English GENEBRA – O projeto de lei antiterrorismo atualmente em discussão no Congresso brasileiro está redigido em termos demasiado amplos e poderia restringir indevidamente as liberdades fundamentais, alertou, hoje, um grupo de relatores especiais da ONU (*). “Estamos preocupados que a definição do crime estabelecida pelo projeto de lei pode resultar em ambiguidade e confusão na determinação do que o Estado considera como crime de terrorismo, potencialmente prejudicando o exercício dos direitos humanos e das liberdades fundamentais”, disseram os relatores. O projeto de lei no. 101/2015 visa definir os crimes de terrorismo no Brasil e dispõe ainda sobre procedimentos investigatórios e processuais. No dia 28 de outubro de 2015, o Senado brasileiro aprovou a proposta por 34 votos favoráveis e 18 contrários. O texto alterado deve voltar à Câmara dos Deputados. "Lamentamos que o atual projeto de lei excluiu um artigo anterior que estabelecia uma salvaguarda importante que garantia que a participação em manifestações políticas e em movimentos sociais não fosse considerada no âmbito dessa lei,” disseram os relatores. Os relatores especiais compartilharam suas preocupações com as autoridades brasileiras que, por sua vez, forneceram explicações adicionais sobre o... Continue reading →
Portugues GENEVA – Proposed anti-terrorism legislation currently being considered by Brazil’s Congress is too broadly drafted and may unduly restrict fundamental freedoms, warned today a group of UN Special Rapporteurs including Maina Kiai. “We fear that the definition of the crime established by the draft law may result in ambiguities and confusion as to what the State considers a terrorist offence, potentially undermining the exercise of human rights and fundamental freedoms,” the independent experts said. Law N° 101/2015 seeks to define crimes of terrorism in Brazil and provides for other investigative and procedural provisions. On 28 October 2015, the Brazilian Senate passed the legislation by 34 votes to 18. The amended text now returns to the lower house. “We regret that the current draft excluded a previous article establishing an important safeguard that would protect participation in political demonstrations and social movements from falling under the legislation’s scope,” the experts said. The Special Rapporteurs shared their concerns with the Brazilian authorities, who in turn provided further clarifications on the draft law. “States have a duty to protect civil society and the rights that are critical to its existence and development, such as the rights to... Continue reading →
(English) SANTIAGO/GINEBRA – El Relator Especial de las Naciones Unidas, Maina Kiai, instó hoy al Gobierno de Chile a eliminar "los vestigios de la dictadura" que van en detrimento de la libertad de reunión pacífica en el país, y a continuar con las reformas para que el país pueda "ocupar el lugar que le corresponde como un líder mundial en los derechos humanos". "Chile ha logrado grandes avances desde su retorno a la democracia hace 25 años", dijo el Sr. Kiai al final de la primera visita* al país de un experto independiente encargado por el Consejo de Derechos Humanos de la ONU de promover la realización de los derechos de la libertad de reunión pacífica y de asociación de todo el mundo. "Sin embargo, aún persisten vestigios de antaño que no tienen cabida en el Chile de hoy", señaló. "El fantasma de esa época acecha especialmente al sector de la seguridad, principalmente Carabineros de Chile —y específicamente las Fuerzas Especiales— en su función de custodiar los conflictos sociales y manifestaciones”. El relator expresó su preocupación sobre el manejo en la práctica de las protestas. Durante su visita, recibió información de numerosos y variados ejemplos de violaciones cometidas por la policía durante protestas, incluyendo la fuerza excesiva y el acoso... Continue reading →
(Español) SANTIAGO/GENEVA – United Nations Special Rapporteur Maina Kiai today urged the Government of Chile to eliminate “vestiges of dictatorship” that are detrimental to the freedom of peaceful assembly in the country, and continue reforms so that the country can “take its rightful place as a global leader in human rights.” “Chile has made enormous strides since its return to democracy 25 years ago,” Mr. Kiai said at the end of the first visit* to the country by an independent expert tasked by the UN Human Rights Council with promoting the realization of the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association worldwide. “However, there are still remnants of yesteryear that have no place in the Chile of today,” he noted. “The ghost of this era looms particularly large over the security sector, chiefly the police—and specifically the Special Forces—and their function in policing social conflicts and assemblies.” The expert expressed concern about Chile’s practical management of protests. During his visit, he was informed of numerous and varied examples of violations perpetrated by police during protests, including excessive force and harassment of activists. A particularly disturbing example, he said, was the July 2015 killing of Nelson Quichillao, a copper... Continue reading →
(English) SANTIAGO DE CHILE – Quisiera agradecer al Gobierno de la República de Chile por haberme invitado a realizar aquí esta misión oficial, mi primera al continente americano. Veo esto como una señal positiva de la disposición del Gobierno a participar de un diálogo constructivo sobre los derechos a la libertad de reunión pacífica y de asociación, entre otros derechos humanos. Soy el cuarto Relator Especial de las Naciones Unidas a visitar Chile desde el mes de julio 2013, lo cual creo es indicio de la seriedad del Gobierno en su voluntad de cumplir con sus obligaciones acorde a la normativa internacional sobre derechos humanos. Quisiera además agradecer al Gobierno por su cooperación ejemplar en la organización de esta misión, particularmente a la luz del terremoto que golpeó a Chile el 16 de septiembre. La situación de emergencia resultante podría haber llevado a cancelar esta misión, pero no obstante, el Gobierno continuó adelante. He sostenido intercambios provechosos con miembros de los poderes ejecutivo, legislativo y judicial en Santiago, Valparaíso, Temuco y Copiapó. Además de haberme beneficiado inmensamente con la ayuda otorgada por el Instituto Nacional de Derechos Humanos (INDH). Les agradezco a todos por su tenacidad en asegurar que esta misión se haya podido... Continue reading →
(Español) SANTIAGO DE CHILE - I would like to thank the Government of the Republic of Chile for inviting me to undertake this official mission here, my first to the Americas. I view this as a positive sign of the Government’s willingness to engage in a constructive dialogue on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, among other human rights. I am the fourth UN Special Rapporteur to visit Chile since July 2013, which I believe is an indication that the Government is serious about meeting its obligations under international human rights law. I would also like to thank the Government for its exemplary cooperation in organizing the mission, particularly in light of the earthquake that struck Chile on 16 September. The resulting emergency situation could have led to the cancellation of this mission, but the Government pushed forward. I have had fruitful exchanges with the members of the executive, legislative and judicial branches in Santiago, Valparaiso, Temuco and Copiapo. I also benefitted immensely from the assistance of Chile’s excellent national human rights institution, the National Institute for Human Rights (Instituto Nacional de Derechos Humanos – INDH). I am grateful for everyone’s tenacity in making sure this mission went through as scheduled. In addition, I... Continue reading →
Special Rapporteur Maina Kiai undertook an official mission to the Republic of Chile Sept. 21-30, 2015. The visit was carried out pursuant to his mandate to assess the situation of freedoms of peaceful assembly and association in the country. The Special Rapporteur concluded his visit by urging the Government of Chile to eliminate “vestiges of dictatorship” that are detrimental to the freedom of peaceful assembly in the country, and continue reforms so that the country can “take its rightful place as a global leader in human rights.” “Chile has made enormous strides since its return to democracy 25 years ago,” Kiai said at the end of his visit. “However, there are still remnants of yesteryear that have no place in the Chile of today. The ghost of this era looms particularly large over the security sector, chiefly the police—and specifically the Special Forces—and their function in policing social conflicts and assemblies.” The expert's most pressing concerns centered around Chile’s practical management of protests. During his visit, he was informed of numerous and varied examples of violations perpetrated by police during protests, including excessive force and harassment of activists. The Special Rapporteur raised concerns over the use of identification checks by the... Continue reading →
(Inglés) GINEBRA – El Relator Especial de Naciones Unidas, Maina Kiai, visitará Chile del 21 al 30 de septiembre de 2015, en la que será la primera visita al país de un experto independiente encargado por el Consejo de Derechos Humanos de la ONU de monitorear y promover la realización del derecho a la libertad de reunión pacífica y de asociación en todo el mundo. “En primer lugar, quisiera expresar mi solidaridad con el pueblo de Chile, tras el terremoto de esta semana. Mis sentimientos acompañan a todos aquellos que fueron afectados por este trágico evento,” dijo el Sr. Kiai. “El Consejo de Derechos Humanos ha exhortado a los Estados a respetar y proteger plenamente los derechos de todas las personas a reunirse pacíficamente y a asociarse libremente”, señaló el experto. “Esta visita me dará la oportunidad de evaluar en profundidad el disfrute de estos derechos en el país – como componente esencial de la democracia”. El Relator Especial, quien visita el país a invitación del Gobierno, tiene planeado viajar a Santiago, Temuco y Copiapó, pendiente de confirmación debido a la situación de emergencia provocada por el terremoto. Durante su visita de diez días, el Sr. Kiai se reunirá con funcionarios del Estado, incluyendo con la Presidenta Bachelet, con... Continue reading →
(Español) GENEVA – United Nations Special Rapporteur Maina Kiai will visit Chile from 21 to 30 September 2015, in what will be the first information-gathering visit to the country by an independent expert charged by the UN Human Rights Council to monitor and promote the realization of the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association worldwide. “I wish to first express my solidarity with the people of Chile following this week’s earthquake. My thoughts are with all those who were affected by this tragic event,” Mr. Kiai said. “The Human Rights Council has called upon States to respect and fully protect the rights of all individuals to assemble peacefully and associate freely,” the expert noted. “This visit will give me an opportunity to evaluate in-depth to what extend both rights – as essential components of democracy – are enjoyed in the country.” The Special Rapporteur, who visits the country at the invitation of the Government, is scheduled to travel to Santiago, Temuco and Copiapo, pending confirmation following the emergency situation caused by the earthquake. During his ten-day visit, Mr. Kiai will meet with State officials, including President Bachelet, with members of the judiciary and of Parliament, as well as representatives of the National Human... Continue reading →
(Inglés) GINEBRA / WASHINGTON, D.C. – Un grupo de relatores* de las Naciones Unidas y de la Comisión Interamericana de Derechos Humanos (CIDH) expresaron hoy su grave preocupación por las recientes medidas del Gobierno de Ecuador para disolver Fundamedios, una destacada organización de la sociedad civil dedicada a la promoción de la libertad de expresión y libertad de medios en ese país. “Miembros de asociaciones, particularmente aquellos dedicados a defender los derechos humanos, deberían gozar plenamente del derecho a la libertad de expresión y, en particular, la libertad de ser abiertamente críticos con políticas y prácticas gubernamentales”, resaltaron los expertos. La Secretaría Nacional de Comunicación de Ecuador (SECOM) notificó el 8 de septiembre de 2015 a Fundamedios de su procedimiento de disolución sobre la base de que presuntamente difunde mensajes con ‘tintes políticos’. La resolución del Gobierno otorgó un período de 10 días para que la organización pudiera presentar su defensa. El 14 de septiembre de 2015, Fundamedios solicitó que se garantice el debido proceso, pruebas de las presuntas actividades, y –de acuerdo al artículo 98 de la Constitución– declaró su derecho a resistir ‘acciones u omisiones del poder público’ que socaven sus... Continue reading →
