Professional Documents
Culture Documents
the state
of theworld’s
human rights
which armed groups and corporations exploited for their own ends.
This Amnesty International Report documents the state of
human rights in 153 countries during 2006. It reveals a world ravaged
International
Report 2007
by armed conflict, repression and discrimination, where women are at
constant risk of violence, where entire communities are mired
in poverty and social exclusion. The report also points to the crucial
achievements of human rights activists around the world
the state
in countering these abuses and tackling impunity.
The human rights movement is a bulwark against fear. It stands
for unity over division, solidarity over self-interest, hope over despair.
It is founded on the commitment and collaboration of people from
different cultures, religions and belief systems, united in their
conviction that sustainable solutions must be grounded in human
of the world’s
rights and in their determination to defend the rights of all.
human rights
www.amnesty.org
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Amnesty cover
spot varnish plate
First published in 2007 by
Amnesty International
International Secretariat
Peter Benenson House
1 Easton Street
London WC1X ODW
United Kingdom
© Copyright
Amnesty International 2007
ISBN: 978-0-86210-421-4
ISSN: 0309-068X
A catalogue record for this book is available
from the British Library.
AI Index: POL 10/001/2007
Original language: English
Printed by:
The Alden Press
De Havilland Way, Witney
United Kingdom
Cover design by John Finn
Regional maps by András Bereznay
www.historyonmaps.com
Photographs: All photographs appear
with full credits and captions elsewhere
in the report.
Thanks to: Mary Gray, Simon Long and
John Palmer.
www.amnesty.org
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
REPORT 2007
THE STATE OF THE
WORLD’S HUMAN RIGHTS
Equatorial Guinea/110
CONTENTS Eritrea/112
Estonia/114
Ethiopia/114
PART 1 Finland/117
Freedom from fear France/118
by Irene Khan, Secretary General, Gambia/120
Amnesty International/1 Georgia/121
Regional overviews/15 Germany/122
Africa/15 Ghana/124
Americas/21 Greece/124
Asia-Pacific/27 Grenada/126
Europe-Central Asia/31 Guatemala/126
Middle East-North Africa/37 Guinea/127
Guinea-Bissau/128
PART 2 Guyana/129
Afghanistan/47 Haiti/130
Albania/49 Honduras/131
Algeria/50 Hungary/132
Angola/53 India/133
Argentina/55 Indonesia/136
Armenia/56 Iran/139
Australia/57 Iraq/142
Austria/58 Ireland/145
Azerbaijan/58 Israel and the Occupied Territories/147
Bahamas/60 Italy/150
Bahrain/60 Jamaica/152
Bangladesh/61 Japan/153
Belarus/63 Jordan/154
Belgium/64 Kazakstan/156
Bolivia/66 Kenya/157
Bosnia and Herzegovina/67 Korea (Democratic People’s Republic of)/159
Brazil/69 Korea (Republic of)/161
Bulgaria/72 Kuwait/162
Burundi/74 Kyrgyzstan/163
Cambodia/77 Laos/165
Cameroon/78 Latvia/166
Canada/80 Lebanon/167
Central African Republic/80 Liberia/169
Chad/82 Libya/171
Chile/84 Lithuania/173
China/85 Macedonia/174
Colombia/88 Malawi/176
Congo (Republic of)/91 Malaysia/176
Côte d’Ivoire/93 Maldives/178
Croatia/95 Mali/179
Cuba/96 Malta/179
Cyprus/97 Mauritania/180
Czech Republic/99 Mexico/181
Democratic Republic of the Congo/100 Moldova/184
Denmark/103 Mongolia/186
Dominican Republic/104 Montenegro/187
Ecuador/105 Morocco/Western Sahara/188
Egypt/106 Mozambique/190
El Salvador/109 Myanmar/191
CONTENTS
Namibia/193 Switzerland/249
Nepal/194 Syria/250
Netherlands/196 Taiwan/252
New Zealand/197 Tajikistan/253
Nicaragua/198 Tanzania/254
Niger/198 Thailand/254
Nigeria/199 Timor-Leste/256
Oman/201 Togo/257
Pakistan/202 Trinidad and Tobago/258
Palestinian Authority/204 Tunisia/259
Papua New Guinea/206 Turkey/261
Paraguay/207 Turkmenistan/264
Peru/208 Uganda/266
Philippines/209 Ukraine/268
Poland/211 United Arab Emirates/269
Portugal/212 United Kingdom/270
Puerto Rico/213 United States of America/273
Qatar/213 Uruguay/277
Romania/214 Uzbekistan/278
Russian Federation/216 Venezuela/280
Rwanda/220 Viet Nam/282
Saudi Arabia/222 Yemen/283
Senegal/225 Zambia/285
Serbia/226 Zimbabwe/286
Sierra Leone/229
Singapore/230 PART 3
Slovakia/231 Selected international and regional
Slovenia/233 human rights treaties/293
Somalia/233 International human rights treaties/294
South Africa/236 Regional human rights treaties/306
Spain/238 A year of campaigning/313
Sri Lanka/240 Contact AI/324
Sudan/242 What you can do/330
Swaziland/246 Amnesty International publications/332
Sweden/248 Country index/335
ABBREVIATIONS
The following abbreviations are used in this report: Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of
■ UN Children’s Convention refers to the Convention Their Families.
on the Rights of the Child. ■ UN Refugee Convention refers to the Convention
■ UN Convention against Racism refers to the relating to the Status of Refugees.
International Convention on the Elimination of All ■ UN Women’s Convention refers to the Convention
Forms of Racial Discrimination. on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination
■ UN Convention against Torture refers to the against Women.
Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman ■ European Committee for the Prevention of Torture
or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. refers to the European Committee for the Prevention of
■ UNHCR, the UN refugee agency, refers to the UN Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or
High Commissioner for Refugees. Punishment.
■ UNICEF refers to the UN Children’s Fund. ■ European Convention on Human Rights refers to the
■ UN Migrant Workers Convention refers to the (European) Convention for the Protection of Human
International Convention on the Protection of the Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.
Children survive by selling refuse from the municipal dump,
La Chureca, Nicaragua. © Dermot Tatlow/Panos Pictures
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
REPORT 2007
PART 1
Women tortured at the former Khiam Detention Centre
run by the Israeli-backed South Lebanon Army speak to AI
Secretary General Irene Khan in December. © Sarah Hunter
FOREWORD
IRENE KHAN
FREEDOM FROM FEAR
On 10 December 2006, while the world celebrated International Human
Rights Day, I was in Jayyus on the West Bank. The small village is now divided
by the Wall – or more accurately a high iron fence. Built in defiance of
international law, and ostensibly to make Israel more secure, the Wall’s main
effect has been to cut off the local Palestinian population from their citrus
groves and olive orchards. A once prosperous farming community is now
impoverished.
“Every day I have to suffer the humiliation of checkpoints, petty
obstructions and new restrictions that stop me from getting to my orchard on
the other side. If I cannot cultivate my olives, how will I survive?” cried one
angry Palestinian farmer.
As I listened to him, I could see in the distance the neat red roofs and
white walls of a large and prosperous Israeli settlement. I wondered if those
who lived there believed that a Wall threatening the future of their
neighbours could truly enhance their security.
Earlier that week, I had visited Sderot, a small town in the south of Israel,
which had been subjected to rocket attacks from Palestinian groups in Gaza.
“We are frightened,” one young woman resident told me. “But we know
that there are women like us on the other side who are also suffering, who
are also afraid, and who are in a worse situation than us. We feel empathy for
them, we want to live in peace with them, but instead our leaders promote
our differences and create more distrust. So we live in fear and insecurity.”
FEAR DESTROYS This brave Israeli woman understood what many world leaders fail to
OUR SHARED comprehend: that fear destroys our shared understanding and our shared
UNDERSTANDING humanity. When we see others as a threat, and are ready to negotiate their
AND OUR SHARED human rights for our security, we are playing a zero-sum game.
HUMANITY Her message is sobering at a time when our world is as polarized as it
was at the height of the Cold War, and in many ways far more dangerous.
Human rights – those global values, universal principles and common
standards that are meant to unite us – are being bartered away in the name
of security today as they were then. Like the Cold War times, the agenda is
being driven by fear – instigated, encouraged and sustained by
unprincipled leaders.
Fear can be a positive imperative for change, as in the case of the
environment, where alarm about global warming is forcing politicians
belatedly into action. But fear can also be dangerous and divisive when it
breeds intolerance, threatens diversity and justifies the erosion of
human rights.
In 1941, US President Franklin Roosevelt laid out his vision of a new world
order founded on “four freedoms”: freedom of speech and of religion;
freedom from fear and from want. He provided inspirational leadership that
Amnesty International Report 2007 1
FOREWORD
overcame doubt and unified people. Today far too many leaders are
trampling freedom and trumpeting an ever-widening range of fears: fear of
being swamped by migrants; fear of “the other” and of losing one’s identity;
fear of being blown up by terrorists; fear of “rogue states” with weapons of
mass destruction.
Fear thrives on myopic and cowardly leadership. There are indeed
many real causes of fear but the approach being taken by many world
leaders is short-sighted, promulgating policies and strategies that erode
the rule of law and human rights, increase inequalities, feed racism and
xenophobia, divide and damage communities, and sow the seeds for
violence and more conflict.
The politics of fear has been made more complex by the emergence of
armed groups and big business that commit or condone human rights abuses.
Both – in different ways – challenge the power of governments in an
increasingly borderless world. Weak governments and ineffective
international institutions are unable to hold them accountable, leaving
people vulnerable and afraid.
History shows that it is not through fear but through hope and optimism
that progress is achieved. So, why do some leaders promote fear? Because it
allows them to consolidate their own power, create false certainties and
escape accountability.
The Howard government portrayed desperate asylum-seekers in leaky
boats as a threat to Australia’s national security and raised a false alarm of a
refugee invasion. This contributed to its election victory in 2001. After the
attacks of 11 September 2001, US President George W Bush invoked the fear of
terrorism to enhance his executive power, without Congressional oversight
or judicial scrutiny. President Omar al-Bashir of Sudan whipped up fear
among his supporters and in the Arab world that the deployment of UN FEAR THRIVES ON
peacekeepers in Darfur would be a pretext for an Iraq-style, US-led invasion. MYOPIC AND
Meanwhile, his armed forces and militia allies continued to kill, rape and COWARDLY
plunder with impunity. President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe played on LEADERSHIP
racial fears to push his own political agenda of grabbing land for his
supporters.
Only a common commitment based on shared values can lead to a
sustainable solution. In an inter-dependent world, global challenges,
whether of poverty or security, of migration or marginalization, demand
responses based on global values of human rights that bring people
together and promote our collective well-being. Human rights provide the
basis for a sustainable future. But protecting the security of states rather
than the sustainability of people’s lives and livelihoods appears to be the
order of the day.
Across Europe, refugee recognition rates have fallen dramatically over the
years, although the reasons for seeking asylum – violence and persecution –
remain as high as ever.
The hypocrisy of the politics of fear is such that governments denounce
certain regimes but refuse to protect those escaping from them. The harsh
policies of the North Korean government have been condemned by western
governments but these same governments are far less vocal about the fate of
some 100,000 North Koreans reportedly hiding in China, hundreds of whom
are deported forcibly to North Korea every week by the Chinese authorities.
Migrant workers fuel the engine of the global economy – yet they are
turned away with brutal force, exploited, discriminated against, and left
unprotected by governments across the world, from the Gulf states and
South Korea to the Dominican Republic.
MILLIONS OF Six thousand Africans drowned or were missing at sea in 2006 in their
PEOPLE ARE BEING desperate bid to reach Europe. Another 31,000 – six times higher than the
FORCIBLY EVICTED number in 2005 – reached the Canary islands. Just as the Berlin Wall could
FROM THEIR HOMES not stop those who wanted to escape Communist oppression, tough
WITH NO DUE policing of the borders of Europe is failing to block those seeking to escape
PROCESS, abject poverty.
COMPENSATION OR In the long term, the answer lies not in building walls to keep people out
ALTERNATIVE but in promoting systems that protect the rights of the vulnerable while
SHELTER respecting the prerogative of states to control migration. International
instruments provide that balance. Attempts to weaken the UN Refugee
Convention or shun the UN Migrant Workers Convention – which no western
country has ratified – are counter-productive.
If unregulated migration is the fear of the rich, then unbridled
capitalism, driven by globalization, is the fear of the poor. Booming
markets are creating enormous opportunities for some, but also widening
the gap between the “haves” and the “have-nots”. The rewards of
globalization are heavily skewed, both across the world and within
countries. Latin America is burdened with some of the highest levels of
inequality in the world. In India, there have been average growth rates of 8
per cent over the past three years, but more than a quarter of its
population still lives below the poverty line.
These statistics reveal the dark underbelly of globalization. The
marginalization of large swathes of humanity should not be treated as the
inevitable cost of global prosperity. There is nothing inevitable about policies
and decisions that deny individuals their economic and social rights.
Amnesty International’s growing programme of work on economic and
social rights is laying bare the reality of people’s fear: that in many parts of
the world people are being tipped into poverty and trapped there by corrupt
governments and greedy businesses.
As the demands for mining, urban development and tourism put pressure
on land, across Africa, Asia and Latin America, entire communities – millions
of people - are being forcibly evicted from their homes with no due process,
compensation or alternative shelter. Often, excessive force is used to uproot
them. Development-induced displacement is not a new problem, yet little
appears to have been learnt from past experience. In Africa alone more than
3 million people have been affected since 2000, making forced evictions one
Amnesty International Report 2007 3
FOREWORD
another does not work. Experience shows that public security is best
strengthened through a comprehensive approach that combines better
policing alongside provision of basic services such as health, education and
shelter to the poor communities; so that they feel they too have a stake in a
secure and stable society.
At the end of the day, promoting economic and social rights for all is the
best approach to addressing the fears of the rich as well as the poor.
FEAR OF DISSENT
Freedom of expression is fundamental to the right to dissent. Where there is
no dissent, the right to free speech is endangered. Where there is no dissent,
democracy is stifled. Where there is no dissent, tyranny raises its head.
Yet, freedom of expression and dissent continue to be suppressed in a
variety of ways, from the prosecution of writers, journalists and human rights
defenders in Turkey, to political killings of left-wing activists in the Philippines.
In the US prison camp at Guantánamo Bay, the only form of protest
arguably left to detainees is hunger strike. In 2006 some 200 detainees who
resorted to it were force fed by tubes inserted through the nose – a
particularly painful and humiliating method. When three men were reported
to have committed suicide, the US taskforce commander at Guantánamo
described it as “asymmetrical warfare”.
National security has often been used as an excuse by governments to
suppress dissent. In recent years heightened fears about terrorism and
insecurity have reinforced repression – or the risk of it – in a variety of ways.
“Old fashioned” abuses of freedom of expression, assembly and association
have gained a new lease of life in North Africa and the Middle East. In liberal
democracies the ever-widening net of counter-terrorism laws and policies HEIGHTENED FEARS
poses a potential threat to free speech. In 2006, for example, the UK adopted ABOUT TERRORISM
legislation to create a vaguely defined crime of “encouraging terrorism”, AND INSECURITY
incorporating the even more baffling notion of “glorifying terrorism”. HAVE REINFORCED
In the USA the authorities showed more interest in hunting down the REPRESSION
source of the leak behind the story in The Washington Post on CIA “black
sites”, than in investigating the policies that led to the establishment of these
secret prisons in the first place in contravention of international and US laws.
The authoritarian drift in Russia has been devastating for journalists and
human rights defenders. Having intimidated or taken over much of the
Russian press, President Vladimir Putin turned his attention to Russian and
foreign non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in 2006 with a controversial
law to regulate their funding and activities. In a public relations exercise just
prior to the meeting of the G8, he met with a group of international NGOs,
including Amnesty International. Informed of the damaging impact of his
NGO law on civil society in Russia and urged to suspend it pending further
consultations on amendments, he responded: “We did not pass this law to
have it repealed.” Three months later the Russian Chechen Friendship
Society, a human rights NGO working to expose violations in Chechnya, was
closed down under the new law.
Unfortunately, Russia is not the only country seeking to silence
independent voices on human rights. From Colombia to Cambodia, Cuba
to Uzbekistan, governments have introduced laws to restrict human rights
organizations and the work of activists, branding them disloyal or
6 Amnesty International Report 2007
FOREWORD
FEAR OF TERRORISM
It is in the sphere of terrorism and counter-terrorism that fear’s most harmful
manifestations flourish. Whether in Mumbai or Manhattan, people have the
right to be secure and governments have the duty to provide that security. IT IS IN THE SPHERE
However, ill-conceived counter-terrorism strategies have done little to OF TERRORISM AND
reduce the threat of violence or to ensure justice for victims of attacks, and COUNTER-TERRORISM
much to damage human rights and the rule of law. THAT FEAR’S MOST
Thwarted in 2004 by the courts from pursuing its policy of detaining HARMFUL
people indefinitely without charge or trial, the UK government has resorted MANIFESTATIONS
increasingly to deportation, or to “control orders” that allow the Home FLOURISH
Secretary effectively to place people under house arrest without criminal
prosecution. Suspects are thus condemned without ever being convicted.
The essence of the rule of law is subverted while its form is preserved.
Japan introduced a law in 2006 to fast-track deportation of anyone
deemed by the Minister of Justice to be a “possible terrorist”. People’s fate
will no longer be determined on the basis of what they have done but on the
omniscient ability of governments to predict what they might do!
Unfettered discretionary executive power is being pursued relentlessly by
the US administration, which treats the world as one big battlefield for its “war
on terror”: kidnapping, arresting, detaining or torturing suspects either directly
or with the help of countries as far apart as Pakistan and Gambia, Afghanistan
and Jordan. In September 2006, President Bush finally admitted what Amnesty
International has long known – that the CIA had been running secret detention
centres in circumstances that amount to international crimes.
Nothing so aptly portrays the globalization of human rights violations as
the US government’s programme of “extraordinary renditions”. Investigations
by the Council of Europe, the European Parliament and a Public Enquiry in
Canada, have provided compelling evidence confirming Amnesty
8 Amnesty International Report 2007
FOREWORD
and past abuses – including during this recent war, and political
assassinations and enforced disappearances during the civil war (1975-1990)
– is a source of grievance that is being exploited by all sides. The government
is under pressure to concede more space to Hizbullah. There is a real risk that
the country could plunge into sectarian violence once again.
One commentator predicts a nightmare scenario of failing states from the
Hindu Kush to the Horn of Africa, with Pakistan, Afghanistan and Somalia as
bookends, and Iraq, the Occupied Territories and Lebanon at the core of this
band of instability. Others speak of the revival of a Cold War mindset of “them
and us” in which powerful states seek to fight their enemies through proxy
wars in someone else’s backyard. The prognosis for human rights is dire.
SUSTAINABILITY
REQUIRES A FUTURE FREE OF FEAR
STRENGTHENING THE One can get sucked into the fear syndrome or one can take a radically
RULE OF LAW AND different approach: an approach based on sustainability rather than security.
HUMAN RIGHTS – The term sustainability may be more familiar to development economists
NATIONALLY AND and environmentalists, but it is crucial too for human rights activists. A
INTERNATIONALLY sustainable strategy promotes hope, human rights and democracy, while a
security strategy addresses fears and dangers. Just as energy security is best
provided through sustainable development, human security is best pursued
through institutions that promote respect for human rights.
Sustainability requires rejecting the Cold War tradition of each super
power sponsoring its own pool of dictatorships and abusive regimes. It
means promoting principled leadership and enlightened policies.
Sustainability requires strengthening the rule of law and human rights –
nationally and internationally. Elections have drawn a lot of international
attention, from Bolivia to Bangladesh, Chile to Liberia. But as the Democratic
Republic of the Congo and Iraq have shown, creating the conditions in which
people can cast their ballots is not enough. A bigger challenge is to promote
good governance, including an effective legal and judicial structure, the rule
of law based on human rights, a free press and a vibrant civil society.
A properly functioning system of rule of law at the national level is the
ultimate safeguard for human rights. But such a system of law, if it is to be
truly just, must embrace women and the poor. The majority of poor people
today live outside the protection of the law. Including them in a meaningful
way requires giving effect to economic and social rights in public policy and
programmes. In too many countries women continue to be denied equality
before the law. Equal access of women to all human rights is not only a
precondition for sustaining human rights, but also for economic prosperity
and social stability.
Sustainability requires revitalizing UN human rights reform. Humiliated
and sidelined by its most powerful members and ignored by governments
such as Sudan and Iran, the credibility of the UN Security Council has suffered
badly. Yet when the UN fails, the authority of its powerful member states is
also eroded. It is in the USA’s own interest to discard the “pick and choose”
approach to the UN and recognize the value of multilateralism as a crucial
means of promoting greater stability and security through human rights.
The UN Human Rights Council appears to be displaying some worrying
signs of factionalism reminiscent of its predecessor institution. But it is not
Amnesty International Report 2007 11
FOREWORD
too late to change. Member countries can play a constructive role – and
some, including India and Mexico, are indeed doing so – to make the Council
more willing to tackle human rights crises and less open to political
selectivity and manipulation.
The new UN Secretary General too must assert himself to show leadership
as a champion of human rights. The UN’s responsibility for human rights is a
unique one that no other entity can usurp. All organs and officials of the UN
must live up to it.
Sustainability in human rights terms means nurturing hope. From the
many examples in 2006, we can draw lessons for the future.
The ending of the decade-long conflict in Nepal, with its attendant human
rights abuses, was a clear example of what can be achieved through
collective effort. The UN and interested governments, working with national
political leaders and human rights activists in the country and abroad,
responded to the powerful call from the people of Nepal.
International justice is critical for sustaining respect for human rights, and
in 2006 Nigeria finally handed over former Liberian President Charles Taylor
to the Special Court for Sierra Leone to be tried for war crimes and crimes
against humanity. The International Criminal Court (ICC) began its first
prosecution against a warlord from the Democratic Republic of the Congo for
recruiting child solders. The Lord’s Resistance Army, a Ugandan rebel group,
is next on the ICC’s list, as are perpetrators of the atrocities in Darfur. In
pressing for accountability of armed groups as well as government actors, CIVIL SOCIETY
the ICC is setting an important precedent at a time when armed groups are WILL NOT ALLOW
flexing their muscles with brutal consequences for human rights. WORLD LEADERS TO
A massive campaign by civil society organizations moved the UN General FORGET DARFUR AS
Assembly in 2006 to adopt a resolution to start work on an Arms Trade LONG AS ITS PEOPLE
Treaty. Proliferation of arms is a major threat to human rights and the ARE UNSAFE
willingness of governments to bring it under control is an important step
towards achieving “freedom from fear”.
These positive developments – and many more – have happened
because of the courage and commitment of civil society. Indeed, the single
most significant sign of hope for transforming the human rights landscape
is the human rights movement itself – millions of defenders, activists and
ordinary people, including members of Amnesty International, who are
demanding change.
Marches, petitions, virals, blogs, t-shirts and armbands may not seem
much by themselves, but by bringing people together they unleash an energy
for change that should not be underestimated. Darfur has become a
household word for international solidarity thanks to the efforts of civil
society. The killings unfortunately have not stopped, but civil society will not
allow world leaders to forget Darfur as long as its people are unsafe. Gender
justice has a long journey still to make, but the campaign by Iranian human
rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner Shirin Ebadi for equality of
women in Iran is lighting a flame that will not die down until the battle has
been won. The campaign for the abolition of the death penalty goes from
strength to strength thanks to civil society.
People power will change the face of human rights in the 21st century.
Hope is very much alive.
12 Amnesty International Report 2007
At the end of 2006, nearly 400 detainees were still held without charge or trial at the
US detention centre in Guantánamo Bay, Cuba. © Brennan Linsley/AP/Empics
More than 2 million people have been displaced by the conflict in Sudan,
130,000 of whom are in the Gereida camp in Darfur. © Reuters/Zohra Bensemra®
REGIONAL OVERVIEWS/AFRICA
REGIONAL
OVERVIEWS
Africa. Corruption and under-investment in
social services contributed to entrenched
poverty.
ARMED CONFLICTS
AFRICA
At least a dozen countries in Africa were
affected by armed conflict. Marginalization of
certain communities, small arms proliferation
The human rights situation in many parts of
and struggles for geo-political power and
Africa remained precarious in 2006. Armed
control of natural resources were some of the
conflict, under-development, extreme
underlying causes of the conflicts.
poverty, widespread corruption, inequitable
Although there were numerous peace and
distribution of resources, political repression,
international mediation processes, Burundi,
marginalization, ethnic and civil violence, and
Central African Republic (CAR), Chad, Côte
the HIV/AIDS pandemic continued to
d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo
undermine the enjoyment of human rights
(DRC), Eritrea, Ethiopia, the Republic of Congo,
across the region.
Senegal, Sudan and Somalia were among the
Although armed conflicts generally
countries still engaged in or affected by
were on the decrease, they still affected
conflict. In all these countries, civilians
many countries. As a result, several
continued to suffer human rights abuses, and
million refugees and internally displaced
the most affected were women, children and
people, including children and the
the elderly. The conflicts in CAR, Chad, Sudan
elderly, remained without basic shelter,
and Somalia (with the involvement of
protection and care.
Ethiopia), represented an escalation of
Most states suppressed dissent and
conflict in central and east Africa.
the free expression of opinion. Some
Even in countries where peace processes
governments authorized or condoned
were under way, such as in Côte d’Ivoire, the
extrajudicial executions, arbitrary arrests,
DRC and Sudan, civilians continued to face
torture and other ill-treatment, or
attacks and were inadequately protected by
harassment of opposition political
their governments.
activists, human rights defenders and
Conflict continued in the Darfur region of
journalists. Across the region, suspects in
Sudan, despite the Darfur Peace Agreement.
criminal investigations continued to be
The Sudanese government failed to disarm the
at high risk of torture in part because
armed militia known as the Janjawid, which
of poor police training and supervision,
attacked civilians in Sudan and eastern Chad.
as well as public pressure on police to
Tens of thousands of Darfuris who escaped the
tackle high rates of crime.
killing, rape and pillage were living in refugee
The enjoyment of economic, social and
camps in CAR and Chad, unable to return to
cultural rights such as the rights to food,
their villages. At least 200,000 people had died
shelter, health and education remained a mere
and 2.5 million internally displaced by the end
illusion for the vast majority of people in
of 2006.
Amnesty International Report 2007 15
REGIONAL OVERVIEWS/AFRICA
Amri area were given six days to evacuate their the region and around 900,000 people in
homes and reportedly given no shelter, food or Africa, most of them young children, died from
medicine. acute cases of malaria.
The HIV/AIDS pandemic continued to pose REPRESSION OF DISSENT
a threat to millions of Africans. According to Repression of dissent continued in many
UNAIDS (the Joint UN Programme on countries. The authorities in Eritrea,
HIV/AIDS), the virus caused 2.1 million deaths Ethiopia, Rwanda, Sudan, Uganda and
in 2006 and 2.8 million people were newly Zimbabwe were among those that used a
infected, bringing to 24.7 million the total licensing/accreditation system to restrict
number of people living with HIV/AIDS on the the work of journalists and consequently
continent. impinged on the freedom of expression. The
Women and girls in Africa remained 40 per promulgation and use of anti-terror and public
cent more likely to be infected with the virus order laws to restrict dissent and the work of
than men, and often carried the main burden human rights defenders continued in some
as carers. Violence against women and girls in states, and human rights defenders were
some countries also increased their risk of HIV particularly vulnerable in Burundi, the DRC,
infection. Ethiopia, Rwanda, Somalia, Sudan and
National responses to HIV/AIDS continued Zimbabwe.
to be scaled up throughout the continent. The In Ethiopia, for example, opposition party
roll-out of anti-retroviral treatment leaders, journalists and human rights
continued, albeit unevenly. In June UNAIDS defenders who were prisoners of conscience
estimated that more than one million people were tried on capital charges such as treason,
on the continent were receiving life-saving attempted genocide and armed conspiracy. In
anti-retroviral therapy – 23 per cent of those Eritrea, members of minority evangelical
who required it. churches were imprisoned because of their
In South Africa, the country with the largest faith, and former government leaders,
number of people living with HIV/AIDS, the members of parliament and journalists
government showed signs of greater openness continued to be held without trial, many of
to the participation of civil society them feared dead.
organizations in achieving a more effective
response to the pandemic. DEATH PENALTY
At the AU Special Summit on HIV/AIDS, The death penalty continued to be widely
Tuberculosis and Malaria in Abuja, Nigeria, in applied and prisoners remained under
May, African governments committed sentence of death in several countries in the
themselves to “universal access to treatment, region, including around 600 people in
care and prevention services for all people by Rwanda. However, the Tanzanian authorities
2010.” This call was reiterated, albeit with few commuted all death sentences during 2006,
tangible commitments, at the UN General and the ruling party in Rwanda recommended
Assembly High Level Review Meeting on abolition of capital punishment.
HIV/AIDS (UNGASS Review) shortly In the DRC military tribunals continued to
afterwards. UN member states committed pass the death penalty after unfair trials,
themselves to working towards achieving although there were no reports of state
universal access to treatment, care and executions. In Equatorial Guinea, one person
prevention by 2010. Countries throughout the was publicly executed for murder.
region were developing national targets and
indicators for achieving this aim. IMPUNITY
Tuberculosis and malaria also posed a Police officers and other law enforcement
serious threat in many areas. In 2006 personnel in many parts of the region
tuberculosis killed over 500,000 people across continued to commit human rights violations,
18 Amnesty International Report 2007
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including unlawful killings, torture or other ill- In July 2006, the AU Assembly of Heads of
treatment, with impunity. However, there State and Government asked Senegal to try
were important developments in the efforts to Hissène Habré, Chad’s former President, for
end impunity for war crimes and other serious crimes against humanity he committed while
crimes under international law. in power (1982-1990). He had been living in
Following the referral of the situation in Senegal since he was ousted from office. In
Darfur by the UN Security Council in March 2005 a Belgian judge issued an international
2005, the Office of the Prosecutor of the arrest warrant for torture and other crimes
International Criminal Court (ICC) visited committed during his rule. In November 2006
Khartoum in 2006. Senegal’s Council of Ministers adopted a draft
Warrants of arrest issued in 2005 against law allowing Hissène Habré to be tried.
senior members of the Ugandan armed political Trials of prominent genocide suspects
group, the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) – continued before the International Criminal
including Joseph Kony, Vincent Otti, Okot Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), which held 57
Odhiambo and Dominic Ongwen – remained in detainees at the end of 2006. Ten trials were
force, but the accused were not apprehended. ongoing. The UN Security Council asked the
The LRA leaders argued that the warrants ICTR to complete all trials by the end of 2008.
should be withdrawn before they would However, the ICTR failed to indict or prosecute
commit to a peace agreement, but the warrants leaders of the former Rwandese Patriotic Front
remained in force at the end of the year. widely believed to have authorized, condoned
In the DRC, Thomas Lubanga Dyilo, leader or carried out war crimes and crimes against
of an Ituri armed group, the Union of humanity in 1994.
Congolese Patriots, was arrested and charged In Rwanda, concerns remained about the
with war crimes – specifically, recruiting and impartiality and fairness of gacaca tribunals
using in hostilities children aged under 15. He (a community-based system of tribunals
was subsequently transferred to the ICC in The established in Rwanda in 2002 to try people
Hague, the Netherlands. suspected of crimes during the 1994 genocide).
In March, former Liberian President Charles
Taylor was handed over to Liberia by Nigeria, VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN
where he had been living. He was then AND GIRLS
transferred to the Special Court for Sierra Violence against women and girls remained
Leone to face trial on charges of war crimes pervasive and only a few countries were
and crimes against humanity committed considering laws to address the problem.
during the armed conflict in Sierra Leone. In Parliaments in Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa
addition, three trials before the Special Court and Zimbabwe continued to discuss draft
continued of those bearing the greatest legislation on domestic violence and sexual
responsibility for crimes against humanity, offences.
war crimes and other serious violations of In South Africa and Swaziland in particular,
international law committed in the civil war in the pervasiveness of gender-based violence
Sierra Leone after 30 November 1996. continued to place women and girls at risk of
In Ethiopia, the 12-year trial of former HIV/AIDS directly or through obstructing their
President Mengistu Hailemariam ended in access to information, prevention and
December with his conviction for genocide, treatment. Gender-based violence, as well as
mass killings and other crimes. Along with 24 stigma and discrimination, also affected
other members of the Dergue military access to treatment for those already living
government (1974-1991), he was tried in his with HIV/AIDS.
absence while in exile in Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe The practice of female genital mutilation
President Robert Mugabe had refused to remained widespread in some countries,
extradite him for trial. particularly Sierra Leone, Somalia and Sudan.
Amnesty International Report 2007 19
REGIONAL OVERVIEWS/AFRICA
In the DRC, women and girls were raped by Human and Peoples’ Rights and the African
government security forces and armed groups Court of Justice was being negotiated at the
and had little or no access to adequate medical end of the year.
treatment. In Darfur, rape of women by The African Peer Review Mechanism
Janjawid militias continued to be systematic. completed the review of Ghana, Rwanda and
The number of women attacked and raped South Africa but failed to make its findings
while searching for firewood around Kalma public. The African Commission on Human and
Camp near Nyala, South Darfur, increased Peoples’ Rights, which remained the only
from about three or four a month to some 200 functional regional human rights body,
a month between June and August. continued to be denied the much needed
In Nigeria there were frequent reports of human, material and financial resources to
sexual violence, including rape, by state fully respond to the many human rights
officials. Such abuses were committed with problems in the region.
impunity. In Côte d’Ivoire there were Overall, widespread and massive
continuing reports of sexual violence against corruption in Africa continued to contribute
women in the government-controlled areas to a vicious cycle of extreme poverty,
and the region held by the Forces Nouvelles. manifesting itself in violations of
internationally recognized human rights,
REGIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND especially economic and social rights, weak
HUMAN RIGHTS institutions and leadership, and
Although the Constitutive Act of the AU marginalization of the most vulnerable
underscores the centrality of the promotion sectors of the population, including women
and protection of human rights throughout the and children.
continent, the AU fell short of its commitment
to human rights generally. The AU continued
to demonstrate a deep reluctance to publicly
criticize African leaders who failed to protect
human rights, especially in Sudan and
Zimbabwe.
A combination of lack of political will and
capacity of the AU to halt continuing conflicts
in places such as Darfur, and the apathy of an
international community that had the capacity
but lacked the will to act, left millions of
civilians at the mercy of belligerent
governments and ruthless warlords.
Many of the institutions referred to under
the Constitutive Act of the AU became fully
operational in 2006 but they made little or no
impact on people’s lives. However, the
election of 11 judges to the newly established
African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights
enhanced the prospects of developing a
culture that would respect the rule of law and
human rights regionally. The Court held its first
meeting in July and the judges began drafting
the Court’s rules of procedure. A draft legal
instrument relating to the establishment of a
merged court comprising the African Court on
20 Amnesty International Report 2007
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AMERICAS
Cuba, the only one-party state in the region,
also underwent a transfer of power as Fidel
Castro’s brother Raúl was temporarily
appointed President.
The Americas remained an extraordinarily The peaceful transfer of government power
diverse region, encompassing some of the in so many countries was a significant
world’s most economically advantaged achievement in a region that has been plagued
populations in North America as well as some by political instability and violent electoral
of the world’s poorest countries in the campaigns. Many of the new governments
Caribbean and Latin America. Common to the were elected on anti-poverty agendas
whole region, however, were a range of imposed by electorates increasingly frustrated
complex and pressing political, social and by the failure of prevailing economic policies
economic challenges that impinge on the to reduce poverty. The consolidation of
fulfilment of fundamental human rights. democratic processes provided an
The USA, unrivalled in military and unprecedented opportunity for the region’s
economic terms in the region and the world, governments to tackle persistent human rights
continued to maintain a dual discourse on violations and pervasive poverty.
human rights as it pursued its “war on terror”. Indeed, after decades of neglect of deep-
It claimed to be the leading force for the rooted social and economic problems, there
promotion of human rights and the rule of were encouraging signs that some
law, while simultaneously pursuing policies governments in Latin America in particular
and practices that flouted some of the most were moving beyond a rhetorical commitment
basic principles of international law. In so to human rights towards the adoption and
doing, it undermined not only long-term implementation of social and economic
security of which the rule of law is a central policies that could begin to address the
pillar, but also its own credibility on the region’s long-standing inequities.
international stage. Among the promises made by some new
Nowhere was the erosion of US governments were reforms to address structural
credibility and influence more marked flaws, such as inequitable land tenure,
than in Latin America. Growing numbers entrenched discrimination in the justice system
of South American countries in particular and lack of access to basic services, which
have sought to dissociate themselves from underpin violations of human rights.
political, economic and security policies However, progress was slow and Latin
promoted by the USA, and relations between America remained one of the most
the US and several Latin American economically inequitable parts of the world.
governments have become increasingly Poverty remained endemic and access to basic
fractious. Political tensions and mutual services such as health and education
criticisms were sharpest between the USA continued to be denied or limited for most
and Venezuela. people. The poor rural populations in
A key feature of 2006 was the continuing particular were denied access to justice and
strengthening of democratic processes and the basic services – vast rural areas were
consolidation of democratic institutions. neglected by the state leaving large numbers
Eleven countries held presidential elections, of people isolated and insecure.
some combined with legislative and state High expectations risk being dashed as
elections. The transition of power was democracy and good governance were
peaceful, despite legal challenges by some threatened by chronically weak institutions
losing candidates, such as in Mexico. In and undermined by lack of independence
general, the elections were judged by of the judiciary, impunity and endemic
observers to have been fair. corruption.
Amnesty International Report 2007 21
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Civil society in the Americas continued both the gangs that dominate the communities
to play an increasingly prominent role in and repressive state forces.
challenging governments’ lack of One of the more visible consequences of
accountability and the lack of access to public states’ repressive security measures was
services and to the justice system for the rampant violence in the region’s overcrowded
region’s poor. Human rights defenders were and out-of-control prisons. The phenomenon
key in the struggle for political, economic and of prisons as “no go” areas to the security
social rights. Their work contributed to forces spread in Central and South America. In
highlighting the social and economic Brazil, for example, a criminal gang in São
inequalities in the region and they played a Paulo’s prison system orchestrated
crucial role in legitimizing the struggle of the simultaneous riots in around 70 prisons in the
most vulnerable sectors of society, including state. At the same time, the gangs’ leaders
Indigenous peoples, women, and lesbian, gay, from within the detention system ordered
bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people. criminal attacks across the state, which
Public opposition to governments resulted in the killing of over 40 law
frequently led to massive and protracted enforcement officers and widespread damage.
social protests, which often met a repressive Police killed over 100 suspects during the
response from security forces. For example, confrontation, and many others died in
the political crisis in Oaxaca, Mexico, sparked suspected “death-squad”-style retaliations.
by a mass strike by teachers, resulted in huge In Colombia, which has endured one of
protests against the state governor over many the world’s most intractable conflicts, the
months. Despite the fact that only some humanitarian crisis continued. The security
protesters were violent, the state authorities forces, army-backed paramilitaries and
and their sympathizers reportedly responded guerrilla groups were responsible for many
by targeting all individuals and organizations human rights abuses, including war crimes and
perceived as sympathetic to the opposition crimes against humanity. Human rights
movement. defenders, trades unionists, and indigenous
and community leaders were particularly
INSECURITY AND CONFLICT vulnerable.
High levels of violent crime and lack of public In addition, the Colombia conflict
security continued to be major public continued to affect the rights of people living
concerns. Poverty, violence and the near the borders in neighbouring countries. In
proliferation of small arms – daily realities for Ecuador, Panama and Venezuela, rural
millions of people in the Americas – created populations were particularly exposed to
and sustained environments where human threats from armed forces, both state and non-
rights abuses flourished. state, and the risk of forced recruitment into
Governments have traditionally resorted to armed groups.
repressive law enforcement strategies to deal
with the consequences of state neglect, ‘WAR ON TERROR’
discrimination and social exclusion. Such Further evidence emerged of a systematic
policies have resulted in poor communities pattern of abuse by the USA and its allies in the
sinking deeper into violence and insecurity, context of the “war on terror”, including secret
particularly in urban centres. In cities in Brazil, detention, enforced disappearance, prolonged
El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras and incommunicado and arbitrary detention, and
Jamaica, youth and armed criminal torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading
gangs posed a serious threat. Several states treatment. At the end of 2006, thousands of
increasingly resorted to military detainees continued to be held in US custody
“containment” of neighbourhoods, leaving without charge or trial in Iraq, Afghanistan and
many inhabitants exposed to the violence of Guantánamo Bay, Cuba.
22 Amnesty International Report 2007
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Despite several adverse judicial rulings, the Tribunal ruled that the “morning-after pill”
US administration persisted in pursuing should be available to every woman. In
policies and practices inconsistent with Colombia, abortion was decriminalized in
human rights standards. The US Congress, cases of rape in certain situations.
despite some positive initiatives, gave its In contrast, the Constitutional Court in
stamp of approval to human rights violations Ecuador ruled that emergency contraception
committed by the USA in the “war on terror” should not be available, and the authorities in
and turned bad executive policy into bad Nicaragua repealed the law that had allowed
domestic law. abortion in certain cases of rape.
In sharp contrast to positive developments Violations of the rights of Indigenous
in Latin America, there was a continued failure peoples, including violence against women
to hold senior US government officials and girls, were reported throughout the
accountable for torture and ill-treatment of region. Indigenous peoples continued to face
“war on terror” detainees, despite evidence entrenched racism and discriminatory
that abuses had been systematic. treatment. Denied adequate protection of
A shift in the balance of power in the US their right to live on and use the lands and
Congress as a result of the November mid-term territories vital to their cultural identity and
elections raised the possibility of greater their daily survival, Indigenous communities
congressional oversight and investigation of were often driven into extreme poverty and
executive actions, and of improved legislation. ill-health.
During 2006 the trend of reassertion of
DISCRIMINATION: Indigenous identity continued to grow. In the
STEPS FORWARD, STEPS BACK Andean countries in particular, this trend was
Violence against women continued to be reflected in the emergence of Indigenous
widespread throughout the Americas. peoples as a political force at the national
Governments failed to uphold laws that level, as in Bolivia, and at a local level. Parallel
criminalize violence against women in to this, growing ethnic divisions became
the home and the community, nor did apparent in Andean countries with the largest
they provide support and protection for proportion of Indigenous people. In Bolivia,
victims of violence. Lack of judges and ethnic divisions were aggravated by demands
prosecutors specialized in gender-based for greater regional autonomy by the mainly
violence as well as a lack of gender- non-Indigenous departments of Santa Cruz,
sensitive police units and adequate and Tarija, Beni and Pando.
sufficient shelters demonstrated a The LGBT community continued to suffer
fundamental lack of political will to end the stigma, discrimination and abuse in many
endemic violence against women. countries in the Americas, although they also
Despite national and international gained visibility and some acceptability,
indignation, the pattern of killings of women particularly in major cities.
continued in Colombia, El Salvador, In Nicaragua, lesbian and gay relationships
Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico, among remained criminalized and in Caribbean
other countries. countries a number of “sodomy laws” were still
However, women’s rights, including in force. However, there were positive moves
their sexual and reproductive rights, were in some countries to ensure equality before
high on the agendas of political and civil the law. Mexico City passed a landmark ruling
society. In Chile, for example, the authorities recognizing same-sex unions. The Congress in
successfully petitioned in the courts to Colombia discussed a bill that if approved
allow the distribution without parental would give same-sex couples the same social
consent of the “morning-after pill” to girls security rights as those enjoyed by couples of
over the age of 14. In Peru, the Constitutional the opposite sex.
24 Amnesty International Report 2007
REGIONAL OVERVIEWS/AMERICAS
IMPUNITY ROLLED BACK he had faced trial for atrocities during his 17-
Several countries in Latin America faced the year rule. Just weeks before his death he faced
painful legacy of past human rights violations. new charges in connection with 35 kidnappings,
The issues of truth, justice and reparation one homicide and 24 cases of torture. Former
were high on the agenda of civil society, the Paraguayan President Alfredo Stroessner died
judiciary and some governments, and action in exile in Brazil without ever having been
was taken against several former senior brought to trial for the widespread human
officials. rights violations committed during his rule
In Argentina, Miguel Etchecolatz, former between 1954 and 1989.
Director of Investigations of the Buenos Aires Universal jurisdiction continued to play a
Province Police, was convicted of murder, key role in tackling the legacy of past human
torture and kidnappings during the period of rights violations in Latin America. A judge in
the military government (1976-1983) and Spain issued arrest warrants for Guatemala’s
sentenced to life imprisonment in September. former President General Efraín Ríos Montt
The three judges in the case ruled that he was and several former senior army officials, who
responsible for crimes against humanity. faced charges of genocide, torture, terrorism
Former Peruvian President Alberto and illegal detention. However, former
Fujimori was granted bail in May in Chile General Efraín Ríos Montt remained free after
pending a decision by the Chilean Supreme the Guatemalan authorities considered only
Court of Justice on whether to extradite him to part of the case presented by the Spanish
Peru to face charges of corruption and human National Court. Two other former officials
rights violations. The Supreme Court were in custody and a third was a fugitive from
established that Alberto Fujimori was not justice.
allowed to leave the country until a decision
was reached. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENTS
The prosecution in Mexico of former The Inter-American Commission on Human
senior officials accused of crimes against Rights and the Inter-American Court of Human
humanity committed in the 1960s, 1970s and Rights, the human rights mechanisms of the
1980s continued to collapse. However, in Organization of American States (OAS), issued
November a federal court ordered the a number of significant decisions. If
rearrest of former President Luis Echeverría implemented by states parties, these should
to stand trial on the charge of genocide in not only address particular cases of denials or
connection with the murder of students in violations of human rights of individuals but
Tlatelolco Square in 1968. also set important precedents for systematic
In November, a Uruguayan judge ordered change across the region.
the detention and trial of former President No progress was made on negotiations
Juan María Bordaberry (1971-1976) and former for a free trade agreement for the Americas;
Minister of Foreign Affairs Juan Carlos Blanco. such an agreement was viewed in many
They were charged in connection with the countries with scepticism or rejection.
killings of legislators Zelmar Michelini and However, progress was made on strengthening
Héctor Gutiérrez Ruiz, as well as Rosario trading partnerships within Latin America.
Barredo and William Whitelaw, members of
the Tupamaro guerrilla group Movement of
National Liberation, in Argentina in 1976. The
judicial decision was appealed.
The need for speedier justice was thrown
into stark relief by the death on 10 December of
former Chilean ruler Augusto Pinochet before
ASIA-
approved by the WTO’s General Council in late
2006. A South Korean, Ban Ki-Moon, was
chosen to be the next UN Secretary-General.
EUROPE -
returning people to countries despite the risk
that they faced serious human rights violations
including torture.
CENTRAL Two further countries – Bulgaria and
Romania – were set to join the European
many European governments had adopted a However, there were other indications –
“see no evil, hear no evil” approach when it aside from the inquiries into renditions – of a
came to rendition flights using their territory. refusal to tolerate such abuses. In a landmark
Some were willing partners with the US case in Spain, the Supreme Court in July
Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in facilitating quashed a six-year prison sentence and
abuses. Complicity by states such as Bosnia ordered the immediate release of a man
and Herzegovina, Germany, Italy, Macedonia, previously held in US detention at
Sweden and the UK ranged from acceptance Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, on the grounds that
and concealment of renditions, secret evidence obtained while he was there was
detentions and torture or other ill-treatment inadmissible. The court ruled that
(and use of information gained from such Guantánamo Bay constituted a legal limbo
treatment) to direct involvement in without guarantees or control and therefore
abductions and illegal transfers. There was all evidence or procedures originating from it
evidence, furthermore, that security forces of should be declared null and void.
Germany, Turkey and the UK had taken In November, a UN human rights body
advantage of the situation by interrogating confirmed that the Swedish authorities had
individuals who had been subjected to been responsible for multiple human rights
rendition. violations in connection with a summary
In other areas too, security drove the expulsion to Egypt. The Swedish government
agenda over fundamental human rights – to reacted by reiterating that any such finding
the detriment of both. There were grave was not legally binding, and continued to
concerns that the governments of Kazakstan, refuse to provide reparation, including
Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Ukraine, in co- compensation, to the victims. In December,
operating with Uzbekistan in the name of Italian prosecutors asked a judge to indict 26
regional security and the “war on terror”, were CIA agents accused of kidnapping an Egyptian
violating their obligations under human rights cleric in the Italian city of Milan and
and refugee law by returning people to participating in his rendition to Egypt where
Uzbekistan despite the risk that they faced he was allegedly tortured.
serious violations including torture.
The UK government continued to REFUGEES, ASYLUM-SEEKERS
undermine the universal ban on torture by AND MIGRANTS
trying to deport people they deemed to be There remained a consistent pattern of
terror suspects to countries with a history of human rights violations linked to the
torture or other ill-treatment. The UK interception, detention and expulsion by
authorities sought to rely on inherently states of foreign nationals, including those
unreliable and ineffective “diplomatic seeking international protection. One
assurances” featured in memorandums of year on, there was still no outcome to
understanding agreed with states that had a investigations into the deaths in 2005 of 13
well-documented record of torture. migrants killed while trying to enter the
In Turkey, the new Law to Fight Terrorism Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla from
contained sweeping and draconian provisions Morocco. Three other people died in
that could in practice contravene similar incidents in July 2006.
international human rights law and facilitate Men, women and children continued
violations. People charged under existing to face obstacles in accessing asylum
anti-terrorism legislation in Turkey procedures. Some in Greece, Italy, Malta
continued to face unending trials, with and the UK were unlawfully detained and
some people still detained for more than others were denied necessary guidance
a decade pending a final verdict in and legal support. Many were unlawfully
their case. expelled before their claims could be
Amnesty International Report 2007 33
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properly heard, including from Greece, Italy, Roma and Serbs displaced from Kosovo
Malta and Spain. Some were sent to countries continued to be denied civil, political,
where they were at risk of human rights economic and social rights because they were
violations. refused civil registration. Similar problems
In response to shifting migration patterns, faced thousands of people in Slovenia – all
joint sea patrol missions by various EU from other former Yugoslav republics – who
countries and co-ordinated by the EU external had been unlawfully “erased” from the register
border control agency Frontex were set up, of permanent residents. In Estonia, members
intended to intercept migrants’ boats at sea of the Russian-speaking minority faced limited
and return the migrants to their country of access to the labour market owing to
origin. This raised serious concerns with restrictive linguistic and minority rights.
respect to fundamental rights, such as the right Authorities in Latvia, Poland and Russia
to seek and enjoy asylum, the right to leave continued to foster a climate of intolerance
one’s own country, and the principle of non- against the lesbian, gay, bisexual and
refoulement. transgender (LGBT) communities, obstructing
New legislation in some countries further public events organized by LGBT groups amid
restricted the rights of asylum-seekers and openly homophobic language used by some
migrants. In Switzerland this included refusal highly placed politicians.
of access to the asylum procedure for people
without national identity documents. In IMPUNITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY
France a new law tied residence permits for Although some progress was made in tackling
migrants to pre-existing work contracts, impunity for crimes committed on the territory
putting migrants at risk of exploitation in the of the former Yugoslavia during the wars of the
workplace. 1990s, a lack of full co-operation with the
International Criminal Tribunal for the former
RACISM AND DISCRIMINATION Yugoslavia together with insufficient efforts by
Across the region identity-based domestic courts meant that many perpetrators
discrimination was rife against Roma, who of war crimes and crimes against humanity
remained largely excluded from public life and continued to evade justice.
unable to enjoy full access to rights such as Torture and other ill-treatment, often race-
housing, employment and health services. In related and frequently used to extract
some countries the authorities failed to fully confessions, continued to be reported across
integrate Romani children into the education the region – routinely so in some countries.
system, tolerating or promoting the creation Victims described a catalogue of abuses,
of special classes or schools, including those including mock executions; beatings with fists,
where a reduced curriculum was taught. Roma plastic bottles full of water, books, truncheons
were also among those subjected to hate and poles; suffocation; deprivation of food,
crimes by individuals, as were Jews and water and sleep; threats of rape; and electro-
Muslims. In Russia, violent racism remained shocks to different parts of the body. Obstacles
widespread. to tackling impunity for such abuses included
Many people faced discrimination on police circumvention of safeguards, lack of
account of their legal status. In Azerbaijan prompt access to a lawyer, victims’ fear of
people internally displaced by the Nagorny reprisals, and lack of a properly resourced and
Karabakh conflict had restricted opportunities independent system for monitoring and
to exercise their economic and social rights, investigating complaints. In Russia, Turkey
including by a cumbersome internal and Uzbekistan in particular, failures to
registration process linking eligibility for conduct prompt, thorough and impartial
employment and social services to a fixed investigations perpetuated an entrenched
place of residence. In Montenegro over 16,000 culture of impunity. Such failures at domestic
34 Amnesty International Report 2007
REGIONAL OVERVIEWS/EUROPE-CENTRAL ASIA
level in some countries meant that people reprisals from abusive partners; fear of
continued to seek redress at the European prosecution for other offences; self-blame;
Court of Human Rights, adding to its fear of bringing “shame” on their family;
overburdened case load. financial insecurity; lack of shelters or other
effective measures such as restraining orders
DEATH PENALTY to ensure protection for them and their
Significant progress continued to be made children; and the widespread impunity
towards abolition of the death penalty enjoyed by perpetrators. Women also
throughout the region. In June, Moldova frequently lacked confidence that the relevant
abolished the death penalty in law, and in authorities would regard the abuse as a crime,
November Kyrgyzstan adopted a new rather than a private matter, and deal with it
Constitution which removed previous effectively as such. Failure to bridge that
provisions on the use of the death penalty. confidence gap in reporting not only
When the Soviet Union collapsed, all 15 hampered justice in individual cases but also
newly independent states retained the death impeded efforts to tackle such abuses across
penalty. At the close of 2006, only two of them society by hiding the full extent and nature of
continued to apply the death penalty in law the problem.
and practice. These were Belarus and While there were some positive moves
Uzbekistan, both of which continued to cloak on legislative protection in this area, other
in secrecy the exact number of people crucial gaps remained. These included the
sentenced to death and executed annually. absence in some countries of laws specifically
Uzbekistan even insisted that no death criminalizing domestic violence and a
sentence had been passed for two years, even failure to collect comprehensive statistical
though credible non-governmental data. While the new domestic violence
organizations in the country reported that at law in Georgia was welcome, the failure
least eight such sentences had been handed to approve a national action plan on
down. domestic violence – as stipulated by the
While Europe in general followed the global law – raised doubts about the authorities’
trend towards abolition, the President of commitment to eradicate domestic
Poland sought to buck it by calling in July for violence. In Switzerland, a new law
the reintroduction of capital punishment in permitted expulsion of an aggressor
Poland and throughout Europe. Another less from the shared home if requested by the
positive note were conditions on death row in victim of domestic violence. However,
the region, with some prisoners believed to migrant women living in Switzerland for
have been kept in very harsh conditions for less than five years remained vulnerable
many years. In addition, death row inmates in to expulsion if they stopped cohabiting
countries (and unrecognized entities) with a with the partner named on their residence
moratorium on executions continued to suffer permit.
uncertainty about their ultimate fate. Trafficking of human beings, including of
women and girls for forced prostitution,
VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN continued to thrive on poverty, corruption,
Violence in the home against women and girls lack of education and social breakdown.
remained pervasive across the region for all Trafficking of human beings in and to Europe
ages and social groups. It was manifested was widespread. Many states failed to ensure
through a range of verbal and psychological that the focus of policy and action in this area
abuse, physical and sexual violence, economic was on respect for and protection of the rights
control and killings. Commonly, only a small of trafficked persons. However, a positive
proportion of women reported this abuse, development towards that end included the
deterred among other things by fear of ratification in 2006 by three countries of the
Amnesty International Report 2007 35
REGIONAL OVERVIEWS/EUROPE-CENTRAL ASIA
MIDDLE
restrictions on Palestinian movements, and
withheld customs duties due to the Palestinian
Authority.
EAST- The uneasy relationship between Israel and
Arab countries exploded into open conflict in
Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia continued to Human rights defenders continued to speak
refrain from carrying out executions. In Iran, up for tolerance in the face of intolerance, and
at least 177 people were executed, including for freedom of expression and the right to
one minor and three others whose crimes were dissent, despite harassment and intimidation,
committed when they were minors, and there the threat of arrest and prosecutions. They did
were at least 39 executions in Saudi Arabia, so at particular risk to themselves in Iran,
mostly of foreign nationals. Bahrain carried Syria, Tunisia and Western Sahara, but also
out three executions, the first since 1996. Here faced threats and intimidation in other
too, those executed were foreigners. The countries, including Algeria and Lebanon.
execution of Saddam Hussain at the very end
of the year was particularly significant and
controversial, due to its timing, its especially
grotesque and degrading manner, and the
widespread sense within the region and
beyond that it represented no more than
“victor’s justice” and an act of vengeance,
rather than true justice or accountability.
DISSENT
The limits of dissent remained tightly
drawn in most of the region by governments
intolerant of opposition and by other
forces anxious to control debate. In most
countries, the media operated within strict
constraints and under threat of criminal
prosecution should they cause insult or
offence to government leaders or officials.
Journalists were prosecuted under
defamation laws in Algeria, Egypt and
Morocco, while in Iran, newspapers
continued to be closed down and journalists
detained and abused. State controls also
extended to use of the Internet. In Bahrain, the
government banned several sites; the Syrian
authorities blocked access to sites providing
news and comment on Syria; and bloggers who
criticized the authorities were detained in
Egypt and Iran.
The publication in Denmark of cartoons
offensive to many Muslims sparked violent
reactions, and in Jordan, Lebanon and Yemen
editors and journalists were prosecuted for
republishing them. Subsequently, Iran’s
President caused similar offence by publicly
questioning the Holocaust. However, the
Iranian authorities promptly closed Iran
newspaper after it published a cartoon found
to be offensive to the country’s Azerbaijani
minority.
42 Amnesty International Report 2007
Political activists in Bangladesh demand electoral reform.
© Pavel Rahman/AP/Empics
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
REPORT 2007
PART 2
Federal police in Oaxaca, Mexico, face protesters during
unrest which began in May with a teachers’ strike. By December
several civilians had been killed and scores injured.
© Eduardo Verdugo/AP/Empics
AFG
over the fairness of trials in terrorism-related and for Peace and National Reconciliation, a framework
politically motivated cases. Journalists, trade document adopted by national referendum in 2005.
unionists and human rights defenders were subject Human rights groups and associations of victims staged
to harassment and prison sentences. public demonstrations to protest against the new
legislation, describing it as unconstitutional.
Background The amnesty laws declared that any complaint
Algeria continued to be affected by the legacy of the against the security forces and those who acted in
long and bloody internal conflict of the 1990s in which conjunction with them would be inadmissible,
as many as 200,000 people are believed to have been effectively granting them blanket immunity for human
killed as a result of attacks and abuses by both armed rights violations committed during the years of internal
groups and government security forces. The conflict. Moreover, the laws threatened with
government branded its policy of “national imprisonment those who speak out about abuses by the
reconciliation” as the definitive solution to security forces. During the 1990s, security forces and
overcoming this brutal legacy. It introduced blanket state-armed militias carried out widespread torture
amnesty measures and exemptions from prosecution and thousands of extrajudicial executions and
for those responsible for past abuses, compensation enforced disappearances, all crimes under
payments for some categories of victims, social international law. The amnesty laws contravene
benefits for former armed group members and their Algeria’s international obligation to investigate these
families, and measures aimed at reintegrating people crimes and hold the perpetrators to account, thereby
who had been ostracized due to their suspected denying victims and their families an effective remedy
support for the Islamic Salvation Front (Front for the wrongs to which they were subjected.
islamique du salut, FIS). The FIS, whose election The amnesty laws also enlarged the scope of earlier
success in 1992 had sparked the army’s intervention measures granting exemption from prosecution to
and the ensuing internal conflict, remained banned members of armed groups who surrendered to the
and excluded from the political process although some authorities within a six-month period, in a stated effort
of its former leaders actively supported the to end fighting by armed groups. The law provided
government’s “reconciliation” plan. insufficient safeguards to ensure that those who had
Algeria was an important ally in the US-led “war on committed serious crimes, for example killings of
terror”. Violence by residual armed groups persisted, civilians, would be prosecuted. According to official
often in connection with criminal activities such as statements, up to 300 armed group members surrendered
smuggling, protection rackets and money-laundering. before the deadline expired, but it was not known how
The government continued its armed campaign against many of them were exempted from prosecution and by
these groups, which it claimed were aligned with al- what process. The authorities announced that those
Qa’ida. Despite the persistent risk of torture in giving themselves up in future would benefit from similar
terrorism-related cases, Algerians were deported from measures beyond expiry of the deadline.
several countries where governments alleged they The laws also provided for the release under an
were a risk to national security. Some countries amnesty of those detained or imprisoned for alleged
apparently received assurances from the Algerian involvement in terrorist activities except for collective
authorities that returnees would not be tortured or ill- killings, rape and bomb attacks. According to official
treated, but Algeria refused independent monitoring statements, some 2,200 people who had been charged
of detainees who had been returned from other with or convicted of involvement in terrorist activities
countries. were freed from detention in March and in the
Raised oil and gas prices led to high revenues which following months, but the names of those released and
allowed the government to repay some two thirds of its the process for determining eligibility were not
foreign debt. International financial institutions published. Several people charged with involvement in
warned that urgent reforms were needed to diversify international terrorism were initially released,
growth and create employment. Violent protests over although they were not entitled under the terms of the
social and economic conditions remained rife amid law. Some of them were later rearrested and detained.
widespread allegations of corruption. Other detainees who would have been eligible for
release were still in detention at the end of the year.
Impunity b In August the UN Human Rights Committee ruled
There was no progress towards investigating the that Malik Medjnoun, who had been detained without
numerous gross abuses, including torture, killings, trial for nearly seven years, should be tried
abductions and enforced disappearances, committed immediately or released, and that human rights
by armed groups and state security forces during the violations he had allegedly suffered in detention should
conflict of the 1990s. The government continued to fail be investigated. However, the government was not
to co-operate effectively with relevant UN human known to have taken any action in response to this
rights bodies and mechanisms in addressing the human decision and Malik Medjnoun remained detained
rights legacy of the conflict. without trial at the end of the year. In 2000, he was
Impunity was entrenched further by amnesty laws charged with participation in the 1998 killing of Lounes
issued under presidential decrees in February, which Matoub, a prominent singer, a crime which has not yet
were said by the government to implement the Charter been fully, impartially and independently investigated.
Amnesty International Report 2007 51
ALG
In 1999 and 2000 Malik Medjnoun was held in 2002. Dozens of court cases brought by their families
unacknowledged and secret detention for seven had not led to full judicial investigations or prosecution
months during which he was reportedly tortured. of the alleged perpetrators. The laws on “national
reconciliation” barred courts from investigating
Political killings complaints against those responsible.
More than 300 people were reported to have been b In March the UN Human Rights Committee issued
killed by either armed groups or government security its first rulings on cases of enforced disappearance in
forces during the year, including over 70 civilians. Algeria. The Committee found that the state had
Armed groups continued to carry out attacks on violated several provisions of the International
military and, to a lesser extent, civilian targets. Military Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in failing to
forces carried out search operations and attacks in protect the rights and life of Salah Saker and Riad
areas where armed group violence persisted, killing Boucherf who had disappeared in 1994 and 1995
alleged armed group members. There were concerns respectively. The Committee also recognized that the
that some of these killings might have been treatment by the authorities of their relatives, who
extrajudicial executions and that some of those killed remained without news of their fate or whereabouts,
were women and children related to armed group amounted to ill-treatment.
members, but details were difficult to obtain. The laws on “national reconciliation” included
provisions to compensate families of victims of
Violations in counter-terrorism enforced disappearance, but no payments had been
Torture continued to be used with impunity. There were made by the end of the year. In the absence of any
persistent reports of torture and other ill-treatment in investigations or judicial proceedings, many families
the custody of the Department for Information and rejected the compensation offer, fearing that the
Security (Département du renseignement et de la payments were intended to silence their calls for truth
sécurité, DRS), a military intelligence agency which and justice.
carries out terrorism-related arrests and investigations. Several dozen families of victims of enforced
Detainees held in DRS custody said they were beaten, disappearance who had appealed to the authorities for
tortured with electric shocks, suspended from the help in previous years were summoned by security
ceiling, and forced to swallow large amounts of dirty forces and given written notification of the death of
water, urine or chemicals. They were held by the DRS in their loved ones, a prerequisite for any compensation
secret locations for up to several months, during which claims. The documents, however, refuted the families’
they were denied contact with the outside world, in claims that their loved ones had been arrested by
violation of the law. Reports of torture and ill-treatment security forces, stating instead that they had been
were not known to have been investigated, despite new killed by unidentified men or while participating in an
provisions criminalizing torture introduced in 2004. At armed group.
least three people convicted of belonging to a terrorist Families of victims of enforced disappearance were
group were sentenced to death in their absence. intimidated and some were prosecuted in connection
b Hadj Djilali Bouazza, an Algerian national resident with documentation they had produced and their
in Belgium, was arrested in March, some 10 days after campaigning activities on behalf of victims of enforced
arriving on a visit to Algeria. He was detained in DRS disappearance in Algeria or because of their peaceful
custody for three months during which he was not protests against the government’s national
permitted contact with the outside world and reconciliation policies.
reportedly abused by being stamped on, blindfolded
and beaten on the side of his head, causing temporary Intimidation of human rights defenders
deafness in one ear. An independent medical and journalists
examination requested by his lawyer did not take There were continuing restrictions on freedom of
place. He remained in prison awaiting trial for alleged expression and assembly, and several independent
terrorist activities in Algeria and abroad. organizations, including organizations of families of
b Ahmed Chergui was arrested in Boumerdes victims of enforced disappearance, continued to be
province, east of Algiers, at the end of June. He was held denied legal status. Some of the restrictions were
by gendarmerie officers for three days, during which linked to the state of emergency, imposed in 1992,
time he was reportedly stripped and threatened with a which remained in force.
dog. He was then transferred to DRS custody and The amnesty laws introduced in February
allegedly subjected to further torture, including severe criminalized free speech about the conduct of the
beatings on his legs. Despite extensive bruising to his security forces. Under these new laws, anyone
thighs, a medical certificate reportedly stated that he exposing human rights violations or wishing to
had no traces of injuries. He was charged with generate debate about them could face prosecution
terrorism-related activities and remained in detention and up to five years’ imprisonment, or 10 years in the
awaiting trial. case of a second offence. By the end of the year, the
laws were not known to have been applied, but victims
Enforced disappearances of human rights abuses and their families, human rights
No steps were taken to clarify the fate of thousands of defenders, journalists and trade unionists faced a range
victims of enforced disappearance between 1993 and of other forms of harassment and intimidation,
52 Amnesty International Report 2007
ANG
called on the government to comply with its human and that one youth fled when they tried to search his
rights obligations and to address promptly violations of bag. He was captured and was then deliberately shot
human rights. and killed by a police officer. The second youth was
In March at least 330 families from the shot when the police tried to disperse a group of people
neighbourhoods of Cambamba I, Cambamba II and who had gathered and were protesting against the
Banga Wé, were forcibly evicted by police and private shooting. The police officer responsible for the death
security guards who used excessive force. was reportedly dismissed from the police force in June.
b National police officers, private security guards However, he had not faced criminal charges by the end
and people in civilian clothes demolished 200 houses in of the year.
Cambamba II on 13 March. They were reinforced by b In May police officers were reported to have
about 100 heavily armed riot police officers who shot tortured four detainees for several days in the Sixth
into the air and on the ground. They also beat and Police Station in Luanda. The four were Mateus Inácio
kicked residents, mainly women, children and the Martins, Faustino Penhafu, Zeferino Muipile and Santos
elderly who stood in front of their houses and refused João Francisco. The officers were among a group of 10
to move. A pregnant woman was beaten and started to officers reportedly dismissed from the police force in
bleed. A boy of about four was hit by a bullet in the June for various offences, including bribery, torture
knee. Nine people, including a 14-year-old boy and four and unlawful killing.
women – Eunice Domingos, Amélia José Faustino, Aida b In August the Benguela Provincial Court in Lobito
Cardoso and Isabel Miguel Francisco – were arrested, city convicted a police officer of the murder of
apparently for resisting the evictions. They were all Antoninho Tchiswugo in January 2005, and sentenced
released without charge by the end of the following him to 17 years’ imprisonment.
day.
b Also on 13 March, police and private security guards Human rights defenders
used excessive force when forcibly evicting families in Human rights defenders remained at risk of
the Cambamba I neighbourhood, where they persecution. In September, members of the Provincial
demolished 130 houses. Police and security guards Criminal Investigative Police (DPIC) arbitrarily arrested
pushed to the ground and beat those who resisted the human rights defender Raul Danda at the airport in
evictions. A security guard reportedly shot around the Cabinda city. He was unlawfully detained at the DPIC
feet of a youth as he was fleeing. Then he and several headquarters for more than the 48 hours allowed by
police officers surrounded the youth, beat him with a law. He was charged with instigating, inciting and
hose and kicked him. Several people were arrested and condoning crimes against the security of the state, and
briefly detained, including two members of the non- transferred to the Cabinda Civil Prison. He was released
governmental organization (NGO) SOS-Habitat and four four weeks later pending trial, but his trial had not
women, one of whom was pregnant and three who had started by the end of the year. Raul Danda is a member
young children with them. Several days later the police of the human rights organization Mpalabanda –
returned to Cambamba I and demolished the shelters Cabinda Civic Association, which was banned by the
that families had rebuilt. Cabinda Provincial Court in July for alleged
There were several forced evictions in May in the involvement in political activities. An appeal against
Cidadania neighbourhood of Luanda. the ban had not been heard by the end of the year.
b On 5 May, police officers and municipal fiscal
agents demolished a number of houses in Cidadania. Cabinda
Two men, Rafael Morais, a member of SOS-Habitat, and In August the government and the Cabindan Forum for
João Manuel Gomes, a resident, were arrested. They Dialogue (Forum Cabindés para o Diálogo, FCD) signed
were handcuffed together and kept in the sun for over a peace agreement to end the armed conflict in the
four hours, before being released uncharged. A police province. The agreement provided for the
officer beat João Manuel Gomes with a hose and Rafael demilitarization of combatants of the armed Front for
Morais was kept without his shoes or shirt. the Liberation of the Cabinda Enclave (Frente de
Libertação do Enclave de Cabinda, FLEC) and their
Policing and human rights integration in the Angolan Armed Forces (Forças
Human rights violations committed by police Armadas Angolanas, FAA) and government. It also
continued, including the unlawful killing, torture and provided for an amnesty for crimes against the security
ill-treatment of detainees. Disciplinary measures were of the state committed in the context of the armed
taken against some police officers accused of conflict, which was subsequently approved by the
committing human rights violations during the year. National Assembly. However, FLEC and other
The measures, which included dismissal from the police organizations rejected the agreement, saying that it had
force, were publicized. However, only one police been signed by a former President of the FCD who had
officer was prosecuted during 2006, despite a been expelled from the organization in April and that
statement by a police spokesperson that the dismissals he did not represent their views. Following the signing
would not preclude criminal or civil proceedings. of the peace agreement there were unconfirmed
b In May police shot two young street vendors in reports of fighting between FAA and FLEC combatants.
Luanda, killing one. The police alleged that they There were no known investigations into numerous
suspected the two of possessing stolen mobile phones, reports of human rights violations by the police and the
54 Amnesty International Report 2007
ARG
FAA in Cabinda, including extrajudicial executions, The bill was approved by the Chamber of Deputies
torture, rape and arbitrary detentions. in December.
b In January Francisco Banheva was beaten by Miguel Etchecolatz, former Director of
soldiers who found him and his wife working their fields Investigations of the Buenos Aires Province Police,
in the Mbata-Missinga area of Ncutu commune, was convicted of murder, torture and kidnappings
disobeying a FAA order specifying the days that people during the military government and sentenced to life
in the area could tend their fields. He reportedly died as imprisonment in September. The three judges in the
a result of the beating the next day. case ruled that he was responsible for crimes against
In June, the new Catholic bishop, whose humanity committed within the framework of
appointment in February 2005 from outside the genocide. Jorge Julio López, a main witness and
province had provoked violent protests, took office. complainant in the trial, went missing in September.
Following the swearing-in ceremony, police reportedly There were fears that he may have been a victim of
arrested 28 members of Mpalabanda who were meeting enforced disappearance.
to discuss the establishment of good relations with the
new bishop. They were released without charge later Land issues and Indigenous people
that day. Indigenous communities in Chaco and Salta Provinces,
including the Toba, Wichi and Mocovi groups, staged
AI country reports/visits hunger strikes, established roadside camps and
Reports submitted petitions to the authorities. Their petitions
• Angola: Call on Government to end forced evictions included requests for a reasonable budget for the
and excessive use of force immediately (AI Index: Indigenous Institute of Chaco, provisions for housing
AFR 12/004/2006) and health and a halt to the irregular sale and
• Angola: Human rights organization banned (AI Index: distribution of state-owned land to lumber companies
AFR 12/006/2006) and soybean producers.
• Angola: A step towards ending police impunity (AI b In August members of the Wichi community in the
Index: AFR 12/007/2006) General Mosconi area, Salta Province, established a
roadside camp beside National highway No. 34 to call
for the return of communal land. The land had been
exploited by private companies and the local water
company had cut off the water supply to the
communities.
Prison conditions
Freedom of expression
Human rights activists and the Ombudsperson’s Office
expressed concern over incidents of intimidation and
56 Amnesty International Report 2007
AUS
were pardoned and released in October, and a number allowed access to appropriate medical care. No
of suspended sentences and heavy fines, in one case hearings have been heard in the brothers’ case, and no
leading to the closure of independent newspaper trial date set. Their property has been expropriated and
Realny Azerbaydzhan. family members allegedly intimidated.
b Well-known satirist and government critic Sakit
Zahidov of the Azadl¹q newspaper was arrested on Risk of torture
charges of drug-dealing in June. He claimed drugs had On 13 October, Kurdish journalist Elif Pelit was
been forcibly planted on him after he was abducted and extradited to Turkey, where she was detained on
then arrested by plain clothes policemen. After no charges of membership of the Kurdish Workers’ Party
evidence of drug-dealing was presented at his trial, the (PKK). In 1999 she had been granted asylum, and
charge was reduced to use of illegal drugs. However, a subsequently citizenship, in Germany. She was first
urine test at the time of arrest reportedly showed no arrested in Azerbaijan on 4 November 2004, for
evidence of drug usage, and doctors called as witnesses crossing the border illegally from Iraq while on
admitted that their diagnosis of Sakit Zahidov as a drug assignment for Mesopotamia, a Kurdish news agency
addict was based on 30 minutes’ visual observation linked to the PKK. Fined and released in March 2005,
only. He was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment. she was immediately rearrested under Turkey’s
His appeal was rejected in December; reportedly no extradition order, and her extradition was confirmed
new evidence or witnesses were presented at the by the Supreme Court in October 2005.
hearing.
b On 24 November the Azadl¹q and Bizim Yol Restricted rights for the displaced
newspapers, the Institute for Reporter Freedom and People internally displaced by the conflict in Nagorny
Safety (a media freedom non-governmental Karabakh continued to have their freedom of
organization with close links to Azadl¹q), the movement restricted by a cumbersome internal
independent journalists’ association Yeni Nesil and the registration process linking eligibility for employment
Turan news agency were forcibly removed by police and social services to a fixed place of residence.
from their premises in Baku following a legal ruling they Although there was progress in moving the displaced
claimed was unfounded and politically motivated. Also out of temporary shelters and providing housing, many
on 24 November the National Radio and Television new purpose-built settlements were located in remote
Council decided not to extend the broadcasting licence and economically depressed areas. People re-housed
of the ANS television company, widely regarded as the in these settlements faced a lack of jobs and access to
most independent in the country. The cessation of ANS basic services such as education and health care.
broadcasting further ended the retransmissions on ANS
frequencies of international radio stations such as the AI country reports/visits
BBC, Radio Liberty and the Voice of America. Following Reports
international and national appeals, on 12 December • Europe and Central Asia: Summary of Amnesty
ANS was reinstated temporarily pending completion of International’s concerns in the region, January-June
a tender for its frequencies scheduled for January 2007. 2006 (AI Index: EUR 01/017/2006)
• Commonwealth of Independent States: Positive
Unfair trial concerns trend on the abolition of the death penalty but more
b Three leaders of the Yeni Fikir youth movement needs to be done (AI Index: EUR 04/003/2006)
arrested in 2005 on charges of plotting a coup d’état Visits
were imprisoned in July after an unfair trial. At the trial, AI delegates visited Azerbaijan in April and July.
only witnesses for the prosecution gave evidence and
no jury was appointed, in contravention of Azerbaijani
law. Allegations of torture in the case of one of the
accused, Ruslan Baôirli, were not investigated, and
medical care was reportedly denied to another, Said
Nuri.
b Opposition party activist Qadir Müsayev was
imprisoned in May for seven years following conviction
on charges of drug dealing. Reports suggested the
charges were fabricated because of his refusal to sign
fraudulent election result protocols when serving as a
polling station official.
b Former Minister for Economic Development
Farhad Aliyev and his brother Rafiq (no relation to
President Aliyev), arrested in October 2005 on charges
of plotting to violently overthrow the government,
were allegedly denied due process in pre-trial
detention. According to reports, their right to legal
counsel of their choosing was consistently denied from
the time of their arrest, and Farhad Aliyev was not
Amnesty International Report 2007 59
BAH
Committee against Torture and the Special Rapporteur during which time they were allegedly beaten with
on the promotion and protection of human rights while sticks and kicked. The men were released in September
countering terrorism, who expressed concern that it after a pardon from the King. However, no investigation
could be used to penalize the peaceful exercise of into their alleged ill-treatment was known to have been
human rights. carried out.
They objected to the composition of the Election b At least five people were killed and more than 100
Commission and declared the compilation of the voters injured in Phulbari on 26 August when police and the
list to be biased and flawed. paramilitary force Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) fired live
The government relinquished office in late October ammunition into a crowd protesting against the
as scheduled. Following mass violent clashes between establishment of an open-pit coalmine by the British
the outgoing ruling party members and their firm Asia Energy Corporation. The government
opposition, the designated Chief Adviser for the eventually agreed to some of their demands, giving
caretaker government turned down the post. President assurances that no one would be forcibly evicted or
Iajuddin Ahmed appointed himself as the Chief Adviser lose their livelihoods because of the mine.
amid unresolved controversy that his decision was in
breach of the Constitution. Mass arbitrary arrests
There were waves of strikes and mass Thousands of people were arrested ahead of planned
demonstrations by garment factory workers, farmers rallies by opposition parties, and thousands more were
and primary school teachers seeking improved detained on suspicion of involvement in criminal
economic conditions. activity. The families of detainees were not informed of
their arrest and were forced to search for them in police
Cycle of violence and abuses stations. Many were held without charge or trial for
Bomb blasts occurred but apparently on a much lower weeks while others were released on bail after a few
scale than in previous years. Targets were mainly days.
opposition party members and court premises.
b On 31 October, a bomb attack took place in Rajshahi Violence against women
aimed at several opposition parties, including Gono Reports of women beaten to death or strangled for not
Forum. They claimed it was carried out by the meeting their husbands’ dowry demands continued.
Bangladesh Islamichatra Shibir cadres, the youth wing of Women were subjected to acid attacks. Domestic
the Jamaat-e-Islami party. On 15 November, eight people workers were ill-treated or killed if they failed to work
were reportedly wounded when a series of small bombs excessive hours.
exploded near the offices of the Awami League. No one b According to reports compiled by the Bangladesh
was known to have been brought to justice. Institute of Labour Studies, at least 169 female domestic
By the end of the year no one had been brought to workers were killed between 2000 and 2005 in Dhaka
justice for the August 2004 grenade attacks against the alone. Another 122 were critically injured and 52 were
Awami League leader Sheikh Hasina. raped. A significant proportion of the victims were
Electoral violence reportedly children.
Scores of people died in clashes between the ruling and
opposition parties in the run-up to the general Death penalty
elections. No one was known to have been brought to At least 130 people were sentenced to death and one
justice. man was executed.
b According to the human rights group Odhikar, at
least 50 people were killed and more than 250 injured AI country reports/visits
between 27 October and 5 November in violence that Reports
erupted between the two main parties over opposition • Bangladesh: Briefing to political parties for a human
demands which included the resignation of the Chief rights agenda (AI Index: ASA 13/012/2006)
Election Commissioner. • Bangladesh: Handover to caretaker government
marked by violence (AI Index: ASA 13/014/2006)
Police brutality
Police repeatedly attacked opposition rallies, targeted
leading activists and subjected them to severe beatings.
b Senior Awami League leader Saber Hossain
Chowdhury suffered head injuries when he was
severely beaten on 6 September by more than 12 police
officers.
b Asaduzzaman Noor, an opposition member of
parliament, was beaten by police on 12 September and
taken to hospital with severe back injuries. None of the
police officers involved was brought to justice.
Police continued to use excessive force including live
ammunition against demonstrators, causing dozens of
deaths and injuries to hundreds more.
b At least 17 people were killed in protests relating to
electricity shortages in the northern town of Kansat in
April after police fired live ammunition, rubber bullets
and tear gas to dispel the crowds. No independent
investigation was initiated into the killings.
62 Amnesty International Report 2007
BEL
protection for those not covered by the 1951 UN Refugee He openly stated that he had targeted foreigners.
Convention but who risk serious rights violations if they Preliminary investigations were concluding at the end
return to their country of origin. However, the new of 2006, but the trial date had not yet been fixed.
legislation did not address the situation of irregular
migrants. The number of asylum applications ‘War on terror’
continued to decline. In March press reports alleged there had been at least
Throughout 2006 a number of churches and public two secret flights by the US Central Intelligence Agency
buildings were occupied by irregular migrants and (CIA) that landed briefly at Deurne airport in Antwerp
failed asylum-seekers demanding regularization of in July 2002. It was not known whether the planes were
their situation, an end to expulsions and the shutting transporting detainees. An investigation by the
down of closed detention centres. The government European Parliament found that, of 1,080 stopovers by
regularized the status of many of the migrants who suspected CIA flights in Europe, four concerned
occupied the church of Saint Boniface in Brussels in Belgium. A Belgian Senate committee in July found
February and March. In May, there were hunger strikes there was insufficient supervision of operations by
in four asylum reception centres. foreign intelligence services on Belgian territory,
Migrant children continued to be detained in closed making it impossible to ascertain the destination and
detention centres in violation of international law. purpose of such flights.
Police ill-treatment
Police officers allegedly ill-treated individuals being Prison conditions
forcibly deported. Prisoner numbers reached a new high. One third of
b On 1 August a third attempt was made to expel prisoners were on remand. Specialized centres for
Hawa Diallo, a failed asylum-seeker from the Republic minors were overcrowded, and juvenile offenders were
of Guinea, but was aborted after passengers sometimes held in mainstream prisons. A law on youth
disembarked in protest at her treatment. The evening assistance passed in May included plans to construct a
before, she had been separated from her 19-month-old special prison for 200 juvenile offenders.
baby until the time of the flight. The five police officers In April the European Committee for the Prevention
accompanying her were reported to have assaulted and of Torture reported allegations of ill-treatment in
racially insulted her. Following the failed deportation, police custody. The Committee condemned
she was freed under orders to leave Belgium within five overcrowding at the psychiatric unit in Namur prison,
days. From hiding, she lodged a complaint of ill- cage-like cells at the law courts in Liège, and poor
treatment with the Permanent Commission for Control conditions for people refused admission to the country
of Police Services. at the detention centre at Brussels airport.
b In a landmark ruling on 12 October the European In April there was a strike at Forest prison in
Court of Human Rights found that Belgium was in Brussels. The GCPS (public services trade union)
violation of the prohibition of inhuman treatment and attacked prison overcrowding, poor conditions,
right to respect of private and family life guaranteed buildings it considered breached health, hygiene and
under the European Convention on Human Rights. In safety requirements, and the “wholly insufficient” six-
2002 an unaccompanied five-year-old asylum-seeker week basic training for staff. In August staff at the
had been detained and subsequently deported prison in Termonde went on strike in protest at
unaccompanied back to the Democratic Republic of the overcrowding and understaffing following the escape
Congo, her country of origin, where there was no family of 28 prisoners. In September they renewed strike
member to meet her. action, claiming that promised improvements had not
materialized.
Racism and discrimination
Under a March directive, the police started to record Arms control
crimes motivated by racism. The Centre for Equal Belgium became the first country to ban cluster bombs
Opportunities said it received 1,000 complaints of when Parliament adopted a law banning their
racism a year, noting that many attacks were never production, stockpiling, transportation and trade on 8
reported. June. In 1995, Belgium was the first country to prohibit
b In April, Daniel Féret, president of the National anti-personnel landmines.
Front party, was convicted of inciting racial hatred and
sentenced to 10 years’ exclusion from political office AI country reports/visits
and 250 hours of community service. He had distributed Report
election materials likening immigrants to criminals, • Europe and Central Asia: Summary of Amnesty
savages and terrorists. The National Front’s website International concerns in the region, January-June
manager was also convicted and fined. The court did 2006 (AI Index: EUR 01/017/2006)
not order dissolution of the party for lack of evidence
linking it to the offending texts. The Court of Appeal
confirmed the conviction in October.
b On 11 May an 18-year-old resident of Antwerp shot
and killed a pregnant black woman and the white child
in her care, and seriously wounded a Turkish woman.
Amnesty International Report 2007 65
BOL
BOLIVIA Children
In July a study by the UN Development Programme and
UNICEF reported that over 230 babies in Bolivia died
per day through lack of proper care, six out of 10
REPUBLIC OF BOLIVIA children and minors lacked basic needs and five out of
Head of state and government: Evo Morales Ayma 10 lived below the poverty line. The report called on
(replaced Eduardo Rodríguez Veltzé in January) Bolivia to recognize the role played by children in the
Death penalty: abolitionist for ordinary crimes country’s development and to implement health,
International Criminal Court: ratified education and other programmes to tackle the lack of
protection for children and to defend their rights.
Peasants were killed during a joint security force Eradication of coca leaf crops
operation to eradicate coca crops. There were In September two peasants were killed and one
demonstrations calling for the right to land. Deaths wounded during the eradication of coca leaf crops
were reported during violent clashes between around the Carrasco National Park in the region of
miners. Prison conditions were poor. Yungas de Vandiola, Department of Cochabamba, by a
patrol of the Joint Task Forces made up of members of
Background the police and army.
President-elect Evo Morales Ayma, the leader of the
Movement to Socialism party (Movimiento al Miners conflict
Socialismo, MAS), took office in January. A National In October, at least nine miners were killed and dozens
Development Plan to improve access to fundamental injured in clashes between state-employed miners and
rights such as health, education and justice and to end members of an independent co-operative in the mining
discrimination was announced. However, no town of Huanuni, La Paz Department. The confrontation,
information was forthcoming on its implementation. in which dynamite and firearms were allegedly used, was
A programme of reforms was initiated, including the sparked by a dispute over the access rights to working
formation of the Constituent Assembly which was areas in the tin mine. An investigation was launched.
inaugurated in August to rewrite the Constitution. A
decree was passed in May to nationalize oil and gas and Prison conditions
renegotiate contracts with foreign investors and There were reports of poor prison conditions. In
companies, to raise taxes and to set terms for the Palmasola prison in the city of Santa Cruz, five inmates
acquisition of shares by the State. A programme of land were killed in April, allegedly as a result of a fight
reform was launched in June which included the between rival gangs of prisoners who were attempting
distribution of state-owned land to peasants and to impose their rule inside the prison.
Indigenous people. In November, inmates in 19 prisons around the
In November, following demonstrations by country started a hunger strike demanding prompt
Indigenous groups calling for further reforms, a law for trials and better prison conditions.
agrarian reform was passed by Congress and signed by
the President. Under the new law, unproductive private Impunity
land could be expropriated by the government for In December, the Attorney General’s Office charged
redistribution to peasants. This reform was opposed by former President Gonzalo Sánchez de Lozada and two
landowners in the Departments of Santa Cruz, Beni and former ministers with the killing of at least 60 people
Pando which, along with the Department of Tarija, during demonstrations in October 2003. The authorities
sought autonomy during the year. were seeking Gonzalo Sánchez de Lozada’s extradition
In December, civilian groups, members of Indigenous from the USA to try him for the killings.
non-governmental organizations, political groups,
journalists and community leaders, clashed in Santa Intergovernmental organizations
Cruz Department in the context of the local In November, after a visit to Bolivia, the Inter-American
consultation for regional autonomy. Premises of the Commission on Human Rights highlighted the lack of
MAS and offices of Indigenous community centres were access to justice, particularly in rural areas, and the lack
set on fire, and members of Indigenous groups had their of co-operation by the security and armed forces in
houses ransacked. Investigative journalists were providing relevant information to the judicial authorities.
attacked in the streets of Santa Cruz city and radio It expressed concern about poor conditions and the high
stations were forced to stop transmission due to level of overcrowding in prisons and the fact that over
harassment. 70 per cent of prisoners had not been sentenced. It also
Bolivia ratified the Optional Protocol to the UN noted that minors were held with adult prisoners.
Convention against Torture in May, the Additional
Protocol to the American Convention on Human Rights AI country reports/visits
in the Area of Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights, Statement
known as the “Protocol of San Salvador” in July, and the • Bolivia: Open letter to the President of the Republic
Inter-American Convention to Prevent and Punish of Bolivia, Evo Morales Ayma (AI Index: AMR
Torture in November. 18/001/2006)
66 Amnesty International Report 2007
BOS
perpetrators to national jurisdictions in the former directors were appointed in March, and Steering and
Yugoslavia. In 2006 cases involving seven suspects Supervisory Board members in December.
were transferred to BiH. Approximately 2,500 sets of human remains were
exhumed from various locations in BiH.
Domestic prosecutions for war crimes b In August the exhumation of a mass grave in
The War Crimes Chamber within the BiH State Court, set Kamenica, near Zvornik, uncovered 1,009 incomplete
up to try particularly sensitive cases or cases referred and 144 complete skeletons. The site is believed to
by the Tribunal, issued its first convictions. contain the remains of victims killed by Bosnian Serb
b In April, former member of Bosnian Serb forces forces in Srebrenica in 1995, and was reportedly the
Neðo Samardûi» was convicted of unlawful biggest mass grave excavated since the end of the war.
imprisonment, rape, and aiding and abetting sexual b In January the OHR ordered the RS authorities to
slavery of non-Serb victims in the Fo½a area. He was implement a 2001 decision by the BiH Human Rights
sentenced to 13 years and four months’ imprisonment. Chamber to form a commission to investigate the
In September the verdict was quashed and a re-trial enforced disappearance of Avdo Pali». The ABiH war-
before an appellate panel in December raised the time commander in the UN “safe haven” of Ûepa, Avdo
prison sentence to 24 years. Pali» was last seen negotiating the surrender of Ûepa
b In May, Dragoje Paunovi», a former local to the VRS in 1995 and was later reportedly detained
commander of Bosnian Serb forces, was sentenced to by Bosnian Serb forces. His fate and whereabouts
20 years’ imprisonment for crimes against humanity in have remained unknown. A Commission was
1992. He was convicted of persecuting Bosniak civilians, appointed, and in April presented a report to the OHR,
for his command and individual responsibility for claiming to contain information on the location of his
killings and other inhuman acts. The verdict was remains. However, this information proved
confirmed on appeal in November. insufficient for an exhumation and no progress was
b In July former RS police officer Boban ©im®i» was made in the case. The Commission was reportedly
convicted of assisting members of the Bosnian Serb reactivated in December.
Army (VRS) in enforced disappearances and rapes of
non-Serbs in 1992. He was sentenced to five years’ Right to return
imprisonment. Of an estimated 2.2 million people displaced during
b Marko Samardûija, a former VRS commander, was the conflict, more than a million refugees and
convicted of crimes against humanity, including for his internally displaced persons (IDPs) were estimated to
role in the killing of at least 144 Bosniak detained men, have returned to their homes. Progress on returns
and sentenced to 26 years’ imprisonment in was limited. UNHCR, the UN refugee agency,
November. registered approximately 3,600 returns between
b Also in November, the War Crimes Chamber January and October. Of these, some 3,000 returned
rendered its first judgement in a case transferred by the to areas where they were part of a minority
Tribunal. Radovan Stankovi» was convicted of crimes community.
against humanity against the non-Serb population in Violence towards and harassment of returnees and
the Fo½a area. A former VRS member, he was found to members of minorities by private individuals were
have participated in the rape of women detained by reported.
Bosnian Serb forces and sentenced to 16 years’ b In February, a Bosnian Croat 78-year-old returnee
imprisonment. was beaten to death in Bugojno. Three men were
b In December, Nikola Andrun, a former HVO convicted of the murder.
member, was sentenced to 13 years’ imprisonment for b In May an elderly returnee was murdered in her
war crimes committed in his capacity as Deputy home on the outskirts of Sanski Most. A suspect was
Commander of the Gabela detention camp, including reportedly arrested by local police.
the torture and intimidation of non-Croat detainees. The lack of jobs was a major obstacle to sustainable
Some war crimes trials of low-level perpetrators returns. Generally scarce employment opportunities
were also held in local courts, including in the RS, which reflected the weak economy and difficulties of
continued to have difficulties in dealing with these transition and post-war reconstruction. In addition,
cases because of a lack of staff and effective witness returnees faced discrimination on ethnic grounds.
protection programmes.
‘War on terror’
Enforced disappearances unresolved Six men of Algerian origin, unlawfully transferred in
According to estimates of the International 2002 by the FBiH authorities to US custody, remained
Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP), approximately in detention in Guantánamo Bay, Cuba. In April,
13,000 people who went missing during the war were following a complaint by the wife of one of the
still unaccounted for. Many of them were victims of detainees, Hadj Boudellaa, the Human Rights
enforced disappearances, whose perpetrators enjoyed Commission within the BiH Constitutional Court
impunity. concluded that the BiH authorities had failed to
Progress was slow in transferring competencies from implement a 2002 decision of the BiH Human Rights
the missing persons commissions of the FBiH and RS to Chamber in the case. They had failed to use diplomatic
the national Missing Persons Institute. The Institute’s channels to protect the rights of the detainee, provide
68 Amnesty International Report 2007
BRA
him with consular support, and take all necessary • Appeal to the United Nations Security Council to
steps to ensure he would not be subjected to the death ensure that the International Criminal Tribunal for
penalty, including by asking the US government for the former Yugoslavia fulfils its mandate (AI Index:
guarantees to that effect. EUR 05/006/2006)
In June, the Rapporteur appointed by the Committee • Bosnia and Herzegovina: Behind closed gates –
on Legal Affairs and Human Rights of the Parliamentary ethnic discrimination in employment (AI Index: EUR
Assembly of the Council of Europe to investigate 63/001/2006)
alleged secret detentions and unlawful inter-state Visits
transfers of detainees, reported that the six men were An AI delegate visited BiH in January and March.
“a well documented example of the abduction of
European citizens and residents by the American
authorities with the active collusion of the authorities
of a Council of Europe member state”. The report called
for a credible diplomatic intervention by the BiH
authorities with the US government to secure the rapid
repatriation of the detainees.
Accountability of peacekeepers
In January, Italian members of EUFOR, during an
operation to arrest war crimes suspect Dragomir
BRAZIL
Abazovi», shot dead his wife, and seriously wounded
him and their 11-year-old son. Reportedly, a EUFOR FEDERATIVE REPUBLIC OF BRAZIL
internal investigation found the troops had acted in Head of state and government: Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
self-defence and cleared them of any wrongdoing. An Death penalty: abolitionist for ordinary crimes
investigation by the East Sarajevo District Prosecutor International Criminal Court: ratified
reportedly found indications that the EUFOR troops
fired first. The outcomes of both investigations were
forwarded to the competent Prosecutor in Italy. Problems within the public security, prison and
judicial systems, including systematic human rights
Exclusion from education violations, contributed to persistently high levels of
Primary school attendance rates for Romani children criminal violence. The poorest communities bore the
were low, and extreme poverty remained one of the brunt of the tens of thousands of gun-related deaths.
main causes of the exclusion of Roma from education. Well over 1,000 people were killed in confrontations
Romani language, culture and traditions were not with the police in incidents classified as “resistance
included in a systematic way in school curricula. followed by death”, many in situations suggesting
Insufficient progress was made in the implementation excessive use of force or extrajudicial executions.
of the 2004 Action Plan on the Educational Needs of Torture continued to be widespread and systematic.
Roma and Members of Other National Minorities. A Access to land continued to be a focus of human
Council for National Minorities of Bosnia and rights violations, including forced evictions and
Herzegovina, tasked with overseeing its violent attacks on rural land activists, anti-dam
implementation, was formally created in April, but was campaigners, urban squatter movements and
not operational by the end of 2006. Indigenous peoples. Many people continued to work
in conditions equivalent to slave or indentured
Violence against women labour. Human rights defenders continued to be
In June the UN Committee on the Elimination of subjected to threats and attacks.
Discrimination against Women expressed concern that
BiH remained a country of origin, transit and Background
destination in the trafficking in women, and that President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was re-elected for a
victims of sexual violence during the 1992-1995 war second (and final) term. His first term was marked by
suffered additional disadvantages as both female heads extensive allegations of political corruption across the
of households and IDPs. political spectrum.
Investigations into corruption highlighted direct and
AI country reports/visits indirect links to the erosion of human rights protection.
Reports There were extensive reports of misappropriation of
• Partners in crime: Europe’s role in US renditions public funds at all levels of the executive and
(AI Index: EUR 01/008/2006) legislature, which undermined the authorities’ capacity
• Europe and Central Asia: Summary of Amnesty to guarantee fundamental human rights through social
International’s concerns in the region, January-June services and increased the loss of public faith in state
2006 (AI Index: EUR 01/017/2006) institutions. In particular, there were a number of high
• False starts: The exclusion of Romani children from profile cases of alleged corruption in Congress. The
primary education in Bosnia and Herzegovina, involvement of state officials in criminal activity
Croatia and Slovenia (AI Index: EUR 05/002/2006) resulted in human rights violations and an apparent
Amnesty International Report 2007 69
BRA
increase in organized crime across the country. Law pre-empting any thorough investigation. According to
enforcement officials were reportedly involved in the official figures, in the first nine months of 2006 Rio de
drugs trade, selling guns, and smuggling arms, mobile Janeiro police killed 807 people, a slight increase on the
phones and drugs to members of criminal gangs in previous year, while in São Paulo 528 people were killed
detention. by police, more than the total for the whole of 2005.
President Lula’s first term was also marked by Police and prison guards were themselves vulnerable
targeted social investment coupled with tight fiscal to attack and many were killed.
policy. Central to the government’s social policy was In May the state of São Paulo was shaken by violence
the family grant (bolsa família), under which around by criminals and police. Between 12 and 20 May,
11 million poor families received grants when they sent members of the First Command of the Capital (Primeiro
children to primary school. This combined policy was Comando da Capital, PCC), a criminal gang born in the
welcomed in some sectors for bringing economic state’s prison system, took to the streets in a massive
stability while reportedly achieving some reductions in display of organized violence. Allegedly protesting
social inequality. However, other sectors, including against prison conditions and the transfer of their
social movements, expressed concern at the budget leaders to a high security prison, they killed over 40 law
restraints applied to social investment in other areas, enforcement officers, burned more than 80 buses,
namely public security, land reform and indigenous attacked police stations, banks and a metro station,
rights, in order to sustain debt payments and the and co-ordinated revolts and hostage-taking in around
budget surplus. half of the state’s prisons. In response, police reported
While the introduction of legislation to criminalize that they had killed over 100 “suspects”.
domestic violence and the further development of In several incidents in poor communities across the
programmes to combat torture and protect human state of São Paulo, people were killed by masked men in
rights defenders were welcomed, there was a clear situations suggesting extrajudicial executions or
reluctance to address a number of issues. Of greatest “death-squad” style revenge killings. State authorities
concern was the area of public security where there only provided details of those killed by the police
was a continued lack of effective political attention. following a threat of legal action by the Public
None of the presidential candidates and few candidates Prosecutor’s office. At the height of the violence, 117
for state governor offered genuine long-term solutions people died in firearms-related incidents in a single
to address the tens of thousands of homicides day. The PCC launched further attacks, killing a number
committed across the country each year. Faced with of prison guards in July. Federal and state government
ever higher levels of violence, state and federal leaders responses to the violence were widely criticized in the
continued to seek political advantage by offering media, by public security experts, by police officers and
reactive and short-term solutions. by human rights activists for seeking to take political
Ratification of the Optional Protocol to the UN advantage ahead of elections rather than finding a
Convention against Torture was passed by Congress, resolution to the violence.
although reforms to bring Brazil’s legislation in line The state authorities in Rio de Janeiro adopted
with the Rome Statute of the International Criminal increasingly militarized tactics in their attempts to
Court were persistently blocked. combat drug gangs which held sway over most of the
city’s shanty towns. An armoured troop carrier,
Criminal justice system colloquially called the “caveirão”, was used to police
The criminal justice system continued to deteriorate in the poorest parts of the city. There were reports of
the face of long-term negligence by the federal and bystanders being killed by military police officers
state governments. Promised reforms were not shooting indiscriminately from “caveirões”. In March
implemented, resulting in unprepared and under- the army deployed troops and tanks on the streets of
funded police, judicial and prison systems being forced Rio de Janeiro’s shanty towns in an effort to track down
to deal inadequately with extreme levels of criminal stolen guns. Although federal prosecutors challenged
violence. This contributed to systematic human rights the legality of the operation, neither the state nor
violations by law enforcement officials, including federal governments questioned the army’s decision to
excessive use of force, extrajudicial executions, torture take to the streets. However, residents complained of
and ill-treatment as well as widespread corruption. arbitrary, violent and discriminatory treatment by
Attempts by certain state authorities to define public soldiers who were neither trained nor mandated to
security problems as a war saw the increasing adoption carry out such operations.
of military tactics by state police forces. The poorest In December Rio de Janeiro state and municipal
communities, enjoying least protection from the state, authorities announced they were investigating reports
were doubly victimized, suffering the highest that up to 92 favelas (shanty towns) had come under the
concentrations of violent crime and the repressive and control of paramilitary-style militias. According to
discriminatory methods used by the police to combat it. reports the militias were made up of active and former
police officers working with the support of local
Human rights violations by police and army politicians and community leaders. Militias were
Police officers killed well over 1,000 people. These reportedly providing “security” for these communities.
killings were rarely investigated fully, as they were However, residents reported the extensive use of
registered as “resistance followed by death”, often violence and the extortion of protection money. Some
70 Amnesty International Report 2007
BRA
communities claimed they had suffered violent and reports of violent treatment by guards. New-born
retaliation from drug factions when members of the babies were kept in cells with women, some of whom
militias withdrew from their communities. were reportedly ill, with limited health or safety
There were reports of “death squad”-style killings in facilities.
the north-eastern states of Bahia, Pernambuco and
Sergipe. Two men previously accused of involvement Impunity
with the “death squad” known as “the Mission” during The extreme slowness and ineffectiveness of the
the 1990s were appointed as Secretary of Public judicial system reinforced impunity for human rights
Security and head of the Military Police in the state of violations. In February the São Paulo State Supreme
Sergipe. Members of the state human rights commission Court absolved Colonel Ubiratan Guimarães for his role
expressed concern at the return of the “death squad” in the 1992 Carandiru prison massacre in which 111
following reports of several killings and enforced prisoners were killed. By the end of 2006, no other
disappearances. In one incident in April witnessed by police officer had stood trial for their part in the
over 50 people, three teenage boys were taken away by massacre.
members of the elite unit of the military police in the One important victory against the general tide of
community of Mosqueiro. One of the boys was allegedly impunity was the conviction in March of one of the five
tortured until he fainted and later regained military police officers accused of killing 29 residents in
consciousness in a wood. The other two boys the Baixada Fluminense district of Rio de Janeiro in 2005.
reportedly disappeared and by the end of the year no
trace of them had been found. Land and housing
b In April, members of the military police in Recife, Access to land and housing was a focal point for
Pernambuco state, reportedly detained a group of 14 extensive human rights violations. According to the
teenagers who were at the carnival. The police Pastoral Land Commission, 25 land activists were killed
reportedly tortured them, took them to a bridge over between January and October, including 16 in the state
the Capibaribe river and forced them to jump in. The of Pará. Millions of people suffered extreme social and
bodies of two of the boys, aged 15 and 17, were found economic deprivation as a result of being deprived of
two days later. An investigation was initiated and five access to land and housing both in urban and rural
police officers were charged with homicide and torture, areas.
but in June one of the boys testifying against the police Those fighting for the right to land, including
was shot dead. Indigenous peoples, land activists and urban squatter
groups, suffered forced evictions, threats and violent
Detention system attacks. Some were killed. Those seeking access to land
The detention system strained under the pressure of an were often denied access to justice. In some cases
ever-increasing prison population and inadequate judicial rulings were reported to have been
financial and political investment. There were regular discriminatory, and in others people faced allegedly
reports of torture and ill-treatment being used for politically motivated criminal charges.
control, punishment and corruption by police officers, b In August the Pará state court, a regional court,
prison guards and other detainees. Detention centres issued orders threatening a total of 4,000 families with
suffered from extreme overcrowding and poor sanitary forced evictions, with no alternative provision. A
conditions, while prison staff were unsupported and number of the settlements facing eviction were on land
under-trained. There were numerous riots and that was eligible for expropriation under legislation for
countless cases of prisoner-on-prisoner violence as agricultural reform as the farms upon which they were
many prisons fell under the control of criminal gangs. situated had been deemed “unproductive” or were
Belated attempts to break up the gangs saw the further illegally located or were found to be using slave or
use of “super-max” style prisons, under the indentured labour. In September, lawyers for the
Differentiated Disciplinary System (Regime Disciplinar Pastoral Land Commission managed to have some
Diferenciado, RDD), previously criticized by both the evictions suspended, but many families remained
National Council on Criminal and Penal Policy of the under threat.
Ministry of Justice and the National Bar Association as There were continued reports of attempts to
contravening human rights protections set out both in undermine the work of social activists in the state of
the Constitution and under international law. Pernambuco, and efforts to criminalize their leaders. In
The breakdown of the prison system was exemplified May an association representing military police officers
in São Paulo state by the conditions in the Araraquara advertised on hoardings throughout Recife accusing
prison after riots in May. For several months 1,600 members of the landless workers’ movement of being
prisoners, including sick and injured, were kept in a lawless and out of control. Ten members of the landless
yard with space for 160 people while the prison workers’ movement were arrested on what were
underwent reconstruction. reported to be politically motivated charges.
There were persistent reports of violations against b Two separate arrest warrants were issued against
women in detention. AI witnessed conditions in the Jaime Amorim, a leader of the landless worker’s
Colônia Penal Feminina, a women’s prison in Recife, movement. The first was for allegedly leading an
which were extremely poor, with women sleeping on occupation onto land that a federal government body
the floor and in shower units, limited health facilities had ruled should be appropriated. The second followed
Amnesty International Report 2007 71
BUL
public disturbances outside the US Consulate during b Vicente Cañas Costa, a Spanish Jesuit working in
President Bush’s visit to Brazil in November 2005. Jaime defence of Indigenous peoples, was murdered in 1987
Amorim was charged several days after the event with in the state of Mato Grosso. Nineteen years later, two of
disobedience, incitement to a crime and disrespecting the men suspected of his murder were brought to trial.
authority. He was detained while attending the funerals While human rights groups welcomed the court’s
of two landless activists killed in August. Both arrest recognition that Vicente Cañas Costa had indeed been
warrants were overturned and he was provisionally murdered, failures in the initial investigation
released. reportedly contributed to both men being acquitted.
In the state of Espírito Santo, the Tupiniquim and
Guarani Indigenous peoples suffered threats and AI country reports/visits
attacks, as a result of their long-standing campaign for Report
their hereditary lands. The disputed lands were • Brazil: “We have come to take your souls” – the
contested by Aracruz Celulose S/A, a leading producer caveirão and policing in Rio de Janeiro (AI Index:
of eucalyptus pulp. Although the federal government’s AMR 19/007/2006)
Indigenous Office had recognized the land as Visit
appropriate for demarcation, the decision to proceed AI delegates visited Brazil in May/June.
with the process was stalled.
b In January, members of the federal police violently
evicted Tupiniquim and Guarani peoples from
settlements built on disputed land. Thirteen Indigenous
people were injured and two villages were burnt down,
following attacks with helicopters, dogs, rubber bullets
and tear gas. According to reports, Aracruz Celulose S/A
gave logistical support to the federal police during the
eviction.
b In September, federal prosecutors initiated a
successful civil case against Aracruz Celulose S/A for
BULGARIA
promoting a discrimination campaign against the
Tupiniquim and Guarani peoples. REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA
Head of state: Georgi Parvanov
Slave labour Head of government: Sergey Stanishev
Advances were made in the fight against slave labour. Death penalty: abolitionist for all crimes
According to the International Labour Organization, International Criminal Court: ratified
18,000 people had been released since 1995 from debt
bondage by members of the federal government’s
mobile unit. However, the problem was far from Police reportedly targeted people for ill-treatment
eradicated. According to the Pastoral Land and excessive force on the basis of their ethnic
Commission, around 8,000 people a year were forced identity or sexual orientation. The human rights of
into situations equivalent to slave or indentured minorities were not adequately protected,
labour. Promised reforms to the Constitution to allow particularly the housing rights of Romani
for the confiscation of land where slave labour was communities threatened with unlawful and summary
used remained pending in Congress. eviction from their homes. People with mental
disabilities faced harsh living conditions and
Human rights defenders inappropriate care and treatment.
Human rights defenders continued to suffer
discrimination, threats and attacks. Many human rights Background
groups suffered a backlash in the wake of the violent President Georgi Parvanov, head of the Bulgarian
attacks by the PCC in São Paulo. Socialist Party, was returned to power in presidential
Efforts by the government to put in place its national elections in November.
human rights defenders programme led to initial In March, the Council of Europe Commissioner for
training sessions for state police officers in the state of Human Rights recommended that the government
Pará and preparation for similar training in the states of implement reforms of the justice system; make further
Pernambuco and Espírito Santo. However, it was efforts to eliminate corruption; strengthen the status,
reported that the project suffered from serious selection, training and pay of judges; adopt new Codes
shortfalls. Members of civil society participating in the of Administrative and Civil Procedure as a priority; and
project expressed several concerns, most notably the allow detained suspects unrestricted access to legal
lack of a properly resourced national body to oversee counsel. Concerns remained about the inappropriate
the programme and the continued reluctance of the use of firearms by law enforcement officials.
federal police to provide protection. In May, the European Commission recommended
The persistent failure of the authorities to bring that January 2007 be maintained as the date of
those responsible for the killings of human rights Bulgaria’s accession to the European Union (EU) only if
defenders to justice continued to place them at risk. serious deficits were remedied. In September it allowed
72 Amnesty International Report 2007
BUL
accession to go ahead, despite continuing concerns (Ataka) party. They alleged that he incited others,
about corruption, on condition that the required through television broadcasts, publications and public
changes to the Civil Procedure Code, judicial system statements, to harass and discriminate against people
and Constitution were adopted. from ethnic, religious and sexual minorities.
In March parliament amended the Constitution to In November, the NGO International Helsinki
incorporate the Ombudsperson institution. A new Federation for Human Rights reported a rise in anti-
provision also allowed the institution to initiate cases minority rhetoric and discrimination.
before the Constitutional Court if it considers a law The Romani community
concerning citizens’ rights and freedoms to be In March the Council of Europe Commissioner for
unconstitutional. Human Rights recommended the government
Bulgaria signed the Council of Europe Convention on implement its national plan of 2003-2004 for
Action against Trafficking in Human Beings in integrating Roma and establishing a co-ordinated
November. policy for all minorities.
Also in March the government approved a national
Ill-treatment and excessive use of force programme for improving Romani housing conditions,
Representatives of the European Committee for the but discrimination in housing persisted.
Prevention of Torture, on a visit to Bulgaria in In July, as Bulgaria assumed the presidency of the
September, examined the treatment of detainees in the Decade of Roma Inclusion, a regional
custody of regular and border police; conditions in intergovernmental initiative to reduce social and
investigation detention facilities; regimes for prisoners economic exclusion and disparities, legal challenges
serving life sentences and foreign prisoners; and were initiated by Romani communities over instances
implementation of legal safeguards on compulsory of discrimination. The cases concerned threats to
placements to psychiatric institutions under the demolish houses and the refusal by Sofia Municipality
Health Act. to provide public transport in Sofia’s largest Roma
Reports of police ill-treatment continued, particularly settlement in the Fakulteta District.
against members of the Romani community and on the Plans to forcibly evict inhabitants of a number of
basis of people’s sexual orientation. Romani neighbourhoods in Sofia were suspended
b In January the Sofia Military Court ordered further after protests by members of the European
investigation in the case of Angel Dimitrov, who died Parliament. Some of Sofia’s district governments
during a police operation in Blagoevgrad in November continued to threaten forced evictions, and did little
2005, after his family opposed a request by the Sofia if anything to address the extreme poverty and denial
District Military Prosecutor for criminal proceedings to of human rights in many Romani communities. A
be halted. The police had used excessive force while working group was formed by the Sofia Municipality
arresting Angel Dimitrov, in violation of domestic and and Romani NGOs to propose solutions. In July, the
international law, the Ombudsperson reported in Ministry of Labour and Social Policy provided funds
March. to purchase caravans as a temporary solution for
b In February the European Court of Human Rights evicted residents.
found that Bulgaria had violated Zahari Stefanov’s b In April some residents demanded the removal of a
rights to life and to be free from torture and arbitrary Romani neighbourhood in Sofia’s Zaharna Fabrika
detention (Ognyanova and Choban v Bulgaria). In 1993 district. The mayor of Sofia said the city prosecutor
the 23-year-old, of Romani origin, died in Kazanluk would help the municipality find a legal way to move
police station. An official inquiry at the time concluded Romani residents, promising funds for temporary
that he had jumped of his own accord out of a third- shelters.
floor room where he was being questioned, and that all b In June the international human rights
his injuries were caused by the fall. organizations, the Centre on Housing Rights and
b In October, police reportedly used excessive force Evictions and the European Roma Rights Centre,
in quelling fighting involving 400 Roma in Pazardzhik. appealed to the government to stop unlawful
Officers were accused by Romani people and the evictions in Dobri Zhelyazkov and Batalova vodenitza,
regional governor of exceeding their powers by Sofia. The district government had ordered 16 Romani
entering homes and damaging property. families to leave their homes within 10 days or be
b In May the Commission for Protection against summarily evicted, although their communities had
Discrimination initiated an investigation in the case of lived on the land for generations. The authorities did
three police officers who allegedly ill-treated a gay man not provide reasonable justification, adequate notice,
in October 2005 because of his sexual orientation and consultation with those affected, compensation,
ethnic origin. The Commission concluded that during alternative housing or social support. The
his illegal 12-hour detention, the man was denied food municipality finally said that legal owners would be
and access to his relatives and medical assistance. compensated according to the law, and others would
be accommodated in freight containers adapted to
Racism and discrimination make them habitable.
In February, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) The Macedonian minority
and private individuals filed a civil lawsuit in Sofia City The authorities and the judiciary continued to deny the
Court against Volen Siderov, leader of the Attack existence of a Macedonian minority in Bulgaria, and
Amnesty International Report 2007 73
BUR
b More than 1,000 people living in the province of arrested and reportedly tortured by two policemen. By
Bujumbura-mairie and surrounding provinces had by the end of 2006, no investigation had taken place.
April been detained for several months without being
brought before a judge. Only 34 of them were Freedom of expression under attack
prosecuted by the public prosecutor. The relationship between the authorities and the
Arbitrary and illegal arrests by local authorities were independent media was tense and confrontational.
also reported in other provinces, including Ngozi. State agents and the ruling party repeatedly threatened
b On 20 April a teacher at Don Bosco secondary journalists.
school in Ngozi was reportedly beaten, handcuffed and b On 17 April, after a press conference called by the
taken by police to the local cell in Kiremba. He was CNDD-FDD parliamentarian Mathias Basabose, in
unlawfully detained without being brought before a Kinindo, Bujumbura, 30 journalists were summoned by
judge for a few days. He was accused of having stolen the police to hand in their tapes and recording
firewood from the forest belonging to the local equipment so that the information could be checked.
administration. The journalists refused to comply with the orders and
were prevented from leaving the premises. Other
Extrajudicial executions journalists turned up to report this incident. Several
Throughout 2006, the intelligence services and the were reportedly beaten by police officers with gun
army were involved in extrajudicial executions of butts and truncheons.
civilians. b On 3 September Hussein Radjabu, the CNDD-FDD
b Between May and August, about 30 people in the chairman, delivered a speech to thousands of
province of Muyinga were arbitrarily arrested by supporters in which he threatened journalists if they
government armed forces, in conjunction with the continued to criticize the CNDD-FDD and the
intelligence service and local administration. government.
According to local sources, at least 16 were executed b Also on 3 September, the CNDD-FDD website
and their bodies dumped in rivers. Three state agents published a photograph of Gabriel Nikundana, the news
were arrested in connection with the killings, including editor of Isanganiro radio station, saying that he had
the head of the intelligence service in Muyinga. fled to Kenya. When it became clear that this story was
However, the authorities failed to arrest senior officials false, another article was published on the website on
who reportedly gave the execution orders, despite 5 September, linking Gabriel Nikundana to the alleged
issuing arrest warrants. coup attempt and describing him as “extremist”.
b On 4 August, in the commune of Kinama,
Bujumbura-mairie, four people were arrested on Prisoners of conscience
suspicion of being FNL members by police officers and a Throughout 2006, human rights defenders faced
former CNDD-FDD fighter reportedly working on behalf harassment, and some were arbitrarily detained for
of intelligence services. On 14 August, this former peacefully expressing opinions.
fighter took the four detainees away in a vehicle. The b On 5 May, Térence Nahimana, director of an NGO,
following day, their bullet-ridden bodies were found by Cercle d’initiative pour une vision commune (CIVIC),
local residents. The former CNDD-FDD fighter was wrote a letter to the President saying that the
detained in Mpimba prison, but several witnesses government was deliberately delaying peace
reported seeing him at large in Bujumbura. negotiations with the FNL. He was arrested on 9 May by
the national intelligence service. He was released after
Torture and ill-treatment three hours of questioning, but the following day he
The government failed to define torture in the was arrested again. On 15 May, he was formally charged
country’s laws and to align the Penal Procedure Code with “threatening state security” and detained in
and the Penal Code with international human rights Mpimba prison.
standards. b On 16 August, Gabriel Rufyiri, president of an NGO,
Allegations of torture and ill-treatment by the Observatoire de lutte contre la corruption et les
intelligence services, the police and other military and malversations économiques (OLUCOME), was
security forces were documented throughout 2006. arbitrarily arrested. He was illegally detained for
b On 23 January, Matrenus Ciragira and his family alleging that members of the government and the ruling
were attacked at night by people armed with shotguns party were involved in corruption. His organization had
and wearing police uniforms, in the commune of exposed the alleged improper sale of the presidential
Ruhororo, Ngozi province. During the attack, his wife plane and irregularities in government contracts.
was raped in front of their children. No investigation
was carried out. Violence against women
b Former Vice-President Alphonse-Marie Kadege Women of all ages were subjected to sexual violence,
was allegedly kicked repeatedly on his body by police including rape, in both rural and urban communities.
officers in an interrogation room on 2 August. Despite the end of the hostilities in most of the country,
b On 26 June, in the zone of Mivo, Ngozi commune, local human rights organizations reported a very high
two staff members of the non-governmental incidence of rape cases.
organization (NGO) Population Services International The state’s response was characterized by inaction,
involved in an AIDS awareness programme were and the criminal justice system provided scant
Amnesty International Report 2007 75
BUR
protection. The police and judiciary often dismissed Although this meeting was significant, the
rape cases and failed to investigate them unless the government’s memorandum contained proposals
victim was a young child or they were put under which could hinder efforts to overcome impunity. For
pressure by local human rights organizations. example, it proposed a “procedure of reconciliation”
b V N, a 27-year-old woman living in the commune of which could prevent or limit the investigation and
Kamenge, was raped by two men who broke into her prosecution of crimes under international law.
house on 21 February. The men beat, gagged and raped Subsequent progress was very slow.
V N and her sister. Neither the local administration nor On 18 June in Dar es-Salaam, Tanzania, the
the police carried out any investigation. Subsequently, government and FNL signed an agreement of principles
V N was rejected by her community. towards lasting peace, security and stability in Burundi.
It stated that the truth and reconciliation commission
Human rights abuses by the FNL (not yet established) would be renamed the “Truth,
Throughout the first half of 2006, the FNL threatened Pardon and Reconciliation Commission”. Its mandate
and intimidated the civilian population of Bujumbura would be to establish the facts surrounding “the dark
rural, Bubanza and Cibitoke, often demanding shelter, period of Burundi history” and various protagonists’
food and water. They also killed low-level government responsibilities, with a view to achieving forgiveness
officials and civilians suspected of collaborating with and national reconciliation.
government armed forces.
b On 16 January, Amélie Bapfumukeko, a council Death penalty
member in Nakibuye, Kanyosha commune, was After the release of 3,200 political prisoners, 218
abducted and killed by alleged FNL combatants. Her prisoners remained under sentence of death. The last
body was found the next day about 500 metres from her executions, of seven civilians, took place in 1997, but
house. She was accused by local FNL members of courts continued to pass death sentences.
collaborating with the government armed forces.
Refugees and internally displaced people
Administration of justice In February, the number of Rwandan refugees in
The justice system continued to suffer from lack of Burundi reached 20,000. By the end of 2006, about
resources and inadequate training. Furthermore, 16,000 had been repatriated by the UN refugee agency
government authorities and CNDD-FDD members UNHCR to Rwanda. Between January and December,
reportedly influenced judicial decisions improperly. about 32,000 Burundian refugees returned to Burundi
b On 16 February, a teacher at Gashikanwa secondary with UNHCR assistance. In June, UNHCR changed its
school (Ngozi province), who was also a CNDD-FDD policy from facilitation to promotion of the
member, was arrested by police on suspicion of having repatriation.
raped five of his pupils. Once his arrest became known, At the end of 2006, more than 100,000 people still
the public prosecutor in charge of the investigation lived in internally displaced people’s camps, mainly in
received threatening phone calls from members of the the northern and eastern provinces.
security services and CNDD-FDD parliamentarians
demanding the teacher’s release. The public prosecutor AI country reports/visits
eventually released him, and there were no further Reports
investigations into the rapes either by the police or the • Burundi: Provisional immunity does nothing to end
public prosecutor’s office. impunity (AI Index: AFR 16/001/2006)
• Burundi: Towards what reconciliation? (AI Index:
Mechanisms to combat impunity AFR 16/003/2006)
The authorities sent mixed messages during the year • Burundi: Journalists and human rights monitors
about their willingness to tackle the issue of impunity under attack (AI Index: AFR 16/004/2006)
effectively. • Burundi: Detention measures abused (AI Index: AFR
On 3 January the President decreed that political 16/011/2006)
prisoners should be granted “provisional immunity”, in • Burundi: From Itaba to Gatumba – an imperative
accordance with clauses in the Arusha peace need for justice (AI Index: AFR 16/014/2006)
agreement of 2000. A few days later, the Minister of • Burundi: Briefing to the Committee against Torture
Justice announced the provisional release of 673 (AI Index: AFR 16/016/2006)
political prisoners. By the end of March more than 3,200 Visits
prisoners had been released. However, this decision AI delegates visited Burundi to research violence
was not followed by any concrete and targeted against women and the demobilization, disarmament
measures to combat impunity. and reintegration process in February. AI delegates also
In early February the government issued a attended a workshop with human rights defenders.
memorandum in order to commence talks with the UN
on setting up a truth and reconciliation commission
and a special chamber to investigate crimes committed
in Burundi and bring those responsible to justice. At the
end of February, a UN mission arrived in Bujumbura to
prepare for negotiations on these mechanisms.
76 Amnesty International Report 2007
CAM
Police abuses
REPUBLIC
Concerns about excessive use of force involving taser
guns continued. In August, Jason Doan died in Red CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
Deer, Alberta, after being subdued by police using a Head of state: François Bozizé
taser, bringing the number of such deaths to 15 since Head of government: Elie Dote
April 2003. Death penalty: abolitionist in practice
International Criminal Court: ratified
Security and human rights
Three Muslim men subject to security certificates
issued under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Government forces reportedly killed scores of
Act remained in detention and two others were under unarmed civilians in response to unrest in the north
strict bail conditions. The men faced a serious risk of of the country, displacing tens of thousands of
torture if deported. Appeals to the Supreme Court of people. The authorities took no action against
Canada in three of the cases were pending at the end of members of the security forces suspected of
the year. responsibility for unlawful killings and other human
80 Amnesty International Report 2007
CEN
rights violations. Dozens of suspected political There was no progress by the government in bringing
opponents of the government were arrested and to justice those responsible for serious human rights
unlawfully detained in harsh conditions. About 25 abuses, including hundreds of rapes, during conflict in
were tried, most of whom were acquitted. Fourteen late 2002 and early 2003. The International Criminal
were not released after their acquittal but detained Court (ICC) continued to conduct a preliminary analysis
for a further two weeks. of crimes committed during the period, following a
referral of the situation by the government in 2005. At
Background the end of the year, the ICC had not announced whether
Violence and insecurity escalated in the north of the or not it would launch a full investigation.
country. On 29 January, an armed group attacked the
security forces in the town of Paoua, Ouham-Pende Political arrests, detentions and trials
province. At least 80 civilians, many of them unarmed, Several dozen people were arrested between February
were killed by government forces during a counter- and April 2006 and accused of supporting armed groups
attack. About 7,000 people fled to neighbouring Chad, seeking to overthrow President François Bozizé’s
while an estimated 50,000 more were internally government. Many were members of former President
displaced, with little or no access to humanitarian Ange-Félix Patassé’s Movement for the Liberation of
assistance. the Central African People (Mouvement de libération
Attacks by armed groups persisted throughout the du peuple centrafricain), or came from the same Kaba
year. In June, UN sources reported that 33 people had ethnic group.
been killed in a rebel attack on an army camp in the They were held for weeks or months without charge
north. and without access to their families, lawyers and
Government forces continued to be supported by doctors. In May and June, about 25 were charged with
French and Chadian troops, and by members of a endangering the internal security of the state and
peacekeeping force backed by the Monetary and related offences.
Economic Community of Central Africa (Communauté b Lydie Florence Ndouba, an official at the Ministry
économique et monétaire d’Afrique centrale, CEMAC). of Internal Affairs, was arrested on 28 February,
CEMAC peacekeepers received material help from the apparently because she was the sister of two prominent
European Union. politicians critical of the government. She was held
In August former President Ange-Félix Patassé and without charge until 11 May, when she was charged with
three other former politicians were tried in their absence endangering the security of the state. At her trial in
on charges of fraud and embezzling public funds. They August she told the Criminal Court that she had been ill-
were convicted of fraud and sentenced to up to 20 years’ treated in custody. She was acquitted.
imprisonment. Ange-Félix Patassé’s former economic b Pascal Ngakoutou Beninga, a teacher at Bangui
advisor, Simon Kouloumba, was acquitted and released. University, reported that he was taken to a wood and
He had been awaiting trial since 2003. threatened with death by members of the Republican
Guard on 25 March. He was accused of having provided
Impunity accommodation to armed men and of possessing
The authorities failed to take action against members of weapons. Members of the security forces searched his
the security forces who reportedly killed and injured house but reportedly found nothing incriminating.
dozens of unarmed civilians in Ouham-Pende and In August and September, about 25 detainees were
Ouham provinces in late January and February. tried by the Criminal Court in Bangui. Approximately 20
Government forces, particularly members of the were acquitted.
Republican Guard, reportedly targeted unarmed b Of 16 people tried for endangering the internal
civilians, including boys as young as 10. At least 17 security of the state and related charges, 15 were
students from Paoua college were reported to have acquitted and one convicted on a lesser charge on 12
been extrajudicially executed by members of the September. However, 14 were not released but taken
Republican Guard. from Ngaragba prison on 13 September by members of
b At least 80 people were reportedly killed by regular the Republican Guard to Bossembélé prison in
government forces in Paoua in January and February. Ombella-Mpoko province. Members of the Central
The victims included Florent Djembert, Vincent African Republic Bar Association went on strike in
Bozoukon and William Béré. Four unidentified bodies protest, and the government was widely criticized. On
were reportedly burned in the local gendarmerie 25 September, the detainees were returned to Bangui
compound. No investigation into the deaths was and released.
reported. At the end of 2006, at least 20 detainees were still
b A former member of the Republican Guard, who held, accused of having connections with armed
had allegedly killed several people but was released groups. It was unclear whether all of them had been
without charge after being arrested in 2005, continued formally charged.
to threaten human rights defenders before he was
killed by insurgents in May. In January he reportedly Detention conditions
threatened Maka Gbossokoto, director of Le Citoyen AI delegates visited several detention centres in
newspaper, Nganatouwa Goungaye Wanfiyo, a lawyer, Bangui, including Ngaragba prison, Bimbo prison and
and Adolphe Ngouyombo, a human rights activist. the National Gendarmerie’s Research and Investigation
Amnesty International Report 2007 81
CHA
Janjawid attacks on communities in eastern Chad, year. The reasons for their arrest remained unclear, and
which began in 2003, initially consisted of frequent, no charges were brought against them. The authorities
small-scale raids aimed primarily at stealing cattle, refused to grant the detainees access to their families
which were generally kept at some distance from the and lawyers and would not reveal where or on what
villages. People guarding the cattle were often killed if grounds they were held.
they resisted the better-armed Janjawid, but the villages
themselves were not attacked. However, as these Extrajudicial executions
incursions became more frequent, the Janjawid began to At least two people were extrajudicially executed by
attack, burn and loot villages, sometimes repeatedly the security forces.
over a period of several days or months, until most of the b In May, soldiers in three separate vehicles arrived
inhabitants had been killed or forced to flee. in Guité and arrested several people. One person was
b In March, the Janjawid launched a large-scale asked to produce his identity card and told to lie down
attack near N’Djaména village, a few kilometres from on the ground. Soldiers stamped on him, then one
Modaina, in which 72 people were killed. soldier shot him dead at close range.
b In October, the Janjawid used incendiary weapons b In April, Commander Idriss Mahamat Idriss was
during attacks on Djimeze Djarma village. Seventeen arrested while riding in a military vehicle. His body,
people, including Adam Oumar, Ahmed Haroon and a showing signs of gunshot wounds, was found in the
90-year-old woman, Hawa Rashadiya, were killed. morgue a few days later.
b In November, the village of Djorlo was attacked on
three sides simultaneously. The Janjawid fired on the Human rights defenders
outskirts of the village before advancing. Forty people Human rights defenders and journalists continued to
including Yahyah Omar, aged 75, and Sabil Awat, aged be at risk of detention, unfair trial and imprisonment in
60, were killed. In addition, three babies who were still violation of their right to freedom of expression. Two
breastfeeding, including Adam Haroon, were burned human rights defenders were illegally detained and
alive in their homes and one old crippled man, unable threatened.
to flee, was also burned alive. Following the decision to censor the press, the
b The village of Koloy was attacked several times Association of Privately Owned Press Editors
between September and November. During these suspended the publication of five affiliated
attacks, more than 100 people were killed, including newspapers: N’Djaména Bi-hebdo, Notre Temps, le
Adam Abdelkerim, Ibrahim Said, Mahamat Abakar and Temps, Sarh Tribune and le Messager.
an 85-year-old woman, Hawa Issa. b In April, René Dillah Yombirin, a public radio
journalist and French service correspondent for the
Violence against women BBC, was attacked by several soldiers while he was
The widespread insecurity in eastern Chad had interviewing residents in the Moursal area shortly after
particularly severe consequences for women, who the attack on N’Djaména. He was taken to an unknown
suffered grave human rights abuses, including rape, destination before being released a few hours later.
during attacks on villages. Sexual violence often b In April, Mingar Monodji, a member of the Chadian
continued after the women were displaced. Women Human Rights League, was arrested and detained by
also suffered extreme hardship associated with soldiers for three days in an unknown location. At the
displacement and the deaths of their male relatives. end of the third day, they abandoned him by the side of
b In October, seven women were abducted in a road. During his detention, Mingar Monodji was
Djimeze Djarma and held for 20 days by their attackers. beaten regularly by soldiers who accused him and other
They were beaten with whips and sticks throughout this human rights activists of being mercenaries opposed to
period. The women did not identify their attackers as President Déby.
members of the Janjawid. b In May, Tchanguiz Vathankha, director of Radio
b During an attack on the village of Djorlo in Brakoss, a community radio station, and president of the
November, the Janjawid raped seven women who had Chad Union of Privately Owned Radio Stations, was
taken refuge in a mosque. According to an eye-witness, arrested and held without charge for eight days. He was
the women were captured and beaten, then thrown to arrested after his organization issued a statement calling
the ground. The attackers pinned the women to the for the postponement of the May presidential election.
ground, tore off their clothes and raped them. b In October, Evariste Ngaralbaye, a journalist for
the privately owned weekly, Notre Temps, was
Detention without trial arrested and detained for four days. He was charged
In May, at least 10 people were arrested in Guité on the with defamation and damage to the reputation and
suspicion of links with armed groups. Two were morale of the gendarmerie. Shortly before his arrest,
released without charge after two days and the others he had published a critical article on the conflict in
after 15 days. eastern Chad.
Dozens of military officers and soldiers, including
Adil Ousmane and Colonel Abakar Gawi, were arrested Chad-Cameroon pipeline
in April shortly after an attack by an armed group on In April, Chad threatened to shut down the Chad-
N’Djaména. Some were released, but seven high- Cameroon pipeline if the World Bank refused to release
ranking officers remained in detention at the end of the assets frozen in January after the Chadian government
Amnesty International Report 2007 83
CHI
amended the Revenue Management Law governing the legal and judicial steps necessary to secure truth and
proceeds of the pipeline project. The government justice for past human rights violations.
sought to divert pipeline revenues, originally reserved In May, the Chilean Supreme Court released former
for health and education spending and poverty Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori on bail pending a
reduction, to fighting the armed rebellion against decision on whether to extradite him to Peru where he
President Déby. An interim accord was reached in April, was accused of corruption and human rights violations.
and in July relations were fully normalized after a By the end of the year, no decision had been reached
memorandum of understanding was signed between and he remained in Chile under an arraignment order
the Chadian government and the World Bank. which prevented him from leaving the country.
In August, following a tax dispute, the activities of US In December, Augusto Pinochet, who governed Chile
and Malaysian companies sponsoring the pipeline were between 1973 and 1990 following a coup, died in
suspended. They resumed in October, following an Santiago. Under his government gross human rights
accord reached with the Chadian government. violations considered crimes against humanity were
committed. At the time of his death he was facing
AI country reports/visits charges in Chilean courts in relation to a financial
Reports inquiry (the Riggs case) and four human rights cases –
• Chad/Sudan: Thousands displaced by attacks from the Prats case, Villa Grimaldi, Operation Colombo and
Sudan (AI Index: AFR 20/005/2006) the Caravan of Death – in which thousands of people
• Chad: “We don’t want to die before Hissène Habré is were subjected to torture, extrajudicial executions and
brought to trial” (AI Index: AFR 20/002/2006) enforced disappearance. He never attended any
• Chad: Testimonies from eastern Chad (AI Index: AFR judicial hearings in any Chilean court.
20/007/2006)
• Chad: Des militaires détenus depuis plus de cinq mois Indigenous people
(AI Index: AFR 20/010/2006) There were reports of ill-treatment of members of the
• Chad: Civilians left unprotected as brutal Janjawid Mapuche Indigenous group. In May, a number of
attacks reach 150 kilometres inside Chad (AI Index: Mapuche detainees staged hunger strikes in protest at
AFR 20/013/2006) the unfair application of anti-terrorist laws.
Visits b In July, uniformed police officers (carabineros)
AI delegates visited Chad in May/June and in raided the Indigenous Mapuche community of
November/December to carry out research and hold Temucuicui in Ercilla, Malleco Province. The police
talks with the authorities. claimed that they were searching for stolen animals,
but the community denied that stolen animals were
being held on community land. Police reportedly fired
tear gas, rubber bullets and live ammunition at
members of the community, who were unarmed.
Several people were injured and a number of homes
destroyed. Children were affected by the tear gas and
Prison who were forced to sleep in the open was co-operation with the UN on human rights. Chinese
considered by the Santiago Appeals Court in June. A companies continued to export arms to countries
protection request was submitted on behalf of these where they were likely to be used for serious human
men by lawyers working for the Paternitas Foundation, rights abuses, including Sudan and Myanmar.
a non-governmental organization.
Human rights defenders
Amnesty Law The government crackdown on lawyers and housing
In September the Inter-American Court of Human rights activists intensified. Many human rights
Rights ruled that the application of the amnesty defenders were subjected to lengthy periods of
provisions of the 1978 Amnesty Law were not arbitrary detention without charge, as well as
admissible and such provisions could not be applied to harassment by the police or by local gangs apparently
crimes against humanity. The judgment related to the condoned by the police. Many lived under near
case of Luis Alfredo Almonacid Arellano who was constant surveillance or house arrest and members of
arrested and shot by police in September 1973. By the their families were increasingly targeted. New
end of the year President Bachelet had made no regulations restricted the ability of lawyers to
decision on whether the Amnesty Law should be represent groups of victims and to participate in
annulled, repealed or amended by new legislation collective petitions.
which would limit its application. b Gao Zhisheng, an outspoken human rights lawyer,
had his law practice suspended in November 2005. He
AI country reports/visits was detained in August 2006 and remained in
Reports incommunicado detention at an unknown location
• Peru/Chile: 20,000 signatures collected as a result of until his trial in December 2006. In October he was
the international campaign on the Fujimori case formally arrested on charges of “inciting subversion”,
(AI Index: AMR 46/008/2006) and in December he was sentenced to three years’
• Chile: Medical Concern (AI Index: AMR 22/002/2006) imprisonment, suspended for five years.
• Chile: Death of Pinochet is not the end of the story
(AI Index: AMR 22/004/2006) Journalists and Internet users
The government’s crackdown on journalists, writers,
and Internet users intensified. Numerous popular
newspapers and journals were shut down. Hundreds of
international websites remained blocked and
thousands of Chinese websites were shut down. Dozens
of journalists were detained for reporting on sensitive
issues.
Violence and discrimination against women believed this would lead to a reduction in miscarriages
Violence and discrimination against women remained of justice and use of the death penalty.
severe. The disadvantaged economic and social status Executions by lethal injection rose, facilitating the
of women and girls was evident in employment, health extraction of organs from executed prisoners, a
care and education. Women were laid off in larger lucrative business. In November a deputy minister
numbers than men from failing state enterprises. announced that the majority of transplanted organs
Women accounted for 60 per cent of rural labourers came from executed prisoners. In July new regulations
and had fewer non-agricultural opportunities than banned the buying and selling of organs and required
men. The absence of gender-sensitive anti-HIV/AIDS written consent from donors for organ removal.
policies contributed to a significant rise in female b Xu Shuangfu, the leader of an unofficial Protestant
HIV/AIDS cases in 2006. Only 43 per cent of girls in rural group called “Three Grades of Servants”, was executed
areas completed education above lower middle school, along with 11 others in November after being convicted
compared with 61 per cent of boys. of murdering 20 members of another group, “Eastern
Despite strengthened laws and government efforts Lightning”, in 2003-4. Xu Shuangfu reportedly claimed
to combat human trafficking, it remained pervasive, that he had confessed under torture during police
with an estimated 90 per cent of cases being women interrogation and that the torture had included
and children trafficked for sexual exploitation. beatings with heavy chains and sticks, electric shocks
b Chen Guangcheng, a blind, self-trained lawyer, to the toes, fingers and genitals and forced injection of
was sentenced in August to a prison term of four hot pepper, gasoline and ginger into the nose. Both the
years and three months on charges of “damaging first instance and appeal courts reportedly refused to
public property and gathering people to stop traffic”. allow his lawyers to introduce these allegations as
He had been arbitrarily confined to his home since evidence in his defence.
September 2005 in connection with his advocacy on
behalf of women undergoing forced abortions in Torture, arbitrary detention and unfair trials
Shandong Province. On appeal, the guilty verdict was Torture and ill-treatment remained widespread.
overturned and the case sent back to the lower court Common methods included kicking, beating, electric
for retrial, but the lower court upheld the original shocks, suspension by the arms, shackling in painful
sentence. positions, cigarette burns, and sleep and food
deprivation. In November a senior official admitted
Repression of spiritual and religious groups that at least 30 wrongful convictions handed down
The government continued to crack down on each year resulted from the use of torture, with the
religious observance outside officially sanctioned true number likely being higher. There was no
channels. Thousands of members of underground progress in efforts to reform the Re-education
protestant “house churches” and unofficial Catholic through Labour system of administrative detention
churches were detained, many of whom were ill- without charge or trial. Hundreds of thousands of
treated or tortured in detention. Members of the people were believed to be held in Re-education
Falun Gong spiritual movement were detained and through Labour facilities across China and were at risk
assigned to administrative detention for their of torture and ill-treatment. In May 2006, the Beijing
beliefs, and continued to be at high risk of torture city authorities announced their intention to extend
or ill-treatment. their use of Re-education through Labour as a way to
b Bu Dongwei, a Falun Gong practitioner, was control “offending behaviour” and to clean up the
assigned to two and a half years’ Re-education through city’s image ahead of the Olympics.
Labour in June for “activities relating to a banned b Ye Guozhu was sentenced to four years’
organization” after police discovered Falun Gong imprisonment in 2004 for his opposition to forced
literature at his home. He had been working for a US aid evictions in Beijing associated with construction for the
organization when he was detained. Olympic games. It emerged during 2006 that Ye had
b Pastor Zhang Rongliang, an underground church been tortured while in detention. He was reportedly
leader who had been repeatedly detained and imprisoned suspended from the ceiling by the arms and beaten
since 1976, was sentenced in June to seven and a half repeatedly by police in Dongcheng district detention
years’ imprisonment on charges of illegally crossing the centre, Beijing, and also reportedly tortured in another
border and fraudulently obtaining a passport. prison in the second half of 2005.
b The family of exiled former prisoner of conscience The UN Human Rights Committee and the UN
Rebiya Kadeer continued to be targeted by the Chinese Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against
authorities. On 26 November her son Ablikim Women reviewed the human rights situation in Hong
Abdiriyim, detained in Xinjiang awaiting trial on Kong in March and August respectively. Both made
charges of “subversion” and tax evasion, was seen several recommendations for reform.
being carried out of Tianshan District Detention In September, the Hong Kong Court of Appeal upheld
Centre, apparently in need of medical attention. On a lower court ruling that laws providing a higher age of
27 November her sons Alim and Kahar Abdiriyim were consent for sexual relations for gay men than for
fined heavily and Alim sentenced to seven years’ heterosexuals were discriminatory. The authorities
imprisonment on charges of tax evasion. announced that they would not appeal the case further.
b Husein Celil, a Canadian citizen who fled China in Asylum-seekers continued to be refused entry
the 1990s as a refugee, was arrested in Uzbekistan and without adequate consideration of their claims. Others
extradited to China in June. He was reportedly accused were detained for over-staying their visas or other
of “terrorism” and denied access to family or consular immigration offences. Despite lobbying from human
representatives. rights and social welfare groups, the authorities
confirmed that there were no plans to extend the UN
Tibetans Refugee Convention to Hong Kong. The authorities
Tibetans in the Tibet Autonomous Region and other began to offer limited welfare assistance to asylum-
areas experienced severe restrictions on their rights to seekers after UNHCR ceased its funding in May, but this
freedom of religious belief, expression and association, was reportedly insufficient to meet basic needs.
and discrimination in employment. Many were
detained or imprisoned for observing their religion or AI country reports/visits
expressing opinions, including Tibetan Buddhist monks Reports
and nuns. Excessive use of force against Tibetans • People’s Republic of China: Abolishing “Re-education
seeking to flee repression in Tibet continued. In through Labour” and other forms of administrative
September witnesses saw Chinese border patrol guards detention – An opportunity to bring the law into line
shooting at a group of Tibetans attempting to reach with the International Covenant on Civil and Political
Nepal. At least one child was confirmed killed. Rights (AI Index: ASA 17/016/2006)
b Woeser, a leading Tibetan intellectual, had her • People’s Republic of China: Sustaining conflict and
weblog shut down several times after she raised human rights abuses – The flow of arms accelerates
questions about China’s role in Tibet. (AI Index: ASA 17/030/2006)
b Sonam Gyalpo, a former monk, was sentenced to • People’s Republic of China: The Olympics count-
12 years’ imprisonment in mid-2006 for “endangering down – failing to keep human rights promises
state security” after the authorities found videos of the (AI Index: ASA 17/046/2006)
Dalai Lama and other “incriminating materials” in his • Undermining freedom of expression in China: the
house. His family learned of his trial and sentencing role of Yahoo!, Microsoft and Google (AI Index: POL
when they tried to visit him in detention. 30/026/2006)
Visits
North Korean refugees AI representatives attended several human rights-
Approximately 100,000 North Koreans were reportedly related meetings in Beijing and Shenzhen.
hiding in China. The authorities arrested and deported
an estimated 150-300 each week without ever referring
cases to UNHCR, the UN refugee agency. They also
reportedly implemented a system of rewards for
turning in North Koreans and heavy fines for
supporting them. In September a new crackdown was
reported on North Koreans residing illegally in China.
Abuse of North Korean women in China was widely
reported, including cases of systematic rape and
prostitution. North Korean women were reportedly
sold as brides to Chinese men for between US$880 and
US$1,890. Some women knew they were being sold into
marriage but did not know how harsh conditions in
China would be. Others were lured across the border by
marriage brokers posing as merchants.
set up under the Justice and Peace Law to investigate conditions. There were also concerns regarding the lack
human rights abuses committed by those wishing to of positive identification of remains and appropriate
qualify for the procedural benefits granted by the Law. forensic analysis of the evidence. Paramilitaries had
reportedly removed remains from some mass graves.
Collusion between paramilitaries and
state officials Impunity
Scandals involving links between paramilitaries and Impunity remained a serious problem, and the military
high-ranking members of state institutions threatened justice system continued to deal with human rights
to further undermine confidence in the rule of law. cases involving military personnel despite the 1997
b In November, the Office of the Procurator General ruling of the Constitutional Court that such cases must
accused the former director of the Civilian Intelligence be investigated by the civilian justice system.
Department (Departamento de Administración de However, some cases were transferred to the civilian
Seguridad, DAS) of having links with paramilitary justice system. Among them was the killing by soldiers
groups. The allegations stemmed from claims, of 10 members of the judicial police (the DIJIN),
published in the media in April by another DAS official, together with a police informer and a civilian, in
that the DAS had provided a list of 24 trade union Jamundí, Valle del Cauca Department, on 22 May. The
leaders to the paramilitary group Bloque Norte. Several Office of the Attorney General charged 15 members of
individuals named on the list were killed, others were the army for their alleged role in the killings, which
threatened, while some were reportedly the subject of were reported to have been carried out at the behest
arbitrary judicial proceedings. of drug traffickers with links to paramilitary groups.
b On 9 November, the Supreme Court of Justice Judicial investigators involved in the case were
ordered the arrest of three congressmen from Sucre reportedly threatened.
Department, Álvaro García Romero, Jairo Merlano and The Inter-American Court of Human Rights issued
Erik Morris Taboada, for their alleged links to rulings on emblematic cases of impunity involving
paramilitary groups and, in the case of Álvaro García massacres carried out by paramilitary groups allegedly
Romero, for allegedly ordering the massacre by with the collusion or acquiescence of the security
paramilitaries of some 15 peasant farmers in Macayepo, forces. These included the Pueblo Bello massacre of
Bolívar Department in 2000. Later in the month the 1990 in which 43 civilians were killed or forcibly
Supreme Court ordered that a further six congressmen disappeared, and the La Granja and El Aro massacres of
answer charges over their alleged links to paramilitary 1996 and 1997, in which 19 people were killed. In both
groups. cases, the Court held the Colombian state partly
Press reports in November suggested that the Office responsible and ordered it to make reparations to the
of the Attorney General was reviewing more than 100 victims and their families.
cases of alleged collusion between paramilitaries and
state officials, including political figures, members of The security forces
the public and judicial administration, and the security There were continued allegations of extrajudicial
forces. In November, the Office of the Procurator executions carried out by the security forces.
General also announced the creation of a special unit b On 19 September, army soldiers reportedly killed
to investigate alleged links between public employees community and labour activist Alejandro Uribe Chacón
and paramilitaries. in Morales Municipality, Bolívar Department.
Paramilitary groups continued to commit human b On 14 April, peasant farmer Adrián Cárdenas Marín
rights violations in collusion with, or with the was reportedly detained by army troops in Argelia
acquiescence of, members of the security forces. Municipality, Antioquia Department. On 15 April, the
b On 4 February, community leader Alirio Sepúlveda army reported that Adrián Cárdenas had been killed in
Jaimes was killed close to a police station in Saravena combat a short distance from the town of Argelia.
Municipality, Arauca Department. The gunman, thought A number of human rights cases involving the army
to be a paramilitary, was reportedly linked to the local received national media coverage.
army battalion. Alirio Sepúlveda was one of around 40 b On 25 January, 21 soldiers were reportedly tortured,
social and human rights activists detained by the including sexually, by their superiors in an initiation
authorities in Saravena in 2002. ceremony at a military training facility in Piedras,
Tolima Department. The case was being investigated by
Exhumations of mass graves the civilian justice system at the end of the year.
More than 80 mass graves were found containing the b The Office of the Procurator General began an
remains of some 200 people killed by paramilitary investigation into the alleged role of army personnel in
groups over the course of the conflict. The Justice and a number of bomb plots in Bogotá in July and August,
Peace Unit claimed the remains of some 3,000 victims of including a car bomb which killed one civilian and
enforced disappearance were still to be located, injured 19 soldiers on 31 July and which the authorities
although this was thought to be a substantial had attributed to the FARC.
underestimate. Concerns were raised that some of the The security forces, including the Mobile Anti-Riot
exhumations may have been undertaken in a manner Squad (Escuadrón Móvil Anti-Disturbios, ESMAD), were
which jeopardized forensic evidence and that remains in alleged to have used excessive force during mass
official custody were being stored in precarious demonstrations by peasant farmers and Afro-descendant
Amnesty International Report 2007 89
COL
and Indigenous protesters on 15 and 16 May in Cauca and Municipality, Santander Department. He had been
Nariño Departments. At least one demonstrator died and missing since 30 December 2005. His body reportedly
50 were injured, including several members of the showed signs of torture. The killing was attributed
security forces and a 12-year-old child. to the paramilitary Bloque Central Bolívar (BCB). On
b On 8 March, ESMAD agents reportedly injured 31 August, the BCB allegedly sent a written death threat
several students at the National University in Bogotá to the CUT trade union confederation (Central Unitaria
when they dispersed a student demonstration. During de Trabajadores) in Bucaramanga, Santander
the demonstration students threw stones at police. Department, despite the fact that the BCB had
One student, Oscar Leonardo Salas, reportedly died on supposedly demobilized by 1 March.
9 March after sustaining head injuries from a projectile
allegedly fired by the ESMAD. Civilian communities at risk
Afro-descendant, Indigenous and peasant farmer
Guerrilla groups communities, as well as civilians living in areas of
The FARC and ELN continued to commit serious and intense military conflict, continued to be at particular
repeated breaches of international humanitarian law, risk of attack by all parties to the conflict. More than
including hostage-taking and the killing of civilians. 770 civilians were killed or forcibly disappeared during
b On 9 October, the bodies were found of four the first half of the year. More than 219,000 people were
peasant farmers who had been kidnapped by the ELN in forcibly displaced in 2006, compared with 310,000 in
Fortul Municipality, Arauca Department. Between 2005. More than 45 members of Indigenous
March and August, the FARC and ELN allegedly killed communities were killed in the first half of 2006.
more than 20 civilians in Arauca Department. b On 9 August, unknown gunmen killed five members
b On 27 February, FARC guerrillas allegedly killed eight of the A’wa Indigenous community in Barbacoas
municipal councillors in Rivera Municipality, Huila Municipality, Nariño Department.
Department, while they were attending a council meeting. b On 5 and 6 March, the FARC allegedly killed Juan
b On 25 February, the FARC allegedly attacked a bus Ramírez Villamizar, the former Indigenous governor of
in Caquetá Department in which at least nine civilians the resguardo (reservation) of Makaguán de Caño
were killed, including two children. Claro, Arauca Department, and his wife Luz Miriam
The FARC also allegedly carried out disproportionate Farías, a schoolteacher in the resguardo’s school.
and indiscriminate attacks which resulted in the deaths Members of “peace communities” and “humanitarian
of numerous civilians. zones”, and of other communities which continued to
b On 6 March, an attack using explosive devices publicly assert their right not to be drawn into the
killed three civilians, including a 76-year-old woman conflict, were threatened and killed.
and an eight-year-old boy in San Vicente del Caguán b On 16 August, paramilitaries reportedly
Municipality, Caquetá Department. The government approached inhabitants of the Curvaradó River Basin
attributed the attack to the FARC. area of Chocó Department, and informed them that
The FARC and ELN continued to forcibly recruit paramilitaries were planning to kill Enrique Petro, a
minors and landmines placed by guerrilla groups member of the Afro-descendant Curvaradó
continued to kill and maim civilians. Humanitarian Zone. In March, members of the armed
b On 2 August, landmines, allegedly placed by the forces had reportedly accused Enrique Petro of being
FARC, killed six civilians working on a government coca linked with guerrillas. The paramilitaries also stated
eradication programme and five police officers, in La that they were preparing to kill other members of the
Macarena Municipality, Meta Department. Curvaradó Humanitarian Zone.
b The body of Nelly Johana Durango, a member of the
Trade unionists, human rights defenders Peace Community of San José de Apartadó, Antioquia
and other activists Department, was identified on 15 March by a family
Human rights, social and community activists continued member in Tierra Alta, Córdoba Department. Witnesses
to be targeted, mainly by paramilitary groups and the claimed that she had been taken from her home by the
security forces, but also by guerrilla groups. More than army on 4 March. The army claimed she was a guerrilla
70 trade union members were killed in 2006. killed in combat. More than 160 peace community
b In September, the FARC allegedly tortured and members have been killed since 1997, mostly by
killed Fabián Trellez Moreno, a community leader and paramilitary groups and the security forces, but also by
legal representative of the Boca de Bebará Local guerrilla groups.
Community Council in Medio Atrato Municipality,
Chocó Department. Kidnappings
b In May, in the run-up to the presidential elections, Kidnappings continued to fall, from 800 in 2005 to 687
trade unionists, left-wing party activists, human rights in 2006. Guerrilla groups, mainly the FARC, were
and peace non-governmental organizations (NGOs) responsible for most conflict-related kidnappings,
and university students and staff received e-mail death accounting for some 200 kidnappings. Ten were
threats, reportedly from groups claiming to be new attributed to paramilitary groups and 267 to common
paramilitary structures. criminals. About 200 kidnappings could not be attributed.
b On 2 January, the body of trade unionist Carlos b On 26 June in Antioquia Department, the FARC
Arciniegas Niño was discovered in Puerto Wilches allegedly kidnapped Camilo Mejía Restrepo, his wife
90 Amnesty International Report 2007
CON
Rosario Restrepo, their son and a nephew. In their efforts months. The latest report on Colombia of the UNHCHR,
to flee from the authorities, the kidnappers were alleged published in January, urged the government to
to have killed Camilo Mejía and injured the nephew. implement UN human rights recommendations and to
b On 7 June, the ELN allegedly kidnapped Javier adopt the long-promised national human rights action
Francisco Castro in Yondó Municipality, Antioquia plan and increase protection for human rights
Department. The ELN reportedly accused him of having defenders. It called on the parties to the conflict to
links with the security forces. No information was respect the right to life and to refrain from
received by the end of the year as to whether he had indiscriminate attacks, kidnappings, recruitment of
been released. child soldiers, and sexual violence. The report also
b On 27 April, armed men killed Liliana Gaviria recommended that legislation on the demobilization of
Trujillo, sister of former President César Gaviria Trujillo, members of illegal armed groups be made consistent
and her bodyguard, Fernando Vélez Rengifo, in with human rights principles including the right of
Dosquebradas, Risaralda Department, in what appeared victims to truth, justice and reparation. The High
to be a botched kidnap attempt. The authorities claimed Commissioner presented the report to the second
the kidnapping was ordered by the FARC. regular session of the UN Human Rights Council on
28 September.
Violence against women
Combatants continued to kill, sexually abuse, kidnap AI country visits/reports
and threaten women and girls. Reports
b On 22 October, 10 army soldiers allegedly entered • Colombia: Reporting, campaigning and serving
the home of a woman in Puerto Lleras Municipality, without fear – The rights of journalists, election
Meta Department. Subsequently, four of the soldiers candidates and elected officials (AI Index: AMR
reportedly raped her in front of her three-year-old son. 23/001/2006)
The woman was reportedly threatened after she • Colombia: Open letter to the presidential candidates
reported the rape to the authorities. (AI Index: AMR 23/013/2006)
b On 9 April, a guerrilla member allegedly raped a • Colombia: Fear and intimidation – The dangers of
woman in Fortul Municipality, Arauca Department. human rights work (AI Index: AMR 23/033/2006)
b On 21 March, paramilitaries reportedly raped and Visits
killed Yamile Agudelo Peñaloza of the Popular Women’s AI delegates visited the country in February, March and
Organization (Organización Femenina Popular), in October.
Barrancabermeja, Santander Department. Her body
was found the next day.
US military aid
In 2006, US assistance to Colombia amounted to an
estimated US$728 million, approximately 80 per cent of
which was military and police assistance. In June, the US
Congress put a hold on US$29 million because of
concerns with the US administration’s failure to consult
adequately with Congress regarding the certification
CONGO
(REPUBLIC OF)
process. Under the certification process, 25 per cent of
aid is dependent on progress by the Colombian
government and state authorities on certain human REPUBLIC OF CONGO
rights indicators. Despite Congress’ decision, the funds Head of state: Denis Sassou-Nguesso
were released by the State Department. However, the Head of government: Isidore Mvouba
State Department subsequently agreed to meet with the Death penalty: abolitionist in practice
Congress and representatives of the US human rights International Criminal Court: ratified
community to discuss concerns about the certification
consultation process and recommendations for
improving it. Some US$17 million went to support the At least 12 men arrested in early 2005 continued to
demobilization process with some US$5 million going to be detained without trial. Two human rights
the Justice and Peace Unit. Human rights conditions for defenders were arrested and their trial on charges of
the release of such funding were maintained. abuse of trust concluded in December. Three asylum-
seekers from the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Office of the UN High Commissioner for (DRC) were still detained without charge or trial
Human Rights after nearly three years. There were allegations of
Despite reported efforts by the Colombian government torture and ill-treatment of detainees.
to weaken the mandate of the Office in Colombia of the
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR), Background
especially in relation to its monitoring role, the The National Resistance Council (Conseil national de
government and the UNHCHR announced in September résistance, CNR) retained its arms and bases in the Pool
that the full mandate would be extended for a further 12 region in the south, despite a 2003 peace agreement,
Amnesty International Report 2007 91
CON
and reports continued of looting and lawlessness by its b Four men arrested in May on suspicion of
combatants. involvement in trafficking arms were allegedly beaten
In January, President Sassou-Nguesso became chair repeatedly by members of the police unit responsible
of the African Union Assembly of Heads of State and for their detention. One of them, Aymar Mouity, was
Government. reportedly suspended by his feet from the ceiling. The
four were held in the Moukondo detention centre in
Political detainees Brazzaville, in a cramped and dark cell, which reportedly
Former army Colonel Serge André Mpassi and at least 11 left them with damaged eyesight. The men were still
other members or former members of the security held without charge or trial at the end of 2006.
forces, arrested in early 2005, remained in detention
without trial. A further 13 political detainees arrested at Detention and deportation of asylum-seekers
the same time had been released provisionally by the b Three former members of the DRC security forces
start of 2006. Some of the 25 were charged in 2005 with seeking asylum in the Republic of Congo continued to
involvement in the theft of military weapons, and all be held without charge or trial at the headquarters of
were charged with plotting to overthrow the the military intelligence service. Germain Ndabamenya
government. In March the prosecutor of the Brazzaville Etikilome, Médard Mabwaka Egbonde and Bosch Ndala
High Court reportedly told the remaining detainees that Umba had been arrested in March 2004 on the basis of a
an examining magistrate had concluded they had no security agreement between the DRC and the Republic
case to answer. However, by the end of 2006, the of Congo to crack down on each others’ opponents.
authorities had not withdrawn the charges or released However, the Republic of Congo authorities reportedly
the remaining detainees. believed the men were DRC spies.
b By the end of 2006, there had still been no b In October, two people who had escaped from
investigation into allegations that Army Sergeant prison in the DRC and another asylum-seeker were
Francis Ngolo Ngapene was tortured at a military arrested in Brazzaville and deported to the DRC. One of
airbase in Pointe-Noire shortly after his arrest in the two escaped prisoners, Césaire Muzima Mwenyezi,
February 2005, sustaining injuries that included a had been serving a life sentence with 18 other former
broken arm. He remained in Brazzaville’s Central Prison. asylum-seekers deported from Brazzaville to the DRC in
2001. They had been convicted of involvement in the
Detention and prosecution of human rights January 2001 assassination of then President Laurent
defenders Désiré Kabila.
b Human rights defenders Brice Mackosso and There was no progress in bringing to justice those
Christian Mounzéo were detained on 7 April. The two responsible for the enforced disappearance in mid-
men, co-ordinators of an anti-corruption coalition of 1999 of more than 350 refugees who were returning
civil society groups known as Publish What You Pay, from the DRC.
appeared to have been detained because of their
human rights work, which included investigating and AI country reports/visits
denouncing embezzlement of oil revenues by Report
government officials. They were held at the central • Republic of Congo: Political detainees in legal limbo
prison in Pointe-Noire. After the arrests, police (AI Index: AFR 22/003/2006)
searched their offices and homes without a warrant,
seizing documents and other property. The two men
were provisionally released on 28 April to await trial on
charges of breach of trust, complicity in breach of trust
and forgery. A pre-trial judge decided that the breach of
trust charges should be dropped, because there was no
evidence of misappropriation of funds, but the trial
judge ruled that the case should continue on the basis
of the original charges. The defence challenged this
decision but the prosecution succeeded in
reintroducing the charges. After numerous delays, the
trial concluded in December with the original charges
intact. On 27 December the High Court in Pointe-Noire
convicted them and gave them a suspended one-year
prison sentence and a fine. They appealed against
conviction and sentence. Christian Mounzéo was
briefly detained in November on his return from a trip
to Europe where, according to the Congolese
authorities, he defamed President Sassou-Nguesso.
ahead of presidential elections had been implemented. neighbouring countries, including Burkina Faso,
This impasse seemed to have been overcome in mid- continued to provoke conflict over land ownership and
May when the two parties agreed on the simultaneous ethnic clashes. Xenophobic rhetoric employed by
launch of the identification and DDR programmes. By politicians and the news media aggravated the hostility.
June, both the National Armed Forces of Côte d’Ivoire b In March, intercommunal clashes occurred in
(Forces Armées Nationales de Côte d’Ivoire, FANCI) and several villages including Gohouo, Zagna, Baïbly and
the New Forces had reportedly regrouped some 12,000 Doekpe alongside the zone controlled by French
combatants each. However, by August, the UNOCI had soldiers and UNOCI. Clashes broke out after members
collected only a limited number of arms from pro- of the indigenous Guéré ethnic group attempted to
government militias in the west when the New Forces repossess plantations occupied by Burkinabè planters.
declared that they would suspend disarmament due to A number of people were killed and thousands
obstacles in the identification process. By the end of displaced.
2006, no further progress on the implementation of the
DDR program had been reported. Freedom of expression under attack
Journalists and media organizations were harassed and
Human rights violations by security forces attacked by the security forces and by pro-government
The security forces were responsible for arbitrary militias, notably during the January anti-UN
arrests, torture and extrajudicial executions of demonstrations.
detainees suspected of supporting the New Forces. b In January, Young Patriots attempted to set fire to a
b In January, in Abidjan, members of the CECOS car in which journalists of the newspaper 24 Heures
arrested Dioulas and nationals of neighbouring were travelling on their way to a meeting of the
countries and accused them of financing the rebels. International Working Group.
Some detainees were reportedly tortured and at least b In November, members of the security forces
one, Diallo Ouatreni, died as a result. entered the premises of state-owned Ivorian Radio and
Several cases of arbitrary arrest, ill-treatment and Television (Radio-télévision ivoirienne, RTI) by force
torture were reported in the context of widespread and prevented a statement by Prime Minister Charles
extortion at check points and during inspections of Konan Banny from being rebroadcast. The Director-
identity documents. Dioulas and nationals of General and the management board of RTI were
neighbouring countries were reportedly targeted. dismissed by presidential decree.
b In February, Moustapha Tounkara and Arthur Freedom of expression was also limited in the area
Vincent, two young mobile phone salesmen, were held by the New Forces. In Bouaké, the New Forces’
arrested in Abidjan by members of the CECOS. Their stronghold, certain programmes on national radio and
bodies were found the next day, riddled with bullets. television continued to be banned.
b In February, an independent journalist was beaten
Abuses by the New Forces and forced to crawl 40 metres while being sprayed with
Members and supporters of the New Forces were water inside the General Secretariat of the New Forces
responsible for human rights abuses, including in Bouaké.
arbitrary detention, torture and ill-treatment. A
climate of impunity prevailed due to the absence of a AI country reports/visits
functioning judicial system in the north. Reports
b In January, Khalil Coulibaly, Fane Zakaria and Yeo • Côte d’Ivoire: Provide protection to journalists!
Ibrahime, a former member of the New Forces, were (AI Index: AFR 31/002/2006)
arrested in Korhogo by elements of the New Forces. An • Côte d’Ivoire: Clashes between peacekeeping forces
eyewitness saw them in detention, but they then and civilians – lessons for the future (AI Index: AFR
disappeared. 31/005/2006)
b In August, at least 15 militants of a new party, the Visit
National Union of Ivorians for Renewal (Union In April, an AI delegation visited Côte d’Ivoire to
nationale des Ivoiriens du renouveau, UNIR), led by investigate reports of human rights abuses during the
Ibrahim Coulibaly, were reported to have been January 2006 anti-UN demonstrations and the alleged
arbitrarily arrested by New Forces in Seguela, in the use of excessive force by UNOCI peacekeeping forces.
northwest, and accused of destabilizing the region.
Those arrested were reportedly wearing T-shirts in the
colours of their party. They were released one week
later.
The New Forces also extorted money from civilians
on a large scale, severely limiting freedom of
movement by requiring villagers to pay a “tax” in order
to enter or leave their villages.
The government continued to deny the UN Special b Juan Carlos González Leiva, President of the Cuban
Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Cuba Foundation for Human Rights, was reportedly the
access to the country. AI and other independent human target of several “acts of repudiation” – involving
rights organizations were also not allowed to visit. government supporters reportedly acting with the
collusion of the authorities – at his home in the city of
Prisoners of conscience Ciego de Avila. He and his family were repeatedly
At the end of the year, 69 prisoners of conscience threatened by demonstrators. Juan Carlos González
continued to be held for their non-violent political Leiva, who is blind, was arrested in March 2002 for
views or activities. Twelve others continued to serve “disrespect”, “public disorder”, “resistance” and
their sentences outside prison because of health “disobedience” and spent two years in prison without
concerns. No releases of prisoners of conscience were trial. In April 2004 he was sentenced to four years’
reported during the year. imprisonment, to be served at his home.
b Orlando Zapata Tamayo was sentenced to three
years in 2003 on charges of showing “contempt to the AI country reports/visits
figure of Fidel Castro”, “public disorder” and Reports
“resistance”. In November 2005 he was reportedly • Cuba: Fundamental freedoms still under attack
sentenced to an additional 15 years for “contempt” and (AI Index: AMR 25/001/2006)
“resistance” in prison. In May 2006, he was again tried • Cuba: Fear for safety/Fear of torture/intimidation/
on the same charges and sentenced to an additional harassment – Miguel Valdés Tamayo and Juan Carlos
seven-year term. He was serving a prison sentence of González Leiva (AI Index: AMR 25/002/2006)
25 years and six months. Visits
AI last visited Cuba in 1988 and has not been allowed
Detention without charge or trial into the country since.
Scores of people continued to be held without charge
on suspicion of counter-revolutionary activities or on
unclear charges. Their legal status remained unclear at
the end of the year.
b Prisoner of conscience Oscar Mariano González
Pérez, an independent journalist who was arrested in
July 2005 as he was about to take part in a
demonstration in front of the French embassy,
remained in detention without charge or trial.
CYPRUS
Freedom of expression and association REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS
Severe restrictions on freedom of expression and Head of state and government: Tassos Papadopoulos
association persisted. All print and broadcast media Death penalty: abolitionist for all crimes
remained under state control. There was a rise in the International Criminal Court: ratified
harassment and intimidation of independent
journalists and librarians. People suspected of links
with dissident groups or involved in promoting human Police officers were caught on camera brutally
rights were arrested and detained. There was an beating two unarmed and handcuffed men. Migrants
increase in arrests on charges of “pre-criminal and asylum-seekers protested at poor detention
dangerousness”. Access to the Internet remained conditions and lack of welfare provision. Turkish
severely limited outside governmental offices and Cypriot students and their teacher were attacked in
educational institutions. Journalist Guillermo Fariñas school by members of a nationalist youth
staged a seven-month hunger strike to obtain access to organization. The government failed to implement
the Internet, without success. national action plans to combat domestic violence
b Armando Betancourt Reina, a freelance journalist, and the trafficking of women for the purposes of
was arrested on 23 May as he took notes and sexual exploitation. The murders of two women by
photographs of evictions from a house in the city of their partners in October and December spurred
Camagüey. He was charged with public disorder. public discussion about violence against women. The
Armando Betancourt was reportedly held authorities failed to conduct an independent,
incommunicado for a week at the police station before thorough and impartial investigation into the death
being transferred to Cerámica Roja prison in Camagüey of a 26-year-old recruit on national service.
on 6 June. He was awaiting trial at the end of the year.
Police ill-treatment
Harassment and intimidation of dissidents The new Independent Authority, established in April to
and activists investigate complaints against the police, assumed its
There was an increase in the public harassment and duties by May. The Independent Authority lacked the
intimidation of human rights activists and political necessary resources to thoroughly investigate all
dissidents by quasi-official groups in so-called acts of complaints received, including those about incidents
repudiation. that occurred before it became operational.
Amnesty International Report 2007 97
CYP
b In April video footage was made public of police domestic violence, the organization reported in
officers ill-treating Marcos Papageorgiou and November. Apanemi also criticized the authorities for
Yiannos Nicolaou, both aged 27, in the early hours of not providing effective protection for victims of
20 December 2005. The two men were reportedly domestic violence or adequate access to justice for
dragged from their cars and handcuffed by plain- foreigners who had been raped, and for failing to
clothes officers after they refused to comply with produce national action plans on domestic violence or
search orders and asked to examine officers’ identity the trafficking of women.
cards. A search found no evidence of drug dealing. The Public debate on violence against women followed
two men were allegedly punched and kicked the murders of two women by their partners in October
intermittently for about an hour by around five and December. Two other women were also murdered
officers from special immediate response and traffic by their partners between August and October.
units while another eight officers from the same units According to statistics on domestic violence reported
and the regular police mocked the suspects. in the press in November in the context of this debate,
Subsequently charged at a police station with resisting 18 per cent of murders from 1980 to 2005 resulted from
arrest and assaulting the police, Marcos Papageorgiou domestic violence, and nearly all of the victims were
was then admitted to hospital for treatment for cranial women.
and arm fractures, and Yiannos Nicolaou, who also had In May the UN Committee on the Elimination of
a fractured arm, was detained overnight without Discrimination against Women expressed concern at
treatment. Their trial was pending. By the end of the lack of training for the judiciary on gender issues;
December, 11 officers were awaiting trial on a number the inadequacy of research and data on the extent and
of charges, including torture. causes of violence against women; the persistence of
trafficking and sexual exploitation of women; and
Detention of foreign nationals discrimination against women migrants, especially
On 4 May detainees held in wing 10 of the Central Prison regarding contracts, working conditions, and access to
in Nicosia, which is especially reserved for failed justice.
asylum-seekers, protested about the duration of their
detention – sometimes for over a year – for residing or Racist violence
working without authorization in the country. Some On 22 November about 20 students from different high
were sentenced to prison terms by the courts, but most schools in Nicosia, wearing hoods, caps and scarves
were held in administrative detention. Following the over their faces, attacked a group of Turkish Cypriot
prison protest, groups of asylum-seekers held students and their Turkish Cypriot teacher with wooden
demonstrations in Nicosia between 8 and 19 May. They sticks during a class at the English School, a mixed
said they were denied the right to work and access to secondary school. The attack was widely condemned,
health and social benefits while their asylum and by the next day the police had identified and
applications were being processed. According to media questioned the perpetrators, all of whom were minors
reports, of an estimated 12,000 asylum-seekers in apart from an 18-year-old, who was charged. The
Cyprus in May, only 300 had a right to work and only 350 youths claimed to represent the organization National
received government support. Voice of Greek-Spirited Youths, which stated on 27
Official information was not available about the November that membership had been withdrawn from
numbers of failed asylum-seekers in prison and those that had been members. Police investigations
migrants detained in police stations around the were continuing at the end of 2006.
country, or the lengths of such detentions. No steps
were known to have been taken to ensure that the Dispute over army death
rights of asylum-seekers were protected while their In October, an inquest opened into the death in
claims were being examined. September 2005 of Athanasios Nicolaou, a military
Migrants were unlawfully detained in Limassol. service recruit aged 26. The police investigation had
b A Sri Lankan national was detained for two and a concluded that his death was suicide, a finding his
half months, even though her sentence for working family disputed. The family believed his death was
without proper authorization, imposed by a court in related to bullying that he had experienced in his unit.
March, had been six weeks’ imprisonment. The police investigation had not adhered to
b A Filipina national was arrested in April for international standards of independence,
working without authorization in a location other than thoroughness and impartiality, failing to examine
the one her employer had stated on the permit. She had crucial evidence properly. The inquest had not
filed a complaint for breach of contract because she concluded by the end of 2006.
had been forced to work at the second location.
AI country reports/visits
Violence against women Reports
The government planned to set up a shelter for victims • Europe and Central Asia: Summary of Amnesty
of trafficking and domestic violence, but within Nicosia International’s concerns in the region, January-June
central prison. Yet it failed to fulfil funding pledges to 2006 (AI Index: EUR 01/017/2006)
allow a local non-governmental organization, • Cyprus: Police brutality must not go unpunished
Apanemi, to continue operating a shelter for victims of (AI Index: EUR 17/001/2006)
98 Amnesty International Report 2007
CZE
accompanying the children was beaten. They were later Lubumbashi, Katanga province, was threatened with
released, but three of the children were subsequently death. The perpetrators were reportedly
targeted once more by fighters and badly beaten. representatives of the Union of Congolese Nationalists
and Federalists (Union nationale des fédéralistes du
Violence against women and girls Congo, UNAFEC) a political party led by the then
Rape of women and girls by government security forces Minister of Justice. The threats followed ACIDH public
or armed groups remained widespread in all areas of statements urging voters to elect politicians based on
the DRC. Few women had access to adequate medical their human rights record and calling for the
treatment for consequent injuries or illnesses. Women dissolution of violent youth wings of political parties.
and girls who had been raped also suffered widespread
social discrimination and rejection by their families and Impunity
communities. Some perpetrators of human rights abuses were brought
Thousands of girl child soldiers who should have to justice. However, impunity persisted in the majority of
entered the national DDR programme were not cases and the government awarded certain armed group
accounted for. Many had been forcibly recruited and leaders command positions in the FARDC, despite well-
used as sex slaves by adult fighters. Many commanders founded allegations against them of serious human
and fighters resisted releasing the girls, considering rights abuses. These included Peter Karim and Mathieu
them as their sexual possessions. Other girls, fearing Ngodjolo, commanders of two Ituri armed groups who
further discrimination and social exclusion, avoided were appointed as colonels in the FARDC in October.
entry into the DDR programme. There was no Their forces were granted so-called amnesties.
systematic government effort to trace these missing Rehabilitation and reform of the DRC’s civilian judicial
girls or to offer them appropriate demobilization and system, enabling it to investigate past and present
reintegration support. human rights abuses in a competent, independent and
b In August, agents of the Congolese National Police impartial manner, remained very slow.
(Police Nationale Congolaise, PNC), reportedly raped 37 b In April, seven FARDC soldiers were sentenced to
women and girls from the village of Bolongo-Loka, life imprisonment on charges of crimes against
Equateur province, and subjected other villagers to humanity, including the rape of 119 women in Equateur
acts of ill-treatment and torture. The military province in December 2003.
authorities later arrested nine individuals, including b In August Yves Panga Mandro Kahwa, leader of an
seven PNC agents. They had not been brought to trial by armed group in Ituri, was sentenced to 20 years’
the year’s end. imprisonment for crimes against humanity.
Another armed group leader, Kyungu Mutanga,
Torture and ill-treatment known as Gédéon, leader of a mayi-mayi armed group in
Acts of torture and ill-treatment, committed by northern Katanga province, surrendered to the
government security services and armed groups, were authorities in May after committing atrocities, including
routinely reported across the country. Arbitrary unlawful killings, rape and torture, in the region. By the
arrests, illegal detention, including incommunicado end of the year he had not been charged or tried.
and secret detention (sometimes amounting to
enforced disappearance) and prolonged detention Unfair trials and death sentences
without trial remained commonplace. Extremely harsh Unfair trials continued to take place and death
conditions were reported in most detention centres sentences continued to be passed, the vast majority by
and prisons, in many cases amounting to cruel, military tribunals. No state executions were reported,
inhuman or degrading treatment. although at least one summary execution by the
b In August, 84 people, mainly fishermen but military was recorded.
including women and children, from N’galiema b In June, after an unfair and summary trial, a
commune in Kinshasa were detained by members of the military tribunal in Kinshasa imposed long prison
Republican Guard , a military force under the command sentences on evangelical church leader Pasteur
of President Joseph Kabila. They were accused of being Fernando Kutino, his colleague, Pasteur Timothée
“rebels” loyal to Joseph Kabila’s electoral rival, Jean- Bompere Mboo, and a third man, Junior Nganda. The
Pierre Bemba. They were forced to strip naked and arrests and trials appeared to be politically motivated.
subjected to sustained beatings. A number of them
were reportedly tortured in other ways. They were then International justice
placed in a confined cell and held for 48 hours without In March, Thomas Lubanga Dyilo, leader of an Ituri
food. They were later released without charge. armed group, the Union of Congolese Patriots (Union
des Patriotes Congolais, UPC), was arrested and
Attacks on human rights defenders transferred to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in
Human rights defenders continued to receive The Hague. Thomas Lubanga was formally charged in
anonymous death threats and were routinely harassed August with committing war crimes, namely the
by the authorities. recruitment and use in hostilities of children aged
b In April, Hubert Tshiswaka, director of Action under 15. Pre-trial hearings to confirm the charges
against Impunity for Human Rights (Action contre against him began on 8 November. Thomas Lubanga
l’impunité pour les droits humains, ACIDH) in was the first person to be arrested by the ICC.
102 Amnesty International Report 2007
DEN
extent of the government’s knowledge, in the run-up to were black. There were reports of ill-treatment by
the Iraq war, about the existence of weapons of mass migration officials and security forces.
destruction in Iraq. The prosecuting authorities stated b Eight-year-old Francisca José was among five
that they did not intend to appeal against the acquittals. children rounded up by migration officers on
4 January in the capital Santo Domingo. She was
Policing allegedly hit twice, causing her to bleed from the
There were reports that police used excessive force in mouth. She was held overnight at a detention centre
dealing with three separate demonstrations against until a local human rights organization managed to
evictions in Copenhagen. secure her release by proving her Dominican
In September, the mother of 21-year-old Jens Arne nationality.
Ørskov filed a civil action against the police and the b Scores of people were injured in September when
Ministry of Justice in connection with her son’s death in an overcrowded bus from the Dominican Department
police custody in June 2002. The regional state of Migration carrying 120 alleged irregular Haitian
prosecutor concluded he died from the combined immigrants crashed into a river in Elías Piñas province
effects of intense physical activity with an intake of en route to the border. Some of those being deported
alcohol and cannabis. However, Danish as well as reportedly had valid documentation permitting them
international medical experts disputed the official to work in the country. Many of the injured reportedly
cause of death, stating instead that he died from did not receive medical attention before being
asphyxiation after being forced to lie on his stomach expelled to Haiti.
and having pressure applied to his back while Access to nationality
handcuffed. Nonetheless, the prosecuting authorities The Dominican authorities failed to comply with the
decided not to press charges or take disciplinary action September 2005 ruling from the Inter-American Court
against the police officers involved. The case was of Human Rights in the case of two Dominico-Haitian
scheduled to be heard in October 2007. girls who had been denied Dominican nationality. The
Court had called for the girls to receive compensation
AI country reports/visits and for the Dominican authorities to implement the
Report necessary measures to grant nationality to the
• Denmark: Jens Arne Ørskov’s death in custody – A thousands of other Dominicans and their children who
mother’s quest for justice (AI Index: EUR had been denied it.
18/001/2006)
Assaults
There were reports of violent indiscriminate attacks
against Haitians. Human rights organizations claimed
that killings of Haitians were not investigated by the
authorities.
b Two Haitian nationals, Edison Odio and Jako
maternity and infant health services free of charge, as implementation in 2000 of the US-backed military aid
guaranteed under 1994 legislation. The government package known as Plan Colombia, human rights
reportedly failed to ensure that clear and accessible organizations have documented over 700 killings,
information reached poor women. nearly 100 of them in 2006, in Sucumbíos province. In
many cases the victims including civilian men, women
Women’s human rights and children were alleged to be criminal suspects; some
Domestic violence remained a concern. The number of showed signs of torture. According to witnesses, police
complaints filed in the 30 women and family police and military officers were implicated in some of the
stations reportedly increased in 2006. According to the killings. The vast majority of cases were not reported by
Women’s Defence Office, this was partly due to the the relatives of the victims or investigated by the
promotion of the 1995 Law Against Violence Against authorities for fear of reprisals. There were reports of
Women And The Family, and improved training for law threats against witnesses, prosecutors, police officers,
enforcement officials in responding to violence against governors and other local officials.
women.
AI country reports/visits
Torture and ill-treatment Visit
In February the UN Working Group on Arbitrary An AI delegation visited Ecuador in October.
Detention expressed concern that ill-treatment and
torture to extract confessions or punish suspects were
common in police stations.
Police and military officers charged with human
rights violations continued to be tried by police or
military courts which were neither independent nor
impartial. In the vast majority of cases, those
responsible for violations were not held to account.
b At the end of the year, 20 police officers sentenced
to prison terms ranging from two to 16 years for the
enforced disappearance of Elías López Pita in 2000
EGYPT
remained at liberty.
ARAB REPUBLIC OF EGYPT
Prison conditions Head of state: Muhammad Hosni Mubarak
From April to June emergency legislation was imposed Head of government: Ahmed Nazif
in the overcrowded prison system following security Death penalty: retentionist
problems inside prisons and a strike by prison International Criminal Court: signed
personnel demanding improved funding. The
government announced an investment of US$8million
in infrastructure to improve prison conditions. At least 18 people were killed and more than 100
In September the Constitutional Court confirmed its injured in bomb attacks in Dahab (southern Sinai) in
2003 ruling that an article of the Code of Penal April. Peaceful protesters calling for independence
Procedure which denied suspects detained while for the judiciary and political reform were violently
awaiting sentencing the right to be conditionally dispersed by police. Hundreds of members of the
released was unconstitutional. Reportedly between banned Muslim Brothers organization were arrested
5,000 and 7,000 inmates out of a total prison and scores were held awaiting trial at the end of the
population of 14,000 were waiting to be sentenced. year. Thousands of suspected supporters of banned
Islamist groups, including possible prisoners of
Rights of ethnic minorities conscience, remained in detention under emergency
The UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human legislation without charge or trial; some had been
rights and fundamental freedoms of Indigenous people held for more than a decade. Torture and ill-
expressed concern at the limited access of Indigenous treatment in detention continued to be systematic.
peoples to health and education, and the negative In the majority of torture cases, the perpetrators
impact of extractive activities on their environment were not brought to justice. At least three people
and living conditions. The Special Rapporteur raised were sentenced to death; four others were executed.
concerns at the failure to fulfil constitutional
guarantees to Indigenous peoples to be consulted on Background
extractive projects in their territories. There were Despite calls for the state of emergency to be lifted, it was
allegations of human rights violations involving armed renewed in April for two years. The state of emergency, in
forces personnel employed to guarantee the security of force continuously since 1981, facilitated human rights
extractive companies. violations including prolonged detention without charge,
torture and ill-treatment, undue restrictions on freedom
Killings on the Colombia border of speech, association and assembly, and unfair trials
Reports of incursions by Colombian military and armed before military courts and (Emergency) Supreme State
groups in Ecuadorian territory continued. Since the Security Courts. The government set up a committee in
106 Amnesty International Report 2007
EGY
March to prepare a new anti-terrorism law to replace the b In April, Osama Mostafa Hassan Nasr (known as
emergency legislation. Abu Omar) was brought before the public prosecutor.
In February parliament voted to delay for two years This was the first time since his abduction from Italy in
local elections scheduled for April. The government February 2003 that he was allowed to have a lawyer
said the delay would allow time for the drafting of a present during interrogation. He described his
new law to strengthen the powers of local council abduction in Italy and unlawful return to Egypt. He said
administration, but critics said it would make it more he was tortured while held in secret detention in Egypt
difficult for potential independent candidates for the and that methods included alternating extremes of
presidency to meet new conditions of registration temperature and electric shocks to the genitals. There
introduced in 2005. was no indication that the allegations were the subject
In May, the Court of Cassation confirmed the five- of any investigation by the Egyptian authorities. In
year prison sentence imposed on Ayman Nour, leader November, the Italian prosecutor investigating Abu
of the al-Ghad party, who had come a distant second in Omar’s abduction received an 11-page undated
presidential elections in September 2005. There were handwritten letter from Abu Omar which had been
concerns that his prosecution and trial were politically smuggled out of Istiqbal Tora Prison. This gave details
motivated. of his torture and described the inhumane conditions
There were sporadic outbreaks of sectarian violence to which he remained exposed in detention. In 2005 the
between Muslims and Christians. In April, three days of Italian authorities had issued warrants for the arrest of
religious violence in Alexandria resulted in at least 22 agents of the US Central Intelligence Agency in
three deaths and dozens of injuries. connection with the abduction.
Egypt and the European Union failed to agree on b The trial of 13 suspects in connection with
implementation of an association agreement that came bombings in Taba and Nuweiba in October 2004
into force in 2004 in the context of the European continued before the (Emergency) Supreme State
Neighbourhood Policy. Negotiations reportedly Security Court. Allegations by the accused that their
foundered mainly on differences over human rights in confessions had been extracted under torture were
Egypt and over what the agreement should say with dismissed by the court, which sentenced Muhammed
regard to nuclear weapons in the Middle East. Gayiz Sabbah, Usama ‘Abd al-Ghani al-Nakhlawi and
In December, the Supreme Administrative Court Yunis Muhammed Abu Gareer to death. Two other
overturned an earlier decision by an Administrative defendants were sentenced to life imprisonment and
Court in April 2006 which recognized the right of eight others received prison sentences ranging from
Egypt’s Baha’is to be certified as Baha’is on official five to 15 years.
documentation. This followed an appeal by the
Ministry of Interior. The decision of the Supreme Administrative detention
Administrative Court meant that Baha’is must register Emergency legislation allowing for indefinite detention
themselves as Muslims, Christians or Jews if they wish without charge continued to be used. Some detainees
to obtain official documents such as birth and death had been held for more than a decade, despite orders
certificates and identity cards. for their release by the courts. The non-governmental
Egyptian Organization for Human Rights estimated that
Violations in the ‘war on terror’ as many as 20,000 people remained in detention
Despite increasing evidence to the contrary, the without charge or trial, with many held in appalling
authorities continued to deny their involvement in the conditions. The Ministry of Interior denied this and said
torture and secret detention of people detained as part there were no more than 4,000 detainees, but did not
of the “war on terror”, despite the Prime Minister’s provide further details. Many detainees were reported
acknowledgement in 2005 that some 60 suspects had to be ill due to poor food and hygiene, severe
been returned to Egypt from US custody. The UN Special overcrowding and a lack of adequate medical care.
Rapporteur on promotion and protection of human In August, non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
rights while countering terrorism sought to visit the and human rights activists created the Egyptian
country to assess Egypt’s human rights record in the Network for the Defence of Detainees to train lawyers
“war on terror”, but did not obtain a positive response on issues of administrative detention in Egypt and to
from the Egyptian authorities. mobilize civil society on this issue.
Following the bomb blasts in Dahab, the security b In June the trial opened of 14 people charged in
forces killed at least 13 alleged suspects between April connection with the Cairo bombings of April and May
and August. A police officer was also reportedly killed 2005. However, hundreds of people arrested
and two others wounded during clashes in northern following the bombings reportedly remained in
Sinai. Hundreds of people were arrested, accused of administrative detention, despite having obtained
having links with what the security forces claimed was a release orders from the courts. Most were believed to
new terrorist group called Unity and Holy War (Tawhid be neighbours or acquaintances of those standing
wal Jihad). Scores more were arrested in the north of trial or to have used the same mosques for prayer. In
Cairo in September for alleged links with al-Qa’ida. August 2006, scores of them went on hunger strike in
Some of those cleared of terrorism-related charges by protest at their continued detention. Some women
the courts continued to be held under administrative relatives of detainees were summoned to the State
detention orders. Security Intelligence office in Shubra al-Kheima,
Amnesty International Report 2007 107
EGY
north of Cairo, and detained for two days, during Two senior judges, Mahmoud Mekki and Hisham
which they were insulted and threatened with Bastawisi, Vice-Presidents of the Court of Cassation,
electric shocks. were made to face a disciplinary board that convened
at the High Court Building in Cairo in May after they
Torture and ill-treatment called publicly for an inquiry into alleged electoral
Torture of both political detainees and criminal fraud during the 2005 parliamentary elections. The
suspects remained common and systematic, and case, which resulted in Mahmoud Mekki being cleared
reportedly led to several deaths in custody. Frequently and an official reprimand for Hisham Bastawisi,
reported methods included beatings, electric shocks, provoked widespread concern and public protests and
prolonged suspension by the wrists and ankles in demonstrations by opposition political parties, pro-
contorted positions, death threats and sexual abuse. reform groups and trade unionists in support of the two
b Pro-reform activists Mohammed al-Sharqawi and judges. These protests were violently dispersed by the
Karim al-Sha’ir were arrested following demonstrations riot police and more than 500 demonstrators, mostly
in April and May and released on 22 May. Both men Muslim Brothers, were arrested. They included Essam
were rearrested following a demonstration on 25 May. al-Aryan, Mohammed Morsy and Maged Hassan, all
They were beaten in the street and taken to Qasr Nil prominent members of the Muslim Brothers. Most were
police station where they were tortured. Mohammed released after a short time.
al-Sharqawi was reportedly sexually abused by those
who detained him. Both men were released in July. Freedom of expression, association and assembly
There were persistent reports of criminal suspects The rights to freedom of expression, association and
being tortured during interrogation at police stations. assembly continued to be restricted. Some NGOs faced
b Emad al-Kabir, a 21-year-old taxi driver from Bulaq obstacles registering and obtaining legal status.
Dakrur in Giza Governorate, was arrested in January Journalists continued to be threatened, harassed and
after intervening to stop an argument between police imprisoned because of their work.
officers and his cousin. While in detention at Bulaq b Tal’at Sadat, nephew of the assassinated former
Dakrur Police Station, he was slapped and hit with a President Mohamed Anwar Sadat, was sentenced to
stick on his hands and legs. He was accused of “resisting one year’s imprisonment with labour and a fine in
the authorities” and presented before the Public October for defaming the armed forces and spreading
Prosecutor, who ordered his release on bail. However, false rumours. He had given a series of media
he was instead returned to the police station, held interviews in which he alleged that senior army officers
overnight and tortured, including being raped with a had been implicated in the killing of the former
stick. One of the police officers filmed the rape using a president by Islamist soldiers in 1981. He also suggested
mobile phone camera and threatened Emad al-Kabir that President Hosni Mubarak – then Vice-President –
that this would be circulated by video in his had been involved. Although a civilian, he was tried and
neighbourhood to cause him public humiliation and convicted by a military court, after being stripped of his
intimidate others. In November, the video, which had parliamentary immunity.
reportedly circulated widely in the Bulaq Dakrur In July, a controversial press law was passed by
neighbourhood and among taxi drivers, was posted on parliament according to which press freedom
the Internet. It provoked strong protests from human continued to be restricted. Certain publishing offences,
rights organizations and was widely publicized in the such as insulting public officials, continued to carry
media, leading the Public Prosecutor in December to custodial sentences. Independent and opposition
order the arrest of two police officers who were then newspapers withheld publication for a day in protest at
referred to the South Cairo Criminal Court for trial. the new law and hundreds of media workers protested
Emad al-Kabir’s case, however, was exceptional. outside the National Assembly.
Although several police officers were tried during the b Ibrahim Eissa, chief editor of the opposition
year for torturing other prisoners, torture allegations newspaper al-Dostour, Sahar Zaki, a journalist on the
were rarely investigated and prosecutions of alleged newspaper, and Saied Mohamed Abdullah were
perpetrators were the exception. sentenced in June to one year’s imprisonment and a
fine for insulting the President and spreading false
Threat to judicial independence rumours. The charges related to articles in April
In June a new law regulating the judiciary was passed reporting a lawsuit by Saied Mohamed Abdullah against
by parliament. Despite some positive provisions, such the President and senior officials in the ruling National
as restrictions on ministerial powers, pro-reform Democratic Party. The case was still before the Court of
judges as well as opposition parliamentarians allied to Appeal at the end of the year.
the Muslim Brothers criticized the law for failing to
guarantee the independence of the judiciary. In July Death penalty
the UN Special Rapporteur on the independence of Death sentences continued to be imposed. Three
judges and lawyers expressed concern about the new people convicted of terrorism-related offences were
law, noting the lack of clear criteria for the selection sentenced to death after an unfair trial. At least four
and appointment of judges, and the absence of basic other people were executed.
fair trial guarantees in the disciplinary procedures b Brothers Ezzat and Hamdi Ali Hanafi were executed
for judges. in June. They had been sentenced to death by the
108 Amnesty International Report 2007
ELS
b Members of the Among Friends Association, custody reportedly as a result of torture. One
including the organization’s director, William execution was carried out. Prison conditions
Hernández, received death threats and were reportedly improved slightly. Families were forcibly evicted from
under surveillance in an attempt to halt the their homes.
organization’s work on behalf of lesbian, gay, bisexual
and transgender people. On 1 June, William Hernández Background
was threatened at gunpoint outside the organization’s In January the navy seized a boat carrying military
office in San Salvador, soon after the police officer supplies when it made an unscheduled call in Malabo
assigned to protect him had left for the day. Two days and held it for about a month. The boat had been
before this attack, the office was broken into. Windows chartered by the UN and was carrying weapons for its
were broken, files were searched, and threats were peace-keeping mission in the Democratic Republic of
written on pieces of paper and left in the office. No the Congo (DRC).
valuable office equipment was stolen, but a number of Under the auspices of the UN Secretary-General,
the organization’s planning documents were taken. President Obiang Nguema and the Gabonese President,
Although in all cases the incidents were reported to the Omar Bongo, began talks in February aimed at resolving
authorities, investigations proved superficial, and no a 34-year dispute over ownership of the island of
one had been brought to justice by the end of 2006. Mbañe. However, no agreement was reached by the
end of the year.
Death squads In July the European Union signed an agreement with
There was increasing concern among civil society the government to assist the country in areas of human
organizations at the possible re-emergence of death rights and democratization. These included legal
squads which had been active during the 1980-1991 reform and training for law enforcement and prison
armed conflict. officials.
b Francisco Antonio Manzanares and Juana In August the President unexpectedly dismissed the
Monjarás de Manzanares were murdered in their home government and appointed a new one led by Prime
on 2 July. Their daughter, Marina Manzanares, a long- Minister Ricardo Mangue Obama Nfube, the first
standing politicial activist for the main opposition member of the Fang ethnic group to be appointed to
party, the Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front, that position which was previously reserved for
and radio broadcaster, had received death threats prior members of the Bubi ethnic group. He declared that the
to the murders, as had her mother. Marina Manzanares’ fight against corruption was the main priority of the
brother, Francisco Manzanares, also a political activist, new government.
was killed in 1996. No one had been brought to justice In September parliament approved a law forbidding
for these murders by the end of 2006. torture, which came into force in November.
EQUATORIAL charges were not formalized and they were not tried.
Four remained in prison at the end of 2006 while one
was released in a presidential pardon in June.
b In October, police officers in Bata arrested four officers took him from Black Beach prison, drove him to
members of the banned Progress Party of Equatorial the airport and put him on a plane bound for Spain,
Guinea (Partido del Progreso de Guinea Ecuatorial). where he was granted asylum.
They were arrested at home without warrants and at
least one, Filemón Ondó, was hit when he was arrested Forced evictions
and again two weeks later when being interrogated. The combination of pressure on land, government
The four were taken to Bata Central Police Station programmes to rehabilitate major cities and
where they were threatened with torture. About three infrastructure, and lack of security of tenure led to
weeks later they were transferred to Bata Public Prison. several mass forced evictions, carried out without
They were released without charge in mid-November. consultation, compensation or due process. Hundreds
José Antonio Nguema, one of the detainees, had been of homes were destroyed in Malabo, and hundreds
arrested in June 2004 and held without charge or trial more families were at risk of forced eviction in Malabo
until June 2006. and Bata.
Several people, including some CPDS members, were b In July, the Prime Minister and other civilian
reportedly arrested in districts of the mainland for officials, armed soldiers and police officers arrived in
refusing to clear roads without payment. They included Atepa and Camaremy communities in the Banapa
Antonio Eusebio Edu, a 75-year-old member of the neighbourhood of Malabo. They forcibly evicted some
CPDS in Nsok-Nsomo, who was arrested and briefly 300 families and demolished their homes. Soldiers hit
detained in May. residents who resisted and one man, Santiago Obama,
was arrested and briefly detained. He was subsequently
Death in detention released uncharged.
One person was known to have died in police custody,
apparently as a result of torture. The authorities, Prison conditions
however, claimed that he had committed suicide. There was some improvement in prison conditions,
b In August, José Meviane Ngua was arrested in Kogo, particularly in Black Beach prison following the opening
on the border with Gabon, following a domestic dispute. of a new block in late 2005. However, four South African
He was reportedly drunk and resisted arrest. That night prisoners held there since 2004 remained permanently
two police officers carried him out of Kogo police station handcuffed and shackled. The provision of food and
and took him to the local hospital where he was medicines remained inadequate, although ill prisoners
declared dead on arrival. The police claimed that he had were seen by doctors. The International Committee of the
committed suicide. However, hospital personnel stated Red Cross continued to visit prisons periodically.
that he had bruises in his neck and marks on his back
consistent with beating. No autopsy was carried out. Human rights defenders
The next day a police commission came from Bata to The order suspending lawyer and human rights
investigate but left without having interviewed the defender Fabian Nsue Nguema from the Bar
family or hospital personnel. No officers were known to Association, which was arbitrarily imposed in June
have been prosecuted in this case. 2005, was lifted in July.
sources. There were fears for their safety after new Rule of law
claims in 2006 that General Ogba Abraha and possibly The few functioning courts failed to protect the
others held secretly with them had died in detention constitutional rights not to be tortured or arbitrarily
in the intervening years through illness and denial of detained. Special Courts handed down prison
adequate medical treatment. The government did not sentences in secret summary trials for corruption and
reply to appeals to clarify their fate or whereabouts or political offences where the accused had no right to
allow independent access to them. They had in effect legal defence representation or appeal. Secret
become victims of enforced disappearance. They administrative security committees reportedly
included former Vice-President Mahmoud Ahmed imposed prison sentences without any semblance of
Sheriffo and his former wife Aster Fissehatsion, and trial.
former Foreign Ministers Haile Woldetensae and Military courts were not functioning. Military
Petros Solomon. conscripts accused of a military offence such as
Hundreds of other prisoners of conscience arrested desertion, attempted desertion or being absent without
at the same time or later, who were alleged to have permission were arbitrarily imprisoned or punished
opposed the government, remained in detention with torture, or possibly executed in the most serious
incommunicado and without charge or trial. The cases, on the order of their military commander.
whereabouts of many of them were not known. Several
asylum-seekers forcibly returned from Malta in 2002 Torture and ill-treatment
and Libya in 2003 were still detained. Suspected government opponents and alleged
b Aster Yohannes, Petros Solomon’s wife and a supporters of exile opposition groups were tortured in
former PFDJ central committee member, remained in security or military custody. Religious prisoners were
incommunicado detention since 2003 when she tortured to force them to abandon their faith. Torture
returned from the USA to be with her children, whom was also a long-established punishment for civilian
she has not been allowed to see. prisoners held in army or security custody and
conscripts accused of military offences. Methods
Journalists included being tied in painful positions for hours or
Nine journalists working for the state media were days, particularly that known as “helicopter”, and
detained in November. One was released but by the end beatings.
of 2006 eight continued to be held without charge or Religious and political prisoners were held in harsh
trial in the capital, Asmara. conditions amounting to cruel, inhuman and degrading
Ten journalists working in the private media arrested treatment. Many were held in metal shipping
in the 2001 crackdown on dissent and one working in containers which were overcrowded, lacked sanitary
the state media arrested in 2002 were still detained facilities and were subject to extreme temperatures.
incommunicado without charge or trial. Some were Medical treatment was virtually non-existent and
held in the Karchele security prison in Asmara but the prisoners were only taken to hospital when they were
whereabouts of the others were not known. All private almost dying. General Bitwoded Abraha, detained
media remained banned since 2001. almost continually since 1992 in Karchele security
prison in Asmara, suffered mental illness for years due
Military conscription to poor prison conditions but has received no medical
National service, comprising military service and or psychiatric treatment. Aster Yohannes was also in
development service such as road-building and poor health in the same prison without adequate
construction work, remained compulsory and medical treatment.
extended indefinitely for all men aged between 18 and
40, although women were reportedly allowed to leave AI country reports/visits
at the age of 27. Conscript reserve duties extended to Statements
the age of 50 and former EPLF veterans were also • Eritrea: Independence Day call for a year of urgent
subject to recall. Some conscripts were permitted to human rights improvements (AI Index: AFR
perform their service in civilian government 64/004/2006)
employment but under military conditions. • Eritrea: Five years on, members of parliament and
The internationally recognized right of conscientious journalists remain in secret detention without trial
objection was denied. This applied particularly to (AI Index: AFR 64/009/2006)
Jehovah’s Witnesses who refused military service
(though not development service) on faith grounds.
The authorities instituted harsh measures to
counter the widespread evasion of military service
and desertion by thousands of conscripts. Police
searches and round-ups were carried out, and
hundreds of parents suspected of involvement with
their children’s evasion or desertion were detained,
some possibly indefinitely. They were released only
on payment of a large financial bond for the missing
conscript to surrender.
Amnesty International Report 2007 113
EST
25 others in their absence, including former other people, some defendants complained in court
President Mengistu Hailemariam. Several death that they had been tortured to make false confessions.
sentences were passed by courts but there were no Berhane Mogese, a lawyer, was on trial with 22 others.
executions. A separate trial of Mesfin Woldemariam and Berhanu
Negga continued. They were accused of instigating
Background violence during demonstrations at Addis Ababa
Five million people were dependent on emergency University in 2000.
food aid, especially in the drought-affected Somali
region. Journalists
The government continued to face armed opposition Fourteen independent press journalists arrested in
from the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) and Ogaden November 2005 were tried with the CUD leaders. Kifle
National Liberation Front (ONLF), both based in Eritrea. Mulat, president of the Ethiopian Free Press Journalists
Ethiopia supported the armed Sudan-based Eritrean Association, was charged in his absence and sought
Democratic Alliance (EDA). asylum abroad. Two other journalists, Solomon
Ethiopia sent military assistance to Somalia’s Aregawi and Goshu Moges, were tried in separate
Transitional Federal Government (TFG), contravening capital cases.
a UN arms embargo, to support it against the forces of All private newspapers which had criticized the
the “Islamic Courts”, which captured the capital, government in connection with the elections remained
Mogadishu, in June and extended control over most of shut down. Many journalists fled the country.
central and southern Somalia. In October, Ethiopia b Frezer Negash, a reporter for a US-based website,
increased military assistance to the TFG after the was arrested in February when three months pregnant,
Council of Somali Islamic Courts (COSIC) declared but released on bail two weeks later.
jihad (holy war) against Ethiopia. After increasing At least four journalists were charged under the
clashes with COSIC forces, the large Ethiopian force Press Law in connection with alleged offences
defeated COSIC in several days of fighting in committed some years previously.
December, and took control of Mogadishu. It placed b In March, Abraham Gebrekidan of Politika
the TFG force in power and pursued fleeing COSIC magazine was jailed for a year for allegedly publishing
fighters to southwestern Somalia. false information.
The UN Security Council extended until January 2007 A new Press Law, proposed by the government in
the UN Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) but 2003 to replace the 1992 Press Law, was still under
criticized the stalemate in negotiations over the debate. Combined with provisions in the new Criminal
contested border. Ethiopia said it accepted the Code of May 2005, it could lead to further legal
International Boundary Commission’s judgment restrictions on the freedom of the media and
following the 1998-2000 armed conflict, but refused to imprisonment of journalists.
implement it.
The National Human Rights Commission, legally Human rights defenders
established in 2004, held a first workshop for non- Among defendants in the CUD trial were four human
governmental organizations (NGOs) in mid-2006. It had rights defenders: Professor Mesfin Woldemariam,
not started operating by the end of the year. former president of the Ethiopian Human Rights
Council; Daniel Bekelle, a lawyer and staff member of
Political trials ActionAid; Netsanet Demissie, chair of the Organization
Following the disputed May 2005 elections and mass for Social Justice in Ethiopia; and Kassahun Kebede, an
arrests of opposition party activists, leaders of the Ethiopian Teachers Association (ETA) official.
Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD), journalists Two ETA officials were arrested in October without
and civil society activists were brought to trial in May. explanation but released on bail after some days. Three
They faced charges including treason, outrage against other officials were arrested in December and allegedly
the Constitution and other capital charges. The 76 tortured. The ETA, Ethiopia’s longest-established trade
defendants included Hailu Shawel, the CUD president, union, continued to contest court actions by the
Berhanu Negga, an economics professor, and Mesfin Ministry of Justice to ban it and replace it by a pro-
Woldemariam, a retired geography professor. In government organization bearing the same name.
addition, 34 prominent Ethiopians in exile were charged
in their absence. Five Voice of America radio journalists Political arrests
who were US citizens were among nine defendants Dozens of people were arrested in Addis Ababa in late
discharged before the trial started. 2006 for possession of a book secretly written in
All but three defendants refused to defend prison by Berhanu Negga or a calendar containing
themselves on the ground that they did not expect a fair images of the CUD prisoners and calling for civil
trial. The trial had not concluded by the end of 2006. AI disobedience.
considered they were prisoners of conscience and sent b Yealemzawde Bekelle, a lawyer working for the
a trial observer in October. European Commission in Addis Ababa, was arrested in
Four other CUD-related trials on similar charges October, reportedly after being named by a tortured
were not completed at the end of the year. In the trial of prisoner. She was released on bail after eight days’
Kifle Tigeneh, an elected member of parliament, and 32 incommunicado detention.
Amnesty International Report 2007 115
ETH
Death penalty An official study in December found that 43.5 per cent
Ten death sentences for ordinary crimes were of women in Finland were victims of physical or sexual
commuted by presidential clemency in September. violence or threats of violence by men.
Several other death sentences for alleged politically
related violent crimes were still in force. There were no Trafficking in human beings
executions. Under the 2005 national action plan against trafficking,
a detailed system for aiding and protecting victims of
AI country reports/visits trafficking was devised, but funding remained
Report uncertain. A special residence permit for victims of
• Ethiopia: Prisoners of conscience on trial for trafficking was created under the Aliens Act, but the
treason – opposition party leaders, human rights granting of permits to victims was ordinarily
defenders and journalists (AI Index: AFR conditional on their co-operation with the authorities.
25/013/2006) Finland ratified the UN Protocol to Prevent, Suppress
Visit and Punish Trafficking in Persons Especially Women
An AI observer attended the CUD trial in October. and Children, and signed the Council of Europe
Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human
Beings.
Asylum
Accelerated asylum-determination procedures under
the Aliens Act allowed too short a time for claims to be
considered thoroughly and for asylum-seekers to
exhaust all avenues of appeal.
An increasing number of people were granted
officers accompanying his expulsion. The officers ranking officials from the secret services and Ministry
allegedly used such force that they blocked the arterial of Foreign Affairs. A new trial was due to start in
blood flow to his brain. The officers were suspended May 2007.
from duty for 10 months but were later readmitted to Rendition flights
the border patrol police. In November, the senior A report of AI’s investigations into secret rendition
officer involved was convicted of involuntary homicide flights by the USA in the “war on terror”, published in
and given a six-month suspended sentence. The other April, contained information on six flights suspected to
two officers involved were acquitted. have landed or made stopovers at French airports. The
information cast further doubt on claims by the French
Racism and discrimination authorities that they had been unaware of such flights.
Racist, anti-Semitic and Islamophobic attacks A preliminary inquiry on this matter was opened
continued to be a problem. In March the National following a complaint lodged by two NGOs in December
Consultative Human Rights Commission (CNCDH) 2005, but the public prosecutor closed the inquiry in
reported a 38 per cent decrease in racist threats and August, saying that it was not possible to gather
attacks during the previous year, although a national information on the identity of passengers of the flights
survey revealed an increase in racist attitudes. in question.
Mosques were vandalized in Carcassonne and Quimper Anti-terrorism law
at the beginning of Ramadan. Law 2006-64, which was passed in January, gives
b In February a young Jewish man, Ilan Halimi, was custodial judges the authority to order up to two
kidnapped in Paris by a gang and held for ransom for additional 24-hour extensions of police custody in
three weeks before being tortured to death. The terrorism cases – in addition to the two 24-hour
suspected gang leader said they had chosen Ilan Halimi extensions already permitted – where there is believed
because he was Jewish and therefore assumed to be to be a serious risk of an imminent terrorist attack or
rich. The event sparked protests involving tens of where international co-operation is necessary to the
thousands of demonstrators in Paris and across the investigation. The new law means that a detainee may
country. Anti-Semitic attacks followed the be held for six days before appearing before a judge.
demonstrations. Suspects have access to a lawyer after 72 hours, 96
hours and 120 hours.
Poor prison conditions
Prison conditions remained poor. A report by the Death penalty
Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights In January, following a 2005 decision by the
strongly criticized conditions inside prisons and noted Constitutional Council that France’s ratification of the
chronic overcrowding. The Minister of Justice stated in International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
July that the prison population had reached almost required a constitutional reform, President Jacques
60,000, although the number of prisoners held in pre- Chirac announced his intention to amend the
trial detention had significantly fallen. Constitution to reflect the prohibition of the death
penalty in all circumstances. Such a measure would
Restriction on freedom of expression also enable France to become party to the Covenant’s
On 12 October parliament adopted a bill that would Second Optional Protocol, aimed at total abolition of
make it a crime to contest that the massacres of the death penalty.
Armenians in the Ottoman Empire in 1915 constituted
genocide. The new crime would be punishable by up to AI country reports/visits
five years’ imprisonment and a fine. The bill was Reports
awaiting approval by the Senate and the President. • France: Violence against women – a matter for the
state (AI Index: EUR 21/001/2006)
‘War on terror’ concerns • Europe and Central Asia: Summary of Amnesty
Guantánamo Bay detainees International’s concerns in the region, January-June
Six former detainees at the US military base in 2006 (AI Index: EUR 01/017/2006)
Guantánamo Bay went on trial in France for alleged
“criminal conspiracy in relation to a terrorist
enterprise”. The six, all French nationals, were
captured in Afghanistan in 2001 and transferred to
Guantánamo Bay. In 2004 and 2005 they were released
to France, where they subsequently spent an average of
18 months in remand detention. The men had been
interviewed in Guantánamo Bay in 2002 by French
secret service agents. Although the information
gathered was not presented at the trial in France, the
men’s lawyers said that it had triggered the judicial
investigation. The court, which had been due to deliver
its judgment in September, asked for further
investigations, including the questioning of high-
Amnesty International Report 2007 119
GAM
GREECE
GHANA HELLENIC REPUBLIC
Head of state: Karolos Papoulias
REPUBLIC OF GHANA Head of government: Constantinos Karamanlis
Head of state and government: John Agyekum Kufuor Death penalty: abolitionist for all crimes
Death penalty: abolitionist in practice International Criminal Court: ratified
International Criminal Court: ratified
Pakistani authorities, charging him with illegal preservation of the family unit rather than on the rights
migration and smuggling of human beings. of the victims, who in the vast majority of cases are
women. Under the law, judicial arbitration would be at
Treatment of migrants and refugees the initiation of the prosecutor rather than at the
The government failed to allow asylum-seekers access victim’s request, a definite time frame for immediate
to the country and continued to return them to their implementation of restraining orders was lacking, and
country of origin, without legal aid or access to asylum budgetary provisions to ensure the implementation of
procedures. the law had not been allocated by the end of the year.
b In September, 118 people who had been
shipwrecked on the island of Crete two weeks earlier Trafficking in human beings
were expelled to Egypt, without being given access to In February Albania and Greece signed an agreement
lawyers and AI representatives who had requested to on the protection of Albanian children being trafficked
meet them. into Greece. By the end of the year, the agreement had
b In September, 40 people trying to reach the island yet to be ratified by the parliament. The agreement set
of Chios by boat were intercepted by Greek coastguards out procedures for the provision of food, shelter, and
who allegedly took them on board after their boat had medical and psychosocial support; the appointment of
sunk, handcuffed them, took them towards Turkey and temporary guardians; arrangements for voluntary
forced them into the water. The bodies of six people return; the integration process upon their return; and
were found on the Turkish coast, 31 were rescued by the the prohibition of detention and criminal prosecution
Turkish authorities, and three were reported missing. of children.
The Greek authorities denied the allegations. The agreement did not, however, specify conditions
Detention conditions reportedly amounted to ill- on voluntary return of children, including the process of
treatment. The detention of minors was also reported. determining whether the return was indeed voluntary.
b It was reported that six minors were among Nor did it specify provisions for the protection of
refugees and migrants being held at the detention children during the criminal investigation process or for
centre on the island of Chios. There were also reports of cases of children trafficked by their parents.
overcrowding and lack of toilet facilities at the centre. b In April a Bulgarian woman was detained on the
b Five minors were detained in the city of Volos for 45 island of Rhodes for illegal entry, and two men who had
days before being transferred to Athens where they arranged her transfer from Crete to Rhodes were
were detained for a second time. charged with trafficking and pimping. The woman
There were also reports of ill-treatment of migrants reported that after she was detained, a police officer
and asylum-seekers. took her to his house where he raped her, and when she
b Forty migrants, including minors, who were was taken to the police station she was raped by another
attempting to board ships bound for Italy from the port officer. A criminal investigation was opened, the two
of Patras were reportedly detained at the Patras Port officers were charged with rape, and the guard on duty
Security Office and some were beaten. at the police station at the time and the police station
commander were both charged with neglect of duty.
Conscientious objection to military service There were concerns that victims of trafficking were
The majority of the conscientious objectors who were required to testify against their traffickers before being
expected to benefit from the law on military service given protection.
refused to resubmit their applications in protest against
the punitive length of civilian service. In October, an Freedom of expression
application for conscientious objector status was In July the European Court of Human Rights ruled
rejected because the grounds for the application were unanimously that Greece had violated Article 9 of the
not religious. European Convention on Human Rights in the case of
b In May Lazaros Petromelidis was handed a five- Mehmet Agga, an elected but unofficial Mufti in the
month suspended prison sentence by the Athens prefecture of Xanthi, who had been convicted in 1997
Appeals Court. He appealed against the sentence. by a domestic court for usurping the function of a
b In June the Athens Military Appeals Court ruled on minister of a “known religion” under Article 175 of the
the cases of two conscientious objectors accused of Criminal Code.
disobedience. Boris Sotiriadis was acquitted and
Giorgos Koutsomanolakis was convicted and handed a Update: The killing of Marinos Christopoulos
10-month suspended prison term. In November, Giorgos Tylianakis, the police officer who
b In October the Athens Military Appeals Court had killed a 22-year-old Romani man, Marinos Christo-
decreased Giorgos Monastiriotis’ 40-month prison poulos in October 2001, was sentenced to 10 years and
sentence for desertion to 24 months, with three years’ three months’ imprisonment by the Court of Appeals.
suspension. He was convicted after refusing to follow
his unit to Iraq. AI country reports/visits
Report
Domestic violence • Greece: High time to comply fully with European
In October parliament adopted a law combating standards on conscientious objection (AI Index: EUR
domestic violence, placing the emphasis on the 25/003/2006)
Amnesty International Report 2007 125
GRE
Visits
AI delegates visited Greece in July and September. In
September, the Secretary General of AI met senior
GUATEMALA
government figures.
REPUBLIC OF GUATEMALA
Head of state and government: Óscar Berger Perdomo
Death penalty: retentionist
International Criminal Court: not ratified
the disappearances, rape, torture and murders of unfavourable verdict. Two new proposals to establish a
women and the engrained culture of impunity for such system for allowing pardons of those sentenced to
crimes. In September, Congress approved the creation death progressed through Congress. In 2005 the Inter-
of a new National Institute of Forensic Sciences which American Court of Human Rights (IACHR) had ruled that
would unify the forensic services of different the lack of possibility of a pardon meant that the death
government bodies. A law which considered sexual sentences could not be carried out.
relations with a female minor a crime only if the girl was Nine prisoners had their death sentences commuted
“honest” remained in force. to 50-year prison terms after judgments by the IACHR
b In February, the body of Silvia Patricia Madrid, a relating to the definition of crimes for which the death
25-year-old sex-worker, was found semi-naked on a penalty could be applied. Twenty-one prisoners
road on the outskirts of Guatemala City. She had been remained under sentence of death. No death sentences
strangled and her body showed signs of sexual were passed during the year and no executions took
violence. The authorities did not collect evidence from place.
the alleged murder scene.
AI country reports/visits
Economic, social and cultural rights Reports
According to the UN, over 30 per cent of the population • Guatemala: Land of injustice? (AI Index: AMR
lived on less than US$2 a day. Inequality persisted in the 34/003/2006)
country. A disproportionately high number of those with • Guatemala: A summary of Amnesty International’s
low incomes and limited access to healthcare and concerns with regard to the Guatemalan
education were women, Indigenous people and rural Government’s implementation of the United Nations
dwellers. Convention against Torture and Other Cruel,
Evictions in rural areas continued, with 29 reported Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment
to have been carried out. In July the UN Committee (AI Index: AMR 34/013/2006)
against Torture called for the government to prevent • Guatemala: Human rights defenders at risk (AI Index:
the use of excessive force, provide specific training for AMR 34/016/2006)
police officers, and ensure that complaints concerning • Guatemala: No protection, no justice – killings of
forced evictions were thoroughly investigated. women (an update) (AI Index: AMR 34/019/2006)AMR
b In April, approximately 400 people of the San José Visit
La Mocá farm, Department of Alta Verapaz, were An AI delegation visited in March to conduct research.
forcibly evicted. The community had been in dispute
with the farm’s owner over alleged unpaid wages. They
were forced onto a nearby road, with no access to clean
water, food or shelter. In July, one member of the
community was killed and 38 wounded in further
violence related to the eviction.
fighting along the northern border and for criticizing created fears of a recurrence of political violence
the authorities. At least four politicians were between supporters of the mainly Indo-Guyanese PPP
reportedly arrested and briefly detained. On several and the opposition People’s National Congress (PNC),
occasions in March armed soldiers entered a hotel in which is principally Afro-Guyanese.
São Domingos where international journalists were
lodged, apparently seeking to arrest a foreign Freedom of expression
correspondent. Five newspaper employees and an opposition journalist
b Marcelino Simões Lopes Cabral, a former minister were killed.
of defence, was arrested at home in Bissau and b Five employees of the newspaper Kaieteur News
detained for a few days in April for allegedly helping the were shot execution-style on 8 August at the
leader of the MFDC. No charges were brought against newspaper’s printing plant. The motive for the killings
him. He had been arrested before, in 2003, for was unclear, although the owner of the newspaper had
criticizing the government of the day. allegedly received threats over the coverage of a series
b In August, two soldiers, Commodore Mohamed of rapes in the capital, Georgetown. Three men were
Laminé Sanhá and Lieutenant-Colonel Almane Alam charged with the killings.
Camará, were arrested for allegedly plotting to kill the b Ronald Waddell, a journalist, radio talk show host
Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces. They and former candidate for the PNC, was shot outside his
were released uncharged after three days. They had home in a Georgetown suburb on 30 January.
been arrested on several occasions before since 2000, According to eyewitness reports, two men shot him
and on each occasion were released uncharged after repeatedly as he was getting into his car. He died later
spending several months in prison. in hospital. No one had been charged with the murder
by the end of 2006.
Food shortages
Tens of thousands of people in the south faced hunger People living with HIV/AIDS
following the failure of the 2005 rice crop owing to the Despite positive steps to ensure the right to health,
build up of salt in rice paddies, compounded by stigma and discrimination towards HIV/AIDS remained a
irregular rainfall. In addition the price of cashew nuts, barrier to the successful implementation of treatment.
the country’s main export, fell. In May the government The Indigenous Amerindian population had particularly
launched an appeal for aid which began to arrive in limited access to HIV/AIDS-related health care and
September. However, despite the government’s price information. Men who have sexual relations with other
fixing, most of the population could no longer afford to men were criminalized and discriminated against, which
buy rice. restricted their access to HIV/AIDS prevention,
treatment and care. There were reports of people being
dismissed from their jobs on the basis of their HIV
status. Violations of the rights to privacy and
confidentiality contributed to the spread of the disease
by discouraging people from seeking an HIV test or
treatment.
Background
The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) was returned to
office for a fourth consecutive term following peaceful
general elections in August. The murder in April of
Satyadeow Sawh, the PPP Agriculture Minister, had
Amnesty International Report 2007 129
HAI
rights organizations highlighted the high levels of revealed that the Prime Minister had admitted in May
killings and domestic violence and the poor record of that he had lied during the election campaign. There
state institutions in addressing gender-based violence. was further violence on 23 October at the
commemoration of the start of the 1956 uprising.
Children and young people
According to local human rights organizations more Excessive use of force and ill-treatment
than 400 children and young people were killed during Police officers reportedly used excessive force on
the year. In the majority of cases, those responsible peaceful demonstrations that later turned violent in the
were not brought to justice. capital, Budapest, during the night of 20 to 21 September
In September the Inter-American Court of Human and again on 23 October. Rubber bullets, water cannon
Rights found that the authorities had failed to and tear gas were said to have been used
investigate and bring to justice those responsible for indiscriminately and without warning against both
the extrajudicial executions of four young people by peaceful and violent protesters. Police officers were
police officers in 1995, even after witnesses had reportedly masked and not wearing badges of
identified the police officers involved. Moreover, the identification, such as identity numbers. There were also
Court ordered Honduras to establish a training allegations that police beat protesters taken into
programme for police, judicial and Public Prosecutor’s custody, held under-18s together with adult detainees,
Office officials and prison staff about the special and fabricated some of the charges. Some detainees
protection that the state should afford children and were denied immediate access to a lawyer, including
young people. during questioning.
On 24 October, Budapest chief of police Péter
AI country reports/visits Gergényi was reported as saying that police “acted
Report lawfully, professionally and proportionately”. On
• Honduras: Human rights defenders at risk – Montaña 27 October, the European Commission requested an
Verde prisoners of conscience (AI Index: AMR explanation from the Hungarian authorities on the
37/001/2006) alleged excessive use of force. In November the Prime
Minister set up a committee “to explore the social,
economical and political causes which led to the riots
and the response thereto”. The committee would not
deal with individual complaints.
In June, reporting on its visit in 2004, the European
Committee for the Prevention of Torture noted
concerns about detainees’ rights of access to a lawyer
from the very outset of their detention. It called for a
fully fledged and properly funded legal aid system for
those in police custody unable to pay for a lawyer, and
for a guarantee that detainees can be examined, if they
in Tamil Nadu, already home to over 100,000 refugees; killing 10 protesters. An inquiry into the Pathribal
about 50,000 of the refugees were reportedly in camps incident stalled when it was found that DNA samples
with inadequate facilities. had been tampered with.
A new report indicated that some 10,000 people had
Security legislation been victims of enforced disappearance since 1989. The
India continued to play no direct role in the US-led “war Association of the Parents of Disappeared People
on terror”. However, demands for new anti-terror reported that the authorities failed to provide
legislation in place of the repealed POTA grew after the information to the families of the victims about their
bombings in Mumbai and Malegaon. whereabouts. Outstanding concerns over the existing
Following the bomb attacks, hundreds of people, powers of the state Human Rights Commission were
mostly Muslims, were arbitrarily detained for short heightened in August when its chairperson resigned
periods in Maharashtra. Sixteen people were charged over the “non-serious” attitude of the state government
under the state Control of Organised Crime Act. Local towards human rights violations.
courts acquitted three of the 16 for lack of evidence.
Implementation of security legislation led to human Impunity
rights violations in several states. An official panel Little progress was made in cases relating to the 1984
report acknowledged widespread abuses of the AFSPA anti-Sikh riots in Delhi which followed the
in the north-east but drew criticism for ignoring assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by two of
impunity issues and recommending use of the Unlawful her Sikh bodyguards and led to a massacre of nearly
Activities Prevention Act. Protests demanded repeal of 3,000 Sikhs. In 2005 the United Progressive Alliance
the AFSPA. (UPA) government promised to reopen the latest of
At least 400 people remained in jail under the many inquiries following the forced resignations of two
repealed POTA and several continued to face special leaders of the ruling Congress party, which heads the
trials whose proceedings fail to meet fair trial UPA. A judicial commission had concluded that there
standards. The few convictions related to serious and was credible evidence of involvement in the attacks
high-profile cases. Official committees reviewed a against the two leaders who resigned.
majority of pending cases. However, the review process In Punjab, a majority of police officers responsible
was questioned, with Gujarat and other states rejecting for serious human rights violations during civil unrest
the committees’ key recommendation to drop POTA between 1984 and 1994 continued to evade justice. In
charges. response to 2,097 reported cases of human rights
violations during this period, the NHRC ordered Punjab
Jammu and Kashmir state to provide compensation in 1,051 cases concerning
Politically motivated violence slightly decreased, but people who died in police custody and appointed a
torture, deaths in custody, enforced disappearances commissioner to decide on compensation for 814
and extrajudicial executions continued to be reported. additional cases. CBI findings on these deaths in
Some six deaths in custody, 38 enforced custody were not made public and the NHRC did not
disappearances including several juveniles, and 22 actively pursue with the judiciary the outstanding
extrajudicial killings were reported in 2006. Identity- issues of impunity.
based attacks by Islamist fighters continued.
b In May, 35 Hindus were killed in Doda and 2002 Gujarat violence
Udhampur districts. Government officials accused Justice continued to evade most victims and survivors
Lashkar-e-Taiba, a Pakistan-based armed Islamist of the 2002 violence in Gujarat in which thousands of
group, of carrying out the killings to derail the peace Muslims were attacked and more than 2,000 were
process. killed. Rehabilitation continued to be slow. Members of
b In October, 17-year-old Muhammad Maqbool Dar of the Muslim minority in Gujarat reportedly faced
Pakherpora died in custody after he was questioned by difficulties in accessing housing to rent and public
the Rashtriya Rifles, an army counter-insurgency force. resources. An official panel concluded that over 5,000
A magistrates’ inquiry and an internal army inquiry displaced families lived in “sub-human” conditions.
were ordered. There continued to be few successful prosecutions
Impunity for human rights violations by state agents relating to the violence. However, 1,594 cases closed by
continued, although in a few cases criminal action was the state police were reopened on the orders of the
initiated after years of delay. Supreme Court and 41 police officials were being
b In April, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) prosecuted for their alleged role.
indicted five army officers for the extrajudicial killing of New evidence on the riots emerged, in the form of
five villagers at Pathribal in March 2000. The officers details of mobile phone calls made between those
were charged with fabricating evidence to support their leading the attacks and politicians belonging to the then
claim that the men were foreign fighters killed in an ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), a Hindu nationalist
“encounter” with security forces. The officers had party. The judicial commission appointed in 2002 by
earlier claimed that the men had killed 35 Sikhs at Gujarat’s state government to investigate the attacks
Chittisinghpora four days before the “encounter”. had not completed its work by the end of the year.
When local villagers protested in Brakpora that the five The Gujarat High Court set aside the Union
men were innocent villagers, the army opened fire, government order appointing another commission to
134 Amnesty International Report 2007
IND
investigate the cause of the 2002 Godhra train fire b In January, 11 adivasis were killed when police fired
which killed 59 Hindu pilgrims. The Court said there into demonstrators protesting against the
was no need for a second commission into the fire, displacement that would be caused by the proposed
which triggered attacks on Muslims and the Tata Steel project in Orissa.
subsequent violence. b In April, police used excessive force against
Six key cases relating to killings and sexual assault of activists staging a protest fast in Delhi against
Muslim women in which complainants had sought displacement caused by the Narmada dam project;
transfer to courts outside Gujarat were still pending some protesters were detained.
before the Supreme Court at the end of the year. b In July and September/October, activists
b In March, a Mumbai court sentenced nine people to protesting against the Uttar Pradesh government’s
life imprisonment and acquitted eight others after a decision to acquire farmland for the Reliance gas
retrial in the Best Bakery case, relating to the massacre project faced police harassment and detention.
during the 2002 violence of 14 people in Vadodara city.
In 2003, a local court had acquitted all the accused, but Bhopal
the Supreme Court transferred the case to Mumbai. The Twenty-two years after the Union Carbide Corporation
Mumbai court later convicted Zahira Shaikh, and (UCC) pesticide plant in Bhopal leaked toxic gases that
another female relative of the victims, of perjury after devastated countless lives and the environment,
they “turned hostile” and retracted their statements, survivors continued to struggle for adequate
reportedly under pressure. compensation, medical aid and rehabilitation. After a
The UPA government’s draft bill to prevent communal sustained campaign, including a survivors’ march from
violence was still pending before parliament. It had Bhopal to Delhi in April, the government agreed to
been introduced in 2005 following widespread criticism clean up toxic waste, provide safe drinking water and
of the BJP-led government for failing to halt the Gujarat set up a commission for rehabilitation of the victims.
violence. Meanwhile, two other states ruled by the BJP – However, there was little progress on the ground on
Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh – passed laws criminalizing these initiatives by the end of 2006. In August,
religious conversion in certain circumstances, inviting monsoon rains caused flooding in areas around the UCC
criticism that they were acting against freedom of choice plant, raising fears of contamination of groundwater.
of religion. UCC and Dow Chemicals (which took over UCC in 2001)
continued to reiterate that they had no responsibility
Chhattisgarh for the gas leak or its consequences.
There was rising violence in the Dantewada area
between Maoists and members of the anti-Maoist Salwa Violence against women
Judum, a militia widely believed to be sponsored by the Legislation passed in 2005 to ensure comprehensive
Chhattisgarh state government. Civilians were protection of women from all forms of domestic
routinely targeted by both sides and 45,000 adivasis violence, including dowry deaths, sexual assault and
were forced to live in special camps putting them at acid attacks, came into effect in October. It was yet to
increased risk of violence. The Chhattisgarh authorities be fully implemented by states.
enacted legislation banning media coverage of certain Traditional preference for boys continued to lead to
human rights violations. abortions of female foetuses, despite the ban on pre-
b On 28 February, suspected Maoists set off a natal sex determination since 1993. Only a few people
landmine blowing up a truck; 26 people were killed and were convicted of violating the ban, a fact criticized by
30 injured. the Supreme Court. Protests were staged in Punjab and
Rajasthan over the slow pace of investigation into such
Economic, social and cultural rights cases.
Around 300 million people remained in poverty despite Many of the abuses suffered by Muslim women in
implementation of new legislation guaranteeing Gujarat in 2002 fell outside the definition of rape in
minimum annual employment for the rural poor. New national law. This continued to hamper victims’ quest
legislation on the right to information, seen as a means for justice.
to empower the poor, was not fully implemented; the Two Supreme Court directives offered advances for
Union government and state governments were victims of rape. The Court directed that lack of medical
reluctant to disclose crucial information about their evidence would no longer be grounds for discounting
decision-making processes. testimony, and that the identity of victims should
Concerns grew over protection of economic, social remain confidential in court judgments.
and cultural rights of already-marginalized communities
(including adivasis) amidst fears of unchecked Death penalty
exploitation of their resource base by the government At least 40 people were sentenced to death in 2006;
and businesses. Several states witnessed periodic no executions took place. Comprehensive
protests against acquisition of land and other resources information on the number of people on death row
for mining, irrigation, power and urban infrastructure was not available.
purposes. Such developments were associated with Anxiety rose over the fate of clemency petitions after
forced evictions, harassment, arbitrary detentions, the Supreme Court ruled that it could review executive
excessive police force and denial of access to justice. decisions on such petitions. The ruling followed fierce
Amnesty International Report 2007 135
IND
Impunity
In October, the Supreme Court overturned the
conviction of Pollycarpus Budihari Priyanto for the
murder of human rights defender Munir, who was
poisoned on a flight to the Netherlands in 2004. No-one
has been held to account for this crime.
The majority of human rights violations by the
security forces were not investigated, and impunity for
past violations persisted. The Attorney General’s Office
(AGO) failed to act on two cases in which the National
Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) had
submitted evidence in 2004 that crimes against
humanity had been committed by the security forces.
In March, Eurico Guterres – a Timorese militiaman
sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment for crimes against
humanity committed in Timor-Leste in 1999 – was
jailed after the Supreme Court upheld his 2002
136 Amnesty International Report 2007
IND
conviction. He is the only person found responsible for provisions in the draft revision of the Criminal
the 1999 crimes by the ad hoc Human Rights Court to Procedure Code (KUHAP). The draft lacks sufficient
have had his conviction upheld. provisions for the investigation and prosecution of
The Commission of Truth and Friendship established crimes of sexual or gender-based violence and fails to
jointly by Indonesia and Timor-Leste to document address the particular needs of women in custody.
crimes committed in Timor-Leste in 1999 and to In August, the government issued a circular banning
promote reconciliation began its work. Provisions in its doctors and nurses from practising “female
mandate included the ability to recommend amnesty circumcision” (female genital mutilation). However,
for perpetrators of gross human rights violations. those who continued the practice would face no
In December the Constitutional Court annulled Law punishment.
27/2004 which mandated an Indonesian Commission of Plans to pass into law a controversial pornography
Truth and Reconciliation. Rights activists had challenged bill that would penalize women who wore short skirts
provisions allowing amnesty for perpetrators of severe or refused to cover certain parts of their body were
human rights violations and limiting victims’ ability to ongoing at the end of the year.
obtain compensation. However, the Court ruled that the The increasing application of Shariah bylaws by local
whole law should be repealed as it was “illogical”, some governments appeared to disproportionately affect
articles violated the Constitution, and the annulment of women. In February, a woman was sentenced to three
individual articles would render the rest of the law days in jail after a judge ruled, after an unfair trial, that
unenforceable. The annulment of the law left victims of she was a sex worker because she was out on the street
past human rights violations without a compensation alone at night wearing make-up. In Tangerang
mechanism. municipality alone, there were at least 15 other cases in
2006 of women being arrested for similar offences –
Torture and ill-treatment one 63-year-old woman was arrested while buying
Torture and ill-treatment of detainees and prisoners fruit.
continued to be widespread. Women domestic workers, who are excluded from
b Twenty-three men were reportedly ill-treated the national Manpower Act, were subjected to
during police interrogation to make them “confess” to violations of labour rights and to physical, sexual and
involvement in violence during a demonstration in psychological abuse. In June, the Ministry of Manpower
Jayapura, Papua, in March. Before their trial in May, 16 prepared draft legislation on domestic workers but it
of the defendants were reportedly kicked by police did not regulate many basic workers’ rights such as
officers and beaten around the head and body with rifle maximum hours of work and the minimum wage, or the
butts and rubber batons to make them admit their guilt special needs of women.
in court. Those who refused to acknowledge the
charges were allegedly beaten and kicked by police Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam
when they returned to detention. The security situation in Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam
Prison conditions fell short of minimum (NAD) remained stable despite sporadic clashes.
international standards. Detainees lacked access to The Aceh Governance Bill, passed by Parliament in
adequate bedding, health services, adequate food, July, provided for a Human Rights Court to be
clean water and hygiene products. They were subjected established for NAD to try perpetrators of future
to physical and sexual violence and suffered from violations. However, it contained no provisions to
severe overcrowding. Juveniles were sometimes held bring to justice perpetrators of past human rights
together with adults, and women detainees were violations.
sometimes guarded by male guards. In September, local organizations submitted
information to Komnas HAM about mass graves
Death penalty excavated in NAD since the signing of a peace
At least three people were executed by firing-squad agreement in August 2005. The organizations urged
during 2006 – Fabianus Tibo, Dominggus da Silva and Komnas HAM to conduct thorough investigations and
Marinus Riwu from Sulawesi. Their case heightened to prevent further excavations from taking place
debate on the death penalty. There were concerns that without the presence of the necessary medical and
their trial had been unfair and two of the three men legal experts.
were allegedly ill-treated before being executed. In December, the first local elections were held in
There were announcements during 2006 that 19 NAD in the presence of the European Union-led Aceh
further prisoners would be executed, including three Monitoring Mission, which extended its stay until
men convicted of involvement in the 2002 Bali 15 December.
bombings. However, none of these were executed by Throughout the year concerns were expressed over
the end of the year. the increased use of Shariah law in NAD, and its adverse
At least 92 people were known to be under sentence effects on women. Women complained that they were
of death at the end of 2006. disproportionately targeted by Vice and Virtue patrols
and were harassed for minor infractions and sometimes
Discrimination and violence against women for no apparent reason. Reports indicated that at least
In May, the National Commission on Violence Against 23 people were caned for gambling, adultery, selling and
Women criticized the lack of gender-sensitive consuming alcoholic drinks, and theft.
Amnesty International Report 2007 137
IND
his family was later informed that his sentence had Sixty-five Baha’is were detained during 2006 and five
been increased to 18 months’ imprisonment with an remained held at the end of the year. In March Mehran
additional three years of enforced internal exile. He Kawsari was released early from his three-year prison
stated his unconditional opposition to the use of sentence imposed in connection with an open letter
violence. By the end of the year he faced two further sent to the then President in November 2004.
prison sentences imposed for his attendance at the In March, the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of
2003 and 2005 Babek Castle gatherings. Religion or Belief expressed concern about an October
Kurds 2005 letter instructing various government agencies to
In February, clashes between Kurdish demonstrators identify, and collect information about, Baha’is in Iran.
and the security forces in Maku and other towns
reportedly led to at least nine deaths and scores, if not Human rights defenders
hundreds, of arrests. In March, Kurdish Majles deputies Human rights defenders faced deepening restrictions
wrote to the President demanding an investigation into on their work and remained at risk of reprisals. In
the killings and calling for those responsible to be January, the Ministry of the Interior was reported to be
brought to justice. An investigation was reportedly set preparing measures to restrict the activities of non-
up, but its findings were not known by the end of the governmental organizations that allegedly received
year. Some of those detained later reportedly received finance from “problematic internal and external
prison terms of between three and eight months. sources aimed at overthrowing the system”. Students,
b Mohammad Sadeq Kabudvand, the Head of the who remained a politically active section of society,
Human Rights Organization of Kurdistan and editor of were frequently targeted for reprisals, including
the banned weekly newspaper Payam-e Mardom, had arbitrary arrest and denial of the right to study in the
his 18-month suspended prison sentence for new academic year.
“publishing lies and articles aimed at creating racial and b In August, the Ministry of the Interior banned
tribal tension and discord” increased on appeal to one activities by the Centre for Defenders of Human Rights
year’s actual imprisonment. Although summoned to (CDHR), run by Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Shirin Ebadi
prison in September, he remained at liberty at the end and other leading lawyers, stating that it did not have a
of the year, pending an appeal to the Supreme Court. permit. In September, the Ministry of the Interior said a
Other Payam-e Mardom journalists were also brought permit would be issued “if changes were made to the
to trial. [centre’s] mission statement”.
Baluchis b Abdolfattah Soltani, a lawyer and co-founder of the
In March a Baluchi armed group, Jondallah, killed 22 CDHR, was released on bail in March. He was later
Iranian officials and took at least seven hostage, in sentenced to five years’ imprisonment for “disclosing
Sistan-Baluchistan province. Following the incident, confidential documents” and “propaganda against the
scores, possibly hundreds, of people were arrested; system”. The sentence was under appeal at the end of
many were reportedly taken to unknown locations. In the year.
the months following the attacks, the number of b Prisoner of conscience Akbar Ganji, a journalist
executions announced in Baluchi areas increased who implicated government officials in the murder of
dramatically. Dozens were reported to have been intellectuals and journalists in the 1990s, was released
executed by the end of the year. in March after completing his six-year prison sentence.
b Leyla Mafi received a flogging of 99 lashes in being held for over seven months in connection with
February before being released from prison into a his trade union activities, but was redetained for one
women’s rehabilitation centre. Forced into month in November, reportedly after attending
prostitution as an eight-year-old and raped meetings organized by the International Labour
repeatedly, she was arrested in early 2004 and charged Organization.
with “acts contrary to chastity” for which she was
sentenced to flogging followed by death. Following Women’s rights
international pressure, her death sentence was Demonstrations in Tehran in March and June
overturned. demanding an end to discrimination in law against
women were broken up harshly by the security forces.
Impunity Some protesters were injured.
Victims of human rights violations and their families b Former Majles deputy Sayed Ali Akbar Mousavi-
continued to lack redress. Kho’ini was arrested at the June demonstration and
b A re-examination, ordered in 2001, of the cases of held for over four months before his release on bail in
Ministry of Intelligence officials accused of the 1998 October. He reported that he had been tortured in
“serial murders”, remained incomplete. Nasser detention.
Zarafshan, lawyer for the families of some of the In August, women’s rights activists launched a
victims, continued to serve a five-year prison sentence campaign to gather a million signatures to a petition
following his conviction on politically motivated demanding equal rights for women.
charges.
AI country reports/visits
Death penalty Reports
At least 177 people were executed in 2006, including • Iran: Human rights defender at risk — appeal case:
one minor and at least three others who were under Abdolfattah Soltani (AI Index: MDE 13/009/2006)
18 at the time of the alleged offence. Death sentences • Iran: New government fails to address dire human
were imposed for a variety of crimes including drug rights situation (AI Index: MDE 13/010/2006)
smuggling, armed robbery, murder, political violence • Iran: Defending minority rights — the Ahwazi Arabs
and sexual offences. Following domestic and (AI Index: MDE 13/056/2006)
international protests, the death sentences of some
women and of some prisoners aged under 18 at the
time of the alleged offence were suspended or lifted;
some were sentenced to death again after a retrial.
Two people were reportedly stoned to death despite
a moratorium on stoning announced by the judiciary
in 2002. Others remained under sentence of stoning
to death. In September, Iranian human rights
defenders launched a campaign to save nine women
and two men sentenced to death by stoning and to
abolish stoning in law. By the end of the year the
stoning sentences of at least three of the 11 had been
quashed.
A group called Supporters of the Sunni People posted a systematically abused, in some cases amounting to
message on the Internet taking responsibility for this torture, and were being held in unsafe, overcrowded
and other attacks targeting Shi’a Muslims. The and unhealthy conditions. In November, the Interior
following day in the town of Kufa, a suicide bomber Minister announced that arrest warrants for 57
detonated a van packed with explosives at a market employees, including a police general, had been issued
outside the golden-domed mosque, a Shi’a shrine, after in connection with the abuses.
luring labourers with job offers. At least 59 Shi’a No findings were made public of investigations
Muslims were killed and more than 130 injured. launched in 2005 into alleged human rights violations in
b On 14 October, dozens of Sunnis were reportedly an Interior Ministry detention centre in the al-Jadiriyah
killed in the town of Balad; some were shot dead, others district of Baghdad. US military forces had raided the
bore signs of torture. The killings were apparently in detention centre and reportedly found at least 168
retaliation for the deaths the previous day of 17 Shi’a detainees in appalling conditions, many of whom had
workers, whose beheaded bodies were reportedly allegedly been tortured.
found in al-Dulyiyah, a predominantly Sunni town,
north of Baghdad. Violations by US-led Multinational Force
Non-Muslim religious minorities were frequently There were frequent allegations that US forces
targeted for attack because of their faith. Many were committed human rights violations against Iraqi
killed, including religious leaders. The attacks civilians, including unlawful killings. In some cases,
prompted thousands of members of these communities investigations were launched. Charges were brought
to seek safety abroad. against several US and UK military personnel, including
b On 10 October, Raad Mutar Falih al-Othmani, a for human rights violations in previous years. In cases
jeweller and trainee religious leader from the where investigations were concluded without any
Mandaean community, was reportedly shot dead in his prosecutions, no detailed findings were published.
house in al-Suwayra by unknown assailants. b In December, four US soldiers were charged with
b The decapitated body of Father Boulos Iskandar, a unpremeditated murder and faced trial before a
priest from the Syriac Orthodox Church, was found in military court. The charges related to the deaths of 24
Mosul on 11 October, a week after he was kidnapped. men, women and children in Haditha, north of
The kidnappers had allegedly demanded that the Baghdad, on 19 November 2005. Four other US soldiers
priest’s church denounce controversial public remarks were charged with attempting to cover up the
on Islam made by Pope Benedict XVI in September. incident.
There were reports of people being harassed, b In November, a US soldier pleaded guilty before a
threatened or killed because of their actual or military court to raping and killing Abeer Qasim Hamza,
perceived sexual orientation. a 14-year-old girl, and murdering three of her relatives
By the end of the year, more than 400,000 people in Mahmoudiya in March. He was sentenced to life
had fled their homes for other locations within Iraq, imprisonment. Three other soldiers faced charges of
most because of the sectarian violence. UNHCR, the UN rape and murder in the same case, as well as arson for
refugee agency, estimated that the number of Iraqis burning the girl’s body to destroy evidence. A fifth
living as refugees in neighbouring countries, mainly soldier, who had already been discharged from the
Syria and Jordan, had swelled to 1.8 million. army on mental health grounds when the charges
arose, pleaded not guilty in a civilian federal court.
Violations by Iraqi security forces b A court martial of seven UK soldiers began in
Iraqi security forces under the control of the Interior September. One soldier pleaded guilty to inhumane
Ministry reportedly committed widespread human treatment. The six others pleaded not guilty to charges
rights violations, including involvement in killings of relating to the death of Baha Dawud Salim al-Maliki,
civilians and torture and other ill-treatment of also known as Baha Mousa, a hotel receptionist, who
detainees. They reportedly maintained close links with died in British custody in Basra in 2003, and the ill-
two Shi’a armed groups, the Mahdi Army and the Badr treatment of other detainees. Baha Mousa and the
Brigades, from whose ranks many were said to have other detainees were arrested in September 2003 and
been recruited, and were accused of supporting or taken to a detention centre where they were allegedly
acquiescing in abuses committed by these groups. The beaten and otherwise abused.
security forces were also alleged to have been involved Thousands of people were held by the MNF without
in “death squad”-style killings. charge or trial and without the right to challenge the
b In October, an entire police brigade was suspended lawfulness of their detention. Many were released
pending investigations into its involvement in the without explanation after months or years in
abduction of 26 Sunni factory workers in October, at detention, and thousands continued to be held without
least 10 of whom were later found dead. any effective remedy. Detainees in US custody had their
Torture and other ill-treatment of detainees by detention initially reviewed by a magistrate and
Interior Ministry security forces was reported. thereafter every six months by a non-judicial body.
b On 30 May, a joint Iraqi-MNF team inspected Site 4 MNF forces also detained people standing trial before
detention centre in Baghdad, where 1,431 detainees Iraqi courts.
were held under the control of the Interior Ministry. In December, more than 14,500 detainees were being
The inspection found that detainees had been held by US forces, mainly in Camp Cropper, near
Amnesty International Report 2007 143
IRA
Baghdad, and Camp Bucca, near Basra. Increased Political interference undermined the independence
capacity at Camp Cropper enabled the US authorities to and impartiality of the SICT, causing the first presiding
transfer detainees out of Camp Fort Suse and Abu Ghraib judge to resign and blocking the appointment of
prison and hand both facilities to the Iraqi authorities in another. The court failed to take adequate measures to
September. At the end of the year UK forces were holding ensure the protection of witnesses and defence
approximately 100 detainees in Iraq. lawyers, three of whom were assassinated during the
trial. Saddam Hussain was denied access to legal
Targeting of professionals and human counsel for the first year after his arrest, and
rights defenders complaints by his lawyers throughout the trial relating
Many professionals and human rights defenders were to the proceedings appeared to have been inadequately
targeted for abuses in connection with their work. addressed by the tribunal. The appeal process was
Several judges and lawyers were killed or conducted in haste and failed to rectify any of the flaws
threatened, especially those involved in terrorism- of the trial; the appeals chamber instructed the SICT to
related cases. Several lawyers refused to defend those reconsider the life sentence imposed on former Vice-
accused of terrorism to avoid being targeted. President Taha Yassin Ramadan because it considered
b A M, a Palestinian lawyer resident in Iraq, fled the it too lenient.
country in October after allegedly escaping an attempt A second trial before the SICT began on 21 August to
on his life and being threatened. His clients included consider allegations that Saddam Hussain and six
people accused of terrorism-related offences. others were responsible for mass killings and enforced
More than 60 journalists and media workers were disappearances of members of Iraq’s Kurdish minority
reportedly killed in Iraq in 2006. in 1988 in the so-called Anfal Campaign. In September
b Masked gunmen killed 11 people and wounded two the presiding judge was forced to step down following
at the Baghdad office of the satellite TV channel al- accusations of bias by the Iraqi government. Following
Sha’abiya in October. his replacement, the trial continued but had not
b On 22 February Atwar Bahgat, a correspondent with concluded by the end of the year; it was expected to
the TV channel al-‘Arabiya, and her colleagues Khaled continue against the other accused following the
Mahmoud al-Falahi and ‘Adnan Khairallah were execution of Saddam Hussain.
kidnapped. Their bodies were found the next day near
Samarra. Death penalty
Academics, teachers and members of the medical Scores of people were sentenced to death and at least
profession were kidnapped for ransom. This prompted 65 men and women were executed. The authorities
many other professionals to flee Iraq. reported three execution sessions in Baghdad, each
involving the hanging of more than a dozen people. At
Violence against women the end of the year, about 170 men and women
The situation of women continued to deteriorate. There reportedly remained on death row.
was increased violence against women, including In May the Court of Cassation confirmed the death
abductions, rapes and “honour killings” by male sentences imposed on Shihab Ahmad Khalaf and
relatives. Politically active women, those who did not Abdullah Hana Hermaz Kelanah, who had been found
follow a strict dress code, and women human rights guilty of leading the activities of a terrorist organization
defenders were increasingly at risk of abuses, including in November 2005. Although both men confessed, at
by armed groups and religious extremists. least one of them, Shihab Ahmad Khalaf, said he had
b On 29 July, unidentified assailants shot dead Salah done so under duress. The judge allegedly refused to
Abdel-Kader, a lawyer in Baghdad who acted in cases of launch an investigation into his allegations of torture.
“honour killings” and custody battles. A note was At the end of 2006 no further information was
reportedly found near his body accusing him of not available.
following Islamic law.
Northern Iraq
Trial of Saddam Hussain and others The largely autonomous Kurdish region was much more
The first trial before the Supreme Iraqi Criminal stable than the rest of the country in 2006, although
Tribunal (SICT) concluded in July. Former President some human rights violations were reported. The two
Saddam Hussain and seven other former officials were dominant parties, the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP)
tried for human rights violations in connection with the and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), agreed to
killing of 148 people from the largely Shi’a village of al- form a unified government for the region, the Kurdish
Dujail following an attempted assassination of Saddam Regional Government, which was announced in May.
Hussain in 1982. b Security forces opened fire at protesters in the
Saddam Hussain, his half brother and former head of towns of Darbandikhan and Kalar on 7 and 9 August
the intelligence service Barzan al-Tikriti, as well as respectively, reportedly killing two people. In other
Awad al-Bandar, former head of the Revolutionary towns where demonstrations took place, scores of
Court, were sentenced to death in November. Their people were reportedly detained, among them nine
death sentences were upheld by the Appeals Chamber local journalists. Demonstrators had taken to the
on 26 December and four days later Saddam Hussain streets to protest against fuel shortages and to call for
was executed. improved public services.
144 Amnesty International Report 2007
IRE
‘War on terror’
In June, Ireland was one of the states identified in
Senator Marty’s report for the Parliamentary Assembly
of the Council of Europe as responsible for passive
collusion in the US-led programme of secret detentions
and renditions (illegal transfer of people between
states outside of any judicial process). There was
concern that the government had not satisfactorily
investigated allegations that Shannon airport may have
been used by foreign aircraft in the transfer of
detainees by the USA or its agents.
Amnesty International Report 2007 145
IRE
ISRAEL AND THE which Israel would annex Palestinian land west of the
700-km fence/wall being built by Israel in the
occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and
OCCUPIED retain control of the Jordan Valley and the West Bank
border with Jordan. According to this plan, Israel
would annex some 12 per cent of the occupied West
Hizbullah-Israel war
Increased violence between Israelis and Palestinians In the 34-day war which broke out on 12 July, after
resulted in a threefold increase in killings of Hizbullah’s military wing crossed into Israel and
Palestinians by Israeli forces. The number of Israelis attacked an Israeli patrol, killing three Israeli
killed by Palestinian armed groups diminished by soldiers and capturing two others. Israeli forces
half. More than 650 Palestinians, including some carried out air and artillery bombardments, killing
120 children, and 27 Israelis were killed. Israeli nearly 1,200 people in Lebanon, including hundreds
forces carried out air and artillery bombardments in of children. Israeli forces also destroyed tens of
the Gaza Strip, and Israel continued to expand illegal thousands of homes and commercial properties,
settlements and to build a 700-km fence/wall on mostly in south Lebanon and in the suburbs of Beirut;
Palestinian land in the Occupied Territories. Military and targeted and damaged main roads and bridges
blockades and increased restrictions imposed by throughout the country. Hizbullah missiles fired into
Israel on the movement of Palestinians and the Israel caused the deaths of 43 civilians and damaged
confiscation by Israel of Palestinian customs duties hundreds of buildings.
caused a significant deterioration in living In the course of the conflict Israeli forces committed
conditions for Palestinian inhabitants in the serious violations of international human rights and
Occupied Territories, with poverty, food aid humanitarian law, including war crimes. In particular,
dependency, health problems and unemployment Israeli forces carried out indiscriminate and
reaching crisis levels. Israeli soldiers and settlers disproportionate attacks on a large scale. Israeli forces
committed serious human rights abuses, including also appear to have carried out direct attacks on
unlawful killings, against Palestinians, mostly with civilian infrastructure intended to inflict a form of
impunity. Thousands of Palestinians were arrested by collective punishment on Lebanon’s people, in order to
Israeli forces throughout the Occupied Territories on induce them and the Lebanese government to turn
suspicion of security offences and hundreds were against Hizbullah, as well as to cause harm to
held in administrative detention. Israeli Hizbullah’s military capability.
conscientious objectors continued to be imprisoned At least six Lebanese nationals, most of them known
for refusing to serve in the army. In a 34-day war or suspected Hizbullah fighters, remained detained in
against Hizbullah in Lebanon in July-August, Israeli Israeli prisons at the end of the year, while Hizbullah
forces committed serious violations of international did not disclose the fate or condition of the two Israeli
humanitarian law, including war crimes. Israeli soldiers it had captured. Indirect negotiations for a
bombardments killed nearly 1,200 people, and prisoner exchange were reportedly ongoing between
destroyed or damaged tens of thousands of homes the two sides. Israel suspended access by the
and other civilian infrastructure. Israeli forces also International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to the
littered south Lebanon with around a million prisoners it held after Hizbullah refused to grant such
unexploded cluster bombs which continued to kill access to the two Israeli soldiers.
and maim civilians after the conflict. In the final days of the war, after the terms of the
ceasefire had been agreed, Israeli forces launched
Background hundreds of thousands of cluster bombs containing up
Ehud Olmert became Prime Minister in April having to 4 million bomblets into south Lebanon. The million
exercised the powers of the office from January when or so unexploded bomblets that were left continued to
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon suffered a severe stroke. kill and maim civilians long after the end of the war.
Ahead of the March legislative elections, Prime Some 200 people, including tens of children, had been
Minister Ehud Olmert announced his intention to killed or injured by these bomblets and newly laid
implement unilaterally a “convergence” plan, under mines by the end of the year. Despite repeated
Amnesty International Report 2007 147
ISR
requests, Israel did not provide detailed maps of the Israeli forces continued to assassinate wanted
exact locations where its forces launched cluster Palestinians, killing and wounding bystanders in the
bombs to the UN bodies mandated to clear unexploded process.
ordnance. b Nine members of the Abu Salmiya family were
killed when an Israeli F16 fighter jet bombed their home
Killings of Palestinians at 2.30am on 12 July. According to the Israeli army, a
Israeli forces carried out frequent air and artillery senior leader of Hamas’ armed wing was in the house at
bombardments against the Gaza Strip, often into the time of the strike but survived. However, the strike
densely populated refugee camps and residential wiped out an entire family: the owner of the house,
areas. Some 650 Palestinians, half of them unarmed Nabil Abu Salmiya, a Hamas political leader and
civilians and including some 120 children, were killed by university lecturer; his wife Salwa; and seven of their
Israeli forces. This toll was a threefold increase children all aged under 18. Dozens of neighbours were
compared with 2005. On 27 June the Israeli army also injured and several other houses were damaged in
launched operation “Summer Rains” following an attack the strike.
two days earlier by members of Palestinian armed
groups on a military post inside Israel in which two Attacks by Palestinian armed groups
Israeli soldiers were killed and a third – Corporal Gilad Killings of Israelis by Palestinian armed groups
Shalit – was captured. Israeli attacks escalated continued but decreased to half the previous year’s
dramatically after the capture of Gilad Shalit, although figure and to the lowest level since the beginning of the
the preceding months had also been marked by killings intifada in 2000. In total, 21 Israeli civilians, including a
of Palestinians and Israeli air and artillery child, and six soldiers were killed in Palestinian attacks
bombardments in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. in Israel and the Occupied Territories.
b On 9 June, seven members of the Ghalia family – b Eleven Israeli civilians were killed and 68 others
five children and their parents – were killed and some were injured in a suicide bomb attack claimed by the
30 other civilians were injured when Israeli forces armed wing of Islamic Jihad on 17 April in Tel Aviv’s old
fired several artillery shells at a beach in the north of bus station.
the Gaza Strip. The beach was crowded with b One of two suicide bombings, on 30 March, killed
Palestinian families enjoying the first weekend of the four Israeli civilians, one of them aged 16, near the
school holidays. The Israeli army denied entrance of the Israeli settlement of Kedumim, in the
responsibility for the killings but failed to northern West Bank.
substantiate their claim. There was a significant increase in the launching of
b In the early morning of 8 November, 18 members of homemade “Qassam” rockets by Palestinian armed
the Athamna family were killed and dozens of other groups from the Gaza Strip into the south of Israel. In
civilians were injured when a volley of artillery shells most cases these indiscriminate rockets caused no
struck a densely populated neighbourhood of Beit casualties, but two Israeli civilians, Fatima Slutzker
Hanoun, in the north of the Gaza Strip. The victims, and Yaakuv Yaakobov, were killed in separate rocket
eight of them children, were killed in their sleep or attacks on Sderot in November and several others
while fleeing the shelling, which lasted for around 30 were injured.
minutes and during which some 12 shells landed in the
area. The Israeli authorities expressed regret for the Attacks by Israeli settlers
killings, saying that the houses were mistakenly struck Israeli settlers in the West Bank repeatedly attacked
due to a technical failure, but rejected calls for an Palestinians and their property, as well as international
international investigation. The attack came in the peace activists and human rights defenders who sought
wake of a six-day Israeli army raid in Beit Hanoun code- to document their attacks on Palestinians. Some of the
named “Autumn Clouds”, during which Israeli forces attacks occurred during the olive harvest season, in
killed some 70 Palestinians, at least half of them October and November, when Palestinian farmers
unarmed civilians and including several children and attempted to go to their fields close to Israeli
two ambulance emergency service volunteers. The raid settlements and which Israeli settlers sought to prevent
also injured some 200 others, including scores of them accessing. In June the Israeli Supreme Court
children. issued a ruling instructing the army and police to
Most Palestinians were killed in the Gaza Strip, protect Palestinian farmers seeking to work their land
although scores were also killed in the West Bank. from attacks by settlers. The incidence of such attacks
b Eight-year-old Akaber ‘Abd al-Rahman ‘Ezzat Zayed decreased, but several more were carried out, some in
was shot dead by Israeli special forces who opened fire the presence of Israeli security forces who failed to
on the car in which she was travelling to hospital with intervene.
her uncle, who was seriously injured in the attack. The b In the evening of 25 March a group of Israeli settlers
incident took place on 17 March in Yamun village, near assaulted ‘Abderrahman Shinneran as he slept in his
the northern West Bank town of Jenin. tent with his wife and three children in Susia in the
b On 19 December, 14-year-old Dua’a Nasser southern Hebron Hills. When his brother ‘Aziz went to
‘Abdelkader was shot dead by Israeli soldiers as she his rescue he too was assaulted and injured.
approached the fence/wall with a friend near Fara’un, a b On 18 November, Tove Johansson, a 19-year-old
village in the north of the West Bank. Swedish human rights defender, was assaulted by
148 Amnesty International Report 2007
ISR
Israeli settlers as she accompanied Palestinian school Violations of economic and social rights
children through an Israeli army checkpoint near the Israel continued to expand illegal Israeli settlements
Tel Rumeida Israeli settlement in the West Bank city of and stepped up construction of a 700-km fence/wall,
Hebron. She was struck with a broken bottle and 80 per cent of which runs inside the occupied West
sustained facial injuries. Israeli soldiers at a nearby Bank, including in and around East Jerusalem. Large
checkpoint took no action to stop the attack or areas of Palestinian land were seized and utilized for
apprehend the perpetrators. this purpose. The fence/wall and more than 500 Israeli
army checkpoints and blockades throughout the West
Impunity and the administration of justice Bank increasingly confined Palestinians to restricted
In December the Supreme Court rejected a areas and denied them freedom of movement between
discriminatory law enacted the previous year that towns and villages within the Occupied Territories.
denies Palestinian victims compensation for abuses Many Palestinians were cut off from their farmland,
suffered at the hands of Israeli forces. However, their main source of livelihood, or could not freely
impunity remained widespread for Israeli soldiers and access their workplaces, education, health facilities
settlers responsible for unlawful killings, ill-treatment and other services.
and other abuses of human rights of Palestinians and Further discriminatory measures were put in place to
attacks against their property. Investigations and enforce the system of segregated roads and
prosecutions relating to such abuses were rare and checkpoints for Israelis and Palestinians. In November
usually only occurred when the abuses were exposed the Israeli army issued an order prohibiting Israelis
by human rights organizations and the media. By from using their vehicles to transport Palestinians in
contrast, the Israeli authorities took a range of the West Bank, where many roads or stretches of road
measures against Palestinians suspected of direct or are prohibited to Palestinians and reserved for use by
indirect involvement in attacks against Israelis, Israelis – mainly the 450,000 Israeli settlers who live in
including measures such as assassinations, physical the West Bank. In the Gaza Strip, the Rafah crossing to
abuse and collective punishment that violate Egypt, the only entry and exit point for the 1.5 million
international law. Palestinians convicted of Palestinian residents, was kept completely or partially
involvement in attacks against Israelis were usually closed by the Israeli authorities for most of the year.
sentenced to life imprisonment by Israeli military The passage of goods was similarly restricted by the
courts, whereas in the exceptional cases in which Israeli authorities’ frequent and prolonged closures of
Israelis were convicted of killing or abusing the Karni merchandise crossing, the only one they
Palestinians, Israeli courts imposed lenient sentences. permit.
Thousands of Palestinians, including scores of The damaging impact of the prolonged blockades and
children, were detained by Israeli forces. Many were movement restrictions was compounded by the Israeli
arrested during Israeli army operations in the Gaza authorities’ confiscation of tax duties due to the PA –
Strip. The majority of those arrested were released some US$50 million a month, equivalent to half of the
uncharged, but hundreds were accused of security PA’s administration budget. As a result, humanitarian
offences. Those detained included dozens of Hamas conditions in the Occupied Territories deteriorated to
government ministers and parliamentarians, who were an unprecedented level, marked by a rise in extreme
arrested after Palestinian gunmen captured an Israeli poverty, food aid dependency, high unemployment,
soldier in June, apparently to exert pressure for the malnutrition and other health problems among the
soldier’s release. Palestinian population.
Trials of Palestinians before military courts often did The destruction of Palestinian infrastructure by
not meet international fair trial standards, with Israeli forces caused long-term damage and additional
allegations of torture and other ill-treatment of humanitarian challenges. In June the Israeli
detainees inadequately investigated. Hundreds of bombardment of the Gaza Strip’s only power plant,
Palestinians were held in administrative detention which supplied electricity to half of the area’s
without charge or trial; more than 700 were being held inhabitants, as well as Israel’s destruction of bridges,
at the end of the year. Family visits to some 10,000 roads, and water and sewage networks, caused the
Palestinian prisoners were severely restricted as many population to be without electricity for most of the day
of their relatives were denied visiting permits. throughout the hottest months of the year and
interfered with water supplies. Israeli forces also
Imprisonment of conscientious objectors bombed and destroyed several PA ministries in the
Several Israelis, both men and women, who refused to Gaza Strip and other buildings housing charities and
serve in the army because they opposed Israel’s institutions reportedly linked to Hamas. These attacks
occupation of the Occupied Territories, were destroyed or damaged scores of residential properties,
imprisoned for up to four months. They were prisoners rendering hundreds of Palestinians homeless.
of conscience. Other Palestinians were made homeless when Israeli
b Uri Natan, aged 18, served eight consecutive forces bulldozed their houses in the West Bank,
prison sentences totalling five months for refusing to including in the East Jerusalem area, on the grounds
be drafted because of his conscientious objection to that they had been built without licences which the
Israel’s military occupation of the Occupied Israeli authorities require but make it impossible in
Territories. those areas for Palestinians to obtain. The same reason
Amnesty International Report 2007 149
ITA
and the Caltanissetta public prosecutor began The Pisanu Law allowed expulsion orders of both
investigations into abuses and crime at the same regular and irregular migrants to be decided and
centre. implemented based on “well-grounded reasons to
Access to migrant detention centres believe that his/her stay in the territory could favour in
Following a declaration by the Minister of the Interior any manner terrorist organizations and activities”. The
that AI should be allowed access to migrants’ detention law did not require the person deported to have been
centres, procedures were initiated to authorize such convicted of or charged with a crime connected to
access. Access had previously been denied to AI and terrorism and did not provide for judicial confirmation
other non-governmental organizations. or authorization of the decision and of its
Co-operation with Libya implementation. The law provided for a judicial appeal
High-level discussions with the Libyan authorities against the decision, but not for suspension of the
began regarding joint actions aimed at stemming actual deportation pending the appeal. The expulsion
migration to Italy and included promises by the Italian procedure lacked effective protection from
authorities of financial support to Libya to build refoulement for people who could be at risk of
detention centres for migrants, and by Libya to patrol persecution or other serious human rights violations
its southern borders. This undertaking was given once in the country of origin. In November, the
despite the fact that Libya had not ratified the UN European Court of Human Rights suspended the
Refugee Convention and its Protocol, and had not deportation of three people about to be expelled based
established national asylum procedures. on the Pisanu Law. The Court based its decision on the
risks they would run in their countries of origin if
Counter-terrorism measures expelled, including the risk of torture and ill-treatment.
Abu Omar abduction and rendition The Italian Constitutional Court was investigating
Preliminary judicial investigations were concluded in whether some provisions of the Pisanu Law violated the
the case of Abu Omar, an Egyptian citizen with an right to judicial remedy, the right to defence, and the
Italian residence permit, who was abducted from a right to fair trial.
street in Milan in 2003 as part of the USA’s programme During the second half of the year, evidence emerged
of secret detentions and renditions – the unlawful regarding a governmental list of migrants to be
transfer of people between states outside of any expelled on suspicion of involvement in terrorism. At
judicial process. Abu Omar was flown by the USA to least one of the persons expelled in 2006 based on the
Egypt, where he was reportedly tortured in detention. counter-terrorism law was on the list.
The abduction was reported to have been carried out
by US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) agents and Police concerns
members of the Italian military and security service Italy still failed to make torture, as defined in the UN
agency, Servizio per le Informazioni e la Sicurezza Convention against Torture, a specific crime within its
Militare (SISMI). Although the Minister of Justice gave penal code. There was no independent police
permission for Italian magistrates to interview suspects complaints and accountability body. Policing
in the USA, by the end of 2006 the Ministry had not operations were not in line with the European Code of
forwarded extradition requests to the US authorities. Police Ethics, for example in the requirement for
By the end of the year a total of 26 arrest warrants for officers to display prominently some form of
alleged US operatives had been issued, including one identification, such as a service number, to ensure they
for the head of the CIA office in Italy at the time of the could be held accountable.
abduction. Arrest warrants were also issued for two b An investigation continued into a December 2005
SISMI agents. operation in Val di Susa when several hundred law
In December, prosecutors asked a judge to indict the enforcement officers attempted to remove around 100
26 US operatives and nine Italian citizens, including the people demonstrating against a high-speed rail link.
head of SISMI at the time of the abduction. Demonstrators were reportedly assaulted and beaten,
Summary expulsions many while sleeping.
Several migrants were given expulsion orders and Updates: policing of 2001 demonstrations
some were sent back to their countries of origin Trials of police officers continued in relation to policing
based on counter-terrorism legislation (Law 155/05, operations around the mass demonstrations in Naples
the so-called “Pisanu Law”) in place since 2005. No in March 2001 and during the G8 Summit in Genoa in
judicial control was carried out on whether those July 2001.
expelled were involved in criminal activities, whether b In November a Genoa court declared that it would
the expulsion itself was legal, or whether subjects of not reopen investigations into the death of Carlo
the expulsion orders risked human rights abuses in Giuliani, a young man fatally shot by a law enforcement
their countries of origin. Those expelled during the official during the 2001 demonstrations in the city. Calls
year included nationals from Egypt, Morocco, Syria to reopen investigations had been prompted by the
and Tunisia. emergence of potential new evidence.
b One man was summarily expelled to Syria despite
having a residence permit to remain legally in Italy. He International scrutiny
was reportedly detained for several days by the Syrian In April, the UN Human Rights Committee adopted its
authorities before being released. Concluding Observations on Italy after reviewing the
Amnesty International Report 2007 151
JAM
Rapporteur on torture visited Jordan in June 2006 and In October, the Minister of the Interior announced
described al-Jafr prison as “a punishment centre, where the establishment of a Human Rights Department
detainees are routinely beaten, and subjected to within the Ministry, whose responsibilities would
corporal punishment, amounting to torture”. include improving prison facilities.
A report by the Council of Europe, published in June, b On 13 April, armed anti-terrorist police reportedly
accused Jordan of having a prominent role in the raided cells occupied by Islamist prisoners at Qafqafa
transfer, detention and torture of foreign nationals prison. Inmates and their families said the operation’s
under the US government’s renditions policy. intent was to remove two inmates. The authorities said
Tens of people were detained for political reasons, they were searching for drugs and weapons. One inmate,
many for suspected involvement in terrorism. Many Khaled Fawzi ‘Ali Bishtawi, died, reportedly from gunshot
were held incommunicado by the General Intelligence wounds. His case was referred to the National Institute
Department (GID), the main security service of Forensic Medicine to establish the cause of death. The
responsible for the arrest, detention and interrogation results were not made public and no one was known to
of political suspects, during which they may have been have been held to account for his death.
subjected to torture or ill-treatment. At least 34
political cases were heard by the SSC, during 18 of which Death penalty
the defendants withdrew “confessions” they had made At least 42 people were sentenced to death, including 17
in pre-trial detention, saying they had been extracted who were tried in their absence. Of these, 14 had
under torture. The SSC was not known to have sentences immediately commuted to prison terms. At
investigated these allegations adequately. least four prisoners were executed.
b Four men, including Yazin Muhammad al-Haliq, b Salem Sa’ad Bin Sweid and Yasser Fathi Ibrahim
Usama Abu Hazeem and Muhammad ‘Arabiat, were Freihat were hanged at Swaqa prison on 11 March. The
sentenced to death by the SSC in March for allegedly SSC sentenced them to death in 2004 for involvement in
planning terrorist attacks and possessing illegal the killing of US diplomat Laurence Foley in Amman in
explosives. The sentences were then reduced to 10 2002. They alleged in court that they had been tortured
years’ imprisonment. The court reportedly to make them “confess”. No investigation into these
disregarded the defendants’ allegations that they allegations is known to have been held.
had been forced to sign “confessions” they were not Draft amendments to legislation concerning the
permitted to see, under torture, including death penalty remained pending before Parliament.
prolonged beatings with sticks to their bodies and The amendments would reduce the number of capital
soles of their feet, burning with cigarettes, sleep offences and replace the death penalty with life
deprivation, as well as threats and verbal abuse. At imprisonment for crimes such as possession of
the end of 2006, their case was pending appeal before weapons or explosives and drug-related offences.
the Court of Cassation.
b Sheikh Abu Muhammad al-Maqdisi continued to be Freedom of expression and association
detained, reportedly in solitary confinement in the GID There were new violations of the rights to freedom of
detention centre in Amman. Although he was expression and association. The Public Assemblies Law
apparently charged days after his arrest in July 2005 was invoked to deny permission for some
with conspiracy to commit terrorist acts, and demonstrations, including those in opposition to Israel.
reportedly denied legal counsel, he had not been Several people were arrested, apparently after
brought to trial by the end of the year. His arrest exercising their right to freedom of expression. Some of
followed a media interview on “resistance” to US these were arrested for criticizing the king and “inciting
involvement in Iraq. sectarian or racial strife”.
b Journalists Jihad al-Moumani and Hashim al-
Torture and ill-treatment Khalidi were both sentenced by the Amman Penal Court
In June, the UN Special Rapporteur on torture carried to two months’ imprisonment for insulting religious
out a fact-finding mission to Jordan at the invitation of sentiment after republishing cartoons depicting the
the government, and reported that torture was Prophet Muhammad. At the end of 2006, they were on
systematically practised by the GID and the Criminal bail pending appeal.
Investigation Department. He called on the Jordanian b In September, the King pardoned Members of
authorities to ensure that all torture allegations were Parliament Muhammad Abu Faris and ‘Ali Abu Sukkar
properly investigated, for the use of torture to be made after they were sentenced to prison terms by the SSC
a criminal offence in accordance with international for “harming national unity” and “inciting sectarian or
standards and for appropriate penalties to be imposed racial strife”. They had expressed condolences to the
on those convicted of torture. family of the leader of al-Qa’ida in Iraq, Abu Mus’ab al-
There were persistent reports that Islamist prisoners Zarqawi, a Jordanian national, after he was killed by US
were subject to ill-treatment in Jordanian prisons, forces. One of them reportedly described Abu Mus’ab
including Qafqafa, Swaqa and Jweideh prisons. Reports al-Zarqawi as a “martyr”.
included beatings by prison staff, prolonged solitary
confinement, denial of fresh air and exposure to hot Discrimination and violence against women
temperatures. There were reportedly at least four Temporary amendments to legislation concerning
suspicious deaths in custody. women remained pending before Parliament. These
Amnesty International Report 2007 155
KAZ
a letter written by Abdukadir Sidik from prison before services, who was accused of carrying out the murder,
he was forcibly returned, he was interrogated and stated in court that the charges against him had been
threatened by Chinese police officers while in fabricated and that he had been coerced into signing a
detention in Kazakstan. confession. There was concern that the defendants had
b In January the authorities denied that they had been presumed guilty from the moment of their
detained nine Uzbekistani nationals , including four detention on 22 February. On 1 March President
registered asylum-seekers, in 2005. Instead they Nursultan Nazarbaev told a joint session of parliament
claimed that the men had been detained by Uzbekistani that Yerzhan Utembaev had already confessed to law
law enforcement officers on Uzbekistani territory. enforcement officers and that he had received a
However, according to reliable sources, the nine were personal letter from Yerzhan Utembaev in which the
detained in the city of Shymkent, in the south of latter admitted his guilt. Opposition groups and
Kazakstan, on 24 and 27 November, and held relatives of Altinbek Sarsenbaev claimed that the
incommunicado until their forcible return to defendants were “scapegoats” and that the trial was a
Uzbekistan on 29 November 2005. According to reports, “farce”.
only two of the returned men were initially given In August Rustam Ibrahimov was sentenced to death.
access to lawyers in Uzbekistan; the others were held Yerzhan Utembaev was sentenced to 20 years in prison.
incommunicado. Two were subsequently sentenced to In December the Criminal Chamber of the Supreme
six years in prison following a closed trial in Tashkent, Court began a review of these verdicts and of those of
Uzbekistan, in April 2006. Rukhiddin Fakhruddinov, a eight other defendants also sentenced in August.
former independent imam (religious leader) of a
mosque in Tashkent, was sentenced to 17 years in AI country reports/visits
prison in September by a court in Tashkent after a Reports
closed trial. • Europe and Central Asia: Summary of Amnesty
b In August the authorities released Uzbekistani International’s concerns in the region, January-June
national Gabdurafikh Temirbaev into the care of the 2006 (AI Index: EUR 01/017/2006)
UNHCR, and allowed him and his family to be • Commonwealth of Independent States: Positive
permanently resettled to a third country. Gabdurafikh trend on the abolition of the death penalty but more
Temirbaev had reportedly been in Kazakstan since needs to be done (AI Index: EUR 04/003/2006)
1999, when he fled persecution for his religious beliefs Visit
in Uzbekistan. He was detained by officers from the AI delegates visited Kazakstan in October.
security services in June 2006, reportedly following an
extradition request from Uzbekistan. Gabdurafikh
Temirbaev had been recognized as a refugee by the
UNHCR in June after a thorough status determination
procedure.
ministers in two corruption scandals. The Vice-President Harassment of human rights defenders
and two cabinet members were among 30 people The government sought to undermine and obstruct the
summoned by the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission work of human rights defenders. Non-governmental
(KACC) in connection with the Anglo Leasing scandal, in organizations accused the government of using the
which large sums of government money were paid for KACC and the Kenya Revenue Authority to intimidate
equipment that was never provided. However, the its critics.
Attorney General, Amos Wako, decided not to prosecute b In September, the Chairman of the Kenya National
the 15 suspects indicted by the KACC. Commission of Human Rights, Maina Kiai, was
The report of an inquiry into the Goldenberg scandal, summoned by the KACC for an investigation into
which involved the loss of $1 billion in false gold and allegations of abuse of office. The allegations against
diamond exports in the 1990s, was published in Maina Kiai, an outspoken critic of the government,
February. It recommended corruption charges against included issues related to his relocation allowance and
businessman Kamlesh Patni, education minister the manner in which auditors were selected. Forty civil
George Saitoti, former President Daniel Arap Moi and society organizations came to his defence, stating that
several others. In March five people, including Kamlesh the investigation was politically motivated and part of a
Patni, were charged. In August a panel of three High wider plan by the government to harass and intimidate
Court judges ruled that George Saitoti, who had human rights defenders.
resigned, had no case to answer.
Impunity
Attacks on media freedom The authorities failed to investigate allegations of
There was increased intimidation and harassment of human rights violations by police, including reports of
media workers and journalists by the authorities. torture and unlawful killings. Provincial Commissioner
b In March, armed police, acting on government Hassan Noor Hassan reportedly issued “shoot-to-kill”
orders, raided the offices and presses of the Standard orders to police in Nakuru district in October, following
group, a leading media company, and the studios of a spate of ethnic clashes.
KTN television. They set fire to the 2 March edition of b Despite a request for information by the Special
the Standard, damaged equipment at both sites and Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Human
confiscated computers. The raid provoked widespread Rights Defenders, there was no news of an
protests both nationally and internationally. Three investigation into allegations of ill-treatment made by
Standard journalists had been arrested before the raid Ojiayo Samson and Mithika Mwenda, both human rights
and charged with producing “alarming” articles for activists. The two men were beaten by police officers in
reporting that the President had held secret talks with a July 2005 after being arrested during a demonstration
political opponent. The Standard group filed a and continued to face criminal charges.
complaint against the Internal Security Minister and b There was still no investigation into the deaths of
the Police Commissioner in connection with the raid, Paul Limera, aged 14, Hillary Ochieng, aged 17, Vincent
and a Parliamentary Committee held hearings to Otieno, aged 15, George Ogada and Paul Mwela, who were
investigate it. In September the charges against the shot by police officers during a demonstration in 2005.
three journalists were dropped. In October the Justice Minister, Martha Karua,
b Clifford Derrick Otieno, who filed a private announced the creation of a new body to receive public
prosecution alleging assault by First Lady Lucy Kibaki, complaints about police excesses and hold the police
the wife of President Kibaki, in May 2005, was accountable.
repeatedly threatened and harassed. He was forced to b A group of former Mau Mau insurgents launched a
leave the country in January, but his family continued suit against the UK government in October, seeking
to be threatened. His case against Lucy Kibaki was compensation for human rights abuses including rape,
terminated by the Chief Magistrate. In November, beatings and other torture committed during the
following repeated postponements, the rebellion for independence in the 1950s. According to
Constitutional Court dismissed his appeal the Kenya Human Rights Commission, tens of
challenging the termination. thousands of people were tortured by the British
b In May, two journalists working for the Citizen authorities at the time.
television channel were reportedly assaulted by police
after they had attempted to photograph officers Violence against women and girls
allegedly trying to extract bribes. Women continued to face widespread violence, and
A draft bill – the Media Council of Kenya Bill 2006 – violence against girls reportedly increased. Most sexual
proposed a statutory media council in place of the violence against girls was reportedly committed by
existing voluntary council. The bill was criticized on the family members or close family friends.
grounds that it proposed imposing restrictions on the b In March, 10 schoolgirls were raped during a
work of journalists through an annual licensing system, demonstration in the town of Nyeri. Five local boys
allowed for political interference through the were later arrested, but no prosecution was reported.
composition of its appointments board, and limited the The government passed the Sexual Offences Act 2006
right of appeal against the proposed council’s in May. The new act imposed minimum sentences for
decisions. By the end of 2006 the bill had not been different crimes; defined rape, defilement and other
passed by parliament. sexual offences; and proscribed the use of previous
158 Amnesty International Report 2007
KOR
Freedom of expression
Opposition of any kind was not tolerated. Any
person who expressed an opinion contrary to the
position of the ruling Korean Workers’ Party
reportedly faced severe punishment and so did their
families in many cases. The domestic news media
continued to be strictly censored and access to
international media broadcasts remained severely
restricted. In October, the NGO Reporters Sans
Frontieres listed North Korea as the worst violator of
press freedom.
160 Amnesty International Report 2007
KOR
KOREA
(REPUBLIC OF)
for the same work, did not receive severance pay, were
exposed to poor working conditions, and remained at
increased risk of industrial accidents.
A National Human Rights Commission of Korea study
reported in January that 20 per cent of detained
REPUBLIC OF KOREA migrant workers were beaten and nearly 40 per cent
Head of state: Roh Moo-hyun verbally abused. More than one-third alleged being
Head of government: Han Myeong-sook (replaced Han stripped naked and searched, and 5.2 per cent alleged
Duck-soo in April, who replaced Lee Hae-chan in March) being subjected to sexual abuse by immigration officers
Death penalty: retentionist during body searches following arrest. Some 15 per cent
International Criminal Court: ratified reportedly suffered injuries. Women, who constitute
roughly one-third of all migrant workers in Korea, were
particularly vulnerable to exploitation, including
A draft bill to abolish the death penalty was sexual violence. Some arrests were carried out without
discussed by the National Assembly for the first time, appropriate documentation, such as arrest warrants or
but no progress was made towards a final vote. More detention order papers.
than two years after a law to regulate the
employment of migrants was enacted, migrant Conscientious objectors
workers continued to have limited protection against At least 936 conscientious objectors, mostly Jehovah’s
discrimination or abuse, including few possibilities of Witnesses, were in prison following convictions in 2005
obtaining redress. In August, at least 189,000 and 2006 for refusing compulsory military service.
irregular migrant workers faced detention and b 20-year-old Ahn Jae-kwang was detained in
deportation. At least one prisoner of conscience was January, the first conscientious objector to be detained
still imprisoned under the National Security Law. At since the National Human Rights Commission
least 936 conscientious objectors were in prison for recognized the right of conscientious objection and
refusing to do military service. recommended a system of alternative service in
December 2005. The Seoul West District Court issued an
Background arrest warrant on the grounds that pre-trial detention
Food aid to North Korea, suspended following a missile for offences punishable by imprisonment was the
test in July, was resumed after floods in August. norm, even though the criminal procedure law
However, following a nuclear test by North Korea in provided for pre-trial imprisonment only where there
October, food aid was again halted. was a possibility of destruction of evidence or flight by
In an unprecedented move, South Korea supported a the suspect.
resolution on human rights in North Korea passed by In April the Ministry of National Defence announced
the UN General Assembly in November. Foreign the establishment of a policy group to consider
Minister Ban Ki-moon was appointed as UN Secretary- alternative civilian service.
General, to take up the post in January 2007.
National Security Law
Death penalty The government did not amend or repeal the 1948
There were no executions. At least two prisoners were National Security Law.
sentenced to death. At least 63 prisoners were under b Cheon Wook-yong remained in prison under the
sentence of death at the end of 2006. National Security Law. Arrested in November 2004 on
A bill to abolish the death penalty was discussed by a his return to South Korea, he was sentenced to three
National Assembly committee in February and before a and a half years in prison for allegedly releasing
public hearing in April. However, it was not put before the national secrets and assisting an anti-government
National Assembly as the committee did not vote on it. organization. Cheon Wook-yong had visited North
In February, the Ministry of Justice announced that it Korea, crossing from China in August 2004. He was
was conducting in-depth research into the death captured and interrogated by the North Korean
penalty in response to public pressure for abolition. Defence Department. He was then sent back to China
However, the findings had not been made public by the where he was detained for 13 days on suspicion of illegal
end of 2006. border transgression. He was arrested and detained
under vaguely worded articles of the National Security
Abuses against migrant workers Law that allowed his conviction despite a lack of
In August official figures recorded some 360,000 evidence that he had threatened national security.
migrant workers, who included at least 189,000
irregular migrant workers. The 2003 Act Concerning the Evictions
Employment Permit for Migrant Workers failed to In February residents of Daechuri village in Pyongtaek,
provide adequate safeguards against discrimination Gyeonggi Province, mostly farmers aged in their 60s and
and abuse. Many migrant workers continued to be at 70s, started resisting evictions aimed at expanding a US
risk of verbal and physical abuse in the workplace, army base. They said that money offered was insufficient
subjected to racial discrimination and not paid to buy equivalent land elsewhere or compensate for loss
regularly. Most received less pay than Korean workers of livelihoods. Thousands of security personnel and
Amnesty International Report 2007 161
KUW
hundreds of private contractors destroyed farmers’ reform. Parliamentary elections, scheduled for 2007,
houses. Farmers and activists were injured in protests, were held in June. A majority of elected seats were won
and some were briefly detained. The security forces by opposition MPs, and in July the Assembly approved
imposed severe restrictions on the movement of some 40 an electoral reform bill designed to reduce electoral
families still living in Pyongtaek. A consultation carried corruption and reduce the number of constituencies
out before the eviction reportedly was a sham and did from 25 to five.
not reflect the farmers’ concerns.
b Kim Ji-tae, a farmers’ leader, was sentenced to two Women’s rights
years’ imprisonment in November after being The parliamentary elections allowed women to
convicted on a charge of obstructing public officials exercise their newly acquired political rights in
engaged in performing their duties. AI considered him a national elections for the first time. Earlier in the year,
prisoner of conscience, convicted for protesting a municipal council by-election saw women in Salmiya
peacefully and in order to curtail farmers’ rights to district participating in a local election for the first
protest and protect their livelihood. He was released time.
pending appeal.
‘War on terror’
AI country reports/visits In September, two Kuwaiti nationals, Abdullah Kamel
Reports al-Kandari and Omar Rajab Amin, were returned to
• South Korea: Key arguments against use of the death Kuwait from US detention in Guantánamo Bay, Cuba,
penalty (AI Index: ASA 25/005/2006) and were believed to be detained pending trial on
• South Korea: “Migrant workers are also human terrorism-related charges.
beings” (AI Index: ASA 25/007/2006) In May, the Criminal Court acquitted five Kuwaiti
Visits nationals, Abdulaziz al-Shimmari, Adel al-Zamel,
AI delegates visited South Korea in February, August Mohammad al-Deehani, Saad al-Azmi and Abdullah al-
and December. Ajmi, who had been returned from Guantánamo Bay in
November 2005, of the charges of “belonging to al-
Qa’ida” and “committing an act of aggression against a
friendly foreign nation, thus endangering Kuwait’s
foreign relations”. During the trial the men protested
their innocence, and said that they had confessed
under torture by US interrogators in Guantánamo Bay
to being members of al-Qa’ida and the Taleban.
In December, the Court of Cassation quashed
alleged leader of the Akramia opposition group b In June, Internal Affairs officers reportedly beat a
imprisoned since 1998, who has been accused of woman arrested at her home in Bazar-Kurgan. Her
masterminding the Andizhan events from prison. In family were denied access to her in detention. Detained
September, Osh regional court acquitted her and twice before, in 2003 and 2005, she had previously
ordered her release after it found no evidence of alleged torture, including repeated rape, in custody.
terrorism. Azimzhan Askarov, an activist with the Vozdukh human
In August, UNHCR and human rights organizations rights organization which took up her case, was
expressed concern at the apparent enforced reportedly threatened with criminal defamation
disappearance of Uzbekistani refugees and asylum- charges by an officer accused by the woman of beating
seekers in south Kyrgyzstan. At least two were her and inserting needles under her fingernails in 2005.
subsequently reported to be in pre-trial detention in The district prosecutor said that Azimzhan Askarov’s
Andizhan in Uzbekistan. articles incited social, racial or ethnic hatred and that
b UNHCR said Kyrgyzstani officials had failed to his office would in future censor them before
respond to inquiries about the enforced disappearance publication. In July the woman was sentenced to five
of at least five named Uzbekistani refugees, among years in prison for theft, subsequently suspended on
them a secular democratic opposition activist appeal. She and her family were reported to be under
reportedly abducted in July by Uzbekistani security pressure from Internal Affairs officers to withdraw the
services. Because the safety of the refugees could not torture allegations. An appeal to the Supreme Court
be guaranteed in Osh, UNHCR moved all registered was pending at the end of 2006.
refugees to Bishkek with a view to resettling them
permanently in a third country. AI country reports/visits
Reports
Excessive force and torture • Europe and Central Asia: Summary of Amnesty
In August special troops were sent in to a temporary International’s concerns in the region, January-June
detention facility in Jalalabad after riots reportedly 2006 (AI Index: EUR 01/017/2006)
broke out following a violent altercation between an • Commonwealth of Independent States: Positive
inmate and a guard. Officials subsequently admitted trend on the abolition of the death penalty but more
that officers had kicked, punched and beaten detainees needs to be done (AI Index: EUR 04/003/2006)
with batons. Detainees told human rights activists that Visit
they had been beaten by up to seven officers while AI delegates visited Kyrgyzstan in November.
handcuffed and made to wear gas masks with the air
supply turned off. They said beatings and torture were
routine in the severely overcrowded facility, and that
they had no bedding, sanitation or exercise and
inadequate ventilation. No officers responsible for
torture or other ill-treatment were brought to justice.
b According to detainees, in July a senior official at
the facility severely beat a female detainee with mental
problems to force her to reveal her husband’s
whereabouts. Her husband, a suspected IMU member,
gave himself up to prevent further ill-treatment of his
wife. Reportedly, the woman subsequently had a
miscarriage, and was transferred to a psychiatric
hospital.
In June, two human rights organizations,
Spravedlivost (Justice) and Vozdukh (Breath of Air),
complained of harassment by regional law
enforcement officers after they took up the cases of
two women allegedly tortured in police custody.
b In January a pregnant witness in a theft case was
reportedly hit and threatened and called a prostitute
while being questioned by a Department of Internal
Affairs officer. The woman was subsequently
hospitalized for 10 days for a threatened miscarriage.
She complained to the regional prosecutor’s office, but
no action was taken. When Spravedlivost publicized
her allegations in February, the officer filed a criminal
suit for defamation against both. The defamation trial,
which started in June, was postponed when the witness
became ill. She had been insulted and threatened in
court by the officer’s supporters. The trial resumed in
November.
164 Amnesty International Report 2007
LAO
civilian objects, as well as indiscriminate attacks. Its while detained at the Information Branch of the
attacks also violated other rules of international Internal Security Department and in a special section of
humanitarian law, including the prohibition on reprisal Rumieh prison. Alleged methods included beatings with
attacks on the civilian population sticks and metal bars, sleep deprivation and threats of
death and rape. A number of the men reportedly
Rafiq al-Hariri investigation “confessed” as a result of torture and duress. Three of
In September, the UNIIIC submitted its fifth interim the men were released in September.
report on its investigation into the killing of former The authorities continued to refuse to allow the ICRC
Prime Minister Rafiq al-Hariri and 22 others in 2005. On unfettered access to all prisons, especially those
13 November the Cabinet approved a UN draft for an operated by the Ministry of Defence where civilians are
international tribunal to try those suspected of held. This was despite a presidential decree in 2002
involvement in the killings, but it was unclear whether granting the ICRC such access.
the absence of the six ministers who resigned Human rights groups criticized a memorandum of
invalidated the vote. The decision also required understanding signed in late 2005 by the UK and
ratification by Parliament and the President. Lebanon in which the Lebanese authorities provided
assurances that terrorism suspects returned to Lebanon
Enforced disappearances from the UK would not be treated inhumanely or
Despite campaigning by families and non- tortured. The groups argued that such memorandums
governmental organizations, the fate of thousands of undermine the absolute prohibition of torture.
Lebanese and other nationals who became victims of
enforced disappearance between 1975 and 1990 Palestinian refugees
remained unknown. Several hundred thousand Palestinian refugees living in
The identities were confirmed of 15 Lebanese Lebanon continued to face wide-ranging restrictions on
soldiers, whose bodies were among 20 exhumed in access to housing, work and rights at work. A law
Beirut in November 2005. In May, Lebanese Forces regulating property ownership bans Palestinian refugees
leader Samir Gea’gea’ said that four Iranians who were from owning property, and the Lebanese authorities
kidnapped by his militia in 1982 were killed soon after prohibit the expansion or renovation of refugee camps.
their seizure. The State Prosecutor stated in June that In June, the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child
some 44 bodies exhumed in ‘Anjar in December 2005 criticized persistent discrimination faced by Palestinian
dated from before the 1950s. The body of French children in Lebanon. The Committee expressed concern
national Michel Seurat who was kidnapped in 1985 was about the harsh social and economic living conditions
returned to his family in March after reportedly being of Palestinian refugee children in refugee camps and
found during construction work. their limited access to public services, including social
and health services and education.
Political arrests
On 5 February, there were violent protests at the Danish Discrimination and violence against women
Embassy in Beirut against the publication in a Danish Women continued to face widespread discrimination in
newspaper of cartoons that offended many Muslims. public and private life. Neither the legal system nor the
The Embassy was set alight and at least one person died policies and practices of the state provided adequate
in the violence. More than 400 people were arrested, protection from violence in the family. Discriminatory
including 42 Syrian nationals who were reportedly not practices were permitted under personal status laws,
present at the protests. The 42 were detained in Barbar nationality laws, and laws in the Penal Code relating to
Khazen prison in west Beirut, under the control of the violence in the family.
Internal Security Forces (ISF). They were held there for
five days and denied access to legal counsel. At least Human rights defenders
two were beaten by ISF interrogators in an apparent In general, human rights groups operated freely but
attempt to force “confessions” about their involvement some human rights defenders were harassed by the
in the protests. On 10 February, they were taken before authorities.
the military court in Beirut, which ordered their b Muhamad Mugraby, a lawyer and human rights
release. defender, was tried on charges of “slander of the
On 11-12 February, more than 200 other people military establishment” for criticizing Lebanon’s
arrested in connection with the 5 February protests military court system to members of the European
were reportedly brought before the same court, whose Parliament in 2003. In April, the Military Court of
procedures fall short of international standards for fair Cassation dropped the charges and ruled that the
trials. The outcome of the hearings was not made public. Permanent Military Court, which had convicted him,
did not have jurisdiction in such a case.
Torture and other ill-treatment
Torture and other ill-treatment in custody continued to AI country reports /visits
be reported. Reports
b Thirteen people arrested between 30 December • Lebanon: Limitations on Rights of Palestinian
2005 and 4 January 2006 on security charges were Refugee Children, Briefing to the Committee on the
reported to have been tortured or otherwise ill-treated Rights of the Child (AI Index: MDE 18/004/2006)
168 Amnesty International Report 2007
LIB
who was subject to a travel ban and asset freeze, was of Law Task Force strategy paper laying out a reform
elected as Speaker of the House. Isaac Nyanebo, a agenda for the judiciary was reportedly endorsed by
former LURD member, became interim Senate the President but not made public. During 2006 UNMIL
President. At the end of 2006, four members of assisted in the hiring of prosecutors and public defence
parliament were still on the asset freeze list. staff, and training of existing staff. Case load
management improved, and public confidence in the
Political violence justice sector increased to a certain extent. However,
Throughout the year demobilized army officers and there were numerous reports throughout the year of
former security personnel staged protests, some violations of due process.
violent, expressing dissatisfaction with severance and A Law Reform Commission was proposed to review
pension benefits or reintegration packages. There were laws to ensure they meet international standards. A
several violent incidents when former commanders Judicial Inquiry Commission, to set standards for the
and demobilized soldiers illegally occupied rubber behaviour of judges, was also proposed.
plantations.
Disputes arose over land during resettlement and Transitional justice
reintegration. Little progress was made in setting up an Independent
b Violence erupted in May when residents of Ganta National Commission on Human Rights (INCHR),
rioted after rumours that members of the Mandingo provided for in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement
ethnic group were going to claim land. The government that ended the conflict. A selection panel to appoint
responded by establishing a presidential commission to commissioners, nominated by the Chief Justice in
investigate the cause of the violence. consultation with civil society, started to be appointed.
In February, seven Commissioners were inaugurated to
Rubber plantations the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). After a
Efforts to regain control of rubber plantations occupied three-month preparatory period, the TRC started work in
since the end of the conflict by former rebel June and in September its work plan was made public.
combatants made some progress. A joint Nearly 200 people were recruited by the end of September
Government/UNMIL task force on rubber plantations to take witness statements, a process which began on 10
took over some plantations, including the Guthrie October. However, public hearings due to take place at the
rubber plantation on 15 August. end of the year were delayed. On 23 October supporters of
In May UNMIL released a report on the rubber former President Charles Taylor appealed to the Supreme
plantations expressing concern about an absence of Court to stop the TRC from hearing testimony against the
state authority and the rule of law, and about illegal former President, stating that it would prejudice his trial at
arrests and detentions. UNMIL increased patrolling the Special Court for Sierra Leone (see below). Concerns
activities in five rubber plantations, reducing the number were raised about the safety of witnesses, the role of civil
of reported human rights abuses against civilians. society in the TRC process, and how the TRC should
respond to public concerns.
Reform process By the end of 2006, the TRC had received
Army restructuring activities began in January with US approximately US$2.2 million of the estimated US$14
assistance. Recruitment activities took place million required.
throughout the year and by September approximately
500 of 7,000 people who had applied were Charles Taylor
recommended for recruitment. In mid-October civil On 17 March President Johnson-Sirleaf made an official
society organizations held a forum on security sector request to the Nigerian government for Charles Taylor
reform to express their concerns. to be handed over to Liberia. On 25 March the Nigerian
By September most of the 2,400 Liberian National President Olusegun Obasanjo officially agreed to the
Police who did not succeed in reaching the second request. Charles Taylor temporarily escaped from his
round of recruitment for the new police force had been place of refuge in Nigeria but was later arrested. He
retired and given severance pay. arrived in Liberia on 29 March, where he was arrested
Despite significant progress in reforming and by UNMIL, mandated by UN Security Council Resolution
restructuring the police, levels of violent crime, often 1622, and immediately transferred to the Special Court
committed by former combatants, remained high. In for Sierra Leone.
September the Ministry of Justice publicly called for Despite fears that his arrest would provoke violence,
residents in Monrovia, the capital, to form vigilante in fact there were overall expressions of relief by the
groups to protect themselves. This call was condemned Liberian public. The arrest and transfer of Charles
by members of civil society who accused the Taylor was widely seen as an important step in
government of abdicating its responsibilities and called addressing impunity in West Africa.
for the police to be strengthened.
There were efforts to address the many problems Suspected war criminals
confronting the justice system, including failure to Former associates of Charles Taylor were arrested in
uphold constitutional guarantees, the extrajudicial January and February but later released.
settlement of criminal cases and interference by the b The trial of Dutch national Gus van Kowenhoven, a
executive. A joint UNMIL/Government of Liberia Rule former associate of Charles Taylor, ended in June. He
170 Amnesty International Report 2007
LIB
was convicted of arms trading and sentenced to eight • Liberia: A brief guide to the Truth and Reconciliation
years’ imprisonment. However, he was acquitted on Commission (AI Index: AFR 34/007/2006)
charges of war crimes. Visit
b Roy Belfast Jr, also known as CharlesTaylor Jr, son AI delegates visited Liberia in May/June to carry out
of Charles Taylor, was arrested in the USA in March for research.
passport fraud. He pleaded guilty to the charge. On 6
December, while he was awaiting sentencing, the US
Federal Grand Jury indicted him for torture and
conspiracy to commit torture, allegedly committed
while he was head of the Anti-Terrorist Unit. He was
the first person to be charged under the anti-torture
statute in the USA since the law was enacted in 1994.
Women’s rights
Rape of women and girls continued throughout 2006.
LIBYA
Despite the passing of a new law on rape in December
2005, there were repeated failures to implement it. SOCIALIST PEOPLE’S LIBYAN ARAB JAMAHIRIYA
Rape suspects were regularly released on bail. Many Head of state: Mu’ammar al-Gaddafi
rape cases were settled extrajudicially. Concerns that Head of government: al-Baghdadi Ali al-Mahmudi
rape cases were not given priority in the courts were (replaced Shukri Ghanem in March)
repeatedly highlighted by UN and women’s rights Death penalty: retentionist
groups. There was only one successful prosecution for International Criminal Court: not ratified
rape during 2006.
UNMIL facilitated a one-week visit to Liberia by the UN
Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Law enforcement officials resorted to excessive use
Women to assist the government in meeting its reporting of force, killing at least 12 demonstrators while
obligations under the UN Women’s Convention. breaking up a protest and one detainee during a
prison disturbance. Over 150 political detainees,
Press freedom including prisoners of conscience, were released
On many occasions throughout the year, government following pardons. Freedom of expression and
officials, including the President, raised concerns association remained severely restricted. Several
about irresponsible press reporting. Journalists Libyans suspected of political activism abroad were
were repeatedly harassed by the Special Security arrested or otherwise intimidated when they
Services (SSS). returned to the country. Five Bulgarian nurses and a
b In April journalists from two independent Palestinian doctor were sentenced to death by firing
newspapers, the Inquirer and the Informer, were squad for a second time. There were continuing
assaulted by police while covering clashes between concerns about the treatment of migrants, asylum-
police and street vendors in Monrovia. seekers and refugees. No progress was made towards
b In May George Watkins, a reporter with Radio establishing the fate or whereabouts of victims of
Veritas, was assaulted by SSS agents, allegedly for enforced disappearances in previous years.
reporting that the SSS had recruited a former rebel
commander. Background
b In June SSS agents harassed and briefly detained Relations with the USA and European Union countries
four local journalists at the executive mansion, while continued to improve. The USA restored full diplomatic
they were putting a story together about the dismissal relations in May and later removed Libya from a list of
of several senior SSS personnel. state sponsors of terrorism.
b In October, four policemen in Zwedru, Grand Gedeh In March, Shukri Ghanem was replaced as prime
County, reportedly flogged a local journalist from a minister by al-Baghdadi Ali al-Mahmudi. Shukri
community radio station for criticizing the police service. Ghanem had been promoting a broad programme of
b In December reporter Rufus Paul of the Daily reforms, but was opposed by other influential figures.
Observer was assaulted, allegedly on the orders of the The authorities announced the creation of new
Director of the National Archives. The journalist was mechanisms to address human rights issues and
investigating alleged misappropriation of funds at the investigate complaints from citizens about human
National Archives by the Director. rights violations, but gave few details of these bodies or
how they would operate.
AI country reports/visits
Reports Excessive use of force
• Liberia: Truth, Justice, and Reparation: Memorandum Killings of Benghazi demonstrators
on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Act At least 12 people were killed and scores injured in
(AI Index: AFR 34/005/2006) February when police opened fire on demonstrators in
• Liberia: Submission to the Truth and Reconciliation Benghazi protesting against the publication of cartoons
Commission (AI Index: AFR 34/006/2006) depicting the Prophet Muhammad in a number of
Amnesty International Report 2007 171
LIB
European newspapers and the actions of an Italian Libyan Islamic Group (also known as the Muslim
government minister who appeared on Italian television Brothers), many of whom had been held since 1998.
wearing a T-shirt showing one of the cartoons. The Gaddafi Development Foundation (formerly
According to official statements, the demonstration by known as the Gaddafi International Foundation for
several hundred protestors began peacefully but Charitable Associations), headed by Saif al-Islam al-
became violent when a group of demonstrators Gaddafi, son of Mu’ammar al-Gaddafi, had concluded
attacked the Italian Consulate in Benghazi with stones that they had neither used nor advocated violence.
and clashed with police protecting it, who then opened Sentences imposed on them in 2002 by the People’s
fire with live ammunition. Further demonstrations then Court were overturned by the Supreme Court in
took place in Benghazi and other eastern cities, September 2005, but re-imposed by a lower court in
including Tobruk and Darna, in the following days and February. Two had been sentenced to death and
were also dispersed with excessive force by the security others to long prison terms. AI considered them to be
forces, reportedly resulting in at least five more deaths. prisoners of conscience, while the authorities
The authorities publicly denounced the excessive maintained that they had been fairly convicted in a
use of force and dismissed the Secretary of the General regular criminal court on charges of setting up a
People’s Committee for Public Security (equivalent to banned secret organization with the aim of
interior minister). In June they reported that the overthrowing the political system.
Prosecutor-General’s office had undertaken the Also released was Abdurrazig al-Mansouri, a writer
necessary investigations immediately after being and journalist who had been sentenced to 18 months’
informed of the incident and had charged 10 senior imprisonment in 2005 for possessing an unlicensed
officials with offences such as giving orders for the pistol, although it appeared that the real reason for his
illegal use of gunfire. However, they were not known to imprisonment was his publication of critical articles
have been tried by the end of the year. about politics and human rights in Libya on a news
Killings at Abu Salim Prison website shortly before his arrest.
In October one prisoner, Hafed Mansur al-Zwai, died Some of the releases appeared to be conditional; the
and several others were injured when security forces Muslim Brothers, in particular, were reportedly forced
clashed with detainees at Abu Salim Prison in Tripoli. A to sign pledges that they would not undertake any
week later, the Prosecutor-General’s office announced political activities.
that it had opened an investigation but its outcome was In November some 20 political prisoners of Jordanian,
not known by the end of the year. Initial reports Lebanese, Libyan and Syrian nationality were released.
indicated that the death was caused by a bullet, but the They had been arrested in a group of 52 people in
official autopsy stated that it resulted from a blow to Benghazi in 1990 and accused of attempting to overthrow
the head. The Prosecutor-General’s office stated that the government and of propagating subversive ideas
three other prisoners and eight police officers had from abroad. Some of them said that they had been
required hospital treatment but unofficial sources tortured during incommunicado detention. Those
reported that nine prisoners had been taken to hospital released were among 23 people sentenced to life
for treatment of bullet wounds and other injuries. The imprisonment in 1991 by the People’s Court.
incident occurred after dozens of prisoners were
brought back to the prison following the postponement Restrictions on freedom of expression and
of a trial hearing at a criminal court specializing in association
terrorism-related crimes. They faced charges of The rights to freedom of expression and association
belonging to a banned organization, reportedly the continued to be severely restricted. In August, Saif al-
Libyan Islamic Fighting Group, and terrorism-related Islam al-Gaddafi criticized the continuing restrictions,
offences. including the lack of press freedom and the domination
The authorities reported in July that an official of the media by four state-owned newspapers, and
investigation into killings of up to 1,200 detainees called publicly for political reform, stating that
following disturbances at Abu Salim Prison in 1996 was individuals were imprisoned for no reason. Later that
ongoing. However, no information was made available month, however, Mu’ammar al-Gaddafi urged his
regarding the details of the investigation. supporters to “kill enemies” if they asked for political
change.
Releases of political prisoners b Fathi el-Jahmi remained in detention at an
In January, six political prisoners – Muftah al-Mezeini, undisclosed location understood to be a special facility
Awad al-Urfi, Ahmed Zaed, Musa al-Shaeri, Salah Khazzam of the Internal Security Agency, with visits from his
and Ahmed al-Khafifi – were released due to ill health. family reportedly permitted only every few months. A
Ahmed al-Khafifi had been convicted by the People’s prisoner of conscience, he was arrested and detained in
Court and sentenced to life imprisonment for supporting March 2004 after he criticized Libya’s head of state and
a banned organization. The People’s Court, abolished in called for political reform in international media
2005, was an exceptional court for political cases where interviews. According to the authorities, he was being
the rights of the accused were routinely violated. tried on charges related to exchanging information
In March some 130 political prisoners, including harmful to the national interest with a foreign state,
dozens of prisoners of conscience, were released in and had access to a lawyer. However, they did not
an amnesty. They included some 85 members of the disclose where he was being tried.
172 Amnesty International Report 2007
LIT
Several Libyans suspected of political activism • Libya: Investigation needed into prison deaths
abroad were arrested or otherwise intimidated when (AI Index: MDE 19/006/2006)
they returned to the country, in some cases apparently • Libya: Death sentences for foreign medics must be
after receiving official assurances that they would not withdrawn (AI Index: MDE 19/007/2006)
be arrested.
b Idriss Boufayed, a long-standing critic of the
government, was arrested and taken into
incommunicado detention in early November. The
authorities did not disclose to his family the reasons for
his arrest or his place of detention. Unconfirmed
reports suggested that he was being held under guard in
a psychiatric hospital in Tripoli. Idriss Boufayed was
recognized as a refugee in Switzerland, but returned to
Libya in September, reportedly after receiving
assurances from the Libyan embassy that he would not
LITHUANIA
be at risk. He was released at the end of December.
b In July the authorities provided details about REPUBLIC OF LITHUANIA
Mahmoud Boushima and Kamel el-Kailani, who were Head of state: Valdas Adamkus
arrested and detained on their return to Libya from the Head of government: Gediminas Kirkilas (replaced
UK in July 2005. They said that the two men had been Algirdas Brazauskas in July)
charged with belonging to the Libyan Islamic Fighting Death penalty: abolitionist for all crimes
Group and that Mahmoud Boushima was detained International Criminal Court: ratified
pending an investigation into his case. Kamel el-Kailani
was released in April. Both men had reportedly
received assurances from the authorities that they Trafficking in women and girls for purposes of sexual
would not be arrested on their return. exploitation remained a serious problem.
The CPT stated that conditions in a number of its exclusion from government by blocking roads and
detention facilities were totally unacceptable. It stated holding mass demonstrations. Party leaders alleged
that detainees were locked up 24 hours per day in filthy, that the Ohrid Agreement, which concluded the 2001
overcrowded cells, with little or no access to natural internal conflict, had broken down.
light and, in many cases, dim artificial lighting. In some Between 15 and 17 June, DPA members allegedly
cells, there were no sanitary facilities. Prompt medical drove a bulldozer into the DUI office in Saraj, two
screening was not available to people held in police grenades were reportedly thrown at DUI offices in
detention centres. Struga and Saraj, and the DUI office in Tetovo came
under attack. On 18 June unidentified gunmen shot at
the car of the DPA mayor of Saraj, Imer Selmani; he
escaped unharmed. On 23 June, DUI member
Abdulhalim Kasami was shot and wounded in front of
his house in Tetovo. On 24 June firearms were used in
fighting in Rasce between DPA and DUI supporters, and
three DUI members were injured. Criminal
investigations were opened.
sentence of five years’ imprisonment on terrorism organized by relatives. The authorities did not conduct
charges in May 2005 had been confirmed in a retrial at a search or proper investigation, and only provided his
Skopje District Court in November 2005. The Supreme parents with the autopsy report after international
Court had in 2005 stated that the charges were without pressure.
foundation. Up to 2,000 Romani refugees from Kosovo, denied
refugee status in procedures which often failed to
Torture and ill-treatment provide individual determinations, remained in
In January the Council of Europe Directorate of Legal Macedonia. The government failed to provide access to
Affairs reported severe overcrowding in Idrizovo and education, employment, health care and housing.
Skopje prisons. Detainees received inadequate health
care and educational activities because of continuing Violence against women
staff shortages. In May the European Committee for the In February the UN Committee on the Elimination of
Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Discrimination against Women noted that legislation
Treatment or Punishment visited Macedonia. failed to define discrimination against women or the
Also in May the European Court of Human Rights principle of equality of men and women. A law to this
ruled admissible the case of Pejrusan Jasar, a Romani effect was introduced in May. The Committee was also
man allegedly ill-treated in police detention in 1998. concerned at the prevalence of violence against
A new police law passed in October aimed at women, including domestic violence, and the
ensuring representation of the ethnic Albanian persistence of trafficking in women and girls, including
community in the police force. However, it failed to an increase in internal trafficking, despite a National
provide an independent mechanism for police Programme to Combat Human Trafficking and Illegal
accountability, including to investigate allegations of Migration.
ill-treatment and torture by “Alpha” special police
units. AI country reports/visits
Reports
Prisoners of conscience • Partners in crime: Europe’s role in US renditions
On 3 March, Zoran Vranishkovski, bishop of the Serbian (AI Index: EUR 01/008/2006)
Orthodox Church in Macedonia in Ohrid and prisoner of • Europe and Central Asia: Summary of Amnesty
conscience since July 2005, was released from the charge International’s concerns in the region, January-June
of allegedly inciting religious and ethnic hatred, but 2006 (AI Index: EUR 01/017/2006)
remained in detention pending trial on further charges. Visit
Journalists were imprisoned for defamation, despite AI delegates visited Macedonia in November.
amendments to a law introduced in May which
removed criminal penalties for the offence.
b On 21 November journalist Zoran Bozinovski was
released from a three-month prison sentence for
defamation following domestic and international
appeals.
Discrimination
Although minority representation in police and
municipal employment was introduced in July under
the Ohrid Agreement, DPA members reported
continued discrimination against ethnic Albanians.
The UN Committee on the Elimination of
Discrimination against Women recommended in
February that the government take temporary special
measures to address discrimination in education,
health care and participating in public life against, in
particular, rural, Romani and ethnic Albanian women.
In November the UN Committee on Economic, Social
and Cultural Rights noted widespread discrimination
against Roma, including in obtaining citizenship and
personal documents required for social insurance,
health care and other benefits, and recommended
special measures to address discrimination in
employment faced by Roma and other minority women.
b Mass demonstrations by the Romani community
followed the disappearance of Trajan Bekirov, a 17-
year-old boy last seen being pursued by members of a
special police unit on suspicion of theft on 10 May. His
body was found in a river on 27 May in a search
Amnesty International Report 2007 175
MAL
Background
Moves to impeach the President were formally ended in
January. The Vice-President, Cassim Chilumpa, a
member of the President’s former party, the United
Democratic Front, was arrested for treason in April and
remained under house arrest at the end of 2006.
Former President Bakili Muluzi was briefly detained
in July on allegations of corruption. On the same day
the director of the Anti-Corruption Bureau was
suspended by the President for allegedly not following
MALAYSIA
appropriate procedures when he ordered the arrest of
the former President. The charges against Bakili Muluzi MALAYSIA
were withdrawn. Head of state: Raja Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin
Head of government: Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
Poverty Death penalty: retentionist
Malawi’s recovery from a devastating drought in 2005 International Criminal Court: not ratified
brought some relief to the rural poor. However, more
than 900,000 people remained reliant on food aid – a
drop from 4.8 million people in need of food aid in The year ended without the government fulfilling its
2005. Production on small-scale farms was also pledge to establish an independent police
affected by the high incidence of HIV and AIDS. complaints commission. At least 80 men accused of
Approximately 14 per cent of the population has links to Islamist extremist groups were held without
contracted the virus. charge or trial under the Internal Security Act (ISA).
Freedom of expression, association and assembly
Press freedom continued to be constrained by restrictive laws.
Freedom of expression continued to be threatened, People suspected of being irregular migrants or
particularly in the first half of the year, when the asylum-seekers were harassed and detained in harsh
government brought charges of criminal libel against a conditions pending deportation. Hundreds of people,
number of media workers. mostly alleged irregular migrants, were imprisoned
b In May, Robert Jamieson, editor-in-chief of the or caned after unfair trials. Death sentences
Chronicle newspaper, sub-editor Dickson Kashoti and continued to be passed and four executions were
reporter Arnold Mlelemba were arrested on criminal carried out.
libel charges for alleging that Malawi’s former Attorney
General was implicated in the sale of a stolen laptop. Police reform
The three were provisionally released. Non-governmental organizations continued to press
b Jika Nkolokosa, general manager of Blantyre the government to create an Independent Police
Newspapers Limited, and Maxwell Ng’ambi, a Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC). In
journalist, were charged with criminal libel for 2005 a Royal Commission of Inquiry into the police had
reporting that the Minister of Health was implicated in recommended a wide range of reforms, including the
improper accounting. The charges against Jika establishment of an IPCMC by May 2006. Draft
Nkolokosa were dropped but Maxwell Ng’ambi was legislation to establish an IPCMC remained under
convicted and fined. consideration by the Attorney General at the end of the
year. A range of other reform recommendations,
Policing including repeal or review of laws allowing for
Torture and ill-treatment of suspects in custody detention without trial or requiring police permits for
remained a major concern. In June the Malawi Human public assemblies, were not implemented.
176 Amnesty International Report 2007
MAL
MALI MALTA
REPUBLIC OF MALI REPUBLIC OF MALTA
Head of state : Amadou Toumani Touré Head of state: Edward Fenech-Adami
Head of government : Ousmane Issoufi Maïga Head of government: Lawrence Gonzi
Death penalty : abolitionist in practice Death penalty: abolitionist for all crimes
International Criminal Court : ratified International Criminal Court: ratified
Freedom of expression came under attack with Journalists, human rights activists and others were
journalists arrested, imprisoned and fined. Two death subjected to arson attacks for speaking out against
sentences were handed down, despite a bill before the racism. Irregular migrants continued to be subject to
National Assembly to abolish the death penalty. a policy of automatic detention. Conditions in
migrant detention centres were harsh and insanitary,
Background and came in for criticism by the European Union (EU).
In May, members of the Tuareg ethnic group attacked
and occupied military camps in the region of Kidal and Racism
Menaka town. The attackers, led by a former member of Overt racism continued to increase. The non-
a Tuareg armed group who joined the army following a governmental coalition, the European Network Against
1992 peace agreement, withdrew from the camps a day Racism (ENAR), noted that debate in the news media
later, after stealing weapons and equipment. Their and on the Internet was increasingly hostile towards
demands included greater government support for the immigrants and that racist attacks and hate speech
development and autonomy of regions populated by were on the rise.
Tuaregs. In July, an accord was reached between the Arson attacks targeted individuals or organizations
armed groups and the government. The Tuaregs that actively worked to protect the human rights of
abandoned their claims for autonomy and the migrants and refugees or denounced racist and
government pledged to increase development efforts discriminatory attitudes and actions in Maltese society.
in the northern regions, particularly in Kidal. Racist speech and attacks appeared to find increasing
legitimacy within Maltese society.
Attacks on freedom of expression b In early March the house of a poet was set on fire in
In August, six staff members of Radio Kayira, including an arson attack just a few days after he launched a book
Amadou Nanko Mariko, managing director of the of poetry promoting tolerance and refugee rights.
Koutiala radio station, Sidi Traoré and Mohamed b On 13 March, seven cars belonging to the Catholic
Diakité, were arrested in Niono for broadcasting Church’s Jesuit Community were destroyed by fire at
without a licence. They were later charged with night, shortly before publication of the Report on
opposing the authority of the state and sentenced to Racism and Xenophobia in Malta by the European
one-month prison terms and a fine. They lodged an Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia (EUMC).
appeal. The Radio Kayira network belongs to a political The Jesuit Community is EUMC’s partner in Malta. On 11
party represented in the government, African Solidarity April a car belonging to a lawyer working with the Jesuit
for Democracy and Independence (Solidarité africaine Refugee Service was set alight and destroyed.
pour la démocratie et l’indépendance, SADI). b On 3 May the editor of the weekly Malta Today
newspaper had his house torched by arsonists. He had
Death penalty published an editorial on racism and immigration
In March, Zoumana Diarra and M’Pié Diarra were shortly before the attack.
sentenced to death by the Bamako Assize Court for b On 13 May the home of a journalist from the daily
criminal offences including murder and poisoning. No newspaper, The Malta Independent, who had denounced
executions have taken place in Mali during the last the extreme right and written about racism and
decade. A private member’s bill on the abolition of the immigration, was attacked. In the early hours, arsonists
death penalty was presented to the National Assembly in leaned five burning tyres filled with petrol against her
April, but had not been voted on by the end of the year. back door. Smashed glass and petrol were spread on the
road in front of the house, in an apparent attempt to
prevent her family escaping or to block help arriving.
Provisional releases
In July, eight people charged with belonging to an
unauthorized organization and putting the country at
risk of foreign reprisals were provisionally released.
They had been arrested in 2005 along with 13 others,
including Abdallahi Ould Eminou and two Algerian
nationals. Three detainees escaped from Nouakchott
Central Prison in April. Several were reportedly
tortured in custody.
180 Amnesty International Report 2007
MEX
Background
High levels of violent crime and public insecurity
continued to be major public concerns. In November
several armed opposition groups reportedly claimed
responsibility for the detonation of three explosive
devices in Mexico City. Central American and Mexican
migrants seeking to cross the border to the USA could
face increased threats to their safety with the proposed
extension of the border wall by the US government.
1 December, Felipe Calderón was sworn in as President, beaten and denied access to family, medical attention
without making any clear commitment to strengthen and legal advice. More than 90 remained in custody at
the protection of human rights. The appointment of the the end of the year.
Governor of Jalisco State as federal Interior Minister In early November teachers returned to work, but
raised concern owing to his failure to prevent or punish some faced threats and detention. In December,
serious human rights violations committed in Jalisco scores of APPO leaders and supporters were subject
during his governorship. to warrants issued during the protests, some allegedly
on the basis of fabricated evidence. There was
International human rights mechanisms concern that those involved in peaceful protest would
and reform be detained and be subject to unfair judicial
The Mexican government appeared before six UN proceedings. During the crisis, more than 17 civilians
thematic committees to assess its compliance with were reportedly killed and scores of others injured.
treaty obligations. These included the UN Children’s Federal and state authorities failed to effectively
Convention, the UN Convention against Racism, the investigate allegations of serious human rights
International Covenant on Economic, Social and violations by the end of the year.
Cultural Rights, the UN Women’s Convention, the b On 27 October, US reporter Bradley Roland Will
Convention against Torture and the Migrant Workers’ was shot and killed on a barricade while filming a clash
Convention. The respective committees made a series between protesters and armed gunmen, later identified
of recommendations. The government of President Fox as local governing party officials. Two officials were
played a positive role in UN reform to strengthen detained, but later released without charge after state
human rights protection. Mexico took over the authorities concluded APPO supporters were
presidency of the new UN Human Rights Council. responsible. There was serious concern about
There was little progress on government human impartiality of the official investigation.
rights initiatives. The implementation of the National b On 29 October Jorge Alberto López Bernal died as a
Human Rights Programme remained inadequate. The result of being struck by a tear gas canister reportedly fired
federal judiciary published the results of its by the PFP. Federal authorities did not conduct criminal
consultation on reform of the judicial system. With the investigations into this or other reports of human rights
exception of some reforms to the juvenile justice violations allegedly committed by PFP agents.
system, there were virtually no advances in introducing
proposed constitutional and legal reforms to ensure Excessive force – public security
the protection of human rights in the public security High levels of violent crime, often related to drug
and criminal justice system. trafficking, undermined public security in many parts of
the country. Massive policing operations against
Oaxaca crisis protesters led to serious violations of human rights.
In June, state police used excessive force against b In April, federal and state police evicted striking
striking teachers occupying Oaxaca city centre and miners blocking access to the Lázaro Cárdenas steel
bringing it to a standstill. The Popular Assembly of the plant in Michoacán State. Violent clashes ensued in
People of Oaxaca (Asamblea Popular del Pueblo de which José Luis Castillo Zúñiga and Héctor Álvarez
Oaxaca, APPO) was formed to support the teachers and Gómez were shot and killed by police and 54 other
demand the resignation of the governor. Its supporters people were injured, including police officers. In
occupied official buildings and TV and radio stations. October the National Human Rights Commission found
State police, often wearing civilian clothes, reportedly that federal and state police had acted illegally and had
shot at APPO supporters, resulting in the deaths of at used excessive force, and called for a criminal
least two and injuries to many others. APPO supporters investigation. The authorities refused to comply with
established barricades blocking city streets. During the the recommendation.
crisis, state police reportedly arbitrarily arrested, held b On 3 May, Mexico State Police clashed with
incommunicado and tortured several teachers and demonstrators in Texcoco resulting in a major state and
APPO supporters before filing charges on the basis of federal police operation in the neighbouring town of
allegedly fabricated evidence. San Salvador Atenco where a number of police were
At the end of October, municipal and state police reportedly held hostage. Police used tear gas, batons
reportedly attacked several barricades set up by and firearms against members of the community,
APPO supporters, leading to the deaths of three detaining 211 people over the two days, many of whom
civilians and injuries to many others. Some 4,500 were repeatedly beaten and tortured while being
Federal Preventive Police (Policía Federal Preventiva, transported to the state prison. Twenty-six people
PFP) entered the city using tear gas, batons and water remained in custody at the end of the year accused of
cannons. Some protesters responded with violence kidnapping, despite serious concerns about the
and scores were arrested. Many were reportedly reliability of evidence presented against several of
beaten and threatened by the PFP once in custody. At them and the fairness of judicial proceedings. Even
least 19 PFP officials were reportedly injured. In Magdalena García Durán, who won a federal injunction
November, after clashes with police, more than 140 against her unfair detention, remained in custody. A
people were arrested, many of whom were reportedly number of state police officers were under
not involved in violence. Scores were reportedly investigation for assault at the end of the year.
182 Amnesty International Report 2007
MEX
Violence against women and Ciudad Juárez for more than 50 days in a secure house run by the State
Violence against women and gender discrimination Prosecutor’s Office. Lawyers from a local human rights
remained widespread throughout Mexico. The Special organization were denied access to the men for four
Federal Congressional Commission on Feminicide days and when they were able to visit them were unable
produced a major report on murders of women in 10 to talk in private or document the visible signs of their
states. The report highlighted the consistent failure of injuries. In June the two men were charged and
state governments to compile reliable information on remanded in Amate prison where they were tortured by
gender-based violence or to put in place effective other inmates, reportedly with the consent of prison
measures for its prevention and punishment. A federal authorities. No investigation into the two men’s
law strengthening the right of women to live free from treatment was known to have been initiated by the end
violence was passed. In February a Special Federal of the year.
Prosecutor’s Office for Crimes of Violence against b On 4 May, José Gregorio Arnulfo Pacheco was
Women was established. repeatedly beaten and kicked by state police officers at
There were continued reports of murders of women his home in San Salvador Atenco. He was subsequently
in Ciudad Juárez and the City of Chihuahua. The diagnosed with fractured ribs, a fractured trachea,
Chihuahua state authorities introduced some cranial fissures and severe bruising. He was released
improvements in response to new killings. However, from custody at the end of July after the judge
they failed to prosecute many previous cases or hold to recognized his physical incapacity to have committed
account any officials implicated in the original botched the alleged offences. The outcome of the Public
investigations. The Federal Attorney General’s Office Prosecutor’s Office appeal against his release was
concluded its investigation into past cases, but failed to awaited at the end of the year.
acknowledge the scale of gender-based violence in
Ciudad Juárez over 13 years, leading to criticism that it Journalists and human rights defenders
was seeking to downplay the murders and abductions Ten journalists were murdered and many others
of women in the city. received threats, reportedly in reprisal for their work.
b In June, after two and half years in custody, David Those investigating organized crime networks were at
Meza Argueta was acquitted of the murder of Nayra particular risk. Investigations conducted by a Special
Azucena Cervantes in Chihuahua City in 2003. The basis Federal Prosecutor failed to result in prosecutions of
of the case against him was a confession reportedly any of those responsible. There were continued reports
extracted under torture by Chihuahua judicial police. of intimidation and judicial harassment of human rights
David Meza filed a complaint of torture against state defenders in a number of states.
officials. Two state judicial police were reportedly b In September the National Supreme Court
expelled from the force for using torture during their broadened an investigation into the misuse of the
investigations. criminal justice system which led to the prosecution of
b In May, during the police operation in San Salvador journalist and women’s rights defender Lydia Cacho on
Atenco, Mexico State, 47 women were detained and defamation charges in December 2005. The
transported to prison. At least 26 women reported to investigation was continuing at the end of the year.
the National Human Rights Commission that they had b In January Martín Barrios of the Labour Rights
been sexually assaulted or raped by state police officers Commission of Tehuacán Valley (Comisión de Derechos
during the journey to prison. At the end of the year, the Humanos y Laborales del Valle de Tehuacán) in
local state-led investigation had resulted in only minor Tehuacán, Puebla State, was released following
charges against one of the officials involved. national and international concern at his continued
detention after unfounded blackmail charges against
Arbitrary detention, torture and unfair him were dropped. A month later, he and other
judicial procedures members of the Labour Rights Commission were
Arbitrary detention, ill-treatment, torture and reportedly warned that their lives were at risk because
violations of due process rights of criminal suspects of their human rights work.
remained common. Courts continued to overlook
reports of such abuses. Access to legal counsel was Impunity for past abuses
often denied in the early stages of detention and state- As widely expected, the Special Federal Prosecutor’s
appointed lawyers frequently failed to guarantee the Office (FEMOSPP), established to secure justice for
right to effective defence. The poorest and most grave human rights violations committed during
disadvantaged detainees, such as Indigenous peoples, Mexico’s “dirty war” (1960s-1980s), failed to deliver
were often denied minimum fair trial standards. results. The military reportedly continued to show
b In May, two Indigenous men, Aureliano Álvarez limited co-operation and the FEMOSPP did not
Gómez and Tiburcio Gómez Pérez, were detained in challenge military jurisdiction, which has repeatedly
connection with an alleged kidnapping in the assured impunity for military officials accused of
municipality of Huitiupán, Chiapas State. No arrest serious human rights violations. Nevertheless, the Fox
warrant was produced and they were reportedly government stated that the work of the FEMOSPP was
severely beaten during interrogation by state judicial complete and ordered its closure in November.
police. The two men were denied legal assistance and In February, a draft report compiled by the historical
were not charged, but held by judicial order (arriago) truth unit of the FEMOSPP was leaked to an Internet
Amnesty International Report 2007 183
MOL
treatment for injuries sustained when he was tortured. Chiôinäu on the grounds that religious groups had
On 12 May, the Chiôinäu appeal court ruled that his announced that they would organize protest actions if
detention had been illegal. the rally went ahead.
b The Mayor’s office in Chiôinäu refused permission
Harassment of lawyers for a demonstration demanding the erection of a statue
In June, lawyers Ana Ursachi and Roman Zadoinov, who in honour of a Romanian writer. Despite the fact that
had worked closely with AI on the cases of Vitalii the NGO Hyde Park had been granted permission on
Colibaba and Sergei Gurgurov, were informed that they appeal, police detained all the demonstrators for 40
would face criminal prosecution for spreading false hours in poor conditions in Buiucani district police
information about human rights violations in Moldova station, without access to a lawyer, before releasing
and damaging the country’s international image. In a them and charging them with participating in an
letter to the Bar Association, the Prosecutor General’s unsanctioned meeting, resisting the police, and
Office stated that the two lawyers could face insulting police officers. Audio recordings made on a
prosecution under Article 335 of the Criminal Code for mobile phone during the arrest did not provide
“misuse of official position” which carries a maximum evidence of such resistance. All charges were
prison sentence of five years. subsequently dropped.
b On 4 October, the Mayor of Chiôinäu refused
Inhumane conditions in pre-trial detention permission for AI Moldova to hold a rally against the
centres death penalty in front of the Belarus and US embassies
Reporting on its 2004 visit, the CPT described on 10 October. On 15 November the Supreme Court
conditions in places of detention run by the Ministry of declared the Mayor’s actions to be unlawful.
the Interior as “disastrous” and stated that in many
cases the conditions amounted to inhuman or Opposition politicians prosecuted
degrading treatment. Some opposition politicians appeared to be targeted
During the year AI expressed concern at conditions for their political views.
in the cells at the police Commissariat in Orhei. Located b Gheorghe Sträisteanu, a former member of
in the basement, they were intended to hold four parliament, founder of the first private television
detainees, but reportedly there were usually seven or company in Moldova and a well-known critic of
more. Ventilation was poor and cells were infested with government attacks on media freedoms, was detained
fleas and lice. Many detainees suffered from skin on 21 August and charged with threatening to murder
diseases but were rarely given access to a doctor. Toilet Mihai Mistre÷, the Mayor of ×igäneôti, in connection
facilities amounted to a bucket for use in the cell in full with a local council decision to cancel the lease on land
view of others. Detainees were reportedly forced to he was renting. On two occasions cups of chlorine
sleep in turns, on a brick platform and without bleach were thrown into his cell, causing him to faint.
blankets, sheets or a mattress. He was released under house arrest on 28 November.
Gheorghe Sträisteanu had previously been detained in
Violence against women 2005 and charged with a series of large-scale thefts
On 28 February, Moldova ratified the Optional Protocol from cars.
to the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
Discrimination against Women, and on 19 May it Abolition of the death penalty
ratified the Council of Europe’s Convention against On 29 June the Moldovan parliament voted
Trafficking in Human Beings, the first country to do so. unanimously to amend Clause 3 of Article 24 of the
In February a draft law on preventing and combating Constitution, which provided for the death penalty in
violence in the family was presented to parliament. It exceptional cases, thus abolishing the death penalty in
did not provide adequate measures to protect victims law. On 29 July parliament ratified Protocol 13 to the
or prosecute perpetrators. European Convention on Human Rights and the Second
In August, the UN Committee on the Elimination of Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on
Discrimination against Women considered Moldova’s Civil and Political Rights, aiming at the abolition of the
second and third periodic reports. It expressed concern death penalty. Parliament had voted to abolish the
at the level of domestic violence against women and death penalty in 1995, with all pending death sentences
the increasing trend of trafficking in young women and commuted the following year and provisions for this
girls, and the lack of protection for victims. The punishment removed from the criminal code.
Committee recommended that the draft law on
preventing and combating domestic violence should be Self-proclaimed Dnestr Moldavian Republic
passed with some amendments. On 17 September the internationally unrecognized
Dnestr Moldavian Republic (DMR) voted in favour of
Freedom of expression continuing the region’s de facto independence from
There was concern about the apparent lack of respect Moldova and for eventual union with the Russian
by the Moldovan authorities for freedom of expression. Federation. Tudor Petrov-Popa and Andrei Ivan÷oc
b On 28 April, the Mayor of Chiôinäu refused an remained in detention in Tiraspol, despite a July 2004
application by the non-governmental organization judgement by the European Court of Human Rights
(NGO) GenderDoc-M, to hold a Gay Pride rally in which found their detention to be arbitrary and in
Amnesty International Report 2007 185
MON
breach of the European Convention on Human Rights. was widespread impunity for law enforcement officials,
They were members of the “Tiraspol Six”, sentenced to and compensation and rehabilitation were not
prison terms in 1993 for “terrorist acts”, including the available to torture victims.
murder of two DMR officials. The four men convicted Detention conditions were harsh and overcrowding
with them were released in 1994, 2001 and 2004. On was typical. Prisoners were at risk of tuberculosis and
10 May the Committee of Ministers of the Council of faced extremes of heat and cold. Six prisoners whose
Europe adopted a fourth interim resolution in the case, death sentences were commuted served special 30-
asking for execution of the judgement of the European year “isolation sentences”, separated from other
Court of Human Rights. The resolution asked Moldova prisoners and denied visits from families and lawyers.
to continue its efforts to secure the release of the two There was a lack of light and fresh air and high levels
men and requested the Russian Federation to comply of humidity and air pollution at the Gants Khudag
with the judgement. detention centre. Prisoners suffered damaged eyesight
and other health problems.
AI country reports/visits b One detainee went blind after spending 300 days in
Reports Gants Khudag detention centre. He applied for
• Europe and Central Asia: Summary of concerns in the compensation for damage to his eyesight resulting from
region, January-June 2006 (AI Index: EUR his detention conditions and for compensation for his
01/017/2006) ill-treatment by prison officers. Both applications were
• Commonwealth of Independent States: Positive unsuccessful.
trend on the abolition of the death penalty but more
needs to be done (AI Index: EUR 04/003/2006) Forced evictions
b In August a number of informal “Ninja” miners
were arrested and evicted for trespassing on the Ar
Naimgan site of the Altan Dornod mining company.
Police and military units arrested everyone without
local identity cards, including women and children, and
held them for over 24 hours in the police detention
centre in Ogoomor soum. Over 10,000 “Ninja” miners
who had reportedly asked her to stop broadcasting. In February six former police officers were indicted for
There was reportedly no proper investigation by the the enforced disappearance of some 83 Bosniak civilians,
police. apparently “deported” from Montenegro to territory
b In April, D Arvin, a Member of Parliament, illegally under Bosnian Serb control in the Republic of Bosnia and
removed from public distribution a newspaper Herzegovina in 1992. Investigative proceedings did not
containing a negative article about her. She claimed her open until September. The state prosecutor rescinded an
political status authorized the action. earlier decision to stop civil cases in which relatives and
survivors of enforced disappearance had petitioned the
authorities for reparations.
b In June Podgorica District Court acknowledged that
Sanin Krdûalija had been unlawfully deported to Fo½a in
1992. His mother and daughter were awarded damages
for the emotional pain caused by his death, but their
application for reparations for suffering caused by the
failure of the authorities to investigate his enforced
A draft law on Protection from Violence in the Family The deadlock in attempts to resolve the dispute
failed to include measures to criminalize people who between Morocco and the Polisario Front over Western
violate court protection orders. Non-governmental Sahara continued to form the backdrop of
organizations called for a co-ordination body to be demonstrations by Sahrawis against Moroccan
established to ensure the effective application of the law. administration of the territory. The Polisario Front calls
for an independent state in Western Sahara and runs a
AI country reports/visits self-proclaimed government-in-exile in refugee camps
Report in south-western Algeria.
• Montenegro: The right to redress and reparation for
the families of the “disappeared” (AI Index: EUR Equity and Reconciliation Commission
66/001/2006) In January, King Mohamed VI gave a speech to mark the
publication of the final report of the Equity and
Reconciliation Commission, which in November 2005
finished its investigations into grave human rights
violations committed between 1956 and 1999,
particularly cases of enforced disappearance and
arbitrary detention. He expressed his sympathy for the
victims of the violations, but stopped short of offering
an apology.
human rights activists continued to be the subject of the group’s literature. The vast majority were released
intimidation by the security forces. without charge after questioning. Over 500 were
b Brahim Sabbar, Secretary-General of the Sahrawi reportedly charged with offences that included
Association of Victims of Grave Human Rights Violations participating in unauthorized meetings or assemblies,
Committed by the Moroccan State, was sentenced after and belonging to an unauthorized association.
an unfair trial to two years’ imprisonment in June for b The house of one of the group’s leaders, Mohamed
assaulting and disobeying a police officer. In May, his Abbadi, was sealed after the authorities accused him of
association had published a report detailing dozens of holding illegal meetings there. In October, he and three
recent allegations of arbitrary arrest and torture or ill- other members of the group were sentenced to one
treatment. Brahim Sabbar and his colleague Ahmed Sbai year in prison for breaking the seals, but remained at
were awaiting another trial on separate charges that liberty pending appeal.
included belonging to an unauthorized association and Other members were prosecuted and sentenced to
inciting violent protests. Both were possible prisoners of suspended prison sentences or fines, or were awaiting
conscience. trial at the end of the year.
A mission of the Office of the UN High b A trial against the group’s spokesperson, Nadia
Commissioner for Human Rights visited Western Yassine, was ongoing at the end of the year. In a 2005
Sahara in May. Its leaked confidential report interview with the newspaper Al Ousbouiya Al Jadida
concluded that the human rights situation there was she said that she believed that the monarchy was not
of serious concern, and that Sahrawi people were appropriate for Morocco. She was charged, along with
denied their right to self-determination and were two journalists from the newspaper, with defamation of
severely restricted from exercising other rights, the monarchy.
including the rights to express their views, create
associations and hold assemblies. Refugees and migrants
In July, three migrants died as they tried to scale the
Abuses in the ‘war on terror’ fence between Morocco and the Spanish enclave of
Some 200 suspected Islamist activists, including at least Melilla. One fell onto the Spanish side of the border,
nine members of the police and military, were arrested reportedly dying from gunshot wounds. The other two
and charged with offences that included preparing died after reportedly falling from the fence into
terrorist activities, belonging to terrorist groups and Moroccan territory. Witnesses alleged that Moroccan
undermining state security. Two were tried and security forces shot in the direction of the migrants. No
sentenced to death, while at least 50 received prison results were announced of the official investigations
terms of up to 30 years on the basis of a broad and into the 2005 deaths of migrants at the borders with the
unspecific definition of terrorism. Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla.
Some 300 suspected Islamist prisoners, many Thousands of people suspected of being irregular
sentenced on terrorist charges following bomb attacks in migrants, including minors, were arrested by the
Casablanca in May 2003, staged a month-long hunger Moroccan authorities and expelled to Algeria and, to a
strike in May to demand their release or a judicial review lesser extent, Mauritania. They reportedly included
of their trials. Many had been convicted after trials that dozens of refugees or asylum-seekers. Those arrested
breached international fair trial standards. Dozens of were generally expelled shortly after their arrest,
them alleged that they had been tortured in previous without the chance to appeal against the decision to
years during questioning by the security forces. deport them or to examine the grounds on which the
Four Moroccan nationals were transferred from US decision was taken, despite these rights being
custody in Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, to Morocco in guaranteed by Moroccan law. They were often left
February and October. Three were tried and convicted without adequate food and water. One of a group of 53
in November. One of them was sentenced to five years’ migrants expelled to the border between Western
imprisonment for setting up a “criminal gang”, among Sahara and Mauritania by the Moroccan authorities and
other charges, and was held in custody. The other two left without food or water was reported in August to
received three-year prison sentences for forging have died of dehydration.
official documents, but remained at liberty pending b In late December hundreds of foreign nationals
appeals. The fourth returnee faced charges of were arrested and expelled to the border with Algeria
belonging to a terrorist organization, among other following raids in several cities. At least 10 recognized
offences. Five other former Guantánamo detainees, refugees and 60 asylum-seekers registered with the
who were returned to Morocco in 2004, were on trial on UNHCR, the UN refugee agency, in Rabat were
similar charges. The authorities categorically denied reportedly among them. Several deportees alleged that
foreign media reports that the USA planned to build a they had been subjected to sexual abuse or robbed by
secret detention centre in Morocco. security force personnel in Algeria and Morocco.
Unlawful killings
There were several reports of unlawful killings and
other human rights violations by police officers and a
member of the Presidential Guard. However, most of
the incidents were not investigated and only a few
officers were arrested or demoted. None had been tried
by the end of the year. Some police officers were
prosecuted for human rights violations committed in
previous years.
In May, police officers shot dead several prisoners as
they tried to escape from Maputo Central Prison by
climbing over the prison walls. Eyewitnesses reported
that police officers clubbed and shot at the escaping
190 Amnesty International Report 2007
MYA
Crimes against humanity b Win Ko, an NLD member from Bago Division, was
Military operations against the Karen National Union reported to have been sentenced to three years’
(KNU) in eastern Kayin (Karen) State and neighbouring imprisonment in October for collecting signatures
districts increased. More than 16,000 were displaced by calling for the release of detained political leaders. He
the conflict. Villagers reported widespread and was charged with selling illegal lottery tickets.
systematic commission of acts constituting violations of b Refugees Chit Thein Tun and Maung Maung Oo
international humanitarian and human rights law on a were abducted from India to Myanmar by an unknown
scale that amounted to crimes against humanity. armed group. They were handed over to the Myanmar
Destruction of houses and crops, enforced authorities and tortured while held incommunicado.
disappearances, forced labour, torture and extrajudicial They were sentenced to death in a secret trial on
killings of Karen civilians increased. Many villagers charges of exploding a bomb on the Myanmar-India
faced food shortages after the authorities banned them border.
from leaving their village to farm or buy food. The use of Prisoners of conscience and senior NLD leaders Daw
land mines by both the armed wing of the Karen Aung San Suu Kyi, U Tin Oo, Daw May Win Myint, and Dr
National Union and the tatmadaw (Myanmar army) also Than Nyein, all held without charge or trial, had their
increased. Other violations included acts of collective detention extended by the maximum term of one year.
punishment, such as prolonged closures and other The latter two have been held since October 1997, and
movement restrictions, the burning of whole villages were detained beyond the expiry of their seven-year
and the reported killing in February in northern Kayin prison sentence. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was held in
state of a village headman and other civilians. In other increasing isolation and permitted only infrequent
areas skirmishes took place between the Shan State visits by her doctor.
Army–South and the army, with the loss of civilian life.
Releases
Forced labour A number of releases took place during 2006.
The widespread practice of forced labour was reported b Two human rights defenders, lawyer U Aye Myint
throughout the year in Kayin, Mon, Rakhine and Kachin and Su Su Nwe, imprisoned in October 2005 for seven
states, and in Bago Division. Prisoners were reported to years and 18 months respectively in connection with
have increasingly been required to act as porters for the reporting forced labour and land confiscation by the
military, and to have been subjected to torture and other local authorities, were released in June and July.
forms of ill-treatment. A number of prisoner porters b U Shwe Ohn, a senior Shan political figure and
attempting to escape were reportedly killed. The ILO writer in his 80s, was released from house arrest after
expressed concern that the authorities’ continued the expiry of his detention order in February.
threats of legal action against people making “false” b At least two members of the KNU detained since
complaints of forced labour presented a significant the early 1980s, who were in poor health, were released
obstacle to joint co-operation in addressing the issue. In in September and October.
response to specific requests by the ILO, by the end of the
year the authorities had released two people imprisoned Prison conditions
in connection with the legal filing of reports of forced Already poor prison conditions deteriorated during
labour and dropped prosecutions of others. A six-month the year. The authorities imposed new restrictions on
moratorium on the prosecution of those making the quantity of food that prisoners were able to
complaints about forced labour was promised in July. receive from relatives, and reduced the budget for
food granted to prison authorities. Medical shortages
Political imprisonment in prisons were reported. Visits by the International
Political trials were conducted according to laws which Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) were suspended in
criminalized the peaceful exercise of human rights and January after the ICRC refused to accede to conditions
in proceedings which did not meet international fair that they be accompanied by members of government
trial standards. Arrests took place without warrants affiliated agencies. Partly as a result of poor prison
and defendants were denied the right to legal counsel conditions, many prisoners of conscience were in
or counsel of their choice. Detainees were held poor health including Dr Than Nyein, a doctor and
incommunicado for lengthy periods. NLD MP-elect, suffering from liver disease and other
b Former student leaders and prisoners of complaints.
conscience Htay Kywe, Ko Ko Gyi, Paw U Tun, Min
Zeya and Pyone Cho were detained in late September Torture and other ill-treatment
and held incommunicado until the end of the year. Torture and other forms of ill-treatment during
The authorities stated that this was to “prevent interrogation and pre-trial detention were frequently
insurgency”. reported. Torture in prison was believed to have
b U Aung Thein, 77, a member of the NLD’s Central increased. Attempts by relatives to seek redress were
Committee, was arrested with three others in April; all met with official resistance, harassment and pressure
four were sentenced in July to 20 years’ imprisonment. to withdraw complaints.
U Aung Thein was said to have “confessed” to b Ko Thet Naing Oo, a former political prisoner, was
possessing a satellite telephone used to speak to NLD severely beaten by police and fire brigade officers in
leaders outside the country. Yangon in March and died the same day.
192 Amnesty International Report 2007
NAM
Deaths in custody
At least six political prisoners died in prison. Torture,
poor diet and inadequate medical treatment were
NAMIBIA
believed to have contributed to their deaths. Many had
been held in prisons distant from their families, REPUBLIC OF NAMIBIA
depriving them of necessary food and medicine. Head of state and government: Hifikepunye Pohamba
b Thet Win Aung, 35, a student activist and prisoner Death penalty: abolitionist for all crimes
of conscience, died in Mandalay Prison in October. He International Criminal Court: ratified
had been tortured on arrest in 1998, and was serving a
59-year prison sentence. He had suffered numerous
health complaints in prison, including malaria and Civil society organizations expressed alarm at the
mental illness, and had been held for protracted high level of violence against women and children.
periods in solitary confinement. The ruling South West African Peoples’ Organisation
(SWAPO) party refused to discuss abuses committed
Freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and at its camps before independence. Little progress
association was made concerning an investigation into several
Legislation restricting the peaceful exercise of the right mass graves near the Angolan border. Suspects
to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and detained in connection with a separatist attack in
association continued to be rigorously enforced. the Caprivi region in 1999 spent their seventh year in
Access to the Internet remained restricted. The jail as their trial entered its third year.
government blocked many websites and placed
periodic blocks on free internet e-mail services. Background
From April members and supporters of both the NLD A cabinet committee appointed to deal with mass
and the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy were graves from the 1966-89 liberation war had not taken
subjected to threats and harassment. Meetings were a decision on the matter by end of 2006. An
disrupted, and the state-run press regularly denounced opposition call to debate the imprisonment and
and threatened the NLD, accusing it of plotting to incite torture of hundreds of SWAPO members in SWAPO
unrest in the country. By the end of the year hundreds camps in Angola before independence was rejected by
of NLD members were reported by the official press to the ruling party in October. SWAPO used its
have resigned. parliamentary majority to dismiss the Congress of
Democrats’ motion before it could be debated,
AI country reports/visits claiming that such a discussion could undermine the
Statements policy of national reconciliation.
• Myanmar: Human rights violations continue in the
name of national security (AI Index: ASA Violence against women and children
16/002/2006) In October the Legal Assistance Centre (LAC) released
• Myanmar: The UN Security Council must act figures showing that the number of reported rapes more
(AI Index: ASA 16/007/2006) than doubled between independence in 1990 and 2005.
• Myanmar: Ko Thet Win Aung, prisoner of conscience, Civil society organizations termed the high level of child
dies in prison (AI Index ASA 16/015/2006) rapes a “national emergency” and called for increased
education and reform of the police and justice system.
Freedom of expression
The UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and
protection of the right to freedom of opinion and
expression wrote to the government in August
requesting clarity about threatening remarks made by
the President of SWAPO and Namibia’s former President
Sam Nujoma in reaction to demands for compensation
from former combatants. Human rights activists
attending a SWAPO rally in Katutura on 30 July reported
that the former President had made death threats against
two female war veterans – Ruusa Malulu, chairperson of
the National Committee on the Welfare of Ex-
Combatants, and Lapaka Ueyulu, a radio announcer.
Action on corruption
The government established an Anti-Corruption
Commission in February. Despite criticisms that it was
under-resourced, the Commission started to make
arrests and several cases involving lower to middle
ranking government officials were before the courts.
Amnesty International Report 2007 193
NEP
The role of Nepal’s National Human Rights Human rights violations by the security forces
Commission (NHRC) remained unclear. The NHRC’s The security forces were responsible for unlawful
reputation for independence was damaged in 2005, killings, enforced disappearances, arbitrary arrests and
when new Commissioners were appointed by the King. In detentions, and the widespread use of torture,
July, the Chairperson and Commissioners resigned; new including rape, in the context of the decade-long
appointments had not been made by the year’s end. conflict. The army regularly resorted to indiscriminate
The Peace Agreement signed on 21 November or disproportionate attacks in its battles with the CPN
contained significant human rights commitments, (Maoist), resulting in the deaths of civilians and damage
including an end to impunity for human rights abuses to homes, schools and other civilian objects.
and guarantees of the rights to food, health and Throughout 2005 and early 2006, the King
education. It provided for a Truth and Reconciliation increasingly used the security forces to control
Commission to investigate “serious violations of human peaceful political opposition. The Nepal Police (NP),
rights and crimes against humanity” committed during Armed Police Force (APF) and the Royal Nepalese Army
the armed conflict and a National Peace and (renamed the Nepal Army in May) were deployed to
Rehabilitation Commission to provide assistance to curb political demonstrations in early 2006 and were
conflict victims.The Peace Agreement also included all responsible for the use of excessive force, according
pledges to publicize the whereabouts of victims of to OHCHR investigations. The NP and APF arbitrarily
enforced disappearances within 60 days and to create detained thousands of people during the
an environment conducive to the return of internally demonstrations.
displaced people. With the cessation of hostilities in May, conflict-
Marginalized groups were under-represented in the related violations ended almost completely. The Army
peace process. Neither the SPA government nor the Bill adopted by the parliament in September contained
CPN (Maoist) leadership included women in their peace provisions to bring the army under civilian control but
talk teams. The 31-member National Monitoring did not adequately address concerns regarding
Committee included only two women, and a six- jurisdiction for violations of human rights and
member, all-male Interim Constitution Drafting humanitarian law committed by the military.
Committee was expanded to include four women and a
Dalit representative only after widespread protests. Accountability
Measures to address past violations and abuses were
Abuses by the CPN (Maoist) inadequate.
Despite the CPN (Maoist)’s public commitments to In May, the SPA government appointed a Commission
respect international human rights standards, there of Inquiry chaired by a former Supreme Court judge to
were continuing reports of unlawful killings, investigate human rights violations committed in the
abductions, torture and ill-treatment, extortion, context of suppressing the People’s Movement. The
threats and harassment by members of the CPN Commission delivered its report to the SPA government
(Maoist). Investigations by the Office of the High in November but its findings were not made public. The
Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Nepal Commission reportedly recommended action against
found that many of the abuses were committed in the more than 200 people, including King Gyanendra,
context of the “law enforcement” activities of the CPN senior ministers and security officials. The SPA
(Maoist) and its “people’s courts”. In November, the government formed a committee to study the report.
CPN (Maoist) pledged to dissolve the “people’s In early June, the Home Ministry established a one-
government” and “people’s courts” on the day the person Disappearances Committee without the
interim parliament was formed. capacity to investigate the hundreds of unresolved
There were reports of ongoing child recruitment cases of enforced disappearance.
after the ceasefire, particularly in the days and weeks Authorities were reluctant to proceed with criminal
preceding the Peace Agreement. Under the Peace investigations into past human rights violations, even
Agreement, both parties pledged not to use children when presented with detailed reports by local human
aged 18 or below in military activities and to provide rights defenders and the OHCHR. Neither the security
assistance for their rehabilitation. forces nor the CPN (Maoist) took concrete steps to
strengthen accountability within their ranks.
Abuses by other armed groups
Other armed groups, in particular the anti-Maoist Women’s rights
“village defence forces” and the Terai Janatantrik Violence against women was not widely recognized as
Mukti Morcha (TJMM), were responsible for human a human rights issue. Gender-based violence was
rights abuses, including unlawful killings and under-reported, partly due to fear of retaliation and
abductions. In July, the CPN (Maoist) declared “war” to the scarcity of shelter and other support services.
against the TJMM, a splinter group advocating self- Widows and single women were particularly at risk of
determination for the Madhesi people of the southern violence and harassment.
Terai region. By the year’s end, there had been no Many women human rights defenders believed that
systematic effort to disarm the village defence forces, the political transition presented an opportunity to
which had gained strength in 2005 with the support of secure more equitable representation in government
the security forces. and press for legal reform. Lawyers estimated that
Amnesty International Report 2007 195
NET
Terrorism
New legislation with the stated aim of countering
terrorism was officially published in November, but had
not entered into force by the end of 2006. It provided
196 Amnesty International Report 2007
NEW
Indigenous communities. Following international Liberian President Charles Taylor to face trial at the
protests, the government announced that it would Special Court for Sierra Leone. Charles Taylor
instead relocate the Mahamid Arabs to more fertile subsequently escaped but was recaptured by Nigerian
pastoral regions. security forces, and on 29 March was surrendered to
the Special Court.
AI country reports/visits In June the Inspector General of Police inaugurated
Report human rights desks in police stations in Lagos.
• Niger: Prisoners of conscience (AI Index: AFR However, according to human rights defenders, these
43/001/2006) mechanisms, where they existed, lacked adequate
resources and were inefficient.
Death penalty
Approximately 500 prisoners were estimated to be on
death row. No executions were reported. However, at
least 18 death sentences were handed down during 2006.
b The report of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry b On 14 August Dr Ayo Daramola, a candidate for
into an incident on 4 February 2005, during which Governor in Ekiti State, was fatally stabbed at his home.
soldiers fired on protesters at Chevron’s Escravos oil Police arrested eight people in connection with the
terminal killing one man and injuring at least 30 others, murder, including an aide to the former Ekiti State
had not been made public by the end of 2006. Governor, Ayo Fayose, who was impeached in October
in connection with an unrelated matter. One other
Extrajudicial executions suspect was reportedly shot evading arrest.
Extrajudicial executions by members of the police and
security forces continued to be widespread. These Violence against women
included civilians being killed by police during routine Violence against women, including domestic violence
road checks or for refusing to pay a bribe, shootings of and sexual violence by state officials and private
suspected armed robbers on arrest, and extrajudicial individuals, remained pervasive. Underlying factors
executions of detainees. Despite the alarming number included the entrenched culture of impunity for human
of such killings, the government took very little action rights violations committed by the police and security
to address the problem. forces, and the authorities’ consistent failure to
b In August, 12 suspected armed robbers, including a exercise due diligence in preventing and addressing
boy under the age of 18, were reportedly extrajudicially sexual violence by both state and non-state actors.
executed by police in Abia State. The victims had been In August a Bill to incorporate the UN Women’s
arrested during a raid in which four other suspects were Convention in domestic law was presented to the
killed. On 10 August Abia police displayed the suspects Senate. No further progress was made by the end of the
to journalists and other spectators. An eyewitness year. The Domestic Violence and Other Related Matters
stated that some of the suspects appeared to have Bill, which was debated by the Lagos House of
gunshot wounds. On 11 August the dead bodies of the 12 Assembly, had not become law by the end of the year.
suspects were seen dumped outside the morgue at a In December the Federal Government announced
government hospital, reportedly taken there by police. the introduction of a Bill on reform of discriminatory
No action was taken to investigate the deaths or bring laws against women and a Bill on elimination of
the perpetrators to justice. violence from society, which would cover all forms of
violence including domestic violence.
Political violence
There was widespread violence linked to state and Prisoner releases, pre-trial detention
federal elections due to be held in April 2007, including In January the Federal Government announced an
political assassinations and violent clashes between initiative aimed at speeding up the trial or unconditional
supporters of different candidates during the primary release of up to 25,000 inmates out of a prison
elections, particularly within the ruling People’s population estimated by the government at 45,000.
Democratic Party (PDP). The government failed to take However, no tangible results were seen by the end of the
effective action to deal with the violence or to address year. In November the government announced a case-
the role of politicians in fomenting it. Police by-case review of the prison population. Again, no
investigations and arrests following some action was evident by the end of the year.
assassinations and political violence were criticized as An estimated two-thirds of all people held in prisons
politically tainted. were awaiting trial, and the average pre-trial detention
In August the Inspector General of Police was period was estimated to be at least five years, with
reported in the independent media as saying that many people detained for 10 years or more without
politicians were recruiting students to engage in going to trial.
political violence. In the same month the Commissioner
of Police of Ebonyi State claimed that a number of Impunity
political candidates had reportedly started to train A Judicial Commission of Inquiry established to
“thugs” in preparation for the elections. The investigate the killing by police of five Igbo traders and
Commissioner warned all candidates for political office one woman in June 2005 submitted its report to the
to cease such activities, but no further action was government in August 2005. The report was published
reported. There were similar allegations that by a civic organization, the CLEEN Foundation. Eight
politicians were endorsing and encouraging political police officers were charged with murder. The trial had
violence in several states during 2006. not concluded by the end of the year. On 14 August the
b On 27 July Chief Funsho Williams of the PDP, Abuja High Court granted bail to two of the accused, a
candidate for Governor in Lagos State, was killed at Deputy Commissioner of Police and a constable.
his home. The Inspector General of Police stated that
244 suspects were arrested in connection with his Journalists and human rights defenders
murder, including his political associates, personal Human rights defenders and journalists critical of the
aides and four policemen. By the end of the year, government, and in particular of President Obasanjo,
209 suspects had been released for lack of evidence, continued to face intimidation and harassment.
while 35 remained in police custody. The specific In June Bukhari Bello was dismissed as Executive
charges against those who remained in detention Secretary of the Nigerian National Human Rights
were unclear. Commission, four years before the expiry of his contract.
200 Amnesty International Report 2007
OMA
implementation. However, women continued to be Islamic norms. More than 100 people were killed in the
subject to discrimination both in national law and in tribal areas, apparently for co-operating with the
practice, notably in terms of personal status, government. Many decapitated bodies were found with
employment and participation in public life. notes warning others not to support the government.
The UN Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, The dialogue with India faltered when Indian police
especially women and children, visited Oman in accused Pakistan of involvement in bomb blasts in
November. In her initial findings, the Special Mumbai, and Pakistan accused India of supporting
Rapporteur expressed concern about reports of ill- Baloch nationalists. It resumed towards the end of the
treatment and abuse of domestic workers by year.
employers, including sleep deprivation, withholding
payment of salaries, restrictions on movement and Arbitrary detention/enforced disappearances
denial of access to basic communications including use Scores of people suspected of links to terrorist groups,
of the telephone. The Special Rapporteur also found Baloch or Sindhi activists, and journalists were
that women from Central and East Asian countries had arbitrarily detained and subjected to enforced
been trafficked into Oman for prostitution. disappearance. State agents denied knowledge of
whereabouts to relatives and when questioned in court
Death penalty during habeas corpus hearings. Those released
At least one prisoner, Zuhair Islam Abdul Haq, a reported being tortured and ill-treated.
Bangladeshi national convicted of murder in 2004, was b Abdur Rahim Muslim Dost, an Afghan settled in
believed to be under sentence of death. Pakistan, and his brother were released in April 2005
from Guantánamo Bay after more than three years’
detention. In September, he was arrested again in
Peshawar, apparently in connection with a book
recording the brothers’ experiences. Habeas corpus
hearings were repeatedly adjourned. In December
state agencies denied holding him. His fate and
carried out the attack, despite eyewitnesses describing overturned the death sentences of all juveniles then on
bomb explosions 20 minutes before the helicopters death row, as he could not prove his age. The family of
arrived. No investigation was carried out. the murder victim had earlier agreed to pardon him in
return for compensation, but later retracted the pardon.
Failure to protect minorities b In November, President Musharraf commuted the
At least 44 registered cases of blasphemy were reported death sentence of Mirza Tahir Hussain after his
during 2006. Blasphemy cases took years to conclude. execution date had been postponed several times. He
The accused were rarely released on bail and were had been sentenced to death in 1998 for murder and
often ill-treated in detention. robbery. Different courts had reached divergent
b Ranjha Masih was acquitted of blasphemy in judgements in this case, ranging from acquittal to the
November by the Lahore High Court for lack of death penalty.
evidence. He was sentenced to life imprisonment in
2003 after being arrested during the funeral in 1998 of a Earthquake relief
Catholic bishop who committed suicide to protest at the International relief agencies said that many
targeting of Christians. reconstruction programmes faced funding deficits and
delays due to administrative difficulties and lack of
Violence against women information about victims’ needs. The earthquake in
“Honour” killings, domestic violence including maiming October 2005 killed almost 73,000 people and rendered
and harmful traditional practises continued at a high more than 3.5 million homeless.
level. Jirgas, councils of elders, which the Sindh High
Court had banned in 2004, continued to “sentence” girls AI country reports/visits
and women to cruel punishments. Reports
b In Mardan and Swabi districts, 60 girls and women • Pakistan: Unlawful executions in the tribal areas
were handed over to their families’ opponents to settle (AI Index: ASA 33/013/2006)
conflicts and as compensation for murder in three • Pakistan: Human rights ignored in the “war on terror”
months in mid-2006. (AI Index: ASA 33/036/2006)
In November, parliament passed an amendment to • Pakistan: Working to stop human rights violations
the Hadood Laws which continued to criminalize in the “war on terror” (AI Index: ASA 33/051/2006)
heterosexual consensual sex outside marriage, but Visits
provided that complaints of sex outside marriage AI delegates attended the World Social Forum in March,
should be investigated by a court to establish and held a workshop on enforced disappearances
admissibility before formal charges are laid. Under the jointly with the non-governmental Human Rights
Zina Ordinance, police had frequently arrested couples Commission of Pakistan in Islamabad in September. The
deemed not lawfully married by their relatives and government denied responsibility for widespread
charged them with fornication. The new law also enforced disappearances documented by AI; President
banned charging a woman with fornication if she had Musharraf described the report as “nonsense” to which
complained of being raped but was unable to prove he did not wish to respond.
absence of consent.
A presidential ordinance to allow bail for women
undergoing trial for all offences except murder,
corruption and terrorism was introduced. Some
1,300 women held on fornication charges were
released on bail.
Children’s rights
The appeal against the Lahore High Court judgement of
December 2004 which declared the Juvenile Justice
System Ordinance (JJSO) unconstitutional, remained
pending. The temporarily reinstated JJSO continued to
be poorly implemented as many areas remained
without parole officers and the number of juvenile
courts remained insufficient and in some areas there
were none. Juveniles continued to be tried with adults.
Death penalty
Some 446 people were sentenced to death, mostly for
murder. Eighty-two people were executed, mostly in
Punjab province.
b Mutabar Khan, believed to be 16 at the time of an
alleged murder in 1996, was executed in Peshawar
Central Prison in June 2006. He did not benefit from the
Presidential Commutation Order of 2001, which
Amnesty International Report 2007 203
PAL
PAPUA NEW b By the end of the year, none of the officers accused
of involvement in the rape and other ill-treatment of
women and girls arrested during a raid on Three Mile
Three men who had been under sentence of death Prison conditions
since 1997 had their sentences commuted to life Prisons were reportedly overcrowded and conditions
imprisonment after the appeal court found that the trial harsh, sometimes amounting to cruel, inhuman or
judge had mistakenly assumed he was required by law degrading treatment. In Tacumbú prison in the capital,
to impose the death penalty. Asunción, 40 inmates with mental illness reportedly
had no access to medicines or medical care, no
AI country reports/visits mattress or bedding and lived in unsanitary conditions.
Reports A prosecutor filed a legal petition for medical
• Papua New Guinea: Violence against women – not assistance on their behalf.
inevitable, never acceptable! (AI Index: ASA
34/002/2006) Armed civilian patrols
• Papua New Guinea: Women human rights defenders In July, two community leaders were attacked by
in action (AI Index: ASA 34/004/2006) members of the Neighbourhood Security Commission
Visit (Comisión Vecinal de Seguridad), a government-
An AI delegation visited Port Moresby in September. sponsored armed civilian patrol group, in the city of
San José del Norte, San Pedro department. Luis
Martínez, who was shot more than 30 times, was killed
and Zacarías Vega was wounded. The attack appeared
to be linked to the men’s work raising awareness of
peasants’ rights, their campaigning against the
excessive use of agricultural pesticides, and their
Political killings and counter-insurgency Congress voted in favour of a Bill to repeal the death
A long-standing peace process between the penalty law, and the President signed it in June. In 1987
government and the National Democratic Front (NDF), the Philippines had become the first Asian country to
representing the CPP-NPA, appeared to be abandoned abolish the death penalty for all crimes. However
as the government declared a new offensive against capital punishment was reintroduced in 1994, and
communist rebels. seven prisoners were subsequently executed by lethal
Armed attacks continued on members of legal leftist injection.
political parties, including Bayan Muna (People First)
and Anakpawis. Reports of the number of such victims Mindanao peace process
of alleged political killings ranged from 61 to at least 96 Peace negotiations between the government and the
during the year. Most were killed by unidentified armed separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF)
men on motorcycles. In some cases, those attacked had continued to make progress, albeit slowly.
reportedly been under surveillance by people linked to Disagreements continued over ancestral domain land
the security forces or had received death threats. claims and the amount of territory to be included in an
b Rafael Markus Bangit, an Indigenous people’s expanded Muslim autonomous region as part of a peace
leader and Bayan Muna provincial co-ordinator, was settlement.
shot dead in Isabela province (northern Luzon) by two A ceasefire agreement was periodically broken by
masked gunmen. He was about to re-board a bus, while clashes between MILF and government forces. Sporadic
travelling with his son. He had earlier told colleagues bomb attacks on civilian targets were allegedly
that he believed he was under surveillance. perpetrated by Islamists, some reportedly linked to the
Amid reports of ineffective investigations, and with MILF. MILF leaders denied links with Jemaah Islamiyah,
witnesses and relatives of the victims too frightened to a regional network accused of involvement in violent
co-operate with the police, perpetrators were rarely or terrorist activity, or with Abu Sayaff, a Philippine
brought to justice. In May the authorities set up a special Muslim separatist group responsible for kidnappings
police investigative task force. However, only a limited and killings of civilians.
number of people were arrested and few cases were filed In October the Senate amended an Anti-Terrorism
in court by the end of the year, and no one was held Bill, including by reducing the time suspects could be
accountable for cases stretching back to 2001. President detained without judicial authority, and by
Arroyo in August established a Commission of Inquiry, withdrawing clauses extending law enforcement
headed by former Supreme Court Justice José Melo, to powers to the military.
investigate the killings and make recommendations for
remedial action, including appropriate prosecutions and AI country reports/visits
legislative proposals. Reports
As military operations intensified, there were • Philippines: Political killings, human rights and the
reports nationwide of arbitrary detentions, peace process (AI Index: ASA 35/006/2006)
extrajudicial executions, enforced disappearances, • Philippines: Towards ensuring justice and ending
torture and harassment of civilians suspected of being political killings (AI Index: ASA 35/010/2006)
CPP-NPA supporters. Visits
b In February, Audie Lucero, a 19-year-old youth AI delegates visited the Philippines in February during
activist with the leftist Kilusan para sa Pambansang the State of Emergency and in December.
Demokrasya (Movement for National Democracy),
disappeared after being questioned by soldiers and
police at a hospital in Balanga City (Bataan, Luzon) about
a wounded friend he had helped bring for medical
attention. His body was found in a field the next day. The
military reported that the wounded man was a rebel.
b Also in February police arrested 10 youths aged
between 19 and 24 and a 15-year-old girl, who had been
hitchhiking in Benguet Province on their way to a music
festival at the resort of Sagada. Most reported being
beaten, suffocated with plastic bags and drenched with
gasoline to force them to admit involvement in an NPA
attack on a military detachment. The 11 were charged
with robbery and homicide, and remained in detention
until December.
places. Most of the prisons were scheduled to close independence activist Filiberto Ojeda Ríos in
over the next three years, raising concerns about the September 2005 cleared the Federal Bureau of
impact on conditions in remaining prisons. Investigation (FBI) of wrongdoing. The report found no
violation of policy when an FBI officer fired the fatal
Violence against women shot after seeing Ojeda Ríos at a window with a gun,
Of all violent incidents reported to the Portuguese some 90 minutes after an initial exchange of gunfire
Association of Victim Support, 86 per cent related to after police had surrounded the house. However, in its
domestic violence. Many were not reported to the report, published in September, the inquiry was critical
police. Under-reporting hampered justice in individual of many aspects of the planning and execution of the
cases and also impeded efforts to tackle domestic operation, including the decision not to allow an FBI
violence across society by hiding its full extent and crisis negotiating team to send a negotiator, and
nature. Thirty-nine women died as a result of domestic directions given by FBI headquarters not to allow
violence between November 2005 and November 2006. officers into the house until the following day. The OIG
Reforms to the penal code proposed in April included inquiry was based mainly on FBI testimony as others
defining domestic violence to include ill-treatment had declined to provide testimony.
between unmarried, same-sex and former couples, as
well as abuse between parents and children. If the Excessive use of force
violence takes place within the family home, this will be In February, the FBI was alleged to have used excessive
considered an aggravating factor. force against a group of journalists covering a news
event in which police were raiding the house of a
Racism political activist. Journalists were allegedly assaulted
Incidents of racist discrimination continued to be and sprayed with pepper spray. A civil lawsuit against
reported nationwide. The Commission for Equality and the FBI was pending at the end of the year.
Against Racial Discrimination reported that in the
previous six years it had received 190 complaints. Of
these, only two had resulted in a fine and 60 cases were
still pending. Insufficient resources resulted in cases
taking two or three years to resolve, and many were
shelved for lack of evidence, contributing to impunity
for acts of racism.
Rights of migrants
QATAR
An immigration law passed in August included measures
to provide residence permits to victims of trafficking. STATE OF QATAR
However, such permits would be available only to those Head of state: Shaikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani
who collaborated with the police, risking undue Head of government: Shaikh Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Thani
pressure being brought on victims at risk of reprisals. Death penalty: retentionist
International Criminal Court: not ratified
AI country reports/visits
Report
• Europe and Central Asia: Summary of Amnesty At least 2,000 people continued to be deprived of
International’s concerns in the region, January-June their Qatari nationality. A woman who had been
2006 (AI Index: EUR 01/017/2006) confined to her family home against her will since
2003 was allowed to leave the country. At least 21
prisoners were under sentence of death but no
executions were reported.
PUERTO RICO were released during the year after being held for
prolonged periods by the security forces. Some had
been held since 2005. At least one other was tried and
convicted.
COMMONWEALTH OF PUERTO RICO b Fahad al-Mansouri, who had been detained
Head of state: George W Bush without charge or trial since his arrest in November
Head of government: Aníbal Aceveda-Vilá 2005, was reported to have been tried in connection
Death penalty: abolitionist for all crimes with “belonging to a secret organization” and sentenced
to 10 years’ imprisonment.
b Hamid ‘Aladdin Shahadeh, a Jordanian national,
Update: killing in suspicious circumstances was released without charge in October. Arrested in
An investigation by the US Justice Department’s Office March 2005, he had reportedly been held in the State
of Inspector General (OIG) into the fatal shooting of Security prison in the industrial area of Doha.
Amnesty International Report 2007 213
ROM
There were a number of apparent contract killings of neither racism nor violence. The NGO he led, the
businessmen, officials and politicians. Russia’s chairing Russian-Chechen Friendship Society, was ordered by a
of the G8 group of major industrial states, and of the court to close in November. The decision was motivated
Council of Europe Committee of Ministers from May, in part by Stanislav Dmitrievskii’s conviction, applying a
increased international scrutiny of the government’s new NGO law forbidding individuals convicted of an
human rights record. “extremist” crime from heading an NGO.
Violence and instability in the North Caucasus Demonstrations
continued. In June, Chechen separatist leader Abdul- Many bans on demonstrations did not appear to be
Khalim Sadulaev was killed in Argun, Chechnya, in legitimate or proportionate restrictions of freedom of
fighting with police and security forces. Shamil Basaev, assembly. Peaceful protesters were detained despite
the Chechen opposition leader who claimed informing the authorities of their intention to
responsibility for the Beslan school siege, North demonstrate as required in law.
Ossetia, in September 2004 and other war crimes in the b Anti-globalization protesters were detained on
Chechen conflict, was killed in July in an explosion. their journey to St Petersburg in the run-up to the G8
summit in July, apparently sometimes on spurious
Restrictions on dissent grounds.
Limits on freedom of expression and assembly came b In April officers of a special police unit (OMON)
into force in April under amendments to three federal reportedly used excessive force to disperse over 500
laws – on closed administrative-territorial entities, on men, women and children protesting at alleged
public organizations and on non-commercial corruption by local authorities in Dagestan. Murad
organizations – and regulations specifying reporting Nagmetov was killed and at least two other
requirements for civil society organizations. Ostensibly demonstrators were seriously injured after police
aimed at improving the regulation of non-governmental reportedly fired tear gas canisters directly into the
organizations (NGOs), in practice new powers to crowd without warning. The local procuracy opened
scrutinize the funding and activities of Russian and investigations.
foreign civil society organizations were legally
imprecise, allowed arbitrary implementation and Conflict in the North Caucasus
disproportionate penalties, and diverted resources Extrajudicial executions, enforced disappearances and
from substantive programmes. abductions, arbitrary detention and torture, including
Amendments in July to the 2002 law on “extremist in unofficial places of detention, were reported in the
activity” broadened the definition of “extremism”, government’s counter-terrorism operation in the North
criminalized public justification of terrorism and Caucasus, particularly in Chechnya and Ingushetia.
slander of government officials, and threatened to Individuals who sought justice in the Russian courts or
restrict and punish the activities of civil society before the European Court of Human Rights faced
organizations and other government critics. intimidation from officials. Defence lawyers were also
Attacks on journalists harassed.
Journalists were intimidated, faced with groundless The conflict, sometimes characterized as an
criminal proceedings and attacked. Human rights insurgency, continued in Chechnya despite efforts to
defenders were subjected to administrative restore normalcy, including through large-scale
harassment and some received anonymous reconstruction projects. Federal forces and Chechen
death threats. police and security forces fought Chechen armed
b Russian journalist and human rights defender opposition groups, and federal forces shelled
Anna Politkovskaya was shot dead on 7 October at the mountainous areas in the south. In turn, Chechen
block of flats where she lived in Moscow, in all armed groups attacked police officers and convoys of
likelihood because of her work as a journalist. Her federal forces, and planted car bombs. The presence of
courageous coverage of the conflict and human rights numerous paramilitary forces, their arbitrary actions
situation in Chechnya since 1999 for Novaia Gazeta and their lack of accountability made it difficult to
(New Newspaper) had won her numerous awards, and determine the identity of those responsible for serious
she had also written extensively about violence in the human rights violations.
army, state corruption and police brutality. She had International agencies estimated 180,000 people
been subjected to intimidation and harassment by the were still internally displaced within Chechnya by the
Russian and Chechen authorities because of her conflict. Of these around 37,000 were registered as
outspoken criticism. A vigil in her memory on 16 living in temporary accommodation, where conditions
October in Nazran, Ingushetia, was broken up were reportedly poor. In April, Ramzan Kadyrov, Prime
violently. At least five human rights activists were Minister of Chechnya, said the centres were “a nest of
detained by police and charged with administrative criminality, drug addiction and prostitution” and
offences. Four were cleared, but the vigil organizer demanded their closure. Reportedly, five centres
was fined. housing 4,500 people were closed, and individuals were
b On 3 February, Stanislav Dmitrievskii was sentenced removed from lists of inhabitants in other centres,
to a suspended two-year prison term and four years’ although no alternative accommodation was available.
probation for inciting “race hate” after he published b Bulat Chilaev and Aslan Israilov were believed to
articles by Chechen separatist leaders that advocated have been subjected to enforced disappearance by
Amnesty International Report 2007 217
RUS
• Russian Federation: Rasul Kudaev (AI Index: EUR issued international arrest warrants for nine close
46/003/2006) aides of Rwandan President Paul Kagame.
• Russian Federation: Amnesty International’s
concerns and recommendations in the case of Independent journalists under attack
Mikhail Trepashkin (AI Index: EUR 46/012/2006) Journalists were subjected to intimidation, harassment
• Russian Federation: Preliminary briefing to the UN and violence. The authorities failed to conduct
Committee against Torture (AI Index: EUR independent and impartial investigations into attacks
46/014/2006) or threats against journalists. The authorities
• Russian Federation: Violent racism out of control repeatedly denied that there were restrictions on
(AI Index: EUR 46/022/2006) freedom of expression in Rwanda, accusing
• Russian Federation: Supplementary briefing to the independent journalists of “unprofessionalism”.
UN Committee against Torture (AI Index: EUR b Bonaventure Bizumuremyi, the news editor of
46/039/2006) Umuco, reportedly had his home in Kigali ransacked in
• Russian Federation: Russian Chechen Friendship January by four men armed with clubs and knives. Before
Society closed under new NGO law (AI Index: EUR this attack, Umuco had criticized the ruling party for
46/048/2006) ineptitude and for allegedly controlling the judiciary.
• Russian Federation: Torture and forced “confessions” The judicial system remained compromised and
in detention (AI Index: EUR 46/056/2006) regularly enforced laws that curtailed free expression.
Visits b In August, the High Court upheld a suspended
AI delegates visited the Russian Federation in April, sentence of one year in prison and a fine imposed on
June, July and December. In July, AI’s Secretary General Charles Kabonero, editor of Umuseso, for “public
met the President together with other heads of global insult”. In 2004, Umuseso had questioned the integrity
civil society organizations. of the parliamentary Deputy Speaker, Denis Polisi.
According to reports from local authorities and one of the main obstacles preventing the transfer to
genocide survivors’ associations, in the East province Rwanda’s national jurisdiction of detainees held by the
some genocide survivors were subject to intimidation, International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) or
harassment and assault before testifying before a indicted genocide suspects living abroad.
gacaca court.
b In November, at Rukumberi (Ngoma district, East Investigations of genocide and war crimes
province) Frédéric Musarira, a genocide survivor, was The Commission of Inquiry set up in April 2005 to
allegedly killed by a man who had recently been investigate the alleged role of the French military in the
released from prison after confessing his involvement genocide started work in April 2006. Rwandan officials
in the genocide. In retaliation, genocide survivors in stated that, depending on the Commission findings,
the area reportedly killed at least eight people. they might lodge a complaint against French military
Rwandans fled the gacaca system to neighbouring personnel before the International Criminal Court.
countries throughout 2006. Some were afraid that the In May, the Rwandan Prosecutor General compiled a
tribunals would expose their involvement in the new list of 93 genocide suspects said to be living
genocide. Others fled out of fear of false accusations. abroad. Concerns were raised over the accuracy of this
Approximately 20,000 Rwandan asylum-seekers fled list, as some of those named had apparently died, or
from southern Rwanda to Burundi early in the year, were not in the named country. Few foreign
according to the UN refugee agency UNHCR. The governments initiated judicial proceedings against
common issues forcing them to flee were persecution alleged Rwandan genocide suspects residing,
by local authorities, drought conditions and gacaca sometimes under false identities, in their countries.
court summonses. In November, a French judge investigating the
In July, further groups of Rwandans fled from the shooting down of former President Habyarimana’s
East province to avoid the gacaca system, including 40 plane in 1994 issued international arrest warrants for
people from Munyaga, Rwamagana district, who nine high-ranking Rwandan officials. He also requested
entered Uganda. that the ICTR issue an indictment for President Paul
Kagame’s arrest for his involvement.
Pre-trial detention The investigation by a Spanish judge into the murder
Several thousand detainees remained incarcerated on of Spanish nationals and other crimes committed
a long-term basis without trial. Approximately 48,000 between 1990 and 2002 in Rwanda was reportedly
detainees were awaiting trial for alleged participation completed. The investigation focused on the direct
in the genocide. involvement of 69 members of the Rwandan Patriotic
b Dominique Makeli, a former journalist for Radio Front (RPF), some of whom were high-ranking figures in
Rwanda, remained in detention without trial after the military.
almost 12 years. The charges against him have
repeatedly changed. The authorities’ latest accusation International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda
was that in 1994 he had incited genocide in a Trials of prominent genocide suspects continued before
programme for Radio Rwanda in 1994. the ICTR, which held 56 detainees at the end of 2006.
b Two Catholic nuns, Sisters Bénédicte Nine trials, involving multiple and single defendants,
Mukanyangezi and Bernadette Mukarusine, remained were ongoing. Seven cases were concluded in 2006. Two
in detention without trial after more than 12 years. detainees were acquitted and the others were sentenced
to terms of imprisonment. One case was pending appeal.
Prison conditions Eighteen suspects indicted by the ICTR were still at large.
Approximately 69,000 people were reportedly held in The ICTR was mandated by the UN Security Council to
prisons during 2006. All prisons were overpopulated complete all trials by the end of 2008. It ceased to issue
with the exception of Mpanga Prison. For example, indictments for individuals suspected of involvement
Gitarama prison reportedly held 7,477 detainees in genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity in
although its official capacity was 3,000. Rwanda.
Detention conditions remained extremely harsh and Since its inception, the ICTR has tried only members
amounted to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. and supporters of the government in place in April 1994.
Underground cells were reported to exist in some It did not fully implement its mandate by investigating
prisons and detention centres. all war crimes and crimes against humanity committed
b At least 50 people were reportedly held in harsh in 1994, notably those committed by the RPF.
and insanitary conditions in an underground cellar in
Gitarama prison for more than a year. These prisoners Update: enforced disappearances
were seldom allowed to go outside. Augustin Cyiza, a prominent member of civil society, was
reportedly a victim of enforced disappearance in 2003
Death penalty during the run-up to elections. Rwandan officials denied
Six hundred prisoners remained on death row. The last knowledge of his whereabouts in 2005, but sources
execution was carried out in 1998. In October, the claimed he had been abducted and killed.
political bureau of the ruling party strongly Léonard Hitimana, a member of the Transitional
recommended abolishing the death penalty. The National Assembly, disappeared in April 2003. In April
continued existence of the death penalty constituted 2006, the President of the National Commission for
Amnesty International Report 2007 221
SAU
Human Rights stated that the investigation into his floggings continued to be imposed by the courts.
case was confidential, and that results would be Violence against women was prevalent and migrant
released in due course. The fate of Léonard Hitimana workers suffered discrimination and abuse. At least 39
remained unknown. people were executed.
Abdullah Hassan, a Libyan national — were released Ahmad, was released in September from the General
without charge in July. However, their passports were Intelligence Office (al-Mabahith al-’Amma) in al-
withheld and they were not permitted to leave Saudi Dammam. He had been detained since August 2003 for
Arabia. Abdel Hakim Mohammed Jellaini had undisclosed reasons, apparently connected to his Shi’a
reportedly been beaten and denied food during part of religious beliefs.
his detention.
The Minister of Interior reportedly announced in Freedom of expression
April that thousands of detainees had been released, Despite greater press freedom in recent years, writers
including 700 men linked to al-Qa’ida who the and journalists who called for reform were subject to
authorities had “involved in a programme aimed at short-term arrests, travel bans or censorship. Some
correcting their extremist views”. He did not disclose also faced harassment by private individuals aligned to
when or over what period these releases had occurred. conservative sectors of society.
b In February the daily Shams newspaper was
Guantánamo Bay detainees suspended for six weeks after it re-published the
At least two dozen Saudi Arabian nationals and an cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad as part of its
ethnic Uighur who had been detained by US forces in campaign to urge actions against the cartoons.
Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, were repatriated to Saudi b In March Mohsen al-Awaji was reportedly
Arabia in May and June. They were detained upon arrested after he published articles on the Internet
arrival and held at al-Ha’ir prison. There were fears criticizing the authorities and calling for an end to
that Siddeq Ahmad Siddeq Nour Turkistani, the Uighur, censorship of websites. He was released without
would be at risk of torture or execution if he were to be charge after eight days.
removed to China; he was still believed to be in Saudi b Hamza al-Muzaini, an academic who allegedly
Arabia at the end of 2006. The Saudi Arabian criticized a cleric in an article, was fined in May by the
authorities said that the Investigation and Public Ministry of Information. He was physically attacked
Prosecution Commission would review the cases of the and branded an “infidel” in September by a group of
returned detainees, and at least 12 of them were young men as he gave a speech on reform of the
released in May and August. Some were said to have school curriculum.
been released for lack of evidence of any offence; b In October a court dismissed a case against Raja
others were sentenced to one-year prison terms for al-Sanei’, author of a book about the lives of young
document forgery. Saudi Arabian women. She had been accused of
defaming Saudi Arabian society and misinterpreting
Political prisoners and possible verses of the Qur’an. The Ministry of Culture and
prisoners of conscience Information did not permit her book or some 20
Critics of the government were subjected to detention others to be featured at the Riyadh International Book
without charge or trial, often for prolonged periods, Fair, because they were considered defamatory to
before being tried or released. Saudi Arabia and Islam.
b Dr Shaim al-Hamazani, Jamal al-Qosseibi, Hamad Scores of people, including pro-reform figures, were
al-Salihi and ‘Abdullah al-Magidi were tried in subjected to travel bans after their release from
September, having reportedly been detained without detention. Dr Matrouk al-Falih and Muhammad Sa’eed
charge or access to lawyers at al-Ha’ir prison for almost Tayyeb, who were arrested in 2004 for calling for
two years. They were arrested in 2004 after they called reform, reportedly remained subject to restrictions on
for political and judicial reform and the release of their freedom of expression and movement imposed
political prisoners. They were sentenced to prison when they were released in August 2005, and March
terms of between one and a half and three and a half 2004, respectively. Muhammad Sa’eed Tayyeb was
years. Dr Shaim al-Hamazani was released in October, reportedly required to sign a statement at the time of his
having completed the requisite period in prison, but release that he would not again call for political reform.
continued to be banned from travelling abroad. b Sa’ad Bin Sa’id Bin Zu’air and his brother, Mubarak
b Hind Sa’id Bin Zu’air was detained in August, Bin Sa’id Bin Zu’air, and their father, Dr Sa’id Bin Zu’air,
together with her 10-month-old baby, and held for a were reportedly subject to censorship and banned from
week before being released uncharged, apparently travelling. Sa’ad Bin Sa’id Bin Zu’air was also detained
because her father, Dr Sa’id Bin Zu’air, has been critical without charge or trial from June to August, during
of government policies pursued in the context of the which he was held incommunicado in ‘Ulaisha prison,
“war on terror”. Riyadh, after he was interviewed on the satellite TV
b Twenty men, who were among 250 people station, Al-Jazeera.
reportedly arrested for attending a private social
gathering in al-‘Ashamia area in Jizan in August, Women’s rights
appeared to be prisoners of conscience detained solely Women continued to face pervasive discrimination, in
for their actual or perceived sexual orientation. They particular severe restrictions on their freedom of
continued to be detained without charge or trial at the movement. Domestic violence remained widespread;
end of the year; others held at the same time were the Saudi Arabian Human Rights Society reported that
released uncharged. it had received reports of hundreds of cases of
b A possible prisoner of conscience, Kamil ‘Abbas al- domestic violence. In May it was reported that King
Amnesty International Report 2007 223
SAU
Abdullah had ordered that a new court be established tortured for several days until he “confessed” to making
which would specialize in hearing domestic violence “verbal comments contrary to Shar’ia”. He was
cases, but it was not clear how far this had progressed sentenced to death but this was later reduced on
by the end of the year. appeal to 14 years’ imprisonment and 4,000 lashes, to
Women activists continued to lobby for their rights. which he was subjected in repeated sessions of 50
Following her release, Wajeha Al-Huwaider, who was lashes at a time.
briefly arrested in August 2005 for carrying a placard b Nabil Al-Randan was reported to have fled Saudi
urging King Abdullah to grant more rights to women, Arabia when, in April, the Court of Cassation upheld a
vowed to carry on her activities. sentence of 90 lashes for “immoral behaviour” after he
In February the Shura (Consultative Council) rejected appointed two women to work in a restaurant he owned.
a private member’s bill to lift the ban on women driving b Puthen Veetil Abdul Latheef Noushad, an Indian
motor vehicles. In June the authorities appointed six national who was sentenced to have an eye removed in
women as consultants to the Shura to advise on issues December 2005, was pardoned by the man he was said to
affecting women. have partially blinded in a dispute and released on 5 April.
The Ministry of Labour’s plans to increase the number
of Saudi Arabian women in employment suffered a Death penalty
setback. It postponed the implementation of a decision At least 39 people were executed. The authorities did
that only women could be employed in lingerie shops not disclose the number of people sentenced to death.
after shop owners proved unable to comply. Many defendants complained that they were not
represented by lawyers and were not informed of the
Forced removal progress of their trial.
Abulgasim Ahmed Abulgasim, a political opponent of b Suliamon Olyfemi, a Nigerian, remained under
the Sudanese government and member of an armed sentence of death. He had been convicted of murder
political group in Darfur, was arrested by Saudi after a trial in 2004 which was conducted in Arabic, a
Arabian security forces on 26 September at his home language which he did not understand, without the
in Jeddah where he had lived for over 20 years. He was assistance of an interpreter. He was reportedly tortured
apparently arrested because of a speech he gave at or ill-treated in pre-trial detention and denied access to
the Sudanese Embassy in which he criticized the legal representation or adequate consular assistance.
Sudanese government. He was deported to Sudan, b Majda Mostafa Mahir, a Moroccan national who
where he was arrested immediately and held was sentenced to death after an unfair trial in 1997, and
incommunicado, on 28 September. whose death sentence was annulled after the victim’s
family requested a revocation of the sentence, was
Migrant workers released on 12 November and returned to Morocco. In
Migrant workers were subject to abuses by state April, the Secretary of the Crown Prince had reportedly
authorities and by private employers. Abuses by state visited her in Briman prison, Jeddah.
authorities included detention without charge or trial, b Hadi Sa’eed Al-Muteef, who was sentenced to death
and abuses by employers included physical and for making “verbal comments contrary to Shar’ia” in
psychological ill-treatment and non-payment of salaries. 2001, had his sentence commuted to a prison term. He
b Isma’il ‘Abdul Sattar, a Pakistani national, was reportedly denied access to a lawyer, and not
reportedly remained in detention without charge or informed of proceedings against him or appeal
trial at al-Ruwais prison, Jeddah, having been arrested processes.
10 years previously following a police raid on the Saudi Arabia assured the UN Committee on the Rights
company where he worked. of the Child in January that it had not carried out any
b Nour Miyati, an Indonesian domestic worker, who executions of child offenders since the Convention on
was severely injured by her employer and then the Rights of the Child came into force in Saudi Arabia in
sentenced to 79 lashes by a court in Riyadh for accusing 1996. However, child offenders continued to be
him of abuse, had her sentence overturned on appeal. sentenced to death.
b Five teenagers were reported in August to have
Torture and ill-treatment been sentenced to death by a lower court in
There were reports of torture in custody. Sentences of Madinah, in connection with the murder of a
flogging, a form of cruel, inhuman and degrading 10-year-old boy in 2004.
punishment which may amount to torture, continued to
be routinely imposed by the courts. Those sentenced to AI country reports/visits
floggings included young men and children accused by Statement
the Committee for the Prevention of Vice and • Saudi Arabia: Government must take urgent action to
Promotion of Virtue of harassing women. The abolish the death penalty for child offenders
government was reported in May to have instructed the (AI Index: MDE 23/001/2006)
Committee to refer cases of harassment of women to
the prosecuting authorities.
b Ma’idh Al-Saleem was released in November
following a pardon by the King. He was reported to
have been arrested in 2001, aged 16, and to have been
224 Amnesty International Report 2007
SEN
smelting plant. On 30 June the last of the bodies of more Centre director Nata®a Kandi». The charges included
than 700 ethnic Albanians exhumed from mass graves defamation.
were returned to Kosovo. Police investigations were Discrimination against minorities
opened, according to reports in September, but no b In October, eight football fans were indicted in
indictments were published by the end of 2006. ¼a½ak for racial abuse of a Zimbabwean player, and 152
b On 2 October, the trial started at the War Belgrade fans were arrested for racial abuse during a
Crimes Chamber in Belgrade of eight former police football match against the mainly ethnic Bosniak team
officers – including Radoslav Mitrovi», former Kosovo from Novi Pazar.
special police commander and Radojko Repanovi», b On 6 February ©abac Municipal Court convicted
police commander in Suva Reka – indicted on 25 April Bogdan Vaslijevi» of “violating the equality of citizens”
for the murder of 48 ethnic Albanian civilians, all but for preventing three Romani people from entering a
one from the same family, in Suva Reka in March 1999. swimming pool on 8 July 2000. He received a
Some of their bodies had been exhumed at Batajnica. suspended three-month prison term.
b On 13 November the trial opened of two former b On 6 March the UN Committee on the Elimination
police officers indicted in August for the murder of of Racial Discrimination found that Serbia and
three Kosovo-Albanian brothers with US nationality. Montenegro had failed to provide an effective remedy
Torture and ill-treatment in the case of a Romani man, Dragan Durmi», refused
The new Serbian Criminal Code, which entered into entry to a Belgrade discotheque in March 2000.
force on 1 January, introduced a specific criminal Violence against women
offence of torture. Violence against women, including domestic violence
Numerous detainees alleged torture and other ill- and trafficking for the purposes of forced prostitution,
treatment aimed at extracting “confessions”, mostly at remained widespread. On 10 January, the Ministry for
the time of arrest and during the first hours of Labour, Employment and Social policy published a draft
detention at police stations, according to a report by strategy on combating violence against women but
the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture failed to consult women’s organizations.
published in May. Reported methods included “falaka”
(beating on the soles of the feet). Kosovo
b In November police allegedly used excessive force An UNMIK regulation in February effectively withdrew
against a prison protest at the government’s failure to the jurisdiction of the Ombudsperson’s Office over
implement an amnesty law. Lawyers and relatives were UNMIK. The Human Rights Advisory Panel, proposed as
reportedly unable to visit some of the 50 prisoners who an alternative mechanism on 23 March, failed to
had been hospitalized or placed in solitary provide an impartial body which would guarantee
confinement. access to redress and reparations for people whose
Political killings rights had been violated by UNMIK. It had not been
b In May the Serbian Supreme Court ordered the constituted by the end of 2006.
retrial of Milorad Ulemek and former secret police chief Recommendations to strengthen protection for
Radomir Markovi», citing serious violations of minorities by the Advisory Committee on the
procedure. The two men had been convicted of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National
attempted murder of government minister Vuk Minorities, made public in March, were not
Dra®kovi» and the murder of four other men, and implemented. The UN Human Rights Committee
sentenced to 15 and 10 years’ imprisonment criticized the lack of human rights protection in Kosovo
respectively, in June 2005. following consideration of an UNMIK report in July.
b In November, Aleksandar Simovi» was arrested for In November the European Court of Human Rights
the murder in June of Zoran Vukojevi», a witness at a considered the admissibility of a case against French
separate trial of Milorad Ulemek and others on charges members of the NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR)
of murdering former Serbian Prime Minister Zoran brought by the father of a 12-year-old boy killed in
Ðinði». Others indicted for the murder of Zoran Ðinði» May 2000 by an unexploded cluster bomb that the
remained at large. troops had failed to detonate or mark. His younger
b On 10 September municipal election candidate son was severely injured.
Ruûdija Durovi» was killed in a shooting incident at a Inter-ethnic violence
polling station in Novi Pazar in the Sandûak region. The Impunity continued for the majority of perpetrators of
killing was believed to be politically motivated. Three ethnically motivated attacks. Most attacks involved the
others were injured. Two suspects were arrested within stoning of buses carrying Serb passengers by Albanian
24 hours and remained in detention in November. Four youths. In some cases, grenades or other explosive
people were injured in November when an explosive devices were thrown at buses or houses, and Orthodox
device was thrown into the home of a Democratic churches were looted and vandalized.
Action Party official. Three predominantly Serbian municipalities declared
Human rights defenders a “state of emergency” on 2 June following attacks they
Prosecutions believed to be malicious and politically considered ethnically motivated, and announced a
motivated were opened in several proceedings against boycott of the UNMIK police and the Kosovo Police
Biljana Kova½evi»-Vu½o, director of the Lawyers Service (KPS). Additional international police were
Committee for Human Rights, and Humanitarian Law deployed and ethnic Albanian KPS officers withdrawn.
Amnesty International Report 2007 227
SER
b On 1 June, a Serbian youth was shot dead on the In February the European Court of Human Rights
road between Zve½an/Zveçan and Zitkovac/Zhitkoc. decided it was not competent to rule on a petition by
b On 20 June, a 68-year-old Serbian man who had the communities that their economic and social rights
returned the previous year to Klinë/a was reportedly had been violated, on the grounds that UNMIK was not
shot dead in his own house. a party to the European Convention on Human Rights.
b In June, two Romani families reportedly left the b In early 2006, a senior KPS officer was reportedly
village of Zhiti/Zitinje after an incident in which an removed from his post and other officers given training
ethnic Albanian was later arrested. after a complaint to the UNMIK police commissioner by
War crimes trials two gay men. After being assaulted on 31 December
Impunity for war crimes against Serbs and other 2005 in a village outside Pristina, they had been taken
minorities continued. to hospital by KPS officers and asked to file a complaint,
b On 11 August former KLA member Selim Krasniqi but were later subjected to insulting and degrading
and two others were convicted before an abuse when their sexual orientation was discovered.
international panel of judges at Gnjilanë/Gjilan Officers told them, incorrectly, that homosexuality was
District Court of the abduction and ill-treatment at a unlawful in Kosovo.
KLA camp in 1998 of ethnic Albanians suspected of Refugee returns
collaborating with the Serb authorities. They were The rate of return of people displaced by the conflict in
sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment. A visit to Kosovo remained low, although it was reported in June
Selim Krasniqi in prison by Prime Minister Agim Çeku that some 400 Serbs had agreed to return to Babush
provoked an outcry. village near Ferizaj/Uro®evac. Those forcibly returned
UNMIK police failed to conduct investigations into to Kosovo from EU member states were rarely provided
outstanding cases of abducted members of minority with support and assistance by the authorities.
communities. On 13 October the bodies of 29 Serbs and Violence against women
other non-Albanians exhumed in Kosovo were handed Up to three cases a day of domestic violence were
over to the Serbian authorities and to families for reported by the UNMIK police. The Ministry of Justice
burial in Belgrade. and Social Welfare agreed in July to provide funding for
Excessive force by police the women’s shelter in Gjakova/Ðakovica, and
b On 25 May, 33 women, 20 children and three men promised financial support for other shelters.
required treatment for exposure to tear gas and other Trafficking for the purposes of forced prostitution
injuries after UNMIK police beat people and used tear continued to be widespread. Reportedly, 45 criminal
gas in the village of Krusha e Vogël/Mala Kru®a. Women proceedings related to trafficking were taking place in
had surrounded a convoy of armoured UNMIK vehicles July. Little progress was made in implementing the
escorting defence lawyers for Dragoljub Ojdani», Kosovo Action Plan of Trafficking, published in 2005.
indicted by the Tribunal with responsibility for the
murder of over 100 men and boys in the village in 1999. AI country reports/visits
An UNMIK inquiry found that the police had used Reports
reasonable force, but acknowledged that the incident • Europe and Central Asia: Summary of Amnesty
could have been avoided with adequate preparation. International’s concerns in the region, January-June
On a number of occasions, UNMIK and KPS officers 2006 (AI Index: EUR 01/017/2006)
used excessive force in peaceful demonstrations • Kosovo/Kosova (Serbia): Human rights protection in
against UNMIK and the Kosovo status talks by members post-status Kosovo/Kosova – Amnesty International’s
of the non-governmental Vetëvendosje! (Self recommendations relating to talks on the final status of
Determination!) organization. Kosovo/Kosova (AI Index: EUR 70/008/2006)
b On 23 August, 15 people were reportedly ill-treated • Kosovo (Serbia and Montenegro): United Nations
following arrest at Pristina police station. The Acting Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) –
Ombudsperson asked the prosecutor to open an Conclusions of the Human Rights Committee, 86th
investigation in the case of one man whose arm and Session, July 2006 (AI Index: EUR 70/011/2006)
nose were broken and eyes injured. • Kosovo (Serbia): The UN in Kosovo – a legacy of
b On 6 December the commander of Peja/Pe» KPS impunity (AI Index: EUR 70/015/2006)6)
and two KPS officers were suspended following a Visit
detainee’s death in custody. AI delegates visited Kosovo in April.
Discrimination
b Most Romani, Ashkali and Egyptian families living
on lead-contaminated sites near Mitrovicë/a
voluntarily moved to a former military camp at
Osterode at the beginning of 2006. Some Roma
remained at one site until it was destroyed by fire.
There was a lack of meaningful consultation with the
communities before relocation and on the rebuilding of
their former homes in the Romani neighbourhood of
south Mitrovicë/a. Some of the community returned to
newly built houses in December.
228 Amnesty International Report 2007
SIE
SIERRA LEONE relocated the trial from Freetown to the premises of the
International Criminal Court in The Hague, the
Netherlands. On 20 June Charles Taylor was officially
transferred to The Hague. The indictment against
REPUBLIC OF SIERRA LEONE Charles Taylor was reduced from 17 to 11 counts of war
Head of state and government: Ahmad Tejan Kabbah crimes and crimes against humanity. In April Charles
Death penalty: retentionist Taylor pleaded not guilty. Two pre-trial hearings took
International Criminal Court: ratified place, and the trial was due to start in 2007.
Trials continued before the Special Court for Sierra
Leone of those bearing the greatest responsibility for
The police officially took over internal security at the crimes against humanity, war crimes and other serious
beginning of the year. Several political opponents of violations of international law committed in the civil
the government were arrested and faced trial. Former war after 30 November 1996. Charges included murder,
Liberian President Charles Taylor was transferred to mutilation, rape and other forms of sexual violence,
the Special Court for Sierra Leone in March, and three sexual slavery, conscription of child soldiers,
trials before the Special Court continued. Trials of abductions and forced labour. In December the UN
former combatants were concluded. There was little Secretary-General appointed Stephen Rapp, a US
progress in implementing the recommendations of national and Chief of Prosecutions at the International
the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, in Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, as the new Prosecutor of
strengthening the justice system or in reforming laws the Special Court.
that discriminate against women. Of 11 people indicted, 10 were in custody, but Johnny
Paul Koroma, former Chairman of the Armed Forces
Background Revolutionary Council (AFRC), remained at large.
The UN peacekeeping office in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) Although individually charged, the trials were
was replaced with a peace-building office, the UN conducted in three groups. In the Revolutionary United
Integrated Office in Sierra Leone (UNIOSIL), at the start Front (RUF) trial of three men including Issa Sesay, the
of the year. UNIOSIL made a slow start to its work due to prosecution closed on 2 August and the defence was
staffing difficulties. The UN Peacebuilding Commission, due to start in 2007. In the Civil Defence Forces trial of
an intergovernmental advisory body to co-ordinate the three men including Moinina Fofana, closing arguments
resources of the international community in countries began in late November. In the AFRC trial, the defence
emerging from conflict, chose Sierra Leone as a pilot. concluded in December.
The overall security situation was generally stable
and the government took further steps towards Arrests and trials of political opponents
assuming responsibility for the maintenance of Several suspected political opponents of the
security. There were, however, some security concerns government were arrested and tried during the year.
in areas bordering Guinea. Support for the army from b In January Omrie Golley, former spokesman of the
the International Military Advisory and Training Team RUF, Mohamed Alpha Bah and David Kai-Tongi were
(IMATT), a retraining body from Britain, the USA, arrested in Freetown. The three were charged with
Canada, Bermuda, Australia and France, continued treason, and by the end of the year, after numerous
throughout the year. delays, the trial had not been concluded.
Sierra Leone remained one of the poorest countries b In February Charles Margai, interim leader of the
in the world with 70 per cent of the population living on People’s Movement for Democratic Change (PMDC),
less than US$1 a day and high illiteracy rates. Rates of was arrested, prompting peaceful protests by PMDC
mortality and disease were at crisis levels due to the supporters. His trial was continuing at the end of
inadequacy of the health infrastructure. the year.
Four political parties campaigned ahead of elections
scheduled for mid-2007. Trials of former combatants
The trials of former members of the RUF and AFRC
Special Court for Sierra Leone charged with treason, who had been detained in
On 29 March Charles Taylor was transferred from Pademba Road Prison, concluded before the High Court
Nigeria to Liberia after an official request to the in Freetown. Forty-two were acquitted, three were
Nigerian government by Liberian President Ellen sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment and 13 received
Johnson-Sirleaf. Upon arriving in Liberia, Charles Taylor other sentences.
was arrested and transferred to the Special Court for In the trial of 31 members of the West Side Boys, an
Sierra Leone. On 30 March, the Special Court for Sierra armed group, 25 were acquitted and six sentenced to
Leone made an official request to the Netherlands to life imprisonment.
host his trial there, citing security issues. There were
concerns that political considerations lay behind the Press freedom
move, rather than security. In February the Minister of Justice announced that he
On 15 June the United Kingdom (UK) agreed to would not pursue charges of manslaughter in the case
imprison Charles Taylor if he was sentenced to a prison of Harry Yansaneh, editor of the newspaper For di
term. On 16 June UN Resolution 1688 was passed, which People, who died after being beaten by a group of men
Amnesty International Report 2007 229
SIN
February when he was unable to pay damages of extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions
500,000 Singapore dollars (approximately US$306,000) expressed concern about executions in Singapore and
to two PAP leaders when a 2001 defamation suit ended. called for an end to death sentences for drug-related
As a bankrupt, he was barred from seeking election. He offences, arguing that the mandatory death sentence is
was imprisoned for eight days in March for contempt of a violation of international legal standards. In January
court after saying publicly that the judiciary lacked the Singapore Law Society said it intended to carry out
independence. In November he was sentenced to a “an open-minded review of the legal issues” related to
prison term of five weeks for speaking in public without the death penalty.
a permit. On his release he faced further criminal People continued to be sentenced to caning
charges for speaking in public without a permit and throughout the year, including a 16-year-old boy
attempting to leave the country without permission. In convicted of theft and judged unsuitable for
August the publisher and the editor of the Far Eastern reformative training.
Economic Review were sued for defamation in
connection with a favourable article about him.
b J B Jeyaretnam, former leader of the opposition
Workers’ Party, unsuccessfully appealed against the
bankruptcy imposed on him in 2001 after a series of
politically motivated defamation suits. He remained
unable to stand for re-election.
b Writer Lee Kin Mun was suspended by the state-
owned newspaper Today following publication of a
critical article on Singapore’s living costs.
SLOVAKIA
b Two Falun Gong practitioners were convicted of
holding an illegal protest outside the Chinese Embassy SLOVAK REPUBLIC
and sentenced in November to prison terms of 15 days Head of state: Ivan Ga®parovi½
and 10 days respectively. Nine practitioners were Head of government: Robert Fico (replaced Mikulá®
charged with illegally assembling to distribute leaflets. Dzurinda in July)
Jaya Gibson, a British journalist and Falun Gong Death penalty: abolitionist for all crimes
practitioner, was denied entry to Singapore. International Criminal Court: ratified
b The government restricted both domestic and
foreign activism relating to a meeting in Singapore of
the World Bank and International Monetary Fund in Roma faced serious discrimination in access to
September, provoking worldwide criticism, including housing, education, employment, health care and
from both institutions. other services, as well as persistent prejudice and
hostility. Romani pupils were frequently taught in
Detention without charge or trial segregated classes or were over-represented in
Some 34 men remained in detention without charge or special schools for children with mental disabilities.
trial under the Internal Security Act. The authorities Women, particularly from the Romani community,
claimed the men were involved in militant Islamist were vulnerable to trafficking for the purpose of
groups and posed a security threat to Singapore. Seven sexual exploitation.
detainees were reportedly released after co-operating
with the authorities and responding well to Background
“rehabilitation”. In February, Deputy Prime Minister In parliamentary elections on 17 June, the Direction-
Wong Kan Seng was reported as saying that the Social Democracy (Smer) party won the most votes. To
treatment of such detainees was not a “tea party” but secure a ruling majority, it formed a coalition with the
denied they had been tortured. Slovak National Party (SNS) and the People’s Party-
Movement for a Democratic Slovakia. As both coalition
Conscientious objectors partners, particularly the SNS, were deemed to have
At least eight conscientious objectors were imprisoned, promoted ethnic or racial prejudices and hatred, Smer’s
and 12 others continued to serve their sentences during membership of the Party of European Socialists in the
2006. All were members of the banned Jehovah’s European Parliament was suspended.
Witnesses religious group. There were no moves On 3 February, the Constitution was amended to
towards offering an alternative to military service. increase the powers of the Public Defender of Rights
(Ombudsperson), including the right to bring cases
Death penalty and corporal punishment before the Constitutional Court when laws and
At least five people were executed, two in June regulations threaten human rights and basic freedoms.
following conviction for drug trafficking, the others in Another amendment specified the duty of all public
November after being convicted of murder. Death security forces to co-operate with the Public Defender.
sentences were handed down to at least five people.
The presence of foreign prisoners on death row Exclusion of Roma
raised the international profile of Singapore’s high rate Roma faced discrimination in access to housing,
of executions. The UN Special Rapporteur on education and employment, according to the final
Amnesty International Report 2007 231
SLO
report on the human rights situation of the Roma, Sinti Racially motivated attacks
and Travellers in Europe by the Commissioner for Members of ethnic minorities continued to be
Human Rights of the Council of Europe, published in subjected to racist attacks. Police investigations
February. The Commissioner expressed concern that sometimes appeared dilatory or failed to acknowledge
Romani children were unjustifiably placed in special the racist motives of the attackers.
schools. He recommended that the government of b On 13 July, three young men, one of them under the
Slovakia establish mechanisms to enable women who age of 18, reportedly attacked three students from
had been sterilized without informed consent to obtain Angola near student hostels in Bratislava’s Mlynská
compensation. Dolina district, shouting racist and Nazi slogans. Police
Concerns that Romani children were being taught in were still investigating the alleged attackers at the end
segregated classes in primary schools and were over- of 2006.
represented in special schools were expressed by the b Reports of an attack on an ethnic Hungarian girl in
European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Nitra on 25 August provoked an outcry and protests by
Xenophobia in a report in May on Roma and Travellers the Hungarian government. A police investigation
in public education. concluded that she had fabricated her account. A court
The Council of Europe Advisory Committee on the ruling on her complaint was pending.
Framework Convention for the Protection of National b On 9 September, three masked men attacked a
Minorities published its second opinion on Slovakia in Romani family at their home in Sereï, injuring a girl and
June. Although it found improvements in inter- a 57-year-old man. The police detained the
community relations and intercultural understanding, perpetrators and confirmed that the attack was racially
prejudice and intolerance towards certain groups motivated.
persisted, and hostile attitudes toward the Roma
needed to be addressed. The Roma generally faced Trafficking of women
serious disadvantages, including in education, In January, the government adopted a National Action
employment, housing and health care, and their Plan to Fight Human Trafficking for 2006-2007, to
involvement in public affairs was insufficient. address the trafficking of women from Slovakia to other
Almost 75 per cent of Romani households depended countries for the purpose of sexual exploitation and
on aid from the state, municipalities or charitable other sexual abuse. Romani women and girls were
organizations, according to a UN Development particularly vulnerable to such crimes.
Programme report released in October. The report In September, the police in the Czech Republic
recommended a public debate in Slovakia on the detained and brought charges against 16 people for
introduction of temporary affirmative action measures trafficking women from Slovakia and the Czech
for Roma, and that consideration be given to extending Republic.
compulsory school attendance from the current age of
15 to 18 years. AI country reports/visits
In the first reported court case brought under the Report
2004 Anti-Discrimination Law, on 31 August the District • Europe and Central Asia: Summary of Amnesty
Court of Michalovce ruled that a café in Michalovce had International’s concerns in the region, January-June
discriminated against three Roma activists from a local 2006 (AI Index: EUR 01/017/2006)
non-governmental organization, Nová Cesta, by Visits
denying them access in an incident in 2005. However, AI representatives visited Slovakia in March and
the court failed to specify the grounds of discrimination. September.
International scrutiny
In February the European Committee for the
Prevention of Torture published a report of its visit to
Slovakia in 2005, noting among other things
allegations that the police ill-treated detainees at the
time of arrest and in custody. The Committee
recommended that priority be given to police training,
particularly in high-risk situations such as the
apprehension and interrogation of suspects, and for
measures to enable people who alleged police ill-
treatment, or their lawyer or doctor, to request a
forensic medical examination.
The Committee also reported that “net beds” were
still widely used at the time of its visit in facilities for
people with mental illnesses and disabilities. It
recommended that comprehensive scientific research
be commissioned into the use of “net beds” in
psychiatric establishments and alternative methods of
managing patient care.
232 Amnesty International Report 2007
SOM
Fighting continued in the south-west of the country. auspices, in order to avoid a threatened conflict. They
There were arbitrary detentions of journalists in all agreed to avoid hostilities and establish a joint army
areas, and unfair political trials in Somaliland and and police force.
reports of torture. Human rights defenders were at The UIC created the Council of Somali Islamic
risk in all areas. At least seven people were executed. Courts (COSIC) to replace the UIC, with an executive
committee headed by Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed. A
Background legislative committee was headed by Hassan Dahir
Many areas were subject to drought, with Weys, who was wanted by the USA for alleged
humanitarian access impeded by insecurity and involvement in al-Qa’ida operations in Kenya and
threats to staff. International reconstruction aid was Tanzania and also reportedly led the UIC militia
delayed due to the absence of a united and effective known as “Shabab” (youth militants). The COSIC
government in Somalia, 15 years after the state extended its control through the central and southern
collapsed in 1991. Conditions for 400,000 internally regions, mostly without any fighting, and set up local
displaced people remained poor. Discrimination and Islamic courts with militias. In September its forces
violence against minorities remained widespread, took over the southern port of Kismayu and began to
with little protection from government or justice form regional administrations linked to the Islamic
institutions. courts in Mogadishu and other areas.
Somalia’s Foreign Minister ratified 17 African Union Talks between the COSIC and the TFG in Sudan
(AU) treaties in February, completing Somalia’s signing broke down. Ethiopian troops were called in by the
of all 31 AU treaties and conventions, including the TFG President. In October, the COSIC, which
African Convention on Human and Peoples’ Rights. The demanded an Islamic state in Somalia and opposed
TFG, however, had no means to implement them. Steps the presence of foreign forces, declared jihad (holy
to create National Human Rights Commissions were war) against Ethiopia. After increasing clashes with
taken by the Transitional Federal Parliament and by the COSIC forces, open conflict broke out in December.
authorities in Puntland and Somaliland, but the After some days, COSIC forces were defeated, some
commissions did not become functional. fleeing to the south-west with the Ethiopian army
and TFG force in pursuit. In late December
Transitional Federal Government Ethiopian troops entered Mogadishu to place
The Transitional Federal Government (TFG), a coalition the TFG in power.
of clan-based faction leaders which was created from
the 2002-4 peace talks held in Kenya, was provisionally International community response
based during the year in Baidoa town in the west. The UN, African Union, European Union and League of
Although recognized by the UN and international Arab States supported the continuation of the IGAD
community, it was unable to extend its control beyond (Inter Governmental Authority for Development)
Baidoa or establish itself in the capital, Mogadishu. peace and reconciliation process. This had led to the
Other regions were controlled by faction leaders formation of the TFG in 2004, and provided for an
through their clan militias but Puntland Regional State IGAD-led peace support force (IGASOM). As conflict
in the north-east had a functioning government, increased towards the end of the year between the
remaining nominally part of Somalia. The TFG opposed Ethiopian-supported TFG forces and the COSIC, the
the de facto independence of Somaliland in the north- UN Security Council authorized preparations for the
west. In Mogadishu and other southern areas, there deployment of the IGASOM force. The UN Security
was little security for civilians. Council kept in force the 1992 Somalia international
In September a suicide bomber in Baidoa failed to arms embargo, but exempted IGASOM from the
assassinate the TFG President but killed 11 men, embargo. In May and November, the UN arms
including his brother and bodyguards. embargo monitoring group had criticized Ethiopia,
Eritrea and other countries for violating the embargo
Islamic Courts and recommended targeted sanctions.
Fighting broke out in Mogadishu in early 2006 between
militias of a new Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) and Somaliland
warlords who had formed an “Alliance for Restoration The self-declared Somaliland Republic continued its
of Peace and Counter-Terrorism”, which was reportedly demand for international recognition. It received
supported clandestinely by the USA. Hundreds of some international development assistance. Its
civilians were killed in the crossfire until the UIC unresolved border dispute with neighbouring
captured Mogadishu in June. This brought peace to the Puntland remained a cause of tension. The Somaliland
capital after many years of violence and extortion by Government on several occasions accused the
warlords’ militias. The UIC reopened the airport and UIC/COSIC of attempting to destabilize Somaliland.
seaport, which had been closed for many years, and
promised humanitarian access to international Justice and rule of law
organizations. There was no rule of law or justice system consistent
In June preliminary negotiations about power- with international standards in the central and
sharing between the TFG and UIC were held in southern regions of Somalia. Islamic (Shari’a) courts,
Khartoum and mediated by Sudan under Arab League which became the basis of the administrative and
234 Amnesty International Report 2007
SOM
judicial system in most of the south from mid-2006, violations and conduct advocacy with the authorities
did not allow the right to legal defence counsel or and general public. At times, many faced severe risks,
meet internationally recognized standards of fair in particular members of women’s organizations.
trial. The COSIC imposed increasingly harsh In Mogadishu in June, talks were held between the
interpretations of Shari’a law regarding morality UIC and the Civil Society Alliance. A ban on civil
offences and dress code, including banning musical society organizations was withdrawn, and UIC
entertainment. Offenders were arbitrarily flogged and representatives agreed to recognize non-
humiliated by militias. governmental organizations and uphold the freedom
b Sister Leonela Sgorbati, 70, an Italian Catholic of the press. However, increasing restrictions on
humanitarian worker, was killed in Mogadishu in freedom of expression and assembly severely
September, reportedly because of her religion. Her threatened their work.
Somali bodyguard was also killed. The COSIC
condemned the murders and said it had arrested the Women’s rights
alleged killer but he was not brought to court. Several women’s rights organizations, grouped in
b Over 100 demonstrators were detained briefly in coalitions such as the Coalition of Grassroots Women’s
Kismayu in October by the incoming COSIC forces. Organizations (COGWO) based in Mogadishu, and
In Somaliland there were several arbitrary Nagaad women’s coalition in Somaliland, campaigned
detentions and unfair trials. actively, particularly against female genital mutilation,
b Nine people were arrested in Hargeisa in rape and domestic violence. The UIC, however, refused
September 2005 after a shoot-out between an to meet or recognize women’s NGOs.
Islamist armed group and police. Their trial started in
early 2006 but was not completed by the end of the Refugees and internally displaced people
year. Several defendants, including Sheikh Mohamed Tens of thousands of people fled from Mogadishu
Sheikh Ismail, alleged that they had been tortured. during the fighting in the first part of the year, and from
More than 50 people demonstrating in Hargeisa other areas affected by the advance of UIC forces and
against the alleged torture were arrested. They were fighting in the latter part of the year. Many refugees
sentenced to one year’s imprisonment in summary from the Kismayu area entered Kenya and tens of
and unfair trials by an “emergency court” consisting thousands were displaced inside the country.
of administration and security officials. They were Conditions in camps and informal settlements
released by presidential pardon in October 2006. containing 400,000 long-term internally displaced
b Twenty-seven elders of the Ogaden clan from people remained extremely poor, with little
Ethiopia, who had been arrested in 2003 but acquitted international assistance reaching the most
of armed conspiracy by the Supreme Court on appeal vulnerable.
in 2005, were finally released in late 2006. There were hundreds of deaths at sea of people
trying to reach Yemen from Puntland in trafficking
Journalists operations. A Puntland government ban on trafficking
More than 20 journalists were arrested in different in October was widely ignored. In October, 1,370
areas, although most were released quickly after Ethiopians arrested for trying to reach Yemen were
interventions by media associations. The National either deported to Ethiopia or allowed to claim asylum.
Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ), which actively
engaged in protecting press freedom and reporting Death penalty
abuses against journalists, was formally recognized by Despite local campaigns in all areas against the death
both the TFG and the COSIC. A COSIC proposal to penalty, death sentences were imposed by Islamic
impose heavy restrictions on the media was under courts in the south and by ordinary courts in
discussion in late 2006. Somaliland. According to the Somali Islam-based
b In June Martin Adler, a Swedish photographer, was custom of diya (compensation), death sentences were
killed in Mogadishu at a UIC rally. The UIC condemned lifted by courts when the murder victim’s family
the murder but the alleged killer, although reportedly accepted compensation from the perpetrator’s family.
arrested, was not brought to trial. Three men were publicly executed in Mogadishu and
b In October, three radio journalists were arrested in a nearby town by Islamic court militias in June.
Baidoa by TFG police for reporting on Ethiopian b Omar Hussein was publicly executed in Mogadishu
soldiers in the area. They were released uncharged in May by the 16-year-old son of a man whose murder
after some days. he admitted. An Islamic court ordered him to be knifed
b In early December, Omar Farouk Osman Nur, to death in the same manner as the murder.
NUSOJ Secretary General, was arrested by COSIC In Somaliland there were at least four people
militias and held incommunicado in a secret prison. He executed in 2006. Several others were under sentence
was released uncharged later that day. of death and awaiting the outcome of appeals or
presidential clemency decisions. These included
Human rights defenders seven men allegedly linked with al-Qa’ida who were
Somali human rights defenders, most working within convicted in November 2004 of killing three aid
well-established national coalitions in Somalia and workers. Judgement on their appeal to the Supreme
Somaliland, continued to monitor human rights Court had not been delivered by the end of 2006.
Amnesty International Report 2007 235
SOU
Abuse of prisoners them had been held for between 35 days and 16 months.
The 3,500-page report of the Jali Commission of Inquiry, Also in August, at least 10 people with asylum-seeker
appointed by President Mbeki in 2001 to investigate permits were deported to Burundi.
corruption and violence in prisons, was made public in Private security guards at Lindela appeared to have
November. Among its findings were that corruption and used excessive force in response to detainees’ protests
maladministration were institutionalized and that C- in July and November.
Max Super-Maximum security prison made routine use
of solitary confinement and torture. It found that Unlawful transfer
sexual violence was rife, with young, gay and Police and DHA officials handed over Khalid Mehmood
transsexual prisoners most vulnerable, and that Rashid, a national of Pakistan, to Pakistan government
warders were implicated in many sexual assaults and in agents in November 2005. He was flown out of South
selling sexual favours by incarcerated youths to adult Africa on a flight with no number. Twelve months later,
prisoners. he had still not been produced in the Pakistan High
Impunity for abuses was fostered by management Court in response to a habeas corpus petition. By the
failure to institute hearings and follow up on criminal end of the year the Pretoria High Court had not given a
charges. Police investigations were also manipulated ruling on whether the manner of Khalid Mehmood
by prison staff. An example was the failure to discipline Rashid’s removal from South Africa was unlawful and
prison warders implicated in a mass assault on contrary to the country’s international human rights
prisoners in Ncome prison in January 2003. Despite obligations.
independent medical corroboration of allegations that
prisoners had been beaten, the Department of Death penalty
Correctional Services (DCS) allowed the official The justice authorities completed the process of
investigation to lapse. The Jali Commission replacing the remaining 62 death sentences with
recommended charges against named DCS members in alternative sentences by July. The Constitutional Court
relation to this and some other incidents. ruled on 30 November that the orders made under its
On 23 April the Port Elizabeth High Court ordered that 1995 judgement which found the death penalty to be
prisoners at St Alban’s Prison could consult their unconstitutional had now been complied with fully by
lawyers in private to prepare a civil claim for assault the government.
against the DCS. They had been denied access to
lawyers after prison staff allegedly embarked on a mass People living with HIV/AIDS
assault of prisoners in retaliation for the killing of a UNAIDS reported in December that the HIV epidemic in
colleague. South Africa continued to grow, with prevalence of HIV
Inhumane prison conditions persisted due to severe among women attending public antenatal clinics 35 per
overcrowding, with two thirds of prisons holding more cent higher in 2005 than in 1999. Some 5.4 million
than 100 per cent of their capacity. people, including a quarter of a million children under
15, were living with HIV. In November the Department of
Refugees and asylum-seekers Health reported that 273 accredited facilities were
The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) initiated new providing anti-retroviral treatment (ART) to 213,828
procedures at the Pretoria and Johannesburg Refugee people, although some 300,000 others still needed
Reception Offices in an effort to improve the access to it. Children’s access to paediatric ART was
management of over 1,000 new applications from also still limited. On 1 December the Deputy President
asylum-seekers weekly. However, in December the announced the draft strategic plan for 2007 to 2011.
Pretoria High Court ruled, in a case involving seven An application by 15 Durban Westville HIV-positive
Zimbabweans, that the procedures were prisoners and the Treatment Action Campaign for
unconstitutional and unlawful, including the practice prisoners to have access to ART was granted by the
of issuing only “appointment slips” to applicants, which Durban High Court in June. The state appealed against
left them without legal protection against arbitrary this ruling and failed to implement an urgent interim
arrest, detention and deportation. The “pre-screening” order. In August the High Court found the state in
policy had resulted in unlawful rejections of contempt of court and ordered the original ruling to be
applications. The Court directed the DHA to receive and implemented, along with other measures to give
process applications for asylum in a fair and non- prisoners access to ART. By the end of November, four
discriminatory manner. The Cape Town High Court more prisons had been accredited to provide ART.
made a similar ruling in June.
Hundreds of suspected illegal immigrants detained at Violence against women and children
Lindela Repatriation Centre (Lindela) were unlawfully Police statistics for the year April 2005 to March 2006
held beyond the period allowed under the Immigration recorded 54,926 reported rapes, a decrease of 0.3 per
Act (30 days or 120 days with a court warrant). In August cent, with 42.7 per cent of them against children under
the Johannesburg High Court ordered the DHA to the age of 18.
release 57 Congolese nationals who were facing In June, Parliament resumed discussion on the draft
imminent deportation. The group included at least one Sexual Offences Bill, which had been held up in the
recognized refugee, 18 who held asylum-seeker permits Department of Justice since 2004. Organizations
and nine with DHA “appointment slips”. Forty-four of assisting survivors of sexual violence and child sexual
Amnesty International Report 2007 237
SPA
abuse remained concerned that the Bill did not Freedom of expression
adequately protect complainants, especially children, In October a Commission of Inquiry into allegations of
at the investigation and trial stages. The Bill, however, politically motivated interference in the output of the
contained an expanded statutory offence of rape public broadcaster, the SABC, found that certain
applicable to all forms of “sexual penetration” without individuals were being excluded from interviews in news
consent and defined forms of coercion which would programmes for improper reasons. The Commissioners
indicate lack of consent. The state would be obliged to found that the head of news and current affairs, Dr Snuki
provide post-exposure prophylaxis to victims exposed Zikalala, had instructed staff not to use certain
to the risk of HIV and to develop a national policy individuals on grounds which included their opinions on
framework to improve implementation of the Bill. It controversial issues, and that he had threatened to
had not been passed by the end of the year. discipline some staff if they failed to follow these
Investigators, prosecutors and the courts remained instructions. The SABC Board, who had appointed Dr
restricted by the common-law definition of rape in Zikalala, did not make the report public. It made a failed
their response to sexual violence cases. In July the attempt to get a High Court order compelling the Mail &
Pretoria High Court upheld a conviction of rape in a Guardian newspaper to remove a leaked copy from its
magistrate’s court against an accused charged with website.
anally penetrating a nine-year-old child, on the
grounds that the common-law definition of rape, which AI country reports/visits
is limited to penile penetration of the vagina without Reports
consent, was inconsistent with the requirements of • South Africa: Government must investigate
constitutional law. However, the High Court ruling was circumstances of “disappeared” Pakistani’s transfer
under appeal at the end of the year. (AI Index: AFR 53/001/2006)
There were fears that the disestablishment of • South Africa: Briefing for the Committee against
specialist detective units, including the unit Torture (AI Index: AFR 53/002/2006)
responsible for investigating family violence and child Visits
sexual abuse, would undermine the effectiveness of In October and November AI delegates visited the
police investigations. Community-based country for research and held meetings with civil
organizations produced evidence indicating that society organizations and the Department of Foreign
police had lost rape investigation dockets through Affairs. AI representatives attended the UN Committee
inefficiency or corruption. against Torture hearing on South Africa in November.
The high number of deaths of boys attending
traditional circumcision schools – more than 100 in the
preceding 10 years – prompted national public hearings
by the South African Human Rights Commission
(SAHRC) and two other statutory bodies. The hearings,
conducted in October, were held in four provinces. The
SAHRC also conducted hearings, in September, on
school-based violence.
Impunity
There was concern about the legality of prosecution
guidelines approved by the Cabinet in 2005 and
presented to Parliament in January 2006. The
SPAIN
guidelines would give the NDPP the administrative
discretion to allow immunity from prosecution for KINGDOM OF SPAIN
crimes “emanating from the conflicts of the past” for Head of state: King Juan Carlos I de Borbón
people who failed to apply for or were refused Head of government: José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero
amnesty by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Death penalty: abolitionist for all crimes
Amnesty Committee. While the applicant would have International Criminal Court: ratified
to disclose all the circumstances of the alleged
offence, and the NDPP would have to obtain the views
of any victims before arriving at a decision, there was The government announced the opening of a dialogue
no obligation to take into account the victims’ views or process with ETA following the armed group’s
provision for judicial assessment of the truthfulness of declaration of a permanent ceasefire in March, but
the evidence. The guidelines did not explicitly exclude this ended after a bomb attack in the car park of
from consideration for immunity crimes such as Madrid Barajas airport on 30 December. One year
torture, crimes against humanity and war crimes. after the death of 13 migrants at the border points of
As of 30 September, the government had paid Ceuta and Melilla there was still no outcome to the
reparations of R30,000 (approximately US$4,200) to investigations. Three more migrants died in a similar
15,520 individuals identified by the Truth and incident in July 2006. The number of migrants and
Reconciliation Commission as eligible because of asylum-seekers arriving by boat in the Canary Islands
human rights abuses before May 1994. in 2006 was almost seven times higher than the total
238 Amnesty International Report 2007
SPA
for 2005 and exceeded the total for the previous four Investigations into the deaths of at least 13 migrants
years combined. There continued to be reports of in September and October 2005 at the border in Ceuta
torture and ill-treatment by law enforcement officials, and Melilla have still not identified or punished those
with impunity in many cases. The Supreme Court made responsible. In July 2006, three more migrants died as
a landmark ruling on the inadmissibility of evidence they attempted to cross the border at Melilla. Spanish
proceeding from Guantánamo Bay. police fired rubber bullets as a warning and the
migrants were shot at with live ammunition by
Background Moroccan forces, causing them to fall from the six-
In May 2005 parliament approved the opening of a metre-high fence. Three days later, the government
dialogue between the government and those “who approved 10.5 million euros in aid to Morocco for
abandon violence”. This was followed in March 2006 by border control measures, without tying these to human
the announcement of a “permanent ceasefire” by the rights clauses or demanding an explanation for the
Basque armed group Euskadi Ta Askatasuna (ETA). deaths at the border in 2005 and 2006. Under a pre-
Tensions surrounding the dialogue process increased existing returns agreement, migrants continued to be
after an outbreak of violence in the Basque region in sent back to Morocco when it could be proved they had
September and the theft of some 350 pistols from a departed from that country. There were insufficient
French arms depot at the end of October. On 30 legal and protection guarantees accompanying these
December a bomb exploded in the car park at Madrid measures, putting such migrants at risk of ill-treatment.
Barajas airport, killing two people. An hour before the Spain was one of the countries participating in a joint
explosion ETA telephoned a warning about the bomb. sea patrol mission by various European Union (EU)
The government subsequently announced that the countries and co-ordinated by Frontex, the EU external
dialogue was over. border control agency. This operation was intended to
The Spanish Parliament and the regions of Catalonia, intercept migrants’ boats at sea and return them to the
Valencia and Andalucía all approved modifications to country of origin. This raised serious concerns
their regional statutes of autonomy, granting greater regarding the respect of fundamental rights such as the
powers of self-government. In July the government right to seek asylum, the right to leave one’s own
presented a bill to parliament relating to the country, and the right not to be returned to a country
recognition of human rights abuses suffered during the where one would be at risk of human rights violations.
1936-1939 civil war and the ensuing dictatorship.
Police ill-treatment and impunity
Migration and asylum There continued to be reports of torture and ill-
The situation of migrants and asylum-seekers in Spain treatment by law enforcement officers, aggravated by a
remained a matter of grave concern. Undocumented lack of systematic and independent investigations into
migrants continued to be issued with expulsion orders such incidents. According to a study published by SOS
and left with no means of support or of regularizing Racismo, a national anti-racism organization, state law
their status. Figures available from the Spanish Refugee enforcement officers were responsible for one in three
Aid Commission for the first six months of the year reported incidents of racist violence.
recorded 2,504 asylum requests, of which 2,165 were In April, Spain ratified the Optional Protocol to the
rejected or declared inadmissible. UN Convention against Torture, which it had signed in
Migration routes appeared to change, with over 2005. Despite this, Spain maintained practices which
31,245 asylum-seekers and undocumented migrants the UN Special Rapporteur on torture condemned for
from west Africa arriving in the Canary Islands during increasing the risk of ill-treatment and torture, such as
the year. Regional government authorities used the use of incommunicado detention.
makeshift reception centres to house them, and the b In January, police officers were involved in the
severe overcrowding aggravated poor conditions in violent break-up of a traditional street party in the
pre-existing centres. The arrivals included several town of Arenys de Mar in Catalonia, in the north-east of
hundred unaccompanied minors, far exceeding the the country. The party was interrupted by the Mossos
region’s reception capacity for minors and endangering d’Esquadra, a contingent from the Catalonian
their fundamental rights. Overcrowding in immigration autonomous police force. According to reports, they
centres led to tension and violence. used violence in attempting to disperse the gathering,
The arrival of large numbers of asylum-seekers and beating people on the head and body with batons, and
migrants in the Canary Islands put extreme pressure on charging at the group, resulting in injuries to several
asylum determination procedures there, already people. Joan Munich, one of the revellers, received at
identified as inadequate. There were concerns about least one blow to the head and fell to the ground,
the restricted access to legal and interpreting temporarily losing consciousness. When he regained
assistance and the accelerated returns process. In consciousness he was arrested and later convicted of
September, the Public Prosecutor’s Office of the Canary assaulting a police officer, and given a one-year
Islands began a series of inspections into the suspended prison sentence and a fine. Two of his
conditions in immigration detention centres on the companions were convicted for disobeying a police
islands, following complaints by police trade unions order and fined. All three appealed but were unsuccessful.
that they did not comply with basic standards of Seven other men present at the incident filed complaints
hygiene due to overcrowding. against the police but these cases also failed.
Amnesty International Report 2007 239
SRI
In May, President Mahinda Rajapakse unilaterally In October a suicide bombing of a navy convoy 170km
appointed new members of the Human Rights north-east of Colombo, killed around 100 navy
Commission after their predecessors’ terms of office personnel, the largest number of people killed in a
had expired. The Commission appeared no longer to suicide bombing in recent years.
comply fully with constitutional and international The army admitted shelling Kathiraveli, Batticaloa
standards for national human rights institutions. District, in November but accused the LTTE of using
In May Sri Lanka was elected to the UN Human Rights civilians as human shields. As many as 40 people were
Council for a two-year term. In support of its candidacy, killed and more than 100 wounded when a school
the government pledged to form a new Human Rights sheltering displaced people was hit.
Ministry and introduce a Human Rights Charter.
In May the European Union (EU) listed the LTTE as a The internally displaced
terrorist organization, freezing its assets and barring its Over 215,000 people were displaced in the north and
officials from travel to or within the EU. In response, east as a result of renewed fighting, and at least 10,000
the LTTE leadership said all EU monitors on the Sri fled to India. Tens of thousands of people were
Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) should leave the displaced by a major armed forces offensive in July to
country by September. seize control of the Mavil Aru waterway in eastern
In September the Supreme Court ruled there was no Trincomalee District.
legal basis for the UN Human Rights Committee to hear An estimated half a million people had been
cases from Sri Lanka. The Court held that Sri Lanka’s displaced earlier in the conflict and by the 2004
accession to the First Optional Protocol to the tsunami. Many of these remained vulnerable to
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights was harassment and violence from the LTTE, other armed
unconstitutional and illegal as it gave the Committee groups and members of the Sri Lankan security
judicial powers without parliamentary authorization. forces.
International human rights bodies raised concerns Displaced people had few employment opportunities
about the escalating human rights abuses and and limited health and education services and suffered
violations of international humanitarian law in Sri the effects of alcohol abuse and widespread domestic
Lanka at the UN Human Rights Council in September violence. Most tsunami camps were well-funded and of
and November. a reasonable standard, but those for people displaced
by the conflict often lacked electricity, transport and
Rising civilian deaths proper sanitation. Concerns remained about this
Both the UN Secretary-General and the UN Emergency disparity of treatment.
Relief Coordinator expressed concern at the rising
civilian casualties in the conflict. The UN estimated that Lack of humanitarian access
some 3,000 civilians had been killed in conflict-related Humanitarian aid agencies were unable to reach many
violence since hostilities had worsened in 2006. The of those at risk in the north and east. From August, aid
LTTE targeted army personnel and civilians with suicide supplies to the north were obstructed by the closure of
bombings, claymore mines and grenade attacks. the Jaffna Peninsula road and a sea blockade by the
In April, following a suicide bomb attempt on the life LTTE. Humanitarian and medical workers were
of army chief Lieutenant-General Sarath Fonseka in threatened, harassed and subject to abductions and
which 10 people were killed, a major air and artillery attacks, and their work further hampered by new
offensive was launched on LTTE positions in registration requirements.
Trincomalee District, killing at least 12 civilians. After a The UN called on both parties to the conflict to allow
bomb in Trincomalee town left five people dead, humanitarian agencies free and unimpeded access to
including a child, more than 20 Tamil and Muslim the affected population, and to provide greater security
civilians were killed and thousands forcibly displaced for aid workers.
in apparent reprisal attacks by members of the
Sinhalese community. Unlawful killings and impunity
The LTTE denied accusations that it was behind a The number of unlawful killings dramatically increased.
claymore mine attack on a bus in June in which 67 Several hundred extrajudicial killings were reported.
civilians were killed in Kebitigollawe, northern Sri Lanka. They were carried out by forces of the government, the
The SLMM found government forces responsible for Karuna group, a splinter group of the LTTE reportedly
the killing in August of 17 aid workers from the Action co-operating with government forces, the LTTE and
Contre La Faim agency in Muttur, Trincomalee other armed opposition groups.
District. A magisterial inquiry had not concluded by b In January, five students were shot dead at close
the end of 2006. Also in August, 51 young people were range, allegedly by the government Special Task Force
estimated killed and 100 injured when the air force in Trincomalee town. The only witness prepared to
bombed a former children’s home in Mullaitivu, come forward – the father of one of the youths –
northern Sri Lanka, claiming it to be an LTTE training received death threats.
centre. Three severely injured girls were detained b Unidentified gunmen suspected of links with the
under emergency regulations, one of whom remained armed forces shot and killed Vanniasingham
in the custody of the Terrorist Investigation Vigneswaran, a Tamil National Alliance politician, in
Department in Colombo. Trincomalee in April. A member of the same party,
Amnesty International Report 2007 241
SUD
felt to lack guarantees for safe return and Other women were raped after Janjawid attacks on
compensation. In demonstrations which turned into villages. The perpetrators benefited from almost
riots in many camps for the displaced, there were complete impunity. Authorities routinely took no
deaths, including of police officers, and numerous effective action to investigate women’s complaints of
arrests. Some individuals and groups later signed the rape. At worst, raped women were arrested for adultery.
peace agreement. Under the DPA’s terms, Minni Minawi b In May military police travelling by train to Nyala
was appointed Senior Assistant to the President. raped six women near Belail IDP Camp. Community
However, a government promise to disarm the Janjawid leaders reported the rapes to the police, who
was broken, as it had been after numerous previous immediately arrested three men. By the following day
agreements, and none of the agreed commissions was they had all been released.
operating by the end of 2006, including the b Janjawid accompanying the armed forces offensive
Compensation Commission. Some Janjawid were in North Darfur in September captured five girls and
incorporated into the armed forces or remained in women aged between 13 and 23 in the village of
paramilitary units and continued receiving financial Tarmakera, south of Kulkul. They were reportedly
and material assistance from the government. raped and severely beaten before being released the
The government took no action to halt cross-border following day.
Janjawid attacks against targeted ethnic groups in
Chad, which resulted in the deaths of hundreds of Violence against demonstrators
civilians and tens of thousands of displacements during Excessive force was used against many demonstrations
the first half of the year. Attacks across the border opposing government policy.
resumed in October, in which some 500 civilians were b Peaceful demonstrations against price rises in
unlawfully killed, many more were raped, thousands petrol and sugar in Khartoum on 30 August were put
were driven from their homes, and villages were down with tear gas and batons by the police. Sentences
destroyed (see Chad entry). In total, 100,000 people of up to two months’ imprisonment for public order
were displaced by such attacks in Chad. offences were passed on 80 people.
A number of armed groups which opposed the DPA
regrouped as the National Redemption Front in June. Freedom of expression
After a massive troop build-up in Darfur in August, the Freedoms of expression and association were
government launched an offensive against areas curtailed. Journalists were frequently arrested and
controlled by those groups in North Darfur and Jebel newspapers censored and seized.
Marra. Government aircraft indiscriminately or directly b A meeting of national and international NGOs in
bombed civilians. Forces of the SLA Minawi faction also advance of the African Union summit in Khartoum in
attacked civilians. In November, Janjawid killings and January, attended by AI delegates, was raided by
forcible displacements of civilians in villages near areas National Security agents. Three of the participants were
controlled by armed opposition groups increased. briefly detained.
Members of armed opposition groups were responsible b In February, five members of the non-
for attacking humanitarian convoys, abducting aid governmental Sudan Social Development Organization
workers, and reportedly killing and torturing civilians. (SUDO) were detained for several hours after they held
b In July more than 72 people, including some 11 a training session in human rights monitoring in al-
primary school pupils, were killed during attacks by the Da’ein University in South Darfur.
SLA Minawi faction, at the time allied with the b Abdallah Abu Obeida, a correspondent for Al-Ra’y
government, on villages apparently under SLA control al-‘Amm newspaper, was detained incommunicado for
in North Darfur. AMIS was accused of failing to answer two weeks in October. He was questioned about Darfur
pleas for help. before being released without charge.
b The Gereida region was insecure throughout 2006, Human rights defenders were harassed and
with scores of villages destroyed in attacks by Janjawid sometimes detained.
or other armed groups. Some 80,000 people fled the b Mossaad Mohammed Ali and Adam Mohammed
camp for Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) in Gereida Sharif, two human rights lawyers, were briefly detained
after fighting between forces of the SLA Minawi faction in May. They were working with the non-governmental
and the Justice and Equality Movement in October. Amal Centre, which provides legal aid and
b In November at least 50 civilians were killed, rehabilitation for torture victims. Adam Mohammed
including 21 children under 10, when Janjawid attacked Sharif was freed the following day, but Mossaad
eight villages and an IDP camp in Jebel Moon in West Mohammed Ali was held for five days before being
Darfur. AMIS forces arrived the day after the attack. The released after worldwide protests. They were not
Governor of West Darfur promised an inquiry but no charged and no reason was given for their detention.
findings had been made public by the end of 2006.
Detentions
Violence against women The security forces, in particular the National Security
Rapes of women by Janjawid militias in Darfur Agency, arbitrarily detained people incommunicado
remained systematic. Most rapes of women took place and without charge or trial.
when they ventured outside IDP camps to collect b Ali Hussein Mohammed Omar and two other
firewood. members of the Beja Congress were arrested in March
244 Amnesty International Report 2007
SUD
in Kassala, ill-treated and held for 10 weeks in secret b In a trial before the Khartoum Criminal Court of 137
locations without being charged and without access to residents of Soba Aradi, a settlement of mostly
their families or lawyers. displaced people in Khartoum North, 62 detainees were
b In Khartoum in September scores of Darfuris and acquitted in June and August for lack of evidence. They
others were arrested and held incommunicado without were charged in connection with clashes in May 2005,
formal charges, allegedly in the context of the murder in which 14 police officers and 30 IDPs were killed, over
of Mohammed Taha, editor of al-Wifaq newspaper. His the proposed relocation of the settlement. Seven
killing in September appeared to be politically defendants were sentenced to death in November.
motivated. Those detained included Abulgasim Ahmed In Darfur, trials before Specialized Criminal Courts
Abulgasim, who had been summarily deported from set up in 2003 to try crimes such as banditry failed to
Saudi Arabia (see Saudia Arabia entry). meet international fair trial standards. In some cases,
Scores of displaced people were detained in May the courts admitted as evidence confessions reportedly
during demonstrations and riots against the DPA in made under duress and later retracted in court.
numerous IDP camps in Darfur. Trials before the Special Criminal Court on the Events
b Mohammed Osman Mohammed and two others in Darfur (SCCED) have mostly been for ordinary
were arrested after police fired live ammunition at offences unconnected with crimes under international
protesters in Otash IDP camp in May. The same day, law in Darfur. The Court’s inauguration in July 2005
police used excessive force against scores of coincided with the opening of the investigation by the
demonstrators, including women, as they carried a International Criminal Court into war crimes and
memorandum of concerns about the DPA to the UN crimes against humanity in Darfur.
office in Nyala. Scores were arrested and 25 remained b In the only case involving attacks on civilians
in detention awaiting trial at the end of 2006. known to have come before the SCCED, three men,
including two border guards, were sentenced to up to
Cruel, inhuman or degrading punishments three years’ imprisonment in May for stealing goods in
and torture the village of Tama in October 2005. No one was
Cruel, inhuman or degrading punishments such as charged in connection with the killing of 28 civilians
flogging were imposed for offences including the during the attack.
brewing of alcohol or adultery. Torture continued to be
used systematically against certain groups, including Forced evictions
students and detainees in Darfur. There was forced displacement in many areas,
b In February scores of students from Juba University including Darfur, parts of the south, and the area of the
in Khartoum were beaten with batons by armed police Meroe dam. The Khartoum municipal authorities
and security services after they gathered to call for the continued to forcibly evict internally displaced people
university to be relocated to Juba. Some 51 were who had settled in the Khartoum area, notwithstanding
detained and, according to reports, taken to secret an agreement reached between the Governor of
centres known as “ghost houses” where they were Khartoum State and a Consultative Committee on Re-
beaten, deprived of food and not allowed access to Planning Affecting IDPs composed of representatives
legal counsel or their families. from the UN, other governments and donors. The
b Ibrahim Birzi reportedly died as a result of torture Governor had promised a moratorium on all
and is thought to have been buried secretly. He was one of relocations until they were better planned and until the
13 internally displaced people from Foro Baranga, south of new locations met certain minimum standards.
al-Jeneina in Darfur, who were arrested in September, b On 16 August, without prior warning, bulldozers
severely beaten with bicycle chains and leather whips, began to demolish homes in Dar al-Salam, an IDP
and had their heads submerged under water. They were settlement 43km south of Khartoum housing some
reportedly suspected of being supporters of the Sudan 12,000 IDPs. Many had fled droughts and famine in
Liberation Army/Movement (SLA/M). Darfur in the 1980s. Armed police and Special Forces
used violence and tear gas against residents, and
Trials and death sentences carried out arrests. Four people died, including a child,
Appeal courts and criminal courts in Khartoum and many were injured.
acquitted political detainees in some trials. However, in b The building of the Meroe dam on the River Nile
the majority of trials, rights of defence were curtailed will cause the relocation of some 50,000 people. In
or absent, and testimony given under duress was August, 2,723 households in Amri were given six days to
accepted as evidence. Dozens of death sentences were evacuate their homes and reportedly not provided with
passed, usually after unfair trials in which rights of shelter, food or medical care. Journalists who tried to
defence, including the right to be represented by visit the displaced were briefly detained and sent back
counsel, were not respected. to Khartoum.
b In April the remaining 10 defendants in a trial of
Popular Congress members were acquitted after the AI country reports/visits
Special Court in Khartoum North accepted that their Reports
confessions were obtained under torture. They had • Chad/Sudan: Sowing the seeds of Darfur – ethnic
been arrested in September 2004 and charged with an targeting in Chad by Janjawid militias from Sudan (AI
attempted coup. Index: AFR 20/006/2006)
Amnesty International Report 2007 245
SWA
• Sudan: Protecting civilians in Darfur – a briefing for which they were banned, was not repealed. An
effective peacekeeping (AI Index: AFR 54/024/2006) International Labour Organization (ILO) delegation,
• Sudan (Darfur): Korma – yet more attacks on visiting the country in June, signed an agreement with
civilians (AI Index: AFR 54/026/2006) the government and “social partners” who undertook to
• Sudan: Darfur – threats to humanitarian aid review the impact of the Constitution on rights
(AI Index: AFR 54/031/2006) protected under ILO conventions and recommend
• Sudan: Crying out for safety (AI Index: AFR repeal of non-compliant statutes. An organization
54/055/2006) attempting to register as a political party sought a High
• Sudan/China: Appeal by Amnesty International to Court order to clarify its position. A ruling was pending
the Chinese government on the occasion of the at the end of the year. In November the National
China-Africa Summit for Development and Constitutional Assembly, trade union officials and
Cooperation (AI Index: AFR 54/072/2006) others challenged the validity of the Constitution in the
• Sudan: Sudan government’s solution – Janjawid High Court. The case was postponed until 2007 because
unleashed in Darfur (AI Index: AFR 54/078/2006) of a shortage of judges.
• Sudan/Chad: ‘No-one to help them’ – rape extends Access to legal remedies in human rights cases was
from Darfur into Eastern Chad (AI Index: AFR limited by the failure of government to ensure an
54/087/2006) efficient and independent judicial appointment
Visits process. By the end of 2006 there was only one
AI delegates visited Khartoum to attend an NGO permanent judge on the High Court Bench, along with
meeting during the African Union summit in January. AI three judges with temporary contracts. The
was allowed no further visas to visit Sudan. constitutionality of the Judicial Services Commission,
AI delegates visited Chad in May, July and November which advises the King on judicial appointments, was
to carry out research on Sudan and attacks from Sudan challenged in the High Court in October. The hearing
into Chad. was postponed until 2007.
The Court of Appeal was reconstituted as the
Supreme Court, with two new judicial appointments.
In July the King assented to the Prevention of
Corruption Act.
he had died in a motor accident but later said that he order to compel the government to make the payments.
had committed suicide in his cell. The police The case was postponed until 2007 because of the
reportedly prevented relatives from attending the shortage of judges.
official postmortem.
In a number of incidents demonstrators were Women’s rights
subjected to excessive force by members of the police The new Constitution provided women for the first time
Operations Support Services Unit. In September with the right to equal treatment with men, including
university students attempting to deliver a petition to equal opportunities in the political, economic and
the Prime Minister’s office in Mbabane were beaten social spheres, and provided some protection for
with batons and kicked to the ground. In December women from being compelled to comply with customs
supporters of the political organization, PUDEMO, against their will.
were tear-gassed and baton-charged by police in Women and girls continued to face discrimination
Manzini. PUDEMO member Mphandlana Shongwe, who under both the civil and customary legal systems.
went to Manzini police station to inquire about Incidents of forced or early marriage under the
arrested demonstrators, was beaten, kicked and practices known as Kutekwa and Kwendziswa
knocked against a wall and required hospital continued to be reported.
treatment for his injuries. The Commissioner of Police reported a 15 per cent
increase in cases of rape and abuses of women and
Violations of the right to fair trial children. Survivors of sexual violence, particularly in
The 16 defendants charged with treason and other rural areas, faced continuing obstacles to access to
offences had not been brought to trial by the end of the justice and emergency health care due to the lack of
year. The High Court had ordered the accused to be co-ordinated and adequately resourced services. The
released on bail in March on the grounds that the DV Unit took steps to improve police investigation skills
prosecution had not presented a prima facie case and data collection.
against any of them. In November the state’s appeal on The draft Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence
a technicality against the bail ruling was postponed Bill, intended to improve the legal framework for
until 2007. investigating and prosecuting crimes of rape and other
forms of sexual violence, was still with the Ministry of
Children’s rights Justice and Constitutional Affairs at the end of the year.
Children’s access to education was limited by the
impact of poverty, HIV/AIDS, sexual violence and People living with HIV/AIDS
discrimination on the basis of gender and disability. In December UNAIDS estimated that 33 per cent of
The number of children orphaned by AIDS was adults were living with HIV in 2005. The government
estimated at 70,000 and 10 to 15 per cent of households reported that among pregnant women attending
were headed by children, mostly by girls who were antenatal clinics there was a slight decline since 2004 in
vulnerable to multiple forms of abuse. prevalence rates to 39.2 per cent. The prevalence rate
Additional training and capacity for the police for the most affected group, 25 to 29 years, declined
Domestic Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences from 56 to 48 per cent.
Unit (DV Unit), the establishment of child friendly In February some 15,000 of the estimated 36,500
interview facilities and the development of Community people requiring anti-retroviral therapy (ART) were
Child Protection Committees at local level began to reported to be receiving it free of charge through public
improve children’s access to justice in cases of abuse. facilities. The Swaziland National AIDS Program took
In September the UN Committee on the Rights of the steps to increase access to post-exposure prophylaxis
Child (CRC) expressed concern at the lack of a treatment for rape survivors and to prevent
“systematic and comprehensive” legislative review to transmission of HIV from mother to child. The number
bring domestic legislation into line with the Convention of HIV Testing and Counselling Centres increased to 23
on the Rights of the Child. The CRC was also concerned from only three in 2002. In June the government
at the lack of protection under the law against early and released the Second National Multisectoral HIV and
forced marriage, the position of adolescent girls AIDS Strategic Plan for prevention and treatment.
suffering marginalization and gender stereotyping and In October the World Food Programme expressed
their low school completion rates. The CRC criticized concern that patients were abandoning ART.
the persistence of corporal punishment in the family Contributing factors included food shortages, the
and in schools, and the provision in the Constitution scarcity and cost of public transport systems, and the
which permitted “moderate chastisement” of children. cost of other necessary medication for opportunistic
The courts continued to impose corporal punishment infections and side-effects of ART. Organizations of
on under-18-year-old boys. people living with HIV and AIDS called for official
The government significantly increased its national structures to work more closely with them in addressing
budget allocation for the education of orphans and the causes and consequences of the epidemic.
vulnerable children, but continuing delays in payments
to schools jeopardized the children’s access to Death penalty
education. In November the Swaziland National There were no executions and no new death sentences
Association of Teachers applied to the High Court for an were imposed by the High Court. The new Constitution
Amnesty International Report 2007 247
SWE
retained the death penalty but it was no longer a The Human Rights Committee also found that the
mandatory punishment for certain crimes. Swedish authorities were responsible for the ill-
treatment at the hands of US agents on Swedish soil
AI country reports/visits immediately before the expulsion; failed to instigate a
Reports prompt, independent and impartial investigation into
• Swaziland: Persistent failure to call police to account the ill-treatment and bring appropriate charges; and
(AI Index: AFR 55/001/2006) failed to provide an effective, independent review of
• Swaziland: Memorandum to the Government of the decision to expel Mohammed El Zari, despite the
Swaziland on the Sexual Offences and Domestic real risk of torture in Egypt. The Swedish authorities
Violence Bill (AI Index: AFR 55/003/2006) also breached his right of complaint by immediately
Visit expelling him despite advance notification that he
An AI delegation visiting in April held high-level would be seeking international interim protection
government meetings and consultations with a range measures in the event of a negative decision on his
of medical, legal and civil society organizations on asylum claim.
human rights concerns. It co-hosted with local non- The government continued to insist that such
governmental organizations a seminar on improving decisions by UN Committees were not legally binding,
access to justice and health care for survivors of and provided no legal ground for compensation.
sexual violence.
Refugees and asylum-seekers
In March a new Aliens Act entered into force, dissolving
the Aliens Appeals Board and establishing a right to
appeal against negative asylum decisions, among
others, to higher courts. Appeals against first instance
decisions of the Swedish Migration Board would be
lodged with the Migration Courts, whose decisions in
turn could be the subject of appeal to the Migration
Court of Appeal. The Act also heralded a greater
would be determined by another European Union no state-sponsored legal representation for those who
member state in accordance with the so-called Dublin cannot afford a lawyer. Under the new law, irregular
Regulation. migrants can be detained pending expulsion for up to
two years while their identity is determined. Minors
Violence against women can be detained for up to one year, in contravention of
In June a Commission established in 2005 to look at international standards. In October the chair of the
municipalities’ responsibilities on violence against Federal Supreme Court, Dr Giusep Nay, expressed
women made public its recommendations. Several concern that the provisions in law relating to detention
corresponded to issues that had been raised by AI. They were not in line with Switzerland’s international legal
included the need to amend the Social Services Act to obligations.
increase municipalities’ responsibilities for improving Family reunification measures for migrants from
support and protection for women subjected to outside the European Union were further restricted
violence, among them women with special needs. In under a new migration law passed in September.
June the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against
women, on a fact-finding mission to Sweden, Violence against women
highlighted considerable differences in the way Figures released in October by the Federal Office of
municipalities discharged these responsibilities. She Statistics indicated that approximately 28 women die
called for greater public scrutiny and guidance. each year in Switzerland as a result of domestic
violence. On 23 June Parliament amended the civil law
AI country reports/visits permitting the expulsion of the aggressor from the
Reports shared home if requested by the victim of domestic
• Partners in crime: Europe’s role in US renditions violence. However, migrant women living in
(AI Index: EUR 01/008/2006) Switzerland for fewer than five years remained
• Sweden: The case of Mohammed El Zari and Ahmed vulnerable to expulsion if they stopped cohabiting with
Agiza – violations of fundamental human rights by the partner named on their residence permit.
Sweden confirmed (AI Index: EUR
42/001/2006)olations of fundamental human rights Racism
by Sweden confirmed (AI Index: EUR 42/001/2006 Following a visit in January, the UN Special Rapporteur
on racism noted that racism, xenophobia and
discrimination were “trivialized” in political debate in
Switzerland. He also observed strong evidence of
institutional racism, including within the police.
Allegations continued of ill-treatment, excessive use of
force and racist abuse by police officers, and of
subsequent impunity for the perpetrators.
groups were reportedly tortured and ill-treated during marriage, divorce, the family, inheritance and
long periods of incommunicado detention. nationality, and to achieve greater protection against
b On 20 December, Kurdish activist and secretary of domestic and other forms of violence.
the outlawed Syrian Kurdish Democratic Unity Party, b In a village near Sweida in July, a teenage woman
Muhi al-Din Sheikh Aali, was reportedly arrested by with learning difficulties was reportedly killed by her
Military Intelligence, in Aleppo, northern Syria. At the brother, following her rape by a relative. A trial was
end of the year he remained in incommunicado ongoing at the end of the year.
detention at an unknown location. b In March a young woman was reportedly forced to
marry the man who had raped her and thereby absolve
Freedom of expression him of any crime, in accordance with article 508 of the
Freedom of expression remained strictly controlled. Penal Code.
b Seventeen state employees working in various
government ministries were dismissed without Discrimination against Kurds
explanation but apparently on account of their links to Syrian Kurds continued to suffer from identity-based
the “Beirut-Damascus Declaration”. The dismissals discrimination, including restrictions on the use of the
were ordered by Prime Minister Muhammad Naji al- Kurdish language and culture. Tens of thousands of
‘Otri on 14 June. Syrian Kurds remained effectively stateless and as such
b Upon his release in September after serving a six- continued to be denied equal access to social and
month sentence imposed by the Military Court for economic rights.
“insulting the President”, “harming the dignity of the b Some 75 Kurds were reportedly released in
State” and “inciting sectarian strife”, writer Muhammad September following their arrests in March for
Ghanem was also reportedly suspended from his peacefully celebrating Nowruz (the lunar New Year) in
employment in the Education Directorate in al-Raqqa. Aleppo. The celebration was violently broken up by the
b Dozens of Syrian Internet news sites were security forces.
reportedly blocked during 2006, including b Four teachers were reportedly detained for one
www.syriaview.net, www.thisissyria.net, month from 4 August for teaching the Kurdish language.
www.kurdroj.com, www.shril.info and
www.arraee.com. Human rights defenders
Several unauthorized human rights organizations
Torture and ill-treatment continued to be active, although their members were at
Torture and ill-treatment in custody continued to be risk of arrest, harassment and travel bans.
reported, and allegations of such ill-treatment were b Dr ‘Ammar Qurabi, media spokesman of the
not investigated. National Organization for Human Rights, was detained
b It was reported in April that Muhammad Shaher for four days in March at Palestine Branch of Military
Haysa died in custody in Damascus as a result of torture Intelligence in Damascus, then released without charge.
and ill-treatment he was subjected to while detained b On 11 July the offices of the Human Rights
for six months. He was reportedly arrested on suspicion Association of Syria were attacked, with windows
of involvement in the Jund al-Sham organization. broken and animal faeces smeared on the walls.
b ‘Ali Sayed al-Shihabi, a former prisoner of b On 27 July Muhannad al-Hasani, head of the Syrian
conscience for nine years, remained detained at the end Human Rights Organization, was prevented from
of the year following his arrest in August, apparently in travelling to a meeting on organizational systems in
relation to articles he had written for the Internet. Jordan, by order of the security services. In October he
While held at the Investigation Branch in Damascus he was prevented from travelling to Morocco to attend the
was beaten with sticks on his feet and hands. Euro-Mediterranean Civil Forum.
b In October, Muhammad Haydar Zammar, a German b In November, Nizar Ristnawi, a founding member
national of Syrian origin held in secret, incommunicado of the Arab Organization for Human Rights-Syria, was
detention since December 2001 and reportedly sentenced by the SSSC to four years’ imprisonment for
tortured, was brought before the SSSC on charges “spreading false news” and “insulting the President”.
including membership of the outlawed Muslim The charges and sentence appeared to be based on his
Brotherhood for which, if convicted, he could face the work promoting human rights and democracy. Nizar
death penalty. Ristnawi was arrested in April 2005 and detained
incommunicado until August 2005.
Violence and discrimination against women
At least 10 women were reportedly killed by close male UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention
relatives for alleged reasons of “honour”. Perpetrators In May the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention
continued to enjoy near impunity for the crimes on determined that the detention of five individuals
account of inadequate investigations and of provisions deported to Syria was arbitrary, given “the gravity of the
in the Penal Code that allow for reduced sentences for violation of the right to a fair trial”. Muhammad Fa’iq
killing a female member of the family who is allegedly Mustafa was deported from Bulgaria in November 2002
committing “adultery” or having other “sexual and sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment by the Field
relations”. Women’s rights activists worked to end Military Court, before being released in November 2005.
discriminatory legislation including in the areas of Ahmet Muhammad Ibrahim was deported from Turkey
Amnesty International Report 2007 251
TAI
assaulted by demonstrators or the police during political to be critical of the regime and which it had blocked in
demonstrations both for and against the President. the run-up to the presidential elections reportedly on
b In May a Taipei court ruled that Lin Bo-yi, a security grounds.
university student charged with violating the Assembly Relations with neighbouring Uzbekistan continued
and Parade Law, was not guilty on grounds that he was to be tense and at least four ethnic Uzbek men were
“making a petition” which did not require a permit from sentenced to long prison terms on charges of
the police in advance. Lin Bo-yi had participated in a espionage.
peaceful student rally in July 2005 outside the Ministry
of Education protesting at high tuition fees. He had Torture and ill-treatment
cited his constitutional rights to freedom of assembly There were continuing reports of unlawful arrests and
and association in his defence. widespread and routine torture or other ill-treatment
by law enforcement officers, several of whom were
Violence against women sentenced to prison terms.
New regulations aimed at preventing sexual b In May, 12 inmates in Kurgan-Tiube prison went on
harassment took effect in February. trial for their alleged part in an incident in August 2005
Legislators discussed draft amendments to the in which some 100 prisoners reportedly cut their veins
Domestic Violence Law, including proposals to clarify in protest at cruel, inhuman and degrading conditions
that same-sex and unmarried couples are within its of detention and regular ill-treatment. The authorities
scope, but no amendments had been introduced by the claimed it was a riot. Relatives of the inmates held a
end of the year. press conference in which they claimed that some of
the men had had their plaster casts and bandages
AI country reports/visits removed for their court appearances. The judge
Statements reportedly refused to consider the prisoners’ injuries
• Amnesty International calls on Taiwan to abolish the and dismissed their allegations of torture.
death penalty, October 2006 (AI Index: ASA b In November the UN Committee against Torture
38/001/2006) considered Tajikistan’s first report and raised concerns
• Taiwan: Imminent execution of Chong De-shu (AI about the “numerous allegations regarding widespread
Index: ASA 38/002/2006) routine use of torture and ill-treatment by investigative
personnel, particularly to extract confessions to be
used in criminal proceedings.” It also reported on “the
failure of judges to dismiss or return cases for further
investigation in instances where confessions were
obtained as a result of torture.” It was further
concerned about the very small number of officials
convicted for acts of torture and other ill-treatment.
during his administration. Thaksin Shinawatra called for causes. Forensic identification of the bodies had not
April elections, which were won by his Thai Rak Thai party been completed by the end of the year.
and boycotted by the major opposition parties. The In June the National Reconciliation Commission,
results were nullified in May by the Constitutional Court appointed by the Thaksin Shinawatra government in
and new elections were scheduled to take place in 2005 to help resolve the crisis in the south, submitted
November. In September Thaksin Shinawatra was its final report. Recommendations included making
deposed while abroad by the military-led Council for the local Bahasa dialect, spoken by Muslims, a
Democratic Reform (CDR), led by Army Commander-in- working language.
Chief Sondhi Boonyaratkalin, in a bloodless coup. The Under provisions of the Emergency Decree, scores of
1997 Constitution was abrogated and an interim one, people were detained for 30 days without charge or
providing for the drafting of a new constitution, a trial at the Yala Police Training School and in military
referendum and elections, was promulgated in October. camps, denied access to lawyers, and some were
Four officials of the deposed government were briefly tortured or otherwise ill-treated during interrogation.
detained in the aftermath of the coup. In November the authorities announced that they
In October the CDR appointed General Surayud would stop using a “blacklist”, which had been
Chulanont as Interim Prime Minister and renamed itself used as the basis to arrest people or coerce them to
the Council for National Security, retaining key attend residential camps at military facilities for
decision-making powers over government between one and four weeks, in what amounted to
appointments, including the National Legislative arbitrary detention.
Assembly (the interim legislature) and in the In October the government re-established the
constitution drafting process. Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre,
In December co-ordinated bomb attacks in Bangkok abolished by Thaksin Shinawatra in 2002, to co-ordinate
resulted in the deaths of three people and injuries of 40 government efforts to quell the violence in the south.
others. No one claimed responsibility. In early November the new Prime Minister, General
Surayud Chulanont, publicly apologized for the deaths
Legal developments of 85 Muslims caused by the security forces during the
Article 3 of the Interim Constitution provides that October 2004 demonstrations at Tak Bai police station
“human dignity, rights, liberties, and equality… as well in Narathiwat Province, in the south of the country.
as Thailand’s existing international obligations” shall However, no security personnel were brought to justice
be protected, but does not specify which rights and how in connection with the deaths. The Attorney General
they would be protected. The CDR Announcement 10 announced that cases would be dropped against 58
placed restrictions on the media; some 300 community protesters charged with illegal gathering and public
radio stations were closed and some Internet sites disturbance following the demonstrations, and a court
blocked. Announcement 15 prohibited political parties ruled that compensation would be provided to the
from meeting or conducting other political activities. families of the 78 protesters who were crushed to death
Announcement 7 banned political gatherings of more while being transported in army trucks from the
than five people. In November the government demonstrations. However, they signed an agreement
announced it would lift the ban but it is not clear if this that they would not pursue any other legal forms of
was officially revoked. The security forces did not take redress. A further court case for compensation brought
any action against demonstrators. by the families of the other seven victims was pending
The Emergency Decree, promulgated by the cabinet at the end of the year.
in July 2005, remained in force in the three mainly b In October, Muhammad Dunai Tanyeeno, a
Muslim southern provinces. Its provisions included Narathiwat village leader, who was helping the 2004
detention without charge or trial for up to 30 days, Tak Bai victims (see above) seek access to justice, was
other forms of administrative detention, and the use of shot dead after attempting to bring some of the victims
unofficial detention centres. to meet the Fourth Army commander.
home from a prayer meeting. He was held for several In November, a group of members of parliament
hours and released without charge. The police officers called on President Ben ‘Ali to stand for re-election in
were charged and released on bail awaiting trial. 2009, by which time he will have been in power for 22
b In November, nine inmates in Golden Grove prison years. A referendum in 2002 revised the Tunisian
in the town of Arouca were reportedly shot with rubber Constitution to allow the President an unlimited
bullets by members of the police anti-crime squad who number of successive five-year terms.
had responded to reports of a prisoner firing a weapon Some 135 political prisoners were released
in the remand section. One prisoner reportedly lost his conditionally, 81 of them in February and the rest in
eye in the incident and scores of others were allegedly November, following presidential amnesties. Most had
beaten by members of the police anti-crime squad. been imprisoned for over 14 years because of their
Prisoners on remand at the prison had rioted in August membership of the banned Islamist organization,
in protest at alleged ill-treatment by prison guards, Ennahda (Renaissance), after unfair trials before the
poor prison conditions and delays in judicial Bouchoucha and Bab Saadoun military courts in 1992.
proceedings. Approximately 100 other members of Ennahda
remained imprisoned, some reportedly in poor health
Death penalty as a result of harsh prison conditions and torture in
At at least two new death sentences were passed. pre-trial detention many years before. Some were in
urgent need of medical treatment.
AI country reports/visits In June, the European Parliament adopted a
Reports resolution calling for the convening of a European
• Trinidad and Tobago: End police immunity for Union-Tunisia Association Council meeting to discuss
unlawful killings and deaths in custody (AI Index: human rights in Tunisia after the government
AMR 49/001/2006) continued to prevent the Tunisian Human Rights
• Trinidad and Tobago: Death sentence for police League (Ligue tunisienne pour la défense des droits de
officer convicted of murder (AI Index: AMR l’homme, LTDH), a non-governmental organization,
49/002/2006) from holding its national congress. The European Union
(EU) criticized the Tunisian government further in
October after it cancelled an international conference
on the right to work in the Euro-Mediterranean
Region shortly before it was due to be held in Tunis
in September.
In December, shoot-outs in the south of Tunis
between the police and alleged members of the Salafist
Group for Preaching and Combat (Groupe Salafiste
without trial at the end of the year. Many were institutions and when working in government
transferred to remote prisons, hundreds of kilometres departments. Some women were reportedly ordered
from their families. to remove their hijabs before being allowed into
b Hicham Saadi, who was released in February schools, universities or workplaces and others were
following a presidential pardon after being sentenced forced to remove them in the street. Some women
to 12 years’ imprisonment on terrorism-related were reportedly taken to police stations and forced to
charges in 2004, was rearrested in June and held sign statements in which they committed themselves
incommunicado for 25 days and reportedly tortured. He to stop wearing the hijab.
was charged with belonging to the GSPC. In October, he
jumped from a window in a failed attempt to escape Human rights activists and organizations
when he was brought before the examining magistrate Human rights defenders continued to face harassment
in Tunis. He remained in detention awaiting trial at the and sometimes physical violence. Many, along with
end of the year. their families and friends, were subjected to
b In September, Badreddine Ferchichi, also known as surveillance by the authorities and their activities were
Abu Malek, was returned to Tunisia from Bosnia and severely restricted. Several non-governmental human
Herzegovina, after the authorities there rejected his rights organizations continued to be denied legal
application for asylum. He was detained for several recognition.
days, during which he was allegedly assaulted, before b The LTDH continued to be prevented from
being taken before a military judge on 6 September and holding its sixth national congress and access to its
charged, under the Military Justice Code, with “serving, headquarters in Tunis was barred to all except
in time of peace, in a foreign army or terrorist members of its executive board. Its regional offices also
organization operating abroad.” He had fought as a continued to be closed to the public as well as to its
volunteer for Bosnian Muslim forces during the 1992-95 elected members. The court case against the executive
war in the former Yugoslavia. At the end of the year he board was again postponed until January 2007. The
was awaiting trial before a military court. If convicted, authorities contacted the embassies in Tunisia of a
he could face up to 10 years’ imprisonment. number of countries and apparently threatened to
b Six members of the so-called Zarzis group were sever diplomatic relations should their representatives
released in February. Abdelghaffar Guiza, Omar continue to meet Tunisian human rights defenders.
Chlendi, Hamza Mahroug, Ridha Ben Hajj Ibrahim, Omar They specifically forbade meetings with members of the
Rached and Aymen Mcharek, all originally from the LTDH on account of the ongoing legal proceedings
town of Zarzis in the south of Tunisia, were arrested in against it. Nevertheless, staff of several embassies
2003 and imprisoned on terrorism-related charges in visited the LTDH headquarters in solidarity.
April 2004 after an unfair trial before a criminal court in b In October and November, state security officials
Tunis. Confessions allegedly extracted under torture imposed tight surveillance around the office of the
while they were held incommunicado in pre-trial National Council for Liberties in Tunisia (Conseil
detention were used as principal evidence against national pour les libertés en Tunisie, CNLT), a non-
them. governmental organization denied legal registration,
effectively preventing access by prisoners’ families and
Freedom of expression former political prisoners. Some who did visit were
Freedom of expression remained severely curtailed. At reportedly arrested when they left, taken to police
least two journalists critical of the government were stations and made to commit in writing that they would
dismissed by the directors of their newspapers while not visit the CNLT office again.
others continued to work but faced government b In May, Yves Steiner, a member of the Executive
pressure and judicial proceedings in an attempt to Committee of AI Switzerland, was forcibly removed by
intimidate them. police officers from a hotel in the town of Sidi Bou Saïd
b In April, the Union of Tunisian Journalists (Syndicat where the annual meeting of AI Tunisia was being held,
des journalistes tunisiens) was prevented from holding taken to the airport and expelled from Tunisia. He was
a meeting of its executive board, and its members roughly treated by officials while being transferred to
continued to face police harassment and intimidation. the airport and his mobile phone was confiscated. The
Its president, Lotfi Hajji, was briefly detained on at least day before, he had criticized human rights violations
three separate occasions during the year. in Tunisia, including restrictions on freedom of
b The authorities stepped up harassment of women expression and association, in a speech to members
wearing the hijab (Islamic headscarf). This followed of AI Tunisia.
statements by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and the b Hichem Osman, then chair of AI Tunisia, was
Interior and the Secretary-General of the ruling arrested in May at the university where he worked,
political party, the Constitutional Democratic Rally detained for six hours and questioned about events at
(Rassemblement constitutionnel démocratique), the AI Tunisia annual meeting. He was told by the
against the rise in the use of the hijab by women and police that the meeting had failed to abide by the
girls, and beards and the qamis (knee-length shirts) by statute of AI Tunisia by offering a platform for criticism
men. They called for a strict implementation of decree of the Tunisian government and President. He was
108 of 1985 of the Ministry of Education banning officially notified that the section would be dissolved
women from wearing the hijab at educational should this reoccur.
260 Amnesty International Report 2007
TUR
prosecution, and sometimes conviction, of groups such revised Law to Fight Terrorism which failed to be
as journalists, writers, publishers, academics, human explicit that lethal force could only be used when
rights defenders and students for the peaceful strictly unavoidable to protect life. There were fears
expression of their beliefs. that Article 16, which permitted the “direct and
Many prosecutions were brought under Article 301 unhesitating” use of firearms to “render the danger
of the Turkish Penal Code (TPC) which criminalizes ineffective”, could further hinder thorough and
denigration of “Turkishness”, the Republic and the impartial investigations into shootings by members of
institutions of the state. Most of these cases, such as the security forces.
that of Nobel Prize-winning novelist Orhan Pamuk, Members of the security forces continued to use
ended in acquittal. excessive force during the policing of demonstrations.
b In July the General Penal Board of the Court of Demonstrations in March in Diyarbak¹r, to mark the
Cassation upheld a six-month suspended sentence funeral ceremony of four PKK members, escalated into
against Hrant Dink, a journalist, who was tried after violent protests. Ten people, including four minors,
writing about Armenian identity in Agos newspaper. were killed, eight of them from gunshot wounds. Many
Turkish and international human rights defenders demonstrators and police officers were injured.
campaigned for the repeal of Article 301 of the TPC on Investigations into the killings were continuing at the
the grounds that it lacked “legal certainty of the crime”. end of the year. The demonstrations spread to
They rejected the arguments of the Ministry of Justice neighbouring cities; two demonstrators were shot dead
that the development of case law would signal an end in the town of K¹z¹ltepe, a stray bullet killed a boy aged
to arbitrary prosecutions. three in the city of Batman, and in Istanbul three
Other articles of the new TPC of 2005 also imposed women died when a bus crashed after being set on fire
restrictions on freedom of expression. by demonstrators.
b In October Abdurrahman Dilipak, a journalist with In September a bombing in a park in Diyarbak¹r
Vakit newspaper, received a sentence of just under one resulted in 10 deaths. The perpetrators were unknown.
year, commuted to a fine of 10,500 liras (approximately
US$7,250), for insulting the President. The prosecutor Attacks by armed groups
had called for his acquittal. Bomb attacks targeting civilians increased. An armed
b Birgül Özbar¹ô, a journalist for Özgür Gündem group, the Kurdistan Freedom Falcons, claimed
newspaper, faced seven prosecutions for “alienating responsibility for bomb attacks including in Istanbul,
the population from military service” because of her Manavgat, Marmaris and Antalya, in which nine people
writings on military service and conscientious died and scores were injured. In March, in the city of
objection. She faced possible prison sentences totalling Van in the east of the country, a bomb exploded next to
36 years. a minibus, leaving two civilians and the bomber, a PKK
Article 288 of the TPC restricting public comment member, dead.
on cases under judicial consideration was used in an The PKK announced a unilateral ceasefire with effect
arbitrary and overly restrictive way to hinder from 1 October, and there was a subsequent decrease in
independent investigation and public comment on armed clashes.
human rights violations. In May, an armed attack on judges at the Council of
Officials of the pro-Kurdish Democratic Society Party State (the higher administrative court) resulted in the
(DTP) and those joining pro-Kurdish platforms faced death of a judge, Mustafa Yücel Özbilgin, and the
frequent prosecutions amounting to a pattern of judicial wounding of four other judges. The trial of the gunman
harassment. and of eight others for the attack and for three bomb
b The trial of 56 mayors from the DTP began in attacks on the premises of the newspaper, Cumhuriyet,
October. The mayors had signed a letter in December began in August in Ankara.
2005 to the Danish Prime Minister, arguing that the In February, former PKK executive Kani Y¹lmaz, one
Denmark-based Kurdish television channel, Roj TV, of the founders of the Patriotic Democratic Party of
should not be closed down. They were being prosecuted Kurdistan (PWD), and PWD member Sabri Tori were
for “knowingly and willingly supporting the PKK.” assassinated in a car bomb attack in Suleymanieh,
People collecting signatures for a petition northern Iraq, continuing a pattern of assassinations
recognizing Abdullah Öcalan, imprisoned leader of the allegedly carried out by the PKK against the PWD.
PKK, as a “political representative”, received varying
sentences, with students receiving the harshest Torture
punishments. There were continued reports of torture and ill-
treatment by law enforcement officials, although fewer
Killings in disputed circumstances than in previous years. Detainees alleged that they had
There were continuing reports of fatal shootings of been beaten, threatened with death, deprived of food,
civilians by members of the security forces. The usual water and sleep during detention. Some of the torture
explanation for these killings was that the victims had and ill-treatment took place in unofficial places of
failed to obey a warning to stop, but such killings often detention.
demonstrated disproportionate use of force and in b In October, Erdal Bozkurt reported that he was
some cases may have amounted to extrajudicial abducted in Alibeyköy in Istanbul by men identifying
executions. There were concerns about Article 16 in the themselves as police officers, put into a car, blindfolded
262 Amnesty International Report 2007
TUR
and handcuffed, beaten and threatened with death, Courts abolished in 2004. Prosecutors relied on
and taken to a place where he was tortured and evidence based on statements allegedly extracted
interrogated for a whole day about his and other under torture. Retrials, following judgements by the
people’s involvement in a local group which had been European Court of Human Rights that trials were unfair,
protesting against drug dealers and social problems in were not impartial and did not re-examine evidence.
their neighbourhood. He was released the following Proceedings were excessively prolonged, and
day. provisions limiting pre-trial detention had not yet
There were widespread allegations by adults and become law and did not adequately address the need to
minors of torture and ill-treatment during the mass complete a trial within a reasonable time.
detentions in the course of riots in Diyarbak¹r in
March. Prison conditions
b Two 14-year-old boys reported that they were held Prisoners continued to report ill-treatment, arbitrary
for around nine hours at the Çarô¹ police station, and harsh disciplinary punishments and solitary
stripped naked, made to pour cold water over each confinement or small-group isolation in “F-type”
other, were threatened with rape, made to lie on a prisons. In September the European Committee for the
concrete floor, and were forced to kneel down with Prevention of Torture (CPT) issued a report relating to
their hands tied behind their backs while being its December 2005 visit to places of detention in Turkey,
repeatedly beaten with fists and truncheons and kicked calling for a significant increase in the amount of time
by police officers. Medical reports showed signs of their allowed for prisoners to associate with each other and
ill-treatment. They were later transferred to the commenting on the “very harmful consequences” of an
Children’s Department of the Police in another district. isolation-type regime which could lead to “inhuman
and degrading treatment”. The CPT also reiterated the
Impunity call it made in 2004 for a full-scale review of prison
Investigations into violations by members of the health care services.
security forces continued to be deeply flawed and there
was a general unwillingness among elements of the Conscientious objectors
judiciary to bring those responsible to justice. Conscientious objection was not recognized and no
b In February, a decision was made not to pursue an civilian alternative was available.
investigation into the alleged torture of five male b In a retrial in October, Sivas Military Court
teenagers in October 2005 in the town of Ordu. sentenced Mehmet Tarhan to two years and one
b Two gendarmerie intelligence officers and an month’s imprisonment on two charges of
informer received prison sentences of over 39 years for insubordination following his refusal on two
the bombing of a bookshop in the town of ¤¤emdinli in occasions to perform military service.
November 2005, in which one man died. The court’s
verdict stated that the men could not have acted Violence against women
without the involvement of their seniors. Pending There was little progress in implementing the provision
appeal at the end of the year, the case exposed the in the 2004 Law on Municipalities, which stipulated the
serious obstacles to bringing to justice senior members need for shelters for women victims of domestic
of the security forces suspected of committing violence in towns with a population of more than
violations. 50,000. Women’s organizations called for additional
funds from the government to implement the law. A
Interference in justice system circular from the Prime Minister in July, outlining
The ¤emdinli bombing trial (see above) proceeded after measures to combat violence against women and
an investigation into the bombing which appeared to children, and to prevent so-called “honour killings”,
have been mired by political interference by members represented a step towards acknowledging an
of the government and senior military personnel. The entrenched and endemic problem. In December,
Public Prosecutor’s indictment was made public in Parliament passed revisions to the Law on the
March, and implicated the head of the army’s land forces Protection of the Family, widening its scope.
and other senior local military personnel in Hakkari
province. The Public Prosecutor requested a separate AI country reports/visits
investigation by the military prosecutor to establish Reports
whether the bombing was part of a wider conspiracy. • Europe: Partners in crime – Europe’s role in US
The Ministry of Justice investigated the Public renditions (AI Index: EUR 01/008/2006)
Prosecutor for possible misconduct and in April the • Turkey: Article 301 – How the law on “denigrating
Higher Council of Judges and Prosecutors dismissed him Turkishness” is an insult to free expression (AI Index:
from office. An appeal by the Public Prosecutor was EUR 44/003/2006)
unsuccessful. • Turkey: No impunity for state officials who violate
human rights – Briefing on the ¤emdinli bombing
Fair trial concerns investigation and trial (AI Index: EUR 44/006/2006)
Those charged under anti-terrorism legislation • Turkey: Briefing on the wide-ranging, arbitrary and
continued to face lengthy and unfair trials in the special restrictive draft revisions to the Law to Fight
Heavy Penal Courts which replaced the State Security Terrorism (AI Index: EUR 44/009/2006)
Amnesty International Report 2007 263
TUR
open a prompt, thorough and impartial investigation of the clampdown on religious freedom. Since the mid-
into her death. 1990s hundreds of foreign members of minority
religious groups have reportedly been deported to their
Silencing dissent countries of origin.
Civil society activists, political dissidents, members of b When Aleksandr Frolov, a Baptist and Russian
religious minority groups and their relatives were citizen who had lived in Turkmenistan for many years,
harassed, arbitrarily detained and tortured. returned from a trip to Russia via Kazakstan in March,
The Ministry of National Security summoned for religious literature he had on him was confiscated by
questioning virtually all those who met journalists of Turkmenistani border guards. Shortly afterwards three
the BBC and the French media production company officers of the Migration Service came to his house and
Galaxie Presse who visited Turkmenistan and confiscated his residence permit. They reportedly
subsequently criticized the government’s policies. accused him of attempting to import Christian
Those questioned were barred from leaving literature, failing to notify the Migration Service of his
Turkmenistan, and some put under house arrest. exit from Turkmenistan, and holding religious services
b Kakabay Tedzhenov, aged 70, was forcibly confined in his home. No charges were known to have been
in medical institutions, mostly in a psychiatric hospital brought against him. In June he was deported to Russia,
in Garashsyzlyk district in the eastern Lebap region, separating him from his wife, a Turkmenistani citizen,
from January until October, when he was released their three-year-old son and a five-month-old daughter.
following international pressure. On release, he
reportedly had to undertake not to make political Incommunicado imprisonment
statements in the future. AI believed he was being Dozens of prisoners sentenced following unfair trials in
punished for protesting at government policies and connection with the 2002 alleged assassination attempt
adopted him as a prisoner of conscience. In February continued to be held incommunicado, denied all access
the Turkmenistan delegation at the Organization for to families, lawyers and independent bodies including
Security and Co-operation in Europe told all the International Committee of the Red Cross. There
participating states that he had never been detained or were allegations that many had been tortured and ill-
confined in a medical institution. treated following their arrests, and that some had died
b Environmental activist Andrei Zatoka was detained as a result of torture, ill-treatment and harsh prison
on 17 December by local police at the airport in his conditions. The authorities failed to conduct thorough
home town of Dashoguz. He had been preparing to fly or impartial investigations into the allegations, or to
to the capital, Ashgabat, and then on to Moscow the respond to inquiries by AI and other human rights
following day, to meet members of the International organizations.
Social and Ecological Union and holiday with his family In October President Niyazov announced that eight
in Russia. He was reportedly charged with breaching prisoners serving sentences in connection with the
public order. However, there were allegations that he alleged assassination attempt would be released in a
had been targeted because of his peaceful work as an forthcoming amnesty. The eight had repented, “were
environmental activist. not involved much and did not use arms”, he said. None
The authorities continued to restrict freedom of of those prisoners known to have been convicted of
movement to punish and put pressure on dissidents involvement in the alleged coup attempt was included
and their families. Thousands of people were in the published amnesty list.
reportedly on a “black list” barring them from leaving
the country. They included those perceived as critical AI country reports/visits
of the authorities and their relatives, relatives of Reports
people imprisoned in connection with the 2002 alleged • Europe and Central Asia: Summary of Amnesty
assassination attempt on the President, and the International’s concerns in the region, January-June
relatives and friends of government officials 2006 (AI Index: EUR 01/017/2006)
imprisoned in recent years. • Commonwealth of Independent States: Positive
b On 2 May, Ovez Annaev, the brother-in-law of trend on the abolition of the death penalty but more
Khudayberdy Orazov, leader of the opposition needs to be done (AI Index: EUR 04/003/2006)
movement Watan (Fatherland) in exile, was forced by • Turkmenistan: Open letter from a coalition of
National Security officers to leave a plane he had human rights organizations (AI Index: EUR
boarded. They reportedly threatened to imprison him if 61/010/2006)
he complained to international organizations or
embassies. He was on his way to Russia for specialist
medical treatment for a gastric ulcer. He and his wife
had previously been barred from travel abroad and
removed from a plane before take-off, apparently
because of their relationship with Khudayberdy Orazov,
and accused by the authorities of playing a key role in
the alleged assassination attempt.
At least one member of a religious minority group
was reportedly deported to his country of origin as part
Amnesty International Report 2007 265
UGA
the offer of “protection” was in violation of Uganda’s house” in Kampala. He had been arrested in April near
obligations under international law, since it itself Kasese, western Uganda, and accused of involvement
referred the cases to the ICC on the basis that national with an armed group operating in the DRC.
authorities were unable to deliver justice for crimes
committed in northern Uganda. Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people
Abuses against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender
Internally displaced people (LGBT) people continued. Homosexuality is a criminal
There were 1.7 million internally displaced people in the offence in Uganda, and the media, police and other
north, most in camps or settlements around villages. groups, including teachers, targeted and harassed LGBT
Conditions in camps were poor, with high mortality people.
rates as a result of malnutrition, lack of sanitation and b In August, The Red Pepper newspaper published a
insecurity. list of men it asserted were gay. Several of those named
After the ceasefire, some people began returning reported subsequent harassment and ostracism. In
home and the government set a deadline of 31 September the newspaper published a similar list of 13
December to clear the camps. A number of sites were women it said were lesbians.
identified as suitable for resettlement and by October
UN officials estimated that more than 300,000 people Violence against women
had left the camps. The threat of violence against women remained very
high, particularly in the ongoing conflict in the north
Refugees in Uganda where many young girls have often been abducted by
In March the government passed a new refugee bill LRA rebels to serve as “wives” and slaves for combatants.
incorporating provisions of international refugee law. Women and girls in displaced people’s camps were also
In March the Ugandan and Southern Sudanese at high risk of domestic violence and of attacks when
governments signed an agreement to repatriate performing daily tasks such as collecting wood.
Sudanese refugees. In July, the UN refugee agency b The police stated that at least 989 young girls had
UNHCR announced that 10,000 refugees had returned. been raped in displaced people’s camps in the five
Some Congolese refugees returned to the Democratic northern districts between January and July 2006.
Republic of the Congo (DRC) early in 2006, but further
insecurity in the DRC prompted new arrivals of Death penalty
refugees. No executions following conviction by a civilian court
have been carried out since 1999.
Attacks on freedom of expression Military courts continued to pass death sentences
Attacks on freedom of expression and press freedom and order executions, although the exact numbers
continued, in particular during the election campaign. were not clear.
The police intervened to prevent programmes relating In February the Chief of Defence Forces stated that
to the presidential candidates being aired, and several 26 UPDF soldiers had been sentenced to death and
journalists were arrested during the run-up to the executed between 2003 and 2005 for killing civilians
election. Radio stations were banned from while on duty in northern Uganda.
broadcasting any debate or programme about Dr b A UPDF soldier, Private Abubaker Mugwanate, was
Besigye’s trial. sentenced to death by hanging in September for
b On 23 February, police stormed Radio Pacis and murdering a student.
stopped a talk show featuring the FDC deputy secretary
general Kassiano Wadri. AI country reports/visits
b On 7 March, the offices of the independent radio Statements
station Choice FM in Gulu were raided by police. The • Uganda: Amnesty International calls for an effective
station’s programme manager was arrested and held alternative to impunity (AI Index: AFR 59/004/2006)
overnight before being released without charge. Later • Uganda: Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender
in March police shut down the radio station, accusing it people targeted (AI Index: AFR 59/006/2006)
of operating without a licence, although it had applied • Uganda: Fear for safety/harassment – 13 women
for a renewal. (AI Index: AFR 59/007/2006)
least one man was held in custody. However, since his Al Rawi, an Iraqi national and long-term UK resident;
original “control order” had been ruled unlawful, his Jamil El Banna, a Jordanian national with refugee status
subsequent detention for alleged breaches of it was in the UK; and Omar Deghayes, a Libyan national also
also unlawful. In December, 16 “control orders” were in with refugee status in the UK.
force, seven of which were against UK nationals. b In April the December 2005 ruling that David Hicks,
Appeals continued against the deportation on an Australian national detained in Guantánamo Bay,
national security grounds of a number of men. A ruling was entitled to be registered as a UK citizen and
was awaited on a lead case involving reliance by the therefore to receive assistance from the UK authorities
UK authorities on a memorandum of understanding was upheld, and the government was refused
concluded in 2005 with Jordan. The government permission to further appeal. However, the government
continued to assert that “diplomatic assurances” had successfully introduced measures to thwart the
featured in this and other memorandums of import of the ruling. As a result, in July David Hicks was
understanding concluded with other countries could be granted UK citizenship but stripped of it hours later. His
relied on to relieve the UK of its human rights obligation appeal against this decision was pending.
not to send people to countries where they would face Renditions
a real risk of torture or other ill-treatment. However, Despite the emergence of further evidence implicating
having failed to secure a memorandum with Algeria, the UK in the unlawful transfer of Bisher Al Rawi and
and despite acknowledging such a risk upon return to Jamil El Banna to US custody (see above) and in other
that country, the government claimed that assurances known cases of renditions (illegal transfer of people
obtained from Algeria on a case-by-case basis would between states outside of any judicial process), the
eliminate the risk in any event. government failed to instigate an independent and
b In August, an Algerian torture survivor and impartial inquiry.
refugee, known for legal reasons only as “Y”, lost his
appeal against his deportation on national security Torture
grounds. Despite ample evidence to the contrary, the b In June the Appellate Committee of the House of
court ruled that “Y” would not face a real risk of torture Lords (the Law Lords) granted immunity to Saudi Arabia
if deported to Algeria. The authorities were allowed to and its officials at whose hands four UK citizens alleged
present their case that “Y” would not face such a risk they had suffered systematic torture. The UK
largely in secret hearings, from which “Y” and his government intervened in the case in support of the
lawyers of choice were excluded. Pending further Saudi Arabian government’s argument that it enjoyed
appeal, at the end of 2006 he had not been deported. state immunity. AI intervened in the case jointly with
In August the European Committee for the Prevention other non-governmental organizations, arguing that
of Torture (CPT) published the reports on its visits to the there should be no immunity for torture.
UK in July and November 2005. It found that the Special b In November leaked internal official reports revealed
Security Unit in Full Sutton Prison was inappropriate for that more than 160 prison officers were implicated in
holding people who had previously been interned, in allegations of torture of inmates at Wormwood Scrubs
some cases for more than three years; that the threat of Prison that had come to light in the late 1990s. Reportedly,
deportation to countries where people had apparently many of the incidents that the authorities had publicly
suffered torture or other ill-treatment increased the refused to admit were acknowledged in the reports, and
possibility of self-inflicted deaths in custody; that the some managers had colluded in the abuse by ignoring it.
detainees’ medical examination always took place within The author of one of the reports allegedly stated that
the hearing of prison officers; that some detainees had officers implicated in the abuses continued to pose an
not had prompt access to a lawyer following arrest; and ongoing threat to inmates.
that during transport detainees were handcuffed despite
being locked inside metal cages. The CPT found that Police shootings
people detained under terrorism legislation were not b In June police officers mounted a massive
physically brought before a judge, even for the initial operation against a perceived terrorist threat that
authorization to extend police custody beyond 48 hours. included forced entry into the home of Muhammad
Instead, conferences by video link were held, with the Abdulkahar and his family in Forest Gate, London,
detainee guarded by police officers on one end of the during which they shot and wounded him. It emerged
link and the judge on the other end. It recommended that that the operation was based on erroneous
legislation be amended to ensure that anyone arrested intelligence. In August an investigation concluded that
has access to a lawyer from the outset of their detention. the shot had been fired accidentally and that, in the
The CPT also reiterated that the conditions at Paddington circumstances, the officer involved had not committed
Green High Security Police Station were inadequate for any criminal or disciplinary offence.
prolonged detention. b In July the prosecuting authorities announced that
Guantánamo detainees with UK links no individual police officer would be prosecuted for
At least eight former UK residents continued to be held any criminal offence in connection with the fatal
at the US detention camp in Guantánamo Bay, Cuba. shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes in London in 2005.
b In October, the Court of Appeal of England and Instead, they decided to prosecute the Office of the
Wales refused to order the UK authorities to make Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis under
representations seeking the return to the UK of Bisher health and safety legislation, a prosecution which, if
Amnesty International Report 2007 271
UNI
successful, could result in a financial penalty only. In Collusion and political killings
September the inquest into the death of Jean Charles The government continued to fail to establish an
de Menezes was adjourned indefinitely pending inquiry into allegations of state collusion in the 1989
completion of ongoing criminal proceedings against the killing of prominent human rights lawyer Patrick
Office of the Commissioner of Police. In December a Finucane. The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
legal challenge brought by the family of Jean Charles de stated that a Finucane inquiry would only be
Menezes against the prosecuting authorities’ decision constituted under the Inquiries Act 2005. The Irish
not to bring criminal charges against any individuals in government and the US House of Representatives
connection with his killing was dismissed. stated that the Act would be incapable of delivering an
b In July the prosecuting authorities announced independent and impartial inquiry into the killing.
that there was insufficient evidence to prosecute any In December David Wright won his legal challenge
police officer for any offence in connection with the against the government’s decision to convert the
fatal shooting of Azelle Rodney. In April 2005 the inquiry into allegations of state collusion in the killing
vehicle in which Azelle Rodney was travelling was of his son, Billy Wright, into an inquiry constituted
intercepted by police who shot him in the ensuing under the Inquiries Act 2005. AI intervened jointly
operation. with other non-governmental organizations, asserting
b In December the sister of Christopher Alder, who that the legislation was inadequate to fulfil the
in 1998 had choked to death on the floor of a police requirements of human rights law for such inquiries. On
station while handcuffed, won the right to sue the the same grounds, AI had opposed the move in March
prosecuting authorities for racial discrimination in by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to
connection with their handling of the case. convert the inquiry into allegations of state collusion in
the 1997 killing of Robert Hamill into one constituted
Prisons under the Inquiries Act 2005.
In England and Wales alone, the prison population Allegations of collusion between UK security forces
soared to nearly 80,000, among the highest per capita and loyalist paramilitaries in many human rights
worldwide. Police cells were used as a result of the abuses, including bombings at Dublin airport and
overcrowding crisis. Among other things, overcrowding Dundalk in 1975 and at Castleblayney, County
continued to be linked to self-harm and self-inflicted Monaghan, in 1976, were once again raised in an Irish
deaths, greater risks to the safety of staff and inmates, Parliament report in November.
and detention conditions amounting to cruel, inhuman
and degrading treatment. Refugees and asylum-seekers
b In June the report of the public inquiry into the The Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006
killing of Zahid Mubarek by his cellmate, a known racist, became law in March. It contained measures that could
at Feltham Young Offenders Institution in March 2000 exclude from the protection of the UN Refugee
was published. Among other things, it found that 186 Convention those seeking asylum on grounds of
failings, either institutional or by 19 named individuals, political persecution.
had led to his death, which could have been prevented The vast majority of asylum applications were
had appropriate action been taken. ultimately refused. Tens of thousands of rejected
asylum-seekers who had not left the UK, often through
Freedom of expression no fault of their own, were condemned to live in abject
b In December the Law Lords confirmed that poverty, living on the charity of others. A minority of
detaining Jane Laporte to forcibly return her to rejected asylum-seekers received the statutory
London had been unlawful and violated her right to provision available to those left destitute who faced a
liberty. She was among three coach-loads of anti-war temporary barrier to their removal. However, the
protesters who were prevented from reaching the air majority of rejected asylum-seekers refused to apply,
force base at Fairford – used by US B52 bombers to fly or were not eligible, for statutory provisions available
to Iraq – and forcibly returned to London in March to those left destitute. Rejected asylum-seekers were
2003. The court also found that by preventing the also not allowed to work, were not eligible for free
coaches from reaching Fairford the police had health care in hospitals unless for emergency
violated Jane Laporte’s right to freedom of peaceful treatment, and were not allowed to continue with
assembly and expression. treatment they were already receiving during the
asylum process.
Northern Ireland In September, 32 Iraqi Kurds were forcibly returned
Direct rule continued. In January the government to northern Iraq despite concern for their safety there.
withdrew the Northern Ireland (Offences) Bill after In December, the government announced that the
concern was expressed that, if enacted, it would have Independent Police Complaints Commission would be
sanctioned impunity for past human rights abuses charged with investigating complaints arising from
committed by state agents and paramilitaries, and incidents involving immigration officials exercising
would have deprived victims of effective redress. police-like powers.
Despite concern about its lack of independence, the In July the European Court of Human Rights found
Police Service of Northern Ireland continued to that the UK had violated an asylum-seeker’s right to be
investigate unresolved conflict-related deaths. informed promptly of the reasons for his detention. He
272 Amnesty International Report 2007
UNI
consider habeas corpus appeals challenging the charge or trial at the US naval base in Guantánamo.
lawfulness or conditions of detention of any non-US Some had been held there for nearly five years.
citizen held as an “enemy combatant” in US custody, In February, five UN experts, including the Special
regardless of location. On 13 December, a federal judge Rapporteur on torture, issued a report of their
dismissed the habeas corpus petition of Guantánamo investigation into conditions at Guantánamo, calling
detainee Salim Ahmed Hamdan, who by then had been for the facility to be closed. They found that some of the
in US custody for more than five years without trial. The alleged treatment of detainees, including the use of
judge found that the MCA applied retroactively, solitary confinement, excessive force and the brutal
blocking Salim Ahmed Hamdan’s statutory access to manner of force-feeding during a hunger strike,
habeas corpus, and that as a foreign national held amounted to torture.
outside US sovereign territory, he had no constitutional In May the UN Committee against Torture also called
right to habeas corpus. for the closure of Guantánamo, noting that holding
The MCA also provides for the President to establish people indefinitely without charge constituted a
new military commissions to try “alien unlawful enemy violation of the UN Convention against Torture. In July,
combatants” – broadly defined to include civilians the UN Human Rights Committee urged the USA to
captured far from any battlefield. The new commissions ensure that all those held in Guantánamo were able
would have the power to hand down death sentences, “without delay” to challenge the lawfulness of their
under procedures which appeared highly unlikely to detention before a court.
guarantee fair trials. In June, three detainees died in Guantánamo,
The MCA barred detainees from invoking the Geneva apparently as a result of suicide. They included
Conventions in any court action. It also narrowed the Abdullah Yahia al-Zahrani who was reportedly aged 17
scope of the US War Crimes Act (and backdated this to when he was taken into custody. The deaths heightened
1997) by not expressly criminalizing acts violating concerns about the severe psychological impact of the
common Article 3’s prohibition of unfair trials or indefinite detention regime.
“outrages on personal dignity”, particularly humiliating
and degrading treatment. At a Senate hearing in July, Detentions in Afghanistan and Iraq
six former and current military lawyers agreed that Hundreds of detainees were held without charge or
some of the interrogation techniques used by the USA trial at the US air base in Bagram, Afghanistan, with no
in the “war on terror” had violated common Article 3. provision for judicial review. Some had been detained
for more than two years without access to lawyers,
Renditions and secret detention their families or the courts. In November, the US
In September President Bush announced that 14 “high- authorities said that a “significant percentage” of the
value” detainees held incommunicado for up to four and Afghan detainees at Bagram might be transferred to the
a half years as part of the secret CIA programme had custody of the Afghan government within a year. It also
been transferred to Guantánamo. AI considered that at said that some Afghans and other nationals would be
least some of them had been victims of enforced kept at Bagram or transferred to Guantánamo.
disappearance. The fate and whereabouts of individuals Thousands of people were held by the US forces in
other than the 14 who had been held in the CIA Iraq, including several hundred “security internees”
programme remained unknown at the end of the year. detained since before the handover of power to the
In litigation in federal court, the government sought interim Iraqi government in June 2004. There were no
to ensure that whatever details the 14 recently formal review procedures applying in such cases.
transferred detainees knew about the secret CIA Detainees arrested after that date had their detentions
programme – such as the location of secret detention reviewed initially by a magistrate (often without the
facilities or what interrogation techniques had been presence of the detainee) and thereafter by a non-
used – remained secret. judicial body at six-monthly intervals.
In June, the Council of Europe’s Committee on Legal
Affairs and Human Rights released a report of its Unlawful killings by US forces outside the USA
inquiry into secret detention and renditions (the secret There were a number of incidents of alleged
and unlawful transfer of detainees between countries) extrajudicial executions or unlawful killings of civilians
in Europe. The report concluded that the USA – an by US soldiers in Iraq.
observer state of the Council of Europe – had been the b In November, a soldier pleaded guilty before a
“chief architect” of a “reprehensible” system of secret military court to charges of raping a 14-year-old Iraqi
detentions and renditions. It confirmed AI’s findings girl and murdering her and three members of her family
that several cases of rendition occurred with the in Mahmudiya in March. He was sentenced to life
involvement or co-operation of Council of Europe imprisonment. Three other soldiers faced charges of
member states. The Committee urged the USA and rape and murder in the same case, and arson for
European states to put an end to renditions and to burning the girl’s body to conceal the evidence. A fifth
conduct independent investigations into the practice. soldier, who had already been discharged from the
army on mental health grounds when the charges
Guantánamo arose, pleaded not guilty in a civilian federal court.
At the end of 2006, approximately 395 detainees of b Eight soldiers were charged with the kidnap and
around 30 nationalities continued to be held without murder of 52-year-old Hashim Ibrahim Awad in the
274 Amnesty International Report 2007
UNI
town of Hamdania in April. They were accused of “unlawful enemy combatants”. The Manual also
dragging him from his home and shooting him while he expressly banned certain techniques during
was restrained. Four soldiers pleaded guilty to interrogation, including sexual humiliation, use of
charges relating to the murder and were sentenced to dogs, hooding, “water-boarding” (simulated drowning),
between five and 10 years' imprisonment. However, in mock executions and deprivation of food and water.
line with pre-trial agreements, their sentences were The Army Field Manual did not apply to CIA
reduced to between 12 and 21 months’ confinement. interrogations conducted outside a military-run
Other trials were pending at the end of the year. facility.
In Pakistan, between 13 and 18 people, including five On 6 December, US citizen Roy Belfast Jr (also known
children, were killed when Hellfire missiles were fired as Charles Taylor Jr), son of former Liberian President
into three houses in the village of Damadola Burkanday Charles Taylor, became the first person to be charged
in northwestern Pakistan on 13 January. Reports with torture under the USA’s extraterritorial anti-
suggested that US aircraft fired the missiles and that torture statute. He was charged in relation to the
their intended target was Ayman al-Zawahiri, a high- torture of an individual in Monrovia, Liberia, in
ranking al-Qa’ida operative. July 2002.
Detention of ‘enemy combatants’ in the USA Ill-treatment in jails and police custody
Ali Saleh Kahlah al-Marri, a Qatari national, continued There were reports of ill-treatment of suspects in jails
to be held without charge or trial in military custody in and police custody, involving abusive use of restraints
South Carolina. He remained in isolation and had been and electro-shock weapons. More than 70 people died
denied family visits or phone calls for more than three after being shocked with tasers (dart-firing electro-
years. In November, the US government filed a court shock weapons), bringing to more than 230 the number
motion seeking to have Ali al-Marri’s appeals of such deaths since 2001.
challenging the lawfulness of his detention dismissed In June the Justice Department announced that a
on the grounds that under the MCA the federal courts two-year study of taser deaths would be undertaken
no longer had jurisdiction in the case. The issue had not by the National Institute of Justice. Meanwhile many
been decided by the end of the year. police departments continued to use tasers in
In October, lawyers for José Padilla, a US citizen situations that fell far below any threat of deadly
formerly detained as an “enemy combatant”, sought to force. The UN Committee against Torture called on the
have criminal charges against him dismissed on the USA to deploy tasers only as a non-lethal alternative to
grounds that he had been tortured during more than using firearms.
three years of incommunicado detention in US military b In August, Raul Gallegos-Reyes died in Arapahoe
custody. A decision on the petition was pending at the County Jail, Colorado, after being repeatedly tasered
end of the year. and strapped into a restraint chair for screaming and
banging on his cell door. The coroner concluded he had
Torture and other ill-treatment died from “positional asphyxia” due to restraint and
A general lack of accountability for torture and other ruled the death a homicide.
ill-treatment by US personnel in the “war on terror”, b A lawsuit filed against Garfield County Jail,
including under interrogation techniques authorized Colorado, in July, alleged that prisoners were
by senior administration officials, continued. frequently strapped into restraint chairs and left for
Although some generally low-ranking soldiers were hours in painful positions after being tasered or
court-martialled, by the end of the year no US drenched with pepper spray. Guards were also alleged
personnel had been charged with torture under the to have taunted and threatened to shock prisoners
USA’s extraterritorial anti-torture statute or with war wearing remote-controlled electro-shock belts while
crimes under its War Crimes Act. Both the UN being transported to court. The jail reportedly had no
Committee against Torture and the UN Human Rights clear policies governing use of restraints.
Committee expressed concern at the apparent There were reports of police ill-treatment of lesbian,
leniency and impunity being enjoyed by US personnel. gay, bisexual and transgender people, and of a failure
By the end of the year, only one CIA employee had to respond adequately to identity-based crimes against
been brought to trial for abuses committed in the “war them.
on terror”. In August, David Passaro, a CIA contractor, b Mariah López, a transgender woman, was allegedly
was convicted of assault in connection with the subjected to verbal and physical abuse by New York
beating of Afghan detainee Abdul Wali, who died in a Police Department officers and city jail employees after
US military base in Afghanistan in 2003. By the end of she was arrested. She reportedly sustained a broken
the year no other charges had been brought in cartilage in her nose, a broken tooth and numerous
relation to 19 cases of alleged abuse involving civilian abrasions after being beaten by officers. She was also
or CIA personnel referred to the US Department of subjected to humiliating strip searches.
Justice. b Christina Sforza, a transgender woman, was
A revised Army Field Manual was published in reportedly assaulted in a New York restaurant. Police
September, reiterating the ban on cruel, inhuman or responding to the scene arrested her and refused to
degrading treatment of any detainee, a position the accept her complaint against her assailant. Assault
government had previously held not to apply to charges filed against her were eventually dropped.
Amnesty International Report 2007 275
UNI
subjected to degrading treatment while being searched In April UNHCR complied, expressing serious concern
by guards, and that the use of rubber bullets was about some 2,000 refugees from Afghanistan whom it
excessive. had been assisting.
Following a visit in March, the Parliamentary In the build-up to the anniversary of the May 2005
Commissioner confirmed complaints of overcrowding Andizhan killings, when hundreds of people were killed
in Las Rosas prison, Maldonado Department, which had when security forces fired on mainly peaceful
led to a number of prisoners sleeping on the floor. demonstrators, the authorities sought to ensure that
only the official version of events would be heard.
Intergovernmental organizations The authorities continued to refuse to allow an
In November, the Inter-American Commission on independent international investigation into the
Human Rights expressed concern at the persistent Andizhan events. However, they apparently addressed
and systematic violation of women’s human rights in some of the concerns of the European Union (EU) in
Uruguayan prisons. It criticized discrimination bilateral discussions in the second half of the year. The
against women prisoners, inadequate health care EU reviewed the 2005 visa and arms bans imposed on
and obstacles encountered by female detainees in Uzbekistan in November and extended them by six and
complaining about abuses by prison guards and 12 months respectively. The EU resumed bilateral
inmates. meetings with Uzbekistan under the Partnership and
Cooperation Agreement and held an expert meeting on
the Andizhan killings in Uzbekistan in December. In
October President Karimov conceded publicly that
failures by local and regional authorities in Andizhan
might have contributed to the Andizhan events. He
dismissed the regional governor of Andizhan over his
failure to stop the unrest in Andizhan.
Pressure on international media and non-
governmental organizations (NGOs) increased
repeated threats. In August Bakhtior Khamroev, head of b In September Ulugbek Khaidarov, an independent
the HRSU Dzhizzakh section, was attacked by a group of journalist, was arbitrarily detained at a bus stop in
about 20 women who burst into his apartment, called Dzhizzakh and charged with extortion. A woman had
him a traitor and beat him. Two British diplomats were reportedly brushed past him and put US$400 into his
visiting Bakhtior Khamroev at the time. Nevertheless, pocket. He immediately dropped the money to the
police officers intervened only after he had been hit on ground, but law enforcement officers appeared and
the head. He was reportedly refused medical assistance detained him. In October he was sentenced to six years’
at the local hospital. Bakhtior Khamroev’s 21-year-old imprisonment after an unfair trial. He was released on
son was detained in August on reportedly fabricated appeal in November. Two days before Ulugbek
charges of hooliganism. He was sentenced to three Khaidarov’s detention, his colleague, journalist
years’ imprisonment after an unfair trial in September. Dzhamshed Karimov, disappeared in Dzhizzakh after
b Saidzhakhon Zainabitdinov, chairperson of the visiting his mother in hospital. His family believed that
independent Andizhan-based human rights group his enforced disappearance was linked to his
Appeal, was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment journalistic activities. In October sources reported that
by a court in Tashkent in January, after a closed trial. he had been forcibly confined to a psychiatric hospital.
Reports in December indicated that he was being held Local authorities continued to deny any knowledge of
incommunicado in Tashkent prison. his whereabouts. His family were intimidated by local
b In January Dilmurod Muhiddinov, a human rights officials and their phone was cut off after they alerted
activist from Andizhan, was sentenced to five years’ international organizations. Both Dzhamshed Karimov
imprisonment for being in possession of a statement and Ulugbek Khaidarov had expressed fears for their
on the Andizhan events published by the secular safety and were preparing to leave the country.
opposition party Birlik. b On 8 September Dadakhon Khasanov, a well-
b Mutabar Tadzhibaeva, chairwoman of the human known singer and songwriter, was given a suspended
rights organization Fiery Hearts Club and a founder of three-year prison sentence for writing and performing
the national movement Civil Society, was sentenced to a song about the Andizhan events. The trial, although
eight years’ imprisonment by a court in Tashkent in announced as open to the public, was in fact closed.
March. Her appeal was turned down in May. She was Earlier in the year, two men who had listened to
held in the Women’s Prison in Tashkent. She was recordings of Dadakhon Khasanov’s songs received
transferred to the psychiatric wing of the prison in July long prison sentences for being in possession of
for 10 days, allegedly to punish her for speaking out subversive materials.
from prison. One of her lawyers said in August that she
could not represent Mutabar Tadzhibaeva any more Forcible returns of terrorism suspects
after repeated threats against herself and her family. The authorities continued to seek the extradition of
Family members and lawyers stated that their visits suspected members of banned Islamic parties or
were obstructed, that Mutabar Tadzhibaeva was movements, such as Hizb-ut-Tahrir and Akramia, from
regularly placed in punishment cells for up to 10 days neighbouring countries as well as Russia and Ukraine.
and that her health was deteriorating. Most of the men forcibly returned to Uzbekistan were
b Azam Farmonov and Alisher Karamatov, two held in incommunicado detention. The governments of
HRSU members from Sirdaria region, were arbitrarily the Russian Federation, Ukraine, Kazakstan and
detained in April in the city of Gulistan. Both men had Kyrgyzstan apparently co-operated with Uzbekistan in
been defending the rights of local farmers who had the name of regional security and the “war on terror”, in
accused district officials of extortion and corruption. disregard of their obligations under international
Azam Farmonov and Alisher Karamatov were taken to human rights and refugee law not to return anyone to a
the pre-trial detention centre in the town of Khavast. country where they would be at risk of serious human
They were held incommunicado for at least a week and rights violations.
alleged that they were tortured during that time, b Rukhiddin Fakhruddinov, an imam (religious
including by suffocation and beatings on their legs and teacher), was sentenced to 17 years’ imprisonment in
heels with truncheons. They were sentenced in June to September following a closed trial in Tashkent. He had
nine years’ imprisonment for extortion after a trial in been forcibly returned from Kazakstan in November
which they had no legal representation. 2005 and held incommunicado until March 2006.
In August the General Procuracy of the Russian
Restrictions on freedom of expression Federation suspended the extradition order of 13
New regulations adopted at the end of February made it Uzbeks detained in Ivanovo, pending a review of the
illegal for Uzbekistani citizens to work for or contribute men’s appeals by the European Court of Human Rights.
to foreign-owned media unless they were accredited A group of 12 people who fled the country after the
journalists. Foreign journalists would have their Andizhan events returned from the USA in mid-July.
accreditation withdrawn if their reporting was found to Forty-one Andizhan refugees evacuated by UNHCR first
be “interfering in domestic affairs”. In March the to Romania and then to the USA returned home in
Ministry of Foreign Affairs revoked the accreditation of August. A third group of refugees resettled to Idaho,
a local correspondent of the German radio station USA, were reportedly preparing to return but had not
Deutsche Welle for allegedly filing a false report about done so by the end of the year. Two refugees who had
a fatal bus accident in Bukhara region. resettled in Idaho died in August and September in
Amnesty International Report 2007 279
VEN
mysterious circumstances. Some of the refugees were In March Aleksei Buriachek, a prisoner on death row
reportedly pressured into returning to Uzbekistan, in Tashkent prison, died from tuberculosis (TB), raising
where their movements were closely monitored and fears for the health of fellow death row inmates and
they had to report regularly to the local law prison staff. Iskandar Khudaiberganov, for example,
enforcement agencies. UNHCR and other agencies and was diagnosed with TB in 2004 and reportedly was
diplomats had not been granted access to them by the receiving inadequate treatment.
end of the year. In November reports emerged that two
returnees had been detained. AI country reports/visits
Reports
Arbitrary detentions and unfair trials • Commonwealth of Independent States: Positive
Arbitrary detentions and unfair trials of suspected trend on the abolition of the death penalty but more
members of banned Islamic organizations continued. In needs to be done (AI Index: EUR 04/003/2006)
many cases, there were credible allegations of torture • Uzbekistan: Health Professional Action –
and ill-treatment. Tuberculosis in Prison: Case of Iskandar
There were dozens of trials of multiple defendants in Khudaiberganov (AI Index: EUR 62/009/2006)
Tashkent and Tashkent Region alone in 2006. At least • Uzbekistan: Impunity must not prevail (AI Index:
257 people were sentenced to long prison terms for EUR 62/010/2006)
their alleged involvement in the Andizhan events, the
vast majority after closed or secret trials. Several
thousand people convicted of involvement with
banned Islamic organizations continued to serve long
prison terms in conditions which amounted to cruel,
inhuman and degrading treatment.
In March a court in Tashkent sentenced Sanzhar
Umarov, the leader of the secular opposition political
coalition Sunshine Uzbekistan, to ten and a half years’
imprisonment for fraud, embezzlement, money
laundering and tax evasion. He had been detained in
VENEZUELA
October 2005 upon his return from a trip to the USA.
Sanzhar Umarov alleged that the case against him had BOLIVARIAN REPUBLIC OF VENEZUELA
been fabricated by business rivals, and coalition Head of state and government: Hugo Chávez Frías
supporters claimed that the charges were politically Death penalty: abolitionist for all crimes
motivated. Human rights observers at the trial asserted International Criminal Court: ratified
that the prosecution failed to prove the charges. In
April an appeal court in Tashkent reduced his sentence
by three years. At the appeal hearing, his health Most human rights violations committed by
appeared to have greatly deteriorated. In May he was members of the security forces remained
transferred to a prison colony in Bukhara, where he unpunished. Human rights defenders and journalists
was confined in a punishment cell for 16 days in June. were threatened, intimidated and attacked.
His family and lawyers complained that they had not
been able to visit him and that he continued to be Background
confined to punishment cells. An appeal was pending Hugo Chávez was elected President in December for a
before the Supreme Court. third six-year term. In April Venezuela abandoned the
In May the coordinator of Sunshine Uzbekistan, Andean Community of Nations trading block, after
Nodira Khidoiatova, was released after an appeal Colombia and Peru signed free trade agreements with
hearing commuted her 10-year prison sentence to a the USA, and joined the South American trade group
seven-year suspended sentence. Friends and relatives Mercosur. The government continued to establish
had reportedly paid 120 million soms (approximately social programmes aimed at the most vulnerable,
US$ 100,000) in compensation to the Uzbekistani state including programmes to improve access to education,
to secure her release. Nodira Khidoiatova had been health and housing. The independence and impartiality
sentenced on 1 March for tax fraud, embezzlement and of the judiciary continued to be questioned. There were
participation in a criminal group. serious concerns that the proliferation of small arms
was fuelling an increase in violence.
Death penalty
Although the President issued a decree in August 2005 Impunity, intimidation and harassment
abolishing the death penalty from January 2008, there Human rights violations, including torture,
were no moves to introduce a moratorium on extrajudicial executions and enforced disappearances
executions or death sentences. The authorities insisted perpetrated by members of the security forces
that no death sentences had been passed in Uzbekistan remained unpunished.
over the previous couple of years. NGOs, however, b In July the bodies of eight people, including two
reported that at least eight death sentences were children, were found on a ranch in the villages of La
passed. Victoria and El Nula in Alto Apure region, on the border
280 Amnesty International Report 2007
VEN
with Colombia. Their hands were tied and they had well as forced sterilization, trafficking, forced
been shot and their bodies burned. Witness accounts prostitution, and sexual harassment and slavery. The
and initial evidence obtained by the police indicated law established tribunals specializing in cases of
that several members of the military had been involved gender-based violence.
in the killings. Despite this, only one member of the
military was charged and tried for this crime. Human Attacks against journalists
rights organizations alleged that this was part of a wider Threats and attacks against journalists continued.
pattern of human rights violations by the same military b The Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression
unit against rural communities in Apure state. of the Organization of American States expressed
b Melquiades Villaroel was threatened in February concern about the killing in April of Jorge Aguirre, a
after a judge sentenced five police officers to 25 years’ photographer for the newspaper El Mundo. He was
imprisonment for the killing of her son Rafael Moreno reportedly shot dead at a demonstration in Caracas
Villaroel and two others, including a child, in El Tigre, protesting against high levels of crime and insecurity,
Anzoátegui state, in March 2001. following the kidnapping and killing of three students.
b There were concerns for the safety of the Mendoza A former police officer was charged with the shooting.
family in Araure, Portuguesa state, following a shooting At the end of the year he was awaiting trial.
at their house in March. The Mendoza family had taken b In August, Jesús Flores Rojas, Co-ordinator of the
part in the trial of 11 police officers accused of the killing newspaper Región in El Tigre, Anzoátegui state, who
of seven people, including three members of their had exposed corruption by local civil servants, was shot
family. eight times in the head while he was parking his car in
front of his house. The men allegedly responsible for
Human rights defenders the shooting were reportedly shot and killed by police.
Human rights defenders continued to be threatened Three police officers were reportedly detained,
and intimidated. In May the Inter-American accused of involvement in the killing of Jesús Flores
Commission on Human Rights reiterated its concern at Rojas. At the end of the year it was not known whether
threats and other open hostility towards human rights the Public Ministry had pressed charges.
defenders by government officials who publicly
referred to human rights defenders as “coup plotters” AI country reports/visits
and agents of instability. Statement
b In April, María del Rosario Guerrero and her • Venezuela: Open letter to candidates in the
husband, Adolfo Martínez Barrios, were victims of an December 2006 presidential elections (AI Index:
attempted assassination in Guárico state. They had AMR 53/008/2006)
been the subject of a campaign of defamation and Visit
intimidation since 2001, apparently linked to María del AI delegates visited Venezuela in July.
Rosario Guerrero’s allegations of human rights
violations by the police in Guárico state. By the end of
the year, María del Rosario Guerrero was receiving
protection, following a ruling by the Inter-American
Court of Human Rights.
b In September, the Public Ministry recommended
the dismissal of the case and closure of the
investigation into the threats and acts of intimidation
against members of the human rights organization
COFAVIC (Comité de Familiares de Víctimas de los
sucesos de Febrero-Marzo de 1989). A court ruling on
the recommendation was pending at the end of the
year. Staff from COFAVIC feared for their safety as the
dismissal of this case might mean the withdrawal of
police protection.
There were concerns that a draft law on
international co-operation which would allow
government officials to decide which non-
governmental organizations could access international
funds, could be used to restrict the work of human
rights defenders.
Death penalty
The authorities did not make public the number of
people who were executed, but there were
unconfirmed reports of at least 30 executions and
several hundred prisoners were believed to be held
under sentence of death. Although Article 31 of the
Penal Code, Law 12 of 1994, provides that no one under
ZAMBIA
the age of 18 may be sentenced to death, in February
the Supreme Court upheld the death sentence of Adil REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA
Muhammad Saif al-Ma’amari, who was convicted in Head of state and government: Levy Mwanawasa
2002 of a murder committed when he was 16. He was Death penalty: retentionist
reported to have confessed under torture. International Criminal Court: ratified
b Ismail Lutef Huraish, who is deaf and had not had
the assistance of a sign language interpreter since he
was arrested in October 1998 in Taiz, and his cousin Ali There was a marked increase in the number of civilian
Mussara’a Muhammad Huraish, both of whom were deaths as a result of police shootings. New legislation
convicted of murder, remained under imminent threat constrained the media’s ability to report on elections
of execution at the end of the year. in September. Violent attacks on women remained
b Amina Ali Abdulatif was 16 when sentenced to common. No death sentences were carried out.
death for the murder of her husband. Her execution,
scheduled for May 2005, was stayed pending a review of Background
her case by a committee appointed by the Attorney Incumbent President Levy Mwanawasa delayed the
General. The committee’s findings had not been constitutional review process until 2007. This ensured
disclosed by the end of the year. A co-defendant, that proposals for the reduction of presidential powers,
Muhammad ‘Ali Said Qaba’il, was also sentenced to greater freedom of expression, and electoral reform,
death and remained on death row. did not come into play before general elections held in
b Fatima Hussein al-Badi and her brother, Abdullah September 2006. The election campaign was largely
Hussein al-Badi, were sentenced to death in February peaceful.
2001 for the murder of her husband. Their death President Mwanawasa and his ruling Movement for
sentences were confirmed by the Court of Appeal but Multi-Party Democracy party won the presidential and
the Supreme Court then commuted Fatima Hussein al- the parliamentary election. Urban frustration at the
Badi’s sentence to a four-year prison term before poor performance of Michael Sata, widely expected to
reinstating the death penalty. Her brother was executed win the presidential race, resulted in violent clashes in
in May 2005. She appealed to the President to commute Lusaka and on the Copperbelt. Over 100 people were
her sentence on the basis that her trial was unfair. formally arrested and charged with riotous behaviour.
In at least one case, a prisoner under sentence of The corruption case against former President
death was released after family members of a murder Frederick Chiluba remained unresolved. After winning
victim accepted diya (financial compensation). the election, President Mwanawasa signalled his
Hammoud Murshid Hassan Ahmad, a former army intention to complete the case during his second term
officer who had been held since 1994, was freed in of office. In November, Samuel Musonda, a former
February. director of the bank alleged to have been fraudulently
used by Frederick Chiluba, was sentenced to two years’
Update: 2005 killings of refugees imprisonment with hard labour.
No investigation was known to have been held into
the actions of Yemeni security forces who violently Freedom of expression and the media
dispersed a number of refugees and asylum-seekers In general 2006 saw less harassment of the media by
taking part in a sit-in protest outside the Sana’a the government than 2005, although the press
offices of UNHCR, the UN refugee agency, in December remained subject to censorship, especially around
2005. Seven people were killed and others sustained election time. In July, ahead of the elections, a new
serious injuries. electoral act was passed which prohibited the reporting
Amnesty International Report 2007 285
ZIM
of “speculative analysis, unsourced opinion polls, and b In mid-November, three former street children
predictions of the result before the official were shot and wounded by police officers shooting into
announcement.” the air to disperse a crowd. The Acting Police Chief of
The government resisted pressure to pass the Copperbelt Province condemned the shootings and
Freedom of Information Bill, which would compel announced an investigation.
public officials to release certain types of government In October the use of firearms on general duty
information. patrols was prohibited, and plans were announced to
b In February, the government decided not to retrain police officers in crowd management
prosecute Fred M’membe, editor of the independent techniques.
newspaper The Post. He had been charged with
insulting the President in November 2005.
b In March, two journalists working for Radio
Chikuni in the Southern Province were arrested and
charged with publishing false news with intent to cause
fear and alarm to the public. They were detained
overnight and then provisionally released. The charge
stemmed from a broadcast about a young boy found
dead after going missing. The body was said to be
mutilated, and local residents suspected that the boy
was the victim of a ritual killing.
b In September, senior police officers visited the
Lusaka-based Q-FM Radio and demanded that it cease
ZIMBABWE
its coverage of the elections which police claimed was
“inciting the nation”. The radio station had been REPUBLIC OF ZIMBABWE
carrying live broadcasts of press conferences, election Head of state and government: Robert Mugabe
results and post-election events. Death penalty: retentionist
b In November the government moved to restrict the International Criminal Court: signed
activities of Michael Sata and his Patriotic Front party.
On 22 November, President Mwanawasa instructed the
police not to grant Michael Sata permission to hold The human rights situation continued to deteriorate,
post-election rallies, but the Solicitor-General, Sunday in a context of escalating poverty. Freedom of
Nkonde, overruled the ban. In response, the President expression, assembly and association continued to
called on the Solicitor-General to resign. On 5 be curtailed. Hundreds of people were arrested for
December, Michael Sata was arrested and charged with participating or attempting to engage in peaceful
making a false declaration of his assets in August when protest. Police were accused of torturing human
being nominated for the presidential elections. The rights defenders in custody. The situation of
charge carried a minimum penalty of two years in jail. thousands of people whose homes were destroyed as
part of Operation Murambatsvina (Restore Order) in
Violence against women 2005 continued to worsen, with no effective solution
A UN report released in November found that 49 per planned by the authorities. The government
cent of Zambian women said they had been abused continued to obstruct humanitarian efforts by the
during their lives. UN and by local and international non-governmental
organizations.
The death penalty
In November, the Supreme Court rejected a petition by Background
two death row inmates which sought the abolition of In January the African Commission on Human and
capital punishment on the grounds that it contravened Peoples’ Rights (African Commission) submitted to the
Christian values. There were 200 people on death row Executive Council of the African Union a critical
but there have been no executions since President resolution on the human rights situation in Zimbabwe
Mwanawasa came to power. that it had passed in late 2005. In its response, the
government of Zimbabwe asked the African
Policing Commission to revoke the resolution, arguing that
There was a marked increase in the number of police procedures had not been followed. The government’s
shootings. arguments were entirely procedural, and did not
b In early September, two teenagers were shot dead address the serious human rights concerns raised. The
by police in Lusaka’s Ng’ombe compound. Following government had repeatedly failed to implement the
protests by local residents, the police officer recommendations contained in the 2002 report of the
involved in the shooting was arrested and was under African Commission’s Fact Finding Mission and the 2005
investigation at the end of the year. report by the UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy on
b In early October, one man was killed and another Human Settlement Issues in Zimbabwe.
severely injured as police opened fire on a group of In August the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe introduced
angry residents in Matero. new banknotes to replace the old ones, reducing their
286 Amnesty International Report 2007
ZIM
face value by a factor of 1,000. For example, a Z$20,000 b On 15 June municipal police forcibly evicted a group
note was replaced by a Z$20 note. People were given 21 of approximately 150 internally displaced households
days to exchange their old notes before they stopped who were living in makeshift shacks along the Mukuvisi
being legal tender, but a limit of Z$100 million (US$400) river in Harare. The group had been living there since
was imposed on the amount of cash people could carry. the brick cottages they had been renting were
Nationwide roadblocks were established to enforce the destroyed a year before. The police pulled down their
programme, known as Project Sunrise. Human rights structures with crowbars and set them alight. They
abuses were reported at roadblocks manned by police told the people they had to move, but provided no
officers, Reserve Bank officials and in some cases alternative accommodation.
members of the pro-government youth militia. People
were reportedly assaulted and subjected to degrading Obstruction of humanitarian aid
and inhuman treatment, including being forced to The government continued to hinder and frustrate
remove clothing during searches. Police at some humanitarian efforts to provide emergency shelter.
roadblocks confiscated money, even when the victims After repeated rejections of UN temporary shelter
had less than the stipulated maximum. solutions during 2005, in March the UN was finally given
By the end of the year inflation was running at more permission to erect some temporary shelters. By the
than 1,000 per cent. end of 2006 approximately 2,300 shelters had been
erected. This compared with a UN target for the
Right to adequate housing provision of emergency shelter, based on need, of
Operation Garikai/Hlalani Kuhle (Better Life), a house- 40,000 households in August 2005, reduced to a target
building programme launched in 2005 ostensibly to of 23,000 households in 2006.
provide housing to victims of mass forced evictions,
failed to provide a remedy for the majority of them. The right to food
By May, one year after the programme’s launch, only Despite a somewhat better harvest, millions of people
3,325 houses had been built, compared to 92,460 continued to experience serious food insecurity.
housing structures destroyed in Operation Inflation continued to place basic food items beyond
Murambatsvina. Construction in many areas appeared the reach of many poor people. According to the UN
to have stopped. Many of the houses designated as World Food Programme (WFP), maize prices
“built” were unfinished, without access to water or increased by 25 per cent between September and
sewage facilities, and uninhabited. October. The WFP’s limited emergency feeding
Moreover, the new houses were largely inaccessible programme for vulnerable groups experienced
to the hundreds of thousands of victims of the forced shortages of cereals and pulses, resulting in just
evictions. They were too expensive for the majority to 331,000 people being assisted against a planned
afford, even if they were offered the chance to purchase 800,000 people for October.
them, which frequently they were not. The process for
allocating the new – albeit largely incomplete – houses Freedom of association and assembly curtailed
and bare residential plots lacked transparency. Houses The Public Order and Security Act (POSA) and the
and land plots were allocated to people who had not Miscellaneous Offences Act continued to be used
lost their homes during Operation Murambatsvina and selectively to prevent the political opposition and civil
at least 20 per cent of the houses built were earmarked society groups from meeting or engaging in peaceful
for civil servants, police and soldiers. protest. Hundreds of human rights activists were
Despite the government’s repeated claims that arrested or detained under these laws during the year.
Operation Garikai/Hlalani Kuhle was a programme
under which houses would be built by government for Freedom of expression
victims of mass evictions, in reality people were Repressive laws, including the Access to Information
allocated small bare plots of land, without access to and Protection of Privacy Act and the Broadcasting
adequate water or sanitation, on which they had to Services Act, were used to curtail freedom of
build their own homes with no assistance. expression. In July the government introduced the
The government continued to forcibly evict groups of Interception of Communications Bill in Parliament
people, often from the place where they had moved which if passed into law would further restrict freedom
after their homes were demolished during Operation of expression. It would allow the authorities to
Murambatsvina. These forced evictions were traumatic intercept both telecommunications and mail, and
for victims and resulted in further loss of possessions. raised fears that the government would use it to spy on
At least three small-scale evictions were reported in the activities of human rights organizations and the
Harare alone. political opposition.
b In April and May the police threatened to forcibly b The trial of trustees and staff of Voice of the People,
acquire 200 plots of land at Hatcliffe Extension New an independent radio station that broadcast from
Stands settlement just outside Harare to extend a outside Zimbabwe but maintained offices in the
nearby police boarding school. Fifteen families would country, started on 25 September. The state withdrew
be affected. After protests by AI and the Zimbabwe charges against the individuals and was to charge the
Lawyers for Human Rights, the authorities reversed Voice of the People Trust under the Broadcasting
the decision. Services Act for broadcasting without a licence.
Amnesty International Report 2007 287
ZIM
Treatment or Punishment
Political Rights (ICCPR)
Women (CEDAW)
Discrimination
death penalty
Child (CRC)
conflict
Afghanistan ● ● ● ● ● ● ●28
Albania ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Algeria ● ● ● ● ● ● ●22
Andorra ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●22
Angola ● ● ● ● ●
Antigua and Barbuda ● ● ● ● ●
Argentina ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●22
Armenia ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Australia ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●22
Austria ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●22
Azerbaijan ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●22
Bahamas ● ● ●
Bahrain ● ● ● ● ● ●
Bangladesh ● ● ● ●10 ● ● ● ●
Barbados ● ● ● ● ● ●
Belarus ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Belgium ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●22
Belize ● ● ● ●10 ● ● ● ●
Benin ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Bhutan ● ● ● ●
Bolivia ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●22
Bosnia and Herzegovina ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●22
Botswana ● ● ● ● ● ●
Brazil ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●22
Brunei Darussalam ● ●
Bulgaria ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●22
Burkina Faso ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Burundi ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●22
Cambodia ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Cameroon ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●22
Canada ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●22
Cape Verde ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Central African Republic ● ● ● ● ● ●
Chad ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Chile ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●22
China ● ● ● ● ● ● ●28
Statelessness (1961)
Refugees (1967)
Refugees (1951)
against Torture
Criminal Court
● ● ● Afghanistan ● state is a party
● ● ● ● ● ● Albania ● state became party in 2006
● signed but not yet ratified
● ● ● ● ● Algeria
● signed in 2006, but not yet ratified
● Andorra
● ● ● Angola
10 Declaration under Article 10
not recognizing the
● ● ● ● Antigua and Barbuda competence of the CEDAW
Committee to undertake
● ● ● ● ● ● Argentina confidential inquiries into
● ● ● ● ● ● Armenia allegations of grave or
systematic violations
● ● ● ● ● Australia 22 Declaration under Article
22 recognizing the
● ● ● ● ● Austria competence of the
● ● ● ● ● ● Azerbaijan Committee against Torture
(CAT) to consider individual
● ● ● Bahamas complaints
28 Reservation under Article
● Bahrain 28 not recognizing the
● ● Bangladesh competence of the CAT to
undertake confidential
● ● Barbados inquiries into allegations of
systematic torture if
● ● Belarus warranted
● ● ● ● ● Belgium 12 Declaration under
Article 12(3) accepting the
● ● ● ● ● Belize jurisdiction of the
International Criminal Court
● ● ● ● ● Benin (ICC) for crimes in its
Bhutan territory
124 Declaration under Article
Treatment or Punishment
Political Rights (ICCPR)
Women (CEDAW)
Discrimination
death penalty
Child (CRC)
conflict
Colombia ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Comoros ● ● ● ●
Congo, Republic of ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Cook Islands ● ●
Costa Rica ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●22
Côte d’Ivoire ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Croatia ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●22
Cuba ● ● ● ● ● ●28
Cyprus ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●22
Czech Republic ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●22
Democratic Republic of the Congo ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Denmark ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●22
Djibouti ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Dominica ● ● ● ● ●
Dominican Republic ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Ecuador ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●22
Egypt ● ● ● ● ● ●
El Salvador ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Equatorial Guinea ● ● ● ● ● ● ●28
Eritrea ● ● ● ● ● ●
Estonia ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Ethiopia ● ● ● ● ● ●
Fiji ● ● ● ●
Finland ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●22
France ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●22
Gabon ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Gambia ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Georgia ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●22
Germany ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●22
Ghana ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●22
Greece ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●22
Grenada ● ● ● ● ●
Guatemala ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●22
Guinea ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Guinea-Bissau ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Guyana ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Statelessness (1961)
Refugees (1967)
Refugees (1951)
against Torture
Criminal Court
● ● ● ● ●124 Colombia ● state is a party
● state became party in 2006
● ● Comoros
● signed but not yet ratified
● ● ● Congo, Republic of
● signed in 2006, but not yet ratified
Cook Islands
10 Declaration under Article 10
● ● ● ● ● ● Costa Rica
not recognizing the
● ● ●12 Côte d’Ivoire competence of the CEDAW
Committee to undertake
● ● ● ● ● Croatia confidential inquiries into
allegations of grave or
Cuba
systematic violations
● ● ● ● Cyprus 22 Declaration under Article
22 recognizing the
● ● ● ● ● ● Czech Republic competence of the
Committee against Torture
● ● ● Democratic Republic of the Congo
(CAT) to consider individual
● ● ● ● ● ● Denmark complaints
28 Reservation under Article
● ● ● Djibouti 28 not recognizing the
competence of the CAT to
● ● ● Dominica
undertake confidential
● ● ● ● Dominican Republic inquiries into allegations of
systematic torture if
● ● ● ● ● Ecuador warranted
12 Declaration under
● ● ● ● Egypt
Article 12(3) accepting the
● ● ● ● El Salvador jurisdiction of the
International Criminal Court
● ● Equatorial Guinea (ICC) for crimes in its
territory
● Eritrea
124 Declaration under Article
Treatment or Punishment
Political Rights (ICCPR)
Women (CEDAW)
Discrimination
death penalty
Child (CRC)
conflict
Haiti ● ● ● ● ●
Holy See ● ● ● ●
Honduras ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Hungary ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●22
Iceland ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●22
India ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Indonesia ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●28
Iran ● ● ● ●
Iraq ● ● ● ● ●
Ireland ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●22
Israel ● ● ● ● ● ● ●28
Italy ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●22
Jamaica ● ● ● ● ● ●
Japan ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Jordan ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Kazakstan ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Kenya ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Kiribati ● ●
Korea (Democratic People’s Republic of) ● ● ● ●
Korea (Republic of) ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Kuwait ● ● ● ● ● ● ●28
Kyrgyzstan ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Laos ● ● ● ● ● ●
Latvia ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Lebanon ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Lesotho ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Liberia ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Libya ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Liechtenstein ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●22
Lithuania ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Luxembourg ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●22
Macedonia ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Madagascar ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Malawi ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Malaysia ● ●
Maldives ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Statelessness (1961)
Refugees (1967)
Refugees (1951)
against Torture
Criminal Court
● ● ● Haiti ● state is a party
● ● ● Holy See ● state became party in 2006
● signed but not yet ratified
● ● ● ● ● ● Honduras
● signed in 2006, but not yet ratified
● ● ● ● Hungary
● ● ● ● Iceland 10Declaration under Article 10
not recognizing the
India competence of the CEDAW
Committee to undertake
● Indonesia confidential inquiries into
● ● ● Iran allegations of grave or
systematic violations
Iraq 22 Declaration under Article
22 recognizing the
● ● ● ● ● Ireland competence of the
● ● ● ● ●* Israel Committee against Torture
(CAT) to consider individual
● ● ● ● ● Italy complaints
28 Reservation under Article
● ● ● Jamaica 28 not recognizing the
● ● Japan competence of the CAT to
undertake confidential
● Jordan inquiries into allegations of
systematic torture if
● ● Kazakstan warranted
● ● ● Kenya 12 Declaration under
Article 12(3) accepting the
● ● Kiribati jurisdiction of the
International Criminal Court
Korea (Democratic People’s Republic of) (ICC) for crimes in its
● ● ● ● Korea (Republic of) territory
124 Declaration under Article
Treatment or Punishment
Political Rights (ICCPR)
Women (CEDAW)
Discrimination
death penalty
Child (CRC)
conflict
Mali ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Malta ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●22
Marshall Islands ● ●
Mauritania ● ● ● ● ● ●28
Mauritius ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Mexico ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●22
Micronesia ● ● ●
Moldova ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Monaco ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●22
Mongolia ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Montenegro ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●22
Morocco ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Mozambique ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Myanmar ● ●
Namibia ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Nauru ● ● ● ● ● ●
Nepal ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Netherlands ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●22
New Zealand ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●22
Nicaragua ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Niger ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Nigeria ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Niue ●
Norway ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●22
Oman ● ● ● ●
Pakistan ● ● ● ● ●
Palau ●
Panama ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Papua New Guinea ● ● ●
Paraguay ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●22
Peru ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●22
Philippines ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Poland ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● 28 ●22
Portugal ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●22
Qatar ● ● ● ●
Romania ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Statelessness (1961)
Refugees (1967)
Refugees (1951)
against Torture
Criminal Court
● ● ● ● ● Mali ● state is a party
● ● ● ● Malta ● state became party in 2006
● signed but not yet ratified
● Marshall Islands
● signed in 2006, but not yet ratified
● ● Mauritania
● ● Mauritius
10 Declaration under Article 10
not recognizing the
● ● ● ● ● ● Mexico competence of the CEDAW
Committee to undertake
Micronesia confidential inquiries into
● ● ● ● Moldova allegations of grave or
systematic violations
● ● Monaco 22 Declaration under Article
22 recognizing the
● Mongolia competence of the
● ● ● ● ● ● Montenegro Committee against Torture
(CAT) to consider individual
● ● ● ● Morocco complaints
28 Reservation under Article
● ● ● Mozambique 28 not recognizing the
Myanmar competence of the CAT to
undertake confidential
● ● ● Namibia inquiries into allegations of
systematic torture if
● Nauru warranted
Nepal 12 Declaration under
Article 12(3) accepting the
● ● ● ● ● ● Netherlands jurisdiction of the
International Criminal Court
● ● ● ● ● New Zealand (ICC) for crimes in its
● ● ● Nicaragua territory
124 Declaration under Article
Treatment or Punishment
Political Rights (ICCPR)
Women (CEDAW)
Discrimination
death penalty
Child (CRC)
conflict
Russian Federation ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●22
Rwanda ● ● ● ● ● ●
Saint Kitts and Nevis ● ● ● ●
Saint Lucia ● ● ●
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Samoa ● ●
San Marino ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Sao Tome and Principe ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Saudi Arabia ● ● ● ●28
Senegal ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●22
Serbia ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●22
Seychelles ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●22
Sierra Leone ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Singapore ● ● ●
Slovakia ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●22
Slovenia ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●22
Solomon Islands ● ● ● ● ●
Somalia ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
South Africa ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●22
Spain ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●22
Sri Lanka ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Sudan ● ● ● ● ● ●
Suriname ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Swaziland ● ● ● ● ● ●
Sweden ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●22
Switzerland ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●22
Syria ● ● ● ● ● ● ●28
Tajikistan ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Tanzania ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Thailand ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Timor-Leste ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Togo ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●22
Tonga ● ●
Trinidad and Tobago ● ● ● ● ●
Tunisia ● ● ● ● ● ● ●22
Turkey ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●22
Statelessness (1961)
Refugees (1967)
Refugees (1951)
against Torture
Criminal Court
● ● ● Russian Federation ● state is a party
● ● ● ● Rwanda ● state became party in 2006
● signed but not yet ratified
● ● Saint Kitts and Nevis
● signed in 2006, but not yet ratified
● Saint Lucia
● ● ● ● Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
10 Declaration under Article 10
not recognizing the
● ● ● Samoa competence of the CEDAW
Committee to undertake
● San Marino confidential inquiries into
● ● ● ● Sao Tome and Principe allegations of grave or
systematic violations
Saudi Arabia 22 Declaration under Article
22 recognizing the
● ● ● ● ● ● ● Senegal competence of the
● ● ● ● ● ● Serbia Committee against Torture
(CAT) to consider individual
● ● ● ● Seychelles complaints
28 Reservation under Article
● ● ● ● ● Sierra Leone 28 not recognizing the
Singapore competence of the CAT to
undertake confidential
● ● ● ● ● Slovakia inquiries into allegations of
systematic torture if
● ● ● ● Slovenia warranted
● ● ● Solomon Islands 12 Declaration under
Article 12(3) accepting the
● ● Somalia jurisdiction of the
International Criminal Court
● ● ● ● South Africa (ICC) for crimes in its
● ● ● ● ● Spain territory
124 Declaration under Article
Yemen
Zambia
Ukraine
Uganda
Vanuatu
Uruguay
Viet Nam
Venezuela
Zimbabwe
Uzbekistan
Turkmenistan
United Kingdom
United Arab Emirates
●
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●
●
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●
●
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●
●
●
Child (CRC)
Treatment or Punishment
SELECTED INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS TREATIES
Statelessness (1961)
Refugees (1967)
Refugees (1951)
against Torture
Criminal Court
● ● Turkmenistan ● state is a party
● ● Tuvalu ● state became party in 2006
● signed but not yet ratified
● ● ● ● ● Uganda
● signed in 2006, but not yet ratified
● ● ● ● Ukraine
● United Arab Emirates
10 Declaration under Article 10
not recognizing the
● ● ● ● ● ● United Kingdom competence of the CEDAW
Committee to undertake
● ●* United States of America confidential inquiries into
● ● ● ● ● ● ● Uruguay allegations of grave or
systematic violations
● Uzbekistan 22 Declaration under Article
22 recognizing the
Vanuatu competence of the
● ● Venezuela Committee against Torture
(CAT) to consider individual
Viet Nam complaints
28 Reservation under Article
● ● ● Yemen 28 not recognizing the
● ● ● ● Zambia competence of the CAT to
undertake confidential
● ● ● ● Zimbabwe inquiries into allegations of
systematic torture if
warranted
12 Declaration under
Article 12(3) accepting the
jurisdiction of the
International Criminal Court
(ICC) for crimes in its
territory
124 Declaration under Article
SELECTED
Africa (1969)
Algeria ● ● ● ● ● This chart lists countries that
were members of the African
Angola ● ● ● Union at the end of 2006.
Benin ● ● ● ● ●
Botswana ● ● ● ●
Burkina Faso ● ● ● ● ●
Burundi ● ● ● ● ●
Cameroon ● ● ● ● ●
Cape Verde ● ● ● ●
Central African Republic ● ● ● ● ● state is a party
Chad ● ● ● ● ● ● state became party in 2006
Comoros ● ● ● ● ● ● signed but not yet ratified
● signed in 2006, but not yet ratified
Congo (Republic of) ● ● ● ● ●
Côte d’Ivoire ● ● ● ● ●
Democratic Republic of the Congo ● ● ● ●
Djibouti ● ● ● ● ●
Egypt ● ● ● ●
Equatorial Guinea ● ● ● ● ●
Eritrea ● ●
Ethiopia ● ● ● ● ●
Gabon ● ● ● ● ●
Gambia ● ● ● ● ●
Ghana ● ● ● ● ●
Guinea ● ● ● ● ●
Guinea-Bissau ● ● ● ● ●
Kenya ● ● ● ● ●
Lesotho ● ● ● ● ●
Liberia ● ● ● ● ●
Libya ● ● ● ● ●
Madagascar ● ● ● ● ●
Malawi ● ● ● ● ●
Mali ● ● ● ● ●
Mauritania ● ● ● ● ●
Mauritius ● ● ● ● ●
Mozambique ● ● ● ● ●
Namibia ● ● ● ●
Niger ● ● ● ● ●
SELECTED
Africa (1969)
Nigeria ● ● ● ● ● This chart lists countries that
were members of the African
Rwanda ● ● ● ● ● Union at the end of 2006.
Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic ● ● ●
Sao Tome and Principe ●
Senegal ● ● ● ● ●
Seychelles ● ● ● ● ●
Sierra Leone ● ● ● ● ●
Somalia ● ● ● ● ●
South Africa ● ● ● ● ● ● state is a party
Sudan ● ● ● ● state became party in 2006
● signed but not yet ratified
Swaziland ● ● ● ● ●
● signed in 2006, but not yet ratified
Tanzania ● ● ● ● ●
Togo ● ● ● ● ●
Tunisia ● ● ● ●
Uganda ● ● ● ● ●
Zambia ● ● ● ● ●
Zimbabwe ● ● ● ● ●
SELECTED
Rights (1969)
Antigua and Barbuda ● This chart lists countries that
were members of the
Argentina ● 62
● ● ● ● ● ● Organization of American
Bahamas ● States at the end of 2006.
Barbados ●62 ●
Belize ●
Bolivia ● 62
● ● ● ● ●
Brazil ● 62
● ● ● ● ● ●
Canada
Chile ●62 ● ● ● ● ● ● ● state is a party
Colombia ● 62
● ● ● ● ● ● state became party in 2006
Costa Rica ●62 ● ● ● ● ● ● ● signed but not yet ratified
● signed in 2006, but not yet ratified
Cuba*
Dominica ● ● ● 62 Countries making a
Declaration under Article
Dominican Republic ● 62
● ● ● ● 62 recognize as binding the
Ecuador ● 62
● ● ● ● ● ● jurisdiction of the Inter-
American Court of Human
El Salvador ●62 ● ● ● ● Rights (on all matters
relating to the
Grenada ● ● interpretation or application
Guatemala ● 62
● ● ● ● ● of the American
Convention)
Guyana ● * In 1962 the VIII Meeting of
Consultation of Ministers of
Haiti ●62 ● ● ● ● Foreign Affairs decided to
Honduras ●62 ● ● ● exclude Cuba from
participating in the Inter-
Jamaica ● ● ● American system.
Mexico ● 62
● ● ● ● ●
Nicaragua ●62 ● ● ● ● ● ●
Panama ● 62
● ● ● ● ● ●
Paraguay ● 62
● ● ● ● ● ●
Peru ● 62
● ● ● ● ●
Saint Kitts and Nevis ●
Saint Lucia ●
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines ●
Suriname ● 62
● ● ●
Trinidad and Tobago ●
United States of America ●
Uruguay ●62 ● ● ● ● ● ●
Venezuela ● 62
● ● ● ● ● ●
SELECTED REGIONAL
discrimination (2000)
EUROPE
SELECTED
discrimination (2000)
EUROPE
A YEAR OF
CAMPAIGNING
“They carried guns all the time. I was afraid of and petitions but by mobilizing public pressure
the guns. Actually, I was in constant fear.” through street protests, vigils and direct
These are the words of Fereh Musu Conteh, lobbying. Thousands of AI members respond
who was abducted by an armed group during to Urgent Action appeals on behalf of
the conflict in Sierra Leone when she was just individuals at immediate risk. Publicity
13 years old. through the news media and online takes AI’s
“When there are guns, there are more message swiftly and in a range of languages to
victims,” said Malya, a woman from Port-au- millions more.
Prince, Haiti, describing the level of violence AI members invent creative and innovative
in her neighbourhood. forms of activism, both online and on the
Gun violence afflicts countries around the streets. In 2006, for example, AI Paraguay
world – armed conflict and violent crime claim organized “toy gun swaps” in the run-up to
the lives of men, women and children every Christmas, offering new toys to children in
day. AI is part of a worldwide coalition exchange for toy weapons, and street theatre
campaigning for a global Arms Trade Treaty in to persuade parents not to buy them. AI
order to prevent the proliferation and misuse Morocco carried out a survey on poverty and
of arms and so reduce the number of victims. government responsibility, and AI Australia
In 2006, activists achieved a major victory sought the public’s view on the country’s new
when the UN voted overwhelmingly to start anti-terror laws. AI Norway prepared to
work on a treaty – a goal many thought launch its online “pledge banking”, where
unrealistic when the campaign started. activists pledge to undertake a campaigning
The success of the Control Arms campaign activity if enough others join in.
shows what can be achieved with The key areas of focus for AI in 2006 were
determination, clarity and imagination. Control Arms; Stop Violence against Women, in
AI’s uniqueness among human rights particular domestic violence; torture and other
organizations is its strategic channelling of the abuses in the “war on terror”; the need for a
passion and outrage of ordinary people around peacekeeping force to protect civilians in
the world. AI’s members and supporters exert Darfur, Sudan; and the conflict between Israeli
influence on governments, armed political forces and Hizbullah fighters based in Lebanon.
groups, companies and intergovernmental Among many other country and region-
bodies. They change the lives of individuals – of specific campaigns, AI focused on forced
victims and survivors of human rights abuses, of evictions in Africa. In countries such as
human rights activists and defenders, and even Angola, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Kenya,
of the abusers. Nigeria, Sudan and Zimbabwe, evictions are
The activism of AI’s 2.2 million members and often carried out illegally, with excessive and
supporters, working alongside international sometimes lethal force, and without provision
and local partners, converts AI’s research of adequate alternative accommodation.
into a force for change. Activists confront Forced evictions disproportionately affect
governments, other institutions and people living in poverty and often lead to a
individuals, not only through letters, emails wide range of other human rights being
denied (Africa: Forced evictions reach crisis The global connection between individuals
levels, AI Index: AFR 01/009/2006). is a motivating force behind all AI campaigns.
Successes continued in AI’s global It lies behind much of the activism of new
campaign for a world free of executions. In human rights groups working at local,
June, the Philippines became the 88th country grassroots and community level. Such human
to totally abolish the death penalty. This rights defenders may be both victims and
development was particularly welcome in the activists, struggling to achieve their own
Asia-Pacific region where a disproportionately rights as well as those of their family or
high proportion of the world’s executions take community. Working with such human rights
place. In July, AI played a role in bringing defenders is as much about seeking structural
together human rights groups, activists, changes to create the space in which people
lawyers and parliamentarians from 21 can organize and protest
countries to form the Anti-Death Penalty Asia as it is about helping the
Network (ADPAN) as a united regional voice individuals themselves. IN 2006 AT LEAST 1,544
against the death penalty. In Europe and Campaigning can PEOPLE WERE EXECUTED
Central Asia, after vigorous AI campaigning in achieve real improvements
recent years, Moldova amended its in the lives of individuals.
IN 25 COUNTRIES
Constitution to formalize its complete Individual members of AI
WORLDWIDE. MOST WERE
abolition of the death penalty and ratified forge global links of CARRIED OUT IN CHINA,
international treaties that require abolition. solidarity with survivors, IRAN, IRAQ, PAKISTAN
Kyrgyzstan signed into law a new Constitution human rights defenders AND THE USA.
that no longer included, and therefore no and their families. The
longer authorized, death as a punishment. human face in AI’s work inspires and mobilizes
In 2006 at least 1,544 people were executed members, and attracts wider support in
in 25 countries worldwide. At least 3,861 society and from governments. AI presents the
people were sentenced to death in 55 cases of individuals not as advocates working
countries. The true numbers are believed to solely for one beneficiary, but to benefit all
be considerably higher. By far the majority of individuals experiencing similar abuses, to
executions – 90 per cent – were carried out shift public opinion or to focus attention on
in just five countries: China, Iran, Iraq, mass violations, and to win changes in policy
Pakistan and the USA. Countries that and practice. Offering that human context
executed people convicted of crimes demonstrates starkly to governments and the
committed while they were under 18 were public the consequences of failing to protect
Iran and Pakistan. human rights.
Under the resolution, the UN must collect ■ In January, AI published testimonies from
states’ views on the feasibility, scope and individuals in Haiti (AI Index: AMR 36/001/2006)
parameters of a treaty, then in 2008 set up a and during the conflict in Sierra Leone (AI
group of experts to establish the basis of a Index: AFR 51/001/2006). Conflicts and mass
comprehensive, legally binding treaty. As a killings in Sierra Leone and neighbouring states
direct result of the campaigning before the vote, in West Africa were sustained by the supply of
the UN resolution contains an explicit reference weapons funded by the illegal sale of diamonds.
to governments’ obligations under human In Haiti armed violence has spread from armed
rights and humanitarian law. While AI is eager political groups to criminal gangs that kill and
for rapid advances, in UN terms progress has rape hundreds of people every year with arms
been extraordinarily swift. The resolution could smuggled from neighbouring countries,
be a key first step towards a worldwide ban on including the USA.
transfers of arms that devastate the lives of ■ Developing countries now absorb more than
hundreds of thousands of people. two thirds of world defence imports,
■ More than a million people around the increasingly using private contractors in
world posted pictures of themselves on the diverse supply chains. Just before the UN
Control Arms website for the Million Faces Review Conference, AI and Transarms, the
Petition. Supporters ranged from Archbishop Research Centre for the Logistics of Arms
Desmond Tutu to the entire French football Transfers, published a report in May, Dead on
team. The millionth face was that of Julius time: Arms transportation, brokering and the
Arile, an athlete working for peace in Kenya, threat to human rights (AI Index: ACT
who presented the petition to UN Secretary- 30/008/2006). The report documented
General Kofi Annan in New York in June. To unaccounted arms flights from Bosnia and
lobby governments before the UN debate, the Herzegovina to Iraq by the US Department of
Control Arms campaign published Arms Defense, as well as shipments from Brazil to
without borders (AI Index: POL 34/006/2006), Saudi Arabia and from China to Liberia using
a report on the globalized arms trade. foreign brokers and shippers while
■ As part of the “100 days Countdown” before disregarding patterns of human rights abuse
the crucial General Assembly vote, by the recipients.
representatives from 70 AI Sections around ■ While international debate has focused on
the world travelled to New York to campaign the transfer of nuclear or long-range missile
and lobby a UN Review Conference on small technology to countries such as Iran, North
arms and light weapons. Control Arms activists Korea and Pakistan, the routine export of
lobbied with a campaign report, The AK-47: conventional weapons and small arms that
The world’s favourite killing machine (AI contribute to human rights violations and
Index: ACT 30/011/2006), and a booklet armed violence has received far less attention.
entitled Compilation of global principles for In the July-August conflict involving Israel and
arms transfers (AI Index: POL 34/004/2006) Lebanon, Israeli forces used aircraft, bombs,
published by AI and its partner organizations. missiles, cluster and other munitions supplied
Although agreement at the Conference was particularly by the US, while Hizbullah attacked
stalled by a small group of governments northern Israel with Katyusha and other rockets
led by the USA, the UN Secretary-General said to have been produced with the assistance
in his opening statement endorsed the call for of Syria and Iran. An AI report on China’s role in
an Arms Trade Treaty, as did many arming conflicts and sustaining human rights
governments. abuses in such countries as Myanmar, Nepal,
Other campaigning initiatives in 2006 South Africa and Sudan was published in June
targeted the export of arms to areas of the (People’s Republic of China: Sustaining conflict
world in conflict where human rights abuses and human rights abuses, AI Index: ASA
and war crimes are rife. 17/030/2006).
Amnesty International Report 2007 315
A YEAR OF CAMPAIGNING
STOP VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN Saudi Arabia. In other countries, for example
Domestic violence was a focus for AI Belgium or Mongolia, official support is
campaigning. AI’s campaign was part of a sporadic or insufficient. AI highlighted the
wider worldwide movement to address particular difficulties of migrant women in
violence against women as a human rights Denmark, at risk of losing residency rights if
issue. The UN Secretary-General published an they leave an abusive marriage, and of Native
in-depth study of violence against women in American and Alaska Native women in the
all its forms in October. The report called on USA who cannot access shelters that provide
states to secure gender equality, bring laws culturally appropriate forms of help.
and practices in line with international ■ In August, the Director General of the State
standards, collect data to strengthen policy Police in Albania reported that he had directed
and planning, and allocate adequate the police to implement AI’s recommendations
resources and funding. In November, AI published in March in Albania: Violence
members welcomed a Council of Europe against women in the family – “It’s not her
campaign on domestic violence, and urged shame” (AI Index: EUR 11/002/2006). AI had
member states to deliver on the campaign’s called for the police to treat seriously and
goals of abolishing discriminatory laws, investigate reports of family violence, to
strengthening services for survivors and protect women complainants and witnesses,
challenging social prejudices. to facilitate the work of women’s
AI holds the state responsible when it takes organizations, and to discipline police officers
inadequate measures to protect women from who “neglect or treat with indifference”
domestic violence – by not introducing or complaints of violence against women.
implementing specific laws or procedures, not ■ In Sierra Leone: Women face human rights
providing specialist training or health care, or abuses in the informal legal sector (AI Index:
not making available or supporting shelters or AFR 51/002/2006), published in May, AI
other services. If a state does not make showed how powers exercised by traditional
sufficient effort to prevent, investigate and rulers through customary courts can deprive
punish acts of violence against women, then it women of rights. Failures by police to respond
shares responsibility for the abuses. to appeals for help and by local courts to
■ AI called on governments to implement its exercise their jurisdiction frequently leave
new 14-Point Programme for the Prevention women at the mercy of discriminatory
of Domestic Violence, which calls on customary laws.
governments to protect the physical and ■ Failure to tackle high levels of sexual
mental wellbeing of women who have been violence reflect social and cultural attitudes
abused. It insists that government policies, that trivialize the crimes and entrench
practices and laws must not discriminate discrimination against women, AI reported in
against women, and calls on governments to June in Sexual violence against women and
consult and work closely with women victims girls in Jamaica: “Just a little sex” (AI Index:
and survivors, and with organizations with AMR 38/002/2006). Jamaican law leaves
experience of addressing domestic violence. women without the protection of the law in
■ The need for a place of safety was the focus cases of marital rape, incest or sexual
of AI’s 16 Days of Activism to mark the harassment, and in court, women’s testimony
International Day for the Elimination of is explicitly given less weight than that of men.
Violence against Women on 25 November. ■ The threat of sexual violence in the home
Through 16 web-based appeal cases, AI urged and community affects women’s ability to
governments to set up and fund shelters for travel to market or to work and to access
women fleeing violence in the home. Some health and education services, AI reported in
governments provide no shelters or support September in Papua New Guinea: Violence
for women facing domestic abuse, such as in against women – not inevitable, never
316 Amnesty International Report 2007
A YEAR OF CAMPAIGNING
acceptable! (AI Index: ASA 34/002/2006). In law against transferring a person to a state
meetings with AI, police and other officials where they risk torture.
showed little understanding of the state’s ■ The US programme of renditions – the
obligations to protect women. secret transfer of individuals from one country
■ In October, Hamda Fahad Jassem Al-Thani to another, bypassing judicial and
was allowed to join her husband, and thanked administrative due process – was analysed in
AI for its appeals. “I ask you to help end my April in USA: Below the radar – Secret flights to
suffering and to help me return to my husband, torture and “disappearance” (AI Index: AMR
whom I chose entirely of 51/051/2006). Since 2001, hundreds of terror
my own accord, this being suspects have been transferred to states
‘I ASK YOU TO HELP END the most fundamental of where physical and psychological brutality
MY SUFFERING AND TO my God-given rights, as and coercion feature prominently in
HELP ME RETURN TO MY enshrined in international interrogations. Many detainees have been
human rights subjected to enforced disappearance, a crime
HUSBAND... THIS BEING
THE MOST FUNDAMENTAL conventions,” she had said
to AI. A member of the
under international law.
OF MY GOD-GIVEN ■ Three Yemenis detained for more than 18
ruling family in Qatar, she months by the USA or at its behest, then for
RIGHTS.’ had been abducted from over nine months without charge in Yemen –
Egypt by the state security Muhammad Abdullah al Assad, Muhammad
services and detained in Faraj Bashmilah and Salah Nasser Salim ‘Ali
secret following her marriage without her Qaru – provided unique insights into the
family’s consent in 2002. workings of covert US-run detention centres
known as “black sites”. AI members
‘WAR ON TERROR’ campaigned for their trial or release, and AI
In its international campaign against abuses delegates observed the trial that eventually
in the “war on terror”, AI exposed and took place in February 2006, leading to the
denounced hundreds of cases of torture and final release of all three men in March.
other grave violations of human rights claimed
■ The active involvement of European states
by states to be a necessary response to
in US rendition flights, or their denial of any
security threats. AI also strongly condemned
knowledge about them, was spotlighted in AI’s
deliberate attacks on civilians and
June report, Partners in crime: Europe’s role in
indiscriminate attacks by armed groups.
US renditions (AI Index: EUR 01/008/2006). AI
■ AI convened a two-day gathering of human lobbied Council of Europe (CoE) member states
rights organizations from the Middle East in to investigate these abuses themselves and to
Lebanon in January. The participants cooperate fully with CoE investigations, and
concluded that no detainees should be called for CoE guidelines on controls of
transferred from one country to another on domestic and foreign secret services and of
the basis of mere diplomatic assurances that transiting air traffic.
they would not be tortured or otherwise
■ AI France created an online viral campaign
ill-treated after transfer, and that
to spread the message against renditions,
memorandums of understanding to that also working closely with rap artist Leeroy
effect between the UK government and Kesiah (www.terrorairlines.com). AIUSA
governments in the Middle East and North hosted an online discussion in August after
Africa undermined the absolute prohibition Peter Bauer and other former interrogators
of torture and other ill-treatment. told the US Congress that torture and other
■ AI and other human rights groups submitted ill-treatment were unnecessary to win the
a brief to the European Court of Human Rights “war on terror”. In December, AI Jordan
in the case of Ramzy v. the Netherlands, campaigned with cartoonist Khaldoon
seeking to uphold the absolute prohibition in Gharaibeh and former detainee Khaled Al-
Amnesty International Report 2007 317
A YEAR OF CAMPAIGNING
December focused the campaigning of AI and Koloy in eastern Chad, November 2006. “In
other groups on the plight of women parting the Imam thanked me, thanked
(Sudan/Chad: ‘No one to help them’ – Rape Amnesty International for coming,” an AI
extends from Darfur into eastern Chad, AI delegate reported. “He stressed that he had
Index: AFR 54/087/2006). gone to the capital two times to speak with
■ The effective imprisonment by Janjawid of authorities. He speaks frequently with local
hundreds of thousands of displaced people in government and military officials, various
the camps was reported in October in Sudan: international agencies have been by, but no
Crying out for safety (AI Index: AFR one had ever asked for the names before. And
54/055/2006). In November, as Sudanese he stressed: that matters so much.”
forces carried out indiscriminate aerial
bombardment using Russian- and Chinese- ISRAEL AND LEBANON: CIVILIANS
supplied planes and helicopters, AI called for UNDER FIRE
the 2005 UN Security Council arms ban on all In July a major military conflict erupted
parties to the Darfur conflict to be between Israeli forces and Hizbullah forces
implemented and fully enforced (Sudan/China: based in Lebanon after Hizbullah fighters
Appeal by Amnesty International to the crossed into Israel and attacked an army
Chinese government on the occasion of the patrol. By the time a ceasefire was agreed 34
China-Africa Summit for Development and days later, Israeli attacks had killed more than
Cooperation, AI Index: AFR 54/072/2006). 1,000 civilians in Lebanon, displaced around a
■ In November, AI called on the African Union million people, and destroyed thousands of
to press the government of Sudan to consent homes and much of Lebanon’s civilian
to the deployment of a UN peacekeeping infrastructure. Hizbullah launched missiles
mission (The African Commission: Amnesty into civilian areas of Israel, causing the deaths
International’s oral statement on the human of 43 civilians, displacing many thousands of
rights situation in Africa, AI Index: AFR people from their homes in northern Israel
01/012/2006). AI reported on the tens of and damaging hundreds of buildings.
thousands of people at risk as insecurity and ■ AI delegates visited both Israel and Lebanon
restrictions imposed on humanitarian during the fighting and in the immediate
organizations by the Sudanese government aftermath to research violations of
forced cutbacks in the aid international humanitarian law, including war
operation in Darfur in crimes, by both sides. AI delegates interviewed
THE IMAM THANKED Sudan: Darfur – Threats to hundreds of people whose lives had been
humanitarian aid (AI devastated by unlawful attacks, visited
AMNESTY
numerous sites where rockets, artillery shells
INTERNATIONAL. NO ONE Index: AFR 54/031/2006). and bombs, including cluster munitions, had
HAD EVER ASKED FOR ■ In December, AI
struck, and spoke to non-governmental
THE NAMES OF CIVILIANS protested at the timidity of organizations. AI met and obtained
KILLED BEFORE. the resolution adopted by
the UN Human Rights information from senior Israeli military and
Council in a Special Session government officials, the Lebanese authorities
on Darfur. The Council and Hizbullah. It also repeatedly requested
agreed to send its own information about specific military operations
assessment mission to Darfur, but failed to from Israel and Hizbullah.
respond to the urgency and magnitude of the ■ From the outset of the conflict AI called on
human rights crisis on the basis of the existing, both sides to respect their obligations under
compelling evidence of close government links international humanitarian law (the laws of
to Janjawid abuses. war), particularly those relating to the
■ AI was given the names of people killed in a protection of civilians. However, civilians
Janjawid attack from Sudan on the town of were bearing the brunt of the conflict and AI
Amnesty International Report 2007 319
A YEAR OF CAMPAIGNING
joined the call for a ceasefire made by UN ■ “I have lost all my children, my mother, my
Secretary-General Kofi Annan and other world sisters. My wife is in a very serious condition…
leaders. In July, AI published Israel/Lebanon: How do you tell a mother that she has lost all
Israel and Hizbullah must spare civilians – her children?” Ahmad Badran spoke to AI
Obligations under international humanitarian delegates in al-Ghazieh village in south
law of the parties to the conflict in Israel and Lebanon after watching the bodies of eight
Lebanon, a reminder to the parties of their members of his family being dug from under a
legal obligations (AI Index: MDE 15/070/2006). pile of rubble. On 7 August an Israeli missile hit
■ Following the end of the hostilities, and his home, killing his four children, his mother,
after conducting further research and his two sisters and his
discussions with officials, AI issued two niece, and critically
injuring his wife. ‘I HAVE LOST ALL MY
briefings covering aspects of the conflict. In CHILDREN, MY MOTHER,
August it published Israel/Lebanon: Deliberate ■ AI called for the UN to
set up an international
MY SISTERS. MY WIFE IS IN
destruction or “collateral damage”? Israeli
attacks against civilian infrastructure (AI commission empowered to A VERY SERIOUS
Index: MDE 18/007/2006). AI found that Israeli investigate the evidence of CONDITION… HOW DO
forces had committed indiscriminate and violations of international YOU TELL A MOTHER THAT
disproportionate attacks, pursuing a strategy law by both Hizbullah and SHE HAS LOST ALL HER
that appeared intended to punish the people Israel, and to make CHILDREN?’
of Lebanon and their government for not provision for reparations
turning against Hizbullah, as well as harming for the victims. AI also
Hizbullah’s military capability. called for an arms embargo on both sides, and
■ In September, AI published Israel/Lebanon: an immediate moratorium on the use of cluster
Under fire – Hizbullah’s attacks on northern weapons. It urged all parties involved in the
Israel (AI Index: MDE 02/025/2006). This conflict to investigate alleged violations of
concluded that Hizbullah had committed international human rights law and ensure
serious violations of international reparation for the victims.
humanitarian law, including war crimes. Its ■ After the conflict, AI members around the
rocket attacks amounted to deliberate attacks world focused their energy on calling for Israel
on civilians and civilian objects, and immediately to hand over to the UN maps
indiscriminate attacks. The attacks also showing the areas in which it had used cluster
violated other rules of international munitions, in order to assist the clearance of
humanitarian law, including the prohibition of unexploded cluster bomblets which continue to
reprisal attacks on the civilian population. kill and maim Lebanese civilians. Up to a million
■ In November, AI published Israel/Lebanon:
unexploded bomblets littered south Lebanon
Out of all proportion – civilians bear the brunt when the ceasefire came into effect, presenting
of the war (AI Index: MDE 02/033/2006). This a long-term threat to the civilian population.
covered further aspects of the conduct and ■ In December an AI delegation, including
consequences of Israeli military actions in Secretary General Irene Khan, visited
Lebanon. It analysed patterns of Israeli attacks Lebanon and Israel and the Occupied
and a number of specific incidents in which Territories for high-level talks with officials.
civilians were killed in Lebanon. It highlighted To coincide with the visit, AI published a
the impact on civilian life of other Israeli campaign briefing, Israel and the Occupied
attacks, including the legacy of the widespread Territories: Road to nowhere (AI Index: MDE
cluster bomb bombardment of south Lebanon 15/093/2006) that focused on the spiralling
by Israeli forces in the last days of the war. It human rights crisis in the Occupied Territories
also summarized AI’s conclusions with regard over the previous six years.
to the overall conduct of both Israeli forces
and Hizbullah fighters.
320 Amnesty International Report 2007
A YEAR OF CAMPAIGNING
INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE
AI continued to take its work on behalf of
individuals up to the international arena,
campaigning for universal support for the
International Criminal Court and for an end to
impunity. It pushed hard for those responsible
for the most serious crimes known to humanity
to be brought to justice before international or
national courts.
■ After years of campaigning by AI and others,
Nigeria surrendered former Liberian President
Charles Taylor in March to the Special Court for
Sierra Leone on charges of war crimes and
crimes against humanity, relating to his
involvement in the country’s civil war.
■ In March, Thomas Lubanga Dyilo, charged
with enlisting and recruiting child soldiers in
the Democratic Republic of the Congo, became
the first person to be arrested and surrendered
to the International Criminal Court.
■ Years of campaigning by AI and others saw
progress in July when the Assembly of the
African Union requested Senegal to promptly
prosecute former Chadian President Hissène
Habré, who is charged with crimes against
humanity, war crimes and torture. AI urged
Senegal to enact the necessary legislation,
and Senegal’s Council of Ministers in
November adopted a law to permit Hissène
Habré to be tried.
Holding to account those responsible for
human rights abuses in the past not only gives
justice to the victims and survivors. It is an
essential part of AI’s struggle to protect
against abuses of other individuals’ rights in
the present, and to prevent them in the future.
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COUNTRY INDEX
Page references in bold refer to the main chapter Cyprus 31, 97-8, 261
entry for that country. Czech Republic 99-100, 232
A D
Afghanistan 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 22, 28, 29, 47-9, 80, 119, Democratic Republic of the Congo 11, 12, 15, 16, 18,
123, 174, 202, 273, 274, 275, 276, 278, 284 19-20, 65, 91, 92, 100-3, 110, 254, 267, 321
Albania 49-50, 118, 122, 125, 174, 175, 187, 226-8, Denmark 5, 42, 103-4, 168, 177, 262, 284, 285, 316
316 Dominican Republic 3, 104-5, 130, 131, 198
Algeria 39, 41, 42, 50-3, 68-9, 180, 188, 189, 190, 197,
271 E
Angola 16, 53-5, 193, 232, 313 Ecuador 22, 24, 105-6
Argentina 25, 55, 277 Egypt 7, 9, 33, 39, 40, 41, 42, 80, 106-9, 125, 151, 214,
Armenia 5, 56, 119, 262 248, 317
Australia 2, 28, 57, 138, 229, 256, 271, 284, 313 El Salvador 22, 24, 109-10
Austria 5, 6, 58 Equatorial Guinea 16, 18, 110-11, 313
Azerbaijan 31, 34, 36, 41, 42, 58-9, 139 Eritrea 15, 16, 18, 112-13, 115, 234, 243, 248
Estonia 34, 114
B Ethiopia 15, 16, 18, 19, 112, 114-17, 118-19, 233, 234,
Bahamas 60 235
Bahrain 40, 42, 60-1
Bangladesh 11, 27, 29, 61, 61-2, 202, 269 F
Belarus 7, 35, 36, 63-4, 173, 185 Fiji 27
Belgium 64-5, 225, 316 Finland 117
Bermuda 229 France 5, 8, 34, 81, 118-19, 168, 221, 225, 227, 229,
Bhutan 196 238, 265, 277, 317
Bolivia 11, 24, 66
Bosnia and Herzegovina 33, 67-9, 95, 187, 226, 259, G
260, 315 Gabon 110, 111
Brazil 4, 5, 11, 22, 69-72, 207, 315 Gambia 8, 58, 120-1, 225
Bulgaria 31, 72-4, 125, 171, 173, 251, 259 Georgia 31, 35, 166, 121-2, 219
Burkina Faso 94 Germany 9, 33, 59, 122-4, 174, 251, 278, 279, 318
Burundi 15, 16, 18, 74-6, 101, 221, 237, 254 Ghana 20, 124, 150, 258, 313
Greece 33-4, 49, 124-6
C Grenada 126
Cambodia 6, 77-8, 282, 283 Guatemala 7, 22, 24, 25, 126-7
Cameroon 78-9, 83-4 Guinea 65, 127-8
Canada 8, 9, 80, 87, 156, 229 Guinea-Bissau 128-9, 225
Canary Islands 3 Guyana 129
Central African Republic 15, 80-2
Chad 7, 15, 16, 19, 81, 82-4, 198, 225, 242, 244, 246, H
318, 318-9, 321 Haiti 22, 60, 104, 105, 130-1, 313, 315
Chile 11, 24, 25, 84-5 Honduras 22, 24, 131-2
China 4, 7, 8, 27, 27-8, 29, 85-7, 154, 156, 156-7, 159, Hungary 132-3, 232, 261
160, 161, 223, 231, 246, 314, 315, 319
I
Colombia 6, 22, 24, 88-91, 105, 106, 280, 281
India 3, 8, 11, 27, 28, 29, 124, 133-6, 162, 192, 202,
Congo, Republic of 15, 16, 91-2
214, 224, 241
Côte d’Ivoire 15, 16, 20, 93-4, 150, 169
Indonesia 29, 57, 136-8, 224, 257
Croatia 67, 95-6, 226
Iran 5, 7, 8, 12, 37, 39, 40-1, 41, 42, 47, 139-41, 156,
Cuba 6, 21, 96-7, 276, 318
168, 198, 248, 314, 315
Iraq 10, 11, 22, 37, 39, 40, 41, 57, 59, 103-4, 123, Netherlands 136, 170-1, 196-7, 229, 317
142-5, 156, 196, 250, 262, 270, 271, 272, 273, 274-5, New Zealand 197, 256
276, 284, 314, 315 Nicaragua 24, 198
Ireland 5, 145-6, 272 Niger 118, 198-9
Israel and the Occupied Territories 1, 7, 10, 11, 37, 41, Nigeria 4, 12, 16, 18, 19, 20, 58, 78, 170, 199-201,
139, 146, 147-50, 155, 167, 204-5, 222, 250, 313, 224, 229, 242, 269, 313, 321
315, 319-20 North Korea, see Korea, Democratic People’s Republic of
Italy 9, 33, 33-4, 48, 69, 107, 125, 150-2, 172, 235, Norway 313
259
O
J Oman 40, 41, 201-2
Jamaica 22, 152-3, 316
Japan 8, 28, 29, 153-4, 159, 160 P
Jordan 8, 9, 39, 39-40, 40, 41, 42, 143, 147, 154-6, Pakistan 8, 9, 11, 27, 28, 29, 47, 48, 61, 117, 124-5, 133,
172, 213, 271, 317-18 134, 202-3, 224, 225, 237, 270, 275, 314, 315
Palestinian Authority 1, 10, 37, 40, 41, 142, 144, 147,
K 148, 149, 156, 167, 168, 171, 173, 204-6, 250, 252
Kazakstan 33, 156-7, 265, 279 Panama 22
Kenya 16, 19, 75, 157-9, 234, 235, 313, 315 Papua New Guinea 29, 206-7, 316
Korea, Democratic People’s Republic of 3, 28, 29, 87, Paraguay 25, 207, 313
153, 159-60, 161, 315 Peru 7, 24, 25, 84, 85, 208-9, 280
Korea, Republic of 3, 27, 29, 87, 159, 160, 161-2 Philippines 6, 27, 29, 30, 41, 98, 209-10, 314
Kuwait 39, 40, 41, 146, 162-3 Poland 34, 35, 211-12
Kyrgyzstan 33, 35, 163-4, 279, 314 Portugal 212-13, 256
Puerto Rico 213
L
Laos 28, 165-6, 254, 256 Q
Latvia 34, 166 Qatar 40, 41, 213-14, 275, 317
Lebanon 10, 11, 37, 39-40, 41, 42, 147, 160, 167-9,
172, 174, 222, 250, 252, 313, 315, 317, 319-20 R
Liberia 11, 19, 169-71, 199, 229, 275, 315, 321 Romania 31, 185, 214-16, 279
Libya 39, 39-40, 40, 41, 113, 151, 171-3, 223, 271 Russian Federation 5, 6, 7, 33, 34, 36, 56, 67, 159, 173,
Lithuania 173-4 185, 186, 211, 216-20, 265, 279, 319
Rwanda 16, 18, 19, 20, 76, 101, 159, 220-2, 229, 254
M
Macedonia 33, 73-4, 118, 123, 174-5 S
Madagascar 118 Saudi Arabia 8, 39, 40, 42, 214, 222-4, 245, 271, 273,
Malawi 176 315, 316
Malaysia 11, 29, 84, 176-7, 256 Senegal 15, 19, 128, 225, 321
Maldives 178 Serbia 31, 34, 67, 187, 226-8
Mali 179, 219 Sierra Leone 12, 19, 124, 169, 170, 199, 229-30, 313,
Malta 33-4, 113, 179-80 315, 316, 321
Mauritania 180-1, 189 Singapore 29, 230-1
Mexico 12, 21, 22, 24, 25, 126, 181-4, 276 Slovakia 5, 231-2
Moldova 31, 35, 184-6, 314 Slovenia 34, 233
Mongolia 27, 186-7, 316 Solomon Islands 27
Montenegro 31, 34, 187-8, 226, 227, 228 Somalia 11, 15, 16, 18, 19, 112, 115, 150, 159, 222,
Morocco 33, 39, 40, 41, 42, 123, 151, 188-90, 224, 233-6, 284
239, 240, 251, 313 South Africa 7, 11, 18, 19, 20, 111, 236-8, 315
Mozambique 190-1 South Korea, see Korea, Republic of
Myanmar 27, 28, 29, 85, 191-3, 255, 256, 315 Spain 3, 25, 31, 33, 34, 41, 72, 111, 127, 189, 221, 225,
238-40
N Sri Lanka 27, 28, 29, 98, 133-4, 240-2
Namibia 193-4 Sudan 2, 4, 7, 11, 12, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 82, 85, 109,
Nepal 12, 27, 30, 87, 194-6, 214, 315 112, 115, 159, 180, 224, 234, 242-6, 266, 267, 313,
315, 318-19
Swaziland 19, 246-8
Sweden 33, 148-9, 235, 248-9
Switzerland 34, 35, 173, 249, 260
Syria 7, 9, 39, 40, 41, 42, 80, 123, 143, 151, 156, 168,
172, 196, 250-2, 270, 315
T
Taiwan 252-3
Tajikistan 163, 253
Tanzania 18, 76, 118, 234, 254
Thailand 27, 28, 29, 160, 165, 254-6
Timor-Leste 27, 136-7, 256-7
Togo 257-8
Tonga 27
Trinidad and Tobago 258-9
Tunisia 7, 39, 42, 151, 259-61
Turkey 6, 31, 33, 34, 36, 58, 59, 123, 125, 145, 249,
251-2, 261-4, 318
Turkmenistan 36, 264-5
U
Uganda 12, 16, 18, 19, 101, 221, 254, 266-7
Ukraine 33, 173, 268-9, 279
United Arab Emirates 41, 269-70
United Kingdom 6, 8, 33, 33-4, 39-40, 60, 61, 62, 126,
142, 143, 144, 154, 158, 168, 173, 222-3, 229, 230,
231, 252, 270-3, 279, 284, 317
United States of America 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 21, 22,
24, 31, 33, 39, 40, 47, 48, 51, 57, 60, 64, 65, 66, 68-9,
69, 72, 80, 84, 91, 96, 107, 113, 115, 119, 122, 123, 124,
126, 131, 133, 139, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 150, 151,
154, 155, 156, 159, 161, 162, 170, 171, 174, 175, 181,
182, 185, 187, 189, 196, 198, 201, 202, 204, 211, 213,
214, 216, 218, 223, 227, 229, 234, 248, 249, 250, 252,
263, 264, 271, 272, 273-7, 278, 279, 280, 282, 284,
314, 315, 316, 317
Uruguay 25, 277-8
Uzbekistan 6, 7, 33, 34, 35, 36, 87, 123, 156, 157, 163,
164, 218-19, 219, 253, 268, 278-80
V
Venezuela 21, 22, 280-1
Viet Nam 7, 27, 29, 282-3
W
Western Sahara, see Morocco/Western Sahara
Y
Yemen 39, 40, 42, 235, 283-5, 317
Z
Zambia 285-6
Zimbabwe 2, 18, 19, 20, 116, 227, 237, 286-8, 313