified as an autonomous offence;
(b) In addition, public servants that might be accused of acts that may qualify as enforced disappearance can invoke “State secrecy” in order not to testify or be submitted to a regular judgement.
212. On 3 August 2007, a new intelligence law was adopted (Legge No. 124) according to which State secrecy cannot be invoked in order to not be submitted to regular judgement for a series of serious crimes. However, grave human rights violations, including enforced disappearance, are not included in this list. The Working Group was also informed that according to this law, news, acts, activities, information, documents and places may be covered by State secrecy for at least 15 years.
213. Allegedly, this provision, if applied to cases where an enforced disappearance has occurred, is not compatible with the aim of prevention and repression of the offence.
214. In a communication dated 7 August 2008, the Government of Italy stated that:
“The crime of enforced disappearance falls within Art. 6085 of the domestic criminal code, which is devoted to the offences of abduction, kidnapping and envisages, inter alia, the aggravating circumstance, in case such crimes are committed by a public official or civil servant, the detention penalty term will be increased.”
215. The Government reported that “by Act N. 124 adopted on 3 August 2007, the institute of the so-called ‘functional safeguards’ introduced an ad hoc legal excuse, to be applied to the staff of the Intelligence Services for the State Security, who are authorized by the competent political Authority, to perform duties pursuing institutional objectives of the Service which, in principle, might fall under criminal conduct”. In this connection, the Government added that by art. 17, para. 2, of Act 124/07, it is envisaged that the legal excuse institute cannot cover “crimes aimed at endangering, attempting or affecting the right to life, the physical integrity, the personal and moral liberties, the health and the safety of individuals”.
216. The Government further reported that “by Art. 39 of Act 124/07, the prerequisites for the application of the State secrecy have been defined. The State secrecy is applied only as a last resort, when the State security is challenged and under threat. When such prerequisites emerge, the protection of the State secrecy is decided by the President of the Council of Ministers. Accordingly, there is ‘no possibility for the accused public official’ to decide the applicability of the State secrecy: the public official may only, by jurisdictional action, initiate a parallel, interlocutory proceeding, aimed at getting a decision by the President of the Council of Ministers whether to confirm or not the State secrecy. However, at procedural level State secrecy does not interrupt penal actions.” The Government added that “procedurally, it is worth reiterating that the decision confirming the State secrecy has to be explicit and made solely by the President of the Council of Ministers: in light of the strict prerequisites defined by Law, neither the accused person, nor the witness may take this kind of decision”.
Observations
217. The Working Group notes that the response of the Government does not specifically address whether or not it conducted an extraordinary rendition programme, together with other countries, consisting of secretly transporting a person through various countries, a practice which amounts to enforced disappearance.
218. The Working Group reminds the Government that following its general comment on article 4 of the Declaration, the crime of enforced disappearance shall be an offence and included in criminal law as an autonomous crime, and not incorporated in domestic legislation as part of other offences.
Japan
Cases transmitted to the Government during the period under review
Cases clarified during the period under review by:
Number of outstanding cases at the beginning of the period under review
Cases sent under the urgent action procedure
Cases sent under the standard procedure
Government Non-governmental sources
Number of outstanding cases at the end of the year under review
2 0 2 0 0 4
Number of cases on which the Government has replied
Multiple replies on some cases Number of cases of possible clarification by Government (6-month rule)
2 Yes 0
General allegation N/A Government response N/A Prompt intervention letter N/A Government response N/A Working Group request for a visit N/A Government response N/A
Standard cases
219. The Working Group transmitted two newly-reported cases to the Government of Japan. The cases concern Tsuyosi Ko, aged 4, and Kiyomi Ko, aged 7, reportedly abducted in Tokyo by secret agents of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in 1974. In accordance with its methods of work, the Working Group sent a copy of these cases to the Government of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
Information from the Government
220. The Government transmitted three communications to the Working Group, dated 23 November 2007, 30 May and 25 July 2008, in which it replied on two outstanding cases. The information was insufficient to clarify them. In the latter communication, the Government indicated some of the steps taken toward the resolution of cases of disappearances.
Meetings
221. The Government of Japan met with the Working Group at its eighty-fourth, eighty-fifth and eighty-sixth sessions to discuss developments relating to outstanding cases.
Total cases transmitted, clarified and outstanding
222. Since its establishment, the Working Group transmitted four cases to the Government, all of which remain outstanding.
Observations
223. The Working Group deeply appreciates the ongoing commitment of the Government of Japan to meet regularly and provide information on the steps taken to clarify outstanding cases.
224. The Working Group notes the positive steps taken by the Governments of Japan and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and is hopeful that new investigations may be carried out in the hope that outstanding cases may be clarified.
Jordan
Cases transmitted to the Government during the period under review
Cases clarified during the period under review by:
Number of outstanding cases at the beginning of the period under review
Cases sent under the urgent action procedure
Cases sent under the standard procedure
Government Non-governmental sources
Number of outstanding cases at the end of the year under review
2 0 0 0 0 2
Number of cases on which the Government has replied
Multiple replies on some cases Number of cases of possible clarification by Government (6-month rule)
0 No 0
General allegation N/A Government response N/A Prompt intervention letter N/A Government response N/A Working Group request for a visit N/A Government response N/A
Information from the Government
225. The Government submitted one communication to the Working Group, dated 28 January 2008, indicating that it had no further information regarding one outstanding case in Syria.
Total cases transmitted, clarified and outstanding
226. Since its establishment, the Working Group transmitted three cases to the Government; of those, one was transferred to the Syrian Arab Republic and two remain outstanding.
Kuwait
Cases transmitted to the Government during the period under review
Cases clarified during the period under review by:
Number of outstanding cases at the beginning of the period under review
Cases sent under the urgent action procedure
Cases sent under the standard procedure
Government Non-governmental sources
Number of outstanding cases at the end of the year under review
1 0 0 0 0 1
Number of cases on which the Government has replied
Multiple replies on some cases Number of cases of possible clarification by Government (6-month rule)
1 No 0
General allegation N/A Government response N/A Prompt intervention letter N/A Government response N/A Working Group request for a visit N/A Government response N/A
Information from the Government
227. The Government transmitted two communications to the Working Group. The first communication dated 15 April 2008, concerned the Government’s efforts in investigating
the outstanding case. The information was insufficient to clarify it. The second communication dated 12 September 2008, could not be translated by the Secretariat on time for consideration by the Working Group for inclusion in the present report.
Total cases transmitted, clarified and outstanding
228. Since its establishment, the Working Group transmitted one case to the Government which remains outstanding.
Lebanon
Cases transmitted to the Government during the period under review
Cases clarified during the period under review by:
Number of outstanding cases at the beginning of the period under review
Cases sent under the urgent action procedure
Cases sent under the standard procedure
Government Non-governmental sources
Number of outstanding cases at the end of the year under review
312 0 0 0 0 312
Number of cases on which the Government has replied
Multiple replies on some cases Number of cases of possible clarification by Government (6-month rule)
1 No 0
General allegation N/A Government response N/A Prompt intervention letter N/A Government response N/A Working Group request for a visit N/A Government response N/A
Information from the Government
229. The Government transmitted two communications to the Working Group dated 22 January and 18 February 2008. The latter could not be translated by the Secretariat in time for consideration by the Working Group for inclusion in the present report. For one case, the Government of Lebanon indicated that the person in question was not in any Syrian prison, as reported in the framework of the Commission of Inquiry on Lebanese detainees in Syria.
230. The Government of the Syrian Arab Republic also transmitted one communication to the Working Group concerning the case of a man who was allegedly arrested in Syria, but who was last seen in Lebanon in 1976. The Government indicated that this man is not in any Syrian prison. The information was insufficient to clarify the outstanding cases.
Total cases transmitted, clarified and outstanding
231. Since its establishment, the Working Group transmitted 320 cases to the Government. It clarified 8 cases, 6 on the basis of information provided by the Government and 2 on the basis of information provided by the source; 312 remain outstanding.
Libyan Arab Jamahiriya
Cases transmitted to the Government during the period under review
Cases clarified during the period under review by:
Number of outstanding cases at the beginning of the period under review
Cases sent under the urgent action procedure
Cases sent under the standard procedure
Government Non-governmental sources
Number of outstanding cases at the end of the year under review
8 2 2 0 2 10
Number of cases on which the Government has replied
Multiple replies on some cases Number of cases of possible clarification by Government (6-month rule)
0 No 0
General allegation N/A Government response N/A Prompt intervention letter N/A Government response N/A Working Group request for a visit N/A Government response N/A
Urgent action
232. The Working Group sent two cases under its urgent action procedure to the Government. The first concerned Abdelsalem Ibrahim Mohammed, reportedly disappeared at a military airport in Tripoli in November 2007. The second concerned Isam Morchid Mortada, disappeared in Tripoli in July 2008.
Standard cases
233. The Working Group transmitted two newly-reported cases to the Government. One concerned Salem Mohamed Mjber Adbaslam, arrested at his parents’ home by security forces. The second concerned Ali Dbie Salah al Talhi, last seen in a detention centre in Tripoli. Both men reportedly disappeared in December 2007.
Information from sources
234. The source provided additional information on the case of Abdelsalem Ibrahim Mohammed, indicating that the victim had been released. In a second case, the source indicated that a person previously reported as disappeared was detained at Ain Zara prison near Tripoli.
Clarifications
235. Following the information received by the source, the Working Group decided to clarify two cases.
Total cases transmitted, clarified and outstanding
236. Since its establishment, the Working Group transmitted 14 cases to the Government. Of those, 4 were clarified on the basis of information provided by the sources; 10 remain outstanding.
Mauritania
Cases transmitted to the Government during the period under review
Cases clarified during the period under review by:
Number of outstanding cases at the beginning of the period under review
Cases sent under the urgent action procedure
Cases sent under the standard procedure
Government Non-governmental sources
Number of outstanding cases at the end of the year under review
1 0 0 0 0 1
Number of cases on which the Government has replied
Multiple replies on some cases Number of cases of possible clarification by Government (6-month rule)
0 No 0
General allegation N/A Government response N/A Prompt intervention letter N/A Government response N/A Working Group request for a visit N/A Government response N/A
237. All outstanding cases were retransmitted and no response was received from the Government. A summary of the situation in the country appears in E/CN.4/2006/56 and Corr.1.
Mexico7
Cases transmitted to the Government during the period under review
Cases clarified during the period under review by:
Number of outstanding cases at the beginning of the period under review
Cases sent under the urgent action procedure
Cases sent under the standard procedure
Government Non-governmental sources
Number of outstanding cases at the end of the year under review
208 3 0 0 0 211
Number of cases on which the Government has replied
Multiple replies on some cases Number of cases of possible clarification by Government (6-month rule)
1 No 0
General allegation N/A Government response N/A Prompt intervention letter Yes Government response Yes Working Group request for a visit N/A Government response N/A
Urgent actions
238. The Working Group transmitted three cases to the Government under the urgent action procedure. The cases concerned María Guadalupe Tolentino Pérez, Diana Edith Sotelo Ramírez, and Erick Isaac Molina García arrested on 14 June 2008 in Acapulco by Ministerial Police forces.
7 In accordance with the practice of the Working Group, Santiago Corcuera did not participate in
the decisions relating to this section of the report.
Information from the Government
239. The Working Group received three communications from the Government on 18 October 2007, containing information on outstanding cases which was insufficient to clarify them; on 11 June 2008 in reply to the prompt intervention letter below; and on 8 August 2008 which could not be translated by the Secretariat in time for consideration by the Working Group for inclusion in the present report.
Communication to the Government
240. The Working Group transmitted a communication to the Government on 4 July 2008, concerning the excavations and exhumations that were to take place on 7 July 2008, in the Ciudad de los Servicios of the former military barracks in Atoyac de Alvarez, State of Guerrero. The reply of the Government, dated 8 August 2008, could not be translated as reported above by the United Nations translation services in time for consideration by the Working Group for inclusion in the present report.
Prompt intervention letters
241. On 30 May 2008, the Working Group sent a prompt intervention letter to the Government regarding the intimidation and threats suffered by two persons due to their engagement in investigating enforced or involuntary disappearances which occurred in Mexico.
242. On 11 June 2008, the Government informed the Working Group that the Director-General of Human Rights contacted the victims to offer protection and that the request for information was forwarded to competent authorities.
243. On 29 September 2008, the Working Group sent a joint communication together with the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on the situation of human rights defenders and the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, regarding the threats and acts of intimidation suffered by a person due to his activities related to the protection of victims of enforced disappearances.
244. No response was received from the Government regarding the latter.
Total cases transmitted, clarified and outstanding
245. Since its establishment, the Working Group transmitted 382 cases to the Government. It clarified 155 cases, 133 on the basis of information provided by the Government and 22 on the basis of information provided by the source; 16 were discontinued; 211 remain outstanding.
246. A summary of the situation in the country appears in E/CN.4/2006/56 and Corr.1.
Observations
247. The Working Group expresses concern that during the period under review, three urgent actions were sent to the Government and no response was received.
248. The Working Group expresses concern on the increasing number of cases of intimidation and reprisals and reminds the Government of its obligations to protect against ill-treatment, intimidation or reprisal according to articles 13.3 and 13.5 (obligation to punish ill-treatment, intimidation or reprisals) of the Declaration.
249. The Working Group reminds the Government of its obligation to prevent enforced disappearances according to articles 2 (obligation to prevent and eradicate enforced disappearance) and 3 (obligation to take effective legislative, administrative, judicial or other measures to prevent and terminate acts of disappearance) of the Declaration.
250. The Working Group congratulates the Government for ratifying the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance.
Montenegro
Cases transmitted to the Government during the period under review
Cases clarified during the period under review by:
Number of outstanding cases at the beginning of the period under review
Cases sent under the urgent action procedure
Cases sent under the standard procedure
Government Non-governmental sources
Number of outstanding cases at the end of the year under review
15 0 0 0 0 15
Number of cases on which the Government has replied
Multiple replies on some cases Number of cases of possible clarification by Government (6-month rule)
15 No 0
General allegation Yes Government response Yes Prompt intervention letter N/A Government response N/A Working Group request for a visit N/A Government response N/A
Information from the Government
251. One communication dated 14 August 2008 was received from the Government of Montenegro regarding the 15 outstanding cases. The reply was insufficient to clarify them.
Meetings
252. Representatives of the Government of Montenegro met with the Working Group at its eighty-sixth session to discuss the 15 outstanding cases and the general allegation.
General allegation
253. In a communication dated 14 August 2008, the Government of Montenegro responded to the Working Group’s general allegation from 2007.
254. It stated that, regarding the event from May 1992, known as “Deportation of 83 Muslims”, the investigative judge of the Higher State Prosecutor in Podgorica conducted an investigation which was completed on 25 June 2008. The investigative judge submitted the related documentation to the Higher State Prosecutor.
255. According to the records kept with the Supreme State Prosecutor’s Office, the proceedings are before the Basic Court in Podgorica with respect to 40 lawsuits filed against the Republic of Montenegro, requesting, in the majority of cases, compensation for the economic damage derived by the loss of income provided by the disappeared person to his family.
256. The Government informed that the request for suspending the civil litigation proceedings until the criminal proceedings were completed was based on article 14 of the Law of Litigation Proceedings. The Government further informed that litigation actions undertaken by the Supreme State Prosecutor’s Office were to determine the existence of the liability of the State for compensation.
257. The Government reported that the Ministry of Justice was considering the settlement, through intermediation, as far as the compensation of victims of the deportation was concerned.
Total cases transmitted, clarified and outstanding
258. Since its establishment, the Working Group transmitted 16 cases to the Government of Montenegro. It clarified 1 case on the basis of information provided by the Government; 15 remain outstanding.
Observations
259. The Working Group deeply appreciates the commitment of the Government of Montenegro to meet with the Group.
260. The Working Group congratulates the Government for its extensive efforts at clarifying the allegations regarding the deportation of Muslims. The Working Group requests the Government to take the same steps in regard to the 15 outstanding cases.
261. The Working Group reminds the Government of its obligations to conduct thorough and impartial investigations “for as long as the fate of the victim of enforced disappearance remains unclarified”, in accordance with article 13.6 of the Declaration.
Morocco
Cases transmitted to the Government during the period under review
Cases clarified during the period under review by:
Number of outstanding cases at the beginning of the period under review
Cases sent under the urgent action procedure
Cases sent under the standard procedure
Government Non-governmental sources
Number of outstanding cases at the end of the year under review
63 1 0 5 1 58
Number of cases on which the Government has replied
Multiple replies on some cases Number of cases of possible clarification by Government (6-month rule)
1 No 0
General allegation N/A Government response N/A Prompt intervention letter N/A Government response N/A Working Group request for a visit N/A Government response N/A
Urgent action
262. The Working Group sent one case under its urgent action procedure to the Government. The case concerned Abdelkrim Hakkou, last seen near his work at Ain Taoujtate. Information from the Government
263. The Working Group received three communications from the Government dated 29 May, 6 August and 15 September 2008. The letter from August contained information on the above-mentioned urgent action, stating that the victim had been detained and brought before a judge. The other two communications could not be translated by the Secretariat in time for consideration by the Working Group for inclusion in the present report.
Information from sources
264. Concerning the above-mentioned urgent action, the source indicated that the victim was in detention.
Clarifications
265. Following the expiration of the six-month rule, the Working Group clarified five cases. Based on the information provided by the source, the Working Group clarified one case.
Total cases transmitted, clarified and outstanding
266. Since its establishment, the Working Group transmitted 249 cases to the Government. It clarified 191 cases, 144 on the basis of information provided by the Government and 47 on the basis of information provided by the source; 58 remain outstanding.
Observations
267. The Working Group expresses its appreciation over the five cases clarified by the Government of Morocco.
Mozambique
Cases transmitted to the Government during the period under review
Cases clarified during the period under review by:
Number of outstanding cases at the beginning of the period under review
Cases sent under the urgent action procedure
Cases sent under the standard procedure
Government Non-governmental sources
Number of outstanding cases at the end of the year under review
2 0 0 0 0 2
Number of cases on which the Government has replied
Multiple replies on some cases Number of cases of possible clarification by Government (6-month rule)
0 No 0
General allegation N/A Government response N/A Prompt intervention letter N/A Government response N/A Working Group request for a visit N/A Government response N/A
268. All outstanding cases were retransmitted and no response was received from the Government. A summary of the situation in the country appears in E/CN.4/2006/56 and Corr.1.
Myanmar
Cases transmitted to the Government during the period under review
Cases clarified during the period under review by:
Number of outstanding cases at the beginning of the period under review
Cases sent under the urgent action procedure
Cases sent under the standard procedure
Government Non-governmental sources
Number of outstanding cases at the end of the year under review
5 0 0 0 0 5
Number of cases on which the Government has replied
Multiple replies on some cases Number of cases of possible clarification by Government (6-month rule)
4 No 0
General allegation N/A Government response N/A Prompt intervention letter N/A Government response N/A Working Group request for a visit N/A Government response N/A
Information from the Government
269. The Government transmitted one communication to the Working Group, dated 7 January 2008, concerning four outstanding cases. For three cases, the Government stated that the persons had been released. Concerning a fourth case, the Government indicated that the person had never been detained. The information was insufficient to clarify the outstanding cases.
Total cases transmitted, clarified and outstanding
270. Since its establishment, the Working Group transmitted seven cases to the Government: of those, two have been clarified on the basis of information provided by the Government; five remain outstanding.
Namibia
Cases transmitted to the Government during the period under review
Cases clarified during the period under review by:
Number of outstanding cases at the beginning of the period under review
Cases sent under the urgent action procedure
Cases sent under the standard procedure
Government Non-governmental sources
Number of outstanding cases at the end of the year under review
1 0 2 0 0 3
Number of cases on which the Government has replied
Multiple replies on some cases Number of cases of possible clarification by Government (6-month rule)
0 No 0
General allegation N/A Government response N/A Prompt intervention letter Yes Government response Yes Working Group request for a visit N/A Government response N/A
Standard cases
271. The Working Group transmitted two newly-reported cases of disappearance to the Government. One case concerned Peter Mukonda Makuya, disappeared in Korokoko village, Gciricu in Kavango region after being arrested by members of the Namibian Defense Force in February 2001. The other concerned Musenge Shipoya, disappeared on 25 April 2001 in Sauyemwa Township after being arrested by the Namibian Defense Force.
Information from the Government
272. One communication dated 17 October 2008 was received from the Government as reported below.
Prompt intervention
273. On 7 October 2008, the Working Group sent a prompt intervention letter regarding the intimidation and threats suffered by a person due to his involvement in investigating enforced or involuntary disappearances, which allegedly occurred in Namibia.
274. On 17 October 2008, the Government requested further information on the above-mentioned alleged action.
Total cases transmitted, clarified and outstanding
275. Since its establishment, the Working Group transmitted three cases to the Government of Namibia; all remain outstanding.
276. A summary of the situation in the country appears in E/CN.4/2006/56 and Corr.1.
Nepal8
Cases transmitted to the Government during the period under review
Cases clarified during the period under review by:
Number of outstanding cases at the beginning of the period under review
Cases sent under the urgent action procedure
Cases sent under the standard procedure
Government Non-governmental sources
Number of outstanding cases at the end of the year under review
320 0 118 3 0 435
Number of cases on which the Government has replied
Multiple replies on some cases Number of cases of possible clarification by Government (6-month rule)
23 No 0
General allegation Yes Government response Yes Prompt intervention letter N/A Government response N/A Working Group request for a visit Yes Government response Yes
8 See Annex 5 for the list of names of the newly-reported cases of disappeared persons.
Standard cases
277. The Working Group sent 118 cases to the Government under its standard procedure. These cases took place in Bardiya district between 1999 and 2004, mainly in 2002. They concerned members of an indigenous group, including 11 females, 5 of them minors, as well as 8 minor males. The Army is believed to be responsible for the majority of these disappearances. Information from the Government
278. The Government transmitted one communication to the Working Group, concerning 23 outstanding cases, dated 30 November 2007. Based on the information received, which stated that two victims were in detention and one had been released, the Working Group applied the six-month rule to three cases. For the other 20 cases, the Government stated that the victims had either been killed or had been released. The information was insufficient to clarify the outstanding cases.
Information from sources
279. The source provided additional information on three outstanding cases. On two cases, the source requested additional information from the Government concerning ongoing investigations. On the third case, which was clarified by the Government, the source informed that the victim had been released from prison.
Clarification
280. Based on information provided by the Government, the Working Group clarified three cases following the expiration of the six-month rule.
Meetings
281. Representatives of the Government met with the Working Group at its eighty-sixth session to discuss the implementation of the recommendations following the Working Group’s visit in 2004 and a possible follow-up visit.
Request for a visit
282. On 12 May 2006, the Working Group requested to undertake a follow-up mission to Nepal. The Representatives of the Government orally informed the Working Group that the Government may consider a possible mission at a later stage.
General allegation
283. Information was submitted by credible sources to the Working Group concerning obstacles reportedly encountered in the implementation of the Declaration. This information was transmitted to the Government after its eighty-third session.
284. It was reported that the draft bill to provide for the amendment of the Civil Code, criminalizing the practice of enforced disappearance, fails in its effort to criminalize and provide for the prosecution of those responsible for enforced disappearances.
285. The allegations reported that the definition of “causing disappearance” in the draft bill does not reflect the definition found in the Declaration, as it only covers a disappearance that is carried out by a person “having the authorization under the law to arrest, carry out an investigation or inquiry or implement laws”.
286. In addition, according to the allegation, the draft bill provides that no time limit will apply in the case of murder after disappearance, but if a case does not involve murder, no complaint can be made after six months from the date of the disappearance, when the person is released or when the release is made public, failing to take into account the continuous nature of enforced disappearances. Moreover, the letter of allegation indicates that the draft bill does not address the issue of the enforced disappearances that occurred during the 10 years of conflict. Although there was no specific crime of enforced disappearance under Nepalese law during this period, any act of enforced disappearance is a continuing crime as long as the perpetrators conceal the fate and whereabouts of the disappeared person.
287. Finally, with regard to penalties, the draft bill allegedly provides for a penalty of imprisonment of up to five years, which does not reflect the seriousness of the offence, in line with offences of similar gravity.
288. No response was received from the Government regarding this general allegation.
Total cases transmitted, clarified and outstanding
289. Since its establishment, the Working Group transmitted 649 cases to the Government. It clarified 214 cases: 135 on the basis of information provided by the Government and 79 on the basis of information provided by the source; 435 remain outstanding.
Observations
290. The Working Group reiterates the observation made in 2007 regarding the Government’s obligations under the Declaration, “to bring to justice all persons presumed responsible for an act of enforced disappearance” (art. 13), that “persons alleged to have committed any acts referred to in article 4, paragraph 1, shall be suspended from any official duties during the investigation” (art. 16.1) and persons “shall be tried only by the competent ordinary courts in each State, and not by any other special tribunal, in particular military courts” (art. 16.2).
291. The Working Group sent a letter to the Government of Nepal requesting a written report on the implementation of the recommendations of the Working Group following its country visit in 2004. The Working Group regrets that no written report was received.
292. The Working Group reaffirms its request to the Government of Nepal for a country visit aimed at clarifying the 435 outstanding cases.
Nicaragua
Cases transmitted to the Government during the period under review
Cases clarified during the period under review by:
Number of outstanding cases at the beginning of the period under review
Cases sent under the urgent action procedure
Cases sent under the standard procedure
Government Non-governmental sources
Number of outstanding cases at the end of the year under review
103 0 0 0 0 103
Number of cases on which the Government has replied
Multiple replies on some cases Number of cases of possible clarification by Government (6-month rule)
0 No 0
General allegation N/A Government response N/A Prompt intervention letter N/A Government response N/A Working Group request for a visit Yes Government response None
293. All outstanding cases were retransmitted and no response was received from the Government. A summary of the situation in the country appears in document E/CN.4/2006/56 and Corr.1.
Request for a visit
294. On 23 May 2006, the Working Group requested the Government of Nicaragua to undertake a visit, as part of a four-country initiative in Central America. On 3 April 2008, the Working Group reiterated its interest to undertake the visit. However, it has not yet received a reply.
Observations
295. The Working Group continues to request the Government to extend an invitation to conduct a country visit.
Pakistan
Cases transmitted to the Government during the period under review
Cases clarified during the period under review by:
Number of outstanding cases at the beginning of the period under review
Cases sent under the urgent action procedure
Cases sent under the standard procedure
Government Non-governmental sources
Number of outstanding cases at the end of the year under review
92 0 2 0 0 94
Number of cases on which the Government has replied
Multiple replies on some cases Number of cases of possible clarification by Government (6-month rule)
1 No 0
General allegation Yes (2) Government response No Prompt intervention letter N/A Government response N/A Working Group request for a visit N/A Government response N/A
Standard cases
296. The Working Group transmitted two newly-reported cases to the Government. These cases concerned Faisal Farz and Masood Janjua, reportedly disappeared in July 2005 between Islamabad and Peshawar.
Information from the Government
297. The Government submitted five communications, dated 11 April, 16 May, 20 August, 29 August 2008 and 15 October 2008. The first three contained general information on the Government’s cooperation with the Working Group. The letter dated 29 August 2008 expressed the Government’s disagreement with the contents of the press release issued by the Working Group on the International Day of the Disappeared and also noted its ongoing cooperation with the Working Group. The latter contained information on one case which had been previously clarified by the source.
General allegations
298. Information was submitted by credible sources to the Working Group concerning obstacles reportedly encountered in the implementation of the Declaration. This information was transmitted to the Government in two separate allegations after the Working Group’s eighty-third and eighty-fifth sessions.
299. It was reported that the current situation in Pakistan represents a major obstacle for the proper implementation of the Declaration, inasmuch as the state of emergency and the amended Army Act could represent a threat for compliance in particular of articles 2.2 (obligation to prevent and eradicate enforced disappearance), 3 (obligation to take effective legislative, administrative, judicial or other measures to prevent and terminate acts of enforced disappearance), 7 (obligation not to invoke internal political instability nor any other public emergency to justify enforced disappearance), 10 (obligation to hold people deprived of their liberty in officially recognized places of detention and to bring them before a judicial authority promptly after detention), 13 (obligation to investigate cases of enforced disappearance), 14 and 16 (obligation to try those accused of enforced disappearance before competent ordinary civil courts), and 18 (obligation not to adopt amnesty laws or similar measures that might have the effect of exempting perpetrators of enforced disappearances from any criminal proceedings or sanctions) of the Declaration.
300. It was also reported that key rights have been suspended.
301. It was also alleged that the Supreme Court was investigating some 600 cases of “disappearances”. While some of these cases reportedly concerned terrorism suspects, many involved political opponents of the Government. The Supreme Court, headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry, publicly stated that it had overwhelming evidence that Pakistan’s
intelligence agencies were detaining terror suspects and other opponents. The retroactive application of the Army Act will allegedly allow substantial impunity of those tried for having terror suspects disappear.
302. In a separate allegation, it was reported that the Government of Pakistan has created two committees in the Balochistan province, one for missing persons and one for internally displaced persons. However, the names of the committee members to investigate cases of missing persons have yet to be announced.
303. It was also reported that disappearances are still occurring in Balochistan, even after the Prime Minister’s announcement that military operations in the province would cease. It has been alleged that 39 persons, mostly young people, still remain missing after being arrested in the first quarter of 2008.
304. According to the reports received, military personnel attacked and raided different houses and hostels of Khuzdar Degree College in Khuzdar and arrested more than 200 persons. Ten persons are still missing. In another incident, army officials raided the house of the district president of a nationalist group. His whereabouts remain unknown.
305. In a separate incident, three persons were reportedly arrested by military personnel in May 2008. Their charred bodies were later found in the centre of a market place in Dera Bugti.
306. No responses were received from the Government regarding both general allegations.
Total cases transmitted, clarified and outstanding
307. Since its establishment, the Working Group transmitted 118 cases to the Government. It clarified 24 cases: 18 on the basis of information provided by the Government and 6 on the basis of information provided by the source; 94 remain outstanding.
Observations
308. The Working Group reminds the Government of its obligations under the Declaration, to prevent and eradicate enforced disappearances (art. 2), to “take effective legislative, administrative, judicial or other measures to prevent and terminate acts of enforced disappearance” (art. 3), that “no circumstances whatsoever, whether a threat of war, a state of war, internal political instability or any other public emergency, may be invoked to justify enforced disappearances” (art. 7), to investigate all cases of enforced disappearances (art. 13.1), and that persons who are alleged to have committed an enforced disappearance “shall not benefit from any special amnesty or similar measures that might have the effect of exempting them from any criminal proceedings or sanction” (art. 18.1).
309. The Working Group also reminds the Government that, according to its general comment on the definition of enforced disappearance, a detention, followed by an extrajudicial execution is an enforced disappearance proper, as long as such detention or deprivation of liberty was
carried out by government agents and, subsequent to the detention, or even after the execution was carried out, State officials refuse to disclose the fate or whereabouts of the person concerned or refuse to acknowledge the act having been perpetrated at all.
Peru
Cases transmitted to the Government during the period under review
Cases clarified during the period under review by:
Number of outstanding cases at the beginning of the period under review
Cases sent under the urgent action procedure
Cases sent under the standard procedure
Government Non-governmental sources
Number of outstanding cases at the end of the year under review
2 368 0 3 0 0 2 371
Number of cases on which the Government has replied
Multiple replies on some cases Number of cases of possible clarification by Government (6-month rule)
0 No 0
General allegation N/A Government response N/A Prompt intervention letter N/A Government response N/A Working Group request for a visit N/A Government response N/A
Standard cases
310. The Working Group transmitted three newly-reported cases of disappearance to the Government. One concerned Francisco Juan Fernández Gálvez, disappeared in the Chilca district, province of Huancayo, after being arrested by officers of the Army Intelligence Service on 5 October 1990. Another concerned Rodolfo Ángel Escobar Jurado, disappeared on 27 February 1990 in San Cristóbal Bridge in the Huancavelica department after being arrested by military officers. The third concerned Jaime Boris Ayala Sulca, disappeared in the Huanta province after being arrested by officials from the Peruvian Marine Infantry on 2 August 1984.
Total cases transmitted, clarified and outstanding
311. Since its establishment, the Working Group transmitted a total of 3,009 cases to the Government. It clarified 638 cases, 253 on the basis of information provided by the Government and 385 on the basis of information provided by the source; 2,371 remain outstanding.
312. A summary of the situation in the country appears in E/CN.4/2006/56 and Corr.1.
Observations
313. The Working Group encourages the Government to provide information on the fate or whereabouts of the victims that could lead to the clarification of the 2,371 outstanding cases.
Philippines
Cases transmitted to the Government during the period under review
Cases clarified during the period under review by:
Number of outstanding cases at the beginning of the period under review
Cases sent under the urgent action procedure
Cases sent under the standard procedure
Government Non-governmental sources
Number of outstanding cases at the end of the year under review
615 2 4 2 0 619
Number of cases on which the Government has replied
Multiple replies on some cases Number of cases of possible clarification by Government (6-month rule)
5 No 0
General allegation Yes Government response No Prompt intervention letter Yes Government response No Working Group request for a visit Yes Government response None
Urgent actions
314. The Working Group sent two cases under its urgent action procedure to the Government. The first case concerned Flavio Arante, last seen at a military detachment in Negros Oriental in January 2008. The second concerned James Balao, disappeared in Baguio City in September 2008.
Standard cases
315. The Working Group transmitted four newly-reported cases to the Government. They concerned Gloria Soco, Celina Palma, Ariel Beloy and Prudencio Calubid, members of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines Negotiating Panel, stopped on a highway in Quezon Province and allegedly taken away by military officers in June 2006.
Information from the Government
316. The Working Group received two communications from the Government, dated 19 November 2007 and 15 October 2008, concerning five outstanding cases. The first communication indicated that investigations on four cases were closed. In the second communication, the Government informed that an amparo petition had been dismissed by the Court of Appeals for lack of factual basis and for failure to substantiate the allegations, but that the investigation was ongoing. The information was insufficient to clarify the outstanding cases.
Information from sources
317. Information was received from the source concerning 12 outstanding cases. The source indicated that 10 habeas corpus petitions had been requested, and 6 had been denied.
Clarification
318. Following the expiration of the six-month rule, the Working Group decided to clarify two cases.
Prompt intervention
319. On 29 August 2008, the Working Group sent a prompt intervention to the Government of the Philippines, together with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions and the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression (listed as an urgent appeal under the other mandates’ records). The letter concerned four human rights activists who received threatening messages on their mobile phones, warning them to cease their investigations into the disappearance of a 46-year-old man.
320. No response was received from the Government concerning this prompt intervention.
General allegation
321. Information was submitted by credible sources concerning obstacles reportedly encountered in the implementation of the Declaration. This information was transmitted to the Government after its eighty-third session.
322. It was reported that there is a pattern of impunity and complicity of government forces in the Central Luzon region of the Philippines. Since 2001, more than 70 persons have allegedly been victims of enforced disappearances, a number of those previously disappeared have surfaced after being detained and tortured by military officers, and no perpetrators have been punished.
323. It was also reported that the Court of Appeals in Manila did not allow an official from a human rights group to testify on the disappearance of an activist farmer. The Assistant Solicitor General allegedly filed a manifestation to stop the official from giving testimony. The letter of allegation states that the Court ruled that the official could not testify because the information presented had already been discussed during the summit on extrajudicial killings organized by the Supreme Court recently. According to the information received, the testimony would show that this case is not an isolated incident as claimed by the military, but rather that there is a pattern of disappearances in the region.
324. No response was received from the Government regarding this general allegation.
Request for a visit
325. On 24 May 2006, the Working Group requested to undertake a mission to the Philippines. No response has been received from the Government.
Total cases transmitted, clarified and outstanding
326. Since its establishment, the Working Group transmitted 780 cases to the Government. It clarified 161 cases, 126 on the basis of information provided by the Government and 35 on the basis of information provided by the source; 619 remain outstanding.
Observations
327. The Working Group expresses concern that during the period under review, two urgent actions were sent to the Government.
328. The Working Group reminds the Government of its obligations under the Declaration, to prevent ill-treatment, intimidation or reprisal against those involved in the investigation (art. 13.3), to take steps “to ensure that any ill treatment, intimidation, reprisal or any other form of interference on the occasion of the lodging of a complaint or during the investigation procedure is appropriately punished” (art. 13.5) and that “investigations should be conducted for as long as the fate of the victim of enforced disappearance remains unclarified” (art. 13.6).
329. The Working Group reaffirms its request to the Government of the Philippines for a country visit aimed at clarifying the 619 outstanding cases.
Russian Federation
Cases transmitted to the Government during the period under review
Cases clarified during the period under review by:
Number of outstanding cases at the beginning of the period under review
Cases sent under the urgent action procedure
Cases sent under the standard procedure
Government Non-governmental sources
Number of outstanding cases at the end of the year under review
457 2 8 0 0 467
Number of cases on which the Government has replied
Multiple replies on some cases Number of cases of possible clarification by Government (6-month rule)
24 No 0
General allegation N/A Government response N/A Prompt intervention letter N/A Government response N/A Working Group request for a visit Yes Government response Under consideration
Urgent actions
330. Two cases were sent under the urgent action procedure. One case concerned Isa Khalitov, allegedly arrested on 27 May 2008 by police officers from the ORB-2 department in Grozny, Chechnya. The other concerned Mohmadsalah Denilovich Masaev, reportedly arrested in Grozny by law enforcement officials on 3 August 2008.
Standard cases
331. The Working Group transmitted eight newly-reported cases of disappearance to the Government. The cases concerned Ibragim Isamilov and Rasukhan Evloev, arrested in Nazran region in Ingushetia by the Federal Security Services on 11 March 2004; Adam Bersanov and Tamerlan Savarbekovich Tsechoev, both arrested in Melgobek in Ingushetia by Federal Security Services on 5 December 2004 and 11 March 2004, respectively; Girikhan Alikhanovich Tsechoev, arrested in the village of Muzhichi by the Bamut Military Commandant’s Office on 11 July 2004, and Ramazan Umarov, arrested in Makhachkala in the Republic of Dagestan by officers of the Ministry of Internal Affairs on 28 April 2007. The other
two cases concerned Khusein Motsolgov and Akhmet Kartoev, arrested in Nazran region in Ingushetia by officials from the State Security Forces on 5 May and 22 May 2007, respectively.
Information from the Government
332. The Working Group received nine communications from the Government of the Russian Federation dated 24 August 2007, 18 September 2007, 22 October 2007, 29 December 2007, 26 March 2008, 30 June 2008, 4 August 2008, 25 August 2008 and 21 October 2008. In the first six communications, the Russian Federation provided additional information on 24 outstanding cases of enforced disappearance. However, the information submitted was insufficient to clarify the outstanding cases. The last three communications could not be translated by the Secretariat in time for consideration by the Working Group for inclusion in the present report.
333. The Government of Uzbekistan provided information on the case of Abdulaziz Murodullayevich Boymatov which could constitute a clarification provided the source did not raise an objection within six months. It is to be noted that, according to the methods of work of the Working Group, the case of Abdulaziz Murodullayevich Boymatov was accounted under the Russian Federation, where he was arrested.
Information from sources
334. Information was received from sources regarding the case of Abdulaziz Murodullayevich Boymatov. The source requested additional time in order to confirm the information provided by the Government regarding his whereabouts. Therefore, the Working Group decided to extend the period of consideration of this case, and suspend the six-month rule.
Request for a visit
335. The Government of the Russian Federation indicated that it continued to be in agreement in principle with the visit and asked that the time for the visit be reviewed after the completion of the process of assessment of the mandates of special procedures by the Human Rights Council. On 4 June 2008, the Working Group reiterated its interest to undertake the visit to the Russian Federation and the first quarter of 2009 was suggested as possible dates. The Government of the Russian Federation has not yet responded to the renewed request.
Total cases transmitted, clarified and outstanding
336. Since its establishment, the Working Group transmitted 478 cases to the Government. It clarified 11 cases, 1 on the basis of information provided by the Government and 10 on the basis of information provided by the source; 467 remain outstanding.
337. A summary of the situation in the country appears in E/CN.4/2006/56 and Corr.1.
Observations
338. The Working Group expresses concern that during the period under review, two urgent actions were sent to the Government and no response was received.
339. The Working Group deeply appreciates the cooperation of the Government.
340. The Working Group regrets that dates have not been set to visit the country and would like to receive an invitation.
Rwanda
Cases transmitted to the Government during the period under review
Cases clarified during the period under review by:
Number of outstanding cases at the beginning of the period under review
Cases sent under the urgent action procedure
Cases sent under the standard procedure
Government Non-governmental sources
Number of outstanding cases at the end of the year under review
21 0 0 0 0 21
Number of cases on which the Government has replied
Multiple replies on some cases Number of cases of possible clarification by Government (6-month rule)
0 No 0
General allegation N/A Government response N/A Prompt intervention letter N/A Government response N/A Working Group request for a visit N/A Government response N/A
341. All outstanding cases were retransmitted and no response was received from the Government. A summary of the situation in the country appears in E/CN.4/2006/56 and Corr.1 and A/HRC/7/2.
Saudi Arabia
Cases transmitted to the Government during the period under review
Cases clarified during the period under review by:
Number of outstanding cases at the beginning of the period under review
Cases sent under the urgent action procedure
Cases sent under the standard procedure
Government Non-governmental sources
Number of outstanding cases at the end of the year under review
3 0 0 0 0 3
Number of cases on which the Government has replied
Multiple replies on some cases Number of cases of possible clarification by Government (6-month rule)
2 Yes 1
General allegation N/A Government response N/A Prompt intervention letter N/A Government response N/A Working Group request for a visit N/A Government response N/A
Information from the Government
342. The Government transmitted two communications to the Working Group, dated 12 February and 20 August 2008, concerning two cases. Based on the information received on one case, which stated that the victim was in detention in Iraq, the Working Group applied the six-month rule. In the second, the Government stated that the person was being processed for a crime and that his family had been able to communicate with him. The Working Group considers this information insufficient to clarify the case, as his exact whereabouts remain unknown.
Total cases transmitted, clarified and outstanding
343. Since its establishment, the Working Group transmitted six cases to the Government: one was clarified on the basis of information provided by the Government, two were discontinued and three remain outstanding.
Senegal
Cases transmitted to the Government during the period under review
Cases clarified during the period under review by:
Number of outstanding cases at the beginning of the period under review
Cases sent under the urgent action procedure
Cases sent under the standard procedure
Government Non-governmental sources
Number of outstanding cases at the end of the year under review
0 0 0 0 0 0
Number of cases on which the Government has replied
Multiple replies on some cases Number of cases of possible clarification by Government (6-month rule)
0 No 0
General allegation N/A Government response N/A Prompt intervention letter Yes Government response No Working Group request for a visit N/A Government response N/A
Prompt intervention letter
344. On 13 March 2008, the Working Group sent a prompt intervention letter to the Government of Senegal regarding the acts of intimidation and reprisals suffered by a Gambian journalist living in Senegal, allegedly at risk of enforced or involuntary disappearance at hands of Gambian National Intelligence Agency officers.
345. No response was received from the Government regarding the prompt intervention letter.
346. A summary of the situation in the country appears in document E/CN.3/2006/56 and Corr.1.
Serbia
Cases transmitted to the Government during the period under review
Cases clarified during the period under review by:
Number of outstanding cases at the beginning of the period under review
Cases sent under the urgent action procedure
Cases sent under the standard procedure
Government Non-governmental sources
Number of outstanding cases at the end of the year under review
1 0 0 0 0 1
Number of cases on which the Government has replied
Multiple replies on some cases Number of cases of possible clarification by Government (6-month rule)
1 No 1
General allegation N/A Government response N/A Prompt intervention letter N/A Government response N/A Working Group request for a visit N/A Government response N/A
Information from the Government
347. The Working Group received on 18 February 2008 one communication regarding the outstanding case. Based on the information provided, the Working Group applied the six-month rule.
Total cases transmitted, clarified and outstanding
348. Since its establishment, the Working Group transmitted one outstanding case to the Government of Serbia.
Seychelles
Cases transmitted to the Government during the period under review
Cases clarified during the period under review by:
Number of outstanding cases at the beginning of the period under review
Cases sent under the urgent action procedure
Cases sent under the standard procedure
Government Non-governmental sources
Number of outstanding cases at the end of the year under review
3 0 0 0 0 3
Number of cases on which the Government has replied
Multiple replies on some cases Number of cases of possible clarification by Government (6-month rule)
0 No 0
General allegation N/A Government response N/A Prompt intervention letter N/A Government response N/A Working Group request for a visit N/A Government response N/A
349. All outstanding cases were retransmitted and no response was received from the Government. A summary of the situation in the country appears in E/CN.4/2006/56 and Corr.1.
Spain
Cases transmitted to the Government during the period under review
Cases clarified during the period under review by:
Number of outstanding cases at the beginning of the period under review
Cases sent under the urgent action procedure
Cases sent under the standard procedure
Government Non-governmental sources
Number of outstanding cases at the end of the year under review
3 0 0 0 0 3
Number of cases on which the Government has replied
Multiple replies on some cases Number of cases of possible clarification by Government (6-month rule)
0 No 0
General allegation N/A Government response N/A Prompt intervention letter N/A Government response N/A Working Group request for a visit N/A Government response N/A
350. All outstanding cases were retransmitted and no response was received from the Government. A summary of the situation in the country appears in A/HRC/4/41.
Sri Lanka9
Cases transmitted to the Government during the period under review
Cases clarified during the period under review by:
Number of outstanding cases at the beginning of the period under review
Cases sent under the urgent action procedure
Cases sent under the standard procedure
Government Non-governmental sources
Number of outstanding cases at the end of the year under review
5 516 43 169 0 1 5 727
Number of cases on which the Government has replied
Multiple replies on some cases Number of cases of possible clarification by Government (6-month rule)
4 No 2
General allegation N/A Government response N/A Prompt intervention letter Yes (3) Government response Yes (1) Working Group request for a visit Yes Government response Under consideration
Urgent actions
351. The Working Group sent 43 cases under its urgent action procedure to the Government, concerning 39 men and 4 women disappeared between February and October 2008. The majority of disappearances took place in Trincomalee and are attributed to the military, the police, security forces and paramilitary groups working with the Government.
Standard cases
352. The Working Group transmitted 169 newly-reported cases to the Government. The alleged disappearances took place mainly between 2006 and 2008, mainly in Colombo, Trincomalee and Jaffna. The military, police, criminal investigation department and paramilitary groups working with the Government are allegedly responsible for these disappearances, which include one woman and one minor. Other cases concern men who disappeared in Jaffna.
Information from the Government
353. The Working Group received three communications from the Government, dated 3 October 2007, 28 August and 2 September 2008, concerning four outstanding cases. Concerning two cases, the Government stated that no complaints of disappearances had been reported to the police and that the national identification card numbers did not correspond with their records. The information was insufficient to clarify the outstanding cases. For two cases, the Government provided the address of the victims. As a result, the Working Group applied the six-month rule.
Information from sources
354. The Working Group received one communication from a source regarding an urgent action, indicating that the person had been released.
9 See Annex 5 for the list of names of the newly-reported cases of disappeared persons.
Clarification
355. Following the information received by the source, the Working Group decided to clarify one case.
Meetings
356. Representatives of the Government of Sri Lanka met with the Working Group at its eighty-fourth session to discuss developments connected to its outstanding cases and the request for a visit.
Prompt intervention
357. On 15 July 2008, the Working Group sent a prompt intervention letter to the Government of Sri Lanka, together with the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression and the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders. It concerned human rights defenders who were questioned by the Colombo Crime Division on the history, objectives and details of their work, after they distributed two leaflets during a public demonstration. Further questioning took place at the Colombo Crime Division Office, and information about the staff members and their families was also recorded.
358. On 12 September 2008, the Working Group sent a second prompt intervention letter, together with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders (listed as an urgent appeal under the mandate’s records). It concerned the prolonged interrogation of a human rights defender working on enforced disappearances, as well as a reported defamation campaign against him.
359. On 6 October, the Working Group sent a third prompt intervention letter, together with the Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers and the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders. It concerned the bombing of a human rights lawyer’s premises. He had reportedly been taking cases of enforced disappearance to court.
360. On 4 September 2008, the Government responded to the first letter. The Government indicated that investigations were launched based on information received concerning the distribution of pamphlets “attempting to excite feelings of disaffection amongst public in contempt of the administration of justice. […] The material contained in the pamphlet was reportedly “provocative in nature, would have aroused feelings of hatred towards security forces and the police […]” and “could have possibly influenced the public to precipitate an inimical situation. […] In the pamphlet in question, certain statements were made against armed forces and the police and their activities in the performance of their duties. […] Therefore, it was necessary to investigate the nature of the publication and to seek legal advice from the Attorney General”.
361. In addition, the Government stated that in the course of the investigations, no arrests or detentions were made and that there were no threats or intimidations on those who were subjected to questioning.
362. No response was received from the Government regarding the other two letters.
Press release
363. On 11 June 2008, the Working Group issued a press release deploring the large number of cases of disappearances in Sri Lanka. The Working Group called upon the Sri Lankan authorities to take effective measures to prevent and terminate acts of enforced disappearances, carry out thorough investigations and bring the perpetrators to justice. Finally, the Working Group reiterated its request to conduct a country visit.
Request for a visit
364. On 16 October 2006, the Working Group requested to undertake a mission to Sri Lanka. The Government replied stating that it would not be possible to schedule a visit during the proposed dates, and that the interest of the Working Group would be given due consideration. Notwithstanding several reminders, no dates have yet been set.
Total cases transmitted, clarified and outstanding
365. Since its establishment, the Working Group transmitted 12,675 cases to the Government. It clarified 6,570 cases, 6,530 on the basis of information provided by the Government and 40 on the basis of information provided by the source; 378 were found to be duplications and were therefore deleted; 5,727 remain outstanding.
Observations
366. The Working Group remains gravely concerned at the increase in reported cases of enforced disappearances in the country, which led to the issuance of a related press release. The Working Group is alarmed that 212 cases were reported during 2008.
367. The Working Group is concerned that many other cases may be occurring in the country and are not being reported because of fear of reprisals.
368. In light of the increasing number of cases, the Working Group would like to reiterate its request to conduct a mission to Sri Lanka as soon as possible.
369. The Working Group encourages the Government to report on the further implementation of the recommendations emanating from the Working Group visits in 1991, 1992 and 1999.
370. The Working Group reminds the Government of Sri Lanka of its obligations under the Declaration to “take effective legislative, administrative, judicial or other measures to prevent and terminate acts of enforced disappearance in any territory under its jurisdiction” (art. 3).
Sudan
Cases transmitted to the Government during the period under review
Cases clarified during the period under review by:
Number of outstanding cases at the beginning of the period under review
Cases sent under the urgent action procedure
Cases sent under the standard procedure
Government Non-governmental sources
Number of outstanding cases at the end of the year under review
172 1 0 0 0 173
Number of cases on which the Government has replied
Multiple replies on some cases Number of cases of possible clarification by Government (6-month rule)
0 No 0
General allegation Yes Government response No Prompt intervention letter N/A Government response N/A Working Group request for a visit Yes Government response None
Urgent actions
371. One case was sent to the Government of the Sudan under the urgent action procedure. The case concerned Saida Asil Nur Oshar, allegedly arrested on 6 September 2008, by members of the National Intelligence and Security Service in El Geneina in West Darfur.
General allegation
372. Information was submitted by credible sources to the Working Group concerning obstacles allegedly encountered in the implementation of the Declaration. This information was transmitted to the Government.
373. Credible sources reported that following an attack on 10 May 2008 by rebel forces on Omdurman (one of the three towns that form the Sudanese capital of Khartoum) the Sudanese authorities arrested hundreds of men, women and children, many of whom were subjected to disappearance.
374. Many of those arrested were picked up in public locations, such as on public transport and on the street. State agents are reported to have transferred an unknown number of detainees to locations outside Khartoum, such as Shandi to the north of the capital and Port Sudan in eastern Sudan.
375. Allegedly, many relatives of arrested or disappeared individuals reported that they have been unable to get information on the whereabouts of their loved ones, and that the authorities have refused to acknowledge that they are in detention.
376. Reportedly, relatives who have tried to locate detainees contacted the media or the National Intelligence and Security Services Information Office have themselves been harassed and risked being arrested.
377. No reply was received from the Government regarding this general allegation.
Request for a visit
378. A request for a visit was sent to the Government of the Sudan on 20 December 2005. On 3 April 2008, the Working Group reiterated its interest to undertake the visit. However, no reply has yet been received.
Total cases transmitted, clarified and outstanding
379. Since its establishment, the Working Group transmitted 382 cases to the Government. It clarified 209 cases, 205 on the basis of information provided by the Government and 4 on the basis of information provided by the source; 173 remain outstanding.
380. A summary of the situation in the country appears in E/CN.4/2006/56 and Corr.1.
Observations
381. The Working Group reiterates its concern about the possibility of underreporting of cases that may be occurring in Darfur as well as in other parts of the country.
382. The Working Group also reiterates its request for an invitation from the Government of the Sudan to conduct a country visit to assist the Government in preventing disappearances and in clarifying the 173 outstanding cases.
383. The Working Group reminds the Government of its obligations under articles 2 (obligation to prevent and eradicate enforced disappearance), 3 (obligation to take effective legislative, administrative, judicial or other measures to prevent and terminate acts of disappearance), 10 (persons deprived of liberty should be held in officially recognized places of detention, and be brought before a judicial authority), 13.3 (protection against ill-treatment, intimidation or reprisal) and 13.5 (ill-treatment, intimidation or reprisal should be punished) of the Declaration.
Switzerland
Cases transmitted to the Government during the period under review
Cases clarified during the period under review by:
Number of outstanding cases at the beginning of the period under review
Cases sent under the urgent action procedure
Cases sent under the standard procedure
Government Non-governmental sources
Number of outstanding cases at the end of the year under review
0 0 1 0 0 1
Number of cases on which the Government has replied
Multiple replies on some cases Number of cases of possible clarification by Government (6-month rule)
0 No 0
General allegation N/A Government response N/A Prompt intervention letter N/A Government response N/A Working Group request for a visit N/A Government response N/A
Standard cases
384. The Working Group transmitted one newly-reported case of disappearance to the Government. The case concerns Mohamed El Ghanam, allegedly arrested on 12 March 2007 by agents of the Swiss Government in Geneva.
Total cases transmitted, clarified and outstanding
385. Since its establishment, the Working Group transmitted one case to the Government.
Syrian Arab Republic
Cases transmitted to the Government during the period under review
Cases clarified during the period under review by:
Number of outstanding cases at the beginning of the period under review
Cases sent under the urgent action procedure
Cases sent under the standard procedure
Government Non-governmental sources
Number of outstanding cases at the end of the year under review
18 0 0 0 0 18
Number of cases on which the Government has replied
Multiple replies on some cases Number of cases of possible clarification by Government (6-month rule)
5 No 0
General allegation N/A Government response N/A Prompt intervention letter N/A Government response N/A Working Group request for a visit N/A Government response N/A
Information from the Government
386. The Working Group received one communication from the Government, dated 12 February 2008, concerning five outstanding cases, including one which is listed under Lebanon. In four cases, the Government stated that the disappeared were not being held in Syrian prisons. In one case, the Government stated that the victim had been executed. The information was insufficient to clarify the outstanding cases.
387. The Government of Jordan submitted one communication, indicating that it had no further information regarding one case in the Syrian Arab Republic.
Total cases transmitted, clarified and outstanding
388. Since its establishment, the Working Group transmitted 44 cases to the Government. It clarified 26 cases, 12 on the basis of information provided by the Government and 14 on the basis of information provided by the source; 18 remain outstanding.
Tajikistan Cases transmitted to the Government during the period under review
Cases clarified during the period under review by:
Number of outstanding cases at the beginning of the period under review
Cases sent under the urgent action procedure
Cases sent under the standard procedure
Government Non-governmental sources
Number of outstanding cases at the end of the year under review
6 0 0 0 0 6
Number of cases on which the Government has replied
Multiple replies on some cases Number of cases of possible clarification by Government (6-month rule)
0 No 0
General allegation N/A Government response N/A Prompt intervention letter N/A Government response N/A Working Group request for a visit N/A Government response N/A
389. All outstanding cases were retransmitted and no response was received from the Government. A summary of the situation in the country appears in A/HRC/7/2.
Thailand
Cases transmitted to the Government during the period under review
Cases clarified during the period under review by:
Number of outstanding cases at the beginning of the period under review
Cases sent under the urgent action procedure
Cases sent under the standard procedure
Government Non-governmental sources
Number of outstanding cases at the end of the year under review
48 0 7 0 0 55
Number of cases on which the Government has replied
Multiple replies on some cases Number of cases of possible clarification by Government (6-month rule)
10 No 0
General allegation Yes Government response No Prompt intervention letter Yes Government response Yes Working Group request for a visit N/A Government response N/A
Standard cases
390. The Working Group transmitted seven newly-reported cases to the Government. Five concerned Maneeya Loneeya, Wae-asi Wae-su, Arhamah Waedorloh, Mayataeng Marano and Marudin Wava, who disappeared in Yala Province between 2004 and 2007. The other two concerned Ibrohim Sae, disappeared in Narathiwat Province, and Arun Mong, disappeared in Songhkhla Province. The police, the army and security forces are reportedly responsible for these disappearances.
Information from the Government
391. The Working Group received two communications from the Government, dated 22 November 2007 and 3 September 2008. The first concerned 10 outstanding cases. In six cases, the Government stated that there was no evidence to prove that the victims are still
alive or being detained. In three cases, the Government provided additional information on ongoing investigations. The information was insufficient to clarify the outstanding cases. The latter communication expressed the Government’s disagreement with the contents of the press release issued by the Working Group on the International Day of the Disappeared and noted its ongoing cooperation with the Working Group.
Information from sources
392. Information was received from the source concerning nine outstanding cases, requesting the Government to provide substantive and detailed information concerning the investigations currently being carried out.
Prompt intervention
393. On 26 February 2008, the Working Group sent a prompt intervention letter to the Government, together with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders (listed as an urgent appeal under that mandate’s records). The letter concerned the wife of a human rights lawyer who disappeared in 2004. The Department of Special Investigation decided to transfer the witness protection she was receiving from civilian officers to police officers, who were on trial in connection with her husband’s disappearance. As a result, she withdrew from the programme, and concern was expressed for her physical and psychological integrity.
394. On 1 October 2008, the Government responded, indicating that she was placed under Thailand’s witness protection programme in 2004, and that her protection remains the responsibility of the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), Ministry of Justice, and not the police authorities.
395. The Government also noted that there has been concrete progress on the case, after the appointment of the new director of the DSI, who was allegedly the superior officer of the police officers currently accused in connection with the lawyer’s disappearance. The Government informed that it does not condone the case of suspected disappearance reported to the authorities and that all cases have been investigated.
General allegations
396. Information was submitted by credible sources to the Working Group concerning obstacles reportedly encountered in the implementation of the Declaration. This information was transmitted to the Government.
397. It was reported that five of the suspects in the case of disappeared lawyer Somchai Neelapaichit are senior and mid-ranking police officers. There are reports that there has been a lack of police cooperation with Department of Special Investigation investigations and that there are other measures which may curtail or impede the investigation.
398. It was also reported that witness protection provided to the wife of Mr. Neelapaichit was withdrawn, replaced with police officers and later reinstated, but still under review, in possible contravention of article 13.3 of the Declaration.
399. It was also reported that one police officer was convicted and four were acquitted. The family of Mr. Neelapaichit appealed the judgement and have been waiting over two years for the appeal decision. There is also concern that pending the appeal decision of the four police defendants, they have been allowed to resume police jobs, in contravention with article 16 (1) of the Declaration.
400. No response was received from the Government regarding this general allegation.
Total cases transmitted, clarified and outstanding
401. Since its establishment, the Working Group transmitted 58 cases to the Government; of those, 1 case was clarified on the basis of information provided by the Government, 2 cases were discontinued, and 55 remain outstanding.
Observations
402. The Working Group reminds the Government of its obligations under article 13.3 of the Declaration, to prevent ill-treatment, intimidation or reprisal against those involved in the investigation, and article 13.5, to take steps “to ensure that any ill treatment, intimidation, reprisal or any other form of interference on the occasion of the lodging of a complaint or during the investigation procedure is appropriately punished”.
403. The Working Group is grateful for the Government’s reaffirmed commitment to investigate all reported cases of enforced disappearances.
Timor-Leste
Cases transmitted to the Government during the period under review
Cases clarified during the period under review by:
Number of outstanding cases at the beginning of the period under review
Cases sent under the urgent action procedure
Cases sent under the standard procedure
Government Non-governmental sources
Number of outstanding cases at the end of the year under review
425 0 0 0 0 42810
Number of cases on which the Government has replied
Multiple replies on some cases Number of cases of possible clarification by Government (6-month rule)
0 No 0
General allegation N/A Government response N/A Prompt intervention letter N/A Government response N/A Working Group request for a visit Yes Government response None
10 Numbers continue to be reviewed for accuracy.
Request for a visit
404. On 12 December 2006, the Working Group requested to undertake a mission to Timor-Leste, in order to facilitate the clarification of outstanding cases. A reminder letter was sent on 3 April 2008. No response has been received from the Government.
Total cases transmitted, clarified and outstanding
405. Since its establishment, the Working Group transmitted 504 cases to the Government of the day. It clarified 76 cases, 58 clarified on the basis of information provided by the Government of Indonesia and 18 on the basis of information provided by the source; 428 remain outstanding. The Working Group sent a copy of these cases to the Government of Indonesia.
Observations
406. The Working Group encourages the Government of Timor-Leste, in cooperation with the Government of Indonesia, to communicate with the Working Group to further the clarification of the 428 outstanding cases.
407. The Working Group reaffirms its request to the Government of Timor-Leste for a country visit aimed at clarifying the 428 outstanding cases as soon as possible.
Togo
Cases transmitted to the Government during the period under review
Cases clarified during the period under review by:
Number of outstanding cases at the beginning of the period under review
Cases sent under the urgent action procedure
Cases sent under the standard procedure
Government Non-governmental sources
Number of outstanding cases at the end of the year under review
10 0 0 0 0 10
Number of cases on which the Government has replied
Multiple replies on some cases Number of cases of possible clarification by Government (6-month rule)
0 No 0
General allegation N/A Government response N/A Prompt intervention letter N/A Government response N/A Working Group request for a visit N/A Government response N/A
408. All outstanding cases were retransmitted and no response was received from the Government. A summary of the situation in the country appears in E/CN.4/2006/56 and Corr.1.
Turkey
Cases transmitted to the Government during the period under review
Cases clarified during the period under review by:
Number of outstanding cases at the beginning of the period under review
Cases sent under the urgent action procedure
Cases sent under the standard procedure
Government Non-governmental sources
Number of outstanding cases at the end of the year under review
70 0 1 8 0 63
Number of cases on which the Government has replied
Multiple replies on some cases Number of cases of possible clarification by Government (6-month rule)
36 Yes 0
General allegation N/A Government response N/A Prompt intervention letter N/A Government response N/A Working Group request for a visit N/A Government response N/A
Standard cases
409. The Working Group transmitted one reported case of disappearance to the Government. The case concerned Fathollah Manochehri Fouladvand, allegedly arrested in a district of Hakkari Province in Turkey on 17 January 2007 by Iranian Security Officers and taken to Tehran. In accordance with its methods of work, the Working Group sent a copy of this case to the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Information from the Government
410. The Working Group reviewed four communications from the Government of Turkey dated 2 October 2007, 30 January, 26 May and 13 October 2008, on 36 cases. On three cases the Working Group applied the six-month rule.
411. In the first communication, the Government of Turkey provided information on seven cases, with death certificates related to three of them, to which the Working Group applied the six-month rule. The information related to the other four cases was considered insufficient to clarify them.
412. Regarding the communications dated 30 January, 26 May and 13 October 2008, the Working Group decided that the responses were considered insufficient to clarify the cases.
Clarifications
413. The Working Group clarified eight cases where the six-month rule expired as no observations were received from the source.
Total cases transmitted, clarified and outstanding
414. Since its establishment, the Working Group transmitted 182 cases to the Government. It clarified 118 cases, 69 on the basis of information provided by the Government and 49 on the basis of information provided by the source; 1 was discontinued and 63 remain outstanding.
415. A summary of the situation in the country appears in E/CN.4/2006/56 and Corr.1.
Observations
416. The Working Group expresses its appreciation about the eight cases clarified by the Government.
Uganda
Cases transmitted to the Government during the period under review
Cases clarified during the period under review by:
Number of outstanding cases at the beginning of the period under review
Cases sent under the urgent action procedure
Cases sent under the standard procedure
Government Non-governmental sources
Number of outstanding cases at the end of the year under review
15 0 0 0 0 15
Number of cases on which the Government has replied
Multiple replies on some cases Number of cases of possible clarification by Government (6-month rule)
0 No 0
General allegation N/A Government response N/A Prompt intervention letter N/A Government response N/A Working Group request for a visit N/A Government response N/A
417. All outstanding cases were retransmitted and no response was received from the Government. A summary of the situation in the country appears in E/CN.4/2006/56 and Corr.1 and A/HRC/4/41.
Ukraine
Cases transmitted to the Government during the period under review
Cases clarified during the period under review by:
Number of outstanding cases at the beginning of the period under review
Cases sent under the urgent action procedure
Cases sent under the standard procedure
Government Non-governmental sources
Number of outstanding cases at the end of the year under review
3 0 0 0 0 3
Number of cases on which the Government has replied
Multiple replies on some cases Number of cases of possible clarification by Government (6-month rule)
3 No 0
General allegation N/A Government response N/A Prompt intervention letter N/A Government response N/A Working Group request for a visit N/A Government response N/A
Information from the Government
418. On 7 June 2007, the Government of Ukraine transmitted one communication concerning three outstanding cases. However, the Government response was insufficient to constitute clarifications.
Total cases transmitted, clarified and outstanding
419. Since its establishment, the Working Group transmitted four cases to the Government; one was clarified on the basis of information provided by the Government; three remain outstanding.
420. A summary of the situation in the country appears in E/CN.4/2006/56 and Corr.1.
United Arab Emirates
Cases transmitted to the Government during the period under review
Cases clarified during the period under review by:
Number of outstanding cases at the beginning of the period under review
Cases sent under the urgent action procedure
Cases sent under the standard procedure
Government Non-governmental sources
Number of outstanding cases at the end of the year under review
1 0 0 0 0 1
Number of cases on which the Government has replied
Multiple replies on some cases Number of cases of possible clarification by Government (6-month rule)
0 No 0
General allegation N/A Government response N/A Prompt intervention letter N/A Government response N/A Working Group request for a visit N/A Government response N/A
421. All outstanding cases were retransmitted and no response was received from the Government. A summary of the situation in the country appears in A/HCR/4/41.
United States of America
Cases transmitted to the Government during the period under review
Cases clarified during the period under review by:
Number of outstanding cases at the beginning of the period under review
Cases sent under the urgent action procedure
Cases sent under the standard procedure
Government Non-governmental sources
Number of outstanding cases at the end of the year under review
0 0 0 0 0 0
Number of cases on which the Government has replied
Multiple replies on some cases Number of cases of possible clarification by Government (6-month rule)
0 No 0
General allegation Yes Government response Yes Prompt intervention letter N/A Government response N/A Working Group request for a visit N/A Government response N/A
Information from the Government
422. The Working Group received one communication from the Government dated 4 August 2008 regarding the general allegation.
General allegation
423. The Working Group received information from credible sources concerning obstacles encountered in the implementation of the Declaration on the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance in the United States of America. This information was transmitted to the Government after its eighty-third session through the following general allegation.
424. It was reported that one case of extraordinary rendition, which occurred in Italy on 17 February 2003, involved an enforced disappearance for a certain period of time. The Working Group was informed that this case took place in the context of extraordinary rendition programmes that were allegedly carried out by the United States of America together with Egypt, where the person was secretly imprisoned and reportedly tortured.
425. In a communication dated 4 August 2008, the Government of the United States of America stated that:
“While the Government of the United States is not in a position to comment on specific alleged intelligence activities, the Government would like to emphasize that the United States does not transport individuals from one country to another for the purpose of interrogation using torture. Furthermore, the United States has not transported individuals, and will no transport individuals to a country where the Government believes they will be tortured.”
Observations
426. The Working Group reminds the Government of its general comment on the definition of enforced disappearance, especially that intentionality is irrelevant in the sense that any act of enforced disappearance has the consequence of placing the persons subjected thereto outside the protection of the law, regardless of the pursued purpose.
Uruguay
Cases transmitted to the Government during the period under review
Cases clarified during the period under review by:
Number of outstanding cases at the beginning of the period under review
Cases sent under the urgent action procedure
Cases sent under the standard procedure
Government Non-governmental sources
Number of outstanding cases at the end of the year under review
22 0 0 0 0 22
Number of cases on which the Government has replied
Multiple replies on some cases Number of cases of possible clarification by Government (6-month rule)
0 No 0
General allegation N/A Government response N/A Prompt intervention letter N/A Government response N/A Working Group request for a visit N/A Government response N/A
427. All outstanding cases were retransmitted and no response was received from the Government. A summary of the situation in the country appears in A/HRC/4/41.
Uzbekistan
Cases transmitted to the Government during the period under review
Cases clarified during the period under review by:
Number of outstanding cases at the beginning of the period under review
Cases sent under the urgent action procedure
Cases sent under the standard procedure
Government Non-governmental sources
Number of outstanding cases at the end of the year under review
7 0 0 0 0 7
Number of cases on which the Government has replied
Multiple replies on some cases Number of cases of possible clarification by Government (6-month rule)
8 No 0
General allegation N/A Government response N/A Prompt intervention letter N/A Government response N/A Working Group request for a visit N/A Government response N/A
Information from the Government
428. The Government of Uzbekistan transmitted two communications, dated 18 September 2007 and 19 July 2008. In the first the Government provided information on the case of Abdulaziz Murodullayevich Boymatov, which could constitute a clarification provided the source did not raise an objection within six months. It is to be noted that the case of Abdulaziz Murodullayevich Boymatov was registered under the Russian Federation, where he was arrested.
429. Regarding the communication dated 19 July 2008, the Working Group decided that the Government’s response was insufficient to constitute clarifications.
Information from sources
430. Information was received from sources regarding the case of Abdulaziz Murodullayevich Boymatov. The source requested additional time in order to confirm the information provided by the Government regarding his whereabouts. Therefore, the Working Group decided to extend the period of consideration of this case, and suspend the six-month rule.
Total cases transmitted, clarified and outstanding
431. Since its establishment, the Working Group transmitted 19 cases to the Government. It clarified 12 cases, 11 on the basis of information provided by the Government and 1 on the basis of information provided by the source; 7 remain outstanding.
432. A summary of the situation in the country appears in E/CN.4/2006/56 and Corr.1 and A/HRC/4/41.
Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) Cases transmitted to the Government during the period under review
Cases clarified during the period under review by:
Number of outstanding cases at the beginning of the period under review
Cases sent under the urgent action procedure
Cases sent under the standard procedure
Government Non-governmental sources
Number of outstanding cases at the end of the year under review
10 0 0 0 0 10
Number of cases on which the Government has replied
Multiple replies on some cases Number of cases of possible clarification by Government (6-month rule)
10 No 0
General allegation N/A Government response N/A Prompt intervention letter N/A Government response N/A Working Group request for a visit N/A Government response N/A
Information from the Government
433. One communication was received from the Government of Venezuela on 1 June 2007 on all outstanding cases. The response was insufficient to constitute clarifications.
Total cases transmitted, clarified and outstanding
434. Since its establishment, the Working Group transmitted 14 cases to the Government. Four were clarified on the basis of information provided by the Government and 10 cases remain outstanding.
435. A summary of the situation in the country appears in E/CN.4/2006/56 and Corr.1 and A/HRC/4/41.
Viet Nam
Cases transmitted to the Government during the period under review
Cases clarified during the period under review by:
Number of outstanding cases at the beginning of the period under review
Cases sent under the urgent action procedure
Cases sent under the standard procedure
Government Non-governmental sources
Number of outstanding cases at the end of the year under review
0 1 0 0 0 1
Number of cases on which the Government has replied
Multiple replies on some cases Number of cases of possible clarification by Government (6-month rule)
0 No 0
General allegation N/A Government response N/A Prompt intervention letter N/A Government response N/A Working Group request for a visit N/A Government response N/A
Urgent action
436. The Working Group sent one case under its urgent action procedure. The case concerns Thich Tri Khai, a Buddhist monk disappeared from a pagoda in Don Duong District in July 2008.
Total cases transmitted, clarified and outstanding
437. Since its establishment, the Working Group transmitted two cases to the Government. One was clarified on the basis of information provided by the source and one remains outstanding.
Yemen
Cases transmitted to the Government during the period under review
Cases clarified during the period under review by:
Number of outstanding cases at the beginning of the period under review
Cases sent under the urgent action procedure
Cases sent under the standard procedure
Government Non-governmental sources
Number of outstanding cases at the end of the year under review
0 0 1 0 0 1
Number of cases on which the Government has replied
Multiple replies on some cases Number of cases of possible clarification by Government (6-month rule)
0 No 0
General allegation N/A Government response N/A Prompt intervention letter N/A Government response N/A Working Group request for a visit N/A Government response N/A
Standard cases
438. The Working Group transmitted one newly-reported case to the Government. It concerned Wasef Matar, arrested during a military exercise and last seen in a prison in 2004.
Total cases transmitted, clarified and outstanding
439. Since its establishment, the Working Group transmitted 151 cases to the Government. It clarified 136 cases, 135 on the basis of information provided by the Government and 1 on the basis of information provided by the source, 14 were discontinued and 1 case remains outstanding.
Zimbabwe
Cases transmitted to the Government during the period under review
Cases clarified during the period under review by:
Number of outstanding cases at the beginning of the period under review
Cases sent under the urgent action procedure
Cases sent under the standard procedure
Government Non-governmental sources
Number of outstanding cases at the end of the year under review
3 1 0 0 0 4
Number of cases on which the Government has replied
Multiple replies on some cases Number of cases of possible clarification by Government (6-month rule)
0 No 0
General allegation N/A Government response N/A Prompt intervention letter N/A Government response N/A Working Group request for a visit N/A Government response N/A
Urgent action
440. The Working Group sent one case under its urgent action procedure to the Government of Zimbabwe on 30 January 2008, regarding Gasto Mwela, arrested in Tongorara camp by security forces.
Information from sources
441. Information was received from sources concerning one outstanding case.
Total cases transmitted, clarified and outstanding
442. Since its establishment, the Working Group transmitted a total of five cases to the Government. One was clarified by the Government and four remain outstanding.
443. A summary of the situation in the country appears in E/CN.4/2006/56 and Corr.1 and A/HRC/4/41.
Palestinian Authority
Cases transmitted to the Government during the period under review
Cases clarified during the period under review by:
Number of outstanding cases at the beginning of the period under review
Cases sent under the urgent action procedure
Cases sent under the standard procedure
Government Non-governmental sources
Number of outstanding cases at the end of the year under review
3 0 0 0 0 3
Number of cases on which the Government has replied
Multiple replies on some cases Number of cases of possible clarification by Government (6-month rule)
0 No 0
General allegation N/A Government response N/A Prompt intervention letter N/A Government response N/A Working Group request for a visit N/A Government response N/A
444. All outstanding cases were retransmitted and no response was received from the Government. A summary of the situation in the country appears in E/CN.4/2006/56 and Corr. 1.
IV. AREAS OF CONCERN, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
445. In 2008, the Working Group transmitted 1,203 newly-reported cases of disappearance to 27 Governments, 83 of which allegedly occurred during 2008. The Working Group used the urgent action procedure in 69 of these cases, which allegedly occurred within the three months preceding the receipt of the report by the Working Group. During the reporting period, the Working Group was able to clarify 54 cases of disappearance. The Working Group is grateful for the cooperation received from a number of Governments. Nevertheless, it remains concerned that of the 79 States with outstanding cases, some Governments (Burundi, Guinea, Israel, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles and Timor-Leste, as well as the Palestinian Authority), have never replied to the Working Group’s communications. Some Governments provide responses that do not contain relevant information. The Working Group urges those Governments to fulfil their obligations under the Declaration and the resolutions of the General Assembly, the Commission on Human Rights and its successor, the Human Rights Council. The cooperation of Governments is indispensable for discovering the fate or whereabouts of disappeared persons around the globe.
446. The Working Group reminds States that enforced disappearance is a continuing offence for as long as the fate or whereabouts of the victim remains unclarified.
447. The Working Group reminds States of their obligations under the Declaration to prevent impunity by taking lawful and appropriate steps to bring to justice those alleged to have committed enforced disappearances. In this regard, trials should be carried out by competent ordinary courts.
448. The Working Group is aware of the fact that in certain circumstances, enforced disappearances may amount to crimes against humanity. It therefore calls upon all competent authorities to take all possible steps, in such cases, to bring the alleged perpetrators to justice.
449. The Working Group continues to be concerned about measures being taken while addressing terrorism and its implications relating to enforced disappearances. These include the enactment of legislation that restricts personal freedoms and weakens due process, random arrests committed during military operations, arbitrary detentions and extraordinary renditions, which amount to enforced disappearances.
450. The Working Group calls on States to take specific legislative, administrative, judicial or other measures to prevent and terminate enforced disappearances. States should also take specific measures under criminal law to define enforced disappearances as a separate criminal offence and to bring their existing legislation in line with the Declaration.
451. The Working Group reminds States of their obligation to ensure that every person having knowledge or legitimate interest has the right to complain to a competent and independent authority and to have that complaint promptly, thoroughly and impartially investigated. The Working Group calls on States to consider establishing special independent investigating bodies
to deal with matters of enforced disappearance. The Working Group also calls upon States, when responding to cases of disappearances in their country, to inform the Working Group of the specific steps taken to investigate the circumstances surrounding the disappearance.
452. The Working Group also reminds States of its general comment referring to article 19, which states that “In addition to the punishment of the perpetrators and the rights to monetary compensation, the right to obtain redress for acts of enforced disappearance under article 19 of the Declaration also includes the ‘means for as complete a rehabilitation as possible’.”
453. The Working Group would like to emphasize the right to truth, which should be enjoyed by all victims of enforced disappearance.
454. States ought to take specific measures to promote truth and reconciliation in their societies, as a means to ensure non-repetition of human rights violations, particularly enforced disappearances. Reconciliation takes place at various levels of society, between victims and perpetrators, among groups and at the national level. The Working Group stresses that measures taken to promote reconciliation should not be used as a substitute for bringing perpetrators to justice, in accordance with the principles provided for in the general comment on article 18 of the Declaration.
455. The question of disappearance has a special resonance with women. The serious economic hardships which usually accompany a disappearance are most often borne by them. When women are the victims of disappearance, they become particularly vulnerable to sexual and other forms of violence. In addition, it is they who are most often at the forefront of the struggle to resolve the disappearances of members of their family, making them susceptible to intimidation, persecution and reprisals.
456. The Working Group notes that children are also victims of disappearances, both directly and indirectly. The disappearance of a child, his/her wrongful removal, and the loss of a parent through disappearance are serious violations of children’s rights.
457. The Working Group calls upon States to take specific measures to prevent and punish threats, intimidation and reprisals against all victims of enforced disappearances, including family members, witnesses and human rights defenders working on these cases.
458. Country visits are an integral part of the fulfilment of the Working Group’s mandate, as they allow the Working Group to highlight country practices in addressing enforced disappearances, assist States in reducing obstacles to the implementation of the Declaration, and ensure access to those family members who might not be able to attend the Working Group’s sessions in Geneva. It would like to thank the States that have extended invitations to visit their countries or hosted the Working Group’s sessions. However, because informal confirmation and even standing invitations are not sufficient, the Working Group calls on all States with pending requests for visits to respond with specific dates as soon as possible.
459. The Working Group also remains committed to assisting States in ensuring that their legislation and other measures are in conformity with the Declaration, by providing their expertise in this regard.
460. The Working Group notes with satisfaction that 79 countries have signed and five have ratified the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance. The Working Group is committed to cooperating with the committee under the Convention when it enters into force, and believes that the committee will complement its work in preventing enforced disappearances. It calls on countries that have not signed and/or ratified the Convention to do so and to accept the competence of the committee under article 31 and the inter-State complaint mechanism under article 32 of the Convention.
Annex 1
REVISED METHODS OF WORK OF THE WORKING GROUP ON ENFORCED OR INVOLUNTARY DISAPPEARANCES
(Adopted on 4 December 2008) Mandate
The Working Group’s methods of work are based on its mandate as stipulated originally in Commission on Human Rights resolution 20 (XXXVI) and as developed by the then Commission and the Human Rights Council in numerous further resolutions. The parameters of its work are laid down in the Charter of the United Nations, the International Bill of Human Rights, Economic and Social Council resolution 1235 (XLI) and the Declaration on the Protection of All Persons from Enforced or Involuntary Disappearance, adopted by the General Assembly in its resolution 47/133 of 18 December 1992 (hereinafter referred to as “the Declaration”).
Definition of enforced disappearance
As defined in the preambular part of the Declaration, enforced disappearances occur when persons are arrested, detained or abducted against their will or otherwise deprived of their liberty by officials of different branches or levels of Government or by organized groups or private individuals acting on behalf of, or with the support, direct or indirect, consent or acquiescence of the Government, followed by a refusal to disclose the fate or whereabouts of the persons concerned or a refusal to acknowledge the deprivation of their liberty, which places such persons outside the protection of the law.
Basic mandate
The basic mandate of the Working Group is humanitarian in nature, aimed at assisting families in determining the fate and whereabouts of their disappeared relatives who are placed outside the protection of the law. To this end, the Working Group endeavours to establish a channel of communication between the families and the Governments concerned, with a view to ensuring that sufficiently documented and clearly identified individual cases which families, directly or indirectly, have brought to the Group’s attention are investigated with a view to clarifying the fate or whereabouts of the disappeared persons.
The Declaration
In addition to its original mandate, the Working Group has been entrusted by the General Assembly, the then Commission on Human Rights and the Human Rights Council, with various tasks. In particular, the Working Group is to monitor States’ compliance with their obligations deriving from the Declaration on the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance and to provide to Governments assistance in its implementation. States are under an obligation to take effective measures to prevent and terminate acts of enforced disappearance by making them continuing offences under criminal law and establishing civil liability of those responsible. The Declaration also refers to the right to a prompt and effective judicial remedy, as well as unhampered access of national authorities to all places of detention, the right to habeas corpus,
the maintenance of centralized registers of all places of detention, the duty to investigate fully all alleged cases of disappearance, the duty to try alleged perpetrators of acts of disappearance before ordinary (not military) courts, the exemption of the criminal offence of acts of enforced disappearances from statutes of limitation, special amnesty laws and similar measures leading to impunity.
The Working Group reminds the Governments of these obligations not only in the context of clarifying individual cases but also that of taking action of a more general nature. It draws the attention of Governments and non-governmental organizations to general or specific aspects of the Declaration, it recommends ways of overcoming obstacles to the realization of the Declaration, it discusses with representatives of Governments and non-governmental organizations how to solve specific problems in the light of the Declaration, it assists Governments by carrying out on-the-spot visits, organizing seminars and providing similar advisory services. The Working Group also makes observations on the implementation of the Declaration when the concerned Government has not fulfilled its obligations related to the rights to truth, justice and reparation. The Working Group adopts general comments whenever it considers that a provision of the Declaration requires further clarification or interpretation.
Admissibility of reports on disappearances
Reports on disappearances are considered admissible by the Working Group when they originate from the family or friends of the disappeared person. Such reports may, however, be channelled to the Working Group through representatives of the family, Governments, intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations and other reliable sources. They must be submitted in writing with a clear indication of the identity of the sender; if the source is other than a family member, it must have direct consent of the family to submit the case on its behalf, and it must also be in a position to follow up with the relatives of the disappeared person concerning his or her fate.
The Working Group does not deal with situations of international armed conflict.
Elements for admissibility
In order to enable Governments to carry out meaningful investigations, the Working Group provides them with information containing at least a minimum of basic data. In addition, the Working Group constantly urges the senders of reports to furnish as many details as possible concerning the identity of the disappeared person and the circumstances of the disappearance. The Group requires the following minimum elements:
(a) Full name of the disappeared person and, if possible, age, gender, nationality, and occupation or profession;
(b) Date of disappearance, i.e. day, month and year of arrest or abduction, or day, month and year when the disappeared person was last seen. When the disappeared person was last seen in a detention centre, an approximate indication is sufficient (for example, March or spring 1990);
(c) Place of arrest or abduction, or where the disappeared person was last seen (indication of town or village, at least);
(d) Parties, acting on behalf of, or with the support, direct or indirect, consent or acquiescence of the Government, presumed to have carried out the arrest or abduction or to be holding the disappeared person in unacknowledged detention;
(e) Steps taken by the family to determine the fate or whereabouts of the disappeared person, or at least an indication that efforts to resort to domestic remedies were frustrated or have otherwise been inconclusive;
(f) A case should be submitted to the Working Group by a reliable source, which, if other than a family member, must indicate whether the reported victim's family has given their direct consent that this case be submitted to the Working Group on their behalf.
If a case is not admitted, the Working Group sends a response to the source indicating that the information received did not fulfil the established requirements, in order to permit the source to provide all relevant information.
Communication with Governments
In transmitting cases of disappearance, the Working Group deals exclusively with Governments, basing itself on the principle that Governments must assume responsibility for any violation of human rights on their territory.
Perpetrators
The Working Group operates on the basis that, and in accordance with the definition contained in the Preamble of the Declaration, for purposes of its work, enforced disappearances are only considered as such when the act in question is perpetrated by State actors or by private individuals or organized groups (e.g. paramilitary groups) acting on behalf of, or with the support, direct or indirect, consent or acquiescence of the Government. Based on the above, the Working Group does not admit cases when they are attributed to persons or groups not acting on behalf of, or with the support, direct or indirect, consent or acquiescence of the Government, such as terrorist or insurgent movements fighting the Government in its own territory.
Standard procedure
Reported cases of disappearances are placed before the Working Group for detailed examination during its sessions. Those which fulfil the requirements outlined above are transmitted, upon the Group’s specific authorization, to the Governments concerned with the request that they carry out investigations in order to clarify the fate or whereabouts of the disappeared person, and inform the Group about the results. These cases are communicated by letter from the Group’s Chairman to the Government concerned through the Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office at Geneva.
Any substantive additional information which the sources submit on an outstanding case is placed before the Working Group and, following its approval, transmitted to the Government concerned.
Urgent actions
Cases that occurred within the three months preceding receipt of the report by the Group are transmitted to the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the country concerned by the most direct and rapid means. Their transmission can be authorized by the Chairman on the basis of a specific delegation of power given to him by the Group. Cases which occurred prior to the three-month limit, but not more than one year before the date of their receipt by the Secretariat, provided that they had some connection with a case which occurred within the three-month period, can be transmitted between sessions by letter, upon authorization by the Chairman. The Working Group provides the source with a copy of the summary of each urgent action, thus helping it to enter into communication with the authorities on the case concerned.
Pregnancy
In the case of the disappearance of a pregnant woman, the child presumed to have been born during the mother’s captivity should be mentioned in the description of the case of the mother. The child would be treated as a separate case when witnesses reported that the mother had actually given birth to a child during detention.
Situations of vulnerability
With respect to reported cases of disappearances, the Working Group highlights the condition of people in situations of vulnerability, including women, children, the elderly, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups.
Cases concerning two or more countries
Reports on a disappearance indicating that officials from one country are directly responsible for or involved in a disappearance in another country, or in cases where officials from more than one country were directly responsible for or involved in the disappearance would be communicated to all Governments concerned. However, the case would only be counted in the statistics of the country in which the person was reportedly arrested, detained, abducted or last seen. The same principles are applied with respect to the transmission of general allegations and prompt interventions.
Government replies
All replies received from Governments concerning reports of disappearances are examined by the Working Group and summarized in the Group’s annual report to the Human Rights Council. Any information given on specific cases is forwarded to the sources of those reports, who are invited to make observations thereon or to provide additional details on the cases.
Reminders
The Working Group reminds every Government concerned once a year of the cases which have not yet been clarified and three times a year of all urgent action cases transmitted since the previous session. On request, the Working Group provides to the Government concerned or the source, to the extent possible, updated information on specific cases.
Clarification
Clarification occurs when the fate or whereabouts of the disappeared persons are clearly established as a result of investigations by the Government, inquiries by non-governmental organizations, fact-finding missions by the Working Group or by human rights personnel from the United Nations or from any other international organization operating in the field, or by the search of the family, irrespective of whether the person is alive or dead.
The six-month rule
Any reply of the Government containing detailed information on the fate or whereabouts of the disappeared person is transmitted to the source. If the source does not respond within six months of the date on which the Government’s reply was communicated to it, or if it contests the Government’s information on grounds which are considered unreasonable by the Working Group, the case is considered clarified and is accordingly listed under the heading “Cases clarified by the Government’s response” in the statistical summary of the annual report. If the source contests the Government’s information on reasonable grounds, the Government is so informed and invited to comment.
Closed cases
The Working Group may consider a case closed when the competent authority specified in the relevant national law pronounces, with the concurrence of the relatives and other interested parties, on the presumption of death of a person reported disappeared or preferably, a declaration of absence as a result of enforced disappearance. Presumption of death and a declaration of absence as a result of enforced disappearance should at all times respect the right to integral reparation.
Discontinuation of cases
In exceptional circumstances, the Working Group may decide to discontinue the consideration of cases where the families have manifested, freely and indisputably, their desire not to pursue the case any further, or when the source is no longer in existence or is unable to follow up the case and steps taken by the Working Group to establish communication with other sources have proven unsuccessful.
Outstanding cases
The Working Group considers cases as outstanding for as long as they have not been clarified, closed or discontinued in accordance with the methods of work. This principle is not affected by changes of Government in a given country nor in the event of State succession.
Reopening of cases
If sources provide well-documented information that a case has been considered clarified, discontinued, or closed erroneously, because the Government’s reply referred to a different person, does not correspond to the reported situation or has not reached the source within the six-month period referred to above, the Working Group transmits the case to the Government
anew, requesting it to comment. In such instances, the case in question is again listed among the outstanding cases and a specific explanation is given in the Group’s report to the Human Rights Council, describing the above-mentioned errors or discrepancies.
General allegations
The Working Group regularly transmits to the Governments concerned a summary of allegations received from relatives of disappeared persons and non-governmental organizations with regard to obstacles encountered in the implementation of the Declaration in their respective countries, inviting them to comment thereon if they so wish.
Prompt intervention
Cases of intimidation, persecution or reprisal against relatives of disappeared persons, witnesses to disappearances or their families, members of organizations of relatives and other non-governmental organizations, human rights defenders or individuals concerned with disappearances are transmitted to the pertinent Governments, with the appeal that they take steps to protect all the fundamental rights of the persons affected. Cases of that nature, which require prompt intervention, are transmitted directly to the Ministers for Foreign Affairs by the most direct and rapid means. To that end, the Working Group has authorized its Chairman to transmit such cases between sessions.
Cooperation with other mechanisms
If a case or allegation contains information relevant to other thematic mechanisms of the Council, the information is transmitted to the mechanism concerned.
Country missions
The Working Group carries out visits to countries on invitation, but also takes the initiative of approaching Governments with a view to carrying out visits to countries, when considered appropriate. Such visits are intended to enhance the dialogue between the authorities most directly concerned, the families or their representatives and the Working Group, and to assist in the clarification of the reported disappearances. The Working Group also undertakes visits to examine the practices carried out by Governments to clarify cases of enforced disappearances, as well as the programmes and measures adopted to implement the Declaration and to guarantee the rights of the victims, including the right to integral reparation. The Working Group reports to the Council on its country visits in an addendum to its annual report.
Follow-up
With regard to countries in which visits have been carried out, the Working Group periodically reminds the Governments concerned of the observations and recommendations formulated in the respective reports, requesting information on the consideration given to them, and the steps taken for their implementation or the constraints which might have prevented their implementation. The Working Group may also take the initiative to carry out follow-up visits.
Meetings
The Working Group meets three times a year to consider the information brought to its attention since its previous session. Its meetings are held in private. However, the Working Group works intersessionally and regularly meets with representatives of Governments, non-governmental organizations, family members and witnesses.
Reports
The Working Group reports annually to the Human Rights Council on the activities which it has carried out from the end of Council’s previous session up until the last day of the Working Group’s third annual session. It informs the Council of its communications with Governments and non-governmental organizations, its meetings and missions. Reports on missions are contained as addenda to the main report. The Working Group reports on all cases of disappearance received by the Group during the year, on a country-by-country basis, and on the decision it has taken thereon. It provides the Council with a statistical summary for each country of cases transmitted to the Government, clarifications, and the status of the person concerned on the date of clarification. It includes graphs showing the development of disappearances in countries with more than 100 transmitted cases as of the date of the adoption by the Working Group of its annual report. The Working Group includes conclusions and recommendations in its report and makes observations on the situation of disappearances in individual countries. The Working Group further reports on the implementation of the Declaration and the obstacles encountered therein, and periodically reports on broader issues surrounding the phenomenon of enforced disappearance.
Participation of experts
When the information under consideration concerns a country to which one of the members of the Working Group is a national, that member does not participate in the discussion.
Titles
Titles are for reference only and should not be considered as part of the methods of work.
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Annex 2
DECISIONS ON INDIVIDUAL CASES TAKEN BY THE WORKING GROUP DURING THE REPORTING PERIOD
Cases transmitted to the Government during the reporting period
Clarification by: Countries Cases which allegedly occurred during the reporting period Urgent actions Normal actions Government Non-governmental
sources
Discontinued cases
Algeria 3 2 768 - 3 - Argentina - - 1 8 9 - Bangladesh 1 - 1 - - - Cameroon 1 1 - - - - Chad - 7 - - - - China - - - 2 - - Colombia - - 2 4 - - Ecuador - - - 7 - - India 1 1 32 2 - - Indonesia - - 3 - - - Iran (Islamic Republic of) 2 2 - - - - Iraq - - 9 - - - Japan - - 2 - - - Libyan Arab Jamahiriya 1 2 2 - 2 - Mexico 3 3 - - - - Morocco 1 1 - 5 1 - Namibia - - 2 - - - Nepal - - 118 3 - - Pakistan - - 2 - - - Peru - - 3 - - - Philippines 2 2 4 2 - -
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Annex 3
STATISTICAL SUMMARY: CASES OF ENFORCED OR INVOLUNTARY DISAPPEARANCE REPORTED TO THE WORKING GROUP BETWEEN 1980 AND 2008
Cases transmitted to the Government Clarification by: Status of person at date of clarification
Total Outstanding
Countries/entities
Cases Female Cases Female Government Non-governmental
sources At
liberty In
detention Dead
Discontinued cases
Afghanistan 3 - 3 - - - - - - - Algeria∗ 2 728 19 2 704 18 9 15 9 7 8 - Angola 10 1 3 - 7 - - - 7 - Argentina• 3 445 772 3 286 738 107 52 28 5 126 - Bahrain 2 - - - - 2 - 1 - Bangladesh 3 3 3 3 - - - - - - Belarus 3 - 3 - - - - - - - Bhutan 5 - 5 - - - - - - - Bolivia 48 3 28 3 19 1 19 - 1 - Brazil 63 4 13 - 46 4 1 - 49 - Bulgaria 3 - - - 3 - - - 3 - Burkina Faso 3 - - - 3 - - - 3 - Burundi 53 - 52 - - 1 1 - - - Cambodia 2 - - - - - - - - 2 Cameroon 19 - 15 - 4 - 4 - - - Chad 32 - 29 - 3 - 2 - 1 - Chile 908 65 816 64 69 23 2 - 90 - China 114 13 29 6 74 11 48 35 2 - Colombia 1 227 122 955 92 205 67 157 24 91 - Congo 114 3 114 3 - - - - - - Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
9 5 9 5 - - - - - -
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Cases transmitted to the Government Clarification by: Status of person at date of clarification
Total Outstanding
Countries/entities
Cases Female Cases Female Government Non-governmental
sources At
liberty In
detention Dead
Discontinued cases
Democratic Republic of Congo
52 11 43 11 6 3 9 - - -
Denmark 1 - - - - 1 - 1 - - Dominican Republic 4 - 2 - 2 - 2 - - - Ecuador 26 2 4 - 18 4 12 4 6 - Egypt 23 - 15 - 7 1 1 7 - - El Salvador 2 661 332 2 270 295 318 73 196 175 20 - Equatorial Guinea 8 - 8 - - - - - - - Eritrea 54 4 54 4 - - - - - - Ethiopia 119 2 112 1 3 4 2 5 - - France 1 - 1 - - - - - - - Gambia 2 - 1 - - 1 - - - - Greece 3 - 1 - - - - - - 2 Guatemala 3 155 390 2 899 372 177 79 187 6 63 - Guinea 28 - 21 - - 7 - - 7 - Haiti 48 1 38 1 9 1 1 4 5 - Honduras 207 34 127 21 37 43 54 8 18 - India 423 12 362 10 51 10 33 7 22 - Indonesia 165 2 162 2 3 - 3 - - - Iran (Islamic Republic of)
532 99 515 99 13 4 6 2 9 -
Iraq 16 526 2311 16 396 2 294 107 23 115 6 9 - Israel 3 - 2 - - 1 - - - - Japan 4 3 4 3 - - - - - - Jordan 2 - 2 - - - - - - - Kazakhstan 2 - - - - 2 - - - -
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Cases transmitted to the Government Clarification by: Status of person at date of clarification
Total Outstanding
Countries/entities
Cases Female Cases Female Government Non-governmental
sources At
liberty In
detention Dead
Discontinued cases
Kuwait 1 - 1 - - - - - - - Lao People’s Democratic Republic
6 - - - - 5 - 4 1 1
Lebanon 320 19 312 19 2 6 7 1 - - Libyan Arab Jamahiriya
14 1 10 1 - 4 3 1 - -
Malaysia 2 - - - - 1 - 1 - 1 Mauritania 1 - 1 - - - - - - - Mexico 382 29 211 19 133 22 76 18 61 16 Montenegro 16 1 15 - 1 - - 1 - - Morocco 249 28 58 7 144 47 139 2 50 - Mozambique 2 - 2 - - - - - - - Myanmar 7 1 5 - 2 - 1 1 - - Namibia 3 - 3 - - - - - - - Nepal 649 72 435 56 135 79 152 60 1 - Nicaragua 234 4 103 2 112 19 45 11 75 - Nigeria 6 - - - 6 - 6 - - - Pakistan 118 2 94 2 18 6 22 2 - - Paraguay 23 - - - 20 - 19 - 1 3 Peru 3 009 311 2 371 236 253 385 450 85 103 - Philippines 780 94 619 74 126 35 108 19 29 - Romania 1 - - - 1 - 1 - - - Russian Federation 478 26 467 24 1 10 11 - - - Rwanda 24 2 21 2 - 2 1 1 - 1 Saudi Arabia 6 - 3 - 1 - 1 - - 2 Serbia 1 - 1 - 1 - 1 - - -
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Cases transmitted to the Government Clarification by: Status of person at date of clarification
Total Outstanding
Countries/entities
Cases Female Cases Female Government Non-governmental
sources At
liberty In
detention Dead
Discontinued cases
Seychelles 3 - 3 - - - - - - - South Africa 11 1 - - 3 2 1 1 3 6 Spain 3 - 3 - - - - - - - Sri Lanka♣ 12 297 155 5 727 87 6 530 40 101 24 6 445 - Sudan 382 37 173 5 205 4 208 - - - Switzerland 1 - 1 - - - - - - - Syrian Arab Republic
44 3 18 3 12 14 17 5 4 -
Tajikistan 8 - 6 - - 2 1 - 1 - Thailand 58 5 55 5 1 - 1 - - 2 Timor-Leste 504 36 428 28 58 18 50 23 2 - Togo 11 2 10 2 - 1 1 - - - Tunisia 17 1 - - 12 5 1 16 - - Turkey 182 11 63 3 69 49 68 24 26 1 Turkmenistan 2 - - - 2 - - 2 - - Uganda 22 4 15 2 2 5 2 5 - - Ukraine 4 2 3 2 1 - - - 1 - United Arab Emirates
2 - 1 - 1 - 1 - - -
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
1 - - - - - - - - -
United Republic of Tanzania
2 - - - 2 - 2 - - -
United States of America
1 - - - 1 - - - - -
Uruguay 31 7 22 3 8 1 4 4 - -
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Cases transmitted to the Government Clarification by: Status of person at date of clarification
Total Outstanding
Countries/entities
Cases Female Cases Female Government Non-governmental
sources At
liberty In
detention Dead
Discontinued cases
Uzbekistan 19 - 7 - 11 1 2 10 - - Venezuela 14 2 10 1 4 - 1 - 3 - Viet Nam 1 - 1 - - - - - - - Yemen 151 - 1 - 135 1 63 - 73 14 Zambia 1 1 - - - 1 - 1 - - Zimbabwe 5 1 4 1 1 - - - 1 - Palestinian Authority 3 - 3 - - - - - - -
∗ In addition, the Working Group determined that 15 outstanding cases were duplicates and were subsequently eliminated from its records.
• In addition, the Working Group decided that one case was erroneously reported and was subsequently eliminated from its records.
♣ In addition, the Working Group determined that 378 were found to be duplications and were subsequently eliminated from its records.
Annex 4
GRAPHS SHOWING THE DEVELOPMENT OF DISAPPEARANCES IN COUNTRIES WITH MORE THAN 100 TRANSMITTED CASES DURING THE PERIOD 1980-2008
ALGERIA
8 3 1 1 1 16
87
907 913
517
184
55 9 8 5 2 2 6 3
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
900
1000
64 66 68 70 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 2000 2002 2003 2006 2007 2008
ARGENTINA
2 1 8 100
1392
1181
322
50 36 12 1 1 1 1 2 7 1 0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
1400
71 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82- 84
85 86- 88
89 90-91 92 93 94- 96
97 2000 2002 2003
CHILE
429
258
80 111
14 3 4 2 1 5 1 0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
450
500
73 74 75 76 77 78 79-80 81 82-83 84 85 86 87 88 89
CHINA
23
5
9
7
2
6
14
8
10
7
2 2
11
2 1 1
2 2
0
5
10
15
20
25
88 89 90 91 92 94 95 96 97 98 99 2000 2001 2002 2004 2005 2006 2007
CONGO, REP. OF
7
107
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
98 99
COLOMBIA
1 1 1 3 3 9
6
23
4
82 75 73
88 82
78 74
100
22
86
23
56
27 28 23
36
22
53
32
24 24 21
11 10 9 14
3
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
EL SALVADOR
15 15 36
16
143
481
339
652
535
126
68 29
46 42 54 25 37 2
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92
ETHIOPIA
8
1
5
1 3 4
1
5
1 1
7 7
13
47
3 4 2 1 1 3
1 0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
74 76 77 78 79 80 82 83 88 89 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 2005 2007
GUATEMALA
34
179
364 375
522 490
424
290
153
64 65 52 77
29 13 7 9 4 1
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 2002
HONDURAS
1
61
22 22
28 29
6 10 10
3 4 1 1 2 1 1 5
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 92 93 94 95 99 2006
INDIA
2 4
39
22
41
15
43
76
33
22
11 11
21
14
6
30
4
11 9 8
1 1 0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2008
INDONESIA
3 2 3 3 1
8
14
6 1
58
22
30
4 6 3 1 0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
65 66 79 84 89 90 91 92 97 98 99 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004
IRAN
2
12
66
49
27 31
18 16 12
116
136
13 14
2 1 2 1 1 4 1 3 1 1 1
-10
10
30
50
70
90
110
130
150
IRAQ
2 1 1 3 48 849
424 395
2444
60 34 21 18
11553
6 556
6 1 2 5 87 1 5 4 0
2000
4000
6000
8000
10000
12000
14000
LEBANON
3 12
4 2 5
201
51
2
18
1 1 1 3 7 2 1 1 1 1 3 0
50
100
150
200
250
75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95-96 97 98 99 2000
MEXICO
6 6
40
24
32
51
33
9 6
19
7 7
2 3 1 2 3
1 3
1 1
38
21
5
25
12
3 2 2
7 5
2 3
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
MOROCCO
1 2
23
1
24
79
13 14 10
13
5 7 9
5 3 1
26
2 1 1 2 4
1 1 1 0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
54 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 89 90 93 96 97 98 2000 2008
NEPAL
1 5 1
34 33 40
51
263
67
118
28
8
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
73 85 93 98 99 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006
PAKISTAN
4 8
1 4 3 2
41
11
4 1 1
3 1 1 2
8
23
0
5
10
15
20 25
30
35 40
45
85 86 89 90 91 94 95 96 98 99 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006
NICARAGUA
1
60
19 22
56
42
4
17
4 1
4 2 2
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91-93 94
PERU
2
433 414
208
256
134
230
451
290
328
195
37 13 10 5 1 2
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
450
500
82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98-99 2000
PHILIPPINES
7
38
16
28
48 42
24 17
24
148
83
2
12
63
48 52
17 19 17
5 2 1 4 4 1 6 4 4 4
12 21
5 2
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
RUSSIAN FEDERATION
144
3 11
26
7 2
147
56
19
6
29
16
5 5 2 0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
92 93 94 95 96 99 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
SRI LANKA
8 1 1 3 0 5 144 369 219 142 180
4771 4673
406 109 40 6 74
626
87 14 7 15 1 1 2 2 186 142 63
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
50- 77
78 79 80 81- 82
83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 2000 2001 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
SUDAN
1 1 4 2
253
1 1 3 1 1
52
23 24 14
1 0
50
100
150
200
250
300
91 92 93 94 95 97 98 99 2000 2001 2003 2004 2005 2006 2008
TIMOR LESTE
1 2
30 10 2
45 45
2 6
28
243
20 1
36 33
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85-86 87 88 89 90 91 92 95 96 97
TURKEY
1 4
26 30
63
16 15
3
14
5 4 1
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 2000 2001 2007
YEMEN
5 5 8 1 2 1 3
8 2 1
101
11 2 1
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79-81 82 83 84-85 86 87-93 94 95-97 98 2004
Annex 5
LISTS OF NAMES OF NEWLY-REPORTED CASES, FROM COUNTRIES WHERE THERE WERE MORE THAN 10 NEWLY TRANSMITTED CASES DURING THE REPORTING PERIOD
Algeria Case No. First name Family name
10001651 Abdelkrim ABDELLAOUI 10001652 Djelloul ABDELLAOUI 10001653 Mokhtar ABDELLAOUI 10001300 Bouabdellah ABDENACER 10001697 Moussa ABDESSELAM 10001698 Abdelkader ACEM 10001614 Merzak ACHOUR 10001654 Ali ACHOUR 10001655 Abdelkader ADDAOUI 10001656 Cherif ADJROUD 10001911 Ahmed AFFAN 10001699 Abdelkader AHMANE 10001700 Hocine ALIOUCHE 10001701 Nourredine ALIOUCHE 10001702 Mohamed Samir AMARA 10001657 Larbi AMARI 10001658 Allaoua AMIOUR 10001703 Daoud AMIRET 10001704 Toufik AMMARI 10001615 Djamel AMRANE 10001659 Azzedine AMRANI 10001910 Rabah AMRI 10001912 Mouloud AMROUCHE 10001913 Yassine ANNAB 10002036 Brahim AOUABDIA 10001660 Yahia AOUABDIA 10001616 Mohamed AOUICHA 10001048 Mohamed Salah ARAMI 10001617 Abdallah ASBAR 10001914 Ahmed ASNOUN 10001063 Abd El Malek ASSILA 10001064 Youcef ATHMANE 10001065 Redha ATIK 10001066 Ryad ATIK 10001068 Tarek ATIK 10001069 Abdelaziz ATOUI
Algeria (continued) Case No. First name Family name
10001071 Adlane ATROUS 10001072 Rachid ATTIT ALLAH 10002038 Sahraoui AYACHE 10001074 Cherif AYOU 10001915 Feghoul AZEB 10001618 Ali AZZOUNI 10001075 Brahim AZZOUZ 10001077 Mabrouk BAAZIZ 10001079 Hamid BAHOULI 10001619 Nasreddine BAHRI 10001081 Rabah BAKHOUCHE 10001082 Ahcene BARKAT 10001083 Hocine BAYOUD 10001084 Himed BEDJEGHIT 10001085 Ahmed Bey BEGGAR 10001916 Mohamed BEGHDAOUI 10001087 Laid BEKAK 10001917 Achour BELABID 10001918 Mohanmed BELABID 10001088 Ouahib BELAHCINI 10001090 Noureddine BELAHRECHE 10001099 Mounir BELAL 10001101 Abdelouaheb BELARBI 10001102 Ahmed BELARBI 10001107 Nabil BELARIBI 10001109 Rabie BELARIBI 10001110 Abdellah BELATEL 10001620 Abderrahmane BELAZZA 10001919 Rachid BELAZZOUZ 10001112 Nasr Eddine BELDJERDA 10001920 Abdelkader BELDJILLALI 10001661 Djelloul BELFACI 10001113 Chouaib BELGHELSI 10001115 Mustapha BELGHRIB 10001621 Larbi BELHACENE 10001929 Larbi BELHACENE 10001116 Omar BELIL 10001921 Ali BELKACEM 10001622 Hamid BELKHARCHI 10001117 Abdelkader BELLILI 10001118 Lazhar BELLILI 10001623 Mohamed BELLOUNIS 10001119 Said BEN AMOUMA 10001124 Mostafa BEN AZIEZ
Algeria (continued) Case No. First name Family name
10001125 Saad Laid BEN DAAS 10001128 Mohamed BENABBES 10001131 Yahia BENACER 10001132 Bachir BENACHOUR 10001133 Abderrezak BENAMAR 10001134 Hacene BENAMER 10001122 Salah Eddine BENATIA 10001181 Abdelaziz BENATIA 10001182 Faycal BENBARA 10001183 Samir BENBARA 10001901 Redouane BENCHABIR 10001184 Azzedine BENCHIHEB 10001624 Brahim BENDAHBI 10001186 Bachir BENDJABALLAH 10001187 Smain BENDJELLOUL 10001189 Abdellouahab BENDJEMAA 10001190 Abdelmadjid BENDJEMAA 10001192 Mohamed BENDJEMAA 10001194 Hacene BENELMADANI 10001195 Salah BENGHIDA 10001197 Abderaouf BENGREIT 10001198 Hicem BENGUIDOUM 10001127 Mohamed Salah BENHABOUCHE 10001202 Khoudir BENKAHOUL 10001205 Zoheir BENKAHOUL 10001206 Mahieddine BENKERROUT 10001209 Salim BENKHALEF 10001249 Cherif BENLAHRECHE 10001251 Mohamed Riad BENLATRECHE 10001252 Azzedine BENLAZHAR 10001254 Hocine BENMECHERI 10001922 Said BENMORKAT 10001255 Hocine BENMOUSSA 10001257 Tayeb BENNAS 10001923 Mustapha BENNOUA 10001259 Mourad BENSALEM 10001625 Ahmed BENSALEM 10001260 Salim BENSIHAMDI 10001262 Yazid BENSOUICI 10001263 Abdelkader BENTELJOUM 10001265 Hocine BENTRAD 10001266 Ryad BENYEZAR 10001268 Mohamed BENZAGHOU 10001270 Mohamed BENZEKRI
Algeria (continued) Case No. First name Family name
10001271 Toufik BERKAMI 10001276 Salim BERKANE 10001278 Abdenour BERRABAH 10001279 Lakhdar BERRICHE 10001281 Brahim BESKRI 10001924 Mohamed BESTERSA 10001283 Bouzid BETCHINE 10001284 Abdelaziz BETINA 10001285 Mohamed El Hadi BETTOU 10001286 Souleymane BEY 10001294 Amar BEZAZ 10001296 Mohame Cherif BEZAZEL 10001301 Ammar BOUABDELLAH 10001302 Ahmed BOUACHIBA 10001304 Mohamed BOUAICHE 10001307 Ammar BOUALDI 10001626 Mohamed BOUALI 10001662 Omar BOUAMAMA 10001925 M'Hamed BOUAMAMA 10001308 Rachid BOUAOUM 10001309 Ouail BOUATOURA 10001310 Mohamed BOUAZA 10001312 Nasser eddine BOUAZIZ 10001314 Kadour BOUBAKER 10001318 Yacine BOUBAKRI 10001663 Hachemi BOUBELOUTA 10001320 Youcef BOUBENDIR 10001322 Yacine BOUBRED 10001324 Med Larbi BOUCEMRA 10001326 Kamel BOUCENNA 10001328 Rabeh BOUCENNA 10001330 Said BOUCETTA 10001971 Ahmed BOUCHAAR 10001331 Abdelmalek BOUCHAIR 10001627 Ferhat BOUCHAIR 10001333 Nabil BOUCHEHEM 10001334 Toufik BOUCHELIF 10001335 Ahmed BOUCHELOUCHE 10001336 Mohamed BOUCHEMA 10001338 Lotfi BOUCHERIT 10001340 Boubakeur BOUCHETIB 10001344 Mostapha BOUCHTEOUNA 10001345 Ryad BOUDCHICHA 10001346 Fares BOUDEBZA
Algeria (continued) Case No. First name Family name
10001347 Laali BOUDEBZA 10001628 Ahcene BOUDEBZA 10001629 Fares BOUDEBZA 10001365 Tarek BOUDEJBBA 10001348 Ryad BOUDEKHANE 10001349 Sebti BOUDELIOU 10001351 Fouad BOUDEMAGHE 10001353 Abdelhamid BOUDENE 10001357 Kamel BOUDERSA 10001359 Aissa BOUDERSA 10001361 Mohamed BOUDERSA 10001362 Nabil BOUDIAF 10001363 Tahar BOUDJAHCHA 10001972 Boulares BOUDJALLAL 10001926 Ahmed BOUDJELLAB 10001973 Hacene BOUDJELLAL 10001366 Ali BOUDJOURAF 10001049 Ali BOUDMIAA 10001051 Bachir BOUDRAA 10001056 Ahmed BOUDRIA 10001057 Djelloul BOUFELKA 10001058 Mohamed BOUFENARA 10001059 Amar BOUFOUHA 10001060 Brahim BOUGANDOURA 10001061 Kamel BOUGANDOURA 10001062 Mohamed Nadir BOUGBIRA 10001050 Adel BOUGHABA 10001055 Idriss BOUGHABA 10001067 Salah BOUGHENBOUZ 10001070 El-Hadi BOUGHRARA 10001073 Amine BOUGHRARI 10001076 Abdelali BOUGHRIRA 10001078 Kamel BOUGHRIRA 10001927 Mohamed BOUHADI 10001928 Mustapha BOUHADJI 10001080 Ammar BOUHBLA 10001086 Abdelfettah BOUHLASSA 10001089 Toufik BOUHLASSA 10001091 Ali BOUHROUR 10001092 Abdelaziz BOUHZAM 10001093 Sabti BOUJAADA 10001094 Hocine BOUKAABECHE 10001095 Rachid BOUKADEH 10001096 Hamid BOUKALA
Algeria (continued) Case No. First name Family name
10001097 Nacer BOUKALOUA 10001974 Abdelali BOUKELOUA 10001975 Toufik BOUKELOUA 10001098 Abdeljalil BOUKERKER 10001100 Mohamed BOUKERZAZA 10001103 Brahim BOUKHALFA 10001104 Youcef BOUKHALFA 10001105 Nabil BOUKHAMACHE 10001630 Rabah BOUKHELIF 10001106 Taher BOUKHENFER 10001108 Ahcene BOUKHENOUFA 10001631 Maamar BOUKHETACHE 10001111 Zoubir BOUKHLASSA 10001930 Djamel BOUKHRIS 10001114 Abdallah BOULAARAS 10001120 Feçih BOULAARES 10001121 Karim BOULACHFAR 10001123 Hacène BOULAKROUN 10001126 Yassine BOULEKHAL 10001129 Ahmed BOULEMDAIS 10001632 Ameur BOULENOUAR 10001130 Azzeddine BOULKAMH 10001415 Hacène BOULKAMH 10001135 Makhlouf BOULOUDINAT 10001633 Boubekeur BOUMADJEN 10001145 Belkacem BOUMAZA 10001664 Ali BOUMENDIL 10001146 Abdelmalek BOUMESRANE 10001147 Drif BOUMEZBAR 10001148 Abdelkrim BOUMEZBEUR 10001416 Haoues BOUMEZHAR 10001150 Fares BOUNAAS 10001185 Farouk BOUNAB 10001417 Abdelmajid BOUNAB 10001418 Tayeb BOUNAB 10001188 Tayeb BOUNAKDJA 10001191 Ahmed BOUNOUAR 10001193 Azzeddine BOURABA 10001196 Abdelhamid BOURAMOUL 10001199 Abderrezak BOURAMOUL 10001200 Salah BOURAS 10001201 Amar BOURBOUHATE 10001634 Nabil BOUREZG 10001203 Abdelghani BOUREZGUE
Algeria (continued) Case No. First name Family name
10001204 Nabil BOUREZGUE 10001207 Abdelghani BOURFAA 10001208 Noureddine BOUSBIAT 10001246 Hacene BOUSSAKER 10001247 Mokhtar BOUSSALEM 10001248 Aboubakr-Essedik BOUSSEBOUA 10001250 Hakim BOUSSOUF 10001931 Abdelkader BOUSSOUFA 10001253 Ahmed BOUSSOURIA 10001256 Salah BOUSSOURIA 10001258 Ali BOUTABAKH 10001261 Rachid BOUTAF 10001264 Brahim BOUTEBIBA 10001665 Djamel BOUTERFES 10001635 Boualem BOUTOUTA 10001267 Djamel BOUZAHZAH 10001269 Toufik BOUZAKRI 10001272 Mohamed BOUZIANE 10001273 Yacine BOUZRIBA 10001419 El-Hadi BRAHIMI 10001274 Abdessalem BRIOUD 10001275 Abderrazak CHAABANE 10001420 Foudil CHABBI 10001277 Mourad CHAHBOUB 10001280 Abderrezak CHAIB 10001282 Ali CHAIB 10001295 Abdelhafid CHAIBAI 10001297 Abdelhamid CHAMEKH 10001299 Abdelmalek CHELIHI 10001303 Abdelfateh CHENIKI 10001306 Abdelkader CHERCHAR 10002025 Nabil CHERIBET 10001311 Abdelouahab CHERIBET 10001313 Aziz CHERIBET 10001315 Nabil CHERIBET 10001932 Rachid CHERIFIA 10001316 Belkacem CHEROUAT 10001317 Nabil CHETTAB 10001319 Kechroud CHETTAH 10001321 Rachid CHIABRA 10001323 El-Garmi CHIBANI 10001636 El Mekki CHIBANI 10001637 Mohamed CHIBANI 10001638 Moussa CHIBANI
Algeria (continued) Case No. First name Family name
10001933 Farid Abdelkader CHIBI 10001666 Lakhdar CHIKHI 10001668 Mokhtar CHIKHI 10001669 Zoubir CHIKHI 10001325 Abdelghani CHORFI 10001327 Mohamed CHORFI 10001329 El Hadi CHOUAÏB 10001332 Ahcène CHOUGUI 10001337 Nabil CHRAÏT 10001339 Ramadan CHRAÏT 10001341 Saïd CHRIBET 10002027 Cherif DAGHOUCHE 10001342 Noureddine DAHMANE 10001934 Kaddour DAIFELLAH 10001343 Rabah DAÏKHI 10001350 Azzeddine DAKDAK 10001352 Abderrezak DAMÈNE-DEBIH 10001354 Ali DAOUD 10001355 Salah DAOUDI 10001356 Youcef DAOUDI 10001670 Miloud DAR ASSAS 10001358 Salah DEBACHE 10001671 Habib DEBBAGH 10001672 Lahouari DEBBAGH 10001372 Hocine DEHAMNA 10001360 Boudjemaa DELALI 10001364 Lazhar DELMI 10001935 Bouziri DEMMOU 10001936 Djilali DEMMOU 10001367 Salah DERBAL 10001673 Abdelkader DERBALI 10001368 Aïssa DERDOUKHE 10001369 Boudjemâa DERIOUK 10001370 Bachir DEROUICHE 10001371 El - Fadel DERRADJI 10001373 Ali DIDI 10001674 Houcine DJAALALI 10001675 Ben Ali DJABOUB 10001374 Abdelhamid DJALEB 10001937 Nacer DJANATI 10002028 Toufik DJAOU 10001421 Mohamed DJEBALI 10001375 Djamel DJEDAÏ 10001938 Mohamed DJELILAHINE
Algeria (continued) Case No. First name Family name
10001939 Mohamed DJEZZAR 10001940 Abderezak DJIDEL 10001376 Abdelwahab DJOUAL 10001377 Hocine DOUADI 10001676 Ali DOUAR 10001941 Tayeb ELGHERIBI 10001379 Fayçal EUCHI 10001381 Rachid FENDI 10001382 Yassine FENDI 10002029 Hocine FENIKH 10001383 Chouet FERDI 10001380 Salah FERHAT 10001677 Mustapha FERHATI 10001942 Cherif FERHATI 10001384 Hocine FERMES 10001385 Djamel FERTAKI 10001386 Abelhamid FETATNIA 10001387 Abdelhakim FETTECHE 10001943 Mohamed FITAS 10001388 Mohamed Cherif GARMAT 10001052 Mouloud GASMI 10001053 Nacer Eddine GATTOUCHE 10001054 Abdellah GHAIB 10001396 Rabah GHAMMAM 10001397 Abdelhakim GHAMRANI 10001398 Abdelghani GHARBI 10001399 Azzouz GHARBI 10001400 Riad GHARBI 10001401 Saïd GHARBI 10001402 Saïd GHARBI 10001403 Malik GHARIB 10001404 Haçene GHARZALLAH 10001405 Hocine GHENAI 10001406 Ali GHERAICHE 10001407 Djamel GHERBI 10001408 Miloud GHERBI 10001409 Youcef GHERBI 10001410 Mohamed Salah GHODBANE 10001411 Mohamed GHORI 10001412 Bousenane GHOURI 10001413 Youcef GHOURI 10001414 Abdelhamid GHRARRI 10001422 Ramdane GOLAM 10001944 Tayeb GOMRI
Algeria (continued) Case No. First name Family name
10001423 Abdallah GOUAOURA 10001424 Abdellah GOUARIR 10001425 Noureddine GOUASMA 10001426 Farouk GOUASMIA 10001427 Abderrezak GRANDI 10001428 Mostepha GRANDI 10001429 Yacine GUECHE 10001430 Mohamed Cherif GUENIFI 10001431 Abdelkrim GUERDOUH 10001432 Abdelnacer GUERFI 10001433 Ahcene GUERFI 10001434 Fatah GUERFI 10001435 Ali GUERMAT 10001436 Hamid GUERMAT 10001437 Younes GUERROUF 10001493 Salah GUESSOUR 10001438 Abdelaaziz GUETTACHE 10001439 Lahbib GUETTECHE 10001440 Salim HABOUL 10001441 Mohamed HADDAD 10001705 Mohamed HADDAD 10001442 Hamid HADJI 10001571 Hocine HADJI 10001572 Salem HADJI 10001678 Mohamed HALIMI 10001679 Yagoub HALOUI 10001573 Messaoud HAMADA 10001945 Moussa HAMADANE 10001574 Abderrahmane HAMAIDIA 10001575 Adel HAMAMES 10001639 Ramdane HAMANI 10001576 Saad HAMDANE 10001946 Mousa HAMDANI 10001577 Saad HAMIDANE 10001947 Sid Ali HAMIDAT 10001578 Tahar HAMLAOUI 10001680 Moussa HAMOUDI 10001579 Mohamed Larbi HAMOUI 10001681 Mohamed HARCHAOUI 10001948 Abdelaziz HARIR 10001580 Slimane HASSANI 10001581 Badaoui HAZAM 10001582 Abdellah HAZMOUNE 10001583 Mohamed HEBBOUL
Algeria (continued) Case No. First name Family name
10001584 Salah HEBBOUL 10001585 Abdennour HEBIA 10001586 Salim HEBOUL 10001587 Ammar HENNI 10001640 Ben Youcef HIRECHE 10001588 Mokhtar H'LLILIF 10001589 Faouzi HOBAR 10001682 Mustapha HOUARI 10001590 Tayeb KACEM 10001591 Abdeslem KADDOUM 10001592 Boubakeur KADDOUR 10001593 Omar KADRI 10001594 Abdelrachid KAHOUL 10001595 Khelil KAHOUL 10001596 Tarek KAHOUL 10001597 Youcef KAHOUL 10001598 Brahim KALFALLAH 10001599 Hacene KARA 10001600 Hichem KARBOUA 10001601 Mohamed Tahar KARBOUA 10001602 Rabah KARBOUA 10001603 Derradji KASSAH-LAOUAR 10001604 Abdelaziz KATTACHE 10001605 Omar KEBIR 10001490 Ahmed KECHIDA 10001491 Mourad KEDISSA 10001492 Abdelkader KEMACHE 10001494 Nourreddine KENNOUNI 10001496 Abdelhamid KERBOUA 10001497 Hocine KERMANI 10001500 Samrane KERMICHE 10001505 Adel KEROUANE 10001506 Mohamed KEROUANE 10001507 Abdeslam KERRIZI 10001508 Mohamed Yazid KERROUACHE 10001510 Lakhdar KHACHA 10001512 Abdelhamid KHADAR 10001513 Kamel KHAIRI 10001949 Lakhdar KHALDI 10001683 Tahar KHALED 10001950 Abdelmalek KHALED 10001951 Abdelhak KHANICHE 10001514 Mahmoud KHANTIT 10001515 Mourad KHAROUACHE
Algeria (continued) Case No. First name Family name
10002030 Abdeslem KHELIFA 10001516 Allaoua KHELIFA 10001517 Abdelhamid KHELIFATI 10001518 Rachid KHELIFI 10001533 Cherif KHELIFI 10001519 Abdelfetah KHELLIFI 10001520 Zaoui KHELLOUF 10001684 Bachir KHELOUFI 10001685 Redouane KHELOUFI 10001952 Mohamed KHEMIDJA 10001521 Ahcene KHEMISSI 10001522 Djamel KHEMISSI 10001523 Ryad KHENFER 10001524 Toufik KHENFRI 10001525 Yahia KHENICHE 10001526 Abdelhamid KHENNAOUI 10001527 Mahfoud KHENNAOUI 10001641 Mohamed Amine KHENNAS 10001528 Rabah KHERCHICHE 10001529 Faycal KHERIS 10001530 Reda KHETAB 10001531 Makhlouf KHETTOUF 10001953 Abdenaceur KHICHANE 10001532 Hocine KHIRI 10001954 Ahmed KHORIFI 10001534 Makhlouf KITOUNI 10001535 Djemai KOUADRI 10001536 Amar KOUALILA 10001537 Kamel KOUIDER 10002031 Farid KRIKOU 10001538 Yahia KROUMI 10001686 Othmane LAADJAL 10001539 Nacer LAAGAGUINE 10001540 Abdelghani LAAMOUR 10001541 Ahmed LAANANI 10001542 Ahmed LAIB 10001543 Mebarek LAIFAOUI 10001544 Mohamed Salah LAIROUGE 10001545 Rachid LAKHAL 10001546 Lakhdar LALAOUATNI 10002032 Hocine LALOUATNI 10001547 Aissa LAMAMRI 10001687 Rabah LAMRI 10002033 Mohamed LAOUFI
Algeria (continued) Case No. First name Family name
10001378 Samir LARGHEM 10001642 Menouar LAROUI 10001561 Mohamed Salah LATLOUT 10001562 Laarbi LEBSIR 10001563 Salim LECHAR 10001564 Mourad LEMOUI 10001565 Saïd LEMOUNES 10001566 Ali LEULMI 10001569 Mohamed LITIME 10001567 Mohamed Faouzi LOGBI 10001568 Nouar LOUCIF 10001570 Fatah MAADI 10002034 Nacer-Eddine MAALEM 10001548 Mohamed MAAOUI-BOUNAB 10001549 Said MAAOUI-BOUNAB 10001550 Mostepha MAAZI 10001551 Ryad MAAZI 10001552 Amar MADACI 10001553 Azzouz MADADI 10001955 Kamel MAHAMDI 10001554 Mohamed MAHDJOUB 10001555 Mohamed Cherif MAHFOUDI 10001956 Adel MAHI 10001957 Souhil MAHMOUDI 10001556 Mahfoud MAIRIF 10001557 Faycal MAJADIB 10001558 Khaled MAKHLOUFI 10001559 Lakhdar MAKHLOUFI 10001560 Yassine MAKHLOUFI 10001443 Mohamed Hocine MAMI 10001444 Abdou MAOUI-BOUNAB 10001445 Salah MAOUI-BOUNAB 10001958 Kamel MARECHE 10001446 Azzedine MAROUK 10001447 Hocine MAROUK 10001448 Toufiq MASSAE 10001449 Mouloud MEBARKI 10001450 Mourad MEBARKI 10001959 Lounes MEBARKI 10001451 Rachid MECHATI 10001452 Rachid MECHATI 10001453 Laamri MECHTA 10001454 Salah MECIAD 10001455 Mourad MEDANI
Algeria (continued) Case No. First name Family name
10001456 Abdelkader MEDJADIB 10001457 Abdelmajid MEGHERBI 10001458 Aissa MEHAMLIA 10002035 Adel MEHAZEM 10001459 Mohamed MEHDAD 10001460 Salah MEHIDEB 10001461 Mohamed MEKHABA 10001462 Salah MEKKIOU 10001464 Amoir (Ameur) MEKRI 10001960 Belkacem MELIHI 10001466 Messaoud MELKI 10001467 Boumaaref MELLAHI 10001463 Riad MEMAH 10001465 Smain MEMECHE 10001468 Mouloud MERABET 10001470 Nasser MERAZGA 10001473 Abderrahmane MERDACI 10001476 Rabah MERNIZ 10001478 Messaoud MEROUANI 10001479 Mohamed MEROUANI 10001484 Bachir MEROUR 10001643 Noureddine MERZOUG 10001485 Ali MESSAI 10001486 Toufik MESSAI 10001487 Sofiane MESSALI 10001488 Nadir MESSAOUDANI 10001489 Mohamed MESSAOUDI 10001495 Belkacem MESSIAAD 10001498 Omar MESSIAD 10001499 Salim MESSIAD 10001501 Salim MESSIAD 10001502 Haoues MESSIBAH 10001503 Miloud MEZHAR 10001504 Ahmed MEZHOUD 10001509 Brahim MEZHOUD 10001511 Riad MEZHOUD 10001469 Mohamed MEZIANE 10001471 Mouloud MEZICHE 10001961 Hocine MIHOUBI 10001962 Mohamed MILOUDI 10001472 Lakhdar MOKHNACHE 10001474 Nabil MOKRI 10001475 Skander MOKRI 10001477 Farid MOKRICHE
Algeria (continued) Case No. First name Family name
10001480 Kamal MOKRICHE 10001481 Mohamed MOKRICHE 10001482 Issam MOUALEF 10001483 Salah MOUALKIA 10002041 Nabil MOUSSA 10001298 Moussa MOUSSA BIROUK 10002042 Amar MOUSSA-EMBAREK 10002043 Zoubir NACIB 10002044 Kamel NAILI 10002045 Mourad NAILI 10002046 Nadir NAKAA 10001688 Ali NAKIB 10002089 Smain NAKOUB 10001963 Abdelhamid NAMOUS 10002047 Mohamed NASRALLAH 10002048 Abdelrrachid NEKAA 10002049 Hamou NEKAA 10002050 Mohamed NEKIA 10002051 Toufik NEKOUB 10002052 Zine Eddine NEMOUCHI 10002053 Mohamed Tahar NIGHOUD 10002054 Hassan NOURI 10001689 Mustapha OSMANE 10002055 Boubaker OUAFI 10002056 Mohamed OUAKTI 10002057 Fodil OUALBANI 10002058 Badis OUBAD 10001690 Ali OUDOUID 10001964 Cheikh OUKIL 10001696 Mohamed OULED EL AID 10001965 Tahar OUSSERIR 10002059 Hocine RABHI 10002060 Othmane RABIE 10002062 Toufik RAHALI 10002063 Nasreddine RAMDANE 10002064 Kamel REBAHI 10001691 Lahouari REBAI 10002065 Sadek RECIOUNI 10001692 Kaddour REDJIMI 10002066 Lakhdar REGAD 10002061 Zinelabidine REGGANI 10002067 Othmane REMADNIA 10002068 Kais REMITA 10002069 Kamel REMITA
Algeria (continued) Case No. First name Family name
10002070 Said RIACHE 10002071 Mansour RIBAH 10002072 Adel RIGHI 10002073 Smain RIGUI 10002074 Abdelmalek ROUIBAH 10001693 Messaoud SAAD 10002075 Abdelouahab SAADI 10002076 Mohamed Larbi SAADI 10002037 Kamal SAFANE 10002078 Lahlali SAIDI 10002079 Farhat SAIDI 10002080 Larbi SAIDI 10001644 Boubeker SAIGHI 10001645 Mohamed Reda SAIGHI 10002081 Azeddine SALHI 10002082 Mourad SALHI 10002083 Rabah SALHI 10001646 Ali SALHI 10001305 Bouakaz SALIM 10002084 Abdelah SAMSAR 10002085 Tahar SAOULA 10002086 Messaoud SAOULI 10002087 Moussa SAOULI 10002088 Omar SAOULI 10002090 Rachid SASSENE 10001966 Mohamed SASSI 10002091 Salah SAUF 10002092 Boudjemaa SEBBANE 10002093 Abderrahmane SEDRATI 10002094 Ameur SEGOUAT 10002095 Med Cherif SEHIM 10002096 Abdelghani SELLOULA 10002100 Aissa SERAA 10002097 Lyamine SERDIDI 10002098 Azzeddine SERIDI 10002099 Mustapha SERIDI 10001647 Moussa SHERSHER 10002101 Samir SLAMI 10001648 Mehdi SMAHI 10002102 Choaib SMAKDJI 10002103 Youcef SOLTANE 10002104 Hocine SOUAADIA 10002105 Ramdane SOUAADIA 10002106 Ahmed SOUISSI
Algeria (continued) Case No. First name Family name
10002107 Khelifa SOUKHAL 10002108 Samir SOULI 10002109 Abdelhafid TAALAH 10001649 Abdelkader TADRIST 10002110 Abedlbaki TALKHI 10002111 Abdelaziz TAMINE 10002112 Abdelhakim TEBBANI 10002113 Mustapha TEBBICHE 10002114 Mohamed-Cherif TELITEL 10002115 Miloud TELLI 10002144 Mabrouk TENAH 10002116 Yacine TENIOU 10001694 Belkheir TEURKI 10002117 Brahim TIGHA 10002118 Mohammed Abdelouahab TIGHA 10002119 Smain TIGHA 10002120 Ahmed TITAGHE 10002121 Mohamed Seghir TODI 10002123 Abdeslem TOUBAL 10001695 Seghir Amar TOUBAL 10002039 Raouf TOUBANE 10002124 Youcef TOUCHENE 10002125 Wahid TOURECHE 10002026 Mohamed-Tahar TRIFA 10002126 Ali TRIFA 10002127 Farhat TRIFA 10002128 Kamel TRIFA 10002129 Rachid TRIFA 10001650 Ali YANINA 10002130 Aissa YESSAAD 10002131 Ahmed ZAAROUR 10002132 Boubaker ZAIDI 10002133 Ahmed ZAMICHE 10002134 Tahar ZAMOULI 10002135 Lazhar ZANDAOUI 10002136 Mohamed-Cherif ZEBEIRI 10002137 Rabie ZEBEIRI 10002138 Mohamed Cherif ZEFIZEF 10002139 Aissa ZEGHBIB 10002140 Ammar ZEGHINA 10002141 Brahim ZEKRI 10002169 Bachir ZELLAGUI 10002142 Tarek ZELLAQUI 10002143 Salim ZEMMOURI
Algeria (continued) Case No. First name Family name
10002145 Ahcene ZEMOULI 10002146 Ali ZEMOULI 10002147 Aziz ZENADJI 10002148 Abdelaziz ZERFA 10002149 Ramdane ZERFA 10002150 Ahmed ZERGUINE 10002151 Cherif ZERGUINE 10002152 Said ZERMANE 10001967 Kamel ZERMANE 10002153 Mohamed ZERMANI 10001613 Mohamed ZERMANI 10001968 Ahmed ZEROUKI 10002154 Abdelhamid ZERROUKI 10002155 Lofti ZERTI 10002156 Youcef ZERZOURI 10002157 Ali ZIAD 10002158 Hocine ZIADA 10002159 Taleb ZIADI 10002160 Salah ZID 10002161 Lakhdar ZIDANI 10002162 Antar ZIDOUN 10001969 El Hadj ZINET 10002163 Hamid ZIOUANE 10002164 Azouz ZITOUNI 10002165 Amer ZOUAK 10002166 Yacine ZOUAOUI 10002167 Mebarek ZOUATER 10002168 Hocine ZOUIKRI
India Case No. First name Family name 10001211 Harjit KUMAR 10001210 Sukhdev SINGH 10001212 Ajmer SINGH 10001213 Amarjit SINGH 10001214 Amritpal SINGH 10001215 Balbir SINGH 10001216 Bhagwan SINGH 10001217 Bhan SINGH 10001218 Darshan SINGH 10001219 Darshan SINGH
India (continued) Case No. First name Family name 10001220 Gurlal SINGH 10001221 Gurmeet SINGH 10001222 Gurnam SINGH 10001223 Hardeep SINGH 10001224 Harvinder SINGH 10001225 Jagdeep SINGH 10001226 Jaswinder SINGH 10001227 Kanwaljit SINGH 10001228 Kuldip SINGH 10001229 Kulwant SINGH 10001230 Kulwinder SINGH 10001231 Labh SINGH 10001232 Lakhvir SINGH 10001233 Mahinder SINGH 10001234 Makhan SINGH 10001235 Malkeet SINGH 10001236 Manjit Inder SINGH 10001237 Mohinder SINGH 10001238 Narinder SINGH 10001239 Pritam SINGH 10001240 Randhir SINGH 10001241 Sewa SINGH
Nepal Case No. First name Family name
10001794 Keshar Bahadur BASNET 10001795 Hira Singh BATHAMAGAR 10001798 Amar BUDA 10001994 Jit Bahadur CHAUDHARI 10001995 Ramkaram CHAUDHARI 10001866 Asharam CHAUDHARI 10001870 Monanlal CHAUDHARI 10001996 ARjun CHAUDHARY 10001997 Dashram CHAUDHARY 10001998 Prem Prakash CHAUDHARY 10001999 Sagun Lal CHAUDHARY 10002000 Sallal CHAUDHARY 10002001 Tenin CHAUDHARY 10001806 Durga Nath CHAUDHARY 10001808 Duspati CHAUDHARY 10001812 Ghana Shyam CHAUDHARY
Nepal (continued) Case No. First name Family name
10001813 Gomati CHAUDHARY 10001814 Hari Bahadur CHAUDHARY 10001815 Himmat CHAUDHARY 10001816 Jagat Prasad CHAUDHARY 10001817 Janak Bahadur CHAUDHARY 10001818 Kaliram CHAUDHARY 10001819 Kallu CHAUDHARY 10001820 Kalpana CHAUDHARY 10001821 Krim Kumar CHAUDHARY 10001822 Krishna CHAUDHARY 10001823 Krishna Prasad CHAUDHARY 10001824 Khushiram CHAUDHARY 10001825 Lahanu CHAUDHARY 10001826 Lallu Ram CHAUDHARY 10001827 Lautan CHAUDHARY 10001828 Laxman CHAUDHARY 10001830 Nepali CHAUDHARY 10001832 Patiram CHAUDHARY 10001834 Patiram CHAUDHARY 10001836 Pradesini CHAUDHARY 10001837 Purni CHAUDHARY 10001840 Raj Bahadur CHAUDHARY 10001842 Tek Nath CHAUDHARY 10001843 Rajan CHAUDHARY 10001844 Saite CHAUDHARY 10001845 Shivraj CHAUDHARY 10001846 Shusila CHAUDHARY 10001847 Sita Kumari CHAUDHARY 10001867 Bal Bahadur CHAUDHARY 10001871 Bagale CHAUDHARY 10001872 Bandhu CHAUDHARY 10001873 Basantu CHAUDHARY 10001874 Bhawan CHAUDHARY 10001875 Buddhi Ram CHAUDHARY 10001876 Badhhuram CHAUDHARY 10001877 Darwari CHAUDHARY 10001878 Bhagauti Prasad CHAUDHARY 10001879 Bharat CHAUDHARY 10001880 Bhuklal CHAUDHARY 10001881 Dharma Prasad CHAUDHARY 10001882 Uma CHAUDHARY 10001883 Sher Bahadur CHAUDHARY 10001889 Nirmala CHAUDHARY 10001884 Surya Bahadur DAHIT
Nepal (continued) Case No. First name Family name
10001885 Dhan Bahadur KAMI 10001886 Raj Dev MANDAL 10001887 Suresh OLI 10002002 Nar Bahadur RANA 10001848 Buddhi Maya SAPKOTA 10001849 Durga SAPKOTA 10001850 Khadka Bahadur SAPKOTA 10002003 Man Bahadur SAUT 10002004 Nanda Bahadur SUNAR 10002005 Chandra Bahadur TARAMI 10001796 Tirtha Bahadur THAPA 10002006 Antaram THARU 10002007 Bhim Bahadur THARU 10002008 Mangajh THARU 10002009 Ram Bharose THARU 10002010 Ram Prasad THARU 10002011 Ramkrishnan THARU 10002012 Rampyare THARU 10002013 Rooplal THARU 10002014 Sriram THARU 10001797 Sriram THARU 10001799 Mahesh (Fhuhare) THARU 10001800 Phul Ram THARU 10001801 Punaram THARU 10001802 Radheshyam THARU 10001803 Radhulal THARU 10001804 Ram Karan THARU 10001805 Ram Prasad THARU 10001807 Runchay THARU 10001809 Sanchu Ram THARU 10001810 Sita Janaki THARU 10001811 Som Prasad THARU 10001829 Sonuram THARU 10001831 Thagga THARU 10001833 Thakur Prasad THARU 10001835 Top Bahadur THARU 10001851 Babu Ram THARU 10001852 Bhagaram THARU 10001853 Bhagiram THARU 10001854 Birbal THARU 10001855 Bishnu THARU 10001856 Chairam THARU 10001857 Chaitelal THARU 10001858 Chamari THARU
Nepal (continued) Case No. First name Family name
10001859 Chhunuwa THARU 10001860 Dhaniram THARU 10001861 Fakhla THARU 10001862 Hari Ram THARU 10001863 Jeulal THARU 10001864 Krishna Prasad THARU 10001865 Kula Prasad THARU 10001868 Keshar Kumar THARU 10001869 Kalpatti THARU 10001893 Hari Charan THARU 10001993 Palta THAU 10001838 Dil Raj YOGI 10001839 Nil Prasad YOGI 10001841 Pushpa Raj YOGI
Sri Lanka Case No. First name Family name 10001143 Kobalasingam ACHSUDAN 10002186 Thurai AJANTHAN 10001764 Rajan ALEXSANDER 10002179 Sivagnanam ANPALAKAN 10002187 Vigneswaran ANPUTHASAN 10002188 Rasenthiram ANTHONY RANJAN 10001710 Kamalanathan APPUTHURAI 10001736 Vijajathas ARAVINTHAN 10001726 Mary Delcia ARTHUR RAJARATNAM 10002189 Thevamany ARUL 10002191 Saravanamuthu ARUMUGANAVALAR 10001144 Irasasekaram BALAKRISHNAN 10001149 Sritharan BALAKRISHNAN 10002192 Iniyavan BALASINGAM 10001151 Fernando BALENDRAN 10001755 Walter Edward BARNES 10002190 Kiddinapillai CHANDRAMOHAN 10001765 Sandanam CHANDRAN 10002266 Thevananthan CHANDRASEGARAM 10002193 Sivajinathan CHANTIRASEKARAN 10001766 Selvaraj CHITRAVEL 10001897 Chandralingam CHITRAVEL 10001152 Nicholas Annesteen CROOS 10002194 Velayutham EMIL PREMITTAN
Sri Lanka (continued) Case No. First name Family name 10001153 Nadarajah ESWARANATHAN 10001154 Alex Besil FERNANDO 10001909 Joseph GNANASEGARAM 10001720 Sebastian GOODFELLOW 10002195 Soosaithasan HAMILTAN
MARINTHIRAN 10002196 Francis Sekar HAMILTON 10002197 Vettivelu JEAYAPALU 10001715 Jegan JEGARASA 10002198 Arumugan JEGATHESWARAN 10002199 Punniyamoorthy JEYASHANKAR 10002200 Jeya JEYATHILEEPAN 10001155 Selvaraja KAJANATHANAN 10001741 Sivasupramanijam KAJENTHRAN 10002201 Suriyapraba KALIRASA 10002202 Indiran KAMALATHEEPAN 10001768 Muthulingam KAMALRAJ 10002203 Loheswaran KANAGASINGAM 10001769 Tharmeshvaran KANAPATHIPILLAI 10002204 Arumugam KANDAIH 10001156 Rajaratnam KANDEEPAN 10002176 Varatharasa KANESAMOORTHY 10001742 Mohanathas KANNATHAS 10002205 Mohanaraj KANTHASAMY 10001725 Muralitharan KANTHASAMY 10001737 Shankar KANTHASAMY 10002206 Yoganathan KAPILAN 10002177 Ponnaih KARALASINGAM 10002207 Rajkumar KARUNAKARAN 10001770 Vairamuththu KESAVAN 10002208 Govintharasa KIRUBAHARAN 10001721 Jeyakanthan KOPALAPILLAI 10002209 Gopalasamy KOSALAN 10002210 Kanapathipillai KRISHNABAVAN 10002211 Velayutham KRISHNAMOHAN 10001157 Victor Kanicias
(Victor Kanicius) KULAS (CULAS)
10001158 Ramakrishnan Ramesh KUMAR 10001773 Murugaiah Ashok KUMAR 10001744 Ratnasingam KUMARASAMY 10001745 Charles Kumar KUNASINGAM 10001898 Prakashkumar KUPPASAMY 10001159 Sivapatham Niththiya LAXMI 10002182 Vanatharasan LAZARU
Sri Lanka (continued) Case No. First name Family name 10002212 Vaithilingam MAHENTHIRAN 10002213 Perinbarasa MAHESWARAN 10002214 Muthulingam MALARAVAN 10002215 Balasubramanium MATHANASEELAN 10001774 Paratheepan MATHIYAPARANAM 10001775 Kumutharaj MAYALAKU 10002216 Nirmalanathan MAYOORAN 10002217 Rasenthiram MERISTALIN 10001160 Laxman Suress Fernando MIHINDUKULASSOORIYA 10002218 AshoKumar MURUGAIAH 10002219 Navaneethan MURUGAIAH 10001738 Sivagurunathan MURUGUPPILLAI 10002221 Kalikkudi MUTHAIH 10001161 Gobinath Nalathiru NADANASABA 10001723 Pradeepan NAGENDRAN 10002223 Govinthan NAHARAJA 10002224 Newton NICHOLAS 10001162 Sachchithanandam NIRANJAN 10001739 Appuththurai NISHANTH 10002226 Ramanaruben PAKIYARASA 10001714 Kajendran PAKIYARASA 10002225 Selvanayagam PALANIVEL 10002220 Subramanium PARAMESWARAN 10001740 Janahan PARANJOTI 10002180 Jegatheeswaran PASUPATHY 10001163 Mutthukkumar PATHMANATHAN 10001164 Sena Jegagothiswaran PERIES 10001792 Ramajeyam PERUMAL 10002227 Sebastiampillai PHILIP RUBAN 10002228 Muruhananthan PIRAPANANTHAN 10002229 Perumal PIRASANTH 10001790 Kumar POOBALASINGAM 10001165 Thirulogarasa PRABAHARAN 10002230 Anton PRABANANTH 10001166 Veerasingam PRAGANTHAN 10002232 Vimalraj PRAKASARASA 10002231 Pathinathar PRASANNA 10001167 Subramaniam PUTHTHIMAN 10001168 Denis RAJ 10002233 Thavaraj RAJAJI 10001746 Sriharan RAJAKAJAN 10001776 Kabalamuthu RAJAPANDI 10001727 Nagaratnam RAJENDRAM 10002234 Balasooriyan RAJI
Sri Lanka (continued) Case No. First name Family name 10002236 Poopalasingam RAMESHKUMAR 10002237 Thilikumar RANJITHKUMAR 10001728 Somalingam RASIKARAN 10002238 Premaraj RATHINASINGAM 10001908 Premaraj RATHINASINGAM 10001169 Kumarasamy RATNARAJA 10001717 Satheeskumar RATNARAJA 10002239 Gnanaseelan RAVI 10001729 Muralitharan RAVISHANKAR 10002241 Thavarasa RAVIVARMAN 10002240 Soosaipillai REGINALD YOGANANTH 10001767 Gnanasegaram ROBERT 10001777 Joseph Anthony RUBITA 10001170 Kathiravel SAKTHIVEL 10001718 Yoganantham SAMITHAMBY 10001778 Sangarapillai SANDRAKUMAR
(KUMAR AIYA) 10002243 Santhirasekaram SANKAR 10002250 Subaskaran SANMUGARASA 10002244 Thevarasa SANTHAKUMAR 10002174 Prabaharan SANTHARASA 10002178 Mahenthirarasa SARANGAN 10002184 Shanmugarasa SARAVANAMUTHU 10001712 Thenmoli SASHIKUMAR 10002222 Kanthasamy SASIKKUMAR 10002245 Arulvasakam SASIKUMAR 10001716 Nishanthan SATHANANTHARASA 10001757 Arul Seelan SATHANANTHARASA 10002246 Ananthamoorthy SATHIYASEELAN 10002247 Jeyarajan SEBAMALAI PIERIS 10001747 Berchmans SEBASTIAN 10001791 Surenthiranathan SEENITHAMBY 10001748 Manokaran SELLAMUTHU 10001171 Thillainathan SELVANATHAN 10001896 Milroy SELVANAYAGAM 10002248 Umasuthan SELVARATNAM 10002249 Selvarasa SENTHAN 10001788 Prabha SHANMUGAM 10001172 Vinayaga Moorthy SHUDAKAR 10002251 Ariyaratnam Yunith Rex SIMPSON 10002252 Sivachelvan SINNARASA 10002253 Chitravelayutham SINNATHURAI 10001173 Sivathas SINTHAN 10001174 Sivapatham SIROJAN
Sri Lanka (continued) Case No. First name Family name 10001749 Pulenthiran SITTAMPALAM 10001730 Manikkapodi SIVALINGAM 10002254 Nithiyananthan SIVAN AANDY 10002255 Prabaharan SIVANANTHAM 10001711 Chandradevi SIVAPRAGASAN 10002256 Sivasuthan SIVARAJAH S. 10002257 Nadarasa SIVARUBAN 10001175 Tharmaratnam SIVASOORIYAKUMAR 10002258 Kajenthiran SIVASUBRAMANIAM 10001779 Arulampalam SIVASUBRAMANIAM 10001724 Theepakumar SOORIYALINGAM 10001780 Mayooran SOUNDERARAJAN 10001750 Piraisoodi SUBAHARAN 10002235 Ramachandran SUBRAMANIUM 10001176 Subramaniam SUDAGARAN 10002259 Kanthasamy SUNTHARARASAN 10001751 Sithamparanadarasa SURESH 10001177 Muniyandi SURESHKUMAR 10002260 Arunakirinathan SUTHAN 10001178 Arunagirinathan SUTHAN 10002261 Vijayakumar SUTHARSAN 10001731 Ganesh SUVENTHERAN 10001772 Suntharan SWENDRAN 10002172 Rajamohan THAMBIMUTHTHU 10002173 Thamotharam THAMBIRAJA 10002181 Samithamby THANARAJ 10001756 Muhinthan THANGAVADIVEL 10001781 Kirupakaran THANGAVAL 10002175 Vijayaraj THANGAVEL 10002242 T. Subendran THARMALINGAM 10002262 Vijayakumar THARMALINGAM 10001782 Uthayakumar THARMARAJA 10001771 Sinnathamby THAVACHELVAN 10001743 Rajaji THAVARAI 10002263 Rasenthiram THAVASEELAN 10002264 Nagenthitam THAYALAM 10001752 Thavaprasath THEVARAJAH 10001783 Selvakumar THIAGARAJAH 10001713 Kirubaharan THILAIAMPALAM 10001753 Chandran Premapalan THILEPAN 10001732 Ranjithkumar THILIKUMAR 10001733 Subash Chandrabos THISSAVEERASINGAM 10002183 Jegan THIYAGARAJA 10001179 Tharmaraja UDAYAKUMAR
Sri Lanka (continued) Case No. First name Family name 10001784 Nithiyanantan ULAKANAATHAN 10001754 Achchuthan VAIKUNTHAN 10001180 Tharmalingam VASANTHARAJAN 10001758 Santhiralingam VEERAKUDDY 10001734 Paskaralingam VELAYUTHAN 10001735 Rasanayagam VETHANAYAGAM 10002265 Kobiraj VIJAYARAJA 10001785 Vijayarajaseagr VIJAYARAJA 10001786 Gajabalan VIJAYARAJAN 10001722 Vilvaraj VIMALARASA 10001763 Amalan Raviraj VISUVASAM 10001142 Dharmaratnam WANIDARAJAH 10001787 Jonas WESLY GNANASEELAN 10002185 Vannamany YOGESWARAN
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