22/67 Communications report of Special Procedures
Document Type: Final Report
Date: 2013 Feb
Session: 22nd Regular Session (2013 Feb)
Agenda Item:
GE-13-11233
Human Rights Council Twenty-second session
Agenda items 3, 4, 7, 9 and 10 Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil,
political, economic, social and cultural rights,
including the right to development
Human rights situations that require the Council’s attention
Human rights situation in Palestine and other
occupied Arab territories
Racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related
forms of intolerance, follow-up and implementation
of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action
Technical assistance and capacity-building
Communications report of Special Procedures*
Communications sent, 1 June to 30 November 2012;
Replies received, 1 August 2012 to 31 January 2013
Joint report by the Special Rapporteur on adequate housing as a component of the
right to an adequate standard of living, and on the right to non-discrimination in this
context; the Working Group on arbitrary detention; the Special Rapporteur on the
situation of human rights in Cambodia; the Special Rapporteur on the sale of
children, child prostitution and child pornography; the Special Rapporteur in the
field of cultural rights; the Special Rapporteur on the right to education; the Working
Group on enforced or involuntary disappearances; the Special Rapporteur on
extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions; the Special Rapporteur on extreme
poverty and human rights; the Special Rapporteur on the right to food; the
Independent expert on the effects of foreign debt and other related international
financial obligations of States on the full enjoyment of human rights, particularly
economic, social and cultural rights; the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and
protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression; the Special Rapporteur
on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; the Special
Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief; the Special Rapporteur on the right of
everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental
* The present report is circulated as received.
United Nations A/HRC/22/67
General Assembly Distr.: General 20 February 2013 English/French/Spanish only
health; the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders; the Special
Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers; the Special Rapporteur on
the rights of indigenous peoples; the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of
internally displaced persons; the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights
in the Islamic Republic of Iran; the Working Group on the use of mercenaries as a
means of violating human rights and impeding the exercise of the right of peoples to
self-determination; the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants; the
Independent Expert on minority issues; the Special Rapporteur on the situation of
human rights in Myanmar; the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights
in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967; the Special Rapporteur on the
promotion of truth, justice, reparation & guarantees of non-recurrence; the Special
Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and
related intolerance; the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery,
including its causes and consequences; the Independent Expert on the situation on
human rights in the Sudan; the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection
of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism; the Special
Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or
punishment; the Special Rapporteur on the implications for human rights of the
environmentally sound management and disposal of hazardous substances and
wastes; the Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially women and
children, the Special Rapporteur on the human right to safe drinking water and
sanitation; the Working Group on the issue of discrimination against women in law and in practice; and the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences.
Contents
Paragraphs Page
Abbreviations ................................................................................................................................... 4
I. Introduction ............................................................................................................. 1–9 6
II. Communications sent and replies received ............................................................. 12 9
A. Communications sent between 1 June and 30 November 2012 and replies received by 31 January 2013 ........................................................ 12 9
B. Replies received between 1 August 2012 and 31 January 2013 relating to communications sent before 1 June 2012 ...................................... 13 161
Appendix
Mandates of special procedures ....................................................................................................... 197
Abbreviations
Adequate housing Special Rapporteur on adequate housing as a component of the right to an adequate standard of living, and on the right to non-discrimination in this context
Arbitrary detention Working Group on Arbitrary Detention
Cambodia Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia
Cultural Rights Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights
Disappearances Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances
Discrimination against women
Working Group on the issue of discrimination against women in law and in practice
Education Special Rapporteur on the right to education
Extreme poverty Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights
Food Special Rapporteur on the right to food
Foreign debt Independent expert on the effects of foreign debt and other related international financial obligations of States on the full enjoyment of human rights, particularly economic, social and cultural rights
Freedom of expression Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression
Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association
Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association
Freedom of religion Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief
Health Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health
Human rights defenders Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
Independence of judges and lawyers
Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers
Indigenous peoples Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples
Internally displaced persons
Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons
Iran Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran
Mercenaries Working Group on the use of mercenaries
Migrants Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants
Minority issues Independent Expert on Minority Issues
Myanmar Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar
OPT Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967
Racism Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance
Sale of children Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography
Slavery Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery
Sudan Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in the Sudan
Summary executions Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions
Terrorism Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism
Torture Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment
Toxic waste Special Rapporteur on the human rights obligations related to environmentally sound management and disposal of hazardous substances and waste
Trafficking Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially women and children
Truth justice, reparation & guarantees on non- reccurence
Special Rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice, reparation & guarantees of non- recurrence
Violence against women Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences
Water and sanitation Special Rapporteur on the human right to safe drinking water and sanitation
Other abbreviations
AL Letter of allegation JAL Joint letter of allegation JUA Joint urgent appeal OL Other letter UA Urgent appeal
I. Introduction
1. Special procedures are mandated by the Human Rights Council to report to it on their activities (see Appendix).
2. In 2009, the sixteenth annual meeting of special procedures mandate holders decided that a joint communications report would be prepared (cf. A/HRC/12/47, para 24-26), with this decision being reconfirmed by the seventeenth annual meeting of special procedures in 2010 in order to avoid duplication, rationalize documentations, allow examination of cross cutting issues and ensure that the content of communications and any follow-up would feed into the universal periodic review mechanism more effectively. Mandate holders decided that the report should contain summaries of communications, and statistical information (A/HRC/15/44, para. 26-27).
3. The Outcome of the review of the work and functioning of the Human Rights Council calls on the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to maintain information on special procedures in a comprehensive and easily accessible manner, and encourages the use of modern information technology to reduce the circulation of paper (A/HRC/RES/16/21, Annex, para. 29 and 60).
4. Short summaries of allegations communicated to the respective State or other entity are included in the report, and the communications sent and responses received are accessible electronically through hyperlinks. Communications are reproduced in the language in which they were sent. Replies received in Arabic, Chinese or Russian are included with translations into English, where available.
5. This report covers all urgent appeals, letters of allegations and other letters sent by special procedures mandate holders between 1 June and 30 November 2012 and all replies received between 1 August 2012 and 31 January 2013. Communications sent before 1 June 2012 are reported in A/HRC/21/49, A/HRC/20/30, A/HRC/19/44 and A/HRC/18/51 respectively.
6. The report also includes replies received between 1 August 2012 and 31 January 2013, relating to communications sent by special procedures mandate holders before 1 June
2012. Some of these replies supplement information communicated earlier by the respective State.
7. The present report contains urgent appeals sent by the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention and the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances and joint urgent appeals sent by them together with other mandates. It does not contain other types of communications issued by these mandates, which are processed according to their own distinctive procedures, and are reported in the annual reports of these two working groups.
8. The names of some alleged victims have been obscured in order to protect their privacy and prevent further victimization. Names of victims who would otherwise have their identities protected are mentioned only when the concerned individual has expressly consented or requested to have his or her name in the public report. In the original communications, the full names of the alleged victims were provided to the Government concerned. Names of alleged perpetrators have systematically been darkened in State replies to preserve the presumption of innocence.
9. In preparing the statistics included in this report, uniform reporting periods have been used, reflecting all communications sent between 1 June and 30 November 2012, and responses received in relation to these communications up to 31 January 2013.
Communications and replies by mandate
Mandate
Reporting period:
1 June 2012 to 30 Nov 2012
Reporting period:
1 June 2006 to 30 Nov 2012
Communications
sent
replied to by 31 Jan
2013
response
rate
Communications
sent
replied to by 31
Jan 2013
response
rate
Adequate housing 16 7 44% 231 97 42%
Arbitrary detention (+) 64 26 41% 933 482 52%
Belarus (**) N/A N/A N/A 2 2 100%
Burundi (*) N/A N/A N/A 6 0 0%
Cambodia 4 0 0% 16 2 13%
Cultural Rights (1) 5 3 60% 11 8 73%
Disappearances (+) 15 7 47% 189 64 34%
Discrimination against women in law and in practice (2)
12 6 50% 20 13 65%
DPR Korea 1 0 0% 6 1 17%
Education 3 1 33% 61 35 57%
Extreme poverty 5 3 60% 12 8 67%
Food 7 5 71% 176 63 36%
Foreign debt 3 2 67% 4 3 75%
Freedom of expression 145 67 46% 1,791 890 50%
Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association (3)
107 54 50% 257 141 55%
Freedom of religion 31 13 42% 289 163 56%
Haiti 1 0 0% 1 0 0%
Health 21 10 48% 242 121 50%
Human rights defenders 141 67 48% 2,054 1,122 55%
Independence of judges and lawyers 48 22 46% 770 381 49%
Indigenous peoples 19 9 47% 241 138 57%
Internally displaced persons 0 0 0 % 12 4 33%
Iran (4) 16 5 31% 32 12 38%
Liberia (*) N/A N/A N/A 2 0 0%
Mercenaries 3 1 33% 54 19 35%
Migrants 10 6 60% 141 85 60%
Minority issues 17 10 59% 116 66 57%
Myanmar 8 1 12% 67 27 40%
OPT 2 0 0% 10 1 10%
Racism 10 7 70% 74 44 59%
Mandate
Reporting period:
1 June 2012 to 30 Nov 2012
Reporting period:
1 June 2006 to 30 Nov 2012
Communications
sent
replied to by 31 Jan
2013
response
rate
Communications
sent
replied to by 31
Jan 2013
response
rate
Sale of children 0 0 0 % 39 16 41%
Slavery (5) 2 1 50% 18 14 78%
Somalia 0 0 0 % 6 1 17%
Sudan 4 1 25% 13 1 8%
Summary executions 94 34 36% 809 370 46%
Terrorism 13 5 38% 197 84 43%
Torture 88 41 47% 1,457 736 51%
Toxic waste 0 0 0 % 29 16 55%
Trafficking 3 1 33% 54 33 61%
Truth, justice, reparation & guarantees on non-reccurence (6)
1 0 0% 2 0 0%
Violence against women 29 13 45% 332 172 52%
Water and sanitation (7) 2 2 100% 21 11 52%
(1) mandate established in March 2009 (2) mandate established in September 2010 (3) mandate established in October 2010 (4) mandate established in March 2011 (5) mandate established in September 2007 (6) mandate established in March 2008
(7) mandate established in March 2008; (*) mandates terminated; (**) mandate restablished in June 2012.
(+) These figures do not include communications on standard cases sent to Governments by the Working Group on arbitrary detention and the Working Group on enforced or involuntary disappearances. Please note: Totals are higher than the actual number of communications sent or replies received in the given period, as many communications are sent jointly by two or more mandate holders.
A /H
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/2 2
/6 7
9
II. Communications sent and replies received
A. Communications sent between 1 June and 30 November 2012 and replies received
by 31 January 2013
12. Communications are presented in chronological order. Copies of the full text of the communications sent and replies received may be accessed from the electronic version of this report available on the website of the Human Rights Council. Some names of individuals or other information have been rendered anonymous or otherwise unidentifiable.
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
01/06/2012 JUA
MYS 4/2012 Malaysia
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders;
Allegations of increased targeting of the co-chair of the Coalition for Fair and Free Elections (Bersih), and other Bersish members, by non-State and State actors. According to the information received, on 19 May 2012, Ms. Ambiga Sreenevasan had to cancel her participation in a public event amidst fear for her safety due to hostile acts by members of a right wing party. Over the following few days, she received memorandums from two groups which accused her of being an enemy and traitor of the State, and stating that she should be expelled from the country. On 23 May, the federal Government announced that it would sue Ms. Sreenevasan, together with other Bersih organizers, for damage which allegedly occurred during the Bersih 3.0 rally of 28 April 2012.
26/09/2012
A /H
R C
/2 2
/6 7
1 0
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
01/06/2012 JUA
SRB 1/2012 Serbia
Adequate housing;
Minority issues;
Racism;
Alleged forced eviction of approximately 1,000 Roma residents (240 families) from the Belvil settlement in Belgrade. According to the information received, on 26 April 2012, approximately 1,000 people, mainly Roma (240 families) were evicted from the informal Belvil settlement in Belgrade. The evicted persons were relocated on the same day to four relocation settlements in Belgrade and six municipalities outside Belgrade. Allegedly consultations with and information provided to the affected community prior to the eviction were inadequate, prior notice was not adequately given, and housing solutions offered to the evictees did not conform to international standards. While it would seem that those housing solutions are temporary, reportedly no information had been given to the affected community regarding durable alternative housing/resettlement solutions. The potential eviction of the above mentioned community was the subject of a previous communication sent on 3 May 2010 (see A/HRC/16/42/Add.1, para 60).
12/07/2012
01/06/2012 JUA
ARE 4/2012 United Arab
Emirates
Arbitrary detention;
Freedom of
expression; Human
rights defenders;
Alleged arrest and risk of expulsion of human rights defender. According to the information received, Mr. Ahmed Abdul Khaleq was sentenced in November 2011 to two years‘ imprisonment in connection with reported
online comments calling for political reform, before being pardoned the next day. Mr. Khaleq is a stateless person of Emirati origin who resides in Ajman in the United Arab Emirates. On 21 May 2012, Mr. Khaleq and his family were granted Comorian citizenship after allegedly being pressured to apply for it by authorities in the United Arab Emirates. On 22 May, Mr. Khaleq was detained by authorities in the Immigration Department. Since that time, it is reported that Mr. Khaleq‘s only contact with his family was one phone call in
which he informed them that he was being transferred to Al Wathba Jail. It is feared that he may be expelled from the country and sent to Comoros.
A /H
R C
/2 2
/6 7
1
1
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
04/06/2012 JUA
KHM 4/2012 Cambodia
Adequate housing;
Arbitrary detention;
Cambodia; Freedom
of expression;
Freedom of peaceful
assembly and of
association; Freedom
of religion; Human
rights defenders;
Independence of
judges and lawyers;
Violence against
women;
Alleged arrests, charges and acts of coercion against human rights defenders in relation to land disputes in Phnom Penh. According to the information received, on 24 May 2012, thirteen women of Boeung Kak Lake community - Kong Chantha, Tol Sreypov, Tep Vanny, Pov Sophea, Suong Samai, Pan Chhunret, Heng Nom, Chan Navy, Po Davy, Nguon Kimleang, Song Sreyleap, Chheng Leap and Nget Kun; were sentenced to up to two and a half years‘ imprisonment after a summary trial by the Phnom Penh Court of First Instance. The police allegedly arrested two other Boeung Kak representatives, Ms. Ly Channary and Mr. Say Sareoun, who were waiting outside the courthouse to testify. Venerable Loun Sovath reportedly participated in a peaceful gathering in front of the court to express his solidarity with the community and was forcibly taken away by police in plain clothes, gendarme and military police, intervention police and monks to Botum Pagoda where about 50 religious leaders questioned him over his activism.
04/06/2012 AL
GTM 4/2012 Guatemala
Indigenous peoples;
Seguimiento a una carta enviada el 14 de octubre de 2011 en relación con las alegaciones recibidas sobre las comunidades indígenas afectadas por el proyecto de construcción de una planta cementera en el municipio de San Juan Sacatepéquez, con observaciones y recomendaciones del Relator Especial sobre el caso (Véase también A/HRC/19/44 y A/HRC/21/47.Add.3).
07/08/2012
05/06/2012 JUA
SDN 2/2012 Sudan
Arbitrary detention;
Discrimination
against women in law
and in practice;
Independence of
judges and lawyers;
Summary executions;
Torture; Violence
against women;
Alleged sentencing to death by stoning for adultery. According to information received, on May 13 2012, the criminal court of Ombada in Khartoum, central Sudan, sentenced Ms. Intisar Sharif Abdallah, 20 years old and mother of three children, to death by stoning based on charges of adultery, under article 146 of Sudan‘s criminal code of 1991. It is reported that although she had
initially pleaded not guilty, she admitted to the charges at a later hearing, after reportedly being beaten by her brother. The conviction was based solely on this testimony. It is reported that during the trial, Ms. Sharif Abdallah did not have access to a lawyer, nor an interpreter, despite the fact that she has a limited knowledge of Arabic, while the man co-accused of the same charges was simply released after denying them. Ms. Sharif Abdallah is reportedly being detained with her youngest son, who is four months old, while her two other children are in the care of her family.
A /H
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/2 2
/6 7
1 2
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
05/06/2012 UA
USA 5/2012 United States of
America
Summary executions;
Alleged imminent execution of a person suffering from serious mental illness. According to the information received, Mr. Abdul Hamin Awkal, a Lebanese national, was scheduled to be executed on 6 June 2012, in the state of Ohio. Mr. Awkal was sentenced to death in 1992 for two murders that he committed that same year. Reportedly, he had been suffering from serious mental illness, namely from schizoaffective disorder. It is further alleged that he was not provided sufficiently with the effective assistance of counsel during his initial trial in 1992.
06/06/2012 JUA
IRN 12/2012 Iran (Islamic
Republic of)
Freedom of
expression; Health;
Iran;
Alleged deteriorating state of health of imprisoned blogger. According to the information received, Mr Hossein Ronaghi Maleki was arrested on 13 December 2009 for discussing politics in a series of critical blogs that were blocked by the Government. On 15 October 2010, he was sentenced to 15 years in prison on charges of "membership in the Iran Proxy internet group," "propagating against the regime," "insulting the Supreme Leader," and ―the President." The sentence was upheld by the appeal court. He went on hunger strike on 26 May 2012 in protest at the authorities‘ refusal to grant him
medical leave. Mr Maleki‘s state of health reportedly deteriorated since his
arrest. Mr Maleki has undergone at least four surgeries and his left kidney has failed, while his right kidney is also reportedly at risk of failure. Despite his deteriorating condition and the need for a immediate medical attention, Mr Maleki was allegedly denied medical leave.
07/06/2012 AL
NLD 2/2012 Netherlands
Torture;
Alleged death in custody of Mr. Ihsan Gurz. According to the information received, on 3 July 2011, Mr Gurz died in custody in Velsen police station, the Netherlands, following his arrest and subsequent detention earlier that day. Mr. Gurz‘s body was delivered for autopsy without permission being sought from his parents. The autopsy had reportedly not been filmed. Only after the autopsy was performed on 4 July, the family was given access to Mr. Gurz‘s body. The second autopsy was performed in Trabzon, Turkey on 14
July 2011, partly established that Mr. Gurz had suffered several severe injuries to his head and body. The Dutch authorities have yet to file an official report on the cause of Mr. Gurz‘s death in custody.
20/08/2012
A /H
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/2 2
/6 7
1
3
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
07/06/2012 JAL
PAK 7/2012 Pakistan
Discrimination
against women in law
and in practice;
Freedom of religion;
Human rights
defenders; Slavery;
Violence against
women;
Alleged abduction, forced conversion and forced marriage of three Hindu women, and death threats against two parliamentarians who criticized a Supreme Court decision that allowed their return to their alleged kidnappers. According to the information received, Ms. X, Ms. Lata Kumari and Ms. Y were kidnapped, forcedly converted to Islam, and forced into marriage in early 2012. It is reported that the Supreme Court intervened in these cases and, on 18 April 2012, ordered that the women be allowed to decide whether they wished to remain with their husbands. They agreed to do so. It is alleged that the Court did not take into consideration the violent nature of the abduction, and the climate of fear and intimidation faced by these women and their families, when requesting them to take the decision. After the Supreme Court hearings, Messrs. Khursheed Khokhar and Pitamber Sewani, criticized this decision and later received death threats for defending minority rights in the country.
07/06/2012
08/06/2012 JAL
GRC 1/2012 Greece
Freedom of
expression; Human
rights defenders;
Independence of
judges and lawyers;
Racism;
Alleged physical and verbal attacks and threats against human rights defender and human rights lawyer, and the alleged failure to bring those responsible to justice. According to the information received, on 16 December 2011, Messrs. Panayote Dimitras and Thanassis Tartis were subjected to a physical attack as well as verbal abuse and threats at a court hearing regarding alleged racist remarks made by coastguards in March 2011. It is reported that hundreds of messages were subsequently posted on the Internet in praise of the attack, and further threats were also allegedly posted. It is communicated that no sanctions have been imposed on the perpetrators of these acts. Mr. Dimitras is the Spokesperson of the Greek Helsinki Monitor (GHM) and a member of the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) General Assembly. Mr. Tartis is a lawyer who acts as legal counsel for GHM. Mr. Dimitras was the subject of a previous communication (see A/HRC/10/12/Add.1, para 1012).
10/10/2012
A /H
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/2 2
/6 7
1 4
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
08/06/2012 JUA
MEX 13/2012 México
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders;
Independence of
judges and lawyers;
Summary executions;
Presuntas amenazas de muerte y agresiones contra defensores de derechos humanos. Según las informaciones recibidas, el 4 de mayo de 2012, el Sr. Vidulfo Rosales Sierra habría sido amenazado de la muerte anónimamente y advertido que dejara de ―difamar a las autoridades‖. También se informa que
el 15 de mayo de 2012, el Sr. José Enrique Morales Montaño habría sido secuestrado por cuatro hombres en la Ciudad de Puebla. Los perpetradores lo habrían golpeado y habrían simulado ejecutarlo. Antes de liberarlo, los perpetradores habrían sustraído el teléfono del Sr. Morales Montaño. El 16 de mayo, la Sra. Blanca Velázquez habría recibido un mensaje amenazándola de muerte proviniendo de ese teléfono. El Sr. Rosales Sierra es coordinador del área jurídica del Centro de Derechos Humanos de la Montaña, ―Tlachinollan‖.
El Sr. Morales Montaño es integrante del Centro de Apoyo al Trabajador (CAT). La Sra. Velázquez es la Directora del CAT.
31/10/2012
08/06/2012 JUA
SDN 3/2012 Sudan
Arbitrary detention;
Freedom of peaceful
assembly and of
association; Health;
Human rights
defenders;
Independence of
judges and lawyers;
Racism; Torture;
Allegation of arbitrary detention and ill-treatment of human rights defender. According to the information received, Mr. Bushra Gamar Hussein has been detained without charge or trial in Khartoum North since 26 June 2011, when he was arrested by National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS). His health has deteriorated and he suffers from multiple health complications, allegedly due to physical and mental abuse suffered while in detention. Reportedly, Mr. Hussein was placed in incommunicado detention in 2011 and severely beaten until he went into a coma. He was allegedly forced to stand for long hours during interrogation by NISS officers and he has a prolapsed disc from lying on a hard floor. He was reportedly called a slave and received a death threat due to his Nuba ethnic origin. He allegedly has not had access to a lawyer, and his family has allegedly been prevented from visiting him since 5 March 2012.
26/06/2012 03/07/2012
A /H
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/2 2
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1
5
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
08/06/2012 UA
TJK 1/2012 Tajikistan
Torture;
Alleged torture and on-going harassment and threats. According to the information received, on 7 April 2012 Mr. Tagoibek Sharifbekov was detained by police officers of the Department of Internal Affairs (OVD) in the town of Vakhdat, who subjected him to torture. Later that evening of 7 April he was released. A medical examination was conducted on 10 April documenting a number of injuries. On 14 April 2012 Mr. Sharifbekov reportedly lodged a complaint about the incident of torture with the Police Complainants Department at the Office of the Prosecutor General. On 3 May, Mr. Sharifbekov submitted a written complaint about the official in charge of the case, who allegedly attempted to pressure him into withdrawing his complaint. Ever since, Mr. Sharifbekov allegedly faces constant threats, physical attacks and pressure as a consequence of his complaint by the alleged perpetrators. Out of fear, he was reportedly forced to leave his place of residence.
24/07/2012
08/06/2012 JUA
VEN 3/2012 Venezuela
(Bolivarian
Republic of)
Arbitrary detention;
Freedom of
expression; Human
rights defenders;
Independence of
judges and lawyers;
Presunta detención de un abogado en un contexto de ataques contra la independencia judicial y el libre ejercicio de la profesión de abogado. Según las informaciones recibidas, el Sr. José Amalio Graterol, abogado de la Jueza María Lourdes Afiuni Mora, fue detenido el 4 de junio de 2012 por agentes de la Guardia Nacional y conducido, esposado, a la Comandancia de dicho cuerpo policial en Camurí Chico. Se alega que su detención fue ordenada en represalia por unas declaraciones que formuló sobre la presunta falta de independencia del Poder Judicial en Venezuela en la cadena de televisión Globovisión el 3 de junio de 2012, así como por otras intervenciones públicas. Se informa que fue detenido al negarse a la celebración de un juicio sin la presencia del imputado, en concordancia con la prohibición establecida por la Constitución Política. Otra abogada, la Sra. Thelma Fernández, quien fue testigo y protestó por la detención, fue violentamente agredida por un alguacil. La Jueza Afiuni Mora se encuentra en detención domiciliaria desde hace más de dos años y medio por haber aplicado la Opinión No. 10/2009 (Venezuela) del Grupo de Trabajo sobre la Detención Arbitraria en favor del Sr. Eligio Cedeño.
19/12/2012
A /H
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/2 2
/6 7
1 6
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
11/06/2012 AL
KGZ 3/2012 Kyrgyz
Republic
Torture;
Alleged beating and extraction of confession under torture. According to the information received, on 27 March 2012, Ms. X, a Uzbek national, was forced into a car by four men in plain clothes while in Jalal-Abad oblast market. She was taken to one of the offices of the Osh Oblast Department of Internal Affairs where she was subjected to beating by the employees with the purpose of obtaining a confession against her brother. After having spent four days in the Osh Oblast Department of Internal Affairs and the Kara-Suu Rayon Interior Unit, during which Ms. X was subjected to beating while being interrogated, she agreed to sign interrogation papers without being allowed to read them. She was told to bring in 200 USD after which she was released. Ms. X was threatened that if she complained about this incident, firearms or drugs would be planted in her house.
14/08/2012
11/06/2012 AL
RUS 3/2012 Russian
Federation
Torture;
Alleged beating, intimidation and prolonged solitary confinement in a minimum security prison known as a ‗settlement colony‘. According to the
information received, in April 2011, Mr. X, was held in solitary confinement for 26 days for allegedly filing a joint complaint against the settlement colony‘s personnel alleging systematic beating and intimidation. In September 2011, while on hunger strike, Mr. X was reportedly subjected to forced feeding. In early 2012, he was again subjected to beating by the settlement colony‘s officer. The allegations of beating were reportedly corroborated by an independent forensic examination performed on 8 February 2012. The medical record of Mr. X contained information indicating that the injuries were caused as a result of Mr. X banging his head against the wall. Mr. X‘s lawyer‘s request to launch a criminal case was turned down by
an internal Investigative Committee.
A /H
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1
7
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
11/06/2012 JAL
USA 6/2012 United States of
America
Health; Torture;
Alleged mistreatment with electric shocks of children and young adults enrolled in the residential programme of the Judge Rotenberg Center (JRC) in Canton, Massachusetts. According to the information received, the JRC continues to supplement its educational programme with a type of therapy known as "aversive therapy", which includes electric shocks and physical restraint as measures to punish students and encourage change in behavior. It is reported that those measures are not only used in cases of self-destructive behaviour and life threatening situations but that students are shocked for very minor things, up to 30 times a day. On 10 April 2012, a video surfaced in the public domain of a JRC student, tied face down and being shocked 31 times over a seven hour period, apparently supporting these allegations. As result of this treatment, he was reportedly hospitalized for several weeks and suffered permanent psychological damage.
02/01/2013
11/06/2012 JUA
UZB 6/2012 Uzbekistan
Freedom of religion;
Minority issues;
Alleged imminent deportation of Jehovah‘s Witnesses from Uzbekistan. According to the information received, Ms. Elena Tsyngalova and her two minor children were scheduled for deportation to Russia on Tuesday, 12 June
2012. On 5 September 2011, Ms. Tsyngalova was allegedly convicted for sharing her religious views as a Jehovah's Witness with an interested person. She was fined "50 times" the minimum wage. It was reported that on 6 September 2011, the police searched Ms. Tsyngalova's apartment and seized religious literature regarding the Jehovah's Witnesses. She was again convicted and fined another "50 times" the minimum salary for possessing this religious literature. In early June 2012, she was allegedly summoned by the migration police who told her that she was to be deported on 12 June 2012. To her knowledge, there has been no court hearing or any court decision ordering her deportation. The migration police told Ms. Tsyngalova that due to her alleged violation of Uzbek law by her "illegal religious activity", they were revoking her residence permit and ordering her deportation.
21/08/2012
A /H
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1 8
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
11/06/2012 JUA
VEN 4/2012 Venezuela
(Bolivarian
Republic of)
Freedom of
expression; Human
rights defenders;
Summary executions;
Presuntas amenazas de muerte, robo y actos de intimidación en contra de integrantes del Observatorio Venezolano de Prisiones (OVP) y sus familiares. Según las informaciones recibidas, el 20 de mayo de 2012, el Sr. Humberto Prado habría sido informado que el Ministerio del Servicio Penitenciario estaba montando una emboscada para culparle a él y otros por lo que había pasado en la prisión ―La Planta‖, y que estaba siendo vigilado. Se informa que el 30 de mayo, el Sr. Hernán Antonio Bolívar, esposo de la Sra. Marianela Sánchez Ortiz, habría sido amenazado por un grupo de hombres armados. Dichos hombres le habrían ordenado decirle a su esposa que dejara de denunciar al Gobierno o pagaría con su familia. La Sra. Sánchez Ortiz es coordinadora jurídica del OVP, una organización que promueve el respeto de los derechos humanos de los presos en Venezuela. El Sr. Prado es Director del OVP.
14/06/2012 AL
TJK 2/2012 Tajikistan
Torture;
Alleged intimidation, mistreatment and threats to a group of detainees. According to the information received, multiple allegations of systematic intimidation, mistreatment and threats towards a group of inmates held in a ‗settlement colony‘ YaT 9/7 in Kurgan Tube continue to take place. It is
alleged that complaints about incidents of mistreatment and intimidation filed by detainees do not reach the Prosecutor General‘s office. Inmates are
reportedly punished by solitary confinement if they file a complaint. Furthermore, reports were received about extortion of money from inmates.
14/06/2012 JUA
VNM 1/2012 Viet Nam
Arbitrary detention;
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders;
Independence of
judges and lawyers;
Alleged ongoing detention, sentencing and trial of bloggers. According to the information received, Messrs. Nguyen Van Hai (also known as ―Dieu Cay‖),
Phan Thanh Hai (also known as ―Anhbasg‖), and Ta Phong Tan, well-known bloggers and members of the Club of Free Vietnamese Journalists, who are prosecuted under charges of ―conducting propaganda against the State‖, are
facing an upcoming trial and could be sentenced to another 10 to 20 years of imprisonment. It is reported that because of their writings critical of human rights implementation and political issues, Mr. Nguyen Van Hai, Mr. Phan Thanh Hai and Ms. Ta Phong have been detained since September 2008, October 2010 and September 2011, respectively, in violation of the domestic law. Mr. Nguyen Van Hai was the subject of communication dated 15 August 2011(A/HRC/19/44, case no VNM 6/2011).
14/09/2012
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1
9
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
15/06/2012 JAL
ISR 6/2012 Israel
Adequate housing;
Human rights
defenders;
Alleged summoning for questioning in connection with the rebuilding of demolished homes in East Jerusalem. According to the information received, Mr. Meir Margalit was summoned by the State Prosecutor to the Interior Ministry‘s Building Inspection Branch for questioning on suspicion of
building without a permit. It is alleged that the summons may be linked to Mr. Margalit‘s efforts to halt demolitions. Mr. Margalit is a founding member of the Israeli Committee Against Housing Demolitions (ICAHD), an organization which rebuilds homes that have been demolished by the State of Israel in East Jerusalem.
15/06/2012 JUA
KGZ 2/2012 Kyrgyz
Republic
Arbitrary detention;
Independence of
judges and lawyers;
Torture;
Alleged arbitrary detention and torture. According to the information received, on 30 March 2012, six men armed with submachine guns broke into Mr. X‘s apartment and took Mr. X and his pregnant wife to the Osh Oblast
Interior Department. It is reported that Mr. X was beaten by ten operative- investigative officers. Mr. X had reportedly signed a testimony and was instructed to give the same account at the trial. Neither Mr. X‘s lawyer nor his
relatives were allowed to see him until five days after his detention. On 4 April 2012, Mr. X‘s lawyer documented multiple injuries in different parts of his body. A forensic examination that performed by the head of the Forensic Bureau established that the bodily injuries correspond to the allegations and could have been caused by beating. On 14 April 2012, the Osh Oblast Prosecutor‘s Office turned down Mr. X‘s lawyer‘s request to open a criminal
case into the allegations of torture and mistreatment.
14/08/2012
15/06/2012 UA
LBY 1/2012 Libya
Arbitrary detention;
Alleged arbitrary detention in Libya of staff members of the International Criminal Court. According to the information received, Mrs. Melinda Taylor, Mr. Alexander Khodakov, Mr. Esteban Peralta Losilla and Ms. Helene Assaf, were detained in Libya since 7 June 2012 in the context of an official visit pursuant to a decision of the Pre-Trial Chamber I in Prosecutor v. Saif Al Islam Gaddafi and Abdullah Al Senussi (ICC-01/11-01/11-129). It is alleged that they were not presented with an arrest warrant nor any other decision by a public authority. It is further alleged that they were not informed of the reasons for their detention; they had limited access to the outside world and have not been able to seek consular assistance.
A /H
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/2 2
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2 0
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
15/06/2012 JUA
PAK 8/2012 Pakistan
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of religion; Human
rights defenders;
Independence of
judges and lawyers;
Summary executions;
Alleged plot to kill human rights defender. According to the information received, a credible source has informed Ms. Asma Jahangir of a plot to assassinate her which has allegedly been formulated ―at the highest level of the security apparatus‖. In response to the alleged plot, she has reportedly
been provided with additional protection by the Government. Ms. Jahangir is a human rights lawyer and former President of the Supreme Court Bar Association. She previously served as UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions and UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief for a total of 12 years.
15/06/2012 JAL
UGA 4/2012 Uganda
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders;
Allegation that a Public Order Management Bill may unduly limit the right to peaceful assembly. According to the information received, a Public Order Management Bill, which is currently under discussion, would, if passed, severely curtail the enjoyment of the right to freedom of peaceful assembly. It is reported that these legislative developments indicate a pattern of restrictions affecting political pressure and civil society groups and their work in Uganda.
18/06/2012 JAL
FJI 1/2012 Fiji
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders;
Alleged cancellation of a gay pride march. According to the information received, Oceania Pride organized a gay pride march to take place on 17 May
2012. On the morning of 17 May, the police called the organizers to inform them that the permit authorizing the march had been revoked.
19/06/2012 UA
CYP 3/2012 Cyprus
Torture;
Alleged imminent deportation to the Islamic Republic of Iran. According to the information received, Ms. Soheila Sadeghdoost, was deported to the Islamic Republic of Iran on 8 June 2012. Ms. Sadeghdoost was allowed to phone her daughter, Ms. Marjan Kazemian, 21, who is currently detained in Larnaca detention center and is reportedly facing imminent deportation to the Islamic Republic of Iran. Ms. Sadeghdoost and Ms. Mazemian were the subject of an earlier communication (see A/HRC/21/49, case no CYP 2/2012).
A /H
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2
1
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
19/06/2012 JUA
IRN 13/2012 Iran (Islamic
Republic of)
Independence of
judges and lawyers;
Iran; Summary
executions; Torture;
Allegations that five members of Ahwazi Arab minority community are at risk of imminent execution. According to the information received, Mr Abd Al-Rahman Heidari, Mr Taha Heidari, Mr Jamshid Heidari, Mr Mansour Heidari and Mr Amir Muawi, all members of one family, were arrested by security forces on 20 April 2011 on charges of killing a law enforcement official. Following the arrests, they were allegedly subjected to torture and coerced to confess to the murder charges. Based on the confession, all five were convicted of Moharebeh (enmity against God) and sentenced to death. The death sentence was upheld by the Supreme Court on 18 March 2012. On 9 June 2012, the prisoners were reportedly transferred to an undisclosed location for the execution of the sentence. On 8 June 2012, authorities summoned Mr. Jalil Heidari, brother of Mr. Al-Rahman Heidari, Mr. Taha Heidari and Mr. Jamshid Heidari to sign the execution consent. Mr Jalili was reportedly taken into custody and his whereabouts remained unknown.
19/06/2012 JUA
ISR 7/2012 Israel
Arbitrary detention;
Health; OPT;
Allegations of arbitrary detention and denial of access to appropriate medical care of three Palestinian prisoners detained in Ramleh prison medical center in Israel. According to the information received, Mr. Mahmoud Sarsak and Mr. Samer Al-Barq have been detained without charge or trial since 2009 and 2010 respectively and are on hunger strike in protest of the recent extensions of their detention. Mr. Akram Rikhawi, detained since 2004 and suffering from multiple chronic illnesses, is on hunger strike in protest at the denial of his request for early release on medical grounds, a right conferred on prisoners who have served two thirds of their prison sentences. Mr. Sarsak has passed his 80th day of hunger strike and Mr. Rikhawi, his 50th day. Mr. Al-Barq has allegedly been on hunger strike since 21 May 2012. Requests by Mr. Sarsak and Mr. Rikhawi for treatment in a civilian hospital have allegedly been denied.
A /H
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2 2
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
20/06/2012 JUA
BRA 6/2012 Brazil
Human rights
defenders; Summary
executions;
Follow-up communication regarding alleged threats against the family of a human rights defender. According to the information received, on 12 June 2012, Ms. Daize Menezes de Souza, the wife of Mr. Alexandre Anderson de Souza, noticed that the guards which had been assigned to guard her home while her husband was away were absent. Reportedly, she received several threatening phone calls at this time and a number of unfamiliar cars were stationed outside the house. Mr. Anderson de Souza is head of the Associação dos Homens do Mar – AHOMAR (Association of Seamen). AHOMAR is an organization which aims to defend the rights of fisher folk in Rio de Janeiro. Mr. Anderson de Souza was granted protection measures by the National Protection Programme for human rights defenders in September 2010 in the wake of an attempt to kill him and his wife. They were both the subject of an earlier communication (see A/HRC/18/51, case no BRA 7/2010).
20/06/2012 JUA
EGY 8/2012 Egypt
Freedom of
expression; Human
rights defenders;
Summary executions;
Alleged death threats against human rights defender in violation of his right to freedom of opinion and expression. According to the information received, on 11 and 12 June 2012, Mr. Abdulkarim Rihawi, President of the Syrian Human Rights League, at the time in exile in Cairo, Egypt, received at least five threatening phone calls from unidentified individuals, warning him that he would not live longer than supporters of President Bashar Al-Assad. This followed his appearance on the television channel Al-Jazeera, on 11 June 2012, to speak about his human rights activities.
20/06/2012 JUA
RUS 4/2012 Russian
Federation
Arbitrary detention;
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders;
Allegations of acts of harassment, intimidation, arbitrary detention and searches in the residences of several activists and members of the opposition in the context of protests held in Moscow on 6 May 2012; and adoption of new legislation that can seriously limit the right to peaceful assembly. According to the information received, on 11 June 2012, State investigators searched approximately 10 apartments hosting persons believed to have participated in protests. Reportedly, on 8 June President Vladimir Putin signed into law a bill restricting the right to peaceful assembly. In particular, the law introduced amendments to the Code on Administrative Violations and to the Federal Law on Assemblies, Meetings, Demonstrations, Processions and Picketing which significantly increased the fines for violating national legislation on holding public events and placed additional restrictions for anyone willing to express dissent through peaceful protest.
A /H
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2
3
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
21/06/2012 JUA
OMN 1/2012 Oman
Arbitrary detention;
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders;
Independence of
judges and lawyers;
Allegations of arbitrary arrest, detention and criminalization of human rights defenders. According to the information received, on 31 May 2012, Ms. Habibah Al-Hinaee and Messrs. Yacob Al-Kharusi and Ismael Al-Mikbaly, all co-founders of the Omani Group for Human Rights, were arrested by officers of the Royal Oman Police while on their way to monitor a strike in Fohod and Marmu. All three individuals have reportedly been charged with inciting protest. Reportedly, on 4 June, the Public Prosecutor‘s Office
released a statement declaring the intention to take legal action against all those making ―defamatory statements and inciting calls‖. Subsequently, the following activists, bloggers, media workers, lawyer and writers were among those allegedly arrested: Ms. Basma Al Khayoumi, Ms. Basma Al Rajhi, Ms. Fatma Al Bousaidi and Messrs. Isaac Al Agbary, Khalfan Al Badrawi, Hassan Al Requishi, Ali Al Saadi, Ali Al Hegi, Hamad Al Kharousi, Mamhoud Al Rashdi, Nabhan Al Hanshi, Mukthar Al Hinae, Sa‘id Hashimi, Samaa Issa,
Abdalla Al Badi, Fahd Al Kharousi, and Nassir Saleh. Further arrestees reportedly include Ms. Mona Al-Gahoury and Messrs. Badr Al-Jabery, Mahmood Hamad, Khalid Al-Newfaly, Khalid Al-Jabery, Omar Al- Khorousy, Yehia Al Khorousy, Abdullah Al-Gailany and the 14-year-old brother of Mr. Mukthar Al Hinae.
14/08/2012 18/08/2012
21/06/2012 JUA
KOR 3/2012 Republic of
Korea
Freedom of
expression; Human
rights defenders;
Migrants;
Alleged denial of entry to the Republic of Korea of Philippines national, despite valid travel documents. According to the information received, on 1 May 2012, Mr. Michel Catuira, former President of the Seoul-Gyenggi- Incheon Migrants Trade Union (MTU), despite holding a current and valid G- 1 Visa, was denied re-entry into the Republic of Korea at Incheon Airport, and deported to the Philippines. He has reportedly also experienced a number of legal problems regarding his work permit. As former president of the MTU, Mr. Catuira has been critical of the Government of Korea‘s treatment
of migrant workers, a key organizer of protests against the government, and vocally critical of the impact of the Employment Permit System on migrant workers. Reportedly, the Republic of Korea has arrested and deported several MTU leaders, and Mr. Catuira‘s deportation may be an indication of a targeted crackdown on the work and activities of the MTU.
A /H
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2 4
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
21/06/2012 AL
USA 8/2012 United States of
America
Torture;
Alleged prolonged solitary confinement at the State Correctional Institution (SCI) in Greene, Pennsylvania. According to the information received Mr. Russel Maroon Shoats, 68-year old, has spent the last twenty-one years in solitary confinement within the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections (DOC). It is reported that he has not violated prison rules, and has not been issued any misconducts in more than two decades. It is reported that despite his impeccable record, prison authorities continue to hold him in 23-24 hour lockdown at the State Correctional Institution (SCI) Greene based on acts that occurred more than thirty years ago.
22/06/2012 JAL
EGY 7/2012 Egypt
Discrimination
against women in law
and in practice;
Freedom of peaceful
assembly and of
association; Human
rights defenders;
Violence against
women;
Alleged arbitrary restrictions on associations to receive foreign funding. According to the information received, some human rights associations, including the New Woman Foundation and the Center for Egyptian Women Legal Assistance (CEWLA), have been facing arbitrary prohibition or unjustified delay in receiving funding from abroad. The restrictions have had serious implications on the work carried out by the concerned associations, which had to drastically reduce their activities.
22/06/2012 JAL
ISR 8/2012 Israel
Migrants; Racism;
Allegation of incidents of racially motivated violence and attacks against migrants of African origin, and inflammatory and xenophobic statements made in this context against migrants by senior Israeli State officials. According to information received several demonstrations against African migrants, including Sudanese, were held across Israel. During the demonstrations several migrants of African origin were attacked and abused. Cases of serious assaults against sub-Saharan Africans, including firebombs thrown into residences and a nursery, the beating of a hotel employee, setting fire to an apartment where Eritrean and Ethiopian migrants were living, as well as the use of clubs and pepper spray in some of the attacks, were reported. Information received also indicates that high ranking Israeli State officials, including the Prime Minister, the Minister of Interior and Members of Knesset have made statements against migrants and characterized African migrants in abusive ways.
A /H
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2
5
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
22/06/2012 AL
TZA 2/2012 United Republic
of Tanzania
Health;
Alleged labeling of pupils living with HIV at primary schools in Kibaha district, Pwani region in Tanzania. According to the information received, pupils living with HIV who study at primary schools in Kibaha district, Pwani region in Tanzania are labeled with red cloths or bands on their school uniforms. Schools allegedly engage in the practice in order to easier identify pupils living with HIV with a view to providing them with special assistance and exempting them from heavy physical activity.
22/06/2012 JUA
USA 7/2012 United States of
America
Arbitrary detention;
Torture;
Alleged prolonged solitary confinement and ill-treatment in solitary confinement at Bossier Parish Medium Correctional Facility, Shreveport, Louisiana. According to the information received, on 12 May 2012 Mr. Robert Cuff suffered from a seizure while in detention. Upon his release to the custody of Bossier Parish Medium Security and his return to the prison on 16 May 2012, Mr. Cuff was allegedly placed in solitary confinement on the grounds that he had tried to commit suicide. It is reported that while in solitary confinement, Mr. Cuff is denied basic hygiene needs and that the nurse and the jail physician are refusing to give Mr. Cuff his medication that the hospital ordered him to take. In addition it is reported that prison guards beat him.
25/06/2012 JAL
KGZ 4/2012 Kyrgyz
Republic
Freedom of religion;
Minority issues;
Alleged destruction of the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah Witnesses in Toktogul. According to the information received, on 17 April 2012, some Jehovah‘s
Witnesses began to reconstruct the Kingdom Hall that was destroyed by a mob of local villagers in 2010. A group of people allegedly started throwing stones repeatedly at the volunteers helping with the reconstruction. On 23 April 2012, Mr. Jonibek Kojamambetov, one of Jehovah‘s Witnesses,
contacted the police and requested their assistance. The reconstruction came to near completion by 10 May 2012. It was reported that by late nights of 10, 13, 15 and 16 May 2012, a mob gathered in front of the Kingdom Hall and hurled stones at it for about 30 minutes, causing significant damage. On 18 May 2012, Mr. Kojamambetov was informed that the mob had broken into the Kingdom Hall and stolen all items of property inside; it was also set on fire. This case was the subject of an earlier communication (see A/18/51, case no. KGZ 4/2010).
04/10/2012
A /H
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2 6
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
25/06/2012 JAL
UGA 5/2012 Uganda
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders;
Alleged disruption of a workshop for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) human rights defenders by police. According to the information received, on 18 June 2012, a workshop organized by The East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project (EHAHRDP) in the Esella Country Hotel, Najjera, Kampala, for members of LGBTI organizations from the region, was disrupted by police. It is reported that six of the participants were temporarily detained and questioned by the Regional Officer in charge of the Criminal Investigations Department for Kampala Metropolitan Police, who reportedly told them that there would have been no disruption had EHAHRDP informed the police of the workshop. EHAHRDP was established to strengthen the work of human rights defenders in the region.
25/06/2012 AL
GBR 1/2012 United Kingdom
of Great Britain
and Northern
Ireland
Health;
Alleged isolation in prison of woman with mental health issues. According to the information received, on 16 May 2011, Ms. Marian McGlinchey was initially detained at the all-male prison facility, HMP Maghaberry. On 17 February 2012, she was transferred to HMP Hydebank Wood women‘s
facility. Since December 2011, Ms. McGlinchey‘s mental state has allegedly deteriorated, despite treatment for symptoms of depression, and she has difficulties coping with prison environment. Allegedly, effective treatment of Ms. McGlinchey‘s difficulties could be better assured by her transfer to a psychiatric facility outside a prison setting.
24/07/2012 10/07/2012
25/06/2012 UA
USA 9/2012 United States of
America
Summary executions;
Alleged imminent execution of a Mexican American, following a trial which did not strictly observe death penalty safeguards. According to the information received, Mr. Samuel Villegas Lopez was convicted and sentenced to death for the murder of a 59-year-old woman in Phoenix, Arizona. It is reported that at his first trial in 1987, Mr. Lopez was represented by a court appointed lawyer who had no prior experience on death penalty cases. Due to a legal error relating to one of the aggravating factors found by the judge, the death sentence was overturned. At his re-sentencing in 1990, the defendant was represented by another court appointed lawyer who did not vet his client‘s background. Subsequently, he was again sentenced to death.
The execution was scheduled for 27 June 2012. Mr. Lopez was seeking executive clemency at the time the communication was sent.
29/08/2012
A /H
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2
7
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
26/06/2012 JUA
IRN 15/2012 Iran (Islamic
Republic of)
Iran; Summary
executions; Torture;
Alleged imminent risk of execution of two individuals after reported unfair trials. According to the information received, on 29 November 2011, Mr Saeed Sedeghi was arrested in Tehran for drug trafficking. He was held in the Kahrizak detention centre his arrest where he was reportedly tortured and mistreated. On 26 May 2012, his trial was held in Tehran‘s Revolutionary
Court, where he was represented by a state-appointed lawyer who allegedly did not have access to Mr Sedeghi‘s case file before the proceedings. On 2 June 2012, Mr Sedeghi was sentenced to death. It was feared the death sentence could be carried out at any moment since he had no substantive right to appeal. In addition, Ms Maryam (legal name: Safieh Ghafouri), a 28-year- old woman convicted of murder in 2006, was in imminent danger of being executed in Adel Abad prison in Shiraz. Authorities had reportedly scheduled the execution of Ms Maryam three times. Most recently she was granted a 10- day stay of execution, which expired on 10 June 2012.
10/10/2012
26/06/2012 JUA
KAZ 2/2012 Kazakhstan
Arbitrary detention;
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders;
Allegations of acts of harassment and arbitrary detention of human rights defenders in the context of court proceedings related to the protests in Zhanaozen of 16 December 2011. According to the information received, on 4 June 2012 the Court of Aktau found Ms. Roza Tuletaeva, leader of the workers‘ strike of the OzenMunaiGaz oil company, responsible for organizing mass unrest during the protests held in Zhanaozen in December 2011. Procedural irregularities were allegedly observed during the trial. Moreover, on 2 June 2012 a group between 20 and 30 individuals from the ―Not- Agreed‖ movement allegedly gathered near the monument of Abay, in the city of Almaty. It is reported that Mr. Galym Ageleuov made a speech in reference to human rights violations stemming from the court proceedings related to the Zhanaozen protests, and on allegations of acts of torture of detainees. Police allegedly dispersed the assembly and detained the activist.
24/08/2012
26/06/2012 JUA
PSE 4/2012 Occupied
Palestinian
Territory
Summary executions;
Torture;
Alleged imminent execution and forced confession obtained under torture. According to the information received, following his arrest on 9 May 2010 in the Gaza Strip, Mr. Na‘el Jamal Qandil Doghmosh was forced by police
investigators to ―confess‖ to a murder under torture. Subsequently, Mr.
Qandil Doghmosh was sentenced to death on 28 April 2011. On 13 May 2012, the Court of Cassation rejected his final appeal. At the time the communication was sent, his execution by hanging was imminent.
A /H
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2 8
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
26/06/2012 JUA
OTH 3/2012 Other
Summary executions;
Torture;
Alleged imminent execution and forced confession obtained under torture. According to the information received, following his arrest on 9 May 2010 in the Gaza Strip, Mr. Na‘el Jamal Qandil Doghmosh was forced by police
investigators to ―confess‖ to a murder under torture. Subsequently, Mr. Qandil Doghmosh was sentenced to death on 28 April 2011. On 13 May 2012, the Court of Cassation rejected his final appeal. At the time the communication was sent, his execution by hanging was imminent.
27/06/2012 JUA
AZE 4/2012 Azerbaijan
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders;
Alleged detention and sentencing of a photo-journalist and human rights defender. According to the information received, on 12 June 2012 Mr. Mehman Huseynov, a correspondent and photo-journalist of the Institute for Reporters‘ Freedom and Safety (IRFS) and the independent Azerbaijani Turan Information Agency, was detained and interrogated by the police until he was released on bail, and has been later charged with ―hooliganism
committed with resistance to representative of the authority‖, under Article
222.2 of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan. It is reported that the detention and charges against him are related to his participation in civic campaign ―Sing
for Democracy‖, launched as a human rights campaign ahead of the 2012
Eurovision Song Contest, and his activities of documenting human rights violations in Azerbaijan. It is also reported that on 21 May 2012, the police deliberately smashed the cameras of Mehman Huseynov and his colleagues while they were trying to take photos and film the events.
27/06/2012 JAL
MEX 13/2012 México
Freedom of
expression; Human
rights defenders;
Summary executions;
Presunto asesinato de un periodista en el estado de Veracruz. Según las informaciones recibidas, el 13 de julio de 2012, el Sr. Víctor Manuel Báez Chino salía de su oficina cuando habría sido interceptado por tres hombres armados a bordo de una camioneta gris. El Sr. Báez Chino habría sido obligado entrar al vehículo y su cuerpo sin vida habría sido hallado cerca del centro de Xalapa la siguiente madrugada. El Sr. Báez Chino era editor de la sección policial del periódico en línea Milenio El Portal de Xalapa, en Xalapa, estado de Veracruz, y miembro del consejo editorial del sitio de internet Reporteros Policiacos.
05/09/2012
A /H
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2
9
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
28/06/2012 JUA
GTM 5/2012 Guatemala
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders; Summary
executions; Violence
against women;
Presunto atentado contra la vida de una defensora de derechos humanos. Según las informaciones recibidas, el 13 de junio de 2012, aproximadamente a las 6.30 de la tarde, la Sra. Telma Yolanda Oquelí Veliz del Cid viajaba sola en coche desde la Aldea La Puya hacia San José El Golfo cuando se habría encontrado con dos hombres a bordo de una motocicleta. Se informa que uno de los hombres habría sacado un arma de fuego y habría disparado cuatro veces. Uno de los tiros habría impactado a la Sra. Yolanda Oquelí. La Sra. Yolanda Oquelí es una de las activistas más visibles de la iniciativa comunitaria de San José del Golfo y San Pedro Ayampu, un movimiento de vecinos que defiende su territorio y el medio ambiente ante la expansión minera en San José del Golfo y San Pedro Ayampuc en el Departamento de Guatemala.
07/08/2012 12/09/2012 18/10/2012
28/06/2012 JUA
IRQ 1/2012 Iraq
Arbitrary detention;
Summary executions;
Follow-up communication on alleged imminent executions in violation of safeguards applicable to deprivation of liberty and to the imposition of capital punishment. According to the information received, Mssrs. Abed Hamoud, Tariq Aziz and Sadoun Shakir were convicted for participating in the killings of opposition political activists during the rule of Mr. Saddam Hussein, and subsequently sentenced to death by the Supreme Iraqi Criminal Tribunal (SICT), in respect of which there were serious concerns regarding its independence. Mr. Abed Hamoud was reportedly executed by hanging on 7 June 2012. Should the death sentences against Mssrs. Tariq Aziz and Sadoun Shakir be confirmed by the court of appeals, they could be executed at any time. Mssrs. Abed Hamoud, Tariq Aziz and Sadoun Shakir were the subjects of a previous communication (see A/HRC/17/28/Add.1, p. 205).
28/06/2012 AL
MMR 3/2012 Myanmar
Myanmar;
Alleged arrest and incommunicado detention of five staff members of United Nations agencies. According to the information received, on 14 June 2012, a male Muslim staff member was arrested in Buthidaung and two male Muslim staff members were arrested by the border security force in Maungdaw. On 16 June 2012, a female Muslim staff member was arrested by military intelligence officers in Yangon. Her husband and two-year-old child were allegedly taken into custody. A male Muslim staff member was arrested by the police in Maungdaw.
A /H
R C
/2 2
/6 7
3 0
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
28/06/2012 JAL
ZAF 2/2012 South Africa
Freedom of
expression; Human
rights defenders;
Summary executions;
Alleged killing of a LGBTI rights defender. According to the information received, on 9 June 2012, two unidentified men followed Mr. Thapelo Makhutle to his home in Kuruman, in the John Taolo Gaetsewe district, Northern Cape province. This occurred shortly after an argument between them on Thapelo Makhutle's sexuality. Mr. Makhutle. was reportedly a member of LEGBO, an advocacy group based in Northern Cape which provides support and training to rural LGBTI communities. Mr. Makhutle actively spoke out against LGBTI discrimination and conducted workshops with LGBTI youth on human rights, HIV and AIDS and other social issues. The same day, his body was found on his bed, with the throat cut.
28/06/2012 JAL
SYR 6/2012 Syrian Arab
Republic
Freedom of
expression;
Summary executions;
Torture;
Alleged death in custody of a social media activist. According to the information received, in the evening of 14 April 2012, as Mr. Aladdin Al Doori, a social media activist, and another activist were passing the military barrier close to the village of Bab Al Taqa, near Qalaat Al Madiq, when the soldiers present at the checkpoint opened fire. Mr. Al Doori was allegedly hit by a bullet and severely injured. After being shot, he was arrested and transferred to an unknown location. Two days later, Mr. Al Doori reportedly succumbed to his injuries. As indicated by evidence visible on his body, he had allegedly been subjected to severe torture. It is further reported that Mr. Al Doori actively supported the Syrian opposition movement.
A /H
R C
/2 2
/6 7
3
1
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
29/06/2012 JUA
BHR 5/2012 Bahrain
Arbitrary detention;
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders; Torture;
Allegations of repeated restrictions on the right to freedom of peaceful assembly, arbitrary detention and excessive use of force during demonstrations. According to the information received, several demonstrations have been either denied authorization by the relevant authorities or met with excessive use of force by law enforcement officials. Ms. Zahra Salman AlSheikh Ali, a 21 year old female student, was allegedly arrested. On 22 June 2012, a few members of Al Wefaq National Islamic Society, one of the largest opposition groups, attempted to stage a demonstration, but riot police fired large amounts of sound grenades, rubber bullets, and shotguns from close range, seriously injuring tens of protesters and opposition leaders, including Mr. Ali Salman, President of Al Wefaq National Islamic Society, Mr. Hassan Marzouk, Deputy Secretary General of the National Democratic Unionist Assembly, resigned MP Mr. Jawad Fairoos, as well as Mr. Ali Mohd Jafar AlMowali and Mr. Sayed Hameed Sayed Adnan. Messrs. Sayed Hadi Sayed Ebrahim, AbdulRedha Hasan Salman, Elyas Husain Ali Rajab, Sayed Hameed Sayed Adnan, Jafar Ahmed AlHamran and Ali Khalil Mirza were reportedly arrested during the event and charged with illegal gathering. Allegedly, a number of other participants were also arrested and charged with illegal gathering.
02/08/2012
29/06/2012 JUA
IRN 14/2012 Iran (Islamic
Republic of)
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders; Iran;
Alleged heavy imprisonment of human rights lawyer. According to the information received, Mr Abdolfattah Soltani, a prominent human rights lawyer and activist, was sentenced to 13 years in prison and was exiled to the far-flung prison of Borazjan (Boshehr province). His conviction is believed to be linked to his discharging his functions as a human rights lawyer. Moreover, since his imprisonment, Mr Soltani‘s wife Massoumeh Dehghan
has reportedly been subjected to intimidation and harassment from the Iranian authorities for advocating and giving interviews to journalists about the case of Mr Soltani. Mr. Soltani was the subject of earlier communications (see A/HRC/21/49, case no IRN 5/2012).
26/09/2012
A /H
R C
/2 2
/6 7
3 2
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
29/06/2012 JUA
PHL 3/2012 Philippines
Freedom of
expression; Human
rights defenders;
Summary executions;
Violence against
women;
Alleged killing of human rights defender and alleged acts of intimidation against two women human rights defenders. According to the information received, on 17 March 2012, a Terrestrial Mining Corporation (TMC) employee was overheard expressing an intention to kill those individuals interfering with mining operations, mentioning several individuals by name, including Mr. Francisco Canayong. On 1 May, Mr. Canayong was allegedly stabbed and killed while on his way home. Reportedly, on 6 May, the aforementioned TMC employee fired a shot at the house of Ms. Nenita Lacasa and Ms. Carolyn Borja. Shots were also allegedly fired at the same house on 23 May. Mr. Canayong was a member of the Carapdapan Movement for Development Association (CAMADA). Ms. Lacasa is a programme officer with the same association and Ms. Borja is its president. CAMADA monitors and campaigns against illegal mining operations in the municipality of Salcedo, Province of Eastern Samar.
03/07/2012 UA
IDN 5/2012 Indonesia
Summary executions;
Alleged imminent execution for drug related offences. According to the information received, Mr Namaona Dennis, a Malawian national, Mr Muhammad Abdul Hafeez, a Pakistani national, and Mr Marcho Archer Cordova Moreira, a Brazilian national, were sentenced to death on charges of drug smuggling, which is not considered a most serious crime under international law. They have allegedly exhausted all legal avenues for appeals and clemency, and risked imminent execution in early July 2012.
A /H
R C
/2 2
/6 7
3
3
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
04/07/2012 JUA
BGD 4/2012 Bangladesh
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders; Summary
executions; Torture;
Alleged ongoing attacks against journalists. According to the information received, on 15 June 2012, Mr. Jamal Uddin was attacked in the Kashipur Bazaar in the Sharsha area of Jessore district. He was rushed to a local hospital where he was later declared dead. Local drug lords had reportedly threatened him for his reporting on their activities. On 28 May 2012, two journalists and an assistant were reportedly stabbed and at least six others were injured when the bdnews24.com office in Mohakhali was attacked. Three victims, namely Mr. Newaz Mohammed Rifaat, Mr. Salahuddin Wahed Pritom and Mr. Ruhul Amin received treatment for injuries. On 29 May 2012, Mr. Proshanto Karmaker of Prothom Alo, Mr. Jalil Ujjal of Kaler Kantha, and Mr. Tuhin Hawlader of Bangladesh Protidin were reportedly assaulted by police when they attempted to report an incident. Two lawyers who attempted to intervene were reportedly also assaulted. On 26 May 2012, police allegedly attacked and physically assaulted three photojournalists, Mr. Khaled Sarker, Mr. Sajid Hossain, and Mr. Jahidul Karim, of the Prothom Alo newspaper. On 15 May 2012, Mr Abdullah Al Mamun, correspondent for the Kaler Kantho newspaper, was reportedly beaten up in public. Furthermore, there have been reports of violence against journalists by members of the ruling party. Such attacks include those against Mr. Panna Bala, correspondent of Daily Prothom Alo; Mr. A.B.M. Fazlur Rahman, correspondent of Daily Shamokal and NTV; and Mr. Mizanur Rahman and Mr. Jitendra Nath, correspondents of Daily Prothom Alo and Daily Shamokal. On 11 February 2012, Ms. Meherun Nahar Runi, chief reporter at ATN Bangla, and Mr. Mustofa Sagar Sarwar, news editor at Massranga, were reportedly stabbed to death in their bedroom in Dhaka by unknown assailants.
12/07/2012
A /H
R C
/2 2
/6 7
3 4
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
04/07/2012 JUA
NLD 3/2012 Netherlands
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders; Torture;
Alleged imminent deportation to the People‘s Republic of China. According
to the information received, Mr. Kurbanjan Mutalip, an ethnic Uighur and Chinese national from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) in China, is facing imminent deportation from the Netherlands to the People‘s
Republic of China. Mr. Mutalip is a member of the East Turkistan Uighur Association in the Netherlands and participated on various occasions in demonstrations and other political and human rights activities protesting against Chinese policies. It is reported that Uighurs who have been active in overseas political or human rights activities and who apply for asylum would allegedly face heightened risk of human rights violations, including torture if they return or are forcibly returned to the People‘s Republic of China.
20/08/2012
04/07/2012 JAL
MDA 3/2012 Republic of
Moldova
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders;
Alleged bans on public activities organized by Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) persons in several municipalities in Moldova. According to the information received, in March 2012, the City Council of Balti, Modova‘s second largest city, adopted a municipal ordinance prohibiting public activities ―propagandizing‖ homosexuality.
Allegedly, at least four other municipalities, Cahul, Ceadîr-Lunga, Drochia and Soroca, the districts of Anenii Noi and Basarabeasca, and the village of Hiliuti, also took similar actions. It is reported that these discriminatory measures are intended to ban LGBTI persons from exercising their rights to freedom of opinion and expression and to peaceful assembly.
16/10/2012
A /H
R C
/2 2
/6 7
3
5
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
04/07/2012 JUA
TUR 5/2012 Turkey
Arbitrary detention;
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders;
Terrorism;
Alleged arbitrary detention of human rights defenders and trade unionists. According to the information received, on 25 June 2012, police officers raided 72 homes and offices of trade unions and arrested 56 persons, including human rights figures and trade unionists. These arrests and detentions are reportedly related to anti-terrorist operations intended to dismantle an alleged terrorist network. Amongst those placed in pre-trial detention is Mr. Osman Isci, member of the Human Rights Association (IHD) and of Egitim Sen. The other detainees include Mr. Yunus Akil, Former President of BTS / Council Member of KESK, Mr. Belgizar Sazak, Council Member of BTS, Mr. Mehmet Arda - Member of Egitim Sen, Mr. Mehmet Siddik Akin – Secretary General of SES, Mr. Izzettin Alpergin - Secretary General of Tüm Bel Sen, Mr. Yilmaz Yildirimci - Executive of Tüm Bel Sen Ankara Second Branch, Mr. Sakine Esen Yilmaz - Executive of Egitim Sen, Mr. Nihat Kilinçalp – Executive of Egitim Sen Ankara First Branch, Mr. Metin Vuranok - General President of Tarim Orkam-Sen, Mr. Erdal Turan - Executive of SES Ankara Branch, Mr. Ferruh Çelik - Executive of Tüm Bel Sen Ankara Second Branch, Mr. Hanim Koçyigit - Member of Egitim Sen, Mr. Seyran Sik - Haber-Sen Genel Kadin Sekreteri, Mr. Mehmet Sezgin Ibin - Executive of Tarim Orkam Sen Ankara Branch, Mr. Mustafa Bozan - Ankara Branch Chairperson of Yapi Yol Sen, Mr. Aykut Erhan Turgut - Executive of Egitim Sen Ankara Second Branch, Mr. Deniz Bozbey Member of Egitim Sen, Mr. Sibel Anil - Member of Haber-Sen, Mr. Erdal Yilmaz - Member of SES, Mr. Bekir Gürbüz - Member of Egitim Sen, Mr. Tarik Kaya - Member of Egitim Sen, Mr. Çerkez Aydin - Executive of Egitim Sen Ankara Second Branch, Mr. Veysel Özhekdi - President of Egitim Sen Tunceli Branch, Mr. Hasan Örgün - Egitim Sen Tunceli Sube Baskani, Mr. Serif Ildogan - Member of Egitim Sen Sanliurfa Branch, Mr. Mehmet Bozgeyik – Secretary General of Egitim-Sen and Mr. Fikret Çalagan - Former Executive Committee Member of SES.
22/10/2012 16/01/2013
A /H
R C
/2 2
/6 7
3 6
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
05/07/2012 JAL
BRA 7/2012 Brazil
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders; Summary
executions;
Alleged killing of human rights defenders. According to the information received, Messers. Almir Nogueira de Amorim and João Luiz Telles Penetra left Rio de Janeiro on 22 June 2012 to go fishing in Guanabara Bay. Their bodies were found in Guanabara Bay on 24 and 25 June respectively. Mr. Telles Penetra‘s body was found bound by his hands and feet. Mr. Nogueira
de Amorim‘s body was found tied to his boat with bruises on his neck and
holes in the hull of the boat. Messrs. Nogueira de Amorim and Telles Penetra were both leading members of the Associação Homens do Mar – AHOMAR (Association of Sea Men), set up in 2009 to defend the rights of the fisher- folk working in Rio de Janeiro, in particular those affected by the planned construction of a gas pipeline by the oil company Petrobras in Guaxindiba river.
05/07/2012 JUA
ITA 1/2012 Italy
Adequate housing;
Minority issues;
Racism;
Alleged imminent forced eviction of approximately 350 Roma people from the Tor de‘ Cenci camp in Rome. According to information received, over
350 people of Roma ethnicity are facing eviction from the Tor de‘ Cenci
camp in Rome, where they have been living for up to 16 years. The camp was opened by local authorities in 1995 in an area offering adequate services to residents. Authorities planned to complete the eviction by 10 July 2012 and to resettle the Roma families in a new camp called La Barbuta, located in an isolated area next to Ciampino airport. Reportedly local authorities plan to use the camp exclusively to house Roma families currently living in different camps in Rome. Consultations with the Roma residents were reportedly inadequate and no alternative options to relocation to La Barbuta camp were ever discussed. Furthermore, La Barbuta camp was built in 2011 using special powers granted under the so-called ―Nomad Emergency‖, which was ruled unlawful by the Council of State in November 2011.
A /H
R C
/2 2
/6 7
3
7
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
05/07/2012 JUA
TUN 2/2012 Tunisie
Cultural Rights;
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of religion; Summary
executions;
Allégations relatives à des atteintes commises à l‘encontre des libertés
artistique et académique en Tunisie, sous la pression notamment de groupes dits « salafistes ». Selon les informations reçues, de graves incidents, impliquant violences et menaces contre des artistes et des membres du personnel académique, se seraient produits, en juin 2012 à l‘occasion de la tenue de la foire d‘art contemporain « Le printemps des Arts », de même que,
depuis la fin de l‘année 2011, au sein de divers établissements
d‘enseignement supérieur. Le doyen de la Faculté des Lettres, des Arts et des
Humanités de l‘Université de la Manouba, M. Habib Kazdaghli, aurait subi des violences et des pressions de la part des groupes salafistes. Deux jeunes blogueurs, MM. Djabeur Mejri et Ghazi Bedji, auraient été condamnés à sept ans de prison pour avoir diffusé sur Facebook des caricatures de Mahomet. M. Nabil Karoui, propriétaire de la chaîne de télévision Nessma TV, aurait été condamné à une amende pour la diffusion du film « Persépolis » en octobre 2011, contenant des scènes avec un Dieu personnifié.
30/11/2012 07/12/2012
05/07/2012 AL
GBR 2/2012 United Kingdom
of Great Britain
and Northern
Ireland
Torture;
Allegations of widespread and systematic torture committed by British authorities in Kenya prior to its independence. According to the information received, Mr. Wambugu Wa Nyingi, Mr. Paulo Muoka Nzili, Ms. Jane Muthoni Mara, Ms. Naomi Nziula Kimweli and Mr. Samuel Kimweli Mbithuka Kilatya, all Kenyan nationals and members of the Mau Mau war Veterans‘ Association (MMWVA) an advocacy group registered in Kenya claim that they were victims of grave acts of torture committed by agents and employees of the British authorities in Kenya between 1952 and 1960 prior to Kenyan independence on 12 December 1963 (―the Kenya Emergency‖). They
are seeking redress from the British Government. Mr. Wambugu Wa Nyingi, Mr. Paulo Muoka Nzili and Ms. Jane Muthoni Mara lodged a case in the High Court in London and it is reported that the British authorities are arguing that the claim is time barred by virtue of the Limitation Act 1980.
A /H
R C
/2 2
/6 7
3 8
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
06/07/2012 JUA
EGY 9/2012 Egypt
Freedom of
expression; Human
rights defenders;
Summary executions;
Trafficking;
Alleged death threats against a human rights activist in relation to his human rights work. According to the information received, since information about human traffickers was published in the Egyptian newspaper, Al Aharam, on 24 June 2012, Mr. Hamdy al-Azazy has received a series of anonymous phone calls and repeated death threats against him and members of his family from individuals allegedly involved in human trafficking and extortion from African refugees in the Sinai. Mr. al-Azazy is the president of the non- governmental organization (NGO) New Generation Foundation for Human Rights, registered in Egypt. He is also the main collaborator of the NGO EveryOne Group regarding human and organ trafficking in the Sinai.
06/07/2012 JUA
IRN 16/2012 Iran (Islamic
Republic of)
Iran; Summary
executions; Torture;
Alleged death sentence and imminent execution on charges of moharebeh (enmity against God). According to the information received, Mr. Hamid Ghassemi-Shall was sentenced to death on the basis of evidence obtained under duress and without legal representation or assistance during the 18 months in pretrial detention. Mr. Ghassemi-Shall was the subject of an earlier communication (see A/HRC/21/49, case no IRN 9/2012).
06/07/2012 JAL
OTH 6/2012 Other
Adequate housing;
Extreme poverty;
Food; Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Indigenous peoples;
Water and
Sanitation;
Alleged negative impacts on human rights of affected communities of a proposed Bangladesh domestic policy permitting the construction of an open- pit coal mine in the township of Phulbari. Concerns transmitted to GCM Resources plc, which through its subsidiary Asia Energy Corporation (Bangladesh) Pty Ltd works under a contract with the Government of Bangladesh on the Phulbari Coal Mine project. According to information received, the open-pit coal mine in Phulbari, if constructed, would have a significant impact on food production and its access by destroying approximately 12,000 acres of productive agricultural land, and on water access by lowering the water table 12 to 25 metres and potentially poisoning water sources. The proposed mine would allegedly displace up to 220,000 people over time, 50,000 of whom are indigenous peoples belonging 23 different tribal groups. Current plans reportedly do not provide adequate compensation or resettlement, and have not included consultations with affected communities. Finally, allegations have been raised concerning continued efforts to stop human rights defenders from protesting the Phulbari coal mine and the resulting infringements on their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
31/01/2013
A /H
R C
/2 2
/6 7
3
9
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
06/07/2012 JAL
SDN 4/2012 Sudan
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders; Sudan;
Torture;
Allegations of excessive use of force during peaceful protests and of torture and ill-treatment of detainees. According to the information received, several protests have been taking place in Sudan since 16 June 2012. It is reported that on many occasions, police and security forces used teargas, rubber bullets and batons to disperse the peaceful protesters. Furthermore, pro-government students have allegedly co-operated with police to use excessive force on protestors and carry out arrests. Several protesters including leaders of the demonstrations have reportedly been arrested and some have been threatened with rape, while others have been subjected to violence. It is reported that those protestors in detention are at risk of torture and illtreatment, including Ms. Rashida Shams al-Din, who was reportedly arrested on 24 June and detained incommunicado by the NISS in an undisclosed location. Rashida Shams al-Din is a member of youth movement Girifna, which has been active in leading protests.
09/07/2012 JUA
MLI 1/2012 Mali
Cultural Rights;
Freedom of religion;
Alleged destruction of cultural and religious sites inscribed on the World Heritage List, as well as the ban on music by Ansar Dine group in the cities of Timbuktu, Gao and Kida. According to the information received, on 1 July 2012, the armed members of Ansar Dine group attacked a cemetery located in the south of Timbuktu in the suburb of the eponymous Djingareyber mosque built in 1327 and destroyed the tombs of Sidi Mahmoud, Sidi Moctar and Alpha Moya. On the following day, they attacked Cheikh el-Kebir's mausoleum. The western gate of Sidi Yahia mosque was also destroyed. Ansar Dine spokesman allegedly claimed that the group was acting in the name of God and threatened to destroy every mausoleum in the city without exception. Reportedly, the Ansar Dine group also issued a ban on music in Timbuktu, Gao and Kidal as soon as they took control of these areas in April
2012.
A /H
R C
/2 2
/6 7
4 0
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
10/07/2012 JUA
CMR 2/2012 Cameroun
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders;
Allégations d‘arrestation et de détention arbitraires d‘étudiants ayant souhaité
exercer leur droit à la liberté de réunion pacifique. Selon les informations reçues, M. Denis Atangana, porte-parole du collectif « Sauvons l‘Université de Yaoundé II Soa », ainsi que MM. Hervé Nzouabet, Barthelemy Ndemanga, Soulemanou Njouonkou de l‘Association pour la défense des droits des étudiants du Cameroun (Addec), ont été arrêtés le 29 juin 2012, quelques heures avant une marche pacifique qui devait se tenir sur le campus de Yaoundé II. Les quatre étudiants ont été accusés d‘avoir participé à
l‘organisation d‘une réunion sans en avoir fait déclaration aux administratives concernées. Le jugement a été mis au délibéré au 17 juillet 2012.
11/07/2012 AL
ARG 1/2012 Argentina
Torture;
Alegación de actos de tortura cometidos por agentes oficiales de la localidad de Florencia en la Provincia de Santa Fe. Según las informaciones recibidas, entre los días 12 y 13 de mayo y 6 de junio de 2012 los Sres. Roberto Gustavo Valenzuela, Lucio Francisco Prieto, Martín Alejandro Gómez, Orlando Romero y Ángel David Caraballo fueron arrestados y conducidos a la comisaría a declarar sobre su presunta participación en el robo de motocicletas, un quisco y unas motosierras. Según se alegó, en la comisaría habrían permanecido detenidos sin orden judicial, o acceso a un abogado o a un juez. Se reporta que durante la detención en esta comisaría todas estas personas fueron sometidas a diversos actos de violencia, incluyendo golpes, amenazas, asfixia con bolsas sobre sus cabezas, agresiones con picana eléctrica en sus orejas y genitales, así como desnudez y ejercicio forzado por parte de personal policial. Se reporta también que las alegadas víctimas firmaron papeles sin que su contenido les fuera leído.
05/09/2012
11/07/2012 JUA
CHN 6/2012 China (People's
Republic of)
Arbitrary detention;
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders;
Independence of
judges and lawyers;
Summary executions;
Torture;
Alleged torture in prison and investigation deficiencies on the death in hospital of a prominent human rights activist. According to the information received, Mr Li Wangyang, a prominent human rights activist, was subjected to torture during his detention in 1989-2000 and 2001-2011. On 6 June 2012, he was found dead in his hospital room. It is reported that Li Wangyang might have been killed as a consequence of his human rights activities, and the investigation into his death is characterized by serious deficiencies. His family and friends are allegedly illegally detained by the authorities, while the lawyer chosen by the family on this case reported threats received from the authorities.
30/10/2012
A /H
R C
/2 2
/6 7
4
1
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
11/07/2012 JUA
COL 7/2012 Colombia
Independence of
judges and lawyers;
Summary executions;
Presuntas amenazas de muerte y actos de intimidación en contra de un testigo de casos relacionados con ejecuciones extrajudiciales. Según la información recibida, el Sr. John Fredy Ortiz Jiménez habría sido testigo de casos relacionados con ejecuciones extrajudiciales de civiles ocurridas en el departamento de Antioquia, llevados a cabo por miembros del Ejército Nacional. El 7 de marzo del 2012, el Sr. Ortiz Jiménez habría sido interceptado en la ciudad de Barranquilla por unas personas que le golpearon e hirieron un brazo. El 10 de mayo de 2012, al día siguiente de haberse reunido con una oficial de derechos humanos de OACNUDH, el Sr. Ortiz Jiménez habría sido acorralado por dos individuos en una calle de la ciudad de Barranquilla y amenazado. En el mes de enero de 2012, la Fiscalía tomó la decisión de no continuar con la vinculación del Sr. Ortiz Jiménez al Programa de Protección Testigos de la Fiscalía General de la Nación a pesar de las continuas amenazas.
11/07/2012 AL
COD 2/2012 République
démocratique
du Congo
Summary executions;
Allégations d‘attaques perpétrées contre la population civile par des membres
d‘un groupe armé au Sud-Kivu ayant causé la mort de 78 civils. Selon les informations reçues, le matin du 5 mai 2012, 13 civils, dont six enfants, quatre femmes et trois hommes, auraient été tués par des éléments du groupe armé des Forces Démocratiques de Libération du Rwanda (FDLR), armés de fusils d‘assaut de type AK47 ainsi que d‘armes blanches (couteaux et
machettes), à Lumendje, dans le village de Mingazi, situé dans la région du Sud-Kivu. La nuit du 13 au 14 mai 2012, des membres des FDLR, munis des mêmes armes à feu et armes blanches, auraient attaqué le village Kamananga, situé entre Kambegeti et Kambale au Sud-Kivu. Au cours de cette attaque, 65 personnes auraient été tuées. A ce jour, 35 personnes, dont 12 enfants et 21 femmes et trois hommes, auraient été identifiés.
A /H
R C
/2 2
/6 7
4 2
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
11/07/2012 JAL
RUS 5/2012 Russian
Federation
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders;
Allegation that the adoption of a draft Law on Introducing Amendments to Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation in Part Regulating Activities of Non-commercial Organizations which Carry Functions of Foreign Agents, may unduly restrict the right to freedom of association. According to the information received, on 29 June 2012, a group of Members of Parliament from the United Russia party submitted the draft law to the State Duma which contained amendments to a number of federal laws, including the Law on Public Associations, the Law on Non-commercial Organizations, the Law on Counteracting Legalization of Incomes received in a Criminal Way and against the Financing Terrorism, and the Code of Administrative Penalties, the Criminal Code and the Code of Criminal Procedure and which may negatively affect the right to freedom of association.
23/07/2012
11/07/2012 AL
LKA 3/2012 Sri Lanka
Freedom of religion;
Alleged assault by a Buddhist Monk teacher of a student in the Kandy District. According to the information received, Mr. X, a 14 year-old student at Mahanama College Geatam was assaulted by his teacher, Mr. Y, when he refused to learn Buddhism after stating that he is a Catholic. Mr. X was allegedly assaulted until his left ear started bleeding and was left without recourse to any medical treatment and told not to tell anyone about the assault. Mr. X reportedly became ill and was hospitalized in the following days. His father, Mr. Z, filed a complaint with the Kandy Police (WCIB 1/84/16) despite threats of violence from Mr. Y.
A /H
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4
3
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
12/07/2012 JUA
SAU 9/2012 Saudi Arabia
Arbitrary detention;
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders;
Alleged arbitrary arrests and detention and charges against human rights defenders and undue restrictions on freedom of association. According to the information received, on 11 June 2012, Mr. Abdulla Al Hamid was brought before Riyadh Criminal Court charged with offences related to his human rights work. While attending the trial as a member of Mr. Al Hamid‘s defence
team, Mr. Mohammad Fahd Al Qahtani was reportedly notified that he himself faced similar charges and was ordered to appear before Riyadh Criminal Court on 18 June. Mr. Fadhel Al Manasif, a member of the Arab Institute for Human Rights, was allegedly arrested on 1 May 2011 and presented with charges in relation to protests which took place in March 2009 in the Eastern Province. Mr. Al Manasif was reportedly re-arrested on 2 October 2011 and detained thereafter in the General Investigations Prison in Dammam. On 28 February 2012, Mr. Al Manasif reportedly appeared before the Specialised Criminal Court in Riyadh, which deals exclusively with terrorism and security related cases. It is reported that Mr. Al Manasif was subjected to solitary confinement for three months and denied family visits. It is also alleged that Mr. Al Manasif has been subjected to acts of torture and ill treatment. It is further reported that other human rights defenders would be facing lawsuits in relation to their human rights work, including Mr. Mukhlif Shammari, Mr. Waleed Abulkhir, head of Monitor of Human Rights in Saudi Arabia, Mr. Raef Badawi, founder of the Saudi Free Liberal Network, Mr. Abdulkareem Yousef Al-Khoder, cofounder and current President of the ACPRA, and Mr. Saleh Al Ashwan. Mr. Mohammad Fahd Al-Qahtani and Mr. Mukhlif Shammari were subjects of a previous communication (see A/HRC/21/ 49; case no SAU 7/2012).
A /H
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4 4
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
12/07/2012 JAL
VNM 2/2012 Viet Nam
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Freedom of religion;
Allegations of harassment and intimidation of individuals participating or attempting to participate in peaceful protests across the country. According to the information received, on 30 June 2012, following calls made by the patriarch Thich Quang Do, Supreme Patriarch of the Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam (UBCV), as well as bloggers, to peacefully protest against the alleged recent incursions of Chinese vessels into areas of the South China Sea, police forces cordoned the Thanh Minh Zen Monastery in Ho Chi Minh City, where the patriarch Thich Quang Do has reportedly been under de facto house arrest, as well as the Giac Hoa Pagoda, where the Secretariat of the UBCV is located and which is the residence of Venerable Thich Vien Dinh, UBCV‘s deputy leader. Police reportedly also raided the private quarters of
Venerable Thich Thien Hanh, head of the UBCV‘s provincial committee in
Hue. On 1 July 2012, a series of peaceful demonstrations were reportedly held across the country. In Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, bloggers were reportedly harassed, put under surveillance, and briefly detained by the police. These include Ms. Nguyen Hoang Vi. In Hue and Ho Chi Minh City, all the monks, nuns and other Buddhist followers who tried to join the protests were allegedly either apprehended on their way to the protests, or prevented from leaving their pagoda or homes. In Hue, police forces reportedly attacked UBCV followers at the An Cuu bridge.
27/09/2012
13/07/2012 JUA
CHN 7/2012 China (People's
Republic of)
Arbitrary detention;
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Torture; Violence
against women;
Allegations of arbitrary deprivation of liberty and ill-treatment of a 17 year old girl following the peaceful exercise of her rights to freedom of opinion and expression and assembly. According to the information received, on 24 June 2012, Ms. X started a peaceful protest on the main market of Kardze (Ganzi) by throwing leaflets in the air and exhibiting slogans that called for the return of Dalai Lama, freedom of the Tibetan A.P. and the release of the Panchen Lama and political prisoners. She was allegedly arrested and beaten by security personnel. Her father was not allowed to see her until 28 June 2012, when she had been taken to the hospital. Reportedly, she had injuries to her hands, back and legs. Ms X has been held in detention at Kardze County‘s
Detention Centre.
28/09/2012
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4
5
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
13/07/2012 UA
SLV 2/2012 El Salvador
Independence of
judges and lawyers;
Supuesta injerencia en la independencia de la judicatura, y supuesto nombramiento de magistrados en violación de los estándares internacionales. Según las informaciones recibidas, el 24 de abril de 2012, la Asamblea Legislativa designó a los magistrados de la Corte Suprema de Justicia para el período 2012-2021, pese a que al iniciar su legislatura en el 2009 ya habían electo a los magistrados para el período de 2009-2018. Frente a esta decisión se presentaron demandas de inconstitucionalidad, que fueron admitidas y resueltas por la Sala de lo Constitucional de la Corte Suprema de Justicia, la cual declaró inconstitucional a los Decretos Legislativos por los cuales la Asamblea Legislativa nombró por segunda vez a magistrados de la Corte Suprema. La Asamblea Legislativa recurrió a la Corte Centroamericana de Justicia. El 21 de junio de 2012, la Corte Centroamericana de Justicia dictó una medida cautelar, suspendiendo los efectos de las sentencias emitidas por la Sala de lo Constitucional de la Corte Suprema de Justicia, en tanto la Corte se pronuncie de manera definitiva. El 28 de junio, la Asamblea Legislativa reformó la Ley Orgánica Judicial con el efecto de que, aparentemente, en este momento estarían funcionando dos Corte Supremas de Justicia. La independencia de Judicatura fue objeto de comunicaciones anteriores (véase A/HRC/21/49, SLV 1/2012).
14/10/2012
13/07/2012 JUA
IND 6/2012 India
Arbitrary detention;
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders;
Allegations of harassment against members of the Peoples Movement Against Nuclear Energy (PMANE) and other human rights defenders. According to the information received, since September 2009, individuals who have been peacefully protesting against the Koodankulam Nuclear Power Project (KNPP), amidst fear of adverse effects on the health and livelihoods of local residents, have been arrested and charged under several provisions of the Indian Penal Code and Criminal Procedure Code. In total, 203 women and men were arrested, among them PMANE‘s legal advisor Mr. Sivasubramanian, and leading PMANE activists Mr. Rajalingam, and Mr. R. S. Muhilan. On 23 March 2012, Mr. Sathish Kumar, a youth organizer, was arrested. On 29 March 2012, the residence of Mr. Udhayakumar, convenor of PMANE and director of the South Asian Community Centre for Education and Research (SACCER), was searched. On 11 May 2012, Mr. V. Rajalingam, a member of the PNAME Struggle Committee, was reportedly physically and verbally abused, near the East Bazaar of Koodankulam.
16/07/2012
A /H
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4 6
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
13/07/2012 JUA
IRN 17/2012 Iran (Islamic
Republic of)
Freedom of religion;
Iran; Summary
executions;
Alleged imminent execution of a follower of the Ahl-e Haqq faith in Mahabad prison. According to the information received, Mr. Yunes Aghayan, a follower of the Ahl-e Haqq (Yarsan/Yari) faith in the village of Ooch-Tappeh was sentenced to death on the charge of ―mohareb‖ (enmity against God) on
the basis of ―armed resistance against the Islamic Republic of Iran‖ for his
participation in clashes between the police and followers of his faith. On 20 June 2012, Mr. Yunes Aghayan was reportedly transferred from Orumiyeh Prison to Mahabad Police Headquarters, suggesting that his execution may be imminent. . Allegedly on 23 June 2012, the Head of Mahabad Prison Sentence Enforcement Unit stated that they were awaiting orders from the Supreme Court, and if Mr. Aghayan‘s sentence was finalized, the execution
would take place in the coming days This case was the subject of an earlier communication (see A/HRC/13/40/Add.1, para 147).
26/09/2012
13/07/2012 UA
USA 10/2012 United States of
America
Summary executions;
Alleged imposition of the death penalty on two individuals with psychosocial disabilities and in violation of due process safeguards. According to the information received, Mssrs. Yokamon Laneal Hearn and Warren Hill were sentenced to death for murder in the states of Texas and Georgia, respectively. Their executions were scheduled to take place on 18 July 2012. In both cases, it is reported that the two defendants have psychosocial disabilities and there are concerns of lack of compliance with fair trial guarantees.
16/10/2012
16/07/2012 JAL
PAN 5/2012 Panama
Adequate housing;
Food;
Presuntas amenazas de desalojos forzosos en el contexto de diversos proyectos de desarrollo urbano y turístico en la Isla Pedro González, y en las Comunidades Santa Clara y Pacora de la Provincia de Coclé. Según las informaciones recibidas, en la Isla Pedro González, los habitantes ya habrían sido desalojados de sus tierras, a pesar de luchas contra dicha medida durante cuatro años, y podrían ser desalojados de sus viviendas. En las comunidades Santa Clara y Pacora, alrededor de treinta y siete familias estarían en riesgo de sufrir desalojos forzosos como resultado de acciones judiciales por parte de particulares que alegan tener la propiedad de los predios en los que habitan, a pesar de que los territorios tendrían restricciones constitucionales que impedirían su enajenación. Aparente intervención policial, con uso de gas lacrimógeno y balas de salva, habría tenido lugar en respuesta a las protestas de los residentes de las comunidades.
A /H
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/6 7
4
7
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
16/07/2012 JUA
ARE 5/2012 United Arab
Emirates
Arbitrary detention;
Freedom of
expression; Human
rights defenders;
Alleged imminent expulsion of human rights defender. According to the information received, Mr Ahmed Abdul Khaleq Ahmed Karim Al Baloushi, a stateless person of Emirati origin who resides in the United Arab Emirates, applied for Comorian citizenship on behalf of his family in early 2012 after being allegedly pressured by authorities to do so. On 22 May 2012, Mr. Abdul Khaleq was summoned to the Department of Immigration of the Ajman Emirate where he was allegedly immediately arrested without the presentation of an arrest warrant. He was detained in Al Sader prison. In early June 2012, Mr. Abdul Khaleq was reportedly asked by authorities to choose between five countries to be expelled to in light of the fact that Comoros do not accept persons of ‗economic citizenship‘. According to reports, Mr. Abdul Khaleq was to be expelled from the United Arab Emirates to Thailand on Monday 16 July 2012. Mr. Abdul Khaleq was the subject of previous communications (see above, case no. ARE 4/2012).
18/07/2012 JAL
AFG 1/2012 Afghanistan
Human rights
defenders; Summary
executions; Violence
against women;
Alleged killing of two women. According to information received, in early July 2012, Ms. Najiba, a 22 year old woman allegedly accused of adultery, was killed in public, amidst a crowd. A video showing her killing was afterwards made public and widely distributed among social media. It is reported that Ms. Najiba was married to a Taliban member, and was accused of committing adultery with a Taliban commander. It was also reported that on 13 July 2012, Ms. Hanifa Safi, a regional representative of the Afghan Ministry of Women Affairs in Laghman province, and her husband were killed while driving through the provincial capital, Mehtar Lam, when a bomb allegedly attached to their car exploded. Ms. Safi was reportedly the second provincial head of women‘s affairs to be assassinated since these posts were
created.
04/10/2012
A /H
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4 8
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
18/07/2012 AL
HND 6/2012 Honduras
Summary executions;
Presunta muerte violenta de civiles durante operativo militar. Según las informaciones recibidas, el 11 de mayo de 2012, en la Mosquitia hondureña un operativo militar, integrado por cuatro helicópteros y dos aviones, y donde habrían habido agentes hondureños y de la Administración de Lucha contra las Drogas de los Estados Unidos de América, habría interceptado y abierto fuego contra una barcaza en la que viajaban un grupo de personas (civiles desarmados). La barcaza navegaba por el río Patuca, (Departamento de Gracias a Dios). Este hecho habría causado la muerte de cuatro personas, la Sra. Canderalaría Pratt Nelson, el Sr. Emerson Martínez Henriquez, la Sra. Juana Jackson Ambrocio y un menor de 14 años, e herido a otras cuatro, el Sr. Lucio Adán Nelson Queen, la Sra. Hilda Rosa Lezama, el Sr. Melaño Olopio y un menor de 14 años. Los hechos se enmarcarían en el contexto del programa de cooperaciones antidrogas que el Gobierno de Honduras ejecuta con el Gobierno de Estados Unidos.
18/07/2012 JAL
PAK 9/2012 Pakistan
Human rights
defenders; Summary
executions; Violence
against women;
Alleged killing of a woman human right defender in Hayatabad. According to information received, on 4 July 2012, at approximately 6:30 a.m., Ms. Fareeda Afridi was on her way from her house in Tehsil Jamrud Ghundi Kali to her office in Hayatabad, when she was reportedly cornered by two motorcyclists who shot and killed her. Ms. Afridi was a 25-year-old activist who, together with her sister Noorzia Afridi, co-founded Sawera, the Society for Appraisal and Women Empowerment in Rural Areas, an organization focusing on promoting women's and children's rights, their education and empowerment.
19/07/2012
A /H
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4
9
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
18/07/2012 AL
USA 11/2012 United States of
America
Summary executions;
Alleged killings of civilians during a military operation. According to the information received, on 11 May 2012, in a region called Mosquitia in Honduras, a military operation supported by four helicopters and two aircraft, carrying Honduran agents and Drug Enforcement Administration officials from the United States of America, intercepted a boat in which a group of civilians was traveling on the Patuca river in the Ahuas community (Department of Gracias a Dios). One of the helicopters opened fire on the boat which led to the death of four people: Ms. Candelaria Pratt Nelson; Mr. Emerson Martínez Henriquez; Ms. Juana Jackson Ambrocio; and a minor aged 14, and four others were wounded: Mr. Lucio Adán Nelson Queen; Ms. Hilda Rosa Lezama Kenreth; Mr. Melaño Olopio; and a minor aged 14. These facts are framed in the context of the anti-drug cooperation program that the Government of the United States of America supports together with the Government of Honduras.
19/07/2012 JAL
BRA 8/2012 Brazil
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders;
Allegations of acts of harassment, intimidation and criminalization of activists and human rights defenders of the Movimento Xingu Vivo Para Sempre (MXVPS) in the context of the protests against the construction of a Hydroelectric Power Plant complex in Belo Monte, in the State of Pará. According to the information received, a conference entitled Xingu +23 was organized from 13 to 17 June by the MXVPS in the town of Santo Antonio to commemorate the 23 years of protest against the Belo Monte dam project. On 13 June, a judge decided against the organization of the event, finding Ms. Antônia Melo, Mr. Ruy Marques, Ms. Mônica Brito Soares and Mr. Lárazo José da Silva Verçosa, members of the MXVPS, responsible for trespassing, harassing or disturbing purported property. Following an alleged investigation of the activities of the Xingu +23 event, the civil police of the State of Pará issued an arrest warrant of 11 persons, including Ms. Antônia Melo, Mr. Ruy Marques, Father Alirio Bervian, Sisters Agnes and Flora Wenzel, Mr. Elio Alves, and Mr. Rafael Salazar.
A /H
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5 0
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
19/07/2012 UA
ECU 1/2012 Ecuador
Freedom of
expression;
Alegaciones de restricciones a la libertad de expresión y de opinión, que pudieran resultar del proyecto de Ley Orgánica de Comunicación. Según las informaciones recibidas, el Proyecto de Ley en su Título III, Capítulo II establece un Consejo de Regulación y Desarrollo de la Comunicación, quien tendría, entre otras potestades, la de establecer ―[…] los parámetros técnicos para la definición de audiencias, franjas horarias, clasificación de programación y calificación de contenidos‖. El Consejo al determinar de
manera autónoma y discrecional dichos parámetros, podría limitar directamente las libertades de expresión y de opinión. El artículo 103 de la Ley restringiría la libertad de expresión de las personas naturales o jurídicas extranjeras tanto en Ecuador, como en el exterior, puesto que no podrían difundir ningún tipo de publicidad a través de los medios de comunicación. Al mismo tiempo se limitaría la libertad de los nacionales ecuatorianos de importar publicidad extranjera.
03/09/2012
19/07/2012 JUA
ERI 1/2012 Eritrea
Arbitrary detention;
Freedom of religion;
Health;
Alleged seven-year incommunicado detention and violation of the right to freedom of religion. According to the information received, Patriarch Abune Antonios of the Eritrean Orthodox Tewhado Church was put under house arrest in January 2006 for refusing to excommunicate 3,000 members of the Medhane Alem Sunday School movement and calling for the release of other imprisoned Christians. On 27 May 2007, Patriarch Antonios was forcibly removed from his residence and taken to an undisclosed location. He has since then been detained incommunicado. Patriarch Antonios, who is 85 years old, has allegedly been denied medical assistance for his severe diabetes and deteriorating health. Patriarch Antonios has also been allegedly denied access to religious support and has not been able to celebrate the Holy Eucharist and observe special feast days. This case was the subject of an earlier communication (see A/HRC/7/10/Add.1, para 91).
A /H
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/6 7
5
1
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
19/07/2012 JUA
THA 3/2012 Thailand
Discrimination
against women in law
and in practice;
Migrants;
Trafficking; Violence
against women;
Alleged human rights implications of proposed regulations which would require the deportation of pregnant migrant workers from Thailand to give birth in their home country. According to the information received, the Minister of Labour has proposed to introduce a regulation to deport pregnant migrant workers from Thailand. A working group under the Labour Ministry‘s Department of Labour Protection and Welfare has two months to
draft regulations for the implementation of this proposal. Reportedly, many pregnant workers are uncertain about their ability to reclaim their jobs upon returning to Thailand, and are concerned about the possibility of additional expenses incurred related to travel and recruitment fees. It is also feared that pregnant migrant women may seek unsafe abortions as their only option to stay employed, exposing them to serious health risks, including risk of death.
26/07/2012
20/07/2012 JUA
SOM 1/2012 Somalia
Freedom of
expression;
Summary executions;
Alleged killings of, and attacks on, journalists in relation to their professional activities. According to the information received, six journalists have been killed in Somalia in 2012, namely Messrs. Abukar Mohamed Kadaf, Ali Ahmed Abdi, Mahad Salad Adan, Farhan James Abdulle, Hassan Osman Abdi and Ahmed Addow Anshur. Additionally, two journalists, Messrs. Abdulkadir Omar Abdulle and X, have been attacked, respectively, on 7 and 12 July 2012. In all cases, the victims are believed to have been targeted in relation to their professional activities as journalists.
23/07/2012 AL
POL 1/2012 Poland
Freedom of peaceful
assembly and of
association;
Allegation of legislative amendments that may unduly limit the right of peaceful assembly. According to the information received, amendments to the 1990 Law on assembly would, if passed, impede the enjoyment of the right of freedom of peaceful assembly. The time frame to submit notification for holding an assembly would be, if these amendments were passed, extended from 3 to 6 days. Furthermore, some of the proposed amendments would prevent facilitating the holding of simultaneous assemblies. The law would also provide a fine of up to 7.000 PLN (about 2.000€) on organizers who
would fail to fulfill duties according to the amendments and a fine up to 10,000 PLN (about 2,500€) for anyone who does not comply with the orders
of the leader of an assembly.
A /H
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5 2
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
23/07/2012 JUA
PRT 1/2012 Portugal
Adequate housing;
Extreme poverty;
Minority issues;
According to information received, in the settlement of Bairro de Santa Filomena, located in Amadora, 85 families (280 individuals) were living under the threat of imminent eviction without having been provided with adequate alternative housing options. The inhabitants were notified of demolitions starting 17 July 2012, and others were scheduled for 19 and 25 July. Furthermore inhabitants were notified by the Municipal Council that they must leave their homes before the end of the month with no indication of a specific date. Half the families have been living in the neighbourhood for over ten years and several families have been living in the settlement for two to three decades. Rehousing alternatives proposed by the Municipal Council – either alternative housing for a selected number of families or social security support for a short period to rent elsewhere - are allegedly inadequate and unacceptable to the inhabitants. Inhabitants were allegedly notified that the demolition would happen with or without their cooperation and with police intervention if necessary.
24/07/2012 11/09/2012
24/07/2012 JUA
BHR 6/2012 Bahrain
Arbitrary detention;
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders;
Independence of
judges and lawyers;
Alleged arbitrary detention, sentencing and trial of a human rights defender. According to the information received, on 9 July 2012, Mr. Nabeel Rajab, Director of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR), President of the Gulf Centre for Human Rights (GCHR) and Deputy Secretary General of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), was forcibly arrested at his house by police officers after the Court sentenced him to three months imprisonment on charges of alleged libeling of the residents of the town of Al Muharraq through comments posted on his Twitter account on 2 June 2012. It is reported that his detention may be related to his comments and statements expressed through Twitter, in which he was criticizing the Prime Minister of Bahrain who was visiting the town of Muharraq, and that the libel case against Mr. Nabeel Rajab was allegedly filed in the name of Muharraq residents by persons who are part of or affiliated with the Government.
24/08/2012
A /H
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5
3
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
24/07/2012 JAL
IDN 6/2012 Indonesia
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Summary executions;
Torture;
Allegations of harassment of members of the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) in the exercise of their right to freedom of peaceful assembly in two separate events. According to the information received, on 1 May 2012, Mr. Theorelli Karoba was shot dead in front of the military base Koramil in Abepura after attending a peaceful demonstration organized by the KNPB. On 4 June 2012, Messrs Yesa Mirin and Panuel Tablo were reportedly killed by security forces after being prevented from assembling peacefully. 45 protestors were arrested and detained, several of whom were physically assaulted by security forces.
25/09/2012
25/07/2012 JAL
NGA 2/2012 Nigeria
Adequate housing;
Extreme poverty;
Alleged forced eviction of up to 20,000 residents of the Abonnema Wharf Community in Port Harcourt. According to the information received, from 27 June to 2 July 2012, an estimated 10,000 to 20,000 residents of the Abonnema Wharf Community in Port Harcourt, capital of Rivers State, were evicted and their homes destroyed. Allegedly the Rivers State authorities declared that the eviction was carried out in order to reduce criminal gang activity in the area. Reportedly, the demolitions were carried out in bad weather and thousands of people were left homeless as most residents were not offered any compensation or alternative housing. Allegedly, a negotiation process to offer compensation to landlords was far from being completed when the eviction took place and an interim injunction order issued on 11 November 2011 by the Rivers State High Court had called upon the Rivers State authorities not to carry out demolitions and evictions in Abonnema Wharf pending a full hearing of the case.
06/08/2012 12/11/2012
25/07/2012 AL
PER 1/2012 Peru
Health;
Alegaciones recibidas sobre la Ley Peruana No. 29737, que presuntamente permite la detención involuntaria de las personas "con problemas de salud mental". Según la información recibida, en julio de 2011 entró en vigor la Ley No. 29737, que permite el internamiento involuntario y el tratamiento obligatorio para las personas que sufran de farmacodependencia o alcoholismo. Conforme a las alegaciones, alrededor del ochenta por ciento de las instituciones dedicadas a dicho fin no tienen licencia ni cuentan con personal calificado. De igual forma, supuestamente dos incendios ocurridos el 28 de enero y el 5 de mayo de 2012 habrían resultado en la muerte de 29 y 14 personas, respectivamente, quienes por estar retenidos por la fuerza en dichos centros, no pudieron escapar de los incendios.
A /H
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/2 2
/6 7
5 4
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
25/07/2012 JAL
PHL 4/2012 Philippines
Torture; Violence
against women;
Alleged torture by forces associated with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the failure of the authorities to investigate and hold the perpetrators accountable. According to the information received, Ms. Melissa Roxas was abducted, detained, and tortured by forces associated with the AFP from 20 to 25 May 2009. According to the allegation, remedy was sought through the Court of Appeals in the Philippines, but while the Court included in its findings that Ms. Roxas was subject to detention and torture, there had been no effort to hold the perpetrators accountable. In addition, investigations by the National Commission for Human Rights have allegedly been significantly obstructed by the military.
25/07/2012 JAL
THA 4/2012 Thailand
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders;
Allegations of charges against trade unionists for leading a peaceful demonstration. According to the information received, on 27 August 2009, Ms. Jittra Kotchadej, Ms. Boonrod Paiwong, and Mr. Soonthorn Boonyord led a peaceful assembly of around 400 labour activists to follow up on the authorities‘ announcement to provide assistance to 2,000 workers who were dismissed by Triumph International factories. Law enforcement authorities allegedly dispersed the peaceful assembly by using Long Range Acoustic Devices (LRAD), which caused auditory trauma to several demonstrators. On 27 January 2011, Ms. Jittra Kotchadej, Ms. Boonrod Paiwong, and Mr. Soonthorn Boonyord were reportedly charged under sections 215 and 216 of the Criminal Code..
25/07/2012 JUA
VEN 5/2012 Venezuela
(Bolivarian
Republic of)
Summary executions;
Torture;
Alegaciones de muerte violenta de 18 internos, además al menos 17 internos y cinco los funcionarios de la Guardia Nacional habrían sido heridos. Según las informaciones recibidas, varios actos violentos entre internos, funcionarios civiles y personal militar perteneciente a la Guardia Nacional habrían sucedido en el Centro Penitenciario de la Región Andina (CEPRA), en el Sector Estanquillo Alto de San Juan de Lagunillas, municipio Sucre del estado de Mérida entre marzo y julio 2012. Estos hechos habrían ocasionado heridas considerables a 17 internos y cinco funcionarios de la Guardia Nacional y la muerte de 18 internos. A este ambiente se sumaría la situación de carencia, infraestructuras en mal estado, paupérrimas condiciones de salud y alimentación a las que los presos estarían sometidos. Además, existiría tráfico interno de armas de fuego, droga, celulares, cuchillos y puñales en la prisión que ayudarían a potenciar y mantener el ambiente de violencia en el interior del penal.
A /H
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/6 7
5
5
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
26/07/2012 UA
IRQ 2/2012 Iraq
Summary executions;
Alleged imminent risk of execution of 196 prisoners. According to the information received, on 23 July 2012, the Iraqi Ministry of Interior announced on its website that the Court of Cassation had upheld 196 death sentences in Anbar province, west of Baghdad, according to the chief of police of the province. The latter reportedly expressed his hope that the sentences would be carried out soon. No details were disclosed about the names of the individuals concerned, nor the charges of which they were found guilty.
26/07/2012 JUA
PER 2/2012 Peru
Extreme poverty;
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders; Summary
executions;
Alegaciones de actos de violencia y ejecuciones extrajudiciales en el contexto de las protestas sociales contra proyectos de explotación minera llevadas a cabo en Cajamarca y en Espinar. Según la información recibida, el 3 de julio de 2012, se habría convocado un acto de protesta en Celendín contra el proyecto de explotación minera Conga, ejecutado por la empresa Yanacocha, cuyo principal inversor es Newmont Mining Corporation. Se informa que hubo serios enfrentamientos entre la policía y los manifestantes, en su mayoría campesinos, con al menos 31 personas heridas incluyendo a 4 policías, y 5 manifestantes fallecidos por impacto de bala. Asimismo, el 21 de mayo se habría declarado una huelga indefinida en Espinar como acto de protesta por los estragos causados por la explotación minera de la empresa Xstrata Tintaya. El 28 de mayo se habrían registrado serios enfrentamientos entre la policía y los manifestantes, resultando en al menos 40 heridos y 2 manifestantes fallecidos por impacto de bala.
A /H
R C
/2 2
/6 7
5 6
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
27/07/2012 JUA
IDN 7/2012 Indonesia
Summary executions;
Torture;
Alleged increasing climate of violence, including unlawful killings by both State authorities (police and military forces) and non-State actors, as well as excessive use of force. According to the information received, a series of violent incidents occurred between 30 April and 9 July 2012 in Papua and West Papua, resulting in numerous deaths and injuries. On 30 April, Mr. Selfius Bobii, detainee at Abepura Correctional Facility was reportedly put in solitary confinement. Prison inmates requested that Mr. Bobii be returned to his cell. Furthermore, about 41 prisoners were reportedly tortured and ill- treated by prison guards. As a result, it is reported that two prisoners named Messrs. Hendrik Kenelak and Otto Ikinia fainted and another, Mr. Parmen Wenda, had his arm broken. On 15 May, in Degeuwo, Paniai District, West Papua, Lukas Kegepe (also known as Lukas Tobeta), was reportedly hit by Mobile Police Brigade officers, and Mr. Melianus Kegepe (also known as Melianus Gayampa), was shot twice in the abdomen. Amos Kegepe was shot three times. Markus and Selvius Kegepe decided to run away, but the latter was shot three times. On 6 June, residents of Kampung Honai Lama village, Wamena, Papua reportedly chased and assaulted two military officers. In retaliation, military officers attacked villagers, resulting in the death of Elinus Yoman. Sixteen individuals, Yeremia Kogoya, Pikenus Wenda, Lenius Wenda, Otniel Krebea, Yuri Bugi, Dapus Nirigi, Pianus Nirigi, Enos Lokmbere, Elianus Kalolik, Tius Hilapok, Pianus Nirigi, Enos Lokmbere, Elianus Kalolik, Tius Hilapok, Perius Seleken, and Jekson Gwijangge were injured. On 7 June, Mr. Teyu Tabuni, a resident of Jayapura, Papua, was reportedly shot dead by police officers. On 14 June, a Papuan police officer allegedly shot Mr. Mako Tabuni, the deputy chair of the National Committee for West Papua (KNPB), in Abepura, Jayapura regency. On 6 July, the bodies of three individuals, including two civilians named ―Aco‖ and Ms. Nini
Rosmini and a soldier, Warrant Officer Sunaryo, member of Paniai district military command, were found stabbed to death by locals in a house-shop near a gold mine in Ndeotadi which belonged to the soldier. On 9 July, Ms. Eva Cristianity was found stabbed to death on the streets of Jayapura.
25/09/2012
A /H
R C
/2 2
/6 7
5
7
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
27/07/2012 JUA
IRN 18/2012 Iran (Islamic
Republic of)
Freedom of
expression; Human
rights defenders;
Iran;
Alleged ongoing harassment of the family members of a prominent human rights lawyer. According to the information received, Mr Reza Khandan, the husband of Ms Nasrin Sotoudeh, who is currently serving six year prison sentence, and their 12 year old daughter, have been subjected to a travel ban. This is apparently aimed to force Mr Reza to stop campaigning for the release of Ms Sotoudeh.
28/11/2012
27/07/2012 JUA
MYS 5/2012 Malaysia
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders; Minority
issues;
Alleged revoking of human rights defender‘s passport and risk of detention upon his planned return to Malaysia. According to the information received, Mr. P. Waytha Moorthy has been living in exile in the United Kingdom since 9 September 2008, when he was granted political asylum after the Malaysian authorities reportedly revoked his passport. Mr. P. Waytha Moorthy is a lawyer and chairperson of Hindu Rights Action Force (HINDRAF), an organization working to promote human rights in Malaysia, and in particular, to defend the rights of the Malaysian Indian minority. Following a mass rally organized by HINDRAF in November 2007 to protest against the human rights violations of minority Indians, several members of HINDRAF were allegedly arrested and detained under the Internal Security Act. The alleged arrest of family members of HINDRAF lawyers, including Ms P. Vwaishhnnavi, daughter of Mr. P. Waytha Moorthy, and the decision to declare HINDRAF illegal, were the subject of a previous communication (see A/HRC/10/12/Add.1 para 1640). The alleged harassment and arrest of members of HINDRAF was also the subject of a previous communication (see A/HRC/18/51, MYS 5/2011).
29/08/2012
A /H
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5 8
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
27/07/2012 JUA
MRT 2/2012 Mauritanie
Arbitrary detention;
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Freedom of religion;
Human rights
defenders; Slavery;
Summary executions;
Terrorism;
Allégation de détentions de défenseurs de droits de l‘homme et procédures
judiciaires à leur encontre en violation du droit à un procès équitable. Selon les informations reçues, M. Biram Ould Dah Ould Abeid, président de l‘Initiative pour la Résurgence du Mouvement Abolitionniste en Mauritanie (IRA), ainsi que M. Yacoub Diarra, M. Abidine Ould Maatala, M. Ahmed Hamdy Ould Hamar Vall, M. Boumediane Ould Batta, M. Leid Ould Lemlih et M. Oudeid Ould Imgine , membres et sympathisants de l‘IRA, sont en détention depuis leur arrestation le 28 avril 2012. Leurs arrestations feraient suite à la destruction par le feu, par M. Ould Dah Ould Abeid, de livres de droit islamique qui seraient, selon lui, utilisés pour justifier l‘esclavage. Le 2
mai 2012, M. Ould Dah Ould Abeid et des sympathisants de l‘IRA auraient été présentés à un magistrat et accusés d‘atteinte à la sûreté de l‘Etat,
d‘obscénité et de violation du Code des Associations, sans la présence de
leurs avocats. M. Ould Dah Ould Abeid a fait l‘objet de communications antérieures (voir A/HRC/18/51, MRT 3/2010).
27/07/2012 UA
USA 12/2012 United States of
America
Summary executions;
Alleged imposition of the death penalty on two individuals with psychosocial disabilities. According to the information received, Messrs. Marcus Ray Tyrone Druery and Daniel Wayne Cook were convicted of murder and sentenced to death in Texas and Arizona, respectively. In both cases, evidence points to the conclusion that they suffer from psychosocial disabilities. Mr. Druery‘s execution was scheduled to take place on 1 August 2012, and the
execution of Mr. Cook on 8 August 2012.
14/08/2012
A /H
R C
/2 2
/6 7
5
9
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
31/07/2012 JAL
DZA 2/2012 Algérie
Disappearances;
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders; Summary
executions;
Allégations d‘un usage excessif de la force et de restrictions illégitimes au
droit à la liberté de réunion pacifique. Selon les informations reçues, le 5 juillet 2012, un rassemblement pacifique sur la place du 1er mai à Alger aurait été organisé par le Collectif des Familles de Disparus en Algérie (CFDA), SOS Disparus et le Comité national pour la défense des droits de chômeurs (CNDDC). La police serait intervenue et aurait violemment dispersé les manifestants qui se seraient comportés de manière pacifique. Plusieurs manifestants auraient été molestés et jetés à terre, parmi lesquels Mme Fatima Yous, présidente de l‘association SOS Disparus, âgée de 78 ans. La police
aurait procédé à l‘arrestation de quatre personnes proches de l‘association SOS disparus, MM. Hacene Ferhati, Slimane Hamitouche, Youcef Kyzra et M‘barek Hamdane. Le 11 juillet 2012, une marche depuis la ville Blida vers
la capitale Alger aurait été organisée par environ 30.000 gardes communaux. La manifestation aurait été violemment dispersée. Un manifestant, M. Lasfer Said, aurait reçu un certain nombre de coups au cours d‘échauffourées avec la
police et serait décédé le lendemain. 700 personnes auraient été arrêtées et 43 auraient reçu une convocation à comparaitre devant le tribunal de Birmandreis, le 24 octobre 2012 prochain, pour attroupement sur la voie publique, outrage envers des corps constitués et obstacle de la voie publique.
01/10/2012
31/07/2012 JAL
CHL 3/2012 Chile
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders; Summary
executions;
Alegaciones de uso excesivo y desproporcionado de la fuerza por parte de la policía contra un grupo de menores de edad. Según la información recibida, el 23 de julio de 2012, se habría llevado a cabo un acto de protesta en la región de Araucanía mediante la ocupación de las fincas de Montenegro y La Romana por parte de un grupo de aproximadamente 80 comuneros. Los manifestantes reclamaban la devolución de estas propiedades. Según se informa, aproximadamente 200 agentes carabineros habrían desalojado a los manifestantes por la fuerza resultando con 12 mapuches detenidos, los cuales fueron trasladados a un centro hospitalario. Al día siguiente, un grupo de menores de edad se habrían acercado a las inmediaciones del centro hospitalario con el fin de averiguar el estado de salud de sus familiares detenidos tras las protestas. La policía les habría desalojado con disparos de arma de fuego, hiriendo de gravedad a varios menores de edad.
07/09/2012
A /H
R C
/2 2
/6 7
6 0
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
31/07/2012 JUA
ETH 4/2012 Ethiopia
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders;
Terrorism;
Alleged sentencing of human rights defender. According to the information received, on 27 June 2012, Mr. Eskinder Nega Fenta along with journalists Messrs. Mesfin Negash, Abiye Teklemariam, Abebe Gellaw, Abebe Belew and Fasil Yenealem, who were reportedly in exile and tried in absentia, were found guilty of terrorism, treason and espionage under the Criminal Code of Ethiopia and the Anti-Terrorism Law. According to reports, the presiding judge accused the journalists of ―attempting to incite violence and overthrow
the constitutional order‖ and the prosecutor allegedly requested life
imprisonment. On 13 July 2012, Mr. Eskinder Nega Fenta was reportedly sentenced to 18 years in prison. The prominent journalist and blogger, and 23 other individuals, were charged with terrorism-related offenses in November 2011, reportedly in connection with an article Mr. Nega Fenta wrote in September 2011, in which he called for greater freedom of expression and of association in Ethiopia. Mr. Nega Fenta was the subject of previous communications (see A/HRC/20/30, case no ETH 7/2011).
14/12/2012
31/07/2012 JUA
IRN 19/2012 Iran (Islamic
Republic of)
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Independence of
judges and lawyers;
Iran; Minority
issues; Summary
executions;
Terrorism; Torture;
Alleged torture and risk of imminent execution of five representatives of the Ahwazi Arab minority. According to the information received, Messrs. Mohammad Ali Amouri, Sayed Jaber Alboshoka, Sayed Mokhtar Alboshoka, Hashem Sha‘bani Amouri, and Hadi Rashidi (or Rashedi), all representatives
of the Ahwazi Arab minority in the Islamic Republic of Iran, have been sentenced to death for terrorism-related charges, including moharebeh (―enmity against God‖), efsad-e fel arz (―sowing corruption on earth‖), ―gathering and colluding against State security‖ and ―spreading propaganda
against the system‖, which are not considered as most serious crimes under
international law. Following a trial that allegedly did not comply with international human rights law provisions of fair trial and due process, they are reported to be at risk of imminent execution. It is further alleged that they have been subjected to torture or ill-treatment.
31/07/2012 AL
USA 13/2012 United States of
America
Torture;
Alleged mistreatment by the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). According to information received, on 21 April 2012, Mr. Daniel Chong, a 23 year old University of California San Diego student, was detained following a drug raid on the apartment in which Mr. Chong was smoking marijuana. At the local DEA field office in San Diego, California, he was then reportedly placed in a five-foot by ten-foot windowless holding cell, handcuffed and left for five days without access to food, water, or restroom facilities.
01/10/2012
A /H
R C
/2 2
/6 7
6
1
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
02/08/2012 JUA
GEO 1/2012 Georgia
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders; Torture;
Alleged detention and torture at the Police Temporary Detention Isolator (TDI) in the Kvareli District of Georgia. According to the information received, on 28 May 2012, Mr. Irakli Beraia, a member of the Youth Movement ―November 7‖ was detained during a peaceful protest outside of
the Georgian Parliament Building in Tbilisi. Despite the fact that his trial took place in Tbilisi, he was transported to the Kvareli District for detention in the Temporary Detention Isolator (TDI) over 140 kilometres from the location of his trial. It is alleged that for the first three days of his detention, before being given access to his lawyer, Mr. Beraira was subjected to beatings; denied adequate food, clean water, or sanitation; and had swarms of locusts placed in his cell by prison guards. It is also alleged that communications with his family were denied. Finally, it is alleged that the prosecutor‘s office failed to
exercise its duty to investigate these charges once they became public in a press conference held on 29 June 2012.
26/09/2012
02/08/2012 JAL
VNM 3/2012 Viet Nam
Freedom of
expression; Human
rights defenders;
Allegation that a draft decree on ―management, provision and use of internet services and information on the network‖ would run contrary to the right to
freedom of expression. According to information received, the draft decree contains provisions which would run contrary to the right to freedom of expression, in particular provisions prohibiting the use of Internet for certain purposes, dealing with the responsibility of Internet service providers and other intermediaries, and requiring that Internet service providers should filter information. In addition, the draft decree would require Internet users to use their real name when posting information.
15/10/2012
A /H
R C
/2 2
/6 7
6 2
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
03/08/2012 AL
CHL 4/2012 Chile
Indigenous peoples;
Alegaciones sobre la situación del supuesto uso excesivo de la fuerza por parte de la policía contra menores de edad en relación con actos de protesta ocurridas en la región de Araucanía. En la carta, el Relator Especial sobre los derechos de los pueblos indígenas comunica su adhesión a las expresiones de preocupación por esta situación que fueron transmitidas por el Relator Especial sobre la promoción y protección de libertad expresión y opinión; el Relator Especial sobre el derecho de libertad de reunión y asociación pacíficas; la Relatora Especial sobre la situación de los defensores de los derechos humanos; y el Relator especial sobre ejecuciones extrajudiciales, sumarias y arbitrarias, en su carta con fecha 31 de julio de 2012 (Ref. CHL 3/2012). El Relator Especial solicita al Gobierno que, además de contestar a las preguntas planteadas por los Relatores Especiales en la carta del 31 de julio de 2012, le proporcione información actualizada sobre los pasos que el Gobierno ha realizado para tratar el asunto de tierras indígenas mapuche y de asegurar un comportamiento adecuado policial frente a actos de protesta social relativo a los reclamos territoriales indígenas.
13/08/2012 07/09/2012
03/08/2012 JUA
IRN 20/2012 Iran (Islamic
Republic of)
Arbitrary detention;
Freedom of religion;
Health; Iran;
Torture;
Alleged denial of access to medical treatment to a pastor in Ghezal Hesar Prison. According to the information received, Pastor Benham Irani was arrested on 31 May 2011, and transferred to Ghezal Hesar Prison where he is currently serving his sentences. Pastor Behnam Irani has allegedly been denied hospital treatment for severe bleeding due to stomach ulcers and complications with his colon that have caused him to lose consciousness temporarily. It was reported that Pastor Irani has received death threats from fellow prisoners and sustained regular beatings from his cell mates and prison authorities. It is reported that as a result of injuries sustained during these assaults, he has difficulty walking. Pastor Irani also has problem with his vision and is in poor health. Pastor Irani was the subject of previous communications (see A/HRC/18/51, IRN 4/2011).
A /H
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/6 7
6
3
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
03/08/2012 UA
NGA 3/2012 Nigeria
Adequate housing;
Alleged forced eviction and demolition of an informal settlement in Lagos. According to the information received, on 16 July 2012, the Lagos State government commenced the demolition of the Makoko Waterfront following an open 72 hour quit notice, dated 12 July 2012, issued to some residents by the Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructure Development. Between 16 and 21 July the Lagos State demolition squad, backed by heavily armed policemen, reportedly destroyed the homes and properties of Makoko residents. Excessive force used by the Police allegedly caused the death of one resident, Timothy Azinkpono. At the time the communication was sent, over 30,000 residents, including women, children, and the elderly had allegedly lost their homes; over 120,000 people faced imminent displacement. Evictees were allegedly further endangered as many of them were then forced to live and sleep in their canoes. Reportedly, three children of one family drowned when their canoe capsized as they were sleeping during the night of 18 July. According to statements by public officials, the Lagos State government was not planning on any compensation or resettlement as the people concerned are not from Lagos.
A /H
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/2 2
/6 7
6 4
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
03/08/2012 JUA
SDN 5/2012 Sudan
Arbitrary detention;
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders; Sudan;
Summary executions;
Torture;
Allegations of excessive use of force in the context of peaceful demonstrations resulting in killings, injuries and torture and ill-treatment, and mass arrests. According to the information received, on 7 and 17 July 2012, security forces broke up peaceful demonstrations held in the Wad Nubawi neighborhood of Omdurman, a suburb of Khartoum, and in front of national security headquarters in central Khartoum. On 31 July, the Sudanese police and NISS fired live ammunition and tear gas on protesters in Nyala, South Darfur. Reportedly, twelve individuals, including at least five individuals under 18, who participated in the protest, died from gun shots, while several tens were wounded by sharp weapons. Additionally, mass arrests of peaceful protestors and human rights defenders have taken place. Mr. Mohammed Salah Mohammed was arrested on 24 June 2012 for having participated in a peaceful protest at the University of Khartoum, and subjected to torture and ill treatment in detention. It is also reported that Ms. Rashida Shams al-Din, Mr. Mohamed Al-Usbat, Ms. Nahid Gabralla, Ms. Amira Osman, Mr. Faisal Shabou, Mr. Tarig El Sheikh, Ms. Marwa el Tigany, Mr. Al Said Mustafa, Mr. Ramzi Yahia, Mr. Abdulgadir Mahmoud, Mr. Radwan Daoud, Mr. Abdul Rahman Abu Al Hassan, Mr. Ahmed Mohamed Abdallah, Mr. Adil Abdallah Nasr El Dein, Ms. Mai Shatta, Mr. Amro Hamd Omar, Mr. Satti Mohamed Alhaj, Mr. Fathi Albhiri, Mr. Radwan Daoud, Mr. Widad Dirwish and Mr. Ahmed Alkwarti, were arrested in the context of the recent protest movement, the majority of whom were not charged with criminal offences.
03/08/2012 UA
USA 14/2012 United States of
America
Summary executions;
Alleged imposition of the death penalty on an individual with intellectual disabilities – According to the information received, Mr. Marvin Wilson, a 54-year-old American, was convicted of murder and sentenced to death in
1994. In 1997, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals overturned his conviction. The following year, he was retried and sentenced to death. In 2003, the defendant‘s lawyers challenged their client‘s death sentence on the claim that he had intellectual disabilities. In 2004, a court-appointed neuropsychologist concluded that Mr. Wilson had intellectual disabilities. In November 2004, despite the mental health expert‘s diagnosis, the District Court for the Eastern District of Texas rejected the claim. In 2011, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit upheld the death sentence. Mr. Wilson was scheduled to be executed on 7 August 2012. His lawyers filed a petition for a writ of Certiorari to the United States Supreme Court.
16/10/2012
A /H
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6
5
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
07/08/2012 UA
COL 9/2012 Colombia
Indigenous peoples;
Alegación sobre la situación de los pueblos indígenas en el norte del Cauca, que han sido afectados por el conflicto armado entre grupos irregulares de la FARC y la Fuerza Pública. Según la información recibida, existe una vulnerabilidad continua del pueblo nasa y otros pueblos indígenas frente a la presencia militar y enfrentamientos armados dentro de sus territorios, especialmente en el norte del Cauca. Se alega que la presencia tanto del ejército como de grupos armados irregulares contribuye a las condiciones de violencia que han resultado en un gran número de muertos, heridos y daños a propiedades indígenas.
07/08/2012 JAL
IDN 8/2012 Indonesia
Freedom of religion;
Minority issues;
Alleged attacks on the Ahmadiyah place of worship and followers by the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) in Singaparna and Batam. According to the information received, on 20 April 2012, FPI members attacked Baitul Rahim mosque in Singaparna, West Java after the FPI leader delivered a speech at the mosque asserting that it should be closed down. Some mosque properties were reportedly destroyed. Before and during the attack, the police was allegedly present but did not take any measures to prevent it. On 27 April 2012 in Batam, the FPI members went to the Ruko Nagoya, an Ahmadiyah religious place, and took away all the books, Qurans and pictures of the fourth Ahmadiyah‘s Khalifah; and allegedly assaulted Mubaligh Nasrun, the
Ahmadiyah leader in that location. Reportedly, the FPI members took Mr. Nasrun and two other Ahmadiyah members, Messrs. Suwadi and Arief, to the Barelang District Police Station demanding the police to detain three of them, close down Ruko Nagoya or make them denounce their faith.
A /H
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/2 2
/6 7
6 6
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
07/08/2012 JUA
IRN 21/2012 Iran (Islamic
Republic of)
Iran; Summary
executions; Torture;
Alleged imposition of the death penalty on an individual for drugs offence. According to the information received, in June 2012, Mr Saeed Sedeghi was sentenced to death for his participation in the purchase and possession of 512 kilograms of methamphetamine. In July 2012 Mr. Sedeghi was brought before Branch 10 of Tehran‘s Revolutionary Court, where he was reportedly
required to sign a document, apparently informing him that his death sentence was going to be implemented. Moreover, Mr. Sedeghi had previously made an application to the Amnesty and Clemency Commission and he was never formally told of the outcome of this communication. On 1 August 2012, he was transferred from Soroush 111, also known as Tehran‘s Kahrizak
detention centre, to Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj. It is reported that he could be executed at any time in this centre. Mr. Saeed was the subject of a previous communication (see above, IRN 15/2012).
07/08/2012 UA
COD 3/2012 République
démocratique
du Congo
Summary executions;
Allégations de détérioration de la situation sécuritaire et d‘attaques perpétrées
contre la population civile dans la province du Nord-Kivu. Selon les informations reçues, la situation sécuritaire se serait détériorée dans la province du Nord-Kivu où des affrontements opposaient les forces armées de la République démocratique du Congo (FARDC) à des groupes armés, notamment le Mouvement des accords de Goma du 23 mars dit « M23 ». Certaines de ces attaques auraient causé la mort d‘au moins sept civils, dont
cinq hommes, notamment MM. Mwema Dunia, Serge Mukene, Kangitsi Mupenda, Semivumbi Ntbanyurga, et Fikiri Ntereye, et deux femmes, Mme Hamenya, épouse de M. Vatiri de Tchebumba, et Mme N‘Rabageni.
A /H
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/2 2
/6 7
6
7
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
07/08/2012 AL
USA 15/2012 United States of
America
Migrants;
Follow-up to two earlier communications concerning legislation which discriminates against migrants. A letter was sent by the Special Rapporteur on 16 September 2011, inter alia requesting information on measures taken to ensure that legislation at state and federal level ensures the protection of the human rights of migrants. Another letter was sent by the Special Rapporteur, jointly with two other mandates (racism and minorities) on 24 April 2012, concerning the Alabama Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act, which targets immigrants and people perceived to be immigrants, including persons of Hispanic origin, for harassment, intimidation, and punitive sanctions in the state of Alabama. The Special Rapporteur regretted the lack of response to these two letters. Furthermore, he requested information concerning the so- called ―administrative DREAM Act‖, as well as on the impact of the Supreme
Court decision concerning the Arizona Immigration Law.
09/08/2012 JUA
BHR 7/2012 Bahrain
Arbitrary detention;
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Allegations of arrest and detention of four peaceful demonstrators, and charges brought against them. According to the information received, Messrs X, aged 15, Y, aged 15, Naser Saeed Hassan, and Hassan Abdul Jalil al-Ekri were arrested during a reportedly peaceful anti-government demonstration in Bilad al-Qadeem, west of Manama. They were subsequently charged with rioting and ―illegal gathering‖, and were reportedly detained in the Dry Dock prison in Manama. Their detention was extended until 23 September 2012. Messrs X, Y, Naser Saeed Hassan and Hassan Abdul Jalil al-Ekri were reportedly not allowed to contact their lawyers, nor speak to their respective families, until 48 hours after their arrest.
04/10/2012
A /H
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/2 2
/6 7
6 8
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
09/08/2012 JUA
CHN 8/2012 China (People's
Republic of)
Arbitrary detention;
Cultural Rights;
Disappearances;
Education; Freedom
of expression;
Freedom of peaceful
assembly and of
association; Freedom
of religion; Minority
issues;
Alleged systematic undermining of the autonomous functions and the rights to freedom of religion, culture and expression of the Tibetan Buddhist community. According to the information received, new management policies of the monasteries and patriotic re-education or legal education campaigns in the Tibet Autonomous Region have led to the closure of monasteries and the violation of freedom of religion or belief. Tibetans are allegedly restrained from observing certain religious holidays or celebrations. Furthermore, there have reportedly been 46 cases of self-immolation since 2009; about 600 Tibetans were detained after the first incident of self-immolation in Lhasa while several hundreds of Tibetans were expelled from Lhasa. There were also reports of the arrests of Tibetan pilgrims who attended a ten-day teaching - the Kalachakra Initiation- given by the Dalai Lama in India. As many as 64 Tibetan intellectuals, including artists, writers, singers and teachers were allegedly arrested for exercising their right to freedom of expression and participation in cultural life especially after March 2008. Allegedly, the whereabouts of 37 of the detained intellectuals, including artists, are unknown.
28/09/2012
09/08/2012 JAL
COL 8/2012 Colombia
Adequate housing;
Food;
Alegaciones acerca de la situación de inseguridad de la tenencia de la comunidad de Las Pavas de aproximadamente 123 familias que supuestamente fueron desalojadas forzosamente en 2003, 2006 y 2009. Según las informaciones recibidas, las familias continúan en situación de inseguridad de la tenencia de la tierra, lo cual pone en riesgo sus derechos a un nivel de vida adecuado, a la vivienda y a la alimentación.
23/10/2012
09/08/2012 JUA
TUR 6/2012 Turkey
Arbitrary detention;
Disappearances;
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders;
Independence of
judges and lawyers;
Alleged detention and trial of human rights defender. According to the information received, in July 2012, Mr. Cemal Bektas, president of Yakay- der, an organization which works to clarify the circumstances of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial executions in Turkey, was accused of belonging to an armed organization under article 314/2 of the Turkish Criminal Code. He is also reportedly accused of illegal activities within the context of the inquiry against the Koma Civaken Kurdistan (KCK – Union of Communities in Kurdistan).. There was allegedly a lack of procedural safeguards during Mr. Bektas‘ initial trial from 2-13 July 2012. From 1 to 9 October 2012, another hearing was allegedly scheduled to take place for Mr. Bektas who reportedly remained in detention. Mr. Bektas was the subject of an earlier communication (see A/HRC/16/44, p. 129).
22/10/2012
A /H
R C
/2 2
/6 7
6
9
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
10/08/2012 JAL
BDI 2/2012 Burundi
Food; Foreign debt;
Allégation de l‘impact négatif de la privatisation de l‘industrie caféière du
Burundi sur les droits de l‘homme, et en particulier sur le droit à
l‘alimentation. Selon les informations reçues, la Banque Mondiale est la force motrice des privatisations au Burundi ; elle a d‘ailleurs soumis à la condition
de privatisation, son appui budgétaire et la réception d‘aide au développement
par le pays. La Banque Mondiale joue également un rôle important dans la définition des conditions de privatisation. Puisque la majorité de la population reçoit son revenu de l‘industrie caféière, des changements dans les salaires,
dans le paiement ou dans la transformation du café peuvent avoir un impact significatif sur la capacité de la population à acheter sa nourriture et à répondre à ses besoins alimentaires. Il est allégué qu‘aucune étude n‘a été
préparée sur la manière dont la privatisation pourrait affecter la capacité des populations locales à avoir accès à l‘alimentation.
09/10/2012 21/11/2012
A /H
R C
/2 2
/6 7
7 0
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
10/08/2012 JUA
OMN 2/2012 Oman
Arbitrary detention;
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders;
Alleged arrest, detention and sentencing of human rights defenders. According to the information received, on 5 June 2012, activists Messrs. Isaac Al-Agbary and Kalfan Al-Badwawi were arrested and detained. On 8 June, writers and bloggers Messrs. Abdulllah Hamad Mubarak Al-Kharusi, Ali Al- Saadi, Ali Al-Haji, Hassan Al-Ruqayhsi, Hamoud Saud Hamdan Al-Rashidy and Nabhan Al-Hanashi were allegedly arrested. On 11 June, a peaceful protest reportedly took place in front of the General Police Headquarters in Muscat, calling for the release of all detained human rights defenders in Oman. It is alleged that security forces and anti-riot police arrested the protestors and transported them to Samail Central Prison, including writer Mr. Saeed Sultan Al-Hashemy, radio presenter and broadcaster Ms. Basma Al- Rajehy, lawyer Ms. Basma Al-Keumy, writer and blogger Mr. Bader Al- Jabery, writer Mr. Sama Essa, bloggers Mr. Fahad Al-Kharusi, Mr. Abdallah Al-Badi and Ms. Fatma Al-Bousaeedi, journalists Messrs. Nasir Saleh Al- Gailany and Mukhtar Mohamed Al-Hanaei, poet Mr. Mahmoud Hamad Al- Rawahy and activists Messrs. Khaled Saleh Al-Nawfaly, Khalid Al-Jabery, Omar Al-Khorousy, Abdullah Mohammed Al-Ghilany, Mohammed Al- Fazary and Ms. Mona Al-Gahoury. On 26 June, the first closed trial of bloggers and writers Messrs. Hamoud Saud Hamdan Al-Rashidy, Ali Hilal Al-Mikbaly and Mahmoud Hamad Thani Al-Rawahy and poet Mr. Abdulah Hamad Mubarak Al-Kharusi reportedly took place. The defendants were allegedly accused of insulting the ruler of Oman, Sultan Qaboos, and of publishing insulting and defamatory material. On 16 July, photographer and director Mr. Mohammed bin Zayed bon Marhon Al-Habsi and poet Mr. Abdulla bin Mohammed bin Nasser Al-Araimi were allegedly sentenced to one-year imprisonment for insulting the Sultan. Designer Mr. Talib bin Ali Hilal Al-Ebri and activists and students Mr. Mohammed bin Khatir bin Rashid Al-Badi and Ms. Mona Suhail Hardan reportedly received the same sentence, along with a further six-month imprisonment for violating the law on information technology. On 25 July, Messrs. Ahmed Al-Ma‘ammari, Awad Al-Sawafi, Abdullah Al- Abidi and Usama Al-Tawayya were reportedly charged with insulting the Sultan and violating the law on information technology.
14/08/2012 18/08/2012
A /H
R C
/2 2
/6 7
7
1
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
10/08/2012 JAL
OTH 7/2012 Other
Food; Foreign debt;
Alleged negative human rights impacts stemming from the privatization of Burundi‘s coffee industry, particularly in relation to the right to food.
According to the information received, the World Bank has been the driving force behind the privatization process, making its budget support to the Government and receipt of foreign aid conditional upon the privatization of the coffee industry and playing a key role in defining the conditions for privatization. As the majority of the population receives its income from the coffee industry, changes in wages and payments for coffee and coffee processing can have significant impacts on the ability of the population to purchase food and meet their food needs. Reportedly, no study has been conducted into how privatization will affect the ability of local populations to access food.
09/10/2012 16/01/2013
13/08/2012 JAL
KHM 5/2012 Cambodia
Cambodia; Freedom
of expression;
Freedom of peaceful
assembly and of
association; Human
rights defenders;
Allegations of disruption by law enforcement officials of a human rights training course undertaken by two non-government organizations, and threats against its members. According to the information received, on 27 July 2012, law enforcement officials, allegedly acting upon instruction of provincial authorities, interrupted a training course on land issues organized by Mr. Pen Bonnar from the Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC) and Mr. Chim Savuth from the Cambodian Center for Human Rights (CCHR) in Patang village, Rattanakiri province. The reason put forward by the authorities was that the organizers had allegedly failed to notify the authorities that they would be holding the training session, although they were not obliged to do so in line with article 3 of the domestic law on demonstrations. Law enforcement officials further accused ADHOC of undertaking ―incitement activities‖, and warned Messrs. Pen Bonnar and
Chim Savuth to leave the area, otherwise their security would not be guaranteed. As a result, both men ended the training session in for their safety and the safety of the participants.
A /H
R C
/2 2
/6 7
7 2
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
13/08/2012 JUA
KGZ 5/2011 Kyrgyz
Republic
Freedom of
expression; Human
rights defenders;
Independence of
judges and lawyers;
Torture;
Alleged upholding of sentence of life imprisonment of human rights defender by the Supreme Court. According to information received, on 20 December 2011, the Supreme Court issued its decision upholding the sentence of life imprisonment against Mr. Azimjan Askarov on charges of organizing mass disorder, inciting inter-ethnic hatred, hostage-taking and incitement to murder. On 26 January 2011, a review of his case and that of seven co- defendants had been commenced by the Supreme Court following the verdict of guilty by the Court of Appeal in November 2010. The Supreme Court had in February 2012 agreed to decide on Mr. Askarov‘s case separately. Serious concerns were raised regarding Mr. Askarov‘s right to a fair trial during the
first and second instance trials and it is alleged that these were not adequately addressed in the Supreme Court‘s decision. Mr. Askarov was the subject of
previous communications (see A/HRC/16/44/Add.1, para 1422, 1449 &1465 and A/HRC/18/51, case no KGZ 1/2011).
04/10/2012
13/08/2012 JUA
LAO 1/2012 République
Démocratique
Populaire Lao
Freedom of
expression; Human
rights defenders;
Independence of
judges and lawyers;
Torture;
Alleged torture by detention personnel and refusal to meet with family or lawyer, and denial of legal aid during detention. According to the information received, Mr. Souvanh is a human rights defender who was arrested on 18 June 2012. He is a farmer who had been active in advocating for land rights in his local community. The group of human rights defenders was protesting a land concession given by the local government for which the farmers demanded proper compensation. The arrest followed complaints and a petition sent by the farmers to various governmental agencies. During his fourteen day detention, Mr. Souvanh was allegedly bound by his arms and legs and repeatedly beaten while receiving only eight meals. Furthermore, he was not allowed to meet with his relatives or lawyer and was denied any legal assistance. Mr. Souvanh was reportedly also forced to sign a declaration to renounce his rights and to abstain from further action.
10/10/2012
A /H
R C
/2 2
/6 7
7
3
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
15/08/2012 JAL
EGY 10/2012 Egypt
Migrants; Summary
executions;
Trafficking;
Alleged hostage taking, abuse and exploitation of migrants by traffickers in Sinai. According to the information received, the migrants were held captive by the traffickers and required to pay a large sum of money as a condition of release and journey to Israel. They were reportedly subject to torture, physical and sexual violence, forced labour and/or deprivation of food and water, if they were unable to pay the ransom. The Egyptian authorities allegedly failed to conduct any investigation into these allegations. This matter was the subject of an earlier communication in 2010 (A/HRC/17/35/Add.1). Furthermore, it was reported that the migrants were shot at by the Egyptian border guards at the Israel-Egypt border as they made their way to Israel. This allegation was also the subject of an earlier communication in 2009 (A/HRC/17/33/Add.1).
15/08/2012 JAL
EGY 11/2012 Egypt
Adequate housing;
Freedom of religion;
Minority issues;
Alleged loss of homes and businesses of the Coptic Christian community by sectarian violence in the village of Dahshur. According to the information received, on 27 July 2012, Mr. Sameh Samy, a Coptic Christian laundryman, inadvertently burned the shirt of a Muslim client, Mr. Ahmad Ramadan. Despite the agreement by both men to settle the grievance that evening, Mr. Ramadan allegedly returned in the afternoon with about 3000 armed Muslims and surrounded Mr. Samy‘s house and laundrette. As the fighting intensified,
Mr. Samy hurled a fire bomb which hit a Muslim passer-by, Mr. Moaz Hasab- Allah who died from third degree burns on 31 July 2012. 120 families reportedly fled the village on the same day for fear of the revenge attacks. On 1 August 2012, it was reported that hundreds of Muslims torched and looted homes and businesses of Coptic Christian community in the village, and the security forces present during the incident allegedly did not protect most Coptic properties except for the small church of St. George and some houses close to the church.
A /H
R C
/2 2
/6 7
7 4
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
15/08/2012 JUA
KEN 1/2012 Kenya
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders; Summary
executions;
Alleged threats against human rights defenders, including death threats and surveillance. According to the information received, Ms Edah Wangechi Maina, Vice President of the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Director of Kenya Society for the Mentally Handicapped (KSMH), began to receive anonymous death threats and threats to kidnap her daughter in March 2011, following a demonstration held by KSMH to protest against alleged violations of the rights of people with disabilities and corruption in the National Council of Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) and the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Development. It is reported that Mr. Prabhudas Damji Pattni, Secretary General of KSMH and the Hindu Council of Africa, Mr. David Macharia Wanjama, Chairperson of Disabled Voters of Kenya Alliance, and Ms. Josphine Aska, Director of the Central Region Deaf Network received threats and were followed by unknown individuals prior to and during the broadcasting of a documentary by Kenya Television Network on 28 and 29 July 2012, which exposed alleged corruption in the organization United Disabled Persons of Kenya. On 9 and 10 August 2012, during a meeting of trustees of the NCPD, Ms. Edah Wangechi Maina was reportedly identified as the leader of a group demanding accountability of funds and denouncing corruption in the disability rights sector. It is alleged that during the meeting, a plan to murder Ms. Maina was made.
15/08/2012 AL
PAN 6/2012 Panama
Freedom of
expression;
Alegaciones del bloqueo a la sede del diario La Prensa de Panamá. Según las informaciones recibidas,el 2 de agosto de 2012, a eso de las 10:00 por la noche, trabajadores de la empresa constructora Transcaribe Trading (TCT), se habrían bloqueado la sede del diario La Prensa por tres horas y media con más de 20 camiones remolques. Se alega que el bloqueo habría sido en represalia por denuncias y críticas que el periódico habría hecho sobre irregularidades en los contratos entre la empresa y el Ministerio de Obras Públicas. Según se informa, el bloqueo habría impedido inicialmente la distribución de los diarios, y los camiones habrían sido removidos después de que varios funcionarios, entre ellos el presidente de Panamá, el Sr. Ricardo Martinelli, habrían intercedidos ante los manifestantes cuando les habría pedido que depusieran su actitud.
A /H
R C
/2 2
/6 7
7
5
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
15/08/2012 JAL
PER 3/2012 Peru
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders; Violence
against women;
Presuntas agresiones físicas y detención de defensores de los derechos humanos. Según las informaciones recibidas, el 4 de junio de 2012, el Padre Marco Arana Zegarra se habría encontrado sentado en la Plaza de Armas en Cajamarca, participando en una manifestación pacífica contra el proyecto minero Conga, cuando habría sido detenido por un grupo de aproximadamente 20 policías antidisturbios. Lo habrían tirado al piso, golpeado y pateado. Había sido liberado en la madrugada del 5 de julio de
2012. Según se informa, en otro incidente relacionado, el 21 de junio de 2012, las Sras. Amparo Abanto y Genoveva Gómez habrían sido golpeadas por aproximadamente veinte policías en la Primera Comisaría de Cajamarca donde se encontraban para comprobar el estado de siete personas que habrían sido detenidas durante las manifestaciones contra el proyecto de explotación minera Conga. La Sra. Amparo Abanto es integrante del Grupo de Formación e Intervención para el Desarrollo Sostenible (GRUFIDES) y abogada de la Coordinadora Nacional de Derechos Humanos (CNDDHH). La Sra. Genoveva Gómez es abogada comisionada de la Defensoría del Pueblo, en Cajamarca.
16/11/2012
15/08/2012 JUA
SAU 10/2012 Saudi Arabia
Arbitrary detention;
Human rights
defenders;
Independence of
judges and lawyers;
Torture;
Alleged torture of detained human rights defender. According to the information received, Mr. Ahmed El-Sayed was brought before Jeddah Criminal Court on 18 July on charges of drug trafficking, where his hearing was rescheduled until 5 September. Sources indicate that if convicted, the death penalty will be imposed. Mr. El-Sayed was detained on 17 April 2012 at Jeddah Airport, following which he was allegedly tried in absentia and sentenced to one year imprisonment and twenty lashes for insulting the King of Saudi Arabia. Sources indicate that Mr. El-Sayed confessed to drug trafficking on 21 April 2012 while being subjected to physical and mental torture in Zahban Prison. Mr. El-Sayed is an Egyptian human rights lawyer who represents a number of Egyptian citizens who are allegedly detained arbitrarily in Saudi Arabia. It is reported that Mr. El-Sayed is representing himself but he has not been allowed access to law books to prepare his legal defence. Mr. Ahmed El-Sayed was the subject of an earlier communication (see A/HRC/21/ 49, SAU 8/2012).
A /H
R C
/2 2
/6 7
7 6
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
15/08/2012 JUA
SYR 7/2012 Syrian Arab
Republic
Arbitrary detention;
Disappearances;
Summary executions;
Alleged mass arrests, deaths in custody and enforced disappearance. According to the information received, on 12 and 13 August 2012, security forces carried out large scale raids on houses and shops and mass arrests in Damascus. A number of those arrested have reportedly been found dead following their arrest. On 13 August 2013, at around 4 p.m. at least four armed men wearing uniforms forcibly entered Mr. Hayel Hamid‘s surgery
clinic on Yarmouk Street in Yarmouk Camp, Damascus. The men neither showed an arrest warrant nor explained the reason for Mr. Hamid‘s arrest.
They allegedly took him to his home and searched his house. The men then ordered him to get into the vehicle and drove away, while some of them followed in their own car. Since then, his whereabouts remained unknown. Information received indicates that the armed men belong to the Air Force Intelligence.
15/08/2012 JUA
ARE 6/2012 United Arab
Emirates
Arbitrary detention;
Torture;
Alleged arbitrary detention, solitary confinement and extraction of evidence under torture. According to the information received, on 6 May 2011, Mr. Musab Al Abood was arrested by the Abu Dhabi security officers and transferred to the State security prison in Abu Dhabi where he was kept in solitary confinement for a period of three months. Mr. Al Abood was allegedly severely tortured for allegedly belonging to, or of having links, with illegal or terrorist organizations. Mr. Al Abood was forced to sign papers while blindfolded. He later denied all accusations brought against him. Mr Al Abood claimed at the State Security Prosecution to have signed papers while blindfolded, but his statement was reportedly not recorded by the investigator of the State Security Prosecution. In May 2012, Mr. Al-Abood was reportedly sentenced to three years of imprisonment based on the confession obtained under torture. Mr. Al-Abood has been on a hunger strike since 27 June 2012, to protest the court verdict. He was very weak and at risk of losing consciousness.
A /H
R C
/2 2
/6 7
7
7
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
16/08/2012 JAL
CHN 9/2012 China (People's
Republic of)
Human rights
defenders; Torture;
Alleged torture of a 49-year old man by detention personnel. According to the information received, Mr. Kim Young-hwan a South Korean national was arrested on the charge of endangering national security on 29 March 2012. He is a prominent defender of human rights, focusing specifically on the Democratic People‘s Republic of Korea, and was allegedly in China to assist
North-Korean refugees. He was detained for 114 days, during which he was allegedly beaten, deprived of sleep and given electric shocks by detention personnel. Furthermore, in order to be released, Mr. Kim Young-hwan was asked multiple times to sign a document admitting he had violated Chinese laws and promising he would not talk about the abuse he had suffered while in detention. He refused to do so, and was released from China on 20 July 2012 and returned to South Korea.
28/09/2012
16/08/2012 AL
KEN 2/2012 Kenya
Indigenous peoples;
Allegations concerning the possible negative impacts of the Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport Corridor (LAPSSET) project on indigenous peoples inhabiting Lamu County and surrounding areas in Kenya. According to the information received, the LAPSSET project is a major infrastructure development project that will span three countries: Kenya, South Sudan and Ethiopia. It will consist of a major shipping port in Lamu County, in the northeastern coast of Kenya, as well as the construction of a major highway, resort cities, airport, oil refinery and pipeline that would interconnect the three countries. There are reportedly serious concerns regarding the effects that the construction of this project would have on the traditional lands, natural resources, and livelihoods of indigenous peoples in Lamu County and surrounding areas. Nevertheless, according to the information received there have not been adequate consultations carried out with affected indigenous communities and they have received very little information about the project and its potential effects on their rights.
A /H
R C
/2 2
/6 7
7 8
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
16/08/2012 AL
NZL 1/2012 New Zealand
Indigenous peoples;
Alleged exclusion of the Mangakahia Whanau from the Treaty of Waitangi settlement process. According to the information received, Mangakahia Whanau is a Maori iwi (tribe) numbering over one thousand people whose ancestral territory is located in the Hauraki District. Reportedly, the New Zealand Government‘s policy of negotiating treaty settlements with large
Maori groupings or collectives, rather than individual tribes, has resulted in the claims of the Mangakahia Whanau not being adequately addressed by the collective with whom the Government is negotiating, the Hauraki Collective. Furthermore, the Hauraki Collective purports to act on behalf of Mangakahia Whanau, without its authorization or consent. This is of special concern since the Hauraki Collective reportedly intends to claim reparations that would otherwise be due to the Mangakahia Whanau under the treaty settlement process.
21/08/2012 18/10/2012 06/01/2012
16/08/2012 AL
TUN 3/2012 Tunisie
Discrimination
against women in law
and in practice;
Préoccupations relatives à l'élaboration de la future Constitution de la République tunisienne, en particulier son article 28. Selon les informations reçues, cet article régresse sur les réalisations historiques de la Tunisie en matière d'égalité et des droits humains des femmes. Il prévoit que le rôle des femmes est également complémentaire à celui des hommes au sein de la famille." Le terme de «complémentarité» est une régression par rapport à l '«égalité» prévue dans la législation tunisienne précédente, y compris dans le Code du Statut Personnel de 1956.
09/11/2012 19/12/2012
17/08/2012 UA
PSE 5/2012 Occupied
Palestinian
Territory
Summary executions;
Alleged imposition of the death penalty in violation of due process safeguards. According to the information received, the de facto authorities in Gaza have carried out 14 executions since January 2008 without the required approval, including for example that prescribed under Palestinian law. Among these, the executions of Messrs. Mohamed Ahmad Hamada Baraka, Mohamad Jameel Mohamad Abdeen, Fayez Talab Nassar al-Wheidi, Nael Jamal Qandeel Dughmush, Hazem Helmi Herez and Waleed Khaled Ismail Jarbou were reportedly carried out in April and July 2012. It is reported that in many cases, capital punishment is imposed by military courts, under the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Revolutionary Code 1979, following trials which allegedly do not comply with international due process safeguards. Against this backdrop, the following persons may be at imminent risk of executions: Jameel Zakaria Jaber Juha; Ehab Diab Mustafa Abu al- Amreen; and Usama Zidan Jaber al-Ghoul.
A /H
R C
/2 2
/6 7
7
9
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
17/08/2012 UA
OTH 8/2012 Other
Summary executions;
Alleged imposition of the death penalty in violation of due process safeguards. According to the information received, the de facto authorities in Gaza have carried out 14 executions since January 2008 without the required approval, including for example that prescribed under Palestinian law. Among these, the executions of Messrs. Mohamed Ahmad Hamada Baraka, Mohamad Jameel Mohamad Abdeen, Fayez Talab Nassar al-Wheidi, Nael Jamal Qandeel Dughmush, Hazem Helmi Herez and Waleed Khaled Ismail Jarbou were reportedly carried out in April and July 2012. It is reported that in many cases, capital punishment is imposed by military courts, under the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Revolutionary Code 1979, following trials which allegedly do not comply with international due process safeguards. Against this backdrop, the following persons may be at imminent risk of executions: Jameel Zakaria Jaber Juha; Ehab Diab Mustafa Abu al- Amreen; and Usama Zidan Jaber al-Ghoul.
17/08/2012 UA
UKR 2/2012 Ukraine
Torture;
Alleged refoulement of a Russian national, applying for asylum in Ukraine, to the Russian Federation. According to the information received, Mr. X applied for asylum to the Ukrainian government in February 2011 after charges had been brought against him relating to an incident that took place in Malgobek, in the province of Ingushetia in the Russian Federation on 28 October 2010. He reportedly applied for asylum because he feared persecution and torture in the Russian Federation. His request for asylum was rejected by the Ukrainian government, on the basis of which it was decided he would be extradited to the Russian Federation. On 7 March 2012, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees recognized Mr. X‘s refugee status. On 11
June 2012, the Finnish Immigration Service also recognized him as a refugee. Reportedly, Mr. X‘s appeal to his extradition was rejected by the Ukrainian
government. He was scheduled to be deported to the Russian Federation on 17 August 2012.
A /H
R C
/2 2
/6 7
8 0
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
17/08/2012 JUA
ZWE 6/2012 Zimbabwe
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders; Torture;
Alleged arrest, detention and ill treatment of 44 members of Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe (GALZ). According to the information received, on 11 August 2012, the office of GALZ in Harare was raided by police. The raid followed a meeting earlier that afternoon to finalize the GALZ human rights report and discuss a submission relating to changes to the draft Constitution. According to reports, the police proceeded to beat the GALZ members arresting the 44 individuals who were on the premises at the time and taking them to Harare Central Police Station where the male detainees were allegedly subjected to beatings throughout the night. Whilst in detention the GALZ members were denied access to their legal representatives. All of those detained were released without charge the following morning with the exception of one man who was taken to hospital by the police after he collapsed in detention, while another man also suffered significant injuries to his ear and is purportedly receiving treatment.
21/08/2012 JAL
BGD 5/2012 Bangladesh
Food; Freedom of
peaceful assembly
and of association;
Health; Human
rights defenders;
Migrants; Racism;
Water and
Sanitation;
Alleged negative human rights impacts stemming from the order to ban three humanitarian aid organizations from supporting unregistered Rohingya asylum-seekers, refugees and migrants in and around unofficial camps in the Cox‘s Bazar district in south-eastern Bangladesh. According to information received, Médecins Sans Frontières, Action Contre la Faim and Muslim Aid UK received letters on 2 August 2012 from the NGO Affairs Bureau attached to the Office of the Prime Minister, asking them to cease their operations in the Cox‘s Bazar district (except in the two official camps, housing some
30,000 Rohingya, run by the Government and supported by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and other partners). It is alleged that the cessation of the aid organizations‘ activities will not only seriously infringe on the human rights of the unregistered Rohingya asylum-seekers, refugees and migrants, but also have a significant impact on the large number of local people in the area who regularly access the services provided by the non-governmental organizations.
23/08/2012
A /H
R C
/2 2
/6 7
8
1
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
21/08/2012 JUA
FRA 2/2012 France
Adequate housing;
Migrants; Minority
issues; Racism;
Allégation de l‘évacuation et l‘expulsion de Roms de la France. Selon les
informations reçues, le 9 aout 2012 deux campements de Roms ont été démantelés dans le village de Hellemmes, près de Lilles, et dans le campement Villeneuve D‘Ascq. Selon les informations reçues, plus de 200 personnes ont été évacuées. Ces expulsions ont été suivies par une série de contrôles policiers à Lyon, en Vaulx-en Velin et Villeurbanne, and dans le 19e arrondissement de Paris. La plupart des personnes expulsées étaient des Roms originaires de Roumanie. Selon les informations reçues, les personnes reconduites de "manière volontaire" ont accepté 300 Euros pour rentrer en Romanie.
22/10/2012
21/08/2012 JAL
GRC 2/2012 Greece
Health; Migrants;
Racism;
Allegation of a worrying pattern of racism, racial discrimination, and xenophobia against foreigners, migrants, asylum seekers and refugees. According to the information received, this pattern is illustrated by an increase in xenophobic and racist attacks, the entry for the first time into Parliament of the far right wing political party Golden Dawn, and the implementation of policy measures targeting migrants and asylum seekers in the area of health, including their mandatory medical testing and administrative detention based on health status. Allegedly, several incidents of racially motivated violence and attacks against foreigners, migrants, and asylum seekers occurred in different places across Greece. Allegedly, the surge in these xenophobic attacks is linked to the rise of the Golden Dawn far right political party. Reportedly, an amendment to the Presidential Decree 114/2010 on the establishment of a single procedure for granting refugee status or subsidiary protection to aliens or to stateless persons was adopted in April 2012, providing for detention of migrants and asylum seekers based on their health status.
19/10/2012
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8 2
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
21/08/2012 JAL
IDN 9/2012 Indonesia
Freedom of religion;
Minority issues;
Alleged attacks on the Shi‘a Community and blasphemy charges against their religious leader in Sampang, Madura of East Java, Indonesia. According to the information received, there have been multiple attacks against the Shi‘a
community, their places of worship and religious leader, Mr. Ali Murtadho alias Tajul Muluk, in Nangkrenang village of Sampang, East Java since 2006. Reportedly, On 4 April 2011, a group of people claiming themselves as Ahl as-sunnah wa al-Jamaah (Sunni), besieged Nangkrenang village to stop the celebration of Maulid of the Prophet Muhammad organized by the Shi‘a followers at Tajul Muluk‘s residence. Following another attack on 29
December 2011, about 335 villages, including at least 107 children were reportedly evacuated to a temporary shelter at a sports complex in Sampang. On 1 January 2012, the Sampang branch of the Indonesia Ulema Council (MUI) allegedly issued a religious decree (fatwa) declaring Tajul Muluk‘s
teachings as deviant teachings. Subsequently, Tajul Muluk was tried before the Sampang District Court for blasphemy on 24 April 2012 and 12 July
2012. On 12 July 2012, the District Court disregarded the witnesses‘
testimonies and concluded that Tajul Muluk‘s views on the non-authenticity of the existing Quran have desecrated Islam, hence, sentencing him to two years imprisonment.
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8
3
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
21/08/2012 JUA
MEX 14/2012 México
Freedom of
expression; Human
rights defenders;
Violence against
women;
Presunta amenaza de muerte contra periodista y defensora de los derechos humanos. Según las informaciones recibidas, el 29 de julio de 2012, la Sra. Lydia Cacho Ribeiro se encontró en su hogar cuando habría recibido una amenaza de muerte de un individuo no identificado por medio de su transceptor de mano, utilizado únicamente en casos de emergencia. La Sra. Ribeiro es directora y fundadora del Centro Integral de Atención a las Mujeres (CIAM) en Cancún, Estado de Quintana Roo, una organización no gubernamental que trabaja a favor de víctimas de violencia sexual y doméstica y víctimas de trata sexual, y tambien autora de seis libros sobre el crimen organizado, la pornografía infantil y la trata sexual. Se informa que desde la publicación de su libro ―Los demonios del Edén: el poder detrás de la
pornografía infantil‖ en 2005, en el que denunció una red de pornografía infantil y supuestos actos de abuso sexual de niños por parte de un conocido empresario, la Sra. Ribeiro habría sido víctima de un atentado de muerte, detención arbitraria, acoso, tortura y extradición ilegal a otro estado. La Sra. Ribeiro ha sido objeto de comunicaciones anteriores (ver A/HRC/13/22/Add. 1, para. 1509).
07/11/2012
21/08/2012 AL
OTH 9/2012 Other
Health;
Alleged negative impact of article 9 of the draft Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA), currently being negotiated between the Republic of Moldova and the European Union, on access to medicines in the Republic of Moldova. According to the information received, article 9 of the draft DCFTA contains a ―TRIPS-plus‖ provision on data exclusivity, according to which manufacturers of generic medicines would allegedly not be able to refer to clinical test results of originator drugs for a maximum period of eleven years with potentially negative impact on the ability of major segments of the population in Moldova to afford a range of medications, including antibiotics, antiretrovirals and medicines for the treatment of tuberculosis and cancer. Allegedly the provision will ensure a monopoly by manufacturers of originator drugs and that manufacturers of generic drugs will be unable to enter the market and provide cheaper alternatives to originator drugs for a maximum period of eleven years.
A /H
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8 4
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
21/08/2012 AL
OTH 10/2012 Other
Health;
Alleged negative impact of article 9 of the draft Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA), currently being negotiated between the Republic of Moldova and the European Union, on access to medicines in the Republic of Moldova. According to the information received, article 9 of the draft DCFTA contains a ―TRIPS-plus‖ provision on data exclusivity, according to which manufacturers of generic medicines would allegedly not be able to refer to clinical test results of originator drugs for a maximum period of eleven years with potentially negative impact on the ability of major segments of the population in Moldova to afford a range of medications, including antibiotics, antiretrovirals and medicines for the treatment of tuberculosis and cancer. Allegedly the provision will ensure a monopoly by manufacturers of originator drugs and that manufacturers of generic drugs will be unable to enter the market and provide cheaper alternatives to originator drugs for a maximum period of eleven years.
21/08/2012 AL
MDA 4/2012 Republic of
Moldova
Health;
Alleged negative impact of article 9 of the draft Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA), currently being negotiated between the Republic of Moldova and the European Union, on access to medicines in the Republic of Moldova. According to the information received, article 9 of the draft DCFTA contains a ―TRIPS-plus‖ provision on data exclusivity, according to which manufacturers of generic medicines would allegedly not be able to refer to clinical test results of originator drugs for a maximum period of eleven years with potentially negative impact on the ability of major segments of the population in Moldova to afford a range of medications, including antibiotics, antiretrovirals and medicines for the treatment of tuberculosis and cancer. Allegedly the provision will ensure a monopoly by manufacturers of originator drugs and that manufacturers of generic drugs will be unable to enter the market and provide cheaper alternatives to originator drugs for a maximum period of eleven years.
29/10/2012 13/11/2012
A /H
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8
5
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
21/08/2012 UA
USA 17/2012 United States of
America
Indigenous peoples;
Alleged imminent demolition by the United States Army War College, of one of the last standing structures connected to the former Carlisle Indian Industrial School, a site of deep historical significance to indigenous peoples throughout the country. According to the information received, the Carlisle Indian Industrial School, established in 1879 in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, was the first boarding school to house Native American children outside of their reservation homelands. After the school closed in 1918, the premises were reclaimed by the U.S. Army as part of the Carlisle Barracks, however certain parts of the school were subsequently designated as a National Historic Landmark. The farmhouse was excluded from this designation, despite being actively used for housing and educational purposes for indigenous children. Recently, the U.S. Army War College, located at the Carlisle Barracks, announced its plans to raze the farmhouse in August or September of 2012 in order to make way for four new housing units for its personnel. As the farmhouse was not designated as a National Historic Landmark the War College is allegedly taking the position that does not have to consult with the relevant state agency, nor with interested indigenous peoples.
21/08/2012 UA
USA 18/2012 United States of
America
Indigenous peoples;
Alleged imminent sale of land located within the Black Hills, South Dakota, considered to be a site of great spiritual significance to the Lakota, Dakota and Nakota indigenous peoples. According to the information received the site known as Pe‘ Sla is located on the Reynolds Prairie in the Black Hills,
which has been owned by the Reynolds family since the 1870s. Over the years, members of the owners of Reynolds Prairie had permitted Sioux peoples to enter the land and conduct their traditional ceremonies at Pe‘ Sla,
however recently, the family recently announced its intention to sell some land during a land sale auction on 25 August 2012. The Lakota, Dakota and Nakota indigenous peoples fear the sale may result in restrictions on future access to Pe‘ Sla. There is also concern over the state of South Dakota‘s
reported intention to pave a gravel road through Pe‘ Sla, in order to facilitate logging and recreational activities in the area. Reportedly the Lakota, Dakota and Nakota peoples have begun a fundraising effort in order to recover this sacred site.
02/01/2013
A /H
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8 6
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
23/08/2012 JUA
BRA 9/2012 Brazil
Freedom of
expression; Human
rights defenders;
Summary executions;
Alleged death threats against human rights defender. According to the information received, Mr. Júnior José Guerra was forced to relocate with his family in December 2011 and was temporarily accepted into the National Protection Programme for Human Rights Defenders following the alleged killing of fellow human rights defender Mr. João Chupel Primo and after he was chased by unknown individuals. Mr. Guerra is the former chairperson of Conselho Fiscal da Associação de Moradores do Plano de Assentmento Areia and, along with Mr. Primo, played a key role in the filing of official complaints against alleged illegal logging in Riozinho do Anfrisio Extractive Reserve and Trairão National Forest. On 24 and 28 May 2012 respectively, Mr. Guerra's home in the Areia Settlement of Trairão was reportedly set on fire and a death threat was placed on his fence following the alleged poisoning of his pets. Sources indicate that Mr. Guerra moved back to his home on 22 June in order to give testimony in the case of the alleged killing of Mr. Primo.
23/08/2012 JAL
BDI 3/2012 Burundi
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders;
Allégation de la condamnation d‘un défenseur des droits de l‘homme, et de l‘association de droits de l‘homme Réveil des Consciences et l‘Évolution des
Mentalités (PARCEM). Selon les informations reçues, le 24 juillet 2012, M. Faustin Ndikumana, Président de PARCEM aurait été condamné par la Cour Anti-Corruption pour fausses déclarations, en vertu de l‘article 14 de la Loi Anti-Corruption. M. Ndikumana aurait été condamné à une peine d‘emprisonnement de 5 ans et à une amende de 500.000 FBU, alors que
PARCEM aurait été condamné à une amende de 5 millions de FBU pour la même infraction. PARCEM aurait également été condamné à verser dix millions de FBU au Ministre de la Justice à titre de « dommages et intérêts moraux ». La condamnation ferait suite à une conférence de presse tenue par PARCEM, le 3 février 2012, au cours de laquelle l‘organisation aurait allégué des cas de corruption au sein du système judiciaire. Des manquements aux garanties procédurales aurait été relevés au cours du procès. M. Ndikumana et PARCEM ont interjeté appel de la décision devant la Cour Suprême.
A /H
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8
7
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
27/08/2012 JAL
HND 7/2012 Honduras
Freedom of
expression; Human
rights defenders;
Independence of
judges and lawyers;
Presunta absolución de los acusados del asesinato de un defensor de derechos humanos. Según las informaciones recibidas, en una decisión dictada el 15 de mayo de 2012 por la Corte Suprema de Justicia (CSJ) de Honduras, los Sres. X y Y habrían sido absueltos de responsabilidad criminal por el asesinato del Sr. Dionisio Díaz García. Subsiguientemente, la CSJ se habría ordenado la puesta en libertad de los dos presuntos responsables y, según se informa, el Sr. X se habría reincorporado al Cuerpo de Policía. El Sr. Dionisio Díaz García era un destacado abogado y defensor de derechos humanos quien habría trabajado en colaboración con la Asociación para una Sociedad más Justa (ASJ) en Tegucigalpa. En el marco de su labor en la ASJ, habría llevado varios casos relacionados con demandas laborales de empresas de seguridad, en particular con las empresas Delta Security Service y su filial Seguridad Técnica de Honduras (SETECH). El 4 de diciembre de 2006, el Sr. Dionisio Díaz García, habría sido asesinado a disparos. El Sr. Dionisio Díaz García y otros miembros de la ASJ fueron objetos de comunicaciones anteriores (ver A/HRC/18/51, HND 2/2011).
27/08/2012 JUA
HND 8/2012 Honduras
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders; Summary
executions;
Alegación de persecución y amenaza de muerte contra un defensor de los derechos humanos. Según las informaciones recibidas, el 5 de julio de 2012, el destacado defensor de los derechos de, lesbianas gays, bisexuales y personas transgénero (LGBT) y Coordinador de la Asociación Arco Iris, el Sr. Donny Reyes mientras conducía su coche habría sido perseguido por un hombre armado en una motocicleta, quien ya habría visto antes en una esquina cerca de su casa esa misma mañana. Durante la presunta persecución, el hombre habría levantado su camiseta y habría puesto su mano sobre una pistola escondida en sus pantalones. Según se informa, el Sr. Reyes logro buscar refugio en las oficinas de otra organización LGBT. Abogados de Investigación y Promoción de los Derechos Humanos (CIPRODEH) habrían llamado a la Policía para pedir que acompañara al Sr. Reyes a un lugar seguro, pero se habrían negado.
24/09/2012
A /H
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8 8
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
27/08/2012 JUA
IRN 22/2012 Iran (Islamic
Republic of)
Freedom of
expression; Iran;
Summary executions;
Torture;
Alleged risk of execution under charges which are not considered as most serious crimes. According to the information received, Mr. Gholamreza Khosravi Savadjani was scheduled to be executed on 10 September 2012, in the Islamic Repbulic of Iran under the charge of ―enmity against God‖
(moharebeh), which is not considered as most serious crime under international law. It is further alleged that he has been subjected to torture or ill-treatment while in detention.
27/08/2012 AL
KEN 3/2012 Kenya
Freedom of peaceful
assembly and of
association;
Allegation relating to a Court‘s decision impacting on the enjoyment of the right to freedom of association. According to the information received, on 25 July 2012, the High Court of Mombasa ruled, in a judgment Randu Nzai Ruwa & 2 Others v Internal Security Minister & Another Miscellaneous, that the decision that had banned the Mombasa Republican Council, a political group advocating secession, was unconstitutional. This judgment is reportedly instrumental in advancing a better understanding of freedom of association in Kenya. In this letter, the Special Rapporteur makes reference to his thematic report about best practices related to freedom of association and of peaceful assembly, and notably reminds that the right to freedom of association shall also apply to unregistered groups.
27/08/2012 JUA
PAK 10/2012 Pakistan
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Freedom of religion;
Human rights
defenders;
Alleged accusation against human rights defenders of blasphemy. According to the information received, on 8 June 2012, a blasphemy accusation was filed against Ms. Shazia Parveen, Ms. Najma Khalil and Messrs. Anjum Raza Mattu and Imran Anjum by kiln owner Mr. X. Ms. Parveen, Ms. Khalil and Messrs. Mattu and Anjum are staff members of Insan Dost Association (IDA), a human rights organization based in Punjab which works for the promotion and protection of the rights of bonded labourers and their families, including kiln workers. It is alleged that Mr. Y accused IDA of being involved in anti-government activities and has called for its registration to be revoked. The first hearing of the case reportedly took place on 9 July, during which the complainant allegedly presented two witnesses who claimed that IDA staff members convert Muslim persons to Christianity. A decision on whether the accused will be charged with blasphemy would reportedly be made on 27 August. Sources indicate that if convicted, the four accused face a sentence of life imprisonment or the death penalty.
27/08/2012
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8
9
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
27/08/2012 JAL
UKR 1/2012 Ukraine
Freedom of
expression; Human
rights defenders;
Summary executions;
Alleged killing of environmental rights defender. According to the information received, on 1 August 2012, Mr. Volodymyr Honcharenko was driving to his summer home when he was blocked by another car. Allegedly, several unidentified men descended from the vehicle and proceeded to attack him. Sources indicate that Mr. Honcharenko was transported to Mechnikov Regional Clinical Hospital, where he died of his injuries on 4 August. Mr. Honcharenko was the director of the Ukrainian social movement ―For
Citizens‘ Right to a Safe Environment‖, an organization which protects and
promotes ecological rights and highlights issues related to water pollution, and radioactive contamination. According to reports, during a press conference held on 27 July 2012, Mr. Honcharenko had revealed information on 180 tonnes of chemically contaminated and radioactive metal waste in the Saksahansk District of Kryvy Rih. It is further alleged that Mr. Honcharenko highlighted the failure of the Ukrainian Government to publish mandatory annual environmental reports since 2005.
08/11/2012
28/08/2012 UA
GMB 1/2012 Gambia
Summary executions;
Alleged executions after a moratorium on the death penalty for 27 years. According to the information received, on 19 and 20 August 2012, the Gambian President Yahya Jammeh announced on television that executions would resume and that by mid-September the execution of death row prisoners would be ―carried out to the letter‖. In the night of 23 to 24 August
2012, seven Gambian nationals, Messrs. Lamin Bo Darboe, Alieu Bah, Lamin Jarju, Dawda Bojang, Abubacarr Yarbo, Abdoulie Sonko, Lamin F. Jammeh, and two Senegalese nationals, Mr. Gibril Bah and Ms. Tabara Samba, were removed from their cells and may have been executed at the Mile Two Central Prison. It is alleged that some of them were convicted on charges of treason and for their political convictions. Moreover, there were 39 individuals on death row, who may be at imminent risk of execution. It is further reported that they were sentenced to death following trials which did not scrupulously observe the fair trial guarantees.
28/08/2012
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9 0
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
28/08/2012 JUA
IRQ 3/2012 Iraq
Arbitrary detention;
Summary executions;
Terrorism; Torture;
Alleged risk of imminent execution and 21 executions carried out under terrorism-related charges. According to the information received, Mr. Saleh Musa Ahmed Mohammed Al Baydani, a Yemeni citizen detained in Iraq, is at risk of imminent execution in Iraq. Following a trial in 2011 that allegedly did not comply with international human rights law provisions of due process and fair trial, he was sentenced to death under the charge of association with a terrorist group, which is not considered as most serious crime under international law. Moreover, Mr. Al Baydani was reportedly a minor at the time of his arrest, and by consequence, at the time of the alleged commission of crime. It is also reported that 21 persons were executed under terrorism- related charges on 27 August 2012.
02/11/2012
29/08/2012 JAL
BRA 10/2012 Brazil
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders;
Alleged break-in of offices of human rights organization and theft of confidential documents. According to the information received, on 11 July 2012, a member of Grupo Tortura Nunca Mais do Rio de Janeiro (GTNM/RJ) received an anonymous telephone threat. On 19 July, the group's offices were ransacked, during which confidential and sensitive documentation concerning psychological care given to victims of torture was reportedly stolen. It is alleged that other files were overturned, a computer was turned on and more than R$1,500 in cash was stolen. Founded in 1985, GTNM/RJ supports former victims of torture and works for the full implementation of the National Truth Commission by campaigning for the opening of State archives from the period of the military dictatorship.
A /H
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9
1
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
29/08/2012 JUA
KHM 6/2012 Cambodia
Arbitrary detention;
Cambodia; Freedom
of expression;
Freedom of peaceful
assembly and of
association; Human
rights defenders;
Alleged arrest, detention and sentencing of human rights defender. According to the information received, on 15 July 2012, Mr. Mam Sonando was arrested by police at his home in Phnom Penh. The warrant for his arrest was apparently issued while he was out of the country and on 16 July he was formally charged in accordance with six articles from the Penal Code including ―insurrection‖ and ―inciting people to take up arms against the
authorities‖. Mr. Sonando was reportedly denied bail and remained in pre- trial detention in CC1 Prey Sar prison in Phnom Penh. It is alleged that Mr. Sonando‘s arrest and detention are linked to a report that was broadcast by
Beehive Radio on 25 June which detailed a complaint lodged at the International Criminal Court on 22 June accusing the government of committing crimes against humanity. Mr. Sonando is also president of the Democrats Association, a non-governmental organization established to promote democratic freedoms. Mr. Sonando has been the subject of previous communications (see A/HRC/4/37/Add.1, para 105).
29/08/2012 JUA
TJK 3/2012 Tajikistan
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders;
Independence of
judges and lawyers;
Allegations of lack of procedural safeguards in the case against the Association of Young Lawyers of Tajikistan (Amparo). According to the information received, on 28 June 2012 the Department of Justice of the Sughd Province launched an audit into the Association of Young Lawyers of Tajikistan (Amparo) for suspicion of illicit activity. A day later, on 29 June, the association received notification of a law suit against the association for allegedly violating several provisions of the Law on Public Associations. It is reported that the Department of Justice of the Sughd Province solicited the regional court of Sughd to dissolve the association. According to reports received, there were significant irregularities in the auditing of the association. On 6 August 2012, the association received a written notification that an administrative case against them was opened. Should the court proceedings resolve in favour of the plaintiff, the Association of Young Lawyers of Tajikistan will be obliged to put an end to its free legal aid and human rights education and training activities.
16/10/2012
A /H
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9 2
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
29/08/2012 JUA
VNM 4/2012 Viet Nam
Arbitrary detention;
Freedom of peaceful
assembly and of
association; Health;
Human rights
defenders; Torture;
Alleged ill-treatment of human rights defender. According to the information received, Ms. Tran Thi Thuy, land rights activist and member of human rights organization Viet Tan, has been subjected to forced labour and harassment while in detention in K5 Long Khanh prison in Dong Nai province. Sources indicate that Ms. Tran Thi Thuy is required to perform work reserved for male prisoners, namely the husking and skinning of cashew nuts for extended periods of time, which has reportedly resulted in caustic burns to her skin and repeated fainting spells. Despite the alleged deterioration of Ms. Tran Thi Thuy‘s health, access to medical care has allegedly been denied. Sources
indicate that reason behind the alleged ill-treatment is the refusal of Ms. Tran Thi Thuy to plead guilty.
31/10/2012
31/08/2012 JUA
DZA 3/2012 Algérie
Arbitrary detention;
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders;
Allégations d‘arrestation et de harcèlement d'un défenseur des droits de
l'homme. Selon les informations reçues, le 21 août 2012, M. Abdelkader Kherba aurait été arrêté alors qu'il participait à une manifestation pacifique contre les pénuries d'eau à Ksar Boukhari. Il aurait été accusé d‘avoir insulté
les institutions ou fonctionnaires de l‘Etat et aurait été transféré à la prison de
Ksar Boukhari dans l‘attente d‘un procès prévu pour le 28 août 2012. Suite à la demande des avocats de M. Kherba, le 28 août, la Cour de Ksar Boukhari aurait ajourné le procès jusqu'au 4 septembre. Cependant, la demande de remise en liberté de M. Kherba aurait été rejetée sans justification. Selon les informations reçues, l'arrestation de M. Kherba n'est pas liée à sa participation à la manifestation du 21 août 2012, mais à des allégations formulées précédemment par un responsable de la sécurité du district de Ksar Boukhari, qui aurait accusé à M. Abdelkader de l‘avoir insulté. M. Kherba nierait ces accusations.
A /H
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9
3
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
31/08/2012 JAL
GUY 1/2012 Guyana
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Summary executions;
Allegations of widespread acts of violence against peaceful protesters in the context of the protests carried out since 18 July in Linden, Georgetown. According to the information received, on 18 July 2012 a group of residents from the mining town of Linden participated in a protest to denounce a disproportionate rise in electricity prices. Organizers planned a ―5 day shut- down‖ of the city, which involved the closure of all businesses in the area. It is reported that during the first day of the protests, organizers called on residents to ―march fearlessly against injustice‖. According to the reports
received, police officers violently dispersed protesters during the course of the demonstration, shooting live rounds and killing at least three persons and injuring about 20 others. Allegedly, a number of buildings were set on fire, including the Linmine Secretariat building.
31/08/2012 JAL
IDN 11/2012 Indonesia
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Freedom of religion;
Human rights
defenders;
Allegation that a new ―Bill on Societal Organizations‖ can unduly restrict the right to freedom of association. According to the information received, on 3 October 2011 the House of Representatives of the People's Consultative Assembly established a Special Committee (Panitia Khusus) to draft a ―Bill
on Societal Organizations‖. It is reported that consultations with civil society organizations were held in late November 2011. The bill contains a number of provisions that regulate foreign ―societal organizations‖ operating in the
country. It has been reiterated that some of the provisions can have a serious impact on foreign civil society organizations in Indonesia.
31/08/2012 JAL
JOR 1/2012 Jordan
Freedom of peaceful
assembly and of
association; Human
rights defenders;
Migrants;
Alleged arbitrary rejection of a human rights association‘s application to
receive foreign funding. According to the information received, on 19 June 2012, the association Tamkeen for Legal Aid and Human Rights Studies applied to the Cabinet for approval for receivingUS$350,000 of funding. On 27 June 2012, the cabinet denied without any explanation the application of the association. According to the information received, the 2008 Societies Law, amended in 2009, which makes it mandatory for associations to obtain the approval of the cabinet before obtaining foreign funding, has increased the power of officials to interfere in the work of associations.
01/10/2012
A /H
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9 4
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
31/08/2012 JAL
MLI 2/2012 Mali
Discrimination
against women in law
and in practice;
Summary executions;
Torture; Violence
against women;
Allégation d‘exécution par lapidation d‘un couple non marié au Nord du Mali.
Selon les informations reçues, le 29 juillet 2012, Mme Achamor wallet Boussa et M. Erlaf ag Ogaz auraient été tués par lapidation à Aguelhok, au Nord du Mali, par un groupe islamiste armé. La scène se serait produite devant une foule d‘environ 200 personnes. La ville d‘Aguelhok aurait été
contrôlée par le groupe armé islamiste Ansar Dine (défenseurs de l‘islam),
allié d‘Al-Qaïda au Maghreb islamique (AQMI) La ville d‘Aguelhok aurait été quittée par la grande majorité de ses quelques 3000 habitants depuis qu‘elle était contrôlée par les islamistes. D‘autres femmes des localités
proches d‘Aguelhok et de Tessalit, en particulier les mères célibataires et les filles non mariées en état de grossesse, courraient le risque de subir le même sort. Leurs familles ne disposaient d‘aucun moyen pour les faire partir vers les
régions non-occupées du Sud du Mali.
04/09/2012 JUA
ISR 9/2012 Israel
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders;
Alleged travel ban imposed on human rights defender. According to the information received, on 3 August 2012, Mr. Abdullatif Ghaith, Chair of Addameer human rights NGO in Ramallah, was ordered to sign an order banning him from travelling abroad and stating that he constitutes a ―threat to
national security‖. Mr. Ghaith is currently banned from entering the West Bank where Addameer‘s office is located. The ban reportedly stems from an
order issued by the Israeli Military Commander on 9 October 2011 for a period of six months. The ban was extended for an additional six months in April 2012. The original order reportedly stated that the ban on Mr. Ghaith was deemed necessary to protect the security and public order of the ―area‖,
i.e. the West Bank. Mr. Gaith has been held in administrative detention without charge or trial in Israeli prisons on three separate occasions, each of which lasted six months. He was last detained in this manner from June 2004 to January 2005.
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9
5
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
04/09/2012 UA
VEN 6/2012 Venezuela
(Bolivarian
Republic of)
Indigenous peoples;
Alegaciones sobre la reciente masacre de indígenas yanomami de la comunidad Irotatheri, en el Estado de Amazonas, por mineros ilegales. Según la información recibida, numerosas personas de esta comunidad indígena, hasta unas 80 personas fueron asesinadas por los mineros ilegales. Esto ha generado graves preocupaciones sobre la situación del pueblo yanomami en la zona fronteriza con Brasil que por años ha denunciado la presencia de mineros ilegales en su territorio tradicional. Se ha indicado que el Estado no ha tomado medidas efectivas para controlar y detener la entrada de estos mineros ilegales, lo que también requeriría acciones conjuntas con el Gobierno de Brasil. Se ha informado que una denuncia sobre estos hechos fue presentada a la Defensoría del Pueblo del Estado Amazonas y al Fiscal Superior del Estado Amazonas y que el Ministerio Público ha designado una comisión para investigar estos hechos.
17/09/2012
05/09/2012 JUA
LBY 2/2012 Libya
Cultural Rights;
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Freedom of religion;
Human rights
defenders; Minority
issues; Torture;
Alleged destruction of religious and historic sites, desecration of graves, intimidation and the excessive use of force against protesters. According to the information received, attacks on Sufi sites in Tripoli began in October
2011. In late August of 2012, some armed assailants reportedly launched a series of attacks destroying Sidi Abdul- Salam al-Asmar al-Fituri, Asmariya Islamic University complex, al-Sha'ab Mosque, shrine of Sheik Ahmad Zaruq, Gurgi Mosque, Uthman Pasha Madrassa and desecrating Sufi Muslim graves in Tripoli, Misurata, Derna and Zliten. The Ministry of the Interior had allegedly ―authorized‖ the operation and maintained that the Supreme Security Council (SSC) forces did not seek to stop the demolition in order to ―maintain order‖ and to avoid violence. It was reported that peaceful
protestors of the demolition of the Al-Sha‘ab mosque were obstructed from protesting by armed men while several demonstrators were physically threatened and intimidated. Nabil Shebani, a journalist from the Libyan television station, Alassema, was also reported to be detained whilst attempting to report on the destruction of the Al-Sha‘ab mosque. An imam of a Tripoli mosque, Ashraf Jerbi, who took part in the protest, was physically intimidated and subjected to cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment by Libyan security forces after being detained.
07/09/2012
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9 6
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
05/09/2012 JUA
SDN 6/2012 Sudan
Arbitrary detention;
Discrimination
against women in law
and in practice;
Independence of
judges and lawyers;
Sudan; Summary
executions; Torture;
Violence against
women;
Alleged sentencing to death by stoning for adultery of a 23-year old Sudanese woman resident of South Kordofan. According to information received, on 10 July 2012, Ms. Layla Ibrahim Issa was sentenced to death by stoning by the Mayo court in Khartoum, on charges of adultery under article 146 of Sudan‘s
Criminal Code of 1991 (Decision No. N/A/15/execution/2012). The charge of adultery was reportedly brought against Ms. Ibrahim Issa by her husband, who claimed her 6 month old child is not his. It is reported that the court did not inform Ms. Ibrahim Issa about her rights, that she did not have access to a lawyer during her trial in contradiction of Article 135 of the 1991 Criminal Procedure Act, and that she was convicted based on her alleged confession. She is reportedly now detained in Omdurman Women‘s Prison in shackles
together with her 6-month old baby.
18/09/2012
07/09/2012 AL
PER 4/2012 Peru
Indigenous peoples;
Alegaciones sobre la situación de posibles riesgos que enfrentan miembros de los pueblos indígenas que viven en situación de aislamiento o contacto inicial en la Reserva Territorial Kugapakori, Nahua, Nanti y otros a raíz de la ampliación del proyecto de gas Camisea en la región amazónica del Perú. Según la información recibida, el Ministerio de Minas y Energía habría aprobado una evaluación de impacto ambiental para la expansión de actividades del proyecto de gas Camisea. Se alega que los pueblos indígenas en situación de aislamiento y contacto inicial que habitan la Reserva Territorial Kugapakori, Nahua, Nanti y otros han sufrido graves impactos a su salud, vidas, culturas y territorios debido a exploraciones hidrocarburíferas pasadas y actuales en la región, incluyendo el proyecto Camisea. Debido a los antecedentes de las actividades hidrocarburíferas en el territorio que comprende la reserva, se han expresado graves preocupaciones sobre los planes de expansión del proyecto de gas Camisea por parte del Estado peruano, especialmente dentro de la Reserva Territorial Kugapakori, Nahua, Nanti y otros.
09/11/2012 15/11/2012 14/12/2012
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9
7
Date
Type
Case No
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11/09/2012 JAL
BLR 3/2012 Belarus
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders;
Alleged harassment of human rights defender. According to the information received, on 17 August 2012, Ms. Tatsiana Revyaka, board member of the Human Rights Centre ―Viasna‖ (HRC "Viasna"), was summoned to the
offices of the State Security Agency (KGB) on the basis that she was ―knowledgeable of circumstances relevant to the national security of the
Republic of Belarus‖. Upon her arrival, the defender was reportedly
interrogated in relation to an article on the website of Viasna from 15 August 2012 entitled ―Mahiliou KGB interferes with electoral process‖, describing
the alleged break-in by a KGB officer in Mogilev into the apartment of student and signature collector Mr. Uladislau Yaroshau. Officers allegedly inquired about the authors of the article, the source of the information and warned Ms. Revyaka that publishing unverified information would discredit the state security of Belarus. Members of HRC ―Viasna‖ have been the
subject of earlier communications (see A/HRC/21/49, case no BLR 2/2012).
10/10/2012
11/09/2012 JUA
COL 11/2012 Colombia
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders;
Alegaciones de actos de acoso e intimidación contra miembros de la Unión Sindical Obrera de la Industria del Petróleo (USO). Según la información recibida, el 23 de agosto de 2012, dos miembros de la Unión Sindical Obrera de la Industria del Petróleo (USO), habrían sido víctimas de una emboscada por parte de miembros del ejército y de la policía nacional del Estado. Según se indica, la unidad de la Seccional de Investigación Judicial (SIJIN) de la policía nacional y el ejército presentes en la operación habrían retenido a ambos sindicalistas arbitrariamente, hostigándoles y amenazándoles con fusiles y armas de dotación.
11/09/2012 JUA
EGY 12/2012 Egypt
Independence of
judges and lawyers;
Terrorism; Torture;
Alleged torture and imminent threat of evidence obtained under duress being admitted before the Egyptian state security courts. According to the information received, Mr. Mohamed Gayez Sabbah, Mr. Ossama Mohamed Abdel-Ghani Al-Nakhlawi and Mr. Younis Mohamed Abu-Gareer, were detained on terrorism charges, tried and sentenced to death by Egyptian state security courts in 2006. In 2011 the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights found that Egypt had violated their rights under the African Charter of Human and Peoples' Rights, notably on the basis of the failure of the state security courts to ensure that evidence obtained through torture was not admitted. The Egyptian Government reportedly lifted the death sentence but resubmitted the cases to the same state security court. The hearings would allegedly start on 12 September 2012.
A /H
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9 8
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
12/09/2012 JUA
HND 9/2012 Honduras
Freedom of
expression; Human
rights defenders;
Summary executions;
Violence against
women;
Alegacion de amenaza contra una defensora de los derechos humanos. Según las informaciones recibidas, el 22 de agosto de 2012, un hombre no identificado en una motocicleta sin placas de matricula habría acercado a la Sra. Gladys Lanza Ochoa a media cuadra de su vivienda y le habría preguntado por un lugar. La Sra. Lanza Ochoa siguió caminando rápido y se metió a un negocio cercano, mientras tanto, una camioneta negra con vidrios polarizados y sin placas de matrícula habría aparecido y circulado de forma repentina. Cuando la Sra. Lanza Ochoa salio del negocio, la motocicleta negra apareció de nuevo, y al verla, se huyó. La Sra. Gladys Lanza Ochoa es Coordinadora Nacional del Movimiento de Mujeres por la Paz Visitación Padilla, un colectivo nacional de defensoras de los derechos humanos en Honduras. La Sra. Lanza Ochoa fue objeto de una comunicación anterior (ver A/HRC/18/51, HND 4/2011).
12/09/2012 UA
MMR 4/2012 Myanmar
Myanmar;
Follow-up letter concerning the remaining UN Official held in detention in relation to the communal violence in Rakhine State, western Myanmar, which broke out in June 2012. Following his previous country visit, during which he interviewed the six UN staff held in detention at that time, in this letter the Special Rapporteur reiterates his concerns regarding the legal grounds for the ongoing detention of the remaining UN Official, respect of due process rights, treatment and conditions in detention, and the length of pre-trial detention. The Special Rapporteur extends these concerns to the husband and the father of the detained UN Official, who have also been in detention since June 2012, and to the four International NGO staff members that remained in detention. In view of these human rights concerns, the Special Rapporteur called for the release of these persons and a review of their cases.
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9
9
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
12/09/2012 JUA
LKA 4/2012 Sri Lanka
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders;
Allegations of violations against human rights defenders, including attempted abduction, surveillance and intimidation. According to the information received, Dr. Nirmal Dewasiri, President of the Federation of University Teachers Unions and Secretary of the Arts Faculty Teachers' Association of the University of Colombo, has been subjected to repeated acts of surveillance and intimidation. Most recently, on 22 June 2012, Dr. Dewasiri received a phone call from a person who identified himself as one of two men from the Ministry of Defence who were witnessed on 19 June enquiring about him to neighbours. During the call, the man reportedly threatened to harm Dr. Dewasiri's family if he did not cease his trade union activities. On 5 July 2012, prominent Sri Lanka X News journalist and human rights defender Mr. Shantha P. Wijesooriya was in the Colombo suburb of Nugegoda, when he noticed that he was being followed by a white van. He changed his route in order to avoid the van. While doing so, two unidentified persons attempted to grab him and drag him towards the van, the journalist managed to escape. Sources indicate that Mr. Wijesooriya and other Sri Lanka X News journalists have been repeatedly subjected to threats and intimidation since 2008. On 25 April 2011, Mr. Wijesooriya was arrested and detained for seventeen days on charges of contempt for an article published by Sri Lanka X News. Since September 2011, Mr. Wijesooriya and members of his family have reportedly received visits from military intelligence and CID officials, while unidentified individuals have asked about the journalist near his home.
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14/09/2012 JUA
COL 10/2012 Colombia
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders; Summary
executions;
Presunta amenaza de muerte contra defensores de los derechos humanos. Según las informaciones recibidas, el 18 de agosto de 2012, un panfleto conteniendo una amenaza de muerte y firmado por el grupo paramilitar ‗Rastrojos Comandos Urbanos‘ habría sido dejado en las oficinas de Gente en
Acción en Barrancabermeja. Se habría nombrado a varios defensores de los derechos humanos, incluyendo los Sres. Ovidio Nieto Jaraba, William Mendoza e Himad Abdala Choser, acusándolos de estar ―provocando y
organizando marchas de protesta‖ y apoyando a las guerrillas. El panfleto habría declarado que ―ya no [sic] será una amenaza, serán hechos […]
estamos retomando el control de todas las instancias‖. El Sr. Ovidio Nieto
Jaraba es una activista LGBTI y miembro de la organización Gente en Acción. El Sr. William Mendoza es presidente de la sede de Barrancabermeja del Sindicato Nacional de Trabajadores del Sistema Agroalimentario (SINALTRAINAL) y el Sr. Himad Abdala Choser es un defensor local de los derechos humanos.
14/09/2012 JUA
IRQ 4/2012 Iraq
Summary executions;
Torture;
Alleged risk of execution of six individuals after proceedings that did not comply with fair trial and due process standards. According to the information received, Messrs. ‗Abdullah ‗Azzam Saleh Musfer al-Qahtani, a Saudi Arabian national, and Manaf ‗Abdulrahim ‗Abdulhamid ‗Issa al-Rawi, Mohammad Nouri Matar Yassin, Ibrahim ‗Abdulqader ‗Ali ‗Antik, Safa
Ahmad ‗Abul‘aziz ‗Abdullah, and Mohammad Jaber Tawfiq ‗Obaid, Iraqi
nationals, were sentenced to death in March 2011. They were accused of participating in an armed raid on a goldsmith shop in Baghdad in 2009, which led to two deaths. It is alleged that their confessions were extracted under torture or ill-treatment, which raises serious concerns about respect of fair trial and due process safeguards. While the death sentence of Mr. Abdullah ‗Azzam Saleh Musfer al-Qahtani is currently under review, the five Iraqi nationals may reportedly be at risk of execution at any time.
09/11/2012
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1
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14/09/2012 JUA
NPL 4/2012 Nepal
Freedom of
expression; Human
rights defenders;
Violence against
women;
Alleged intimidation of and threats against women human rights defenders. According to the information received, members of leading women‘s rights
organization WOREC Nepal and LGBTI rights organization Mitini Nepal have been subjected to threats and intimidation, reportedly as a result of their support of Ms X, a victim of domestic violence, following her self- identification as a lesbian. On 28 August 2012, police reportedly surrounded the offices of Mitini Nepal in Lazimpat, Kathmandu. After their withdrawal, several plain-clothes individuals remained, to allegedly monitor the organization‘s activities. President of Mitini Nepal, Ms. Laxmi Ghalan, has
reportedly received a number of threatening phone calls. On 30 August 2012, a group of individuals, claiming to be relatives of X, allegedly raided the offices of WOREC in Balkumari, Lalitpur. The group was allegedly accompanied by seven police officers, who did not enter the offices. It is reported that also on 30 August, four police officers visited the offices of Mitini Nepal, accompanied by relatives of X, and accused staff of hiding X.
18/09/2012 UA
GBR 4/2012 United Kingdom
of Great Britain
and Northern
Ireland
Torture;
Alleged imminent involuntary repatriation of three Sri Lankan Tamils who are at risk of torture or ill-treatment in case of return to Sri Lanka. According to the information received, Mr. X., Mr. Y. and Mr. Z., three Sri Lankans of Tamil ethnicity, were facing imminent involuntary repatriation to Sri Lanka in September 2012. It is reported that Sri Lankan Tamils who in the past had an actual or perceived association with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), and were able to leave Sri Lanka, face risk of torture or ill-treatment by the Sri Lankan security forces upon return.
09/10/2012
19/09/2012 UA
MMR 5/2012 Myanmar
Myanmar;
Concerns regarding the treatment and condition of the 858 persons detained in relation to the recent violence in Rakhine state, which broke out in June 2012. The Special Rapporteur highlighted specific concerns regarding respect of due process rights, torture and ill-treatment of persons in detention and the particular vulnerability to human rights violations of members of the Rohingya community that had been detained.
A /H
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1 0
2
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
19/09/2012 AL
SUR 1/2012 Suriname
Indigenous peoples;
Alleged situation of health and environmental problems and land rights issues affecting the Wayana indigenous communities of Puleowime (Apetina) and Kawemhakan (Anapayke) in Southeastern Suriname. According to the information received, the communities of Apetina and Anapayke have suffered health, environmental and other problems due to the alleged presence of small-scale gold mining operations in their traditional lands. Concerns are also raised about the potential impacts of a proposed hydroelectric project on the traditional lands of the Apetina and Anapayke communities. These issues relate in large part, according to the information received, to the lack of legal recognition and protection of the communities‘ lands.
20/09/2012 JUA
COD 4/2012 République
démocratique
du Congo
Arbitrary detention;
Disappearances;
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders; Torture;
Allégations de détention d‘un militant associatif et de disparition forcée d‘un militant politique. Selon les informations reçues, le 1er juin 2012, M. René Kahukula, coordinateur général de l‘association « Actions pour le
Développement des Paysans Déshérités », aurait été enlevé à Bujumbura au Burundi par un commando, composé d‘agents de la sécurité congolaise,
agissant de concert avec des autorités burundaises. Il aurait ensuite été renvoyé par voie terrestre à Bukavu en République Démocratique du Congo, où il aurait été détenu dans les locaux de l‘Agence nationale de renseignements. Il serait désormais détenu dans un cachot de la Légion Nationale d‘Intervention. Son arrestation et sa détention pourraient être liées à
la publication par son organisation d‘un rapport dénonçant les violations des droits de l'Homme dans la région du Sud Kivu. Le 27 juin 2012, M. Diomi Ndongala, parlementaire et dirigeant du parti politique Démocratie chrétienne, aurait disparu alors qu‘il se rendait à un événement organisé par son parti politique. Les sources rapportent toutefois qu‘il serait actuellement détenu au
secret par les services du renseignement à Kinshasa et que son état de santé serait particulièrement préoccupant. Son arrestation et sa détention seraient liées son activité de figure de l‘opposition.
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20/09/2012 JAL
SAU 11/2012 Saudi Arabia
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Freedom of religion;
Summary executions;
Allegations of disproportionate use of force during demonstrations, resulting in the death of two protesters. According to the information received, on 9 July 2012, in Qatif Province, a demonstration organized in response to the arrest of a prominent Shiite activist, Sheikh Nimr Baqr al-Nimr, was met with excessive use of force by law enforcement officials resulting in the death of protesters Mr. Akbar al-Shakuri and Mr. Mohammed al-Filfil. A number of participants were also arrested and charged with illegal gathering. On 25 July 2012, hundreds of people gathered in Jeddah to protest against the detention of their relatives, but the police used tear gas bombs, rubber and live bullets to disperse the protesters injuring dozens of them. Around 14 protesters were reportedly arrested, including seven children. Amongst those arrested was Mr. Mohamed Al Shakoury, whose brother was killed during the 9 July demonstrations.
20/09/2012 JAL
SWZ 3/2012 Swaziland
Education; Freedom
of expression;
Freedom of peaceful
assembly and of
association; Human
rights defenders;
Alleged excessive use of force against student protesters. According to the information received, on 16 August 2012, dozens of students attempted to conduct a protest march against cuts in provisions of scholarships. The march was reportedly stopped by heavily armed police forces, which reportedly targeted Mr. Sibusiso Dlamini, chairperson of Kwaluseni Campus of the University‘s Students‘ Representative Council (SRC). Police officers shot
with rubber bullets to disperse student protesters, and Mr. Nkosinathi Methula and Mr. Brian Sangweni, two students, were reportedly severely injured. Mr. Bonginkhosi Dlamini, one of the students‘ leaders, was also arrested during
the protest and released a few hours later without any charge. On 4 September, another student march was stopped by police officers who used batons to disperse the crowd. It is reported that that these student protests follow similar demonstrations by civil servants and teachers which were also met with excessive use of force by police officers, including against pupils who joined the teachers‘ strike.
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4
Date
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21/09/2012 JUA
SLV 3/2012 El Salvador
Freedom of
expression; Human
rights defenders;
Summary executions;
Alegación de una amenaza de muerte contra un sacerdote que trabaja en proyectos de rehabilitación con ex miembros de pandillas. Según se informa, el 5 de septiembre de 2012, el sacerdote Antonio Rodríguez López (―padre
Toño‖) habría recibido de una fuente fiable en San Salvador, El Salvador, el aviso de que existe un complot para asesinarlo. El 7 de septiembre, a eso de las 11:45 a.m., mientras el sacerdote Antonio Rodríguez López caminaba hacia su despacho habría observado un coche gris con los cristales oscuros aparcado a un lado de la calle. El conductor habría bajado su ventanilla y le habría dicho al sacerdote: ―te van a matar‖. Se le ha impuesto medidas de
emergencia por 10 días a partir del 15 de septiembre mientras se realizan las investigaciones respectivas. Se alega que una semana antes de las amenazas el sacerdote Antonio Rodríguez López habría criticado públicamente la actual tregua alcanzada entre dos pandillas habiendo figurado el sacerdote Rodríguez, desde hace meses, como una voz crítica a las políticas de seguridad pública del Estado.
27/11/2012
21/09/2012 JAL
LBR 1/2012 Liberia
Mercenaries;
Summary executions;
Alleged violation of the right of peoples to self-determination in the context of Liberian mercenaries‘ attacks on civilians in Côte d‘Ivoire. According to
the information received, Liberian mercenaries have been involved in attacks against civilians in Côte d‘Ivoire, along the border with Liberia. On 13 April
2011, Liberian authorities captured in eastern Liberia a Liberian mercenary, Mr X, who allegedly helped to orchestrate two massacres in Côte d‘Ivoire. Mr X reportedly acknowledged that he was hired as a mercenary to fight in support of the previous government of Laurent Gbagbo. Despite this admission, Mr. X was released on bail by the Monrovia Circuit Court on 1 February 2012. In January 2012, Liberian police arrested 73 Ivorians and one Liberian person identified as a mercenary recruiter near Liberia‘s border with
Côte d‘Ivoire, suspected of planning an attack on Côte d‘Ivoire. Reportedly,
all detainees were released on 20 February 2012. On 24 April 2012, a group of approximately 20 Ivorian and Liberian men attacked the Ivorian village of Sakré. Seven civilians were killed, two were injured, several houses were destroyed and more than 3000 civilians fled to nearby villages. Reportedly, Ivorian forces managed to capture four Ivorian attackers. In June 2012, seven UN peacekeepers were killed in Côte d‘Ivoire by unidentified militia fighters
near the Liberian border. It has been alleged that mercenaries were involved in the attack.
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21/09/2012 JUA
SYR 8/2012 Syrian Arab
Republic
Arbitrary detention;
Disappearances;
Torture;
Alleged incommunicado detention and torture of 31-year old man by Syrian security forces. According to the information received, on 15 March 2012, Mr. Bassel Khartabil, a 31-year old Palestinian who was born and raised in Syria, was arrested by Syrian security forces of the Kafr Sousseh Military Intelligence Branch as he left work in the al-Mezzeh district of Damascus. One week after his arrest, security forces reportedly took him to his home where they confiscated his computers and his files. Following inquiries by his family, the Kafr Sousseh Military Intelligence Branch allegedly confirmed the detention of Mr. Khartabil, without revealing his whereabouts, the reasons for his arrest or his state of health. According to the information received, Mr. Khartabil was last seen at the Military Intelligence Branch in Kafr Sousseh and had reportedly been tortured and ill-treated. Mr. Khartabil has allegedly not been allowed to communicate with his family and has been denied access to a lawyer.
21/09/2012 UA
USA 26/2012 United States of
America
Summary executions;
Alleged imposition of the death penalty on a man suffering from psychosocial disabilities. According to the information received, Mr. Terrance Williams, a 46-year-old African American man, has been sentenced to death for a murder committed in 1984 when he was 18 years old. The victim, who had allegedly abused him during several years, was beaten to death. Moreover, Mr. Williams was also found guilty in a separate trial of third-degree murder, which does not carry the death penalty, for the killing of a 51-yers old man and an armed robbery when he was 16 years old. It has been reported that Mr Williams was physically abused by his mother and stepfather. Moreover, he was a victim of rape and sexual assault. According to the allegations received, he has been diagnosed with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). A clinical psychologist has underlined that the violence and abuse of Mr. Williams was so severe in his childhood that he suffers from severe and long lasting psychological damage.
16/11/2012
25/09/2012 UA
ISR 10/2012 Israel
Health;
Allegation that a Palestinian citizen who is critically ill has been denied permission to exit the West Bank to receive necessary treatment. According to the information received, Mr. Shadi Zuheir Naim Natsheh, Palestinian citizen, born 5 March 1989, and resident of Hebron, West Bank, Occupied Palestinian Territory, is critically ill with stomach cancer. He reportedly requires urgent medical care outside the West Bank and has allegedly been denied permission by the Israeli authorities to exit West Bank to receive such treatment abroad.
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6
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Type
Case No
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26/09/2012 AL
BOL 3/2012 Bolivia
Summary executions;
Muerte violenta presuntamente causada por el operativo lanzado el 16 de abril de 2009 en la ciudad de Santa Cruz por la policía boliviana. Según la información recibida, este operativo habría causado la muerte del Sr. Michael Dwyer, un ciudadano irlandés; el Sr. Arpad Magyarosi, un ciudadano húngaro; y el Sr. Eduardo Rózsa Flores, ciudadano boliviano-húngaro. Según la nueva información recibida, el Sr. Dywer habría recibido un primer disparo en la parte superior del pecho el cual habría sido suficiente para incapacitarlo. Posteriormente, habría sido disparado otras cuatro veces más en la parte superior izquierda de la espalda mientras yacía boca abajo en el suelo. Además se informa que el 1 de octubre 2012 se realizará la audiencia en la Paz, tras haberse cambiado la sede y sufrido múltiples dilataciones. Este caso fue objeto de una comunicación anterior (ver A/HRC/19/44, BOL 2/2011).
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27/09/2012 JUA
MLI 3/2012 Mali
Arbitrary detention;
Disappearances;
Summary executions;
Torture; Violence
against women;
Allégations d‘exécutions extrajudiciaires, de disparitions forcées, tortures,
détentions arbitraires et violences contre les femmes commises dans le contexte du conflit armé au nord du Mali. Selon les informations reçues, le 24 janvier 2012, des membres du Mouvement National pour la Libération de l‘Azawad (MNLA) et du groupe islamiste Ansar Dine, auraient pris des civils
en otages et se seraient servis d‘eux comme boucliers humains pour attaquer le camp militaire de l‘armée malienne d‘Aguelhock. 153 soldats maliens
auraient été faits prisonniers puis exécutés. A la suite de la prise de la ville de Gao, le 31 mars 2012, des corps dénudés auraient été découverts et des têtes de soldats auraient été suspendues au mur du camp militaire et sur le pont de Wabaria. Depuis la prise et l‘occupation des villes de Gao et Tombouctou, les
informations reçues indiquaient au moins 50 cas de tentatives de viols et de viols de femmes et de jeunes filles mineures commis par des membres du MNLA. En avril 2012, des militaires maliens auraient exécuté six personnes à Sévaré. Depuis le 1er mai 2012, de nombreux militaires et policiers auraient été arrêtés par la junte militaire et auraient subi des actes de tortures. Dans la nuit du 2 au 3 mai 2012, au moins 21 soldats auraient été enlevés de leur cellule au camp militaire de Kati. Au moment d‘envoi de cette
communication, il était ignoré où ils se trouvaient. Par ailleurs, sept soldats, auraient été toujours détenus incommunicado au camp Kati. Il s‘agirait de MM. Moussa Traoré, Abidine Guindo, Boubou Sidibé, Seydou Dicko, Moh Ouatarra, Archival, et Bouba Traoré.Dans la nuit du 8 au 9 septembre 2012, 16 personnes appartenant à la Dawa, un mouvement de prêcheurs musulmans, soupçonnées d‘appartenir au Mouvement pour l‘unicité et le jihad en Afrique
de l‘Ouest, auraient été tuées au camp militaire de Diabaly.
A /H
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1 0
8
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
27/09/2012 JUA
MEX 32/2012 México
Arbitrary detention;
Torture;
Presunta detención y tortura de seis estudiantes. Según las informaciones recibidas, el 13 de septiembre de 2012, los Sres. Jesús Antonio Moreno Román, Juan Andraca Escalante, Lucio Sandoval Molina, José Luis Dealmonte Díaz, Alan Francisco Alarcón García y Ricardo Muñoz Arzate, todos estudiantes de la Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero, fueron interceptados y detenidos en Coyuca de Catalán por efectivos de la Policía Federal. Los seis estudiantes fueron golpeados y torturados psicológicamente para que se declararan culpables de estar relacionados con el crimen organizado y con la muerte de 16 personas aparecidas en una camioneta en Coyuca de Catalán el 10 de septiembre de 2012. Se informa que estas seis personas fueron presentadas por la Policía Federal a las 4:00 horas del 14 de septiembre de 2012 ante la Procuraduría General de la República (PGR). Posteriormente, fueron trasladadas a Iguala y después a la Ciudad de México donde se encuentran arraigados por 40 días por orden de un juez.
22/11/2012
27/09/2012 AL
ZAF 3/2012 South Africa
Summary executions;
Alleged killings of 34 mineworkers. According to the information received, on 16 August 2012, in Marikana, near Rustenburg, North West Providence, a group of workers from the Marikana platinum mine were participating in a strike to demand better wages. It is reported that in the action, members of the South African Police service opened fired on the group of strikers which led to death of 34 mineworkers. In addition, the operation wounded 78 mineworkers and led to the arrest of some 270 mineworkers. Moreover, it is suggested that, according to the findings of autopsies conducted on the bodies of those who were killed, a significant number of them had been shot in the back. An investigation into police conduct has been initiated by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate. A judicial commission of inquiry has been appointed to investigate the killings as well as matters leading up to them.
A /H
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1
0 9
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
28/09/2012 JUA
HND 10/2012 Honduras
Freedom of
expression; Human
rights defenders;
Summary executions;
Presunto asesinato del destacado abogado y defensor de los derechos humanos. Según las informaciones recibidas, el 22 de septiembre de 2012, el Sr. Antonio Trejo Cabrera recibió cinco disparos a inmediaciones del aeropuerto Toncontín en Tegucigalpa. Fue trasladado al Hospital Escuela, donde falleció de sus heridas. Unas horas antes de su asesinato, el abogado habría participado en un debate televisado, en el que acusaba a los líderes del Congreso de la utilización de los proyectos de las ciudades privados o ―regiones especiales de desarrollo‖ para recaudar fondos de campaña. El Sr.
Trejo Cabrera fue el apoderado del Movimiento Auténtico Reivindicador Campesino del Aguán (MARCA), formado por las cooperativas campesinas La Trinidad, San Isidro, El Despertar y San Esteban. El abogado era destacado por su trabajo en defensa de los derechos de los grupos campesinos en la región del Valle del Aguan, llevando procesos legales contra varios terratenientes con el fin de restituir las tierras de las cooperativas campesinas.
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1 1
0
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
28/09/2012 JUA
IND 24/2012 India
Arbitrary detention;
Disappearances;
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Freedom of religion;
Human rights
defenders; Summary
executions; Torture;
Allegations of new acts of harassment against members of the Peoples Movement Against Nuclear Energy (PMANE) and other human rights defenders. According to the information received, on 10 September 2012, law enforcement authorities brutally repressed a peaceful demonstration near the Koodankulam plant raising concerns related to adverse effects on their health and livelihoods. Women, men and children were reportedly beaten and some were subsequently admitted to hospital. Those injured included Mr. Udayakumar, Mr. Sahaya Initha, Ms. Initha, Ms. Chennammal, Ms. Jesu Ammal,. Mr. Gnanaprakasam, Mr. David, Mr. Gloudin, Mr. Jeniker, Mr. Selvan,. Mr. Joseph, Mr. Michael,. Mr. Valan, Mr. Thangasamy, Mr. Jeniker, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Selson, Mr. Siluvai John and Mr. Jesu. Messrs. Selson, Siluvai John and Jesu were reportedly hospitalised and later transferred to an unknown location. Several demonstrators, including four minors, were arrested and charged with offences, including sedition and rioting, under which they face life imprisonment. Warrants have also been issued for the arrest of Mr. Udayakumar and his associate Mr. Pushparayan.In addition, several media personnel were injured while covering the peaceful protest. In the aftermath of the protest, the police reportedly desecrated the Lourdu Matha shrine, breaking idols and spitting and urinating inside the church. Finally, a number of peaceful protests in solidarity with PMANE took place in the following days and were repressed, most notably in Manappad, Thoothukudi district, where Mr. Anthony Samywas reportedly shot dead while peacefully demonstrating. Messrs Suseendaran, Vivekanandan and Thirumurugan were arrested while supporting students protesting of Nandanam Arts and Science College. Another protestor, Mr. Sahayam Francis, died of a heart attack after a plane belonging to the India Coastal Guards reportedly flew at a very low altitude where protestors had gathered again near the Koodankulam plant. Members of PMANE were the subject of an earlier communication (see above; case no IND 6/2012).
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1
1 1
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
02/10/2012 JAL
COL 12/2012 Colombia
Arbitrary detention;
Disappearances;
Discrimination
against women in law
and in practice;
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders;
Independence of
judges and lawyers;
Mercenaries;
Summary executions;
Torture; Violence
against women;
Posible adopción por el Congreso de la República del ―Proyecto de acto legislativo por el cual se reforman los artículos 116, 152 y 221 de la Constitución Política de Colombia‖ (Fuero Penal Militar), el cual podría
afectar seriamente el Estado de Derecho y la lucha contra la impunidad en Colombia.
30/10/2012 30/10/2012
02/10/2012 JUA
MMR 6/2012 Myanmar
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders;
Myanmar;
Allegations of charges pressed against human rights activists who organized and participated in peaceful demonstrations on International Peace Day on 21 September 2012. According to the information received, Mr. Moe Thway, Mr. Kyaw Bo Bo, Ms. Khin Sandar Nyunt, Ms. Phwe Yu Mon, Ms. May Sabe Phyu, Mr. Jaw Gun, Mr. U Win Cho, Mr. Nay Myo Zin, and Mr. Wai Lu, members of the Peace Network were facing charges under section 18 of the Law on Peaceful Assembly and Peaceful Procession after having organized and participated in peaceful demonstrations on International Peace Day. They had earlier applied for permits to hold the demonstrations, which were rejected. They nevertheless decided to proceed with the demonstrations. Similarly, demonstrators who had separately applied for permission to travel by bus from Yangon to Naypyidaw, in order to hold a peaceful demonstration on 21 September calling for peace in Kachin state, faced charges under section 18 of the law on peaceful assembly.
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1 1
2
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
02/10/2012 JUA
SAU 12/2012 Saudi Arabia
Arbitrary detention;
Freedom of religion;
Minority issues;
Alleged arbitrary detention of two Ahmadiyah Muslim community members in a jail located in al-Aziziya, in the ‗Ar-‗Ar area. According to the information received, on May 14 2012, Mr. Sultan al-Enezi and Mr. Saud al- Enezi were detained by the police without formal charges being brought against them. While in custody, the police and scholars from the Ministry of Islamic Affairs have reportedly visited them daily to convince them to recant their faith, and threatened them with the death penalty if they failed to do so. In the jail where they were held, they allegedly had limited means of communication with the outside world. The local Ahmadiyya Muslim community feared that they would be charged with apostasy, which carries the death penalty.
02/10/2012 JUA
GBR 5/2012 United Kingdom
of Great Britain
and Northern
Ireland
Terrorism; Torture;
Allegations of imminent extradition to the United States of America and risk of indefinite or prolonged solitary confinement. According to the information received, Mr. Babar Ahmad, Mr. Syed Talha Ahsan, Mr. Adel Abdul Bary and Mr. Khaled Al-Fawwazare are each the subject of an extradition request from the United States of America for offences relating to terrorism. It is reported that if extradited to the United States they will be immediately placed in detention in solitary confinement, for an indefinite period of time and that they are at real risk of being subjected to torture and inhuman and degrading treatment.
A /H
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1
1 3
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
03/10/2012 UA
BGD 6/2012 Bangladesh
Independence of
judges and lawyers;
Alleged unfair trials before the Bangladesh International Crimes Tribunal (BICT). According to the information received, Mr. Delwar Hossain Sayedee, Vice-President of Jamaat-e-Islami, Mr. Salauddin Quader Chowdhury, member of the Bangladesh National Party, Mr. Motiur Rahman Nizami, leader of Jamaat-e-Islami, Mr. Ghulam Azam, former leader of Jamaat-e- Islami, Mr. Muhammad Kamaruzzaman, Assistant Secretary-General of Jamaat-e-Islami, Mr. Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujahid, Secretary-General of Jamaat-e-Islami, Mr. Abdul Kader Molla, Assistant Secretary-General of Jamaat-e-Islami, Mr. Mir Quasem Ali, Head and owner of Diganta Media, and Mr. Islam Azharul, Acting Secretary-General of Jamaat-e-Islami, were arrested and held in pre-trial detention. Serious allegations of lack of independence and impartiality of both the judiciary and prosecutorial services of the BICT were reported in this case. The defendants may face the death penalty if sentenced. The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention issued an opinion (No. 66/2011 (Bangladesh)) citing that the deprivation of liberty of a number of the aforementioned individuals is arbitrary. Mr. Salauddin Quader Chowdhury was the subject of a previous communication (see A/HRC/18/51, case no BGD 2/2011).
10/10/2012
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1 1
4
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
03/10/2012 JAL
PRK 1/2012 Democratic
People's
Republic of
Korea
Arbitrary detention;
Disappearances;
DPR Korea;
Summary executions;
Torture;
Alleged use of labour camps for political prisoners and pattern of human rights violations committed therein. According to the information received, labour camps, also known as kwan-li-so, for political prisoners have been in operation since the 1950s in the Democratic People‘s Republic of Korea. It is
reported that individuals who have committed or are perceived to have committed a political crime are involuntarily or forcibly taken to an interrogation facility, detained, and typically subjected to torture until a confession is obtained. After being declared guilty by the State Security Protection Agency, the detainee is either executed immediately or transferred to a prison camp. Throughout their detention, prisoners are reportedly not given a trial and are held incommunicado without notice of the charges laid down against them, nor information on the length or place of detention. According to reports, detainees have been held in harsh conditions. Prisoners, including children, have been subjected to forced labour. It is further alleged that torture and public executions are common within the camps. Reports also suggest that women have been subjected to sexual exploitation, rapes, forced abortions and killings. In at least four camps, the majority of prisoners reportedly remain in custody until their deaths. Over the past few decades, an estimated number of at least 400,000 prisoners have reportedly perished in the camps.
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1
1 5
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
03/10/2012 JUA
EGY 13/2012 Egypt
Arbitrary detention;
Freedom of religion;
Independence of
judges and lawyers;
Torture;
Alleged detention and attacks against an atheist on allegations of ―Defamation
of Religion‖. According to the information received, on 13 September 2012, a
crowd gathered in front of Mr. Albert Saber Ayyad‘s apartment with the
intention of attacking him over a video he had posted on the internet that was viewed to be ―defaming‖ Islam. Mr. Ayyad‘s mother called the police for
protection but when the police arrived, they arrested Mr. Ayyad and confiscated his computer and a CD, without a warrant. Mr. Ayyad was allegedly attacked by the crowd while he was transferred to the El-Marg police station. He was also allegedly attacked by inmates at the police station, after the arresting officer reportedly told them that Mr. Ayyad insulted Islam. Mr. Ayyad was charged with defamation of religion based on Article 98 of the Egyptian Penal Code and interrogated for hours about his religious beliefs. His lawyer was allegedly sent out of the interrogation room after commenting on the inappropriateness of the line of questioning. An appeal against the detention order was filed by a group of human rights organizations but reportedly denied.
01/11/2012
05/10/2012 JUA
BHR 8/2012 Bahrain
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders;
Alleged sentencing of human rights defender. According to the information received, on 26 September 2012, Ms. Zainab Al-Khawaja was sentenced to two months imprisonment by the Lower Criminal Court in Manama, on charges of ―damaging property belonging to the Ministry of Interior‖,
reportedly relating to an incident which occurred in May 2012 while Ms. Al- Khawaja was in detention. The prominent human rights defender was arrested on 2 August 2012 while protesting alone at Al Qadam roundabout in Manama, against the continued detention of her father Mr. Abdulhadi Al- Khawaja. It is alleged that Ms. Al-Khawaja was subjected to ill-treatment by police during the arrest. A total of thirteen cases have reportedly been filed against Ms. Al-Khawaja, eight of which are in court and include charges of ―illegal gathering‖ and ―inciting hatred against the regime‖. Sources indicate
that the defender was released on 4 0ctober, and was to appear again in court on 10 and 16 October and 1 November. Ms. Al-Khawaja was the subject of earlier communications (see A/HRC/20/30, case no BHR 1/2012).
25/10/2012
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1 1
6
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
05/10/2012 JAL
MYS 12/2012 Malaysia
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders;
Allegations of on-going harassment of the non-governmental organization Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM). According to the information received, since July 2012 SUARAM has been investigated by the Companies Commission Malaysia (CCM) and the Social Security Organisation, under the Ministry of Human Resources (PERKESO) in relation to his financial situation. Furthermore, SUARAM is reportedly victim of a smear campaign in the media and beyond. According to reports, such investigations and attacks on SUARAM‘s integrity may be politically motivated. SUARAM belongs to
the Coalition for Fair and Free Elections (BERSIH), which advocates for reform of the electoral process in Malaysia, and which has been the subject of earlier communications (see above, MYS 4/2012).
08/10/2012 AL
BRA 12/2012 Brazil
Indigenous peoples;
Alleged violent attacks against the Guarani – Kaiowá indigenous community of Arrio Korá, which reportedly resulted in the disappearance and possible death of one community member. According to the information received, the Arrio Korá historically inhabited lands in the Mato Grosso do Sol region until the 1940s when they were displaced from their traditional lands to make way for non-indigenous settlers who came to the area to engage in large-scale agribusiness. On or about 10 August 2012, Arrio Korá community members began a peaceful protest that involved reoccupation of their claimed lands, reportedly in response to ongoing delays by the Government in resolving their land claims. As the protests were about to start, some 50 armed gunmen arrived and shot at the protestors. This situation is reportedly part of a broader pattern of violence between local farmers and indigenous communities in the context of efforts by indigenous peoples in Mato Grosso do Sul to attempt to regain rights over ancestral lands that are under the control of non-indigenous occupants.
08/10/2012 JUA
IRN 23/2012 Iran (Islamic
Republic of)
Iran; Torture;
Alleged torture and risk of execution for national security related charges. According to the information received, Mr Maziar Ebrahimi, of Kurdish descent, was held incommunicado without access to legal counsel or contact with his family since his apprehension by the Ministry of Intelligence on 12 June 2012. He was allegedly subjected to torture and at risk of facing death penalty.
A /H
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1
1 7
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
08/10/2012 JUA
IRN 24/2012 Iran (Islamic
Republic of)
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders;
Independence of
judges and lawyers;
Iran; Torture;
Alleged heavy prison sentence imposed on human rights lawyer. According to the information received, Mr Mohammad Ali Dadkhah, a prominent human rights lawyer and activist, was arrested and sentenced to serve nine years imprisonment, coupled with a 10 year ban on practicing his profession. His conviction is believed to be linked to his profession as human rights lawyer.
09/10/2012 JAL
CUB 6/2012 Cuba
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders;
Presunta represión contra integrantes de Las Damas de Blanco. Se alega reiterado acoso policial, incluyendo detenciones, a las integrantes de la organización Las Damas de Blanco, así como la supuesta violación de su derecho de reunión pacífica. Se expresa preocupación por el hecho que estas acciones policiales se llevan produciendo de manera reiterada en los últimos meses y que ello pueda ir dirigido a impedir a esta organización llevar a cabo su legítimo trabajo en defensa y promoción de los derechos humanos. Las Damas de Blanco han sido sujeto de comunicaciones anteriores (ver A/HRC/21/49, CUB 3/2012).
19/12/2012
09/10/2012 UA
LBN 3/2012 Liban
Torture;
Alleged forcible return to the Syrian Arab Republic and the imminent risk of torture and ill-treatment. According to the information received Mr. Maher Shawki Ahmed is facing imminent extradition to Syria, where he allegedly faces a high risk of being subjected to torture, ill-treatment, and the imposition of the death-penalty. Mr. Ahmed was reportedly arrested on 31 March 2011, in Lebanon, and charged with having contacts with enemy nationals under the Lebanese Penal Code.
A /H
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1 1
8
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
10/10/2012 JUA
BRA 11/2012 Brazil
Freedom of
expression; Human
rights defenders;
Independence of
judges and lawyers;
Summary executions;
Alleged judicial harassment, attacks and death threats against lawyer and human rights defender. According to the information received, Ms. Sandra Paulino has been the victim of attacks, death threats and judicial harassment since 1998, reportedly as a result of her in reporting on cases of human rights violations by military police and members of the judiciary. The alleged perpetrators include military police officers, judges, prosecutors and members of OAB (Order of Lawyers of Brazil) and TJM (Military Justice Court). Most recently, on 1 December 2011, upon returning to their home, Ms. Paulino and her family were attacked a number of times by unknown individuals, while shots were fired at her home and her legal offices in Embu das Artes and Cotia in the State of Sao Paolo. It is also reported that Ms. Paulino‘s name
appears in an internal police list in Sao Paolo State, dated 1 June 2011, of persons who ―should die‖ for ―denouncing‖ police or local government
officials.
10/10/2012 JAL
PRY 1/2012 Paraguay
Summary executions;
Torture;
Presunta muerte violenta de 17 personas (11 campesinos y 6 policías), y más de 80 resultaron heridas. Según las informaciones recibidas, el 15 de junio de 2012, en Curuguaty, Departamento de Canindeyú, el Grupo de Operaciones Especiales, GEO, de la Policía Nacional, habría realizado un procedimiento de desalojo y allanamiento en unas tierras ocupadas por campesinos sin tierra que reclamaban su redistribución. A consecuencia del enfrentamiento entre policías y campesinos 17 personas murieron y más de 80 resultaron heridas. Según se informa, se habría abierto fuego a larga distancia contra las personas que se encontraban en el campamento, incluidas mujeres, niños, niñas y adolescentes. Tras el incidente, los campesinos se habrían adentrado en una zona boscosa donde continuaron los enfrentamientos. Horas más tarde la policía nacional habría tomado el control del lugar. Las alegaciones afirman que se habrían denunciado los hechos ante el Ministerio Público de Paraguay, el cual habría abierto una investigación.
10/12/2012
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1
1 9
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
11/10/2012 JUA
IRN 25/2012 Iran (Islamic
Republic of)
Iran; Summary
executions; Torture;
Alleged risk of imminent execution after proceedings that did not comply with international human rights law standards on fair trial and due process guarantees, and the most serious crimes provision. According to the information received, Mr. Saeed Sedeghi and ten other individuals, including Mr. Hamid Rabi‘i, Mr. Mohammad Ali Rabi‘i, Mr. Ali Darvish, and Mr.
Abbas Namaki, have been transferred to Evin Prison in Tehran and face imminent execution in this prison. Mr. Sedeghi was the subject of two previous communications (see above, IRN 15/2012 and IRN 21/2012). These communications reported that Mr. Sedeghi allegedly faced the risk of execution after trials that did not comply with international human rights law provisions on fair trial and due process, and for drug offences, which are not considered as most serious crimes under international law.
11/10/2012 JUA
IRQ 5/2012 Iraq
Arbitrary detention;
Independence of
judges and lawyers;
Summary executions;
Terrorism; Torture;
Alleged risk of imminent execution following proceedings that did not comply with international human rights law standards on fair trial and due process guarantees. According to the information received, Mr. Ahmad ‗Amr
‗Abd al-Qadir Muhammad, a Palestinian born in Iraq, was arrested in 2006 under accusations of attempting to plant explosives, and sentenced to death in 2011 on the basis of the Anti-Terror Law of 2005. He was allegedly held incommunicado for more than a year after his arrest, during which he was subjected to torture and his confession extracted by coercion and torture. Following a trial that allegedly did not comply with international human rights law provisions of fair trial and due process guarantees, he was reportedly transferred to al-Kadhimiya Prison in Baghdad at the end of August 2012. He is reported to be at risk of imminent execution.
12/12/2012
11/10/2012 UA
MAR 2/2012 Maroc
Torture;
Allégations d‘expulsion imminente vers la Libye et risque élevé de torture et
de mauvais traitements. Selon les informations reçues, M. Aymane Souleymane Abdulhamid Sayeh, un citoyen libyen actuellement en détention au Maroc, est menacé d‘expulsion imminente vers la Libye, où il est allégué
qu'il pourrait être soumis à la torture et aux mauvais traitements, ou même être tué. Il est aussi rapporté que le père de M. Sayeh était un agent de sécurité travaillant pour l‘ancien gouvernement libyen de Mouammar Kadhafi.
13/12/2012
A /H
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1 2
0
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
12/10/2012 JUA
KAZ 6/2012 Kazakhstan
Arbitrary detention;
Freedom of religion;
Torture;
Alleged arrest and risk of extradition of an Uzbek citizen facing religious persecution in Uzbekistan. According to the information received, Mr. Makhset Abdullayevich Djabbarbergenov, an Uzbek citizen, converted to Christianity in 2000 and became an active house church leader in Nukus, the capital of Karakalpakstan Republic. An arrest warrant was reportedly issued against him on 20 August 2007. Mr. Djabbarbergenov fled to Kazakhstan to avoid his arrest. On 26 February 2008, UNHCR granted refugee status to Mr. Djabbarbergenov, however this was reportedly revoked later by the Ministry of Migration of Kazakhstan. Mr. Djabbarbergenov appealed the decision but the appeal was allegedly rejected on a number of occasions. The case is now pending before the Supreme Court of Kazakhstan. Meanwhile, in February 2012 Mr. Djabbarbergenov was put on a wanted list of the Commonwealth of Independent States and an arrest warrant with a view to his extradition was issued against him. Reportedly, Mr. Djabbarbergenov was subsequently detained by police officers in Almaty, Kazakhstan, and is currently waiting for a decision regarding his extradition.
12/10/2012 JUA
PAK 11/2012 Pakistan
Education; Freedom
of expression;
Human rights
defenders; Summary
executions; Violence
against women;
Alleged assassination attempt against an advocate for girls‘ education by the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). According to information received, on 9 October, 2012 two gunmen stopped the school bus in which Ms. Malala Yousafzai was returning home from school in Swat Valley, Pakistan, and shot her and two other girls, critically injuring Ms. Yousafzai. On 10 October, a spokesperson for the TTP claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement to national and international media, and indicated that if she survives, she, and others who preach ―secularism and so called enlightened modernism‖ will be targeted again.
A /H
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1
2 1
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
12/10/2012 JUA
SDN 7/2012 Sudan
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders; Summary
executions;
Terrorism; Violence
against women;
Allegation of charges brought against a political activist and human rights defender. According to the information received, on 15 March 2012, Ms. Jalila Khamis Koko was arrested at her home in Khartoum, by agents of the National Security Services (NSS) and was later transferred to Omdurman prison in the capital. On 15 September 2012, Ms. Khamis Koko was summoned by the Prosecutor and Khartoum Criminal Court on charges of crimes against the state. She faces six charges, five of which are categorized as crimes against the state, and two of them carry the death penalty. Prior to her arrest, Ms. Khamis Koko was working as a volunteer by providing humanitarian support to internally displaced people from Southern Kordofan. In June 2011, she reportedly appeared in a Youtube video in which she denounced the conditions in conflict affected areas of Southern Kordofan and called for a ceasefire. Ms. Khamis Koko was a member of the Sudan People‘s Liberation Movement – North (SPLM-N), an opposition party which was banned in September 2011.
15/10/2012 JAL
GTM 6/2012 Guatemala
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders;
Indigenous peoples;
Summary executions;
Alegaciones de actos de violencia y uso desproporcionado de la fuerza contra manifestantes pacíficos en el contexto de unas protestas en la cumbre de Alaska, jurisdicción de Santa Catarina Ixtahuacán, Sololá. Según la información recibida, el jueves 4 de octubre de 2012, aproximadamente unos 15.000 a 20.000 miembros de comunidades indígenas habrían participado en unas protestas pacíficas para denunciar la reforma constitucional, la reforma de la carrera magisterial y el alto precio de la energía eléctrica. Se habrían producido serios enfrentamientos entre las fuerzas del ejército y los manifestantes, resultando en la muerte del Sr. José Eusebio Puac Baquiax, del Sr. Santos Hernández Menchú, del Sr. Jesús Baltazar Caxaj Puac, del Sr. Arturo Félix Sapón Yaxm, del Sr. Jesús Francisco Puac Ordóñez y del Sr. Rafael Nicolás Batz, y más de 33 personas fueron heridas, incluyendo por intoxicación de gases lacrimógenos.
09/01/2013
A /H
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1 2
2
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
15/10/2012 AL
NPL 5/2012 Nepal
Indigenous peoples;
Allegations regarding the ongoing barriers to effective protection of indigenous peoples‘ rights in Nepal. According to the information received,
the Constituent Assembly, which was tasked with drafting a new Constitution in Nepal, was dissolved in May 2012, reportedly due to disagreements regarding the reorganization of the Nepali state under a federal structure defined along ethnic lines. This federal structure had been supported by indigenous representatives. With the dissolution of the Constituent Assembly and the current proposals for the creation of an entirely new body to take its place, concerns have been expressed that the progress made by indigenous members of the former Constituent Assembly could be lost. In addition, as a result of ongoing disagreements over the nature of the federal structure to be established in Nepal, incidents of criminal persecution of indigenous leaders in the country have been reported. Finally, various domestic laws still require reform in order to comply with relevant international standards. This letter follows up on the recommendations made in a 2009 report of the Special Rapporteur (A/HRC/12/34/Add.3) as well as a communication of 29 January 2010 (A/HRC/15/37/Add.1).
15/10/2012 JAL
TUN 4/2012 Tunisie
Discrimination
against women in law
and in practice;
Torture; Violence
against women;
Allégations de viol commis par des policiers. Selon les informations reçues, Mme. X, âgée de 27 ans, aurait été appréhendée avec son compagnon le 3 Septembre 2012, par une patrouille de police dans la nuit du 3 au 4 septembre
2012. Suite au viol, la victime a été amenée dans une clinique. Par la suite, la victime et son compagnon se seraient rendus au Commissariat de police pour porter plainte pour viol, mais auraient été aussi inculpés pour outrage public à la pudeur. La victime de viol collectif par des agents de police serait aujourd‘hui poursuivie pour outrage public à la pudeur. De victime, elle serait maintenant aussi coupable.
A /H
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1
2 3
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
16/10/2012 UA
USA 27/2012 United States of
America
Summary executions;
Alleged imposition of the death penalty in violation of due process guarantees. According to the information received, Mr. Anthony Haynes, an African American man, has been sentenced to death for the murder of an off- duty police officer in 1999 in Houston, Texas when he was 19 years old. No expert testimony was presented as evidence to the jurors in order to mitigate effects of youth. The failure of the court-appointed lawyer to raise in state appeals the claim of poor legal representation at trial barred such issues from federal judicial review. It has been reported that during the trial in 1999, the prosecution utilized ―peremptory strikes‖ to dismiss four of the six
prospective African American jurors without being required to give explicit reasons. In 2009, the Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit ruled that Anthony Haynes should get a new trial. However, the US Supreme Court sent the case back to the Fifth Circuit which upheld the death sentence despite acknowledging the persuasive value of circumstantial indications of intentional racial discrimination in the case.
17/10/2012 JUA
GTM 7/2012 Guatemala
Freedom of
expression; Human
rights defenders;
Violence against
women;
Supuestas amenazas de muerte contra dos periodistas. Según las informaciones recibidas, el 1 de octubre de 2012, un artículo titulado ―Día del
Niño‖ fue publicado por la periodista y defensora de los derechos humanos Sra. Carolina Vásquez Araya en la Prensa Libre, en el que denuncio la violación de hijas de trabajadores agrícolas por los administradores o propietarios de fincas. Durante los días que siguieron a la publicación de dicho artículo, la Sra. Vásquez Araya recibió varias amenazas de muerte por correo electrónico. El 5 de octubre de 2012, el periodista y radiodifusor el Sr. Jorge Jacobs habría denunciado en directo que él y su familia fueron víctimas de amenazas de muerte, después de haber publicado una columna el día anterior en la Prensa Libre. El artículo, titulado ―Pepsi bye?‖, trataba de una
posible adquisición de una empresa de bebidas carbonatadas por un grupo regional.
29/11/2012 20/12/2012
17/10/2012 JUA
JOR 2/2012 Jordan
Disappearances;
Torture;
Alleged forcible return to Jordan and imminent threat of torture. According to the information received, Mr. Ashraf Mohammad Yousef Abdulsalam was arrested and tortured at the GID headquarters in Amman, Jordan in 2010. He later joined his family and took residence in Bahrain. On 25 September 2012, he was arrested in Bahrain and allegedly forcibly returned to Jordan without further information being provided to his family on his fate or whereabouts in spite of requests thereof.
18/01/2013
A /H
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1 2
4
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
17/10/2012 JAL
ZWE 8/2012 Zimbabwe
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders;
Alleged repeated acts of harassment against leaders of two human rights associations reportedly operating as unregistered organisations. According to the information received, leaders of two human rights associations have been charged with running unregistered organisations, in contravention of the Private Voluntary Organisation Act. On 25 July 2012, a summons against Mr. Abel Chikomo, the executive director of the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum, on charges related to running an ―unregistered‖ organization were
withdrawn and his case has been postponed sine die. On 23 August 2012, Ms. Martha Tholanah, the co-chairperson of Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe (GALZ) association, was charged with running an ―unregistered‖ organization and her case is reportedly ongoing. It is alleged that these measures contradict international standards related to freedom of association.
18/10/2012 JAL
ARM 1/2012 Armenia
Freedom of religion;
Minority issues;
Alleged continued prosecution, conviction and imprisonment of Jehovah‘s
Witnesses for their conscientious objection to military service in Armenia. According to the information received, there are more than 40 conscientious objectors in Armenian prisons. Further 29 conscientious objectors have been reportedly convicted and/or prosecuted since July 2011. In February 2012, appeals were filed on behalf of 52 conscientious objectors requesting their immediate release and the clearance of their criminal records, but the Cassation Court allegedly rejected all. 23 new conscientious objectors have been called to perform military service in 2012. On 7 May 2012, an application was submitted to the Government requesting that their call-up be postponed until genuine alternative civilian service is offered to conscientious objectors. The application was reportedly ignored and criminal prosecutions were launched in some of these cases.
24/12/2012
A /H
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1
2 5
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
18/10/2012 JUA
BHR 10/2012 Bahrain
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders;
Alleged surveillance, threats, harassment and acts of reprisal against human rights defenders. According to the information received, during the 21st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council from 10 to 28 September 2012, several Bahraini human rights defenders were subjected to surveillance, harassment, verbal assault and threats by members of or individuals linked to the Government of Bahrain. Acts of reprisal also allegedly took place, including the publication by Al-Watan newspaper on 25 September of the names and photos of participants of the Human Rights Council‘s Universal Periodic Review of Bahrain, who were accused of
―discrediting Bahrain in Geneva‖. Those subjected to the above acts include
Mr. Mohammed Al-Maskati, Ms. Maryam Al-Khawaja, Dr. Nada Dhaif, Dr. Mondher Alkhoor, Ms. Jalila Al-Salman and Mr. Said Yousif. In addition, on 16 October 2012, Mr. Al-Maskati was reportedly summoned to Al-Hoora Police Station for interrogation, during which time his lawyer was allegedly denied access. Mr. Al-Maskati was detained overnight and appeared the following day before the Public Prosecution Office, where charges of ―rioting
and participating in an illegal assembly‖ were formally presented. Mr. Mohammed Al-Maskati was the subject of previous communications (see A/HRC/18/51, BHR 5/2011). Ms. Maryam Al-Khawaja was also the subject of a previous communication (see A/HRC/19/44, BHR 18/2011).
19/11/2012
18/10/2012 JUA
BLR 4/2012 Belarus
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders;
Alleged arbitrary closure of a human rights association. According to the information received, on 9 October 2012, the Minsk economic court decided to close down the association Platforma, on the basis that it had allegedly missed a deadline for submitting tax declarations and failed to notify the tax inspection of its move to a new office. It is reported that the organization had submitted all papers to the tax inspection authority in due time and has not moved to any new office; it has therefore not failed to comply with the legal requirements. It is further reported that Platforma has been repeatedly subjected to acts of harassment and reprisals over the past months, in particular since its representatives participated in the 47th session of the UN Committee against Torture in November 2011.
31/10/2012 22/01/2013
A /H
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1 2
6
Date
Type
Case No
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19/10/2012 JUA
AUS 2/2012 Australia
Discrimination
against women in law
and in practice;
Extreme poverty;
Alleged threat to the enjoyment of human rights of over 100,000 single parents, some of the most marginalized and impoverished members of Australian society, by a number of provisions in the Social Security Legislation Amendment (Fair Incentives to Work) Act 2012, recently passed by the Australian parliament. According to information received, the new Act will move more than 100,000 single parents (over 90% of which are women), from receipt of the Parenting Payment to the Newstart Allowance. The Parenting Payment stands at 90% of the relative poverty line in Australia, while the Newstart Allowance is 77% of the official poverty line. It is alleged that the legislation will have significant and detrimental impacts on the human rights of over 100,000 Australians, many of whom are currently living in poverty, will provide an institutional obstacle to the full enjoyment of human rights for people living in extreme poverty and increase discrimination against sole parents.
22/10/2012 AL
ETH 5/2012 Ethiopia
Indigenous peoples;
Allegations received concerning agricultural development in the lower Omo valley associated with the construction of the Gibe III hydroelectric project, as well as the Government‘s ―villagization‖ programme. According to the
information received, resettlements of indigenous agro-pastoralist groups is underway in the lower Omo valley and the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples‘ Region to make way for the Government‘s proposed
development plans for the regions. The resettlements are reportedly part of the Ethiopian Government‘s larger ―villagization‖ program instituted in at least
four other regions of the country. The villagization program reportedly consists of the relocation of pastoralist, agro-pastoralist and shifting cultivators into sedentary villages where they are supposedly provided with improved social services, housing and infrastructure. Numerous concerns have been raised in relation to this programme, including that the Government has failed to obtain the consent of affected indigenous groups prior to resettlement and the lack of services provided at resettlement sites. The Gibe III hydroelectric project was the subject of previous exchanges with the Government of Ethiopia (A/HRC/21/47/Add.3, case no. ETH 1/2011).
A /H
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1
2 7
Date
Type
Case No
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22/10/2012 JAL
MMR 7/2012 Myanmar
Freedom of peaceful
assembly and of
association; Freedom
of religion; Minority
issues; Myanmar;
Racism;
Alleged discriminatory restrictions and systematic violations of the right to freedom of religion or belief of Chin Christians in Myanmar. According to the information received, Chin Christians face many difficulties in getting permission to renovate or construct a church or to erect a Christian cross. Reportedly, they had to resort to using ―house‖ churches but more than 100
churches, including ―house‖ churches were allegedly closed down by the authorities in 2010. Furthermore, Chin Christians must also get permission for religious gatherings; even when permission is obtained, gatherings are often disbanded by the army. Between 1992 and 2009, 15 separate monasteries and pagodas were allegedly built using forced labour of the Chin Christians on land forcibly confiscated from them. It was further alleged that Chin Christians faced immense pressure to convert during the food security crisis in order to obtain humanitarian aid. Many Chin Christian students face induced and coerced conversions at Na Ta La schools or are subjected to harsh punishment, hard labour and de facto military conscription.
22/10/2012 AL
NPL 6/2012 Nepal
Truth, justice,
reparation &
guarantees on non-
rec;
Possible promulgation of an ordinance that would allegedly contravene international standards and promotion of public officials allegedly involved in serious human rights violations or violations of international humanitarian law in the context of the internal armed conflict in Nepal. According to the information received, in the absence of a legislative body, on 28 August 2012, the Council of Ministers transmitted an ordinance establishing a Commission on Investigation of Disappeared Person, Truth and Reconciliation to the President of Nepal. In the event the ordinance is promulgated, the Commission would reportedly be vested with the competence to recommend to the Government the granting of amnesties including for crimes under international law. Additionally, the Commission would have the competence to initiate reconciliation processes in the absence of an application from the victim or the perpetrator.
23/10/2012 JAL
BGD 7/2012 Bangladesh
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders;
Terrorism;
Alleged draft law on NGO that may unduly limit the right to freedom of association. According to the information received, a draft law related to foreign funding (Foreign Donations Regulation draft law) would, if passed, unduly limit the enjoyment of the right to freedom of association.
25/10/2012
A /H
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1 2
8
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
23/10/2012 UA
USA 29/2012 United States of
America
Summary executions;
Alleged imposition of the death penalty on a person with mental health disabilities. According to the information received, Mr. Bobby Hines was sentenced to death for a murder committed in 1991 in Dallas, Texas during a burglary when he was 19 years old. Mr. Hines was scheduled for execution in 2003, but this was stayed whilst the question of whether he had ―mental
retardation‖ was decided. Evidence of his intellectual disability was presented
by his lawyer. However, the state court, without holding a hearing, decided that Mr. Hines did not qualify for relief. Moreover, it has been reported that he was physically abused by his father during his childhood. While some information of Mr. Hines‘ history as a victim of abuse was presented as evidence to the jurors, there was no expert testimony as to how this impacted on his conduct. The failure of inadequate assistance of trial counsel was not raised in state appeals, and it was barred from federal review.
16/11/2012
24/10/2012 JUA
USA 28/2012 United States of
America
Arbitrary detention;
Health;
Allegations of critical health condition of detainee at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. According to the information received, in October 2001, Mr. Abdulrahman Suleiman, a national of Yemen, was apprehended by the Pakistani authorities and turned over to the United States military. It is alleged that he was tortured in Kandahar, Afghanistan and then around February 2002, transferred to Guantanamo Bay, where he remains. Mr. Suleiman‘s health is rapidly deteriorating. He is reportedly suffering from severe pain in the area of his kidneys and appendix. Mr. Suleiman was examined by a doctor and had x- rays taken. Despite his repeated complaints, he has allegedly not received adequate medical attention.
04/01/2013
25/10/2012 JAL
KHM 7/2012 Cambodia
Cambodia; Freedom
of expression;
Health; Human
rights defenders;
Independence of
judges and lawyers;
Alleged trial of human rights defender. According to the information received, Mr. Mam Sonando, together with 13 other defendants, was tried in Phnom Penh Municipal Court between 11 and 14 September 2012. On 1 October 2012, Mr. Sonando was found guilty on all charges and sentenced to a 20-year prison sentence and a fine. He has been a vocal critic of the Government and was already imprisoned once before in 2005 for defamation. Mr. Sonando is Director and Owner of the independent radio station 105 (Beehive Radio) and president of the Democrats Association, a non- governmental organization established to promote democratic freedoms and to raise awareness of civil and political rights. Mr. Sonando has been the subject of previous communications (see above, KHM 6/2012).
A /H
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1
2 9
Date
Type
Case No
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25/10/2012 AL
CMR 4/2012 Cameroun
Indigenous peoples;
Allégations des violations graves et continues des droits de l‘homme subies
par le peuple autochtone Mbororo dans la région du Nord-Ouest du Cameroun, dans un secteur appartenant à un propriétaire foncier local. Selon les informations reçues, les violations du peuple Mbororo concernent la dépossession de leurs terres; les emprisonnements illégaux et injustes; la perte du bétail; l‘affaiblissement de leurs structures dirigeantes et de leurs
institutions; et l‘exploitation sexuelle des femmes Mbororo. Des
préoccupations sont exprimées quant au fait que les autorités n‘auraient pas
pris des mesures suffisantes pour enquêter, sanctionner et prévenir les supposées violations des droits de l‘homme commises contre des membres du
people autochtone Mbororo.
25/10/2012 JUA
HTI 1/2012 Haiti
Freedom of
expression; Haiti;
Human rights
defenders;
Independence of
judges and lawyers;
Summary executions;
Allégations de menaces de mort et d‘actes d‘intimidation contre trois avocats
et défenseurs des droits de l‘homme. Selon les informations reçues, depuis début 2012, MM. Mario Joseph, Newton Louis St Juste et André Michel ont été les victimes de multiples menaces de mort via des appels anonymes, et d‘autres actes d'intimidation, incluant le harcèlement judiciaire et la surveillance policière. M. Mario Joseph est le directeur du Bureau des Avocats Internationaux et a travaillé sur des cas de haut profil en Haïti. En juillet 2012, il a demandé à la Commission Interaméricaine des Droits de l‘Homme (CIDH) de visiter le pays afin d‘enquêter sur la situation des droits
de l'homme. Selon les rapports, les menaces de mort contre M. Joseph se sont intensifiées suite à cette demande auprès du CIDH. MM. Newton Louis St Juste et André Michel sont réputés pour avoir initié plusieurs actions judiciaires importantes. Les menaces de mort et actes d‘intimidation contre
eux se seraient intensifiées pendant les trois derniers mois, suite à une action judiciaire de leur part contre la famille présidentielle.
A /H
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1 3
0
Date
Type
Case No
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25/10/2012 JAL
PRY 2/2012 Paraguay
Freedom of
expression; Human
rights defenders;
Alegaciones del supuesto amedrentamiento de la Radio Candela. Según las informaciones recibidas, el 31 de julio de 2012, en horas de la mañana, la Radio Candela habría recibido ―una visita de inspección técnica‖ por parte de
tres funcionarios del ente regulador Comisión Nacional de Telecomunicaciones (CONATEL). El 26 de julio, Radio Candela habría realizado un acto de rechazo a la presencia del Presidente Federico Franco en la cuidad de Encarnación, que habría sido transmitido en directo por la radio, y en el que habrían participado varias organizaciones de mujeres. Radio Candela es una emisora ciudadana que pertenece a la Kuña Róga, una organización que trabaja por los derechos de las mujeres así como en la promoción y defensa de los derechos humanos y los valores democráticos.
05/01/2013
29/10/2012 JAL
BHR 9/2012 Bahrain
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders; Summary
executions;
Allegations of excessive use of force during protests, resulting in the death of two children. According to the information received, a protest took place in the village of Saddad on 28 September 2012. A 17 year old was reportedly shot dead by riot police who used shotguns whilst dispersing participants. It is alleged that the death certificate indicates that the death was caused by shotgun injuries on the child‘s back, which contradicts the authorities‘
statement alleging that he was killed in the context of an act of self-defence. It is reported that a similar event took place in Muharraq on 17 August 2012, when a 16-year-old protester died during clashes between protesters and security forces.
21/12/2012
A /H
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1
3 1
Date
Type
Case No
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31/10/2012 JAL
HND 11/2012 Honduras
Mercenaries;
Summary executions;
Presunta violación del derecho de los pueblos a la libre determinación en el contexto de una supuesta represión contra campesinos y miembros de organizaciones de derecho a la tierra por parte de miembros de fuerzas de seguridad y de seguridad privada. Según las informaciones recibidas, fuerzas de seguridad del Estado y de la policía llevaron a cabo diversas operaciones de forma conjunta con agentes de seguridad privada que trabajan para empresas de palma africana en la región de Bajo Aguán, Colón. Según se informa, desde enero de 2010 hasta finales de julio de 2011, se han producido 39 asesinatos que testigos atribuyen a los guardias de seguridad de plantaciones de palma. Las fuentes también afirman que tan solo el mes de agosto de 2011, se produjo una serie de otros 16 asesinatos relacionados. De acuerdo con la información recibida, los guardias de seguridad de las plantaciones de palma están implicados en ataques armados contra comunidades, en tiroteos desde coches, secuestros y torturas. El 22 de septiembre de 2012 el Sr. Antonio Trejo, abogado que representaba a campesinos en la defensa de sus tierras en el Bajo Aguán, fue asesinado por pistoleros desconocidos en Tegucigalpa.
31/10/2012 JAL
PHL 5/2012 Philippines
Food; Human rights
defenders;
Indigenous peoples;
Summary executions;
Allegations concerning the situation of oil palm cultivation in Higaonon indigenous communities in the municipality of Opol, Misamis Oriental in southern Philippines, as well as the alleged killing of an indigenous Higaonon leader who had protested against the oil palm cultivation. According to the allegations received, local government officials have actively promoted and facilitated oil palm plantations within Opol, Misamis Oriental without consideration of the land and natural resource rights of the indigenous peoples in the area. The alleged removal of Higaonon community members from their lands to make way for oil palm cultivation has reportedly led to the serious disruption of Higaonon agricultural and other traditional practices in their ancestral lands. It has also been alleged that Higaonon leaders who have actively opposed and criticized oil palm operations have been threatened and assaulted by company employees and in some cases by law enforcement officials. In this connection, information has been received regarding the shooting and killing of Gilbert Paborada, an indigenous Higaonon leader who had protested against oil palm operations.
A /H
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1 3
2
Date
Type
Case No
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01/11/2012 JUA
BRB 1/2012 Barbados
Arbitrary detention;
Torture;
Allegation that a stateless person of Cuban origin is being held in detention without any legal basis. According to the information received, in 1994 Mr. Raul García was sentenced to 20 years in prison after he was convicted for the crime of drug trafficking in Barbados. He completed his prison sentence on 11 March 2011, but continues to be held in detention. He is allegedly held in solitary confinement, without any contact with his family and limited access to his lawyer.
02/11/2012 JAL
CHL 5/2012 Chile
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders;
Presuntas restricciones a libertad de reunión pacífica y expresión. Según las informaciones recibidas, el Proyecto de Ley que Fortalece el Resguardo del Orden Público propondría modificaciones del Código Penal y el Código Procesal Penal que podrían restringir la libertad de expresión y reunión pacífica. Según se informa, el Gobierno habría retirado las modificaciones del artículo 83 del Código Procesal Penal propuestas por el Proyecto de Ley y se habrían introducido modificaciones con referencia al artículo 269 del Código Penal. Sin embargo, otras disposiciones, aun contenidas en el Proyecto de Ley podrían dar lugar a interpretaciones y formas de aplicación arbitrarias, así como a restricciones indebidas del derecho a la libertad de expresión y a la libertad de manifestarse pacíficamente. Asimismo, según las informaciones recibidas, el proyecto de ley introduce una serie de modificaciones al Código Penal mediante el establecimiento de una lista de tipos de infracciones contra el orden público cuya redacción es de nuevo en exceso amplia y ambigua con términos que no estarían definidos con claridad. El Proyecto de Ley fue objeto de una comunicación anterior (A/HRC/21/49, CHL 1/2012).
07/01/2013
A /H
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3 3
Date
Type
Case No
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02/11/2012 UA
LKA 5/2012 Sri Lanka
Independence of
judges and lawyers;
Alleged interference and attacks against members of the judiciary. According to the information received, on 7 October 2012, the Secretary of the Judicial Service Commission, Mr. Manjula Tillakeratne, was attacked and beaten by four unidentified men. This attack reportedly took place after the Judicial Service Commission had issued a statement denouncing attempts to interfere with and propaganda against the judiciary, particularly regarding the Judicial Service Commission. Prior to this attack, on 17 July 2012, a Magistrate from the Mannar Magistrate Court is alleged to have reported interference from a high level Government official to the Judicial Service Commission. The next day, a mob, allegedly instigated by the same official, attacked the Court complex in Mannar and threatened judges and lawyers. In addition on 18 July 2012, it is reported that unknown persons, allegedly belonging to Sri Lanka‘s
military intelligence, attacked the house of a Point Pedro District Judge in Jaffna with coconuts, one day after a protest that the judge had refused to legally ban after a petition from the police.
07/01/2013
02/11/2012 JUA
SYR 9/2012 Syrian Arab
Republic
Arbitrary detention;
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders;
Independence of
judges and lawyers;
Summary executions;
Torture;
Allegations of arbitrary arrests, incommunicado detention, killings and torture. According to the information received, the following persons have been arbitrarily detained and held incommunicado: Mr. Shepal Ibrahim; Mr. Maher Fawzi al-Hamoud; Mr. Osama al-Habaliy; Mr. Salah al-Shogre; Ms. Zilal Ibrahim al-Salhani; Mr. Badr Ka‘ake; Mr. Yahia Ka‘ake; Mr. Khalil Matouk; Mr. Mohammed Thatha; Mr. Omar Mohammed Mamoun Arnous; Ms. Maya Aljokhdar and Mr. Abdulrahman Omar Arnous. It is also alleged that Mr. Ahmad Ka‘ake and Mr. Abd al-Ghani Ka‘ake were arbitrarily executed and Ms. Fatima Saad was tortured and died in hospital as a result. A number of the aforementioned individuals have allegedly been deprived of their liberty due to their involvement in peaceful demonstrations, exercise of their freedom of opinion or expression, or other human rights related activities. In none of these cases have they been informed of the charges or granted access to a lawyer.
A /H
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1 3
4
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Type
Case No
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05/11/2012 JUA
CMR 5/2012 Cameroun
Freedom of
expression; Human
rights defenders;
Independence of
judges and lawyers;
Summary executions;
Allégations de menaces de mort contre deux avocats et défenseurs des droits de l‘homme. Selon les informations reçues, depuis le 18 octobre 2012, les
avocats réputés Mme Alice Nkom et M. Michel Togue auraient reçu une série de menaces de mort contre eux-mêmes et leurs familles. Ces menaces seraient liées à leur représentation légale des personnes accusées d'homosexualité, y compris MM. Jonas Singa Kumie et Franky Djome, qui ont été condamnés en 2011 à cinq ans d'emprisonnement. Les menaces de mort, transmises par le biais d'appels et de courriels anonymes, auraient visé à dissuader Mme Nkom et M. Togue d‘assister à l'audience d‘appel de MM. Kumie et Djome le 19
octobre, et à renoncer à leur travail juridique. Il est rapporté que les enfants des deux avocats ont également été menacés. La menace la plus récente aurait été envoyée à M. Togue et Mme Nkom le 29 octobre par un courriel anonyme.
05/11/2012 AL
PNG 3/2012 Papua New
Guinea
Torture;
Alleged shooting, physical mistreatment, and intimidation by agents of the Royal Papua New Guinea Police (RPNGC). According to the information received on early Saturday, 29 September 2012, Mr. Raymond Kakaponi, his two-year old son, Mr. Johnson Maioni Birigi and Mr. Justin Sipin were traveling by car when an unmarked vehicle collided with them, causing Mr. Kakaponi to bring his car to a halt. It is reported that several members of the Royal Papua New Guinea Police (RPNGC) carrying weapons, then emerged from the unmarked vehicle, and began firing shots at Mr. Kakaponi and the other occupants of his vehicle. It is alleged that Mr. Birigi sustained a gunshot to his right arm at this time. Furthermore, it is reported that Mr. Kakaponi drove approximately ten kilometers to his sister‘s residence for cover. According to the details provided, Mr. Kakaponi and his companions attempted to hide in his sister‘s house, before two additional unmarked vehicles containing up to 15 officers appeared at the scene.The officers allegedly proceeded to punch, kick, drag, and beat Mr. Kakaponi and his companions, including his two-year old son, with batons, sticks, whips, and guns.
07/11/2012
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06/11/2012 UA
BRA 13/2012 Brazil
Indigenous peoples;
Allegations concerning the human rights situation of the Guarani-Kaiowá community of Pyelito Kue/Mbarakay in Mato Grosso do Sul who allegedly face the risk of eviction from lands considered to be their traditional territory. According to the information received, since November 2011, 170 members of the Guarani-Kaiowá community of Pyelito Kue/Mbarakay in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul have occupied a two hectare area within lands they consider to be part of their ancestral territory, after armed men allegedly connected to local landowners destroyed their previous settlement. This occupation is allegedly the result of the community‘s frustration over delays
in the Government‘s demarcation of its lands. At the request of the plantation
owners, a federal court ordered the eviction of the Pyelito Kue/Mbarakay community in September 2012. Due to outcries by the community and action by the National Indian Foundation (FUNAI), this order was suspended on 29 October 2012 pending the completion of the anthropological studies needed for the demarcation of the community‘s lands and on the condition that community members to remain only within a one hectare area, and not the two hectare area they have settled since November 2011. However, the Pyelito Kue/Mbarakay community still faces the threats of violence and reprisals from local landowners.
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06/11/2012 UA
NGA 4/2012 Nigeria
Summary executions;
Alleged imposition of the death penalty on two prisoners on death row. According to the information received, in October 2012, the Governor of Edo State signed execution warrants of two prisoners on death row in Oko prison, Benin City. Allegedly, the recent jailbreak in Oko prison, in which death row inmates were involved, prompted the Governor‘s decision to sign the two execution warrants. Moreover, it is alleged that the prisoners have not officially been informed about the planned executions nor have the families of the prisoners officially been contacted by the Benin City prison authorities. It is further reported that they were convicted on charges of murder and sentenced to death by hanging in January and June 1996, respectively. In March 2010, the Nigerian NGO, Legal Defence and Assistance Project (LEDAP), filed a domestic law suit on behalf of 826 inmates on death row, including the two death row inmates whose execution warrants were recently signed. It also reported that the Federal High Court granted an injunction against their execution. However, it was later lifted. On 19 October, the NGO filed a new suit at the Federal High Court on behalf of the two prisoners, the decision on which is pending. In addition, it is alleged that there is a high risk of execution before the appeal procedure is complete.
07/11/2012 AL
EGY 14/2012 Egypt
Torture;
Alleged severe physical and psychological torture at Al-Darb Al-Ahmar Police Station in Cairo. According to the information received, on 4 September 2012, Mr. Mostafa Kamal Abul Magd, a 19 year-old university student and Egyptian national, participated in a demonstration at the Syrian Embassy in Cairo. It is alleged that during the demonstration, clashes broke out between protesters and members of the Central Security Forces protecting the embassy. The officers allegedly began dragging and beating him severely. It is further alleged that the security forces then arrested Mr. Abul Magd and 14 others, bringing them to Al-Darb Al-Ahmar Police Station. Reportedly, officers at the station proceeded to strip search, beat, and sexually assaulted Mr. Abul Magd. It is also reported that Mr. Abul Magd was forced to sign a document confessing that he attacked police officers and burned police vehicles during the protest.
29/11/2012 11/12/2012
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07/11/2012 JUA
MEX 33/2012 México
Freedom of
expression; Human
rights defenders;
Presunto secuestro de defensor de los derechos humanos. Según la información recibida, el Sr. Celedonio Monroy Prudencio es un líder indígena nahua, defensor de los derechos indígenas, en particular del derecho a la tierra y a al disfrute de los recursos medioambientales. El 22 de octubre del 2012, ocho civiles armados irrumpieron en el domicilio del Sr. Monroy Prudencio y le habrían forzado a acompañarles en contra de su voluntad. Desde entonces se desconocería su paradero.
07/11/2012 JUA
ARE 7/2012 United Arab
Emirates
Arbitrary detention;
Disappearances;
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders;
Independence of
judges and lawyers;
Alleged mass arrest and detention of human rights defenders, judges and lawyers. According to the information received, 64 human rights defenders, including judges and lawyers, have been arrested and detained since the beginning of 2012, while the location of 56 of those detained is unknown. Most of the arrests have been reportedly carried out by state security agents in individuals‘ homes, with electronic items allegedly confiscated during many
of the arrests. Many of the detained are members of Al Islah (Reform and Social Guidance Association), an organization calling for peaceful political debate and greater democracy in the political system of the country. Those arrested and detained include prominent human rights lawyers Dr. Mohamed Abdullah Al Roken and Mr. Mohamed Al Mansoori, Mr. Salim Hamdoon Al Shahhi, the lawyer representing Dr. Al Roken and Mr. Al Mansoori, and judge Mr. Mohamed Dhyab Al Abdouli. It is also alleged that independent lawyer Mr. Abdulhameed Al Kumaiti has been subjected to acts of harassment, intimidation and surveillance, as a result of his legal representation of the 64 detainees. At the time of the communication, the whereabouts of Messrs. Ahmad Gaith Al Suwaidi, Rashid Mohamed Abdullah Al Roken, Abdullah Al Hajiri, Juma Darwish El Felassi, Ali Saaed Al Kindi, and Khamis Saaed Al Sam Al Zyoudi allegedly remained unknown.
A /H
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1 3
8
Date
Type
Case No
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08/11/2012 JUA
IRN 26/2012 Iran (Islamic
Republic of)
Freedom of
expression; Iran;
Allegation of ongoing restriction of freedom of expression by arresting and detaining journalists, and suspending independent media outlets. According to information, Ms Parisa Hafezi, Reuters Tehran bureau chief was found guilty of ―spreading lies‖ and ―propaganda‖ against the regime, after the agency erroneously referred to women‘s athletes as Ninja assassins in one of their
reports. The agency has also been sued and is faced with charges including ―propagating against the Islamic Republic‖ and ―disseminating false
information to disturb public opinion.‖ Moreover, authorities reportedly suspended independent daily Shargh for publishing a cartoon. The cartoonist Mr Hadi Heydari received a judicial summons and the paper's editor, Mr Mehdi Rahmanian, was detained in Evin Prison after being summoned to court for questioning on the same day. On 1 October authorities also entered the offices of Daily Maghreb, and arrested its editor, Mr Mohammad Mehdi Emami Nasseri. Furthermore, on 26 September 2012, Mr Ali Akbar Javanfekr, the director of the official Iranian News Agency (IRNA) was summoned to serve a six-month prison sentence at Evin Prison for publishing a supplement about the chador on 13 August 2011.
08/11/2012 AL
MAR 9/2012 Maroc
Migrants;
Allégations de détentions de migrants, des expulsions collectives, ainsi que des actes de harcèlement et des violences des forces de l‘ordre. Selon les
informations reçues, à partir de janvier 2012, des campagnes d‘arrestations, de détentions temporaires, d‘expulsions et d‘actes de violence contre la
communauté migrante auraient eu lieu dans la région orientale du Maroc. Des migrants qui auraient tenté de franchir des grillages qui entourent la ville espagnole de Melilla auraient été transportés à la frontière algérienne pour leur expulsion. Il est allégué que les forces auxiliaires marocaines procèdent à des expulsions sans aucun respect du cadre légal en vigueur au Maroc. Même des femmes enceintes et des mineurs auraient été reconduits à la frontière, et parfois expulsés. De plus, des violences physiques seraient exercées par les forces de l‘ordre marocaines contre les personnes en situation de reconduite.
Les opérations auraient été effectuées en réponse à des pressions de la part de l‘Union Européenne, pour mieux contrôler la frontière nord du Maroc.
09/01/2013
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08/11/2012 JAL
MMR 8/2012 Myanmar
Myanmar; Violence
against women;
Follow up to the 30 December 2011 communication (A/HRC/20/30, MMR 5/2011) regarding the alleged abduction and rape of Ms. Sumlut Roi Ja by military personnel attached to Light Infantry Battalion 321, Mu Bum frontline post in Momouk district, Kachin state, and the alleged detention and sexual assault of three other women at the same military post. The Government of Myanmar‘s 22 March 2012 reply to the 30 December communication stated that the authorities concerned, including military and civil officials, had conducted an initial investigation into the case and that further investigations were being pursued to produce more concrete results. This communication asks for an update on the results of these further investigations to enable the mandate holders to ascertain the facts regarding the allegations contained in the 30 December communication and to ascertain the current situation of the alleged victims.
08/11/2012 JUA
SYR 10/2012 Syrian Arab
Republic
Disappearances;
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Alleged enforced disappearance. According to the information received, on September 2012, at approximately 5:30 p.m., the car in which Messrs. Abdelaziz Al-Khayer, Iyas Ayash and Maher Tahan, all members of the National Coordination Body for Democratic Change, were travelling was allegedly stopped at an Air Force Intelligence checkpoint. The individuals were reportedly brought to one of the branches of Air Force Intelligence. The Government has allegedly denied having these individuals in custody. At the time of the present communication, the fate and whereabouts of Messrs. Al- Khayer, Ayash and Tahan were unknown.
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Type
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09/11/2012 JUA
BHR 11/2012 Bahrain
Arbitrary detention;
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders;
Alleged banning of all public rallies and gatherings in Bahrain and the arrest and detention of two human rights defenders. According to the information received, on 2 November 2012, acting Vice President of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights, Mr. Sayed Yousif AlMuhafdhah was arrested by security forces in al-Diraz, west of Manama. He was subsequently transferred to Budaiya Police Station, and the following morning he was brought to the Public Prosecutor‘s office where it was declared that he would remain in
detention for seven days on charges of ―participation in illegal protests‖. Ms.
Jalila Al Salman, Head of the Bahrain Teachers Society, was originally arrested in March 2011 following a Government ban on protests and sentenced to 3 years in prison. Following a review her sentence was reduced to 6 months and following a hunger strike she was released in August 2011. She was re-arrested in October 2012 and required to spend another two weeks in prison. On 30 October 2012, the Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Al Khalifah allegedly announced a ban on all public rallies and gatherings stating that they were associated with violence, rioting and attacks on public and private property.
07/12/2012 14/12/2012
09/11/2012 JAL
FRA 3/2012 France
Minority issues;
Racism;
Allégations d‘une expulsion par des habitants du quartier Nord de la ville de
Marseille de familles Roms. Selon les informations reçues, le 27 septembre 2012 une cinquantaine d‘habitants de la cité des Créneaux dans les quartiers
Nord de Marseille se seraient rassemblés pour procéder à l‘expulsion de
familles Roms, y compris des enfants, installées sur un terrain vague. Contraints à la fuite sous la menace et les insultes des habitants et des riverains, les familles Roms ont dû quitter le campement avec caravanes et véhicules, laissant derrière eux des effets personnels que les habitants du quartier auraient brûlés avec le reste du campement. La passivité et l‘inaction des pouvoirs publics et de la police avant et après l‘incident ont été
rapportées. Selon les informations reçues la police aurait constaté les faits sans pour autant relever d‘infraction et n‘y procéder à aucune interpellation. Cet incident ferait suite à des faits récurrents d‘agression ou d‘opposition
entre les riverains et les occupants des campements Roms.
09/01/2013
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09/11/2012 JAL
GNQ 2/2012 Guinea
Ecuatorial
Human rights
defenders;
Independence of
judges and lawyers;
Supuesta detención arbitraria de un abogado y defensor de los derechos humanos. Según las informaciones recibidas, el 22 de octubre de 2012, el Sr. Fabián Nsue Nguema fue detendido en la cárcel de Playa Negro, cuando iba a visitar a un cliente suyo. El Sr. Fabián Nsue Nguema es un abogado destacado de los derechos humanos y miembro del partido político de la oposición, la Unión Popular. Ha prestado representación legal a varios presos políticos en casos judiciales de alto perfil. Según los reportes, la primera vez que la esposa del Sr. Nguema intentó visitarlo a la cárcel, los funcionarios le negaron que su marido se encontrara detenido y no le permitieron entrar. En la noche del 25 de octubre, habría sido trasladado a la Comisaría Central. Se informa de que el Sr. Nguema fue finalmente liberado en la tarde del 30 de octubre.
09/11/2012 JAL
IDN 12/2012 Indonesia
Discrimination
against women in law
and in practice;
Health; Torture;
Violence against
women;
Allegations in relation to a regulation on female genital mutilation passed in November 2010. According to the information received, in November 2010, regulation No.1636/MENKES/PER/XI/2010 concerning female circumcision, which authorizes certain medical professionals such as doctors, midwives and nurses to perform it, was passed. The regulation defines the practice of female circumcision as ‗the act of scratching the skin covering the front of the
clitoris, without hurting the clitoris.‘ (article 1.1). The procedure includes ‗a
scratch on the skin covering the front of the clitoris (frenulum clitoris) using the head of a single use sterile needle‘ (article 4.2 (g)). It has been reported
that, in response to concerns raised by civil society organizations in a petition presented to the Ministry of Health, the latter replied that the regulation on female circumcision was to protect women from the harmful practices of female circumcision and female genital mutilation.
21/01/2013
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2
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09/11/2012 AL
ESP 3/2012 Spain
Torture;
Alegaciones sobre la privación de libertad cautelar por razón del origen nacional y étnico, tortura y malos tratos durante la detención. Según la información recibida, el Sr. Adnam El Hadj, un inmigrante sin papeles de nacionalidad marroquí, fue arrestado por agentes de la Policía Nacional durante un control de identidad en Madrid. Fue conducido al Centro de Internamiento de Extranjeros (CIE) situado en el barrio de Aluche, distrito de Latina, Madrid, donde quedo detenido. Según la información recibida, el 8 de mayo de 2012, a las cuatro de la mañana, varios policías responsables de la custodia del CIE sacaron al Sr. El Hadj de su dormitorio por la fuerza en la noche del 7 de mayo de 2012 y lo condujeron a un lugar fuera del alcance de las cámaras de seguridad del CIE, donde —además de someterle a insultos de fuerte contenido racista y discriminatorio— le propinaron una severa paliza de la que resultó con serias heridas y contusiones que requirieron su tratamiento médico. Ordenado el traslado de la víctima a un hospital, la policía nacional, en un intento de encubrir los graves delitos de varios de sus agentes, lo trasladó el 8 de mayo de 2012 por la fuerza a Tarifa y desde allí fue expulsado a Marruecos sin permitirle el auxilio médico, jurídico y judicial al que la víctima tenía derecho.
26/12/2012 09/01/2013
12/11/2012 AL
BRA 14/2012 Brazil
Adequate housing;
Alleged forced evictions in the framework of the 2014 Football World Cup preparation and the 2016 Olympic Games and in the context of urban reforms aimed at beautification, gentrification and renovation in various cities in Brazil. According to information received, several communities have been evicted or are under imminent threat of forced eviction due to development projects in the cities of Curitiba, Fortaleza, Porto Alegre, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. A previous communication has been sent on this issue (see A/HRC/18/51, BRA 8/2010).
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12/11/2012 JUA
EGY 15/2012 Egypt
Arbitrary detention;
Independence of
judges and lawyers;
Summary executions;
Torture;
Alleged risk of execution of six individuals following proceedings that did not comply with fair trial standards. According to the information received, Messrs. Ahmed Mohamed Salem Ali, Mohamed Gomaa Hassan Nassar, Yasser Jermey Attiya Al-Torbini, Amr Mohamed Mahmoud El-Malah, Hossam Abdo Abdelrady Hassan, and Ahmed Selmy Hammad Alyan were sentenced to death on 14 August 2012. They faced charges of deliberate killing of two police officers, possession of unlicensed weapons, destruction of public properties and state institutions, and constituting a threat to the public security. The legal proceedings in their cases allegedly did not comply with international human rights law standards related to fair trial and due process guarantees. Concerns of arrest without warrant and incommunicado detention, denial of access to family and lawyer, trial before a special court, as well as torture and coerced extraction of confession were reported. The defendants are allegedly at risk of execution.
13/11/2012 AL
ESP 4/2012 Spain
Adequate housing;
Alegación de posible violación del derecho a la vivienda de trabajadores migrantes latinoamericanos en España. De acuerdo con las informaciones recibidas, muchos trabajadores migrantes habrían obtenido acceso a hipotecas con condiciones poco acordes a su situación y, dada la crisis económica y su particular vulnerabilidad al desempleo esa población migrante estaría particularmente afectada por la imposibilidad de pagar sus créditos y los resultantes desahucios, expresándose preocupación por la aparente falta de medidas específicas para proteger su derecho a una vivienda adecuada.
19/11/2012 16/01/2013
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15/11/2012 UA
CUB 7/2012 Cuba
Torture;
Alegaciones de negación de evaluación y tratamiento médico adecuado durante su encarcelamiento en Cuba. Según la información recibida, el Sr. Alan Phillip Gross es un ciudadano Estadounidense que ha estado encarcelado en Cuba desde diciembre de 2009. En el momento de su detención, el Sr. Gross estaba en Cuba trabajando como subcontratista de la Agencia de los Estados Unidos de las Américas para el Desarrollo Internacional (USAID), ayudando a establecer el acceso a internet para la comunidad judía de Cuba. El Sr. Gross fue encarcelado en el Hospital Militar Carlos J. Finlay en La Habana, Cuba desde su detención en diciembre de 2009. Según la información recibida, el Sr. Gross ha perdido más de 105 libras (47.63kg), durante su encarcelamiento, y sufre de una serie de enfermedades incluyendo artritis degenerativa, y lo que parece ser un tumor potencialmente letal. Se informó además que pese a las reiteradas peticiones del Sr. Gross para una evaluación médica independiente, esta le ha sido negada.
16/01/2013
16/11/2012 JUA
BGD 8/2012 Bangladesh
Disappearances;
Independence of
judges and lawyers;
Alleged unfair trials before the Bangladesh International Crimes Tribunal, and involuntary disappearance of defence witness. According to the information received, Mr. Delwar Hossain Sayedee, Vice-President of Jamaat-e-Islami, Mr. Salauddin Quader Chowdhury, member of the Bangladesh National Party, Mr. Motiur Rahman Nizami, leader of Jamaat-e-Islami, Mr. Ghulam Azam, former leader of Jamaat-e-Islami, Mr. Muhammad Kamaruzzaman, Assistant Secretary-General of Jamaat-e-Islami, Mr. Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujahid, Secretary-General of Jamaat-e-Islami, Mr. Abdul Kader Molla, Assistant Secretary-General of Jamaat-e-Islami, Mr. Mir Quasem Ali, Head and owner of Diganta Media, and Mr. Islam Azharul, Acting Secretary- General of Jamaat-e-Islami, are currently being tried. It is alleged that the trials of the above mentioned persons do not comply with international human rights law provisions regarding fair trial and due process, including serious allegations of breach of the principle of equality of arms vis-à-vis the defence teams. Defence witness Shukhoronjon Bali was abducted on 5 November 2012 by plain-clothed personnel allegedly from the ‗Detective Branch‘ of the Police, and his fate and whereabouts remain unknown. This case was the subject of an earlier communication (see above, BGD 6/2012).
27/11/2012
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16/11/2012 JAL
IRN 27/2012 Iran (Islamic
Republic of)
Freedom of
expression; Human
rights defenders;
Iran; Summary
executions; Torture;
Allegations of torture resulting in death in custody of a blogger. According to the information received on 30 October 2012, Mr. Sattar Beheshti, a 35-year old Iranian citizen, was arrested at his home in Rubat Karim by members believed to be from the Cyber Police forces. It is further reported that Mr. Beheshti maintained an internet blog, entitled My Life for My Iran, where he criticized the Iranian Government. It is reported that on 29 October 2012, the day before his arrest, Mr. Beheshti received a written threat. According to allegations, upon his arrest, Mr. Beheshti was briefly held at the Kahrizak detention centre, before being incarcerated in Tehran‘s Evin prison. It is
further reported that on 1 November 2012, Mr. Beheshti was transferred to an undisclosed location. It is reported that during his time in custody, Mr. Beheshti lodged a complaint against his interrogators with the Evin prison authorities. It is reported that on 6 November 2012, Mr. Beheshti‘s family
was informed of his death, and instructed to collect his body from the Kahrizak detention facility in Tehran.
13/11/2012 04/12/2012
16/11/2012 JAL
PAK 12/2012 Pakistan
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Freedom of religion;
Human rights
defenders;
Alleged break-in at human rights association and acts of harassment and intimidation against its staff. According to the information received, the office of the Centre for Human Rights Education (CHRE)-Pakistan was broken into on 25 October 2012 and three computers were stolen. After a complaint was filed with the local police, Mr. Naeem Haroon, CHRE‘s program coordinator, received an anonymous phone call saying that the computers will not be returned as a result of the case having been recorded with the police. Unknown individuals have been observed outside CHRE‘s office and outside the homes of CHRE staff members, including CHRE‘s director, Mr. Samson
Salamat, and its finance officer, Mr. Naveed Raphael. Individuals claiming to be public officials, notably from the tax authority, have approached staff members and their neighbours with a view to getting information from them while not being able to provide any official identification. It is reported that this has come about following a number of public events organized by CHRE to raise awareness about social exclusion and religious extremism and their impact on the human rights situation in Pakistan.
19/11/2012
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1 4
6
Date
Type
Case No
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16/11/2012 JAL
VEN 7/2012 Venezuela
(Bolivarian
Republic of)
Freedom of
expression; Human
rights defenders;
Alegaciones de usurpación ilegal de cuentas de correo electrónico y redes sociales de dos defensores de los derechos humanos, y actos de intimidación y estigmatización contra uno de ellos. Según las informaciones recibidas, la cuenta de la red social Twitter del Sr Humberto Prado habría sido accedida ilegalmente y mensajes falsos habrían sido enviados desde la misma. El Sr. Prado es Director del Observatorio Venezolano de Prisiones (OVP) y beneficiario de medidas provisionales dictadas por la Corte Interamericana de Derechos Humanos. Se alega que el correo electrónico de la Sra. Kairin Peñaloza, también Directora del OVP, habría sido igualmente accedido sin su consentimiento. Se alega asimismo actos de intimidación y estigmatización contra el Sr. Prado por parte de funcionarios públicos por su cooperación con la Comision Interamericana de derechos humanos.
16/11/2012 JAL
ZWE 9/2012 Zimbabwe
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders;
Allegations of unjustified raid on association. According to the information received, on 5 November 2012, the office of the association Counselling Services Unit (CSU) in Harare was raided by police. The police reportedly arrested five employees of the CSU, including Messrs. Fidelis Mudimu, Zachariah Godi, James Zidzimu, Tafadzwa Gesa and Penn Bruno. On 7 November 2012, three of them were reportedly transported by the police to Bulawayo. On 8 November 2012, they were charged with causing malicious damage to property and subsequently released on bail.
21/01/2013
19/11/2012 JUA
SDN 8/2012 Sudan
Freedom of
expression; Human
rights defenders;
Sudan; Violence
against women;
Alleged acts of intimidation against woman human rights defender as a result of her cooperation with the African Commission on Human and People‘s
Rights. According to the information received, on 10 October 2012, Ms. Nazik Kabalo participated in a side event held during the 52nd Session of the African Commission for Human and People‘s Rights, during which she gave a presentation on the situation of women‘s rights in Sudan, including
information on reported cases of rape in Darfur. Following the side event, Ms. Kabalo was reportedly subjected to acts of intimidation by two individuals, one of whom allegedly identified himself as a representative of the Ministry of Defence of Sudan and who had recorded the side event. Ms. Nazik is the Program Manager of Arry Organization, a non-governmental organization which promotes human rights in Sudan, particularly in Blue Nile, Darfur and the Nuba Mountains. She is also the Coordinator of the Sudanese Women Human Rights Defenders Project, which supports women human rights defenders in Sudan.
A /H
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1
4 7
Date
Type
Case No
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20/11/2012 JUA
KGZ 6/2012 Kyrgyz
Republic
Freedom of
expression; Human
rights defenders;
Alleged interrogation and detention of two staff members of International Crisis Group (ICG). According to the information received, from 12 to 17 November 2012, Mr. Conor Prasat, an ICG analyst, conducted interviews with human rights defenders and other civil society actors in Osh and Kara- Suu, accompanied by an ICG driver. Reportedly, during their journey back to Bishkek on 17 November 2012, their vehicle was stopped by a traffic police officer, following which the two staff members were ordered by four Uzgen National Security Agency (GKNB) officers to follow their vehicle to the GKNB offices in Uzgen. Upon their arrival, Mr. Prasat and the ICG driver were allegedly separated and interrogated by GKNB officers, reportedly without legal representation. Following their interrogation, a one hour search of the detainees‘ vehicle took place, during which several items were
confiscated. Allegedly, no search warrant was presented. The two ICG staff members were reportedly released later that day, after being forced to sign a document declaring that they would remain in Osh Province, pending an investigation of the items confiscated. Attempts by Mr. Prasat and the ICG driver on 19 and 20 November to gain permission to leave Osh province were unsuccessful.
20/11/2012 JUA
TJK 4/2012 Tajikistan
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders; Torture;
Alleged closing of the Association of Young Lawyers of Tajikistan (Amparo) following the decision of the Khujand City Court. According to the information received, the association of lawyers ―Amparo‖ is a leading
organization which provides free legal aid, human rights education and training and which has been working on issues related to allegations of torture and ill-treatment in the country. On 24 October 2012, the Khujand City Court of first instance granted the request made by the Ministry of Justice in July requesting the dissolution of the organization. Amparo was the subject of an earlier communication (see above, case no TJK 3/2012).
21/11/2012 UA
ISR 11/2012 Israel
Adequate housing;
Alleged threat of demolitions and evictions in Bedouin villages of Bir Hadaj in the Negev. According to the information received, on 12 November 2012 police forces entered the recognized Bedouin village of Bir Hadaj, accompanied by representatives of the Israeli Ministry of Interior, which attempted to distribute home demolition orders to village residents. Reportedly, the Israeli police fired tear gas, rubber and sponge bullets at the residents, injuring several residents, including women, children and elderly.
A /H
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/2 2
/6 7
1 4
8
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
21/11/2012 JAL
SGP 3/2012 Singapore
Cultural Rights;
Freedom of
expression;
Alleged cancellation of a play read and book launch at the Substation Theatre that was scheduled to take place on 26 August 2012. According to information received, the Substation Theatre informed the organizers of the event that there had been queries by representatives of the National Arts Council (NAC) and the Internal Security Department (ISD) and pressures to cancel the event. The exact reasons for the cancellation have not been communicated to the organizers of the event. It is also alleged that the play originally commissioned for a festival in 2013 has now been taken off the programme, based on the advice of the National Arts Council
21/11/2012 JAL
TUN 5/2012 Tunisie
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of religion;
Allégation concernant l'adoption d'une nouvelle constitution par l'Assemblée Nationale Constituante (ANC) de la Tunisie qui pourrait compromettre la jouissance des droits de l'homme dans le pays, en particulier le droit à la liberté de religion ou de conviction ainsi que le droit à la liberté d'opinion et d'expression. Selon les informations reçues, le 14 août 2012, l'ANC aurait publié une compilation d‘avant-projets des différents articles de la Constitution qui sont en cours d'examen par le Comité de coordination et par six commissions permanentes de l'ANC. Selon le calendrier proposé, l‘ANC
examinera probablement le projet complet de la Constitution en mars 2013. Certains avant-projets d'articles visent à garantir la liberté de religion ou de conviction et la liberté d'opinion et d'expression; néanmoins, d'autres sections du projet de constitution pourraient porter atteinte à la jouissance de ces droits.
22/11/2012 JAL
DZA 4/2012 Algérie
Freedom of peaceful
assembly and of
association; Human
rights defenders;
Allégations de restrictions illégitimes à la liberté d‘association. Selon les informations reçues, le 9 août 2012, l‘Association nationale de lutte contre la
corruption (ANLC), a déposé un dossier de demande d‘agrément auprès du
bureau des associations du Ministère de l‘Intérieur. Par une lettre datée du 9
octobre 2012, les autorités concernées auraient informé les représentants de l‘association de leur refus de délivrer le récépissé d‘enregistrement à
l‘association. Cette lettre ne serait pas assortie de motifs justifiant la décision
de refus, et ce en contradiction avec les dispositions légales. A cet égard, il est rapporté que diverses dispositions de la loi sur les associations 12-06 du 12 janvier 2012 permettraient de restreindre indûment la liberté d‘association.
A /H
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/2 2
/6 7
1
4 9
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
22/11/2012 JAL
USA 30/2012 United States of
America
Discrimination
against women in law
and in practice;
Violence against
women;
The communication refers to the recent electoral process and outcome in the United States of America and emphasizes that this is an opportune moment in the US to advance equality and women‘s human rights, including in political
and public life. It also encourages the Government to fulfill its long-standing expression of intent to ratify the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.
23/11/2012 JUA
CUB 8/2012 Cuba
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders;
Independence of
judges and lawyers;
Detenciones presuntamente arbitrarias y presuntos malos tratos de un grupo de defensores de los derechos humanos y activistas. Según las informaciones recibidas, del 7 al 9 de noviembre de 2012, al menos 37 defensores de los derechos humanos, entre ellos abogados, blogueros o activistas, habrían sido detenidos de forma arbitraria en La Habana y Camagüey. Se informa de que algunas de estas personas habrían sido liberadas, mientras que unas 15 personas continuarían detenidas, incluyendo el Sr Antonio González Rodiles, coordinador de la Demanda Ciudadana por Otra Cuba. La primera persona arrestada habría sido la abogada y periodista independiente Sra. Yaremis Flores Marín. El 7 de noviembre, al presentarse a la estación ―Sección 21‖ de la Seguridad del Estado en Marianao, La Habana, para solicitar información sobre el paradero de la Sra. Flores Marín, diez defensores de los derechos humanos, incluyendo los abogados Sra. Laritza Diversent, Sr. Veizant Boloy y Sra. Ailer González, y los activistas Sr. Antonio González Rodiles, Sr. Andrés Pérez, Sr. Mario Morales, Sr. Vladimir Torres, Sr. Rolando Reyes, Sr. Reinaldo Figueras, y el Sr. Luís Manuel Fumero, habrían sido detenidos. El 8 de noviembre, cuando al presentarse en la estación de policía de Acosta para exigir la libertad de los defensores supuestamente detenidos el día anterior, un grupo de activistas habría sido detenido, incluyendo la bloguera Sra. Yoani Sánchez, el bloguero y escritor Sr. Ángel Santiesteban Prats, y Sr. Ángel Moya Acosta, Sr. Julio Aleaga Pesant, Sr. Librado Linares, Sr. Félix Navarro, Sr. Iván Hernández Carrillo, Sr. Eduardo Díaz Fleites y Sr. Guillermo Fariñas.
A /H
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/2 2
/6 7
1 5
0
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
23/11/2012 JAL
ETH 6/2012 Ethiopia
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders;
Alleged repeated restrictions to the right to freedom of association imposed on the Ethiopian Human Rights Council (EHRCO) and other organizations. According to the information received, in December 2009, the assets of the EHRCO, a prominent human rights organization, were frozen by the Charities and Societies Agency, which is responsible for overseeing NGOs‘ activities. On 19 October 2012, the Supreme Court upheld the decision to freeze the assets of the EHRCO. On 27 October 2012, the Charities and Societies Agency announced that it had revoked the licenses of 10 organizations and warned 400 other organizations that it said were operating against rules and regulations of the country. It is reported that these measures form part of a broader pattern of undue restrictions on the right to freedom of association, as a result of several restrictive provisions contained in the Charities and Societies Proclamation, 2009.
23/11/2012 AL
RUS 6/2012 Russian
Federation
Adequate housing;
Alleged imminent eviction of 62 families (160 persons) living in house 15, building 2, Ilyushina street, Saint Petersburg. According to information received, the tenants of the above mentioned building were employees of the State owned Lenstroykorporazia construction company and were allocated housing in the building in 1991, as state employees. Reportedly, the building was privatized in 1995 and registered as the property of the Chetverty Trest company. According to information received, the existing tenants were not accorded any tenure rights during the privatization process, and are currently under threat of eviction by the registered private owner.
A /H
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/2 2
/6 7
1
5 1
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
23/11/2012 JUA
SYR 11/2012 Syrian Arab
Republic
Arbitrary detention;
Torture;
Alleged torture and ill-treatment by Syrian securtity forces at the Al-Khatib state security prison in Damascus. According to the information received, Mr. Muhammad Raed Al-Tawil, a board member and long-term volunteer with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent based in Damascus was arrested on 8 November 2012 by Syrian security forces at the Red Cescent headquarters in Damascus. It is alleged that the officers failed to provide a reason for Mr. Al- Tawil‘s arrest, and that no known charges have been brought against Mr. Al- Tawil since his arrest. It is further alleged that Mr. Al-Tawil‘s whereabouts remained unknown until 14 November 2012, when it was discovered that he is being detained at the Al-Khatib state security prison in Damascus. It is reported that Mr. Al-Tawil has suffered and continues to be subjected to torture and other forms ill-treatment during his detention at the Al-Khatib state security prison. It is further reported that there is concern about whether Mr. Al-Tawil is receiving the medical treatment that he requires on an ongoing basis for a prior back injury.
26/11/2012 JUA
ISR 12/2012 Israel
Arbitrary detention;
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Health; Human
rights defenders;
Independence of
judges and lawyers;
OPT; Torture;
Alleged detention, ill-treatment and violations of due process of human rights defender. According to the information received, on 15 October 2012, Mr. Ayman Nasser was arrested from his home in Saffa in the West Bank, and has since then been detained at Moskobiyyeh detention centre in Jerusalem. Reportedly, formal charges have not been presented and the defender‘s
detention has been extended on six occasions, based on evidence characterized as secret by the judge. Mr. Nasser‘s lawyers have reportedly not been informed what this evidence consists of. Mr. Nasser is a researcher with Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association, an organization based in Ramallah which advocates for the rights of Palestinian political prisoners. He is also Chairperson of the Handala Centre, an educational, artistic and sports centre in Saffa. According to reports, while in detention, Mr. Nasser has been subjected to ill-treatment, has not been provided with adequate medical attention, and has been held in isolation in sub-standard conditions.
A /H
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/2 2
/6 7
1 5
2
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
26/11/2012 JUA
MEX 34/2012 México
Disappearances;
Freedom of
expression; Human
rights defenders;
Presuntos sucesivos actos de hostigamiento e intimidación ocurridos en contra de los miembros del Comité de Familiares de Detenidos Desaparecidos ―Hasta Encontrarlos‖. Según las informaciones recibidas, desde el 25 de
Octubre de 2010, al 25 de Octubre de 2012, las siguientes personas fueron victimas de actos de hostigamiento e intimidación por miembros de las fuerzas policiales del Estado, del Ejército y de funcionarios del Gobierno: la Sra. Janahuy Paredes Lachino, el Sr. Guillermo Jiménez Barajas, la Sra. Brenda Johana García Estrada, la Sra. Laura María Orozco Medina, la Sra. Diana de A. de la Sierra, la Sra. María Elena Barajas Mejía, la Sra. Susana Aguilar Pintor, la Sra. Bertha Corona Balderas, la Sra. Cristina Paredes, y la Sra. María Elena Medina Vargas Se alega que dichos actos se presentan como una manera de inhibir las actividades del Comité para la defensa de los derechos humanos y en particular, las relativas a la denuncia e investigación de casos de detenidos desaparecidos. Miembros de esta asociación fueron sujeto de comunicaciones anteriores (ver A/HRC/21/49, MEX 9/2012).
14/01/2013
27/11/2012 AL
GHA 1/2012 Ghana
Foreign debt;
Alleged seizure of an Argentine naval vessel in Ghana by a ―vulture fund‖
belonging to US based investment firm. According to information received, the Argentine naval vessel, ARA Libertad, has been seized in the port of Tema in Ghana since 2 October 2012 under a Ghanaian court order sought by the equity investment fund NML Capital Limited, a subsidiary of the US based investment firm Elliot Capital Management. NML Capital is suing Argentina on the basis of debt arising from the country‘s defaulted bond swaps in 2005 and 2010. NML Capital Ltd reportedly is only willing to release the ship against a payment of USD 20 million in Argentine bonds, and demands that Argentina settles USD 370 million of its debt. NML Capital bought bonds at a sum far less than their market value from the heavily indebted Argentine government in 2000, a year before the country‘s USD 100
billion sovereign default. The fund did not accept the debt restructuring offered by the Argentine Government and continues to pursue Argentina in various jurisdictions including Ghana.
A /H
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/2 2
/6 7
1
5 3
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
27/11/2012 JAL
MAR 10/2012 Maroc
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders;
Allégations d‘un usage excessif de la force empêchant la tenue de
manifestations pacifiques. Selon les informations reçues, une manifestation organisée le dimanche 18 novembre 2012 à Rabat aurait été violemment dispersée avant même qu‘elle n‘ait pu débuter. Il est rapporté que les forces de sécurité auraient violement dispersé les manifestants, avant même que le cortège n‘ait pu se former. En outre, il est rapporté un usage excessif de la
force à l‘occasion d‘autres manifestations. Le 13 novembre 2012, à Casablanca, des manifestants, de même que des journalistes venus couvrir la manifestation, auraient fait l‘objet de violences de la part des services de
sécurité.
21/01/2013
27/11/2012 JAL
RUS 7/2012 Russian
Federation
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders;
Indigenous peoples;
Alleged closure of the Russian Association of Indigenous Peoples of the North by Government authorities. According to the information received, the Russian Association of Indigenous Peoples of the North (RAIPON) is an organization formed in 1990 to promote the human rights of indigenous peoples in the North, Siberia and Far East regions of the Russian Federation. The organization represents 41 indigenous groups and around 34 regional and ethnic organizations, and has various regional offices throughout the Russian Federation. RAIPON‘s work has focused on issues related to the protection of
indigenous traditional lands, self-governance and social, economic and cultural development. In November 2012, the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation ordered the suspension of RAIPON‘s activities until April
2013 reportedly due to noncompliance of the organization‘s charter and
statutes with Russian federal legislation. RAIPON has previously attempted to adjust its internal statutes to meet the Ministry of Justice‘s requirements. However, it has been reported that those changes have not been considered acceptable by the Ministry of Justice.
24/01/2013
A /H
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/2 2
/6 7
1 5
4
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
29/11/2012 JAL
BHR 12/2012 Bahrain
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Freedom of religion;
Human rights
defenders;
Alleged interrogation and deportation of human rights defender and withdrawal of citizenship of 31 political activists. According to the information received, on 15 November 2012, Dr. Nada Dhaif, along with her husband and two children, were denied access to Kuwait and were subsequently deported. Upon their arrival at Alniuissib Port, Dr. Dhaif was allegedly separated from her family and interrogated on her role in alleged anti-Government protests. She was reportedly also questioned on her and her husband‘s religion, and was denied legal representation during the
interrogation. Dr. Dhaif, Chairperson of the Bahrain Rehabilitation and Anti- Violence Organization, was subsequently informed that her name was on a list of Bahraini citizens who were denied entry to Kuwait, reportedly provided by the Government of Bahrain in July 2012. Furthermore, on 7 November 2012, the Ministry of the Interior published a list of names of 31 individuals, whose Bahraini citizenship was allegedly revoked by the Ministry on the grounds that the listed persons were allegedly ―damaging the security of the
State‖. Of the published names, the majority are reportedly Shiite political
activists, two of which are human rights defenders: Mr. Abbas Omran and Mr. Taymour Karimi. 19 of the 31 listed individuals do not reportedly hold another nationality and are therefore now stateless.
08/01/2013
29/11/2012 UA
EGY 16/2012 Egypt
Independence of
judges and lawyers;
Allegation that the content of a Constitutional Declaration may seriously affect the independence of the judiciary, respect for fair trial, the rule of law and the principles of legality and separation of powers. According to the information received, on 22 November 2012, a Constitutional Declaration was issued by presidential decree. The content of this Declaration, in particular articles 1, 2, 3 and 5, are said to seriously threaten the independence of the judiciary, respect for the right to a fair trial, as well as respect for the rule of law and the principles of separation of powers and legality in Egypt.
A /H
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/2 2
/6 7
1
5 5
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
29/11/2012 JUA
IRQ 6/2012 Iraq
Arbitrary detention;
Human rights
defenders;
Independence of
judges and lawyers;
Alleged arrest, detention and violation of due process of human rights defender. According to the information received, Mr. Ahmed Al Shami is the Director of the World Organization for Human Rights, based in Tripoli, and is also mandated by the Libyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation to negociate and facilitate the return of Libyan detainees from Iraq. On 18 October 2012, during his most recent repatriation mission to Iraq, Mr. Al Shami reportedly accompanied a representative of the League of Arab States to Baghdad International Airport. While at the airport, Mr. Al Shami was allegedly arrested by Iraqi Security Services agents and has since then been detained in Baghdad Central Prison. Reportedly, charges have not been brought against him. It was reported that on 6 November 2012, Mr. Al Shami appeared before a judge, who ordered his release on the basis of a lack of supporting evidence for his detention or criminal prosecution, which has not been implemented. It is further reported that Mr. Al Shami has been denied legal representation, is being detained in solitary confinement, and has not been allowed to contact family members.
29/11/2012 JUA
MMR 10/2012 Myanmar
Arbitrary detention;
Health;
Independence of
judges and lawyers;
Myanmar; Torture;
Alleged violation of the fair trial and due process rights. According to the information received, Dr. Tun Aung, Chairman of the Islamic Religious Affairs Council in Rakhine State, Myanmar, was arrested on 11 June 2012 on charges related to communal violence in Rakhine State in early June. He was allegedly held incommunicado for three months. In September 2012, he was convicted and sentenced under the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act, 1947, Section 24 (1) to three years imprisonment. Since Dr. Aung‘s initial arrest on 11 June and throughout his subsequent trials, he has reportedly been denied the right to appoint a lawyer of his choice, instead being allocated a state lawyer whom he had not been allowed to meet privately. He has also been denied contact with his family. Dr. Aung suffers from a pituitary tumour and requires medication to manage this condition. In prison, he is not receiving the required medications.
26/12/2012
A /H
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/2 2
/6 7
1 5
6
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
29/11/2012 JUA
PRY 3/2012 Paraguay
Arbitrary detention;
Independence of
judges and lawyers;
Torture; Violence
against women;
Presunta detención preventiva de un grupo de campesinos. Según la información recibida, 13 campesinos, seis de ellos en huelga de hambre, se encuentran detenidos desde el 15 de junio de 2012 en la Penitenciaría de Coronel Oviedo: Sra. Lucía Aguëro Romero, Sr. Felipe Nery Urbina Gamarra, Sr. Luis Olmedo Paredes, Sr. Arnaldo Quintana, Sr. Alcides Ramírez Paniagua, Sr. Juan Carlos Tillería, Sr. Felipe Benítez Balmori, Sr. Adalberto Castro, Sr. Néstor Castro, Sra. María Fanny Olmedo, Sra. Dolores López Peralta, Sr. Arnaldo Quintana, y un menor de edad. Habrían sido acusados, entre otros, de la comisión de los delitos de homicidio doloso; homicidio doloso en grado de tentativa; asociación criminal y coacción grave. La resolución judicial que ordenó la medida cautelar de detención no estuvo motivada y carece de fundamentos legales y fácticos. El proceso judicial penal contra estas personas se encuentra prácticamente paralizado y presentaría una serie de omisiones y contradicciones. Estas personas habrían sido golpeadas y fueron objeto de malos tratos luego de su detención y algunas incluso habrían sido torturadas.
25/01/2013
30/11/2012 AL
CRI 3/2012 Costa Rica
Independence of
judges and lawyers;
Presunta injerencia en la independencia del poder judicial por parte del poder legislativo, específicamente en contra de la Sala Constitucional de la Corte Suprema de Justicia. Según se informa, el 15 de noviembre, la Asamblea Legislativa decidió no reelegir al Magistrado Fernando Cruz Castro para un nuevo mandato de ocho años. Se informa que esa decisión fue extemporánea porque fue tomada 1 mes despues del plazo limite otorgado por ley a la Asamblea Legislativa para no reeligir magistrados de la Corte Suprema. Esa decisión además estaría en disconformidad con las legislaciones nacionales e internacionales destinadas a la protección de la independencia judicial, de la separación de los poderes y del sistema de pesos y contrapesos.
A /H
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/2 2
/6 7
1
5 7
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
30/11/2012 JUA
GTM 8/2012 Guatemala
Freedom of peaceful
assembly and of
association; Human
rights defenders;
Violence against
women;
Alegaciones acerca de actos de estigmatización y desprestigio, incluyendo incitación a la violencia, contra prominentes defensoras/defensores y organizaciones de los derechos humanos. Se informa de reiterados actos de estigmatización y desprestigio por parte de una conocida organización que trabaja contra el terrorismo, los cuales podrían contribuir a crear un clima de violencia contra defensores y defensoras de derechos humanos, tales como la Sra. Claudia Samayoa, la Sra. Laura Hurtado Paz y Paz, el Sr. Enrique Corral Alonzo, el Sr. Nery Rodenas, así como contra miembros de la UDEFEGUA, del Comité de Unidad Campesina, de la Fundación Guillermo Toriello, de Action Aid, de la Oficina de Derechos Humanos del Arzobispado de Guatemala y de la plataforma de organizaciones conocida como Convergencia por los Derechos Humanos.
30/11/2012 JUA
IDN 13/2012 Indonesia
Arbitrary detention;
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of religion;
Alleged possible blasphemy charges against a law lecturer in Aceh. According to the information received, Mr. Mirza Alfath has been voicing criticisms concerning the implementation of the Sharia Law on his Facebook page. On 3 July 2012, Mr. Alfath reportedly wrote on the Facebook page his opinions on Sharia Law that had caused Mr. Teuku Zulkhairi, a Muslim activist, to react by writing a letter to Serambi, the largest daily newspaper in Aceh, on 20 November 2012 complaining that Mr. Alfath had allegedly insulted Islam. Subsequently, an angry mob reportedly went to Mr. Alfath‘s
house in the evening of 20 November 2012, throwing stones and planning to attack him. The police came allegedly to secure Mr. Alfath but he was taken into police custody where he remains to the present day.
A /H
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/2 2
/6 7
1 5
8
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
30/11/2012 JAL
KWT 2/2012 Kuwait
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders;
Alleged interrogation and deportation of prominent human rights defender. According to the information received, on 15 November 2012, Dr. Nada Dhaif, along with her husband and two children, were denied access to Kuwait and were deported. Upon their arrival at Alniuissib Port, Dr. Dhaif was allegedly separated from her family and interrogated for a total of four hours by two civilian clothed individuals, reportedly State Security agents, on her role in alleged anti-Government protests in Bahrain. Sources state that she was also questioned on her and her husband's religion, and was denied legal representation during the interrogation. Dr. Nada Dhaif, Chairperson of Bahrain Rehabilitation and Anti-Violence Organization, was informed that she was not welcome in Kuwait as her name appeared on a list of Bahraini citizens who were denied entry to the country, a list reportedly provided by the Government of Bahrain to the authorities of Kuwait in July 2012.
30/11/2012 JUA
MMR 11/2012 Myanmar
Arbitrary detention;
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders;
Myanmar;
Allegations of arrest and detention of, and arrest warrants against, peaceful protestors, coupled with allegations of excessive use of force by security forces. According to the information received, on 23 November 2012, Ye Yint Htun, Naing Win, Nay Zaw Htet and Saw Naung were assaulted and arrested by security forces while peacefully marching to Naypyidaw to protest the closure of their mine in Yemathin township ordered by the Government. On 28 November 2012, Ko Wai Lu, Daw Shan Ma, Ko Myo Chit, Ko Ye Lin, Daw Naw Ohn Hla and Ko Nyi Nyi, leaders of a protest movement against forced evictions of villagers, due to the exploitation of a copper mine in the Letpadaoung mountains, were arrested and later charged under article 505(b) of the penal code. In addition, on the same day, arrest warrants were issued against the following activists: Ko Han Win Aung, Ko Thi Ha Win Tin, Ko Aung Naing Thu and Ko Moe Thway. On 29 November 2012, the riot police dispersed hundreds of protestors, using incendiary devices. More than 80 persons have been injured. One monk is reportedly in critical condition, and had to be transferred to a hospital in Mandalay.
A /H
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/2 2
/6 7
1
5 9
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
30/11/2012 JUA
GBR 6/2012 United Kingdom
of Great Britain
and Northern
Ireland
Terrorism; Torture;
Allegations of complicity in torture. According to the information received, Mr. Shaker Aamer was captured by Northern Alliance forces in Kabul in December 2001 and held there in an underground prison while Kabul was under joint US and UK control. Around 25 December 2001, he was reportedly transferred from the Kabul prison to the Bagram Airforce Base by US forces. In January 2002, he was reportedly transferred with a US aircraft to Kandahar Airforce Base in Afghanistan under US control. UK officials were reportedly present at the detention facilities at both Bagram and Kandahar, where he was subjected to inhuman treatment. He was allegedly tortured during interrogations during which UK officials were present. Personal information allegedly provided by the UK was used by the US interrogators. On 13 February 2002, he was reportedly rendered to Guantanamo Bay. In November 2004, he was declared an ‗enemy combatant‘. Although he has reportedly been cleared for release from Guantanamo Bay since 2007, he still remained detained at that facility.
30/11/2012 JUA
USA 31/2012 United States of
America
Arbitrary detention;
Independence of
judges and lawyers;
Terrorism; Torture;
Alleged indefinite detention, lack of access to lawyers and impunity for torture of five non-US citizens detained at Guantanamo Bay. According to the information received, on 26 January 2012 Mr. Khalid Sheikh Mohammad, Mr. Walid Muhammad Salih Mubarak Bin Attash, Mr. Ramzi Binalshibh, Mr. Ali Abdul Aziz Ali (also known as Anmar al-Baluchi) and Mr. Mustafa Ahmed Adam Al Hawsawi were charged in connection with the 11 September 2001 attacks on the United States and are facing multiple charges. Allegedly, the accused are not able to fully access legal representation due to the presumptive classification order issued on 26 April. Further, the practice of presumption classification compromises privileged lawyer-client communications. Also of concern is the continued lack of accountability regarding abusive interrogation techniques used in foreign detention facilities operated by the Government, including Guantanamo Bay and the failure to conduct prompt and impartial investigations. Another concern is the continued indefinite detention of the accused who are subject to a periodic review regarding their detention which effectively allows indefinite detention if the accused poses a threat to the national security so that even if there may be an acquittal after the trial, the accused will never be released.
A /H
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/2 2
/6 7
1 6
0
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
30/11/2012 JUA
USA 32/2012 United States of
America
Arbitrary detention;
Independence of
judges and lawyers;
Terrorism; Torture;
Alleged arbitrary and indefinite detention, inhuman treatment, infringement of due process and fair trial guarantees, and denial of access to an independent doctor. According to the information received, Mr. Shaker Aamer was captured by Northern Alliance forces in Kabul in December 2001 and held there in an underground prison. Around 25 December 2001, he was reportedly transferred from the Kabul prison to the Bagram Airforce Base by US forces. In January 2002, he was reportedly transferred with a US aircraft to Kandahar Airforce Base in Afghanistan under US control. On 13 February 2002, he was rendered to Guantanamo Bay. During his detention, he was allegedly subjected to inhuman treatment and was interrogated using torture. In November 2004, he was declared an enemy combatant. Although he has reportedly been cleared for release from Guantanamo Bay since 2007, he still remained detained at Guantanamo. He has allegedly been denied an independent medical assessment by a civil doctor of his choice.
A /H
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/2 2
/6 7
1
6 1
B. Replies received between 1 August 2012 and 31 January 2013 relating to communications sent before
1 June 2012
13. The table below lists, in chronological order, communications dating before 1 June 2012 to which a reply or an additional reply has been received in the period between 1 August 2012 and 31 January 2013. Copies of the full text of the communications sent and the reply received during the reporting period can be accessed from the electronic version of this report available on the OHCHR website. Some names of individuals or other information have been rendered anonymous or otherwise unidentifiable. English translations of some replies received in Arabic, Chinese and Russian will be made available as soon as they are ready.
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
01/03/2006 JUA
IRN 8/2006 Iran (Islamic
Republic of)
Freedom of
expression;
Freedom of
religion;
Independence of
judges and
lawyers; Minority
issues; Racism;
Torture;
Alleged arrests of 173 members of the Nematollah Sufi Muslim community. According to the information received, on 13 February 2006, a peaceful protest was violently suppressed by the security forces and members of the Hojatieh and Fatemiyon pro-government groups. The protest was being held against an order by the security forces to evacuate the community's place of worship, known as Hosseiniye. The 173 individuals were reportedly interrogated at Fajr prison in Qom and there were concerns that they were tortured in order to force them to sign pre-prepared false confessions, stating that the protest had political motivations and was linked to anti-government groups. Lawyer Bahman Nazari was reportedly arrested when he approached officials in an attempt to represent the detainees. Arrest warrants were reportedly issued for the main Sufi preacher in Qom, Seyed Ahmadi Shariati and the four lawyers who had previously been acting on behalf of the group. Their names are Amir Eslami, Omid Behrouzi, Gholamreza Harsimi and Farshid Yadollahi.
19/11/2012
27/11/2006 JUA
VNM 5/2006 Viet Nam
Arbitrary
Detention; Human
Rights Defenders;
Allegations concerning the harassment of several Vietnamese human rights activists in the lead up to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) which took place in Hanoi from 17 to 19 November 2006, including Mr Nguyen Khac Toan, a journalist who has assisted expropriated farmers assert their land rights, Mr Nguyen Van Dai, a lawyer and founder of the Committee for Human Rights in Vietnam, Mr Hoang Tien, a writer and founder of online publication Freedom and Democracy, Mr Nguyen Phuong Anh, a cyber-dissident, Mr Duong Van Duong (aka Dai Duong) who has openly criticised land confiscation and Ms Bui Thi Kim Thanh, a human rights lawyer who has defended expropriated farmers.
23/02/2007 28/09/2012
A /H
R C
/2 2
/6 7
1 6
2
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
18/01/2010 JAL
VEN 1/2010 Venezuela
(Bolivarian
Republic of)
Freedom of
expression;
Human rights
defenders;
Summary
executions;
Presunto asesinato de un defensor de derechos humanos. Según las informaciones recibidas, el 26 de noviembre de 2009, dos hombres no identificados habrían disparado contra el Sr. Mijail Martínez, hijo del Sr. Víctor Martínez, ex Diputado de la Asamblea Legislativa del Estado de Lara e integrante del Comité de Víctimas contra la Impunidad (CVCI). El Sr. Mijail habría muerto inmediatamente tras los disparos producidos en la puerta de su casa en Barquisimeto. El Sr. Martínez era integrante del CVCI, una organización de derechos humanos ubicada en el Estado de Lara, y productor de audiovisuales. Las alegaciones afirman que habría estado produciendo un documental acerca de las historias de las víctimas de violaciones de los derechos humanos supuestamente cometidas por agentes de la policía del Estado de Lara.
02/02/2010 24/07/2012
24/06/2010 JUA
IRN 17/2010 Iran (Islamic
Republic of)
Summary
executions;
Torture; Violence
against women;
Alleged imminent execution of a woman sentenced to death by stoning for committing adultery. According to the information received, Ms Mohammadi- Ashtiani was initially sentenced on 15 May 2006 by a court in the city if Osku in the North West Iranian province of East Azerbaijan for the crime of having ―illicit
relations‖ with two men. She was sentenced to 99 lashes. On 10 September 2006, a
second charge relating to the same offence was brought against Ms Mohammadi- Ashtiani and she was charged with the offence of adultery before the Sixth Branch of the Penal Court of East Azerbaijan Province. Ms Mohammadi-Ashtiani denied the charge and according to information received, no relevant evidence was admitted against her and she was convicted solely on the basis of the judge‘s
opinion that she had committed adultery. She was subsequently sentenced to death by stoning.
28/03/2011 16/07/2012
30/06/2010 JUA
SAU 5/2010 Saudi Arabia
Arbitrary
detention;
Independence of
judges and
lawyers; Torture;
Alleged detention and health deterioration of Kuwaiti national. According to the information received, Mr. Nacer Naïf Al Hajiri was arrested on 16 December 2007, by the General Saudi Intelligence Services (Al Mabahit Al Aama) at the Khafdji border between Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. He was allegedly arrested without a warrant and taken to an unknown location. In May 2008, Mr. Al Hajiri reportedly informed his wife that since his arrest he was not charged, nor given a reason for his arrest, he had not been presented before a judge, nor had he been allowed to access a lawyer. Mr. Al Hajiri‘s health started deteriorating after his arrest as he
suffers from diabetes and arterial hypertension. In March 2009, Mr. Al Hajiri undertook a hunger strike in protest against his detention. In addition, Mr. Al Hajiri was suffering from a brain tumour which, according to a medical exam held in August 2009, required an urgent operation.
26/09/2012
A /H
R C
/2 2
/6 7
1
6 3
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
19/11/2010 JUA
IRN 32/2010 Iran (Islamic
Republic of)
Arbitrary
detention; Human
rights defenders;
Independence of
judges and
lawyers; Torture;
Alleged arrest, detention and solitary confinement of lawyer and human rights defender. According to the information received, on 4 September 2010, Ms. Nasrin Sotoudeh was arrested, and subsequently summoned to appear in court. Her trial started on 15 November 2010, during which she reportedly faced charges of acting against national security; gathering and colluding to disturb national security; and co-operation with a human rights body, the Centre for Human Rights Defenders, co-founded by Ms. Shirin Ebadi. Since her arrest, Ms. Sotoudeh had reportedly remained in solitary confinement in Evin Prison in Tehran, with only occasional contact with family members. She reportedly undertook a hunger strike to protest against her arrest and the conditions of detention. Ms. Sotoudeh ended her hunger strike with the commencement of her trial. Prior to her arrest, Ms. Sotoudeh had been threatened with reprisals if she did not stop her human rights work. Her husband, Mr. Reza Khandan, also received threats urging him to stop his wife from defending her clients, including Ms. Ebadi.
28/11/2012
23/12/2010 JUA
IRN 35/2010 Iran (Islamic
Republic of)
Arbitrary
detention; Human
rights defenders;
Independence of
judges and
lawyers; Torture;
Alleged arrest and detention of lawyer and human rights activist. According to the information received, Ms. Nasrin Sotoudeh, a lawyer and prominent human rights activist, had been held in solitary confinement since her arrest on 4 September
2010. She reportedly resumed her hunger strike on 4 December 2010. On 17 December, she was reportedly transferred to the clinic of Evin prison in a critical condition. Ms. Sotoudeh was the subject of an earlier communication (see A/HRC/16/44/Add.1, para 1272).
28/11/2012
22/03/2011 JUA
SAU 2/2011 Saudi Arabia
Arbitrary
detention;
Freedom of
expression;
Torture;
Alleged detention of protesters. According to the information received, on 4 March 2011, Mr. Muhammad al-Wad‗ani, a 25 year-old teacher, was arrested in Riyadh by men in plain clothes, allegedly members of the General Intelligence, while participating in a protest. Other individuals who participated in the protest were allegedly also arrested. Reportedly, 24 men were detained on 3 and 4 March in connection with protests in the city of al-Qatif. They were subsequently released on 8 March 2011, without charge and allegedly only after having signed a pledge not to protest again. Mr. al-Wad‗ani reportedly continued to be detained incommunicado, and is believed to be at risk of torture or ill-treatment.
24/07/2012
A /H
R C
/2 2
/6 7
1 6
4
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
27/04/2011 JUA
IRQ 2/2011 Iraq
Arbitrary
detention;
Disappearances;
Freedom of
expression;
Human rights
defenders;
Torture;
Alleged excessive use of force against peaceful protesters. According to the information received, since early February 2011, peaceful demonstrations had been taking place in Baghdad. On 13 February, Mr. Oday Alzaidy, an activist, was reportedly taken in an army vehicle, beaten and subjected to torture. On 17 February, Mr. Rezhwan =Ali, aged 15, was reportedly shot dead after security forces fired at the crowd. Following the shooting by security forces, Mr. Surkew Zahid, aged 16, and Mr. Sherzad Taha, aged 28, died from sustained injuries. On 25 February, Mr. Mu‗ataz Muwafaq Waissi and an unknown demonstrator were
reportedly shot by security forces. On 24 February, Mr. Abdel-Jabbar Shaloub Hammadi was reportedly arrested, beaten and transferred to a police station in al- Baladiyat district where he was subjected to beating. On 25 February, Mr. Hadi al- Mehdi, a journalist and writer, was reportedly arrested, beaten and tortured. Mr. Sharwan Azad Faqi =Abdallah, aged 35, an NGO worker, was reportedly arrested by security forces in Erbil, beaten and taken to the Asayish Gishti interrogation center where he was subjected to torture. On 1 April, Mr. Haidar Shihab Ahmad Abdel Latif, aged 24, was reportedly detained by security forces during the demonstration. His fate and whereabouts remained unknown. On 8 April, Mr. =Ala Nabil, a political activist, was reportedly detained by security forces in Baghdad as he was leaving the demonstration. Mr. Nabil was reportedly previously arrested on 21 March and subjected to torture. On 13 April, Mr. Firas‗ Ali, aged 30, a political
activist, was reportedly detained at the office of the Federation of Workers‗
Councils and Unions by members of the armed forces who did not present an arrest warrant. Mr. Firas Ali was reportedly beaten, forced into a vehicle and driven away to an unknown destination. On 23 February, security forces reportedly raided the office of the Journalistic Freedoms Observatory in Baghdad, confiscating IT equipment and its archive.
09/07/2012
A /H
R C
/2 2
/6 7
1
6 5
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
09/06/2011 JUA
IRN 8/2011 Iran (Islamic
Republic of)
Arbitrary
detention;
Freedom of
religion; Minority
issues;
Alleged arrests and arbitrary detention of members of religious minorities, in particular those belonging to the Bahá‘í faith. According to the information
received, on 21 May 2011, raids were carried out in at least 30 homes of individuals involved in the activities of the Bahá‘í Institute for Higher Education.
These households were reportedly subjected to extensive searches which took place simultaneously in cities throughout the country, including Gohardasht, Ishfan, Karaj, Sari, Shiraz, Tehran and Zahedan, with 15 individuals being arrested. A further eight other members of the Bahá‘í faith were reportedly
interrogated by intelligence officers, and were released on the same day. These events reportedly form part of a continuous effort to deny access to education to members of the Bahá‘í faith, who are reportedly being prevented from entering
public and private universities and vocational training institutions in the Islamic Republic of Iran.
05/10/2012
29/06/2011 JUA
IND 12/2011 India
Adequate housing;
Water and
Sanitation;
Alleged forced eviction of more than 200 farmers. According to the information received, in May 2008, at least 200 farmers from Polong and Noliasahi villages in Jagatsinghpur district in Orissa state were subject to forced evictions in order to make way for a steel plant and a captive port. During the eviction, the Orissa state authorities, aided by 150 armed police force officials, reportedly destroyed betel vine crops and cultivation sheds. Following the eviction, the lands were fenced off in order to prevent the farmers from accessing them. In addition, evictions of more than 470 families living and working in the Erasama block of Jagatsinghpur District and demolition of their houses and crops had allegedly been planned. The land acquisition would reportedly affect the livelihood of local communities who depend on betel vine and cashew nut cultivation and fishing in the area.
08/08/2012
A /H
R C
/2 2
/6 7
1 6
6
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
08/07/2011 JUA
IRN 9/2011 Iran (Islamic
Republic of)
Arbitrary
detention;
Freedom of
expression;
Freedom of
peaceful assembly
and of association;
Health; Human
rights defenders;
Torture;
Alleged arbitrary detention of human rights defenders and persons peacefully exercising their freedoms of expression and assembly. According to the information received, a number of individuals have been arrested and detained allegedly because of their activities in promotion and protection of human rights in the period between April and July 2011. These include Ms. Massumeh Dehghan, the wife of Mr. Abdolfattah Soltani, a well-known Iranian human rights lawyer; Ms. Mahnaz Mohammadi, a film maker and human rights defender; Ms. Mansoureh Behkish, a human rights defender; Mr. Farzad Haghshenas, an environmental activist; Ms. Maryam Bahreman, a member of the One Million Signatures Campaign; Mr. Ashkan Zahabian, a student activist and member of Mehdi Karroubi‘s election campaign in the 2009 presidential election; and Mr. Mohammed Reza Fakhravar (also known as Arash), a member of the Confederation of Iranian Students. These persons have allegedly not been duly informed of the charges against them and have not benefited from minimal guarantees enshrined in their right to a fair trial. Furthermore, Ms. Mohammadi has reportedly been deprived of medical treatment for a very serious spine condition.
03/09/2012
19/07/2011 JAL
SLV 3/2011 El Salvador
Freedom of
expression;
Human rights
defenders;
Summary
executions;
Supuesto asesinato. Según las informaciones recibidas, el Sr. Duran Ayala, integrante del Comité Ambiental de Cabañas, habría sido visto por última vez por miembros de su familia el día 3 de junio de 2011. El día 1 de junio de 2011, el Sr. Duran Ayala junto con otros colegas del Comité Ambiental de Cabañas, habrían colocado pancartas en la ciudad de Llobasca, Cabañas, en contra de las actividades de la empresa canadiense Pacific Rim, cuyo sector es la minería. El 14 de junio de 2011, el padre del Sr. Duran Ayala habría ido al Instituto de Medicina Legal en San Salvador como parte de la operación de búsqueda y le habrían sido mostradas fotografías de un cuerpo que fue encontrado el 3 de junio en la colonia Amatpec en el municipio de Soyapango. Supuestamente, el padre habría identificado a su hijo. El Sr. Duran Ayala habría muerto tras un trauma cráneo encefálico producido por proyectiles de armas de fuego. Desde el 2009, otros diez miembros del Comité Ambiental de Cabañas habrían recibido amenazas supuestamente por su labor en defensa del medio ambiente.
28/09/2012
A /H
R C
/2 2
/6 7
1
6 7
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
19/07/2011 AL
USA 13/2011 United States of
America
Health;
Alleged negative impact on the access to medicines by the Trans Pacific Partnership agreements. According to the information received, several rounds of negotiations on the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreements have been held among the Governments of Australia, Brunei, Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the United States and Vietnam since March 2010. Some of the TPP‘s
intellectual property provisions would reportedly strengthen monopolies for life- saving medicines and create barriers for access to medicines. It is further alleged that new intellectual property standards would not only result in high prices for medicines but could also negatively impact the ability of developing countries to take positive steps towards ensuring the enjoyment of the right to health of their citizens.
02/07/2012
29/08/2011 JUA
CYP 2/2011 Cyprus
Arbitrary
detention;
Torture;
Alleged ill-treatment of asylum seekers, lack of access to medical assistance and solitary confinement. According to the information received, on 12 July 2011, asylum seekers Mr. Mohammad Khosh Sorour, Mr. Mohsen Khosravani, Mr. Bagher Ebrahimzadeh, Mr. Mostafa Hajilou, Mr. Mohammad Malek Madar
and Mr. Zakariah Ebrahim Moj were attacked and assaulted by a group of police officers following their protest in response to forcible removal and subsequent deportation of a fellow inmate. The individuals sustained several injuries and sequels. Mr. Bagher Ebrahimzadeh was allegedly severely beaten and subsequentely held in solitary confinement. None of the injured individuals had received medical assistance, including Mr. Mostafa Hajilou, who sustained a broken leg.
31/08/2012
02/09/2011 JAL
IND 18/2011 India
Summary
executions;
Torture;
Alleged deaths in custody. According to the information received, Mr. Nazim Rashid Shalla, aged 28, a resident of Alamdar Colony of Krankshiven locality of Sopore, Kashmir, died in police custody on 31 July 2011. Mr. Saidul Mondal was allegedly killed on 17 April 2011, by members of the Border Security Forces. Mr. Salam Sanjoy, aged 19, from Sagolbad Tera Moirang Hanuba Leirak, reportedly passed away at the Regional Institute of Medical Science Hospital at Lampel, Impal from injuries sustained whilst in police custody on 29 April 2011.
16/09/2011 07/08/2012
A /H
R C
/2 2
/6 7
1 6
8
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
09/09/2011 JUA
IND 19/2011 India
Freedom of
expression;
Freedom of
peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders;
Summary
executions;
Violence against
women;
Alleged killing, attacks and threats against women human rights defenders.
According to the information received, environmentalist and human rights defender Ms. Shehla Masood was shot dead by an unidentified assailant outside her home in Koh-e-Fiza in Bhopal on 16 August 2011. Some days before the attack, Ms. Masood reportedly spoke to the media of her intention to file a petition against a private college. In 2010, Ms. Masood allegedly reported to authorities that she feared for her life at the hands of a senior officer in the Indian Police Service. In 2008, she had also lodged a complaint regarding this officer. Mmes. Mumta Bibi, Iberei Begum, Najida and Leila Bibi reportedly defend the rights of rural workers and the right to information. On 1 May 2011, following a meeting they had organized, a round of gun shots was reportedly heard near Ms. Mumta Bibi‘s house. On 21 June, three men allegedly threatened Ms. Mumta Bibi‘s 13- year-old son. The family reportedly lodged a complaint with the police at Yairipok. On 8 May, gun shots were allegedly heard outside Ms. Iberei Begum‘s house, and the front door of her home was allegedly kicked in. On 15 May, another shot was reportedly heard near Ms. Begum‘s home. On 19 June, Ms. Nadija was reportedly
forced into a house by two women and beaten. Ms. Mumta Bibi, who came to her help, was reportedly also beaten. On 20 June, Ms. Leila Bibi‘s 15-year-old son was reportedly hit in the face by a resident of Yairipok Mathak Leikai. The assailant then allegedly followed the boy back to his home and attempted to strangle Ms. Leila Bibi‘s husband.
21/09/2011 07/08/2012
15/09/2011 JAL
IND 17/2011 India
Torture; Violence
against women;
Alleged abduction and gang rape of a woman by the military. According to the information received, Ms. X, a 32-year old woman from the Kulgam district of Kashmir, was abducted and gang raped by two army personnel from 19 to 21 July
2011. On 19 July 2011, Ms. X was allegedly forced by two army personnel carrying rifles and wireless sets to accompany them into the nearby Kadalbal forest where they confined her in a hut and reportedly raped her for two days. Before releasing her, the two men, later allegedly identified as being from the 62- Rashtriya Rifles, threatened her not to report the incident to anyone.
19/09/2011 08/08/2012
A /H
R C
/2 2
/6 7
1
6 9
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
27/09/2011 JUA
IRN 11/2011 Iran (Islamic
Republic of)
Arbitrary
detention;
Freedom of
expression;
Human rights
defenders; Iran;
Torture;
Alleged arbitrary detention and solitary confinement of human rights lawyer and defender. According to the information received, Mr. Abdolfattah Soltani, a well known human rights lawyer and defender, was arrested on 10 September 2011 in the corridors of the Islamic Revolutionary Court in Tehran by security agents allegedly holding an arrest warrant. Mr. Soltani was subsequently escorted to his law office then his home, where the police officers confiscated computers and several of his personal and family documents. The agents reportedly did not have any warrants to authorize the search of Mr. Soltani‘s office and home. Reportedly, his lawyer had not been informed of the charges against Mr. Soltani. It is alleged that Mr. Soltani‘s detention is linked to the fact that he has represented political
and human rights activists, including Akbar Ghanji, Zahra Kazemi, Zahra Baniyaghoub, Nasrin Sotoudeh and Haleh Esfandiari. Mr. Soltani had reportedly been kept in solitary confinement at the Ministry of Intelligence‘s Section 209 of
the Evin prison.
26/09/2012
A /H
R C
/2 2
/6 7
1 7
0
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
11/10/2011 JUA
IRN 13/2011 Iran (Islamic
Republic of)
Arbitrary
detention;
Freedom of
expression;
Freedom of
peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders; Iran;
Torture; Violence
against women;
Alleged arrest and detention, ill-treatment, judicial harassment and sentencing of women human rights defenders. According to the information received, Ms. Faranak Farid was arrested in Tabriz on 3 September 2011 by plain-clothes security officials. She was reportedly severely beaten during her arrest, subjected to ill-treatment during interrogation and forced to sign a document which she was unable to read. She was allegedly sentenced to ten days temporary detention based on charges of ―insulting the Supreme leader‖, ―propaganda against the system‖ and
―acting against national security‖. The arrest of Ms. Farid was reportedly linked to
her involvement in peaceful demonstrations. On 4 September 2011, Ms. Fereshteh Shirazi was allegedly arrested and detained in Amol prison. It is suspected that the reason for her arrest may be related to her women‘s rights activities and entries
made on her blog. The case is reportedly based on accusations of ―acting against State security‖, ―publicising lies‖ and ―causing unease in the public mind.‖ On 14
September 2011, Ms. Nasrin Sotoudeh was reportedly sentenced by Branch 54 of the Appeals Court to six years imprisonment and a ten-year ban on practicing as a lawyer. The sentence allegedly relates to charges of ―propaganda against the state‖,
―collusion and gathering with the aim of acting against national security‖ and
―membership of the Defenders of Human Rights Centre‖. On 26 September 2011,
Branch 26 of the Islamic Revolution Court reportedly sentenced Ms. Narges Mohammadi to eleven years in prison on charges of ―assembly and collusion
against the national security‖, ―membership of the Defenders of Human Rights
Centre‖ and ―propaganda against the Islamic Republic‖. The ruling reportedly referred to Ms. Mohammadi‘s human rights activities as attempts to overthrow the
Islamic Republic. Ms. Shiva Nazar-Ahai was reportedly sentenced on 8 January 2011 by Branch 36 of the Tehran Appeals Court to four years imprisonment to be spent in internal exile away from her home. The sentence reportedly relates to charges of ―attempts to deface the Islamic Government‖, ―disturbing the public
peace of mind‖ and ―waging war against God‖.
31/05/2012 28/11/2012
A /H
R C
/2 2
/6 7
1
7 1
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
19/10/2011 JUA
IRN 14/2011 Iran (Islamic
Republic of)
Arbitrary
detention;
Disappearances;
Freedom of
expression;
Freedom of
peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders;
Independence of
judges and
lawyers; Iran;
Violence against
women;
Alleged arrest, detention and sentencing of human rights defenders. According to the information received, on 25 July 2011, Mr. Ali Kalaei, a former member of the Committee of Human Rights Reporters (CHRR), was summoned to serve a seven year prison sentence. Reportedly, on 31 July, Mr. Ahmad Ghabel, a religious scholar and activist, was taken to Vakilabad prison to serve a twenty-month prison sentence, and Mr. Saeed Jalaifar, a member of the CHRR, was detained in Evin Prison. Also on 31 July, Mr. Kouhyar Goudarzi, a member of the CHRR, and Mr. Behnam Ganji were reportedly arrested by plainclothes security forces and were later transferred to Evin Prison. On 1 August, plainclothes security forces allegedly arrested Mr. Goudarzi‘s mother, Ms. Parvin Mokhtareh, at her home. On 13 September, Mr. Mohammed Seifzadeh, a founding member of Defenders of Human Rights Centre (DHRC), was reportedly summoned to court. The charges brought against the aforementioned individuals have included, inter alia, ―propaganda against the system‖, ―offending the Leader of the revolution‖ and
―acting against national security‖. In September 2011, several lawyers who
represent Dervishes, were reportedly detained, including Messrs. Farshi Yadollahi, Amir Eslami, Afshin Karampour and Omid Behroozi. Messrs. Mostafa Daneshju, another lawyer of the Dervishes, and Kayvan Samimi Behbahani, a member of the National Council for Peace, are reportedly serving prison sentences.
02/03/2012 04/05/2012 15/05/2012 20/07/2012
21/10/2011 JAL
IRN 15/2011 Iran (Islamic
Republic of)
Arbitrary
detention;
Disappearances;
Terrorism;
Torture;
On 21 October 2011, the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism, the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, the Vice-Chair of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention and Chair-Rapporteur of the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances sent a letter to the Islamic Republic of Iran related to their joint study on global practices in relation to secret detention in the context of countering terrorism (A/HRC/13/42). The joint study was part of a consultative process with States. In the same spirit of cooperation, the mandate holders/experts would like to continue engaging with States in ensuring appropriate follow-up to the joint study. In this context, they invited the Islamic Republic of Iran to provide them with information on measures taken to investigate the allegations contained in the joint study and if found true, to rectify the situation in compliance with international human rights norms and standards; to implement the related recommendations; and to provide any other relevant information.
19/06/2012
A /H
R C
/2 2
/6 7
1 7
2
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
28/10/2011 AL
IND 21/2011 India
Human rights
defenders;
Alleged raid on and search of the home of human rights defender. According to the information received, on 3 October 2011 an armed contigent of sixty police officials from the states of Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh arrived in trucks at the home of Ms. Kavita Srivastava, National General Secretary of the People‘s Union
for Civil Liberties (PUCL), in Jaipur city, Rajasthan. The police allegedly searched Ms. Srivastava‘s home when she was not there, based on a search warrant which
related to ―a dangerous Naxalite‖. It is reported that the police suspected that the
individual was sheltering in Ms. Srivastava‘s home; however, they did not find any
evidence of this. The police allegedly attempted to push Ms. Srivastava‘s elderly father and also harassed two domestic workers. It is further reported that police stopped her sister and her friend who were close to the house.
03/11/2011 23/07/2012
15/11/2011 JUA
IRN 18/2011 Iran (Islamic
Republic of)
Independence of
judges and
lawyers; Minority
issues; Summary
executions;
Torture;
Alleged imminent execution of Mr. Lo Zaniar (or Zanyar) Moradi and Mr. Loghman (or Loqman) Moradi.
Mr. Zaniar (or Zanyar) Moradi and Mr. Loghman (or Loqman) Moradi, belonging to the Kurdish minority, were convicted of the charges of ―enmity against God‖
(moharebeh) and ―corruption on earth‖ for allegedly murdering the son of a senior
cleric in Marivan, Kordestan province, north-eastern Iran, on 4 July 2009. In addition they were also convicted of participating in armed activities of Komala, a Kurdish opposition group. They were sentenced to public hanging on 22 December 2010 by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court. On 12 October 2011, the Supreme Court upheld the convictions. It is alleged that both men were coerced into confessing to the offense of murder after being tortured for 25 days and that during interrogation Mr. Zaniar Moradi was subjected to lashing, vulgar insults and threatened with sexual violence. Reportedly these individuals have been targeted for arrest and execution on the grounds of their Kurdish ethnicity and political activism conducted by them or their family members.
11/06/2012
A /H
R C
/2 2
/6 7
1
7 3
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
01/12/2011 JUA
IND 22/2011 India
Freedom of
expression;
Human rights
defenders;
Alleged acts of intimidation. According to information received, on 5 November 2011, two plainclothes policemen called the name of Mr. Shyamal Roy, founder of the organisation ―Dodhichi‖, aimed at reporting human rights violations committed
by authorities of the state of West Bengal and at promoting women‘s rights and the right to education, while they were outside is house. They told him that they had come to seize his SIM card and alleged that they were the Sub-Inspector and Assistant Sub-Inspector of Police at Sonarpur Police Station. Reportedly they wanted to confiscate other items belonging to him but Mr. Roy requested a legal order from the court. The two policemen called the Officer-in-Charge of Sonarpur Police Station before leaving and telling Mr. Roy that they would come back. Mr. Roy allegedly sends text messages to inform civil society groups about cases of human rights violations occurred in his community and to make people aware of their human rights.
07/08/2012
08/12/2011 AL
USA 22/2011 United States of
America
Mercenaries;
Alleged impact on human rights compliance and accountability for human rights violations of proposed new legislation and recent domestic court decisions. According to the information received, although the Status of Forces Agreement between the United States and Iraq will expire on 31 December 2011, some U.S. private military and security companies will remain in the country. The legal status and accountability of PMSCs in Iraq and elsewhere is unclear. The Civilian Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Act, which would extend United States jurisdiction over PMSC employees that commit certain crimes while working for the United States abroad, contains a carve-out for authorised intelligence activities that undermines the possibility of comprehensive criminal accountability for PMSC employees involved in serious human rights violations. Also according to information received, several recent United States court cases directly relate to, or potentially affect, contractor accountability: Kiobel v. Royal Dutch Petroleum, Minneci v. Pollard, Al-Quraishi v. Nakhla, Al Shimari v. CACI, Saleh v. Titan and Mohamed v. Jeppeson Dataplan.
01/06/2012
A /H
R C
/2 2
/6 7
1 7
4
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
09/12/2011 JUA
UZB 4/2011 Uzbekistan
Human rights
defenders;
Torture;
Alleged ill-treatment and on-going detention of members of the Human Rights Society of Uzbekistan (HRSU). According to information received, on 16 November 2011, Mr. Azamjon Formonov was subjected to beatings and ill- treatment while in detention at the 64/71 Special Regime Colony to force him to write a letter concerning his treatment while in detention. Other members of HRSU, Messrs. Nasim Isakov, Alisher Karamatov and Gaybullo Jalilov, continue to be detained and have allegedly been subjected to ill-treatment as well while in detention. Mr. Zafar Rahimov remains in detention since being imprisoned in October 2007. Mr. Khabibilla Okpulatov remains in detention since 2005 and his sentence was extended in August 2009 before he was due to be released. Mr. Azamjon Formonov and Mr. Alisher Karamatov were the subjects of previous communications (see A/HRC/4/37/Add.1 paras 715 & 719). Mr. Gaybullo Jalilov was the subject of previous communications (see A/HRC/18/51, case no. UZB 7/2010).
05/06/2012
19/12/2011 UA
CAN 3/2011 Canada
Indigenous
peoples;
Alleged dire social and economic conditions of the Attawapiskat First Nation, northern Ontario, Canada, and the alleged poor living conditions in aboriginal reserves. According to the information received, many of the Attawapiskat First Nation live in unheated shacks or trailers, with no running water, posing severe problems in light of the impending harsh winter. Reportedly, the Government of Canada has agreed to provide emergency housing in Attawapiskat to address the crisis situation. However, this assistance has allegedly been made contingent on third party management of funds, which the Attawapiskat First Nation reject as not being responsive to their needs. The Band also reportedly continue to suffer from the effects of a number of disasters, including an oil spill in 1979 that destroyed the public schools and a massive sewage flood in 2009, allegedly caused by a DeBeers diamond mine located on Attawapiskat traditional lands. First Nations communities are reportedly systematically underfunded as compared to non- Aboriginal towns, and the federal government allegedly maintains a 2% cap on spending increases for core services for Aboriginal peoples and cities.
14/02/2012 14/02/2012
A /H
R C
/2 2
/6 7
1
7 5
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
20/12/2011 JUA
THA 9/2011 Thailand
Arbitrary
detention;
Freedom of
expression;
Human rights
defenders;
Independence of
judges and
lawyers;
Alleged trial of human rights defender on charges of lèse majesté. According to the information received, on 30 April 2011, Mr. Somyot Prueksakasemsuk, human rights defender and magazine editor, was arrested at Aranyaprathet district, Sa Kaeo Province, and charged with contravening the lèse majesté law. His arrest came only five days after he held a press conference in Bangkok launching a campaign to collect 10,000 signatures to petition for a parliamentary review of the lèse majesté law or Section 112 of the Thai Criminal Code. He was reportedly detained in Bangkok Special Prison and transferred to Sa Kaeo Provincial Court on 12 November 2011. On 1 November 2011, his fourth bail request was denied. Different venues in different parts of Thailand, and different judges, have been allocated for the remainder of the hearing which will allegedly place an undue burden on Mr. Prueksakasemsuk. Mr. Prueksakasemsuk was the subject of a previous communication (see A/HRC/19/44, case no THA 5/2011).
04/04/2012 25/05/2012 29/06/2012
23/01/2012 JAL
CHL 1/2012 Chile
Freedom of
expression;
Freedom of
peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders;
Presuntas restricciones a libertad de reunión pacífica y expresión. Según las informaciones recibidas, el Proyecto de Ley que Fortalece el Resguardo del Orden Público propondría modificaciones del Código Penal y el Código Procesal Penal que podrían restringir la libertad de expresión y reunión pacífica, y criminalizar a las personas que ejerzan estos derechos. Propondría penas privativas de libertad por interrumpir el transporte público y la libre circulación de tráfico, invadir u ocupar edificios, y por incitar desórdenes, entre otros. Se informa que de esta manera se criminalizarían muchas protestas públicas, incluyendo a las personas que las convocasen, y que se limitarían las posibles ubicaciones de las protestas. El Proyecto de Ley también propondría permitir a las fuerzas de Orden y Seguridad consignar la existencia y ubicación de fotografías, filmaciones, y grabaciones de las manifestaciones. Según se informa, esta medida podría resultar en la intimidación de los periodistas, defensores de derechos humanos y otros individuos que graben y/o monitoreen las protestas.
13/03/2012
A /H
R C
/2 2
/6 7
1 7
6
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
31/01/2012 JUA
MEX 4/2012 México
Disappearances;
Freedom of
expression;
Human rights
defenders;
Presuntos actos de hostigamiento e intimidación. Según las informaciones recibidas, el 19 de diciembre de 2011, se publicó en un periódico un reportaje sobre el Comité de Familiares de Detenidos Desaparecidos ―Hasta Encontrarlos‖.
En dicho reportaje, la Sra. Elena Barajas Mejía, un miembro de la organización, denunció la presunta desaparición forzada de un familiar. El 21 de diciembre de 2011, una camioneta se habría estacionado en varios puntos diferentes cerca del domicilio de la Sra. Barajas Mejía. El 15 de enero de 2012, un familiar de la Sra. Barajas Mejía y otro individuo habrían sido seguidos por una camioneta. El 18 de enero de 2012, se habría intentado interponer una denuncia ante la Procuraduría General de Justicia del Estado de Michoacán, pero no habría sido aceptada. Se habría entregado un documento al Procurador del Estado de Michoacán, pidiendo las medidas necesarias para garantizar la seguridad de la Sra. Barajas Mejía y de los demás miembros de la organización.
02/07/2012
31/01/2012 JAL
UZB 1/2012 Uzbekistan
Freedom of
expression;
Freedom of
peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders;
Independence of
judges and
lawyers;
Allegations of acts of harassment and intimidation, of forcible and arbitrary removal of peaceful protesters, and violation of fair trial safeguards in the context of two peaceful assemblies held in Tashkent. According to the information received, peaceful assemblies were organized in Mustaqilik Square and in Hamza district to raise awareness of the human rights situation in the country. The assemblies were conducted on 6 December 2010 and 4 April 2011, respectively. Shortly after, activists were detained and brought to the respective district courts of Yunusabad and Hamza. In each case, they were denied access to legal counsel and were sentenced with large fines for administrative violations.
29/06/2012
02/02/2012 JUA
TUR 1/2012 Turkey
Arbitrary
detention; Human
rights defenders;
Independence of
judges and
lawyers; Minority
issues; Terrorism;
Alleged arrest, detention and launching of criminal proceedings against lawyers in the context of anti-terrorism operations. According to the information received, on 22 November 2011, 39 lawyers and one legal worker were arrested in the scope of an operation aiming at dismantling an alleged terrorist network known as the Kurdish Communities Union (KCK), an organisation believed to be the ―urban
branch‖ of the armed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). The lawyers were
reportedly taken into custody in Istanbul for their alleged membership in KCK under charges of ―membership of an illegal organisation‖ and ―directing an illegal
organization‖. The police had reportedly raided their offices and houses, searched
and confiscated their files and made copies of their hard drives.
25/07/2012
A /H
R C
/2 2
/6 7
1
7 7
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
03/02/2012 JUA
MDV 1/2012 Maldives
Arbitrary
detention;
Independence of
judges and
lawyers;
Allegation of increased tension between the Government and the Judiciary, which culminated on 16 January 2012 in the arrest and detention of the Chief Judge of the Criminal Court. According to the information received, Mr. Abdulla Mohamed was arbitrarily arrested in violation of the procedures established by the law and was reportedly held incommunicado until 20 January 2012. The Government has publicly explained the arrest as a consequence of the inability or unwillingness of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) to take disciplinary action against judge Mohamed and therefore guarantee the accountability of judges in general. However legitimate may be the concerns over the effective functioning of the JSC, the behaviour of some judges and the situation of the judiciary as a whole, this does not authorize in any way resorting to unlawful arrest and detention, as in the case of Mr. Mohamed.
05/07/2012 27/07/2012
15/02/2012 JAL
IND 2/2012 India
Sale of children;
Slavery;
Trafficking;
Violence against
women;
Alleged trafficking of girl children from the districts of 24 North Parganas and Murshidabad, West Bengal State, for the purpose of sexual exploitation, and the alleged systematic failure of the police to investigate such incidents. According to the information received, Ms. A, aged about 14 years old, was trafficked on 9 October 2011 to Karnataka State, for prostitution. She was later rescued. Ms. B, aged about 14 years, was trafficked from her village. It is alleged that she was held in captivity and raped before her rescue. Ms. C, aged about 15 years old, was trafficked from her village on 30 May 2011, to Bangalore, where she was allegedly sold into prostitution. The victim to date has not been rescued. Ms. D, about 15 years old, was trafficked into Bangladesh. The victim allegedly married Mr X, and was allegedly sold by her husband into sex slavery in Bangladesh.
08/08/2012
28/02/2012 JUA
UZB 2/2012 Uzbekistan
Freedom of
expression;
Human rights
defenders;
Independence of
judges and
lawyers;
Alleged threats against and harassment of a human rights defender and her relatives. According to the information received, Ms Tatiana Dovlatova, member of the Human Rights Alliance of Uzbekistan, has been subjected to threats and harassment, including alleged irregularities in judicial proceedings against her, since appearing on a Russian television programme on 24 April 2011 in which she spoke about the harsh living conditions of pensioners and disabled persons in Uzbekistan. In connection with the alleged unfair trials, she has been ordered to pay several fines, as a result of which she has been forced to sell her house, and she has reportedly had a travel ban imposed on her. Furthermore, it is reported that some of her family members have left the country due to the harassment which they faced, and other relatives have also allegedly been subjected to harassment.
18/06/2012
A /H
R C
/2 2
/6 7
1 7
8
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
29/02/2012 UA
CRI 1/2012 Costa Rica
Indigenous
peoples;
Alegaciones sobre supuestas agresiones cometidas en contra de miembros de la comunidad indígena Térraba, quienes ocupaban el liceo de la comunidad para exigir derechos a la educación. Según la información recibida, el 20 de febrero de 2012, un grupo de personas mayormente no-indígenas, armados con palos y machetes, entraron al liceo de Térraba por fuerza y agredieron a unos 70 miembros de la comunidad Térraba quienes habían ocupado el liceo desde el 13 de febrero de
2012. Alrededor de 17 personas resultaron heridas, incluyendo un menor a casusa del ataque. Se alega que la toma del liceo de Térraba tuvo su origen en el reciente nombramiento de personas ajenas a la comunidad para puestos de trabajo en esa institución. Un grupo de padres de familia, estudiantes y docentes ocuparon el liceo para exigir el nombramiento de docentes y personal administrativo indígenas Térraba con el fin de asegurar que la educación en la comunidad fuera culturalmente apropiada.
13/11/2012
29/02/2012 UA
HUN 1/2012 Hungary
Independence of
judges and
lawyers;
Alleged implications of the recently adopted Constitutional and related legal provisions for the independence of the judiciary. According to information received, the Republic of Hungary adopted in 2011 a new Constitution and several cardinal acts related to the justice system and its functioning. Several provisions of the new legal framework may affect the independent functioning of the judiciary. They particularly concern the election procedure regarding the President of the Curia and the President of the National Judicial Office, the duties of the President of the National Judicial Office, and the new provisions on the retirement age of judges. In addition, information was received regarding the powers of the Prosecution service and their insufficient separation from judicial functions.
14/05/2012
29/02/2012 JUA
MDV 2/2012 Maldives
Arbitrary
detention;
Freedom of
expression;
Freedom of
peaceful assembly
and of association;
Torture;
Allegations of excessive use of force against protestors belonging to the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP). According to the information received, on 7 and 8 February 2012, following the resignation of Mr. Mohamed Nasheed as President of the Maldives, supporters of his party demonstrated in protest. Law enforcement authorities reportedly used excessive force to quash such protests. Several demonstrators were injured, and a number were detained. At the time of drafting the urgent appeal, several individuals remained in detention or under house arrest.
02/07/2012 27/07/2012
A /H
R C
/2 2
/6 7
1
7 9
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
02/03/2012 JAL
MYS 2/2012 Malaysia
Freedom of
expression;
Freedom of
religion; Summary
executions;
Alleged arrest and deportation of a journalist. According to the information received, on 9 February 2012, Mr. Hamza Kashgari was arrested at Kuala Lumpur International Airport following the issue of an arrest warrant by the Saudi Arabian authorities. Mr. Kashgari is a journalist for Al-Belad (The Country), a newspaper owned by the Saudi Arabian Government, and a blogger. He was allegedly held in detention in the Travel Control Section in the Bukit Aman area of Kuala Lumpur. Prior to his arrest he had reportedly fled Saudi Arabia after accusations of apostasy were made against him in relation to an online post he had made concerning the Prophet Mohammed. On 12 February 2012, he was allegedly deported from Malaysia to Saudi Arabia and has since remained in detention in Riyadh. Despite publicly repenting and declaring himself a Muslim, Mr. Kashgari is reportedly at serious risk of being charged with blasphemy and consequently receiving a death sentence as a result of his post on Twitter.
04/06/2012
09/03/2012 JAL
AUS 1/2012 Australia
Extreme poverty;
Indigenous
peoples;
Alleged threat to the enjoyment of human rights by Australia‘s indigenous communities, in particular the right to equality and non-discrimination, following the proposed adoption of the Stronger Futures in the Northern Territory Bill 2012. According to information received, the Bill (third reading) extends the uniform alcohol bans and alcohol management regimes within so-called ―alcohol protected areas‖ within Northern Territory communities (Sections 27). The Social Security
bill extends measures enabling compulsory income management of Centrelink recipients in certain circumstances (Schedule 1). The bill also extends the Government‘s Improving School Enrolment and Attendance through Welfare
Reform Measure (SEAM) initiative, which allows for the suspension or cancellation of certain categories of Centrelink payments for lack of compliance with a notice relating to the school enrolment or attendance. The Stronger Futures Bill introduces ―special measures‖ to allow the Commonwealth to amend Northern
Territory legislation regarding leasing in Aboriginal community living areas and town camps (Part 3). In addition, there have reportedly been insufficient consultations with affected indigenous communities throughout the process of drafting the Stronger Futures Bills.
07/05/2012 20/07/2012
A /H
R C
/2 2
/6 7
1 8
0
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
12/03/2012 JUA
BHR 3/2012 Bahrain
Health; Torture;
Alleged declining health of detained human rights defender on hunger strike. According to the information received, Mr. Abdulhadi Alkhawaja, former Protection Coordinator of Front Line, the International Organization for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, as well as the former President of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR), currently detained at the central prison of Bahrain, has begun a hunger strike on 8 February 2012. His health is reportedly rapidly declining. Mr. Alkhawaja does not receive intravenous therapy IV fluids anymore due to the actual weakness of his veins, and finds himself in a life threatening situation. Mr. Alkhawaja was the subject of previous communications (see A/HRC/19/44, case no. BHR 17/2011 and BHR 18/2011; A/HRC/18/51, case no. BHR 4/2011, BHR 5/2011 and BHR 9/2011).
13/04/2012 27/04/2012 11/06/2012
13/03/2012 UA
NLD 1/2012 Netherlands
Torture;
Alleged risk of torture and ill-treatment for asylum seeker facing deportation. According to the information received, Mr. X. Y, a 24-year old man, homosexual, fearing persecution in Uganda, fled to the Netherlands, and upon arrival applied for asylum seeker status. It is reported that his application was refused on the basis of illegally entering the country. Mr. Y was reportedly requested to sign a letter about his deportation which he refused to do. On 28 June 2011, he was subsequently taken to Rotterdam Prison where he currently remains detained.
20/08/2012
14/03/2012 AL
HUN 2/2012 Hungary
Freedom of
expression;
Allegation that new media laws still limit the rights to freedom of opinion and expression. According to the information received, despite some of the positive changes, such as the rulings of the Constitutional Court of the Republic Hungary on the media legislation, adopted on 19 December 2011, and the amendments, made by the Parliament of the Republic of Hungary on 7 March 2011, the Law on the Freedom of the Press and the Fundamental Rules on Media Content (Act CIV of 2010) and the Media Services and Mass Media Act (Act CLXXXV of 2010) (the ―Media Law‖) reportedly remain problematic with regard to the press freedom
and the right to freedom of expression and opinion in Hungary due to certain issues, such as inadequate safeguards for the independence and impartiality of the regulatory authority, legal uncertainty, as well as disproportionate and unnecessary regulatory interventions and sanctions.
18/05/2012
15/03/2012 UA
SYR 3/2012 Syrian Arab
Republic
Summary
executions;
Alleged widespread violence in the country. According to the information received, 2012 has begun with the deadliest incidents since the start of the uprising in Syria mid-March 2011. Despite repeated calls to put an immediate end to the violence, casualties have dramatically increased over the last few weeks.
05/04/2012
A /H
R C
/2 2
/6 7
1
8 1
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
20/03/2012 JAL
CHL 2/2012 Chile
Freedom of
peaceful assembly
and of association;
Torture;
Alegaciones de actos de violencia, malos tratos y uso excesivo de la fuerza contra manifestantes en el contexto de unas movilizaciones a partir del 14 de febrero en la región de Aysén. Según las informaciones recibidas, del 14 al 23 de febrero se habrían llevado a cabo actos de protesta y violentos enfrentamientos entre agentes carabineros y manifestantes en Puerto Aysén, Coyahique y Puerto Chacabuco.
22/08/2012
20/03/2012 AL
IND 4/2012 India
Health;
Alleged limited access to health facilities, goods and services related to the prevention and control of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) in the state of Manipur, India. According to the information received, people living with Hepatitis C, who are also injecting drug users (IDUs) and co-infected with HIV, allegedly have limited access to health facilities and services for HCV testing, diagnosis and treatment in Manipur. Due to unaffordable costs, these and other vulnerable populations are allegedly denied access to HCV medicines, such as pegylated interferon and ribavirin. Prevention activities such as professional and public education, counseling and regular screening programmes are allegedly also unavailable to the vulnerable groups.
25/03/2012 08/08/2012
A /H
R C
/2 2
/6 7
1 8
2
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
23/03/2012 JUA
HND 2/2012 Honduras
Freedom of
expression;
Human rights
defenders;
Summary
executions;
Presunta ola de violaciones de derechos humanos contra periodistas, activistas campesinos y defensores de derechos humanos. Según la información recibida, en diciembre de 2011, el Sr. Leonel Espinoza, periodista y catedrático habría sido arrestado e intimidado por presuntos miembros de la policía que, posteriormente, le habrían puesto en libertad; y el Sr. Uriel Gudiel Rodríguez, camarógrafo del noticiero "Contacto Directo", habría sido amenazado por el Agente de Homicidios de la Dirección de General de Investigación Criminal en la aldea de Jutiapa, municipio de Danlí. En enero de 2012, el Sr. Matías Valle, portavoz del Movimiento Campesino del Aguán, habría sido asesinado por dos individuos en Colón, tras denunciar varias veces actos de hostigamiento contra campesinos. En febrero de 2012, el Sr. Luis Rodríguez, un periodista, el Sr. Javier Miranda Villalobos, su camarógrafo, del canal local por cable Catedral TV, así como el Sr. Juan Ramón Flores, el propietario del canal, y el Sr. Ramón Cabrera, gerente de Digicable, la empresa que proporciona el servicio de cable a Catedral TV, habrían recibido amenazas en relación con investigaciones acerca de un incendio en una cárcel en Comayagua; el Sr. Danilo Osmaro Castellanos, vicepresidente del Comité por la Libertad de Expresión (C-Libre), habría recibido amenazas de muerte contra él y su familia, tras haber criticado la administración local; la Sra. Mavis Ethel Cruz Zaldívar de Rodriguez, empleada de Radio Libertad, habría interpuesto una denuncia por amenazas contra ella y su familia, tras haber abordado el tema de la renuncia del Director de Investigación y Evaluación de la Carrera Policial; y la Sra. Saira Fabiola Almendras Borjas, estudiante de periodismo y colaboradora de los programas deportivos del Canal 30 y de Radio Cadena Voces, habría sido encontrada asesinada. En marzo de 2012, el Sr. Fausto Elio Hernández, periodista y conductor del programa ―La Voz de la Noticia‖ de la estación regional ―Radio
Alegre de Colón‖, habría sido asesinado.
12/06/2012 10/05/2012
A /H
R C
/2 2
/6 7
1
8 3
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
27/03/2012 JUA
IRN 5/2012 Iran (Islamic
Republic of)
Independence of
judges and
lawyers; Iran;
Alleged conviction and sentencing of two lawyers in relation to the discharge of their professional functions. According to the information received, Mr. Abdolfattah Soltani was arrested and charged with spreading propaganda against the system, setting up an illegal opposition group, gathering and colluding with intent to harm national security, and with accepting illegal earnings related to his acceptance of the Nuremberg International Human Rights Award in 2009. Mr. Soltani was allegedly allowed to see his file three months following his arrest. Several procedural irregularities have been reported in his case, including illegal extension of imprisonment after the period of pre-trial detention had expired, and lack of access to the records and legal material. Ms. Nages Mohammadi was allegedly sentenced to six years in prison by an appellate court. Ms. Mohammadi was charged with propaganda against the State, assembly and collusion against the State, and membership in the Centre for Human Rights Defenders.
26/09/2012
27/03/2012 JUA
PAK 4/2012 Pakistan
Freedom of
religion;
Independence of
judges and
lawyers; Minority
issues; Violence
against women;
Alleged abduction, forced marriage and forced conversion to Islam of a seventeen- year-old Hindu girl in Pakistan. According to the information received, Ms. X was abducted from her home on 24 February 2012, by Mr. Y and other armed men, including Mr. Z. Allegedly, she was held in custody in the residence of Mr. A, a member of the National Assembly. On 25 February 2012, Ms. X pleaded before a civil judge in Ghotki court to return home to her parents, she testified that she had been kidnapped and forced to change her religion against her will. On 27 February 2012, Ms. X again appeared in court but in Mathelo. During this second hearing, Ms. X was under pressure and changed her statement. The civil judge announced that she has embraced Islam and that she would be in the custody of Mr. Y. Since the court‘s announcement, Ms. X‘s whereabouts remained unknown to her family.
12/07/2012
28/03/2012 JAL
BRA 2/2012 Brazil
Freedom of
expression;
Human rights
defenders;
Summary
executions;
Alleged killing of two journalists. According to the information received, in July 2011, Mr. Mario Randolpho Marques Lopes, editor-in-chief of news website Vassouras na Net, was shot five times in the head by an unidentified gunman. He recovered after three days in a coma. On 8 February 2012, he and his girlfriend were reportedly abducted and were allegedly found dead the following day. Mr. Marques Lopes frequently reported on corruption among local officials, most recently the local judiciary. On 12 February 2012, Mr. Paulo Roberto Cardoso Rodrigues, editor of the daily newspaper Jornal Da Praça and the news website Mercosul News was reportedly shot dead by two men riding a motorcycle. Shortly before his death he had reportedly criticized the local mayor and shown support for an opposition candidate.
03/07/2012
A /H
R C
/2 2
/6 7
1 8
4
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
02/04/2012 JAL
LBN 2/2012 Liban
Discrimination
against women in
law and in
practice;
Migrants; Slavery;
Torture;
Trafficking;
Violence against
women;
Allegations of repeated physical and sexual abuse of an Ethiopian migrant domestic worker, leading to suicide. According to the information received, Ms. Alem Dechasa, a 33-year-old Ethiopian migrant domestic worker, was repeatedly physically and sexually abused by her employer. As a result of fleeing her employer‘s house and seeking assistance at the Ethiopian Consulate in Lebanon,
Alem Dechasa was physically beaten and forcibly dragged into a car by two men. It is alleged that Alem Dechasa was later taken to a mental institution where she committed suicide.
30/05/2012 06/06/2012
17/04/2012 JAL
KOR 1/2012 Republic of
Korea
Freedom of
religion;
Independence of
judges and
lawyers; Torture;
Alleged deportation and secret detention in Uzbekistan. According to the information received, Mr. X fled to the Republic of Korea in 2008 to escape religious persecution in Uzbekistan. Reportedly, on 7 February 2012, he was arrested on the basis of alleged illegal entry and stay in the country and was taken to Seoul Immigration Office where he remained detained for four days before he was transferred to the Hwasung Foreigner Detention Center. Allegedly, Mr. X was not allowed to file an asylum seeker application until after UNHCR intervened. On 21 March 2012, Mr. X was notified of the rejection of his application for refugee status and was deported to Uzbekistan. Mr. X was reportedly not given a chance to appeal to the Minister of Justice which he was entitled to within 14 days. His mother later learned from the local police that her son had been taken to the National Security Service by the so-called secret police. His fate and whereabouts remained unknown.
21/06/2012
A /H
R C
/2 2
/6 7
1
8 5
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
20/04/2012 JAL
TUN 1/2012 Tunisie
Freedom of
expression;
Freedom of
peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders;
Allégations d‘un usage excessif de la force et de restrictions illégitimes au droit à la liberté de réunion pacifique. Selon les informations reçues, une manifestation tenue le lundi 9 avril 2012 à Tunis aurait été violemment dispersée dès qu‘elle s‘est
approchée de l‘avenue Bourguiba, visée depuis le 28 mars 2012 d‘une interdiction
de manifester. Il est rapporté que les forces de sécurité auraient dispersé les manifestants au moyen de gaz lacrymogènes et auraient, avec le soutien d‘hommes
habillés en civil, violemment frappé ceux qui tentaient d‘emprunter l‘avenue Bourguiba. Des journalistes et des militants politiques ou de la société civile, y compris Zied Hani, membre du bureau exécutif du Syndicat national des journalistes tunisiens, Khemeis Ksila, membre de l‘Assemblée constituante,
Ahmed Sadiq, avocat et membre du Barreau, et Jouaher Ben Mbarek, membre du mouvement Doustourna, auraient été pris pour cible.
21/06/2012
23/04/2012 AL
BOL 2/2012 Bolivia
Independence of
judges and
lawyers;
Presuntas irregularidades en el proceso penal. Según la información recibida, en enero de 1998 se habría iniciado un juicio penal en contra de la Sra. Gaby Candia de Mercado, antigua alcaldesa de La Paz. El juicio se habría caracterizado por fuertes presiones políticas y mediáticas. La Sra. Candia habría sido detenida arbitrariamente durante seis días. El proceso penal contra ella continuó hasta la sentencia condenatoria dictada por la Corte Superior de Justicia del Distrito de la Paz el 3 de febrero de 2004, y seguiría hasta la fecha. El 11 de marzo de 2004, la Sra. Candia recurrió en apelación contra la sentencia. Hasta la fecha, todavía no se habría resuelto un conflicto de competencia para atender el recurso de apelación. Se informa también que se habrían cometido varias violaciones de las garantías judiciales durante este proceso penal.
02/07/2012 20/07/2012
23/04/2012 UA
SGP 1/2012 Singapore
Summary
executions;
Alleged risk of execution for a drug trafficking offence following denial of a judicial appeal. According to the information received, Mr. Yong Vui Kong, a national of Malaysia, was arrested on 13 June 2007, on charges of drug trafficking. Mr. Yong was found in possession of 47.27 grams of diamorphine. Under the Misuse of Drugs Act in Singapore, a defendant is reportedly automatically presumed guilty of drug trafficking in cases where possession of heroin exceeds two grams. On 14 November 2008, Mr. Kong was sentenced to death pursuant to section 33 of the Misuse of Drugs Act. Mr. Yong‘s last judicial complaint focused
on the alleged unequal treatment before the law and unequal protection of the law. On 4 April 2012, the Court of Appeal of Singapore dismissed Mr. Yong‘s appeal.
02/07/2012
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1 8
6
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
25/04/2012 JUA
DZA 1/2012 Algérie
Arbitrary
detention;
Freedom of
expression;
Freedom of
peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders;
Allégations d‘arrestation arbitraire. Selon les informations reçues, le 18 avril 2012,
M. Abdelkader Kherba, membre du Comité national de défense des chômeurs (CNDDC) et de la Ligue algérienne de défense des droits de l‘homme (LADDH),
qui filmait un sit-in en soutien au personnel de la justice en grève à Alger, aurait été arrêté. Il serait visé par une procédure en flagrant délit sur les chefs d‘incitation et de participation à un attroupement. Selon les informations reçues, cette arrestation s‘inscrit dans le cadre d‘un climat général de répression entourant
l‘action des syndicalistes dans le pays et visant particulièrement les membres du CNDDC.
07/06/2012
27/04/2012 UA
SLV 1/2012 El Salvador
Independence of
judges and
lawyers;
Supuesta injerencia en la independencia de la Judicatura. Según las informaciones recibidas, el Sr. Belarmino Jaime fue electo en la Sala de lo Constitucional por el periodo del 16 de julio de 2009 al 15 de julio de 2018, así como Presidente de esa Sala, de la Corte Suprema de Justicia y del Órgano Judicial por el periodo del 16 de julio de 2009 hasta el 15 de julio de 2012. El 24 de abril 2012, se habría designado como Magistrado Propietario de la Sala de lo Constitucional de la Corte Suprema de Justicia al abogado X en remplazo del Sr. Belarmino Jaime, quien continuará como Magistrado de la Corte Suprema, más no en la Sala de lo Constitucional. Se informa que esta decisión habría sido tomada como medida de represalia, en razón de las sentencias que la Sala de los Constitucional de la Corte Suprema de Justicia profiriera desde 2009, que han afectado intereses de ciertos grupos de El Salvador.
26/06/2012
30/04/2012 JAL
NPL 2/2012 Nepal
Adequate housing;
Food; Health;
Water and
Sanitation;
Alleged threats to the enjoyment of the rights to food, housing, water and sanitation, and health care for several communities in Banke, Nepal as a result of annual flooding caused by the Lakshmanpur Dam and the Kalkwala Afflux Bund. According to information received, annual floods threaten more than 3,000 families of Holiya, Bethani, Mattaiya, Fattepur, Bankatti and Gangapur in the Banke district of Nepal. While some flooding in the area is a natural phenomenon, the annual flooding has been aggravated since the construction of the Lakshmanpur Dam in 1985 and, in particular the Kalkwala Afflux Bund built between 1999 and 2000 by the Government of India along the Indo-Nepali border. Reportedly, the affected communities were not consulted prior to the construction of the dam and afflux bund in question. It is alleged that no proper resettlement plan has been put in place despite the challenges the affected communities face yearly.
20/09/2012
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1
8 7
Date
Type
Case No
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03/05/2012 JUA
UZB 5/2012 Uzbekistan
Arbitrary
detention;
Torture;
Allegation of mistreatment and continued arbitrary detention. According to the information received, Mr. Erkin Musaev, Uzbek national, a former UNDP employee, was arrested by the Uzbek National Security Service on 31 January 2006, on charges of disclosure of state secrets, among others, and sentenced to 15 years of imprisonment. On 9 May 2008, the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention declared in its Opinion No. 14/2008 that the deprivation of liberty of Mr. Musaev was arbitrary. In early February 2011, Mr. Musaev was transferred from a prison in Bekabad city to a high security prison in Navoi region where he remained detained. Mr. Musaev has reportedly been subjected to intermittent beating, while detained in Navoi prison. He was reported to be in poor health. Mr. Musaev was the subject of earlier communications (see A/HRC/18/51, case no UZB 1/2011).
19/06/2012
04/05/2012 JAL
KHM 3/2012 Cambodia
Cambodia;
Freedom of
expression;
Freedom of
peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders;
Allegations of restrictions to the enjoyment of the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly, opinion and expression which were reportedly faced by organizers and participants to the ASEAN Civil Society Conference/ASEAN Peoples‘ Forum 2012 (ACSC/APF) under the theme ―Transforming ASEAN into a People Centered
Community‖. According to the information received, following the approval by the
Ministry of Interior to hold the conference, issued on the eve of the event, the management of the hotel where the conference was scheduled to take place, allegedly acting upon instructions by the authorities, imposed a number of restrictions on the ACSC/APF Organizing Committee. These include the removal of pictures displayed by a participating NGO from Myanmar on the wall of its stand in the exhibition hall; the request to submit to the hotel management any video or picture to be shown during the documentary films screening session; and the prohibition of four thematic parallel workshops, which were allegedly considered as ―politically sensitive‖.
27/06/2012
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1 8
8
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
04/05/2012 JUA
MEX 10/2012 México
Human rights
defenders;
Migrants;
Summary
executions;
Presuntas amenazas de muerte y actos de intimidación en contra de defensores de los derechos de las personas migrantes. Según las informaciones recibidas, el 31 de marzo de 2012, dos hombres se habrían acercado al Padre Alejandro Solalinde Guerra, Director del Albergue del Migrante ―Hermanos en el Camino‖ en Ixtepec,
con la intención aparente de atacarlo, pero habrían sido interceptados. Al día siguiente, el Padre Solalinde habría sido notificado que alguien había sido contratado a matarlo. El 19 de abril, el Padre Solalinde habría sido informado que había un hombre hospedándose en la localidad que habría manifestado recibir dinero para matarlo. El Padre Solalinde fue sujeto de comunicaciones anteriores (véase A/HRC/19/44, MEX 17/2011). A principios de abril de 2012, un hombre desconocido habría amenazado de muerte al personal de la Casa del Migrante ―Frontera Digna‖, el cual ya fue sujeto de una comunicación (véase A/HRC18/51, MEX 9/2011).
02/07/2012
08/05/2012 JAL
CMR 1/2012 Cameroun
Freedom of
expression;
Freedom of
peaceful assembly
and of association;
Health; Human
rights defenders;
Allégations de restrictions indues au droit à la liberté de réunion pacifique. Selon les informations reçues, une réunion visant à discuter des problématiques du Sida et des droits de l‘homme des minorités basées sur l‘orientation sexuelle, tenue le
mardi 27 mars 2012 à Yaoundé, aurait été empêchée par les autorités, qui avaient dans un premier temps autorisé sa tenue. Un jeune homme, membre du Rassemblement de la Jeunesse Camerounaise, aurait, avec l‘aide de complices,
violemment pris à partie et insulté Mme Alice Nkom et M. Stéphane Koche, qui travaillent pour les groupes organisateurs de l‘atelier. Il est également rapporté l‘interruption, par la police, d‘un rassemblement pacifique organisé par le
Mouvement pour la Défense des Droits de l‘Homme et des Libertés le 30 mars
2012 à Maroua, qui avait, dans un premier temps, été autorisé par les autorités. M. Abdoulaye Math, président de l‘organisation, ainsi que 14 autres membres du
Mouvement, auraient été arrêtés.
08/08/2012
10/05/2012 AL
CAN 2/2012 Canada
Indigenous
peoples;
Follow up letter concerning the situation of the Attawapiskat community and broader issues related to the economic and social situation of First Nations in Canada. The follow up letter contains observations of the Special Rapporteur on the Attawapiskat situation as well as additional questions in light of the response of Canada (3/2011) to the Special Rapporteur‘s initial letter on the issue
(A/HRC/20/30). The follow up questions relate also to further allegations received concerning the formulas used for providing funding to First Nations in Canada.
10/09/2012
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1
8 9
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
11/05/2012 JUA
RUS 2/2012 Russian
Federation
Arbitrary
detention;
Cultural Rights;
Freedom of
expression;
Freedom of
religion;
Independence of
judges and
lawyers; Violence
against women;
Alleged detention of band members of ‗Pussy Riot‘ in Moscow on the charge of
―hooliganism‖. According to the information received, on 4 March 2012, Ms.
Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Ms. Maria Alekhina were arrested and charged with hooliganism for allegedly performing a punk prayer at the Christ the Saviour Cathedral. Reportedly, Ms. Ekaterina Samutsevich was arrested on 15 March 2012 and charged with similar offence. Since their arrest, some of their family members, some people supporting them as well as one of their lawyers allegedly received threats. On 19 April 2012, Tagansky Court in Moscow had reportedly extended the detention of the three women to 24 June 2012.
17/08/2012
14/05/2012 AL
CHN 5/2012 China (People's
Republic of)
Health;
Alleged deteriorating health condition of detained refugees. According to the information received, Ms. X, aged 28, and her newborn child, both refugees from the Democratic People‘s Republic of Korea (DPRK), were held in Wuhong
administrative detention facility in Shenyang, China. It is reported that Ms. X was arrested by the Chinese authorities on 29 February 2012 in Kunming, China. Ms. X has allegedly not received adequate post-natal healthcare after giving birth while in custody. It is alleged that her health condition is deteriorating, and that her newborn child is facing imminent death.
27/08/2012
14/05/2012 JAL
GTM 3/2012 Guatemala
Freedom of
expression;
Human rights
defenders;
Summary
executions;
Presuntos asesinatos de un defensor de los derechos humanos y de tres otras personas. Según las informaciones recibidas, el 24 de marzo de 2012, alrededor de las 8.30 de la tarde, los Sres. Luis Ovidio Ortiz Cajas, Bildave Santos Barco, Fredy Leonel Estrada Mazariegos y Oscar Alexander Rodríguez habrían sido asesinados a tiros en la Ciudad de Guatemala. El Sr. Luis Ovidio Ortiz Cajas era el Secretario de Relaciones Públicas del Comité Ejecutivo Nacional del Sindicato Nacional de Trabajadores de la Salud de Guatemala (SNTSG), miembro del Foro por los Derechos Humanos y también fue co-fundador del Frente Nacional de Lucha (FNL).
13/07/2012 21/08/2012
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1 9
0
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
14/05/2012 JUA
IRN 10/2012 Iran (Islamic
Republic of)
Arbitrary
detention;
Freedom of
religion; Iran;
Minority issues;
Torture;
Alleged new arrests and continued detention of the members Bahá‘í faith
community in the Islamic Republic of Iran. According to the information received, Mr. Bakhtiyar Rasekh, Mrs. Farahnaz Naimi (Rasekhi), Ms. Farin Rasekhi, Mr. Arman Mokhtari, Mr. Shayan Tafazoli, Ms. Naghmeh Zabihian, Mrs. Sousan Badavam (Farhangi), Ms. Nadia Asadian (Abdu‘l-Hamidi), Ms. Shiva Kashaninejad (Samiian), Mr. Natoli Derakhshan, Mr. Faramarz Firouzian, Mr. Shahnam Golshani, Ms. Maryam Akhzari, Mr. Nima Dehghan,Ms. Mojgan Emadi, Ms. Yekta Fahandezh, Ms. Mojdeh Fallah, Mr. Sam Jaberi, Mr. Sina Sarikhani, Mr. Payam Taslimi, Ms. Semitra Momtazian, Mr. Farid Emadi, Mr. Iman Rahmat Panah (Khah), Mr. Farshid Yazdani, Mr. Houman Zarei, Mr. Badiollah Nakhie, Mr. Taghi Haeri, Mr. Vahid Hasankhani, Ms. Baji Gez, Mr. Hasan Khani, Mr. Zabihollah Raoufi, Ms. Sayyareh Raoufi, Mr. Aminollah Raoufi, Mr. Nader Mavvadati, Mr. Nourollah Mavaddati, Mr. Vahid Kholousi, Mr. Haydar Kholousi, Mr. Zekrollah Yegan, Ms. Samin Ehsani, Mr. Vahed Kholousi and Ms. Mahsa Mehregani were arrested and detained in different parts of the Islamic Republic of Iran on various charges, mostly related to their faith.
19/06/2012 12/07/2012 12/07/2012
14/05/2012 JAL
THA 2/2012 Thailand
Migrants; Slavery;
Trafficking;
Alleged trafficking of migrant workers from Cambodia and Myanmar for the purpose of labour exploitation and debt bondage. According to information received, Mr. X, a Cambodian in his thirties came to Thailand in December 2010 through a broker, CDM Trading Manpower Co Ltd, based in Cambodia. He entered into a contract with CDM to work at Phatthana Frozen Food Factory in Thailand. It is reported that his salary, attendance bonus and working days were less than what was stipulated in his contract. Accommodation and health care were allegedly not provided for. Moreover, part of his salary and his passport are reportedly withheld by his employer, to prevent him from leaving until his debts are settled. Reportedly, other cases point to a pattern of trafficking of migrant workers from Cambodia and Myanmar for labour exploitation and debt bondage in Thailand, particularly those working in Phatthana Frozen Food Factory and Vita Food Factory.
30/07/2012
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1
9 1
Date
Type
Case No
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15/05/2012 JUA
CHN 4/2012 China (People's
Republic of)
Disappearances;
Freedom of
expression;
Human rights
defenders;
Independence of
judges and
lawyers; Torture;
Alleged threats and harassment against a human rights defender and his family and the alleged arbitrary detention or enforced disappearance of a number of his relatives and supporters. According to the information received, Mr Chen Guangcheng and his family have been under extralegal house arrest since September 2010, until Mr. Chen Guangcheng´s alleged escape on 22 April 2012. Reportedly, on 26 April 2012, a group of men attempted to break into the home of Mr. Chen Guangfu, brother of Mr. Chen Guangcheng. Reports indicate that Mr. Chen Guangfu was detained before being subsequently released and forbidden from leaving his village. Mr. Chen Guangfu‘s son, Mr. Chen Kegui, is allegedly in
custody in the Yinan County Detention Centre. Furthermore, on 28 April, Messrs. Chen Guangcun and Chen Hua, both cousins of Mr. Chen Guangcheng, were reportedly arrested. Their fate and whereabouts allegedly remained unclear. On 3 May 2012, Mr. Jiang Tianyong was allegedly detained and beaten after attempting to visit Mr. Chen Guangcheng in hospital. It is further alleged that Mr. Chen Guangcheng's wife, Ms. Yuan Weijing, was harassed and threatened following her husband's alleged escape.
27/08/2012
16/05/2012 JUA
IRN 11/2012 Iran (Islamic
Republic of)
Arbitrary
detention;
Independence of
judges and
lawyers; Iran;
Summary
executions;
Torture;
Alleged incommunicado detention, torture, unfair trial and sentence to death for moharebeh. According to the information received, on 26 January 2009, security forces arrested Mr Behrouz Alakhani, a 26 year old Kurdish citizen, on charges of cooperation with the Party of Free Life of Kurdistan (PJAK) and participation in the murder of the Khoy Prosecutor. He was held incommunicado for 19 months before his transfer to Orumiyeh Central Prison, and was allegedly subjected to severe psychological and physical torture. During his detention, he was reportedly deprived of access to a lawyer and contacts with family members. In December 2010, Mr Alakhani was brought before Orumiyeh Revolutionary Court, where he was sentenced to ten years imprisonment for possessing and transporting arms, and to the death penalty on charges of moharebeh, following a trial which violated procedural safeguards.
03/09/2012
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2
Date
Type
Case No
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16/05/2012 JAL
MYS 3/2012 Malaysia
Freedom of
expression;
Freedom of
peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders;
Torture;
Alleged excessive use of force by law enforcement authorities against peaceful protestors, and acts of harassment against media personnel and human rights defenders. According to the information received, a public sit-in organized by the Coalition for Fair and Free Elections (Bersih) in Kuala Lumpur on 28 April 2012 met with police brutality. The police reportedly used, in an indiscriminate manner, tear gas and water cannons to disperse the peaceful protestors injuring several of them. It is also reported that media personnel covering the protest were assaulted by security forces. Since this demonstration took place, Ms. Ambiga Sreenevasan, who is one of the leaders of the Coalition for Fair and Free Elections, has been, on different occasions, the target of severe and sustained acts of harassment and intimidation. Bersih members were the subject of a previous communication (see A/HRC/19/44, case no MYS 6/2011). Ms. Ambiga Sreenevasan was also the subject of a previous communication (see A/HRC/20/30, case no MYS 11/2011).
26/09/2012
21/05/2012 JAL
BLR 2/2012 Belarus
Freedom of
expression;
Freedom of
peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders;
Independence of
judges and
lawyers;
Alleged imposition of travel bans on, due process violations against and sentencing of human rights defenders. According to the information received, on 13 February 2011, the Minsk City Court dismissed Mr. Valiantsin Stefanovich‘s appeal, upholding an order to pay a fine of 53 million rubles for ―non-payment or incomplete payment of taxes‖. Mr. Stefanovich is the Vice-Chairman of the Human Rights Centre ―Viasna‖. On 24 January 2012, the Minsk City Court
reportedly dismissed the appeal of Ales Bialiatski, Chairman of ―Viasna‖ and FIDH Vice-President, upholding the sentence of four and a half years imprisonment and fines totalling 757 million rubles for ―tax evasion on a large
scale‖. It is alleged that these criminal cases were politically motivated. Reportedly, Mr. Aleh Volchek, Head of Legal Aid to the Population, was sentenced to four days of administrative detention on 30 January for ―petty
hooliganism‖ after his organisation had published a report on the trial of Mr. Bialiatski. In March 2012, Ms. Zhanna Litvina, chairperson of the Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ), and Messrs. Valiantsin Stefanovich, Aleh Hulak, member of the Belarusian Helsinki Committee (BHC), Andrey Dynko, editor-in- chief of the independent newspaper ―Nasha Niva‖, and Harry Pahanyayla, chairman of the Legal Commission of the BHC, were all allegedly denied permission to leave the country. Viasna, the BHC, the BAJ and Nasha Niva were among the subjects of an earlier communication (see A/HRC/19/44, case no BLR 7/2011).
09/10/2012
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1
9 3
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
24/05/2012 JAL
CAN 1/2012 Canada
Freedom of
expression;
Freedom of
peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders;
Allégations de restrictions arbitraires au droit de réunion pacifique et de l‘usage
disproportionné de la force contre des manifestants dans le contexte de mobilisations d‘étudiants à Montréal, Québec; et allégations de nouvelles lois
portant indûment atteinte aux droits à la liberté de réunion pacifique et d‘association. Selon les informations reçues, de nombreuses manifestations
d‘étudiants tenues à Montréal et dans sa région, depuis le 13 févier 2012, auraient fait l‘objet d‘un usage excessif de la force par la police. De plus, il est rapporté
l‘adoption d‘un règlement municipal apportant des modifications au règlement de
la ville de Montréal et d‘une loi adoptée par l‘Assemblée Nationale du Québec (no. 78), le 18 mai 2012, qui contiendraient de nombreuses dispositions en contradiction avec les standards internationaux relatifs aux droits à la liberté de réunion pacifique et d‘association.
23/07/2012
24/05/2012 AL
FIN 1/2012 Finland
Indigenous
peoples;
Allegations concerning a decision by the Finland Supreme Administrative Court that has the effect of diminishing Sami self-determination. According to the information received, in order to register on the Sami electoral roll to elect representatives of the Sami Parliament, the Parliament has required that potential registrants meet both self-identification and language requirements. On the basis of these criteria, the Sami Parliament of Finland declined to admit four individuals onto its electoral register. However, in September 2011, the Finland Supreme Administrative Court reversed the decision of the Sami Parliament and decided that self-identification by any person with any ancestor registered as ―Lapp‖ dating back to as far as 1763 should be a sufficient criterion for registration. Concern is expressed that elimination of the language requirement for registration to the electoral roll will result in an influx of registrants to the electoral roll and a diluting of Sami decision-making power within the Sami Parliament.
09/07/2012
25/05/2012 JAL
EGY 6/2012 Egypt
Summary
executions;
Torture;
Alleged death in custody due to torture by prison guards. According to the information received, on 7 February 2012, Mr. Ahmed Ramzy Ali Amar, aged 27, who was serving his sentence at New Valley Prison, was beaten by prison guards following a dispute with one of the guards who came to search his cell. Subsequently, he was taken to a solitary confinement cell as punishment. He was pronounced dead two days later by prison security, who claimed that he had committed suicide, while his former cellmates reportedly saw marks of severe torture on his body.
17/07/2012
A /H
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1 9
4
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
29/05/2012 JAL
MEX 11/2012 México
Freedom of
expression;
Human rights
defenders;
Summary
executions;
Alegaciones de asesinatos de trabajadores de la prensa. Según la información recibida, el 28 de abril de 2012, el cuerpo sin vida de la Sra. Regina Martínez Pérez, una periodista del semanario Proceso y defensora de derechos humanos, habría sido encontrado en su vivienda en la ciudad de Xalapa, Veracruz. La Sra. Martínez Pérez trabajaba sobre la problemática de los cárteles de droga y los vínculos entre grupos del crimen organizado y funcionarios gubernamentales. El 3 de mayo, los cuerpos sin vida de la Sra. Irasema Becerra y los Sres. Gabriel Huge, Guillermo Luna y Esteban Rodríguez habrían sido encontrados en un canal de aguas negras en la ciudad de Boca del Río, Veracruz. Los Sres. Huge y Luna eran reporteros gráficos que cubrían información policial en Veracruz. La Sra. Becerra era empleada administrativa del periódico El Dictamen, y el Sr. Rodríguez había trabajado como fotógrafo con varios medios de la prensa en Veracruz. El 17 de mayo, el Sr. Marco Antonio Ávila García, periodista que trabajaba sobre el crimen organizado en Sonora habría sido secuestrado y habría sido encontrado sin vida el día siguiente.
08/08/2012
29/05/2012 AL
SGP 2/2012 Singapore
Cultural Rights;
Alleged planned building of an eight-lane highway through the Bukit Brown Cemetery. According to information received, the Bukit Brown Cemetery, which is of remarkable natural, cultural and historical value, enables people to build a sense of identity and belonging to the region, is used as a space for the living cultural practices of people, is an important recreational and leisure space with a unique combination of heritage and nature, and provides a valuable database for researchers and scholars. In September 2011, the Government of Singapore reportedly announced the construction of a new road through the Bukit Brown Cemetery to relieve traffic congestion; the decision taken by the Government to build the road was allegedly not preceded by a meaningful consultation process.
27/07/2012
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1
9 5
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
29/05/2012 AL
TUR 4/2012 Turkey
Adequate housing;
Alleged threat of mass forced evictions and additional violations of the right to adequate housing following the recent adoption of the Law for the Transformation of Areas under Disaster Risk. According to information received, the Law of 18 May 2012 threatens the enjoyment of the right to adequate housing of more than six million households. The Law presents a number of problematic provisions, in particular a lack of concrete definitions, accountability mechanisms, administrative or judicial recourse for affected communities, coupled with the extensive decision- making powers of Government and local authorities with regard to the determination of buildings to be demolished and the actual demolition process. The implementation of the Bill as it is may allegedly lead to mass forced evictions, infringements on the rights to property and housing, and to an increased number of people made homeless or left in worse housing and living conditions. Reports received indicate that there has been very little consultation with potentially affected communities and civil society organizations during the drafting of the Law.
17/08/2012
30/05/2012 JUA
COL 6/2012 Colombia
Freedom of
expression;
Freedom of
peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders;
Summary
executions;
Violence against
women;
Presuntas amenazas de muerte, seguimientos y agresiones en contra de defensores de derechos humanos. Según las informaciones recibidas, el primero de mayo, el Padre Alberto Franco, Secretario Ejecutivo de la Comisión Intereclesial de Justicia y Paz (CIJP), habría sido seguido por hombres que se trasladaban en motocicleta. El 8 de mayo, el Sr. Danilo Rueda, un abogado de la CIJP, también habría sido seguido. Además, el 7 de mayo de 2012, un individuo no identificado habría disparado un arma de fuego hacia el interior de las oficinas de ‗Women‘s Link
Worldwide‘ (WLW). El disparo habría roto el cristal de seguridad justo arriba de la cabeza de la Sra. Mónica Roa, directora de programa de WLW. También se informa que dos comunicados habrían sido publicados en el mes de mayo que amenazarían a varios defensores de derechos humanos y organizaciones de derechos humanos, uno en el nombre del grupo paramilitar ‗Los Rastrojos – Comandos Urbanos‘, y el otro en el nombre del grupo paramilitar ‗Águilas Negras
– Bloque Capital‘.
23/10/2012
A /H
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1 9
6
Date
Type
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply
30/05/2012 JAL
PHL 2/2012 Philippines
Freedom of
expression;
Human rights
defenders;
Summary
executions;
Alleged killing of two human rights defenders. According to the information received, on 5 March 2012, Mr. Jimmy Liguyon was shot and killed at his home. Allegedly, the perpetrator declared that he had killed Mr. Liguyon for refusing to enter into agreements on behalf of his village with the San Fernando Matigsalug Tribal Datus Association (SANMATRIDA). Mr. Liguyon was the Vice-Chairman of Kasilo, an organization of indigenous peoples from the southern municipalities of Bukidon, and the village chief of Barangay Dao, San Fernando, Bukidnon, Mindanao. Reportedly, on 9 May 2012, Mr. Margarito Cabal was shot dead outside his home in Palma Village. Mr. Cabal was a member of the Save Pulangi Alliance, a coalition which opposes the construction of a hydro-electric dam in Mindanao which, once completed, allegedly threatens to submerge 22 peasant and indigenous communities.
27/08/2012
Appendix
Mandates of special procedures
Mandate title
Human Rights Council
resolution
Special Rapporteur on adequate housing as a component of the right to an adequate standard of living, and on the right to non-discrimination in this context
15/8
Working Group on people of African descent 9/14
Working Group on Arbitrary Detention 15/18
Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus 20/13
Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia 18/25
Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Côte d‘Ivoire 17/21
Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights 19/6
Independent expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order 18/6
Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People‘s Republic of
Korea 19/ 13
Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea 20/20
Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances 16/16
Independent expert on the effects of foreign debt and other related international financial obligations of States on the full enjoyment of human rights, particularly economic, social and cultural rights
16/14
Special Rapporteur on the right to education 17/3
Independent Expert on the issue of human rights obligations relating to the enjoyment of a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment
19/10
Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights 17/13
Special Rapporteur on the right to food 13/4
Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression
16/4
Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association 15/21
Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief 14/11
Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Haiti PRST 19/2
Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health
15/22
Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders 16/5
Mandate title
Human Rights Council
resolution
Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers 17/2
Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples 15/14
Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons 14/6
Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran 16/9
Working Group on the use of mercenaries 15/12
Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants 17/12
Independent Expert on Minority Issues 16/6
Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar 16/24
Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967
5/1
Special Rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice, reparation & guarantees of non-recurrence 18/7
Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance
16/33
Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography 16/12
Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery 15/2
Independent Expert on human rights and international solidarity 17/6
Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in the Sudan 18/16
Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Somalia 20/21
Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions 17/5
Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Syrian Arab Republic S-18/1
Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism
15/15
Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment 16/23
Special Rapporteur on the human rights obligations related to environmentally sound management and disposal of hazardous substances and waste
18/11
Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially women and children 17/1
Working Group on the issue of human rights and transnational corporations and other business enterprises
17/4
Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences 16/7
Working Group on the issue of discrimination against women in law and in practice 15/23
Special Rapporteur on the human right to safe drinking water and sanitation 16/2