Observations Report (Nowak 2008)

345 Pages·2008·1.28 MB·French

UNITED
A
NATIONS
Distr.
GENERAL
General Assembly

A/HRC/7/3/Add.1
19 February 2008

ENGLISH/FRENCH/SPANISH
ONLY

Human Rights Council
Seventh session
Agenda Item 3

PROMOTION AND PROTECTION OF ALL HUMAN RIGHTS,
CIVIL, POLITICAL, ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL
RIGHTS, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO DEVELOPMENT

Report of the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or
degrading treatment or punishment, Manfred Nowak

Addendum

Summary of information, including individual cases, transmitted
to Governments and replies received*

* The present document is being circulated in the languages of submission only as it greatly exceeds
the page limitations currently imposed by the relevant General Assembly resolutions.

GE.08-10697
A/HRC/7/3/Add.1
page 2

Contents

Paragraphs Page
Introduction………….………………………………………..…… 1-5 4
Mandate abbreviations………………………………………..…… 6
Summary of allegations transmitted and replies received…….…… 1-288 8
Afghanistan………………………………………………………... 1 8
Algeria……………………………………………………………... 2-8 9
Angola.....………...………………………………………….…..… 9 14
Armenia............................................................................................. 10 16
Bahrain…………………………………………………………..… 11-13 16
Bangladesh……………………………………………………...…. 14-22 20
Bhutan……………......…………………………………………..... 23 30
Brazil..……………......…………………………………………..... 24-25 30
Burundi……...…………………………………………………..…. 26 32
Cambodia.................……………………………………………..… 27-28 33
Canada………………….....……………………………………..… 29 34
Central African Republic………………………………………..… 30 40
Chad....…………………………………………………………..… 31 40
Chile…………………………………………………………..…… 32 41
China………………………………………………………..……... 33-54 42
Colombia…………………………………………………..………. 55 71
Côte d’Ivoire……………………………………………..……….... 56 73
Cuba……..…………………………………………………………. 57 74
Democratic Republic of the Congo………………………..………. 58-61 75
Egypt………………………………………………………………. 62-65 82
Eritrea……………………………………………………………… 66-68 93
Ethiopia……………………………………………………………. 69-71 95
Fiji.........……....…...………………………………………………. 72-73 98
France...……………………………………………………………. 74-75 101
Georgia…………………………………………………………..… 76-77 103
Germany…………………………………………………………… 78 105
Guinea……..……………………………………………………… 79 111
Honduras…..……………………………………………………… 80 112
India…………………………………………………………….…. 81-84 113
Indonesia………………………………………………………..…. 85 118
Iran (Islamic Republic of) ……………………………………........ 86-110 121
Iraq……………………………………………………………….... 111-114 136
Italy..………………………………………………………………. 115 141
Jordan…………………………………………………………….... 116-117 141
Kazakhstan..……………………………………………………….. 118 143
Kenya……………………………………………………………… 119 145
Kuwait………..…………………………………………………… 120 146
Kyrgyzstan..………………………………………………………... 121-127 146
Latvia….…………………………………………………………… 128 154
Lebanon.…………………………………………………………… 129-133 154
Liberia……..……………………………………………………… 134-135 161
Libyan Arab Jamahiriya.………………………………...………… 136-139 166
A/HRC/7/3/Add.1
page 3
Paragraphs Page
Malaysia……………………………………………………….…... 140-142 172
Maldives……………………………………………………….…... 143 177
Mexico…………………………………………………………….. 144-153 180
Morocco………………………………………………………….... 154-157 195
Myanmar…………………………………………………………... 158-163 200
Nepal……………………………………………………………… 164-170 203
Nicaragua.………………………………………………………… 171 212
Nigeria.……………………………………………………………. 172 213
Pakistan……………………………………………………………. 173-177 214
Philippines…………………………………………………………. 178-181 219
Romania……………......................................................................... 182 223
Russian Federation………………………………………………… 183-185 225
Rwanda.…………………………………………………………… 186 233
Saudi Arabia………………………………………………..……… 187-198 233
Sierra Leone……..………………………………………………... 199 240
Slovakia…..……………………………………………………...... 200 240
Somalia……………………………………………………………. 201-202 241
Sri Lanka…………………………………………………………... 203-206 242
Sudan………………………………………………………………. 207-212 243
Sweden.…………………………………………………………… 213 248
Syrian Arab Republic……………………………………...………. 214-223 250
Thailand…………………………………………………………… 224-226 256
Tunisia……………………………………………………………... 227-231 261
Uganda……………………………………………………………... 232 265
Ukraine…………………………………………………………….. 233-236 266
United Arab Emirates……………………………………...………. 237-241 274
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland…..………. 242-247 278
United States of America………………………………….………. 248-256 292
Uzbekistan…………………………………………………………. 257-271 310
Viet Nam…………………………………………………..………. 272-274 328
Yemen………………………………...…………………………… 275-283 332
Zimbabwe…………………………………………………………. 284-288 336

Appendix – Model questionnaire for submission of cases………… 344
A/HRC/7/3/Add.1
page 4

Introduction

1. This addendum to the report of the Special Rapporteur contains, on a country-
by-country basis, summaries of reliable and credible allegations of torture and other
cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment that were brought to the
attention of the Special Rapporteur, and were transmitted to the Governments
concerned. It also contains replies from Governments. This addendum does not
illustrate the state of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or
punishment throughout the world, but rather reflects the state of information brought
to the attention of the Special Rapporteur.

2. The Special Rapporteur would like to recall that in transmitting these
allegations to Governments, he does not make any judgement concerning the merits
of the cases, nor does he support the opinion and activities of the persons on behalf of
whom he intervenes. The prohibition of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading
treatment or punishment is a non-derogable right, and every human being is legally
and morally entitled to protection. When the Special Rapporteur receives reliable and
credible information that gives grounds to fear that a person may be at risk of torture
or other forms of ill-treatment, he may transmit an urgent appeal to the Government
concerned. The communications sent by the Special Rapporteur have a humanitarian
and preventive purpose, and do not require the exhaustion of domestic remedies.
Governments are requested to clarify the substance of the allegations, take steps to
protect the person’s rights, and are urged to investigate the allegations and prosecute
and impose appropriate sanctions on any persons guilty of torture and other cruel,
inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

3. During the period under review, i.e. from 16 December 2006 to 14 December
2007, the Special Rapporteur sent 79 letters∗ of allegations of torture to 51
Governments and 187 urgent appeals* to 59 Governments on behalf of persons who
might be at risk of torture or other forms of ill-treatment. Government responses
received up to 31 December 2007 have been included. The responses received after
that date will be duly reflected in a future communications report.

4. The Special Rapporteur appreciates the timely responses received from
Governments to the letters and urgent appeals transmitted. He regrets that many
Governments fail to respond, or do so selectively, and that responses to older cases
remain outstanding in large part.

5. Owing to restrictions on the length of documents, the Special Rapporteur has
been obliged to reduce considerably details of communications sent and received,
with attention given to information relating specifically to allegations of torture and
other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. As a result, requests from
Governments to publish their replies in their totality could not be acceded to.
Moreover, attention is given to information in Government replies specifically
relating to the allegations, particularly information on the following:

∗ Includes joint action with other special procedures of the Commission on Human Rights. General
statistical information on communications sent by special procedures in 2007 is available on OHCHR
website : http://www.ohchr.org.
A/HRC/7/3/Add.1
page 5

(a) What steps were taken to ascertain the veracity of the facts alleged?
(b) Has a complaint been lodged by or on behalf of the alleged victim?
(c) The details, and where available the results, of any investigation, medical
examinations, and judicial or other inquiries carried out in relation to the case.
(d) Full details of any prosecutions which have been undertaken (e.g. penal,
disciplinary or administrative sanctions imposed on the alleged perpetrator(s)).
(e) What compensation and rehabilitation have been provided to the
victim or the family of the victim?
A/HRC/7/3/Add.1
page 6
Abbreviations

TOR Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading
treatment or punishment

FRDX Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to
freedom of opinion and expression

HRD Special Representative of the Secretary-General on the situation of
human rights defenders

SUMX Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions

IND Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental
freedoms of indigenous people

WGAD Working Group on Arbitrary Detention

HLTH Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the
highest attainable standard of physical and mental health

IJL Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers

FOOD Special Rapporteur on the right to food

RINT Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief

VAW Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and
consequences

MIG Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants

EDU Special Rapporteur on the right to education

MIN Independent Expert on minority issues

LIB Independent expert on the situation of human rights in Liberia

SALE Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child
pornography

MMR Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar
HOUS Special Rapporteur on adequate housing

TERR Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and
fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism
A/HRC/7/3/Add.1
page 7

AL Allegation letter

JAL Joint allegation letter

UA Urgent appeal

JUA Joint urgent appeal
A/HRC/7/3/Add.1
page 8

Para Country Date Type Mandate Allegations transmitted Government response
1. Afghanistan 02/05/07 JAL HLTH; Sanad Ali Yislam al-Kazimi, a 37-year-old
TOR; Yemeni national, detained at the U.S. Naval Base
in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. In early January 2003,
he was arrested in Dubai, United Arab Emirates,
where he was held for eight months and 16 days.
On or about 16 to 18 August 2003, he was
transferred to the custody of United States forces
and taken to Kabul, Afghanistan. He was held in
the “Prison of Darkness” (also known as the Dark
Prison) for nine months. He stated that the worst
treatment he has experienced since his capture
occurred in this prison. He suffered severe
physical and psychological torture by Jordanian
interrogators, who were supervised by U.S.
personnel. It is reported that the torture was so
extreme, going beyond the methods described
above, that it prompted Mr. Al-Kazimi to attempt
suicide three times by striking his head against
the cell wall. As a result he sustained large visible
scars on his scalp. Among other things, he was
suspended with his arms above his head and
beaten with electrical cables. On or about 16 May
2004, he was transferred to Bagram, where he
was held in U.S. custody for four months, and
where he was tortured in a manner similar to that
in the Prison of Darkness. On or about 18
September 2004, he was transferred to
Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, where he is currently
detained. Mr. Al-Kazimi continues to suffer
psychological trauma, inability/unwillingness to
discuss details of treatment/torture, has attempted
suicide, fears reprisals and continued abuse, and
A/HRC/7/3/Add.1
page 9
Para Country Date Type Mandate Allegations transmitted Government response
finds himself talking to himself on a regular basis.
Mr. Al-Kazimi suffers from chronic constipation,
hemorrhoids, and blood in his feces since his
detention in the Prison of Darkness. Fahd
Muhammed Abdullah al-Fawzan, a 24-year-old
Saudi national, detained at the U.S. Naval Base in
Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. He was apprehended
between October and December 2001 by
Pakistani tribesmen who turned him over to the
Pakistani military. He was interrogated by
Pakistani military, transferred to U.S. military
custody shortly thereafter in Kohat, Pakistan, and
then transferred to Kandahar, Afghanistan, where
he was held for two months. In detention he
reports that unidentified U.S. officials threatened
him with firearms, strangled him with wires, and
shocked him with electricity. In early 2002, he was
transferred to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, where he
is currently detained. Mr. Al-Kazimi was not
permitted to see a lawyer, relatives, or friends
before his transfer to Guantanamo Bay. He has
not seen any member of his family since his arrest
in early 2003. Mr. Al-Fawzan has not seen any
member of his family since his departure for
Afghanistan in October 2001. His family only
become aware of his imprisonment nearly two
years after his capture and could only confirm it
from photographs of Guantanamo Bay prisoners
posted on the Internet.
2. Algeria 29/01/07 JUA WGAD; Abderrahmane Mehalli. M. Abderrahmane Par lettre datée du 26 juin 2007, le Gouvernement
TERR; Mehalli aurait été arrêté le soir du 26 décembre a confirmé que M. Mehali a été arreté le 27
TOR 2006 à 19h30 à son domicile de Bachdjerah par décembre, inculpé par le juge d’instruction de la
les services de la brigade mobile de la police 2ème chambre du Tribunal d’Alger et mis en
A/HRC/7/3/Add.1
page 10
Para Country Date Type Mandate Allegations transmitted Government response
judiciaire de Oued Ouchaeih, et quelques détention provisoire. L’affaire était pendante
membres des services du département du devant le juge d’instruction.
renseignement et de la sécurité. Il aurait été
détenu dans un lieu inconnu pendant 12 jours,
durant lesquels les agents des services du
département du renseignement et de la sécurité
l’auraient roué de coups de poings et de pied. Ils
lui auraient aussi bouché le nez en mettant en
même temps un chiffon dans la bouche, et
ensuite versé du liquide sur la tête. Ils l’auraient
également menacé au moment où il devait être
entendu par le juge d’instruction. Le 6 janvier
2007, M. Mehalli aurait été présenté devant le
juge d’instruction de la 2ème chambre du Tribunal
d’Alger. Il aurait été placé sous mandat de dépôt
et transféré à la prison de Serkadji où il se
trouverait détenu à ce jour. M. Mehalli serait
accusé « d’appartenance à un groupe terroriste
armé». Il aurait reconnu les faits qui lui sont
reprochés sous la menace et aurait été contraint
de signer un procès verbal sans pouvoir le lire
auparavant. Par ailleurs, M. Mehalli n’aurait pas
reçu de soins médicaux suite aux actes subis
mais il aurait été obligé de signer un document
attestant du fait qu’il aurait été bien traité.
3. 20/02/07 JAL SUMX; Mounir Hammouche. M. Hammouche aurait été Par lettre datée du 26 juin 2007 le Gouvernement
TOR arrêté une première fois à Ain Taghrout, Wilaya de a confirmé les faits et indiqué que l’autopsie
Bordj Bou Arreridj, le jeudi 20 décembre 2006 entreprise par M. Benharkat, médecin chef du
vers 20 heures à la sortie de la mosquée de la service de médecine légale de l’Hopital
ville par plusieurs personnes armées et en tenue Universitaire de Constantine conclut que la mort
civile circulant à bord d’un véhicule de marque de M. Hammouche était « consécutive à une
Peugeot 406 de couleur grise et immatriculée à asphyxie mécanique par pendaison » et que
Alger. Conduit dans une caserne militaire relevant « cette pendaison est considerée comme suicide,