Battle to regain Raqqa must not be about defeating ISIL at all costs – Zeid

Arabic version to follow shortly on http://www.ohchr.org/AR/Pages/Home.aspx
GENEVA (31 August 2017) – UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein on Thursday stressed that the battle to regain Al-Raqqa and Deir-ez-Zor from ISIL must not be waged at the expense of the lives of civilians trapped and besieged in these areas.
“Surely the purpose of defeating ISIL should be to protect and assist civilians who have been suffering under their murderous regime,” High Commissioner Zeid said. “Given the extremely high number of reports of civilian casualties this month and the intensity of the airstrikes on Raqqa, coupled with ISIL’s use of civilians as human shields, I am deeply concerned that civilians – who should be protected at all times - are paying an unacceptable price and that forces involved in battling ISIL are losing sight of the ultimate goal of this battle.”
Between 1 and 29 August, the Coalition reports that it conducted 1,094 airstrikes on and near Raqqa city– up from 645 in July. In July, throughout the whole of Syria, a total of 885 airstrikes were conducted by the Coalition.
The Russian air force, which operates separately from the Coalition, reported publicly that it had carried out 990 combat flights in Syria from 1 to 21 August and that 2,518 aviation strikes had been conducted.
Airstrikes and ground-based strikes on Raqqa have resulted in a large number of civilians casualties. While it is difficult to get a full picture, the UN Human Rights Office has managed to verify the following incidents since 1 August 2017 in each of which more than 20 civilians were reportedly killed – a total of 151 civilian deaths in six incidents alone:
•        On 21 August afternoon, airstrikes hit a residential area in ISIL-held Al-Skhani neighbourhood and allegedly killed 32 civilians, including at least 11 women and six children. The same afternoon, airstrikes hit residential areas in Al-Badu neighbourhood, reportedly killing at least 21 civilians, including six women and four children.
•        On 20 August afternoon, airstrikes hit a three-storey residential building in Al-Badu neighbourhood, allegedly killing at least 27 civilians, seven of them children.
•        On 17 August evening, airstrikes hit residential areas in Madrasat Mu’awiya neighbourhood and reportedly killed at least 22 civilians, including six women and at least nine children.
•        On 8 August morning, airstrikes hit a residential area in ISIL-controlled Al-Thaqna neighbourhood and allegedly killed at least 22 civilians, nine of them women and 11 children. Those killed reportedly were two entire families who had earlier been displaced from Palmyra in Homs Governorate.
•        On 1 August morning, airstrikes hit residential areas in Albo Saraya neighbourhood, reportedly killing at least 27 civilians, including 12 children and eight women.
“I am extremely concerned that in its conduct of hostilities, the attacking forces may be failing to abide by the international humanitarian law principles of precautions, distinction, and proportionality,” High Commissioner Zeid said. “Meanwhile ISIL fighters continue to prevent civilians from fleeing the area, although some manage to leave after paying large amounts of money to smugglers. We have reports of smugglers also being publicly executed by ISIL.”
“So as airstrikes bombard Al-Raqqa, some 20,000 civilians are either trapped, or risk their lives to flee and end up confined in makeshift camps in areas controlled by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces under horrendous conditions until prolonged security procedures are completed, with no oversight on how they are treated and screened,” Zeid said.
The High Commissioner called on all those with involvement or influence in the conflict to facilitate the rapid, safe departure of civilians wishing to leave Al-Raqqa city, and to ensure the protection of those who remain.
The UN Human Rights Office has also received information about ISIL forcibly conscripting civilians in Deir-ez-Zor, including children.
“Once Al-Raqqa is retaken from ISIL, the next big battle will be Deir-ez-Zor. I appeal to all the parties involved in the conflict in Syria to fully respect their obligations under international human rights law and international humanitarian law to protect the civilian population and civilian objects. Individuals who are suspected for having committed serious violations of international law should be promptly investigated and if necessary prosecuted in accordance with international standards,” he said.
ENDS
For more information and media requests, please contact Rupert Colville (+41 22 917 97 67/ rcolville@ohchr.org), Ravina Shamdasani (+41 22 917 9169 / rshamdasani@ohchr.org ) or LizThrossell (+41 22 917 94 66 / ethrossell@ohchr.org)  
  
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MEDIA ADVISORY - UN Committee on Enforced Disappearances to review Gabon and Lithuania

UN Committee on Enforced Disappearances to review Gabon and Lithuania  

GENEVA ( 31 August 2017) –   Gabon and Lithuania  are due to be reviewed  by the UN Committee on Enforced Disappearances (CED), which is meeting in Geneva from 4 to 15 September.    
The Committee, which is composed of 10 international independent human rights experts, monitors implementation of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance.  Gabon and Lithuania are among the current 57 States that have ratified the Convention and so are required to submit a report for review to the Committee.
The public sessions, which will be webcast at http://webtv.un.org will take place on the following dates and times:
Gabon: 15:00 - 18:00 on 4 September; 10:00 - 13:00 on 5 September
Lithuania: 15:00 to 18:00 on 5 September; 10:00 to 13:00 on 6 September
Location: Palais des Nations, room XVI, Committee members will discuss a range of issues relating to implementation of the Convention with the respective State delegations, and also hear from NGOs and national human rights institutions. More information, including the reports by Gabon and Lithuania can be found here.
The CED will publish its findings, known as concluding observations, here on 15 September .
ENDS
Background
What is CED and why it matters?
The International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (ICPPED) is an international human rights instrument of the United Nations intended to prevent enforced disappearance. The text was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 20 December 2006 and came into force on 23 December 2010.  As of December 2016, 57 States have ratified the Convention.
The ratification of the Convention by a State expresses its political will to end enforced disappearance and to protect its own citizens from this heinous practice.
If the principles of the Convention are fully implemented, then the practice of enforced disappearance can be eradicated and people can be effectively protected from enforced disappearance all over the world.
This protection is essential for the citizens of those States who experienced the tragedy of disappearance in the past and/or continue to experience it in the present. The same protection is also fundamental for the citizens of those States who fortunately did not experience enforced disappearance in their recent history as a preventive measure as political regimes change and also democracy may turn in an oppressive regime.
The Convention  matters for people in every country as it defends the rights of the disappeared and their families, combats impunity and prevents new cases of enforced disappearance from occurring.

Stand Up for the victims of enforced disappearance. Help us increase ratification of the Convention. Find out more about why and how to get involved: http://www.standup4humanrights.org/en/disappeared.html

MEDIA ADVISORY - UN expert on the rights of persons with disabilities to visit Kazakhstan from 4 to 12 September

UN expert on the rights of persons with disabilities to visit Kazakhstan

GENEVA  (31 August  2017) – United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Catalina Devandas will undertake an official visit to the Republic of Kazakhstan from 4 to 12 September 2017 to assess the human rights situation of persons with disabilities and the Government’s efforts in this respect.

The Special Rapporteur will conduct her visit to Kazakhstan at a moment where the country is planning ahead how to meet its development objectives for the upcoming 30 years, including by considering how the global 2030 Agenda fits with its domestic priorities. The State has also ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, in February 2015. The Special Rapporteur would like to know how persons with disabilities are participating in these national processes and whether they have also benefitted from the country’s prosperity over the past 15 years. “Kazakhstan is at a highly favourable conjuncture where it can set the foundations of an inclusive society in which persons with disabilities have an equal role to play with regards to the development of the nation, provided that the Government makes sure that its commitments to the disability agenda are built on a human rights understanding and backed up with well-planned action and resources,” Ms. Devandas said.  
The Special Rapporteur will pay special attention to the country’s efforts in the areas of inclusive education, social protection and support services, legal capacity and mental health. She will also look into the ways in which the Government is coordinating its work across levels of administration and areas of intervention, as well as their monitoring and accountability mechanisms.

The expert, who visits the country at the invitation of the Government, will meet representatives of the central and local governments, non-governmental organizations, representatives of international organizations and the wider community of development partners. She will visit the cities of Astana and Almaty.

“I am eager to learn about the Government’s progress with regards to creating the conditions enabling persons with disabilities to live independently, become valuable members of their communities and prevent their placement in segregated institutions. I am looking forward to engage in constructive dialogue with the authorities on how to accelerate the domestic implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities,” she emphasized.
The rights expert will share her preliminary observations and recommendations at a press conference to be held at the end of his mission, at 12.15 p.m. on 12 September 2017 at the United Nations premises in Astana. Copies of her end of mission statement and press release will be available in English and Russian. Access to the press conference is strictly limited to journalists.
The Special Rapporteur’s final report will be submitted to the Human Rights Council in March 2018.
ENDS
Ms Catalina Devandas Aguilar (Costa Rica) took office as the first Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on 1 December 2014, following Human Rights Council resolution 26/20 establishing the new special procedures mandate. The creation of this mandate recalls the universality, indivisibility, interdependence and interrelatedness of all human rights and fundamental freedoms and the need for persons with disabilities to be guaranteed the full enjoyment of these rights and freedoms without discrimination. It signals that further attention is needed to address the barriers that persons with disabilities continue to face in all parts of the world in their participation as equal members of society.
Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights system, is the general name of the Council’s independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms that address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. Special Procedures’ experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. They are independent from any government or organization and serve in their individual capacity.
(*) The full report by Catalina Devandas Aguilar is available here: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Disability/SRDisabilities/Pages/Reports.aspx

For more information and media requests, please contact or Alina Grigoras (+41 22 91 79289 / agrigoras@ohchr.org) Cristina Michels (+41 22 928 98 66 / cmichels@ohchr.org) or write to sr.disability@ohchr.org
You can read the media advisory online here: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=22013&LangID=E

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NEPAL: Peace without Truth & Justice, Reconciliation without Accountability is not Acceptable

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AHRC-STM-109-2017

30 August, 2017

A Joint Statement by the Asian Human Rights Commission, the Advocacy

Forum (AF), Amnesty International, Accountability Watch Centre,

Conflict Victims’ Common Platform (CVCP), Committee for Social

Justice, INSEC, Inhured International, Peoples’ Voice, Voices of

Women Media, NEFAD, DFHRI, HURFON and OHR, on the International Day of

the Victims of Enforced Disappearances

The Commission of Investigation on Enforced Disappearance Persons
(CIEDP) which was formed after 9 years of Peace Agreement, to
investigate the disappearance cases from the 10 years long armed
conflict, has received altogether 3093 complaints. As previous years,
this year too, the family members of the disappeared persons are
commemorating the International Day of the Victims of Enforced
Disappearance across Nepal by demanding the right to know the truth
and make public whereabouts of those disappeared relatives. As the
CIEDP could do nothing within its 2 years' tenure except collecting
complaints, the mandate was extended for another year, however more
than two and half years has been spent for nothing in terms of fair
investigation and supporting families for searching the truth, justice
and reparation.

It has come to know that the CIEDP has formed 3 members investigation
committees within the commission. And the committee has contacted to
the family members living in Kathmandu and surroundings for interview
and filling anti-mortem data form and ‘reparation’ form but the
families were not assured that their questions/demands would be
addressed. Likewise, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission has
received more than 60,000 cases. The victims are not assured that the
commissions would investigate their cases in a fair way, establish
truth and provide them justice in time. However, the victims have
complained that the commissions are interviewing them and preparing
documents for formality rather than working for truth seeking. The
investigation committee lacks competency, expertise and the
psychosocial counselors.

The CIEDP has only 5 months tenure left according to the current legal
mandate; and it has not been able to investigate a single case of
enforced disappearance and has not made its findings public. There are
no visible signs that the investigations on whereabouts of the
disappeared persons, naming the perpetrators, exhumations, DNA testing
and preparing a comprehensive reparation needs for the families would
be conducted by the commission within this remaining period. The slim
chances to get to know the truth and justice for the enforced
disappearances, extrajudicial killings, torture, sexual violence and
rape, internal displacement, mutilation, disabled victims and their
family members is getting worse. The victims’ demand that the
serious human rights violation cases should not be referred for forced
reconciliation and amnesty. The Supreme Court's order to amend law
regarding amnesty has not been implemented yet, and there is no strong
political will to resolve the cases.

So, commemorating the International Day of the Victims of Enforced
Disappearances, we, the concerned organizations, on behalf of families
of the disappeared, would like to demand following before the
government of Nepal:

• Amend transitional justice law according to the Supreme Court's
verdicts,

• Criminalize enforced disappearance by promulgating law,

• Ratify International Convention for the Protection of All Persons
from Enforced Disappearance,

• Make public the ongoing works and progress of CIEDP,

• Make public the whereabouts of the persons disappeared during the
armed conflict,

• Appoint Experts and Psychosocial Counselors to bring effective
results on the investigation of the CIEDP,

• Ensure meaningful participation of Family Associations and
Conflict Victims Common Platform, and Coordinate with National Human
Rights Commission and other concerned agencies immediately,

• Ensure justice procedures, not-repetition and comprehensive
reparation measures to support the victims' family and create a
conducive environment for a sustained peace With Solidarity:

# # #

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) works towards the radical

rethinking and fundamental redesigning of justice institutions in

order to protect and promote human rights in Asia. Established in

1984, the Hong Kong based organisation is a Laureate of the Right

Livelihood Award, 2014.

Read this Statement online

<http://www.humanrights.asia/news/ahrc-news/AHRC-STM-109-2017>

PAKISTAN: International Day of Victims of Enforced Disappearances - Government refuses to criminalize the menace

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AHRC-STM-110-2017
30 September 2017

A joint statement of Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC), World

Sindhi Congress (WSC), Voice of Baloch Missing Persons (VBMP) and

Rightsnow on the International Day of the Victims of Enforced

Disappearances

============================================

Each year on August 30, the world stands in solidarity with the

victims of the enforced disappearances and their families and vows to

fight against the menace of denial of one’s liberty and freedom of

adopting life according to his/her free will.

Sadly, in Pakistan the enforced disappearances have given legal

coverage through many laws on combating terrorism and other pretexts.

The government of Pakistan is conspicuously avoiding criminalizing the

enforced disappearances.

The practice of enforced disappearances, which results in the

custodial torture and extra judicial killings, has become a norm in

Pakistan and hardly elicits any response from any state functionary

who are fearful of the powerful security establishment. The military

and other law enforcement agencies indulge in the practice with

complete impunity. The fact that the army is actually more powerful

than the institutions of state including the judiciary.

The Working Group on Enforced and Involuntary Disappearances (WGEID)

in its 2012 reports on Pakistan observes that Pakistan’s

counterterrorism legislations allow arbitrary deprivation of liberty.

The WGEID has observed that these laws are a catalyst for enforced

disappearances. These laws include the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997, and

the Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA)/Provincially

Administered Tribal Area (PATA) Action (in aid of civil powers)

Regulations 2011 and the Protection of Pakistan Act, 2014

Until 2014, the Supreme Court was proactively hearing and proceeding

with the cases. The said year Supreme Court and the Commission of

Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances had demanded that there should be a

law to regulate the operation of Pakistan's intelligence agencies.

However, successive governments have failed to do so, due to threats

from the armed forces.

Enforced disappearance is frequently used as a strategy to spread

terror within society. The feeling of insecurity and fear it generates

is not limited to the close relatives of the disappeared, but also

affects communities and society as a whole.

In its resolution 65/209 passed on 21 December 2010, the UN General

Assembly expressed its deep concern about the increase in enforced or

involuntary disappearances in various regions of the world, including

arrest, detention and abduction. When these are part of or amount to

enforced disappearances, and by the growing number of reports

concerning harassment, ill-treatment and intimidation of witnesses of

disappearances or relatives of persons who have disappeared.

In Pakistan enforced disappearances is used as a strategic and

tactical tool of oppression against dissenters, nationalists and any

and all sundry daring to defer with state policy or brave enough to

demand equal opportunity. Enforced disappearance under the aegis of

intelligence and security agencies has been ongoing for decades while

thousands have disappeared without a trace many are on the radar of

the agencies to be picked up at a short notice these include

nationalist leaders and party workers and now even bloggers and social

media activists are also disappeared for voicing their concerns.

The statistics about the disappeared persons are not available

however, the civil society groups working on the disappearances

gathered the information from the family members of disappeared

persons claim thousands of persons are missing after the war on

terrorism started. The Voice of Baloch Missing Persons (VBMP) claims

that in Balochistan province during the past 15 years more than 16000

persons are missing since the military government started operation,

which still continues. A recent trend in disappearances is that

involving minors. The AHRC has reported and documented two cases of

enforced disappearances of minors in 2017. According to the list of

missing persons, prepared by Voice of Baloch Missing Persons (VBMP),

among those documented as missing 170 were children and women. In one

instance, a schoolteacher, the mother of a one-year-old son, was

picked up.

From the Sindh province, the Voice of Missing Persons has collected

data about the missing persons. Though, the list is based on the

information collected from the family members of missing persons after

their arrests by the intelligence agencies and men in uniforms. Please

find here the link of list of missing persons from Sindh Province

<http://www.humanrights.asia/news/ahrc-news/pdf/ahrc-stm-110-2017-01.pdf>

;

However, more persons are missing from Sindh as the family members are

pressurized to keep shut their mouth otherwise their other male

persons will be disappeared.

Politically motivated enforced disappearances also continue unabated

as according to the reports made by Jeay Sindh Qoumi Muhaz (JSQM) and

Jeay Sindh Muttehda Mahaz (JSMM), the Sindhi nationalist groups, at

least 100 members of the party are missing since many months after

their arrests by Rangers, intelligence agency Inter service

Intelligence (ISI) and police. The government has failed to recover

them and to date their whereabouts are unknown.

In another case reported by the AHRC a 16-year-old young boy, Master

Saif Jatoi, the son of a prominent columnist was taken from his home

in Hyderabad Sindh province and dragged off by officials in

plainclothes. The Police -as is always the case- refused to file a FIR

of the abduction by the LEA. The petition against the boy’s

disappearance is still pending in the courts.

In 2014, Pakistan armed itself with the Protection of Pakistan Act,

2014 to legalize enforced disappearances. The section 9 of the Act

provides that “Pakistan may not in the interest of the security of

Pakistan, disclose the grounds for detention or divulge any

information relating to a detainee, accused or internee who is an

enemy alien or a militant”, and authorizes the government, joint

investigation team, armed forces or civil armed forces to “withhold

the information except from a High Court or the Supreme Court

regarding the location of the detainee or accused or internee or

internment centre established or information with respect to any

detainee or accused or internee or his whereabouts.” According to

The aPolitical, the question remains how many would dare and could

afford to approach a High Court or the Supreme Court.

As per media reports, a number of missing persons, whose cases were

being heard by the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances,

were later found detained at internment centers maintained by the

intelligence agencies. The exact number of ‘missing persons’

convicted by the military courts is still not known. The media

reported that several missing persons are being tried in the military

courts that handed down death sentences after a summary trial.

According The aPolitical, from 31st December 2010 to 31st March 2017,

the highest number of enforced disappearance cases was reported from

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province (1486 cases), followed by Sindh (1031),

Punjab (819), Balochistan (282), Islamabad Capital Territory (138),

Federally Administered Tribal Areas (113), Azad Jammu & Kashmir (40)

and Gilgit-Baltistan (6).

The minority Shia community is also not spared from being arrested

arbitrarily as recently on July 12, 2017 two Shia brothers Mohammad

Ali Kashifi and Nasir Abbas Shah who were studying in Iran and Iraq,

were taken into illegal custody from their house in a locality in

Kabirwala district of Punjab province where they had returned to get

medical treatment and marriage. The law- abiding Shia brothers and

religious scholars were taken into illegal custody illegally as they

were not named in any case

It is ironic and a failure of the government that until today, not a

single perpetrator of the crime of enforced disappearances has been

made accountable due to the absence of a law. The role of the

Judiciary is also dismal as it has stopped taking cognizance of the

cases of disappearances.

In December 2016, the Senate had unanimously adopted half a dozen

recommendations, including a draft legislation, to oversee the

functioning of intelligence agencies. However, the Senate failed to

pursue the matter. The recommendations adopted by the Senate, included

legislation to criminalize enforced disappearances, bringing state

agencies under a law and the ratification of the Convention on

Enforced Disappearances.

According to statistics shared by the government-constituted

Commission of Inquiry On Enforced Disappearances (COIOED), 144 new

cases were brought to the attention of the Commission from April to

June 2017. As per the COIOED till March 2017 a total of 3915 cases

were reported of which 2652 cases were resolved thus 1263 people still

remain missing. The report also states that that during the month of

January 64 new cases were reported while in February 52 fresh cases

were reported. Notwithstanding the official numbers the government is

in denial of the existence of the menace. It would be pertinent to

mention here that during the last six years the commission has

received 3740 complaints from different parts of the country. In 2016

some 728 Pakistanis were added to the list of missing persons – the

highest in at least six years – taking the total to 1,219, according

to the Inquiry Commission on Enforced Disappearances

Maintenance of state writ and rule of law can’t be used as an excuse

for enforced disappearances or extra judicial killings under any

circumstances. A complete media blackout is enforced upon mainstream

media while journalist are threatened and harassed for reporting From

Balochistan. The correct figure of state atrocities is unknown due to

this. State narrative is fed to the main stream media which barely

scratches the surface of the real problem. Media clamp down has

violated the citizens of Pakistan’s right to know, and has further

alienated the ethnic Balochs.

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) World Sindhi Congress (WSC),

Voice of Baloch Missing Persons (VBMP) and Rightsnow on the

international day of the victim of the enforced disappearance would

like to extend their support to the victims and their families and

vows to continue to raise its voice against the barbaric practice. The

AHRC, WSC and VBMP urge the government of Pakistan to immediately halt

the practice and criminalize Enforced Disappearances. The Government

should call to order Law Enforcement Agencies to question them about

the disappearances. Right to fair trial and free legal aid should be

given to those who were disappeared.

Furthermore, the AHRC, WSC,VBMP and Rightsnow urge the government to

legislate to make the International Convention national law and

Implement the International Convention and accept the competency of

the Committee on Enforced Disappearances. An inquiry commission

comprising of senior police officers, civilians and ex victims, should

be set up to deal with cases of disappearances.

In cases where arbitrary arrest is proved against the Law enforcement

Agency official, the perpetrator must be reprimanded, relieved from

duty and punished. Stern actions should be taken against the erring

police officers for exceeding their authority and torturing an

innocent men and women.

Finally, it is demanded to immediately release all who have been

abducted by force and laying in the dungeons of torture and bring to

justice all the perpetrators responsible for the enforced

disappearances.

# # #

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) works towards the radical

rethinking and fundamental redesigning of justice institutions in

order to protect and promote human rights in Asia. Established in

1984, the Hong Kong based organisation is a Laureate of the Right

Livelihood Award, 2014.

Read this Statement online

<http://www.humanrights.asia/news/ahrc-news/AHRC-STM-110-2017>

Venezuela: Human rights violations indicate ‘policy to repress’ - UN report

Vea abajo la versión en español
La version française se trouve ci-dessous

Venezuela: Human rights violations indicate ‘policy to repress’ - UN report

GENEVA (30 August 2017) – Extensive human rights violations and abuses have been committed in the context of anti-Government protests in Venezuela and point to “the existence of a policy to repress political dissent and instil fear in the population to curb demonstrations,” a report* by the UN Human Rights Office has found.
“The generalized and systematic use of excessive force during demonstrations and the arbitrary detention of protestors and perceived political opponents indicate that these were not the illegal or rogue acts of isolated officials,” the report says.
The report calls on the UN Human Rights Council to consider taking measures to prevent the human rights situation in Venezuela, currently a Council member, from worsening.
Analysis by the UN Human Rights Office indicates that of the 124 deaths linked to the protests being investigated by the Attorney General’s Office as of 31 July, the security forces were reportedly responsible for 46 and pro-Government armed groups, known as armed colectivos, for 27. Responsibility for the remaining 51 deaths has not yet been determined.
During the period covered by the report, 1 April to 31 July, the Attorney-General’s Office opened investigations into at least 1,958 cases of reported injuries in the context of demonstrations. The report’s analysis of injuries shows the use of force progressively escalated. In the first half of April, the majority of injuries were from inhaling tear gas; by July, medical personnel were treating gunshot injuries.
“The policies pursued by the authorities in their response to the protests have been at the cost of Venezuelans’ rights and freedoms,” said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein. “The Government must ensure there are prompt, independent and effective investigations of the human rights violations allegedly committed by the security forces and of the abuses involving armed colectivos or violent protesters. This includes ensuring that the investigations initiated by the Attorney General during the period covered by this report continue and are scrupulously and visibly impartial,” he stressed.  
“The right to peaceful assembly was systematically violated, with protestors and people identified as political opponents detained in great numbers. The report also identifies serious violations of due process and patterns of ill-treatment, in some cases amounting to torture,” Zeid said.
According to reliable estimates from a local NGO, more than 5,000 people were detained since 1 April, with more than 1,000 reportedly still held as of 31 July. At least 609 civilians arrested in the context of protests were presented before military tribunals. The report calls on the Government to halt arbitrary detention and the use of military courts to try civilians.
Loosely organised groups of anti-Government protestors resorted to violent means, using improvised weapons ranging from rocks and slingshots to Molotov cocktails and homemade mortars, the report says. At least four people were allegedly killed by anti-Government groups or individuals and, according to the Government, nine members of the security forces had been killed as of 31 July. The report calls on the opposition parties to condemn all acts of violence, in particular when these originated from groups of violent protesters.
The report documents attacks against journalists and media workers by security forces that were apparently aimed at preventing them from covering demonstrations. “Demonstrators and journalists were labelled by high-level authorities as ‘enemies’ and ‘terrorists’ – words that did little to counter, and may even have contributed to, the climate of violence and polarization,” the High Commissioner said.  
While acknowledging that the number of demonstrations, detentions and deaths have decreased since 1 August, Zeid expressed concern about recent measures taken by authorities to criminalize leaders of the political opposition through the Commission of Truth, Justice and Peace.
“The Commission, recently established by the Constituent Assembly, does not meet the basic requirements of transparency and impartiality, to conduct investigations that are independent and free from political motivation on human rights violations and abuses,” he said.
The High Commissioner warned that amid continuing economic and social crises and rising political tensions, there is a grave risk the situation in Venezuela will deteriorate further.
“I encourage the Venezuelan Government to follow up on the recommendations made in the report and to use its findings as guidelines to seek truth and justice for the victims of human rights violations and abuses. I once again call on the Government to renounce any measure that could increase political tension in the country and appeal to all parties to pursue meaningful dialogue to bring an end to this crisis,” Zeid said.
ENDS
*As the Venezuelan Government did not respond to requests for access, a team of human rights investigators conducted remote monitoring from 6 June to 31 July. The report is based on their analysis of the information they gathered, including through some 135 interviews with victims and their families, witnesses, civil society organisations, journalists, lawyers, doctors, first responders and the Attorney General’s Office.
Read the full report here: http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Countries/VE/HCReportVenezuela_1April-31July2017_EN.pdf
Video interview with Hernán Vales, UN Human Rights Officer, about the report.  Link available for download for 7 days: https://we.tl/GpcWWlSXpP
For more information and media requests, please contact:
Rupert Colville - + 41 22 917 9767 / rcolville@ohchr.org
Liz Throssell - + 41 22 917 9466 / ethrossell@ohchr.org 
Ravina Shamdasani + 41 22 917 9169 / rshamdasani@ohchr.org 

Concerned about the world we live in? Then STAND UP for someone’s rights today.  #Standup4humanrights and visit the web page at http://www.standup4humanrights.org 

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Venezuela: Las violaciones de derechos humanos apuntan a una ‘política de represión’ - Informe de la ONU 

GINEBRA (30 de agosto de 2017) – Múltiples abusos y violaciones de derechos humanos se han cometido en Venezuela en el contexto de las recientes protestas antigubernamentales y esos hechos apuntan a la “existencia de una política destinada a reprimir el disenso político e infundir temor en la población a fin de frenar las manifestaciones”, según las conclusiones de un informe* publicado por la Oficina del ACNUDH. 

“El uso generalizado y sistemático de fuerza excesiva durante las manifestaciones y la detención arbitraria de manifestantes y presuntos opositores políticos denota que no se trata simplemente de actos ilegales o insubordinados de funcionarios aislados”, señala el informe. 

En el documento se pide al Consejo de Derechos Humanos de las Naciones Unidas que examine la posibilidad de tomar medidas para prevenir el agravamiento de la situación de derechos humanos en Venezuela, país que en la actualidad es miembro del Consejo. 

El análisis realizado por la Oficina del ACNUDH indica que de las 124 muertes relacionadas con las protestas que se encontraban sujetas a investigación por el Ministerio Público hasta el 31 de julio, 46 fueron presuntamente obra de las fuerzas de seguridad y 27 de los grupos armados progubernamentales conocidos como colectivos. Todavía no se ha podido determinar quiénes fueron los responsables de los otros 51 fallecimientos.   

Durante el periodo que abarca el informe, del 1 de abril al 31 de julio, el Ministerio Público inició investigaciones sobre no menos de 1.958 casos de lesiones registrados en el contexto de las manifestaciones. El análisis de las lesiones que figura en el informe indica que el uso excesivo de la fuerza se fue agravando. En la primera mitad de abril, la mayoría de las lesiones se debieron a la inhalación de gas, mientras que en julio el personal sanitario estaba tratando a heridos de armas de fuego.. 

“Las estrategias empleadas por las autoridades en respuesta a las protestas se aplicaron a expensas de los derechos y las libertades de los venezolanos”, afirmó el Alto Comisionado de las Naciones Unidas para los Derechos Humanos, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein. 

“El gobierno de Venezuela debe velar por que se lleve a cabo una investigación rápida, independiente y efectiva de las violaciones de derechos humanos presuntamente cometidas por las fuerzas de seguridad y de los abusos que se atribuyen a los colectivosarmados o a los manifestantes violentos. Esto comprende la garantía de que las investigaciones iniciadas por el Ministerio Público durante el periodo que abarca este informe se prosigan de manera escrupulosa y con notoria imparcialidad”, insistió el Alto Comisionado.   

“El derecho a la reunión pacífica fue violado sistemáticamente y los manifestantes y personas identificadas como opositores políticos fueron detenidos en gran número. En el informe se identifican también violaciones graves del debido proceso judicial y patrones de malos tratos, que en algunos casos equivalen a torturas”, declaró Zeid. 

Según cálculos fiables de las ONG locales, a partir del 1 de abril más de 5.000 personas fueron detenidas, de las que más de 1.000 permanecían todavía encarceladas el 31 de julio. Al menos 609 civiles arrestados en el contexto de las manifestaciones tuvieron que comparecer ante tribunales militares. En el informe se recomienda al gobierno que cese la detención arbitraria y el uso de tribunales militares para juzgar a civiles. 

Grupos medianamente organizados de manifestantes antigubernamentales emplearon medios violentos, recurriendo a armas improvisadas que fueron desde piedras y hondas hasta cócteles Molotov y morteros de fabricación casera, según reza el informe. Se ha informado de que al menos cuatro personas murieron por la acción de grupos o individuos contrarios al gobierno y, según éste, nueve miembros de las fuerzas de seguridad habían sido asesinados hasta el 31 de julio. En el informe se recomienda a los partidos de oposición que condenen todo acto de violencia, en particular cuando se trate de acciones perpetradas por grupos de manifestantes violentos. 

En el informe se documentan ataques contra periodistas y trabajadores de los medios de comunicación realizados por fuerzas de seguridad que, al parecer, se proponían impedir la cobertura informativa de las manifestaciones. “Los manifestantes y periodistas fueron catalogados por las autoridades de alto nivel como “enemigos” y “terroristas” –palabras que no ayudaron mucho a atenuar el contexto de violencia y polarización y que, más bien, quizá contribuyeron a agravarlo”, afirmó el Alto Comisionado. 

Aunque reconoció que el número de manifestaciones, arrestos y muertes ha disminuido desde el 1 de agosto hasta el día de hoy, Zeid expresó su preocupación por las medidas tomadas recientemente por las autoridades para criminalizar a  dirigentes de la oposición mediante la Comisión de la Verdad, la Justicia, la Paz y la Tranquilidad Pública. 

“La comisión creada recientemente por la Asamblea Constituyente no cumple con los requisitos básicos de transparencia e imparcialidad necesarios para realizar investigaciones independientes y sin motivación política sobre violaciones y abusos de derechos humanos”, declaró Zeid. 

El Alto Comisionado advirtió de que, en medio de la continua crisis económica y social del país y el aumento de las tensiones políticas, existe un riesgo elevado de que la situación de Venezuela se deteriore aún más. 

“Insto al gobierno de Venezuela a que aplique las recomendaciones de este informe y a que use sus conclusiones como guía para aportar verdad y justicia a las víctimas de violaciones y abusos de derechos humanos. Una vez más pido al gobierno que renuncie a aplicar cualquier medida que pueda incrementar la tensión política en el país y exhorto a todas las partes a que entablen un diálogo sustancial con miras a poner fin a la crisis”, dijo Zeid.   

FIN         

*Dado que el gobierno de Venezuela no respondió a las peticiones de acceso, un equipo de expertos en derechos humanos realizó una investigación a distancia del 6 de junio al 31 de julio. El informe se basa en el análisis de la información que este equipo compiló y comprende unas 135 entrevistas con víctimas y familiares, testigos, representantes de organismos de la sociedad civil, periodistas, abogados, médicos, personal de primeros auxilios y miembros del Ministerio Público. 

El texto íntegro del informe está disponible aquí: http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Countries/VE/HCReportVenezuela_1April-31July2017_SP.pdf 

Video: Entrevista con Hernán Vales de ACNUDH. Enlace disponible por 7 días: https://we.tl/CjiYlcMB1H 

Para mayor información y solicitudes de prensa, favor contactar a: 
Rupert Colville (+41 22 917 9767 / rcolville@ohchr.org ) o Liz Throssell (+41 22 917 9466 /ethrossell@ohchr.org) o Ravina Shamdasani (+41 22 917 9169 / rshamdasani@ohchr.org). 

¿Te preocupa el mundo en el que vivimos? Entonces DEFIENDE hoy los derechos de los demás.#Standup4humanrights y visita la página web: http://www.standup4humanrights.org/sp/ 

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Vénézuela: Les violations des droits de l'homme indiquent que les autorités cherchent à mater les voix critiques – rapport de l’ONU

GENÈVE (30 août 2017) – Les violations massives des droits de l’homme et des abus graves de ces droits commis au Venezuela dans le cadre de manifestations hostiles au gouvernement trahissent «l’existence d’une volonté politique de réprimer des voix critiques et d’instiller la peur parmi la population, afin de mettre un terme aux protestations», selon un rapport* du Haut-Commissaire des Nations Unies aux droits de l’homme.

«Le recours généralisé et systématique à une force excessive pendant les manifestations, et la détention arbitraire de manifestants et d’opposants politiques présumés, indiquent qu’il ne s’agit pas d’actes isolés et illégaux de la part de quelques officiers», déclare le rapport.

Le rapport invite le Conseil des droits de l’homme des Nations Unies à envisager de prendre des mesures afin d’empêcher que la situation des droits de l’homme au Venezuela, qui siège actuellement au Conseil, ne se détériore encore plus.

L’analyse menée par le Haut-Commissariatindique que sur les 124 décès liés au mouvement de contestation et sur lesquels le ministère public enquêtait en date du 31 juillet, 46 pouvaient être imputés aux forces de sécurité et 27 aux colectivos, les groupes armés pro-gouvernement. Pour les 51 morts restants, aucune responsabilité n’a pu encore être établie.

Pendant la période couverte par le rapport, à savoir du 1^er avril au 31 juillet, le ministère public a ouvert une enquête sur au moins 1 958 cas de blessures encourues dans le contexte des manifestations. L’examen de ces blessures réalisé dans le rapport indique une intensification progressive de l’utilisation de la force. Si, début avril, la majorité des blessures relevaient de l’inhalation de gaz lacrymogènes, en juillet le personnel médical soignaient des blessures par balles.

«La réaction des autorités vénézuéliennes aux récentes protestations s’est faite aux dépens des droits et des libertés des citoyens, a déclaré le Haut-Commissaire des Nations Unies aux droits de l’homme, M. Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein. Le gouvernement doit garantir qu’une enquête rapide, indépendante et efficace sera menée sur les violations des droits de l’homme dont les forces de sécurité se seraient rendues coupables et sur les graves abus commis par les colectivos ou des manifestants violents. Cela implique que les enquêtes ouvertes par le ministère public pendant la période couverte par le rapport se poursuivent et soient scrupuleusement et visiblement impartiales», a-t-il ajouté.

«Le droit de rassemblement pacifique a été systématiquement violé, et un grand nombre de manifestants et de personnes identifiées comme des opposants politiques ont été détenus. Le rapport fait également état de graves violations du droit à un procès équitable et de traitements dégradants assimilables dans certains cas à de la torture», a annoncé M. Zeid.

D’après les estimations fiables d’une ONG locale, plus de 5 000 personnes ont été détenus depuis le 1^er avril, et plus de 1 000 étaient encore détenues en date du 31 juillet. Au moins 609 civils arrêtés dans le contexte des manifestations ont été déférés devant des tribunaux militaires. Le rapport invite le gouvernement vénézuélien a mettre un terme aux détentions arbitraires et au recours aux tribunaux militaires pour juger des civils.

Des groupes de manifestants anti-gouvernement organisés de manière informel ont eux aussi versé dans la violence, utilisant des armes improvisées allant du lance-pierres aux cocktails Molotov et mortiers artisanaux. Au moins quatre personnes auraient été tuées par des groupes ou individus hostiles au pouvoir en place et, selon le gouvernement, neuf membres des forces de sécurité avaient été tués au 31 juillet. Le rapport appelle les partis d’opposition à condamner tous les actes de violence, en particulier ceux commis par des groupes violentes de manifestants.

Le rapport documente des attaques menées par les forces de sécurité contre les journalistes et les travailleurs des médias afin de les empêcher de couvrir les manifestations. «Des manifestants et des journalistes ont été qualifiés d’ennemis ou deterroristes par les autorités, des mots qui n’ont rien fait pour atténuer le climat de violence et de polarisation, voire qui y ont contribué», a dénoncé le Haut-Commissaire.  

S’il reconnaît que le nombre de manifestations, d’arrestations et de décès a diminué depuis le 1^er août, M. Zeid s’est dit préoccupé par les récentes mesures prises par les autorités pour criminaliser les leaders de l’opposition politique par le biais de la Commission de vérité, de justice et de paix.

«La Commission, établie récemment par l’Assemblée constituante, ne remplit pas les critères fondamentaux de transparence et d’impartialité, indispensables pour mener des enquêtes indépendantes et non motivées par des considérations politiques sur les violations des droits de l’homme et les abus commis», a-t-il commenté.

Le Haut-Commissaire a averti que la crise économique et sociale persistante et les tensions politiques croissantes risquent d’ aggraver la situation du Venezuela.

«J’encourage le gouvernement vénézuélien à suivre les recommandations formulées dans le rapport et à se servir des conclusions de celui-ci comme lignes directrices pour la recherche de la vérité et de la justice pour les victimes de violations et d’abus. Je réitère mon appel au gouvernement à renoncer à toute mesure susceptible d’aggraver les tensions politiques et invite toutes les parties à poursuivre un vrai dialogue afin de mettre un terme à la crise», a conclu M. Zeid.

FIN

*Le gouvernement vénézuélien n’ayant pas répondu aux demandes d’accès au terrain, une équipe d’enquêteurs a mené des investigations à distance sur les violations des droits de l’homme entre le 6 juin et le 31 juillet. Le rapport se base sur l’analyse faite par ces enquêteurs des informations qu’ils ont collectées, notamment à travers 135 entretiens avec des victimes et membres de leur famille, des témoins, des organisations de la société civile, des journalistes, des avocats, des docteurs, des urgentistes et des représentants du ministère public.

Lisez le rapport complet ici en anglais et espagnol:

http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Countries/VE/HCReportVenezuela_1April-31July2017_EN.pdf

http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Countries/VE/HCReportVenezuela_1April-31July2017_SP.pdf

Pour de plus amples informations et pour toute demande de la part des médias, prière de contacter:

Rupert Colville - + 41 22 917 9767 7 rcolville@ohchr.org
Liz Throssell - + 41 22 917 9466 / ethrossell@ohchr.org 
Ravina Shamdasani + 41 22 917 9169 / rshamdasani@ohchr.org 

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