A/hrc/28/68/Add. 1 Advance Version

JUA 16/04/2014 Case No. UZB 1/2014 State Reply: None to date Allegations of torture while in detention of Mr. Fakhriddin Tillaev, and his sentencing to eight years and three months of imprisonment.

631. 
     The Special Rapporteur regrets that the Government of the Uzbekistan has not replied to the present communication, thereby failing to cooperate with the mandate issued by the Human Rights Council in its resolution 25/13, and to comply with its obligation, under international customary law, to investigate, prosecute and punish all acts of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, as codified, inter alia, in the Convention against Torture (CAT).
     
632. 
     As mentioned in the joint urgent appeal, Mr. Tillaev was subjected to torture under interrogation, consisting of blows to his ear that caused extensive bleeding, being forced to stand under a dripping shower for hours, and having needles inserted between fingers and toes. His request for a forensic medical investigation was ignored.
     
633. 
     In the absence of information to the contrary, the Rapporteur concludes that there is substance in the allegations presented in the initial communication, reiterated above, and thus, that the Government of Uzbekistan, by failing to protect the physical and psychological integrity during the detention of Mr. Tillaev, has violated his right to be free from torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, as provided by articles 1 and 16 of the CAT.
     

634. 
     El Relator Especial agradece al Gobierno de Venezuela por sus respuestas, de fechas 3 y 28 de abril del 2014, acusando recibo de la presente comunicación.
     
635. 
     El Relator Especial da cuenta del esfuerzo del Gobierno en responder a las inquietudes presentadas en la comunicación inicial sobre las alegaciones de violaciones graves de los derechos humanos particularmente sobre el derecho a la vida, a no ser sometido a tortura, a no ser arbitrariamente detenido, a reunirse pacíficamente, a expresarse y asociarse libremente y a una protección eficaz de los defensores de los derechos humanos.
     
636. 
     El Relator Especial toma nota de la información ofrecida por el Gobierno de Venezuela y aprecia el nivel de detalle de la información adjuntada. El Relator Especial desea hacer referencia a los artículos 3 y 6 de la Declaración Universal de Derechos Humanos y el Pacto Internacional de Derechos Civiles y Políticos, que garantizan a todo individuo el derecho a la vida y a la seguridad de su persona y disponen que este derecho sea protegido por la ley y que nadie sea arbitrariamente privado de su vida. Es obligación del Estado establecer la infraestructura institucional necesaria para prevenir posibles violaciones a estos derechos y el Estado no podrá argumentar la falta de actuación de municipios, provincias o departamentos para evitar los hechos. El uso excesivo de la fuerza y criminalización de las protestas para sofocar las manifestaciones de febrero de 2014 causaron la muerte de 29 civiles y lesiones en otros 357, de acuerdo a la documentación aportada por el Gobierno de Venezuela. Tales hechos resultan contrarios a los Principios Básicos sobre el Empleo de la Fuerza y de Armas de Fuego por los Funcionarios Encargados de Hacer Cumplir la Ley. El principio 4 dice que tales funcionarios “en el desempeño de sus funciones, utilizarán en la medida de lo posible medios no violentos antes de recurrir al empleo de la fuerza y de armas de fuego.” Además, el principio 9 de los Principios relativos a una eficaz prevención e investigación de las ejecuciones extralegales, arbitrarias o sumarias dice que los Gobiernos tienen la obligación de garantizar “una investigación exhaustiva, inmediata e imparcial de todos los casos en que haya sospecha de ejecuciones extralegales, arbitrarias o sumarias, incluidos aquéllos en los que las quejas de parientes u otros informes fiables hagan pensar que se produjo una muerte no debida a causas naturales en las circunstancias referidas (...).” El Relator Especial toma nota de las investigaciones que aún se encuentran en curso para determinar la responsabilidad de los funcionarios del Servicio Bolivariano de Inteligencia Nacional y suspensiones que pesan sobre ellos, y solicita que se lo mantenga al tanto de la evolución del proceso judicial.
     
637. 
     En cuanto a los dos casos de tortura y 75 casos de malos tratos, el Relator Especial desea hacer referencia al Gobierno de Venezuela a los artículos 7 y 12 de la Convención contra la Tortura así como al párrafo 7(b) de la Resolución 16/23 del Consejo de Derechos Humanos que afirma la obligación del Gobierno de investigar los hechos denunciados. El Relator Especial toma nota de las investigaciones en curso y de la creación de la Comisión Nacional contra la Tortura y su participación en la búsqueda de esclarecimiento de los casos de tortura y tratos crueles inhumanos y degradantes.
     
638. 
     Sin embargo, el Relator Especial concluye que el Gobierno de Venezuela, al no tomar medidas para prevenir la violación de la integridad física y la vida de las víctimas, así como los actos de tortura y los tratos crueles inhumanos y degradantes ejercidos contra manifestantes y detenidos, ha violado sus derechos a no ser torturados o sometidos a tratos crueles, inhumanos o degradantes como afirma el derecho internacional consuetudinario codificado en los artículos 1 y 16 del CAT.
     

639. 
     El Relator Especial lamenta que, hasta la fecha, el Gobierno de Venezuela no haya respondido a la presente comunicación, y por ello, considera que no ha cumplido con su deber de cooperar con el mandato establecido por el Consejo de Derechos Humanos en la resolución 25/13. Asimismo, el Relator Especial considera que el Gobierno no ha cumplido con la obligación emanada de la norma consuetudinaria internacional de investigar, juzgar y sancionar todos los actos de tortura y los tratos crueles, inhumanos o degradantes, como establece, inter alia, la Convención contra la Tortura (CAT).
     
640. 
     Ante la falta de información que indique lo contrario, el Relator concluye que hay sustancia en las alegaciones presentadas en la comunicación inicial, reiteradas arriba, y por lo tanto, que el Gobierno de Venezuela, al no resguardar la integridad física y psicológica del Sr. Nieto Quintero al ser detenido por agentes de la Dirección de Inteligencia Militar (DIM), trasladado a un centro de detención militar en donde fue sometido a torturas durante 30 horas, negándole tratamiento médico y medicamentos y luego habiendo simulado la situación ante la familia como un secuestro exigiendo dinero por su liberación, ha violado el derecho del Sr. Nieto Quintero a no ser torturado o sometido a tratos crueles, inhumanos o degradantes como afirma el derecho internacional consuetudinario codificado en los artículos 1 y 16 del CAT.
     

641. 
     El Relator Especial lamenta que, hasta la fecha, el Gobierno de Venezuela no haya respondido a la presente comunicación, y por ello, considera que no ha cumplido con su deber de cooperar con el mandato establecido por el Consejo de Derechos Humanos en la resolución 25/13. Asimismo, el Relator Especial considera que el Gobierno no ha cumplido con la obligación emanada de la norma consuetudinaria internacional de investigar, juzgar y sancionar todos los actos de tortura y los tratos crueles, inhumanos o degradantes, como establece, inter alia, la Convención contra la Tortura (CAT).
     
642. 
     Ante la falta de información que indique lo contrario, el Relator concluye que el Gobierno de Venezuela, al no proteger la integridad física y psicológica del Sr. Leopoldo López Mendoza al mantenerlo en condiciones de aislamiento solitario 23 horas al día, y al realizar violentos cacheos que repercutían en hematomas en la piel de los Sres. López, Scarano, Ceballos y Luchesse, es responsable por sus sufrimientos físicos y mentales en los que esta medida pueda derivar y ha violado sus derechos a no ser torturado o sometido a tratos crueles, inhumanos o degradantes como afirman los artículos 1 y 16 del CAT.
     

JUA 12/11/2014 Case No. VNM 10/2014 State Reply: 30/01/2015 Allegations of grave deteriorating health conditions of Ms. Mai Thi Dung, an independent Hoa Hao Buddhist, in prison after prolonged solitary confinement and lack of medical treatment.

643. 
     The Special Rapporteur thanks the Government of Viet Nam for its reply, dated 30.01.2015, to the present communication.
     
644. 
     The Rapporteur acknowledges the comprehensive account of the Government in response to the concerns and questions raised in the initial communication. He takes note of the information provided by the Government regarding Ms. Mai Thi Dung’s access to medical attention health care during her stay in prison and her reported subsequent recovery. The Rapporteur also takes note of the explanation provided by the Government regarding the reasons for her transfer.
     
645. 
     While the Rapporteur remains concerned about the health of Ms. Dung and the reasons for transferring Ms. Dung to a prison in the north of the country, the Rapporteur concludes that the Government of Viet Nam has not violated Ms. Dung’s right to be free from torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, as provided by articles 1 and 16 of the CAT. However, the Rapporteur implores the Government of Viet Nam to continue to monitor the health of Ms. Dung to ensure that she receives the medical care that she is entitled to.
     
646. 
     On the other hand, the Rapporteur considers unsatisfactory the Government’s reply regarding the solitary confinement that Ms. Dung has been allegedly subjected to. Solitary confinement is an extreme measure that inflicts serious mental pain and suffering on the inmate. For that reason, if used for disciplinary reasons it should be only for extreme breaches of prison rules and for limited time. The Rapporteur urges the government of Viet Nam to clarify the duration and other conditions of any period of isolation to which Ms. Dung may have been subjected. If she has been placed in solitary confinement, the Rapporteur would also wish to know the reasons and purposes of the measure and what procedural guarantees were afforded to her. The Special Rapporteur reserves his opinion of whether this aspect of the case constitutes a violation of Viet Nam’s international obligations until after receiving this additional information.
     

647. 
     The Special Rapporteur regrets that the Government of Yemen has not replied to the present communication, thereby failing to cooperate with the mandate issued by the Human Rights Council in its resolution 25/13, and to comply with its obligation, under international customary law, to investigate, prosecute and punish all acts of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, as codified, inter alia, in the Convention against Torture (CAT).
     
648. 
     Mr. Soufyan’s death apparently took place in the context of a demonstration in the prison where he was held. His relatives were denied visits and then received the corpse. They found traces of severe mistreatment and requested an autopsy, which was denied.
     
649. 
     In the absence of information to the contrary, the Rapporteur concludes that there is substance in the allegations presented in the initial communication, reiterated above, and thus, that the Government of Yemen, by failing to protect the physical and psychological integrity and prevent the death in detention of Mr. Soufyan, has violated his right to be free from torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, as provided by articles 1 and 16 of the CAT. In addition, the Government has failed to live up to its obligation to investigate each act of torture and to prosecute and punish those responsible.
     

650. 
     The Special Rapporteur regrets that the Government of Yemen has not replied to the present communication, thereby failing to cooperate with the mandate issued by the Human Rights Council in its resolution 25/13, and to comply with its obligation, under international customary law, to investigate, prosecute and punish all acts of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, as codified, inter alia, in the Convention against Torture (CAT).
     
651. 
     The joint allegation letter concerned the killing of 12 and injuries to 14 members of a convoy of cars going to a wedding, and the killing of a 5-year-old child and injuries to three women and a man in a separate drone attack the same day. It also mentioned two previous drone attacks in September 2013 resulting in 11 other deaths of civilians. It referred also to the alleged lack of any investigation into the four incidents.
     
652. 
     In the absence of information to the contrary, the Rapporteur concludes that there is substance in the allegations presented in the initial communication, reiterated above, and thus, that the Government of Yemen, failing to protect the physical integrity of the civilians in question, and possibly consenting to the airstrike conducted by the United States, has violated the right of these civilians to be free from torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, as provided by articles 1 and 16 of the CAT. The injuries constitute at least cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or even torture, and the Government has failed to live up to its obligation to investigate, prosecute and punish every such incident.
     

653. 
     The Special Rapporteur regrets that the Government of Yemen has not replied to the present communication, thereby failing to cooperate with the mandate issued by the Human Rights Council in its resolution 25/13, and to comply with its obligation, under international customary law, to investigate, prosecute and punish all acts of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, as codified, inter alia, in the Convention against Torture (CAT).
     
654. 
     In the absence of information to the contrary, the Rapporteur concludes that there is substance in the allegations presented in the initial communication, reiterated above, and thus, that the Government of Yemen, by holding Mr. Al Masraba in incommunicado detention for nearly 33 years, has violated the right of Mr. Al Masraba to be free from torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, as provided by articles 1 and 16 of the CAT. The Rapporteur urges the Government of Yemen to take prompt measures to comply with its international obligations and grant Mr. Al Masraba the full enjoyment of his rights.
     

655. 
     The Special Rapporteur regrets that the Government of Yemen has not replied to the present communication, thereby failing to cooperate with the mandate issued by the Human Rights Council in its resolution 25/13, and to comply with its obligation, under international customary law, to investigate, prosecute and punish all acts of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, as codified, inter alia, in the Convention against Torture (CAT).
     
656. 
     In the absence of information to the contrary, the Rapporteur concludes that there is substance in the allegations presented in the initial communication, reiterated above, and thus, that the Government of Yemen, by holding Mr. Mobley in incommunicado detention without charge, has violated the right of Mr. Mobley to be free from torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, as provided by articles 1 and 16 of the CAT.
     
657. 
     It has come to the attention of the Special Rapporteur that reportedly Mr. Mobley is secretly detained in a Special Forces army base in Sanaa, and that this army base has recently been taken over by the Houthi movement.
     
658. 
     The rapporteur strongly urges the Government of Yemen to protect Mr. Mobley’s physical and psychological integrity, ensure Mr. Mobley is safely returned to a general prison, and immediately and publicly confirm his whereabouts and safety.
     

659. 
     The Special Rapporteur regrets that the Government of Yemen has not replied to the present communication, thereby failing to cooperate with the mandate issued by the Human Rights Council in its resolution 25/13, and to comply with its obligation, under international customary law, to investigate, prosecute and punish all acts of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, as codified, inter alia, in the Convention against Torture (CAT).
     
660. 
     In the absence of information to the contrary, the Rapporteur concludes that there is substance in the allegations presented in the initial communication, reiterated above, and thus, that the Government of Yemen, by arresting Mr. Ben Ayed and Mr. Aissaoui without charges and holding them in incommunicado detention, has violated their right to be free from torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, as provided by articles 1 and 16 of the CAT.
     

661. 
     The Special Rapporteur regrets that the Government of Yemen has not replied to the present communication, thereby failing to cooperate with the mandate issued by the Human Rights Council in its resolution 25/13, and to comply with its obligation, under international customary law, to investigate, prosecute and punish all acts of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, as codified, inter alia, in the Convention against Torture (CAT).
     
662. 
     In the absence of information to the contrary, the Rapporteur concludes that there is substance in the allegations presented in the initial communication, reiterated above, and thus, that the Government of Yemen, by arbitrarily arresting Mr. Kamali and subjecting him to torture and ill-treatment in prison, has violated his right to be free from torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, as provided by articles 1 and 16 of the CAT.
     

663. 
     The Special Rapporteur regrets that the Government of Yemen has not replied to the present communication, thereby failing to cooperate with the mandate issued by the Human Rights Council in its resolution 25/13, and to comply with its obligation, under international customary law, to investigate, prosecute and punish all acts of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, as codified, inter alia, in the Convention against Torture (CAT).
     
664. 
     In the absence of information to the contrary, the Rapporteur concludes that there is substance in the allegations presented in the initial communication, reiterated above, and thus, that the Government of Yemen, by responding with unrestrained force to peaceful Houthi protests resulting in nine deaths and 67 injuries, has violated the right of these protestors to be free from torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, as provided by articles 1 and 16 of the CAT.
     

AL 19/08/13 Case No. MEX 8/2013 State Reply: 27/01/2014 Alegación de detención bajo régimen de incomunicación y actos de tortura y otros tratos o penas crueles, inhumanos o degradantes por fuerzas de seguridad del Estado.

665. 
     En lo que respecta al presente caso, Relator Especial recibió el 5 de febrero de 2014 informacion del Gobierno de México de que el Sr. Ángel Amílcar Colón Quevedo había sido puesto en libertad, después de haber sido privado de su libertad desde el 9 de marzo de 2009. El Relator acoge con satisfacción la decisión de liberar al Sr. Quevedo e insta al Gobierno de México a garantizar su integridad física y psicológica en el futuro.
     

GE.15-