25/74 Communications report of Special Procedures / RightDocs

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Document Type: Final Report

Date: 2014 Feb

Session: 25th Regular Session (2014 Mar)

Agenda Item:

GE.14-11169

*1411169*

Human Rights Council Twenty-fifth 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 to 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 2013; Replies received, 1 August 2013 to 31 January 2014

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 people of African descent; the Working Group on arbitrary detention; Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus; the Working Group on the issue of human rights and transnational corporations and other business enterprises; 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 Independent expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order; the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea; the Special Rapporteur on the right to education; the Independent Expert on the issue of human rights obligations relating to the enjoyment of a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment; 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 present report is circulated as received.

United Nations A/HRC/25/74

General Assembly Distr.: General 24 February 2014

English/French/Spanish only

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 Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Haiti; the Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental 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 of human rights in Somalia; 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 ............................................................. 10-11 9

A. Communications sent between 1 June and 30 November 2013 and replies received between 1 August 2013 and 31 January 2014.................................. 10 9

B. Replies received between 1 June and 30 November 2013 relating to communications sent before 1 June 2013...................................... 11 137

Appendix

Mandates of special procedures ....................................................................................................... 168

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

African Descent Arbitrary detention

Working Group on people of African descent Working Group on Arbitrary Detention

Belarus Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus Burundi Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Burundi Business enterprises Working Group on the issue of human rights and transnational corporations and other

business enterprises Cambodia Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia Cultural Rights Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights Democratic and equitable international order

Independent expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order

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

DPR Korea Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea

Education Special Rapporteur on the right to education Environment Independent Expert on the issue of human rights obligations relating to the enjoyment of a

safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment 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 Haiti Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Haiti 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 Somalia Sudan

Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Somalia 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- recurrence

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 documentation, 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 2013 and replies received between 1 August 2013 and 31 January 2014. Communications sent before 1 June 2013 are reported in A/HRC/24/21, A/HRC/23/51, A/HRC/22/67, A/HRC/22/67 corr.1 and corr.2, 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 2013 and 31 January 2014, relating to communications sent by special procedures mandate holders before 1 June 2013. 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 2013, and responses received in relation to these communications up to 31 January 2014.

Communications and replies by mandate

Reporting period: 1 June to 30 Nov 2013

Reporting period: 1 June 2008 to 30 Nov 2013

Mandate Communications sent

replied to by 31 January 2014

response rate

Communications sent

replied to by 31 January 2014

response rate

Adequate housing 9 5 56% 251 113 45%

African descent 1 0 0% 3 2 67%

Arbitrary detention 63 32 51% 1,044 559 54%

Belarus 1 1 100% 5 3 60%

Burundi 0 0 0% 6 0 0%

Business enterprises 10 6 60% 16 10 62%

Cambodia 2 0 0% 18 2 11%

Cultural Rights 2 0 0% 18 13 72%

Democratic and equitable international order 1 0 0% 2 1 50%

Disappearances 25 15 60% 230 91 40%

Discrimination against women in law and in practice

21 10 48% 50 31 62%

DPR Korea 0 0 0% 6 1 17%

Education 0 0 0% 62 37 60%

Environment 1 0 0% 2 1 50%

Extreme poverty 9 5 56% 28 17 61%

Food 5 3 60% 188 71 38%

Foreign debt 3 2 67% 8 5 62%

Freedom of expression 130 60 46% 2,031 1,031 51%

Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association

128 64 50% 476 270 57%

Freedom of religion 16 7 44% 324 181 56%

Haiti 2 0 0% 4 0 0%

Health 38 25 66% 305 165 54%

Human rights defenders 127 60 47% 2,295 1,270 55%

Independence of judges and lawyers 53 19 36% 858 433 51% Indigenous peoples 18 11 61% 278 166 60 %

Reporting period: 1 June to 30 Nov 2013

Reporting period: 1 June 2008 to 30 Nov 2013

Mandate Communications sent

replied to by 31 January 2014

response rate

Communications sent

replied to by 31 January 2014

response rate

Internally displaced persons 1 1 100% 14 5 36%

Iran 15 4 27% 55 19 35%

Liberia 0 0 0% 2 0 0%

Mercenaries 3 1 33% 58 20 35%

Migrants 15 10 67% 161 101 63%

Minority issues 15 8 53% 148 82 55%

Myanmar 9 7 78% 84 40 48%

OPT 3 0 0% 16 1 6%

Racism 8 4 50% 87 52 60%

Sale of children 1 0 0% 41 16 39%

Slavery 3 2 67% 21 16 76%

Somalia 3 0 0% 10 1 10%

Sudan 4 0 0% 18 3 17%

Summary executions 72 25 35% 931 441 47%

Terrorism 14 5 36% 217 94 43%

Torture 106 54 51% 1,632 844 52%

Toxic waste 0 0 0% 32 19 60%

Trafficking 1 1 100% 57 35 61%

Truth, justice, reparation & guarantees on non-rec

3 1 33% 11 3 27%

Violence against women 32 18 56% 395 211 53%

Water and Sanitation 8 5 62% 35 22 63%

(*) mandate terminated; (**) mandate re-established 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.

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II. Communications sent and replies received

A. Communications sent between 1 June and 30 November 2013 and replies received between 1 August 2013 and 31 January 2014

10. 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 OHCHR website. 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

03/06/2013 JUA

BRA 2/2013 Brazil

Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders; Indigenous peoples; Summary executions;

Alleged incidents of excessive violence against indigenous peoples in the states of Mato Grosso do Sul and Pará, including the alleged killing of an indigenous person by police authorities. According to the information received, on 30 May 2013, police in Mato Grosso do Sul engaged in a forcible eviction of approximately 1000 indigenous Terena people who for two weeks had occupied a piece of land in the locality of Buriti, officially titled to a private landowner. The land in question is located in an area that the Ministry of Justice had reportedly determined to be indigenous territory. One Terena indigenous man, Mr Oziel Gabriel, was allegedly killed by police gunfire, several others were wounded and ten indigenous people were arrested. Allegations have also been received about the imminent eviction of approximately 150-170 indigenous Kayapo, Arara, Munduruku and Xipaia persons who, since 27 May 2013, had occupied one of the construction sites of the Belo Monte dam in the state of Pará.

16/09/2013

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Date Type

Case No

Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply

03/06/2013 JUA

MYS 4/2013 Malaysia

Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders;

Allegations of harassment and arrest of activists and political leaders participating in demonstrations following the conclusion of the last national elections on 5 May 2013. According to the information received, on 17 May 2013, a leader of the opposition People’s Justice Party and deputy to the Selangor State Assembly Mr Nik Nazmi was charged under the Peaceful Assembly Act. On 18 May 2013, student activist Mr Adam Adli was arrested in Kuala Lumpur. On 23 May 2013, he was charged under the Sedition Act 1948, for allegedly uttering a seditious statement during a public forum on 13 May. He was released on bail on the same day, pending a court hearing set for 2 July. A candlelight vigil that was held on 22 May 2013 to call for the release of Mr Adam Adli resulted in the arrest of 18 participants, who were also questioned by the police. On 29 May, authorities allegedly re-arrested opposition Member of the Parliament Mr Tian Chua, opposition PAS Islamic Party member, Mr Tamrin Bin Abdul Ghafar and civil society activist, Mr Haris Ibrahim along with student activist Mr Safwan Anang, under the same Sedition Act in Kuala Lumpur.

03/06/2013 JAL

USA 5/2013 United States of America

Terrorism; Torture;

Alleged torture and ill-treatment of Mr Shawki Ahmad Sharif Omar by US officials in Iraq. According to the information received, in October 2004, Mr Omar was arrested along with his then pregnant wife by US soldiers in Baghdad in Al Zayouna district. Upon arrest, he was allegedly held incommunicado for two weeks. During interrogation sessions he was allegedly repeatedly subjected to electric shocks and simulations of drowning. He was then reportedly transferred to Camp Cropper (today known as Karkh Prison) and further to Abu Ghraib Prison (reopened as Baghdad Central Prison) with a period of several months of detention in the US army base Camp Bucca close to Umm Qasr in the south of Iraq. It is reported that, while still being held in US-controlled facilities, he was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment for illegal entry into Iraq following an allegedly grossly unfair trial before the Central Criminal Court in Iraq on 24 June 2010. In July2011 Mr Omar was reportedly handed over to the Iraqi authorities and taken to Karkh Prison.

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Date Type

Case No

Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply

05/06/2013 JUA

IND 6/2013 India

Arbitrary detention; Summary executions; Torture;

Alleged risk of imminent execution after proceedings that did not comply with a number of international human rights standards. According to the information received, Messrs Devender Pal Singh Bhullar, Meesekar Madaiah, Gnanprakasham, Simon, Bilavendran, V. Sriharan alias Murugan, T. Suthendraraja alias Santhan, A. G. Perarivalan alias Arivu and Saibanna Ningappa Natikar were sentenced to death after proceedings which did not comply with international human rights law standards of fair trial and due process guarantees. Furthermore, there are allegations that the aforementioned individuals suffer from serious mental and psychological illnesses due to their prolonged stay on death row in solitary confinement. Messrs. Bhullar, Murugan, Santhan, Perarivalan were reportedly subjected to torture and other ill- treatment. At the time of writing, all aforementioned individuals remained at risk of imminent execution.

29/08/2013

05/06/2013 JUA

ISR 5/2013 Israel

Arbitrary detention; Independence of judges and lawyers; OPT; Torture;

Alleged severe torture and ill-treatment upon arrest and during interrogation. According to the information received, Mr X, a 16 year-old minor and resident of Hares, Salfit, in the State of Palestine was arrested on 17 March 2013 by members of the Israeli Security Forces (ISF). It is alleged that during transport Mr X was repeatedly pushed, kicked, and hit on the head by ISF, and that in one instance a soldier tried to sit on his head. It is further reported that the soldiers smashed Mr X’s head against an iron box, causing bleeding, and stuffed a piece of cotton and a bandage into his mouth. Furthermore, it is reported that during interrogation an officer attempted to coerce a confession from Mr X by repeatedly threatening to cut off his head, bring in his mother for interrogation, cause difficulties for Mr X’s family at checkpoints, and hold him responsible for other accusations. It is additionally reported that Mr X was held in solitary confinement. Until 21 March 2013, neither his lawyer nor his family were informed about the fate and whereabouts of Mr X, and the first family visit only was scheduled for 11 June 2013.

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Date Type

Case No

Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply

05/06/2013 JAL

USA 7/2013 United States of America

Freedom of religion; Indigenous peoples;

Allegations concerning the increasing number of state-level regulations that restrict the religious freedoms of Native American prisoners. According to the information received, indigenous peoples in the United States face high rates of imprisonment with an approximate 29,700 Native Americans incarcerated in prisons across the country as of 2011. Reportedly, while in prison, a significant number of Native Americans rely upon their freedom to carry out traditional religious practices for rehabilitation purposes and as a means to maintain their identity as members of indigenous peoples. However, numerous recent regulations in state correctional facilities have allegedly restricted Native American prisoners from engaging in traditional religious practices and possessing religious items. It is further alleged that the majority of these regulations are modified or created without meaningful consultation with Native Americans beyond processes for general public comment.

06/06/2013 UA

NGA 3/2013 Nigeria

Summary executions;

Alleged risk of imminent execution of two prisoners on death row before available appeal procedures have been completed. According to the information received, the execution may take place on 7 June 2013. On that date the Federal High Court in Benin City, Nigeria, was expected to deliver its judgment in relation to a lawsuit filed on 19 October 2012 by Nigerian NGOs Human Rights, Social Development and Environmental Foundation (HURSDEF) and Legal Defence and Assistance Project (LEDAP) seeking to halt the execution. Reportedly, arrangements were made by the prison authorities for the executions by hanging to take place as soon as the judgment is delivered. Also it is alleged that since both individuals were convicted of murder, their capital punishments were mandatory. The two prisoners were the subject of an urgent appeal, dated 6 November 2012 (A/HRC/22/67).

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Date Type

Case No

Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply

07/06/2013 JUA

COL 6/2013 Colombia

Disappearances; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders;

Presunto robo de información contra miembros de la Fundación Nydia Erika Bautista y actos de hostigamiento contra miembros de la misma organización. Según las informaciones recibidas, el 30 de mayo de 2013, tres individuos habrían ingresado en la residencia familiar del Sr. Erik Antonio Arellana Bautista, miembro de la Fundación Nydia Erika Bautista, llevándose un ordenador y dos discos duros que contenían información relacionada con la Fundación. El Sr. Arellana Bautista se habría enfrentado con los individuos al verlos salir del edificio. Sin embargo, los individuos le habrían intimidado antes de huir en un coche tipo Mazda 323. El presunto robo se sumaría a varios actos de hostigamiento contra la Fundación Nydia Erika Bautista, incluyendo vigilancia por parte de individuos y coches desconocidos frente a las oficinas de la organización.

07/06/2013 JAL

CUB 3/2013 Cuba

Health; Torture;

Alegación de actos de tortura por parte de agentes policiales en Cuba. De acuerdo a la información recibida, el 26 de agosto de 2007, el Sr. Alberto Lairo Castro fue arrestado y trasladado a un centro de atención por oficiales de la policía en la provincia Holguín. Se reporta que en la prisión los oficiales le habrían aplicado la técnica Doble Nelson y posteriormente lo habrían arrastrado de los pies hasta el calabozo. Eventualmente, el Sr. Lairo Castro fue traslado a un hospital donde fue diagnosticado de paraplejia flácida; hipotrofia muscular; trastornos esfintereanos, y troficodistales. Su estado de salud ha empeorado considerablemente. Durante el proceso de detención, se alega que no estuvo presente ningún abogado o familiar. Se informa que el individuo y su familia no han recibido compensación. Se reporta que el individuo y su madre no tuvieron la oportunidad de intervenir en la investigación y que no pudieron asistir al juicio, por ende la víctima no fue interrogada por los jueces. Asimismo, el Tribunal no suspendió el juicio, basando su veredicto en la declaración de los acusados. Se reporta que la sanción de la Fiscalía, fue de 2 años de privación de libertad, la cual es desproporcional a los daños ocasionados.

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Date Type

Case No

Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply

07/06/2013 JUA

ITA 1/2013 Italy

Independence of judges and lawyers; Migrants; Torture;

Alleged deportation by the Italian authorities in violation of the principle of non- refoulement and due process guarantees. According to the information received, while searching for Mr Mukhtar Ablyazov, a national from Kazakhstan who was granted asylum in the United Kingdom, the Italian police arrested his wife, Ms Alma Shalabayeva, for possession of a forged diplomatic passport. Two days after her arrest Ms Alma Shalabayeva was reportedly deported from Italy to Kazakhstan together with her 6-year-old daughter. Allegedly, while moving quickly to deport Ms Shalabayeva and her daughter, the Italian authorities violated Italian legislation on immigration and her due process rights. In particular, while in detention Ms Shalabayeva’s lawyers did not have access to her, and she was not provided with an interpreter.

12/07/2013 30/07/2013 12/08/2013

07/06/2013 JUA

MMR 8/2013 Myanmar

Arbitrary detention; Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Minority issues; Myanmar; Torture;

Alleged arbitrary detention and arrests, ill-treatment in detention and violation of due process rights of seven Rohingyas, including one minor, in Rakhine State. According to information received, Messrs. U Kyaw Myint, U Ba Thar, Sawlima, Mr X (a minor), U Kyaw Khin, U San Lin, and U Hla Myint, were arrested between 26 and 29 April following a “population verification exercise” conducted in the Muslim village of Thet Kae Pyin in Rakhine State on 26 April 2013. Subsequently, they were reportedly charged with offences relating to a protest against the verification, which reportedly required Muslims to be registered as “Bengali” rather than under their preferred identification as “Rohingya”.

26/07/2013

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Date Type

Case No

Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply

07/06/2013 AL

GBR 2/2013 United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Torture;

Allegations of torture and ill-treatment of Congolese nationals after their forcible refoulement from the United Kingdom (UK) to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). According to the information received, Congolese nationals face continuous and pervasive intimidation, harassment, torture and re-arrest upon return to the DRC after failed asylum attempts in the UK. The conditions they face are allegedly contrary to the Country of Origin Information Report (March 2012), the Country Policy Bulleting (November 2012) and the Operational Guidance Note (May 2012) developed by the UK Boarder Agency (UKBA) in order to assess the appropriateness of returning failed asylum seekers to their home countries. According to the allegations, these documents, which are used in decision making processes, inaccurately designate the DRC as a safe place to return refused asylum seekers, and on the basis of this designation, many Congolese are returned to unsafe conditions.

23/07/2013 23/07/2013 23/07/2013 14/10/2013 14/10/2013 14/10/2013

10/06/2013 JUA

AGO 3/2013 Angola

Arbitrary detention; Disappearances; Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders; Torture;

Alleged incommunicado detention of one human rights defender and alleged arbitrary arrests and excessive use of force by the police against eight other human rights defenders. According to the information received, on 27 May 2013, the police arrested nine members of the Movimiento Revolucionarion (Revolutionary Movement): Messrs. Emiliano Catumbela “Ticreme”, Manuel Nito Alves, Albano Bingo, Nicola, Domingos Cipriano “Aristocrata”, Adolfo Miguel Campos André, Graciano, Ferbern and Raul Lindo “Mandela”. At the time of their arrest, the above-mentioned members were participating in a vigil in the centre of Luanda to commemorate the one-year anniversary since the disappearance of two human rights defenders. The police reportedly released 8 of them after several hours. After his release, Mr Lindo, was allegedly found unconscious by the side of a road. To date, Mr Catumbela is reportedly detained, injured, and denied access to his legal representative and family. Mr Catumbela’s charges allegedly include the attempted murder of a police officer and throwing stones at the police. A number of the above mentioned individuals were mentioned in a previous communication dated 26 April 2013 (A/HRC/24/21).

08/07/2013 30/09/2013

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Date Type

Case No

Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply

11/06/2013 JAL

IND 7/2013 India

Adequate housing; Business enterprises; Democratic and equitable international order; Extreme poverty; Food; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Health; Human rights defenders; Water and Sanitation;

Alleged forced eviction of residents living in Jagatsinghpur District, Odisha, and surrounding areas in India. According to the information received, the Government of India granted concessions to the multi-national steel corporation, Pohang Iron and Steel Corporation (POSC), based in the Republic of Korea, for the construction of an integrated steel plant and a captive port, which could force up to 20,000 people to leave their homes and land. Sources suggest that the construction of the steel plant would result in serious violations of human rights, including the right to adequate standard of living, food, adequate housing, water and sanitation, health and education.

11/06/2013 JUA

IRN 8/2013 Iran (Islamic Republic of)

Arbitrary detention; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Freedom of religion; Iran; Minority issues;

Alleged threats against the Central Assembly of God (AOG) Church in Tehran and harassment of its members. The security forces allegedly threatened the church with closure if it did not cease all its services in Farsi. During the week of 21 May 2013, authorities reportedly interrogated for five hours Pastor Vartan Avanessian, former superintendent of Iran’s AOG churches. On the same day, authorities allegedly raided Pastor Asserian’s house and confiscated some of his belongings, including computer equipment and books. They reportedly arrested him while he was leading a prayer meeting at the church. Prior to his arrest, on 23 December 2011, the police had arrested four other leaders of AOG Church in Ahwaz, including Pastor Farhad Sabokrouh, his wife Shahnaz Jeizan, Minister Naser Zamen Dezfuli, and Minister Davoud Alijani.

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Date Type

Case No

Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply

11/06/2013 JUA

ISR 6/2013 Israel

Adequate housing; Indigenous peoples; Water and Sanitation;

Alleged risk of eviction and forced displacement of a large number of Arab Bedouins in the Naqab (Negev) desert in the south of Israel. According to the information received, the “Law for the Regulation of Bedouin Settlement in the Negev- 2013”, a bill also known as the Prawer-Begin Bill, to be enacted into law in the coming days would lead to the eviction and forced displacement of more than 70,000 Arab Bedouins in the Naqab (Negev) desert in the south of Israel. Allegedly this would mean the destruction of most of the remaining unrecognized Arab Bedouin villages in this region. Concerns also include severance of the historical ties to land by the Bedouin community, strict limits and conditions to access and receive adequate compensation whether in money or land, and the use of force in the form of the deployment of additional police officers in charge of the implementation of this Plan.

11/06/2013 JAL

MMR 9/2013 Myanmar

Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders; Myanmar; Summary executions; Torture; Violence against women;

Alleged excessive use of force by law enforcement officials against a group of Rohingyas engaged in a peaceful protest, which included the fatal shooting of three Rohingya women. According to information received, a crowd of approximately 40 to 50 mostly Rohingya women gathered in their village of Pa Rein in Rakhine State to protest against the construction of new temporary housing. Following the reported refusal of the protestors to leave the construction site, security forces allegedly fired shots into the air and directly into the crowd. In addition to the three women reportedly killed by the shots, three men and two women were injured by the gunfire.

22/07/2013

A /H

R C

/25/74

Date Type

Case No

Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply

11/06/2013 JAL

OTH 5/2013 Other

Adequate housing; Business enterprises; Extreme poverty; Food; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Health; Water and Sanitation;

24/01/2014

11/06/2013 JAL

KOR 1/2013 Republic of Korea

Adequate housing; Business enterprises; Extreme poverty; Food; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Health; Human rights defenders; Water and Sanitation;

14/08/2013

A /H

R C

/25/7419

Date Type

Case No

Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply

11/06/2013 UA

USA 8/2013 United States of America

Summary executions;

Alleged imposition of the death penalty after proceedings which did not comply with international human rights law standards of fair trial and due process guarantees. According to the information received, Mr William Van Poyck, aged 58, was convicted of murder and sentenced to death in 1988. In 1990, the Florida Supreme Court ruled that there was insufficient evidence to find Mr Van Poyck guilty of first- degree premeditated murder. However, reportedly, the Court said that Mr Van Poyck’s role in a crime, in which he should have known lethal force could be used, made the death sentence proportional. Reportedly, the appeal courts rejected the claim that Mr Van Poyck’s legal representation at trial was constitutionally inadequate. Allegedly, Mr Van Poyck has spent more than 25 years on death row. He was scheduled to be executed on 12 June 2013. On 3 June 2013, Mr Van Poyck’s lawyers petitioned the Florida Supreme Court in an attempt to win a stay of execution. Reportedly at the time of transmitting this communication the Court had not yet ruled on the petition.

12/06/2013 JUA

CHN 4/2013 China (People's Republic of)

Arbitrary detention; Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders;

Allegations of sentencing of eight student protestors to prison terms following their participation in peaceful demonstrations in the Tibet Autonomous Region in November 2012. According to the information received, following a peaceful protest that called for, inter alia, equality among nationalities, and respect for and freedom to study the Tibetan language, the Gonghe County People’s Court, on 10 April 2013, handed down prison sentences to the following student protestors from the Tsolho Technical School for “illegally holding demonstration” and “causing harm to social stability”: Mr Sangye Bum was sentenced to four years in prison; Messrs Kunsang Bum, Lhaten and Jampa Tsering were sentenced to three years and six months in prison; Messrs Wangyal Tsering and Choekyong Kyap were sentenced to three years and three months in prison; and Messrs Tsering Tashi and Dola were sentenced to three years in prison.

12/07/2013

A /H

R C

/25/74

Date Type

Case No

Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply

12/06/2013 JAL

DOM 1/2013 Dominican Republic

Migrants; Summary executions;

Alegación de muerte violenta por uso excesivo y desproporcionado de la fuerza por parte de la policía en contra un migrante haitiano. Según la información recibida, el 14 de mayo de 2013, se habría iniciado una redada a las 4 de la mañana, por agentes de la Dirección General de Migración y la Policía Nacional, los cuales habrían irrumpido en la casa del Sr. Jean Robert Lores, ubicada en la ciudad de Juan Dolio. Además, se indica que los agentes habrían impedido al Sr. Robert Lores enseñar su visado de trabajo como carpintero, y le habrían golpeándolo repetidas veces con las culatas de sus armas y dado patadas en el suelo. Se informa que los agentes se negaron a dejar que el Sr. Robert Lores fuera llevado a un hospital inmediatamente. El Sr. Robert Lores falleció nueve días después del incidente debido a un paro cardiorrespiratorio a raíz de las heridas causadas por los golpes.

12/06/2013 AL

MEX 3/2013 México

Summary executions;

Alegaciones de asesinato de un menor de 15 años de edad en manos de la policía, atentado de asesinato del Sr. Román Chávez, actos de intimidación, incluyendo amenazas y malos tratos al Sr. Mauro García Ruelas. Según se informa, el día 8 de enero de 2013, personas no identificadas armadas entraron sorpresivamente en el taller de reparación ubicado en la Colonia Tantocob del Municipio de Ciudad Valles San Luis Potosi, y habrían herido al Sr. Chávez. Igualmente, se indica que un menor de edad habría sido asesinado por un agente estatal mientras se escondía en un terreno vecino próximo a un taller de reparación. Además se informa que el Sr. García habría acudido al lugar de los hechos con sus trabajadores en una camioneta blanca donde agentes policiales se habrían acercado a ellos gritando que se tiraran al suelo. Un policía habría puesto su pie sobre la espalda del Sr. García y le habría dado fuertes golpes con la parte trasera del arma en varias partes del cuerpo. El Sr. García habría sido introducido en el vehículo de la patrulla forzadamente, y habría sido maltratado e intimidado en la comisaría.

27/08/2013

A /H

R C

/25/7421

Date Type

Case No

Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply

13/06/2013 JAL

GEO 1/2013 Georgia

Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders;

Alleged lack of effective protection provided to demonstrators during the International Day against Homophobia and subsequent threats made against members of an LGBT organization. According to the information received, on 17 May 2013, LGBT human rights defenders, including members of the organization Identoba, planned a demonstration, on the occasion of the International Day against Homophobia. The rally was supposed to start outside the former Parliament building. However, counter- protestors bearing banners with homophobic slogans reportedly occupied the space an hour earlier, and forced LGBT defenders to move to a nearby square. Following the start of the demonstration, counter-demonstrators, who included Orthodox priests, broke the police line and entered the square. The police escorted the LGBT activists into municipal buses and drove away. In their attempt to reach the buses, twenty-eight people were reportedly injured. Before and after the rally members of Identoba received threats and one of them was reportedly held at gunpoint on 25 May 2013.

13/06/2013 AL

MEX 4/2013 México

Summary executions;

Alegaciones de secuestro y asesinato del Sr. Jorge Antonio Parral Rabadán, trabajador de la empresa los Caminos y Puentes Federales de Ingresos y Servicios Conexos (CAPUFE) y del Sr. Oscar García, oficial de aduanas. Según las informaciones recibidas, el 24 de abril de 2010, el Sr. Parral y el Sr. García habrían sido secuestrados por un grupo armado vinculado con el crimen organizado en la Ciudad de Camargo, Tamaulipas. Además, se indica que el 26 de abril de 2010, un Rancho ubicado en el municipio de Doctor Coss, Nuevo León habría habido un enfrentamiento entre el ejército mexicano y el grupo armado que habría supuestamente secuestrado al Sr. Parral y al Sr. García, resultando en la muerte de ambos. Además, se informa que el 21 de febrero de 2011, se habría encontrado los restos del Sr. Parral y el Sr. García junto con otro cuerpo no identificado en una fosa común en el cementerio de Monterrey, Nuevo León. Se alega que el Sr. Parral habría sido matado por balas supuestamente usadas por el ejército mexicano.

29/08/2013

A /H

R C

/25/74

Date Type

Case No

Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply

13/06/2013 JUA

NPL 3/2013 Nepal

Discrimination against women in law and in practice; Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders; Torture; Violence against women;

Allegations of violent dispersal by law enforcement authorities of peaceful demonstrations organized by Kamlari activists in Nepal. According to the information received, from 31 May to 4 June, the police violently dispersed a series of peaceful protests held in Kathmandu, Dang, Kailai and Kanchanpur. The mentioned protests were organized by freed Kamlari activists to ensure accountability for the killing of a 12-year old Kamlari girl in Dang in March 2013. Moreover, Kamlari activists were protesting more generally against the Kamaiya traditional system of bonded labour in place in several parts of Nepal. In the course of the police operations, police officers injured many and sexually assaulted some protestors. The police also detained groups of protestors for several hours.

13/06/2013 JAL

NGA 4/2013 Nigeria

Arbitrary detention; Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Health; Human rights defenders;

Alleged restrictions on the rights to freedom of association and peaceful assembly of groups defending the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT). According to the information received, Nigeria’s House of Representatives unanimously approved the Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Bill on 30 May 2013. If signed into law by the President, the Bill would put a wide range of people at risk of criminal sanctions. The Bill allows for sentencing to up to ten years of imprisonment anyone who “registers, operates or participates in gay clubs, societies or organizations” or “witnesses”, “aids” or “abets” same-sex relationships. If passed, this Bill could be used to prevent LGBT individuals, those perceived as belonging to any of these groups, and those that support them, from freely associating or assembling. If signed into law, the Bill could also penalize human rights defenders and activists who seek to stand up for the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender people in Nigeria.

A /H

R C

/25/7423

Date Type

Case No

Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply

13/06/2013 JAL

RUS 3/2013 Russian Federation

Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders;

Alleged implementation of a law leading to arbitrary and undue restrictions on the enjoyment of the right to freedom of association. According to the information received, the implementation of the 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, which was adopted on 21 November 2012, leads to arbitrary and undue restrictions on the enjoyment of the right to freedom of association, particularly of NGOs working on human rights issues, including reported cases of reprisals for cooperating or having cooperated with the United Nations, its representatives and mechanisms in the field of human rights.

14/06/2013 JUA

BGD 7/2013 Bangladesh

Disappearances; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Torture;

Alleged enforced disappearance and risk of torture of Mr Nazrul Islam, an opposition party member. According to the information received, during the night of 11 April 2013, Mr Nazrul Islam, the Joypurhat District Secretary of Jamaat-e-Islami, a political party belonging to a multi-party opposition alliance, was allegedly abducted from his home in Saheb Parha, Joypurhat District. It is reported that the alleged perpetrators identified themselves as being “from the administration” and took Mr Islam on a minibus to an unknown location. At the time of transmission of this communication, the fate and whereabouts of Mr Islam remained unknown.

20/06/2013

A /H

R C

/25/74

Date Type

Case No

Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply

14/06/2013 JUA

TUR 3/2013 Turkey

Adequate housing; 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 excessive use of force during peaceful protests. According to the information received, on 28 May 2013, a few hundred protesters gathered at Gezi Park in Taksim, Istanbul, to peacefully demonstrate against the municipal urban re- development plan for the area. It is reported that police violently dispersed protesters through widespread and indiscriminate use of tear gas. Following the violent reaction of the police in Istanbul, since 31 May 2013, hundreds of thousands of people have started gathering across the country in support of the protesters. These demonstrations have met with excessive use of force by law enforcement officials, resulting in thousands of people being injured and arrested. In the context of these protests at least four persons reportedly died, including Mr Mehmet Ayvalitas, Mr Irfan Tuna, Mr Abdullah Cömert and Mr Mustafa Sari. On 11 June 2013, members of Turkey’s Special Forces arrested at least 50 lawyers who had gathered in front of the Çaglayan Justice Palace in Istanbul to make a statement about the situation in Gezi Park.

06/09/2013

18/06/2013 JAL

HND 2/2013 Honduras

Human rights defenders; Mercenaries; Summary executions;

Alegaciones de asesinato del Sr. Valentín Avelar Caravante, Sr. Celso Victorino Ruiz Martínez, y Sra. Marilú Miranda Orellana, y lesiones de gravedad sufridas por los Sres. Adolfo Melgar ySantos Aníbal Melgar Vargas. Según las informaciones recibidas, el 17 de mayo de 2013, guardias de seguridad de la Compañía Azucarera Hondureña (CAHSA), habrían disparado contra campesinos del Movimiento Campesino de San Manuel (MOCSAM) en San Manuel, Valle de Sula, cuando intentaban entrar en las tierras expropiadas de manera supuestamente ilegal. Además, se indica que después de estos acontecimientos, el 20 de mayo de 2013, cuatro personas habrían asesinado a la Sra. Marilú Miranda Orellana, miembro del MOCSAM, mientras salía de su casa.

A /H

R C

/25/7425

Date Type

Case No

Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply

19/06/2013 JUA

MYS 5/2013 Malaysia

Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders;

Allegations of new instances of harassment and arrest of activists and political leaders participating in demonstrations following the conclusion of the general election held on 5 May 2013. According to the information received, on 27 May 2013, six opposition leaders, Messrs Ong Eu Leong, Thomas Su, Mohammad Anuar Zakaria, Nazree Yunus, R. Yuneswaran, and Kamarulzaman Md Yunus, were reportedly charged under Section 9(1) of the Peaceful Assembly Act for organizing rallies against alleged electoral irregularities during the general election of 5 May 2013. On 28 May 2013, Mr Hishamuddin Rais, a political activist affiliated to Bersih 2.0, was charged under Section 4(1)(b) of the Sedition Act after he reportedly made a seditious statement at a public forum in Kuala Lumpur on 13 May 2013. On 5 June 2013, Mr Badrul Hisham Shaharin, a political leader, was charged under Section 9(1) of the Peaceful Assembly Act because he allegedly failed to notify the police about a rally he had organized on 25 May 2013 in Petaling Jaya. On 15 June 2013, 15 activists were arrested under Section 9(1) of the Peaceful Assembly Act, and investigated under Section 9(5) of the same Act, after taking part in a peaceful flash mob in Kuala Lumpur, with a view to informing the public of the date of a forthcoming rally scheduled for 22 June 2013.

20/06/2013 JAL

EGY 9/2013 Egypt

Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders;

Allegations that sentences issued by the Cairo Criminal Court form part of a campaign aimed at unduly restricting the work carried out by civil society organizations. According to the information received, on 4 June 2013, the Cairo Criminal Court ruled on the cases of 43 international NGO workers as follows: 27 defendants were sentenced in absentia to five years’ imprisonment; five defendants who were present in the country were sentenced to two years’ imprisonment and ordered to pay a fine; the remaining 11 defendants were each given a one-year suspended sentence.

22/01/2014

A /H

R C

/25/74

Date Type

Case No

Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply

20/06/2013 JUA

MMR 10/2013 Myanmar

Arbitrary detention; Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders; Myanmar;

Allegations of continuous targeting of human rights activists, including peaceful demonstrators, defending and promoting economic and social rights in Myanmar. According to the information received, several human rights activists, including peaceful protestors, have recently been charged, inter alia, under Section 18 of the Peaceful Demonstration and Gathering Act and sentenced to prison terms, for organizing without permission protests in support of local farmers affected by mining activities or other economic activities in different parts of the country.

05/10/2013 16/08/2013

20/06/2013 JUA

SLE 1/2013 Sierra Leone

Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders;

Alleged physical attack and threats against a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) rights defender. According to the information received, a story about LGBTI issues authored by Mr George Reginald Freeman, Executive Director of Pride Equality, which had been published online in July 2012, was re-published without permission or notification by a Sierra Leonean newspaper on 22 May 2013, together with a photo of Mr Freeman. Subsequently, Mr Freeman reportedly received numerous threats and homophobic slurs on his mobile phone. Moreover, two strangers allegedly attacked and beat him in his car, stole valuables and left behind two threatening notes making reference to Mr Freeman’s LGBTI anti-discrimination work.

20/06/2013 JUA

ARE 3/2013 United Arab Emirates

Arbitrary detention; Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders;

Alleged physical attack and acts of intimidation and reprisal against Mr Ahmed Mansoor for having cooperated with the United Nations, its representatives and mechanisms in the field of human rights. It is reported that unknown individuals physically attacked Mr Mansoor following his participation by video conference in a side-event during the 21st session of the UN Human Rights Council. Mr Mansoor is a member of the Human Rights Watch Middle East and North Africa Advisory Committee, a blogger and poet who advocates for political reform. The side event coincided with the United Arab Emirates second cycle review by the Universal Periodic Review (UPR).

A /H

R C

/25/7427

Date Type

Case No

Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply

21/06/2013 AL

ETH 1/2013 Ethiopia

Indigenous peoples;

Alleged resettlement of agro-pastoralist indigenous groups in the lower Omo valley. In this follow-up letter, the Special Rapporteur provides a series of observations and recommendations in accordance with international human rights standards regarding indigenous peoples. In particular, the Special Rapporteur urges the Government to ensure consistency with international standards and with the Ethiopian Constitution of any resettlement efforts in the lower Omo valley. He notes that unless and until resettlement can take place in accordance with these standards and adequate safeguards are put in place to mitigate any unavoidable impacts on human rights, Ethiopia should cease the resettlement of agro-pastoralist individuals groups in lower Omo valley. This communication is a follow-up to an earlier letter sent on 22 October 2012 (A/HRC/22/67).

20/08/2013

21/06/2013 JAL

PER 1/2013 Peru

Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders;

Presunta utilización de las Fiscalías Especiales de Prevención del Delito para limitar protestas sociales, perseguir y hostigar a defensores de derechos humanos y líderes sociales, así como para restringir indebidamente los derechos de libertad de expresión y de reunión pacífica. Según los informes recibidos, existen indicios suficientes para pensar que estas fiscalías se vienen utilizando para hostigar, criminalizar y estigmatizar la protesta social pacífica y el papel de defensores de derechos humanos y líderes sociales, en particular con respecto a la libre expresión de oposición a megaproyectos de empresas extractivas y mineras, especialmente en la zona de Cajamarca.

28/10/2013

21/06/2013 JAL

PRT 2/2013 Portugal

Adequate housing; Business enterprises; Extreme poverty; Foreign debt; Water and Sanitation;

Alleged unaffordability of water and sanitation for vulnerable groups as a consequence of the privatization of water and sanitation services in Portugal. According to information received, as part of the austerity measures the privatization of water and sanitation services in Portugal continues. While the human rights to water and sanitation do not prescribe a particular form of service delivery, there are allegations that concerned populations have not participated in the decision-making process and that the privatization has made water and sanitation services unaffordable for some people. This trend has reportedly also had a negative impact on access and affordability of adequate housing, disproportionally affecting vulnerable sectors of the population.

26/09/2013

A /H

R C

/25/74

Date Type

Case No

Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply

24/06/2013 JUA

CHN 5/2013 China (People's Republic of)

Arbitrary detention; Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders;

Alleged incarceration on the basis of a sentence to a four years’ prison term of a student in Huangnan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, for leading a peaceful protest in November 2012. According to the information received, Mr Wangchuk Dorje, a student of the Middle School of Nationalities, was recently sentenced to four years’ imprisonment as one of the main organizers of peaceful student demonstrations which took place on 9 November 2012 in Tongren county, Huangnan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. The peaceful protestors demanded, inter alia, freedom to study the Tibetan language, equality between nationalities, and the return of the Dalai Lama. A number of students were physically assaulted by law enforcement authorities, and some had to be treated in hospitals for injuries.

01/08/2013

25/06/2013 JUA

BGD 8/2013 Bangladesh

Disappearances; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Summary executions; Torture;

Alleged enforced disappearance of Mr Anwarul Islam Masum. According to the information received, in the early morning of 4 April 2013, 30 to 40 officers from the Bangladesh Police and the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) abducted from his home in Rajshahi Mr Anwarul Islam Masum, a university student and the Rajshahi City Office Secretary of Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir (BICS), which is the student wing of Jamaat-e-Islami, an opposition political party. Mr Anwarul Islam Masum was reportedly taken inside a RAB vehicle and driven away to an unknown place. He may be at risk of torture or extra-judicial execution.

27/06/2013

27/06/2013 JUA

BRA 3/2013 Brazil

Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders;

Alleged excessive use of police force against protestors in vast demonstrations sweeping the nation since 10 June 2013. According to the information received, at the time of writing a series of large-scale protests against alleged police brutality, social inequality and deficient public services were taking place in major Brazilian cities. Police reportedly used tear gas and rubber bullets to quell the demonstrations, and also detained dozens of. Further concerns were expressed that journalists participating in and covering the protests remained at serious risk.

A /H

R C

/25/7429

Date Type

Case No

Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply

28/06/2013 JAL

DZA 3/2013 Algérie

Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders;

Allégations de représailles et d’actes d’intimidation à l’encontre d’un défenseur des droits de l’homme pour avoir coopéré avec l’Organisation des Nations Unies, ses représentants et ses mécanismes dans le domaine des droits de l’homme. Selon les informations reçues, M. Yahia Bounouar aurait fait l’objet d’une surveillance policière constante dès la fondation de l’Observatoire algérien des droits de l’homme en juillet 2012, dont il est le Président. Au sein de cette organisation, il aurait documenté des cas de violations des droits de l’homme en Algérie, et les aurait soumis aux procédures spéciales de l’ONU. La surveillance se serait fait plus ouverte et intensive après la couverture médiatique de la dernière prise d’otages à In Amenas et viserait à l’intimider et à décourager des tiers à coopérer avec lui. Il aurait été arrêté et détenu pendant quelques heures par des fonctionnaires de sécurité de l’Etat à l’aéroport de Constantine le 23 mai 2013.

28/06/2013 JAL

EGY 8/2013 Egypt

Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Independence of judges and lawyers;

Alleged serious physical threats and assaults on and interference in the independence of the judiciary from both the executive and legislative. According to the information received, attacks on and interference in the independence of the judiciary from both the executive and legislative have escalated in the past months in Egypt. Such attacks and interference allegedly include: physical assaults against judges and members of the prosecution; encircling of court premises by mobs chanting threats against judges’ lives; transfer of judges as punishment for their decisions; refusal by the authorities to implement court rulings and decisions; and defamation campaigns and public threats against the judiciary. Serious concern is also expressed regarding three new bills presented to the Shura Council, referred to as the “Bill of Elhorreya wa Eladala party”, the “Bill of Elwasat party”, and the “Bill of Elbenaa wa Eltanmeya party” that would amend the law governing the judiciary (law no. 46 of 1972). Several provisions of these draft bills are alleged to seriously undermine the independence of the judiciary.

A /H

R C

/25/74

Date Type

Case No

Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply

28/06/2013 JAL

IRN 9/2013 Iran (Islamic Republic of)

Discrimination against women in law and in practice; Freedom of religion; Iran; Summary executions; Torture; Violence against women;

Allegations concerning the revised Islamic Penal Code which provides for the use of the death penalty for some non-violent acts and discriminates against women and religious minorities. According to the information received, the revised Islamic Penal Code (IPC), which was approved by the Parliament and subsequently signed by the President on 1 June 2013, provides for the use of the death penalty for some non- violent acts and discriminates against women and religious minorities. It retains stoning as punishment and provides for the death penalty for sodomy for the non- Muslim party in same-sex relations; insulting the Prophet Mohammad; possessing or selling illicit drugs;, theft for the fourth time; Moharebeh (enmity against God) and Fisad-fil-arz (corruption on earth). The Code also incorporates diverse corporal punishments inter alia, amputation, flogging and crucifixion.

28/06/2013 AL

LSO 1/2013 Lesotho

Discrimination against women in law and in practice;

Alleged legislative discrimination against women in relation to succession rights. According to information received, a recent decision by the Lesotho High Court upheld a provision of the Chieftainship Act No 10 of 1968, which discriminates against women. Section 10 of this Act is a restatement and codification of Lesotho customary law regarding succession to the office of a Chief. Sections 10(2) & (3) of the Act only allow a son of a Chief to succeed to that office, denying the same right to a daughter. If no son is available Section 10(4) of the Act allows a Chief’s wife to succeed; however, once that wife’s tenure ends, only the brother or uncle of the previous male Chief may succeed. Despite the Lesotho Constitution protecting freedom from discrimination in section 18, sections 18(4)(b) & (c) create an exception for laws such as “application[s] of the customary law of Lesotho”.

02/09/2013

A /H

R C

/25/7431

Date Type

Case No

Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply

28/06/2013 JUA

SYR 3/2013 Syrian Arab Republic

Arbitrary detention; Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders; Independence of judges and lawyers; Terrorism; Torture;

Alleged acts of reprisal, incommunicado detention and torture and ill-treatment of human rights defenders for their cooperation with the United Nations, its representatives and mechanisms in the field of human rights. According to the information received, several individuals, including Messrs. Mazen Darwish, Hussayn Gharir, Hani Zitani, Abdelrahman Alhamade and Mansour Al-Omari, who were arrested in the context of the raid on the offices of the Syrian Centre for Media and Freedom of Expression (SCM) on 16 February 2012, spent nine months in incommunicado detention while being refused access to medication. They have reportedly suffered torture and ill-treatment while in detention. Messrs. Alhamade and Al-Omari were reportedly released pending trial. Charges of promoting terrorist acts have been brought against all of them. It is believed that they relate to, and were motivated by, the SCM’s activities in defence of human rights, and that the SCM has been criticized as inciting international mechanisms to condemn Syria in response to its cooperation with various UN human rights mechanisms. Mr Khalil Matouk, a prominent human rights lawyer and Director of the Syrian Centre for Legal Studies and Research, at the time of writing reportedly remained in incommunicado detention with Mr Mohammed Thatha, a colleague. Mr Matouk has represented a number of human rights defenders legally and has submitted information to United Nations special procedures on these and other cases both before and after the start of the Syrian conflict. They were arrested on 2 October 2012 and Mr Matouk’s health has reportedly deteriorated to an alarming level. Previous communications have been sent on both cases dated 20 February 2012 (A/HRC/20/30), 8 May 2012 (A/HRC/21/49), 2 November 2012 (A/HRC/22/67) and 13 May 2013 (A/HRC/24/21).

01/07/2013 AL

OTH 6/2013 Other

Health;

Observations on the response received from Mr Karel De Gucht, Member of the European Commission responsible for Trade Policy, to allegations of the negative impact of the on-going negotiations of a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) on the continued enjoyment of the right to health by, and access to medicines for, the population in the Republic of Moldova.

29/08/2013

A /H

R C

/25/74

Date Type

Case No

Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply

01/07/2013 JAL

SAU 6/2013 Saudi Arabia

Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders; Independence of judges and lawyers;

Alleged arbitrary investigation of individuals working on the defence and promotion of human rights. According to the information received, on 3 April 2013, a group of four persons, Mr Abdullah Moudhi Saad Al Atwai, Mr Mohammad Ayed Thawab Al Otaibi, Mr Abdullah Faisal Al Harbi and Mr Mohammad Abdullah Al Otaibi, formed a new association called “Union for Human Rights”. During the following days, the General Prosecution’s office summoned them for an investigation concerning the “co- founding of an illegal association”. It is reported that these investigations are part of an ongoing campaign of harassment aimed at silencing individuals and associations working on human rights issues.

03/07/2013 AL

HUN 3/2013 Hungary

Independence of judges and lawyers;

Alleged negative consequences of the Fourth Amendment to the Fundamental Law of Hungary on the independence of the judiciary. According to the information received, several provisions of the Fourth Amendment to the Fundamental Law of Hungary, which was adopted on 11 March 2013 and entered into force on 1 April 2013, constitute serious interferences with the independence of the judiciary, in particular that of the Constitutional Court, the rule of law and the principle of separation of powers. Concerns are expressed in particular regarding: the insertion of provisions previously deemed unconstitutional into the Fundamental Law through the Fourth Amendment; article 19 of the Fourth Amendment which declared void the decisions of the Constitutional Court adopted prior to the Fundamental Law; article 24 (5) of the Fourth Amendment which prohibits the Constitutional Court from reviewing the content of amendments to the Fundamental Law; article 37 (5) of the Fourth Amendment which restricts the Constitutional Court’s powers in tax and budgetary matters; and article 13 of the Fourth Amendment, which includes the figure of the President of the National Judicial Office in the Fundamental Law.

04/09/2013

A /H

R C

/25/7433

Date Type

Case No

Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply

03/07/2013 JAL

KOR 2/2013 Republic of Korea

Freedom of expression; Human rights defenders; Independence of judges and lawyers;

Alleged defamation lawsuit filed by the National Intelligence Service (NIS) against three human rights lawyers for action taken in their professional capacity. According to the information received, the lawyers Messrs Kyung-uk Jang, Yong-min Kim and Seung-bong Yang gave a press conference on 27 April 2013, stating that the criminal charges against their client, who had been accused of espionage by the NIS, were based solely on evidence procured under duress. In response, three employees of the NIS reportedly filed a civil lawsuit against the three lawyers claiming 200,000,000 KRW (about USD 175,000) from each in damages for defamation against the agency. It is reported that the NIS or its agents have previously filed similar lawsuits against those who voiced criticism of the agency. Messrs. Jang, Kim and Yang are all members of the organization MINBYUN - Lawyers for a Democratic Society.

15/11/2013

04/07/2013 JAL

IND 8/2013 India

Discrimination against women in law and in practice; Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders; Violence against women;

Allegations of arbitrary detention and forcible dispersal of women human rights defenders in the context of a peaceful protest in West Bengal. According to the information received, on 13 June 2013, at approximately 7.30 a.m., a group of human rights defenders from the women’s human rights network “Maitree” reportedly held a peaceful demonstration in the proximity of the residence of the Chief Minister of West Bengal. Defenders were protesting against the inadequate response by the Chief Minister to cases of gang-rape and killing of a 20 year old student as she returned home from Kamduni college on 7 June 2013, and of a 14-year-old schoolgirl in the Nadia district shortly after, on 10 June 2013.

A /H

R C

/25/74

Date Type

Case No

Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply

05/07/2013 JUA

IRN 10/2013 Iran (Islamic Republic of)

Arbitrary detention; Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders; Independence of judges and lawyers; Iran; Torture;

Alleged arbitrary arrest and detention of Messrs. Khosro Kordpour, Massoud Kordpour, Ms Jamileh Karimi, Messrs. Ashkan Zahabian, Afshin Keshtkari and Mahmoud Beheshti Langroudi, in the lead to the President elections of 14 June 2013. According to the information received, Messrs Khosro and Massoud Kordpour, both journalists, were arrested in early March by officials from the Ministry of Intelligence. At the time of writing, they were allegedly held in a Revolutionary Guards detention center in Orumiyeh. Political and student activists, Ms Karimi, and Messrs. Zahabian and Keshtkari were also arrested by security forces on 10 April, 27 May and 18 May 2013 respectively. Furthermore, Mr Mahmoud Beheshti Langroudi, a former speaker of the Iran Teachers’ Trade Association, was allegedly arrested in April 2010 and convicted to five years in prison on charges of gathering and colluding against the national security and spreading propaganda against the system on 28 May 2013.

18/12/2013

05/07/2013 JUA

MKD 2/2013 The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders; Racism;

Allegations of on-going harassment of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) rights defenders. According to the information received, on 22 June 2013, a group of masked individuals attacked a centre in support of LGBTI persons. On 5 July 2013, unidentified individuals climbed on the roof of the abovementioned LGBTI support centre and set the premises on fire, burning two square meters of the wooden roof construction. This attack reportedly occurred one day after ambassadors and representatives from the European Union, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the United States of America, Sweden and the Netherlands visited the centre to discuss the previous attack of 22 June 2013.

05/07/2013 JAL

UZB 1/2013 Uzbekistan

Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders;

Alleged denial of entry and deportation of human rights defender Ms Tolekan Ismailova, a Kyrgyz citizen, Director of the Human Rights Centre “Citizens Against Corruption” (CAC) in Kyrgyzstan, and FIDH Vice President. According to the information received, on 24 June 2013, Ms Ismailova was detained at the airport in Tashkent, denied entry into Uzbekistan, and deported the next day. The border police reportedly explained that Ms Ismailova was on a black list following her visit to Uzbekistan in 2009 and engagement with prominent human rights defenders in the country.

06/09/2013

A /H

R C

/25/7435

Date Type

Case No

Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply

08/07/2013 JAL

BWA 2/2013 Botswana

Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders;

Alleged arbitrary denial to register a human rights association. According to the information received, on 16 February 2012, the founding members of LEGABIBO, a human rights organization working against discrimination and for the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people, applied for registration of their association. On 12 March 2012, their registration was denied, which has adverse consequences on their ability to exercise their right to freedom of association.

10/07/2013

08/07/2013 AL

COL 7/2013 Colombia

Indigenous peoples;

Alegaciones relacionadas con varios temas en seguimiento al informe del Relator Especial sobre La situación de los pueblos indígenas en Colombia (A/HRC/15/37.Add.3) del 2010. Según la información recibida desde la publicación del informe del Relator Especial, los pueblos indígenas en Colombia han continuado enfrentando una serie de problemas, incluyendo casos de asesinatos, amenazas, desaparición, desplazamientos y confinamientos de miembros de pueblos indígenas; de retrasos en la implementación de planes de salvaguarda y otras medidas de protección a favor de pueblos indígenas en riesgo de extinción; de los riesgos generados por la presencia y actuación de los actores del conflicto armado y la presencia del crimen organizado en los territorios indígenas; de retrasos en los procesos de reconocimiento, ampliación y restitución de territorios indígenas; y de la implementación del deber de la consulta en el contexto de proyectos de industrias extractivas propuestos en o alrededor de territorios indígenas.

11/09/2013

A /H

R C

/25/74

Date Type

Case No

Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply

08/07/2013 AL

IND 9/2013 India

Indigenous peoples;

Alleged recent removal of indigenous consent requirements in the context of infrastructure development projects affecting indigenous forest lands and resources. According to the information received, in February 2013, the Ministry of Environment and Forests allegedly revised previous policy orders that made consent by Gram Sabhas (local village councils) mandatory for projects that involve using forest lands for non-forest purposes such as commercial and development projects and activities. The Ministry of Environment and Forests reportedly created an exemption for consent requirements in the case of modifications to the use of forest lands for the development of what are termed “linear projects”. It is alleged that this consent exemption provision will negatively affect the rights of many indigenous peoples in India who are not “pre-agricultural communities” or “primitive tribal groups” but rather fall under the category of “Forest Dwelling Scheduled Tribes” or “other traditional forest dwellers”. It is feared that the removal of the consent requirement will facilitate the development of potentially damaging projects in traditional forestlands without prior consultation or consent of indigenous peoples.

09/07/2013

08/07/2013 UA

LBN 1/2013 Liban

Torture;

Allégations portant sur des actes de torture et de mauvais traitements ayant été commis par les forces armées libanaises à l’encontre de MM. Adnan Al Awaja et Abdel Basset Barakat. Selon les informations reçues, le 24 juin 2013, M. Adnan Mohieddine Al Awja et M. Abdel Basset Mohamad Barakat, deux hommes parmi une trentaine de personnes détenues à la suite des affrontements armées qui ont secoué la ville de Saïda, les 23 et 24 juin dernier. Depuis leur arrestation le 24 juin 2013, il est allégué que les proches de MM. Al Awja et Barakat restent sans nouvelles sur leur sort alors que des témoignages de détenus remis en liberté laissent craindre qu’ils ne soient actuellement soumis à des tortures ou autres traitements cruels, inhumains et dégradants.

A /H

R C

/25/7437

Date Type

Case No

Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply

08/07/2013 AL

PHL 1/2013 Philippines

Indigenous peoples;

Alleged harassment and displacement of B’laan indigenous communities in Davao del Sur by members of the Philippine Army. According to the information received, in April 2013, a unit of the Philippine Army landed by helicopter at Sitio Tah Canten, Malawanit, Magsaysay, Davao del Sur, Philippines. Armed confrontations between the New People’s Army (NPA), a Maoist guerrilla organization, and the army battalion ensued. It is alleged that the conflict resulted in the temporary displacement of B’laan indigenous villagers from their houses. In addition, members of the military allegedly harassed and conducted interrogations of B’laan indigenous villagers based on the unsubstantiated suspicion that they were either supporters or members of the NPA.

09/07/2013 JUA

EGY 10/2013 Egypt

Discrimination against women in law and in practice; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Summary executions; Violence against women;

Allegations relating to at least 90 cases of sexual violence against women since 30 June 2013 during protests, partly due to the absence of police. According to the information received, during several protests that have taken place in Egypt since 30 June 2013, numerous cases of sexual violence against women protesters have been recorded, partly due to the lack of police presence.

10/07/2013 JUA

IRN 11/2013 Iran (Islamic Republic of)

Freedom of expression; Freedom of religion; Health; Iran; Torture;

Alleged death in custody of Mr Afshin Osanlou and ongoing detention of a number of others. According to the information received, Mr Afshin Osanlou, a trade unionist, who was serving a five-year sentence reportedly died from a heart attack in prison on 20 June 2013. His family was not informed of his death until 22 June 2013, although they had inquired about this whereabouts. Messrs Pastor Behnam Irani, Pastor Saeed Abedini, Ayatollah Hossein, Ghazi Heidari, Houtan Kian and Mohammad Reza Pourshajari and Ayatollah Hossein Kazemeyni Boroujerdi, all allegedly detained for their religious beliefs or for expressing their opinions, reportedly all face a high risk of dying in detention and are all in urgent need of medical attention.

A /H

R C

/25/74

Date Type

Case No

Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply

11/07/2013 AL

PER 2/2013 Peru

Independence of judges and lawyers;

Supuesta injerencia en la independencia de la judicatura. Según las informaciones recibidas, las disposiciones legales nacionales establecen que los Jueces Superiores, Especializados, Mixtos y de Paz Letrados deberían percibir el 90, 80 y 70% respectivamente de los haberes de los Jueces Supremos, incluyendo la bonificación por alta función jurisdiccional. Estas disposiciones han sido confirmadas por sentencias judiciales en 2011 y 2012. Más recientemente, en mayo de 2013, el Tribunal Constitucional habría concedido una medida cautelar que reafirma dichas sentencias, pero que también solicita la suspensión de parte de las resoluciones relativas al requerimiento al Ministerio de Economía y Finanzas para que cumpla con entregar fondos dinerarios al Poder Judicial. Sin embargo, hasta la fecha, estas sentencias no habrían sido respetadas por el Estado y sus respectivos órganos. Además, un juez que expidió una de estas sentencias habría sufrido amenazas por parte del Gobierno con el objetivo de intimidarlo.

18/07/2013

11/07/2013 JUA

TJK 1/2013 Tajikistan

Arbitrary detention; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Independence of judges and lawyers;

Allegations of arrest and detention of a political activist who intended to establish a new political party, in the context of upcoming presidential elections. According to the information received, on 6 April 2013, Mr Zayd Saidov, member of the Dushanbe City Council, announced that he would establish a new political party. Mr Saidov subsequently received anonymous warnings from unnamed high-level officials asking him to refrain from doing so. On 19 May 2013, the Agency for State Financial Control and Fights against Corruption arrested Mr Saidov, despite his immunity, on the charge of polygamy and other crimes. At the time of transmission of this communication, Mr Saidov remained in detention, declared as “secret” by the authorities.

03/09/2013

A /H

R C

/25/7439

Date Type

Case No

Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply

11/07/2013 JAL

VEN 5/2013 Venezuela

Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Torture;

Supuesto uso excesivo de la fuerza y criminalización de las protestas ocurridas durante el mes de abril 2013. Según los informes recibidos, se habrían producido actos de violencia, malos tratos y uso excesivo de la fuerza contra manifestantes pacíficos en el contexto de unas movilizaciones y protestas ocurridas a partir del 14 de abril de 2013 tras darse a conocer el resultado de las elecciones presidenciales. El 15 de abril de 2013, un grupo de 300 personas reunidas pacíficamente en Plaza Bolívar de la Ciudad Ojeda fueron agredidas por un grupo de personas. Del ataque resultó herido el señor X. El 15 de abril de 2013, el señor Yendrick Sánchez fue privado de su libertad y detenido incomunicado cuando interrumpió el acto de toma de posesión del Presidente Nicolás Maduro.

12/07/2013 JAL

LBY 1/2013 Libye

Health; Migrants; Racism; Torture;

Alleged mistreatment of foreign nationals, mainly from sub-Saharan Africa, present in Libya. According to the information received, Government officials, militias and, in some cases, ordinary citizens motivated by xenophobia and misguided fears about diseases, detained foreign nationals on an almost daily basis, in holding centers. The conditions in most of these holding centres fell short of international standards, and at times amounted to cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment. It is further reported that migrants were being forcibly tested for diseases and then deported, and were otherwise particularly vulnerable to abuse and exploitation.

12/07/2013 JAL

MYS 6/2013 Malaysia

Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders;

Allegations of arrest of, and possible charges against, three organizers of a private screening of a human rights documentary. According to the information received, on 3 July 2013, Ms Anna Har, Mr Arul Prakkash, and Ms Lena Hendry, from KOMAS, together with the KL & Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall Civil Right Committee (KLSCAHCRC), organized a private screening of the documentary film entitled “No Fire Zone”, about allegations of war crimes committed in Sri Lanka during the civil war in 2009. They were subsequently placed under arrest under Section 6 of the Film Censorship Act. On 4 July 2013, Ms Anna Har, Mr Arul Prakkash, and Ms Lena Hendry were released on bail after their statements had been recorded.

A /H

R C

/25/74

Date Type

Case No

Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply

12/07/2013 JUA

PAK 4/2013 Pakistan

Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders; Summary executions; Torture; Violence against women;

Alleged killing of a woman human rights defender and her sister, and attacks and death threats against her family members. According to the information received, on 4 June 2013, Ms X was brutally attacked in her private residence in Hyderabad. She reportedly died shortly after the attack from the injuries received. The killing is reportedly connected to her work as a woman human rights defender in Sindh province. Moreover, on 29 June 2013, three armed men shot her sister, Ms Y, as she returned from a court hearing for a petition to demand an inquiry into the murder of her sister. Other family members have been attacked and received death threats in response to making similar demands.

18/07/2013

12/07/2013 JAL

RUS 4/2013 Russian Federation

Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders;

Alleged attack against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) rights activists and break-up of St. Petersburg Pride parade. According to the information received, both the attack and subsequent break-up of the parade were based on the newly enacted legislation regarding federal law No. 44554-6 introducing amendments to the Code of the Russian Federation on Administrative Offences regarding the “propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations”, which entered into force on 30 June 2013. It is reported that there is a trend of enacting and using legislation to unduly restrict the work of human rights defenders, including those working against discrimination and for the rights LGBTI people.

24/10/2013

15/07/2013 AL

DOM 2/2013 Dominican Republic

Freedom of expression;

Presuntos actos de hostigamiento e intimidación en contra el periodista dominicano Fausto Rosario Adames y familiares. El Sr. Rosario cuenta con información confidencial sobre discusiones entre el jefe de la Policía Nacional, el asesor policial del Poder Ejecutivo y otras personas de alto nivel sobre un posible atentado contra él. También se ha informado de hostigamiento a personas en su entorno. Después de reportar su caso al Presidente de la Republica y al Procurador General, el periodista paso a recibir la protección física por parte de dos personas de la inteligencia de las fuerzas armadas, pero persiste un temor por su vida y la de su familia. Hasta la fecha, no se ha iniciado una investigación sobre las amenazas. La Comisión Interamericana de Derechos Humanos en el 2010 ya había expresado su preocupación por amenazas contra el mismo periodista.

29/08/2013

A /H

R C

/25/7441

Date Type

Case No

Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply

15/07/2013 JAL

RUS 5/2013 Russian Federation

Health; Violence against women;

Alleged denial of appropriate health care and discrimination against a drug user living with HIV and Hepatitis C. According to the information received, Ms X was allegedly pressured into having an abortion on 10 June 2011 by her gynaecologist. On 4 July 2011, Ms X decided not to undergo the abortion. On 2 August 2011, she was admitted to a drug treatment centre after overdosing on 11 July. Ms X was allegedly forced to leave the clinic on 11 August 2011 since the doctor considered her to be healthy. Following severe abdominal pain, she gave birth through caesarean to a healthy infant on 28 August 2011. On 20 August 2012, Ms X filed an official complaint with the Ministry of Health. She received a reply on 10 December stating that the medical care provided to her was in full compliance with Russian legislation. Ms X filed a complaint with the district court, on 29 December, alleging that her right to health, to be free from discrimination and ill-treatment had been violated. The court rejected her complaint and, on 11 March 2013, Ms X appealed to the regional court, which eventually upheld the decisions of the previous court.

24/10/2013

16/07/2013 JAL

CAF 1/2013 Central African Republic

Disappearances; Summary executions; Torture; Violence against women;

Allégations de violations flagrantes et systématiques des droits de l’homme en République centrafricaine. Selon les informations reçues, depuis les événements du 24 mars 2013 qui ont conduit la coalition Séléka au pouvoir, il y aurait une aggravation de la situation des droits de l’homme. Des exactions auraient été commises sur les populations civiles, sur l’ensemble du territoire. De nombreux cas d’assassinat, de torture, de violence sexuelle envers les femmes et les filles, de disparitions forcées, de « justice populaire » ainsi que de pillages systématiques ont été portés à l’attention des Procédures Spéciales. Ceux-ci suggèrent un climat d’insécurité généralisé, l’absence d’état de droit et une impunité favorisant des abus graves et systématiques, qui seraient majoritairement commis par des groupes armés affiliés à la coalition Séléka.

A /H

R C

/25/74

Date Type

Case No

Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply

16/07/2013 JAL

GMB 1/2013 Gambia

Freedom of expression; Human rights defenders;

Alleged lack of compliance of the amended Information and Communication Act with international human rights law. According to the information received, the amended Information and Communication Act of 2013 in Gambia imposes severe and disproportionate penalties on persons found guilty of writing or spreading false information online including cartoons or satirical comedies. The new Act allows for imposing sentences of up to 15-years’ imprisonment and fines of approximately 82,000 USD. Concerns are expressed that this legislative development is part of a broader campaign by the Government aiming to silence dissenting voices.

16/07/2013 JUA

MMR 11/2013 Myanmar

Arbitrary detention; Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders; Myanmar;

Alleged arbitrary arrest and detention of a human rights defender in Myanmar for a 2011 poster campaign calling for the release of political prisoners. According to the information received, on 10 July 2013, the Chief of Pyay Township Police Station, Bago Regino, arrested Mr Wai Phyoi, Secretary of the NGO Generation Wave. Two other members of Generation Wave had previously been arrested in July 2011 in relation to the poster campaign and sentenced to three months imprisonment in February 2012. The warrant for the arrest of Mr Wai Phyoi had been outstanding since then.

15/08/2013

A /H

R C

/25/7443

Date Type

Case No

Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply

17/07/2013 JUA

CHN 6/2013 China (People's Republic of)

Arbitrary detention; Disappearances; Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders; Torture;

Alleged arrest and detention of peaceful protesters requesting to participate in the consultation and drafting process preceding China’s upcoming Universal Periodic Review (UPR), as well as a trial and alleged torture of an activist working on the same issue. According to the information received, a series of requests have been made by individuals and associations to participate in the consultation and drafting process around China’s upcoming UPR in October 2013. On 1 July 2013, a large number of the protesters requesting to participate were arrested outside the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beijing and divided into two groups. One of the groups was released after twelve hours of interrogation. The fate and whereabouts of the second group remained unknown. Some activists, including Mr Cao Shunli, Zhang Ming, Hu Guang and Ms Peng Lanlan, were reportedly subjected to arbitrary arrests and detention in response to requests for information regarding the UPR process. Ms Peng Lanlan is currently on trial and may have been subjected to torture while in pre-trial detention. It is reported that the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, in response to requests for information regarding the UPR process, stated officially that such information amounted to ‘state secrets’.

23/09/2013

17/07/2013 UA

DNK 1/2013 Denmark

Torture;

Alleged imminent risk of deportation of Mr X, an asylum seeker, who would be at risk of being tortured and killed, if forcibly returned from Denmark to Sri Lanka. According to the information received, Mr X’s asylum claim and subsequent appeal were rejected by the Danish Refugee Appeals Board on 13 May 2013. Allegedly, Mr X was ordered to leave Denmark or he would be forcibly deported from Denmark to Sri Lanka on 17 July 2013. At the moment of writing, Mr X could be deported at any moment. Reportedly, Mr X is at risk of being killed or tortured by the supporters of Eelam People’s Democratic Party (EPDP) or the Sri Lankan military forces, due to his alleged past relation with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

A /H

R C

/25/74

Date Type

Case No

Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply

17/07/2013 JUA

KAZ 3/2013 Kazakhstan

Migrants; Torture;

Alleged deportation in violation of the principle of non-refoulement and due process guarantees by the Italian authorities to Kazakhstan. According to the information received, the Italian authorities irregularly detained and deported Ms Alma Shalabayeva together with her 6-year-old daughter from Italy to Kazakhstan on 31 May 2013. Although on 12 July Italy rescinded the deportation order, Ms Shalabayeva and her daughter are now in Kazakhstan, and a criminal investigation has been initiated against her. It is alleged that the charges against Ms Shalabayeva relate to her husband, Mr Mukhtar Ablyazov, a political opponent of Kazakhstan’s President, and that Ms Shalabayeva and her 6-year-old daughter might be at a risk of torture or other forms of ill-treatment in Kazakhstan, due to her husband’s status.

31/07/2013 06/08/2013

19/07/2013 AL

BRA 4/2013 Brazil

Health;

Allegations concerning actions taken by the Ministry of Health of Brazil regarding HIV prevention campaigns in Brazil. According to the information received, the promotion of public health is under threat due to the alleged strong influence of fundamentalist and religious groups on the Ministry of Health. The Government is allegedly retreating from its policies on HIV prevention, previously shaped in partnership with civil society, and on 4 June 2013, the Ministry of Health suspended and later drastically altered an outreach campaign aimed at raising awareness among sex workers. It is also alleged that the Ministry of Health has increasingly undermined the rights-based approach, which used to underline the actions of the National AIDS Programme, and took other actions that have had a negative impact on HIV prevention policies, especially for vulnerable groups.

02/12/2013

A /H

R C

/25/7445

Date Type

Case No

Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply

19/07/2013 UA

USA 9/2013 United States of America

Summary executions;

Alleged imposition of the death penalty on Mr X, an individual reported to suffer from psychosocial disabilities in violation of due process safeguards. According to the information received, Mr X was sentenced to death for murder in the state of Georgia. The execution was, however, temporarily halted on 23 July 2012. It is reported that, in April 2013, the stay of execution of Mr X was lifted and the state rescheduled the execution for 15 July 2013. Reportedly three hours before his execution, a judge in Fulton County, Georgia, issued a new stay of execution and decided to delay it in order to hold a new hearing on 18 July 2013, to discuss whether the process surrounding Mr X’s execution violates the state’s Lethal Injection Secrecy Act. It is alleged that on 20 July 2013, the current execution warrant of Mr X would expire and if the stay is lifted before then, Mr X would be at high risk of being executed. Mr X was the subject of an urgent appeal sent on 13 July 2012 (A/HRC/22/67).

22/07/2013 JAL

CHN 7/2013 China (People's Republic of)

Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Freedom of religion; Summary executions; Torture; Violence against women;

Allegations of excessive use of force in dispersing a peaceful religious gathering of Tibetans celebrating the birthday of the Dalai Lama. According to the information received, on 6 July 2013, when monks from Nyitso monastery and nuns from Gedhen Choeling nunnery, as well as laypeople, gathered at the bottom of the Machen Pomra mountain in Dawu, Ganzi county, to celebrate the birthday of the Dalai Lama, security forces brutally dispersed the peaceful crowd, opening fire and using tear gas. It is reported that several individuals were critically injured, as well as arrested and detained.

10/09/2013

A /H

R C

/25/74

Date Type

Case No

Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply

22/07/2013 JAL

CZE 3/2013 Czech Republic

Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Minority issues; Racism;

Alleged repeated attacks targeting Roma communities in the cities of Ceske Budejovice and Duchcov by far-right groups. According to the information received, on 29 May and 22 June 2013, far-right groups gathered in the city of Duchcov and headed for the Roma community. Police had allegedly to intervene to prevent any violent attack. On 29 June and 6 July 2013, far right groups congregated in the city of Ceske Budejovice and on both occasions attempted allegedly to disrupt and attack Roma gathered in the Máj housing estate. Police action was once again needed. There were further reports that far-right organisations had called for country-wide mass demonstrations against Roma on 24 August 2013.

22/09/2013

22/07/2013 JAL

MMR 12/2013 Myanmar

Human rights defenders; Myanmar; Summary executions; Torture;

Alleged death in custody following torture. According to the information received, on 19 May 2013, Mr U Than Htun was arrested at Pandaung Township Police Station, Pyay. On 22 May 2013, he was sent to hospital in relation to alleged symptoms of alcoholism, but allegedly died before arriving at hospital. It is reported that the family was informed of his death on 23 May 2013, and photographed the body showing bruises and scars on his face, ribs, and legs and lacerations on his wrists from the handcuffs. The police reportedly explained that Mr U Than Htun had beaten himself with a metal pole as a result of his alcoholism leading to his death in custody.

29/10/2013

22/07/2013 JUA

UKR 2/2013 Ukraine

Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Health; Human rights defenders; Torture;

Alleged forced psychiatric treatment and confinement of a human rights defender. According to the information received, on 10 July 2013, Ms Raisa Radchenko was informed that a court had decided that she should be in psychiatric care. On 11 July, she was physically taken into confinement, without documentation confirming the court’s decision. On 13 July, Ms Raisa Radchenko’s daughter visited her and reported that Ms Radchenko had been forced to receive psychiatric treatment, including drugs. She also reported that her mother had signs of bruising on her body. On 15 July, a court reportedly ordered the psychiatric treatment of Ms Radchenko. On 16 July, officials from the Department for Children’s Rights visited Ms Radchenko’s daughter.

05/09/2013

A /H

R C

/25/7447

Date Type

Case No

Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply

23/07/2013 JAL

CUB 4/2013 Cuba

Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders; Violence against women;

Presuntos actos de intimidación y represalias contras dos abogadas y defensoras de derechos humanos por su cooperación con el Comité de Naciones Unidas para la Discriminación contra la Mujer durante la 55 sesión del mismo. Según la información recibida, las Sras. Diversent y Flores habrían sido objeto de actos de intimidación y acoso por parte de miembros del Gobierno y organizaciones no-gubernamentales durante la revisión de los informes periódicos séptimo y octavo de Cuba por el Comité de Naciones Unidas para la Discriminación contra la Mujer. Las Sras. Diversent y Flores son abogadas y trabajan para CubaLex, un centro que proporciona asesoramiento e información legal relacionada con el ejercicio de derechos básicos y libertades fundamentales.

19/08/2013

23/07/2013 JAL

MYS 7/2013 Malaysia

Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association;

Allegations of arrest of 14 student activists and opposition political party members. According to the information received, on 20 July 2013 at 8 a.m., the police arrested Ms Sheryne Olivia Yahcob, Ms Laizah Laida, Mr Mohd Asraf Sharafi b Mohd, Mr Harieyadi b Karmin, Mr Ardin b Manja, Mr Johan Muhammad, Mr Mohd Saifuddin Ahmad, Mr Mohd Firdaus Muhammad Noor, Mr Aliff b Basri, Mr Akhdan Sheik Shah Sabang, Mr Lahirul Latigu, Mr Mohd Fathihie Gadius, Mr Mohd Hisham Jais, and Mr Mohd Abdillah Matlin. The above-listed people were peacefully protesting against the Trans Pacific Partnerships Agreement, in front of the Sutera Harbour Hotel, Kota Kinabalu. The police initially used Section 15 of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 to arrest 11 demonstrators, who took urine tests which all turned out to be negative. The police then investigated the 14 participants under the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012. They were all released on the same day.

24/07/2013 JAL

BLZ 2/2013 Belize

Freedom of expression; Human rights defenders;

Alleged attack and death threats against Belizean LGBT rights defender as well as impunity for such attacks. According to the information received, Mr Caleb Orozco was subjected to a presumably homophobic attack on 9 May 2013 and continuous death threats. Mr Orozco is the only claimant in a case that challenges the constitutionality of homophobic legislation in Belize. During the week long court hearings in May 2013, Mr Orozco was granted protection measures from the State. However, these measures came to an end on 10 May 2013.

A /H

R C

/25/74

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24/07/2013 AL

MEX 5/2013 México

Water and Sanitation;

Alegaciones sobre la falta de acceso al agua potable en el Estado de Guerrero. Según información recibida, el 17 de abril de 2006 un grupo de personas pertenecientes a la ciudad de San Miguel Tlixtancingo rompieron la tubería del acueducto que abastecía a más de 8000 personas de 13 comunidades de Coyuca de Benítez Gro y del Puerto de Acapulco, dejándoles sin acceso a agua potable para sus usos personales y domésticos. Las familias afectadas se han visto obligadas a tener que elegir entre pagar la factura del agua entre otras necesidades básicas; y cuando no es posible, beben de los arroyos o pozos poniendo en riesgo su salud. Hasta la fecha, las autoridades competentes no han tomado ninguna medida para asegurar agua potable a estas familias.

24/07/2013 JUA

MMR 13/2013 Myanmar

Arbitrary detention; Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Freedom of religion; Health; Human rights defenders; Internally displaced persons; Minority issues; Myanmar;

Alleged arbitrary detention of a Rohingya Muslim community leader and human rights defender in relation to a population verification exercise in Rakhine State, Myanmar. According to information received, on 26 April 2013, Mr Kyaw Hla Aung was held in police custody for questioning in relation to protests against the population verification exercise and for supporting a movement aiming to create a Rohingya State.

30/08/2013

A /H

R C

/25/7449

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24/07/2013 JUA

ESP 2/2013 Spain

Independence of judges and lawyers; Migrants; Torture;

Riesgo alegado de la extradición inminente de una persona a Kazajstán, donde hay motivos fundados para creer que estaría en peligro de persecución, tortura y/o malos tratos. Según las informaciones recibidas, el Sr. Alexandr Pavlov es el ex guardaespaldas del Sr. Mukhtar Ablyazov, ex ministro de Energía, Industria y Comercio de Kazajstán, ex preso político y un opositor político del presidente de Kazajstán. El Sr. Pavlov fue arrestado en Madrid el 11 de diciembre de 2012 después de la emisión de una “notificación roja” de Interpol por el presunto delito de malversación en relación con bienes confiados. Se alega que los cargos en contra del Sr. Pavlov están directamente vinculados con su ocupación anterior como guardaespaldas del Sr. Ablyazov y con los cargos pendientes en contra del Sr. Ablyazov, y que tienen un carácter político. En enero de 2013, el Sr. Pavlov solicitó asilo político en España. Se informa que su demanda fue denegada el 11 de junio de 2013 por una decisión del Ministro del Interior. Se alega además que el caso de asilo fue acompañado por numerosas violaciones de procedimiento. El 22 de julio de 2013, la Sala de lo Penal de la Audiencia Nacional declaró procedente la extradición solicitada por Kazajstán contra el Sr. Pavlov. Según se informa, el Sr. Pavlov tiene un plazo de tres días para apelar la decisión.

25/09/2013

26/07/2013 JUA

AZE 4/2013 Azerbaijan

Arbitrary detention; Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders;

Alleged administrative detention of three youth activists for a period of 15 days. According to the information received, on 15 July 2013, three activists were arrested in the capital Baku for having posted anti-president flyers and stickers. At the time of transmission of this communication, they had been kept in detention under administrative detention orders since their arrest, on charges of ‘failing to comply with the legal demands of police personnel’ under Article 310.1 of the Administrative Offences Law.

28/08/2013

A /H

R C

/25/74

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26/07/2013 AL

UZB 2/2013 Uzbekistan

Freedom of religion;

Alleged persecution of Mr Khayrullo Tursunov for peacefully practicing Islam. According to the information received, Mr Tursunov fled to Kazakhstan in September 2009, allegedly in fear of being persecuted for practicing his religious beliefs in Uzbekistan. Charges were brought against Mr Tursunov under several articles of Uzbekistan’s Criminal Code in January and February 2012, including for participating in a religious extremist organisations, proselytism, and incitement of religious hatred. Mr Tursunov was subsequently arrested by Kazakhstani authorities in April 2012 and extradited to Uzbekistan in March 2013, where Mr Tursunov has reportedly been sentenced to twelve years of imprisonment for alleged “extremist religious activity”.

27/09/2013

29/07/2013 JAL

ARG 5/2013 Argentina

Food; Health; Torture;

Alegación de actos de malos tratos y tortura contra internos detenidos dentro de la Unidad Penitenciaria XV de Batán, provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina. De acuerdo al reporte recibido, el centro cuenta con condiciones deficientes, así como, hacinamiento ocasionado por la desproporción considerable entre el número de detenidos y la capacidad del centro. Asimismo, se informa que no existe un sistema de control constante dentro de los centros penitenciarios, originando deficiencias en el abastecimiento de alimentos, servicios sanitarios y atención médica las 24 horas. De igual manera, se ha reportado la falta de estrategias de prevención, diagnosis y tratamiento de VIH y tuberculosis. El deterioro de las instalaciones del centro habría sido identificado constantemente por distintas autoridades judiciales. Sin embargo, las resoluciones del Poder Judicial no han sido implementadas, quedando pendiente, la clausura de ciertos pabellones, el control de la alimentación, la mejora en la higiene y desinfección de las instalaciones.

09/10/2013

A /H

R C

/25/7451

Date Type

Case No

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29/07/2013 JAL

MDA 4/2013 Republic of Moldova

Discrimination against women in law and in practice; Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Health; Human rights defenders;

Alleged risk of restrictions on the rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly. According to the information received, the recent adoption of Law n°117 completing the Contravention Code could potentially limit the rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) persons and advocacy organizations. Concerns are expressed regarding the impact that that law could have on the promotion of the right to health in the Republic of Moldova, including of LGBT persons. Further concerns are expressed regarding the detrimental impact of the law on combatting the spreading of HIV/AIDS in the country.

08/11/2013

29/07/2013 AL

SWZ 1/2013 Swaziland

Adequate housing;

Alleged eviction of 150 people living in Markens, and demolition of their houses, without providing alternative accommodation, relocation or compensation, order by the Supreme Court. According to the information received, the decision by the Supreme Court of Swaziland in the case of Umbane Limited v Sofi Dlamini and Three Others [2013] SZSC 25, dated 31 May 2013, ordered families living on the land to vacate it within twenty-one days or face eviction and demolition of their houses. The court offered no alternative accommodation or compensation for the affected community. Allegedly the decision would affect 150 people living in Malkerns since 1957, who based their claim in the common law notion of acquisitive prescription. The decision overruled an earlier decision by the High Court which granted the residents valid legal tenure to the land they had occupied in an uninterrupted manner for decades.

21/10/2013

A /H

R C

/25/74

Date Type

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29/07/2013 JUA

USA 10/2013 United States of America

Health; Independence of judges and lawyers; Torture;

Alleged prolonged solitary confinement that may amount to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or even torture and inadequate medical care. According to the information received, Mr Herman Wallace and Mr Albert Woodfox were placed in solitary confinement over forty years ago and Mr Robert King Wilkerson was placed in solitary confinement for a total of twenty-nine years at the Louisiana State Penitentiary. Mr Woodfox, after his reported transfer to the David Wade Correctional Centre, allegedly continued to be subjected to solitary confinement. Additionally, it is alleged that the prison review boards have not made good faith efforts to have fair and meaningful hearings to assess the necessity of solitary confinement, setting aside the prisoner’s behaviour in the assessment. It is also alleged, that Mr Wallace was diagnosed with liver cancer and that he received insufficient medical care.

30/07/2013 JUA

BHR 4/2013 Bahrain

Arbitrary detention; Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders; Independence of judges and lawyers; Torture;

Alleged irregularities in the trials of human rights defenders, including possible acts of reprisals for co-operation with the United Nations against one of them, and alleged torture or other forms of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment of another while in detention. According to the information received, on 25 June 2013, Ms Zainab Alkhawaja was sentenced to two further months of imprisonment on the basis of charges of having assaulted two police officers while in detention. It is also reported that on 1 July 2013, the Court of Cassation rejected the application of Mr Mahdi Abu Deeb to suspend previous convictions against him until the completion of investigations of allegations of torture or other forms of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment against him. It is further reported that Mr Mahdi Abu Deeb does not receive adequate medical attention in detention, and has possibly been subjected to torture. Moreover, Mr Mohamed Al-Maskati reportedly faces trial on charges of “participation in illegal protests”, after his co-operation with the United Nations during the Universal Periodic Review of the Kingdom of Bahrain.

29/08/2013

A /H

R C

/25/7453

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30/07/2013 JAL

SOM 2/2013 Somalia

Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders; Somalia; Summary executions;

Alleged killings of human rights defenders. According to the information received, on 7 July 2013, two unknown assailants shot dead in Gassor neighbourhood, in northern Galkayo, Mr Libaan Abdullahi Farah, a journalist who worked for several media houses. On 13 July 2013, two unidentified men shot dead in Israac village, in Galkayo, Mr Abdi Farah Dheere, deputy chair of the non-governmental organisation Peace and human Rights Network (PHRN/INXA). It is feared that these two murders are related to the human rights activities carried out by the two human rights defenders. Since the beginning of the year, at least three other journalists have reportedly been killed in Somalia.

30/07/2013 JAL

THA 6/2013 Thailand

Health; Migrants; Torture; Violence against women;

Allegations concerning conditions of detention that may amount to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or even torture and possible refoulement of more than 1800 ethnic Rohingya migrants and refugees in immigration detention centers in Thailand. According to the information received, escalating violence in Rakhine, Myanmar, has displaced thousands of Rohingya people, many of whom fled by boat to neighbouring Thailand. Thailand treats these migrants and refugees as irregular immigrants and has detained them in immigration detention centers for over five months in conditions that may amount to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or even torture. Between 19 March and 22 July 2013, seven men and one boy allegedly died as a result of poor conditions and lack of medical care in the centers. In the Phang Nga detention center near Phuket, there are 276 Rohingya men detained in cells meant only for 5-15 persons. Their lack of exercise is emaciating their leg muscles. Furthermore, there is serious concern of refoulement and possible repatriation to Myanmar, since Thai authorities have restricted the Rohingyas’ stay to six months.

05/08/2013 30/10/2013

A /H

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31/07/2013 JUA

IRN 12/2013 Iran (Islamic Republic of)

Arbitrary detention; Independence of judges and lawyers; Iran; Minority issues; Summary executions; Torture;

Alleged imminent risk of executions after proceedings that did not comply with international standards on fair trial and due process guarantees, as well as torture while in detention. According to the information received, Messrs Ghazi Abbasi, Abdul-Reza Amir-Khanafereh, Abdul-Amir Mojaddami, and Jasim Moghaddam Payam, members of the Ahwazi Arab minority, are at risk of imminent execution. On 15 August 2012, the Revolutionary Court of Ahwaz reportedly sentenced them to death on charges of moharebeh and ifsad fil-arz. In addition, Messrs Shahab Abbasi, Sami Jadmavinejad, and Hadi Albokhanfarnejad, also Ahwazi Arabs, were sentenced to three years in prison. All the accused were reportedly held in incommunicado pre- trial detention for months, subjected to torture and ill-treatment for the purpose of extracting confessions, and denied full access to a defence lawyer. Their trial took place behind closed doors, and some members of their families were allegedly harassed and detained.

31/07/2013 JUA

KEN 3/2013 Kenya

Disappearances; Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders;

Alleged harassment and intimidation of families of victims of enforced disappearances and of eight human rights defenders from a local NGO for perceived cooperation with the Working Group on Enforced and Involuntary Disappearances (WGEID). According to the information received, since 2 July 2013, police officers in the Mount Elgon District have allegedly visited homes of family members of victims of enforced disappearances, reportedly asking them to come to the police station. The police officers allegedly questioned the families about cases of disappearances submitted to the WGEID and compelled family members to sign statements without disclosing their content. Reportedly, following the police visits, some of the families left their houses out of fear of reprisals. Furthermore, on 5 July 2013, a local NGO issued a press statement addressing the alleged incidents and asking for investigations. It is reported that the police have harassed and threatened eight members of the mentioned local NGO.

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R C

/25/7455

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31/07/2013 UA

USA 11/2013 United States of America

Summary executions;

Alleged imposition of the death penalty on an individual with psychosocial disabilities. According to the information received, Mr John Ferguson, a 65 year old man, was convicted of murder and sentenced to death in 1978. Since he has been on death row, prison doctors have reportedly continually assessed him as “suffering from chronic schizophrenia, paranoid type”. In 2012, the execution of Mr Ferguson was stayed while litigation ensued on the question of his competence. On 21 May 2013, a panel of three judges at the US Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit upheld the finding of the Florida courts that Mr Ferguson “is aware that the State is intending to execute him and that he will physically die as a result of the execution”. However, according to Mr Ferguson’s lawyers, he lacks a rational understanding of the reason for and reality of the punishment. At the time of transmission of this communication, Mr Ferguson was scheduled to be executed on 5 August 2013. On 25 July 2013, his lawyers filed a petition before the US Supreme Court seeking a stay of execution.

02/08/2013 JUA

COL 8/2013 Colombia

Disappearances; Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders; Summary executions;

Presuntas amenazas de muerte contra miembros del movimiento de derechos humanos de Barrancabermeja. Según las informaciones recibidas, el 16 de julio de 2013, el Sr. Elizardo Badillo, un líder comunitario habría recibido una amenaza de muerte contra él y varios otros individuos y grupos, entre ellos la coalición Espacio de Trabajadores y Trabajadoras de Derechos Humanos (ETTDH) de la que el Movimiento Nacional de Víctimas de Crímenes de Estado (MOVICE) es miembro. El 17 de julio de 2013, dos hombres viajando en una motocicleta sin matrícula habrían dejado un mensaje de amenaza para la Sra. Rocío Campos, miembro de la seccional del Magdalena Medio del MOVICE, pidiendo que un individuo asociado con ella le informara que la estaban buscando los mismos que le prohibieron hacer el trabajo de derechos humanos.

14/11/2013

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/25/74

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02/08/2013 JAL

HTI 1/2013 Haiti

Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Haiti; Human rights defenders; Summary executions;

Allégations de meurtre et d’agressions physiques à l’encontre de personnes homosexuelles ainsi que de menaces reçues par des associations défendant les droits des personnes lesbiennes, gays, bisexuels et transgenres (LGBT). Selon les informations reçues, une manifestation contre l’homosexualité aurait été organisée à Port-au-Prince le 19 juillet 2013, suite à laquelle deux personnes homosexuelles auraient été tuées. En outre, de nombreux cas d’agressions physiques auraient été répertoriés depuis fin juin. Par ailleurs, Kouraj, une organisation LGBT en Haïti, aurait reçu des menaces, y compris contre son président, M. Charlot Jeudy. En conséquence, Kouraj et au moins une autre organisation, SEROvie, auraient été forcées de fermer leurs bureaux.

02/08/2013 JUA

ISR 7/2013 Israel

Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders; Independence of judges and lawyers; OPT; Summary executions; Torture;

Alleged judicial harassment, stigmatization, physical attacks torture in custody and an assassination attempt against a human rights defender; possible acts of reprisals. According to the information received, Mr Issa Amro, a prominent human rights defender in Hebron, located in the occupied West Bank, and winner of the 2010 OHCHR ‘human rights defender of the year in Palestine’ award, has been branded a terrorist by Israeli settlers and has been subjected to intimidation, death threats and an assassination attempt. It is further alleged that he has been subject to judicial harassment as well as alleged torture at the hands of Israeli Security Forces. Some of the reported incidents might be linked to his participation in the 23rd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council on 10 and 11 June 2013.

A /H

R C

/25/7457

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05/08/2013 JAL

GTM 6/2013 Guatemala

Business enterprises; Environment; Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders; Independence of judges and lawyers; Summary executions;

Presuntos asesinatos, ataques y actos de intimidación y desprestigio contra defensores y defensoras de derechos medioambientales. Según se informa, los Sres Mateo García Pérez, Eliseo Ramos Martínez, Medelso Martínez Interiano, Jesús Aldana Choc, Eduber García y Santos Fidel Ajau Suret habrían sido asesinados presuntamente en conexión con sus labores de defensa y promoción de derechos medioambientales y su oposición a las actividades de empresas extractivas. Asimismo, la Sra. Telma Yolanda Oquelí Veliz del Cid habría sufrido un ataque y actos de intimidación también por su labor en defensa del medioambiente. Los Sres. Yuri Melini y Rafael Maldonado habrían sido objeto de una supuesta campaña de desprestigio supuestamente en relación con su trabajo en defensa de los derechos medio-ambientales.

06/08/2013 JUA

EGY 11/2013 Egypt

Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Summary executions; Torture;

Allegations of excessive use of force, including lethal force, during a demonstration, which resulted in the killing of over 80 persons and the wounding of hundreds. According to the information received, on 27 July 2013, a march calling for the reinstatement of Mohamed Morsi as a President was reportedly organized in Cairo. While the march was originally peaceful, it reportedly turned into violent clashes between protesters and riot police. Allegedly, live bullets were fired at the protesters. Official sources have confirmed the death of at least 80 persons, including protesters and police officers, as a result of the clashes.

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06/08/2013 JUA

ARE 4/2013 United Arab Emirates

Arbitrary detention; Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders; Independence of judges and lawyers; Torture;

Alleged sentencing of 69 out of the 94 individuals arrested, including human rights lawyers, judges, academics and student leaders, reported irregularities in their trial, and allegations of torture whilst in detention. According to the information received, 94 individuals, including human rights lawyers, judges, academics and student leaders (referred to as the UAE 94) were arrested during the spring and summer of 2012 and charged with plotting to overthrow the Government on 27 January 2013. The first hearings reportedly took place on 4 and 11 March 2013, amidst allegations of unfair trials, as well as torture from international organizations and the defence team. No independent investigation into the torture claims has been launched. It is further reported that Mr Obaid Yousif al-Zaabi was arrested after allegedly having criticized the UAE authorities and claimed that his brother had been tortured. On 2 July 2013, 69 of the 94 individuals were sentenced, and on 3 July 2013, 2 of the 25 acquitted were re-arrested. Three previous communications have been sent on the same case (A/HRC/24/21, A/HRC/22/67 and A/HRC/21/49).

20/11/2013

06/08/2013 JUA

YEM 2/2013 Yemen

Arbitrary detention; Independence of judges and lawyers; Summary executions;

Alleged risk of imminent execution of a juvenile offender, after proceedings that did not comply with international standards of fair trial and due process. According to the information received, Mr Muhammad Thabet Taher Samoum (also referred to as Mr Muhammed Taher Thabet Samoum), detained in Ibb, at the time of writing remained at high risk of imminent execution in Yemen, despite the fact that his execution had been halted twice in the past. It is alleged that Mr Samoum was a minor when the killing of which he was accused was committed. Moreover, the legal proceedings against him reportedly did not comply fully with international standards of fair trial and due process. In particular, Mr Samoum did not enjoy full access to legal representation. Mr Samoum was the subject of two previous communications dated 23 December 2010 (A/HRC/18/51) and 14 December 2012 (A/HRC/23/51).

A /H

R C

/25/7459

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07/08/2013 JUA

HND 3/2013 Honduras

Independence of judges and lawyers; Summary executions;

Presunto asesinato de una jueza en un contexto de ataques contra la independencia judicial. Según las informaciones recibidas, la Sra. Mireya Efigenia Mendoza Peña, jueza del tribunal de sentencia de El Progreso, Yoro, y Pro-Secretaria de la “Asociación Jueces por la Democracia”, habría sido asesinada por dos hombres que le habrían disparado mientras conducía su auto, el 24 de julio de 2013. Según la fuente, el asesinato de la jueza no habría sido el único caso contra profesionales de la justicia en el país. Se estimaría a 64 el número de víctimas desde 2010. Hasta la fecha no habría información sobre la conducción de investigaciones en este caso.

07/08/2013 JUA

VNM 5/2013 Viet Nam

Arbitrary detention; Freedom of expression; Health; Human rights defenders; Independence of judges and lawyers; Torture;

Alleged arbitrary detention, torture and denial of medical care. According to the information received, Mr Nguyen Van Hai, also known as Dieu Cay, and Mr Cu Huy Ha Vu have been detained arbitrarily for voicing their opinions against the Government of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam. It is also reported that Mr Nguyen Xuan Nghia, a cell mate of Mr Nguyen Van Hai, was brutally beaten after he publicly revealed Mr Nguyen Van Hai’s on-going hunger strike. Mr Nguyen Van Hai had been subjected to torture in the past and held two hunger strikes to protest against his detention, the most recent of which started on 23 June 2013. Similarly, Mr Cu Huy Ha Vu was on hunger strike from 27 May to 21 June 2013to protest against his detention. It is alleged that visits from his family have been severely restricted and that he is banned from accessing basic necessities and legal documents.

11/10/2013

09/08/2013 JUA

CHN 8/2013 China (People's Republic of)

Arbitrary detention; Disappearances; Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Health; Human rights defenders; Torture;

Alleged arrests, detention and intimidation of human rights defenders, denial of access to appropriate medical treatment, incommunicado detention and torture while in detention, and alleged sexual violence. According to the information received, a pattern of arrest and detention of human rights defenders has emerged, particularly of activists working on the right to information, anti-corruption and housing rights, mainly on charges of unlawful assembly. In mid-June 2013, an application for medical parole for Ms Ni Yulan was denied. Torture and sexual violence against Ms Zou Guigin at Masanjia re-education through labour camp have been alleged. Communications on Ms Ni Yulan, Mr Zhao Changqing, Mr Xu Zhiyong and Mr Zhang Lin were sent previously (A/HRC/18/51).

11/11/2013

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/25/74

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09/08/2013 JAL

SVK 1/2013 Slovakia

Minority issues; Racism;

Allegations concerning police violence and harassment against the residents of a Roma settlement at the outskirts of Moldava nad Bodvou, in eastern Slovakia. According to the information received, in the night of 15 to 16 June 2013 two policemen from the Slovak Republic Police reportedly violently and arbitrarily arrested a 17-year-old male resident of the above mentioned Roma settlement triggering a strong reaction among the residents, some of whom threw stones at the police car which lead to another arrest of a man with severe intellectual disabilities. On 19 June 2013, 60 policemen, of whom 15 were masked, entered the settlement for a purported search operation which was reported to be a planned retaliatory police raid following the incident of 15-16 June. Allegedly, in the course of the raid, police beat several men, women and children with truncheons. At least 30 people were reportedly injured. Police allegedly systematically destroyed the property of the inhabitants. It is further alleged that those who had been injured did not receive medical care by local health services.

08/10/2013

09/08/2013 JAL

TUN 1/2013 Tunisie

Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Summary executions; Torture;

Allégations d’assassinat d’un responsable politique. Selon les informations reçues, le 25 juillet 2013, M. Mohamed Brahmi, membre de l’Assemblée nationale constituante, aurait été tué par balle devant son domicile à Tunis. Il est rapporté qu’il s’agissait du troisième assassinat de cette nature en moins de dix mois dans le pays. Il est allégué qu’en dépit des graves crimes survenus au cours des derniers mois en Tunisie, les autorités n’auraient pas pris des mesures suffisantes pour protéger les militants politiques et tous ceux qui professent des idées et opinions minoritaires ou dissidentes dans le pays. De plus, suite aux obsèques de M. Brahmi, de nombreuses manifestations auraient eu lieu en Tunisie et certaines auraient fait l’objet d’un usage disproportionné de la force de la police.

A /H

R C

/25/7461

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12/08/2013 JAL

MLT 1/2013 Malta

Migrants; Torture;

Allegations concerning the rescue of 102 migrants in the Mediterranean sea and the refusal of Malta to allow the tanker which rescued the migrants to enter into Maltese territorial waters and disembark the migrants. According to the information received, on 4 August 2013 a dinghy style boat with 102 migrants aboard was spotted in the Mediterranean sea. A nearby tanker, the MT Salamis, rescued the 102 migrants, disembarking them from their dinghy onto the tanker. Among the rescued migrants were allegedly four pregnant women, one injured woman as well as a five months-old baby. At 24 nautical miles off the Maltese coast, the Armed Forces of Malta intercepted the vessel and refused it entry into Maltese Territorial Waters, requesting it instead to return to Libya and refusing to allow the tanker to disembark the migrants. Between 4 to 7 August, the tanker remained stranded off the coast of Malta. On 7 August Italy accepted to take in the migrants and the vessel disembarked the migrants at the Italian port of Syracuse.

14/10/2013

13/08/2013 JUA

CMR 3/2013 Cameroun

Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders; Summary executions;

Allégations de meurtre d'un défenseur des droits des personnes lesbiennes, gays, bisexuelles, transgenres et intersexuées (LGBTI) et d'actes d'intimidations à l'encontre d'autres défenseurs. Selon les informations reçues, le corps de M. X, directeur exécutif de l’organisation Y, aurait été trouvé dans la soirée du 15 juillet 2013 avec des signes visibles de torture. Il est allégué que l’enquête ouverte relative à ce meurtre présenterait des lacunes importantes, et que des déclarations de la part de porte- paroles du Gouvernement auraient contribué à renforcer un climat d’intimidations et de menaces à l’encontre des défenseurs des droits des personnes LGBTI au Cameroun. Plusieurs actes d’intimidations auraient eu lieu contre ces défenseurs au cours des derniers mois.

A /H

R C

/25/74

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13/08/2013 JUA

COL 9/2013 Colombia

Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders; Summary executions;

Supuestas amenazas de muerte continúas contra sindicalistas en Colombia. Según la información recibida, los Sres Juan Carlos Galvis, Héctor Sánchez, Estivenson Avila, Edgar Muñoz Araujo, Henry Ayala, César Florez, Juan Aguas Romero, Luis Manuel Mendoza, Yonis Ojeda Lobo, Miguel Corvacho Ortiz, Sabas Brito Mendoza, Horacio Llanos, Sergio Becerra Moreno, Rubén Morrón Guerrero, Ricardo Machado y Wilder Martínez, todos integrantes de sindicatos, han sido amenazados, algunos de muerte o de la muertes de familiares. Las amenazas tienen lugar en un contexto de impunidad casi total por parte de los autores intelectuales y materiales de crímenes y atentados contra sindicalistas en Colombia.

13/08/2013 JAL

LBY 2/2013 Libye

Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Summary executions;

Alleged killing of a political activist. According to the information received, on 26 July 2013, Mr Abdulsalam Elmessmary, a prominent political activist, was shot dead outside Abu Ghoula mosque in Benghazi. Reportedly, Mr Elmessmary had previously been subjected to acts of intimidation and death threats in relation to his role as a political activist. Allegedly, more than 50 politically motivated killings have occurred since October 2011 in Libya.

13/08/2013 JAL

MEX 7/2013 México

Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders; Migrants; Summary executions;

Presunto secuestro de migrantes y amenazas de muerte y actos de intimidación contra defensores de los derechos de migrantes. Según la información recibida, Rubén Figueroa y Fray Tomás Gonzales, defensores de los derechos de las personas migrantes y trabajadores del Refugio “la 72” en la zona de Tenosique en el estado sureño de Tabasco, habrían sido victimas de amenazas de muerte e intimidación. El 8 de junio del presente año, Rubén Figueroa habría sido amenazado por un desconocido. Además se alega la presunta existencia de bandas criminales las cuales raptan y extorsionan a migrantes en situación irregular en esta zona. El 14 de mayo, un grupo de por lo menos 5 migrantes, entre ellos mujeres, hombres y niños, habrían sido presuntamente secuestrados y extorsionados por esta banda criminal que operaría en la zona. A pesar de que las autoridades disponen de información, se alega que las mismas no habrían tomado las acciones necesarias para proteger a las personas migrantes y a los y las defensoras de sus derechos de la actuación de estas bandas criminales, que continúan operando con impunidad.

25/10/2013

A /H

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/25/7463

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13/08/2013 JUA

YEM 3/2013 Yemen

Arbitrary detention; Torture;

Alleged torture, incommunicado and secret detention of Mr Muhammad Ahmad Naji Obayd Al Haribi in a secret prison in Sana’a and the Yemeni Intelligence Service’s National Security headquarters’ Al Qala’a prison. According to the information received, on 9 November 2012, Mr Muhammad Ahmad Naji Obayd Al Haribi, a 26- year-old student living in Hubayl Al Raidah, Halimayn District, Governorate of Lahej, Yemen, was arrested at the Al Anad checkpoint between Lahej and Aden. It is reported that after several unsuccessful attempts to locate Mr Al Haribi’s whereabouts, it was discovered that he was detained in a secret prison in Sana’a, located below the Republican Palace, before being transferred to Yemeni Intelligence Service’s National Security headquarters’ Al Qala’a prison in Al Bakiriya street, Sana’a. It is alleged that Mr Al Haribi was detained incommunicado for 33 weeks, until 14 July 2013. It is reported that Mr Al Haribi was found on 14 July 2013, in a popular market in Taez, Yemen in a state of psychological breakdown, anxiety and displaying visible signs of physical abuse.

14/08/2013 JUA

BHR 5/2013 Bahrain

Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders; Torture;

Alleged restrictions of freedom of expression and freedom of assembly following 22 recommendations to amend the anti-terrorism Law no. 58 of 2006. According to the information received, the National Assembly endorsed 22 recommendations on 28 July 2013 and his Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa agreed to their implementation on 29 July 2013. It is alleged that some of these recommendations have already been adopted, while adoption of the others is imminent. The amendments include provisions relating to revoking citizenship of those who carry out terrorist crimes; the imposition of harsher sentences on anyone involved in acts of terrorism; banning sit-ins and public gatherings in the capital; the extension of security forces’ powers to protect society from terrorist acts; the imposition of harsher sentences for anyone propagating illegal information in social media networks; the ability for the authorities to take legal action against political associations which incite and support acts of violence and terrorism, and the ability to take all possible measures to impose peace and security, amongst others. Law no. 58 of 2006 has been the subject of two earlier communications sent on 29 March and 30 June 2006 (A/HRC/4/26/Add.1, paras. 14-15).

04/09/2013

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/25/74

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14/08/2013 JUA

BGD 9/2013 Bangladesh

Arbitrary detention; Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders; Torture;

Allegations of arrest and detention of, and charges against, the secretary of a human rights non-governmental organization (NGO), Odhikar coupled with searches of the NGO premises. According to the information received, on 10 August 2013, officers from the Detective Branch of Dhaka Metropolitan Police arrested Mr Adilur Rahman Khan at his home by, and took him into custody without an arrest warrant. On 11 August, Mr Adilur Rahman Khan was brought before the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court, and charged under Section 54 of the Criminal Procedure Code and the Information and Communications Technology Act (2006). These charges related to the publication on 10 June 2013 of an investigative report on 61 individuals allegedly killed by security forces on 5 May 2013. Mr Adilur Rahman Khan was granted 5 days remand. On the same day, officers from the Detective Branch searched the premises of Odhikar and examined the records, files and documents of the organization. They seized three laptops and two central processing units. On 13 August, Mr Adilur Rahman Khan was sent to Dhaka Central Jail, before being transferred to Kashimpur-1 jail. At the time of transmission of this communication, he remained at a very acute risk of torture.

14/08/2013 JUA

MAR 2/2013 Maroc

Terrorism; Torture;

Allégations de harcèlement constant, d’actes d’intimidations, de mauvais traitements, de mesures de représailles, et de menaces de la part de l’administration pénitentiaire envers M. Ali Aarrass après la visite du Rapporteur spécial sur la torture et autres peines ou traitements cruels, inhumains ou dégradants. Selon les informations reçues, M. Aarrass ferait actuellement régulièrement l’objet d’intimidations et de mauvais traitements de la part de l’administration pénitentiaire. Le 20 septembre 2012, le Rapporteur spécial sur la torture a rencontré M. Aarrass à Salé I prison, Maroc. Il est allégué que la dégradation des conditions de détention de M. Aarrass et les mesures de représailles dont il fait l’objet, seraient la conséquence de cette rencontre avec le Rapporteur spécial sur la torture. Il est en outre signalé que toutes les autorités judiciaires marocains ont refusé d’investiguer les allégations portant sur les actes de torture et d’autres formes de traitements cruels, inhumains et dégradants dont M. Aarrass aurait fait l’objet, y compris la Cour d’appel. M. Aarrass a fait l’objet d’une communication en date du 4 décembre 2012 (A/HRC/23/51).

04/09/2013

A /H

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/25/7465

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14/08/2013 JUA

TUR 4/2013 Turkey

Arbitrary detention; Freedom of expression; Human rights defenders; Independence of judges and lawyers; Terrorism;

Alleged attacks against the independence of the legal profession, in particular the alleged arrest, detention and launching of criminal proceedings against lawyers in the context of antiterrorism operations. According to information received, in November 2011, 47 lawyers, three law office employees and one journalist were allegedly arrested in Turkey in the scope of an operation aimed at dismantling a supposed terrorist network. The lawyers were reportedly taken into custody in Istanbul for allegedly being “members” or “executives” of the “illegal organization” Kurdish Communities Union (KCK) and for acting as “messengers” for the elaboration of the organization’s strategies. Concerns are expressed that the arrests, charges and criminal proceedings brought against the lawyers are mainly linked to the contacts they had with their clients within the scope of their professional duties and the legitimate exercise of their profession. Similar concerns were expressed in two previous urgent appeals in 2011 and 2012 (A/HRC/19/44 and A/HRC/20/30).

15/08/2013 JAL

GRC 2/2013 Greece

Health; Migrants; Torture;

Alleged death of a migrant detainee, suicides in detention, insufficient access to health care in detention, and lack of compensation to migrant victims of shooting. According to the information received, on 27 July 2013, Mr Mohammad Hasan, a 28 year-old Afghan migrant who had been detained for almost 11 months, died in a hospital in Athens. Allegedly, the police authorities at Korinthos detention centre had repeatedly rejected his requests to see a doctor. Furthermore, in two recent incidents, in police facilities in Grevena and Kozani, two migrants allegedly committed suicide while in detention. It is further reported that a 33 year-old Congolese man was awaiting amputation of both legs following seven months of detention in Komotini without appropriate access to medical care, and a 28-year-old Afghan national, suffering from a serious disease, was hospitalized. Additionally, a group of Bangladeshi strawberry pickers who were shot at on 17 April of this year in Nea Manolada have allegedly received no support from the Greek government.

25/10/2013

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/25/74

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15/08/2013 JAL

SAU 7/2013 Saudi Arabia

Terrorism; Torture;

Alleged torture during interrogation to coerce a confession used to incriminate and substantiate a conviction for participating in terrorist activities. According to the information received, on 11 June 2003, Mr Ahmed Abu Ali was arrested in Medina, Saudi Arabia, tortured in prison until he confessed to being a member of an Al-Qaeda cell. He was then transferred to Riyadh where he was allegedly subjected to solitary confinement, and sleep deprivation. Finally, it is reported that Mr Ali was transferred to the United States where the confessions he made during the interrogation processes in Saudi Arabia were used against him as a basis for a conviction for material support to the Al Qaeda network.

14/01/2014

15/08/2013 JAL

SOM 4/2013 Somalia

Somalia; Summary executions; Terrorism;

Alleged execution of Mr Abdirahman Hussein Jama Bille and Mr Abdillahi Hussein Ahmed Ayne, as well as thirteen other persons in Garowe. According to the information received, on 23 May 2013, Mr Abdirahman Hussein Jama Bille and Mr Abdillahi Hussein Ahmed Ayne were sentenced to death by the Military High Court for the murder of a prominent scholar, Mr Sheikh Abdikadir Nur Farah, allegedly committed on 15 February 2013. Mr Abdirahman Hussein Jama Bille was caught after he allegedly shot Mr Abdikadir Nur Farah, at the mosque. On 14 March 2013, the second accused, Mr Abdillahi Hussein Ahmed Ayne was arrested near the border with Somaliland and later handed over to Puntland Security forces. Mr Jama Bille and Mr Ahmed Ayne were allowed to appeal the decision of the Military High Court. On 17 July 2013, the Military Court of Appeal upheld their sentences. Furthermore, it is reported that on 30 April 2013, thirteen persons were executed in Garowe for alleged terrorist activities. They were convicted and sentenced by the Puntland Military Court. It is further reported that they were sentenced to death following trials which may not have scrupulously observed fair trial guarantees.

15/08/2013 AL

PSE 1/2013 State of Palestine

Freedom of expression;

Alleged forced closure of two media offices in Gaza City. According to the information received, on 25 July 2013, the Prosecutor General of the de facto authorities in Gaza (DFA), Ismail Jaber, issued an order to temporarily shut down two media offices in Gaza, Maa’n News Agency and Al Arabiya News Channel. It is reported that the two agencies were accused of distributing false news regarding Hamas and the role of Hamas in relation to Egypt’s affairs.

A /H

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/25/7467

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15/08/2013 JAL

SDN 6/2013 Sudan

Arbitrary detention; Freedom of expression; Human rights defenders; Independence of judges and lawyers; Sudan; Summary executions; Torture;

Alleged negative consequences of amendments to the Legislation on the Armed Forces of 2007 on the right to fair trial and due process, freedom of expression, the rights to liberty and security, the right to be free from torture and ill-treatment, and the right to life. According to the information received, an amendment to Sudan’s Armed Forces Law of 2007 was adopted on 2 July 2013 by the Parliament. The amendment reportedly stipulates that every person – irrespective of their military status or connection with Sudan’s armed forces – who commits or is suspected of committing any act undermining the security of the State is subject to the jurisdiction of Sudan’s military courts, thereby subjecting civilians to the jurisdiction of military courts in relation to a large number of vaguely worded offences. The amendment is said to have been enacted in a context of concerns over serious human rights violations in the country, including the prosecution of journalists, political opponents, human rights defenders and others for their peaceful activities.

15/08/2013 JAL

USA 12/2013 United States of America

Independence of judges and lawyers; Terrorism; Torture;

Alleged torture during interrogation to coerce a confession used to incriminate and substantiate a conviction for participating in terrorist activities in Saudi Arabia; alleged prolonged solitary confinement. According to the information received, on 11 June 2003, Mr Ahmed Abu Ali was arrested in Medina, Saudi Arabia upon the request of the United States, beaten and whipped in prison until he confessed to being a member of an Al-Qaeda cell. He was transferred to Riyadh where he was allegedly subjected to solitary confinement, and sleep deprivation. Subsequently, he was reportedly transferred to the United States where the confessions he made during the interrogations in Saudi Arabia were used against him as the basis for a conviction for material support to the Al Qaeda network. Mr Ali’s health condition is deteriorating while he is serving a sentence to life imprisonment without parole in solitary confinement at the United States Penitentiary, Administrative Maximum Facility (ADX).

A /H

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/25/74

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16/08/2013 JAL

MYS 8/2013 Malaysia

Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders;

Allegations of investigation of a human rights defender under the Sedition Act 1948. According to the information received, on 7 August 2013, Ms Cynthia Gabriel, Secretariat Member of Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM), a human rights organisation, went to Petaling Jaya police station after having been informed that a police report had been filed against SUARAM under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act 1948 following a fundraising dinner organized on 19 July to support litigation on a corruption case allegedly involving Malaysian officials. At Petaling Jaya police station, Ms Gabriel was asked questions on SUARAM’s work and policies.

20/08/2013

16/08/2013 JAL

ROU 1/2013 Romania

Health; Torture;

Alleged ill-treatment and inadequate medical and psychological treatment of around one hundred persons with disabilities. According to the information received, around one hundred persons with disabilities, including mental disabilities, at the Gheorghe Servan Centre for Neuropsychiatric Recuperation and Rehabilitation in Bucharest (District 2) are allegedly always kept in dark rooms and sedated; they are screamed at or beaten, physically restrained by ligatures to prevent them from moving in or out of their beds and are fed while lying on their back. Thirty persons are allegedly kept tied to their beds and appear to be seriously and systemically underweight, which allegedly indicates signs of malnourishment, serious medical or psychiatric related stress, or a difficulty with swallowing, associated with dietary practices or environmental stress factors. It is also alleged that the persons institutionalized at the Centre are denied life- saving external medical treatment, which resulted in the deaths of two young women from pneumonia in 2012.

16/08/2013 JUA

SYR 4/2013 Syrian Arab Republic

Disappearances; Torture;

Alleged incommunicado detention and enforced disappearance of Mr Bassam Bahrah, Mr Sameeh Bahrah and Mr Abdullah Hassan Swaidan. According to the information received, on 30 April 2013, at approximately 2 p.m., Mr Bassam Bahrah, a 52-year- old employee at the al-Mezzeh Military Hospital, was allegedly seen for the last time. That evening, Mr Sameeh Bahrah, a 26-year-old medical student, peaceful political activist and son of Mr Bassam Bahrah, was reportedly arrested at his family home in the al-Mezzeh district of Damascus in relation to his peaceful political activities by unidentified Government security service officials. On 9 May 2013, Mr Abdullah Hassan Swaidan, a 27-year-old architect student, was allegedly arrested at a check- point on his way to Damascus for protesting and destruction of public lights.

A /H

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/25/7469

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19/08/2013 JAL

MEX 8/2013 México

Independence of judges and lawyers; Torture;

Alegación de tortura y tratos crueles, inhumanos y degradantes. Se informa que el día 9 de marzo de 2009, el Sr. Colón Quevedo fue arrestado y torturado por agentes policiales, militares y miembros del Ministerio Público. Se informa que desde el momento de su arresto y durante dos días, fue trasladado a diferentes oficinas y celdas, donde fue amenazado y torturado. Asimismo, se reporta que habría sido obligado a prestar su declaración y que la misma habría sido manipulada. Durante su arresto, el Sr. Colón Quevedo informa que se habría encontrado incomunicado y que ello le impidió presentar las suficientes pruebas a su favor dentro del proceso penal que se inició en su contra. Asimismo, se reporta que se habría impedido que se realizaran mayores investigaciones sobre el los daños físicos y psicológicos que habría sufrido el Sr. Colón Quevedo a consecuencia de los actos de tortura y malos tratos en su contra.

27/01/2014

20/08/2013 JAL

DZA 4/2013 Algérie

Disappearances; Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders; Torture;

Allégations d’usage excessif de la force et d’arrestations subséquentes lors d’une manifestation pacifique de familles de disparus. Selon les informations reçues, le 27 juin 2013, des policiers seraient intervenus violemment contre les participants d’une manifestation pacifique organisée par la Coordination nationale des familles de disparu(e)s (CNFD) à l’occasion de la journée internationale contre la torture. Des agents des services de sécurité auraient arrêté différentes personnes, parmi lesquelles MM. Tarek Mammeri, Abdallah Benaoum, Yacine Khaldi, Slimane Hamitouche et Islam Tabbouche, avant de les libérer en fin de soirée. Lorsqu’ils se seraient rendus au service des urgences médico-chirurgicales du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Constantine, des policiers présents à l’hôpital se seraient interposés pour enjoindre aux médecins de ne pas soumettre les victimes à des examens médicaux.

16/12/2013

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/25/74

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20/08/2013 JUA

GNQ 2/2013 Guinea Ecuatorial

Arbitrary detention; Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Torture; Violence against women;

Allégations de détention arbitraire d’une dirigeante politique dont l’état de santé serait particulièrement préoccupant. Selon les informations reçues, le 13 mai 2013, Mme Clara Nsegue Eyí aurait été arrêtée alors qu’elle prévoyait de prendre part à une manifestation pacifique. Le 27 mai 2013, le lendemain des élections générales, elle aurait été remise en liberté sans avoir été jugée ni mise en examen, mais aurait été interdite de quitter la ville de Mongomo. Il est rapporté que résidant à Malabo, elle n’aurait pas suivi cette restriction à sa liberté de mouvement et aurait rejoint Malabo à la mi-juin. Elle aurait alors été de nouveau arrêtée, mais au moment de l’envoi de la présente communication, n’aurait fait l’objet d’aucune mise en examen. Selon les informations transmises, Mme Eyí est gravement malade et souffre d’une tumeur nécessitant des soins urgents. La situation de Mme Clara Nsegue Eyí a fait l’objet d’un appel urgent envoyé le 24 mai 2013 (A/HRC/24/21).

20/08/2013 JUA

OTH 7/2013 Other

Arbitrary detention; Independence of judges and lawyers; Summary executions; Torture;

Alleged risk of imminent execution and executions carried out in violation of international human rights standards in the Gaza Strip. According to the information received, the de facto authorities in Gaza announced that executions would be carried out in the coming weeks. In particular, Mr Hani Mohammed Abu Aliyan appears to be at risk of execution, although he was reportedly subjected to torture and sentenced to death for an offence allegedly committed when he was a minor. Furthermore, Mr Faraj Abed Rabu was sentenced to death in 2013, while Messrs Emad Mahmoud Abu Ghalyoun and Husein Youssef Mohammad El Khatib were executed in June 2013. The proceedings against the defendants were allegedly conducted in serious violation of international standards. At least 35 individuals are reportedly on death row in the Gaza Strip. The unlawful imposition of the death penalty in the Gaza Strip was the subject of a previous communication dated 17 August 2012 (A/HRC/22/67).

A /H

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/25/7471

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20/08/2013 JUA

PSE 2/2013 State of Palestine

Arbitrary detention; Independence of judges and lawyers; Summary executions; Torture;

Alleged risk of imminent execution and alleged executions carried out in violation of international human rights standards in the Gaza Strip. According to the information received, the de facto authorities in Gaza announced that executions would be carried out in the coming weeks. In particular, Mr Hani Mohammed Abu Aliyan appears to be at risk of execution, although he was reportedly subjected to torture and sentenced to death for an offence allegedly committed when he was a minor. Furthermore, Mr Faraj Abed Rabu was sentenced to death in 2013, while Messrs’ Emad Mahmoud Abu Ghalyoun and Husein Youssef Mohammad El Khatib were executed in June 2013. The proceedings against the defendants were allegedly conducted in serious violation of international standards. At least 35 individuals are reportedly on death row in the Gaza Strip. The unlawful imposition of the death penalty in the Gaza Strip was the subject of a previous communication dated 17 August 2012 (A/HRC/22/67).

20/08/2013 UA

USA 13/2013 United States of America

Torture;

Alleged excessive use and practices of prolonged solitary confinement, poor conditions of detention and retaliatory measures. According to the information received, from 8 July 2013, hundreds of prisoners in the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation have been conducting a hunger strike in protest of being placed in solitary confinement and denied certain basic necessities. Allegedly, the protest is in response to inaction by prison officials after a negotiated agreement after a 20-day hunger strike in July 2011. The prisoners are protesting against being subjected to solitary confinement for over 22 hours a day, some prisoners have been enduring isolation for decades, with inadequate food rations and quality, and overly restrictive policies regarding hobby materials and family visits. Reportedly, there are concerns regarding retaliation against the strikers, by further restricting family visits and denying any opportunity to contact family over the phone. Reportedly, there are also threats being made by the Corrections Secretary to obtain a court order to begin force feeding the prisoners.

A /H

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/25/74

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21/08/2013 JUA

IND 10/2013 India

Arbitrary detention; Summary executions; Torture;

Alleged risk of imminent execution after proceedings that did not comply with international human rights law standards. According to the information received, on 14 August 2013, the Supreme Court of India dismissed a review petition on the case of Mr Devender Pal Singh Bhullar, who was sentenced to death in 2001. Consequently, Mr Singh Bhullar is reported to be at risk of imminent execution. Mr Devender Pal Singh Bhullar’s death was the subject of two previous communications, dated 5 June 2013 and 21 August 2013 (A/HRC/25/74), where serious concerns were expressed regarding the level of respect of fair trial and due process safeguards in the legal proceedings against him, his psycho-social disabilities and alleged use of torture against the defendant.

29/08/2013

22/08/2013 JUA

CHN 9/2013 China (People's Republic of)

Arbitrary detention; Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders;

Alleged arrests and administrative detention of four human rights defenders. According to the information received, in July and August 2013, Messrs Yang Lin, Yang Maodong, Li Huaping, and Liu Jiacai were arrested and detained on charges of “inciting subversion of state power” and “gathering a crowd to disrupt order in a public space” in Guangdong, Guangzhou, Anhui and Hubei provinces respectively. Their work included criticism of the one-party system and state censorship, in addition to calling for rule-of-law reforms. Mr Yang Maodong was the subject of previous communications sent by several mandate holders, including dated 6 March 2006 (A/HRC/4/37/Add.1, para 146), 1 December 2006 (A/HRC/4/37/Add.1, para 158) and 30 November 2007 (A/HRC/7/28/Add.1, para 413-417). Concerns are expressed that the series of arrests shows a worrisome sign of an escalating crackdown on the rights to freedom of expression and of peaceful assembly.

A /H

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/25/7473

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22/08/2013 JUA

IRN 13/2013 Iran (Islamic Republic of)

Arbitrary detention; Freedom of expression; Freedom of religion; Independence of judges and lawyers; Iran; Torture;

Alleged imminent execution and grave threats to the health of Dr Mohammad Ali Taheri. According to the information received, Dr Taheri, doctor and author of alternative medicine theories, was reportedly arrested on 4 May 2011, subjected to solitary confinement, torture, and mock executions, and deprived of the possibility of contacting a lawyer. In October 2011, he was allegedly convicted to seven years’ imprisonment, seventy-four lashes, and a fine of nine billion and one hundred million rials, for the crimes of apostasy (irtidad), threat against national security, offense against sacred Islamic beliefs, and spreading corruption on Earth (mufsid fil-ard). On 12 July 2013, Dr Taheri reportedly started his ninth hunger strike, which is still on- going. On 8 August 2013, Dr Taheri’s close family members were reportedly informed by officials of Evin Prison, where he is detained, that a death verdict had been rendered against him and that he would soon be executed.

22/08/2013 JUA

KAZ 4/2013 Kazakhstan

Arbitrary detention; Freedom of expression; Freedom of religion; Health; Human rights defenders; Independence of judges and lawyers; Torture;

Alleged psychiatric detention of two mentally fit human rights defenders. According to the information received, human rights lawyer, Ms Zinaida Moukhortova, who had been subjected to forced psychiatric treatment in the past, was seized from her home on 9 August 2013 and put in psychiatric detention. It is also alleged that a case was opened against human rights defender, Mr Aleksandr Kharlamov, on 25 January 2013 on charges of inciting religious hatred on the basis of atheist texts he has published. On 14 March 2013, he was arrested and, placed in psychiatric confinement. After passing a psychiatric exam Mr Kharlamov was moved to pre-trial detention and, at the time of transmission of this communication, his trial was on-going.

22/08/2013 JAL

PHL 2/2013 Philippines

Freedom of expression; Human rights defenders; Summary executions;

Alleged killings of three journalists. According to the information received, two journalists, Mr Bonifacio Loreto and Mr Richard Kho, were killed by two unidentified men on motorcycles in the Quezon City neighbourhood in Manila on 30 July 2013. Two days later, on 1 August 2013, Mr Mario Sy, a photograph journalist, was reportedly shot in his home in General Santos City. It is alleged that the killings, which occurred within the period of two days, were related to their journalistic activities reporting on corruption cases and drug trafficking.

A /H

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/25/74

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22/08/2013 JAL

CHE 2/2013 Suisse

Migrants; Racism;

Alleged rules prohibiting asylum seekers from using public spaces. According to the information received, an agreement between the migration ministry and the municipality of Bremgarten, close to Zurich, allows local officials to issue rules limiting or prohibiting asylum seekers’ use of swimming pools, other public sports facilities, and schools. Reportedly, the rules are intended to secure an “ordered” and “conflict-free” relationship between asylum seekers and locals, and aim to avoid “friction and resentment”. It is further alleged that similar rules may be adopted in Alpnach, also hosting an asylum seeker reception centre.

29/10/2013 29/10/2013 29/10/2013 29/10/2013

22/08/2013 JAL

UZB 3/2013 Uzbekistan

Freedom of religion; Torture;

Alleged arbitrary arrest and ill-treatment of a local Christian Protestant. According to the information received, Mr Sardorbek Nurmetov was arrested by the police and taken to Urgench Police Station where he reportedly was beaten in the chest and head, and kicked in the legs. Mr Nurmetov’s request for an ambulance was allegedly rejected and he was not allowed to move, drink water or go to the toilet. It is further alleged that two police officers broke into Mr Nurmetov’s house and confiscated Christian literature as well as other personal belongings. When Mr Nurmetov went to the hospital, the doctors reportedly refused to formally certify Mr Nurmetov’s injuries. It is also reported that Mr Nurmetov underwent a forensic examination at the request of the Urgench City Prosecutor’s Office. The results of the examination were sent to the police in Urgench, who subsequently opened an administrative case against Mr Nurmetov for illegally storing religious materials. Despite being pressured not to do so, Mr Nurmetov has filed a complaint against the chief of the local police.

11/11/2013

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/25/7475

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23/08/2013 JAL

UKR 3/2013 Ukraine

Minority issues; Racism;

Alleged violation of the rights of persons belonging to a Roma community, including their right to adequate housing. According to the information received, on 14 August, at 12 p.m., Roma people living at Granite street, Uzhgorod, Transcarpathia region, informed local Roma NGOs about a visit to their community by representatives of prosecutors, police and journalists headed by the Mayor of the city. The Roma community stated that they were being given notice that they must move out of their homes. They were reportedly informed that the reason for their eviction was the illegal construction of the Roma homes on the land. It is reported that 22 houses, inhabited by 147 people (19 families), including 80 children, are under immediate threat of demolition. The police allegedly went into individual Roma houses and asked for registrations, acting in a “rough” manner towards the Roma. According to the Head of one Roma NGO in Thalmann, the Mayor of the city gave Roma residents only 24 hours to “evacuate” their homes.

12/11/2013

23/08/2013 JUA

USA 14/2013 United States of America

Health; Torture;

Alleged denial of medical treatment and the use of shackles during the eventual medical treatment. According to the information received, Ms Lynne Stewart was convicted in 2005 of providing material support to terrorists when she represented a client. In 2010, she was reportedly resentenced in light of a perjury charge to 10 years in prison. It is alleged that when she was imprisoned, her cancer had metastasized. She was scheduled for surgery within a week’s time. However, it is reported that she was denied the medical treatment until 18 months later, by which time the cancer had spread to her lymph nodes, shoulders, bones, and lungs. Allegedly the cancer is now stage 4 and has become terminal. It is also alleged that during her medical treatments for the cancer, she was shackled to the bed with leg iron restraints, handcuffs and belly chains for no justifiable security reason.

A /H

R C

/25/74

Date Type

Case No

Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply

26/08/2013 JUA

IRN 14/2013 Iran (Islamic Republic of)

Arbitrary detention; Freedom of expression; Independence of judges and lawyers; Iran; Minority issues; Summary executions; Torture;

Alleged imminent risk of execution after proceedings that did not comply with international standards concerning the right to fair trial. According to the information received, Messrs Hadi Rashedi and Hashem Sha’bani Amouri, members of the Ahwazi Arab minority, were recently transferred from Karoon Prison to an unknown location where they face a very high risk of imminent execution. In January 2013, Branch 32 of the Iranian Supreme Court reportedly confirmed their death sentences on charges of “enmity against God”, “corruption on earth”, and “acting against national security”, along with those of Messrs Mohammad Ali Amouri, Seyed Jaber Alboshoka and Seyed Mokhtar Alboshoka. The proceedings against the defendants allegedly saw serious violations of the right to fair trial, including confessions extracted under torture. Messrs Hashem Sha’bani Amouri, Hadi Rashedi, Mohammad Ali Amouri, Sayed Jaber Alboshoka, and Sayed Mokhtar Alboshoka were subjects of previous communications dated 31 July 2012 (A/HRC/22/67) and 25 January 2013 (A/HRC/23/51).

26/08/2013 JAL

RUS 6/2013 Russian Federation

Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders;

Allegations of possible eviction of human rights non-governmental organizations from their premises. According to the information received, on 17 and 22 May 2013, the municipal authorities of Voronezh informed the International Youth Human Rights Movement (IYHRM) and the Confederation of Free Labour (CFL), member organizations of the Human Rights House Voronezh (HRHV) community centre that their rental contracts had been ceased and that they had to leave the premises. IYHRM, CFL and HRHR appealed the decision before the Voronezh City Administration. In early August 2013, the municipal authorities of Voronezh confirmed their decision not to extend the rental agreement, allegedly because the building was to be used to host a to-be established municipal youth centre. The authorities did not propose to relocate the HRHV elsewhere.

13/11/2013

A /H

R C

/25/7477

Date Type

Case No

Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply

27/08/2013 JUA

HND 4/2013 Honduras

Business enterprises; Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders; Indigenous peoples; Mercenaries; Summary executions;

Presunto asesinato, amenazas y otros actos intimidatorios en contra de defensores de derechos medio-ambientales, derechos a la tierra, y derechos de los pueblos indígenas. Según las alegaciones, el 22 de mayo de 2013, Nahum Ricardo Domínguez habría sido el objeto de un acto intimidatorio después de dar unas conferencias de prensa. El 24 de mayo de 2013, Berta Cáceres y Tomás Gómez Membreño, defensores de los derechos del pueblo indígena lenca, habrían sido detenidos en una operación militar. El 15 de julio de 2013, el dirigente indígena lenca Tomás García habría sido asesinado por el Ejército Hondureño durante una manifestación. El 24 de julio de 2013, la comunidad de La Nueva Esperanza habría sido objeto de actos intimidatorios y habrían sido secuestrados temporalmente dos defensores que realizaban labores de acompañamiento internacional a dicha comunidad.

20/09/2013

28/08/2013 JUA

BHR 6/2013 Bahrain

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; Torture; Violence against women;

Allegations of arbitrary detention, torture and ill-treatment of Ms Rihanna Al-Musawi and Ms Nafeesa Al-Asfoor, and of lack of judicial safeguards while in detention; and of arbitrary detention of Mr Abas Al-Asfoor. According to the information received, on 20 April 2013, Ms Rihanna Abdulla Al-Musawi, Ms Nafeesa Al-Asfoor and Mr Abas Ibrahim Ahmed Al-Asfoor were arrested at the Bahrain International Circuit on charges of attempting to commit a terrorist act at the Formula 1 race competition. On 29 April 2013, during interrogations at Riffa Police Station, masked men reportedly beat and threatened Ms Rihanna Al-Musawi, and Ms Al-Asfoor with electric shocks and arresting relatives for the purposes of extracting confessions. The whereabouts of Mr Abas Al-Asfoor remained unknown at the time of transmission of this communication.

01/10/2013

A /H

R C

/25/74

Date Type

Case No

Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply

29/08/2013 JAL

AGO 4/2013 Angola

Summary executions; Violence against women;

Allegations of sorcery-related killings. According to the information received, on 5 May 2013, Ms Visalta Kuricanza Paulo Muacahia, a 57 year old peasant, was found dead nearby the Tafe River, in Cafunfo, Lunda Norte Province. Her body was naked and tied up, her genitals mutilated and her face and legs burnt. On 7 May 2013 a similar killing was reported in the area of Tchimango. Ms Aida Sanehena, aged 47, was hanged near a mining area. Her face and some body parts were also burnt. According to reports, two other killings of a similar nature have been reported, on 8 December 2012, and on 14 April 2013.

10/01/2014

29/08/2013 JAL

HND 5/2013 Honduras

Human rights defenders; Summary executions;

Presunto asesinato y agresión a integrantes de la comunidad de la Diversidad Sexual de Honduras. Según las informaciones recibidas, el 22 de julio 2013, el Sr. Luis Alberto Menocal Antúnez habría sido asesinado en San Pedro de Sula. El cuerpo del Sr. Menocal fue hallado presentando golpes en la cabeza, provocados con un objeto contuso, así como heridas de arma corto punzante en el rostro y brazos. Además, se indica que la Sra. Arely Victoria Gómez Cru, habría sido agredida el 8 de agosto de 2013 por un grupo de cuatro hombres desconocidos que le golpearon y le robaron sus pertenencias. En este contexto, se ha recibido información en relación con la posible contrarreforma del artículo 321 del Código Penal. Dicha contrarreforma tendría supuestamente por objetivo derogar la parte del artículo que pretendía acabar con la discriminación basada en la identidad de género y orientación sexual.

29/08/2013 JUA

SYR 5/2013 Syrian Arab Republic

Disappearances; Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association;

Alleged enforced disappearance of Messrs. Youssef Abdelke and Adnan al-Dibs, and alleged arrest of Mr Tifouq Umran. According to the information received, on 18 July 2013, Messrs Abdelke, Al-Dibs and Umran, members of the National Coordination Body for Democratic Change, were reportedly arrested by Syrian security forces at a Military Intelligence checkpoint when entering the coastal city of Tartus, and taken to the local Military Intelligence Branch. On 3 August 2013, Mr Umran was allegedly released. Mr Al-Dibs and Mr Abdelke were reportedly transferred to other detention facilities, possibly in Damascus and the State Security Branch in Tartus respectively. At the time of the present communication, the fate and whereabouts of Messrs Abdelke and Al-Dibs remained unknown.

A /H

R C

/25/7479

Date Type

Case No

Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply

29/08/2013 JAL

GBR 3/2013 United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Business enterprises; Extreme poverty; Water and Sanitation;

Alleged negative impact on lowest incomes of rising water costs leading to water poverty. According to a report by the House of Commons Library, in England and Wales water bills might not be affordable for a large number of people. Nearly one- third of those on the lowest incomes already have to pay more than 3 per cent of their income for their water and sewerage bills. If people pay more than 3 per cent of their income for water and sewerage, Government regards them as being affected by ‘water poverty’. According to a survey, 23.6 per cent of households in England and Wales paid more than 3 per cent of their net income after housing cost on water and sewerage in 2009-2010. Nearly half of those paid more than 5 per cent of household disposable income. This is a sharp increase compared to 9 per cent of households who were affected by ‘water poverty’ in 2002-2003. National Debtline received a record 19,667 calls for help with water debts in 2012 (up from 12,225 in 2011). The figure represents an increase of 251% since 2007.

28/10/2013

29/08/2013 JAL

USA 15/2013 United States of America

African descent; Racism;

Allegations concerning possible undue delay of the ongoing review of the death of Trayvon Martin and possible discriminatory impact on African Americans of national laws. According to the information received, the US Department of Justice’s Criminal Section of the Civil Rights Division, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida and the Federal Bureau of Investigation continue to evaluate the evidence generated during the federal investigation, as well as the evidence and testimony from the state trial concerning the case involving the death of Trayvon Martin in February 2012. The above Special Procedures mandates appeal to the US Government to finalize without undue delay the on-going review, along with the delivery of justice and appropriate reparations. They appeal to the US Government to examine those laws that could have discriminatory impact on African Americans and to ensure that such laws are brought into full compliance with the country’s international legal obligations and relevant international standards.

A /H

R C

/25/74

Date Type

Case No

Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply

30/08/2013 JUA

EGY 13/2013 Egypt

Arbitrary detention; Freedom of expression; Human rights defenders; Summary executions;

Allegations regarding the escalating violence and intimidation against journalists and the media in Egypt. According to the information received, Al Jazeera Egypt and six other TV channels were reportedly shut down by Egyptian authorities in the early hours of the military coup on 3 July 2013. It is alleged that the channels include at least three Islamist-run TV stations including one operated by the Muslim Brotherhood. On the same day Al-Jazeera’s office, specifically Al Jazeera’s Mubasher Misr channel, was reportedly raided by the security forces, and a number of staff members were detained. Concerns are raised regarding these attacks against Al Jazeera media group and the alleged arbitrary arrests and detention of Messrs Ayman Mohamed Gaballa, Abdelfattah Fayed, Ahmad Hassan, Mohammed Badr, Mohamad Salheh, Abdullah El-Shamy, and alleged killings of Messrs’ Mick Deane, Ahmed Abdel Gawad, Mosab El-Shami Rassd, and Ms Habiba Ahmed Abd Elaziz.

04/10/2013 26/10/2013

30/08/2013 JAL

SVK 2/2013 Slovakia

Discrimination against women in law and in practice; Health; Violence against women;

Alleged 2011 legislative ban on the coverage of contraceptives under public health insurance which discriminates against women and adolescent girls. According to the information received, Act No. 363/2011 Coll. of Laws prohibits public health insurance coverage of any form of modern contraception if intended, under Art I. sections 16(4)(e)(1) and 37(5)©(6), “for the regulation of conception”. It is alleged that, in comparison with men, this ban disproportionally affects women’s enjoyment of many economic and social rights including the right to health, the right to work and participation in public life. It has also been reported that there is currently inadequate instruction on sex education in schools and that health workers are unable to adequately advise women on use of contraception.

12/11/2013

A /H

R C

/25/7481

Date Type

Case No

Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply

02/09/2013 JUA

EGY 12/2013 Egypt

Freedom of religion; Minority issues;

Alleged violence against members of Christian religious minorities in Egypt, including killings. According to the information received, there has been an upsurge of violence against Christian religious minorities in Egypt by supporters of the ousted president, Mohamed Morsi. It is reported that they have attacked members of the Christian minority community, their property and religious objects in locations across Egypt since two pro-Morsi sit-ins were violently dispersed by the security forces. Since the military crackdown on demonstrations in Cairo on 14 August 2013, as many as 61 Egyptian churches have been attacked, vandalized and desecrated. Some attacks have been small scale attacks, while in other incidents churches have been fired on with bullets or gutted by fire. Mobs have also allegedly attacked several Christian schools, dozens of Christian-owned businesses and homes, and an orphanage. In addition, a number of killings and injuries of members of the Christian minority have been reported.

02/01/2014 02/01/2014

02/09/2013 JAL

LKA 4/2013 Sri Lanka

Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Summary executions; Torture; Water and Sanitation;

Allegations of excessive use of force, including lethal force, during a peaceful assembly, resulting in deaths and injuries. According to the information received, on 1 August 2013, in Weliweriya, Gampaha District of the Western Province, more than 4,000 protesters assembled peacefully to demand that the Government take action against a company whose factory had polluted the water - the only drinking water resource for about 15 local villages. The police reportedly used tear gas to break up the protest, and the military, who were offering assistance to the police in dispersing the crowd, shot at the protesters. Reportedly, at least three persons, including some media professionals, were killed or injured and had to be hospitalized.

19/09/2013

A /H

R C

/25/74

Date Type

Case No

Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply

02/09/2013 JAL

GBR 4/2013 United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Freedom of expression; Terrorism;

Alleged intimidation of journalists covering the work of intelligence agencies. According to the information received, on 18 August 2013, Mr David Miranda, a Brazilian national married to the Guardian journalist who had recently disclosed evidence of widespread surveillance efforts implemented by the UK and US intelligence agencies working for the Guardian newspaper, was detained and questioned by United Kingdom officials for nine hours under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act 2000. . British officials reportedly retained a number of Mr Miranda’s belongings, some possibly containing information related to his work assisting his partner. It is further reported that earlier on British officials had destroyed hard drives of the Guardian newspaper that allegedly contained leaked information on the activities of American and British national intelligence agencies. The editor of the Guardian newspaper also reported that British authorities had threatened to take legal action against the Guardian because of its reporting on the Government’s surveillance initiatives.

12/09/2013

03/09/2013 JUA

CHL 1/2013 Chile

Human rights defenders; Indigenous peoples;

Presuntas amenazas contra del líder indígena mapuche Francisco Vera Millaquén y su familia con motivo de su trabajo en defensa de los derechos del pueblo indígena mapuche. Según la información recibida, Francisco Vera Millaquén es un werken o dirigente de la comunidad indígena mapuche huilliche de Pepiukelen, en el sector Pargua, región de Los Lagos. Durante varios años, el Sr. Vera Millaquén ha trabajado contra la presencia de empresas salmoneras en el territorio tradicional de la comunidad de Pepiukelen y es reconocido como un defensor de los derechos territoriales del pueblo mapuche a nivel nacional. Desde abril de 2012, el Sr. Vera Millaquén ha denunciado una serie de actos de amenaza de muerte en su contra.

01/10/2013

A /H

R C

/25/7483

Date Type

Case No

Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply

04/09/2013 JAL

CMR 4/2013 Cameroun

Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders; Indigenous peoples; Summary executions;

Allégations de tentative de meurtre, d’harcèlement judicaire et de représailles à l’encontre de différents membres de l’organisation MBOSCUDA. Selon les informations reçues, le 1er juillet 2012, M. Jeidoh Duni, juriste au sein de l’organisation MBOSCUDA, aurait fait l’objet d’une tentative de meurtre. Il est allégué que, suite à leur participation en tant que témoins à l’enquête, Messieurs Jeidoh Duni, Adamou Isa, Sali Haman, Dahiru Beloumi et Njawga Duni auraient été sommés de comparaitre devant le tribunal militaire de Bafoussam le 23 avril 2013 pour possession illégale d’armes à feu. Le 10 mai 2013, M. Musa Usman Ndamba, vice-Président de l’organisation MBOSCUDA, aurait comparu devant la cour de Première Instance au Bamenda pour avoir diffusé de fausses informations. Le procès aurait été ajourné au 27 mai 2013, puis au 19 août 2013. Il est allégué que ces différentes mesures pourraient être liées au rapport soumis par l’organisation MBOSCUDA à l’ONU à l’occasion du deuxième examen périodique universel du Cameroun.

04/09/2013 JAL

KEN 4/2013 Kenya

Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders; Summary executions;

Alleged killing of a member of a human rights organisation. According to the information received, on 7 August 2013, Mr Hassan Guyo attended a demonstration against the suspension and the arrest of the Chief of Bori location, in Moyale, in the Marsabit County as a human rights observer. Reportedly, when the Kenya Defence Forces and Kenya Police Service were deployed to disperse the demonstrators, they used excessive force, including live bullets, against protesters, resulting in serious injuries to at least two individuals. While on his way to meet with victims, Mr Guyo reportedly found a road blocked by army officers. While he was standing near a barricade, army officers reportedly shot at him and other demonstrators. It is reported that he raised his arms to indicate that he was not armed and as a sign of surrender. As he turned to get on his motorcycle, he was reportedly shot dead.

A /H

R C

/25/74

Date Type

Case No

Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply

04/09/2013 JUA

PAK 5/2013 Pakistan

Freedom of expression; Human rights defenders; Summary executions; Torture; Violence against women;

Alleged serious acts of violence and ill-treatment of women and threats to journalists and human rights defenders. According to the information received, on 13 August 2013, Ms X, a resident of the Punjab region, was allegedly abducted by a group of around six persons. Ms X was beaten up, dragged by her hair and forced to parade through a busy local market. She was then taken to the group’s gang leader where she was tied to a tree inside a compound and subjected to serious acts of violence. It is reported that, after the rescue of Ms X, the police did not proceed with arresting any suspects, although her attackers were allegedly seen in the compound attempting to kill her. On 14 August 2013, journalists and human rights defenders, when inquiring about the case at the police station, were allegedly threatened by a police officer. A day later, a case was reportedly filed for interfering with police affairs, although the identities of the persons charged were not disclosed. In addition, at the time of transmission of this communication, no First Instance Report (FIR) had been filed on this case.

04/09/2013

06/09/2013 JUA

BGD 10/2013 Bangladesh

Arbitrary detention; Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders;

Allegations of charges against the Secretary and Director of a human rights non- governmental organization. According to the information received, on 4 September 2013, the police stated during a press conference that it had filed a charge sheet against Messrs Adilur Rahman Khan and Nasiruddin Elan, Secretary and Director of a human rights non-governmental organization, allegedly for violating Section 57 of the Information and Communications Technology Act (2006) entitled “Punishment for publishing fake, obscene or defaming information in electronic form”. These charges were reportedly related to the publication by the organization of an investigative report on individuals who were allegedly killed by security forces on 5 May 2013 during a demonstration organized by Hefazat-e-islam. At the time of transmission of this communication, Messrs Adilur Rahman Khan and Nasiruddin Elan were facing up to ten years’ imprisonment and a fine.

10/09/2013

A /H

R C

/25/7485

Date Type

Case No

Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply

09/09/2013 UA

USA 16/2013 United States of America

Indigenous peoples;

Allegations concerning the situation of “Veronica”, an indigenous child who is the subject of a custody dispute. According to the information received, Veronica, an almost four year old Cherokee child who is the daughter of Dusten Brown, a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, faced judicially ordered removal from her indigenous family and community to the custody of Matt and Melanie Capobianco, a non-indigenous couple. Reportedly, a court in the state of South Carolina awarded custody to the Capobiancos without allowing for a hearing or full determination about the best interests of Veronica, as ordinarily is done when custody or adoption is contested by a biological parent.

15/11/2013

10/09/2013 JUA

ARM 1/2013 Armenia

Discrimination against women in law and in practice; Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders; Violence against women;

Allegations of threats and harassment of Armenian women’s non-governmental organizations and women human rights defenders. According to the information received, the Women’s Resource Centre, a grass-roots non-governmental organization combatting discrimination based on gender and providing psychological and legal support to survivors of gender-based violence in Armenia, has been the subject of online threats and calls for violence against it following the adoption of draft Law No. 57 on Equal Rights and Equal Opportunities for Men and Women by the Armenian Parliament in May 2013. Reportedly, extremist groups manipulating the meaning of some provisions in the above-mentioned law and disseminate misleading information on social networks sites describing women’s NGOs and women human rights defenders as, inter alia, “traitors of the nation” and “destroyers of families”.

A /H

R C

/25/74

Date Type

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10/09/2013 JUA

GTM 7/2013 Guatemala

Freedom of expression; Human rights defenders; Summary executions;

Asesinatos de los periodistas Luis de Jesús Lima y Carlos Orellana y supuestas intimidaciones contra profesionales de la prensa en Guatemala. Según las informaciones recibidas, en el 6 de agosto 2013, el Sr. Luis de Jesús Lima fue asesinado en la ciudad de Zacapa. El periodista habría confesado a su esposa que temía por su vida y que creía que lo podían matar en cualquier momento por su trabajo comunitario. En el 19 de agosto 2013, el Sr. Carlos Orellana de Suchitepéquez, locutor de televisión local y ex alcalde de Mazatenango, habría sido encontrado asesinado en el departamento de Suchitepéquez. El Sr. Orellana cubría distintos temas relacionados a la problemática de la criminalidad organizada en Guatemala, entre ellos el tema de la trata de personas. Entre marzo y abril del presente año, se habrían producido otras dos muertes de profesionales del periodismo. El último ataque se habría producido el 12 de agosto de 2013 cuando el periodista Fredy Rodas, corresponsal de Sonora es la Noticia, fue atacado a tiros. El 9 de agosto, el Sr. José Rubén Zamora, presidente del diario El Periódico, habría notado una intensa presencia de en las inmediaciones de su residencia de fuerzas de seguridad del Estado sin justificación aparente. Asimismo, el portal de internet del diario El Periódico habría sido atacado impidiendo el acceso a sus páginas.

10/09/2013 JAL

IRQ 3/2013 Iraq

Independence of judges and lawyers; Summary executions;

Alleged implementation of the death penalty after trials that did not comply with international obligations. According to the information received, on 19 August 2013, 17 prisoners were executed on terrorism-related and criminal charges, in violation of their rights to due process and fair trial, including the right to equality before the courts, the right to a fair and public hearing, the right to be tried without undue delay and the right to be informed of the charges as well as other fundamental rights and guarantees. It is further reported that, in August 2013, 1500 persons were incarcerated within a few days, which may lead to further imposition and implementation of the death sentences and executions.

11/11/2013

A /H

R C

/25/7487

Date Type

Case No

Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply

10/09/2013 JAL

PRY 1/2013 Paraguay

Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders; Independence of judges and lawyers; Terrorism;

Aprobación de modificaciones a la Ley de Defensa Nacional y Seguridad Interna y presunto acto intimidatorio por parte de agentes de seguridad del Estado contra organizaciones que expresaron su oposición a dicha reforma legal. Según los informes, las modificaciones a dicha ley atentarían contra el principio de separación de poderes y permitirían al Poder Ejecutivo instalar un estado de excepción de forma cuasi permanente. Se informa que la Coordinadora de Derechos Humanos del Paraguay (CODEHUPY) habría entregado una nota a las Bancadas de la Cámara de Senadores instándoles a votar en contra de las modificaciones. Después de una manifestación pacífica en la tarde del día en que se aprobó la reforma legislativa, varias organizaciones habrían sido presuntamente intimidadas por efectivos policiales durante una reunión que habrían celebrado en el local de CODEHUPY.

11/09/2013 JUA

IRN 15/2013 Iran (Islamic Republic of)

Arbitrary detention; Freedom of expression; Health; Iran;

Alleged denial of medical treatment. According to the information received, Mr Hossein Ronaghi Maleki, an internet blogger and political activist, currently serving a 15-years prison sentence, has been on hunger strike since 9 August 2013. He has been denied proper medical treatment. His mother has also been on hunger strike since 20 August 2013. Mr Maleki’s situation is particularly precarious, as he suffers from serious kidney illness, bladder inflammation and heart problems, which he developed during his prolonged solitary confinement and alleged torture. Mr Maleki’s case has been the subject of a previous communication sent on 6 June 2012 (A/HRC/22/67), to which the authorities, at the time of transmission of this communication, had not responded.

12/12/2013

A /H

R C

/25/74

Date Type

Case No

Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply

11/09/2013 JUA

IRQ 4/2013 Iraq

Arbitrary detention; Discrimination against women in law and in practice; Summary executions; Torture; Violence against women;

Alleged violent attack against the residents of Camp Ashraf. According to the information received, on 1 September 2013, the residents of Camp Ashraf were subjected to a violent attack. While the facts were still being established, there were allegations that the attack might have been perpetrated by the Iraqi security forces. As a result, 52 individuals were reportedly killed and others were injured. It is alleged that the persons killed did not manifest any signs of aggression. In addition, seven residents of the camp, namely Ms Mahnaz Azizi, Ms Vajihe Karbalaey, Ms Fatehma Sakhie, Ms Fatemeh Tahoori, Ms Lila Nabahat, Ms Zahra Ramezany, and Mr Mohammad Ratebi, were reportedly abducted during the attack. It is alleged that they may be held by the Iraqi security forces and at the time of writing were at risk of imminent extradition to the Islamic Republic of Iran. The 42 residents, who remained in Camp Ashraf, were allegedly threatened with another attack.

11/11/2013

11/09/2013 JAL

MDV 2/2013 Maldives

Freedom of expression; Independence of judges and lawyers;

Allegation of detention and fine imposed on a lawyer for contempt of court in contradiction with domestic and international law. According to the information received, on 29 August 2013, Mr Mohamed Shafaz Wajeeh was attending a hearing on the front row of the public gallery of the Supreme Court of Maldives during which he drew sketches of the court room. During a break, he was reportedly asked to show his notepad and taken to an adjacent room by a court official. It is alleged that Mr Wajeeh was not allowed to leave the room until the conclusion of the proceedings and was fined 5,000 Rufiyaa (approximately 325 USD), in contradiction with the Judicature Act, the 2008 Contempt of the Court Regulations, and the relevant provisions of the Penal Code.

A /H

R C

/25/7489

Date Type

Case No

Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply

12/09/2013 JUA

SAU 8/2013 Saudi Arabia

Arbitrary detention; 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; Torture;

Alleged crackdown on human rights defenders, including arrests, detention, unfair trials and the use of torture. According to the information received, on 15 June 2013, Ms Wajeha Al-Huwaider and Ms Fawzia Al-Oyouni were sentenced to ten months imprisonment. On 3 July 2013, Mr Mohammed Saleh Al-Bajady´s family received news of him after almost 10 months of detention. Mr M. Saleh Al-Ashwan remained in preventative detention for over a year after his arrest and there have been allegations of torture. On 17 June 2013, Mr Miklif Al-Shammari was sentenced to five years of imprisonment despite allegations of torture, which remained uninvestigated. Mr Omar Al-Saeed was detained on 28 April 2013, physically harassed and forced to attend secret trials. Mr Fowzan Al-Harbi was subjected to judicial harassment and prevented from travelling. Mr Abdulkareem Al-Khoder was sentenced to eight years imprisonment on 24 June 2013, as a result of an allegedly unfair trial and intimidation of his lawyer.

13/09/2013 JUA

COL 10/2013 Colombia

Disappearances; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders; Independence of judges and lawyers; Summary executions;

Presunto asesinato de un abogado y supuestos actos de intimidación, estigmatización y amenazas de muerte contra abogados en un contexto de ataques contra profesionales del derecho trabajando en casos de violaciones de derechos humanos, incluidas desapariciones forzadas e involuntarias. Según la información recibida, el Sr. Juan Carlos Canizales Ocampo habría sido asesinado en Buga, Valle del Cauca, el 10 de agosto de 2013 en conexión con su trabajo. Además, el 4 de agosto de 2013, otros abogados habrían sufrido intimidaciones y habían sido objeto de actos de estigmatización y amenazas de muerte por parte del grupo armado autodenominado “Los Rastrojos”. El 17 de agosto de 2013, el local del Sr. Sneither Cifuentes habría sido violentamente allanado, un familiar suyo atacado y unos documentos confidenciales sustraídos (Véanse A/HRC/21/49; A/HRC/18/51).

14/11/2013 24/12/2013

A /H

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/25/74

Date Type

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Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply

16/09/2013 JAL

ECU 1/2013 Ecuador

Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders;

Presunta restricción indebida del derecho de asociación mediante la expedición del Decreto Ejecutivo No. 16. Según la información recibida, el 4 de junio de 2013, se expidió en Ecuador el Decreto Ejecutivo N. 16, referente al reglamento para el funcionamiento del Sistema Unificado de Información de las Organizaciones Sociales y Ciudadanas (SUIOS). Según los informes, dicho decreto que entró en vigor el 20 de junio 2013, definiría de forma ambigua a las asociaciones permitiendo una injerencia estatal indebida; discriminaría contra el derecho de solicitar, recibir y utilizar recursos externos; representaría una injerencia directa en la composición de los miembros de asociaciones que podría poner en peligro su independencia e; incluiría causales de disolución excesivamente amplios. Preocupa qu’el Decreto Ejecutivo No. 16 atente contra el derecho a la libre asociación al permitir al Estado interferir indebidamente en el proceso decisional de los miembros de asociaciones y al supeditar dicho derecho a restricciones y nuevas exigencias que exceden aquellas previstas en las disposiciones internacionales ratificadas por Ecuador.

06/12/2013

16/09/2013 JAL

EGY 14/2013 Egypt

Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders;

Alleged issuance of an arrest warrant against a human rights defender. According to the information received, on 28 August 2013, the police and state security investigation services visited Mr Ahmed Mefreh Ali Elsaeidy’s house. Mr Elsaeidy is the country representative in Egypt for Alkarama, a Non-Governmental Organization. He had gathered information about alleged human rights violations for submission to United Nations human rights mechanisms. On 1 September 2013, an arrest warrant was issued against Mr Elsaeidy for alleged membership in an illegal organization and for participation in the burning of an official building. According to reports received, from 6 to 8 September, State security forces visited Mr Alsaeidy’s house three times.

A /H

R C

/25/7491

Date Type

Case No

Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply

18/09/2013 JAL

BOL 2/2013 Bolivia

Discrimination against women in law and in practice; Health; Torture; Violence against women;

Presunta inadecuación de las disposiciones del Código Penal relativas a la penalización de los servicios de salud sexual y reproductiva con respecto a las obligaciones internacionales de derechos humanos. Tras la solicitud del Alto tribunal de la opinión de expertos independientes de las Naciones Unidas, esta carta presenta la opinión de dichos expertos sobre las obligaciones internacionales de derechos humanos en el contexto de la reproducción sexual y reproductiva con el fin de asistir al Alto Tribunal en la decisión sobre la revisión de los artículos 263 a 266 del Código Penal. La carta transmite la preocupación de que si el Código Penal no se revisa de acuerdo con las debidas garantías de los derechos sexuales y reproductivos consagrados en la Constitución Política de Bolivia y el derecho internacional de derechos humanos, la continua penalización del aborto incrementará el número de abortos inseguros exponiendo a las mujeres a consecuencias graves y duraderas para su salud física y mental, incluyendo el riesgo de muerte y discapacidad.

20/09/2013

18/09/2013 JUA

CHN 10/2013 China (People's Republic of)

Arbitrary detention; Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders;

Allegations of arrest and detention of a human rights defender. According to the information received, on 13 September 2013, a group of police officers raided the home of Mr Wang Gongquan in Beijing, and searched it, before arresting him on suspicion of “gathering a crowd to disrupt order of a public space”. Mr Wang Gongquan is a businessman and supporter of the New Citizens’ Movement which reportedly calls for, inter alia, transparency about financial assets of Chinese leaders. He is also a supporter of Mr Xu Zhiyong, an advocate who was the subject of an urgent appeal dated 9 August 2013 (A/HRC/25/74). At the time of writing, Mr Wang Gongquan was being detained at Beijing No. 3 Detention Center, along with several other activists linked to the New Citizens’ Movement.

03/12/2013

A /H

R C

/25/74

Date Type

Case No

Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply

18/09/2013 JAL

MYS 9/2013 Malaysia

Migrants; Torture;

Alleged impact of security operations on the civilian population and alleged torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment of Filipino civilians. According to the information received, on 5 March 2013, the Royal Malaysian Air Force bombed the camp of an armed group of 235 militants, known as the “Royal Security Forces of the Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo”. It is also reported that mortar strikes were used by the security forces as they advanced, allegedly resulting in casualties among civilians, including migrants. Furthermore, systematic torture and ill-treatment of Filipino civilians have been reported, in particular of Tausug migrants in Sabah by the police for violations of immigration laws both before and after “operation Daulat”. Moreover, it is alleged that human rights violations against the Tausug migrants have escalated in both number and severity since the incursion and the launch of the operation.

20/09/2013 JAL

GTM 8/2013 Guatemala

Human rights defenders; Independence of judges and lawyers;

Presuntas amenazas e intimidaciones contra un magistrado de la Corte Suprema de Justicia. Según los informes recibidos, el Magistrado Cesar Barrientos Pellecer, habría recibido amenazas e intimidaciones en los últimos meses por actores no identificados que pudieran poner en riesgo su vida, su integridad física y mental, así como la de su familia. El teléfono móvil del Magistrado y los teléfonos particulares de algunos miembros de su familia estarían intervenidos, dificultando su comunicación. Asimismo, el Magistrado Barrientos Pellecer habría recibido amenazas a través de Twitter. El Magistrado también habría recibido presuntas amenazas y hostigamiento en relación con su futuro laboral, ejerciendo presión para que renuncie al cargo de Magistrado de la Corte Suprema de Justicia. Asimismo, habría sido el blanco de campañas de desprestigio y ataques en medios de comunicación. Se presume que dichas acciones podrían estar relacionadas con el ejercicio independiente e imparcial de la judicatura, ya que, como Presidente de la Cámara Penal, ha fortalecido el funcionamiento y desarrollo de capacidades de los juzgados de mayor riesgo. Dichos actos se llevarían a cabo en un clima creciente de actos de intimidación y desprestigio contra defensores y defensoras de los derechos humanos.

A /H

R C

/25/7493

Date Type

Case No

Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply

20/09/2013 JUA

VNM 6/2013 Viet Nam

Arbitrary detention; Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Health; Human rights defenders; Torture; Violence against women;

Alleged arbitrary arrest and detention of three labour rights activists, and alleged torture of and denial of medical treatment to one of them. According to the information received, Ms X, Mr Y and Mr Z were arrested in February 2010. They were sentenced in October 2010 without legal counsel in relation to a strike they organized at a factory in Tra Vinh province. The Appeals Court, on 18 March 2011, upheld the initial verdict. Ms X has reportedly been subjected to torture and ill- treatment while in detention. It is further alleged that at the time of writing, she was gravely ill and had been denied all requests for medical attention.

23/09/2013 JAL

IDN 4/2013 Indonesia

Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders;

Alleged arbitrary dispersal and arrests of a total of 71 peaceful protestors in Papua. According to the information received, on 16 September 2013, the West Papua National Committee (Komite Nasional Papua Barat, KNPB), a coalition of NGOs, planned to hold a demonstration celebrating the International Day of Democracy; however, it is reported that the authorities declined the KNPB’s request for a permit to hold a demonstration on arbitrary and ambiguous grounds and arrested protestors. Dozens gathering at the demonstration sites in the city of Jayapura were arrested, and several protestors who were holding a banner that read “Indonesia, open up space for democracy in Papua. Stop violence.” in the city of Sorong. All arrested and detained individuals were released later on the same day.

A /H

R C

/25/74

Date Type

Case No

Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply

23/09/2013 JUA

KEN 6/2013 Kenya

Freedom of expression; Human rights defenders; Summary executions;

Allegations of threats against a human rights defender and his family. According to the information received, on 20 September 2013, upon receiving intelligence that a militia group intended to burn down the house of Mr Maina Kiai, human rights defender and United Nations Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, and his family homestead in Nyeri, armed police with dogs were deployed at these locations to ensure protection. The threats were reportedly the result of a post from a blogger who had been criticizing in harsh terms the human rights work of Mr Kiai related to on-going proceedings before the International Criminal Court in relation to the 2007 and 2008 post-election violence in Kenya. These threats reportedly took place in a climate of increased intimidation and harassment of witnesses and human rights defenders in Kenya.

23/09/2013 JUA

MDA 5/2013 Republic of Moldova

Discrimination against women in law and in practice; Independence of judges and lawyers; Torture; Violence against women;

Allegations of gang-rape of a pregnant woman by seven men; and of threats and acts of violence, harassment and intimidation by the alleged perpetrators. According to the information received, on 17 August 2013, while returning home, Ms X was approached by a young individual who offered to accompany her to the village of Y, her hometown. Soon after she accepted, Ms X was forced to get in a mini-bus and was taken to a field outside the village of Y. Ms X was brutally gang-raped by 7 men during the whole night. On 22 August 2013, five persons allegedly broke into Ms X’s house and threatened to kill her. It is reported that the alleged perpetrators were only apprehended by the police after a relative of Ms X had filed a formal complaint, and that they were released within 72 hours. It is further reported that the parents of the alleged perpetrators and a police officer visited Ms X and her relative at their home and forced her to sign a written declaration affirming that she had no complaint of rape against the alleged perpetrators. It is further alleged that the police failed to respond quickly and effectively after the above incidents were reported and that those officers investigating this case colluded with the alleged perpetrators.

A /H

R C

/25/7495

Date Type

Case No

Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply

26/09/2013 JUA

IRN 16/2013 Iran (Islamic Republic of)

Arbitrary detention; Independence of judges and lawyers; Iran; Summary executions; Torture;

Alleged imminent execution of four Kurdish men after trials that did not comply with international standards. According to the information received, Messrs Kamal Malaie, Jahangir Dehghani, Jamshed Dehghani and Hamed Ahmadi, were accused of involvement in the assassination of a senior Sunni cleric, and sentenced to death on charges of Moharebeh (enmity against God) and Ifsad filarz (corruption on earth). The four men belonging to the Kurdish minority of Sunni Muslim faith were arrested in 2009 and reportedly subjected to torture and other ill-treatment while in detention. They were forced to confess and sign papers without being allowed to read them. They were also reportedly denied access to a lawyer before and during their trials. Officials from the Ghezal Hesar Prison, where they were reportedly being held at the time of writing, informed the four men that their execution was imminent and would be carried out soon.

26/09/2013 JUA

KEN 5/2013 Kenya

Disappearances; Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders; Independence of judges and lawyers; Summary executions;

Alleged killing of a human rights lawyer and alleged harassment and intimidation of families of victims of enforced disappearances and human rights defenders, including for cooperating with the Working Group on Enforced and Involuntary Disappearances. According to the information received, on 17 September 2013, in the town of Bungoma in the Western Province of Kenya, unknown gunmen shot dead Mr Peter Wanyama Wanyonyi who had been assisting in documenting cases of enforced disappearances that occurred in 2008 in Mount Elgon District. Families of victims have reportedly been subjected to police harassment, harassment from local chiefs and from some of the neighbours whose relatives had been killed by the Saboat Land Defense Force (SLDF) early July 2013. According to the reports received, more than 28 families of victims of enforced disappearances and human rights defenders have abandoned their homes for fear of reprisals. Harassment and intimidation against families of victims and human rights defenders for having cooperated with WGEID has already been the subject of one previous communication dated 31 July 2013 (A/HRC/25/74).

A /H

R C

/25/74

Date Type

Case No

Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply

26/09/2013 JAL

MYS 10/2013 Malaysia

Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders;

Proceedings allegedly initiated against a human rights defender. According to the information received, on 19 September 2013, the Home Ministry and Attorney General Chamber filed a complaint against Ms Lena Hendry, a programme officer at the human rights NGO Pusat KOMAS, under Section 6 (1) (b) of the Film Censorship Act (2002) for holding a screening of the documentary film “No Fire Zone: The Killing Field of Sri Lanka” on 3 July 2013. “No Fire Zone” is a documentary that depicts human rights violations committed during the Sri Lankan civil war in 2009. It is alleged that if convicted, she could face a fine of between RM 5,000 to RM 30,000 (USD 1,562 to USD 9,377) and/or a maximum prison term of three years. At the time of writing she was expected to appear in court on 21 October 2013. This case has already been the subject of a joint allegation letter dated 12 July 2013 (A/HRC/25/74).

27/09/2013 JUA

KHM 2/2013 Cambodia

Cambodia; Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders; Torture;

Alleged disruption of two peaceful protests against alleged election irregularities, one brutally, by law enforcement officials. According to the information received, on 20 September 2013, a peaceful assembly took place at Wat Phnom, in Phnom Penh, to protest against alleged election irregularities. However, hundreds of military police officers put an end to the gathering. In the afternoon of 22 September, a group of 25 individuals from the Boeung Kak Lake community, including women and children, reportedly gathered peacefully under a kiosk at Wat Phnom to protest against the same alleged irregularities, and to ask the National Assembly not to convene the following day. In the evening, the peaceful demonstrators lit up candles forming the word “justice” on the ground. Around 9.30pm that evening, a large group composed of Daun Penh district police, national gendarme, Daun Penh district authorities and young people dressed in civilian clothes, arrived at Wat Phnom. Armed with slingshots, teasers and electric prods, they beat and fired marbles at the peaceful demonstrators, leaving many injured. At 10 p.m., human rights monitors and journalists reached the scene, and were similarly assaulted.

A /H

R C

/25/7497

Date Type

Case No

Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply

27/09/2013 AL

RUS 7/2013 Russian Federation

Health;

Allegations concerning the treatment of drug users living with HIV and tuberculosis. According to the information received, Tuberculosis Clinic No. 2, at 37 Kamskaya St., Yekaterinburg made no arrangements to ensure effective tuberculosis treatment for drug using patients living with HIV. The treatment programmes offered by the clinic failed to incorporate procedures and practices that address the special needs of drug using patients. It is reported that the administration of the clinic retaliated against patients, who complained about the clinic, by dismissing them before the completion of their treatment. It is further reported that harm-reduction measures, such as opioid substitution therapy, continued to be unavailable at the clinic and that the clinic failed to provide effective HIV/tuberculosis co-infection treatment. Tuberculosis Clinic No. 2 was the subject of a previous communication sent on 25 June 2010 (A/HRC/17/25/Add.1, para 272-283).

26/11/2013

30/09/2013 JAL

KGZ 2/2013 Kyrgyz Republic

Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders;

Alleged proposed legal amendments, which would significantly impinge on the right to freedom of association and the right to defend human rights. According to the information received, a draft law on “non-commercial organisations fulfilling the role of foreign agents” that classifies as foreign agents as organisations that receive external funding and participate in “political activities”, had been tabled for public discussion at the Kyrgyz Parliament. It is alleged that, should the provisions become law, they would restrict the right to freedom of association and the work of human rights defenders and civil society.

22/11/2013

A /H

R C

/25/74

Date Type

Case No

Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply

30/09/2013 UA

VEN 6/2013 Venezuela

Summary executions;

Alegación de asesinato de un menor y amenazas de muerte y actos de intimidación a varios miembros de la familia Barrios. El Relator especial de ejecuciones extrajudiciales, sumarias y arbitrarias envió un llamamiento urgente conjunto con respecto a varios miembros de la familia Barrios el 20 de julio de 2004. El Gobierno de Venezuela respondió en una carta de fecha de 27 de septiembre 2004 y de 16 de septiembre de 2004 (E/CN.4/2005/7/Add.1). En seguimiento de dicha carta, el caso de la familia Barrios fue presentado también a la atención del Gobierno de Venezuela a través de un llamamiento urgente enviado por el Relator Especial sobre las ejecuciones extrajudiciales, sumarias o arbitrarias junto con el Relator Especial sobre la tortura y otros tratos o penas crueles, inhumanos o degradantes el 16 de noviembre de 2004. El Gobierno de Venezuela respondió en una carta de fecha de 19 de enero 2005. (E/CN.4/2005/7/Add.1). Con respecto al caso del Sr. Rigoberto Barrios, el Relator Especial sobre las ejecuciones extrajudiciales, sumarias o arbitrarias envió una comunicación el 2 de febrero de 2005. Es de mi conocimiento que el Gobierno de Su Excelencia respondió en una carta de fecha 11 de marzo de 2005. (E/CN.4/2006/53/Add.1). Según la nueva información recibida, el 15 de marzo de 2013, Roni David Barrios, menor de 17 años, falleció a causa de las heridas de arma blanca en su cabeza y cuello en localidad de Guanayen, Aragua. Se indica que los miembros de la familia continúan recibiendo amenazas de muerte, presuntamente por parte de autoridades policiales del estado de Aragua.

01/10/2013 JUA

BLR 3/2013 Belarus

Arbitrary detention; Belarus; Independence of judges and lawyers; Summary executions; Torture;

Alleged risk of executions after proceedings that did not comply with fair trial and due process standards. According to the information received, Messrs Pavel Selyun, Rygor Yuzepchuk and Alyaksandr Haryunou were sentenced to death in 2013, on charges of murder. The Supreme Court reportedly upheld the death sentences against Messrs Selyun and Yuzepchuk, putting them allegedly at risk of imminent execution. It is reported that the proceedings in all three cases did not meet international human rights norms of fair trial and due process. The trials were allegedly not fully transparent, with the proceedings against Messrs Selyun and Yuzepchuk being held in secret. Moreover, the lawyers did not have full access to the documents of the prosecution. Mr Haryunou was also allegedly diagnosed with a psycho-social disability.

18/12/2013

A /H

R C

/25/7499

Date Type

Case No

Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply

01/10/2013 JUA

KHM 1/2013 Cambodia

Arbitrary detention; Cambodia; Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Summary executions; Torture;

Allegations of indiscriminate and excessive use of force against individuals in the margins of peaceful protests, leading to the death of one person and injuries, as well as arrests of at least six individuals. According to the information received, on 15 September 2013, tens of thousands of Cambodian National Rescue Party supporters attended peaceful protests in Phnom Penh. However, roadblocks placed in many streets frustrated some demonstrators as well as residents, business-owners and other individuals who gathered spontaneously around these roadblocks leading to further protests. In the evening, police forces used live ammunition to quell a violent protest at the Kbal Thnal sky bridge. Mr Mao Sok Chan, a by-stander, was shot in the head and died on the scene. Nine persons were injured, eight of whom sustained bullet wounds, and were taken to hospitals. Security forces severely beat several individuals, including teenagers with truncheons. One of them suffered head lacerations from these beatings. At least six persons were arrested and at the time of writing remained detained.

01/10/2013 JUA

CHN 11/2013 China (People's Republic of)

Disappearances; Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders;

Alleged imposition of travel bans on two human rights defenders, and enforced disappearance of one, working on China’s upcoming UPR. According to the information received, Ms Cao Shunli was barred from travelling to Geneva on 14 September 2013 and at the time of writing had not been seen since. Ms Chen Jianfang was forbidden from boarding her flight to Geneva on 13 September 2013 and was told she was barred from travelling for life. She was also allegedly intimidated on 16 September 2013. Ms Cao Shunli and Ms Chen Jianfang were among the subjects of a previous communication sent on 17 July 2013 (A/HRC/25/74).

07/01/2014 24/01/2014

A /H

R C

/25/74

100 Date

Type

Case No

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01/10/2013 JAL

ISR 8/2013 Israel

Extreme poverty; Food;

Alleged policies and practices of the State of Israel negatively impacting the enjoyment of several economic, social, civil and political rights of persons living in the Gaza strip. According to the information received, naval attacks within three nautical miles off the Gaza coast have allegedly resulted in the destruction of fishing boats, nets and other fishing equipment. The alleged restriction of movement of farmers in the “buffer zone” has reportedly resulted in property and crops destruction and damage. Reports further suggest that the limited access to export markets created significant challenges for businesses based in the Gaza strip with 95% of the 3,900 industrial establishments having closed or been forced to suspend their work. According to the reports received, four residents of the Gaza strip have been subjected to these policies and practices and have allegedly sustained important losses, which have plunged them and their families in conditions of extreme poverty, deprivation, inadequate standards of living and food insecurity. Reports further suggest that due to legal and procedural obstacles, the alleged victims are reportedly unable to seek remedy or accountability from Israel.

01/10/2013 JAL

VNM 7/2013 Viet Nam

Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders;

Alleged legislative amendments, which would lead to severe restrictions on the right to freedom of opinion and expression online. According to the information received, the Decree on the Management, Provision, Use of Internet Services and Information Content Online, known as “Decree 72” was adopted on 15 July 2013 and came into effect on 2 September 2013. It allegedly forbids the use of private websites, including social networking websites (for example, Facebook and Twitter) for disseminating any information about politics, economics and cultural affairs that is regarded “general or public”. Decree 72 also prohibits any online acts that are considered “opposing the Socialist Republic of Vietnam; threatening the national security, social order and safety; sabotaging the national fraternity; propagating wars and terrorism; arousing animosity among races and religions”. This broad formulation could severely hamper the legitimate right to free speech online, including for bloggers and activists. Decree 72, in draft form, has already been the subject of a previous communication sent by Special Procedures mandate holders on 2 August 2012 (A/HRC/22/67).

10/01/2014

A /H

R C

/25/74

101

Date Type

Case No

Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply

03/10/2013 JAL

DZA 5/2013 Algérie

Freedom of expression; Independence of judges and lawyers;

Allégation d’une violation du droit à un procès équitable et à la régularité de la procédure contre M. Mohammed Abdelkader Belbouri. Selon les informations reçues, le 12 mai 2011 Mr Mohammed Abdelkader Belbouri aurait été arrêté et inculpé pour assassinat, guet-apens et vol de véhicule du professeur Kerroumi, militant des droits de l’homme en Algérie, retrouvé mort le 23 avril 2011. Selon les informations reçues, l’enquête se serait déroulée de façon obscure et incomplète. De nombreuses demandes d’expertises auraient été refusées par le juge d’instruction, des preuves prouvant l’innocence du jeune Mohammed Abdelkader Belbouri auraient été supprimées, le rapport d’autopsie se trouverait incomplet dans ses informations ; enfin la convocation de la part des services de police se serait faite de façon non-officielle et en violation de la présomption d’innocence.

26/12/2013

03/10/2013 JUA

MMR 14/2013 Myanmar

Arbitrary detention; Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders; Myanmar;

Allegations of continuous targeting of peaceful demonstrators and human rights defenders opposing a mining project. According to new information received, on 13 August 2013, police forces reportedly arrested Ms Naw Ohn Hla and nine other protesters during a peaceful demonstration against the Letpadaung Copper Mine project in Monywa. The nine protesters were reportedly released after having signed a declaration that they would not protest again. On 29 August 2013, that Ms Naw Ohn Hla was charged under article 505(b) of the penal code for disturbing public tranquillity and allegedly sentenced to two years in prison with hard labour. The continuous targeting of peaceful demonstrators and human rights defenders opposing the Letpadaung Copper Mine project in Monywa have already been the subject of communications sent on 20 June 2013 (A/HRC/25/74), 2 May 2013 (A/HRC/24/21) and 30 November 2012 (A/HRC/22/67).

26/12/2013

A /H

R C

/25/74

102 Date

Type

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04/10/2013 JUA

BHR 7/2013 Bahrain

Arbitrary detention; Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders; Terrorism; Torture;

Allegations of inadequate investigations of torture whilst in detention and of lack of access to legal representation. According to the information received, earlier charges of establishing a group with a view to obstructing or undermining the Constitution under article 6 of the anti-terrorism law against Mr Fateel, a board member of the Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) and blogger, were revived on 11 July 2013. It is reported that Mr Fateel was sentenced to fifteen years in prison on 29 September 2013. It is further reported that allegations of torture against Mr Fateel were not properly investigated, despite photographic evidence existed of the injuries inflicted upon him by the treatment he was allegedly subjected to during his interrogation. Naji Fateel was the subject of a previous communication dated 10 May 2013 (A/HRC/24/21). Amendments to the anti-Terrorism law were the subject of a previous communication sent on 14 August 2013 (A/HRC/25/74).

05/11/2013

04/10/2013 JAL

ECU 2/2013 Ecuador

Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders; Terrorism;

Alegaciones de condena a 12 años de prisión por el delito de terrorismo organizado de tres líderes indígenas. Según las informaciones recibidas, el 19 de julio de 2013, los Sres. José Acacho González y Pedro Mashiant Chamik habrían sido condenados presuntamente en relación con sus actividades en defensa de los derechos de acceso a la tierra y al uso de recursos naturales así como el derecho a la consulta previa de los pueblos indígenas en el contexto del Proyecto de Ley de Recursos Hídricos. Se expresa preocupación por el aumento del número de casos de imputaciones y condenas por terrorismo organizado contra líderes indígenas que defienden los derechos de sus comunidades.

29/11/2013

07/10/2013 JAL

IRN 17/2013 Iran (Islamic Republic of)

Freedom of religion; Iran; Summary executions;

Alleged killing of a Baha’i. According to the information received, on 24 August 2013, Mr Ataollah Rezvani, a member of the Baha’i religious minority in the Islamic Republic of Iran, was shot in the back of the head by an unknown person. His body was reportedly found in his car, near the railway station on the outskirts of the city of Bandar Abbas. It is alleged that Mr Rezvani may have been killed because of his religion. Reportedly, he had received threats and been intimidated previously on the basis of his religious belief.

17/12/2013

A /H

R C

/25/74

103

Date Type

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Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply

07/10/2013 JUA

SAU 9/2013 Saudi Arabia

Arbitrary detention; Independence of judges and lawyers; Summary executions; Torture;

Alleged risk of execution following proceedings that did not comply with fair trial standards. According to the information received, Mr Mabrook Ali Saleh Al Sai’ari, aged 43, was charged with murder in 2000, sentenced to four years and six months of imprisonment and 3500 lashes. The sentence was reportedly carried out, after which the defendant was released. However, at the request of the victim’s family, Mr Al Sai’ari was again arrested and placed in detention, for the same offence. In 2012, after seven years of detention without a legal basis, Mr Al Sai’ari was allegedly sentenced to death for the same crime. The proceedings against Mr Al Sai’ari did reportedly not comply with fair trial and due process requirements under international human rights law. The execution of Mr Al Sai’ari was scheduled for 8 September 2013, and later postponed. At the time of writing, the defendant remained at risk of being executed.

08/10/2013 JAL

NLD 2/2013 Netherlands

Health; Torture;

Alleged forced psychiatric interventions, including seclusion for various periods of time and forced medication without informed consent. According to the information received, between October 1994 and May 1997, Ms Johanna Christina Santegoeds, was transferred to various wards for adult and youth psychiatry located in Herlaarhof, Zilverlinden-5-Zuid and GGzE Eindhoven in the Netherlands. During her involuntary stay in these institutions, Ms Santegoeds was subjected to forced psychiatric interventions, including seclusion for various periods of time, forced medication without informed consent, and frequent forced body cavity searches often performed by men. Ms Santegoeds reportedly sustained many physical and psychological scars.

05/12/2013

A /H

R C

/25/74

104 Date

Type

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08/10/2013 JUA

RUS 8/2013 Russian Federation

Freedom of expression; Health; Slavery; Torture;

Allegations of forced labour in prison which do not comply with international standards, threats as a consequence of complaint, hunger strike and hospitalization. According to the information received, Ms Nadezhda A. Tolokonnikova, a woman held in correctional colony no. 14 (Mordoviya Republic), and other prisoners in the same facility, were forced to work for up to 16 hours per day. They were only able to sleep 4 hours per night, and were not provided the rest days they were entitled to. The sewing equipment they used to make police uniforms was reportedly outdated, leading to injuries and the remuneration received for the work did not comply with international standards. It is alleged that complaints by Ms Tolokonnikova led to retaliation and threats against her by the deputy governor of the colony. In protest against the conditions of work, Ms Tolokonnikova subsequently went on a hunger strike. Her health reportedly deteriorated and on 29 September 2013, she was transferred from solitary confinement to a hospital, where for some time, she was reportedly denied access to visitors, including her husband.

14/11/2013

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08/10/2013 JAL

ZWE 3/2013 Zimbabwe

Discrimination against women in law and in practice; Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders; Violence against women;

Alleged excessive use of force by police and arbitrary arrest of individuals exercising their right to freedom of peaceful assembly. According to the information received, on 19 September 2013, police dispersed a peaceful demonstration organized by the Women and Men of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA), a civic movement that defends women’s rights and freedoms. Three leaders of the Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA), Ms Jenni Williams, Ms Magodonga Mahlangu and Ms Taurai Nyamanhindi, were arrested, before being released a few hours later. It is reported that WOZA members have been subjected to harassment due to their human rights activities for several years. WOZA members have been the subject of previous communications by Special Procedures mandate-holders dated 27 February 2012 (A/HRC/20/30), 26 October 2011 (A/HRC/19/44), 8 July 2011 (A/HRC/19/44), 22 April 2010 (A/HRC/16/44/Add.1, para 2536), 21 January 2010 (A/HRC/16/44/Add.1, para 2314-2316), 8 July 2008 (A/HRC/10/12/Add.1, para 2829-2833), 6 June 2008 (A/HRC/10/12/Add.1, para. 2799-2813), 12 June 2007 (A/HRC/7/28/Add.1, para 2077-2081), 7 December 2006 (A/HRC/7/28/Add.1, para 2050-2053), 15 September 2006 (A/HRC/4/37/Add.1, para 741), 16 February 2006 (A/HRC/4/37/Add.1, para 735), 28 June 2005 (E/CN.4/2006/95/Add.1, para 607), 20 May 2005 (E/CN.4/2006/95/Add.1, para 606), 19 April 2005 (E/CN.4/2006/95/Add.1, para 605), and 29 September 2004 (E/CN.4/2005/101/Add.1, para 622).

24/10/2013

10/10/2013 JUA

MMR 15/2013 Myanmar

Arbitrary detention; Freedom of religion; Independence of judges and lawyers; Minority issues; Myanmar; Torture;

Allegations of arrest and incommunicado detention, inhumane and degrading treatment, torture, denial of access to medical treatment and lack of a fair trial in line with international standards. According to the information received, Mr Brang Yung, a national of Myanmar and ethnic Kachan, living in an internal displacement camp was arrested on 12 June 2012. It is reported that Mr Yung was initially taken to a monastery in Tar Law Gyi village and subsequently sent to Myitkyina prison on 2 July 2012, where he remained at the time of writing. He was allegedly accused of being associated with the Kachin independence Army and tried in court under article 17 of the Unlawful Associations Act 1908. It is further alleged that following his arrest, Mr Yung was held incommunicado, subjected to inhuman and degrading treatment and torture, denied medical treatment, denied access to a lawyer and his family and did not receive a fair trial.

18/12/2013

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106 Date

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11/10/2013 JUA

IRN 18/2013 Iran (Islamic Republic of)

Arbitrary detention; Independence of judges and lawyers; Iran; Minority issues; Summary executions; Torture;

Alleged risk of imminent execution of an Ahwazi Arab after torture and proceedings that did not comply with international standards regarding fair trial. According to the information received, in September 20103 Mr Ghazi Abbasi, member of the Ahwazi Arab minority, was transferred from his cell to solitary confinement in Karoun prison in Khuzestan. Allegedly, at the time of writing Mr Ghazi Abbasi’s execution might be imminent given the reported practice in the Islamic Republic of Iran to transfer defendants to solitary confinement before the implementation of their death sentences. Mr Ghazi Abbasi was the subject of a previous communication sent to the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran on 31 July 2013 (A/HRC/25/74), in which serious concerns were expressed regarding his alleged torture and violations of fair trial and due process standards in the proceedings against him.

11/10/2013 JUA

IRQ 5/2013 Iraq

Arbitrary detention; Independence of judges and lawyers; Summary executions; Terrorism; Torture;

Alleged risk of imminent execution after torture and proceedings that did not comply with international standards of fair trial. According to the information received, Mr Ahmad Nuri Badawi ‘Abbas was detained in 2009 and convicted under the Iraqi Anti- Terrorism Law for killing security officers in Baghdad. Reportedly, he was sentenced to death in 2010. The Court of Cassation upheld this verdict in 2011. It is reported that at the time of writing Mr Ahmad Nuri Badawi ‘Abbas was being held on death row in Baghdad. The proceedings against Mr Ahmad Nuri Badawi ‘Abbas were allegedly conducted in violation of international human rights law standards regarding fair trial and due process. Mr Ahmad Nuri Badawi ‘Abbas is further alleged to have been held in incommunicado detention, subjected to torture and forced to confess. Apparently, at least 42 individuals, including one woman, were executed in Iraq on 9 and 10 October 2013 on terrorism-related charges.

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107

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11/10/2013 AL

MDV 5/2013 Maldives

Independence of judges and lawyers;

Alleged interferences with, and pressure on, the independence of lower courts and tribunals in the Maldives. According to the information received, the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives has developed a court/trial monitoring programme for judges and magistrates. The aim of the two-day training programme is to assess the extent to which the court system in the Maldives complies with international standards relating to the administration of justice. On 12 September, the Supreme Court’s Judges Council allegedly barred the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives from conducting the training programme, since monitoring the administration of justice by national courts and tribunals would go beyond the mandate of the Commission. A number of judges and magistrates of lower courts and tribunals, who had confirmed their attendance, informed the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives that they were asked by the Supreme Court not to attend the training programme.

11/10/2013 JAL

LAO 1/2013 République Démocratique Populaire Lao

Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders;

Alleged violation of the right to freedom of association. According to the information received, the draft Guidelines for the implementation of the Prime Minister’s Decree on International Non-Governmental Organisations, contains several provisions that, if adopted without further changes, may seriously compromise the enjoyment of the right to freedom of association in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic.

06/12/2013

14/10/2013 AL

MDV 3/2013 Maldives

Freedom of expression;

Alleged arson attack on a TV channel. According to the information received, on 7 October 2013, around 4.45 a.m., the studio of the Raajje TV was set on fire by at least six heavily armed gunmen. Consequently, all broadcast equipment, transmission and computer systems were destroyed. The Raajje TV channel is known to be one of the most popular TV stations in the Maldives, and this arson attack is reportedly seen as an attempt to silence its broadcast services.

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14/10/2013 JUA

MAR 3/2013 Maroc

Arbitrary detention; Freedom of expression;

Allégations d’arrestation et de détention arbitraires de deux journalistes marocains. Selon les informations reçues, M. Ali Anouzla est journaliste et éditeur marocain du site en ligne d’actualités Lakome. Le 17 septembre 2013, M. Anouzla aurait été arrêté en raison de la mise en ligne d’un article, qui faisait référence à une publication du quotidien El Pais d’un lien vers une vidéo postée sur YouTube intitulée « le Maroc: Royaume de la corruption et du despotisme », et qui critiquait le Roi Mohammed VI. A la suite de son arrestation, la demeure de M. Anouzla aurait été perquisitionnée, ses livres ainsi que son ordinateur personnel lui auraient été confisqués. M. Mustapha Hasnaoui, journaliste pour la publication pro-Salafiste bimensuel “Assabil”, aurait été arrêté lors de son vol vers le Maroc le 16 mai 2013, de Turquie où il avait effectué un reportage sur les réfugiés et sur les djihadistes marocains dans la région limitrophe de la Syrie. A la suite de son arrestation, M. Hasnaoui aurait été condamné, le 11 juillet 2013, à quatre ans de prison selon la loi contre le terrorisme.

18/12/2013

17/10/2013 JUA

SDN 7/2013 Sudan

Arbitrary detention; Disappearances; Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders; Sudan; Summary executions; Torture;

Alleged serious violation of international human rights standards. According to the information received, since 22 September 2013, National Intelligence Services (NISS) and the Sudanese police have arrested at least 800 individuals, including political activists, opposition party members, human rights defenders and journalists. It is reported that an estimated 200 demonstrators were killed by gunshot wounds caused by Governmental security forces. It is alleged that the NISS and the Sudanese Police used excessive and disproportionate force including live ammunition and tear gas to disperse assemblies, and blocked access to hospitals. It is further reported that the previous detained have in most cases been held incommunicado and denied access to medical care, and that it is common in NISS facilities to extend periods in custody to up to four and a half months without charges. Journalists have allegedly been harassed and heavily censured and political parties are no longer allowed to hold meetings.

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18/10/2013 JAL

DZA 6/2013 Algérie

Disappearances; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association;

Allégations d’usage excessif de force et d’arrestations lors d’une manifestation pacifique de familles de disparus. Selon les informations reçues, le 29 septembre 2013, des agents de la police auraient arrêté les participants d’un rassemblement organisé par la Coalition d’associations de victimes des années 90 (SOS Disparus, Collectif des familles de disparus, Djazairouna, Somoud) devant le Ministère de Justice à Alger à 10 heures, pour dénoncer les dispositions de la Charte pour la paix et la réconciliation nationale. Plus de la moitié des personnes présentes auraient été embarquées de force par la police et conduites aux commissariats de La Scala et d’El Biar. Les policiers auraient brusqué les familles âgées en les malmenant et les jetant violemment par terre. Une fois arrivés au commissariat, les policiers auraient ordonné aux personnes arrêtées d’éteindre leurs téléphones portables, rendant impossible toute communication avec elles pour obtenir des informations sur leur état. Les personnes auraient été relâchées au bout de deux heures.

21/01/2014

21/10/2013 JUA

HTI 2/2013 Haiti

Discrimination against women in law and in practice; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Haiti; Human rights defenders; Violence against women;

Allégations d’une attaque et d’une série d’actes d’intimidation et de menaces contre deux femmes défenseures des droits de l’homme. Selon les informations reçues, Mme Malya Villard Apollon et Mme Eramithe Delva auraient fait l’objet d’actes d’intimidation et de menaces et leurs enfants auraient subi une tentative d’enlèvement. Par ailleurs, les quatre chiens de Mme Apollon auraient été empoisonnés. Selon les dernières informations, le 23 août 2013, la maison de Mme Apollon aurait été prise d’assaut par un groupe d’hommes armés. Mme Apollon et Mme Delva travaillent pour la Commission des Femmes Victimes pour les Victimes (KOFAVIV), une organisation de femmes actives dans les zones les plus pauvres de Port-au-Prince.

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21/10/2013 JUA

MDV 4/2013 Maldives

Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders;

Alleged undue investigation of three NGOs and threats directed towards the staff of one of them. According to the information received, Tourism Employees Association of Maldives, Transparency Maldives and Maldives NGO Federation have allegedly been targeted following the issuance of a number of press statements that criticized a Supreme Court injunction on 23 September 2013. The injunction ordered the Elections Commission (EC) to delay the second round of presidential elections. Reportedly, on 30 September 2013, the State Minister for Home Affairs and the Registrar of NGOs allegedly stated on a local TV station that Tourism Employees Association of Maldives and Transparency Maldives were under investigation for challenging the Supreme Court. Furthermore, the staff of Transparency Maldives allegedly received death threats.

21/10/2013 JAL

NZL 1/2013 New Zealand

Health; Torture;

Allegations concerning the medical treatment of Mr X by the Mental Health Services. According to the information received, over the course of his long medical treatment (14 years), Mr X was diagnosed with psychosis, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. He was put on various neuroleptic medications in an ad-hoc manner, which allegedly affected his health and quality of life. For the past 10 years, he allegedly endured compulsory treatment that was not required by the evidence and provided for under the 1992 Mental Health Act. Furthermore, despite requests by Mr X and his family, mental health services allegedly refused to supervise a phased discontinuation of the medication.

20/12/2013

21/10/2013 JAL

ZMB 2/2013 Zambia

Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders;

Alleged undue interference with the work and organizational structure of civil society organizations. According to the information received, on 28 August 2009, Zambia ratified the “Non-Governmental Organizations Bill” (NGO Bill), regulating operations of civil society organizations (CSO). It is reported that efforts started in July 2013 to begin to implement this law and that, as a first measure, all existing NGOs were required to re-register by 11 November 2013. Concerns were raised that the NGO Bill represents an undue interference with the substantive work and organizational structure of CSO.

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111

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22/10/2013 JUA

CHN 12/2013 China (People's Republic of)

Arbitrary detention; Disappearances; Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders;

Allegations of arbitrary arrest and detention, and enforced disappearances. According to the information received, 20 individuals were arrested and detained, and in some instances forcibly disappeared, in connection with their participation in peaceful assemblies or human rights campaigns in different parts of the country. They had protested, inter alia, against alleged corruption among Government officials or called on the State to ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Many of them were believed to belong to, or be inspired by, the New Citizen Movement, a network of peaceful activists who reportedly call for transparency about the financial assets of top Chinese leaders, and promote political and legal reforms.

07/01/2014

22/10/2013 JAL

ESP 3/2013 Spain

Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association;

Aprobación el 20 de septiembre de 2013 del Proyecto de Reforma del Código Penal. Entre otros cambios, éste introduce: el concepto de resistencia pasiva que considera y sanciona como desobediencia grave; define la alteración del orden público a partir de la referencia al sujeto plural; establece como circunstancia agravante la alteración del orden público llevada a cabo en una manifestación considerada numerosa; agrava la pena -de falta a delito- por ocupación de un domicilio o establecimiento; castiga con prisión de 3 meses a 1 año o multa de 3 a 12 meses a los que difundan públicamente mensajes o consignas que inciten a la comisión de delitos de alteración del orden público, aunque no participen directamente en ellos e; introduce penas de 3 meses a 2 años de prisión o multa de 6 a 24 meses por alterar la prestación normal de los servicios de telecomunicación y transporte.

12/12/2013

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25/10/2013 JAL

IRQ 6/2013 Iraq

Freedom of expression; Human rights defenders;

Alleged killings of three media professionals. According to the information received, on 5 October 2013, one journalist and one cameraman affiliated with the TV channel Al-Sharqiya, Messrs Mohamed Karim al-Badrani, and Mohamed Ghanem were shot dead by unidentified gunmen while filming in central Mosul province. On 8 October 2013, journalist and human rights defender, Mr Saad Zaghloul, was also murdered by unidentified gunmen outside his home in Mosul. He was also the spokesman of the governor of the Province of Ninewa and a senior member of the Iraqi Association for Defending the Rights of Journalists. He wrote for several independent local newspapers on anti-corruption, human rights and law reform. Concerns were expressed that the number of media professionals killed in Mosul since 2003 allegedly reached 48, but at the time of writing no investigations had been initiated into the cases.

28/10/2013 AL

VNM 8/2013 Viet Nam

Freedom of expression;

Alleged arrest and charge under the Criminal Code for writing about his views on a social networking website. According to the information received, on 15 June 2013, Mr Dinh Nhat Uy was arrested and charged under Criminal Code article 258 (1): “abusing democratic freedoms to infringe upon the interests of the State, the legitimate rights and interests of organizations and/or citizens”. It is reported that he could face a sentence up to of three years imprisonment for posting articles on Facebook from November 2012 to June 2013. He was reportedly accused of “publishing articles and posts on Facebook that were misleading, defamatory, and offensive against the State, organizations and citizens.” At the time of writing, Mr Dinh Nhat Uy remained in custody, and his trial had been scheduled for 29 October 2013.

30/12/2013

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113

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29/10/2013 JAL

BGD 11/2013 Bangladesh

Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders;

Alleged lack of compliance of the amended Information and Communication Technology Act with international human rights standards. According to the information received, the amended Information and Communication Act of 2013, passed by Parliament on 6 October 2013, imposed severe and disproportionate penalties on persons charged with writing or publishing fake or defaming information online. The new Act could impose up to 14-years’ imprisonment and give law enforcement officials the power to arrest suspected offenders without obtaining a warrant and hold them in detention for an indefinite period without bail. This is allegedly seen as an attempt to silence dissenting voices.

31/10/2013

30/10/2013 JUA

GTM 9/2013 Guatemala

Human rights defenders; Independence of judges and lawyers; Truth, justice, reparation & guarantees on non-rec;

Presuntas amenazas de muerte e intimidaciones contra una jueza en Guatemala. Según las informaciones recibidas, la Sra. Yassmin Barrios, Presidenta del Tribunal que juzgó durante 2013 un caso por delitos de genocidio y de lesa humanidad, habría recibido amenazas de muerte e intimidaciones que pudieran poner en riesgo su vida y su integridad física y mental. La jueza habría recibido una llamada del extranjero en la que se le comunicaba un plan para asesinarla. La Jueza Barrios presidió el tribunal que llevó a cabo el juicio contra el ex jefe de Estado, Efraín Ríos Montt, y el ex jefe de inteligencia, José Mauricio Rodríguez Sánchez, por genocidio y crímenes de lesa humanidad, el cual se desarrolló entre el 19 de marzo y el 10 de mayo de 2013. La patrulla asignada para vigilar su residencia habría sido retirada en varias ocasiones sin justificación, dejándola sin protección adecuada. El 28 de junio de 2013, la Comisión Interamericana de Derechos Humanos otorgó medidas cautelares a favor de la Jueza Barrios.

06/01/2014

30/10/2013 JUA

KAZ 6/2013 Kazakhstan

Disappearances; Freedom of expression;

Alleged disappearance of a poet while in detention. According to the information received, Mr Aron Atabek (also referred to as Mr Aron Edigeev) who had been held in solitary confinement in Arkalyk Prison since December 2012 disappeared in early October 2013. It was reported that he was transferred to Karazhal Prison on 5 October 2013. Although the authorities did not confirm this information, his family received an anonymous phone call informing them of the transfer. At the time of writing, Mr Atabek’s whereabouts remained unknown. Mr Atabek was sentenced to two years in solitary confinement for writing the book “The Heart of Eurasia” highly critical of President Nursultan Nazarbayev and the Government of Khazakhstan.

06/12/2013

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114 Date

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31/10/2013 JAL

BGD 12/2013 Bangladesh

Indigenous peoples; Violence against women;

Allegations of violence and other human rights abuses against tribal/ indigenous peoples. According to the information received, members of indigenous peoples of the Chittagong Hill Tracts have experienced murders, harassment, intimidation, religious persecution and sexual violence against indigenous women and children. Allegedly, this violence is linked to land disputes that originate from Government policies that have promoted the migration of Bengali citizens to settle in the Chittagong Hill Tracts over the course of several decades in order to alter the demographic composition of the region. It is reported that the Chittagong Hill Tracts Accord of 1997, providing for the recognition of the Chittagong Hills Tracts as a “tribal inhabited region”, the promotion of indigenous cultures, customary laws and rights to customary lands and natural resources, which brought an end to an armed insurgency that arose in the 1970s had not been implemented.

01/11/2013

31/10/2013 JAL

UZB 4/2013 Uzbekistan

Freedom of expression; Human rights defenders;

Alleged arrest and administrative detention of an independent journalist. According to the information received, Mr Sergei Naumov, who reported on a variety of human rights issues including labour conditions in the cotton fields, was allegedly arrested on 21 September 2013, by local police officers at his home in the city of Urgench. He was held in detention for 12 days under Article 183 of the Administrative Code of Uzbekistan (“Disorderly conduct and disturbing the peace”) for harassment after an incident on the street with a woman. Contrary to the claim by the authorities that they had no record of him in detention, his lawyer reportedly learned on 24 September 2013 that Mr Naumov was being held in the Urgench temporary detention facility. It is further reported that the administrative detention may be linked to his journalistic activities reporting on the use of forced labour in the cotton industry, including that of children, during the harvest season. He was released on 3 October 2013 following a summary trial during which he had no legal representation.

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01/11/2013 AL

KEN 7/2013 Kenya

Indigenous peoples;

Allegations concerning the burning of Maasai houses and property and the alleged failure of the Government to provide compensation. According to the information received, on 26 July 2013, a convoy of vehicles arrived in the community of Narasha, Naivsha, in the Great Rift Valley, which is located in the traditional lands of the Maasai people. Throughout that day, the group burned numerous Maasai homes destroying items within the houses. It is reported that, while State authorities have promised Narasha community members that they will be compensated for their loss, over two months since the incident no compensation has been provided to the victims. In the meantime, numerous Maasai families have had to endure bouts of rain without any adequate shelter following the destruction of their houses.

04/11/2013 JUA

CUB 5/2013 Cuba

Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders; Torture;

Presunto incremento de actos de acoso, conocidos como “actos de repudio”, llevados a cabo por agentes del Estado y grupos de vigilantes, que tienen como objetivo intimidar a defensores y defensoras de derechos humanos en sus propias casas. Se alega que Damaris Moya Portieles ha sido objeto de una campaña de intimidación durante más de un año, la cual culminó el 4 de octubre de 2013 en su arresto y malos tratos por parte de cuerpos y fuerzas de seguridad del Estado. Durante este tiempo, se informa que sus hijos habrían sido víctimas de malos tratos por parte de las fuerzas del orden. El 12 de octubre de 2013, a Juan Carlos González Leiva no se le permitió viajar para asistir al aniversario de la muerte de Laura Pollán. Ese mismo día, él y otros cinco miembros de su organización fueron rodeados por una multitud en su domicilio y estuvieron retenidos ahí durante dos días. Juan Carlos González Leiva fue objeto de otro llamamiento con fecha de 3 febrero 2010 (A/HRC/16/44/Add.1, para 633-663).

06/01/2014

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04/11/2013 JAL

ECU 3/2013 Ecuador

Discrimination against women in law and in practice; Health; Torture; Violence against women;

Supuesto impacto que el nuevo Código Penal de Ecuador tendría en la salud sexual y reproductiva de las mujeres en Ecuador. Según la información recibida, el actual Código Penal sólo permite el aborto si se practica para evitar un peligro para la vida o salud de la mujer embarazada, o si el embarazo es consecuencia de una violación, pero únicamente en una mujer que padezca de discapacidad mental. El nuevo Código Penal, cuya propuesta se discute actualmente en la Asamblea Nacional, no ampliaría los casos de despenalización del aborto. Se expresa preocupación ya que, en caso de que el Código Penal no sea revisado y modificado de acuerdo con las garantías de los derechos sexuales y reproductivos, el aborto continuará siendo criminalizado, lo que aumentaría el número de abortos inseguros y el riesgo de las mujeres a sufrir graves y duraderas consecuencias para su salud física y mental, incluyendo riesgo de muerte y discapacidad.

06/01/2014

05/11/2013 JUA

RUS 10/2013 Russian Federation

Disappearances; Freedom of expression; Slavery; Torture; Violence against women;

Allegations of forced labour in prison amounting to slavery and acts of retaliation by prison authorities. This communication follows up to an earlier UA submitted on 8 October 2013 (current report, RUS 8/2013), regarding the situation of Ms Nadezhda Tolokonnikova. The original UA related to allegations of forced labour in prison amounting to slavery, which reportedly resulted in retaliation by prison authorities, a hunger strike by Ms Tolokonnikova, and her hospitalization. No response to the previous UA was received by Government authorities at the time of writing. According to the updated information received, Ms Tolokonnikova was repeatedly denied access to members of her legal team. Since 8 October 2013, she has also been transferred to a number of different prisons, including transit prisons with authorities allegedly refusing to reveal her exact whereabouts, which remained at the time of writing still unknown. Interventions by Ombudsman, Parliamentary deputies and others at the national level have not succeeding in clarifying her location and wellbeing.

03/12/2013

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117

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05/11/2013 JAL

SOM 5/2013 Somalia

Freedom of expression; Human rights defenders; Somalia; Summary executions;

Alleged killing of human rights defender Mr Mohamed Mohamud Tima’adde. According to the information received, on the morning of 22 October 2013, Mr Tima’adde was shot six times by unidentified gunmen who immediately fled the scene. As he was recuperating in hospital, three individuals were arrested while trying to gain access to his ward. Mr Tima’adde passed away on 26 October 2013 as a result of his injuries.

06/11/2013 JUA

MEX 9/2013 México

Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Health; Human rights defenders; Torture; Violence against women;

Presuntos arrestos, actos violencia por parte de las fuerzas del orden, denegación de tratamiento médico en detención así como amenazas contra defensoras de derechos humanos y sus familiares. Según las informaciones recibidas, el 15 de agosto de 2013, Sra. Adela Gómez Martínez y su familia habrían sido arrestadas y detenidas sin una orden de detención. Sus dos hijos habrían sido liberados, pero se alega que habrían sufrido malos tratos. Además, se alega que la Sra. Adela Gómez Martínez no recibió el tratamiento médico adecuado para una enfermedad que padece. Sra. Adela Gómez Martínez fue liberada el 18 de octubre de 2013, pero el Sr. Noé Hernández Caballero permanecía en detención en el momento de enviar esta comunicación. El 17 de octubre de 2013, Sra. María Luisa García Andrade habría recibido dos llamadas anónimas amenazándole con secuestrar y asesinar a sus hijos. Se alega que las medidas de protección para la Sra. María Luisa García Andrade y su familia estarían en proceso de retirada. Sra. María Luisa García Andrade y sus hijos son beneficiarios de medidas cautelares otorgada por la Comisión Interamericana de Derechos Humanos.

04/12/2013

06/11/2013 JUA

SDN 8/2013 Sudan

Discrimination against women in law and in practice; Sudan; Torture; Violence against women;

Alleged risk of corporal punishment of up to 40 lashes of Ms Amira Osman Hamed. According to information received, Ms Osman Hamed, a 35-year-old civil engineer and women’s rights activist, was charged with ‘indecent or immoral dress’ for refusing to wear a headscarf. If found guilty, Ms Osman Hamed could face corporal punishment of up to 40 lashes. Serious concern was expressed regarding the physical and psychological integrity of Ms Osman Hamed, and the existence of legislation that permits corporal punishment of women.

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07/11/2013 JAL

BRA 5/2013 Brazil

Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders;

Alleged death threats and false allegations of paedophilia and sexual abuse against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights defenders in Brazil. According to the information received, a group of human rights defenders received threats via SMS, phone calls and email after their participation in a diversity parade in Curitiba on 30 September 2012, which they reported to the police. Since the beginning of 2013, the threats intensified and death threats to were made against friends and families of the activists. At the same time, fake Facebook profiles of the activists were created from which sexist, racist or homophobic comments were spread.

07/11/2013 JAL

CAN 4/2013 Canada

Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders; Indigenous peoples;

Allegations concerning discrimination in funding and retaliation acts against Ms Cindy Blackstock, Executive Director of the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada. According to the information received, in 2007, the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada filed a complaint against the Government of Canada before the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal alleging discrimination in the funding provided to First Nations for child welfare. Reportedly, after the case was filed in 2007, Ms Blackstock and the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada experienced what they perceived as several forms of retaliation by the Government of Canada. This allegedly included the monitoring of Ms Blackstock’s personal Facebook page, her professional meetings and presentations, and her Indian Status registry.

10/01/2014 10/01/2014

07/11/2013 AL

CHL 2/2013 Chile

Indigenous peoples;

Alegaciones sobre la reciente aprobación del estudio de impacto ambiental para el proyecto minero El Morro por parte del Servicio de Evaluación Ambiental de Chile. En la carta, el Relator Especial también expresa su preocupación sobre una nota emitida el 9 de octubre de 2013 por el Director Nacional de la Corporación Nacional de Desarrollo Indígena (CONADI) relativa al proyecto y que hace referencia de manera incompleta a unas declaraciones que el Relator Especial previamente había hecho sobre el tema del deber estatal de consultar a los pueblos indígenas. Por tanto, la comunicación tiene como objeto brindar al Gobierno una clarificación de los puntos que el Relator Especial previamente ha expuesto sobre el deber de la consulta, y solicitar al Gobierno información sobre la forma en que se ha cumplido con ese deber en relación con los pueblos indígenas afectados por el proyecto El Morro.

06/01/2014 06/01/2014 06/01/2014 06/01/2014 06/01/2014 06/01/2014 06/01/2014 06/01/2014 06/01/2014

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07/11/2013 UA

MDV 6/2013 Maldives

Independence of judges and lawyers;

Alleged interference by the Maldives Supreme Court in the presidential election process of the country. According to the information received, the Supreme Court delayed the run-off initially scheduled for 28 September 2013 and later on ordered the invalidation of the first round of the election, determining that the Elections Commission re-start the entire re-registration process for the electoral roll. Concerns are expressed that the Supreme Court is subverting the democratic process by interfering in the functions of the Elections Commission, an independent body established in the Constitution, in charge of conducting, managing, supervising and declaring the results of elections.

07/11/2013 JUA

ARE 5/2013 United Arab Emirates

Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders; Torture;

Alleged implementation of the new law on Cyber Crime as well as alleged torture of detainees. According to the information received, charges are being brought against human rights defenders exercising their right to freedom of expression on social media. Many of them are connected to the “UAE 94”, a high profile case of 94 human rights defenders (lawyers, judges, teachers, student leaders) from the United Arab Emirates who were arrested in April 2013 on charges of state security offences. There are further allegations of torture against some of the UAE 94 in detention. Other members of the group reportedly went on hunger strike to protest the conditions of their detention. It is reported that the health of these individuals seriously deteriorated before they ended the hunger strike in the week ending 25 October 2013. The Law on Cyber Crime was the subject of a previous communication sent on 4 December 2012 (A/HRC/23/51). The UAE 94 was the subject of a previous communication sent on 6 August 2013 (A/HRC/25/74).

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11/11/2013 UA

BGD 13/2013 Bangladesh

Freedom of expression;

Alleged massive attacks on news outlets and media professionals. According to the information received, a series of violent attacks against media and journalists took place in Bangladesh on 24 and 25 October 2013 amid political unrest, including alleged attacks on 18 journalists, Messrs Zakaria Biblop, Masudur Rahman, Kafi Kamal, Rashed Nizam, Abdus Salam, Sheikh Tofazzal Hossain, Abu Habib, Rasel Ahmed, Riaz Hossain, G.M Shahid, Imdadul Haque Dulal, Luftar Rahman Mithu, Badrul Islam, Nasir Uddin Tota, Abul Hasnat, Mohammad Farid Uddin, Labual Haq Ripon, and Sakirul Kabir Riton. On 24 October 2013, home-made bombs were reportedly detonated at the offices of several private TV channel offices, Ekattor TV, My TV, Desh TV and ATN Bangla, and also at the offices of the newspapers Bohrer Kagoj and BDnews24.

13/11/2013

11/11/2013 JUA

DOM 3/2013 Dominican Republic

Migrants; Minority issues; Racism;

Presunta privación y despojo de la nacionalidad dominicana a potencialmente cientos de miles de personas nacidas en República Dominicana, con efecto discriminatorio para las personas de origen haitiano en la República Dominicana. Según la información recibida, el 23 de septiembre de 2013, el Tribunal Constitucional de República Dominicana dictó una sentencia (TC/0168) que modificó retroactivamente la normativa vigente sobre la nacionalidad en el país desde 1929 hasta 2010, la cual podría despojar de la nacionalidad dominicana a cientos de miles de personas nacidas en República Dominicana. El caso actual se refiere a Juliana Deguis Pierre, nacida en República Dominicana en 1984 de padres haitianos, y registrada como dominicana al nacer. En 2008, la Junta Central Electoral retiró su certificado de nacimiento cuando acudió a solicitar su cédula de identidad, basándose en que sus apellidos eran “haitianos”. El Tribunal Constitucional Dominicano rechazó el recurso de amparo de Juliana Deguis, afirmando que sus padres eran considerados “extranjeros en tránsito”.

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11/11/2013 JAL

OTH 8/2013 Other

Business enterprises; Indigenous peoples;

Follow up to the joint allegation letter OTH 4/2013 dated 4 April 2013 addressed to IAMGOLD Corporation in relation to its alleged activities in Suriname. In the letter, the Working Group and the Special Rapporteur thank IAMGOLD for its response dated 5 June 2013 and its willingness to engage on this issue. The Working Group and Special Rapporteur also provide IAMGOLD with further information on the communications procedure of special procedures of the Human Rights Council. The Special Rapporteur further refers to earlier comments on this case published in his last annual report to the Human Rights Council on communications sent, observations and replies received (A/HRC/24/41/Add.4).

12/11/2013 JAL

ISR 9/2013 Israel

OPT; Violence against women;

Alleged incidents of settler violence against women and their families. According to information received, Ms X, a woman from Al Mazra’a Al Qibliyeh, West Bank, was allegedly severely beaten by four settlers as she picked herbs near her home; Ms Y, was allegedly shot at by Israeli settlers, who attacked her and her family while planting almond trees on their land; and Ms Z, a 62 year old woman, was allegedly attacked by armed settlers in her home. Concern is expressed regarding the reported continued violence against women and their families, perpetrated by Israeli settlers in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, as well as the alleged failure of the Israeli authorities to prevent, respond to, protect against, and provide redress for these acts.

12/11/2013 JAL

ARE 6/2013 United Arab Emirates

Health; Migrants;

Allegations concerning Mr X, an Indian national, who was deported from the United Arab Emirates on the basis of a mandatory medical test that revealed an old tuberculosis scar in his lung. According to the information received, after securing a job, Mr X was required to undergo a mandatory medical test, including a chest X-ray, at a Medical Centre in Dubai. The X-ray results allegedly revealed an old tuberculosis scar, and Mr X was consequently deported. It is also alleged that Mr X was not given an opportunity to appeal the decision of the deportation or challenge the test results; nor was he given a copy of the medical reports related to his diagnosis.

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13/11/2013 JUA

BGD 14/2013 Bangladesh

Arbitrary detention; Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders;

Allegations of incarceration of, and charges against, a human rights defender. According to the information received, on 11 September 2013, an arrest warrant was issued against Mr Nasiruddin Elan, Director of Odhikar, for allegedly violating Section 57 of the Information and Communications Technology Act (2006). It is believed that the arrest warrant may be linked to the publication by Odhikar of an investigative report on individuals who were allegedly killed by security forces on 5 May 2013 during a demonstration organized by Hefazat-e-islam. On 10 October 2013, the High Court Division of the Supreme Court granted Mr Elan a no-arrest order for four weeks. On 6 November 2013, Mr Elan spontaneously surrendered before the Cyber Crimes Tribunal of Dhaka. His lawyers sought bail on his behalf before the Tribunal, but it was not granted. Mr Elan was subsequently arrested and incarcerated. On 10 November 2013, Mr Elan’s lawyers submitted a bail application on his behalf, which at the time of writing was planned to be heard on 17 November 2013.

14/11/2013

14/11/2013 JUA

CHN 13/2013 China (People's Republic of)

Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Health; Human rights defenders; Torture;

Alleged arbitrary detention of human rights defender Ms Cao Shunli and deprivation of medical treatment. According to the information received, Chinese authorities confirmed Ms Cao Shunli’s detention at Chaoyang District Detention Centre on 21 October 2013, five weeks after she had disappeared, and one day before the People’s Republic of China’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR). It has been further alleged that Ms Cao Shunli appeared frail and thin, and that she had not been receiving medical attention for a liver condition. Additionally, when her lawyer tried to submit an application for bail on 31 October 2013, she was informed that the relevant person was not in the office.

24/01/2014

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123

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14/11/2013 JUA

MYS 11/2013 Malaysia

Freedom of expression; Freedom of religion; Minority issues;

Alleged violation of the freedom of religion or belief and the freedom of expression and media through prohibition of the usage of word “Allah” by possibly all non- Muslims in Malaysia. According to the information received, on 14 October 2013, the Court of Appeal of Malaysia ruled in favour of the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Government of Malaysia in a litigation over the legality of imposition of a condition in the publication permit of the “Herald – The Catholic Weekly”, which is published on behalf of the Bishops of Peninsular of Malaysia. Reportedly, the condition was the prohibition of the name “Allah” in the aforementioned publication by an administrative decision of the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Government of Malaysia, dated 7 January 2009. Allegedly the decision may have far-reaching implications and may affect the rights of all non-Muslims in Malaysia. It is reported that the aforementioned ruling had been appealed and, at the time of writing, was pending consideration at the Federal Court level.

14/11/2013 JAL

TZA 3/2013 United Republic of Tanzania

Indigenous peoples; Mercenaries;

Alleged forcible eviction and other alleged human rights violations affecting indigenous Maasai pastoralists. According to the information received, Sukenya Farm is a locality encompassing approximately 12,617 acres in the Loliondo Division, Ngorongoro District, in the Arusha Region. Reportedly, Sukenya Farm is a large grazing area that constitutes part of the ancestral territories of Maasai pastoralists. Maasai groups have used this territory to carry out their traditional activities including grazing cattle and accessing important water sources. In 1984, the Government of Tanzania in conjunction with the Ngorongoro District Council allocated 10,000 acres within the then Soitsambu village to the parastatal company Tanzanian Breweries Limited (TBL). Subsequently, in 2006, TBL sold its remaining 96-year leasehold to a tourism company known as Tanzania Conservation Limited (TCL). It is reported that since the 2006 evictions, private security guards connected to TCL and local police have continually subjected Maasai pastoralists to acts of intimidation, harassment, and beatings when they have attempted to graze their cattle or access water points in the disputed land area.

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15/11/2013 JUA

IRN 23/2013 Iran (Islamic Republic of)

Arbitrary detention; Independence of judges and lawyers; Iran; Minority issues; Summary executions; Torture;

Alleged risk of imminent execution in violation of international human rights law. According to the information received, Messrs Zaniar Moradi (or Zanyar Moradee) and Loghman Moradi (or Loqman Moradee), both members of the Kurdish community, at the time of writing were at risk of imminent execution. Messrs Zaniar Moradi and Loghman Moradi were the subject of three previous communications dated 15 November 2011 (A/HRC/19/44), 29 February 2012 (A/HRC/20/30) and 9 January 2013 (A/HRC/23/51), where it was alleged that the defendants had been subjected to torture and were forced to confess. The Government’s replies on their cases confirmed the sentences to death against Messrs Zaniar Moradi and Loghman Moradi, without providing details on how the imposition of the death penalty in these cases complied with international human rights law standards. The new information alleged in the current follow-up communication contains details of the allegations of torture against the defendants, as well as new allegations of violations of fair trial standards.

15/11/2013 JAL

KEN 8/2013 Kenya

Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders;

Alleged legislative developments that could unduly restrict the rights to freedom of association and expression. According to the information received, the Kenyan Parliament is, at the time of writing, examining the Statute Law (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill, 2013 (the “Bill”), presented to the Parliament on 30 October 2013. The Bill aims at amending two Acts, among others: the Public Benefits Organizations Act, 2013 (“PBO Act”), which regulates all associations carrying out “public benefit activities; and the National Youth Council Act, 2009 (the “Council Act”), which regulates activities undertaken by youth groups and other associations.

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125

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15/11/2013 JAL

ESP 5/2013 Spain

Adequate housing; Extreme poverty; Foreign debt;

Alleged concerns over the impact of the economic crisis and austerity measures, in particular on the right to adequate housing and the right to an adequate standard of living. According to the information received, a combination of legal reforms, budget enactments and policy interventions conducted between 2010 and 2013 aimed at reducing public expenditures by historic margins at the national, regional and municipal levels. One of the main effects of the Government’s austerity policies has been that the number of people at risk of poverty and exclusion has significantly increased by over two million since 2008. The absence of official data on the number of evictions affecting family homes and the absence of regulations to relocate the evicted families reportedly has made it difficult to assess the dimensions of this problem.

18/11/2013 JAL

COL 11/2013 Colombia

Business enterprises; Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders; Summary executions;

Presuntos asesinatos de tres defensores y defensoras de derechos humanos. Según las informaciones recibidas, el Sr. Nelson Giraldo Posada fue asesinado el 17 de septiembre de 2013, la Sra. Adelinda Gómez Gaviria el 30 de septiembre de 2013 y el Sr. César García el 2 de noviembre de 2013. Estos defensores y defensoras estaban involucrados en la defensa y promoción de los derechos humanos, en particular del derecho de acceso a la tierra y a los recursos naturales.

07/01/2014 23/01/2014

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126 Date

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18/11/2013 JUA

IRN 22/2013 Iran (Islamic Republic of)

Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Health; Human rights defenders; Independence of judges and lawyers; Iran;

Alleged sentencing to six years of imprisonment of a human rights lawyer. Mr Mohammad Seifzadeh, a human rights lawyer and co-founder of the Defenders of Human Rights Centre (DHRC) was allegedly sentenced to six years’ imprisonment on charges of “collusion to take action against the national security” and “spreading propaganda against the system” on 20 February 2013. Branch 54 of the Appeals Court allegedly upheld this sentence in late September 2013. It is reported that the health of Mr Seifzadeh has deteriorated significantly while in detention. Mr Seifzadeh has been the subject of two urgent appeals dated 30 September 2010 and 12 November 2010 (A/HRC/16/44/Add.1, paras. 1261-1264 /1267-1271).

18/11/2013 JAL

MYS 12/2013 Malaysia

Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders;

Allegations of arrest of, and possible charges against, 19 demonstrators during a peaceful protest against the demolition of Kampung Hakka Mantin historical village, which could lead to the forced eviction of many local residents. According to the information received, on 31 October 2013, security forces arrested Ms Nalini Elumalai, SUARAM’s Executive Director, Mr A. Thevaraj, SUARAM’s Coordinator, Mr Parameiswary Elumalai, activist from the Oppressed Peoples’ Movement, seven residents of the Kampung Hakka Mantin village, three grass root activists from the Socialist Party of Malaysia, four State Assembly representatives and, two members of Parliament. The mentioned people were taking part in a peaceful protest against the demolition of the Kampung Hakka Mantin village in Negeri Sembilan State. Security forces arrested them for “obstructing public servant[s] from carrying out their work”, pursuant to Article 186 of Malaysia’s Penal Code, took them to a police station and released them on police bail later the same day. They face up to three months’ imprisonment, as well as a fine of MYR 1,000 (around USD 315).

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127

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18/11/2013 AL

OTH 10/2013 Other

Indigenous peoples;

Letter concerning recent developments regarding the nomination and declaration of World Heritage sites by the World Heritage Committee. In this letter, the Special Rapporteur notes that the World Heritage Committee will hold a discussion on potential reforms to site nomination criteria and the Advisory Bodies’ evaluation process at its next annual session. According to the information received, reform efforts have arisen mainly due to the difficulties in the nomination process of the Pimachiowin Aki site in Canada, an indigenous-led nomination developed through a collaborative process between the Government of Canada and First Nations. The site was nominated as “mixed property” for both, its cultural and natural significance under the Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention. However, the World Heritage Committee reportedly deferred the Pimachiowin Aki nomination in large part because the Advisory Bodies were unable to concurrently consider natural and cultural values under the present criteria and evaluation processes.

04/12/2013

19/11/2013 JUA

JPN 1/2013 Japan

Freedom of expression; Health;

Allegations concerning the draft Special Secrets Bill which could seriously restrict the right to freedom of opinion and expression in Japan. According to the information received, the Lower House of the Japanese Parliament was at the time of writing deliberating a bill, approved by the Cabinet in October 2013. The draft Bill reportedly includes a number of provisions that may not be in line with international human rights standards on freedom of opinion and expression and with Japan’s Constitution, which recognizes the right to access information as part of the right to freedom of expression as a fundamental right. It is alleged that, if enacted, the Bill would provide very broad grounds for secrecy, limited oversight on decisions to classify matters as state secrets, and potential penalization of disclosure of confidential information including by whistleblowers and the press.

31/01/2014 31/01/2014 31/01/2014 31/01/2014

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19/11/2013 JAL

VEN 7/2013 Venezuela

Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders; Independence of judges and lawyers;

Presuntas restricciones indebidas al trabajo de organizaciones de la soviedad civil. Según la información recibida, las modificaciones hechas al Código Penal Venezolano en 2012 afectarían de manera negativa el trabajo de las y los defensores de derechos humanos y de las organizaciones de la sociedad civil, en particular aquéllas que traban con víctimas de violaciones de derechos humanos y sobre casos relacionados con la conducta de funcionarios públicos y las fuerzas del orden.

21/11/2013 JUA

MEX 11/2013 México

Arbitrary detention; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders; Torture;

Presuntos repetidos allanamientos del domicilio de un defensor de derechos humanos, así como detención arbitraria, uso excesivo de la fuerza y actos de tortura y malos tratos contra él y otras cuatro personas. Según las informaciones recibidas, el domicilio del Sr. Juan Carlos Soni Bulos fue allanado sin autorización por las fuerzas del orden los días 22 y 23 de junio de 2013, y varias pertenencias fueron sustraídas. Estos hechos fueron denunciados ante las autoridades, con los Sres. Evanibaldo Larraga Galván y Luis Enrique Biu González como testigos. El 9 de noviembre de 2013, estos indivudos, así como los Sres. Luis Edgardo Charnichart Ortega y el Sr. X, fueron violentamente arrestados por efectivos del cuerpo de la Marina. El Sr. Soni Bulos fue imputado por posesión de armas de fuego y drogas y remitido a un centro penitenciario, al igual que Evanibaldo Larraga Galván, Luis Edgardo Charnichart Ortega y Luis Enrique Biu González. El Sr. X, menor de edad, fue remitido a un centro de internamiento juvenil. Juan Carlos Soni Bulos es miembro de la ONG Academia de la Cultura Indígena de la Huasteca Potosina (ACIHPAC), actualmente beneficiario del Mecanismo Nacional de Protección a Personas Defensoras de los Derechos Humanos y Periodistas.

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129

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21/11/2013 JAL

ESP 4/2013 Spain

Discrimination against women in law and in practice; Extreme poverty; Foreign debt; Health; Migrants; Trafficking;

Alleged concerns over the impact of austerity measures on people living in poverty in Spain, in particular the effects on the equal enjoyment of their human right to the highest attainable standard of health. According to the information received, a combination of budgetary, legislative and administrative measures structurally modified the Spanish healthcare system, from a model based on the right to health recognized universally for all persons to a multi-layered model, which bases delivery on the economic and employment condition of the beneficiary. Specific groups have been particularly affected by this situation, including older persons, people living with chronic diseases such as HIV/AIDS, migrants, women (especially those disproportionately exposed to gender-based violence and victims of trafficking in persons) and youth/children.

24/01/2014

22/11/2013 JUA

ESP 6/2013 Spain

Migrants; Torture;

Alegación sobre los riesgos de persecución, tortura y/o malos tratos en el caso de aprobarse la extradición a Kazajistán. Según la información recibida, el 8 de noviembre de 2013, la Audiencia Nacional examinó y autorizó la solicitud de extradición. La solicitud habría sido presentada por el Gobierno de Kazajistán, confirmando así, la decisión adoptada el 23 de julio del mismo año por la Sección Segunda de la Sala de lo Penal. Se alega que de ser devuelto a Kazajistán, el Sr. Alexandr Pavlov, ex guardaespaldas y jefe de seguridad del Sr. Mukhtar Ablyazov, podría ser sometido a un juicio injusto, así como podría ser sujeto a actos de tortura y/o malos tratos.

13/12/2013 24/01/2014

A /H

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130 Date

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25/11/2013 JUA

EGY 15/2013 Egypt

Arbitrary detention; Torture;

Alleged arbitrary detention, torture and denial of medical treatment. According to the information received, in August 2013, Mr Ahmed Hassan Al-Din was reportedly arrested by law enforcement and State security officers and taken to Tajamo Awawal Police Station in New Cairo District 2. While detained, Mr Al-Din was allegedly beaten and insulted by several police officers. On 20 August, he was transferred to the State Security Investigation building, where he was reportedly put in a small cell and left handcuffed in a stress position for eight hours. While blindfolded, he was reportedly punched several times in the face before being taken to an interrogation room. He was later transferred to Tora prison in Aqrab, where he remained detained at the time of writing. It is reported that Mr Al-Din suffers from back pain as a result of falling twice when forced to walk down the stairs blindfolded. In an attempt to protest his situation, on 24 October 2013, Mr Al-Din began a hunger strike and on 4 November, he refused to take liquids.

25/11/2013 JAL

SLV 2/2013 El Salvador

Cultural Rights; Disappearances; Truth, justice, reparation & guarantees on non- rec;

Presunto cierre de la Oficina de Tutela Legal (Tutela Legal) de la Arquidiócesis de San Salvador y de su archivo que contendría información sobre casos de violaciones a los derechos humanos, incluyendo desapariciones forzadas. Según la información recibida, el día 30 de septiembre de 2013, la Arquidiócesis de San Salvador decretó el cierre de la Oficina de Tutela Legal de dicho Arzobispado. Se expresa preocupación por la protección de los aproximadamente 50.000 archivos en poder de Tutela Legal y por la preservación de la confidencialidad de los datos que contiene. Se señala la importancia del resguardo del Archivo, por el riesgo que podría representar para numerosas víctimas, familiares y testigos y para la promoción de la verdad, la justicia, la reparación y las garantías de no-repetición. La decisión de cerrar la Oficina de Tutela Legal ocurre diez días después de la admisión por la Sala de lo Constitucional de una demanda de inconstitucional contra la Ley de Amnistía General para la Consolidación de la Paz; proceso que podría permitir la apertura de procesos judiciales y en el marco de los cuales la documentación y archivos de la Oficina de Tutela Legal podrían jugar un rol central.

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131

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25/11/2013 JUA

IRQ 7/2013 Iraq

Arbitrary detention; Torture;

Allegations of torture and ill-treatment and imposition of the death penalty in view of the imminent extradition from Iraq to Saudi Arabia. According to the information received, in 2005, Mr Ayesh Al Harby, a political asylum seeker in Saudi Arabia, was reportedly arrested by United States Armed Forces in Baghdad and held in detention for three years without trial or charges brought against him. Mr Al Harby was reportedly subjected to torture and ill-treatment while in detention. Shortly after his release in September 2008, he was reportedly re-arrested by Iraqi Ministry of Interior forces and subjected to severe acts of torture. He was subsequently tried before Al Rusafa Court in Baghdad and sentenced to 15 years in prison on charges of alleged “terrorism-related activities” and alleged membership in armed groups. In July 2013, Mr Al Harby was transferred to the section of Al Rusafa Prison in Baghdad, where he remained at the time of writing. It is feared that, if extradited to Saudi Arabia, Mr Al Harby would be subjected to torture and ill-treatment and imposition of the death penalty.

02/12/2013

25/11/2013 JAL

OTH 9/2013 Other

Cultural Rights; Disappearances; Truth, justice, reparation & guarantees on non- rec;

A /H

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132 Date

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25/11/2013 JUA

SYR 6/2013 Syrian Arab Republic

Disappearances; Freedom of expression;

Alleged disappearance of two journalists. According to the information received, on 7 November 2013, Mr Abdulwahab Almullah was allegedly abducted by a group of unidentified armed men from his home in Aleppo. It was further reported that, on 1 October 2013, Mr Rami Al-Razzouk, was allegedly abducted by a group of armed men at a checkpoint between the cities of Raqqa and Toubqa. At the time of the present communication, the fate and whereabouts of Mr Abdulwahab Almullah and Mr Rami Al-Razzouk were unknown.

26/11/2013 JAL

AZE 5/2013 Azerbaijan

Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders;

Alleged targeting of an NGO in the aftermath of the recent presidential elections of 9 October 2013. According to the information received, on 28 and 30 October 2013, the Office of the Prosecutor General called for questioning the Chairperson and Executive Director of the Azerbaijani Election Monitoring and Democracy Studies Centre (EMDSC). This is reportedly due to heightened scrutiny vis-à-vis any organization receiving large amount of grants from foreign sources. On 31 October 2013, law enforcement officials reportedly searched the EMDSC’s premises and confiscated computers, print materials, and programme and financial documents. EMDSC is a non-governmental organization, which works on election monitoring and, more broadly, on the promotion and protection of the right to participate in the conduct of public affairs.

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133

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26/11/2013 JAL

BHR 8/2013 Bahrain

Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Torture;

Allegations of arbitrary detention, torture and ill-treatment. According to the information received, on 26 April 2011, law enforcement officers arrested at their home Ms X and her sister, following Ms X’s participation in a peaceful demonstration at the University of Bahrain. They were charged with “participation in illegal assembly”, “illegal possession of weapons”, and “destruction of university property”. Ms X and her sister were taken to an unknown location where Ms X was separated from her sister. She was reportedly beaten during interrogations and threatened with rape for the purposes of extracting confessions. Ms X and her sister were subsequently released on the following morning. Ms X was later tried by the Criminal Court of Bahrain and was sentenced to 40 days in prison or a fine of 200 Bahraini Dinar. On at least two occasions, she was reportedly expelled from the University of Bahrain, arrested and released shortly afterwards. Serious concern is expressed for the physical and psychological integrity of Ms X and her sister. Grave concern is expressed at the fact that Ms X’s detention may be linked to her recent participation in a peaceful assembly.

23/01/2014

26/11/2013 JUA

MEX 10/2013 México

Business enterprises; Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders; Summary executions;

Presunto clima de violencia, intimidación y hostigamiento a defensores y defensoras de derechos humanos que trabajan en defensa del acceso a la tierra y a los recursos naturales. Este clima incluiría asesinatos, secuestros, detenciones y allanamientos de individuos y organizaciones, a menudo trabajando por los derechos de pueblos indígenas y comunidades locales y en el contexto de grandes proyectos de desarrollo y operaciones de empresas del sector energético y extractivo, en particular en los estados de Chihuahua, Distrito Federal, Guerrero, Oaxaca y Veracruz, aunque algunos de los casos mencionados en esta comunicación incluyen incidentes ocurridos en los estados de México y de Morelos.

A /H

R C

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134 Date

Type

Case No

Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply

26/11/2013 JAL

NIC 2/2013 Nicaragua

Discrimination against women in law and in practice; Torture; Violence against women;

Alegaciones en relación con la reforma de la Ley contra la violencia hacia las mujeres y de reformas del Código Penal de Nicaragua. Según la información recibida, el 25 de septiembre de 2013, la Asamblea Nacional aprobó la “Ley de Modificación al Artículo 46 y Adición a los Artículos 30 y 32 de la Ley 779, titulada Ley Integral contra la Violencia hacia las Mujeres y de Reformas a la Ley No. 641, Código Penal”. Resulta preocupante observar que, tras la aprobación de un marco legislativo comprensivo para la lucha contra la violencia de género, se haya introducido un mecanismo de mediación que supone un agravamiento en la situación de vulnerabilidad de las víctimas. Se considera absolutamente desafortunado el hecho que esta reforma pueda poner a las víctimas de violencia de género ante un riesgo aún mayor.

20/01/2014

26/11/2013 JAL

NGA 5/2013 Nigeria

Adequate housing; Extreme poverty;

Alleged concerns over the impact of the Multi-Year Tariff Order II (MYTO II) and its potential detrimental impact on the realization of human rights of people living in extreme poverty in Nigeria. According to the information received, the fact that there is no functioning metering system limits the ability to accurately set prices for electricity and leaves electricity bills vulnerable to mismanagement and arbitrary decisions, disproportionately affecting people living in poverty. Certain groups already vulnerable to poverty and social exclusion, including women heads of households and persons living in informal settlements and in rural areas, may be especially affected by the rise in tariffs under MYTO II enacted by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) on 1 June 2012.

26/11/2013 JUA

LKA 5/2013 Sri Lanka

Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders; Summary executions;

Alleged death threats against a human rights defender broadcast by State media. According to the information received, on 4 November 2013 the Sri Lankan Broadcasting Corporation broadcast, a radio programme in which serious threats were made against the life of Ms Nimalka Fernando. The threats were made after the airing of a recording that had been broadcast the day before on Hiru TV with the approval of Ms Fernando. It is further reported that the presenters of the radio show endorsed and encouraged the threats being made against her.

A /H

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/25/74

135

Date Type

Case No

Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply

27/11/2013 JUA

MMR 16/2013 Myanmar

Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Freedom of religion; Human rights defenders; Myanmar;

Allegation of physical attacks against a human rights defender in Myanmar, and violation of his rights to freedom of opinion and expression, freedom of peaceful assembly and of association and freedom of religion or belief. According to the information received, on 22 October 2013, Mr Aung Zaw Oo, a 33 year old Muslim from Taunggyi in Shan State, was asked by military Special Branch officers to sign a written statement committing him not to engage in political activities in exchange for the removal of his name from a political activists watch list. Following his refusal to do so, he was reportedly hit on three separate occasions by motorbikes driving at him. Police have reportedly failed to take up his case. There are concerns that the alleged attacks may be related to his civil society work in Rakhine State.

27/11/2013 JUA

TUN 2/2013 Tunisie

Arbitrary detention; Freedom of expression; Torture;

Allégations concernant la condamnation et l’emprisonnement d’un blogueur. Selon les informations reçues, M. Jabeur Mejri aurait été arrêté le 5 mars 2012 pour avoir posté un roman satirique, intitulé «The Illusion of Islam», sur des sites de réseaux sociaux et serait détenu à ce jour. Il aurait été soumis à la torture pendant les interrogatoires et condamné à sept ans et demi de prison. Il est aussi signalé qu’il n’aurait pas reçu d’assistance médicale pour ses problèmes de comportement et que les demandes pour l’examen de son état mental auraient été refusées. Sa peine aurait été confirmée le 25 avril 2013 par la Cour de Cassation.

29/11/2013 10/01/2014

28/11/2013 JAL

SLV 3/2013 El Salvador

Disappearances; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders;

Presunto allanamiento y destrucción de documentos y materiales de una organización y actos violentos e intimidatorios contra varios integrantes de la misma. Según las informaciones recibidas, en la madrugada del 14 de noviembre de 2013, tres hombres armados habrían amenazado a punta de pistola al conductor de la asociación Pro- Búsqueda, así como al vigilante y al presidente de la Junta Directiva. Al ganar acceso a la oficina, dichos hombres habrían quemado documentos, sustraído archivos y prendido fuego con gasolina parte de sus instalaciones. Así mismo, una empleada de la asociación habría sido perseguida pocas horas después mientras se dirigía a su puesto de trabajo. Se alega que el material destruido incluye muestras de ADN y datos de familiares víctimas de violaciones a derechos humanos y desapariciones forzadas durante el conflicto armado.

29/01/2014

A /H

R C

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136 Date

Type

Case No

Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply

28/11/2013 JAL

IRN 20/2013 Iran (Islamic Republic of)

Discrimination against women in law and in practice; Freedom of religion; Health; Iran; Sale of children; Slavery; Violence against women;

Allegations concerning legislation which discriminates against women and girls, including provisions allowing for child marriage, including between a child and legal guardian, and polygamy. According to the information received, article 1401 of the Civil Code of the Islamic Republic of Iran provides for marriage of girls at 13 years; the 2013 Family Protection Law of the Islamic Republic of Iran reportedly allows for two types of marriage contracts, full or temporary, and polygamy is also legal under this law. Furthermore, on 22 September 2013, the Islamic Consultative Assembly reportedly ratified the “Unsupervised or III Supervised Children and Youth Protection Bill”, Article 27 of which allows for a marriage between a child and his/her legal guardian in circumstances where a child “has reached maturity / puberty” and “marriage with the guardian would be in the best interests of the child”.

28/11/2013 JAL

IRN 21/2013 Iran (Islamic Republic of)

Iran; Minority issues; Summary executions; Torture;

Alleged executions of individuals belonging to minority groups in violation of international human rights law. According to the information received, on 26 October 2013, 16 individuals of Baloch origin were executed in the Islamic Republic of Iran “in response” to the killing of 14 border guards the day before. It was publicly announced that those executed were Messrs Nazar Mullazahi, Mehrollah Raigi Maherniya, Abdul Wahab Rigi, Habibollah Raiginezad Shoraki, Saeed Naroyi, Hamid Wakalat, Soleiman Miayi, Ahmad Behrami Zahi, Azam Gorgaij, Dawood Mir Baloch Zahi, Hasan Rezai, Habib Totazahi, Nasser Shabakhsh, Ahmad Dehmorda, Hossein Barahowi and Najibullah Bahadori. There is no proof linking any of those executed on 26 October 2013, to the killings of the border guards on 25 October 2013. Furthermore, Messrs Reza Esmaili and Habibollah Golparipour (or Gholpari-poor), as well as Mr Shirkoo (or Sherko) Moarefi, who were members of the Kurdish minority, were also reportedly executed on 26 October 2013 and 4 November 2013, respectively, after proceedings that did not comply with fair trial and due process standards. All individuals executed were allegedly sentenced to death for crimes which do not constitute “most serious crime” under international law. Messrs Golparipour and Moarefi were the subjects of previous communications, dated 26 March 2012 (A/HRC/21/49), 26 May 2011 (A/HRC/18/51) and 13 October 2009 (A/HRC/14/24/Add.1).

24/01/2014

A /H

R C

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137

Date Type

Case No

Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply

28/11/2013 JUA

IRQ 8/2013 Iraq

Arbitrary detention; Independence of judges and lawyers; Summary executions; Torture;

Alleged risk of imminent execution in violation of international human rights law. According to the information received, Mr Ahmad ‘Amr ‘Abd al-Qadir Muhammad, sentenced to death in 2011 under the Anti-Terror Law of 2005, at the time of writing remained at risk of imminent execution in Iraq, following the rejection of his application for retrial by the Court of Cassation on 12 November 2013.During the re- trial, the defendant allegedly was limited to presenting written submissions, and the allegations of the defendant’s torture, confessions obtained under torture, and use of his confession as evidence against him were not addressed. Mr Ahmad ‘Amr ‘Abd al- Qadir Muhammad was the subject of a previous communication dated 11 October 2012 (A/HRC/22/67). The Government provided a detailed reply on 12 December 2012, providing information on the temporary stay of the defendant’s execution. The reply did not provide detailed responses in relation a number of concerns expressed in the previous communication.

29/11/2013 JAL

AFG 1/2013 Afghanistan

Summary executions; Terrorism; Torture;

Alleged killings of at least 19 persons as a consequence of alleged abuses committed by the United States Army 3rd Special Forces group, known as Operation Detachment Alpha (ODA). According to the information received, in November 2012, several local residents claimed that a number of killings that had occurred in the district of Nerkh in the province of Wardak were connected to operations by ODA 3124. For instance, body of Mr Nasrutullah was found in Nerkh with his throat slit in November 2013 following his arrest by US forces. In addition, members of ODA 3124 were allegedly involved in the deaths of ten Afghan men from Nerkh district who had earlier been taken into custody by US forces. After ODA 3124 withdrew from Nerkh district in April 2013, ten sets of human remains were allegedly found near the former base of ODA 3124. Furthermore, at least eight men are reported to have been killed in operations conducted by ODA 3124 and several detainees mistreated, harassed and severely beaten while in ODA 3124 detention.

A /H

R C

/25/74

138 Date

Type

Case No

Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply

29/11/2013 JUA

SDN 9/2013 Sudan

Discrimination against women in law and in practice; Sudan; Torture; Violence against women;

Alleged risk of corporal punishment of up to 40 lashes of Ms Najlaa Mohammed Ali and Mr Amin Senada. According to information received, on 21 October 2013, Ms Ali and Mr Senada were arrested by members of Sudan’s police and security forces in Port Sudan and charged with ‘indecent behaviour’ for riding in the same car together. If convicted, both would be at risk of being flogged with up to 40 lashes in line with Article 152 of Sudan’s 1991 Criminal Code.

29/11/2013 JAL

USA 17/2013 United States of America

Summary executions; Terrorism; Torture;

29/11/2013 AL

USA 18/2013 United States of America

Torture;

Alleged prolonged solitary confinement under “administrative segregation” status of Mr William Blake. According to the information received, Mr William Blake, 50 years of age, has been held in isolation under “administrative segregation” status for 26 consecutive years. Mr Blake has been the subject of a previous communication sent on 18 March 2013 (A/HRC/24/21), which addressed the alleged practices in New York State prisons that subjects thousands of incarcerated persons to prolonged solitary confinement, other extreme isolation practices, and inhuman or degrading conditions in detention, including the denial of adequate medical treatment. A reply was received on 7 August 2013.

A /H

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139

B. Replies received between 1 August 2013 and 31 January 2014 relating to communications sent before 1 June 2013

11. The table below lists, in chronological order, communications dating before 1 June 2013 to which a reply or an additional reply has been received in the period between 1 August 2013 and 31 January 2014. 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.

Date Type

Case No

Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply

03/03/2011 JUA

SAU 1/2011 Saudi Arabia

Arbitrary detention; Freedom of expression; Human rights defenders;

Alleged detention of the founders of a political party. According to the information received, on 16 February 2011, Mr Ahmad bin Sa‘d al-Ghamdi, Mr. Abdul Aziz al- Wuhaibi, Mr. Muhammad bin Hussain al-Qahtani and Mr. Muhammad bin Nasser al- Ghamdi, together with three other Saudi Arabian citizens, were arrested by members of the Interior Ministry‘s General Intelligence. A week prior to their detention, they had submitted a request for recognition of what would be Saudi Arabia‘s first political party, the Islamic Omma Party. All of them were asked to sign an undertaking that they would renounce their activities with the party. Mr. bin Sa‘d al-Ghamdi, Mr Aziz al-Wuhaibi, Mr bin Hussain al-Qahtani and Mr bin Nasser al-Ghamdi reportedly refused to do so, and as a result they were placed in detention.

03/06/2013

A /H

R C

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140 Date

Type

Case No

Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply

06/07/2011 JAL

BRA 3/2011 Brazil

Freedom of expression; Human rights defenders; Summary executions;

Alleged killings of human rights defenders. According to the information received, on 24 May 2011, Mr José Cláudio Ribeiros da Silva and Ms Maria do Espírito Santo da Silva, leaders of Projeto Agroextrativista Praialta-Piranheira and members of the Conselho Nacional das Populaçoes Extrativistas, were ambushed and shot by unknown individuals. They had reportedly received death threats in the past, reportedly from loggers and cattle ranchers. On 27 May 2011, Mr Adelino Dinho Ramos, coordinator of the Movimiento Campones Corumbiara, was reportedly shot dead in Porto Vehlo, Rodondia. The killing of Erenilto Pereira dos Santos, which reportedly took place on 28 May 2011, may allegedly be linked to the killing of Mr Ribeiros da Silva and Ms Espírito Santo da Silva, as it is believed that he may have witnessed the incident. The aforementioned killings reportedly took place in the context of a Congressional debate regarding amendments to Brazil’s Forest Code.

25/09/2013

17/08/2011 JUA

LKA 5/2011 Sri Lanka

Arbitrary detention; Torture;

Alleged arbitrary detention and ill-treatment. According to the information received, Mr Wickramasinghe Arachchige Ranjith Chandrasiri Perera was arrested by police officers of the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) and the Colombo Crime Division on 14 May 2009 without arrest warrant. He was allegedly severely assaulted while being held at the Colombo Crime Division (CCD) in Dematagoda. On 23 June 2009, Mr Wickramasinghe was allegedly blindfolded and taken to an unknown location, where he was severely beaten.

02/10/2013

09/02/2012 JUA

MDA 2/2012 Republic of Moldova

Arbitrary detention; Torture;

Allegations of torture and other ill-treatment in pre-trial detention. According to the information received, Mr X is the suspect of sexual assault and murder of a young couple in Hincesti. He was allegedly tortured while in pre-trial detention at central Mol isolator in Chisinau KPZ-13 between 16 April 2011 and 13 July 2011. Mr X was allegedly transferred to a psychiatric facility for a term of 60 days following a decision of the Central District Court of Chisinau dated 13 July 2011. Allegedly, the term expired, and there was no judicial review and decision to extend it, and thus there was a lack of legal basis for Mr X’s detention beyond 13 September 2011.

12/04/2012 29/08/2013

A /H

R C

/25/74

141

Date Type

Case No

Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply

15/02/2012 JAL

IND 3/2012 India

Freedom of expression; Human rights defenders; Summary executions;

Alleged killing of human rights defender. According to the information received, land rights activist Mr S. Bhuvaneswaran was killed in Kolathur in the district of Chennai on 10 January 2012. It is reported that Mr Bhuvaneswaran was attacked by a man armed with a sickle as another assailant kept hold of his daughter. Reports indicate that the killing may have been connected with Mr Bhuvaneswaran’s campaigning against land grabs allegedly carried out by a land mafia group with reported links to the Dravidian Progress Federation political party. It is alleged that death threats were made against Mr Bhuvaneswaran in July 2011, but police reportedly failed to take protective measures after learning of the threats. Reports indicate that two cases have been registered by the police in relation to the alleged killing.

06/08/2013

21/02/2012 JUA

SAU 4/2012 Saudi Arabia

Arbitrary detention; Freedom of expression; Freedom of religion; Summary executions;

Alleged risk of death sentence. According to the information received, on 7 February 2012, Mr Hamza Kashgari, a blogger, fled Saudi Arabia following accusations of apostasy in relation to an online post he had made concerning the Prophet Mohammed. On 9 February 2012, he was allegedly arrested at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Malaysia, after an arrest warrant was reportedly issued by the Saudi Arabian authorities. On 12 February 2012, Mr Kashgari was allegedly deported from Malaysia to Saudi Arabia and has since remained in detention in Riyadh. He is reportedly at serious risk of receiving a death sentence as a result of his post on Twitter.

26/09/2013

11/04/2012 JUA

BRA 4/2012 Brazil

Freedom of expression; Human rights defenders; Summary executions;

Alleged killing of environmental rights defender and death threats against another human rights defender. According to the information received, on 22 October 2011, two days after he and two fellow defenders had filed a complaint against illegal logging activities, Mr Joao Chupel Primo, one of the leaders of the Area Settlement Project in the Riozinho Anfrisio Reserve, was shot and killed in the car repair shop where he worked in the city of Itaituba, Pará. Reportedly, on 17 February 2012, after having received assistance from Ms Lygia Zamali Fernandes, who works with the Federation of Communities from Big Lake Land Area (FEAGLE), an organisation which seeks to promote rights of 140 traditional communities in Pará, the other two defenders were included in the National Protection Program for Human Rights Defenders. It is alleged that Ms. Zamali Fernandes began receiving threatening phone calls the next day and that these continued until 29 February 2012.

29/08/2013

A /H

R C

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142 Date

Type

Case No

Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply

30/04/2012 JAL

IND 5/2012 India

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.

06/08/2013

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 01/10/2012 13/06/2013

11/07/2012 AL

LKA 3/2012 Sri Lanka

Freedom of religion;

Alleged assault by a Buddhist Monk teacher on 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 by 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 while he was also 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 some threats of violence from Mr Y.

14/06/2013

A /H

R C

/25/74

143

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 being subsequently 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.

29/08/2013

A /H

R C

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144 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, and 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.

19/06/2013

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.

19/11/2013 19/11/2013 19/11/2013 19/11/2013

A /H

R C

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145

Date Type

Case No

Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply

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 killed 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.

06/06/2013

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.

25/06/2013

A /H

R C

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146 Date

Type

Case No

Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply

05/12/2012 JAL

TUN 6/2012 Tunisie

Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders; Summary executions;

Allégations d’assassinat d'un activiste politique et syndicaliste. Selon les informations reçues, le 18 octobre 2012, M. Mohamed Lotfi Naguedh, coordinateur régional du parti politique Nida Tounes et Secrétaire Général de l’Union Régionale de l’Agriculture et de la Pêche, aurait été attaqué par un groupe de manifestants, composé principalement de partisans d’Ennahda et de la Ligue de la Protection de la Révolution. L'activiste aurait été transporté à l’hôpital, où il serait mort des suites de ses blessures. L'incident se serait produit pendant une manifestation à Tataouine, organisée par des partisans d’Ennahda, du Congrès de la République, de la Ligue Populaire de la Protection de la Révolution et d’autres membres de la société civile, dont le but était de demander aux responsables des institutions publiques de l’ancien Gouvernement de renoncer à leurs emplois. Préalablement à cet incident, M. Naguedh avait demandé une protection policière au chef de la police locale, mais sa demande avait été rejetée.

25/11/2013

10/12/2012 JAL

AZE 5/2012 Azerbaijan

Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders;

Alleged legislative amendments increasing fines and criminalizing breaches of the regulations regarding the organization and participation in peaceful assemblies, which may be contrary to the fundamental right to freedom of peaceful assembly. According to the information received, on 2 November 2012, the Parliament of Azerbaijan adopted new amendments to the law on Freedom of Assembly, the Administrative Offences Code and the Criminal Code. Individuals breaching the Freedom of Assembly laws can now reportedly be prosecuted criminally or detained under administrative arrest. Also the fines for participating in and organizing unlawful gatherings have been increased massively.

16/08/2013

A /H

R C

/25/74

147

Date Type

Case No

Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply

17/12/2012 JUA

COL 13/2012 Colombia

Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders; Summary executions;

Presunto asesinato de un defensor de los derechos de las víctimas y alegaciones de una ola creciente de amenazas y actos de intimidación contra defensores de los derechos de las víctimas y sus familiares. Según la información recibida, el 1 de diciembre de 2012, unas personas desconocidas dispararon al Sr. Miller Angulo, un miembro de la Mesa Municipal de Víctimas de Tumaco y de la Mesa Departamental de Víctimas, el cual falleció en el lugar de los hechos. Se informa de que el Sr. Angulo ya ha sido objeto de amenazas y que había huido de su municipalidad local. La Sra. Alfamir Castillo, cuyo hijo fue víctima juntos con otras dos personas de una ejecución extra-judicial en febrero de 2008, ha sido objeto de una serie de actos de intimidación y amenazas desde que empezaron las audiencias del caso en septiembre 2011, así como otros familiares de las víctimas y los abogados del caso los Sres. Jorge Molano y Germán Romero. Se informe asimismo que Edwin Mosquera, Gerardo Vega Medina, Carmen Palencia Cabrales, Carlos Yamil Páez Díaz, Beatriz Elena Mestra Gonzalez, Alfranio Lozano, Manuel Mercado y Jose Miguel Padilla, miembros de las organizaciones no-gubernamentales Comisión Intereclesial de Justicia y Paz, Tierra y Vida y Forjando Futuro, habrían sido objeto de amenazas en relación con su trabajo en favor de las víctimas de violaciones de derechos humanos.

20/06/2013 02/08/2013

20/12/2012 JUA

LAO 3/2012 République Démocratique Populaire Lao

Disappearances; Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders;

Allegations of enforced disappearance of a human rights defender working on issues of land grabbing and assisting victims to speak out about their experiences. According to the information received, on 15 December 2012, Mr Sombath Somphone was taken to a police station, before being pushed into the back seat of a vehicle by two men in civilian clothing. His whereabouts remain unknown at the time of writing the present appeal. Prior to his disappearance, Mr Somphone was involved in trying to stop threats made by officials against people who publicly spoke up against land grabbing they experienced, during the Asia-Europe People’s Forum held in November 2012,. Mr Somphone was calling for an investigation into these threats.

03/01/2013 25/03/2013 10/06/2013

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04/01/2013 JAL

CMR 6/2012 Cameroun

Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders;

Allégations d’un raid illégal contre l’ONG Struggle to Economize Future Environment et de l’arrestation arbitraire subséquente de six de ses membres. Selon les informations reçues, le 14 novembre 2012, des officiers armés de la Gendarmerie ont conduit un raid dans les locaux de l’ONG ‘Struggle to Economize Future Environment’ (SEFE), une organisation luttant pour la protection de l’environnement. Aucun mandat de perquisition n’aurait été présenté. Il est, en outre, rapporté que M. Nasako Besingi, Directeur de l’association, ainsi que Mme Ekpoh Theresia Malingo, M. Isele Gabriel Ngoe, M. Mosongo Lawrence Namaso, M. Nwete Jongele et M. Ochoe Charles Tatana, tous membres de la SEFE, auraient été arrêtés durant le raid. Les officiers de la Gendarmerie n’auraient, selon les informations reçues, présenté aucun mandat d’arrêt et n’auraient porté aucune accusation à l’encontre du Directeur et des membres de la SEFE.

30/07/2013

09/01/2013 JUA

IRN 1/2013 Iran (Islamic Republic of)

Iran; Summary executions; Torture;

Alleged imminent execution of members of the Kurdish community. According to the information received, Mr Zaneyar Moradee and Mr Loghmun Moradee were sentenced to death on charges of “enmity against God” (moharebeh) and “corruption on earth” (Fisad- fil-Arz) for allegedly murdering the son of a senior cleric in Marivan, Kordestan province in July 2009. In addition they were also convicted of participating in armed activities of Komala, a Kurdish opposition group. Their death penalty was upheld by both the Supreme Court and the court of appeal in 2011. Concerns remain about the alleged due process procedures, forced confession, torture and other physical violence including lashing for the purpose of soliciting confession. The authorities have reportedly notified Marivan Friday Imam of the planned execution and the Prosecutor for Kurdistan reportedly left on 7 January 2012 for Karaj prison to carry out the execution.

12/08/2013

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149

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14/01/2013 JUA

VNM 1/2013 Viet Nam

Arbitrary detention; Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders;

Alleged sentencing and detention of pro-democracy activists. According to the information received, on 9 January 2013, Messrs Ho Duc Hoa, Dang Xuan Dieu, Paulus Le Son, Nguyen Van Duyet, Nguyen Van Oai, Ho Van Oanh, Nguyen Dinh Cuong, Nguyen Xuan Anh, Thai Van Dung, Tran Minh Nhat, Nong Hung Anh, Nguyen Dang Vinh Phuc, Nguyen Dang Minh Man and Dang Ngoc Minh were convicted and sentenced to prison terms ranging from 3 to 13 years by the People’s Court of Nghe An on charges of ‘carrying out activities aimed at overthrowing the people’s administration’ under Section 79 of the Penal Code. The group of 14 activists, one of whom received a suspended sentence, includes bloggers, citizen journalists, community workers, environmental and anti-corruption activists. Mr Le Quoc Quan was reportedly arrested on 27 December 2012 in Hanoi and charged with tax evasion under Article 161 of the Criminal Code. He was reportedly being held in Hoa Lo Prison no. 1 and had not been granted access to his family or lawyer.

21/03/2013 27/08/2013

15/01/2013 AL

CRI 1/2013 Costa Rica

Indigenous peoples;

Carta de seguimiento en relación con el propuesto proyecto hidroeléctrico el Diquis. La carta da seguimiento al informe del Relator Especial sobre el proyecto hidroeléctrico de mayo de 2011 (A/HRC/18/35/Add.8). En la carta, el Relator Especial solicita información sobre los avances en relación con el propuesto proyecto el Diquis y el proceso de consulta correspondiente con los pueblos indígenas afectados, así como información acerca de cuestiones conexas tratadas en su informe, tales como las relativas a tierras y la autonomía indígenas. El Relator Especial también lleva a la atención del Gobierno información recibida respecto de los supuestos actos de violencia en la comunidad de Salitre a inicios de enero de 2013. Según la información recibida, indígenas de la comunidad de Salitre habrían sido atacados por personas no-indígenas que están ocupando tierras dentro del territorio demarcado a favor de la comunidad.

03/06/2013

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17/01/2013 JAL

BOL 1/2013 Bolivia

Health; Violence against women;

Supuesto impacto del Código Penal de Bolivia en la salud sexual y reproductiva de las mujeres. Según la informacion recibida, el actual Código Penal de Bolivia contiene una serie de leyes que contravienen las garantías de los derechos sexuales y reproductivos incluidos en la Constitución del 2009. El Código Penal impone sanciones para cualquier persona que practique o se someta a un aborto, incluso en condiciones seguras y dentro de las primeras 12 semanas de embarazo (artículos 263 y 269). Así mismo, se alega que el artículo 266 del Código Penal establece que en casos de violación o incesto, una mujer puede tener acceso a abortos legales sólo si inicia un procedimiento de demanda. También se alega que el artículo 254 establece una figura de "homicidio por emoción violenta" que, según la información recibida, ha sido empleada como base para la impunidad en casos de violencia contra las mujeres.

20/09/2013

17/01/2013 JAL

NLD 1/2013 Netherlands

African descent; Cultural Rights; Minority issues; Racism;

Allegation that the Dutch celebration of Black Pete, also known as “Zwarte Piet”, which, each year, is part of the Saint Nicholas Event (5 December), and precedes and accompanies the celebration of Santa Claus, perpetuates a stereotyped image of African people and people of African descent. According to the information received, proposals have been made to declare the Dutch Cultural Historical Tradition “Santa Claus and Black Pete” as Immaterial Cultural Heritage, and the Dutch authorities have selected the annual Saint Nicolas Event (December 5) as one of the intangible heritages to be submitted for inclusion in the UNESCO list.

10/07/2013

18/01/2013 JAL

AZE 1/2013 Azerbaijan

Freedom of expression; Human rights defenders; Torture;

Allegations concerning the physical and psychological integrity of a human rights defender in pre-trial detention. According to the information received, since 22 June 2012, Mr Hilal Mammadov had been in pre-trial detention under charges of, inter alia, treason and incitement to national, racial or religious hostility. It is reported that in November 2012, Mr Mammadov was beaten and injured by his cell mate who allegedly suffered from a serious mental disease. It is also reported that, in November 2012, the courts rejected a complaint filed by Mr Mammadov denouncing acts of torture and ill- treatment he allegedly suffered during his arrest, acts which were reportedly supported by a forensic examination. Mr Mammadov has been a leader of Azerbaijan’s ethnic Talysh minority and had shortly before his arrest become editor of the newspaper Tolishi Sado (Talysh Voice), the only newspaper published in the Talysh minority language of southern Azerbaijan.

20/03/2013 27/08/2013 06/12/2013

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11/02/2013 JAL

IND 1/2013 India

Independence of judges and lawyers; Summary executions; Terrorism; Torture;

Alleged execution after proceedings that did not comply fully with fair trial and due process guarantees. According to the information received, Mr Ajmal Kasab, a Pakistani national aged 25, was executed in India on 21 November 2012. He was sentenced to death by a special court in 2010, for his alleged involvement in the Mumbai attacks that took place on 26 November 2008, and reportedly resulted in 150 persons killed and approximately 250 individuals injured. It was reported that Mr Kasab was found guilty of more than 80 charges, including murder, committing acts of terrorism and criminal conspiracy to commit murder. The legal proceedings against him allegedly did not comply sufficiently with international human rights law standards regarding fair trial and due process guarantees. His execution was reportedly carried out in secret, and announced to the public only afterwards.

12/02/2013 06/08/2013

12/02/2013 AL

BWA 1/2013 Botswana

Indigenous peoples;

Allegations concerning the situation of the Basarwa and Bakgalagadi indigenous peoples in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve. According to the information received, there are approximately 500 to 600 Basarwa and Bakgalagadi indigenous residents living in five communities within the Central Kalahari Game Reserve. Approximately 2,200 to 2,400 Basarwa and Bankgaladi people who were former residents of the Reserve, but who have been evicted from their traditional lands, now live in the resettlement sites of Xere, New Xade and Kaudwane. In the Roy Sesana and Others v. The Attorney General decision of 2006, the High Court of Botswana held that the Government’s refusal to allow the applicants in the case to enter the Reserve unless they were issued with permits was unlawful and unconstitutional. However, the Government has allegedly maintained a position that only the 243 applicants who were named in the Sesana case can return to the Reserve without obtaining a temporary entry permit. Further, indigenous residents in the Reserve have allegedly been criminally prosecuted, arrested, harassed, beaten and intimidated by police and park officials for engaging in their traditional subsistence hunting and gathering activities.

22/02/2013 30/07/2013

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15/02/2013 UA

AGO 1/2013 Angola

Adequate housing;

Alleged forced evictions of thousands of families from the Majombe neighbourhood of Cacuaco municipality in Luanda. According to information received, on 1, 2, 4 and 5 February 2013, thousands of families from the Maiombe neighbourhood of Cacuaco municipality, in the capital of Luanda, have been forcibly evicted by Government officials and private security forces, and their houses have been demolished. It is further alleged that some individuals have been beaten in the process, and that at least six people have been arrested when attempting to resist the demolitions. Allegedly, hundreds of other families who remained in the ruins of their homes after the demolitions are currently at risk of being forcibly evicted.

26/09/2013

26/02/2013 AL

NGA 1/2013 Nigeria

Adequate housing;

Alleged demolitions of 30 houses in the Oke-Ilu-Eri area of Badia East in Lagos and imminent threat of further demolitions and evictions in the same area. According to the information received, on the morning of 23 February 2013 a demolition squad from the Lagos State Government began demolishing houses in the Oke-Ilu-Eri area of Badia East in Lagos. As many as 30 houses are reported to have been demolished within the hour and thousands more residents are to be further evicted and their houses demolished. Reportedly, no appropriate prior notice of the evictions and demolitions was provided to the residents.

06/06/2013

01/03/2013 AL

ARG 2/2013 Argentina

Torture;

Alegación de actos de tortura cometidos por agentes oficiales de una comisaria de General Madariaga, en la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Según la información recibida, el Señor Damián Alejandro Sepúlveda habría sido hallado muerto en su celda en una comisaría de General Madariaga, en la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Los funcionarios de la comisaría habrían informado de que la causa de muerte fue un suicidio, lo que fue constatado por el informe pericial de la primera autopsia ordenada. Sin embargo, se informa que tras la insistencia de los familiares, se autorizó la realización de una segunda autopsia por una institución distinta. Esta segunda autopsia habría encontrado evidencias de múltiples lesiones en el cuerpo de Sepúlveda, incluyendo fracturas en sus costillas, golpes en brazos y tórax, y severa lesión en el cuero cabelludo y cráneo.

29/05/2013 29/05/2013 29/05/2013 29/05/2013 10/06/2013 10/06/2013 26/06/2013 26/06/2013 26/06/2013

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153

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07/03/2013 JAL

DZA 1/2013 Algérie

Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders;

Allégation d’entraves indues au droit à la liberté de réunion pacifique d’activistes syndicaux. Selon les informations reçues, le 2 janvier 2013, une manifestation pacifique de chômeurs appelant au respect de leur droit à l’emploi s’est tenue devant l’Agence pour l’emploi à Ouargla. La manifestation aurait été infiltrée par des éléments perturbateurs dans le but de l’orienter et d’attiser des violences avec les forces de police. M. Tahar Belabess, porte-parole du Comité National pour la Défense des Droits des Chômeurs (CNDDC), aurait été arrêté à cette occasion. Il aurait été condamné, le 3 février 2013, à un mois de prison ferme et à une amende de 50 000 Dinars Algériens (environ 500€). Le 20 février 2013, des activistes syndicalistes auraient tenté d’organiser le 1er Forum maghrébin pour la lutte contre le chômage et le travail précaire à la Maison des Syndicats de Bab Ezzouar à Alger. Le matin de la réunion, la police aurait encerclé la Maison des Syndicats et aurait arrêté tous les participants, y compris M. Mourad Thicko, membre du Syndicat National Autonome du Personnel de l’Administration Publique (SNAPAP), et M. Abdelkader Kherba, membre du Comité national pour la défense des droits des chômeurs (CNDDC). Le 25 février 2013, à l’initiative de mouvements syndicalistes, des manifestants originaires de différentes wilayas auraient tenté de tenir un sit-in pacifique devant le Ministère du Travail de l’Emploi et de la Sécurité sociale. Avant même le début de la manifestation, un dispositif policier conséquent aurait empêché le sit-in de se tenir.

02/08/2013

07/03/2013 JAL

LKA 2/2013 Sri Lanka

Summary executions; Torture;

Alleged deaths in custody. According to information received Messrs. Koggala Marakkalage Thushara Samanthilake, M.D. Kalum Priyanath, and Chandrasiri Dasanayaka, on separate occasions and in different areas, were arrested in 2012 for alleged drug-related offences. These individuals were subsequently taken to the respective police stations where they sustained injuries allegedly inflicted by the police, resulting subsequently in their deaths.

19/06/2013

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12/03/2013 JAL

IND 3/2013 India

Independence of judges and lawyers; Summary executions; Torture;

Alleged execution after proceedings that did not comply with international standards of fair trial and due process guarantees. According to information received, Mr Mohammad Afzal Guru, aged 43, was executed at Tihar jail, New Delhi on 9 February 2013 after being sentenced to death in December 2002 for his involvement in attacks on 13 December 2001 at the Indian Parliament in New Delhi, during which nine people were killed. Reportedly, Mr Guru only received legal representation after he confessed. His confession, which he subsequently retracted, was allegedly obtained through torture. It is also reported that the Government-appointed legal representative failed to conduct a thorough cross-examination of evidence and witnesses. Mr Guru`s appeal for clemency was rejected on 3 February 2013. He was allegedly denied judicial review of the decision rejecting his mercy petition. The execution reportedly took place in secrecy and his wife was refused return of the body.

06/08/2013

15/03/2013 JUA

GTM 2/2013 Guatemala

Human rights defenders; Independence of judges and lawyers; Truth, justice, reparation & guarantees on non-rec;

Alegaciones de existencia de un clima de violencia e intimidación en contra de abogados, jueces, fiscales y otros sujetos procesales, que actualmente se padece en el país. Según se informa, esto afecta especialmente a aquéllos operadores de justicia que conocen procesos penales de alto riesgo e impacto social, particularmente los relacionados con casos de corrupción así como casos de graves violaciones a los derechos humanos ocurridas en el pasado, como crímenes de genocidio y lesa humanidad. Respecto a la grave situación de los operadores de justicia que trabajan en casos relacionados con la corrupción, nos referimos en particular al asesinato el 14 de febrero de 2013 de la abogada penalista la Sra. Lea De León.

09/09/2013

15/03/2013 JAL

THA 2/2013 Thailand

Cultural Rights; Freedom of expression;

Alleged prohibited distribution in Thailand of the film Shakespeare Must Die produced by Mr Manit Sriwanichpoom and written and directed by Ms Smanrat Kanjanavanit. According to information received, on 3 April 2012, the Third Committee of Film and Video Censorship Board issued a banning order prohibiting the distribution of the movie, which is as adaptation in Thai-language of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth. It is alleged that the Censorship Board deemed that the movie “has content that causes disunity among the people of the nation”, and that the filmmakers did not agree to re- shoot the scenes that were the subject of the Third Committee’s various objections. It is alleged that the banning of the film is politically motivated.

18/06/2013

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155

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15/03/2013 JUA

TUR 1/2013 Turkey

Arbitrary detention; Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders; Independence of judges and lawyers;

Alleged arrest, detention and conviction of human rights defenders. According to the information received, human rights lawyers from two prominent human rights organisations, Insan Haklari Dernegi (IHD) and Çagdas Hukukçular Dernegi (ÇHD) have been arrested and/or convicted under counter-terrorism legislation. It is alleged that on 11 December 2012, IHD members Mr Tugay Bek and Ms Sevil Araci Bek were convicted following their participation in election activities. Four further human rights lawyers, Ms.Filiz Kalayci, Mr Hasan Anlar, Mr Murat Vargün and Mr Halil Ibrahgim Vargün, members of IHD, were reportedly convicted to prison sentences on 24 January 2013 for membership of an illegal organisation, reportedly for their contact with detainees as the organisation was documenting human rights violations. It is further alleged that during a raid carried out on homes and ÇHD offices during the morning of 18 January 2013, confidential documents were seized amid procedural violations on the part of the police Anti-Terror Unit, eventually resulting in the detention of fifteen human rights lawyers, six of whom, Mr Efkan Bolaç, Mr Güray Dag, Ms Oya Aslan, Ms Gulvin Aydin, Mr Serhan Arikanoglu and Mr Zeki Rüzgar, were later released. Nine lawyers , namely Mr Selçuk Kozagaçli, Mr Taylan Tanay, Mr Güçlü Sevimli, Mr Naciye Demir, Ms Nazan Betül Vangölü Kozagaçli, Mr Günay Dag, Ms Ebru Timtik, Ms Barkin Timtik and Ms Sükriye Erden were accused with membership of an illegal organisation while counter-terrorism provisions are hampering the ability of their defence lawyers to adequately access the investigation and evidence against them.

24/09/2013

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18/03/2013 AL

USA 3/2013 United States of America

Torture;

Alleged practices throughout New York state prisons that subject thousands of incarcerated persons to prolonged solitary confinement, other extreme isolation practices, and inhuman or degrading conditions in detention. According to the information received, in 39 prisons across New York state, nearly 4,500 prisoners are held in isolation cells, or Special Housing Units (SHUs), each day. It is further reported that more than 68,000 sentences placing inmates in SHUs have been imposed as punishment or disciplinary sanctions for prisoners’ violations of prison rules between 2007 and 2011. It is alleged that while the average length of the sentences is five months, many prisoners are held in extreme isolation for multiple years. It is alleged that the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) places no limits on the number of consecutive SHU sentences a prisoner may be forced to serve. Mr William Blake, 49 years old, has allegedly been held in a barren concrete cell with no furnishings other than a steel bed frame for 25 consecutive years. Mr Stephan Poole received a sentence of 36 months in the SHU for allegedly planning an escape and has reportedly accumulated additional lengthy SHU sentences for non-violent prison infractions. Mr Kenneth Wright has been repeatedly confined to SHU as punishment for the infraction of using marijuana, despite proactively seeking treatment from the DOCCS.

05/08/2013

28/03/2013 AL

ARG 3/2013 Argentina

Indigenous peoples;

Observaciones del Relator Especial sobre los posibles efectos del proceso de reforma del código civil y comercial sobre los derechos de los pueblos indígenas. En la carta, el Relator Especial nota que el proceso en curso para reformar el código civil y comercial, así como el futuro proceso de elaboración de legislación específica en materia de la propiedad comunitaria indígena, pudieran representar valiosas oportunidades para incorporar y hacer efectivos los derechos de los pueblos indígenas reconocidos en la Constitución Nacional y los instrumentos internacionales ratificados y aprobados por el Estado argentino. A la vez, enfatiza que el Gobierno debe tomar las medidas necesarias para asegurar que estos importantes procesos de reforma legislativa respondan a las necesidades y las aspiraciones expresadas por los pueblos indígenas del país. La carta da seguimiento a una carta de alegación enviada por el Relator Especial el 14 de diciembre de 2012 (ver A/HRC/23/51, ARG 3/2012).

30/07/2013

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28/03/2013 JAL

AZE 3/2013 Azerbaijan

Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Freedom of religion; Human rights defenders;

Reported amendments to the Code of Administrative Offences, the law “On non- governmental organizations (public associations and foundations)” and the law “On grants” which will allegedly affect the work of religious organizations and non- governmental organizations (NGOs), including those working for the promotion and protection of human rights. According to the information received, on 15 February 2013, the Parliament of the Republic of Azerbaijan adopted new amendments to the mentioned legal texts which will imply increased penalties for violation of the requirement to register grants with the Ministry of Justice; will introduce liability (fines and confiscation) for carrying out activities under a grant in the absence of a grant agreement; and will only allow donations in cash to the amount of up to 200 AZN if the recipient is an NGO that has charitable activities indicated as a primary statutory purpose. It is reported that the legislative changes were submitted hastily to the Parliament without due consultation with civil society organizations.

16/08/2013

28/03/2013 JAL

PRT 1/2013 Portugal

Adequate housing; Extreme poverty; Minority issues;

Alleged forced evictions of 49 persons living in a situation of extreme poverty in Bairro de Santa Filomena, located in Amadora and the threat of eviction of additional families living in the same settlement. According to information received 7 families (27 people), including children and persons with disabilities, were forcibly evicted from the settlement of Bairro de Santa Filomena, Amadora, on 26 and 27 July 2012 and their homes subsequently demolished. Reportedly, on 19 November 2012, 22 additional residents, including elderly people and children, were evicted from the Bairro de Santa Filomena settlement. Most of the concerned people are migrants from Cape-Verde, Sao Tome e Principe, Guinea, Angola and Brazil. Reportedly, no notice was provided to the residents with regard to the eviction date and no alternative accommodation was offered to the affected families. According to information received, additional families living in the settlement remain under threat of eviction.

10/07/2013

02/04/2013 JAL

MMR 3/2013 Myanmar

Freedom of religion; Myanmar;

Alleged violation of the right to freedom of religion or belief. According to the information received Mr Ha Ri Shin Nyana, a 75 year old Buddhist monk, has been convicted and sentenced to 20 years in prison under section 67 of the Myanmar penal code. Mr Nyana’s conviction is related to his activities in organizing and establishing an association which practiced a different form of Buddhism from the Theravada branch.

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02/04/2013 JAL

THA 3/2013 Thailand

Environment; Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders; Summary executions; Toxic waste;

Alleged killing of an environmental rights defender. According to the information received, around 02:00 p.m. on 25 February 2013, environmental rights defender Mr Prajob Nao-opas was shot dead by an unidentified gunman who escaped in a getaway car. He died while being rushed to hospital. Mr Prajob Nao-opas had been warned in December 2012 of suspicions that an attempt might be made on his life. Subsequent incidents were reported by Mr Prajob Nao-opas to the police, allegedly without any measures having been taken to ensure his security. Over the past year, Mr Prajob Nao- opas led local communities in protest at the alleged dumping of toxic waste by local industries resulting in the pollution of local waterways, attracting widespread media attention in Thailand.

02/07/2013

04/04/2013 JAL

OTH 4/2013 Other

Business enterprises; Indigenous peoples;

Allegations received regarding the impact of the activities of IAMGOLD on the Saramaka tribal people, in relation to the new mining rights and the expansion of a hydroelectric project. According to the information received, IAMGOLD and its subsidiary Rosebel Gold Mines N.V. have requested and been granted an extension of mining rights in Saramaka territories under an agreement to modify the Mineral Agreement of 7 April 1994 and expand the Afobaka hydroelectric dam and reservoir, also in Saramaka territories, as part of the TapaJai project. The mining concessions and the expansion of the Afobaka dam are alleged to impact adversely on the rights of the Saramaka and contravene the judgment of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights in the case of Saramaka People v. Suriname, which affirmed the collective land and resource rights of the Saramaka, a maroon tribal group in northeast Suriname, and ordered the Government of Suriname to legally recognize and protect the land and natural resource rights of indigenous and tribal peoples in the country.

05/06/2013

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159

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09/04/2013 JAL

RUS 2/2013 Russian Federation

Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders;

Alleged increasing restrictions and obstacles being imposed on the space for civil society organizations and activists, especially for those active in the field of human rights, to operate. According to the information received, since early March 2013, several organisations, including prominent human rights organisations, have been subject to inspections. These inspections may be part of a broader campaign aimed at intimidating and silencing civil society organisations, in particular human rights NGOs, operating in Russia.

10/07/2013

12/04/2013 JAL

VNM 4/2013 Viet Nam

Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Freedom of religion; Human rights defenders;

Alleged harassment and threats against a Buddhist activist, writer and human rights defender. According to the information received, in June and July 2012, Mr Le Cong Cau was prohibited from joining demonstrations during the massive crackdown on anti- China protesters around the country. Following an intensive 7-hour interrogation with regard to the articles he wrote online about the Communist Party’s policies on Buddhism and China, he was reportedly not allowed to leave his house which was surrounded by police. In March 2013, he was again summoned for another interrogation, which lasted for two and a half days. Security Police accused him of slandering the regime and spreading propaganda and, before releasing him, forced him to write a statement admitting that he had written articles criticizing the Communist Party.

02/07/2013

16/04/2013 JUA

SDN 4/2013 Sudan

Arbitrary detention; Disappearances; Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders; Torture;

Alleged torture, incommunicado detention and subsequent risk of further torture and ill- treatment. According to the information received, on 23 March 2013, Mr Hatim Ali Mohammed, a 25 year old Sudanese engineer, attended a demonstration in the suburbs of Khartoum. It is reported that plain clothes members of the National Security Service (NSS) arrested Mr Mohammed during the protest. It is alleged that he was detained for several hours, tortured by beating, and subsequently released. He was allegedly ordered to report to the NSS the next day. On 24 March 2013, Mr Mohammed presented himself at the headquarters of the NSS in Khartoum North, as requested by NSS officers. Since then his fate and exact whereabouts as well as the criminal charges against him are not known. It is also reported that on 10 April 2013, the NSS arrested Mr Sharf Eldein Tia, the nephew of a Nuba woman activist. Since then, the fate and whereabouts as well as the criminal charges against Mr Sharf Eldein Tia are not known.

22/08/2013

A /H

R C

/25/74

160 Date

Type

Case No

Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply

16/04/2013 JUA

ARE 1/2013 United Arab Emirates

Arbitrary detention; Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders; Independence of judges and lawyers; Torture;

Alleged trial against 94 human rights defenders and other civil society activists, amid allegations of torture and violations of the minimum fair trial standards, and the sentencing of a human rights defender for publishing information on that trial. According to the information received, ninety-four human rights defenders, lawyers and other civil society activists are currently facing charges of sedition in the Abu Dhabi Federal Supreme Court. Many of the defendants are members of the Al-Islah association which peacefully calls for greater political freedoms in the United Arab Emirates. Reports have been received that several of the defendants have been tortured while in pre-trial detention and that a confession which constitutes a central piece of evidence was obtained under torture. Allegations have also been received of numerous violations of international minimum fair trial standards, including breaches of lawyer-client privilege, alleged partiality on the part of the judges and obstacles for the defence to submit and receive documentation. Numerous international observers have reportedly been prevented from attending the hearings. Mr Abdullah Al-Hadidi was allegedly sentenced to ten months imprisonment for publishing an account of the trial on Twitter.

10/06/2013 03/11/2013

17/04/2013 JUA

NGA 2/2013 Nigeria

Arbitrary detention; Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders;

Alleged arbitrary detention of two NGO workers and harassment of evictees. According to the information received, Mr Okorie David Okafor and Mr Odukoya Oluwaseun have been detained since 26 March 2013 for an alleged traffic violation in Lagos. During the arrest, several police officers forcibly pulled the passengers out of two cars, and reportedly proceeded to beat the drivers, resulting in severe injuries to one of them. Everyone in the two cars was reported to be affiliated to the Social and Economic Rights Action Centre (SERAC). SERAC has in recent months conducted advocacy work to bring attention to forced evictions of a community in Badia East in Lagos, including a petition filed to the World Bank, which funds the $200 million Lagos Metropolitan Development and Governance Project (LMDGP). Increased harassment of Badia East evictees has also been reported after the petition was filed.

29/08/2013

A /H

R C

/25/74

161

Date Type

Case No

Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply

19/04/2013 JAL

BHR 1/2013 Bahrain

Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders;

Allegation that a new draft law on associations violates international norms and standards related to the right to freedom of association. According to the information received, on 7 January 2013, a Draft Law on Civil Associations and Organisations was referred by the Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the Parliament. Most provisions of this draft law severely restrict the rights to freedom of association and could seriously compromise the work of civil society organizations, including human rights organizations.

05/06/2013

19/04/2013 UA

CUB 2/2013 Cuba

Summary executions;

Alegaciones de presuntas muertes violentas y amenazas de muerte. Según las informaciones recibidas, el 22 de julio 2013, el vehículo en el que viajaban el Sr. Oswaldo José Payá Sardiñas, el Sr. Harold Cepero Escalante,, el Sr. Ángel Francisco Carromero Barrios,y el Sr. Jens Aro Modig se habría salido del camino de tierra e impactado contra un árbol en el tramo de la carretera Las Tunas-Bayamo, en la localidad de las Gabinas, provincia Granma. El Sr. Payá y el Sr. Cepero fallecieron como consecuencia del accidente. Asimismo se indica que, el 6 de marzo de 2013, el Sr.Carromero declaró a un periódico internacional que el vehículo en el que viajaban habría sido seguido, y luego embestido por detrás agresivamente por un vehículo con placa del Gobierno. Por otro lado y en relación con este tema, se informa que el Sr. Payá habría recibido amenazas de muerte antes del accidente aparentemente por parte de agentes de seguridad del estado. También se informa que miembros de la familia del Sr. Payá habrían recibo amenazas de muerte por parte de agentes de la seguridad del estado, al igual que miembros de la organización Movimiento Cristiano Liberación.

15/07/2013

A /H

R C

/25/74

162 Date

Type

Case No

Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply

26/04/2013 JAL

AGO 2/2013 Angola

Disappearances; Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders;

Alleged arrests of 18 individuals who intended to participate in a peaceful protest. According to the information received, on 30 March 2013, 18 individuals, including human rights defenders, were arrested before a peaceful protest, which was due to take place at the Cemetery of Saint Ana, Luanda. Reportedly, they were consequently released without any charges. Those arrested included Messrs. Manuel Nito Alves, Luaty Beirão, Adolfo Campos, Mauro Smith Other protesters who had started to gather were allegedly dispersed by police and encouraged to leave the area. At approximately 9:00 a.m., Mr Mbanza Hamza, one of the organizers of the demonstration, together with another human rights defender were allegedly beaten by police. The protest was organized to demonstrate solidarity with Messrs. Silva Alves Kamulingue and Isaías Sebastião Cassule, who were last seen on 29 May 2012, two days after a protest that they had organized in Luanda.

30/09/2013

26/04/2013 JAL

THA 4/2013 Thailand

Business enterprises; Freedom of expression; Human rights defenders; Migrants; Trafficking;

Alleged criminal charges brought against a human rights defender. According to the information received, criminal charges of broadcasting false statements have been brought against Mr Andy Hall, a British citizen, based on a complaint by a fruit processing company. Mr Hall was the leading researcher for a report published in January 2013 by the NGO Finnwatch, which detailed serious human rights violations by the fruit processing company in question with regard to work conditions and labour rights of migrant workers employed by the company. Mr Hall personally conducted many of the interviews for the report and faces, in addition to the criminal charges, a private lawsuit by the company demanding 300 million Baht (or approx. 7.7 million EUR) in damages for defamation and damage to the company. Mr Hall has worked as a researcher on labour and migrant rights in Thailand for over ten years, exposing numerous violations. He was attached, until recently, to Mahidol University in Bangkok as an associate researcher and foreign expert.

03/05/2013 06/08/2013

A /H

R C

/25/74

163

Date Type

Case No

Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply

02/05/2013 JUA

MMR 6/2013 Myanmar

Arbitrary detention; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders; Myanmar; Torture;

Alleged excessive use of force by riot police and military to remove farmers from land around Letpadaung copper mine in Sagaing Region, Myanmar, and reported charges and detention of persons involved in a protest at the site. According to information received, around 100 riot police and 50 soldiers arrived at the site to remove dozens of farmers who had refused compensation from the owners of the Letpadaung cooper mine (a Chinese state owned company and a military owned company). Farmers were reportedly beaten with batons and had rubber bullets fired at them by police and military, resulting in injuries to 10 of the farmers. Subsequently, the commander of the Sagaing Region Police Foce reportedly announced that charges would be lodged against six members of the Yangon People's Support Network: Ko Aung Soe, Ba Htoo, Thar Kyi, Ko Latt, Thaw Zin and Ko Thu, as well as Han Win Aung of the Political Prisoners Families' Beneficial Network and Thaung Taik Oo of the Yangon Institute of Technology Students Union. Aung Soe along with two other demonstrators are reportedly already being detained at Nyaungbingyi Police Station.

01/07/2013

02/05/2013 JUA

SWE 2/2013 Sweden

Freedom of expression; Human rights defenders; Summary executions; Torture;

Alleged imminent deportation of a journalist asylum-seeker, who would be at risk of being tortured and killed by the Taliban, if forcibly returned to Afghanistan. According to the information received, Mr Saif Ur Rahman Shirzad was forced to flee to Pakistan in 2008 after receiving death threats from the Taliban due to his journalistic activities. He applied for asylum in Sweden on 18 April 2011, but the application was rejected on 14 December 2011. The appeal was rejected on 15 November 2012. Mr Shirzad, along with his brother Mr Noor Rahman Shirzad, had reported on the Afghan-Pakistan border region, which put himself and his family at risk and under death threats by the Taliban. It is reported that his family received protection and were relocated to the United States of America by the UNHCR in 2009, and his brother has been granted asylum in Sweden. At the moment of preparing this communication, Mr Shirzad had not yet been deported. However, he could be deported at any moment.

14/06/2013

A /H

R C

/25/74

164 Date

Type

Case No

Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply

08/05/2013 AL

USA 4/2013 United States of America

Torture;

Alleged practices of solitary confinement and inhuman or degrading conditions in detention. According to the information received, between 400 and 500 inmates at the United States Penitentiary Administrative Maximum Facility (“ADX”) in Florence, Colorado, are held in prolonged solitary confinement, sometimes for several years, and are denied adequate medical treatment. It is alleged that these practices cause severe physical and mental pain and suffering rising to the level of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.

13/08/2013

10/05/2013 JUA

BHR 2/2013 Bahrain

Arbitrary detention; Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders; Torture;

Alleged arbitrary detention and torture of a human rights defender as well as denial to seek legal representation. According to the information received, Mr Naji Fateel was arrested on 2 May 2013 at his home in Bani Jamra. It is reported that he was subsequently taken to the Criminal Investigation building where he was tortured. The resulting injuries were allegedly of such severity that he had to be taken to hospital twice after losing consciousness. Allegedly, he was taken to the Public Prosecutor's Office but refused to be interrogated there without a lawyer present. It is further alleged he was then taken back to the Criminal Investigation building and beaten more severely for having requested a lawyer. He was first allowed to make a call on the evening of 4 May, and was transferred to Dry Dock prison in the morning of 5 May, where he is suffering from severe injuries and fatigue. Mr Naji Fateel is a board member of the Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights, and has been an active blogger on human rights issues.

05/06/2013

10/05/2013 UA

NIC 1/2013 Nicaragua

Indigenous peoples;

Alegaciones sobre la situación en la reserva Bosawás en la Costa Atlántica de Nicaragua. Según la información recibida, la reserva Bosawás está habitada por varias comunidades indígenas mayagna y miskito, quienes recibieron el reconocimiento legal sobre sus tierras tradicionales dentro de la reserva en 2007. Desde este entonces, el asentamiento ilegal de personas no-indígenas, o colonos, dentro de la reserva ha aumentado dramáticamente. Por varios años, las comunidades indígenas que habitan la reserva Bosawás vienen exigiendo al Gobierno a que se realice la etapa de “saneamiento” de sus tierras. Sin embargo, hasta semanas recientes, el Gobierno no ha avanzado en este proceso. Las comunidades indígenas han amenazado desalojar a los colonos por cuenta propia a la luz de la inacción por parte del Estado. En semanas recientes, tensiones entre los colonos y los indígenas que habitan la reserva han intensificado, resultando en la muerte de un individuo indígena.

07/06/2013

A /H

R C

/25/74

165

Date Type

Case No

Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply

14/05/2013 JAL

CAN 3/2013 Canada

Democratic and equitable international order; Water and Sanitation;

Alleged restrictions on the right to equitable participation of indigenous peoples in decision-making. According to information received, on 29 February 2012, Bill S-8, entitled ‘Safe Drinking Water for First Nations Act’, was introduced in the Senate. It is alleged that indigenous peoples have not benefitted from effective participation in the decision making process. In particular, it is alleged that the consultation meetings, held by the federal government with indigenous peoples on issues where their consent were needed, failed to allow for the effective participation of First Nation communities.

23/07/2013 25/07/2013 25/07/2013 25/07/2013 25/07/2013

14/05/2013 JAL

URY 1/2013 Uruguay

Disappearances; Independence of judges and lawyers; Torture; Truth, justice, reparation & guarantees on non-rec;

Presunta clausura y potencial clausura de ciertos casos judiciales relativos a desapariciones forzadas, tortura y ejecución ocurridos durante el período dictatorial uruguayo. Según la información recibida, con fechas 22 de febrero de 2013, 8 de marzo de 2013, 13 de marzo de 2013, y 8 de abril de 2013 la Suprema Corte de Justicia de Uruguay ha resuelto la inconstitucionalidad de los artículos 2 y 3 de la Ley 18.831 de 2011 que habilitaba la investigación de los delitos cometidos por oficiales de las fuerzas armadas y policiales durante el período dictatorial finalizado en 1985 e impedía la aplicación de plazos de prescripción a los mismos por considerarlos delitos de lesa humanidad. Según se informa, estas decisiones de la Suprema Corte de Justicia consideran que la referida norma viola el principio de constitucionalidad legal y de irretroactividad de la ley penal más gravosa estableciendo así la imposibilidad de que esa ley opere retroactivamente y declarando la prescripción de los delitos cometidos durante la dictadura.

25/07/2013 25/07/2013 25/07/2013 25/05/2013 25/07/2013 25/07/2013 25/07/2013

14/05/2013 JAL

ZMB 1/2013 Zambia

Freedom of expression; Health; Human rights defenders;

Alleged criminal charges against human rights defenders and alleged Government campaign against defenders working on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex rights. According to the information received, Mr Paul Kasonkomona was arrested on 7 April 2013, following his appearance on a television show where he emphasized the need for improved access to health care for sex workers, prisoners and sexual minorities. After five days in detention, he was charged with inciting activities for immoral purposes and subsequently released. It is reported that a campaign has been initiated by the Government against defenders working to defend the rights of LGBTI individuals, in response to the failed attempt of four same-sex couples to register their marriages between 29 and 30 March 2013 and the fact that consensual same-sex relationships are criminalized under the Zambian Penal Code.

13/08/2013 28/08/2013

A /H

R C

/25/74

166 Date

Type

Case No

Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply

16/05/2013 JUA

VEN 4/2013 Venezuela

Arbitrary detention; Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association;

Presunta detención arbitraria de un general del ejército en situación de retiro y dirigente opositor del partido político Voluntad Popular. Según las informaciones recibidas, el Sr. Antonio Rivero fue detenido el 27 de abril de 2013 en Caracas. La detención fue llevada a cabo por agentes del Servicio Bolivariano de Inteligencia Nacional (SEBIN). Se informa que durante los primeros dos días de su detención, el Sr. Rivero no tuvo acceso a sus abogados. Las autoridades no han mostrado pruebas que justifiquen la detención de esta persona, con la excepción de un video en el que aparece hablando ante un grupo de estudiantes. Se afirma que la detención del Sr. Rivero se produce en un contexto de confrontación política, que habría resultado en siete muertes, 60 heridos y la detención de al menos 450 manifestantes. Se informa también sobre incidentes de acoso y agresión contra parlamentarios; funcionarios públicos; defensores de derechos humanos y manifestantes.

06/06/2013

17/05/2013 JAL

IRL 2/2013 Ireland

Extreme poverty; Health; Minority issues;

Allegations concerning the persistently deteriorating health condition of Irish Travellers in Ireland. According to the information received Irish Travellers allegedly continue to experience systematic denial of the enjoyment of the right to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health in Ireland. Furthermore, it is alleged that austerity measures adopted by the Government would further impact negatively on the health condition of Irish Travellers.

30/07/2013

17/05/2013 JAL

MDA 2/2013 Republic of Moldova

Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders;

Allegations of a re-routing of the 2013 Chisinau Pride Parade. According to the information received, on or around 8 May 2013, a request was made by GenderDoc-M, a rights organization promoting non-discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, to undertake a Pride Parade in the centre of Chisinau. On 15 May 2013, GenderDoc-M reportedly received a notification from the Chisinau municipality the march would need to be re-routed and moved from the centre of Chisinau to a marginal location in the Valea Morilor.

28/06/2013

A /H

R C

/25/74

167

Date Type

Case No

Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply

17/05/2013 JUA

MKD 1/2013 The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders;

Alleged attack on LGBT rights defenders. According to the information received, on 20 April 2013, a group of LGBT rights defenders was attacked by four unknown persons, later joined by three more, in front of the Diamond Hostel on Sirok Sokak in Bitola. The LGBT rights defenders in question were members of the Association of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender People ‘LGBT United’, which promotes respect for the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people through advocacy and awareness raising activities, and the Coalition for Sexual and Health Rights of Marginalized Communities, which promotes equal access to social, legal and health services for marginalised communities as well as social inclusivity.

21/06/2013

23/05/2013 JUA

BHR 3/2013 Bahrain

Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders; Torture;

Alleged removal from his cell and isolation of a detained human rights defender. According to the information received, Mr Nabeel Rajab was removed from his cell following his witnessing of acts of torture on other prisoners by prison staff. He was reportedly also denied access to his relatives and legal representation Mr Rajab is a prominent human rights defender and he is Director of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights, President of the Gulf Centre for Human Rights and Deputy Secretary General of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH). Mr Rajab was the subject of previous communications (see A/HRC/22/67, case no BHR 6/2012).

24/06/2013

23/05/2013 JAL

COL 4/2013 Colombia

African descent; Business enterprises; Extreme poverty; Food; Minority issues; Water and Sanitation;

Alegaciones sobre los daños ocasionados por el vertimiento de sedimentos acumulados en la represa del Bajo Anchicayá a las minorías afrodescendientes que habitan en la zona. Según información recibida, dichos sedimentos provocaron la extinción de la fauna de la cuenca media y baja del río Anchicayá y también la contaminación del río, que era la única fuente de agua potable de dichas minorías, afectando de esta manera al acceso a una alimentación adecuada y al agua potable y energía eléctrica. Asimismo, se expresa preocupación por el hecho de que no existe una sentencia firme y definitiva después de más de diez años desde el vertimiento de los sedimentos. En este sentido, también se expresa preocupación por el presunto incumplimiento de las medidas impuestas a la Empresa de Energía del Pacífico (EPSA) por el Ministerio de Medio Ambiente y Desarrollo Sostenible.

13/09/2013 30/12/2013

A /H

R C

/25/74

168 Date

Type

Case No

Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply

24/05/2013 JUA

MAR 1/2013 Maroc

Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Torture;

Allégations concernant des actes de torture et mauvais traitements, y compris aux fins d’obtention de preuves lors de garde à vue; et concernant l’incarcération d’un individu pour avoir porté plainte contre des actes de torture et de mauvais traitements. Selon les informations reçues, le 9 mai 2013, très tôt dans la matinée, M. X, 17 ans, M. Yassine Sidati, 22 ans, M. Mohamed Garmit, 22 ans, M. Mohamed Ali Saidi, 26 ans, M. Abdelaziz Hramech, 27 ans et M. Youssef Bouzid, 31 ans, ont été interpellés à leurs domiciles. Il est rapporté que ces derniers ont été appréhendés après avoir participé à une manifestation en faveur de l’autodétermination du Sahara occidental. D’après les informations reçues, le 12 mai 2013, les six hommes auraient signalé au juge d’instruction avoir été victimes de torture et d’autres mauvais traitements, et que leurs aveux auraient été obtenus sous la torture en garde à vue. Il est également signalé que M. X a été libéré sous caution le même jour, tandis que les cinq autres ont été placés en détention provisoire à la prison de Lakhal, à Laayoune. Selon les informations reçues, le 15 mai 2013, M. X a été incarcéré à la prison civile de Laayoune, après que le procureur du roi a annulé la décision prise par le juge d’instruction de libérer le prévenu trois jours auparavant. Il est allégué qu’il s’agit d’une manœuvre visant à punir le jeune homme, qui a publiquement expliqué avoir été torturé en garde à vue.

17/10/2013

28/05/2013 JAL

THA 5/2013 Thailand

Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders; Water and Sanitation;

Allegations of threats intimidating human rights defenders contained in a statement made by Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister prior to the 2nd Asia-Pacific Water Summit. According to the information received, on 12 May 2013, Mr Plodprasop Suraswadi, Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister, reportedly gave a media interview prior to the 2nd Asia-Pacific Water Summit held in Chiang Mai from 14 to 20 May 2013, warning environmental activists, water-resources activists, and other members of civil society that they would be arrested if they protested at the upcoming Summit.

14/10/2013

A /H

R C

/25/74

169

Date Type

Case No

Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply

30/05/2013 JUA

MMR 7/2013 Myanmar

Arbitrary detention; Freedom of expression; Freedom of religion; Myanmar;

Allegation of violation of the right to freedom of religion or belief and freedom of opinion and expression of a monk teaching the doctrine of an alternative Buddhist order. According to information received, U Ottama is imprisoned in Taunggyi Prison, Shan State, Myanmar for reportedly teaching a doctrine known as Moepyar. On 3 October 2012, the Kalaw Township Court in Shan State charged him with violating Section 295A of the Penal Code for insulting religion, and sentenced him to two years in prison. The Taunggyi District Court and Shan State High Court on 19 February 2013 reportedly dismissed the appeal without a hearing, and the matter is now pending before the Supreme Court.

26/07/2013

170

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 18/28

Working Group on Arbitrary Detention 15/18

Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus 23/15

Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia 18/25

Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Côte d’Ivoire 20/19

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

22/ 13

Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea 23/21

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 22/9

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 22/20

Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Haiti PRST 22/2

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

Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers 17/2

171

Mandate title

Human Rights Council

resolution

Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples 15/14

Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons 23/8

Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran 22/23

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 22/14

Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons 24/20 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 21/27

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

22/8

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 23/25

Working Group on the issue of discrimination against women in law and in practice 23/7

Special Rapporteur on the human right to safe drinking water and sanitation 16/2