My delegation attended the 41st session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC41), building on successful outcomes of previous sessions. We emphasise that being a member of the Council does not prevent scrutiny, and that the Council should stand ready to address emerging and ongoing human rights crises. For the first time in the Councilâs history, resolutions on three sitting members were adopted during the same session. These are resolutions on Eritrea, the Philippines, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). AgnĂšs Callamard, the UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial killings, also presented her long-awaited report on the investigation into the state-sponsored assassination of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, an issue of concern for the whole world.
On 11 July 2019, a resolution on Eritrea, which extended the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the country, was adopted. Civil society efforts were critical in pushing states to take this step, as traditional sponsors of Eritrea resolutions (Djibouti and Somalia) dropped their initiative. DefendDefenders led efforts in this regard, including through the coordination of a joint civil society letter. Ahead of the session, we also published a paperoutlining our expectations. A group of states (Australia, Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, and the Netherlands) took up the initiative. By adopting this resolution, the Council made clear that diplomatic progress in the Horn of Africa has not translated into domestic human rights progress in the country and that membership is not a shield from scrutiny.
The Council also offered a way forward by streamlining its approach through adopting the resolution under its agenda item 2 (not 4) and providing the Eritrean government with an opportunity to engage. Cooperating with the Council and its mechanisms is an obligation for HRC members, as per the Councilâs founding resolution, UN General Assembly resolution 60/251 (paragraph 9). In a press release, we welcomed the resolutionâs adoption and called on the Eritrean government to change course. We also delivered a statement for the adoption of the report on the UPR of Eritrea, noting that the governmentâs percentage of acceptance (50.2%) was one of the lowest rates ever recorded and urging the government to act on the recommendations it accepted.
In 2016, the Council inscribed on its agenda an important thematic issue: protecting all persons from discrimination and violence on the basis of minorities. While in March 2016, the resolution establishing the mandate of the Independent Expert (IE) on protection against violence and discrimination based on minorities was adopted with a narrow margin of 23 votes in favour and 18 against, at HRC41 the resolution extending the IEâs mandate for another three years was easily adopted in a vote of 27 Yes, 12 Against, and 7 Abstentions. In this respect, DefendDefenders was delighted to join a call signed by more than 1,300 organisations around the world. Three African states (South Africa, Rwanda, and Tunisia) supported the mandate. We hope that more states will now engage with the IE, accept his visit requests, and move towards fighting violence and discrimination against LGBT+ persons.
This would be in line with preventive engagement â an approach favoured by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet. She relied on it to tackle the crisis in Cameroon, raising concern over the situation in the country and engaging authorities through a range of tools, including a country visit. Cameroon is an issue of increasing concern for AfricanDefenders, and we responded to the High Commissionerâ update to the Council by highlighting the situation and calling on the Council to consider it.
Ahead of the session, we used a similar approach to draw attention to Tanzania. We do believe that warning signs of a deteriorating human rights situation exist. In this regard, DefendDefenders and 37 NGOs called on states to engage the Tanzanian government on its rights situation. Our joint letter drew the attention of the Parliament. We will continue to express concern over the situation for civil society, human rights defenders (HRDs), and the media in the country.
In a statement we delivered during the General Debate on item 4 â dedicated to the most serious human rights situations â we highlighted restrictions faced by civil society ahead of, and during, the 64thsession of the African Commission on Human and Peoplesâ Rights (ACHPR64). We stressed that the Egyptian authoritiesâ behaviour validated the assessment that Egyptâs human rights situation calls for collective action by the Human Rights Council.
In other oral statements, we called for the release of HRDs in Burundi and urged the government to resume its cooperation with the Council and its Commission of Inquiry (CoI), which will present its final report at the Councilâs 42nd session (HRC42) in September 2019. We also presented our latest report, âNo Advice without Knowledge,â which is an analysis of the contents and evolution of resolutions adopted by the Council in the framework of its agenda item 10.
Lastly, while HRC41 produced positive outcomes, it failed to address the situation in Sudan, including the 3 June 2019 massacre and its aftermath. After peaceful protests started in December 2018, we called on the Council to step up its approach and address the situation in the country. The Council failed to do so at HRC40 (February-March 2019) and ahead of HRC41. Following the 3 June massacre, we urged the Council to convene a special (emergency) session. States considered the idea, but it did not materialise in urgent action. As HRC41 opened, we then called for the convening of an urgent debate. This did not happen either.
In oral statements to the Council and in a press release, we regretted the Councilâs silence, which validates the sidelining of human rights from the political mediation process. Human rights and accountability should be central parts of any long-term solution, providing redress to victims and building guarantees of non-recurrence. We discussed the situation and the way forward for the Council in a side event organised jointly with our partners Physicians for Human Rights and a group of non-governmental organisations.
We now look forward to meaningful action at HRC42, which will take place from 9-27 September 2019.
Hassan Shire
Oral Statements to the Council
DefendDefenders and 37 Tanzanian, African and international human rights organisations publish a letter calling on states to use the next session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) to raise concern over Tanzaniaâs situation in order to prevent a further deterioration.
Since a group of 30 NGOs first wrote a letter on Tanzania, in August 2018, the space for human rights defenders (HRDs), civil society, journalists, bloggers, the media, minority persons, and opposition and dissenting voices has continued to shrink. The situation in Tanzania, which ranks 118th in Reporters Without Bordersâ World Press Freedom Index this year, calls for a response at the United Nations. This can be in the form of individual (national) or joint statements by state delegations.
In the letter, the group of NGOs say: âWhile we do not believe that at this point, the situation calls for a [HRC] resolution, warning signs of a mounting human rights crisis exist.â We echo the statements delivered in recent months by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and call for preventative engagement with the Tanzanian government.
Read the full letter.
Signatories:
- AfricanDefenders (the Pan-African Human Rights Defenders Network)
- African Freedom of Expression Exchange (AFEX)
- Amnesty International
- ARTICLE 19
- Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA)
- Association for Human Rights in Ethiopia (AHRE) â Ethiopia
- Association for Progressive Communications (APC)
- Center for Civil Liberties â Ukraine
- Central Africa Human Rights Defenders Network (RĂ©seau des DĂ©fenseurs des Droits Humains en Afrique Centrale â REDHAC)
- The Centre for Peace and Advocacy (CPA) â South Sudan
- CIVICUS
- Civil Rights Defenders
- Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA)
- Committee to Protect Journalists
- Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative
- DefendDefenders (the East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project)
- Geneva for Human Rights / GenĂšve pour les Droits de lâHomme
- Human Rights Defenders Network â Sierra Leone
- Human Rights Watch
- International Commission of Jurists
- International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH)
- International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA)
- International Service for Human Rights
- The International Youth for Africa (IYA) â South Sudan
- JASS (Just Associates)
- Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC)
- Ligue burundaise des droits de lâhomme ITEKA â Burundi
- MARUAH â Singapore
- The Network of South Sudan Civil Society Organizations in Uganda (NoSSCOU)
- The Nile Centre for Human Rights (NCHR â South Sudan)
- Odhikar â Bangladesh
- The ONE Campaign
- Southern Africa Human Rights Defenders Network (SAHRDN)
- Reporters Without Borders
- Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights
- Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition (THRDC)
- West Africa Human Rights Defenders Network (ROADDH/WAHRDN)
- World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT)
DefendDefenders calls on the UN Human Rights Council to ensure follow-up to its action on the human rights situation in Eritrea to date. We outline reasons why a resolution on the country is needed and elements that should be part of a resolution at the Councilâs 41st session (HRC41, 24 June-12 July 2019).
Since the signing of a peace agreement between Eritrea and Ethiopia, no progress in Eritreaâs domestic human rights situation has been reported. Impunity for past and ongoing human rights violations remain widespread, and grave violations, including arbitrary and incommunicado detentions, violations of the right to a fair trial, lack of information on the fate of disappeared persons, the use of indefinite national service, and severe restrictions on civil and political rights and civic space, continue unabated.
The situation, which remains one of the most serious on the African continent and has been addressed by the African Commission on Human and Peoplesâ Rights (ACHPR) as well as the UN, calls for a high level of attention.
Eritrea became a member of the Human Rights Council in January 2019. In line with Council membership standards, the government has an obligation to cooperate with the Council and its mechanisms with a view to improving its human rights record. The Council should urge the government to do so, and states should join efforts to ensure both that avenues are open for dialogue and cooperation with Eritrea â the onus being on the Government to change course and engage â and that scrutiny of the countryâs situation remains high.
Read the paper.
In a joint letter released today, DefendDefenders and partner NGOs call on the UN Human Rights Council to adopt a resolution ensuring continued scrutiny of the human rights situation in Eritrea. The Council should take this step at its upcoming 41st session (HRC41, 24 June-12 July 2019).
The letter elaborates on a paper DefendDefenders published in May 2019, which outlined reasons why a Council resolution on Eritrea is needed and elements that should be included in it.
In the letter, we write: âThis is the wrong time for the Council to relax scrutiny of the situation in Eritrea. As a newly-elected member of the Council, Eritrea has an obligation to âuphold the highest standards in the promotion and protection of human rightsâ and to âfully cooperate with the Councilâ. [âŠ] Obstructionist behavior should not be rewarded. Eritreaâs membership in the Council should be fully leveraged for improvements in the countryâs human rights situation and cooperation with the Council and its mechanisms.â
We also stress that Council membership does not prevent, but rather triggers an enhanced responsibility to accept, scrutiny. Indeed, Eritrea became a member of the Human Rights Council in January 2019. The government has an obligation to cooperate with the UN with a view to improving its human rights record.
Read the full letter.
DefendDefenders welcomes the adoption of a resolution on Eritrea today at the UN Human Rights Council (âCouncilâ). While making clear that diplomatic proÂgress in the Horn of Africa has not translated into domestic human rights proÂgÂress in EriÂtÂrea, the Council offers a way forward for human rights reforms in the country by streamÂlining its approach and providing the Eritrean government with an opportunity to engage.
âThe Council did the right thing by making clear both that the human rights situation in Eritrea remains dire and that avenues for dialogue and cooperation are open,â said HasÂsan Shire, ExecuÂtive Director, DefendDefenders. âSustained international attention is key to supÂporting respect for the rights of all Eritreans and concrete change.â
The resolution adopted today, as the Councilâs 41st regular session ends, extends the mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur on the situÂation of human rights in Eritrea and ensures ongoing scruÂtiny of the countryâs situation. It is significantly shorter than previous Council resolutions on Eritrea, which created and extended the Special Rapporteurâs mandate and established a comÂmisÂsion of inquiry into Eritreaâs human rights violations, which was operational between 2014-2016. Both mechanisms, as well as the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), found that gross, widespread and systematic violations were committed and continue to be committed in the country.
Todayâs resolution was adopted in the framework of the Councilâs agenda item 2, which is regarded as less âcondemnatoryâ than item 4, under which previous Eritrea resolutions were adopted.
âIn March 2019, Eritrea took an initial step by meeting with the Special Rapporteur in Geneva. The government should now take a second step by inviting the SpeÂcial RapporÂteur for a visit to Eritrea and engaging on the âbenchmarks for progressâ she identified,â said Nicolas Agostini, Representative to the UN for DefendDefenders. âThis would also be a step towards meeting Council membership obligations.â
Ahead of the 41st, ongoing session of the Council, DefendDefenders and partners called on the Council to maintain a special procedure (Special Rapporteur) mandate and a high level of moniÂtorÂing and public reporting on Eritreaâs rights situation. We urged the Council to make clear that membership does not prevent, but rather triggers an enhanced responsibility to accept, scrutiny. In October 2018, the UN General Assembly elected Eritrea for a three-year term as a CounÂcil member (2019-2021).
The Human Rights Council is the UNâs main human rights body. Its 47 members sit on the CounÂcil for three-year terms. It meets in three regular sessions a year and can convene special (emerÂgency) sessions or urgent debates to address human rights crises. DefendDefenders has been actively advocating for the Council to continue its scrutiny of Eritreaâs human rights situÂation. Ahead of the Councilâs 41st session, we published a paper[1] and coordinated the drafting of a joint civil society letter[2]calling on the Council to adopt a resolution maintaining Eritrea on its agenda.
Â
For more information, please contact                                                                                       Â
Hassan Shire
Executive Director, the East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project on [email protected] or +256 772 753 753 (English and Somali)
Estella Kabachwezi
Senior Advocacy and Research Officer, the East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project on [email protected] or +256 782 360 460 (English)
Nicolas Agostini
Representative to the United Nations (Geneva), the East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project on [email protected] or +41 79 813 49 91 (English and French)
Â
[1] DefendDefenders, âBackground paper: Ensuring meaningful follow-up on Eritrea at HRC41,â 17 May 2019, https://defenddefenders.org/test/press_release/eritrea-the-un-human-rights-council-should-ensure-continued-scrutiny/ (accessed on 9 July 2019).
[2] DefendDefenders et al., âEritrea: the UN should ensure continued scrutiny of the human rights situation,â 11 June 2019, https://defenddefenders.org/test/press_release/eritrea-the-un-should-ensure-continued-scrutiny-of-the-human-rights-situation/ (accessed on 9 July 2019).
To Permanent Representatives of Member States of the UN General Assembly
18 September 2018
Member States of the UN should refrain from voting for candidates to the Human Rights Council that are unfit for membership
Â
Excellencies,
Ahead of the next UN Human Rights Council (âHRCâ or âthe CounÂcilâ) election, we, the undersigned national, regional, and international civil society organisations, write to urge your delegation to refrain from voting for candidates that blatantly fail to fulfil the Council membership standards outlined in UN General Assembly (UNGA) resolution 60/251.
Paragraphs 8 and 9 of resolution 60/251 state that the UNGA:
- Decides that the membership in the Council shall be open to all States Members of the United Nations; when electing members of the Council, Member States shall take into account the
conÂtriÂbuÂtion of candidates to the promotion and protection of human rights and their voluntary pledges and commitments made thereto [âŠ]; - Decides also that members elected to the Council shall uphold the highest standards in the
proÂmoÂtion and protection of human rights [and] fully cooperate with the Council [âŠ].
We are concerned that several of the States that are running for election fail to fulfil minimal requiÂreÂments with regard to both the proÂmotion and proÂtection of human rights and cooperation with the Council and other UN human rights bodies and mechÂanisms. Some of these candidates show a pattern of non-cooperation with the UN human rights system and attacks against UN Special Procedure ManÂdate-Holders that is inÂcompatible with Council membership. Furthermore, some of this yearâs candiÂdaÂtes have engaged in acts of inÂtiÂmidation and repriÂsals against human rights defenders and civil society organisations, who play a key role in the Councilâs work. Voting for these canÂdidates would undermine the Councilâs credibility and institutional integrity.
We urge you to treat human rights considerations and the substantive Council membership criteria outÂlined in resolution 60/251 as paramount in electing members to the Council, rather than engaging in vote trading or privileging political considerations over fundamental human rights.
In October 2018, the next HRC election will determine which States sit as Members of the Council in the next three years (2019-2021). Considering that States must receive a simple majority of votes (i.e., 97) to be elected, that voting takes place by secret ballot, and that electing States are under no obligation to vote for each and every canÂdidate within a regional group, we urge your deleÂgation to simply refrain from voting for unfit candidates. Doing so will require leaving the ballot blank for those candidate States your delegation considers unfit.
Sincerely,
Â
African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies (ACDHRS)
African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies (ACJPS)
Americans for Democracy & Human Rights in Bahrain (ADHRB)
ARTICLE 19
Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA)
Asian Legal Resource Centre (ALRC)
Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy (BIRD)
Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies
Centro de Estudios Legales y Sociales (CELS)
CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation
Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI)
Conectas Direitos Humanos
Connection e.V., Germany
DefendDefenders (the East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project)
EEPA
Eritrea Focus
Eritrean Diaspora in East Africa (EDEA)
Eritrean Law Society (ELS)
Eritrean Movement for Democracy and Human Rights (EMDHR)
Geneva for Human Rights (GHR)
Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect
Global Initiative for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
Horn of Africa Civil Society Forum
Human Rights Association / İnsan Hakları DerneÄi (İHD)
Human Rights Concern â Eritrea (HRCE)
Human Rights House Foundation
Human Rights Law Centre
Human Rights Watch
Information Forum for Eritrea (IFE)
International Commission of Jurists
International Federation of Action by Christians for the Abolition of Torture (FIACAT)
International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH)
International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU)
International Movement Against All Forms of Discrimination and Racism (IMADR)
International Service for Human Rights
Network of Eritrean Women
PEN Eritrea
Reporters Without Borders (RSF)
Southern Africa Human Rights Defenders Network (SAHRDN)
World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT)
Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR)
Â
Ă lâattention des ReprĂ©sentants permanents des Ătats Membres de lâAssemblĂ©e gĂ©nĂ©rale des Nations Unies
18 septembre 2018
Les Ătats Membres de lâONU devraient sâabstenir de voter en faveur de candidats au Conseil des droits de lâhomme qui nâen remplissent pas les critĂšres dâappartenance
Â
Mesdames, Messieurs les Représentants permanents,
En amont de la prochaine Ă©lection au Conseil des droits de lâhomme de lâONU (« le CDH » ou « le Conseil »), les organisations nationales, rĂ©gionales et internationales de la sociĂ©tĂ© civile soussignĂ©es vous Ă©crivent afin dâexhorter votre dĂ©lĂ©gation Ă sâabstenir de voter en faveur de candidats qui Ă©chouent de façon flagrante Ă remplir les critĂšres dâappartenance au Conseil qui sont listĂ©s dans la rĂ©Âsolution 60/251 de lâAssemblĂ©e gĂ©nĂ©rale de lâONU (AGNU).
Les paragraphes 8 et 9 de la rĂ©solution 60/251 prĂ©voient en effet que lâAGNU :
- DĂ©cide que tous les Ătats Membres de lâOrganisation des Nations Unies pourront ĂȘtre candidats Ă un siĂšge au Conseil ; lors de lâĂ©lection des membres du Conseil, les Ătats Membres prendront en considĂ©ration le concours que chaque candidat a apportĂ© Ă la cause de la promotion et de la
dĂ©ÂfenÂse des droits de lâhomme et les contributions volontaires quâil a annoncĂ©es et les engagements quâil a pris en la matiĂšre [âŠ] ;
- DĂ©cide Ă©galement que les membres Ă©lus du Conseil observeront les normes les plus strictes en matiĂšre de promotion et de dĂ©fense des droits de lâhomme [et quâils] coopĂ©reront pleinement avec le Conseil [âŠ].
Nous sommes inquiets du fait que plusieurs des Ătats ayant prĂ©sentĂ© leur candidature cette annĂ©e ne remplissent pas les exigences minimales relatives Ă la fois Ă la promotion et Ă la protection des droits de lâhomme et Ă la coopĂ©ration avec le Conseil et dâautres organes et mĂ©canismes onusiens relatifs aux droits de lâhomme. Certains de ces candidats ont fait preuve de façon rĂ©currente dâune attitude de non-coÂopĂ©ration avec le systĂšme onusien des droits de lâhomme, voire dâattaques Ă lâencontre des tiÂtuÂlaires de mandats au titre des ProcĂ©dures spĂ©ciales â un comportement qui est incompatible avec la qualitĂ© de membre du Conseil. En outre, certains des candidats sâĂ©tant fait connaĂźtre cette annĂ©e se sont livrĂ©s Ă des actes dâintiÂmiÂdation et de reprĂ©sailles contre des dĂ©fenseurs des droits de lâhomme et des organisations de la sociĂ©tĂ© civile, lesquels jouent un rĂŽle clef dans le travail du Conseil. Voter en faveur de ces candiÂdats affaiblirait la crĂ©dibilitĂ© et lâintĂ©gritĂ© institutionnelle de ce dernier.
Nous vous exhortons Ă considĂ©rer comme Ă©tant de la plus haute importance les considĂ©rations en maÂtiĂšÂre de droits de lâhomme et les critĂšres substantiels dâappartenance au Conseil listĂ©s dans la rĂ©soÂluÂtion 60/251, lors de lâĂ©lection de ses membres, plutĂŽt que de vous livrer Ă des Ă©changes de votes ou de priÂÂviÂlĂ©gier des considĂ©rations politiques par rapport aux droits et aux libertĂ©s fondamentales.
En octobre 2018, la prochaine Ă©lection au CDH dĂ©terminera quels Ătats occuperont un siĂšge de Membre du Conseil lors des trois prochaines annĂ©es (2019-2021). ConsidĂ©rant que les Ătats doiÂvent obtenir une majoritĂ© simple de votes (soit 97) pour ĂȘtre Ă©lus, que le vote se tient par bulÂleÂtin secret, et que les Ătats Ă©lecteurs nâont aucune obligation de voter pour chacun des canÂdidats concourant au sein dâun groupe rĂ©gional, nous exhortons votre dĂ©lĂ©gation Ă sâabÂstenir de voter pour les candidats ne remplissant pas les critĂšres dâappartenance au Conseil. Agir en ce sens nĂ©cesÂsitera ainsi de laisser blanc le bulletin des Ătats candidats que votre dĂ©lĂ©gation considĂšre comme Ă©tant inadaptĂ©s.
Nous vous remercions et vous prions de croire, Madame, Monsieur le Représentant-e
permanent-e, en lâassurance de notre respectueuse considĂ©ration.
Â
African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies (ACJPS)
Americans for Democracy & Human Rights in Bahrain (ADHRB)
ARTICLE 19
Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA)
Asian Legal Resource Centre (ALRC)
Association des droits humains / İnsan Hakları DerneÄi (İHD)
Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy (BIRD)
Centre africain pour la dĂ©mocratie et les Ă©tudes des droits de lâHomme (ACDHRS)
Centro de Estudios Legales y Sociales (CELS)
CIVICUS : Alliance mondiale pour la participation citoyenne
Commission internationale de juristes
Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI)
Conectas Direitos Humanos
Connection e.V. (Allemagne)
DefendDefenders (le Projet des dĂ©fenseurs des droits humains de lâEst et de la Corne de lâAfrique)
Diaspora Ă©rythrĂ©enne en Afrique de lâEst (EDEA)
EEPA
Eritrea Focus
Eritrean Law Society (ELS)
FĂ©dĂ©ration internationale des ACAT (Action des chrĂ©tiens pour lâabolition de la torture) (FIACAT)
FĂ©dĂ©ration internationale des droits de lâHomme (FIDH)
GenĂšve pour les droits de lâHomme
Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect
Global Initiative for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
Horn of Africa Civil Society Forum
Human Rights Concern â Eritrea (HRCE)
Human Rights House Foundation
Human Rights Law Centre
Human Rights Watch
Information Forum for Eritrea (IFE)
Institut du Caire pour lâĂ©tude des droits de lâHomme (CIHRS)
Mouvement érythréen pour la démocratie et les droits humains (EMDHR)
Mouvement international contre toutes les formes de discrimination et de racisme (IMADR)
Network of Eritrean Women
Organisation mondiale contre la torture (OMCT)
PEN ĂrythrĂ©e
Reporters Sans FrontiĂšres (RSF)
Service international pour les droits de lâHomme
Southern Africa Human Rights Defenders Network (SAHRDN)
Union internationale humaniste et éthique (IHEU)
Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR)
In a letter issued today, DefendDefenders and partners condemn the deliberate attack on peaceful democracy protesters in Khartoum that has resulted in at least 100 dead and hundreds of injured. We demand a strong international response to immediately stop the violence and ensure accountability.
We highlight that these horrific acts demonstrate the Transitional Military Councilâs (TMC) lack of commitment to a peaceful transition to a civilian government and the risk of further political polarization and of mass violent confrontation.
The international community cannot afford to wait or to stay silent. Recalling the letter sent to Members and Observers of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) in January 2019, we urge the Council to hold a special (emergency) session on the situation in Sudan and to adopt a resolution setting up a fact-finding mission to monitor and report on human rights violations and pave the way for accountability.
The HRC, where no State enjoys veto powers, should take action to overcome the UN Security Councilâs failure to condemn the violence. In the letter, we and partners formulate recommendations with a view to urging the international community to do everything in its power to prevent the takeover of the government by military factions associated with the abuses and repression of the former regime.
Read the full letter.
After failing to convene an emergency session on Sudan in the aftermath of the 3 June massacre, and failing to hold an urgent debate during its 41st ongoing regular session, the UN Human Rights Council (âCouncilâ) is set to fail to adopt a resolution on the counÂtry. By remaining silent on Sudan, the Council validates the sideÂlining of human rights from the regional mediation process and overall political efforts to settle the crisis, DefendÂDefenders said today.
âSince the Sudanese people began peacefully protesting for change, in December 2018, the Council has remained deafeningly silent on their plight,â said HasÂsan Shire, ExecuÂtive DiÂrecÂtor, DefendÂÂDefenders. âBy failing to act, the Council runs the risk of furÂther enÂcouÂÂraÂging the sidelining of human rights. While we welÂcome the fact that a deal was struck on 5 July 2019, we stress that respect for human rights and accountability for violations should be cenÂtral parts of any long-term political solution.â
On 3 June 2019, Rapid Support Forces (RSF) led by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as âHemedti,â who also serves as deputy head of Transitional Military CounÂcil (TMC), led an atÂtack on peaceful pro-democracy demonstrators at a sit-in in Khartoum. More than one hundred civilians have been reported dead, and hundreds more injured. Dozens may be missing. MulÂtiple instances of beatings, humiliation, and rape are remiÂnisÂcent of patÂterns of atrocities comÂmitted in other parts of the country, incÂluÂding conflict areas such as Blue Nile, South Kordofan, and Darfur, where the RSF elements were formerly known as âJanjaÂweed.â Reports indiÂcate that RSF militias are also responsible for renewed attacks against civilians in Darfur.
On 30 June 2019, at least ten more civilians were killed in relation to peaceful mass demonsÂtraÂtions across Sudan, in the âMillions March.â Attacks led by the RSF, who have been aided and abetÂted by the National IntelÂliÂgence and Security Service (NISS), are an atÂtempt to put an end to the peaceful sit-ins that brought about the ousting, in April 2019, of President Omar Al-Bashir. Al-Bashir is wanted by the InterÂnational Criminal Court (ICC) on seÂveÂral counts of crimes against huÂÂmaÂnity, war crimes, and genocide.
Stakeholders in Geneva specifically said that the rationale for the Councilâs silence at its current session (24 June-12 July 2019) was that priority had been given to the African Union (AU)-supÂporÂted mediation efforts by Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed of Ethiopia, who is chairÂing the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), of which Sudan is a member. On 6 June 2019, the AU Peace and Security Council suspended the participation of Sudan in all AU activities until the effective establishment of a civilian-led transitional authority.
On 5 July 2019, a deal was agreed between the TMC and representatives of the civilian protest movement, the Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC). The deal is reported to institute a three-year transition period led by a Sovereign Council with a rotating (TMC/FFC) presidency. The first chair of the Sovereign Council will be a military representative. The establishment of a legisÂlaÂtive council is postponed, and elections are due to take place at the end of the transition period. A national investigation into the 3 June massacre and other instances of violence is supposed to be conducted, but details remain unclear. It appears that the investigation will not cover events prior to 11 April 2019.
âThe Human Rights Council should not abdicate its responÂsibility towards Sudan. It should stand ready to act, including through setting up a full inÂquiÂry into the atroÂcities commitÂted by RSF and TMC forces,â said EsÂtelÂla KaÂbaÂchÂwezi, Senior Advocacy and Research Officer at DefÂendÂDefenders. âUN action would strengthen, not weaken, regional efforts to enÂsure a transition to civilian rule and non-recurrence of human rights violations.â
DefendDefenders calls on Human Rights Council members and observers to make clear that perÂpetrators of grave human rights violations should be identified and accountability should be ensured. An investigation into the violence should be independent, impartial, transparent, and thorough. It should address patterns of violations and the chain of command up to the highest level, and encompass the whole country and events since December 2018. It should also take place swiftly and within a specific time frame. Investigators should rely on a stanÂdard of proof that enables the identification of individual perpetrators and paves the way for criminal proÂseÂcuÂtions.
A number of issues remain unaddressed by the 5 July 2019 deal, including lack of mechaÂnisms to ensure compliance and failure to outline consequences for breaching the deal and commitÂting human rights violations. It remains unclear what consequences those found guilty of vioÂlations against peaceful protesters will face beyond being barred from sitting on the Sovereign Council. The deal also fails to provide for an immediate end to the Internet shutdown and other undue restrictions to civil and political rights. An open civic and democratic space, including a safe and enabling environment for human rights defenders and civil society organisations, is essential to lasting progress, institution-building, and the rule of law.
While Human Rights Council action in Geneva is essential, the UN Security Council should also act in New York. It should demand that the Sovereign Council undertake the institutional, poÂliÂtical, social and economic reforms to avoid the conditions that led to the protests and the demoÂÂbiliÂsation of the RSF under the supervision of the international community. It should also expand the impoÂsition of targeted sanctions in Sudan, now only focused on Darfur, to indiÂviÂduals most responÂsible for violence against peaceful protesters and other peaceful opposition, and stand ready to take further action in this regard.
Peaceful mass protests started in December 2018 over an increase in the price of bread and a range of human rights and social grievances. After the fall of Al-Bashir, civilian demands have focused on the establishment of a civilian-led transition process. Hemedti and the TMC received the support of the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt. On 6 June 2019, the African Union (AU) suspended with immediate effect the particiÂpaÂtion of Sudan in all AU activities until the effective establishment of a civilian-led Transitional Authority.
The Human Rights Council, as the UNâs principal human rights body, should ensure long-term scrutiny of Sudanâs human rights situation, including through investigation, identification of those responsible at all levels of the chain of command, and monitoring of and reporting on human rights developments in the country. It should urge the Sovereign Council to sign without delay a Memorandum of Understanding with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for HuÂman Rights (OHCHR) allowing the opening of an OHCHR country office with a full mandate that includes technical advice, unhindered access to all relevant persons and places, moniÂtorÂing, and public reporting.
DefendDefenders has been actively advocating for member and observer States of the Council to convene a special (emergency) session on Sudan or, failing to do so, to hold an urgent debate at the Councilâs 41st session, which is ongoing. We were joined[1] by a large number of SuÂdaÂnese, African and interÂnaÂtioÂnal NGO partners.
Â
Â
For more information, please contact
Hassan Shire
Executive Director, the East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project on [email protected] or +256 772 753 753 (English and Somali)
Estella Kabachwezi
Senior Advocacy and Research Officer, the East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project on [email protected] or +256 782 360 460 (English)
Nicolas Agostini
Representative to the United Nations (Geneva), the East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project on [email protected] or +41 79 813 49 91 (English and French).
[1] DefendDefenders et al., âSudan: urgent international action needed to prevent further violence, ensure accountability,â 6 June 2019, https://defenddefenders.org/test/press_release/sudan-urgent-international-action-needed-to-prevent-further-violence-ensure-accountability/ (accessed on 8 July 2019).
Briefing papers and press releases
To Permanent Representatives of Member and Observer States of the United Nations Human Rights Council, Geneva, Switzerland
Burundi: Call to renew the mandate of the Commission of Inquiry Â
Excellencies,
Ahead of the 39th session of the UN Human Rights Council (âHRCâ or âthe CounÂcilâ), we, the undersigned national, regional and international civil society organisations, write to urge your delegation to support a resolution renewing the mandate of the UN Commission of Inquiry (CoI) on Burundi.[1] Such a resolution should also ensure continuity for the work of the CoI through continued adequate resourcing of its secretariat, including its crucial investigative and evidence-gathering work.
The renewal of the CoIâs mandate is critically important to improve the human rights situation in BuÂrundi, and it offers the Council a number of practical and effective advantages. Among other things, it would allow the Council to:
- Avoid a monitoring gap, which is all the more important given the Burundian Governmentâs ongoing refusal to cooperate with the Office of the UN High ComÂmissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and to sign a new MemoÂrandum of UnderÂstanding regarding its presence in the counÂtry;[2]
- Ensure the continued documentation of human rights violations and abuses ahead of the upcoÂming elections of 2020, through testimonies of victims, witÂnesses, human rights defenders, and other actors opeÂraÂting in and outside of the country;
- Ensure ongoing public reporting and debates â while the African Unionâs observers continue to monitor the human rights situation in Burundi despite a number of limitations imposed by the authorities, their findings are not publicly reported. Interactive dialogues at the CounÂcil provide the only regular space for public reporting and debates on human rights developments in the country; and
- Enable the CoI to continue to highlight under-addressed aspects of the crisis â for instance, the ComÂmisÂsion has stressed the importance of dedicating more attention to violations of economic, social and culÂtural rights.
At the Councilâs 36th session (September 2017), the CoI informed the HRC that there were âreasonable grounds to believe that serious human rights violations and abuses have been committed in Burundi since 2015,â and that some of the violations may constitute âcrimes against humanity.â At the 37th and 38th sessions of the Council (March and June-July 2018), the CoI described a political, security, econÂomic, social and human rights situation that has not improved since September 2016. In March 2018, the ComÂmissionâs Chairperson, Mr. Doudou DiĂšne, stressed that the situation in the country conÂtinued to deserve the Councilâs âutmost attention.â In October 2017, the International Criminal Court (ICC) authoÂrised an investigation into crimes committed in Burundi since April 2015. A preÂliminary examÂination of the situation had been opened in April 2016.
The constitutional referendum that was held on 17 May 2018 was marred with violence and repression, with arbitrary arrests, beatings and intimidation of citizens camÂpaigning for a ânoâ vote.[3] The BBC and VOA, two of the countryâs main international radio stations, have been suspended for 6 months at the start of the official campaign, illustrating the climate of fear in which journalists and medias were preÂvented from a proper coverage of the event.[4] In the ComÂmissionâs words, as of June 2018 âhuman rights violations, among which extrajudicial executions, enforced disapÂpearÂances, acts of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment [âŠ], facilitated by a contiÂnuing environment of threats and intimidation,â continue unabated. The CoI added: âThe fact that several missing peoÂple have not been found and that unidentified bodies continue to be discovered in various parts of the country gives reason to fear the continuation of practices consisting of getting rid of the bodies of people arrested sometimes by individuals in police uniform or identified as agents of the National Intelligence Service (SNR) or the Imbonerakure.â[5]
Since it became a member of the Council, on 1 January 2016, Burundi has delivered multiple stateÂments that have made clear its refusal to cooperate with human rights monitoring and investigation bodies and mechanisms. The Government has repeatedly launched attacks, which have sometimes desÂcenÂded to a personal level, against the High Commissioner, UN officials, and indeÂpendent experts. With no basis or evidence, it has publicly questioned the independence, competence, professionalism, inteÂgrity and legitimacy of High Commissioner Zeid and his Office, and has threatened, stigmatised, and exerÂcised reprisals against human rights defenders and civil society organisations.[6] Burundians who have sought protection outside of Burundi have been subjected to harassment and persecution, including by members of the National Intelligence Service (SNR) and Imbonerakure.
Members of the CoI continue to be denied access to Burundi. Furthermore, at the time of wriÂting, the Burundian authorities have withdrawn visas from the team of experts mandated by HRC resolution 36/2, despite the fact that the latter was adopted at Burundiâs own initiative, with its supÂport and the support of members of Burundiâs own regional group. Burundiâs action in this regard clearly violates its Council membership obligations.
Recalling the letter a group of civil society organisations wrote in SepÂtember 2017,[7]Â we urge the Council, consistent with its mandate to address situations of violations of human rights, inÂcluding gross and systematic violations, to pave the way for accountability by renewÂing the mandate of the CoI to enable it to continue monitoring human rights deveÂlopments in the country, docuÂmenÂting violaÂtions and abuses, and publicly reporting on the situation.
We thank you for your attention to these pressing issues and stand ready to provide your delegation with further information as required.
Sincerely,
- Action des ChrĂ©tiens pour lâAbolition de la Torture â Burundi (ACAT-Burundi)
- African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies (ACJPS)
- Amnesty International
- Association Burundaise pour la Protection des Droits Humains et des Personnes Détenues (APRODH)
- Association for Human Rights in Ethiopia (AHRE)
- Centre for Civil and Political Rights (CCPR)
- CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation
- Coalition Burundaise pour la Cour Pénale Internationale (CB-CPI)
- Collectif des Avocats pour la Défense des Victimes de Crimes de Droit International Commis au Burundi (CAVIB)
- Community Empowerment for Progress Organisation South Sudan (CEPO)
- DefendDefenders (the East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project)
- East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Network (EHAHRD-N)
- Eritrean Law Society (ELS)
- Eritrean Movement for Democracy and Human Rights (EMDHR)
- Forum pour la Conscience et le Développement (FOCODE)
- Forum pour le Renforcement de la Société Civile au Burundi (FORSC)
- Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect (GCR2P)
- Human Rights Concern â Eritrea
- Human Rights Watch
- International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH)
- International Federation of Action by Christians for the Abolition of Torture (FIACAT)
- International Movement Against All Forms of Discrimination and Racism (IMADR)
- International Service for Human Rights (ISHR)
- Ligue Iteka
- Mouvement Citoyen pour lâAvenir du Burundi (MCA)
- Mouvement des Femmes et des Filles pour la Paix et la Sécurité (MFFPS)
- National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders â Burundi (CBDDH)
- Observatoire de la Lutte contre la Corruption et les Malversations Ăconomiques (OLUCOME)
- Organisation pour la Transparence et la Gouvernance (OTRAG)
- Pan-African Human Rights Defenders Network
- Reporters Without Borders (RSF)
- Réseau des Citoyens Probes (RCP)
- SOS-Torture/Burundi
- TRIAL International
- Union Burundaise des Journalistes (UBJ)
- World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT)
[1]Â See its webpage:Â www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/HRC/CoIBurundi/Pages/CoIBurundi.aspx
[2] See the UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rightsâ statement at the Councilâs 37th session (OHCHR, âIntroduction to country reports/briefings/updates of the Secretary-General and the High Commissioner under item 2,â 21-22 March 2018, www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=22875&LangID=E, accessed 20 July 2018).
[3] FIDH and Ligue Iteka, âA forced march to a Constitutional Referendum,â May 2018, www.fidh.org/IMG/pdf/report_burundi_may2018_referendum_on_constitution.pdf(accessed 27 July 2018).
[4] Reporters Without Borders, âHarassment of Burundiâs media intensifies for referendum,â 16 May 2018, www.rsf.org/en/news/harassment-burundis-media-intensifies-referendum# (accessed 7 August 2018).
[5] OHCHR, âOral briefing by the members of the Commission of Inquiry on Burundi to the Human Rights Council,â 27 June 2018, www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=23274&LangID=E(accessed 20 July 2018).
[6] See DefendDefenders, âHeadlong Rush: Burundiâs behaviour as a member of the UN Human Rights Council,â 25 July 2018, www.defenddefenders.org/publication/headlong-rush-burundis-behaviour-as-a-member-of-the-un-human-rights-council/ (accessed 25 July 2018).
[7] âRenewing the Mandate of the Commission of Inquiry on Burundi and Ensuring Accountability for Serious Crimes,â 19 September 2017, www.defenddefenders.org/press_release/hrc36-renewing-the-mandate-of-the-commission-of-inquiry-on-burundi-and-ensuring-accountability-for-serious-crimes/(accessed 30 July 2018).
Ă lâattention des ReprĂ©sentants permanents des Ătats Membres et Observateurs du Conseil des droits de lâhomme de lâONU, GenĂšve (Suisse)Â
Burundi : Appel au renouvellement du mandat de la Commission dâenquĂȘte
Madame, Monsieur la(le) Représentant(e) permanent(e),
En amont de la 39Ăšme session du Conseil des droits de lâhomme de lâONU (« CDH » ou « Conseil »), nous soussignĂ©es, des organisations nationales, rĂ©gionales et internationales de la sociĂ©tĂ© civile, vous Ă©crivons afin dâexhorter votre dĂ©lĂ©gation Ă soutenir une rĂ©solution renouvelant le mandat de la Commission dâenquĂȘte (CoI) des Nations Unies sur le Burundi[1]. Une telle rĂ©solution devrait Ă©galement assurer une continuitĂ© au travail de la CoI par le biais dâun financement adĂ©quat contiÂnu de son secrĂ©tariat, y compris son travail crucial dâenquĂȘte et de rassemblement de preuves.
Le renouvellement du mandat de la CoI est dâune importance capitale pour amĂ©liorer la situation des droits humains au Burundi. Il offrirait un certain nombre dâavantages pratiques et concrets. Entre autres, il permettrait au Conseil :
- DâĂ©viter un vide en termes de surveillance de la situation (« monitoring»), ce qui est dâautant plus important que le Gouvernement burundais continue de refuser de coopĂ©rer avec le Bureau du Haut-Commissaire des Nations Unies aux droits de lâhomme (HCDH) et de signer un nouveau MĂ©morandum dâacÂcord concernant la prĂ©sence de ce dernier dans le pays[2] ;
- De rendre possible une documentation continue des violations et des atteintes aux droits humains en amont des Ă©lections de 2020, via des tĂ©moignages de victimes, de tĂ©moins, de dĂ©fenseurs des droits humains et dâautres acteurs opĂ©rant dans le pays et Ă lâextĂ©rieur ;
- De sâassurer que des rapports continuent Ă ĂȘtre prĂ©sentĂ©s publiquement et que des dĂ©bats ont lieu â alors que les observateurs de lâUnion africaine poursuivent leur travail de surveillance de la situation au Burundi en dĂ©pit dâun certain nombre de restrictions imposĂ©es par les autoritĂ©s, leurs conclusions ne sont pas rendues publiques. Les dialoÂgues interÂactifs se tenant pendant les sesÂsions du Conseil fournissent le seul espace rĂ©gulier de discussion publique des dĂ©velopÂpeÂments en matiĂšre de droits humains dans le pays ; et
- De permettre Ă la CoI de continuer Ă faire la lumiĂšre sur certains aspects sous-documentĂ©s de la crise â par exemple, la Commission a signalĂ© lâimportance de dĂ©dier une attention plus imporÂtante aux violations des droits Ă©conomiques, sociaux et culturels.
Pendant la 36Ăšme session du Conseil (septembre 2017), la CoI a informĂ© le CDH quâelle avait des « moÂtifs raisonnables de croire que de graves violations et atteintes aux droits de lâhomme avaient Ă©tĂ© comÂmises au Burundi depuis 2015 » et que certaines de ces violations pourraient ĂȘtre constitutives de « crimes contre lâhumanitĂ©Ì Â». Lors des 37Ăšme et 38Ăšme sessions du Conseil (mars et juin-juillet 2018), la CoI a dĂ©crit une situation politique, sĂ©curitaire, Ă©conomique, sociale et en termes de droits humains qui ne sâest pas amĂ©liorĂ©e depuis septembre 2016. En mars 2018, le prĂ©sident de la Commission, M. DouÂdou DiĂšne, a soulignĂ© que la situation du pays continuait de requĂ©rir lâattention « urgente » du Conseil. En octobre 2017, la Cour pĂ©nale internationale (CPI) autorisait lâouverture dâune enquĂȘte sur les crimes commis au Burundi depuis avril 2015. Un examen prĂ©liminaire de la situation avait Ă©tĂ©Ì ouvert en avril 2016.
Le rĂ©fĂ©rendum constitutionnel qui sâest tenu le 17 mai 2018 a Ă©tĂ© marquĂ© par les violences et la rĂ©presÂsion, avec notamment des arrestations arbitraires, des tabassages et des actes dâintimidation des citoyens faisant campagne pour le « non »[3]. La BBC et VOA, deux des principales radios internationales, ont Ă©tĂ© suspendues pour six moins dĂšs le dĂ©but de la campagne rĂ©fĂ©rendaire qui sâest dĂ©roulĂ©e dans un climat de peur gĂ©nĂ©ralisĂ©e, empĂȘchant les journalistes dâexercer librement leur mission dâinformation.[4] Selon la Commission, en juin 2018, des « violations des droits de lâhomme, parmi lesquelles des exĂ©cutions extrajudiciaires, des disparitions forcĂ©es, des actes de torture et autres mauvais traitements cruels, inhumains ou dĂ©gradants [âŠ], favorisĂ©es par un climat continu de menaces et dâintimidations », continuent Ă ĂȘtre commises sans relĂąche. La CoI a ajouté : « Le fait que plusieurs personnes disparues nâaient pas Ă©tĂ© retrouvĂ©es et que des corps non identifiĂ©s continuent dâĂȘtre dĂ©couÂverts dans divers endroits du pays font craindre la persistance de pratiques consistant Ă se dĂ©barrasser des corps des personnes parfois arrĂȘtĂ©es par des individus en uniforme de la police ou identifiĂ©s comme Ă©tant des agents du Service national de renseignement (SNR) ou des Imbonerakure »[5].
Depuis quâil est devenu membre du Conseil, le 1er janvier 2016, le Burundi a Ă de multiples reprises lu des dĂ©clarations indiquant clairement son refus de coopĂ©rer. Le Gouvernement a rĂ©guliĂšrement lancĂ© des attaques, descendant parfois Ă un niveau personnel, contre le Haut-Commissaire, des reprĂ©sentants de lâONU et des experts indĂ©pendants. Il a publiquement et sans aucune base mis en cause lâindĂ©ÂpenÂdance, la compĂ©tence, le professionnalisme, lâintĂ©gritĂ© et la lĂ©gitimitĂ© du Haut-Commissaire Zeid et de son Bureau, et il a menacĂ© et stigmatisĂ© des dĂ©fenseurs des droits humains et des organisations de la sociĂ©tĂ© civile, et sâest livrĂ© Ă des reprĂ©sailles Ă leur encontre[6]. Un certain nombre de Burundais ayant cherchĂ© protection et refuge Ă lâĂ©tranger ont Ă©tĂ© soumis Ă des actes de harcĂšlement et de persĂ©cution, notamment par des membres du Service national de renseignement (SNR) et des Imbonerakure.
Les membres de la CoI continuent de se voir refuser lâaccĂšs au Burundi. En outre, au moment oĂč cette lettre est Ă©crite, les autoritĂ©s burundaises ont retirĂ© leurs visas Ă lâĂ©quipe dâexperts mandatĂ©e par la rĂ©solution 36/2 du CDH, en dĂ©pit du fait que celle-ci a Ă©tĂ© adoptĂ©e Ă lâinitiative du Burundi et avec son soutien et celui de membres de son groupe rĂ©gional. Le comportement du Burundi Ă cet Ă©gard est clairement en violation de ses obligations de membre du Conseil.
Tout en rappelant la lettre quâun groupe dâorganisations de la sociĂ©tĂ© civile a Ă©crite en septembre 2017[7], nous exhortons le Conseil, conformĂ©ment au mandat qui lui a Ă©tĂ© confĂ©rĂ© de rĂ©pondre aux violations des droits de lâhomme, notamment lorsque celles-ci sont flagrantes et systĂ©matiques, Ă prĂ©parer le terrain Ă la reddition de comptes en renouvelant le mandat de la CoI afin de lui permettre de continuer Ă suivre les dĂ©veloppements dans le pays, Ă rassembler des informations sur les violations et atteintes commises et Ă faire rapport de façon publique sur la situation.
Nous vous remercions de lâattention que vous porterez Ă ces prĂ©occupations et nous tenons prĂȘts Ă fournir Ă votre dĂ©lĂ©gation toute information supplĂ©mentaire dont vous auriez besoin. Nous vous prions de croire, Madame, Monsieur, en lâassurance de notre respectueuse considĂ©ration.
- Action des chrĂ©tiens pour lâabolition de la torture â Burundi (ACAT-Burundi)
- African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies (ACJPS)
- Amnesty International
- Association burundaise pour la protection des droits humains et des personnes détenues (APRODH)
- Association pour les droits humains en Ăthiopie (AHRE)
- Centre pour les droits civils et politiques (CCPR)
- CIVICUS : World Alliance for Citizen Participation
- Coalition burundaise pour la Cour pénale internationale (CB-CPI)
- Coalition burundaise des dĂ©fenseurs des droits de lâhomme (CBDDH)
- Collectif des avocats pour la défense des victimes de crimes de droit international commis au Burundi (CAVIB)
- Community Empowerment for Progress Organisation (Soudan du Sud) (CEPO)
- DefendDefenders (le Projet des dĂ©fenseurs des droits humains de lâEst et de la Corne de lâAfrique)
- Eritrean Law Society (ELS)
- FĂ©dĂ©ration internationale des droits de lâHomme (FIDH)
- FĂ©dĂ©ration internationale de lâAction des chrĂ©tiens pour lâabolition de la torture (FIACAT)
- Forum pour la conscience et le développement (FOCODE)
- Forum pour le renforcement de la société civile au Burundi (FORSC)
- Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect (GCR2P)
- Human Rights Concern â Eritrea
- Human Rights Watch
- Ligue Iteka
- Mouvement citoyen pour lâavenir du Burundi (MCA)
- Mouvement érythréen pour la démocratie et les droits humains (EMDHR)
- Mouvement des femmes et des filles pour la paix et la sécurité (MFFPS)
- Mouvement international contre toutes les formes de discrimination et de racisme (IMADR)
- Observatoire de la lutte contre la corruption et les malversations économiques (OLUCOME)
- Organisation mondiale contre la torture (OMCT)
- Organisation pour la transparence et la gouvernance (OTRAG)
- Reporters Sans FrontiĂšres (RSF)
- Réseau des citoyens probes (RCP)
- RĂ©seau des dĂ©fenseurs des droits humains de lâEst et de la Corne de lâAfrique (EHAHRD-N)
- RĂ©seau panafricain des dĂ©fenseurs des droits de lâhomme
- Service international pour les droits de lâHomme (SIDH)
- SOS-Torture/Burundi
- TRIAL International
- Union burundaise des journalistes (UBJ)
[1]Â Voir le site Internet de la CoI :Â www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/HRC/CoIBurundi/Pages/CoIBurundi.aspx
[2] Voir le discours de la Haute-Commissaire adjointe des Nations Unies aux droits de lâhomme lors de la 37Ăšme session du Conseil (HCDH, « Introduction to country reports/briefings/updates of the Secretary-General and the High Commissioner under item 2 », 21-22 mars 2018, www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=22875&LangID=E (consultĂ© le 20 juillet 2018).
[3] FIDH et Ligue Iteka, « Référendum constitutionnel à marche forcée au Burundi », mai 2018, www.fidh.org/fr/regions/afrique/burundi/burundi-une-reforme-constitutionnelle-repressive-pour-concentrer-les (consulté le 27 juillet 2018).
[4] Reporters Sans FrontiÚres, « Burundi : les journalistes sous haute pression pour le référendum constitutionnel », rsf.org/fr/actualites/burundi-les-journalistes-sous-haute-pression-pour-le-referendum-constitutionnel, 16 mai 2018 (consulté le 7 août 2018).
[5] HCDH, « PrĂ©sentation orale de la Commission dâenquĂȘte sur le Burundi au Conseil des droits de lâhomme », 27 juin 2018, www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=23274&LangID=F(consultĂ© le 20 juillet 2018).
[6] Voir DefendDefenders, « Fuite en avant : Le comportement du Burundi en tant que membre du Conseil des droits de lâHomme de lâONU », 25 juillet 2018, www.defenddefenders.org/publication/headlong-rush-burundis-behaviour-as-a-member-of-the-un-human-rights-council/#French (consultĂ© le 25 juillet 2018).
[7] âRenewing the Mandate of the Commission of Inquiry on Burundi and Ensuring Accountability for Serious Crimes,â 19 septembre 2017, www.defenddefenders.org/press_release/hrc36-renewing-the-mandate-of-the-commission-of-inquiry-on-burundi-and-ensuring-accountability-for-serious-crimes/(consultĂ© le 20 juillet 2018).
To Permanent Representatives of Member and Observer States of the UN Human Rights Council
Geneva, Switzerland
4 September 2018
Re: Addressing the serious human rights and humanitarian situation in Sudan
Excellencies,
We write to you in advance of the 39th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council to share our serious concerns over the human rights and humanitarian situation in Sudan. We call upon your delegation to support the development and adoption of a strong monitoring and reporting mandate on Sudan under the Councilâs agenda item 4. The resolution should mandate a Special Rapporteur to monitor, verify and report on ongoing human rights violations and abuses as well as violations of international humanitarian law, recommend concrete ways to end them, and urge the Government of Sudan to implement the recommendations made to it by UN human rights bodies and mechanisms, including mechanisms mandated by the Council.
Our organizations are concerned about the suppression of peaceful protests by government security forces with unlawful use of excessive force, attacks on the media and impermissible restrictions on access to information, targeting of various civil society actors including human rights defenders, activists, journalists, bloggers and other dissenting voices with threats, intimidation, harassment, arbitrary detention and trumped-up criminal prosecutions, other restrictions on independent civil society, use of torture and other ill-treatment by national security officials, and on-going violations in the conflict areas of Darfur, South Kordofan and Blue Nile.
The recent decision to downsize UNAMID amidst continuing fighting and attacks on civilians, including internally displaced persons (IDPs)[1] is deeply troubling. Recent attacks on civilians underscore the need for continued monitoring of the human rights situation in Darfur.[2] For example, from 9 March â 2 April 2018, at least 23 civilians were killed and tens seriously injured when 12 villages were burnt to the ground during attacks in Eastern Jebel Marra between the government forces and the Sudan Liberation Movement led by Abdelwahid al Nur (SLA-AW).[3] Sexual violence continues with impunity.[4] On 19 December 2017, a 16 year old girl and a 19 year old woman were held at gunpoint and raped repeatedly by six armed militiamen as they were out gathering firewood three kilometres from the internally displaced persons (IDPs) camp in Nertiti town, Central Darfur state.[5]
Following declaration of ceasefires by the Government of Sudan and the two factions of the Sudan Peopleâs Liberation Movement /Armyâ North ( SPLM/A-N) led by Abdelaziz Adam El Hilu and Malik Agar, the government has largely refrained from aerial bombardments and ground attacks. Whilst there have been no reports of open hostilities between the armed forces, monitors on the ground have reported incidents of looting of property and abductions by armed militias allied to the Government of Sudan. These incidents, which may amount to ceasefire violations, have contributed to food insecurity and remain a serious concern for communities in South Kordofan and Blue Nile.[6]
Sudanese authorities have also continued to restrict basic freedoms of assembly and association through violent crackdowns on peaceful protesters and other restrictions on civil society organizations and on independent voices. Authorities have harassed journalists, human rights defenders and opposition party members, including through arbitrary and prolonged detention, sometimes in unknown locations, without charge and access to their families and lawyers.[7] On 29 May 2018, Mr. Hisham Ali Mohamad Ali, a human rights activist, was detained by the NISS upon arrival at the Khartoum International Airport following his deportation from Saudi Arabia. Mr. Hisham is still in detention without charge.[8]  Authorities have continued to subject detainees to torture and other ill-treatment in custody,[9] causing the death of two individuals in two instances in March and April 2018.[10]
The Government of Sudan has also imposed restrictions on the movement of activists engaging in advocacy internationally. In August 2018, two members of the Darfur Bar Association were briefly detained and their passports confiscated in the Khartoum airport upon their return to Sudan after they accompanied the Secretary General of the DBA, Abdelrahman Elgasim, to the US to accept an award from the American Lawyersâ Association for his work on behalf of human rights in Darfur.
Restrictions on the media continue, especially during protests.[11]Â Â The national security agency has continued to apply post-print censorship to daily newspapers and prohibit chief editors from publishing on issues deemed controversial or critical of the ruling party.[12]
Sudanese authorities also routinely repress the human rights of women, including through public order provisions that criminalize âindecentâ dress such as wearing trousers. Ms. Winnie Omer, a womenâs rights activists based in Khartoum was first targeted on 10 December 2017, when the public order police in Khartoum arrested and charged her with âindecent dressâ a few hours after she attended a hearing of 24 women charged with indecency for wearing pants during a private women-only party.[13]
Authorities have also relied on other repressive laws and various forms of harassment, including sexual harassment, to target activists. On 20 February 2018, Ms. Omer and three friends were arrested and detained for five days before being released on bail. The group was accused of, amongst other charges, prostitution, and Ms Omer and another female human rights defender were threatened with âvirginity testingâ.
On 24 July 2018, eight additional charges including crimes against the state were added to their case files. There has been no explanation as to the basis for the charges; however the trumped-up charges appear to be motivated by Omerâs activism.[14]
Authorities charged and sentenced to death 19 year old Noura Hussien for the murder of her husband in self-defense after he attempted to rape her for the second time alongside three other men.[15] The case raised serious concerns about Sudanâs imposition of the death penalty and its gender discriminatory laws that allow forced and early marriage, marital rape and weak victim protection measures, placing victims at risk of prosecution.[16] The death sentence was later reversed and Ms. Hussein re-sentenced to five years imprisonment and the payment of dia (blood money) to her husbandâs family.
Freedom of religion or belief continues to be restricted in Sudan. On 11 February 2018, authorities demolished a Sudanese Evangelical Presbyterian Church (SEPC) in El Haj Yousif, Khartoum North, without notice.[17] The SPEC was one of 27 churches earmarked for demolition in an official order signed in June 2016. In July 2017, the Ministry of Education of Khartoum State issued an order requiring Christian schools in Khartoum state to operate on Sundays and take Friday and Saturday as their weekend, restricting their ability to observe religious ceremonies on Sundays. [18]
Given the downsizing of UNAMID, and the continuing violations across the country, it is imperative that the UN Human Rights Council take stronger action to ensure continued attention to the human rights situation in Sudan. Resolutions adopted by the Council since it decided to move consideration of Sudan from its agenda item 4 to item 10 have failed to adequately reflect the situation on the ground and outline a meaningful path for accountability and human rights reforms. At its 39th session, the Council should adopt a resolution under agenda item 4 to:
- Strengthen the special procedure mandate on Sudan by extending it as a Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Sudan under item 4, with a mandate to monitor, verify, and publicly and periodically report on violations and abuses of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law in all parts of Sudan;
- Publically urge the Government of Sudan to implement the recommendations made to Sudan by UN human rights bodies and mechanisms, including mechanisms mandated by the Council and the 2016 Universal Periodic Review and to provide a mid-term report to the Council on concrete measures taken to implement the recommendations made to it during its UPR that enjoy its support, and the recommendations made by the Independent Expert during his 2017 report;
- Condemn attacks targeting the civilian population and civilian objects in Darfur, South Kordofan, and Blue Nile, in particular looting, destruction of civilian facilities, killings and sexual violence committed by paramilitary forces and other Sudanese government forces, which has led to forced displacement of civilian populations;
- Urge the government of Sudan to allow unfettered access by UNAMID, humanitarian agencies and concerned NGOs to all parts of Darfur, South Kordofan and Blue Nile;
- Urge the Government to ensure accountability for excessive use of force against protesters, which caused civilian deaths during crackdowns including in 2018 in El Geneina, West Darfur and Zalingei, Central Darfur; in 2016 in El Obeid, North Kordofan and Khartoum; in 2013 in Khartoum and Wad Medani; and in 2012 in Nyala, South Darfur and Al Jazeera.
- Condemn the continued restrictions on the media, on human rights defenders and political opponents, freedoms of association and of peaceful assembly, and the use of arbitrary detention and torture, as detailed;
- Condemn the ongoing violations of freedom of religion and repression of individuals based on their faith;
- Call for the release of all those arbitrarily detained by the NISS and urge the Government of Sudan to repeal the repressive National Security Act of 2010, and all other legislation which grants immunities to Government of Sudan agents and protection from criminal prosecution.
We thank you for your attention to these pressing issues.
Sincerely,
- Act for Sudan
- African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies
- African Freedom Coalition
- African Soul, American Heart
- Alkarama Foundation
- Al-Khatim Adlan Centre for Enlightenment and Human Development (KACE)
- Amnesty International
- Arab Coalition for Sudan
- Brooklyn Coalition for Darfur & Marginalized Sudan
- Christian Solidarity Worldwide
- Darfur Action Group of South Carolina
- Darfur and Beyond
- Darfur Community Center of Maine, USA
- DefendDefenders
- Genocide No More â Save Darfur
- Horn of Africa Civil Society Forum
- Human Rights Watch
- International Federation for Human Rights Leagues (FIDH)
- Investors Against Genocide
- Massachusetts Coalition for Darfur
- National Human Rights Monitoring Organisation
- Never Again Coalition
- Nuba Mountains Advocacy Group
- Nubia Project
- NY Coalition for Sudan
- Stop Genocide
- Sudan Democracy First Group
- Sudanese Human Rights Initiative
- Sudan Social Development Organisation (SUDO) UK
- The MagkaSama Project, France
- The Society for Threatened Peoples
[1]Â ACJPS, Attacks by Sudanese government forces on civilians in Jebel Marra in South Darfur, 18 April 2018, available at:Â http://www.acjps.org/attacks-by-sudanese-government-forces-on-civilians-in-jebel-marra-in-south-darfur/
[2]Â Human Rights Watch, Sudan: UNâs Planned Cuts to Darfur Mission Risk Rights Protection, 18 June 2018, available at:Â https://www.hrw.org/news/2018/06/18/sudan-uns-planned-cuts-darfur-mission-risk-rights-protection
[3]Â Ibid
[4]Â UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict Ms. Pramila Patten Concludes Visit to Sudan and Calls for End to Culture of Denial for Conflict-Related Sexual Violence, 27 February 2018, available at:Â https://www.un.org/sexualviolenceinconflict/press-release/special-representative-of-the-secretary-general-on-sexual-violence-in-conflict-ms-pramila-patten-concludes-visit-to-sudan-and-calls-for-end-to-culture-of-denial-for-conflict-related-sexual-violence/
[5]Â ACJPS, Government allied militia gang rape a 16-year-old girl and a woman in Nertiti, Central Darfur state, 19 December 2017, available at:Â http://www.acjps.org/government-allied-militia-gang-rape-of-16-year-old-girl-and-a-woman-in-nertiti-central-darfur-state/
[6]Â NHRMO, Human Rights Update: September 2017 â February 2018, available at:Â http://www.sudanconsortium.org/member_publications/2018/HRUpdate092017to022018.pdf
[7]Â HRW, Donât Be Taken in By Sudan Prisoner Release, 10 April 2018, available at:Â https://www.hrw.org/news/2018/04/10/dont-be-taken-sudan-prisoner-release;Â ACJPS, Sudan should charge or release remaining 248 individuals in prolonged detention, 16 April 2018, available at:Â http://www.acjps.org/sudan-should-charge-or-release-remaining-248-individuals-in-prolonged-detention/
[8]Â Amnesty International, Sudan: Human rights activist arbitrarily detained and at risk of torture must be immediately released, 31 May 2018, available at:Â https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2018/05/sudan-human-rights-activist-arbitrarily-detained-and-at-risk-of-torture-must-be-immediately-released/
[9]Â ACJPS, Two students reportedly tortured in West Kordofan state, 6 December 2017, available at:Â http://www.acjps.org/two-students-reportedly-tortured-in-west-kordofan-state/
[10] ACJPS, Urgent call for investigation into the custodial death of civilian whilst under SAF/RSF detention in East Jebel Marra, South Darfur, 24 April 2018, available at: http://www.acjps.org/urgent-call-for-investigation-into-the-custodial-death-of-civilian-whilst-under-safrsf-detention-in-east-jebel-marra-south-darfur-2/; ACJPS, Individual dies after reportedly tortured while in NISS custody in West Kordofan, 9 March 2018, available at: http://www.acjps.org/individual-dies-after-reportedly-tortured-while-in-niss-custody-in-west-kordofan/
[11] ACJPS, 6 newspapers prevented from distribution and a media house faces a two-day suspension, available at: 30 November 2016, http://www.acjps.org/6-newspapers-prevented-from-distribution-and-a-media-house-faces-a-two-day-suspension/; ACJPS, UPDATE: 4 newspapers continue to face post-print censorship as Sudanese authorities repeatedly prevent the distribution of their daily print runs, 3 December 2017, available at: http://www.acjps.org/update-4-newspapers-continue-to-face-post-print-censorship-as-sudanese-authorities-repeatedly-prevent-the-distribution-of-their-daily-print-runs/; CPJ, Sudan arrests journalists, confiscates papers for reporting on inflation protests, 18 January 2018, available at: https://cpj.org/2018/01/sudan-arrests-journalists-confiscates-papers-for-r.php
[12]Â In May 2018, the NISS ordered chief editors of Sudanese publications not to publish any content relating to the prevailing fuel crisis within the region. ACJPS, Violations against free press and freedom of expression in Sudan, May/June 2018, 3 July 2018, available at:Â http://www.acjps.org/violations-against-free-press-and-freedom-of-expression-in-sudan-mayjune-2018/
[13] Human Rights Watch, Activist faces trumped-up charges in Sudan, 27 July 2018, https://www.hrw.org/news/2018/07/27/activist-faces-trumped-charges-sudan; Radio Dabanga, Trial of activist in âindecent clothingâ case adjourned, 19 December 2017, https://www.dabangasudan.org/en/all-news/article/trial-of-activist-in-indecent-clothing-case-adjourned
[14]Â Op. cit., Human Rights Watch, Activist faces trumped-up charges in Sudan.
[15]Amnesty International, Sudan: Forcibly married, raped girl sentenced to death: Noura Hussein, 15 May 2018, available at:Â https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/afr54/8404/2018/en/; ACJPS, #JusticeforNoura: Sudanese authorities should release Noura Hussein and review conviction for murder, 28 May 2018, available at:Â http://www.acjps.org/justicefornoura-sudanese-authorities-should-release-noura-hussein-and-review-conviction-for-murder/
[16]Â Amnesty international, Sudan: Quashing of Noura Hussein death sentence must now lead to legal reform, 26 June 2018, available at:Â https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2018/06/sudan-quashing-of-noura-hussein-death-sentence-must-now-lead-to-legal-reform/
[17] CSW, Sudanese Government demolishes church, 14 February 2018, available at: https://www.csw.org.uk/2018/02/14/press/3841/article.htm
[18]Â CSW, Protests against forced Sunday opening for schools, 11 October 2017, available at:Â https://www.csw.org.uk/2017/10/11/press/3744/article.htm
To Permanent Representatives of Member and Observer States of the United Nations Human Rights Council, Geneva, Switzerland
Tanzania: Open letter to States for joint action to address crackdown on civic space and prevent a further deterioration of the situation
Excellency,
Ahead of the 39th regular session of the UN Human Rights Council (âthe Councilâ), which will be held from 10-28 September 2018, we write to call on your delegation to deliver statements, both jointly and individually, to address the ongoing crackdown on civic space and human rights backsliding in the United Republic of Tanzania.
Considering the rapidly declining environment for human rights defenders (HRDs), civil society, journalists, bloggers, the media and dissenting voices in Tanzania, we, the undersigned non-governmental organisations (NGOs), make a joint appeal to Member and Observer States of the Council. At the 39th session, States should urge the Tanzanian Government to change course, cease any form of intimidation, harassment and attacks against HRDs, journalists, bloggers, and opposition members and their supporters, and amend restrictive laws and regulations with a view to bringing them in line with international human rights standards.
Since 2015, Tanzania has implemented newly-enacted draconian legislation and applied legal and extra-judicial methods to harass HRDs, silence independent journalism and blogging, and restrict freedoms of expression, peaceful assembly, and association.
We call on your delegation to make use of the following agenda items[1]Â to raise concern, jointly and individually, and to engage in a constructive dialogue with the Tanzanian authorities:
- General debate (GD) under item 2, following the High Commissionerâs update;
- General debate under item 3, in relation to reports of the High Commissioner and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR);
- General debate under item 4;
- General debate under item 10; and
- Interactive dialogues (IDs) with the Working Group on arbitrary detention and the Working Group on enforced or involuntary disappearances.
- Additionally, bilateral and collective engagement in multilateral fora such as the Council and at the embassy level, in Tanzania, should be used to raise relevant issues with the Government.
Through these opportunities for dialogue, your delegation can help the Council fulfil its responsibility to âaddress situations of violations of human rights [âŠ] and make recommendations thereonâ and to âcontribute, through dialogue and cooperation, towards the prevention of human rights violations and respond promptly to human rights emergencies.â[2]
The 39th session should be leveraged to help prevent a further deterioration of the human rights situation in Tanzania and send the Tanzanian Government a message that the international community expects it to uphold its citizensâ human rights, in line with its obligations and the countryâs history of openness, engagement, and respect for human rights.
We thank you for your attention to these pressing issues and stand ready to provide your delegation with further information.
Sincerely,
- African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies (ACDHRS)
- Africans Rising for Justice, Peace & Dignity
- ARTICLE 19
- Association for Human Rights in Ethiopia (AHRE)
- Association for Progressive Communications (APC)
- Caucasus Civil Initiatives Center
- ĐĄenter for Civil Liberties â Ukraine
- CEPO â South Sudan
- CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation
- Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA) â Uganda
- Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)
- Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative
- Conectas Human Rights â Brazil
- DefendDefenders (The East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project)
- FIDH, within the framework of the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders
- Freedom House
- Global Witness
- HAKI Africa, â Kenya
- Human Rights Concern â Eritrea
- HURISA â South Africa
- International Civil Society Center
- JOINT Liga de ONGs em Mocambique â Mozambique
- La Ligue Burundaise des droits de lâhomme Iteka â Burundi
- Southern Africa Litigation Centre (SALC)
- Réseau Ouest Africain des Défenseurs des Droits Humains/West African Human Rights Defenders Network (ROADDH/WAHRDN)
- Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights
- Observatoire des droits de lâhomme au Rwanda â Rwanda
- Odhikar â Bangladesh
- World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), within the framework of the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders
- Zambia Council for Social Development (ZSCD) â Zambia
SPECIFIC PROPOSALS FOR ACTION AT THE COUNCILâS 39THÂ REGULAR SESSION
Tanzaniaâs long-standing commitment to improving the human rights of all people, both nationally and within the region, is notable and should be acknowledged as such. However, the country has witnessed a rapid shrinking of its civic space over the last three years.
Since 2015, a number of laws and regulations, which include the Electronic and Postal Communications Act (2010) and Online Content Regulations (2018), the Statistics Act (2015), the Cybercrimes Act (2015), the Media Services Act (2016), and the Access to Information Act (2016), provide authorities with overbroad powers to restrict, with little judicial oversight and inadequate legal safeguards, citizensâ exercise of their human rights.
HRDs, NGO members, journalists, bloggers and other independent or critical voices have been charged with vaguely-worded offences. Several of the abovementioned laws were rushed through Parliament, adopted without meaningful consultations, and quickly implemented by law enforcement authorities.
Political opposition has also come under attack, with new restrictions, such as a blanket ban on political rallies, significantly hampering its ability to function effectively and promote its platform. Since the start of 2018, political opposition members and parliamentarians have been violently attacked and even killed, including Mr. Godfrey Luena, an MP for main opposition party Chama Cha Demokrasia Na Maendeleo (CHADEMA), and Mr. Daniel John, a CHADEMA official in Dar es Salaam.
Civil society actors have also suffered harassment, stigmatisation and unlawful restrictions to their rights to express themselves, peacefully assemble, and associate. For instance, in 2017, two HRDs, Mr. Onesmo Olengurumwa and Mr. Baraka John, were arrested, detained and charged with âcriminal trespassâ following a raid on a book launch event held on private premises. Regarding public gatherings, police and security forces have de facto turned what is legally a notification regime into an authorisation regime.
A number of independent media outlets have been banned, suspended or sentenced to hefty fines, resulting from, and in increased, censorship and self-censorship. Between June and October 2017, the Tanzanian Government banned four newspapers for periods of between 90 days and 24 months on specious allegations.[3]Â In January 2018, the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority imposed hefty fines on five television stations accusing them of unbalanced reporting in connection to their coverage of allegations of human rights abuses.[4]Â Freedom of expression online has been threatened by March 2018 regulations that force bloggers to comply with draconian regulations and pay high registration fees.[5]
A report[6] published during the 38th session of the Council documents patterns of repression and offers an overview of the major trends affecting civic space in the country, highlighting the need for the international community to act to prevent a further deterioration of the situation. At a parallel event held last June, a group of NGOs raised the alarm and called on the Council to respond to Tanzaniaâs suppression of civic space â an early warning sign of a mounting human rights crisis â on the basis of its prevention mandate.
In May 2018, a group of over 65 civil society organisations (CSOs) wrote to President Magufuli to express their concerns over a rapidly deteriorating environment for the media, HRDs, and opposition members.[7] The CSOs wrote that the above-mentioned patterns and incidents and âother forms of harassment and persecution of civil society and media [âŠ] erode Tanzaniaâs role as a regional champion of public freedoms, peace and stability and represent a breach of its international, national and regional human rights obligations and commitments.â In just two years, Tanzania lost 22 ranks (from 71st to 93rd) in Reporters Without Bordersâ World Press Freedom Index.[8]
The Council should now speak out. States should, with one voice, raise concern over Tanzaniaâs backsliding on human rights. A joint statement would go a long way towards sending the Government a constructive, but strong, message that it must change course regarding issues affecting civic space. A joint statement would be all the more effective since Tanzania has historically been subjected to little multilateral attention â which reflected its relatively positive human rights record in the sub-region.
Such a statement could be delivered under items 2, 3, 4 or 10, as outlined below. At the Councilâs 39th session, the following opportunities may be used to raise the critical issues highlighted in this letter:
General debates (GDs)
Last February, the European Union Delegation in Dar es Salaam raised concerns over ârecent developments which threaten democratic values and the rights of Tanzaniansâ and the ârising number of reports of violence.â[9]Â Other stakeholders have also voiced concerns over human rights developments.[10]
In Geneva, States should follow suit by using the following opportunities to speak, jointly and individually, on the human rights situation in Tanzania:
- GD under item 2 (Update by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights):
This agenda item is used to highlight significant (positive or negative) human rights developments around the world and in specific countries. Tanzaniaâs crackdown is representative of a wider trend: an increasingly shrinking space for HRDs, civil society and the media as a result of the use of legal and extra-legal means to unduly restrict freedoms of opinion and expression, peaceful assembly and association. Concerns over developments in Tanzania, which since its independence, in 1961, has been peaceful in a region characterised by political instability, should be raised in response to the High Commissionerâs update on global trends, keeping in mind the possible regional implications of a mounting crisis in Tanzania;
- GD under item 3:
At the Councilâs 39th session, a number of reports that are relevant to civic space in Tanzania will be considered, including: (i) the report of the High Commissioner on mechanisms concerned with ensuring the safety of journalists, (ii) the report of the High Commissioner on the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism, and (iii) the report of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on the draft guidelines on the effective implementation of the right to participation in public affairs.
The first report is an opportunity to ask the Tanzanian Government to provide the public with an update on the case of Mr. Azory Gwanda, a journalist who has been missing since November 2017 and whose disappearance may be related to his investigative activities. In a debate on the second report, concerns could be raised over ânational securityâ legislation and the claims that are made by law enforcement authorities, including in Tanzania, that unspecified âterroristâ and other security threats justify the denial of citizensâ and civil society organisationsâ requests to hold peaceful gatherings.[11]Â Lastly, in line with Council resolutions on equal participation in public affairs, States should call on the Tanzanian Government to allow the holding of public gatherings, including political oppositions rallies, which have been subjected to a blanket ban;
- GD under item 4 (Human rights situations that require the Councilâs attention):
Although the undersigned organisations do not believe that, at this point, Tanzania deserves to be formally considered under the same agenda item as countries with some of the gravest human rights records (including neighbouring Burundi), a diplomatically-worded statement under item 4, which would refer to the Councilâs prevention mandate and the need for Tanzania to engage in dialogue and cooperation and to take corrective action before the situation spirals out of control, could make a useful contribution to sending the Government the right message; and
- GD under item 10 (Technical assistance and capacity-building):
Tanzania should be urged to accept advisory services to review and amend its legislation in order to bring it in line with its constitutional and international obligations, as well as to review and amend policies and practices, in particular those used by law enforcement officials and regulatory authorities working with civil society and the media.
Under any of these items, States should also encourage Tanzania to extend a standing invitation to all special procedure mandate-holders and to accept pending requests for a visit. They should ask that Tanzania follow suit on the invitation extended by its Ambassador to the UN Office at Geneva, H.E. Dr. James Msekela, to the Special Rapporteur on freedoms of peaceful assembly and association to visit the country.[12]
Interactive dialogues (IDs)
Interactive dialogues are opportunities to highlight specific human rights issues and call on States, including Tanzania, to take corrective action on the basis of expert analysis and advice offered by OHCHR, special procedure mandate-holders, and other human rights experts.
At the Councilâs 39th session, the following debates will be held. They should be used to raise concerns over human rights developments in Tanzania:
- ID with the Working Group on arbitrary detention:
Over the years, the Working Group has interpreted its mandate broadly, and criteria determining whether the detention of individuals is arbitrary, and whether the Working Group has jurisdiction over cases of detention, are wide.[13]Â Recent developments in Tanzania, including the holding, without any legal basis, of civil society members participating in public or private gatherings, fall within the Working Groupâs jurisdiction; and
- ID with the Working Group on enforced or involuntary disappearances:
This debate is an opportunity to raise the case of journalist Azory Gwanda,[14]Â at a minimum by calling on the Government to re-commit to investigating the case and to providing the public with an update on the status of the investigation. The latter should be impartial, effective, thorough, and transparent. Investigators should be provided with adequate financial means to conduct an inquiry that is in line with Tanzaniaâs obligations and international standards.
Bilateral and collective engagement
In multilateral fora such as the Council, as well as through their Embassies or High Commissions, in Dar es Salaam, States should raise relevant human rights issues with the Tanzanian Government. Established diplomatic channels, as well as fora for dialogue and cooperation, such as relevant sector groups of Tanzaniaâs Development Partners Group, can be used to raise concerns over human rights developments, which if the situation evolves towards a full-fledged human rights crisis, will adversely affect other bi- and multilateral matters, including development aid, trade, and investment.
[1]Â See the annex for more detailed proposals for action, as well the report and letter referenced in footnotes 3 and 4.
[2]Â UN General Assembly resolution 60/251, paras. 3 and 5(f).
[3] CIVICUS et al., âTanzania: Civil society groups express concern over rapid decline in human rights,â 10 May 2018, www.civicus.org/index.php/media-resources/media-releases/open-letters/3163-civil-society-groups-express-concern-over-worrying-human-rights-decline-in-tanzania, accessed 2 August 2018.
[4]Â Committee to Protect Journalists, âTanzania slaps fines on 5 TV stations after they report on alleged human rights abuses,â 12 January 2018,
cpj.org/2018/01/tanzania-slaps-fines-on-5-tv-stations-after-they-r.php, accessed 2 August 2018.
[5]Â Committee to Protect Journalists, âTanzania forces forums, blogs, and streaming websites to comply with draconian regulations,â 12 June 2018,
cpj.org/2018/06/tanzania-forces-forums-blogs-and-streaming-website.php, accessed 2 August 2018.
[6] DefendDefenders, âSpreading Fear, Asserting Control: Tanzaniaâs assault on civic space,â 26 June 2018, www.defenddefenders.org/publication/spreading-fear-asserting-control-tanzanias-assault-on-civic-space/, accessed 30 July 2018.
[7] CIVICUS et al., op. cit.
[8]Â Tanzania-related analysis available at:Â rsf.org/en/tanzania
[9] âLocal EU Statement on the rise in politically-related violence and intimidation in Tanzania,â 23 February 2018, eeas.europa.eu/delegations/tanzania/40327/local-eu-statement-rise-politically-related-violence-and-intimidation-tanzania_en, accessed 19 July 2018.
[10] See for instance US Embassy in Tanzania, âStatement of Concern about Politically-Related Violence,â 15 February 2018, tz.usembassy.gov/statement-concern-politically-related-violence/, accessed 19 July 2018.
[11] See DefendDefenders, op. cit.
[12]Â The invitation was made on 26 June 2018, at an event organised by DefendDefenders and CIVICUS.
[13] See www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Detention/Pages/Complaints.aspx
To Permanent Representatives of Member States of the UN General Assembly
18 September 2018
Member States of the UN should refrain from voting for candidates to the Human Rights Council that are unfit for membership
Excellencies,
Ahead of the next UN Human Rights Council (âHRCâ or âthe CounÂcilâ) election, we, the undersigned national, regional, and international civil society organisations, write to urge your delegation to refrain from voting for candidates that blatantly fail to fulfil the Council membership standards outlined in UN General Assembly (UNGA) resolution 60/251.
Paragraphs 8 and 9 of resolution 60/251 state that the UNGA:
- Decides that the membership in the Council shall be open to all States Members of the United Nations; when electing members of the Council, Member States shall take into account the
conÂtriÂbuÂtion of candidates to the promotion and protection of human rights and their voluntary pledges and commitments made thereto [âŠ]; - Decides also that members elected to the Council shall uphold the highest standards in the
proÂmoÂtion and protection of human rights [and] fully cooperate with the Council [âŠ].
We are concerned that several of the States that are running for election fail to fulfil minimal requiÂreÂments with regard to both the proÂmotion and proÂtection of human rights and cooperation with the Council and other UN human rights bodies and mechÂanisms. Some of these candidates show a pattern of non-cooperation with the UN human rights system and attacks against UN Special Procedure ManÂdate-Holders that is inÂcompatible with Council membership. Furthermore, some of this yearâs candiÂdaÂtes have engaged in acts of inÂtiÂmidation and repriÂsals against human rights defenders and civil society organisations, who play a key role in the Councilâs work. Voting for these canÂdidates would undermine the Councilâs credibility and institutional integrity.
We urge you to treat human rights considerations and the substantive Council membership criteria outÂlined in resolution 60/251 as paramount in electing members to the Council, rather than engaging in vote trading or privileging political considerations over fundamental human rights.
In October 2018, the next HRC election will determine which States sit as Members of the Council in the next three years (2019-2021). Considering that States must receive a simple majority of votes (i.e., 97) to be elected, that voting takes place by secret ballot, and that electing States are under no obligation to vote for each and every canÂdidate within a regional group, we urge your deleÂgation to simply refrain from voting for unfit candidates. Doing so will require leaving the ballot blank for those candidate States your delegation considers unfit.
Sincerely,
African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies (ACDHRS)
African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies (ACJPS)
Americans for Democracy & Human Rights in Bahrain (ADHRB)
ARTICLE 19
Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA)
Asian Legal Resource Centre (ALRC)
Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy (BIRD)
Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies
Centro de Estudios Legales y Sociales (CELS)
CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation
Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI)
Conectas Direitos Humanos
Connection e.V., Germany
DefendDefenders (the East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project)
EEPA
Eritrea Focus
Eritrean Diaspora in East Africa (EDEA)
Eritrean Law Society (ELS)
Eritrean Movement for Democracy and Human Rights (EMDHR)
Geneva for Human Rights (GHR)
Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect
Global Initiative for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
Horn of Africa Civil Society Forum
Human Rights Association / İnsan Hakları DerneÄi (İHD)
Human Rights Concern â Eritrea (HRCE)
Human Rights House Foundation
Human Rights Law Centre
Human Rights Watch
Information Forum for Eritrea (IFE)
International Commission of Jurists
International Federation of Action by Christians for the Abolition of Torture (FIACAT)
International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH)
International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU)
International Movement Against All Forms of Discrimination and Racism (IMADR)
International Service for Human Rights
Network of Eritrean Women
PEN Eritrea
Reporters Without Borders (RSF)
Southern Africa Human Rights Defenders Network (SAHRDN)
World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT)
Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR)
Ă lâattention des ReprĂ©sentants permanents des Ătats Membres de lâAssemblĂ©e gĂ©nĂ©rale des Nations Unies
18 septembre 2018
Les Ătats Membres de lâONU devraient sâabstenir de voter en faveur de candidats au Conseil des droits de lâhomme qui nâen remplissent pas les critĂšres dâappartenance
Mesdames, Messieurs les Représentants permanents,
En amont de la prochaine Ă©lection au Conseil des droits de lâhomme de lâONU (« le CDH » ou « le Conseil »), les organisations nationales, rĂ©gionales et internationales de la sociĂ©tĂ© civile soussignĂ©es vous Ă©crivent afin dâexhorter votre dĂ©lĂ©gation Ă sâabstenir de voter en faveur de candidats qui Ă©chouent de façon flagrante Ă remplir les critĂšres dâappartenance au Conseil qui sont listĂ©s dans la rĂ©Âsolution 60/251 de lâAssemblĂ©e gĂ©nĂ©rale de lâONU (AGNU).
Les paragraphes 8 et 9 de la rĂ©solution 60/251 prĂ©voient en effet que lâAGNU :
- DĂ©cide que tous les Ătats Membres de lâOrganisation des Nations Unies pourront ĂȘtre candidats Ă un siĂšge au Conseil ; lors de lâĂ©lection des membres du Conseil, les Ătats Membres prendront en considĂ©ration le concours que chaque candidat a apportĂ© Ă la cause de la promotion et de la
dĂ©ÂfenÂse des droits de lâhomme et les contributions volontaires quâil a annoncĂ©es et les engagements quâil a pris en la matiĂšre [âŠ] ;
- DĂ©cide Ă©galement que les membres Ă©lus du Conseil observeront les normes les plus strictes en matiĂšre de promotion et de dĂ©fense des droits de lâhomme [et quâils] coopĂ©reront pleinement avec le Conseil [âŠ].
Nous sommes inquiets du fait que plusieurs des Ătats ayant prĂ©sentĂ© leur candidature cette annĂ©e ne remplissent pas les exigences minimales relatives Ă la fois Ă la promotion et Ă la protection des droits de lâhomme et Ă la coopĂ©ration avec le Conseil et dâautres organes et mĂ©canismes onusiens relatifs aux droits de lâhomme. Certains de ces candidats ont fait preuve de façon rĂ©currente dâune attitude de non-coÂopĂ©ration avec le systĂšme onusien des droits de lâhomme, voire dâattaques Ă lâencontre des tiÂtuÂlaires de mandats au titre des ProcĂ©dures spĂ©ciales â un comportement qui est incompatible avec la qualitĂ© de membre du Conseil. En outre, certains des candidats sâĂ©tant fait connaĂźtre cette annĂ©e se sont livrĂ©s Ă des actes dâintiÂmiÂdation et de reprĂ©sailles contre des dĂ©fenseurs des droits de lâhomme et des organisations de la sociĂ©tĂ© civile, lesquels jouent un rĂŽle clef dans le travail du Conseil. Voter en faveur de ces candiÂdats affaiblirait la crĂ©dibilitĂ© et lâintĂ©gritĂ© institutionnelle de ce dernier.
Nous vous exhortons Ă considĂ©rer comme Ă©tant de la plus haute importance les considĂ©rations en maÂtiĂšÂre de droits de lâhomme et les critĂšres substantiels dâappartenance au Conseil listĂ©s dans la rĂ©soÂluÂtion 60/251, lors de lâĂ©lection de ses membres, plutĂŽt que de vous livrer Ă des Ă©changes de votes ou de priÂÂviÂlĂ©gier des considĂ©rations politiques par rapport aux droits et aux libertĂ©s fondamentales.
En octobre 2018, la prochaine Ă©lection au CDH dĂ©terminera quels Ătats occuperont un siĂšge de Membre du Conseil lors des trois prochaines annĂ©es (2019-2021). ConsidĂ©rant que les Ătats doiÂvent obtenir une majoritĂ© simple de votes (soit 97) pour ĂȘtre Ă©lus, que le vote se tient par bulÂleÂtin secret, et que les Ătats Ă©lecteurs nâont aucune obligation de voter pour chacun des canÂdidats concourant au sein dâun groupe rĂ©gional, nous exhortons votre dĂ©lĂ©gation Ă sâabÂstenir de voter pour les candidats ne remplissant pas les critĂšres dâappartenance au Conseil. Agir en ce sens nĂ©cesÂsitera ainsi de laisser blanc le bulletin des Ătats candidats que votre dĂ©lĂ©gation considĂšre comme Ă©tant inadaptĂ©s.
Nous vous remercions et vous prions de croire, Madame, Monsieur le Représentant-e
permanent-e, en lâassurance de notre respectueuse considĂ©ration.
African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies (ACJPS)
Americans for Democracy & Human Rights in Bahrain (ADHRB)
ARTICLE 19
Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA)
Asian Legal Resource Centre (ALRC)
Association des droits humains / İnsan Hakları DerneÄi (İHD)
Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy (BIRD)
Centre africain pour la dĂ©mocratie et les Ă©tudes des droits de lâHomme (ACDHRS)
Centro de Estudios Legales y Sociales (CELS)
CIVICUS : Alliance mondiale pour la participation citoyenne
Commission internationale de juristes
Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI)
Conectas Direitos Humanos
Connection e.V. (Allemagne)
DefendDefenders (le Projet des dĂ©fenseurs des droits humains de lâEst et de la Corne de lâAfrique)
Diaspora Ă©rythrĂ©enne en Afrique de lâEst (EDEA)
EEPA
Eritrea Focus
Eritrean Law Society (ELS)
FĂ©dĂ©ration internationale des ACAT (Action des chrĂ©tiens pour lâabolition de la torture) (FIACAT)
FĂ©dĂ©ration internationale des droits de lâHomme (FIDH)
GenĂšve pour les droits de lâHomme
Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect
Global Initiative for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
Horn of Africa Civil Society Forum
Human Rights Concern â Eritrea (HRCE)
Human Rights House Foundation
Human Rights Law Centre
Human Rights Watch
Information Forum for Eritrea (IFE)
Institut du Caire pour lâĂ©tude des droits de lâHomme (CIHRS)
Mouvement érythréen pour la démocratie et les droits humains (EMDHR)
Mouvement international contre toutes les formes de discrimination et de racisme (IMADR)
Network of Eritrean Women
Organisation mondiale contre la torture (OMCT)
PEN ĂrythrĂ©e
Reporters Sans FrontiĂšres (RSF)
Service international pour les droits de lâHomme
Southern Africa Human Rights Defenders Network (SAHRDN)
Union internationale humaniste et éthique (IHEU)
Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR)
750+ organisations highlight the vital role of the UN High Commissioner in calling out violators
As local, national, regional, and international civil society organizations from every corner of the world, we offer warm congratulations on your appointment as United Nations (UN) High Commissioner for Human Rights.
We are committed to a world in which every person enjoys human rights and dignity and in which our communities are fair, just and sustainable. We consider that a strong High Commissioner, working in strategic partnership with independent civil society, can contribute significantly to the realization of this vision.
You take up office at a time when human rights are under attack and when we risk the reversal of many of the achievements of the modern human rights movement. We look to you in these troubled times to be an unwavering voice in the defence of human rights, and of victims, rights-holders and human rights defenders around the world.
On every continent, the rights of individuals, communities and peoples are being violated and abused by governments and non-state actors, often with complete impunity. Civil society, peaceful dissidents, and the media are often brutally silenced. The role of your Office in ensuring robust monitoring of, and reporting on, such situations is essential for curbing violations and deterring further abuse, as well as for ensuring justice and accountability. Technical-assistance and capacity building by the OHCHR is also critical and, to be effective, should be approached holistically alongside a rigorous assessment of the rights challenges in the country, including through key indicators to measure progress and assess the degree of engagement and cooperation by the State.
As High Commissioner, you have a unique role to play in bringing country situations of concern to the attention of the UN Human Rights Council and other UN bodies, particularly situations that may not be on their agenda or which receive limited attention, often because of political pressure. This role should extend to providing briefings to the Security Council on situations either on its agenda or that, if left unattended, could represent a threat to international peace and security. Monitoring missions and inter-sessional briefings to the HRC can be initiated at the High Commissionerâs prerogative, on the basis of your Officeâs universal mandate, bringing attention to neglected country situations and contributing towards the achievement of the Councilâs mandate to prevent human rights violations.
We are aware that the position of High Commissioner comes with its own challenges. Many States will insist you avoid ânaming and shamingâ and push you to engage in âquiet diplomacyâ and to respect national sovereignty. Often, those most intolerant of criticism and most forceful in suppressing dissent will speak the loudest in seeking to mute your voice. Survivors, victims and defenders on the front line in countries where their rights are being violated will rely on you as a human rights champion, to have the courage and conviction to call out violators clearly and publicly, even when itâs challenging or unpopular with governments.
Globally, the rights essential to civic space are being systematically undermined. Civil society and human rights defenders face severe daily risks in their struggle to defend human rights on the ground, including imprisonment, asset-freezes, defamatory campaigns, torture, enforced disappearance, and even death. Risks are also present in the UN context, where individuals frequently face intimidation, harassment or reprisals for their engagement with the UN. We urge you to be a staunch defender of the rights of defenders both on the ground and at the UN, to publicly call out violators, and to undertake or push for investigations into attacks and reprisals. We also encourage you to take full advantage of the distinct, often innovative complementary role of civil society to the work of the OHCHR, and ensure the Office works closely with civil society as a strategic partner at the national, regional, and international levels.
Currently, the human rights framework itself is under unparalleled attack. Authoritarian populists are attacking the universality of human rights, disproportionately and unlawfully restricting rights in the purported interests of ânational security,â often tacitly or openly encouraging attacks by their followers or vigilantes on rights defenders as well as the vulnerable and poor, while selectively interpreting human rights and seeking to co-opt or subvert human rights mechanisms to suit their political agendas. Safeguarding and strengthening universal human rights norms and mechanisms should be a core responsibility of the High Commissioner.
The current climate highlights the need for a strong public advocacy role for your mandate in the defence of international human rights law and the international human rights system, as well as a strong role internally within the UN to mainstream respect for human rights throughout the work of UN organs and agencies, and within the Sustainable Development Agenda.
Once again, we congratulate you on your new role, and stand ready to support you and your Office in the fulfilment of your vital mandate.
DefendDefenders welcomes the appointment of Ms. Michelle Bachelet as the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and looks forward to maintaining the close working relationship developed with her office over the years, to advance the rights of human rights defenders across the East and Horn of Africa sub-region.
In her opening statement to the 39th session of the UN Human Rights Council, Ms. Bachelet highlights five countries covered by our mandate: Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, and Sudan. Positively, she hails the signing of the Joint Declaration on Peace and Friendship between Eritrea and Ethiopia and hopes that it will end the decades-long conflict between the two countries. She also calls for an end to indefinite national service in Eritrea. In Sudan, she condemns the attacks on internally displaced peoples in Darfur, which are attributed to government-affiliated security forces. In South Sudan, she expresses hope the new Peace Agreement will bring an end to the conflict, and urges the government to sign the statute establishing the Hybrid Court. She expresses concern with the limited democratic space in Somalia, the attacks on civilians by both state and non-state actors, and the infringement on the right to freedom of expression, including the targeting of journalists.
DefendDefenders appreciates the work of former High Commissioner Zeid Raâad Al Hussein, particularly his role towards addressing the volatile situations in Burundi and South Sudan. In 2015, he strongly called on the international community to take robust and decisive action on the situation in Burundi to avert a civil war. The Human Rights Council then proceeded to hold a special session on the country situation, and established a Commission of Inquiry to, among other responsibilities, conduct a thorough investigation into human rights violations and abuses committed in Burundi since April 2015 â including whether they may constitute international crimes.
In a statement delivered today, during the general debate on the oral update by the High Commissioner, Mr. Hassan Shire, Executive Director of DefendDefenders, addressed the need for a strong public advocacy role under Ms. Bacheletâs mandate to defend human rights and the international human rights system, as well as a strong role internally within the UN to mainstream respect for human rights.
âMs. Michelle Bachelet assumes office during very challenging times, where human rights defenders across the globe face significant risks and attacks associated with their work,â said Mr. Shire. âI encourage her to be a staunch defender of the voiceless and not refrain from naming and shaming states that go against their responsibility to protect and respect human rights.â
The Djiboutian governmentâs replies to the recommendations it received during its May 2018 review give rise to doubt, rather than confiÂdenÂce, said the East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project (DefendDefenders) and the Djiboutian Observatory for the Promotion of
DemoÂcracy and Human Rights (ODDH) today. FolÂlowing the adoption of the report on the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Djibouti by the UN Human Rights Council, DefendDefenders and ODDH highlight the governmentâs inapproÂpriate conÂtentment with accepting vague recommendations and the lack of consistency of some of its reÂplies.
âWe fear that the inconsistencies we identified in Djiboutiâs replies reÂflect a lack of political will on the part of the government to implement its obligations,â said Hassan Shire, ExecuÂtive Director, DefendDefenders. âIt is particularly worrying that the government accepted to âprevent the use of excessive force against civilians,â yet refused to accept a more precise recommendation on âimproving training programmes for security forces to put an end to acts of violent repression of peaceful demonstrationsâ.â
Doublespeak may also be evident in the fact that in April this year, Kadar Abdi Ibrahim was briefly deÂtaiÂned and his passport confiscated by the Documentation and Security Service (SDS) after he took part in UPR âpre-sessionsâ in Geneva. Since then, he has been unable to leave the country. Before the UN, Djibouti accepted recommendations pertaining to the fight against acts of threats, haÂrassÂment and intimidation committed against huÂman rights defenders.
âThe authorities should immediately return Kadar Abdi Ibrahimâs passport to him,â said Farah Abdillahi Miguil, President, ODDH. âIn accordance with its human rights obligations, Djibouti should allow all independent actors â including human rights defenders,
jourÂnaÂlists, bloggers, trade unions and non-governmental organisations â to carry out their
peaceÂful activities free from hindrance.â
Additionally, Djibouti accepted to ratify international legal instruÂments. It should therefore comÂply with this commitment and ratify the International Convention for the ProÂtectÂion of All PerÂsons from Enforced Disappearance and the International Convention on the ProÂtection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families.
DefendDefenders and ODDH regret that Djibouti refused to extend a âstanding invitationâ to all special procedures of the Human Rights Council â independent experts who are tasked with
asÂsessÂing and reporting on specific rights and freedoms. Djibouti is one of the few states that have neÂver received any visit from a special procedure mandate-holder.[1]A visit request by the Special Rapporteur on freedoms of peaceful assembly and association, which the latter formulated in 2011, remains unanswered.
The fact that Djibouti committed to implement nine recommendations already accepÂted during its UPR, in 2013, can only lead to caution. At the time, Djibouti committed to implement these
recÂomÂmendations, related to freedom of expression, acÂcess to information, and freedom of assembly, however it is yet to comply. We urge DjiÂbouÂti to walk the talk and implement meaningful reÂforms in line with its obligations and comÂmitÂments.
The UPR is a process set up by the Human Rights Council, the UNâs principal human rights boÂdy. The human rights record of every UN member state is reviewed every four-and-a-half to five years, in Geneva, Switzerland, a process during which the government of the state under reÂview receives recommendations made by its peers. NGOs can participate in the process by subÂmitting alternative reports, such as the oneDefendDefenders co-signed, and engaging in advocacy at the naÂtional and UN levels.
For more information, please contact:
â Farah Abdillahi Miguil, President, Djiboutian Observatory for the Promotion of Democracy and Human Rights (ODDH) (Djibouti), [email protected] / +253 77 82 58 58 (French)
â Nicolas Agostini, Representative to the UN for DefendDefenders (Geneva), [email protected] / +41 79 813 49 91 (English, French)
DJIBOUTI: IL FAUT METTRE EN OEUVRE LES RECOMMANDATIONS ONUSIENNES EN MATIĂRE DE DROITS HUMAINS
Les rĂ©ponses du gouvernement de Djibouti aux recommandations reçues lors de son examen de mai 2018 suscitent davantage de craintes que de confiance, ont dĂ©clarĂ© DefendDefenders et lâObservatoire djiboutien pour la promotion de la dĂ©moÂcratie et des droits humains (ODDH) aujourdâhui. Ă la suite de lâadoption du rapÂport sur lâExamen pĂ©riodique universel (EPU) de Djibouti par le Conseil des droits de lâhomme de lâONU, DefendDefenders et lâODDH soulignent que le gouverneÂment sâest bornĂ© Ă accepter des recommandations vagues, ainsi que le manque de cohĂ©rence entre cerÂtaines de ses rĂ©ponses.
« Nous craignons que les incohĂ©rences relevĂ©es dans les rĂ©ponses de Djibouti ne reflĂštent un manque de volontĂ© politique du gouverÂneÂment de mettre en Ćuvre ses obligations », a dĂ©ÂcÂlarĂ© Hassan Shire, Directeur exĂ©cutif de DefendÂDefenders. « Il est particuliĂšrement
inquiĂ©Âtant que le gouvernement ait acceptĂ© de âprĂ©venir lâusage excessif de la force contre des ciÂvilsâ, mais quâil ait rejetĂ© la recommandation, plus prĂ©cise, lâappelant Ă Â âamĂ©liorer les
progÂramÂÂmes de formation des forces de sĂ©ÂcuÂritĂ©Ì pour mettre fin aux actes de rĂ©pression violente de maÂniÂfestations pacifiquesâ ».
Signe dâun certain double discours, en avril dernier, aprĂšs sa participation aux « prĂ©-sessions » de lâEPU Ă GenĂšve, Kadar Abdi Ibrahim a Ă©tĂ©Ì briĂšvement dĂ©tenu et son passeport confisqué par des agents du Service de la documentation et de la sĂ©curitĂ© (SDS). Il se trouve depuis dans
lâimposÂsiÂbilitĂ© de quitÂter le pays. Devant lâONU, Djibouti a pourtant acceptĂ© des reÂcomÂmanÂdaÂtions portant sur la lutte contre les actes de menaces, de harcĂšlement et dâintimidation Ă lâencontre des dĂ©ÂfenÂseurs des droits humains.
« Les autoritĂ©s devraient immĂ©diatement rendre son passeport Ă Kadar Abdi IbraÂhim », a dit Farah Abdillahi Miguil, PrĂ©sident de lâODDH. « ConformĂ©ment Ă ses obligations en maÂtiĂšÂre de droits humains, Djibouti doit Ă©galement permettre Ă tous les acteurs indĂ©ÂpenÂdants â dĂ©fenseurs des droits humains, journalistes, blogueurs, synÂdicats, organisations non
gouÂverÂnementales â de mener leurs activitĂ©s pacifiques sans entraves ».
Djibouti a en outre acceptĂ© de ratifier des instruments juridiques internatioÂnaux. Il devrait mettre en Ćuvre cet engagement en ratifiant la Convention internationale pour la proÂtection de toutes les personnes contre les disparitions forcĂ©es et la Convention internationale sur la protecÂtion des droits de tous les travailleurs migrants et des membres de leur famille.
DefendDefenders et lâODDH regrettent que Djibouti ait refusĂ© dâoffrir une « invitation ouverte et permanente » aux procĂ©dures spĂ©ciales du Conseil des droits de lâhomme â des experts
indĂ©ÂpenÂdants chargĂ©s dâĂ©valuer et de faire rapport sur le respect de droits et de libertĂ©s spĂ©cifiques. DjiÂbouti est lâun des rares Ătats Ă nâavoir jamais reçu la moindre visite dâun titulaire de mandat de procĂ©Âdure spĂ©ciale[2], et la demande de visite formulĂ©e par le Rapporteur spĂ©cial sur la libertĂ© de rĂ©union pacifique et dâassociation, formulĂ©e en 2011, reste Ă ce jour sans rĂ©ponse.
Le fait que Djibouti se soit engagĂ© Ă mettre en Ćuvre neuf recomÂmandations dĂ©jĂ acceptĂ©es lors de son EPU de 2013 doit inciter Ă la prudence. Djibouti sâĂ©tait engagĂ© Ă appliÂquer ces
reÂcomÂmanÂdations, qui portent sur la libertĂ© dâexpression, lâaccĂšs Ă lâinformation et sur le droit Ă la libertĂ© de rĂ©union, il y a cinq ans, mais elles sont restĂ©es lettre morte. Nous exhorÂtons DjiÂbouÂti Ă passer des paroles aux actes et Ă mettre en Ćuvre des rĂ©formes rĂ©elles, conforÂmĂ©Âment Ă ses obligations et Ă ses engagements.
LâEPU est un processus mis en place par le Conseil des droits de lâhomme, lâorgane principal des Nations Unies en charge des droits humains. Tous les quatre ans et demi Ă cinq ans, Ă GenĂšve (Suisse), la situation en matiĂšre de droits humains de chaque Ătat membre de lâONU est examinĂ©e. LâĂtat qui est soumis Ă cet examen reçoit des recommandations de ses pairs. Les ONG peuvent participer au processus en soumettant des rapports alternatifs, comme celui co-signĂ© par DefendDefenders, et en menant des actions de plaidoyer aux niveaux national et onusien.
Pour davantage dâinformations, contacter :
â Farah Abdillahi Miguil, PrĂ©sident, Observatoire djiboutien pour la promotion de la dĂ©mocratie et des droits humains (ODDH) (Djibouti), [email protected] / +253 77 82 58 58 (français)
â Nicolas Agostini, ReprĂ©sentant auprĂšs des Nations Unies, DefendDefenders (GenĂšve), [email protected] / +41 79 813 49 91 (anglais, français)
[1]Â Djibouti received experts on the human rights situation in Somalia and Eritrea but it has never accepted any visit request by other mandate holders, concerning its own human rights situation. See:Â www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/SP/Pages/Statesnotyetvisited.aspx
[2] Djibouti a reçu des experts sur la situation des droits humains en Somalie et en ĂrythrĂ©e, mais nâa jamais acceptĂ© de visite dâautres experts, concernant sa propre situation. Voir www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/SP/Pages/Statesnotyetvisited.aspx
Geneva-Kampala, 28 September 2018Â â The Burundian governmentâs attempts to obsÂtruct the work of the UN Human Rights Council (the Council) are futile as they will not preÂvent accountability for grave human rights violations, DefendDefenders (the East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project) said after the Council adoptÂed a resoluÂtion on Burundiâs human rights situation today. The resolution extends the mandate of the ComÂmisÂsion of Inquiry (CoI) to investigate Burundiâs human rights situation and regularly reÂport to the Council.
âThroughout its term as a member of the Council, to which it should never have been elected, Burundi has refused to cooperate with the UN,â said HasÂsan Shire, ExecuÂtive DiÂrecÂtor, DefendDefenders. âThe Burundian authoritiesâ near-complete deÂnial will neiÂther stop ongoing inÂvestigations nor slow down efforts to advance accountability for violations, soÂme of which may amount to crimes against humanity.â
Since the Councilâs 39th regular session started, on 10 September 2018, the Burundian govÂernÂment has appeared to be completely isolated. The African group of states acted responÂsibly by refusing to deliver a statement during the debate with the CoI on Burundi or to provide any form of support to its government.
Investigations into the crimes allegedly committed by the Burundian government and the ruling CNDD-FDD partyâs youth branch, the Imbonerakure, will proceed, as well as moniÂtorÂing of and reporting on the human rights situation in the country. The CoI will also contiÂnue to transmit relevant information to the International Criminal Court (ICC), which has openÂed an investigation into the crimes committed in Burundi and may exercise jurÂisÂdicÂtion over its highest officials, including President Pierre NkurunÂziza.
âIn the last three years, Burundi has consistently chosen to insult and attack indeÂpenÂdent experts, rather than addressing the UNâs damning findings,â said Estella KabachÂwezi, Senior Advocacy and Research Officer, DefendDefenders. âThe fact that this resoluÂtion was adopted with an overwhelming majority1 speaks for itself: the interÂnational community wants peace, justice and accountability in Burundi, and makes it clear that these are interrelated.â
The UN Human Rights Council, established in 2006, is the UNâs peak human rights body. Its 47 members sit on the Council for a three-year term. Burundi was elected in 2015 for the 2016-2018 period. Immediately after its election, the Council held a special session to adÂdress BuÂrundiâs crisis, and in 2016 it established a Commission of Inquiry. Following the opening of a preliminary examination of Burundiâs situation, in October 2017 the ICC launÂched a full-fledged investigation, which Burundiâs withdrawal from the Rome Statute of the ICC did not stop.
Ahead of the Councilâs 39th session (10-28 September 2018), DefendDefenders co-signed a letter calling on states to support the extension of the mandate of the CoI on Burundi. DuÂring the session, DefendDefenders launched its last two reports on the country, which exaÂmine BurunÂdiâs appalling record as a Council member and the situation of human rights defenders in exile, respectively.
[1]Â 23 votes in favour, 7 against, and 17 abstentions.
Les tentatives du gouvernement burundais de faire obstruction au travail de lâONU sont futiles
GenĂšve-Kampala, 28 septembre 2018 â Les tentatives du gouvernement burundais de faiÂre obstruction au travail du Conseil des droits de lâhomme de lâONU (le Conseil) sont futiÂles, car elles nâempĂȘcheront en rien la reddition de comptes pour les graves violations des droits humains commises dans le pays, a dit DefendÂDefenÂders auÂjourÂdâhui. Cela fait suite Ă lâadoption par le Conseil dâune rĂ©solution sur la situation des droits humains au Burundi. Celle-ci prolonge le mandat de la Commission dâenquĂȘte (CoI), lui permettant de continuer Ă documenter la situation des droits humains au Burundi et Ă faire rĂ©guliĂšÂreÂment rapport au Conseil.
« Tout au long de son mandat au sein du Conseil, dont il nâaurait jamais dĂ» ĂȘtre Ă©lu memÂbre, le Burundi a refusĂ© de coopĂ©rer avec les Nations Unies », a dĂ©clarĂ© Hassan Shire, direcÂteur exĂ©cutif de DefendÂDefenders. « Le dĂ©ni quasi-complet des autoritĂ©s buÂrunÂdaises ne leur permettra ni de mettre un terme aux enquĂȘtes en cours ni de ralenÂtir les efforts en faveur de la reddition de comptes pour les vioÂÂlations commises, dont certaines pourraient ĂȘtre constitutives de criÂmes contre lâhumanité ».
Depuis le dĂ©but de la 39Ăšme session ordinaire du Conseil, le 10 septembre 2018, le gouÂverÂnement burundais est apparu complĂštement isolĂ©. Le groupe des Ătats africains a fait preuÂve de responsabilitĂ© en refusant de lire toute dĂ©claration pendant le dĂ©bat avec la CoI sur le Burundi et dâapporter une quelconque forme de soutien Ă son gouvernement.
Les enquĂȘtes sur les crimes dont sont accusĂ©s le gouvernement burundais et la branche jeuÂnesse du parti CNDD-FDD au pouvoir, les Imbonerakure, vont se poursuivre, de mĂȘme que la surveillance et la discussion publique de la situation prĂ©valant dans le pays. La CoI contiÂnuera Ă©galement Ă transmettre toute information pertinente Ă la Cour pĂ©nale interÂnaÂtionale (CPI), qui a ouvert une enquĂȘte sur les crimes commis au Burundi et qui est compĂ©Âtente pour juger ses plus hauts responsables, notamment le prĂ©sident Pierre NkuÂrunziza.
« Au cours des trois derniĂšres annĂ©es, le Burundi a constamment prĂ©fĂ©rĂ© les insultes et les attaques contre les experts indĂ©pendants au fait de rĂ©pondre aux conclusions acÂcablantes de lâONU », a dit Estella KaÂbaÂchÂwezi, responsable du plaidoyer et de la recherÂche pour DefendDefenders. « Le fait que cette rĂ©soÂluÂtion ait Ă©tĂ© adoptĂ©e Ă une larÂge majoritĂ©1 parle de lui-mĂȘme : la communautĂ© internationale veut la paix, la justice et la redevabilitĂ© au Burundi, et elle envoie le message limpide que ces trois Ă©lĂ©ments sont interdĂ©pendants ».
Le Conseil des droits de lâhomme de lâONU, mis en place en 2006, est lâorgane onusien le plus important en charge des droits humains. Ses 47 membres sont Ă©lus chacun pour un mandat de trois ans. En 2015, le Burundi y a Ă©tĂ© Ă©lu pour la pĂ©riode 2016-2018. Juste aprĂšs son Ă©lection, le Conseil a tenu une session extraordinaire afin de rĂ©pondre Ă la crise burunÂdaiÂse et il a, en 2016, Ă©tabli une Commission dâenquĂȘte. Ă la suite de lâouverture dâun exaÂmen prĂ©liminaire de la situation burundaise, la CPI a, en octobre 2017, lancĂ© une enquĂȘte en bonne et due forme sur le Burundi, que le retrait de ce dernier du Statut de Rome de la CPI nâa pas stoppĂ©e.
En amont de la 39Ăšme session du Conseil (10-28 septembre 2018), DefendDefenders a co-signĂ© une lettre appelant les Ătats Ă soutenir lâextension du mandat de la CoI sur le BurunÂdi. Pendant la session, DefendDefenders a lancĂ© ses deux derniers rapports sur le pays, qui examinent respectivement le comportement affligeant du Burundi en tant que membre du Conseil et la situation des dĂ©fenseurs des droits humains en exil.
[1] 23 votes positifs, 7 négatifs, et 17 abstentions.