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AMNESTY
INTERNATIONAL
REPORT 2015/16
THE STATE OF THE WORLDS HUMAN RIGHTS
iv Amnesty International Report 2015/16
CONTENTS
ANNUAL REPORT 2015/16
ABBREVIATIONS .................................................................................................................. ix
PREFACE .............................................................................................................................. xi
FOREWORD ........................................................................................................................ 14
AFRICA REGIONAL OVERVIEW ........................................................................................... 18
AMERICAS REGIONAL OVERVIEW ....................................................................................... 26
ASIA-PACIFIC REGIONAL OVERVIEW .................................................................................. 34
EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA REGIONAL OVERVIEW ......................................................... 42
MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA REGIONAL OVERVIEW ................................................ 50
AFGHANISTAN ................................................................................................................... 60
ALBANIA ............................................................................................................................. 63
ALGERIA ............................................................................................................................. 65
ANGOLA ............................................................................................................................. 67
ARGENTINA ........................................................................................................................ 70
ARMENIA ............................................................................................................................ 71
AUSTRALIA ......................................................................................................................... 73
AUSTRIA ............................................................................................................................. 74
AZERBAIJAN ...................................................................................................................... 76
BAHAMAS .......................................................................................................................... 78
BAHRAIN ............................................................................................................................ 79
BANGLADESH .................................................................................................................... 82
BELARUS ............................................................................................................................ 84
BELGIUM ............................................................................................................................ 86
BENIN ................................................................................................................................ 87
BOLIVIA .............................................................................................................................. 88
BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA .............................................................................................. 90
BRAZIL ............................................................................................................................... 91
BULGARIA .......................................................................................................................... 95
BURKINA FASO .................................................................................................................. 97
BURUNDI ........................................................................................................................... 99
CAMBODIA ....................................................................................................................... 103
CAMEROON ...................................................................................................................... 106
CANADA ........................................................................................................................... 108
CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC ......................................................................................... 110
CHAD ................................................................................................................................ 113
CHILE ............................................................................................................................... 115
CHINA .............................................................................................................................. 117
COLOMBIA ........................................................................................................................ 122
CONGO (REPUBLIC OF) .................................................................................................... 127
CTE DIVOIRE ................................................................................................................. 129
CROATIA ........................................................................................................................... 131
UNICEF
United Nations Childrens Fund
UPR
UN Universal Periodic Review
USA
United States of America
WHO
World Health Organization
DEATH PENALTY
The USA was once again the only country in
the region to carry out executions. Yet there
were signs that the worldwide trend towards
abolition of capital punishment was slowly but
steadily gaining ground there too. The
Nebraska legislature voted to abolish the
death penalty, although the repeal was on
hold at the end of the year after opponents
petitioned to have the issue put to the popular
vote in 2016. Pennsylvanias state governor
announced a moratorium on executions;
moratoriums also remained in force in
Washington State and Oregon.
DISCRIMINATION
BOSNIA AND The 2009 judgment of the European Court of
Human Rights in the case of Sejdi-Finci v.
PRISON CONDITIONS
Prison conditions remained poor and security
weak. In August, 17 detainees, including
some high-ranking anti-Balaka commanders,
The detention of lawyer Wang Yu and her In March, five womens rights activists
family on 9 July marked the beginning of an Wei Tingting, Wang Man, Wu Rongrong, Li
unprecedented government crackdown on Tingting and Zheng Churan were arrested
human rights lawyers and other activists. Over and detained on the charge of picking
CROATIA effectively.
FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
Republic of Croatia In June, the Osijek County Court confirmed
Head of state: Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovi (replaced Ivo the decision of the Zagreb Municipal Court,
Josipovi in February) finding that Zagreb Pride, a lesbian, gay,
Head of government: Zoran Milanovi bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI)
organization, violated the honour and dignity
Croatia struggled to provide adequate of a former employee of the Croatian Radio
reception conditions and access to asylum Television (HRT) by placing her on the annual
proceedings to the large number of refugees list of candidates for the most homophobic
and migrants that arrived in the country. person of the year 2013. The Court ordered
Parliament passed a law providing survivors the organization to pay 41,018.91 HRK
of war crimes of sexual violence with (5,414) to the journalist and to publish the
reparations. Discrimination against Croatian verdict on its website.
Serbs and Roma continued.
INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE
DISCRIMINATION In February, the International Court of Justice
The state-wide celebration in August of the cleared Serbia and Croatia of mutual claims
20th anniversary of Operation Storm, which of genocide, finding that neither Serbia nor
saw 200,000 Serbs flee from Croatia in 1995, Croatia had established the necessary intent
brought tensions between Serb and Croat on the part of the other to commit genocide
nationalists back. during the conflict in the 1990s.
In August, the town council of Vukovar In May, the Croatian Parliament passed the
passed a motion to remove public signs in the Law on the rights of victims of sexual violence
Cyrillic (Serb) alphabet, and to require a in war. The Law provides survivors of wartime
special request and the payment of a fee for sexual violence with Croatian citizenship, a
the receipt of official communications in lump-sum compensation amounting to
Cyrillic, despite the fact that 34% of the 13,000 and a monthly allowance amounting
towns population were ethnic Serbs. The to 328. In addition to the payments,
Croatian law on minority rights entitles survivors will be entitled to health care,
minorities amounting to one third of the medical rehabilitation and psychological
municipal population to official usage of their support. The Law entered into force in June
languages and scripts. Discrimination against with the first allowances due to be paid out in
Croatian Serbs in public sector employment January 2016.
and in the restitution of tenancy rights to However, Croatia had not yet adopted a
social housing vacated during the 1991-1995 comprehensive legislative framework that
war persisted. would regulate the status of, and access to
Social exclusion of and discrimination reparation for, all civilian victims of war
against Roma remained widespread, crimes.
particularly in accessing adequate housing Croatia did not ratify the International
and employment opportunities. Convention against Enforced Disappearances
The municipal court in Split acquitted three nor did it adopt a law on missing persons. In
men standing trial for a homophobic attack the absence of these legal instruments,
against six women in the town in 2012. The relatives of the 1,600 missing persons in
PRISONERS OF CONSCIENCE
Laws covering public disorder, contempt, 1. Cuba: Prisoner releases must lead to new environment for freedoms
disrespect, dangerousness and (Press release, 8 January)
aggression were used in politically 2. Urgent Action: Political dissident must be released (AMR
motivated prosecutions, or threats of 25/1379/2015)
prosecution, against government opponents.
CYPRUS
In January, the authorities released five
prisoners of conscience along with a group of
more than 50 people believed to have been
imprisoned for political reasons. The USA had Republic of Cyprus
requested they be freed as part of an Head of state and government: Nicos Anastasiades
agreement between the two governments to
normalize relations. Irregular migrants were detained for
On 7 and 8 January, brothers Vianco, prolonged periods in inadequate conditions.
Django and Alexeis Vargas Martn, were In November, Parliament recognized the
released from prison. The three men had right to same-sex civil unions. Allegations of
been detained since December 2012 and ill-treatment by law enforcement officials
were sentenced in June 2014 to between continued.
two-and-a-half and four years imprisonment
for public disorder. On 8 January, prisoners BACKGROUND
of conscience Ivn Fernndez Depestre and In May, the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot
Emilio Planas Robert were apparently leaders resumed negotiations regarding the
released unconditionally. The two men had reunification of the island.
REFUGEES AND MIGRANTS RIGHTS 6. Circles of hell: Domestic, public and state violence against women in
Security forces continued to use excessive Egypt (MDE 12/004/2015)
force and unnecessary lethal force against 7. Syria: Voices in crisis - August 2015 (MDE 24/2352/2015)
refugees, asylum-seekers and migrants who 8. Egypt: Confirmation of 183 death sentences outrageous (News
sought to enter or leave Egypt irregularly.7 At story, 2 February)
least 20 Sudanese nationals and one Syrian
national were killed while trying to leave Egypt
irregularly. EL SALVADOR
HOUSING RIGHTS FORCED EVICTIONS Republic of El Salvador
The armed forces continued to forcibly evict Head of state and government: Salvador Snchez
communities living along Egypts border with Cern
Gaza, where the authorities sought to create a
security buffer zone. A total legal abortion ban remained in place,
The government continued to discuss violating womens human rights. Human
development plans for Cairo that did not rights defenders of lesbian, gay, bisexual,
include sufficient safeguards to prevent transgender and intersex (LGBTI)
forced evictions. communities and those defending and
promoting sexual and reproductive rights
DEATH PENALTY faced increasing risks and particularly
Courts handed down hundreds of death suffered violence and intimidation from
sentences on defendants convicted on state agents, individuals and private groups.
terrorism and other charges related to the The 1993 Amnesty Law was not repealed,
political violence that followed Mohamed presenting an obstacle for accessing justice
Morsis ousting in July 2013, and for murder and reparations for victims of human rights
and other crimes. Those executed included violations that occurred during the
prisoners sentenced after unfair trials before 1980-1992 armed conflict.
criminal and military courts.8
At least seven men were executed in BACKGROUND
relation to political violence; one on 7 March Legislative and municipal elections were held
after an unfair trial. Six men executed on in March. A 30% gender quota in the
HAITI year.
Severe drought in the North-West and
South-West departments negatively impacted
Republic of Haiti on food security and nutrition, especially for
Head of state: Michel Joseph Martelly rural families and those living on the
Head of government: Evans Paul Dominican-Haitian border.
PUNISHMENT
At least 108 people were caned in Aceh
under Sharia law for gambling, drinking
alcohol or adultery during the year. In
October, the Acehnese Islamic Criminal Code
came into force, expanding the use of
corporal punishment for same-sex sexual
relations and intimacy between unmarried
individuals, with punishment of up to 100 and
FREEDOMS OF EXPRESSION,
Islamic Republic of Iran ASSOCIATION AND ASSEMBLY
Head of state: Ayatollah Sayed Ali Khamenei (Leader The authorities continued to severely restrict
of the Islamic Republic of Iran) freedoms of expression, association and
Head of government: Hassan Rouhani (President) assembly. They blocked Facebook, Twitter
and other social media websites, closed or
The authorities severely curtailed the rights suspended media outlets including the Zanan
to freedom of expression, association and monthly womens magazine, jammed foreign
assembly, arresting and imprisoning satellite television stations, arrested and
journalists, human rights defenders, trade imprisoned journalists and online and other
unionists and others who voiced dissent, on critics, and suppressed peaceful protests.
vague and overly broad charges. Torture and In August, the Ministry of Communications
other ill-treatment of detainees remained and Information Technology announced the
common and was committed with impunity; second phase of intelligent filtering of
prison conditions were harsh. Unfair trials websites deemed to have socially harmful
continued, in some cases resulting in death consequences, with the support of a foreign
sentences. Women and members of ethnic company. The authorities continued efforts to
and religious minorities faced pervasive create a national internet that could be
discrimination in law and in practice. The used to further impede access to information
authorities carried out cruel punishments, via the internet, and arrested and prosecuted
including blinding, amputation and those who used social media to express
floggings. Courts imposed death sentences dissent.1 In June, a spokesperson for the
for a range of crimes; many prisoners, judiciary said that the authorities had arrested
including at least four juvenile offenders, five people for anti-revolutionary activities
were executed. using social media, and five others for acts
against decency in cyber-space.
BACKGROUND Opposition leaders Mir Hossein Mousavi,
Negotiations between Iran and the five Zahra Rahnavard and Mehdi Karoubi
permanent member states of the UN remained under house arrest without charge
Security Council, plus Germany, resulted with or trial. Scores of prisoners of conscience
Iran agreeing in July to restrict its nuclear continued to be detained or were serving
development programme in return for the prison sentences for peacefully exercising
lifting of international sanctions. their human rights. They included journalists,
In March, the UN Human Rights Council artists, writers, lawyers, trade unionists,
renewed the mandate of the UN Special students, womens and minority rights
Rapporteur on the situation of human rights activists, human rights defenders and others.
in Iran; the Iranian authorities continued to Under the 2013 Islamic Penal Code,
deny him entry to Iran and to prevent access individuals convicted of multiple charges
by other UN experts. The Human Rights must serve only the lengthiest single
Council also formally adopted the outcome of sentence, but judges are required to impose
its second UPR of Iran. Iran accepted 130 sentences that exceed the statutory maximum
recommendations, partially accepted 59 for any single offence when they convict
others, and rejected 102. Those rejected defendants of more than three crimes. This
included recommendations that Iran ratify the has resulted in the authorities bringing
UN Convention against Torture and CEDAW, multiple spurious charges against some
and cease using the death penalty against peaceful critics as a means to ensure a
those aged under 18 at the time of the lengthy prison term.2
RIGHT TO FOOD
The UN Food and Agriculture Organization 1. Further information: Student released by North Korea (ASA
reported in September that, after increases in 24/2609/2015)
three consecutive years, food production had
been stagnant in 2014, while the drought of
2015 had reduced the production of rice and
other cereals by more than 10%. Possibly as
a result, the government reduced the daily
food rations for households in July and
August from 410g to 250g per person, well
below the amount distributed during the
the government in response to the accident.6 6. South Korea: Arrest of two human rights defenders for organizing
MALDIVES married.
UNFAIR TRIALS
Republic of Maldives Constitutional safeguards for the right to a fair
Head of state and government: Abdulla Yameen Abdul trial were increasingly eroded. Although the
Gayoom government maintained that due process was
followed, severe irregularities were revealed
Judicial overreach included curtailing the during a series of trials leading to the long-
independence of the Human Rights term imprisonment of the governments
Commission of Maldives, which the political opponents. They included the trials of
government failed to defend. Judicial former President Mohamed Nasheed,
impartiality was a serious concern. Leading sentenced in March to 13 years for allegedly
political opponents of the government were ordering the detention of a judge during his
sentenced to long-term imprisonment after presidency; former Defence Minister
grossly unfair trials. Hundreds of opposition Mohamed Nazim, sentenced in March to 11
JUSTICE SYSTEM 1. Maldives: Assault on civil and political rights (ASA 29/1501/2015)
Judicial impartiality remained a serious 2. 60th session of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination
concern which the government failed to against Women: The Republic of Maldives - review of the combined
address. The authorities frequently claimed fourth and fifth periodic report (ASA 29/002/2015)
that they would not address any complaints
against the judiciary because courts were
independent. At the same time, the
government failed to strengthen the Judicial
MALI
Services Commission to enable it to address Republic of Mali
impartiality and other issues related to the Head of state: Ibrahim Boubacar Keta
judiciary. Head of government: Modibo Keta (replaced Moussa
Mara in January)
FREEDOM OF ASSEMBLY
Hundreds of political opponents of the The internal armed conflict perpetuated a
government taking part in peaceful climate of insecurity, particularly in the
demonstrations were arrested, detained for north, despite the signing of a peace
days or weeks, and released only after having agreement. Crimes under international law
conditions imposed preventing them from and abuses by armed groups persisted in
taking part in future demonstrations for a different parts of the country.
certain period. Journalists, human rights
defenders and opposition politicians received
ENFORCED DISAPPEARANCES 1. Mauritania: Actions speak louder than words: Amnesty International
In February, Khadim Ould Semen, Mohamed submission to the Universal Periodic Review, November 2015 (AFR
Ould Cbih and Mohamed Khaled Ould 38/1813/2015)
Ahmed, three prisoners sentenced to death 2. Mauritania must immediately release Mohamed Mkhatir, blogger
for a shooting at Tourine, were victims of sentenced to death for apostasy (AFR 38/0002/2015)
enforced disappearance. They were part of a 3. Mauritania must immediately release jailed anti-slavery activists and
sit-in organized in prison after a prisoner was human rights defenders (AFR 38/0001/2015); Mauritania: Anti-
not released on the due date. Prison slavery activists harsh sentence upheld on appeal (News story, 20
authorities reported that violence occurred August)
during the sit-in. The prison guards fired tear
gas canisters and beat the prisoners with
batons before taking the three men away,
who have not been seen since. In July, the
Minister of Justice said that he was unable to
clarify their whereabouts and that a
delegation would be allowed to visit them in
RIGHTS OF LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, 4. Shadow of impunity: Torture in Morocco and Western Sahara (MDE
INTERNATIONAL SCRUTINY 10. Myanmar: Stalled reforms: Impunity, discrimination and ongoing
In November, Myanmars human rights human rights abuses: Amnesty International submission to the
record was assessed under the UPR.10 Universal Periodic Review (ASA 16/2276/2015)
Myanmar rejected key recommendations to
review specific laws which restrict the rights
to freedom of expression, association and NAMIBIA
peaceful assembly and refused to
acknowledge the systemic discrimination Republic of Namibia
facing the Rohingya minority. Head of state and government: Hage Gottfried Geingob
The UN Special Rapporteur on the
situation of human rights in Myanmar made The long-running Caprivi detainees treason
two official visits to the country during the trial concluded. Violations of the right to
year, yet she was hampered in carrying out freedom of expression continued. Cases of
her mandate. In August, she was only given women being killed as a result of domestic
permission to travel for five days, had violence were reported. A journalist was
difficulties meeting with government assaulted and briefly detained by police for
interlocutors, and was denied access to taking a photograph of police arresting a
Rakhine State. She also reported surveillance criminal suspect.
and harassment of civil society members who
met with her. By the end of the year, there CAPRIVI DETAINEES TRIAL
was still no agreement to establish an Office The Caprivi detainees trial concluded on 7
of the UN High Commissioner for Human September. Judge Elton Hoff found 30 of the
Rights (OHCHR) in Myanmar. While OHCHR 65 accused guilty of charges of high treason,
staff were able to operate in Myanmar, they nine charges of murder, and 90 counts of
did not have full and sustained access to the attempted murder. Thirty-two people were
country, impeding their ability to undertake acquitted and released, and a further three
their work. were found guilty of other charges. The
detainees were originally arrested and
charged in 1999 for allegedly attempting to
1. Amnesty International and the International Commission of Jurists secede the then Caprivi region from the rest
POLAND DISCRIMINATION
Hate crimes
Republic of Poland In March, the European Commission against
Head of state: Andrzej Duda (replaced Bronislaw Racism and Intolerance recommended
Komorowski in August) extending the scope of provisions on racist
Head of government: Beata Szydo (replaced Ewa and xenophobic crimes to crimes perpetrated
Kopacz in November) with a homophobic or transphobic motive.
Parliament continued to discuss three joint
Parliament failed to reform hate crime bills aimed at providing protection against
legislation. The government committed to hate crime perpetrated on grounds such as
relocate 5,000 refugees from Italy and sexual orientation, gender identity or
Greece, amid a climate of intolerance and disability. However, it failed to pass them
discriminatory speech, fuelled by some before parliamentary elections in October.
public officials. The domestic criminal
investigation into the co-operation with the Rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and
CIA and the hosting of a secret detention intersex people
site was still pending. On 26 May and 5 August, Parliament rejected
two bills on civil partnerships, including for
TORTURE AND OTHER ILL-TREATMENT Senate Committee report on CIA secret detentions must be released,
In May, the UN Committee against Torture and accountability for crimes under international law ensured (AMR
criticized the treatment and living conditions 51/1432/2015)
of people with mental disabilities in
psychiatric facilities, and the lack of
investigation into thousands of deaths in RUSSIAN
these institutions over the last decade. There
are still around 25,000 children in 717
institutions across the country, despite long-
FEDERATION
standing commitments to reduce the number Russian Federation
of people with mental and physical disabilities Head of state: Vladimir Putin
in psychiatric institutions. Head of government: Dmitry Medvedev
The Committee also expressed concern
over the inadequacy of police detention Freedoms of expression and peaceful
facilities, the low number of prosecutions and assembly remained severely restricted. The
convictions in cases of ill-treatment and authorities dominated the print and
torture and the lack of an independent broadcast media, and further extended their
complaints mechanism for violations by law control over the internet. NGOs faced
enforcement officials. further harassment and reprisals under the
foreign agents law, while their access to
REFUGEES AND ASYLUM-SEEKERS foreign funding was further restricted by a
Asylum-seekers continued to face obstacles new law banning undesirable
in accessing asylum proceedings. Rejected organizations. Growing numbers of
asylum seekers and Dublin returnees individuals were arrested and criminally
asylum-seekers due to be transferred from charged for criticizing state policy and
one EU state to another, under the Dublin III publicly displaying or possessing materials
regulation continued to be detained deemed extremist or otherwise unlawful
unnecessarily. Recognized refugees faced under vague national security legislation.
obstacles in accessing education, housing Four people faced prosecution under the
and health care. 2014 law that made repeated violations of
Around 900 people applied for asylum the law on public assemblies a criminal
between January and September 2015, offence. Deep flaws in the judicial system
compared to around 1,150 people in the were further exposed through several high-
same period in 2014. Romania opposed the profile cases; a new law gave the
mandatory quotas for the relocation of people Constitutional Court the authority to overrule
in need of international protection from decisions by the European Court of Human
Greece, Italy and other EU member states. Rights. Refugees faced numerous obstacles
Following the adoption of the scheme in in accessing international protection.
September, Romania was earmarked to Serious human rights violations continued in
receive 6,351 refugees over a period of two the North Caucasus, and human rights
years. defenders reporting from the region faced
harassment.
FREEDOMS OF EXPRESSION AND curtail freedom of expression and assembly (News story, 4 May)
ASSEMBLY
In February 2015, Mamoud Tim Kargbo was
charged with five counts of defamatory libel SINGAPORE
under the Public Order Act 1965 for
forwarding a WhatsApp message he received, Republic of Singapore
said to be defamatory to the President. He Head of state: Tony Tan Keng Yam
was detained for 52 days, released on bail Head of government: Lee Hsien Loong
during the trial, and eventually discharged on
28 July. The Peoples Action Party, whose founder,
There were disproportionate restrictions on former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, died
freedoms of expression and assembly during in March, continued to penalize government
the state of emergency. Following the removal critics for exercising their right to freedom
of former Vice President Samuel Sam- of expression. The media and human rights
Sumana on 18 March 2015, there was an defenders were tightly controlled through
increase in arrests of opposition members, revocation of licences and criminal charges.
bans on peaceful protests and a crackdown Judicial caning and the death penalty were
on dissent.3 retained.
On 27 April, 15 members of Sierra Leone
Peoples Party (SLPP), the main opposition FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
party, and a senior officer from the Human Amos Yee, a 16-year-old blogger, was
Rights Commission were arrested in the town sentenced to four weeks imprisonment for
of Kenema following a protest at the SLPP uttering words with deliberate intent to
office. They are currently on trial. There are wound the religious or racial feelings of any
concerns about excessive use of force during person and transmitting obscene
arrests by the police. materials, after he uploaded a video and
In August, Monologue, a radio programme cartoon criticizing Lee Kuan Yew online.1 The
hosted by journalist David Tam Baryoh, was UN Office of the High Commissioner for
suspended by the Independent Media Human Rights urged Singapore to consider
Commission (IMC) due to allegations that the the case in light of its obligations under the
show infringed national security, and incited UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
violence and public disorder. In October, he In May, the Media Development Authority
was fined 500,000 SLL (around US$100), suspended the licences permitting editors
and is challenging the decision in court. Yang Kaiheng and Ai Takagi to operate the
In December, Jonathan Leigh, managing news website, social media accounts and
editor of the Independent Observer, was mobile applications of The Real Singapore
arrested on accusations of publishing false newspaper after it published articles that
information about reports of political violence allegedly sought to incite anti-foreigner
The erased
The authorities failed to provide redress for
the human rights violations committed against
former permanent residents of Slovenia
originating from other former Yugoslav
republics, known as the erased, whose
DEATHS IN CUSTODY
Deaths in police custody under suspicious
circumstances remained a concern. On 12
VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS 1. Sweden: Sharp criticism by Parliamentary Ombudsman of Skne
The work of a parliamentary commission police database of Romanis (EUR 42/1249/2015)
established by the government in 2014 to
examine how rape investigations and
prosecutions are dealt with by the criminal SWITZERLAND
justice system remained ongoing. The
commission, set up following an initiative by Swiss Confederation
the Parliamentary Committee on Justice, was Head of state and government: Simonetta Sommaruga
tasked with analyzing high rates of attrition in
investigating and prosecuting reported rapes, Sweeping new surveillance legislation was
recommending improvements to the legal passed. Concerns remained about excessive
DISCRIMINATION
1. Tajikistani dissenters at grave risk after an opposition leader shot Over 50 people were killed on the basis of
dead in Turkey (Press release,6 March) witchcraft beliefs between January and June,
2. Opposition party leaders arrested, risk torture (EUR 60/2465/2015); while over 350 were killed in documented
Opposition members lawyer at risk of torture (EUR 60/2567/2015) incidents of mob violence. There have been
no meaningful investigations into these
JUSTICE SYSTEM
TIMOR-LESTE Torture and other ill-treatment and
unnecessary or excessive use of force by
security forces continued to be reported.
Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste Accountability mechanisms remained weak.
Head of state: Taur Matan Ruak Dozens of individuals were arbitrarily
Head of government: Rui Maria de Arajo (replaced arrested and tortured or otherwise ill-treated
Kay Rala Xanana Gusmo in February) by security forces as part of joint security
operations in Baucau district between March
Impunity persisted for gross human rights and August. These operations were launched
violations committed during the Indonesian in response to attacks allegedly carried out by
occupation (1975-1999). Security forces Mauk Moruk (Paulino Gama) and his banned
were accused of arbitrary arrests and Maubere Revolutionary Council (KRM)
unnecessary or excessive use of force during against police in Laga and Baguia
security operations in Baucau district. subdistricts. Local human rights organizations
Levels of domestic violence remained high. documented dozens of cases of beatings by
security officials who also destroyed property
BACKGROUND of suspected KRM members.1 In August,
In February, Rui Maria de Arajo, leader of Mauk Moruk was shot and killed. The
the Revolutionary Front for an Independent findings of investigations by the Provedor
East Timor (FRETILIN) was sworn in as Prime (Ombudsman for Human Rights and Justice)
Minister. The new government included a were issued in November.
coalition of most political parties, including The justice system remained hampered by
Xanana Gusmos National Congress for a lack of access to courts and due process.
Timorese Reconstruction. In September, The expulsion of all international judicial
Timor-Leste was reviewed by the UN officers employed as judges, lawyers and
Committee on the Rights of the Child. investigators in October 2014 continued to
throw into question pending trials, including
IMPUNITY those addressing crimes against humanity.
Little progress was made in addressing
crimes against humanity and other human WOMENS RIGHTS
rights violations committed by Indonesian The 2010 Law mandating compulsory
security forces and their auxiliaries from 1975 prosecution in domestic violence cases
to 1999. Many suspected perpetrators continued to be used although challenges
remained at large in Indonesia. remained. NGOs raised concerns on access
No progress by the authorities was reported to justice, limited protection for witnesses and
in implementing recommendations victims, and a backlog of cases causing few
addressing impunity from the Commission for women to actively file reports.
Reception, Truth and Reconciliation (CAVR) In November, the CEDAW Committee
and the bilateral Indonesia-Timor-Leste recommended that Timor-Leste adopt laws to
IMPUNITY
In May, a presidential decree established the
UZBEKISTAN
Truth and Justice Working Group to Republic of Uzbekistan
investigate human rights violations that Head of state: Islam Karimov
occurred between 1968 and 1985. The group Head of government: Shavkat Mirzioiev
was to be formed of seven members having
fulfilled autonomy and independence criteria The authorities used torture and other ill-
throughout their careers, as well as the treatment to suppress dissent, combat
President and Vice-President of Uruguay. actual or perceived security threats, repress
A 2013 Supreme Court ruling remained an political opponents, extract confessions and
obstacle to ensuring justice; the ruling had incriminating information, and intimidate or
overturned key articles of Law 18.831, punish detainees and prisoners and their
adopted in 2011, which established that families. Courts relied heavily on
crimes committed during the period of civil confessions extracted under torture, duress
and military rule between 1973 and 1985 or deception. Prison sentences of
were crimes against humanity and that no individuals convicted of anti-state and
statute of limitations could be applied. terrorism offences were arbitrarily extended.
prisoners of conscience continued to be 5. Viet Nam: Halt imminent execution of Le Van Manh and order
harsh. This included lack of physical exercise; investigation into allegations of torture (ASA 41/2737/2015)
LEGAL, CONSTITUTIONAL OR
INSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENTS
On 28 October, in an unprecedented
development, the Constitutional Court ordered
the Prosecutor-General, Johannes Tomana, to
be committed to prison for 30 days for
contravening Section 164(3) of the
Constitution. He was accused of repeatedly
disobeying orders issued by the High Court
and Supreme Court to allow private parties to
pursue prosecutions for fraud and rape in two
high-profile cases. The Constitutional Court
ruled that in the two cases the Prosecutor-
General had a statutory duty to issue the
certificates for private prosecutions under
Section 16 of the Criminal Procedure and
Evidence Act. The 30-day sentence was
suspended for 10 days on condition that
within the 10 days the Prosecutor-General
complied with the earlier court orders. On
4 November, the Deputy Prosecutor-General,
acting on behalf the Prosecutor-General,
issued the certificates allowing the private
prosecutions to proceed.
The process of reviewing the countrys laws
to bring them into line with the 2013
Constitution continued, but at a very slow
pace. Consequently, the human rights
guarantees afforded by the Constitution were
compromised by the continued use of old
laws by police and other government
departments. For example, activists were
arrested and charged under legal provisions
that were clearly unconstitutional and some
had to turn to the Constitutional Court for
redress.
DEATH PENALTY
In July, Zimbabwe reached 10 years without
carrying out any known executions.