This page summarizes cases raised with Indonesia by the Special Rapporteur between May 1, 2011, (when the Special Rapporteur took up his functions) and February 28, 2017 (the date of the last public release of communications). Communications are released to the public once per year. This page also contains observations on these communications and on responses received from Indonesia. Communications and observations are divided into sections based upon which observation report they originally appeared. Each communication is referenced as urgent appeal (UA), allegation letter (AL), joint urgent appeal (JUA) and joint allegation letter (JAL) - the hyperlinks lead to these documents. This is followed by the date the communication was issued, as well as the case number and the State reply (also hyperlinked if available). Summaries and communications are published only in the language of submission (in the case of Indonesia, English). First Report (May 1, 2011 to March 15, 2012) Joint urgent appeal, 8/7/2011. Case no. IDN 4/2011. State Reply: None to date. Alleged harassment of members of the Christian community, restricting religious freedom and right to assemble, worship and practice. Joint urgent appeal, 23/2/2012. Case no. IDN 3/2012. State Reply: None to date. Alleged intimidation and... Continue reading →
This page summarizes cases raised with the Philippines by the Special Rapporteur between May 1, 2011, (when the Special Rapporteur took up his functions) and February 28, 2017 (the date of the last public release of communications). Communications are released to the public once per year. This page also contains observations on these communications and on responses received from the Philippines. Communications and observations are divided into sections based upon which observation report they originally appeared. Each communication is referenced as urgent appeal (UA), allegation letter (AL), joint urgent appeal (JUA) and joint allegation letter (JAL) - the hyperlinks lead to these documents. This is followed by the date the communication was issued, as well as the case number and the State reply (also hyperlinked if available). Summaries and communications are published only in the language of submission (in the case of the Philippines, English). First Report (May 1, 2011 to March 15, 2012) Joint allegation letter, 04/07/2011. Case no. PHL 4/2011. State Reply: None to date. Alleged acts of violence and intimidation against human rights defenders. Joint urgent appeal, 10/11/2011. Case no. PHL 6/2011. State Reply: None to date. Alleged killings of human rights defenders. Observations The... Continue reading →
This page summarizes cases raised with Laos by the Special Rapporteur between May 1, 2011, (when the Special Rapporteur took up his functions) and February 28, 2017 (the date of the last public release of communications). Communications are released to the public once per year. This page also contains observations on these communications and on responses received from Laos. Communications and observations are divided into sections based upon which observation report they originally appeared. Each communication is referenced as urgent appeal (UA), allegation letter (AL), joint urgent appeal (JUA) and joint allegation letter (JAL) - the hyperlinks lead to these documents. This is followed by the date the communication was issued, as well as the case number and the State reply (also hyperlinked if available). Summaries and communications are published only in the language of submission (in the case of Laos, English). First Report (May 1, 2011 to March 15, 2012) None Second Report (March 16, 2012 to February 28, 2013) Joint allegation letter, 20/12/2012. Case no. LAO 2/2012. State Reply: None to date. Allegations of expulsion of a staff member belonging to an international non-governmental organization from the Lao People‟s Democratic Republic. Joint allegation letter, 20/12/2012. Case no.... Continue reading →
This page summarizes cases raised with Thailand by the Special Rapporteur between May 1, 2011, (when the Special Rapporteur took up his functions) and February 28, 2017 (the date of the last public release of communications). Communications are released to the public once per year. This page also contains observations on these communications and on responses received from Thailand. Communications and observations are divided into sections based upon which observation report they originally appeared. Each communication is referenced as urgent appeal (UA), allegation letter (AL), joint urgent appeal (JUA) and joint allegation letter (JAL) - the hyperlinks lead to these documents. This is followed by the date the communication was issued, as well as the case number and the State reply (also hyperlinked if available). Summaries and communications are published only in the language of submission (in the case of Thailand, English). First Report (May 1, 2011 to March 15, 2012) None Second Report (March 16, 2012 to February 28, 2013) Joint allegation letter, 25/07/2012. Case no. THA 4/2012. State Reply: None to date. Allegations of charges against trade unionists for leading a peaceful demonstration. Joint allegation letter, 09/01/2013. Case no. THA 1/2013. State Reply: 20/03/2013. Alleged... Continue reading →
This page summarizes cases raised with Malaysia by the Special Rapporteur between May 1, 2011, (when the Special Rapporteur took up his functions) and February 28, 2017 (the date of the last public release of communications). Communications are released to the public once per year. This page also contains observations on these communications and on responses received from Malaysia. Communications and observations are divided into sections based upon which observation report they originally appeared. Each communication is referenced as urgent appeal (UA), allegation letter (AL), joint urgent appeal (JUA) and joint allegation letter (JAL) - the hyperlinks lead to these documents. This is followed by the date the communication was issued, as well as the case number and the State reply (also hyperlinked if available). Summaries and communications are published only in the language of submission (in the case of Malaysia, English). First Report (May 1, 2011 to March 15, 2012) Joint urgent appeal, 07/07/2011. Case no. MYS 6/2011. State Reply: 10/08/2011. Alleged harassment, intimidation, arrest or questioning by police of members and supporters of the Coalition for Fair and Free Elections (Bersih). Joint urgent appeal, 28/07/2011. Case no. MYS 7/2011. State Reply: 24/04/2012. Court order allegedly... Continue reading →
This page summarizes cases raised with Singapore by the Special Rapporteur between May 1, 2011, (when the Special Rapporteur took up his functions) and February 28, 2017 (the date of the last public release of communications). Communications are released to the public once per year. This page also contains observations on these communications and on responses received from Singapore. Communications and observations are divided into sections based upon which observation report they originally appeared. Each communication is referenced as urgent appeal (UA), allegation letter (AL), joint urgent appeal (JUA) and joint allegation letter (JAL) - the hyperlinks lead to these documents. This is followed by the date the communication was issued, as well as the case number and the State reply (also hyperlinked if available). Summaries and communications are published only in the language of submission (in the case of Singapore, English). First Report (May 1, 2011 to March 15, 2012) None Second Report (March 16, 2012 to February 28, 2013) Joint urgent appeal, 10/12/2012. Case no. SGP 4/2012. State Reply: 15/02/2013. Alleged legal sanctions brought against migrant public bus drivers from China in relation to a strike they undertook to demand equal pay. Observations The Special Rapporteur thanks the... Continue reading →
GENEVA – International support is now needed to investigate the enforced disappearance of a leading Laotian human rights defender, a group of United Nations independent experts, including Maina Kiai, said today. Human rights activist Sombath Somphone has been disappeared since December 2012. “It is high time for the authorities of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR) to voluntarily request international assistance with the aim of shedding light on Mr. Somphone’s fate and whereabouts, two years after his disappearance,” the experts said. “International law makes clear that the Government of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic has the duty to carry out an independent, thorough, credible and effective investigation.” Mr. Somphone is a prominent human right activist working on issues of land confiscation and assisting victims in denouncing such practices. He was last seen at a police check point with his car parked in the police compound. “We urge the authorities to release more information about the progress of investigation, especially to his family,” the independent experts stressed. “In the absence of any tangible progress, we strongly recommend that an international team of experts work jointly with the Lao People’s Democratic Republic’s to fulfil its legal... Continue reading →
GENEVA – “Stability and reconciliation can hardly be achieved in Thailand if human rights guarantees are neglected,” a group of United Nations independent experts, including Maina Kiai, said today, while urging the current authorities to reverse all measures affecting basic rights and to restore democratic rule in the country. “In moments of political crisis and turbulence, it is crucial to promote the full respect of the rule of law,” the human rights experts stressed. “The various limitations to fundamental rights put in place since the military assumed control of the country and the Constitution was suspended are deeply disturbing,” they noted. “Reportedly numerous individuals remain arbitrarily detained, and unacceptable restrictions continue to be imposed on freedoms of expression, association and peaceful assembly.” Particular concern was expressed with regard to the chilling effects of the summoning by the military of more than 440 individuals, including political leaders, academics, journalists and activists to army bases. Many remain in detention without access to family or lawyer. Some are held incommunicado in unknown locations and may be at risk of torture or ill-treatment. “Public criticism of authorities and the freedom of the Thai media are negatively affected... Continue reading →
GENEVA – The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Myanmar, Tomás Ojea Quintana, today pressed the alarm bell on the further deterioration of the human rights situation in Rakhine State. “Recent developments in Rakhine State are the latest in a long history of discrimination and persecution against the Rohingya community which could amount to crimes against humanity.” He warned that the evacuation of aid workers, following the recent attacks on UN and NGO premises in Sittwe, “will only increase the vulnerability of this community”. “These workers were in Rakhine State providing essential life-saving support, including health services, water and food to internally displaced persons, isolated villages, and other affected communities,” he explained. “The withdrawal of these workers will have severe consequences on the enjoyment of fundamental human rights, including the right to life.” Water availability could reach critical levels within a week in some displacement camps, particularly in Pauktaw. The impact on healthcare will be particularly severe for the 140,000 people still in such camps in Rakhine State and the 700,000 vulnerable people outside the camps. Mr. Ojea Quintana noted the Government’s commitment last week to ensure the safety and... Continue reading →
GENEVA – A group of United Nations independent experts today called on the Government of Thailand to establish the truth and hold criminally responsible the perpetrators of the disappearance of human rights defender Somchai Neelaphaijit. On the 10th anniversary of his disappearance, the experts said the investigations on the case remain inconclusive and warned that the authorities may close the legal proceedings. “Ten years after the disappearance of Somchai Neelaphaijit, his fate and whereabouts remain unknown,” the UN Working Group on enforced or involuntary disappearances said. “We appeal to the Thai Government to continue the investigations on the case, establish his fate and whereabouts, guarantee impartiality during the process, publish the results, and ensure that all perpetrators are held criminally responsible.” Mr. Somchai Neelaphaijit, a human rights defender and senior member of two lawyers’ associations, was allegedly disappeared on 12 March 2004. It is believed that his disappearance is related to his work as a lawyer defending Muslim minorities in southern Thailand. The initial criminal prosecution against five police officers for robbery and coercion, in relation to his abduction, has resulted in their acquittal, though the final outcome is still pending at the Supreme... Continue reading →
