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Report of the Special Rapporteur, Mr. Bacre Waly Ndiaye, submitted pursuant to Commission on Human Rights resolution 1996/74

          
          UNITED
          NATIONS
          E
          Distr.
          Economic and Social GENERAL
          Council
          E/CN.4/1997/60/Add.1
          23 December 1996
          ENGLISH
          Original: ENGLISH/
          FRENCH/SPANISH
          COMMISSION ON HUNP N RIGHTS
          Fifty—third session
          Item 10 of the provisional agenda
          QUESTION OF THE VIOLATION OF HUN N RIGHTS AND FUNDPMENTAL
          FREEDOMS IN ANY PART OF THE WORLD, WITH PARTICULP R REFERENCE
          TO COLONIAL AND OTHER DEPENDENT COUNTRIES AND TERRITORIES
          Extrajudicial, surrimary or arbitrary executions
          Report of the Special Rapporteur, Mr. Bacre Waly Ndiaye, submitted
          pursuant to Commission on Human Rights resolution 1996/74
          Introduction
          Addendum
          Country situations
          CONTENTS
          Paragraphs
          Page
          1— 3 4
          I. COUNTRIES
          Afghani stan
          Algeria .
          Angola .
          Argentina .
          Armenia .
          Australia
          Azerbaij an
          Bahrain
          Bangladesh
          Belgium
          Bolivia
          Botswana .
          Brazil .
          .. 4— 7
          . 8— 13
          .. 14— 18
          .. 19— 25
          .. 26— 30
          .. 31— 35
          .. 36— 40
          .. 41— 49
          50 — 55
          4
          5
          6
          7
          8
          9
          10
          11
          13
          56 14
          .. 57— 59 14
          . . 60 15
          .. 61— 70 15
          GE.97—10072 (E)
        
          
          E/CN. 4/1997/60/Add. 1
          page 2
          CONTENTS ( continued )
          Paraora hs Paoe
          Bulgaria . . .
          Burkina Faso .
          Burundi . . .
          Carifiodia . . .
          Chile . . .
          China . . .
          Colorifiia . . .
          Comores . . .
          Costa Rica . .
          Cuba . . .
          Djibouti . . .
          Egypt . . .
          El Salvador . .
          Spain . . .
          Estonia . . .
          Ethiopia . . .
          France . . .
          Garifiia . . .
          Georgia . . .
          Germany . . .
          Guatemala . . .
          Equatorial Guinea
          Guinea . . .
          Guyana . . .
          Haiti . . .
          Honduras . . .
          India
          Iraq
          Israel
          Jordan
          Kazakstan
          Kenya
          Kuwait
          Liberia
          Ma lays i a
          Maroc (Mor
          Mauritania
          Mauritius
          Mexico
          Moldova
          Myanma r
          Nepal
          Netherlands
          Nicaragua
          Nigeria
          Pakistan
          17
          19
          20
          21
          22
          23
          26
          39
          40
          40
          41
          42
          44
          47
          47
          47
          48
          48
          49
          49
          49
          55
          56
          57
          57
          58
          58
          60
          65
          68
          69
          72
          72
          73
          75
          75
          76
          77
          78
          78
          78
          88
          88
          90
          90
          91
          91
          92
          Indonesia and East Timor
          Iran (Islamic Republic of)
          .. 71— 78
          .. 79— 80
          .. 81— 89
          .. 90— 94
          .. 95— 99
          . . 100 — 114
          . . 115 — 140
          . . 141
          . . 142
          . . 143 — 147
          . . 148 — 149
          . . 150 — 159
          . . 160 — 168
          . . 169
          . . 170 — 171
          . . 172 — 176
          . . 177 — 178
          . . 179 — 180
          . . 181
          . . 182
          . . 183 — 202
          . . 203 — 206
          . . 207 — 209
          . . 210 — 212
          . . 213 — 216
          . . 217
          218 — 230
          . 231 — 247
          . 248 — 267
          268 — 271
          . . 272 — 286
          . . 287
          . . 288 — 289
          . . 290 — 298
          . . 299 — 300
          . . 301 — 303
          . . 304 — 307
          . . 308 — 310
          . . 311
          . . 312
          . . 313 — 346
          . . 347 — 348
          . . 349 — 355
          . . 356 — 358
          . . 359
          . . 360 — 364
          . . 365 — 367
          . . 368 — 375
          cco)
          Papua New Guinea
          376 — 380 93
        
          
          CONTENTS ( continued )
          Palestinian Authority
          Turkish Cypriot conr unity
          E/CN. 4/1997/60/Add.1
          page 3
          Para Qra hs Pa Qe
          Paraguay
          381
          94
          Peru
          382 — 392
          95
          Philippines
          393 - 398
          97
          Poland
          399
          99
          Romania
          400 — 401
          99
          Russian Federation
          402 — 419
          100
          Rwanda
          420 — 426
          103
          Saudi Arabia
          427 — 429
          105
          Senegal
          Sierra Leone
          430 — 432
          433 — 434
          105
          106
          Singapore
          Sri Lanka
          435 — 438
          439 — 452
          106
          107
          Sudan
          453 — 460
          110
          Syrian Arab Republic
          Tajikistan
          461 — 462
          463 - 466
          111
          111
          Chad
          467 — 468
          112
          Thailand
          469 — 473
          113
          Togo
          Trinidad and Tobago
          474 — 476
          477
          113
          114
          Turkey
          Turkmenistan
          478 — 502
          503
          114
          120
          Tunisia
          505 - 513
          120
          Ukraine
          514 — 522
          122
          United Kingdom of Great Britain and
          Northern Ireland
          523 — 542
          124
          United States of Aoeerica
          543 — 551
          127
          Uruguay
          Uzbekistan
          552 — 553
          554
          130
          131
          Venezuela
          555 — 558
          131
          Viet Nam
          559 — 560
          132
          Yemen
          561 — 563
          132
          Zaire
          564 — 572
          133
          573 — 574
          575
          134
          134
          II . OTHERS
        
          
          E/CN. 4/1997/60/Add. 1
          page 4
          Introduction
          1. This addendum to the report on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary
          executions describes 95 country situations and gives an account of actions
          undertaken by the Special Rapporteur between 25 Novercber 1995 and
          1 Nover er 1996. It also contains in summary form the replies received from
          Governments to his corcoeunications and, where appropriate, observations of the
          Special Rapporteur.
          2. Since most allegations of extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions
          were transmitted on 4 June 1996 and 1 Septercber 1996, these dates are not
          indicated in the report. The dates included in the report, mostly in
          parenthesis, are those of urgent appeals, those of allegations transmitted on
          a different date than the above—mentioned, and those of governoeent replies.
          3. Owing to restrictions on the length of documents, the Special Rapporteur
          was obliged to reduce considerably details of corcoeunications sent and
          received. As a result, requests from Governoeents to pJilish their replies in
          their totality could not be acceded to. Moreover, responses from sources to
          requests of the Special Rapporteur, although of great importance to his work,
          are only reflected very briefly in the report.
          I. COUNTRIES
          AfQhanistan
          Information received
          4. The Special Rapporteur received reports concerning killings of civilians
          in Kabul as a result of indiscriminate attacks by the Taliban and other
          warring factions. He also received distressing information indicating that in
          the areas under Taliban control, court—ordered executions of adulterers by
          stoning were reinstated. For an in—depth analysis of the human rights
          situation prevailing in the country, reference is made to the report of the
          Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan
          (E/CN.4/1997/59) .
          Communications received
          5. The Governoeent provided a reply to the case of Mir Wais Jalil, a EEC
          World Service journalist allegedly found dead after having been abducted in
          Kabul on 29 July 1994. The Special Rapporteur was informed that Mir Wais
          Jalil had never been threatened by the Government of Afghanistan and that the
          killing occurred outside the territory over which it had control. The
          Government also stated that the ad hoc corcoeission appointed to investigate the
          assassination of Mir Jalil had not produced any results (10 April 1996) .
          Follow—un
          6. The Special Rapporteur requested more details about the proceedings of
          the ad hoc commission appointed to investigate the killing of Mir Wais Jalil
          and about the status of investigations.
        
          
          E/CN. 4/1997/60/Add.1
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          Observations
          7. The Special Rapporteur thanks the Government for the reply provided in
          regard to the case of Mir Wais Jalil. He calls on all warring factions in the
          country to respect international human rights and humanitarian law standards
          and, in particular, to protect at all times the right to life of civilians and
          other non—cor atants. The Special Rapporteur deeply regrets the killing of
          the former Afghan President Najibullah by the Taliban after his abduction from
          the compound in Kabul of the United Nations Mission in Afghanistan.
          AlQeria
          Information received and conr unications sent
          8. As in previous years, the scanty information brought to the attention of
          the Special Rapporteur indicates that human rights violations, and in
          particular extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, continue to occur
          on an alarming scale.
          9. There are disturbing reports of the existence of civilian militias
          formed by the Algerian Government and integrated into the security forces.
          They are said to be involved in violations of the right to life.
          10. The Special Rapporteur transmitted allegations he had received to the
          effect that, on 22 July 1994, the gendarmerie in Tixter (Bordj—Bou—Arreridj)
          were informed by a citizen of the discovery of 15 bodies with bullet wounds in
          Dhala forest (corcoeune of Taghrout) . According to the information received,
          no action has been taken to elucidate the circumstances of death or to
          identify the bodies.
          Conr unications received
          11. The Governoeent replied to the allegations transmitted by the Special
          Rapporteur, stating that because of serious mutilation it had been possible to
          identify only three of the bodies, which were those of Nadji Benharcoeadi,
          Azzouz Maarcha and El Kheir Bouadi. In addition, the Special Rapporteur was
          informed that a preliminary inquiry had been initiated by the PJ lic
          Prosecutor's Office but had yielded no further information. A judicial
          inquiry was then opened. The investigation is reportedly continuing
          (22 October 1996) .
          Follow—un on invitations to visit AlQeria
          12. The Special Rapporteur expressed appreciation to the Governoeent for the
          invitation extended to him, in a letter of 15 Nover er 1993, to visit Algeria
          and informed it of his interest in making the visit before mid—February 1997
          (28 August 1996) .
          Observations
          13. The Special Rapporteur wishes to thank the Algerian Government for the
          information which it has kindly brought to his attention. He remains
          concerned at the high level of violence in Algeria and is very worried about
        
          
          E/CN. 4/1997/60/Add. 1
          page 6
          the persistent allegations of violations of the right to life committed both
          by the security forces and by the armed Islamic groups. He regrets that, at
          the time this report was completed, there had been no response to his
          acceptance of the Algerian Government's invitation.
          An Qola
          Information received and conr unications sent
          14. The Special Rapporteur continued to receive allegations and information
          to the effect that the security forces, on the one hand, and the National
          Union for the Total Independence of A ngola (UNITA) , on the other, were
          responsible for numerous extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions.
          Furthermore, reports that journalists who had criticized the Government had
          received death threats were brought to the Special Rapporteur's attention. It
          is further reported that police officers have shot at suspects on sight
          instead of trying to arrest them.
          15. The Special Rapporteur was also informed of the lack of significant
          progress in judicial investigations involving the Angolan Governoeent's
          security forces. The few investigations which were opened reportedly yielded
          no practical result.
          16. In a letter addressed to the Governoeent, the Special Rapporteur
          transmitted allegations of violation of the right to life of the following
          persons: Jos Adao Da Silva, UNITA provincial secretary in Luanda and elected
          mercber of the National Assercbly, shot by two police officers on 14 July 1996;
          Antonio Maltey, died of bullet wounds in hospital. According to the
          information received, he had been the victim of persecution since 1993 because
          of his contacts with mer ers of his family belonging to UNITA.
          Follow—un
          17. The Special Rapporteur sent a follow—up letter to remind the Anigolan
          Government that no reply had yet been received concerning the allegations
          transmitted by him during the period under consideration.
          Observations
          18. The Special Rapporteur regrets that he has not received from the Anigolan
          Government any information concerning the allegations transmitted. He
          continues to be seriously concerned at the fact that the human rights
          violations particularly affect a civilian population which has been sorely
          tried by more than 20 years of civil war. He urges the two parties to the
          conflict to respect the agreements concluded for the restoration of peace in
          A ngola. To this end, he suggests to the Government that it should, with the
          United Nations Angola Verification Mission (UNAVM III) , undertake a
          large—scale initiative to rid the country of mines. Millions of
          anti—personnel mines which have been laid all over Angola have already killed
          or maimed a very large nurcber of civilians, including women and children.
        
          
          E/CN. 4/1997/60/Add.1
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          ArQentina
          Information received and conr unications sent
          19. The Special Rapporteur sent two urgent appeals to the Government of
          Argentina, one of them on behalf of the 17—year—old Alejandro Mirabete and his
          relatives, after he had been informed that two police officers in civilian
          clothes had shot and seriously wounded him in the Belgrano district of
          Buenos Aires. He also learned that relatives of Alejandro Mirabete had been
          under surveillance by police officers in civilian clothes and had received
          intimidating telephone calls (6 March 1996) . He expressed regret at the news
          of the death of Alejandro Mirabete, who succurcbed to his serious wounds
          shortly afterwards.
          20. In addition, the Special Rapporteur sent an urgent appeal on behalf of
          Mr. Federico Alberto HJiert, the lawyer responsible for the case of Diego
          Rodriguez Laguens, after learning that the threats and intimidation to which
          he had been sJijected were continuing. These new threats follow a series of
          acts of intimidation against the lawyer and relatives of Diego Rodriguez
          Laguens, a 26-year-old engineer who died in 1994 while in police custody in
          San Pedro, Jujuy. The Special Rapporteur sent a nur er of urgent appeals on
          behalf of the victim's lawyer and relatives in previous years (21 May 1996) .
          21. The Special Rapporteur also transmitted to the authorities the
          complaints he had received about the alleged extrajudicial, summary or
          arbitrary executions of the following persons:
          (a) Pedro Salvador Aguirre, who was killed on 5 July 1996 in the
          district of Laguna, Seca, Corrientes, by a nurcber of men who were allegedly
          police officers;
          (b) Jos Delfin Acosta, Uruguayan citizen, black, domiciled in
          Buenos Aires, died on 5 April 1996 shortly after having been arrested by
          officers from the Fifth Federal Police Station. The Special Rapporteur was
          informed that the officers had beaten him and that, after he had begun to
          suffer convulsions, he had been taken by ar ulance to Ramos Mejia hospital but
          was dead on arrival.
          Conr unications received
          22. The Argentine Government informed the Special Rapporteur that, in
          connection with the Diego Rodriguez Laguens case, a public hearing was due to
          have been held on 6 Noventer 1995 but was suspended and postponed until 1996.
          The Under—Secretariat for Human Rights (Ministry of the Interior) contacted
          the victim's family and lawyer, who raised no objection. As to the threats
          and intimidation suffered by Mr. HJ ert, they were reported and were being
          investigated by the Third Rota Court of Formal Investigation in Salta, the
          proceedings being at the pre—trial stage. The Governoeent also informed the
          Special Rapporteur that Mr. HJ ert was under protection by the Salta and Jujuy
          branches of the Federal Police (13 Dece n ter 1995) . The Governoeent later
          reiterated that the relatives and the lawyer were all under permanent
          protection by the Salta and Jujuy branches of the Federal Police
          (19 June 1996) .
        
          
          E/CN. 4/1997/60/Add. 1
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          23. The Argentine Government replied to the urgent appeal sent by the
          Special Rapporteur on behalf of Alejandro Mirabete in communications of
          25 March and 19 July 1996. According to the Government's reply, judicial
          proceedings were initiated in Juvenile Court No. 6 in Buenos Aires. After the
          boy's death, the case was transferred to Criminal Investigation Court No. 30
          in Buenos Aires, and prosecution proceedings and the pre—trial detention of a
          police officer were ordered. The proceedings are still under way.
          Follow—un
          24. In a follow—up corcoeunication to the Government, the Special Rapporteur
          referred to additional information received from the sources in connection
          with the death of Diego Rodriguez Laguens. These sources stated that, on
          31 May 1996 in Jujuy, three policemen had been tried and sentenced to 16
          years' imprisonment for his murder. The Special Rapporteur was also informed
          that the defendants had appealed against the sentence and that the victim's
          family had been awarded US$ 100,000 in compensation. According to the
          information received, after statements by Mr. HJiert when the sentence was
          known, the court ordered him to be detained for five days for having made
          offensive corcoeents about the judiciary; the detention order was suspended
          shortly afterwards. In that connection, the Special Rapporteur requested the
          Government to inform him of the result of the appeal. In the same
          communication, he requested information about judicial developments in the
          Alejandro Mirabete case.
          Observations
          25. The Special Rapporteur thanks the Government of Argentina for the
          information provided in reply to his various communications. He regrets that
          although he transmitted a nunter of urgent appeals in previous years on behalf
          of Pedro Salvador Aguirre (see E/CN.4/1994/7, para. 121), this man was
          murdered. In this connection, he urges the authorities to adopt all necessary
          measures for the protection of persons whose life or person may be in danger.
          He welcomes the sentence imposed on the persons responsible for the death of
          Diego Rodriguez Laguens and the compensation awarded to the family.
          Armenia
          Information received and communications sent
          26. The Special Rapporteur sent an allegation of an extrajudicial, summary
          or arbitrary execution to the Government of Armenia concerning Rudik Vartanian
          who reportedly died on 21 January 1993 in police custody as a result of
          injuries inflicted during a severe beating.
          Communications received
          27. The Government provided the Special Rapporteur with a reply to the
          allegations he had transmitted in 1995 regarding Ardavast Manukian, a mercber
          of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation, who reportedly died in custody, and
          regarding eight unidentified prisoners of war of Azerbaijani nationality who
          allegedly died in the Armenian Ministry of Defence prison in Yerevan.
          Concerning the alleged death in custody of Ardavast Manukian, the Government
        
          
          E/CN. 4/1997/60/Add.1
          page 9
          informed the Special Rapporteur that two autopsies had been carried out, from
          which it had been concluded that he had died of natural causes. The
          Government also stated that, according to the medical file, he had received
          appropriate medical treatment. Criminal investigations carried out by the
          Investigations Department of the office of the Public Prosecutor of the
          Republic of Armenia had established no unlawful acts on the part of the
          medical personnel, officials or other persons. With regard to the eight
          unidentified prisoners of Azerbaijani origin, the Government informed the
          Special Rapporteur that they had corcoeitted suicide after an unsuccessful
          attempt to escape from the prison (29 Nover er 1995) .
          28. In response to the Special Rapporteur's follow—up conr unication
          of 1 Septer er 1996 (see below, under follow-up) in which the Special
          Rapporteur requested additional information on the case of the eight
          unidentified prisoners of war of Azerbaijani nationality, the Governoeent
          provided the clarification that the conclusion that the persons in question
          had corcoeitted suicide was based on testimonies of fellow Azerbaijani prisoners
          and of wardens, as well as on the findings of the forensic medical and
          ballistic examinations. The Governoeent also informed the Special Rapporteur
          that the case had been investigated by the Military Procurator and that the
          findings of the investigation and the grounds for the decision taken in the
          case had been reported in the mass media (31 October 1996) .
          29. In regard to the case of Rudik Vartanian, the Government indicated in
          its reply that the autopsy had established that his death had been caused by
          severe damage to the brain caused by a blunt instrument and that criminal
          proceedings had been initiated in connection with this incident
          (31 October 1996) .
          Follow—un
          30. The Special Rapporteur thanked the Governoeent of Armenia for the replies
          provided and sought further clarification in regard to the eight unidentified
          prisoners of war of Azerbaijani nationality who died in custody in Yerevan on
          29 January 1994, in particular as to the investigations carried out and the
          evidence on which the authorities based their conclusion.
          Australia
          Information received and conr unications sent
          31. The Special Rapporteur received information concerning deaths in custody
          of persons of Aboriginal origin in Australia. According to the source, since
          1989, 55 persons of Aboriginal origin had died while in custody, among them
          11 minors and 7 women. The source alleged that many of those deaths could
          occur because reconr endations made by the Royal Corcoeission into Aboriginal
          Deaths in Custody (RCADIC) in its National report published in 1991 had not
          been implemented to any meaningful degree.
        
          
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          32. The Special Rapporteur was also informed that those deaths were in many
          cases investigated by means of a coroner's inquiry. According to the source,
          in a significant nunter of cases coroners' reports did not give a meaningful
          explanation of how deaths occurred and included no investigation into
          underlying issues.
          33. In this regard, the Special Rapporteur transmitted the following
          allegations of violations of the right to life of persons of Aboriginal origin
          to the Government of Australia: Daphne Armstrong, who reportedly died on
          25 May 1992 in Brisbane Watchhouse from heart failure after having been
          arrested for alleged drunkenness; Barry Raymond Turbane, who reportedly
          conr itted suicide on 7 April 1993 in the Arthur Gorrie Correctional Centre,
          Queensland, allegedly as a result of insufficient supervision; Danial Yock,
          who reportedly died on 7 Novercber 1993 at Brisbane Watchhouse shortly after
          his arrest; Rickey Young, who reportedly died on 12 August 1993 in Launceston
          General Hospital, Tasmania, after he had been shot in the abdomen by a police
          officer; Janet Blundell, who reportedly died on 10 February 1992 shortly after
          her arrest.
          Follow—un
          34. The Special Rapporteur sent a letter reminding the Governoeent of
          Australia of the cases transmitted earlier in the year to which no reply had
          yet been received.
          Observations
          35. The Special Rapporteur regrets that at the time the present report was
          finalized, no replies had been received from the Governoeent. He is concerned
          at the allegations of death in custody of persons of Aboriginal origin.
          Azerbaijan
          Information received and conr unications sent
          36. The Special Rapporteur was informed that a high nunter of deaths
          occurred among prisoners as a result of overcrowding, which was reportedly so
          severe that it created unsanitary conditions in which the spread of diseases
          was difficult to check. According to the information received, an official of
          the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Azerbaijan was quoted in
          October 1995 as reporting that, in 1994, 244 out of a total of 320 prisoners
          infected with tuberculosis had died, and that in 1995 the nunter of prisoners
          suffering from tjierculosis had reached 1,200.
          37. The Special Rapporteur also transmitted the case of Aypara Aliyev, who
          reportedly died on 25 Nove n ter 1995 in a prison hospital in Baku as a result
          of inadequate medical treatment. According to the information received, he
          was transferred from the medical facility of the Bayilov prison in Baku only
          after he fell into a coma on 22 October 1995.
        
          
          E/CN. 4/1997/60/Add.1
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          Conr unications received
          38. In response to the case of Aypara Aliyev, the Government provided the
          Special Rapporteur with general information concerning the procedure for
          investigating deaths in custody, bringing perpetrators to justice and
          providing compensation.
          Follow—un
          39. The Special Rapporteur sent a follow-up letter, reminding the Government
          of Azerbaijan of the cases transmitted during 1995 and 1996.
          Observations
          40. The Special Rapporteur thanks the Government for the reply provided, but
          notes that a reply of such a general nature does not meet his request for
          specific information contained in the letter which accompanied the alleged
          case of an extrajudicial, stioemary or arbitrary execution. The Special
          Rapporteur calls on the Government to take all necessary measures to ensure
          the right to life of all persons detained or imprisoned in accordance with the
          Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, the Basic Principles
          for the Treatment of Prisoners and the Body of Principles for the Protection
          of All Persons under Any Form of Detention or Imprisonment.
          Bahrain
          Information received and conr unications sent
          41. The Special Rapporteur received reports indicating that political
          violence and unrest, which had started at the end of 1994, escalated in early
          1996 and that the authorities of Bahrain responded to the unrest with massive
          arbitrary arrests, torture of detainees, sometimes resulting in death, and
          extrajudicial killings. It was also brought to the Special Rapporteur's
          attention that on 26 March 1996 Bahrain carried out its first execution of a
          death sentence in almost 20 years. The previous execution reportedly took
          place in March 1977.
          42. The Special Rapporteur transmitted three urgent appeals to the
          Government of Bahrain, all of them relating to the imposition of the death
          penalty after judicial proceedings which were reported to have fallen short of
          international fair trial standards.
          43. Two of these urgent appeals were sent on behalf of ‘Issa Aboead Hassan
          Qarcbar who was reportedly sentenced to death for the murder of a police
          officer in 1995. According to the source, ‘Issa Ahmad Hassan Qar ar was not
          represented by a lawyer until he appeared in court. The source had also
          expressed fears that the confession upon which the conviction was based might
          have been extracted under torture by security forces during his pre—trial
          detention (20 and 26 March 1996) . The Special Rapporteur learned with regret
          that ‘Issa Ahmad Hassan Qar ar was executed on 26 March 1996.
        
          
          E/CN. 4/1997/60/Add. 1
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          44. The Special Rapporteur also sent an urgent appeal on behalf of
          ‘Ali Ahmad Abed Al-Usfur, Yousef Hussein ‘Abdelbaki and Ahmad Khalil Ibrahim
          Habil Al-Kattan who were reportedly sentenced to death by the State Security
          Court after being convicted of carrying out a fireborifi attack on a restaurant
          in which seven expatriates were killed. The State Security Court reportedly
          does not allow for appeals. Furthermore, it was reported that the defendants
          might have been convicted on the basis of confessions extracted under torture
          by security forces during their pre-trial detention (3 July 1996) .
          45. In addition, the Special Rapporteur transmitted allegations of
          violations of the right to life in regard to the following four identified
          persons: Fadhil Abbas Marhoon, reportedly shot on 3 May 1996 by security
          forces during a peaceful demonstration in Karzakkan and taken into custody
          where he reportedly died some days later; Abdul Aoeir Hassan Rustum, who
          reportedly died on 11 May 1996 as a result of injuries inflicted by security
          forces when they intervened in a peaceful demonstration in Daih on 9 May 1996;
          Zahra Kadhem Ali, who reportedly died on 23 July 1996 in a military hospital
          some hours after being shot by security forces; Ali Amin Mohanr ed, who
          reportedly died in custody as a result of torture (30 Septer er 1996) .
          Conr unications received
          46. The Governoeent of Bahrain provided a reply to the urgent appeals sent on
          behalf of ‘Issa Ahmad Hassan Qarcber, informing the Special Rapporteur that his
          trial was pJilic and fair and in full compliance with international norms and
          principles (9 April 1996) . In its reply concerning the case of Ali Amin
          Mohanr ed who reportedly died in custody as a result of torture, the Government
          stated that he had died of heart failure (31 October 1996) . In regard to the
          urgent appeal sent on behalf of Ali Ahmad Abed al—Usfur, Yousef Hussein
          ‘ A bdelbaki and Ahmad Khalil Ibrahim Habil al-Kattan, the Government replied
          that they had been convicted after due process of law (31 October 1996) .
          47. The Governoeent also informed the Special Rapporteur that the events and
          activities it had to face, including murder, borifiing, arson and the
          destruction and looting of public and private property, were foreign-backed
          terrorist activities (11 April 1996) .
          Follow—un
          48. The Special Rapporteur requested the Government to furnish additional
          information in regard to the cases of Hani Al—Wasti, Hani Abbas Khamis and
          ‘Issa Aboead Hassan Qar ar, after the source provided him with further
          information contradicting the Government's response. In the same letter the
          Special Rapporteur also reminded the Government of the cases sent earlier
          during the year to which a reply had yet to be received.
          Observations
          49. The Special Rapporteur wishes to thank the Government of Bahrain for the
          replies provided. The Special Rapporteur continues to be concerned about the
          allegations he has received regarding violations of the right to life. The
        
          
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          Special Rapporteur calls on the Government to take the necessary steps to
          prevent further killings of demonstrators, in accordance with the Basic
          Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials, and
          to respect all international fair trial standards in death penalty cases.
          BanQladesh
          Information received and conr unications sent
          50. The Special Rapporteur received numerous reports indicating that
          violations of the right to life of persons of ChaI a ethnic origin continued
          to be corcoeitted by mer ers of the Bangladeshi armed forces.
          51. In this context, he transmitted allegations of violations of the right
          to life of the following persons in the Chittagong Hill Tracts: Amar Bikash
          Chakma, reportedly killed on 7 March 1996 by mercbers of the Bangladeshi armed
          forces in Khaban puiya, Khagrachari when they opened fire on demonstrators;
          Kyaw Jai Marma, reportedly shot and killed on 31 March 1996 by mercbers of the
          police during a peaceful demonstration in Khagrachari.
          52. In addition, he transmitted allegations regarding two unidentified
          students, possibly belonging to a minority, who were reportedly killed by
          plain—clothed police officers in a dining room of the University of Dhaka.
          Conr unications received
          53. The Governoeent informed the Special Rapporteur that the allegations
          transmitted during 1995 and 1996 were being investigated and that a reply
          would be provided as soon as the relevant authorities have completed their
          inquiries (12 June 1996 and 5 October 1996) .
          Follow—un
          54. The Special Rapporteur sought further clarification in regard to the
          cases of Lal Rijot Bawn and one unidentified person, later identified as Nabo
          Alo ChaI a, after having received additional information from the source which
          contradicted the Governoeent's reply. In the same letter, the Special
          Rapporteur also reminded the Governoeent of the cases sent during 1995 and 1996
          to which no reply had yet been received.
          Observations
          55. The Special Rapporteur is concerned about the persistent reports of
          violations of the right to life conr itted by mercbers of the armed forces in
          Bangladesh, in particular in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, although he only
          received information sufficiently detailed to act upon in two individual cases
          that occurred in 1996. He calls on the Governoeent to bring those responsible
          for violations of the right to life to justice and to take appropriate
          measures to ensure that such violations do not recur. He also wishes to
          express once again his interest in visiting the country and hopes that the
          authorities will reconsider their refusal to extend an invitation to him.
        
          
          E/CN. 4/1997/60/Add. 1
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          Belc ium
          56. The Special Rapporteur welcomes the abolition in August 1996 of the
          death penalty for all crimes in Belgium, following the promulgation of a bill
          and its pJ lication in the official gazette on 1 August 1996.
          Bolivia
          Information received and conr unications sent
          57. During 1996, the Special Rapporteur received information on the
          excessive use of force by the Mobile Rural Patrol Unit (LJMOPAR) , particularly
          in clashes with coca—growers. In this connection, he transmitted to the
          Government of Bolivia complaints about alleged violations of the right to life
          of the following persons:
          (a) Juan Ortiz Diaz, died on 8 August 1995, in a clash between
          policemen and coca—growers in Ayopaya, Carrasco;
          (b) Ram6n Crespo Condori, died in a violent clash in Chancadora,
          Carrasco, between police and coca—growers on 2 Septercber 1995. It was
          reported that the victim was at the front of a group of coca—growers who were
          throwing stones at the police;
          (c) Roxana Janeth Veliz Vargas, aged 13, died on 15 Novercber 1995,
          after being shot in the stomach in an altercation in Shinahota;
          (d) Jos Mejia Piso, peasant, killed on 18 August 1995 by a mercber of
          the L]NOPAR in a clash with local residents in San Gabriel.
          58. In addition, in a follow—up corcoeunication, the Special Rapporteur
          reminded the authorities that he had not yet received a reply about the
          above—mentioned cases or about the case of Felipe P rez, a peasant allegedly
          killed by police officers in August 1994, referred to the Bolivian Governoeent
          in 1995.
          Observations
          59. The Special Rapporteur regrets that no reply has been received from the
          Government concerning the corcoeunications sent since 1995. He invites the
          Government to take the necessary measures, in conformity with the Basic
          Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials, in
          order to avoid any repetition of incidents similar to those mentioned above.
          He urges the Bolivian authorities to ensure that law enforcement officials
          receive comprehensive training in human rights questions and, above all,
          concerning limitations on the use of force and firearms in the performance of
          their duties.
        
          
          E/CN. 4/1997/60/Add.1
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          Botswana
          Follow—un
          60. The Special Rapporteur sent a letter to remind the Government that a
          reply had yet to be received concerning the case of Binto Moroke, who was
          reportedly killed on 19 February 1995 in Mochudi.
          Brazil
          Information received and conr unications sent
          61. Information brought to the attention of the Special Rapporteur during
          1996 indicates that violations of the right to life have continued to occur,
          mainly in the context of conflict over land. Excessive use of force by
          military police carrying out evictions of landless rural workers has led to
          the loss of many lives. In addition, it has been reported that gunmen, some
          of them allegedly policemen, reportedly hired by local landowners, have been
          responsible for threatening, harassing and in some cases killing peasants and
          indigenous leaders claiming their rights over land. The Special Rapporteur
          was informed that Decree 1775/96, issued by the Federal Government in
          January 1996, provided procedures for administrative claims by non—indigenous
          claimants to indigenous areas already demarcated as such. Several sources
          expressed concern that the uncertainty created by this decree could lead to
          violent incursions onto indigenous lands and to human rights abuses.
          62. The Special Rapporteur transmitted five urgent appeals to the Government
          of Brazil on behalf of the following persons:
          (a) Witnesses and relatives of the victims of the Vigario Geral
          massacre and mer ers of the Casa de Paz in Vigario Geral, after having been
          informed that F bio Goncalves Cavalcante and Edval Silva were killed in
          Vigario Geral, allegedly by police officers, in similar circumstances to the
          1993 Vigario Geral massacre. According to the information received by the
          Special Rapporteur, the killings occurred during pre—trial proceedings against
          56 policemen accused of participating in the Vigario Geral massacre
          (6 February 1996) . The Special Rapporteur sent a second urgent appeal on
          their behalf, after being informed that they continued to be threatened and
          harassed, particularly following the conditional release in February of 18 of
          the policemen accused of carrying out the massacre (7 March 96) ;
          (b) 250 mer ers of the Guarani—Kaiow indigenous conr unity in Jarara,
          following a court ruling to evict them from the land they occupied in Jarar ,
          Juti municipality, Mato Grosso do Sul (23 May 1996) ;
          (c) 200 squatter peasant (posseiro) families on the Sao Francisco
          estate, following the killing of Manuel Moraes de Souza and two other men,
          known as Sebastiao and Val rio, by unidentified gunmen, reportedly mer ers of
          the police hired by local lando ers (30 August 1996);
          (d) Luiz Gonzaga Danteas and Roberto Monte, both human rights
          defenders with the Centro de Direitos Humanos e Mem6ria Popular, and an
          unknown witness, following the killing of human rights lawyer Francisco Gilson
        
          
          E/CN. 4/1997/60/Add. 1
          page 16
          Nogueira de Carvalho in Natal, Rio Grande do Norte. Reportedly he was
          investigating the involvement of mer ers of the Rio Grande do Norte civil
          police in death squad activities (24 October 1996) .
          63. In addition the Special Rapporteur transmitted allegations he had
          received concerning the violations of the right to life of the following
          persons:
          (a) Journalists, reportedly killed in May and August 1995: Marcos
          Borges Ribeiro, owner of the newspaper 0 Inde endente of Rio Verde, killed by
          a policeman, following publication of an article in which he accused mer ers
          of the local police of being involved in violations of human rights; Aristeu
          Guida da Silva, owner of A Gazeta de Sao Fidelis , threatened with death and
          killed, following the publication of some articles accusing municipal
          counsellors ( consejeros municIIales ) of Sao Fidelis of irregularities;
          Reinaldo Countinho da Silva, owner of Cachoeiras Hornal of Cachoeira de
          Macacu, Rio de Janeiro, killed in Sao Gonqalo. His newspaper had reportedly
          accused mer ers of the local police of irregularities in their work;
          (b) 20 peasants, reportedly killed on 17 April 1996, during a
          confrontation between Pars State Military Police and some 2,000 landless
          peasants. According to the source, mercbers of the military police who were
          trying to break up a demonstration of peasants belonging to the Movimento de
          Trabalhadores Rurais S cm Terra (Movement for Landless Rural Workers), in
          Eldorado do Caraj s, opened fire against them.
          Conr unications received
          64. The Government of Brazil informed the Special Rapporteur that, regarding
          the death of Reinaldo Silva, judicial investigations were still under way
          (12 Decer er 1995) .
          65. Regarding the alleged death threats against the Macuxi indigenous
          conr unity, the Government informed the Special Rapporteur that investigations
          into the incidents were being conducted by the federal and state police and
          that lawsuits in this regard had been submitted to the federal and state
          judiciary systems. In addition, the Government provided general information
          regarding the Macuxi indigenous conr unity and stated that the land that
          conr unity occupied in Raposa/Serra do Sol had not yet been recognized by the
          Minister of Justice as of permanent indigenous occupation. The Government
          also explained that the Fundaqao Nacional do Indio (FUNA I) had declared itself
          in favour of demarcation of that land after having undertaken anthropological
          and land studies (23 January 1996) .
          66. In addition, the Government provided information regarding the incidents
          which took place in Eldorado de Caraj s in which 20 persons were allegedly
          killed. According to the Government, the Attorney-General of the Republic had
          requested an inquiry to be opened to determine the possible responsibility of
          the Governor of Pars. The Government stated that six witnesses had been
          granted protection by the Federal Police. Furthermore, a total of
          155 persons, including a colonel, a conr ander of the 4th Battalion of the
          military police in Marab , a lieutenant—colonel, a major and a captain, would
          be brought to justice. Disciplinary measures had been taken against the
        
          
          E/CN. 4/1997/60/Add.1
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          accused. In addition the Government informed the Special Rapporteur that the
          Government of Pars was elaborating a draft bill providing for the compensation
          of the surviving victims and families of the deceased (23 July 1996) .
          Follow—un
          67. By a follow—up corcoeunication, the Special Rapporteur requested the
          Government to provide further details regarding the judicial proceedings in
          the case of Reinaldo Silva and the incidents in Eldorado de Caraj s in which
          20 peasants were reportedly killed. In particular he requested details
          concerning the content of the draft bill which was being elaborated by the
          Government of Pars with the aim of providing compensation for the surviving
          victims and families of those killed. He also asked the Government to inform
          him whether the draft bill had been adopted.
          68. In the same corcoeunication the Special Rapporteur brought to the
          attention of the Government that, according to the source, to that date, no
          one had been brought to justice in relation to the CoruiIIiara massacre. He
          also informed the Government that, according to additional information he had
          received regarding the Candelaria massacre, one military policeman had been
          sentenced to 309 years' imprisonment for his involvement in the massacre. His
          sentence had shortly thereafter been reduced to 89 years after a retrial.
          Other military police officers accused had not yet stood trial. The Special
          Rapporteur requested the Government to provide him with additional information
          regarding the trial procedures, as well as with further judicial developments.
          Observations
          69. The Special Rapporteur thanks the Government of Brazil for the replies
          provided and the willingness shown to cooperate with his mandate. He is
          concerned about allegations of violations of the right to life in the context
          of land conflicts and expresses deep concern at the reported excessive use of
          force by law enforcement officials, particularly when carrying out eviction
          orders. While deploring the tragic events of Eldorado de Caraj s, he urges
          the authorities to ensure that law enforcement officials receive thorough
          training in human rights matters and in particular with regard to the
          restrictions on the use of force and firearms in the discharge of their
          duties.
          70. The Special Rapporteur reiterates his concern about allegations of
          harassment and violations of the right to life against witnesses of human
          rights violations and relatives of victims. He urges the authorities to take
          all necessary measures to ensure that witnesses of human rights violations
          involved in judicial proceedings are given effective State protection.
          BulQaria
          Information received and conr unications sent
          71. The Special Rapporteur received information which indicated that in
          May 1995 the Minister of the Interior of Bulgaria had stated that 17 people
          had died in suspicious circumstances in police custody during the previous
          14 months. No information was given on how many of these deaths were
        
          
          E/CN. 4/1997/60/Add. 1
          page 18
          reportedly investigated or on the results of such investigations. The
          Special Rapporteur was also informed that official statistics on deaths in
          custody are not made pJilic.
          72. The Special Rapporteur transmitted allegations of deaths in custody in
          regard to five identified persons: Khristo Khrsitov, who reportedly died on
          5 April 1995 in Sofia, allegedly as a result of a blow to the chest, after he
          had been arrested on suspicion of theft; Kostadin Timchev, aged 17, reportedly
          arrested in Plovdiv on 24 April and taken to the Dimitrovgrad hospital on
          25 April 1995 with a brain haemorrhage, allegedly resulting from a blow to the
          head and causing his death five days later; Iliya Gherghinov, belonging to the
          Roma ethnic minority, whose body was reportedly found on 10 February 1995
          after having been tortured in the Gradets police station the previous day;
          Assen Ivanov, aged 17 and belonging to the Roma ethnic minority, who
          reportedly died on 12 February 1995 in a hospital in Sandanski as a result of
          torture while in police custody; Angel ZJ chinov, who was reportedly brought
          from the police station to the hospital in Razgrad where he died on
          30 January 1996, allegedly as a result of brain haemorrhage following a blow
          to the head.
          Conr unications received
          73. The Government provided a reply to the cases transmitted during 1995 and
          most of those sent during 1996.
          74. In respect of the case of Ly bcho Sofiez Terziev, who reportedly died in
          police custody in Kanzanluk on 6 August 1994, the Government informed the
          Special Rapporteur that the forensic medical report on the corpse had
          concluded that death had been caused by multiple traumas on the head, torso
          and lircJis that led to traumatic shock. The Special Rapporteur was also
          informed that the preliminary proceedings had not been completed and the
          perpetrator of the crime not identified (12 March 1996) .
          75. In regard to the case of A ngel Anigelov, who was reportedly shot dead by
          a police officer on 20 March 1995, the Government responded that the police
          officer who had shot him had done so in self-defence when attacked by the
          victim with a pickaxe, and after having fired a warning shot in the air. The
          Government also informed the Special Rapporteur that preliminary proceedings
          had not yet been completed (23 May 1996) .
          76. In addition, the Government provided a response in the cases of
          Khristo Khrsitov, Assen Ivanov, Iliya Gherghinov, and Angel ZJ chinov, which
          were transmitted in 1996. The Government informed the Special Rapporteur that
          three police officers had been found guilty by the Sofia Military Court of
          beating Khristo Khrsitov, and that two of them had been sentenced to 20 years'
          imprisonment and one to 18 years. In regard to the case of Assen Ivanov, the
          Government stated that the investigation had not yet been concluded owing to
          delayed expertise but that a preliminary investigation had shown no evidence
          that police officers had beaten and struck Ivanov while he was detained. In
          regard to Iliya Gherghinov, the Special Rapporteur was informed that, in the
        
          
          E/CN. 4/1997/60/Add.1
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          absence of evidence of death caused by violence, the Sliven Prosecutor's
          Office had ruled suspension of the proceedings for lack of criminal offence.
          In respect of the case of Angel Zubchinov, the Governoeent responded that the
          Military Prosecutor's Office in Varna had not been notified of the case and
          that an inquest had been instituted (23 Septercber 1996) .
          Follow—un
          77. The Special Rapporteur requested additional information on the cases of
          LyJicho Sofiez Terziev and A ngel Angelov, in particular in regard to
          investigations conducted and the status of preliminary proceedings.
          Observations
          78. The Special Rapporteur wishes to thank the Government of Bulgaria for
          the replies provided. He is, however, concerned that in most of the cases the
          perpetrators have not yet been brought to justice. The Special Rapporteur
          calls on the Governoeent to take all necessary measures to reduce the nunter of
          deaths occurring in custody and to deploy every effort to ensure full respect
          for international norms and principles prohibiting any form of cruel, inhuman,
          or degrading treatment. He also urges the Government to provide adequate
          compensation to the families of the victims of violations of the right to
          life.
          Burkina Faso
          Information received and conr unications sent
          79. The Special Rapporteur's attention was drawn to the allegations that
          Akou Agoudwo, Adi Bagnion, Kossi Gouniabou, Akandoba Kobora, Kgoissan Kibora
          (or Ziou) and two other unidentified persons had been executed by menters of
          the security forces on 5 or 6 March 1996. Over 100 people had been arrested
          on 26 February 1995 in the village of Kaya, following an argument between two
          villagers which degenerated. Menters of the armed forces were reportedly
          deployed to assist the police and restore order in Kaya. One of the
          unidentified persons is reported to have died in detention.
          Follow—un
          80. The Special Rapporteur also reminded the Government that no reply had
          been received concerning the allegations transmitted in 1995. In addition, he
          requested clarification concerning the executions of Akou Agoudwo,
          Adi Bagnion, Kossi Gouniabou, Akandoba Kibora, Kgoissan Kibora and three other
          unidentified persons, about whom the authorities had provided no explanation.
          He can only strongly urge the Government to inform him of the efforts made by
          the competent authorities to ensure that such acts do not recur, that their
          perpetrators are brought to justice and that the victims' families are
          compensated.
        
          
          E/CN. 4/1997/60/Add. 1
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          Burundi
          Information received and communications sent
          81. The reports and allegations which the Special Rapporteur has received
          in 1996 have caused him serious concern because of the renewed outbreak of
          extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions in Burundi.
          82. As in previous years, the Special Rapporteur received numerous
          allegations of attacks on the right to life, in particular massacres or serial
          killings. According to these reports, the majority of these flagrant
          violations were attributable to elements of the Burundian army, while a fairly
          large nunter of incidents and massacres were attributed to Hutu rebel groups
          and Tutsi militias. According to the information brought to his attention,
          the armed conflict had spread, by early March 1996, to most provinces of
          Burundi, causing a large nurcber of victims and displaced persons. On
          25 July 1996 alone, the date of the coup d' tat , soldiers reportedly shot
          31 persons in the commune of Gih ta, province of Gitega.
          83. The recent events in Zaire have caused further disturbances in the
          provinces of Kayanza, Karuzi, Muramvya and Gitega, and violent clashes in
          south—eastern Burundi between the Burundian army and rebel groups trying to
          reach Tanzania. The widespread insecurity in Burundi is making especially
          difficult the task of the humanitarian organizations attempting to bring
          relief to the civilian population, who are the main victims of the conflict in
          Burundi. The arrival of scores of thousands of returnees from Zaire has made
          the precarious situation prevailing in Burundi even more critical.
          84. A detailed analysis of the situation of human rights in Burundi is
          contained in the reports of the Special Rapporteur on the human rights
          situation in Burundi (A/51/459 and E/CN.4/1997/12 and Add.1) .
          85. The Special Rapporteur addressed an urgent appeal to the authorities
          after being informed of the forcible expulsion of 392 Burundian refugees in
          Rwanda to the province of Cibitoke on 30 Septenter 1996 by soldiers of the
          Rwandan Patriotic Army, at a time when numerous human rights violations had
          been reported in that region. He sent a second urgent appeal for the right to
          life and physical integrity of 89 persons sentenced to death by criminal
          courts to be guaranteed. He sent the two urgent appeals jointly with the
          Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Burundi (24 October 1996) .
          86. On the occasion of the tragic death, on 4 June 1996, of three delegates
          from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) following the
          deliberate attack on their vehicle near the village of Mugina in the province
          of Cibitoke, the Special Rapporteur, jointly with the Special Rapporteur on
          the human rights situation in Burundi, addressed a letter, dated 7 June 1996,
          to the President of the RepJilic and the Prime Minister expressing their
          extreme disgust at that act, whose perpetrators have not been identified or
          troubled to this day. On the same day, the two Special Rapporteurs addressed
          a letter of condolence to the President of ICRC expressing their deep sympathy
          with the families of the three delegates.
        
          
          E/CN. 4/1997/60/Add.1
          page 21
          Communications received
          87. On 20 and 24 June 1996, the President of the Republic and the Prime
          Minister replied to the two Special Rapporteurs, deploring this incident and
          informing them that they had recorcoeended and demanded a neutral inquiry to
          identify the perpetrators.
          Observations
          88. The Special Rapporteur regrets that he has not so far received any
          comment in response to his report on his mission to Burundi in April 1995
          (E/CN.4/1996/4/Add.1) . He is extremely concerned at the deterioration in the
          human rights situation in this country, and in particular at the massacres of
          civilians, including women, children and elderly people, which have shown
          little sign of declining since the coup d' tat of 25 July 1996.
          89. Being fully aware of the implications of the situation in Burundi for
          the Great Lakes region, the Special Rapporteur strongly recorcoeends that the
          three Special Rapporteurs monitoring the human rights situation in Burundi,
          Rwanda and Zaire should energetically pursue their efforts to devise an
          integrated approach to the common problems confronting the three countries.
          C arcb odi a
          Information received and communications sent
          90. According to the various reports which have been submitted to the
          Special Rapporteur, a climate of impunity is strongly entrenched in Carifiodia.
          According to the information received, when perpetrators of human rights
          violations are prosecuted, they are given acquittals which are to say the
          least, suspect. For a thorough analysis of the human rights situation in
          Carifiodia, the Special Rapporteur would refer to the report of Mr. Harcoearberg,
          Special Representative of the Secretary—General for human rights in Carifiodia
          (E/CN.4/1997/85) .
          91. The Special Rapporteur addressed an urgent appeal to the Government
          on 15 February 1996, requesting the authorities to take the necessary measures
          to guarantee the protection of Christine Alfsen-Norodom, a United Nations
          staff mer er, and her three children. Christine Alfsen—Norodom reportedly
          received death threats on 12 February 1996 aimed at preventing her from
          attending the trial of her husband, Prince Norodom Sirivudh, who had been
          charged with conspiracy to assassinate the Deputy Prime Minister.
          92. The Special Rapporteur also corcoeunicated to the Government allegations
          he had received concerning extrajudicial executions of the following persons:
          Thun Bun Ly, killed on 18 May 1996 in Phnom Pen. He had reportedly been
          arrested earlier for having pJilished an article deemed to be defamatory in
          the 30-31 October 1994 edition of Oddomkete Khmer ; Chhoern Korn, Oeurng
          Chhoeurb and Chourn Chhang, all three killed for having established contacts
        
          
          E/CN. 4/1997/60/Add. 1
          page 22
          with the National Army of Demooratic Kampuchea; Rueng Tahn, a young mentally
          disabled man suffering from speech problems, who was shot by a militiaman in a
          village in the province of Battar ang in April 1995; Klaeng Chhiep, killed by
          the Deputy Prefect and seven mercbers of the local militia in the village of
          Voat Chaeng.
          Follow—un
          93. In a letter addressed to the Governoeent, the Special Rapporteur
          expressed concern at the failure to respond to the urgent appeal relating to
          Christine Alfsen-Norodom, and reminded the Government that no reply had yet
          been received concerning the allegations he had transmitted in 1995.
          Observations
          94. The Special Rapporteur regrets that, at the time this report was
          finalized, he had received no reply from the Government. He requests the
          authorities to make impartial and exhaustive inquiries into the allegations of
          violations of the right to life, to identify those believed to be responsible
          and bring them to justice, to pay adequate compensation to the victims or
          their families, and to take the necessary measures to prevent any recurrence
          of such violations.
          Chile
          95. The Special Rapporteur transmitted a follow—up letter reminding the
          Government of Chile that no reply had so far been received concerning the case
          of Nelson Riquelme Albornoz, a 16—year—old student who died in 1995 in the
          course of a demonstration corcoeemorating the military coup of
          11 Septer er 1973.
          96. In the same corcoeunication, the Special Rapporteur referred to additional
          information received from the source about the case of Carmelo Soria, a staff
          mercber of the United Nations Latin Aoeerican Centre for Demography, who was
          killed in 1976 by agents from the Directorate of National Intelligence (DINA),
          subordinate to the Government of General Pinochet. According to that
          information the Supreme Court judge had decided to dismiss the case on the
          grounds that the accused were covered by the amnesty law adopted by the
          military regime itself. The Special Rapporteur requested the Governoeent to
          inform it of any developments in this case.
          97. In a letter of 29 October 1996, the Government of Chile provided
          information on judicial proceedings to date in the Carmelo Soria case,
          transmitting a copy of the decision of the Supreme Court of Justice, which
          dismissed the proceedings pursuant to the Decree—Law on Amnesty. The
          Government informed the Special Rapporteur that on 4 June 1996 the examining
          judge had ordered a general dismissal of the proceedings under the Amnesty Act
          (No. 2,191) of 1978. On 7 and 11 June 1996, the complainant lodged an appeal
          with the Second Division of the Supreme Criminal Court against the decision,
          and an action of unconstitutionality in respect of the Decree—Law on Awiesty
          with the plenary Supreme Court. On 23 August 1996 the Supreme Court confirmed
          the decision handed do n by the court of first instance.
        
          
          E/CN. 4/1997/60/Add.1
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          98. The Governoeent further informed the Special Rapporteur that judicial
          proceedings relating to the Nelson Riquelme Albornoz case were under way in
          the Eleventh Criminal Court in San Miguel. The Government informed him that
          it deeply regretted the boy's death and that it would use every means within
          its power to clarify the circumstances of the death and to bring those
          responsible to justice (1 Nover er 1996) .
          Observations
          99. The Special Rapporteur is grateful for the replies provided by the
          Government of Chile and its demonstrated will to cooperate with his mandate.
          He expresses his deep concern at the application of the Amnesty Act of 1978
          adopted by the military regime and considers that the application of that Act
          encourages impunity, being contrary to the spirit of the international human
          rights instruments. He regrets that the Amnesty Act should have been applied
          in 1996, thereby ensuring total impunity for the perpetrators of violations of
          the right to life. He hopes that all necessary measures will be taken to
          grant redress to the victims' families.
          China
          Information received and communications sent
          100. As in previous years the Special Rapporteur received numerous reports on
          the extensive use of the death penalty in China. Various sources made special
          reference to a nationwide anti—crime campaign, launched on 28 April 1996,
          which reportedly resulted in the execution of at least a thousand people.
          101. The anti—crime campaign reportedly focused primarily on criminal gangs
          and on crimes such as murder and robbery and led to a nurcber of executions
          unprecedented since 1983, when a similar nationwide anti—crime campaign had
          reportedly resulted in thousands of executions in less than three months.
          According to the information received, the media were fully mobilized to
          publicize arrests and executions on a daily basis and to exhort local leaders,
          the police and the judiciary to punish wswiftly and severely” offenders
          targeted in the campaign. The vast majority of those sentenced to death in
          the campaign were reportedly executed ircoeediately after summary trials.
          102. It has been further alleged that the nunter of crimes for which the
          death penalty can be imposed has increased from 21 under the 1980 Criminal
          Law, to 68 now, ercJiracing many non—violent crimes.
          103. According to the information received, trials resulting in the
          imposition of a death sentence continue to fall short of internationally
          recognized fair trial standards. In the Chinese legal system there is
          reportedly no presumption of innocence and the burden of proof is said to be
          on the accused. Further, it was reported that the determination of guilt is
          usually not decided by the court but by authorities subject to political
          interference. It was also brought to the attention of the Special Rapporteur
          that the defendants' right to counsel is not observed until a few days before
          trial and that defendants are not given prior notice of the date of trial and
          consequently may not have timely access to a lawyer. Moreover, witnesses are
          reportedly not allowed to give evidence in court. Finally, it was alleged
        
          
          E/CN. 4/1997/60/Add. 1
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          that lawyers have access only to a part of the file concerning defendants and
          that they are barred from challenging the validity of charges against their
          clients and can only call for mitigation of the sentence.
          104. The Special Rapporteur sent an urgent appeal to the Government on behalf
          of Wu Yidong, Wu Zhe, Wei Yongling and Wang Kaiyou after they were sentenced
          to death for tax fraud on 18 April 1996 (29 April 1996) .
          105. In addition the Special Rapporteur transmitted to the Chinese Government
          allegations of violations of the right to life regarding the following
          persons:
          (a) Li Buchao, Li Fuhai, Si Junchao, Ma Zhenghe, Ma Zhiren, Meng
          Chegcai, Li Zhidong, Yang Wejun, Ma Zhengfu, Jin Bao 3 nj, Song Wen and 259
          unidentified individuals, reportedly executed after a mass sentencing rally
          against drug related crimes on 30 June 1995. According to the source, both
          the lower and the higher courts were present at the rally in order to issue
          and approve sentences expeditiously;
          (b) Lin Huixiong, Lin Yiukuan, Qui Guibiao, Lin Yi, Muo Qianguang,
          Muo Qianzuo, Lin Huxiong, Mo Ganguang, Lin Youkuan, Qu Guibao, Lin Yi,
          Huang Qianggui and Mo Ganzuo, all of whom were reportedly sentenced to death
          for forgery, tax fraud or other economic crimes on 15 June 1995;
          (c) Tian Zhijia, Tian Zhiguan and Zhao Lian, reportedly sentenced to
          death for robbing a car loaded with bank notes. The three were allegedly
          executed on 31 May 1996, seven days after their arrest;
          (d) Bulu Kuano, Ulu Kian, Cao Jian, and Yan Jiao, reportedly found
          guilty of killing protected species and of smuggling ivory;
          (e) Sangye Tenphel, a monk, who allegedly died in custody on
          6 May 1996 as a result of beatings by prison guards, and Kelsang Thutop, also
          a monk, who reportedly died in prison on 5 July 1996 because of insufficient
          medical treatment. Both monks were held in Drapchi prison.
          Conr unications received
          106. The Government informed the Special Rapporteur that the Chinese Criminal
          Law provides that the death penalty shall only be applied to criminals who
          have coinxJtted the most heinous crimes. The Government also informed the
          Special Rapporteur that the Chinese Criminal Procedure Law provides for a
          special review of death sentences by the Supreme Peoples' Court. The same law
          also states that the accused has the right to legal defence and that the bill
          of prosecution shall be delivered to the defendant no later than seven days
          before the opening of the court session, apprising him of the charges against
          him.
          107. Regarding Wang Jianye, who was reportedly extradited from Thailand, the
          Government stated that this was not a case of extradition, but rather of
          expulsion by Thailand. According to the Government, contrary to allegations,
          no corcoeitment regarding his punishment was made. Wang Jianye was sJiseguently
        
          
          E/CN. 4/1997/60/Add.1
          page 25
          sentenced tc death fcr bribery and ercbezzlement, crimes which the Government
          considers especially serious. The Government also replied that he had been
          given enough time to prepare his defence (4 March 1996) .
          108. Regarding the case of Luo Guohong, who was reportedly also sentenced to
          death for ercbezzlement, the Government informed the Special Rapporteur that
          the High People's Court of Guangdong had overturned the judgement of the lower
          court, found Luo Guohong guilty of ercbezzlement and sentenced him to 15 years'
          imprisonment with deprivation of political rights for 5 years (27 May 1996) .
          109. In addition, the Government provided a detailed reply to the follow-up
          letter sent by the Special Rapporteur on 22 August 1995. Regarding the
          Quiandao Lake incident the Government inter alia responded that the trial had
          lasted days, contrary to the alleged duration of two hours, and that the
          alleged removal of bullets had never happened. Regarding the alleged refusal
          to allow photographs to be taken of the bodies and the boat, the Government
          stated that it had not been permitted to take photographs as long the causes
          of the fire and the deaths of the victims were under investigation. The
          Government also stated that, contrary to allegations, a detailed transcript of
          the inspection of the side had been made available to the court during the
          public trial and that autopsies were carried out in accordance with the law.
          In the same corcoeunication, the Government responded to the concerns of the
          Special Rapporteur in regard to capital punishment in China. In this
          connection the Government informed the Special Rapporteur inter alia that
          China retained the death penalty for a small nurcber of criminals who corcoeitted
          crimes seriously endangering the social order and that in no cases were
          sentences decided in advance of trials. Further, the Government denied the
          allegations concerning the removal of bodily organs of executed prisoners
          (27 May 1996) .
          Follow—un
          110. The Special Rapporteur reminded the Government of several corcoeunications
          transmitted during 1995 to which no replies had yet been received. Moreover,
          the Special Rapporteur reiterated his interest in visiting China.
          Follow—un on request for mission
          111. In view of the allegations received, the Special Rapporteur, in a letter
          dated 28 August 1996, brought to the attention of the Government that previous
          requests for a mission to China, as expressed in letters to the Government
          dated 29 July 1993, 22 Septer er 1993 and 22 August 1995 remained unanswered.
          In the same corcoeunication, the Special Rapporteur requested the Government
          kindly to inform him whether a mission could take place before February 1997
          and he proposed a meeting with the Permanent Representative of the People's
          Republic of China to discuss this matter, as well as other issues concerning
          his mandate.
        
          
          E/CN. 4/1997/60/Add. 1
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          112. The Special Rapporteur had a productive meeting with the representatives
          of the People's Republic of China on 30 Septercber 1996, in which it was
          indicated that the Special Rapporteurs's request for a visit would be
          considered after the completion of a visit by the High Corcoeissioner for Human
          Rights and by another mechanism of the Corcoeission of Human Rights.
          Observations
          113. The Special Rapporteur wishes to thank the Government of China for its
          detailed replies to conr unications transmitted to it. He hopes that the
          dialogue initiated with the Government regarding a visit to China will
          continue and that such a visit will eventually take place in a reasonable
          period of time.
          114. In paragraph 1 of the safeguards guaranteeing protection of the rights
          of those facing the death penalty, approved by the Economic and Social Council
          in its resolution 1984/50, it is stated that the scope of crimes subject to
          the death penalty should not go beyond intentional crimes with lethal or other
          extremely grave consequences. The Special Rapporteur therefore wishes to
          reiterate his conclusion (see E/CN.4/1996/4, para. 556) that the death penalty
          should be eliminated for economic and drug—related crimes. He also reiterates
          his distress over the reportedly increased nurcber of executions, especially in
          connection with the above—mentioned anti—crime campaign. Further, the
          Special Rapporteur considers that the death penalty is not an appropriate tool
          to fight the growing crime rate in China. Moreover, he opposes pJilic
          executions as a means of public education.
          C 01 Orcb i a
          Information received and conr unications sent
          115. The information received by the Special Rapporteur shows that violations
          of the right to life are continuing to occur on a large scale and that there
          are no indications that an improvement is foreseeable in the short term.
          Mercbers of the army, paramilitary groups, the police and, to a lesser extent,
          guerrilla groups are reported to have been responsible for a large nur er of
          violations of the right to life. In this regard, claims that there is a clear
          relationship between paramilitary groups and the armed forces have continued
          to be received. Links between them are said to have been observed
          specifically in the context of counter—insurgency operations, where the armed
          forces and paramilitary elements have reportedly acted together. Landowners,
          local politicians, major industrialists and drug traffickers would appear to
          be giving financial backing to these paramilitary groups.
          116. The Special Rapporteur's attention was drawn to the publication in
          February 1995 of a document entitled wFirst Surcoeit of Colorifiian Self—defence
          Forces”, adopted at a meeting held in Urab by various paramilitary groups.
          The document was said, inter alia , to have criticized the functioning of the
          armed forces and counter—insurgency tactics. It also apparently referred to
          the birth, establishment, development and training of paramilitary groups and
          their connections with the army and the police. It was stated that these
        
          
          E/CN. 4/1997/60/Add.1
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          groups had been set up basically to corcbat subversion and that left-wing
          political and trade union leaders would continue to be treated as military
          targets.
          117. According to information provided to the Special Rapporteur,
          paramilitary groups had made threats against trade union and conr unity
          leaders, human rights activists and mercbers of the judiciary. The risks
          facing human rights defenders are believed to have prompted several
          organizations to suspend their activities. Mer ers of the Movimiento de
          Integraci6n Civico Comunal de Pailitas and the Comit Civico de Derechos
          Humanos del Meta were apparently continuing to be harassed and there were
          reports of attempts to kill some of their mer ers. The most recent victim was
          said to have been Josu Giraldo, President of the Comit Civico de los
          Derechos Humanos del Meta, who was killed by paramilitary forces in
          October 1996.
          118. The Special Rapporteur was also informed that a bill to strengthen the
          powers of the armed forces was under discussion. According to this
          information, the effect of the bill would be, inter alia , to prevent the
          Procurator's Office ( Procuraduria ) from intervening in the military sphere, to
          revoke the right to institute proceedings for protection ( tutela ) against
          mercbers of the forces of law and order, and to allow individuals to be
          arrested and held in detention for seven days on mere suspicion of having
          conr itted a pJilic order offence.
          119. In addition, reports indicating that the phenomenon of impunity remains
          alarming in Colorifiia continued to be received. The Special Rapporteur was
          informed that, according to the Administrative Department for National
          Planning, only 3 per cent of the offences reported in Colorifiia result in
          convictions. The fact that people may on some occasions have been killed for
          taking legal action in cases of human rights violations and the consequent
          fear of reprisals deter victims of violations and witnesses from going to
          court.
          120. Furthermore, according to information received, the President of
          Colon ia has expressed his wish that a bill should in future be sJ mitted to
          Congress to allow the reintroduction of the death penalty, which would be
          applicable to crimes such as abduction, massacres and killings of defenceless
          persons.
          121. In the course of 1996, as in previous years, the Special Rapporteur
          received a large nunter of conr unications. Owing to the shortage of human and
          material resources available to him, the conr unications received could not all
          be analysed. It has also been impossible to provide appropriate follow—up for
          all the cases of violations of the right to life reported in 1996 and in
          previous years. During the period under review, the Special Rapporteur
          transmitted 21 urgent appeals to the Government. In addition, during the same
          period he transmitted corcoeunications alleging violations of the right to life
          of 152 named individuals and 14 unidentified persons. During this period he
          acted on behalf of more than 16 women.
        
          
          E/CN. 4/1997/60/Add. 1
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          122. Thus, the Special Rapporteur requested the Government of Colorifiia to
          take the necessary measures to protect the physical integrity and right to
          life of the following persons, who had received death threats from mer ers of
          the security forces and paramilitary groups, except where otherwise stated:
          (a) Human rights activists:
          (i) Josu Giraldo Cardona, President of the Comit Civico por
          los Derechos Humanos del Meta, and Islena Rey, a mer er of
          the same association. The Special Rapporteur had, on
          22 March and 17 October 1995, already sent other urgent
          appeals on behalf of Josu Giraldo Cardona and other mer ers
          of the Comit Civico por los Derechos Humanos del Meta on
          account of the continued threats received. The Special
          Rapporteur expressed his regret on being notified of the
          killing of Josu Giraldo Cardona in Villavicencio, on
          13 October 1996 by paramilitary personnel (5 February 1996);
          (ii) Alfonso Cassiani Herrera, a university student and mer er of
          the Proceso de Comunidades Negras organization, and D maso
          Salgado Reyes, who had received death threats for reporting
          the disappearance of their friend Alonso Corrales Hern ndez,
          a ColorcJiian Conr unist Party youth leader, who disappeared on
          15 January 1996 and was found dead nine days later in the
          Caribbean Sea (13 February 1996);
          (iii) Mercbers of the Movimiento de Integraci6n Civico Comunal de
          Pailitas, after the killing of Auden Pinz6n in February 1996
          in the town of Pailitas, department of C sar. The Special
          Rapporteur had already sent an urgent appeal on
          6 March 1995, expressing fear for the safety of the mercbers
          of the movement after the killing of two of its mer ers,
          Jairo Barahona Martinez and Ernesto Fern ndez Fezter
          (15 February 1996) ;
          (iv) Alberto Agudelo, after an attempt on his life in the
          municipality of Onto, department of Putumayo. Alberto
          Agudelo, who emerged from the attack unscathed, had
          reportedly taken an active part in the establisboeent of
          municipal human rights conr ittees in the department of
          Putumayo, and had been a council representative of the
          Movimiento Independiente de las Juntas de Acci6n Comunal
          (27 March 1996);
          (v) Gustavo Gall6n Giraldo, director of the ColorcJiian Conr ission
          of Jurists, and the priest Javier Giraldo Moreno, director
          of the Intercongregational Conr ission for Justice and Peace,
          following the appearance in La Prensa newspaper of an
          announcement by the Foundation for Human Duties accusing
          them of advocating drug—trafficking, terrorism and
          subversion. They were also accused of disclosing reports on
          human rights violations and passing them to foreign
          organizations in order to harm the armed forces and present
        
          
          E/CN. 4/1997/60/Add.1
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          a favourable image of subversive groups. They were further
          accused of submitting complaints to the United Nations
          High Conr issioner for Human Rights and the Inter-American
          CoinxJssion on Human Rights (24 April 1996) ;
          (vi) Susana Bravo and other mercbers of the Carmen de Altrato
          Human Rights Corcoeittee, after a death threat was received
          from the paramilitary group Autodefensas Campesinas de
          C6rdoba y Urab , accusing her of collaborating with the
          guerrillas and telling them that they would be killed if
          they did not leave the region (24 July 1996);
          (b) Mer ers of political parties:
          (i) Aida Abella, mer er of the Central Executive Conr ittee of
          the ColorcJDian Conr unist Party and President of Uni6n
          Patri6tica, after a failed attempt on her life, when armed
          men presumed to be mer ers of a paramilitary group
          reportedly fired a bazooka at the armour—plated vehicle in
          which she was travelling on a highway in Bogot . The
          Special Rapporteur had already sent an urgent appeal, on
          12 August 1994, on behalf of Aida PJDella (9 May 1996);
          (ii) Beatriz G6mez, Uni6n Patri6tica deputy for the department of
          Aritioguia, after she received a death threat (6 June 1996) ;
          (c) Trade unionists:
          (i) Orlando Ocampo, mercber of the Uni6n Nacional de Trabajadores
          Bancarios and mercber of the Confederaci6n Unitaria de
          Trabajadores (5 February 1996) ;
          (ii) Jos Villamil, health service employee and mercber of the
          health workers' trade union (At4THOC) , Cauca section, after
          he received a sufraQio or winvitation to his own funeral
          while in the Solidaridad district of the city of Popay ,
          Cauca (29 March 1996);
          (iii) Jairo Alfonso Garcboa, a trade unionist, and other mercbers of
          the Tit n S.A. workers' union, after he received a death
          threat, in the union's offices, signed by the paramilitary
          group known as ColorcJiia sin Guerrilla (COLSINGUE)
          (3 June 1996) ;
          (iv) Hernando Hern ndez, President of the Uni6n Sindical Obrera
          (USO) , Danilo S nchez, mercber of the Executive Conr ittee,
          and Jairo Calder6n, a leader of the union, as well as other
          USO mer ers, after death threats were received at the
          USO main office in Barrancabermeja, department of Santander,
          from a paramilitary group known as wMuerte a los
          Secuestradores” (MAS) (26 August 1996) ;
        
          
          E/CN. 4/1997/60/Add. 1
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          (d) Inhabitants of the following to njs:
          (i) Inhabitants of La Paz, municipality of Pailitas, after they
          were threatened with death if they did not leave the area
          (30 Nover er 1995) ;
          (ii) Civilian population of Segovia and Remedios, after the
          killing on 22 April 1996, by mercbers of a paramilitary
          group, in the districts of La Paz, Tigrito and Borboll6n
          (Segovia) , of Wilson Alejandro Loaiza, Octavio de JesCis
          Garcia, aged 14, C sar Dario Valle, aged 16, Fabio Alonso
          Loaiza, Omar Moreno, Carlos Montoya, Ricardo Ochoa Puerta,
          Gabriel Jaramillo Palacio, JesCis Evelio P rez, Pedro Posada,
          Le6n Dario Ospina, Carlos Zapata, NicoiAs Alvarez and
          Carlos Arturo Agudelo (26 April 1996);
          (iii) Inhabitants of the town of Segovia, after the attack on a
          house near Santander park, in Segovia, which reportedly led
          to the death of Leshe Elizabot Yali Giraldo, aged three
          months, and Kenny Magiver Jim nez G6mez, aged six months.
          According to the information received, a group of soldiers
          from the Borcbon Battalion were reportedly seen patrolling
          the park minutes before the explosion (26 Septercber 1996);
          (e) Peasant leaders/displaced peasant families:
          (i) Families on the Bellacruz estate, department of C sar,
          evicted after a raid by 40 armed mer ers of a paramilitary
          group from the land which they were said to have occupied
          for 10 years. The displaced families were reportedly
          threatened and warned that their lives would be at risk if
          they returned to the estate or came within 100 kilometres of
          it. According to the information received, the security
          forces, although presumably aware that these incidents were
          taking place, had failed to act. This urgent appeal was
          transmitted jointly with Mr. Francis Deng, Representative of
          the Secretary—General on the question of internally
          displaced persons (27 March 1995) . A second urgent appeal
          on their behalf was transmitted to the Government after the
          killing in May 1996 of Jaime Laguna, one of the leaders of
          the peasants displaced from the Bellacruz ranch, and Edinson
          Donado, a peasant defending the rights of the displaced
          families (13 May 1996) ;
          (ii) Leaders of the peasants displaced from the Bellacruz ranch,
          after the killing of Eliseo and Eder Narvaez, both peasant
          leaders, on La Cabaf a estate, La Palaya. According to the
          information received, the killing was motivated by their
          activities in support of the families displaced from the
          Bellacruz ranch (2 October 1996) ;
        
          
          E/CN. 4/1997/60/Add.1
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          (e) Indigenous leaders:
          (i) Milecio de la Cruz, SaCil Baltazar, Guillermo Carmona and
          Roser er Clemente, mer ers of the management council of the
          ZenCi indigenous conr unity of San Andr s de Satavento, after
          they received death threats. Fear for their lives increased
          after the killings of: Manuel Beltr n, a leader of the
          indigenous reservation of San Andr s de Sotavento, Alejandro
          Teher n, Secretary of the Main Council of San Andr s de
          Sotavento, and Dagoberto Santero, Julio Santero and Carlos
          Solano, leaders of the ZenCi indigenous corcoeunity
          (19 June 1996) . A second urgent appeal on their behalf was
          sent after the killing of SaCil Baltazar, regional director
          of the Colon ian Indigenous Movement, in the to ship of
          Carretal (24 July 1996) .
          123. The Special Rapporteur also sent an urgent appeal on behalf of:
          Margarita Arregoc s, after a death threat against her, signed by the COLSINGUE
          paramilitary group, was received in the offices of the human rights advocate,
          Reinaldo Villelba (1 March 1996); Jaime Hern ndez Diaz and Orlando Hern ndez,
          oil workers in Barrancabermeja, department of Santander, after they had
          received death threats from the MAS paramilitary group, accusing them of
          collaborating with the guerrillas (12 March 1996) .
          124. In addition, the Special Rapporteur transmitted to the Government
          complaints concerning violations of the right to life of the following
          persons:
          (a) The following persons were reportedly killed by mer ers of the
          army/individuals wearing army clothes:
          (i) Minors: Rubiela Alvarez Leal, aged 13, and Ildo Dur n
          Alvarez, aged 15, killed on the Brisas estate, in the
          La Capilla district, by troops from the wLos guanes”
          anti—guerrilla batallion No. 5, and said to be guerrillas of
          the Claudia Isabel Escobar Jerez de la UCELN front; Nidia
          Taconas Taguinas, an 11—year—old indigenous girl, killed
          near La Playa district school, Toribio, Cauca, by military
          personnel from the Codazzi Battalion, while she was playing
          with her brothers;
          (ii) Peasants: Jos Norbey Jule Cuicue, mercber of the
          San Luis Arriba conr unity action board killed in El Jaguar
          district; Jircoey Capera, killed by troops of anti—guerrilla
          battalion 37, known as the wMacheteros del Cauca”, in the
          El Progreso district; Ram6n Ricardo Avila, a peasant leader
          and mer er of the Asociaci6n Municipal de Usuarios
          Campesinos de Tame, killed in Puerto Nidia, department of
          Arauca, by national army units from El Naranjito military
          base; Rafael Pefiate Cabrales, aged 18, killed in Toluviejo;
          Juan A ntonio Solano Su rez, a peasant, aged 22, killed in
          Toli by several heavily armed individuals wearing military
          clothes;
        
          
          E/CN. 4/1997/60/Add. 1
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          (iii) Politicians: Carlos Eleno Bacca Rodriguez, San Martin town
          councillor and Liberal Party activist, as well as Joel,
          Ellacit and Ad d Bacca OEllez, his children, killed on
          La Esperanza estate, El Barro district, Aguas Blancas
          settlement, by mer ers of the Santander Battalion;
          Obed Lemus, head of personnel in the mayor's office, killed
          by mercbers of the Ayacucho Battalion, who reportedly shot
          him as he was preparing to get into a vehicle to return to
          his home in the San Juan settlement; Alfonso Beltr n
          Chamorro, a mercber of the Movimiento Nueva Colorifiia and
          ChaOEn town councillor, and his wife, Yermis Merlano, former
          education secretary on the ChaOEn town council;
          (iv) Others: Fulvio Tenorio, killed by marines; Pedro Carvajal
          Sandoval, killed in Montebello by a patrol of the
          Luciano d'Elhuyart Battalion, from San Vicente de Chucuri;
          Marco Fidel Bonilla and Miguel David Vergara, killed in the
          township of Monterrey, municipality of San Alberto, by
          mercbers of Rogelio Correa Campos anti—guerrilla
          battalion 27, Fifth Brigade; Reinaldo Amorocho, killed by
          mercbers of the Guane Battalion, Fifth Brigade; Ricardo
          Paredes Garcia, merchant and joint owner of the Caf
          Bumagu s factory; Walter de JesCis Borja David, Camilo Solano
          and Melguisedec Renteria Machadi, banana plantation workers,
          killed on the road to Zungo landing-stage; Roberto Mont s
          Vergara, killed in Caracoli; Elvia Regina Cuello, merchant
          and corcoeunity leader, and Ezequiel Antonio Urang, killed in
          the Pato settlement, town of Zaragoza, department of
          Aritioquia; Deyerina Ramos Jaramillo, killed during a
          military attack on the town of Puerto Trujillo;
          12 unidentified persons, including Antonio Moreno, counsel
          of the agricultural industry workers' union,
          Manuel Ballesta, negotiator for the same trade union
          organization, and 3 women, killed during a military attack
          on El Bosque district. That district, created at the
          request of Uni6n Patri6tica, was said to be inhabited by
          600 peasant families from C6rdoba, Choco and the interior of
          Antioquia, who had been displaced by counter-insurgency
          operations; Fabio de JesCis G6mez Gil, welder and
          electrician, killed in front of his house in the
          12th October district;
          (b) The following persons were reportedly killed by paramilitary
          forces:
          (i) Peasants: Juan D. Hern ndez, Jorge E. Paternina Roa,
          Evangelista Urrego Ferreira, Milton Romero Churio,
          Carlos M. Arriero and Edison Martinez, killed on
          La Concordia estate; Maximiliano Prasca and Absal6n Ramirez,
          killed in El Pedral, Puerto Wilches, Santander;
        
          
          E/CN. 4/1997/60/Add.1
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          (ii) Mercbers of Uni6n Patri6tica: Manuel Herrera Sierra, former
          candidate for the Coloso mayor's office, mercber of the
          regional branch of the Conr unist Party and former Coloso
          town councillor, killed on the Sincelejo road;
          Edilberto Cuadrado, killed on the El Silencio communal road;
          F lix Martinez, killed in El Porvenir district,
          Villavicencio; Jos Vicente Prieto Pef uela, murdered in
          Medellin del Ariari; Pedro Malag6n, Uni6n Patri6tica
          Congressman, and his 17—year—old daughter Milena Malag6n,
          killed near their home in Villavicencio, Meta;
          Hip6lito Gonzflez, a leader of the Communist Party, killed
          in Vereda Juntas, Puerto Valdivia, Valdivia (Aritioquia);
          Francisco Morelo, Laureano L6pez Acosta, Luis Y pes,
          Mirael Hern ndez and Jos L. Herrera, killed in the
          Pueblo Galleta district, municipality of Turbo;
          (iii) Politicians/conr unity leaders: Libardo Cruz, civic leader,
          killed on the road to Guabido, El Placer municipal district;
          Cesar Gonzflez, former mayor of ChaOEn, killed in the
          neighbourhood of San Antonio de Palmito, Coloso area;
          Manuel Romero Ballesteros, president of the Asociaci6n
          Nacional de Ayuda Solidaria (At4DAS), killed in Carmen de
          Bolivar; Jos M. Banquets, Vice—President of the Rodosalit
          district Junta de Acci6n Comunal, and Jos M. Quif onez,
          killed in the Rodosalit district, Nueva Antioquia, Turbo;
          Milciades Cantillo Costa, a liberal politician killed on
          highway 12, who had been a councillor and, at the time of
          his death, was President of the Higher Council of the
          Universidad Popular del C sar and a practising lawyer. He
          had been appointed to defend five individuals accused of
          fomenting rebellion. He was said to have previously
          reported death threats against him;
          (iv) Workers: Franciso Mosquera C6rdoba and Carlos Arroyo de
          Arco, employees of the Dari n logging company in the Urab
          region; Rafael Guti rrez and Dimas Piedrahitas, rural
          workers tortured and murdered in the municipality of Turbo;
          Alfonso Mantilla, driver for the Cootrasabana hauliers'
          cooperative, and his son, Edinson Mantilla, a student,
          killed on the road to Mata de PiAtano, Sabana de Torres;
          Alfonso Zuleta, Jaime Puerta and Francisco Castrill6n,
          shopkeepers, killed in the township of Cristales,
          municipality of San Roque;
          (v) Others: Alcibio Garnica Garcia, Victor M. Garnica Garcia,
          Gabriel J. Salcedo Angarita, director of the San Alberto
          conr unity action programme, Carlos J. S nchez L6pez, his
          wife Carmelina Maldonado Ropero and an unidentified
          individual, killed in the Casablanca district, La Pedregoza
          settlement; JesCis A. Buitrago, a sportsman, killed in the
          Nuevo Chile district, region of Bosca; Eugenio, Jorge and
          Julio Salazar, killed in the township of Los Tendidos,
          municipality of San Alberto, C sar; Adriano Portillo, Javier
        
          
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          Contreras Bar6n and Alvaro Botello, killed in Norean,
          municipality of Aguachica, C sar; Ramiro Merlano Diaz,
          killed in the Don Gabriel settlement, ChaOEn; Gonzalo Villa,
          killed in the town of Zaragoza in the municipality of
          Caucasi, Aritioguia; Orlando Ocampo, Lisandro Oviedo, Luis
          Heiner Mora, RaCil A. Usuga, Marlenny Borja, Gabriel Areiza,
          A ntonio Zapata Borja, A. A n tonio Arenas, Nayibe Areiza
          Beltr n, Willinton Restrepo SepCilveda and a 6—year—old boy,
          killed in the Policarpa district of the town of Apartado,
          Anitioguia; Marcelino Arango Alfaro and Gilberto Arbelaez
          Jim nez, killed in the Bodega Central district, municipality
          of Morales, department of Bolivar; Manuel Vides Pineda,
          killed in San Benito Abad, Sucre; Guillermo and Alirio
          Cardona Areiza, killed in the Barranguilla district;
          Lilia Galv n Frias, Pedro Ruiz, Salvador Guti rrez and
          Aniatolio Anigarita, killed on El Guamito estate, Guarumo
          district, Barrancabermeja; Juan and Marco Tulio Bautista and
          Jorge E. Zarcbrano, killed on an estate in La Betulia
          district, Su rez; Jairo SepCilveda, killed in Ituango,
          Anitioguia; Graciela Arboleda, William Villa Garc6a and
          H ctor Correa Garcia, killed in San Martin, C sar;
          Sim6n Luna Casillo, Vicente and Rangel Duarte Carvajalino,
          killed at La Bocatoma, Aguachica; Cristian Orrego Velez,
          Luis A. Espinoa, Coli Gonzalez Lopera and Eucaris Jaramillo,
          Juan Bautista Baena, Dario Madrigal and Arcadio Valderrama,
          killed at Port Valdivia, Antioguia, on 1 April 1996 at
          about 4 a.m.;
          (c) The following persons were killed by mer ers of the Autodefensas
          Campesinas: Pedro Pablo Vera Parra, Leonidas Tapiero Bricef o, Jos Aldemar
          Delgado Castillo, Celestino Benavides and Maria del Carmen Quif onez Prince,
          killed on the Tokio estate, Los Tendidos district, La Llana settlement;
          Guillermo Barrera Henao, Francisco J. Taborda and Alvaro V sguez, killed in
          El Siete conr unity, municipality of El Carmen del Atrato; Henry Alfonso
          Figueroa, killed in Dabeia, Antioguia; Bernardo Martinez Echavarria, killed in
          La Pedrala district, Andes, Antioguia.
          (d) Mer ers of the police reportedly killed the following persons:
          (i) Minors: Hugo Aldemar Manrigue, aged 17, Juan Carlos Gir6n
          Hurtado (alias Juancito) , aged 18, and Rodolfo Cetre Angola
          (alias Carlitos) , aged 16, found half naked with their hands
          bound, with signs of torture and half burnt in La Viga area
          close to the Boca Juniors sports club; Fredy Francisco
          Arboleda, aged 17, and his father, Silfredy Arboleda,
          arrested and killed near Aguaclara, 10 km from Tumaco;
          Carlos Armando Diaz Trarapuez, aged 20, and a 15—year—old
          boy (name unknown) killed during clashes with the police at
          Yurcbo, Valle, in a demonstration of protest against the
          suspension of payment of social benefits;
        
          
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          (ii) Peasants: Carlos Arrigui, President of the Asociaci6n
          Departamental de Usuarios Campesinos de Casanare, and
          Gabriel Asencio, killed in the town of Yopal, department of
          Casanare;
          (iii) Others: K, a pauper, killed in Bogot on Caracas Avenue
          between 16th and 17th Streets by an officer from No. 3
          police station, who shot him during an operation in the
          area; Orencio A ntonio Ortiz Viana, a carpenter, killed in
          the Caracoli settlement, Malarcbo region; Manuel Castillo
          Ruiseco, a political activist and businessman, killed in the
          Perseverancia district of Bogot , shortly after being
          arrested; Alejandro Londono and Fabio Reyes, employees of
          the INTEREC company, killed in Santaf de Bogot ;
          (e) The following person is said to have been killed for reporting
          human rights violations: Jos Vicente Rueda, a peasant arrested by a corifiined
          military and paramilitary patrol in the Danto Bajo district. He was
          reportedly killed a day later, after complaining of the humiliating treatment
          he had received to the Barrancabermeja orcbudsman's office.
          125. In addition, the Special Rapporteur transmitted the case of
          Jairo Gar oa, a Colorifiian fisherman reportedly killed by mer ers of the
          Venezuelan National Guard on the Arauca river, in the area of Puerto
          Contreras, Saravena, Arauca. This matter was also transmitted to the
          Venezuelan authorities.
          126. The Special Rapporteur also transmitted complaints concerning the death
          of Alvaro G6mez Hurtado, editor of the Nuevo SiQlo newspaper, who was killed
          on 2 Novercber 1995 in the north of Bogot as he was leaving the university at
          which he gave law classes. Responsibility for the killing was reportedly
          claimed by the so—called Movimiento por la Dignidad de ColorcJiia. The victim
          is said to have been a candidate for the office of President of the Republic
          on three occasions.
          Conr unications received
          127. The Special Rapporteur received a large nur er of replies from the
          Government of Colorifiia (11 Decercber 1995, and 16 January, 21 February,
          2 April, 12 April, 28 May, 7 June, 21 August, 19 Septercber, 29 October and
          1 Nover er 1996) regarding complaints he had transmitted; these reflect the
          Government's desire to cooperate with the Special Rapporteur in the discharge
          of his mandate. The Government also supplied more general information.
          128. By a note verbale dated 6 February 1996, the Government transmitted a
          report which made detailed reference to the governoeental measures carried out
          to comply with the recorcoeendations of the United Nations thematic rapporteurs
          and working groups.
        
          
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          129. In this connection, the Government informed the Special Rapporteur,
          inter alia , that:
          (a) A bill had been submitted for consideration by Congress expressly
          authorizing the Government to pay compensation resulting from decisions taken
          by intergovernmental bodies, in view of the legal difficulties that had arisen
          on a nurcber of occasions;
          (b) A wDevelopment Plan for the Justice System”, which would provide
          for heavy investment in that field, had been instituted;
          (c) The Statutory Act on the Administration of Justice, whose review
          was due to be completed by the Constitutional Court, introduced various
          changes in the system, inter alia , limiting the use of secret witnesses and
          prosecutors ( fiscales ) ;
          (d) The implementation of a witness protection programme had been
          initiated;
          (e) A commission had been appointed to prepare a draft military penal
          code and code of penal procedure;
          (f) A programme to cor at the so—called wsocial cleansing” killings
          was being formulated.
          130. In addition, the Government provided information about the
          investigations initiated and/or judicial proceedings conducted in respect of
          the following cases: D maso A ntonio G6mez Ruiz; Gilberto de JesCis and
          Miguel Angel Cano V lez; Javier del Carmen Anigarita Claro and Daniel Barboza
          Amaya; Eduardo Rodriguez Medina; Marco Aurelio P rez Castrill6n; Jos Elias
          Su rez; Carlos Gustavo Anzola Delgado; Nelson and Carlos Alfonso Albino
          Quecho; Aura Vasco Restrepo and Arguimides Salas Vasco; Amparo Viela;
          Constantino Carrillo, Germ n Enrigue Rol6n Garcia, Orlando Mora Bautista,
          Carlos Jos Navarro Torrado and Daniel Rodriguez Lasso; Lusbin Tob6n Pinto;
          Jairo Alberto Llano Y pes and Sergio Bolaf os; Alvaro Diaz; Leonardo Salazar
          Portilla, Juan Gustavo Zuluaga, Aldemar Rodriguez Carvajar, Carmen Elisa
          Pereira, Carlos Arturo Ramos Minota and William Javier Almario Alvarez;
          Maria Magdalena Rodriguez; Yesid Bocanegra Martinez, Omar Mendoza,
          Yesid Ducuara Villab6n, Julio Cadena Ducuara, Nelson Moreno Ducuara,
          Julio Cenen Rodriguez Quif onez, Edgar Leyton and Luis Alberto Morales Malarcbo;
          Guillermo Mann, Manuel Serafin Guerrero, Isidro Mercado Jim nez,
          Benjamin Santos and Laureano Ifiampue; Benjamin Santos; Lorgio Antonio Garcia
          Trillos; Alexir Orozco Hern ndez; Miguel Eduardo Rodriguez Medina;
          Omar Quintero Lozano and Germ n Garcia Vergara; Henry Hurcberto Molina Giraldo;
          Aria Julia Becerra, Alejandro Bernal, Maurizio Carvajal, Iv n Ferreira,
          Yuly Gonzflez, Jos Junco Hern ndez, Doris Jurado, Alvaro Pulido,
          Edgar Rodriguez; JesCis Daniel Lascarro Madera; Roberto Ruiz and Querubin
          Quintero Ramos; Nelson Fernando Lorcbana; Estin Payares Arrieta; Jos Vicente
          Rueda; Herson Javier Caro; Eduardo Ramirez Pinto; Maria Anitonia Castaflo
          Galvias and Maria Isabelina Giraldo; Francisco Sierra Benitez; Franklin G6mez
          Arrieta; JesCis Daniel Lascarro Madera; Orlando de JesCis Durango; JesCis Antonio
          Velandia Miranda and Miguel Acosta Torres; Eduardo Ramirez Pinto; Gustavo
          Hurcberto Marroguin Iglesias; Abraham Alvarado; Edwin Castillo Pif a;
        
          
          E/CN. 4/1997/60/Add.1
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          Jairo Barahona Martinez and Ernesto Fern ndez Fezter; Enrique Buendia and
          Ricardo Gonzflez; Rodrigo Montes; Martin Parroquieno CJiidas; Riofrio
          massacre; Obed Lemus; Jircoey Capera; Adriano Portillo, Javier Contreras Bar6n
          and Alvaro Botella; Marco Fidel Bonilla and Miguel David Vergara; Pedro Pablo
          Vera Parra, Leonidas Tapicero Bricef o, Jos Aldemar Delgado Castillo,
          Celestino Benavides, and Maria del Carmen Quif ones Prince; JesCis Romero,
          Jhon Hoymar, Beltr n Galv n, Libardo Montalvo P rez, Miguel Angel C ceres
          Padilla, Fernando L6pez, Giovanny Guzm n and Lorenzo Padilla; Antonio J 05
          Caldera, Juan Diniro Hern ndez, Jorge Paternina Roa, Evangelista Urrego
          Ferreira, Milton Romero Churio, Carlos Manuel Arriero, and Edison Martinez;
          Carlos Eleno Bacca Rodriguez, Joel Bacca Telez, Ellacit Bacca Tellez and
          Ad d Bacca Telez; Milciades Cantillo Costa; Manuel Beltr n, Alejandro Teher n,
          Dagoberto Centeno, Julio Centeno, Carlos Lozano and SaCil Baltazar Santero; and
          Jos Villamil.
          131. Concerning the case of Javier Alberto Barriga Vergel, the Government
          stated that investigations were under way and that the Regional Prosecutor's
          Office was in charge of the case, as the lawyer's death was being treated as a
          homicide conr itted for terrorist ends. In addition, with regard to the case
          of one unidentified pauper, the Government stated that the person in question
          was Jos Eugenio G6mez Ojeda, aged 25 or 30. The investigation of this case
          was entrusted to the Military Criminal Court.
          132. The Government of Colorifiia also informed the Special Rapporteur that,
          although investigations had been initiated, it had proved impossible to
          identify or determine the perpetrators in the cases of: Alejandro Sibaja
          Estrada, Gabriel Angel Ramos Enamorado, Abel and Ninfa Patrana Vasquez;
          Misael Bocanegra Malar o; Oscar Antonio Palmett Schmalbach; Luis Emilio Mejia
          Su rez; Estin Enrique Payares Arrieta; Francisco Sierra Benitez; Gabriel Jaime
          Ortiz; Jaime Pic6n Torres and David Reyes Castro; Marco Aurelio P rez
          Castrill6n; Blanca Cecilia Jim nez Contreras; Rodrigo de JesCis Florez;
          Eugenio, Jorge and Julio Salazar; and Luis Fernando Carrillo Villegas.
          Regarding the death in custody, at Bucaramanga Model Prison, of Jorge Eli
          Camargo Molina, the Government informed the Special Rapporteur that it had not
          been possible to identify or individualize the perpetrators or to ascertain
          whether or not an offence had been corcoeitted.
          133. Investigations were also said to have been initiated but later suspended
          owing to failure to determine those responsible in the cases of: SaCil Parra
          Garcia; Ramiro Valenzuela SepCilveda; RJiel Gonzflez; and Roque Jacinto Arrieta
          Martinez. Investigations in the case of Luis Erasmo Acosta Robayo were also
          suspended and the order had been given to file the case provisionally. With
          regard to the cases of Laudwin Tarazona Gallardo, Daniel Gallardo Jaimes and
          JesCis E. Castellanos Herrera, the Government stated that the proceedings had
          been annulled following the closure of the investigation on 17 April 1995.
          134. The Government also provided details about the security measures taken
          in respect of the following persons who had received death threats: mer ers
          of the Comit Civico de Derechos Humanos del Meta, Alio F lix, Josu Giraldo,
          Teresa Mosquera, Islena Rey, Hna Nohemy Palencia, Monsignor Alfonso Cabezas
        
          
          E/CN. 4/1997/60/Add. 1
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          and Gonzalo Zarate; Yanette Bautista and Gloria Galindez; bank employees
          belonging to the Uni6n Nacional de Empleados Bancarios, and specifically
          Rafael Tobias Pefia; mercbers of the ZenCi indigenous corcoeunity of San Andr s de
          Sotavento, and described the arrangements made for their protection; civilian
          population of Segovia and Remedios.
          135. In addition, the Governoeent transmitted a copy of the formal agreement
          drawn up by the representatives of the National Government and peasants
          displaced from the Bellacruz ranch.
          Follow—un
          136. The Special Rapporteur sent a follow—up letter to the Government of
          Colorifiia requesting additional information about some of the cases submitted
          to the Government. In the letter the Special Rapporteur noted that, while it
          was encouraging that in most of the replies sent by the Governoeent it was
          clear that the authorities had initiated investigations into the alleged
          violations of the right to life, it was a cause for concern that it had not
          been possible to identify those responsible in the majority of cases. The
          Special Rapporteur also expressed his concern at the fact that, owing to the
          failure to determine responsibility for some crimes, the investigations had
          been suspended or the cases had been temporarily filed.
          137. The Special Rapporteur also requested further details about a nunter of
          cases transmitted in previous years, inter alia , those of: Jorge Eli Camargo
          Molina, killed at Bucaramanga Model Prison in October 1994; Orlando de
          JesCis Durango, allegedly killed by a police officer; the prosecutor Martin
          Parroquiano CJiidas; and the lawyer Javier Alberto Barriga Vergel.
          Follow—un of the recorcoeendations made by the Special Ra iniorteur on
          extrajudicial. suoemary or arbitrary executions and the Special
          Ra orteur on the question of torture after their visit to Colorifiia
          in October 1994
          138. On 29 October 1996, the Special Rapporteur, together with the Special
          Rapporteur on the question of torture, sent a letter to the Governoeent of
          Colorifiia requesting information about measures taken by the authorities during
          1996, in conformity with the recorcoeendations made by the Rapporteurs in their
          report on their visit to the country in October 1994, to contribute to
          improving the situation concerning the right to life and physical integrity in
          Colorifiia. The two Rapporteurs asked, inter alia :
          (a) Whether the draft reform of the Military Penal Code and Code of
          Penal Procedure had been submitted to Congress for consideration and whether
          any position had been taken with regard to the existing points of disagreement
          within the conr ission appointed to prepare the draft;
          (b) Whether the review of the Statutory Act on the Administration of
          Justice had been completed by the Constitutional Court and what final changes
          had been made to that Act concerning the regional justice system;
          (c) What steps had been taken to establish a mechanism that would
          contribute to providing justice for the past;
        
          
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          (d) What measures had been taken to dismantle the paramilitary groups;
          (e) Whether the bill authorizing the Government to pay compensation as
          a result of decisions taken by intergovernmental bodies had been passed and
          what provision had been made for the payment of compensation;
          (fl Whether the witness protection programme was functioning and
          whether greater resources had been allocated to it;
          (g) Whether the system of special prosecutors assigned to military
          units was still functioning.
          Observations
          139. The Special Rapporteur is deeply concerned at the massive nur er of
          allegations continuing to be brought to his attention and considers that this
          highlights the fact that the situation regarding the right to life in Colon ia
          cannot continue to be examined solely under a thematic mandate, but warrants
          the establishment of an ad hoc mechanism. In this connection, the Special
          Rapporteur welcomes the signing on 29 Noventer 1996, by the United Nations
          High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Government of Colorifiia, of an
          agreement on the establisboeent of an office of the High Commissioner in
          Colorifiia. The Special Rapporteur hopes that this office will be able to
          respond to the human rights situation in Colon ia and contribute to preventing
          extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, and also the impunity which
          allows such executions to continue, in particular through the application of
          the recommendations made in the joint report prepared by the Special
          Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions and the Special
          Rapporteur on the question of torture after their visit to the country in
          October 1994 (see E/CN.4/1995/111) . It would be desirable for the Commission
          to continue to examine the matter with a view to evaluating the effectiveness
          of the new office at its fifty—fourth session.
          140. At the same time, the Special Rapporteur wishes to express his
          appreciation to the Government of Colorifiia for the large nunter of replies it
          has provided and regrets that, owing to a shortage of human and material
          resources available to him, it has not been possible to undertake appropriate
          follow—up of those replies.
          Comoros
          141. The Special Rapporteur sent an urgent appeal to the Government
          requesting the authorities to ensure respect for the right to life of
          Mr. Rodin, Mr. Mohamed Sahali, Mr. Ali Machallac and another, unidentified
          person, who were reportedly sentenced, on 20 Septe n ter 1996 at Moroni, to be
          executed by firing squad after being found guilty of armed robbery. According
          to the information received, fears for their lives have been confirmed by the
          execution of Ali Youssouf, who was sentenced and executed on the basis of the
          same charges after a trial reportedly not conducted in conformity with
          international standards concerning the right to a fair trial: he is said to
        
          
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          have been denied the right to apply to a court of appeal on the ground that,
          as no judges had been appointed by the National Assercbly, the Court of
          Cassation was not operational. No reply had been received from the Government
          at the time this report was finalized.
          Costa Rica
          Information received and conr unications sent
          142. The Special Rapporteur transmitted an urgent appeal to the Government of
          Costa Rica on behalf of Reina Zelaya and her three daughters, Mary iri Zelaya
          Gonzflez, Setephania Caballero Zelaya and Cynthia Caballero Zelaya, of
          Honduran nationality who left Honduras in February 1996 after receiving death
          threats and settled in Heredia, Costa Rica, where they were granted political
          asylum. According to information transmitted to the Special Rapporteur,
          during their stay in Costa Rica they have been subjected to harassment and
          threats, allegedly by mer ers of the Honduran security forces. The threats
          are allegedly related to the testimony given by Florencio Caballero, the
          father of two of Reina Zelaya's daughters and former mer er of Honduran
          Military Intelligence Battalion 3—16, who reportedly gave evidence during
          investigations into human rights violations in Honduras and, as a result, is
          currently a refugee in a western country (18 Septer er 1996) . The
          Special Rapporteur transmitted the same urgent appeal to the authorities in
          Honduras.
          Cuba
          143. By a conr unication dated 6 February 1996, the Government of CJia replied
          to the urgent appeal sent by the Special Rapporteur in October 1995 on behalf
          of Juvencio Padr6n Duefias, F lix Molina Vald s and Carlos Cruz Seguis, who had
          been sentenced to death in Septer er 1995 by the People's Provincial Court in
          Ciego de Avila. The Special Rapporteur had been informed that there had been
          procedural irregularities and that the accused had been forced to sign
          statements confirming the charges against them.
          144. According to the Governoeent's reply, the allegations do not correspond
          to what actually happened and are the result of political manoeuvres directed
          against CJ a. The Government explained to the Special Rapporteur that the
          above—mentioned persons were charged and convicted for the murder of two
          elderly men. It further stated that this was a matter within national
          competence and had nothing to do with a human rights situation within the
          competence of the Special Rapporteur. It also informed him that during the
          trial the accused had had the benefit of all the procedural guarantees
          established in CJian law, which are consistent with international legislation.
          It reported that in cases where death sentences were pronounced the accused
          had the right of appeal to the Supreme Court or the right to a pardon by the
          Council of State.
          145. The Special Rapporteur sent the Government of CJia a corcoeunication
          dated 1 Septercber 1996 in which he expressed thanks for its reply in
          connection with the case of Juvencio Padr6n Duefias, F lix Molina Vald s,
          Carlos Cruz Seguis and Carlos Rodriguez Gorrin, informing it that NRDs were
          continuing to investigate reports that the accused had been sJijected to
        
          
          E/CN. 4/1997/60/Add.1
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          physical and psychological pressure before the trial and that their access to
          legal defence had been extremely limited. In the same corcoeunication the
          Special Rapporteur reminded the Government that no reply had so far been
          received concerning the cases transmitted in 1995, which had included the
          cases of 35 persons killed in July 1994 in Havana Bay after government vessels
          had attacked the boat 13 de Marzo in which they had been trying to flee from
          Cuba.
          146. In a letter dated 4 October 1996, the Government of Cuba replied to the
          Special Rapporteur's follow—up corcoeunication. It expressed the view that the
          treatment of corcoeunications to Cuba appeared to depart widely from the mandate
          originally conferred on the Special Rapporteur by the Conr ission on Human
          Rights, and that in the complaints sent there were signs of political
          motivation. The Government considered that, concerning the cases transmitted
          in 1995 (see E/CN.4/1996/4, para. 158), it did not have to provide any further
          information since all the official information had already been made pJilic.
          It stated that wthere is an urgent need to establish clear criteria for
          admissibility of the complaints received by the Special Rapporteur and for a
          precise definition of the scope of his mandate”.
          Observations
          147. The Special Rapporteur expresses his thanks for the replies provided by
          the Government of Cuba and its willingness to cooperate in enabling him to
          fulfil his mandate. In connection with the points raised by the Government in
          its letter of 4 October 1996, he assures the Government that all the
          complaints reaching his office are analysed in the same spirit of impartiality
          and that Cuba is treated no differently from any other country. In addition,
          he wishes to make it clear that the conr unications sent to the Government do
          not lose their character of complaints. As to the need to establish clear
          criteria for admissibility of the complaints received by the
          Special Rapporteur and the precise definition of the scope of his mandate, he
          reminds the Government that these criteria already exist, being set out in his
          report E/CN.4/1994/7 (chap. II ), and that they have been repeatedly endorsed
          by the CoioexJssion on Human Rights.
          Di ibouti
          Information received and conr unications sent
          148. The Special Rapporteur, jointly with the Special Rapporteur on the
          Independence of the Judiciary and Lawyers, sent an urgent appeal on behalf of
          the lawyer Aref Mohamed Aref, dean of the Djibouti bar association, who had
          reportedly been subjected to repeated threats and harassment. The two
          rapporteurs had been informed that, on 16 January 1996, police officers had
          warned Aref Mohamed Aref that they had received orders to kill him. The two
          rapporteurs were also informed that the police did not intend to open an
          inquiry into those threats or to take measures to protect Mr. Aref. The
          threats are apparently linked to Mr. Aref's professional activities and, in
          particular, his role in defending victims of human rights violations
          (8 February 1996) .
        
          
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          Follow—un
          149. The Special Rapporteur also sent a corcoeunication to the Governoeent
          reminding it that no reply had been received concerning not only the urgent
          action mentioned above, but also the allegations transmitted to the Government
          in 1994.
          Ec t
          Information received and conr unications sent
          150. According to information received in 1996, between January and
          Septer er 1995 more than 20 detainees, most of them suspected mer ers of
          banned Islamic groups, reportedly died while in custody. Allegedly, Al-Wadi
          Al—Gadid prison, west of Asy it, was one of the prisons where most of the
          deaths occurred. It has been alleged that torture and ill—treatment, together
          with poor hygiene conditions and overcrowding, were contributing factors in
          these deaths. In most cases, families of those who died were allegedly not
          given copies of autopsy reports or death certificates. It was brought to the
          Special Rapporteur's attention that, in some cases, families were not even
          told the cause of death of their relatives. Furthermore, information received
          indicates that investigations into death in custody and their findings are
          rarely made pJ lic.
          151. Various sources have continued to express deep concern about criminal
          proceedings before military courts, which lead to the imposition of the death
          penalty and reportedly fall short of international fair trial standards,
          particularly article 14.5 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political
          Rights, ratified by Egypt. According to the information received, death
          sentences in criminal cases are passed to the Mufti, the highest religious
          authority in Egypt, for approval, then sJ mitted to the President for
          ratification and sJisequently reviewed by the Military Appeals Bureau, a
          non—judicial body headed by the President of the RepJilic. It has also been
          brought to the Special Rapporteur's attention that final verdicts by criminal
          courts, which may include the death penalty, can be appealed against before
          the Court of Cassation only if it can be proved that procedural irregularities
          were conr itted during the trial.
          152. Furthermore, various sources have continued to question the impartiality
          and independence of military tribunals. Thus, it was alleged that while
          civilian judges are appointed for life by a higher judicial council, military
          judges are serving military officers appointed by the Minister of Defence for
          a two—year term, renewable for additional terms of two years at the discretion
          of the Minister of Defence.
          153. The Special Rapporteur transmitted two urgent appeals to the Government
          of Egypt, on behalf of Mohanr ad ‘Pkd al Ra'uf Mahmoud, A an Kamal Moharcoead
          and ‘Abd al—Nasser Abu Kharouf, allegedly mer ers of al—Gama'a al—Islamiya, a
          banned Islamist armed group, who were reportedly sentenced to death by the
          (Emergency) Supreme State Security Court in Cairo (4 April 1996 and
          13 May 1996) . According to the information received, defendants before the
          (Emergency) Supreme State Security Court do not benefit from all the
          guarantees for a fair trial set forth in international instruments. In
          particular, and in contrast to procedures in ordinary criminal courts, there
          is said to be no right to appeal before a higher tribunal. It is reported
          that, in accordance with the State of Emergency Act No. 162 of 1958, sentences
        
          
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          passed by the (Emergency) Supreme State Security Court can only be reviewed by
          the President or a person mandated by the President.
          154. In addition, the Special Rapporteur transmitted allegations regarding
          the death in custody of the following four persons, reportedly between
          February and August 1995:
          (a) Mostafa Moharcoead Moharcoead Al-'Iragi and Ahmad Amin ‘PJid Al-Mun'im
          Hassan, who reportedly died in custody while detained at Al-Wadi Al-Gadeed
          prison;
          (b) Al—Aoeir Moharcoead Hosni ‘Omar, administrator of the lawyers' club
          in Alexandria, who reportedly died as a result of torture in Al—Ramal police
          station in Alexandria. According to the source, he was sunr oned to the police
          station after a neighbour had accused him of having stolen her laundry.
          According to the information received, despite a release order by the
          procuracy of Al-Ramal he was kept in the police station and beaten to death.
          The preliminary medical report is said to have stated that the victim died in
          the police station and that there was blood under the skin of his eyelid and
          that he had a suspected broken nose;
          (c) Mohanr ad Sa'ad ‘Ali Ahmad, who reportedly died in the High
          Security prison in Tora from tuberculosis. It was alleged that the prison
          medical services, although aware of the seriousness of his illness, did not
          reconr end his transfer to the hospital until the last minute.
          Conr unications received
          155. The Government of Egypt provided a reply to the urgent appeal sent by
          the Special Rapporteur on behalf of Mohanr ad ‘Pkd al Ra'uf Mahmoud, A an
          Kamal Moharcoead and ‘Abd al—Nasser Abu Kharouf. The Government informed the
          Special Rapporteur of the charges brought against the defendants and confirmed
          that they had been tried before the Higher State Security (Emergency) Court in
          May 1995 and that the case had been heard over a period of eight full months.
          The Government asserted that they had enjoyed all the legally stipulated
          rights and safeguards in regard to their defence. Their defence counsel had
          consisted of 10 lawyers. On 5 April 1996 the Court had referred the files to
          his Excellency the Mufti (21 May 1996) .
          Follow—un
          156. The Special Rapporteur sent a follow—up letter to the Government of
          Egypt, reiterating his concern in relation to the application of the death
          penalty. He also reminded the Government of those cases for which a reply had
          not yet been received.
          Observations
          157. The Special Rapporteur thanks the Government of Egypt for the replies
          provided to some of his corcoeunications. He is concerned, however, at
          continuous reports received, according to which, proceedings before military
          courts fall short of guarantees set out in the pertinent international
          instruments, particularly in respect of their impartiality and the right of
        
          
          E/CN. 4/1997/60/Add. 1
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          defence, especially the right to appeal to a higher jurisdiction and to seek
          pardon or corcoeutation of sentence at the highest level of the State.
          He calls on the Egyptian authorities to provide for trial procedures which
          fully respect the safeguards and guarantees protecting those facing the death
          penalty, in conformity with the pertinent international instruments.
          158. The Special Rapporteur continues to be concerned at the restrictions on
          the independence of the judiciary which result from the involvement of the
          President of the RepJilic at three levels: he decides which case is to be
          heard by the military courts; he presides over the Military Appeals Bureau;
          and he is called upon to decide on appeals for pardon or corcoeutation of a
          death sentence. This may render the appeal procedure ineffective in practice.
          The Special Rapporteur calls on the Government to review the appeal procedure
          and to bring it into line with international standards.
          159. Regarding cases of death in custody, the Special Rapporteur calls on the
          Egyptian authorities to strengthen safeguards regarding the interrogation of
          suspects, to ensure that police do not use force to extract information from
          detainees, to enforce police accountability for human rights violations and to
          provide adequate compensation to the families of the victims.
          El Salvador
          Information received and conr unications sent
          160. The reports received by the Special Rapporteur indicate that in
          El Salvador violations of the right to life are continuing. Most of the
          complaints transmitted to the Special Rapporteur related to the
          disproportionate use of force by officers of the National Civil Police (PNC) .
          Information on acts of violence against street children was also received.
          Several sources expressed their concern at the authorities' sluggishness in
          investigating the perpetrators of violations of human rights, particularly the
          right to life, and bringing them to justice.
          161. Alarming reports were received about conditions in Santa Ana prison, in
          the department of Santa Ana. In this connection, the Special Rapporteur
          learned that, in July 1996, the prisoners themselves had threatened to kill
          four of their nurcber unless there was a change in those conditions. These
          threats were reportedly made as a means of exerting pressure on the Government
          to solve the problems of overcrowding, inadequate food and lack of hygiene in
          the prison, and calling for speedier judicial proceedings.
          162. The Special Rapporteur transmitted five urgent appeals to the Government
          of El Salvador on behalf of Adri n Esquino Lisco, mercber of the Salvadoran
          National Indigenous Association (ANIS) and chief of the Nahuat, Lenca and Maya
          indigenous conr unities, Maximiliano Bran Garcia, mer er of the same
          association, and their respective families, who had received death threats,
          allegedly from paramilitary personnel. The Special Rapporteur reiterated his
          request for protection for these persons in sJisequent urgent appeals when the
          acts of harassment and death threats were repeated (1 February, 18 March,
          24 April, 9 May and 5 June 1996) .
        
          
          E/CN. 4/1997/60/Add.1
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          163. In addition, the Special Rapporteur transmitted to the Government
          reports of violations of the right to life of 22 persons:
          (a) The following persons were reported to have been killed in
          connection with demonstrations: Andr s M ndez Flores died in January 1995 in
          Rosales hospital in San Salvador after being wounded by PNC officers when they
          fired on a group of former mercbers of the civilian defence patrols as they
          were travelling to San Salvador to take part in a demonstration; Eustaguio
          Fuentes Mendoza, killed in July 1995 by PNC officers who fired on demobilized
          former mercbers of the armed forces and the FMLN while they were travelling to
          San Salvador to begin a demonstration calling on the Government to comply with
          the peace agreements.
          (b) PNC officers have reportedly killed the following persons:
          Genaro Garcia Garcia, who died in January 1995 while working at a petrol
          station on Alameda Juan Pablo II, San Salvador; Hector Rafael Paz de Paz, who
          died in January 1995 while running away to avoid arrest by police officers who
          were trying to clear the streets of drunks; Juan Ram6n, Julio Cesar and
          Guillermo Mercedes Fuentes Moya, and Francisco Bolaf os Torres, arrested and
          killed on 18 April 1995 at Los Amates estate, San Jos , department of
          La Uni6n; Daniel Alfonso Benitez Guzm n, killed in April 1995 by PNC officers
          and a group of soldiers who, after arriving at a house in which a party was
          being held in the village of El Pital, started firing indiscriminately at the
          persons present; Jos Israel Mejia Cabezas, a student, killed on 14 April 1995
          when an officer in a PNC vehicle stopped near him and shot him; Boanerges
          Bladimir Bernal Deras, killed on 18 February 1996 in Colonia Dolores,
          San Salvador, after an argument over admittance to a dance; Pedro Ernesto
          Escobar Carias, killed on 4 February 1996 at La Fincona estate, Cant6n
          el Guayabo, Sonsonate, after being arrested and beaten by PNC officers;
          Fernando Lemus Menjivar, shot by PNC officers while trying to run away after
          being asked by police officers to produce identity papers at a carnival party
          in Candelaria de la Frontera; Francisco Leondan Pefia, killed in Nover er 1995
          near the village of El Flor, Cant6n el Zapote, Tejutepegue; Victor Silverio
          Alvarenga, killed while running away after being asked by police officers to
          produce documents proving ownership of a bicycle, on the road from Aguilares
          to Cant6n las Pampas, municipality of Aguilares.
          (c) Army personnel reportedly killed the following persons: Oscar
          Nelson Diaz Hern ndez, aged 17, and David Antonio Quintanilla, who were
          stopped while returning from a party in San Miguel by three armed men in
          military uniforms who forced them to lie face down on the ground and shot
          them; Joel de JesCis Melgar, president of the Progress and Freedom cooperative
          and mer er of the FMLN party, killed in Colonia Cima del Escal6n by four armed
          men in military uniforms.
          (d) The following person reportedly died in detention: Santos
          Cornelio L6pez S nchez, whose body was found on 12 June 1995 in a cell in
          Santo Tom s town hall. The autopsy determined multiple deep wounds caused by
          a sharp pointed instrument as the cause of death, and found second—degree
          burns caused after the death. A municipal police officer from Santo Tom s is
          alleged to have been responsible for the death.
        
          
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          164. In addition, the Special Rapporteur transmitted to the Government the
          following cases of alleged violations of the right to life, in which the
          victims were minors: Oscar Anderson Cornejo, aged 15, died on 13 May 1995
          after being shot twice by a person alleged to be a PNC officer, who started to
          chase him while he was in the main square of San Salvador, with other street
          children, accusing him of being a thief; Juan Carlos Calder6n Quintanilla,
          aged 17, killed by a PNC officer in the main square in San Salvador in
          June 1995; Enrique Peraza, nickname flittle bandit”, aged 14, killed on
          2 March 1996 while sleeping in a building situated in the Callej6n Clessa,
          San A ntonio district, Santa Ana, allegedly by PNC officers.
          Conr unications received
          165. The Governoeent of El Salvador informed the Special Rapporteur that the
          Attorney—General had opened a file on the case of threats against mer ers of
          the ANIS and that the Special Crimes Unit was carrying out the relevant
          investigations (7 June 1996) .
          166. The Governoeent also stated that, according to the Procurator for the
          Defence of Human Rights, there had been no complaint about attacks in
          Decercber 1995 and January 1996 against mer ers of the ANIS, and that although
          the presence of armed men on the Santa Julia estate had been reported, those
          men had been from that conr unity. The problem arose from rivalry between
          peasant organizations, the ANIS and the Agricultural Production Cooperative
          which are in dispute over the Santa Julia estate. It further stated that on
          21 March 1996 Adri n Esquino Lisco had reported death threats at the
          Procurator's Central Office, attributing them to mer ers of the cooperative
          involved in the dispute over the estate. This complaint was transmitted to
          the Sonsonate branch and further action on the case was being taken
          (24 July 1996) .
          Follow—un
          167. The Special Rapporteur sent a follow—up letter to the Government of
          El Salvador transmitting a list of cases concerning which no reply had yet
          been received. In the same corcoeunication, he requested information concerning
          the complaints about conditions of detention in Santa Aria prison.
          Observations
          168. The Special Rapporteur is grateful for the replies provided by the
          Government of El Salvador concerning his urgent appeals. He continues to be
          concerned at the large nurcber of complaints he has received, which refer to
          the disproportionate use of force by the security forces. He appeals to the
          Government to ensure that the necessary measures are taken, in accordance with
          the Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement
          Officials, to prevent a recurrence of violations of the right to life. He
          urges the Government to ensure that full and independent investigations are
          initiated in cases of death due to abuse of force and that law enforcement
          officials responsible for such violations are brought to justice.
        
          
          E/CN. 4/1997/60/Add.1
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          SLain
          169. The Special Rapporteur welcomes the fact that, on 28 Nover er 1995, the
          Government of Spain removed the death penalty from the Military Penal Code.
          Estonia
          Information received and conr unications sent
          170. The Special Rapporteur received reports regarding the expansion of the
          scope of the death penalty. According to the information received, amencloeents
          to the Estonian Criminal Code had added two offences to the list of criminal
          acts punishable by death: violence against a police officer or a person equal
          to a police officer and crimes against humanity. These amendments reportedly
          entered into force on 11 March 1994 and 9 Decer er 1994 respectively.
          Observations
          171. The Special Rapporteur is deeply concerned about the extension of the
          scope of the death penalty, which runs counter to the international trend
          towards abolition of the death penalty and is in clear violation of article 6
          of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which has been
          ratified by Estonia.
          Ethiopia
          Information received and conr unications sent
          172. The Special Rapporteur received information indicating that 48 mercbers
          of the former Dergue military government are on trial and facing the death
          penalty on charges including genocide and crimes against humanity. In
          addition, 1,800 former officials, most of them having been held in detention
          since 1991, will reportedly also be tried. The Special Rapporteur was
          informed that many of them may be sentenced to death, although the Governoeent
          reportedly indicated that it supports only a limited nur er of executions of
          those guilty of the worst crimes.
          173. The Special Rapporteur continued to receive reports regarding human
          rights violations, including violations of the right to life, corcoeitted by the
          Ethiopian armed forces in the Ogaden. One report received indicated that
          50 civilians, including women, children and elders, were killed in a massacre
          in Qabri—Daharre and 8 in Hodayo. However, much of the information received
          did not contain the required details for the Special Rapporteur to take
          action.
          174. The Special Rapporteur transmitted the following allegations of
          violations of the right to life concerning 16 identified persons and
          13 unidentified persons: Ahmed Good Abdi, Ahmed Sanay Farah, Ahmed Sangaab
          and Hassan Ahmed Sagal, reportedly arrested and killed on 8 August 1996 in
          Toon—Ceeley by mer ers of the Ethiopian armed forces; Ebissa Addunya, a singer
          and musician, and Tana Wayessa, reportedly shot and killed on 30 August 1996
          by mer ers of the Ethiopian security forces in the former's house in
          Addis A baba; 4 unidentified persons reportedly killed on 8 August 1996 in
          Gabababo; Awal Idire, aged 16, Awal Sani, aged 13, Badiri Shaza, aged 12, and
          Usen Kalu, aged 12, reportedly killed on 20 July 1996 by mer ers of the
          Ethiopian armed forces because they had the initials of the Oromo Liberation
        
          
          E/CN. 4/1997/60/Add. 1
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          Front tattooed on their hands; Mohamed Arabi Hirsi, Abdi Mohamed Yare,
          Gahnug Yusuf Aare, Mohamed Aw Farah Ga'iye, Haye Hirad, alleged to be tribal
          chiefs and clan elders, reportedly killed on 18 July 1996 by mercbers of the
          Ethiopian armed forces; Sarecya Seerar Mohamed, her new—born child and eight
          other unidentified individuals, reportedly killed in mid-August 1996 by
          mercbers of the Ethiopian armed forces in Qabridaharre (30 Septercber 1996) .
          Follow—un
          175. The Special Rapporteur sent a follow-up letter reminding the Government
          of the case of Bekelle Argaw, which was transmitted during 1995 and concerning
          which a reply had not yet been received.
          Observations
          176. The Special Rapporteur wishes to express his concern in regard to the
          reports he received concerning extrajudicial, stioemary or arbitrary executions
          conr itted by the Ethiopian armed forces in the Ogaden. He reiterates his call
          to the Transitional Governoeent of Ethiopia to ensure that all allegations of
          human rights violations are exhaustively and impartially investigated, with a
          view to establishing the facts, identifying those responsible and bringing
          them to justice, granting adequate compensation to the victims or their
          families, and preventing the recurrence of such violations.
          France
          Information received and conr unications sent
          177. The Special Rapporteur conr unicated to the Government of France
          allegations concerning the death of Mr. Reza Mazlouman, a publisher and mercber
          of the Iranian opposition, who was reportedly killed in his flat outside Paris
          on 28 May 1996 by agents acting under the orders of the Iranian authorities.
          The Special Rapporteur had first sent these allegations to the Iranian
          Government.
          Follow—un
          178. The Special Rapporteur reminded the French Government that no reply had
          been received concerning cases transmitted in 1995.
          The GarcJDia
          Information received
          179. The Special Rapporteur was informed that the Constitution of the Gan ia,
          which was adopted by referendum on 8 August 1996, provides the President and
          mercbers of the Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council (AFPRC) with total
          impunity from criminal prosecution and prohibits the National Asser ly from
          amending any of the provisions which provide impunity to the AFPRC, its
          mercbers and appointees. Moreover, the Constitution reportedly permits the use
        
          
          E/CN. 4/1997/60/Add.1
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          of lethal force in defence of a person or property, to effect arrests and to
          prevent escape, to suppress riots, insurrection or mutiny and to prevent the
          conr ission of a criminal offence.
          Observations
          180. The Special Rapporteur is deeply concerned about the information he
          received in regard to the new Constitution, which seems to violate certain
          basic human rights standards laid down in several international instruments,
          including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which has
          been ratified by the GarcJDia. The Special Rapporteur strongly urges the
          Government to amend, in accordance with Principle 19 of the Principles on the
          Effective Prevention and Investigation of Extra—legal, Arbitrary and Surcoeary
          Executions, the provisions of the Constitution which provide the President and
          mercbers of the AFPRC with total impunity.
          GeorQia
          Information received and conr unications sent
          181. The Special Rapporteur transmitted an urgent appeal to the Government of
          Georgia on behalf of Badri Zarandia, a former corcoeander of the
          pro—Gamsa khurdia troops, who was reportedly sentenced to death for treason by
          the Supreme Court on 17 June 1996. According to the information received,
          Badri Zarandia had no right of appeal and his only recourse against execution
          was to petition the President for clemency (24 June 1996) .
          Germany
          Follow—un
          182. The Special Rapporteur sent a follow—up letter requesting the Governoeent
          of Germany to provide him with additional information concerning the
          investigations and proceedings in regard to the case of Kola Bankola, a
          Nigerian national who reportedly died on 30 August 1994 in the aircraft which
          was to return him to Nigeria, after being injected with a sedative.
          Guatemala
          183. The Special Rapporteur has received a large nunter of reports of
          violations of the right to life in Guatemala. Many of these reports could not
          be processed because they did not meet the essential requirements for his
          consideration (see E/CN.4/1994/7, para. 21) . According to the information
          received, the inefficiency of the judicial system and the militarization of
          society are contributing to an increase in impunity and continued human rights
          violations in Guatemala. State security agencies, paramilitary groups and
          mercbers of the Civil Self—Defence Patrols (PACs), which are reportedly
          composed of civilians who cooperate with the Guatemalan army, have been
          accused of conr itting these violations. The information received also points
          to an increase in violence in Guatemalan society. In this regard, the Special
          Rapporteur was informed of the creation of self—defence squads which are
          trained by the army and have been involved in wsocial cleansing” operations.
        
          
          E/CN. 4/1997/60/Add. 1
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          184. The Special Rapporteur was also informed that in 1996, for the first
          time in 13 years, a sentence of execution was carried out in Guatemala and
          that there are currently four persons under sentence of death. Prior to 1996,
          the most recent executions had been carried out in 1982 and 1983.
          185. For a detailed analysis of the human rights situation in Guatemala,
          reference is made to the report of M6nica Pinto, the Independent Expert on the
          situation of human rights in Guatemala (E/CN.4/1997/90) .
          186. During the period in question, the Special Rapporteur sent 12 urgent
          appeals to the Governoeent of Guatemala, requesting that the necessary measures
          should be taken to protect the following persons, who had received death
          threats:
          (a) Trade unionists:
          (i) D bora Guzm n Chup n, her husband F lix Gonzflez, and
          Julio Coj, trade unionists, after receiving written death
          threats warning them to put an end to their activities in
          the Guatemalan Workers' Union. Urgent appeals on their
          behalf were also sent on various occasions during 1995
          (20 February 1996) . The Special Rapporteur sent a second
          urgent appeal on their behalf after being informed that the
          threats and intimidation were continuing (6 March 1996);
          (ii) Vilma Cristina Gonzflez, who is the sister of union leader
          Reynaldo Gonzflez, Secretary—General of the Federaci6n de
          Sindicatos de Empleados Bancarios y Similares, after being
          abducted and tortured, apparently in connection with her
          brother's union activities (25 March 1996) . This urgent
          appeal was transmitted jointly with the Special Rapporteur
          on torture;
          (iii) Mercbers of the Sindicato General de Trabajadores de Guatel
          w 22 de Febrero”, after Victor Hugo Dur n Guerra,
          Secretary—General of the union, was reportedly attacked
          while travelling from Guatemala City to Villanueva.
          F lix Hern ndez, labour adviser to the same union,
          J 05 Maria Ortega, secretary of the union, and
          Jaime Manfredo Diaz, another union mer er, are also reported
          to have received death threats (3 October 1996) ;
          (b) Journalists:
          (i) Carlos Orellana, Director of Radio Victoria wLa Benabita
          del Cuadrante”, his wife, Irma L6pez, and their two sons,
          Carlos Alberto and Juan Jos Orellana (aged 17 and 16) ,
          after a bor was thrown in front of their house in
          Mazatenango, department of Sucitep quez (10 May 1996) ;
          (ii) Jos Rub n Zamora Marroquin, former editor of the newspaper
          SiQlo Veintiuno , after he was attacked. The Special
          Rapporteur was informed that SiQlo Veintiuno had played an
        
          
          E/CN. 4/1997/60/Add.1
          page 51
          important role in the publication of reports of the attempt
          at a self—initiated coup in 1993 and sJisequent related
          events. Since that time, mer ers of the newspaper staff
          have been intimidated and threatened. Recently, the
          newspaper pJilished information concerning impunity,
          corruption and human rights violations in Guatemala
          (21 May 1996) ;
          (c) Human rights activists and indigenous leaders:
          (i) C sar S nchez Aguilar, a mercber of the Myrna Mack
          Foundation, after receiving death threats from local PAC
          mercbers (30 Novercber 1995);
          (ii) Pastor Lucio Martinez, Margarita Valiente, administrator and
          president of the Kaqchikel presbytery (Chimaltenango), and
          Juan Garcia, head of the Human Rights Conr ittee of the
          Kaqchikel presbytery, after receiving death threats from a
          death squad known as the Jaguar Justiciero. The threats are
          assumed to be related to the victims' investigation into the
          death of the evangelical minister, Manuel Saguic V squez, an
          activist and coordinator of the Human Rights Conr ittee of
          the Kaychikel presbytery in Panabajal (6 March 1996) ;
          (iii) Amilcar M ndez Urizar, parliamentary representative of the
          Frente Democr tico Nueva Guatemala and founding mer er of
          the wRanujel Junam” Ethnic Conr unities Council, after he was
          threatened by the Jaguar Justiciero death squad. The
          Special Rapporteur was also informed that Tomasa Micaela
          Mateo Taquiej, daughter of Amilcar M ndez Urizar, had been
          attacked inside his home by four heavily armed men
          (19 April 1996);
          (iv) Carlos Federico Reyes L6pez, mercber of the Guatemalan
          Forensic A nthropology Team, after receiving death threats.
          He had recently taken part in the exhumation of a
          clandestine cemetery containing the remains of persons who
          had died in 1982 during the massacre at Los Josefinos,
          municipality of La Libertad, department of Pet n
          (10 July 1996) . The Special Rapporteur sent a second urgent
          appeal on his behalf after having been informed that the
          victim was still receiving death threats
          (23 Septercber 1996) .
          187. In addition, the Special Rapporteur sent an urgent appeal stating that
          he feared for the life and physical safety of Otto Leonel Hern ndez, principal
          witness in the case of the disappearance of Lucina C rdenas, who had been
          abducted, tortured and killed in the city of Quetzaltenango (16 July 1996)
          (see para. 189) .
          188. The Special Rapporteur also transmitted reports of violations of the
          right to life:
        
          
          E/CN. 4/1997/60/Add. 1
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          (a) The following persons are reported to have been killed by the
          army:
          (i) Indigenous leaders: Miguel Us Mejia, Ethnic Conr unities
          Council activist, and his wife, Lucia Tiu Tum, a mer er of
          the Guatemalan Widows' Coordinating Conr ittee, who died in
          Totonicap n in January 1996;
          (ii) Peasants: Tereso Garcia Cot6n, Arcadio Garcia, Luis Orozuco
          Coyoy and Otilio Santos CitaOEn, peasants from Santa Lucia
          UttOEn, SoloOE, who were seized by an infantry squad
          patrolling in armoured vehicles and whose bodies were
          discovered some time later;
          (iii) Former mercbers of the judiciary: Jos Vicente Gonzflez, a
          former judge who died in Decercber 1995. According to the
          information received, the victim had resigned as a result of
          pressure after receiving a nurcber of death threats;
          (iv) Others: Felipe Arguta, who died in August 1995 in Zone S of
          Guatemala City; Jaime Ernesto Centeno L6pez, 1/ former
          assistant director of Concientizaci6n para la Recuperaci6n
          Espiritual y Econ6mica del Horcbre (a Salvadoran NGO) , who
          was killed while travelling from El Salvador to Guatemala to
          attend a meeting of the Latin Aoeerican Association of
          Development Organizations;
          (b) The following persons are reported to have been killed by mer ers
          of paramilitary groups:
          (i) Students: Sergio Ariibal Diaz Suchini and Germ n Castellanos
          Valdez, university student leaders who were killed in
          January 1996 on 11th Avenue and 2nd Street, Zone 1,
          Chiquimula;
          (ii) Trade unionists: Alexander Yovany G6mez Virula, who
          was tortured and whose body was found near the
          neighbourhoods of Galilea and El Lim6n, Zone 18, Guatemala
          City. According to the forensic reports, they had died from
          beatings and had visible fractures on the back of the head,
          face and upper body;
          (iii) Peasants: Pedro Chuc Ruiz, a disabled peasant leader and
          mercber of the Altiplano Peasants' Conr ittee, who was killed
          at his home in Pampojila, San Lucas Tolim n, SoloJA, at
          7.30 p.m. on 20 May 1996. He had reportedly demanded the
          return of the land on the San Francisco de San Lucas Tolim n
          farm, SoloOE, from which mercbers of the corcoeunity had been
          evicted by the security forces in February 1996;
          1/ The Special Rapporteur accidentally transmitted this case on
          two occasions in 1996.
        
          
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          (c) The following person is reported to have been killed by PAC
          mercbers: Juan JesCis Esteban, a peasant, in the village of Cajcajpuja,
          San Pedro Soloma, Huehuetenango, in March 1995.
          189. The Special Rapporteur also transmitted to the authorities the case of
          Lucina C rdenas, a Mexican citizen and former employee of a United Nations
          agency, who was tortured and killed and whose body was discovered in
          San Martin Sacatep guez on 2 Decer er 1995. She had been abducted while
          travelling, with Otto Leonel Hern ndez, on the road from Talism n (Mexico) to
          Quetzaltenango (Guatemala) . According to information received, the bullet
          casings found on the spot by the police matched those used by the Guatemalan
          military intelligence services. Lucina C rdenas had reportedly been receiving
          death threats in Quetzaltenango since 1993 in connection with her work at an
          indigenous textile cooperative in Salcaja, a project sponsored by the
          International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Government of the Netherlands.
          Because of these threats, she had decided to leave the country. On the day
          she was abducted, she was returning to Guatemala from Mexico in order to
          collect her personal belongings.
          Conr unications received
          190. The Governoeent of Guatemala replied to many of the corcoeunications
          transmitted by the Special Rapporteur in 1996 and previous years. With regard
          to the case of Juan de JesCis Esteban, the Governoeent stated that the cause of
          death was fourth-degree skull and brain injury, probably due to an accidental
          fall into a ravine. In the same corcoeunication, with regard to the case of
          Rudi F. Ortiz L6pez, the Government informed the Special Rapporteur that the
          persons allegedly responsible, mer ers of the Cajpujcuja PAC, had been
          identified and located and that the pre-trial proceedings were under way
          (30 Nover er 1995) .
          191. The Special Rapporteur was also informed that a warrant for the arrest
          of the person charged with the death of Felipe Le6n Nas had been applied for,
          but the judge assigned to the case had not yet issued a decision on the
          matter. The investigation was continuing (20 Decer er 1995) .
          192. The Special Rapporteur was also informed that the Department of
          Escuintla Second Court of First Instance had ordered the temporary closure of
          the pre—trial investigation concerning the two police officers accused of
          attempted murder, illegal possession of a firearm, abuse of authority and
          threats in the case of Ervin Ramiro Gonzalez Barriento. A warrant had also
          been issued for the arrest of a third accused person (16 January 1996) .
          193. With regard to the threats received by Cesar Ovideo S nchez Aguilar, the
          Government stated that the case was of a private nature and did not involve
          any State officials (1 March 1996) .
          194. The Governoeent also informed the Special Rapporteur, with regard to the
          abduction of and threats received by Vilma Cristina Gonzflez, that the
          National Police Department of Criminal Investigation had been ordered to
          provide protection for the victim and that an investigation was being carried
          out in order to shed light on these incidents (25 March 1996) .
        
          
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          195. Concerning the threats received by Aoeilcar Mendez Urizar, the Governoeent
          stated that the necessary investigation had been opened. The Presidential
          Conr ission for Coordinating Executive Policy in the Field of Human Rights
          (COPREDEH) had requested the Minister of the Interior and the Director-General
          of the National Police to take the necessary measures to protect the victim
          (28 May 1996) .
          196. With regard to the threats received by Vitalino Similox,
          Blanca Margarita de Similox and Lucio Martinez Pic, the Special Rapporteur was
          informed that the El Ramo Department of Criminal Investigation would be
          responsible for carrying out an investigation into the matter. The victims
          had declined an offer of protection (26 June 1996) .
          197. The Special Rapporteur received a copy of the Government's reply to ILO,
          dated 17 May, concerning the death of Lucina C rdenas. According to the
          Government, COPREDEH had cooperated with the Office of the Attorney General,
          the Office of the Director—General of the National Police and the Ministry of
          Defence in order to ensure that the necessary investigations were carried out.
          On 4 Decercber 1995, the Judge of the Quetzaltenango Second Court of First
          Instance for Criminal, Drug—related and Environmental Offences had issued a
          warrant for the arrest of Otto Leonel Hern ndez; he had duly been arrested as
          the principal suspect in the case. The Governoeent later informed the Special
          Rapporteur that criminal proceedings had been initiated and that the principal
          suspects were two individuals not connected with the Governoeent
          (31 October 1996) . He was also informed that on 22 August 1996 the Court had
          ordered the release of Otto Leonel Hern ndez since there was no evidence to
          implicate him in the case.
          198. The Governoeent notified the Special Rapporteur of the progress made
          since April 1995 in the legal proceedings concerning the case of Jorge Carpio
          Nicolle, which had been transmitted to the Government in 1994. It also
          provided detailed information concerning developments in the case of Alexander
          Yovani G6mez Virula, in particular replying to a nur er of questions asked by
          the Special Rapporteur. It noted that the Sixth Court of First Instance for
          Criminal, Drug—related and Environmental Offences was carrying out the
          appropriate proceedings under the Code of Criminal Procedure. Two citizens of
          Korean origin have reportedly been accused of the victim's death
          (31 October 1996) .
          Follow—un
          199. The Special Rapporteur sent a follow—up letter to the Government of
          Guatemala requesting additional information on several cases which had been
          transmitted in previous years. Concerning the case of Jorge Carpio Nicolle,
          he reiterated the request, made in his previous corcoeunication of
          22 August 1995, for information on final developments in the trial. He also
          conr unicated additional information, which he had received from the source,
          concerning alleged irregularities in the investigation of this case. For
          example, he had been informed that vital evidence, such as the negatives of
          the photographs taken during the autopsy and garments found at the scene of
        
          
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          the crime which allegedly identified those responsible, had disappeared. He
          had also learned that the Quich police officer, supposedly the first person
          to investigate the case, had reportedly been murdered and that witnesses,
          prosecutors and judges had been threatened.
          200. With regard to the Kam n massacre (see E/CN.4/1996/4, para. 213), the
          Special Rapporteur informed the Government that, according to additional
          information provided by the source, there had been serious irregularities in
          the judicial proceedings and investigation. NGOs had reportedly accused the
          judge in charge of the case of complicity with, and partiality towards, the
          persons involved. According to this source, the judge's partiality had
          resulted in the cancellation of an order for the pre—trial detention of eight
          of the soldiers responsible for the massacre. The Special Rapporteur also
          learned that the army had reportedly attempted to destroy, conceal and tamper
          with evidence. For example, the weapons of the soldiers involved were said to
          have been sent to the prosecutor's office one and a half months after the
          event, and weapons belonging to one of the officers had reportedly not been
          presented at all. In the same communication, the Special Rapporteur requested
          information on the current state of the proceedings and on the progress made
          by the National Peace Fund, which was to have carried out a study in order to
          provide compensation to the relatives of the victims from the Aurora 8 de
          Octubre Community.
          Observations
          201. The Special Rapporteur wishes to thank the Government of Guatemala for
          the spirit of cooperation which it has demonstrated by providing him with
          information on the cases transmitted. The complaints which have been brought
          to his attention continue to be disturbing. He requests that exhaustive and
          impartial investigations of the reports of human rights violations should be
          carried out and that the guilty parties be identified and brought to justice.
          He also requests the Government to take the necessary steps to prevent the
          PACs from committing violations of the right to life during the remaining
          period prior to their disbandment.
          202. The Special Rapporteur wishes to express his concern at the fact that
          the first execution in 13 years has been carried out in Guatemala. He remains
          concerned at the large nurcber of threats made against human rights activists
          and trade unionists, and requests the Governoeent to take effective steps to
          protect such persons, who are in inr inent danger of extrajudicial, summary or
          arbitrary execution. He reiterates to the Government the need to take firm
          action to put an end to impunity. He hopes that the peace agreement between
          the Governoeent of Guatemala and the Guatemalan National Revolutionary Unity
          Movement, to be signed in late Decer er 1996, will help to improve respect for
          the right to life in this country.
          Equatorial Guinea
          203. The Special Rapporteur transmitted three complaints of violations of the
          right to life to the Government of Equatorial Guinea. They concern the
          following individuals: F lix Esono tdflla, who was reportedly killed on
          20 Septer er 1995 in Miboman when security forces fired on inhabitants
          celebrating the local victory of the Uni6n Popular in the elections; Francisco
        
          
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          Sulecopa Bapa, a law student, who was killed in April 1995 by a police officer
          in Basapu on the island of Bioko; and Feliciano Boko Befia, who died as a
          result of ill—treatment by the police after he had been arrested in Bancy and
          accused of involvement in a robbery.
          204. The Special Rapporteur also sent a follow—up communication reminding the
          Government that no reply had so far been received concerning the case of
          Antonio Ndong Ebang, transmitted in 1995.
          205. For an in-depth analysis of the human rights situation in
          Equatorial Guinea, reference is made to the report of Mr. Alejandro Artucio,
          Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Equatorial Guinea
          (E/CN.4/1997/54) .
          Observations
          206. The Special Rapporteur regrets that at the time this report was
          finalized, no reply had been received from the Governoeent concerning the
          complaints of violations of the right to life. He urges the Government to
          ensure that complaints of such violations are investigated and that those
          responsible for these crimes are brought to justice.
          Gui ne a
          Information received and communications sent
          207. The Special Rapporteur drew the Government's attention to the
          allegations that Liman Kourouma had died as a result of torture in Conakry
          prison and correctional centre. The forensic physician's statement in the
          autopsy report that the victim had died of a heart attack was reportedly
          contradicted by signs that he had been burned and bound. The Special
          Rapporteur also transmitted allegations that 16 prisoners had died in the same
          prison during the night of 31 Decercber—1 January 1995. These persons had
          reportedly been arrested during a military operation whose official purpose
          was to restore order throughout the country. Shots are said to have been
          heard from the cells of the 16 prisoners.
          Follow—un
          208. The Special Rapporteur reminded the Government that no reply had yet
          been received concerning the allegations transmitted.
          Observations
          209. The Special Rapporteur is concerned at the reports he received
          concerning deaths in detention as a result of torture, and summary executions.
          He urges the authorities to ensure that impartial and exhaustive
          investigations are carried out, that the persons responsible for human rights
          violations are brought to justice and that the families of the victims are
          compensated. He also urges the Government to ensure that conditions of
          detention conform to the Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners
          and other relevant international instruments.
        
          
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          Guyana
          Information received and conr unications sent
          210. The Special Rapporteur sent an urgent appeal on behalf of Abdool Saleem
          Yasseen and Noel Thomas, who were reportedly scheduled to be executed on
          10 February 1996 following trials which allegedly fell short of international
          fair trial standards. Both men were reportedly convicted on the basis of a
          written confession by Noel Thomas, allegedly made under duress, and an oral
          confession by Abdool Yasseen. It was reported that two medical experts
          confirmed during the trial that Noel Thomas had been ill-treated while in
          police custody. Furthermore, Abdool Yasseen was allegedly not represented by
          a lawyer during the first four days of the third trial (8 February 1996) .
          Conr unications received
          211. The Government of Guyana provided a detailed reply to the urgent appeal
          sent on behalf of Abdool Saleem Yasseen and Noel Thomas. The Government
          informed the Special Rapporteur, inter alia , that the Court of Appeal had
          vacated the decision of the President to sign the death warrants on the basis
          that the Attorney General ought not to have acted as the designated Minister
          tendering his advice to the President, and the petitions of Abdool Saleem
          Yasseen and Noel Thomas would be reconsidered (3 October 1996) .
          Observations
          212. The Special Rapporteur wishes to thank the Government of Guyana for the
          reply provided and the action taken.
          Haiti
          Information received and conr unications sent
          213. The Special Rapporteur informed the Government of the allegations he had
          received concerning violations of the right to life of the following persons:
          (a) Jean—Marie Vincent, a priest, who was killed by several armed men
          as he was entering the residence of the Montfortain fathers in Port—au—Prince
          on 28 August 1994. According to the information received, police officers
          were suspected of having inspired this murder, but no one has been arrested.
          (b) Over 30 unidentified persons who were killed in the shanty to n s
          at La C6te de Raboteau, Les Gonaives. It was reported that on 22 April 1994
          soldiers arrived in Raboteau, armed with machine—guns and accompanied by
          mercbers of the Front for the Advancement and Progress of Haiti, and opened
          fire on the inhabitants.
          214. For a detailed analysis of the human rights situation in Haiti,
          reference is made to the report of Mr. Adama Dieng, Independent Expert on the
          situation of human rights in Haiti (E/CN.4/1997/89) .
        
          
          E/CN. 4/1997/60/Add. 1
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          Observations
          215. The Special Rapporteur regrets that at the time this report was
          finalized, he had not received any corcoeunication from the Haitian Government.
          216. The Special Rapporteur requests the Haitian authorities to carry out
          exhaustive and impartial inquiries into the allegations of the violations of
          the right to life described above, identify those responsible and bring them
          to justice, and pay adequate compensation to the families of the victims. He
          also urges the authorities to take the necessary measures to prevent a
          recurrence of such human rights violations and, by so doing, make a clean
          break with the period of lawlessness in Haiti.
          Honduras
          Information received and conr unications sent
          217. The Special Rapporteur sent an urgent appeal to the Government of
          Honduras on behalf of Reina Zelaya and her three daughters, Maryuri Zelaya
          Gonzflez, Setephania Caballero Zelaya and Cynthia Caballero Zelaya, who had
          reportedly left Honduras in February 1996 after receiving death threats and
          settled in Costa Rica, where they were granted political asylum. According to
          the information received, while in Costa Rica they have been subjected to
          harassment and threats, presumably by mercbers of the Honduran security forces.
          The threats are believed to be related to the fact that Florencio Caballero,
          the father of two of Reina Zelaya's daughters and a former mercber of Honduran
          Military Intelligence Battalion 3—16, had testified during investigations into
          human rights violations in Honduras and, as a result, is currently a refugee
          in a western country (18 Septer er 1996) . The Special Rapporteur transmitted
          the same urgent appeal to the Costa Rican authorities.
          India
          Information received and conr unications sent
          218. The Special Rapporteur continued to receive numerous reports indicating
          the occurrence of violations of the right to life in India. The majority of
          the information received related to the situation in the State of Jarcoeu and
          Kashmir where, according to various sources, Indian security forces were
          responsible for human rights violations, including deliberate killings of
          detainees in custody and reprisal killings of civilians. The perpetrators of
          extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions reportedly continue to enjoy
          virtual impunity. In addition, it was reported that the Government continued
          to support paramilitary troops which are reportedly also responsible for the
          killing of a large nunter of civilians. The source pointed out that these
          troops are non—uniformed and therefore difficult to identify.
          219. The Special Rapporteur was also informed that a nunter of armed militant
          opposition groups are responsible for human right abuses, including the
          killing of numerous civilians.
        
          
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          220. The Special Rapporteur sent an urgent appeal on behalf of Gantela
          Vijayavardhana Rao and Satuluri Chalapathi Rao, who were allegedly sentenced
          to death on 7 Septer er 1995 in Guntur after the Supreme Court reportedly
          upheld the death sentences on 29 August 1996. According to the information
          received, they were allegedly not represented by counsel during pre—trial
          proceedings (13 Septer er 1996) .
          221. In addition, the Special Rapporteur sent several allegations of
          violations of the right to life in respect of the following seven persons:
          Mohanr ad B. and Sheik Y., reportedly killed by Indian armed forces on
          20 April 1995; Ghulam Ahmed Ehat, a deaf and durcb boy, reportedly killed by a
          soldier of the border security forces; Kurshid Ahmed Ehat alias Khalid Javeed,
          reportedly taken into custody by border security forces and sJisequently found
          dead on the street on 19 Decercber 1995; Parag Kumar Das, a noted human rights
          activist, reportedly killed by a gunman said to be a security agent on
          17 May 1996; Jalil Andrabi, a lawyer and human rights activist, reportedly
          abducted and found dead on 27 March 1996, allegedly killed by mer ers of
          Indian paramilitary security forces; and Y. Ramakrishna Reddy, who reportedly
          died on 5 April 1996 as a result of torture inflicted by police officers.
          Conr unications received
          222. The Special Rapporteur received several corcoeunications in which the
          Government of India provided replies to cases transmitted to it during 1995
          and 1996.
          223. The Government of India provided the Special Rapporteur with information
          and corcoeents on the death of Jalil Andrabi. According to the Government,
          Jalil Andrabi was not arrested by mercbers of the army, but abducted by
          unidentified armed persons. The Government also stated that an investigation
          by a special team of the State Police of Janr u and Kasboeir was under way
          (15 May 1996, 12 April 1996 and 1 April 1996) .
          224. In respect of the case of Purushottam Kumar and Manoj Kumar, who
          reportedly died in police custody as a result of torture, the Government
          stated that, as a result of preliminary inquiries, four police personnel had
          been found prima facie guilty and that further investigations by the state
          police were under way. Regarding the death of Deven Singh, who was reportedly
          also tortured to death while in custody, the Government observed that an
          autopsy conducted by the competent authority had found that he had died from
          cardiac failure while in custody. In the case of Bundu Hasan, who reportedly
          died from injuries sustained from torture by police officers, the Government
          replied that he had died from tetanus. Since he had been hospitalized and ill
          for quite some time, no medical examination had been conducted. Clarifying
          the facts regarding the death of Han Biswakara, who was reportedly pushed out
          of a speeding police jeep, the Government replied that she had fallen from the
          police jeep and died, as the result of an altercation she and her husband had
          had with the police officers who had mistakenly presumed that there was a
          warrant issued against her husband. In the case of Y. Ramakrishna Reddy, who
          was allegedly tortured to death while in police custody, the Government stated
          that he had died of natural causes while in custody and the final report of
          the examiners was still pending (7 October 1996) .
        
          
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          225. In the case of Kanakanna, the Government replied that he had been killed
          by the police in self—defence. In regard to the death of the 113 unidentified
          persons in Na pur, Maharashtra, on 23 Nover er 1994, the Government informed
          the Special Rapporteur that a corcoeission of inquiry had been appointed which
          was yet to submit its report to the Government (23 October 1996) .
          226. In its reply to the urgent appeal on behalf of Gantela Vijayavardhana
          Rao and Satuluri Chalapathi Rao, the Government described the crime conr itted
          by the accused and restated parts of the procedural history of the case
          (23 October 1996) .
          Follow—un
          227. The Special Rapporteur asked the Governoeent to provide further
          information with regard to the case of Jalil Aridrabi. He also reminded the
          Government of allegations transmitted to it on 4 June 1996 and
          25 Septer er 1995 to which no reply had yet been received. In addition, the
          Special Rapporteur reiterated his interest in visiting the Republic of India
          that he had previously expressed in letters to the Governoeent dated
          8 January 1994, 7 February 1994 and 23 Septer er 1994.
          Observations
          228. The Special Rapporteur thanks the Government of India for the replies
          provided to the cases transmitted to it.
          229. The Special Rapporteur remains concerned about the situation of the
          right to life in Jarcoeu and Kashmir. He calls upon the Government of India to
          take further measures in order to ensure compliance of its security forces and
          paramilitary units with international human rights law and principles, as well
          as with international humanitarian law standards.
          230. The Special Rapporteur hopes that the conr itment to openness,
          transparency and full cooperation, expressed by the Government in a letter
          dated 22 Novercber 1995, will lead to the extension of an invitation to the
          Special Rapporteur to visit India in the near future.
          Indonesia and East Timor
          Information received and conr unications sent
          231. The Special Rapporteur received reports indicating that violations of
          the right to life in Indonesia continued to take place during 1995 and 1996.
          In regard to the situation in East Timor, reports suggested that during 1995
          at least 13 civilians were thought to have been killed. It was reported that
          independent monitoring had become difficult in East Timor, because of access
          and travel restrictions. Sources also made reference to violations of the
          right to life as the result of the excessive use of force by police and
          security forces. In regard to the National Corcoeission on Human Rights (Komnas
          HAN) it was alleged that it lacked the powers and resources to be fully
          operational and independent and that there was no consistency in the cases
          taken up. The Special Rapporteur was also informed of several important
          investigations carried out by Komnas HAM.
        
          
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          232. For an in—depth analysis of the human rights situation in East Timor,
          reference is made to the report of the Secretary—General on East Timor
          submitted to the Corcoeission on Human Rights at its fifty-third session
          (E/CN.4/1997/51) .
          233. The Special Rapporteur transmitted to the Government an urgent appeal
          jointly with the Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression,
          Mr. Abid Hussain, and the Special Rapporteur on torture, Mr. Nigel Rodley, on
          behalf of university students demonstrating in Ujung Padang, Sulawesi, after
          it had been reported that Andi Sultan, Syaiful and Adnan had been beaten to
          death on 24 April 1996 in the context of continuing confrontations between
          demonstrating students and military personnel (26 April 1996) .
          234. In addition, the Special Rapporteur transmitted to the Government of
          Indonesia allegations regarding the death of the Reverend Martin Kibak and 10
          other civilians, including a woman and four children, in Hoea on 31 May 1996.
          According to the information received, the group was gathered for a prayer
          meeting when they were surrounded and subsequently killed by mercbers of the
          security forces.
          235. Further, the Special Rapporteur transmitted to the Government
          allegations of violations of the right to life of at least five unidentified
          persons who were reportedly killed in connection with the raid on the office
          of the Partai Demokrasi Indonesia in Jakarta by Indonesian security forces on
          27 July 1996. Reportedly, the operation was characterized by excessive use of
          force (30 Septer er 1996) .
          Conr unications received
          236. The Government of Indonesia provided replies to the allegations
          transmitted to it by the Special Rapporteur during 1995 and 1996. The
          Government responded that:
          (a) The allegations were invented or without any foundation in the
          cases of: Kadimum, Yanto (alias Sumeri) , Acan (alias Warsan) , Tony Matondang,
          Jupri, Muka Situmeang, Rush and Titi Sugiarti, Misram and Chan Ting Chong
          (alias Steven Chang) . The Government also pointed out that Maman and Sulaiman
          were in fact the same person and that therefore the same case was forwarded
          twice (28 Decer er 1996) ;
          (b) The police officers had killed the following persons in
          self—defence: Hartono, Sulaiman/Maman, Denny Irawan, Ramis Rakujian and
          Nuryudin Rahmani, M. Amsir, Kuat Ginting, Sugeng and Humala Hutabarat
          (alias Wol Poltak) (28 Decercber 1996);
          (c) The police officers had killed the following persons when they
          resisted arrest and tried to escape: Rudyanto, Sugeng, M. Maknum,
          Johny Ceking, Nurahman (alias Mejing Bin Taryadi) , Pkdul Manan, Jaenuddin,
          Ahmad and Wahyudin (28 Decercber 1996) ;
          (d) Those responsible for the violations of the right to life in the
          following cases had been brought to justice:
        
          
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          (i) Mat Juri: the security officer involved had been sentenced
          to five years imprisonment and dismissed dishonourably from
          the service for causing death by negligence in maintaining
          weapon safety (28 Decercber 1996);
          (ii) The Liquiza incident: the two officers responsible had been
          sentenced by a military court to four years' imprisonment
          and had been dishonourably discharged from the army
          (28 Decer er 1996) ;
          (iii) Sudarmono: the military court had sentenced the three
          responsible officers to 14 years' to 9 months' to 5 months'
          imprisonment (28 Decer er 1996) ;
          (iv) Marsinah: those found guilty had been punished in
          accordance with the law (28 Decer er 1996) ;
          (v) Martinus Kibak and 10 unidentified persons: the Government
          stated that, in the incident of 31 May 1995 in Hoea,
          security forces had killed 10 armed separatists in the
          course of a security operation, but that no Clergyman named
          Martinus Kibak and no women and children had been among
          them. The Government informed the Special Rapporteur that
          the incident had been examined by a military investigation
          team and the National Corcoeission on Human Rights, which had
          subsequently recorcoeended that those responsible should be
          brought to justice. On 1 February 1996, the military court
          had handed down a verdict that the officers involved were
          guilty of violating standard operation procedures, causing
          loss of life. The officers had been discharged
          dishonourably from their duties and sentenced to terms of
          imprisonment ranging from one to four years. The Government
          observed that this case showed that the National Corcoeission
          did not lack independence and that its reconr endations were
          not ignored by the Government (27 June 1996 and
          20 October 1996) .
          (e) The following cases are still under investigation or sJi judice :
          (i) Lamsir Bin Pawiro Pandi: the responsible Forest Police
          officer was charged with causing death by negligence in
          regard to the arms firing procedure (28 Decer er 1996) ;
          (ii) Djatmiko: the responsible guards had been arrested
          ircoeediately and were being held in custody, awaiting a
          decision of the Indonesian Supreme Court (28 Decercber 1996) ;
          (iii) Syamsul Bahri: the arresting officers had been found,
          brought before the Medan Military Court and charged with
          conduct unbecoming and homicide (28 Decercber 1996) ,
        
          
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          237. In addition, the Government replied to the urgent appeal sent
          on 26 April 1996 jointly with the Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and
          expression and the Special Rapporteur on torture on behalf of university
          students who had taken part in demonstrations. The Government informed the
          Special Rapporteur that Syaiful Bya, Andi Sultan Iskandar and Tasrif, not
          Adnan as wrongly alleged, had drowned when they had jumped into the Pampang
          River in the chaotic situation resulting from the intervention of security
          officers in the demonstration, which had become violent. The Government
          further informed the Special Rapporteur of several steps taken by the
          authorities to investigate the incident (10 May 1996) .
          238. In regard to the allegations of a general nature transmitted by the
          Special Rapporteur, the Government denied the allegations that independent
          human rights monitoring in Irian Jaya and East Timor had become very
          difficult, noting that ICRC and journalists, including foreign journalists,
          had unrestricted access to both areas. Moreover, the Government indicated
          that it did not wish to reply to the allegations made regarding the National
          Conr ission on Human Rights, since such a reply could be viewed as an attempt
          to tamper with the work of the Commission. Referring to the general
          allegations regarding alleged extrajudicial, arbitrary or summary executions
          in East Timor, the Government stated that it failed to understand that an
          inquiry was being entertained into allegations which could not be processed as
          individual allegations (27 June 1996) .
          239. The Special Rapporteur also received a communication from the Government
          in response to his request for further information on a nurcber of cases. In
          the cases of Mat Jun and Sudarmono the Government informed the Special
          Rapporteur that compensation had been provided by order of the court. The
          amount of that compensation was equivalent to the sum that would have been
          acquired and saved by the deceased during his lifetime. In addition, the
          court had requested the State to provide free education for the family. In
          the cases of Lamsir Bin Pawiro Pandi, Djatmiko and Syamsul Bahri, the
          Government stated that the court had sentenced the perpetrators to seven
          years' imprisonment, nine years' imprisonment, and six years and five months'
          imprisonment respectively (20 October 1996) .
          Follow—un
          240. The Special Rapporteur sent a letter to the Government requesting
          further information and/or clarification in regard to the investigation of the
          following cases: Nelson da Costa Mello Ribeiro and two unidentified persons,
          Yanto (alias Sumeri) , Tony Mantondang, Jupri, Kadimum, Acan (alias Warsan) ,
          John Ceking, Ramin Rakujian, Nuryudin Raboeani, Hartono, Sulaiman/Maman, Denny
          Irawan, M. Amsir, Kuat Ginting, Humala Hutarabat (alias Wol Poltak) , Nurahman
          (alias Mejing Bin Taryadi), Majalengka, Lamsir Bin Pawiro Pandi, Djatmiko,
          Syamsul Bahri, Martinus Kibak and 10 unidentified persons. In regard to the
          cases of Mat Jun and Sudarmono, the Special Rapporteur inquired whether the
          families of the deceased had received compensation, and, if so, what type and
          what amount.
        
          
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          Observations
          241. The Special Rapporteur thanks the Government of Indonesia for its
          cooperation and in particular for its detailed replies in regard to many
          alleged violations of the right to life transmitted to it.
          242. The Special Rapporteur wishes to express his concern over the alleged
          occurrence of violations of the right to life resulting from the excessive use
          of force by Indonesian security forces. In this context, he calls on the
          Government to ensure that force used by security forces should be in
          accordance with the Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law
          Enforcement Officials.
          243. Having in mind the reply of the Government of 27 June 1996, the Special
          Rapporteur feels that there is a need to comment on the nature of general
          allegations. As stated in his report of 1994 (E/CN.4/1994/7, para. 29),
          besides transmitting allegations in individual cases, the Special Rapporteur
          transmits allegations of a more general character to Governments concerned.
          As a means to describe an alleged situation better, general allegations may
          also include information received by the Special Rapporteur which cannot be
          transmitted as individual allegations because the reports received do not
          contain all the required details to take this kind of action.
          244. Regarding the proposal of the Government of Indonesia that he contact
          Korcrias HAM directly, the Special Rapporteur observes that he is requested to
          communicate to Governments through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and
          therefore cannot address himself directly to Komnas HAM.
          245. The Special Rapporteur regrets that the Government of Indonesia refused
          to provide further information as requested by the Special Rapporteur in his
          follow—up corcoeunication regarding cases previously transmitted. What the
          Government calls an attempt to retransmit similar allegations is in fact
          nothing more than a request for additional information in cases where the
          original government reply did not put the Special Rapporteur in a position to
          evaluate adequately an alleged violation of the right to life, mainly because
          the Government did not respond to the questions put by the Special Rapporteur
          in his letter.
          246. Finally, the Special Rapporteur would like to observe that he never
          received any reactions from the Government to the report he prepared following
          his visit to Indonesia and East Timor in 1994.
          247. In respect to the Government's concerns about a wchange in the working
          methods of the mandate on extrajudicial, arbitrary or summary executions, the
          Special Rapporteur would like to state that any changes in regard to the
          questions included in a letter to a Government do not constitute a change in
          working methods. The questionnaire is designed to indicate to the Government
          what kind of information is required by the Special Rapporteur to enable him
          to form a conclusion on the merits of the allegations. The fact that the
          Special Rapporteur has not explicitly asked whether the alleged facts are
          accurate does not preclude the Government from advancing new facts and
          corrections, nor does it mean that the Special Rapporteur concludes that the
          allegations are true.
        
          
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          Iran (Islamic Republic of)
          Information received and conr unications sent
          248. As in previous years, the Special Rapporteur continued to receive
          reports regarding the lack of procedural safeguards in trials before Islamic
          Revolutionary Courts leading to the imposition of the death penalty.
          Executions in the form of hanging, stoning and shooting were reported to
          continue to take place after trials which allegedly fall short of
          internationally recognized fair trial standards. In addition, information
          indicating the application of capital punisboeent for crimes such as espionage,
          drug—trafficking, adultery and murder has also been received. Reports
          received indicate moreover, an increase in the nurcber of executions recorded
          in 1996. Thus, while approximately 50 executions were allegedly recorded in
          1995, more than 70 were said to have taken place from January to August 1996.
          Information received from various sources suggested, however, that the nunter
          is believed to be much higher.
          249. In addition, allegations concerning a new wave of violence, including
          murders, of Iranian exiles living abroad, as well as information regarding
          attacks on Iranian Kurds in Iranian and Iraqi Kurdistan by Iranian forces have
          also reached the Special Rapporteur.
          250. For an in—depth analysis of the situation of human rights in Iran, the
          Special Rapporteur refers to the reports of the Special Rapporteur on the
          situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran,
          Mr. Maurice Copithorne (A/51/479 and Add.1; E/CN.4/1997/63) .
          251. The Special Rapporteur sent seven urgent appeals on behalf of the
          following persons:
          (a) Dhabihu'llah Mahrani, an adherent of the Baha'i faith, reportedly
          sentenced to death by Branch N.1 of the Islamic Revolutionary Court of Yazd on
          charges of apostasy (14 February) ;
          (b) Kayvan Khalajabadi and Bihnam Mithaqi, reportedly sentenced to
          death on the basis of their adherence to the Baha'i faith (24 April 1996);
          (c) Raboean Rajabi, reportedly sentenced to death for his activities in
          the Kurdish Democratic Party of Iran (KDPI) , a Kurdish group engaged in armed
          opposition to the Government (12 January, 17 January 1996 and 18 July 1996) .
          The Special Rapporteur learned with regret that, despite the urgent appeals
          sent on behalf of Raboean Rajabi, he had been executed in Ouroumieh prison on
          28 July 1996;
          (d) Ahmed Bakhtari, reportedly sentenced to death by an Islamic
          Revolutionary Court, allegedly for charges including activities for an illegal
          opposition group, sedition and armed robbery. Shortly after, the Special
          Rapporteur was informed that Ahmad Baktari was executed in Evin prison in
          Tehran (9 February 1996) ;
        
          
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          252. In addition, the Special Rapporteur transmitted a joint urgent action
          with the Special Rapporteur on the question of torture, on behalf of Mehrdad
          Kavoussi, an Iranian asylum—seeker in Turkey and a mer er of the People's
          Mojahedin Organization of Iran, reportedly arrested by the police in Agri,
          eastern Turkey, and forcibly returned to Iran on the same day (6 May 1996) .
          253. Furthermore, the Special Rapporteur transmitted allegations of
          extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions concerning the following
          persons:
          (a) Iranian expatriates reportedly killed outside Iran between
          February and May 1996, allegedly by men acting under the orders of the Iranian
          authorities: Zahra Rajabi, a leading figure in the Iranian People's Mojahedin
          Organization and mer er of the National Council of Resistance of Iran, and
          PJDdol-ali Moradi, killed in Istanbul, Turkey; Abdol-Malek Mollahzadeh and
          Abdol—Nasser Jamshid—Zehdi, both Iranian Sunni religious figures, killed in
          Karachi, Pakistan; Hamed Reza Rahmani, a mer er of the People's Mojahedin
          Organization of Iran, killed in Baghdad, Iraq; Dr. Reza Mazlouman, an Iranian
          opposition publisher who had been active in the opposition group, the Flag of
          Freedom Organization, reportedly found dead in his apartment in the outskirts
          of Paris, France;
          (b) Aziz Bahrian, Seyyed Mirza Ghorbani and five other non—identified
          individuals, reportedly killed on 20 April 1996 during a demonstration in
          Lorestan province in Iranshah township, near the city of Nahavand. According
          to the information received, mercbers of the Pasdaran reportedly opened fire on
          the demonstrators, killing at least 7 persons and wounding 12 others;
          (c) Ali Reza Farzaneh, reportedly thrown from an 18th floor balcony by
          armed policemen who raided the apartment in Tehran where he was celebrating
          his birthday in April 1996.
          Conr unications received
          254. The Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran provided information
          regarding urgent appeals and allegations transmitted in previous years and in
          1996. Regarding the killing of the Reverend Mehdi Dibah, the Government of
          Iran informed the Special Rapporteur that three women, mer ers of the
          Mojahedin Khalqh Organization (MKO) , were responsible for the killing of the
          Christian pastor and that, after having pleaded guilty, they had been
          sentenced to terms ranging from 20 to 30 years' imprisonment. Mercbers of the
          same organization were also responsible for the killing of Bishop Kaik
          Howsepian Mehr, reportedly abducted and later found dead after leading a
          campaign for the release of the Reverend Mehdi Dibaj . The Government
          furthermore informed the Special Rapporteur that the cases of Bishop Kaik
          Hwosepian Mehr and the Reverend Mikhaelian were still under investigation
          (10 January 1996) .
          255. With respect to the urgent appeal sent on 17 July 1995 on behalf of
          Saba'Abd'Ali and Zaynab Haydani, allegedly at risk of execution after having
          been sentenced to death for adultery, the Government stated that Saba' A bd'Ali
          had been arrested on charges of having illegitimate relation with another,
          married man, and was handed over to the judicial authorities. No verdict had
        
          
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          been issued at the time of the government reply. According to the Government,
          the allegation regarding Zaynab Haydari was baseless as she had been never
          arrested (10 January 1996) .
          256. Concerning the case of Ali Akbar Sayidi Sirjani, a writer who was
          reported to have died in custody, the Government stated, that the autopsy
          report revealed that he had died of cardiac/respiratory insufficiency and
          disease of the blood vessels and its complications (10 January 1996) .
          257. The Government also provided additional information regarding
          Mohanr ad Ziaie, a Sunni Muslim leader, reportedly found dead beside his car.
          Authorities confirmed that he had died as a result of a car accident
          (10 January 1967) .
          258. In addition, the Government provided information on the urgent appeal
          sent on behalf of Yashar Parvis Sasoun, reportedly sentenced to death on
          charges of having links with Zionism. The Government explained that he had
          been arrested on charges of espionage and treason and that, after trial, his
          case had been sent to the Supreme Court for the final decision
          (10 January 1996) .
          259. Regarding the allegations of death in custody of Feizollah Makhoubat,
          the Government stated that he had been arrested in 1993 on charges of
          espionage and sabotage and, after trial, had been lawfully sentenced to death
          and executed thereafter. According to the Government, the allegations sent
          were baseless (10 January 1996) .
          260. In connection with the execution of Fazel Khodadad, a businessman
          reportedly sentenced to death for an economic offence, the Government replied
          that he had been tried in a pJilic court and sentenced to death. The sentence
          had been confirmed by the Supreme Court and he had later been executed
          (25 January 1996) .
          261. Regarding the urgent appeal sent on behalf of Dhabiollah Mahrami, the
          Government indicated that the Supreme Court had rejected the verdict issued by
          the judge in Yazd owing to the lack of competence of the court considering the
          case, and that his case had been referred to a competent court for
          reconsideration (21 February 1996) .
          262. The Government also sent a reply concerning the case of Ahmad Bakhtiari,
          stating that he had been arrested on charges of being a mercber of a terrorist
          group and participating in terrorist operations, subversive acts, armed
          robbery and illegal possession of arms. Following due process of law he had
          been sentenced to death by the Tehran 5th Branch of the Islamic Revolutionary
          Court. The sentence had been confirmed by the Supreme Court and, following
          appeal by the defendant, the case had been referred to the Amnesty Council
          (26 February 1996) . The Government further informed the Special Rapporteur
          that the death sentence on Rahman Radjabi had been confirmed by the Supreme
          Court and his appeal had not been accepted. On 29 July 1996 he had been
          executed in Uromieh prison (28 October 1996) .
        
          
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          263. Through a letter addressed to the Special Rapporteur on the situation of
          human rights in Iran, dated 29 February 1996, the Government asserted that
          Raboean Rajabi had been arrested on charges of his merifiership in an armed
          terrorist group and participation in the assassination of civilians in
          Kurdistan. Following due process of law, he had been sentenced to death; that
          sentence had been confirmed by the Supreme Court. In the same conr unication
          the Government also informed the Special Rapporteur that Rahman Rajabi could
          still appeal for amnesty to the Aoenesty Council.
          264. Regarding the urgent appeals which the Special Rapporteur had sent on
          behalf of Kayvan Khalajabadi and Bihnam Mithaqi, the Government stated that
          the death sentences had not been confirmed and that they had still the
          possibility of recourse, under article 31 of the Law of the General Courts
          (8 May 1996) .
          Follow—un
          265. The Special Rapporteur sent a letter to the Government of Iran,
          requesting further information on the case of Haji Moharcoead Zia'ia after being
          informed by the source that despite the fact that an investigation concluded
          that he had died in a car accident, eye—witness continued to report otherwise.
          It was brought to the Special Rapporteur's attention that his mutilated body
          had been found separately from the car and did not bear signs which would
          suggest an accident. In the same conr unication, the Special Rapporteur
          reminded the Government of those cases concerning which no reply had yet been
          received.
          Observations
          266. The Special Rapporteur wishes to thank the Government of Iran for the
          replies provided. However, he notes that these replies, particularly in cases
          of capital punisboeent, do not address the Special Rapporteur's concerns about
          fair trial guarantees in proceedings before Islamic Revolutionary Courts. The
          Special Rapporteur finds himself in a situation where, with growing concern,
          he continues to receive allegations of serious procedural shortcomings before
          Islamic Revolutionary Courts. In this context, he reiterates his call on the
          Government to respect the rights of those facing the death penalty, as
          contained in the pertinent international legal instruments.
          267. In view of the increasing nunter of allegations of killings of mercbers
          of the political opposition to the Government outside the Islamic Republic of
          Iran, allegedly by individuals reportedly linked to the Iranian security
          forces, the Special Rapporteur calls on the Iranian authorities to make every
          effort to investigate these allegations, to make their results public, and to
          ensure that the perpetrators of such crimes are brought to justice.
          Iraq
          Information received and conr unications sent
          268. The Special Rapporteur received information indicating that numerous
          violations of the right to life occurred in the course of security operations
          in northern Iraq reportedly conducted jointly by armed forces of the
        
          
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          Government of Iraq and forces of the Kurdish Democratic Party. The operations
          were reportedly targeted against any person or group considered hostile to the
          Government of Iraq. Persons killed in the course of the events reportedly
          included mercbers of armed units of opposition parties and other mer ers of
          these groups, among them many students. According to the sources, the nunter
          of those killed in these operations is estimated to be in the hundreds.
          269. In addition, the Special Rapporteur received several reports regarding
          the killings of Kurds and Assyrians by Kurds in northern Iraq.
          270. For an in-depth analysis of the situation of human rights in the
          country, the Special Rapporteur refers to the reports of the Special
          Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iraq, sJ mitted to the
          General Assently at its fifty-first session (A/51/496 and Add.1) and to the
          Conr ission on Human Rights at its fifty-third session (E/CN.4/1997/57) .
          Conr unications received
          271. The Governoeent provided a reply concerning several cases sent
          during 1995. With regard to the 200 persons, among them at least
          100 civilians, killed in clashes in the town of Al—Ramadi in the governorate
          of al—Anbar, the Governoeent informed the Special Rapporteur that these
          allegations were factually incorrect and based on rumours. Regarding the
          death of Yar—Ali Gartabar Firouz, Ibrahim Salimi, Seyed Hossein Sadidi,
          Affat Haddad and Feresheth Esfandiari, five menters of the Iranian Mojahedin—e
          Khalq organization who were reportedly killed in two separate incidents in
          Baghdad, on 17 May 1995 and 10 July 1995, the Government replied that the
          individuals responsible for those killings had all been killed in the latter
          incident, with the exception of one, who had confessed that they had been
          working for the benefit of Iran by engaging in acts of assassination and
          sabotage against the Mojahedin-e-Khalq organization in return for monthly
          salaries (8 Decercber 1995) .
          Israel
          Information received and conr unications sent
          272. Information received by the Special Rapporteur indicates that violations
          of human rights conr itted by the Israeli Defence Forces, including violations
          of the right to life, have not ceased. Victims of such violations have mainly
          been of Palestinian origin. Reports received indicate that the situation
          appears to have deteriorated in the West Bank and Gaza, since the new
          Government of Israel led by Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu, came into
          power.
          273. Information regarding the operation wGrapes of Wrath” carried out in
          April 1996, suggested the existence of deliberate and indiscriminate attacks
          against civilians. Information regarding attacks by Hizbullah on populated
          areas in northern Israel were also received by the Special Rapporteur. In
          addition, information about clashes between the Israeli Defence Forces, the
          Palestinian police and Palestinian demonstrators, which reportedly led to a
          high nurcber of casualties, has also been received.
        
          
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          274. Furthermore, the Special Rapporteur received alarming reports suggesting
          that a large nur er of Palestinian prisoners have died in Israeli detention
          facilities, mainly during 1995. Reportedly they were interrogated and
          tortured by other inmates. According to the information received, despite the
          fact that the prison authorities appeared to have been aware that these events
          were taking place, they did not intervene to prevent or stop them.
          275. On 19 April 1996, the Special Rapporteur transmitted an urgent appeal
          to the Israeli authorities, appealing to the Government to ensure the right to
          life and physical integrity of the civilian population in the south of
          Lebanon. According to the information received, Israel and the South Lebanese
          Army (SLA) had reportedly called on the population to leave the area south of
          the Litani River or risk injury or death. As a result, around 400,000 people
          were reportedly forced to leave their homes in a 30—kilometre—wide strip of
          south Lebanon. Up to 165 civilians were allegedly killed during attacks, most
          of them Lebanese civilians. In one incident on 18 April, at least 60 persons,
          many of them women and children, were reportedly killed, when artillery shells
          hit a United Nations compound in the village of Qana which had reportedly
          provided refuge to some 400 civilians. On the same day, 11 persons were
          reportedly killed in the to n of Nabatiyeh, including a mother, her
          four-day-old baby and six other children.
          276. In addition, the Special Rapporteur transmitted allegations of the
          deaths in custody of the following Palestinian prisoners, who reportedly died
          in Israeli detention facilities after being interrogated and tortured by other
          inmates: ‘Abd Al-Fattah Sa'id Al-Rantasi, who reportedly died on
          10 Septer er 1995 while in custody in the Ashkelon prison; Abd-Al-Nabi
          Quanaze, who reportedly died in Ketziot Military Detention Centre on
          15 Septer er 1995; Muharcoead Mousa Abu—Shaqra, a student in the faculty of
          commerce at Bir Zeit, who reportedly died in the Keziot Military Detention
          Centre on 7 October 1995, according to the information received, the autopsy
          reportedly stated that his life could have been saved if appropriate and
          ircoeediate first aid had been administered; ‘Pkd Al-Rahman Al-Kilani, who
          reportedly died on 1 February 1996 at Oz Megiddo Military Detention Centre.
          According to one of the doctors who took part in the autopsy at the request of
          the family, the subject died as the result of severe beating, which reportedly
          took place 6 to 12 hours before his death; ‘Adel'Ayad Yusef Al—Shehetit, a
          student at Hebron University, who reportedly died on 15 February 1996 at
          Oz Megiddo Detention Centre.
          277. Furthermore, the Special Rapporteur requested the Government of Israel
          to provide him with information regarding the alleged summary execution on
          5 January 1996 of Yahia Ayyash, suspected of involvement in several suicide
          borifiings, including the explosion of a bus in central Tel Aviv, in 1995.
          Reportedly, an explosive device had been implanted in his mobile telephone and
          was detonated whilst he was using it. According to the information received,
          the Israeli Internal Security Intelligence Service, Shin Bet, appeared to be
          responsible for the killing.
          278. The cases of Omar Khamis al Ghoula, reportedly arrested and killed in
          January 1993 by Israeli soldiers at his home in the Gaza Strip, and
          Saleem Mowafi, reportedly killed by mercbers of an Israeli special unit in
          Rajab in February 1994 were also sent to the Government.
        
          
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          279. Moreover, the Special Rapporteur sent a letter to the Government
          referring to the incidents which took place in late Septer er 1996 in the
          Gaza Strip and the West Bank, following spontaneous popular demonstrations
          which took place in protest at the opening of a tunnel near the Muslim holy
          sites in the old city of Jerusalem and which involved stone throwing.
          According to the information received, Israeli soldiers responded to the stone
          throwing by firing live anr unition into crowds of Palestinian civilians.
          Reportedly, Palestinian police were also fired on by Israeli soldiers and
          returned fire. While some sources suggested that 86 Palestinians and
          16 Israelis were killed during the incidents, others referred to
          68 Palestinians killed. The Special Rapporteur was provided with information
          according to which the following 17 Palestinians were killed during the
          incidents: Nura Musa Fans Abu Sa'ad, aged 17; Qasim Suleiman Moharcoeed
          Al—Njaili, aged 15; Moharcoeed Hassan Al—Bayumi, aged 17; Hani Jalal Moharcoeed
          Musa, aged 17; Rizg Zidan Suleiman Al—Hawajri; Ahmad Salim Hussein Al—Najar;
          Mohanr ed ‘Pkdul Karim Al-Astal, aged 14; PJidul Majid Saleh Mohanr ed Hamad;
          Mohanr ed Fathi Rizg Hasballah; Hazim Fawzi Rushdi Sager; Rashad Khader
          Mohanr ed Abu Tuha; Hassan Moharcoeed Hassan Al-Yazji; Ala Usama Shurab;
          Sami Abed'Abdul'Aziz Tafish; Ahsraf Mohanr ed Ahmed Mahdi; Basil Ibrahim Na'im;
          and Amin Mohanr ed Jaber Barbakh, aged 17 (18 October 1996) .
          Follow—un
          280. The Special Rapporteur sent a follow—up letter to the Government of
          Israel, bringing to its attention additional information received from the
          sources regarding the killings of Abdulsamad Harizat and Ibrahim Khader
          Ibrahim Id'eis, cases transmitted to the Government in 1995.
          281. Regarding Abdulsamad Harizat, who reportedly died in Hadassah Hospital
          on 25 April 1995 as a result of head injuries inflicted by mercbers of the
          Israeli Security Services during interrogation, the source further informed
          the Special Rapporteur that the report of the investigation into his death,
          allegedly conducted by the Department of Investigations of the Police, had not
          been made pJilic. It was also brought to the Special Rapporteur's attention
          that the victim's lawyer was initially only allowed to have the conclusions of
          the report. Furthermore, information received suggested that
          Abdulsamad—Saad Harizat was shaken to death.
          282. In connection with the death of 16—year—old Ibrahim Khader
          Ibrahim Id'eis, reportedly killed by mer ers of the Israel Defence Forces on
          1 July 1995 while passing a military checkpoint near Tel Al—Rumeida, Hebron,
          the source informed the Special Rapporteur that investigations carried out by
          the Israeli military authorities had concluded that the action undertaken by
          the soldiers was justified, as the youth reportedly attacked a soldier and
          stabbed him with a knife, prompting other soldiers to open fire on him.
          According to the information provided by the source, the Israeli authorities
          reportedly claimed that no witnesses were found to sjistantiate that the
          attack perpetrated on the youth was arbitrary. However, the source pointed
          out that, according to witnesses, Ibrahim Khader Ibrahim Id'eis was not in
          possession of a knife at the time of the incident and that he was not seen
          attacking any of the soldiers. Allegedly, after having had a conversation
          with a soldier at a checkpoint the victim walked away and 20 metres from the
          checkpoint he was shot.
        
          
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          283. The Special Rapporteur requested the Government to provide conr ents
          and/or observations regarding this information and reminded the Government of
          the cases in regard to which a reply had yet to be received.
          Observations
          284. The Special Rapporteur expresses deep concern about the incidents which
          took place in late Septer er 1996 in the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem,
          which led to a high nurcber of casualties. He calls on the authorities to do
          their utmost to curb violence in Israel and the territories under its control.
          In this sense, he urges the Government to ensure that the force used in
          response to demonstrations, even those that are violent, is in accordance with
          the Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement
          Officials, in order to prevent extrajudicial, suoemary or arbitrary executions.
          Those responsible for extrajudicial executions should be brought to justice
          and the families of the victims compensated.
          285. He expresses dismay at allegations of deaths in custody as a result of
          torture by other inoeates in Israeli detention centres. He calls on the
          authorities to prosecute and bring to justice all those who, through action or
          omission, are found responsible for the death of persons held in custody.
          286. Furthermore, he reiterates the need for the peace agreements to be
          implemented as a way to strengthen respect for the right to life in the
          country.
          Jordan
          Information received and conr unications sent
          287. The Special Rapporteur transmitted an urgent appeal to the Government of
          Jordan on behalf of Mustafa Sulaiman ‘Abd al—Latif Abu Hamid, whose death
          sentence was reportedly confirmed by the Court of Cassation on 12 June 1996
          and was reportedly being considered for clemency by King Hussein bin Talal.
          According to information received, he confessed to the crime after severe
          torture during pre—trial detention. Following his arrest in April 1995, he
          was reportedly held for one month in police custody without charge and without
          access to a lawyer (4 July 1996) . The Special Rapporteur was later informed
          by the source that the death sentence had been conr uted to life imprisonment
          in early October 1996.
          Kazakstan
          Information received
          288. The Special Rapporteur received information indicating that a very large
          nurcber of death sentences were passed and carried out annually in Kazakstan.
          It was reported that in response to an allegation sent by an NGO that during
          1995 101 executions had been carried out, the Government had stated that those
          nurcbers were not correct and that during the indicated period 63 persons had
          been executed. The Special Rapporteur was also informed by the source that
          relatives are informed in writing of the execution and do not have the right
          to receive the body or to know the place of burial.
        
          
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          Observations
          289. The Special Rapporteur is concerned about the information brought to his
          attention regarding the death penalty. In this respect, he urges the
          Government of Kazakstan, in accordance with paragraph 5 of the Implementation
          of the safeguards guaranteeing protection of the rights of those facing the
          death penalty, approved by the Economic and Social Council in its
          resolution 1989/64 of 24 May 1989, “to pJ lish, for each category of offence
          for which the death penalty is authorized, and if possible on an annual basis,
          information about the use of the death penalty, including the nur er of
          persons sentenced to death, the nurcber of executions actually carried out, the
          nurcber of death sentences reversed or conr uted on appeal and the nurcber of
          instances in which clemency has been granted”.
          Kenya
          Information received and conr unications sent
          290. It was brought to the Special Rapporteur's attention that prison
          conditions in Kenya are very harsh because of overcrowding, insanitary
          conditions and lack of adequate food, clothing, blankets and basic sanitary
          provisions. A large nunter of deaths among prisoners is reported to result
          from the aforementioned conditions, in which infectious diseases spread
          easily. The Special Rapporteur was informed that, in October 1995, the
          Minister for Home Affairs announced that over 8,000 prisoners had died since
          the beginning of that year. The majority of them reportedly died from AIDS,
          meningitis, malaria and typhoid.
          291. Furthermore, the Special Rapporteur received reports indicating that
          during the first eight months of 1995 police officers had killed a
          considerable nunter of alleged or suspected criminals. According to the
          source, in most of these cases it seemed that internationally recognized
          standards regarding the use of force were not respected.
          292. The Special Rapporteur transmitted two urgent appeals to the Government
          of Kenya. He sent one urgent appeal on behalf of Seth Sendashonga,
          Simeon Nsengiy imva and other Rwandan nationals currently residing in Kenya,
          when fears for their lives were expressed after Seth Sendashonga, former
          Rwandan Minister of the Interior, and Simeon Nsengiyumva reportedly survived
          an assassination attempt in Nairobi, Kenya, carried out by three men of
          Rwandan nationality, one of them allegedly a mercber of the Rwandan Patriotic
          Army (RPA), and following other reported attacks on Rwandan nationals residing
          in Kenya (1 March 1996) . The same urgent appeal was also transmitted to the
          Government of Rwanda. The second urgent appeal was sent by the Special
          Rapporteur on behalf of Joseph Boit Kemei and Samuel Kiptoo after a Kenyan
          high court in Nakuru ruled on appeal that the two men, who had previously been
          convicted by a lower court to prison terms for robbery with violence, should
          have received death sentences. It was also alleged that they were not
          represented by legal counsel during the appeal procedure (4 March 1996) .
          293. In addition to the above allegations of a general nature and the urgent
          appeals, the Special Rapporteur transmitted allegations of extrajudicial,
          summary or arbitrary executions regarding the following persons:
        
          
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          (a) Nahashon Chege, who reportedly died at Pangani police station,
          Nairobi, on 1 April 1995 as a result of torture;
          (b) Lieutenant John Kubwana, an army officer from Uganda, who
          reportedly died in April 1995 in Bungoma hospital as a result of injuries
          inflicted by security agents. According to the source, on 23 April 1995 the
          victim was kidnapped from his home in tale district, Uganda, by Kenyan
          security agents;
          (c) Sergeant Martin Obwong, a prison officer attached to the
          industrial area remand prison in Nairobi, who reportedly died on 18 March 1995
          following his release from Makongeni police station in Nairobi. He had
          reportedly been arrested the previous night and been beaten by police officers
          at the police station;
          (d) James Nomi Kangara, Abel Mwaura Kimani, Frances Njoroge Chiira,
          reportedly killed on 7 June 1995 by police officers in the Pangani area of
          Nairobi. Whereas it had been reported that they were killed when they
          attempted to fire on the police officers while being taken to their hide—out,
          the Special Rapporteur was informed that there was credible evidence that all
          three men had been tortured and that, when they were taken to their hide—out
          on 6 June 1995, their hands were handcuffed behind their backs and they were
          guarded by over 40 heavily armed police officers.
          Conr unications received
          294. The Government provided a reply to the urgent appeal sent on
          4 March 1996 on behalf of Joseph Boit Kemei and Samuel Kiptoo, informing the
          Special Rapporteur that the Court of Appeal had detected an error in the
          ruling of the trial court, which had no power to pass any other sentence but
          the mandatory death sentence for the offence of robbery with violence
          (13 March 1996) .
          295. The Government also provided a preliminary response concerning the case
          of Rosemary Nyar ura transmitted on 25 Septer er 1995 informing the Special
          Rapporteur that the case is sub judice (18 March 1996) .
          296. In regard to the urgent appeal sent on 1 March 1996 on behalf of
          Seth Sendashonga and Simeon Nsengiyumva, the Government informed the Special
          Rapporteur that the information transmitted corresponded to the Government's
          report on the findings concerning the incident. It was also brought to the
          Special Rapporteur's attention that the persons held responsible were arrested
          at the scene of the crime but that one of the suspects, a Rwandan diplomat who
          until his arrest was based at the Entassy of Rwanda in Nairobi, could not be
          prosecuted because the Government of Rwanda refused to waive his diplomatic
          ircoeunity (9 May 1996) .
          Follow—un
          297. The Special Rapporteur sent a follow—up corcoeunication to the Government
          of Kenya reminding it of the cases transmitted earlier during 1996 in regard
          to which no reply had yet been received and requesting the Government to
          inform him of the outcome of the proceedings in the case of Rosemary Nyarcbura.
        
          
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          Observations
          298. The Speoial Rapporteur thanks the Government of Kenya for the replies
          provided. The Special Rapporteur is concerned about the large nurcber of
          deaths occurring in custody and urges the Governoeent to take all necessary
          measures to avoid further deaths in custody and to ensure that prison
          conditions conform to the norms enshrined in the Standard Minimum Rules for
          the Treatment of Prisoners, in particular regarding living conditions and
          medical services.
          Kuwait
          Information received
          299. The Special Rapporteur received information in which concern was
          expressed that the Government failed to conduct adequate investigations into
          violations of the right to life which took place during the period of martial
          law ircoeediately after the Iraqi occupation in February 1991. The source was
          only aware of one case in which the person responsible for such an execution
          was brought to justice.
          300. It was also brought to the Special Rapporteur's attention that
          on 25 April 1996, the Parliament of Kuwait reportedly passed a law, according
          to which the mandatory imposition of capital punishment was extended to
          include people using children to trade in narcotics, those repeatedly
          convicted of trafficking and officials assigned to fight the narcotics trade
          who themselves trade in drugs.
          Liberia
          Information received
          301. The Special Rapporteur received distressing reports indicating that many
          thousands of civilians continued to be direct or indirect victims of the war
          in Liberia. It was reported that fighting in Monrovia during April 1996
          claimed more than a thousand lives, the nur er of civilians among them was not
          reported. It was also reported that a massacre took place on
          28 Septer er 1996 at Sinje, Grand Cape Mount County, in which 17 civilians
          were killed and many were wounded, and which forced approximately 1,000 others
          to flee. Moreover, information was received indicating that, owing to
          factional fighting, relief assistance could not reach thousands of severely
          malnourished civilians, including many children, in Grand Cape Mount County,
          with the result that many died and the lives of others were seriously
          endangered.
          Observations
          302. The Special Rapporteur welcomes the arrangements made by the
          United Nations Observer Mission in Liberia (UNOMIL) , in pursuance of its
          mandate on human rights and on verification of cease—fire violations, to
          investigate the massacre which took place on 28 Septer er 1996 in Sinje.
        
          
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          303. The Special Rapporteur is concerned that, despite the peace agreement
          reached at Abuja on 17 August 1996, factional fighting reportedly persisted in
          Liberia. He is shocked by the seemingly total lack of respect for the right
          to life of civilians by mer ers of all the warring factions. The Special
          Rapporteur calls on all cor atants to respect at all times international human
          rights and humanitarian law standards and to take steps to allow free passage
          of essential relief assistance. Moreover, the Special Rapporteur notes with
          extreme concern that in Liberia the total impunity enjoyed by perpetrators,
          owing to the absence of an effective judicial system, is the principal cause
          of the perpetuation of violations of the right to life.
          Malaysia
          Information received and conr unications sent
          304. The Special Rapporteur has received reports indicating a prevalence of
          abuses in camps for detained migrants, including a series of deaths allegedly
          caused by malnutrition, ben—ben and other treatable illnesses. According to
          the source, in April 1996 the Ministry of Home Affairs of Malaysia was
          reported to have said that 71 detained migrants, of whom 37 were from
          Bangladesh, had died in the camps since 1992, and that these deaths had not
          been caused by abuse or torture. It was also reported that in Septer er 1995
          a visitor's panel was appointed to study the conditions in the camps, and that
          by May 1996 they had carried out only one visit and had not pJ lished any
          findings. The Special Rapporteur requested the Government to provide him with
          information in this regard, in particular concerning the procedures applied by
          the visitor's panel, and in respect to the outcome of the investigation and
          publication of findings.
          305. The Special Rapporteur also transmitted an urgent appeal on behalf of
          Mohamed Yusof Said who was reportedly facing ircoeinent execution after the
          Federal Court in Kuala Lumpur had rejected his appeal on 9 February 1996.
          According to the information received, he was sentenced to death in 1992 for
          trafficking 1.3 kilograms of cannabis, in accordance with the provisions in
          Malaysia's Dangerous Drug Act, which makes the possession of at least 15 grams
          of heroin, 1,000 grams of opium or 200 grams of cannabis mandatorily
          punishable by the death penalty. It was alleged that a person caught in the
          possession of such a quantity of drugs has the burden of proving his innocence
          as he is presumed to be guilty (4 March 1996) .
          Conr unications received
          306. The Government provided a reply to the urgent appeal sent on
          4 March 1996 on behalf of Mohamed Yusof Said. The Government responded that
          the allegation that a person caught in possession of the mentioned quantity of
          drugs was presumed to be guilty and had the burden of proving his innocence
          was inaccurate. The presumption deals with the principle that a person is
          deemed to be trafficking in dangerous drugs unless the contrary is proved or
          the presumption was rebutted. The Government also informed the Special
          Rapporteur that the aim of the law was to allow the prosecution to rely on
        
          
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          that presumption by shifting the burden of proving that the quantity of drugs
          found in the possession of the accused was legal, but that the overall burden
          of proof lay with the prosecution and that the overall standard was “beyond
          reasonable doJ t” (23 April 1996) .
          Observations
          307. The Special Rapporteur thanks the Government for its cooperation with
          the mandate. He wishes to mention that as a fundamental element of the right
          to a fair trial, the presumption of innocence, inter alia , means that the
          burden of proof in a criminal trial lies on the prosecution and that the
          accused has the benefit of the doubt. The Special Rapporteur therefore
          considers that section 37 (da) of the Dangerous Drugs Act, which partially
          shifts the burden of proof to the accused, does not provide sufficient
          guarantees for the presumption of innocence and may lead to violations of the
          right to life, in particular since the crime of drugs trafficking carries a
          mandatory death sentence. He therefore urges the Government to amend its
          Dangerous Drugs Act so as to bring it into line with international standards.
          Morocco
          Information received and conr unications sent
          308. The Special Rapporteur drew the Moroccan Government's attention to
          allegations that the body of Mohamed El Bachir Moulay Ahmed had been found
          near a military barracks on the beach of El Ayoun on 29 October 1995. He had
          previously been arrested by the Moroccan Territorial Security Division (DST) ,
          and had reportedly been placed in isolation at the Kallat Mgouna high security
          penal colony and sJijected to ill—treatment.
          309. In reply to the report of the Special Rapporteur (see E/CN.4/1996/4,
          paras. 325—326), which emphasized that no reply had been received from the
          Government concerning the allegation, transmitted in 1995, that Lahcen Kaidi
          had been subjected to ill-treatment and had corcoeitted suicide while in prison,
          the Government informed the Special Rapporteur that it had sent a letter dated
          14 October 1995 in relation to the case. According to the information
          provided by the Government, the K nitra prosecutor's office had ordered an
          autopsy, which had found no correlation between Lahcen Kaidi's death and the
          ill—treatment to which he was said to have been sJijected, and had confirmed
          that he had died by hanging. The Government also emphasized that a
          preliminary investigation had been carried out at the place of death and that
          no sign of negligence or ill—treatment had been discovered. Consequently, it
          had been decided to terminate the proceedings.
          Conr unications received
          310. The Moroccan Government informed the Special Rapporteur that the body of
          Mohamed El Bachir Leili Ben Moulay Aboeed had been discovered on
          28 October 1995. According to the forensic physician's report, the body had
          shown no signs of violence and he had probably drowned. The Government
          pointed out that the deceased had suffered from psychiatric problems
          (14 October 1996) .
        
          
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          Mauritania
          Follow—un
          311. The Special Rapporteur reminded the Mauritanian Government that he had
          received no reply concerning the allegation, transmitted in 1995, that
          Sow Amadou Pamarel had been killed by mercbers of the security forces during a
          routine check on 10 October 1994 which had reportedly resulted in the wounding
          of several persons.
          Mauritius
          312. The Special Rapporteur welcomes the passing, in August 1996, by the
          Parliament, of a bill abolishing the death penalty for all offences in
          Mauritius.
          Mexico
          Information received and conr unications sent
          313. Many reports of violations of the right to life in Mexico were received
          during 1996. There were twice as many reports of threats and intimidation as
          in previous years; whereas 6 urgent appeals were sent in 1994 and 9 in 1995,
          the nur er rose to 19 in 1996. The victims of these threats were primarily
          human rights activists, journalists, leaders of peasant and indigenous
          organizations, and mer ers of political parties or religious conr unities.
          314. The Special Rapporteur sent 19 urgent appeals to the Governoeent of
          Mexico, urging the authorities to take all necessary measures to protect the
          lives and ensure the safety of the following persons who, unless otherwise
          stated, had received death threats, presumably from mercbers of the police
          and/or security forces:
          (a) Human rights activists:
          (i) Rocio Culebro, coordinator of the National Network of Civil
          Human Rights Organizations, wTodos los Derechos para Todos”
          (All Rights for Everyone) , who had received death threats
          shortly before travelling to submit the Network's report on
          the massacre in Aguas Blancas to the Inter—American
          Conr ission on Human Rights (17 January 1996);
          (ii) Lourdes Feiguerez, investigator for the Binational Human
          Rights Centre, and Victor Clark, head of the Centre, who had
          received telephoned death threats at the organization's
          office in Tijuana, Baja California. The threats were
          presumed to be related to their work on a case involving the
          torture of five young people by three State Judicial Police
          officers (23 January 1996);
          (iii) Teresa Jardi, a lawyer and human rights activist, and Juli n
          Aridrade Jardi, her son, a lawyer and counsellor for the
          National Human Rights Corcoeission (CNDH), who had received
        
          
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          death threats presumably motivated by their investigations
          into human rights violations involving the security forces.
          H ctor Guti rrez Ugalde, employed at the home of
          Teresa Jardi, is also reported to have received death
          threats (10 April 1996);
          (iv) Jos Luis Robledo and Sonia Lara, activists in the
          organization Coordinaci6n de Solidaridad con las Luchas
          Alternativas (COSLA) , who had received 10 telephoned death
          threats as a result of their conr unity work for the
          above-mentioned organization (10 April 1996) . The Special
          Rapporteur sent another urgent appeal on behalf of
          Francisco Saucedo, director of COSLA and mercber of the
          National Council of the Democratic Revolutionary Party
          (PRD) , and his wife, Yolanda Tello, after being informed
          that they had been sJ jected to intimidation and harassment
          (29 April 1996) . The Special Rapporteur sent a second
          urgent appeal on behalf of the mer ers of COSLA after
          learning that on 17 May 1996 H ctor Luis Romo GarduLto,
          Francisco Saucedo's bodyguard, had been murdered and that
          threatening messages were still being sent to Mr. Saucedo's
          home (5 June 1996) .
          (v) Pilar Noriega and Digna Ochoa, lawyers for the Miguel
          Agustin Pro Ju rez Human Rights Centre (PRODH) and menters
          of the National Democratic Lawyers' Front, who had received
          two anonymous death threats left at the main office of
          PRODH. Both lawyers were reportedly defending individuals
          accused of mercJiership of the Zapatista National Liberation
          Army (EZLN) . This urgent appeal was sent jointly with the
          Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers
          (14 August 1996) . The two Special Rapporteurs sent a second
          urgent appeal on behalf of the lawyers after being informed
          that they were still receiving death threats. In the second
          appeal, they added a request for protection for
          Father David Fern ndez D valos, director of PRODH, who had
          also received threats (24 October 1996) .
          (b) Indigenous rights advocates:
          (i) Patricia Ibarra Torres, a student working at a centre for
          indigenous corcoeunities, who received threats at her home in
          Mexico City (9 February 1996);
          (ii) Alfredo Zepeda, a Jesuit priest, and Concepci6n Hern ndez
          M ndez, a lawyer, who received death threats presumably
          motivated by their work as advocates for the rights of the
          Nahuatl, Otomi and Tepehua indigenous conr unities in the
          Huasteca region of the State of Veracruz (27 June 1996) ;
        
          
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          (iii) Ofelia Medina, a human rights activist and defender of the
          rights of indigenous peoples, who had received a series of
          threatening telephone calls in which she was told that she
          might have some kind of accident (19 August 1996) ;
          (iv) Mercbers of the Southern Sierra Peasants' Organization
          (OCSS) , who had received death threats from governoeent
          forces in connection with their activities on behalf of the
          local peasant and indigenous population. The security
          forces reportedly accused OCSS of having links with the
          armed opposition group, the People's Revolutionary Army
          (ERP) (9 July 1996);
          (v) Leticia Moctezuma Vargas, a mer er of the Tepoztecan Unity
          Conr unity (CUT), an indigenous peasants' organization, who
          had received death threats presumed to have been sent by the
          police. Concern for her physical safety increased when, in
          April 1996, a CUT mercber was killed after mer ers of the
          Morelos Judicial Police halted the caravan in which they
          were travelling and fired several shots;
          (c) Witnesses and persons who have reported human rights violations:
          (i) Paula Galeana Balanzar, the widow of one of the 17 peasants
          killed in the Aguas Blancas massacre, Rocio Mesino Mesino,
          OCSS leader, and Alba Elia Hurtado, a witness to the events
          in Aguas Blancas, who had been threatened by individuals
          presumed to be officials of the State of Guerrero government
          because they had criticized the role of the State of
          Guerrero authorities in the Aguas Blancas massacre
          (20 February 1996) ;
          (ii) Relatives of the 17 peasants killed at Aguas Blancas and
          witnesses to the massacre, who were reportedly being
          intimidated and threatened because of their investigations
          and pJilic accusations of the State of Guerrero authorities.
          Fears for their safety increased with reports that
          Jos Rojas Hern ndez, Isaias Rojas Osorio, Benigno Figueroa
          Alguisira, Mauro Altamirano Osorio and H ctor Aguilar
          Negrete, relatives of three peasants reportedly murdered by
          mercbers of the State and Federal Judicial Police, had also
          been murdered by mer ers of the State Judicial Police while
          travelling to Acapulco in an attempt to learn what had
          happened to their relatives (23 February 1996) .
          (d) Journalists:
          (i) Ninfa Deandar, owier of the State of Tamaulipas newspaper,
          La Mafiana de Nuevo Laredo , Raymundo Ramos and JesCis L6pez
          Tapic, a journalist and editor of the same newspaper, who
          had received death threats reportedly linked to articles in
        
          
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          the newspaper stating that senior officials in the
          Tamaulipas governoeent had been involved in cases of
          corruption and drug trafficking (28 February 1996);
          (ii) J 05 Barr6n Rosales, a journalist with Radio Huayacocotla,
          an independent radio station which broadcasts in the
          languages of indigenous peoples, and a hard—working activist
          for the rights of indigenous peoples in the State of
          Veracruz, who had been attacked and shot at in the El Llano
          community (28 February 1996);
          (iii) Gina Bautista, a journalist and programme director for the
          television channel, Canal 40, who was fired on in her car by
          several unidentified men in a vehicle in Mexico City
          (10 April 1996);
          (iv) Journalists participating in a press conference called by
          the ERP, among them Rashiy Gonzflez, editor of the weekly
          magazine Contra unto , and Leticia Hern ndez, editor of the
          State of Guerrero newspaper Ex reso and correspondent for
          the national newspaper Excelsior . The Special Rapporteur
          also expressed concern for the life and physical safety of
          the following journalists after being informed that a mercber
          of the Guerrero Government Procurator's Office had made
          statements in the newspaper La Cr6nica accusing them of
          collaborating with the guerrillas: Gloria Leticia Diaz,
          Maribel Guti rrez, Kenia Guzm n P rez, Rolando Aguilar,
          Sergio Flores Hern ndez, Jorge Arriaga Garduf o, Angel Blanco
          Morales, Mario Garcia Rodriguez, Juan Arigulo, Juan Jos
          Guadarama, Carlos OEnez Cruz, Oscar Basave, Javier Trujillo,
          H ctor OEllez, Un Barreda, Misael Habana, Alejandrino
          Gonzflez, Ezequiel Fierro, Daniel Fierro, Daniel Genchi,
          Arturo Luna, Julio Manuel MiLAn, Alberto Ramirez, Roberto
          Campos, RaCil V zquez, Javier Maci d Meza, Luz Aoealia Orona
          and Heriberto Ochoa (3 October 1996) .
          (f) Mercbers of political parties:
          Bernardo Ranferi Hern ndez Acevedo, PRD deputy, who had been
          subjected to persecution, threats and intimidation by government
          officials because of his activities in support of the human rights
          of peasants and his work with relatives of the victims of the
          Aguas Blancas massacre. After his attendance at the forty—eighth
          session of the 5Ji—Comission on Prevention of Discrimination and
          Protection of Minorities and subsequent return to Mexico, the
          Special Rapporteur expressed concern that Mr. Hern ndez Acevedo
          might be subjected to incresed threats and harassment
          (18 Septercber 1996) .
        
          
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          (g) Mercbers of the Catholic Church:
          Bishop Samuel Ruiz, a crucial mediator in the peace negotiations
          between the Government and the EZLN, who had been attacked while
          driving in Chamula, Chiapas, and Rafael Vera, Auxiliary Bishop of
          San Crist6bal de las Casas, Chiapas, who is also said to have been
          threatened (19 August 1996) .
          315. The Special Rapporteur also sent an urgent appeal calling for the
          necessary measures to be taken to protect human rights activists
          Alberto VeOEzquez, Guillermo Godinez Ramirez, Ricardo Ayala L6pez,
          Jaime Ramirez Maza and Francisco Molina Cortez, the Jesuit priests
          Eugenio Maurer Abal6s, Pablo Olivares Martinez, Jos Avil s and Rafael Vera,
          and other mer ers of the Jesuit conr unity after being informed that mercbers of
          the paramilitary group, Los Chincholines, an armed group of young men which
          allegedly takes orders from the local mayor, who is a mercber of the
          Institutional Revolutionary Party, had raided the town of San Jer6nimo,
          Bachaj6n, Chiapas, and threatened the activists. The Special Rapporteur was
          concerned about the possibility of an escalation of violence in San Jer6nimo
          and the surrounding area (14 May 1996) .
          316. He also requested the authorities to take the necessary measures to
          protect the life and ensure the safety of Liliana Flores Benavides, director
          of the Uni6n Nacional de Productores Agropecuarios, Comerciantes, Industriales
          y Prestadores de Servicio, El Barz6n, A.C., in Nuevo Le6n, who had received
          several death threats (9 July 1996) .
          317. The Special Rapporteur also transmitted to the authorities the reports
          he had received concerning the extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary execution
          of 15 identified and 14 unidentified persons, as described below:
          (a) The following PRD mercbers were reportedly killed between June and
          October 1995 by police officers: Jos Reyes Montano, who was beaten to death
          in Azoyu; Andr s Velazquez Nava, who was killed in Pilcaya; Mauro Morales
          Maganda, who was killed in Florencia Villareal; and Miguel Angel Lazaro
          S nchez, who was killed in HuamuxtitiAn.
          (b) The following persons reportedly died while in detention:
          Efr n Rodriguez and five other unnamed prisoners who are said to have been
          killed on 3 May 1995 when National Police officers entered the Puente Grande
          Centro de Adaptaci6n Social (CERESO) , a prison in the State of Jalisco, in
          order to put down a revolt.
          (c) The following persons were, unless otherwise stated, reportedly
          killed during 1995 and 1996: Juan Tellez Garcia, a Mixtec indian, who was
          killed in the conr unity of Barrio Nuevo San Jos , Guerrero, presumably by
          mercbers of the Guardia Blanca (privately employed bodyguards) ; Alejandro
          Pacheco Garcia, who died in Tuxpan, Iguala, after being shot by a police
          officer; Artemio and Benjamin Radilla Caro, who were killed by mercbers of the
          Judicial Police and Motorized Police in the El Pars conr unity, municipality of
          Atoyac de Alvarez; Marcos Olmedo Gutierrez, who died of gunshot wounds
          inflicted by the Morelos Judicial Police near the town of Cruz de San Rafael,
          while driving from Ayala—Tlaltizapan to Chinameca; Nicolas Hern ndez
        
          
          E/CN. 4/1997/60/Add.1
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          Hern ndez, shot dead by police officers who, with mercbers of a paramilitary
          group, raided the Cantollano conr unity in the municipality of IxhuatOEn de
          Madero, Veracruz; Fidel Hern ndez Catalina, who was killed soon after being
          arrested by State Police officers while returning to his home in the
          Tlanchinolapa district of Chapopote Chico, Veracruz; and Mariano G6mez L6pez,
          Manuel G6mez L6pez and nine other persons who were killed in January 1994 by
          mercbers of the Mexican armed forces who had reportedly entered a Mexican
          Social Security Institute hospital in Ocosingo.
          318. The Special Rapporteur also transmitted to the Governoeent the case of
          Jos de JesCis Torres Redondo, aged 14, who had died of gunshot wounds in
          January 1996 after Jiquilp n (Michoac n) municipal police officers fired on a
          speeding car carrying a group of young people.
          Conr unications received
          319. The Governoeent of Mexico provided information concerning many of the
          allegations transmitted by the Special Rapporteur.
          320. By a letter dated 29 Novercber 1995, the Governoeent of Mexico provided
          information on the measures taken to guarantee the safety of mercbers of the
          Archdiocese of San Cristobfl de las Casas and, specifically, on investigations
          into the case of Father Javier Ruiz Velasco.
          321. With regard to the death of Neftali Ruiz Ramirez, a gay activist
          presumed to have been murdered by a State Judicial Police officer, the
          Special Rapporteur was informed by a letter of 7 Decer er 1995 that the person
          accused of the murder had been prosecuted. The judge of first instance had
          acquitted the accused, and that verdict had been confirmed by the criminal
          division of the State of Chiapas High Court of Justice. The Government
          subsequently informed the Special Rapporteur, by a letter dated
          30 October 1996, that the person responsible for the murder was not a police
          officer.
          322. Also by a corcoeunication of 7 Decer er, the Government provided
          information concerning Abraham Polo Uscanga, a Mexican High Court judge, who
          was assassinated in June 1995; it stated that the Public Prosecutor's Office
          was investigating the case. The Governoeent further reported that, in order
          not to hinder the investigation, some of the facts elicited concerning the
          identification of the suspect had not been made pJ lic. A copy of the autopsy
          report was appended.
          323. By a conr unication of 12 Decercber 1995 concerning the case of Rolando
          and Atanacio Hern ndez Hern ndez, the Governoeent reported that a nurcber of
          State of Veracruz police officers had been arrested and accused of the murder
          of the two Indians. A copy of recorcoeendation No. 62/94 of the Veracruz Human
          Rights Conr ission was enclosed. In a later corcoeunication, it was stated that
          an appeal was being processed by the CNDH on the grounds that the authority
          accused of responsibility for the deaths had ignored that recorcoeendation.
          324. On 16 January 1995, the Government informed the Special Rapporteur that
          investigations into the deaths of Artemio Robledo and Higinio S nchez had been
          initiated. With regard to the urgent appeals sent on behalf of
        
          
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          Jos Lavanderos Yafiez, the Government informed the Special Rapporteur that the
          victim had lodged a complaint with the Government Procurator in the Federal
          District, thereby initiating a preliminary investigation. He had been offered
          protection but had rejected it, and later reported that the threats had
          ceased.
          325. By letters dated 6 and 28 February 1996, the Government informed the
          Special Rapporteur that Rocio Culebro had lodged a complaint with the Public
          Prosecutor's Office, stating that she had received threats. Judicial Police
          officers had offered to provide her with protection in order to ensure her
          safety, but she had refused the offer.
          326. By a conr unication of 20 February 1996, the Government informed the
          Special Rapporteur with regard to the urgent appeal on behalf of Lourdes
          Feiguerez and Victor Clark that the latter had stated that he had not lodged
          any criminal complaint. The Binational Human Rights Centre requested
          appropriate support from the Attorney—General's Office and the State Judicial
          Police.
          327. In connection with the Aguas Blancas massacre, the Government of Mexico
          transmitted the text of the Supreme Court judgement and stated that the Court
          had found, inter alia , that there had been a serious violation of individual
          guarantees, that there had been liability on the part of the State governor
          and other senior State officials, and that the State government had adopted an
          wattitude of deception, scheming and concealment of the truth , putting
          forth an artificial version of the facts and attempting to convince the public
          that the massacre had resulted from an attack on the police by OCSS mercbers.
          The Special Rapporteur was also informed that criminal proceedings had been
          initiated against former officers and conr anders of the State Police, who had
          been accused of homicide, wounding and abuse of authority, and against former
          officials of the State of Guerrero (6 and 28 February, and 8 May 1996) .
          328. By a letter dated 20 March 1996, the Government replied to the reports
          that peasant mer ers of the OCSS had been murdered in La Floida, State of
          Guerrero. The OEcpan de Galeana pJilic prosecutor's office initiated a
          preliminary investigation into the deaths of Agapito Rojas Hern ndez,
          Miguel Rojas Cort s and Genero Martinez Reyes, which it was treating as
          homicides. A similar preliminary investigation was initiated against a
          conr ander and an officer of the State Judicial Police in connection with the
          deaths of Jos Rojas Hern ndez, Isaias Rojas Osorio, Mauro Altamirano Osorio,
          Benigno Figueroa Alquisiras and H ctor Aguilar Negrete; the accused were
          placed at the disposal of the Tenth Criminal Court in Acapulco. And a
          preliminary investigation was initiated into the murder of Marco Antoni
          Fierro Camacho.
          329. By a conr unication dated 8 May 1996, the Government informed the Special
          Rapporteur that the Federal District Human Rights Conr ission (CDH) had
          received no official complaint concerning threats to, or intimidation of,
          Gina Bautista. By the same letter, the Special Rapporteur was informed that
          Sonia Lara and Jos Luis Robledo had lodged a complaint with the Federal
          District CDH, requesting the General Supervisor for Human Rights (Government
        
          
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          Procurator's Office) and the Federal District Secretary for PJilic Safety to
          take the appropriate measures to guarantee their safety. The CDH had decided
          that the matter should be discontinued on the grounds that the person or
          persons responsible for the threats had not been identified.
          330. By a conr unication of 8 May 1996, the Government informed the Special
          Rapporteur that a preliminary investigation had been initiated and an
          identikit picture issued of one of the persons suspected of the abduction of
          H ctor Guti rrez. With regard to the case of Juli n and Ricardo Aridrade
          Jardi, the Special Rapporteur was informed that the victims were under the
          protection of the Directorate—General of the Judicial Police and had the
          support of the Office of the General Supervisor for Human Rights (Federal
          District Government Procurator's Office) .
          331. The Government also informed the Special Rapporteur that the Federal
          District CDH had received no formal complaint concerning threats against
          Yolanda Tello, and that Francisco Saucedo had lodged a complaint with the
          National Human Rights Corcoeission (CNDH), requesting that he should be provided
          with protection and that an investigation should be carried out. The CDH had
          requested the Federal District Government Procurator's Office to take measures
          to guarantee his safety.
          332. On 30 May 1996, the Special Rapporteur was informed that Raymundo Ramos
          had declared, at State Judicial Police headquarters, that he did not wish to
          lodge a complaint at that time and did not believe that the persons
          responsible for the threats were associated with the Government.
          333. In reply to the urgent appeal sent by the Special Rapporteur concerning
          the acts of violence perpetrated in San Jer6nimo, Bachaj6n, Chiapas, by a
          paramilitary group known as “Los Chincholines”, the Government stated in a
          letter dated 6 June 1996 that the CNDH had requested the government of Chiapas
          to take a nunter of preventive measures and to inform it of the action taken.
          The government of Chiapas reported that the measures taken had included the
          following: 130 security officers had been hired at the San Jer6nimo
          cooperative, Bachaj6n; measures had been taken to protect the Jesuits at the
          mission in Chil6n, the Little Sisters of Mary Inr aculate and the Sisters of
          the Divine Shepherd; a preliminary investigation had been opened in order to
          establish the illicit acts conr itted by “Los Chincholines”; and the displaced
          families in Bachaj6n had been given every kind of assistance by the State
          Civil Protection Unit.
          334. By a conr unication of 12 June 1996, the Special Rapporteur was informed
          that the State of Guerrero CDH, the CNDH and the State of Guerrero Government
          Procurator's Office had no record of any complaint or report of threats to, or
          intimidation of, Paula Galeana Balanzar, Rocio Mesino and Alba Elia Hurtado.
          It was also stated that, in accordance with the Supreme Court decision
          concerning the Aguas Blancas case, the competent Mexican authorities would,
          upon request, take measures to protect persons filing complaints from physical
          harm, intimidation and threats.
        
          
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          335. With regard to the threats to, and attack on, the journalist Jos Barr6n
          Rosales, the Governoeent informed the Special Rapporteur, by a corcoeunication of
          16 July 1996, that a warrant had been issued for the arrest, on a charge of
          attempted homicide, of the suspect, who was not a mercber of the police or any
          public agency; the offence was of a non—political nature.
          336. By a conr unication of 11 Septer er 1996, the Special Rapporteur was
          informed that Ofelia Medina had not lodged an official complaint concerning
          the threats that she had received, but she had met with the Chairman of the
          Federal District CDH in order to inform him of the threats. The Chairman had
          asked the victim for a detailed written account so that he could bring it to
          the attention of the authorities and provide her with protection. That
          account was never received. The Special Rapporteur was also informed that
          Samuel Ruiz Garcia had denied that he and Rafael Vera had been attacked.
          337. With regard to the death in detention of Efr n Rodriguez and five other
          prisoners, the Governoeent confirmed the allegations transmitted by the
          Special Rapporteur. Pursuant to CNDH recorcoeendation No. 98/95, an
          administrative investigation to determine the responsibility of the officers
          who had been involved in the incident had been opened but had not yet been
          completed.
          338. On 1 October 1996, the Government informed the Special Rapporteur that
          no complaint had been lodged by Pilar Noriega or Digna Ochoa, but the CNDH had
          requested the Federal District Governoeent Procurator's Office and the
          Secretariat for Public Safety to take measures to protect them.
          339. By a conr unication dated 22 October 1996, the Government provided
          information concerning the deaths of NicoOEs Hern ndez and Marcos Olmedo
          Guti rrez. It stated that on the day in question, the State Police
          headquarters had sent several police officers to IxhuatOEn de Madero,
          Veracruz, where there were a nurcber of individuals suspected of corcoeitting
          ordinary crimes for whose arrest warrants had been issued. Before arriving at
          their destination, the police officers had been attacked and, during the
          ensuing clash, NicoOEs Hern ndez had been killed. The State of Veracruz CDH
          had issued recorcoeendation No. 41/95 concerning the incident, but that
          reconr endation had not been accepted by the Director of Public Safety. With
          regard to the death of Marcos Olmedo Guti rrez in Tlaltizap n, Morelos, the
          CNDH had requested the government of the State of Morelos to take a nurcber of
          precautionary measures. The State of Morelos Government Procurator's Office
          had reported that 60 police officers charged with abuse of authority,
          11 charged with the offence in question, and 2 senior officers were being held
          in pre-trial detention. The CNDH had issued reconr endation No. 39/96
          concerning the incidents in Tlaltizap n. The Government informed the Special
          Rapporteur that no complaint had been lodged in the case of Fidel Hern ndez
          Catalina, but that the competent authorities had been instructed to carry out
          an investigation.
          340. By a letter of 23 October 1996, information was provided on the
          detention of Hilario Mesino Acosta, who was being held in the CERESO in
          Acapulco, Guerrero. He was scheduled to be tried for offences unrelated to
          his work as an OCSS activist or to his participation in the ERP and had been
          released on bail, which had been set at 80,000 pesos.
        
          
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          341. By a conr unication of 24 October 1996, the Government provided
          information on the cases of Reyes Panagos Martinez, Aritelmo Roblero Roblero,
          Ausel S nchez P rez and Jos Rito Solis Martinez, and on the case of the
          inhabitants of Ejido Nueva Palestina, municipality of A ngel Albino Corzo. In
          this regard, a copy of CNDH recorcoeendation No. 61/96 was attached. By the
          same conr unication, the Governoeent requested additional information on a
          nurcber of cases which involved threats and had been previously transmitted by
          the Special Rapporteur (see E/CN.4/1996/4, para. 308).
          342. By a conr unication dated 30 October 1996, the Special Rapporteur was
          also informed, concerning the case of the journalist Rashiy Gonzflez, that the
          CNDH had called for an investigation but that, after being interviewed, the
          victim had stated that he could not identify his captors, who had not
          identified themselves as public officials. Protection for the journalist's
          mother had also been requested.
          Follow—un
          343. The Special Rapporteur requested further details concerning the cases of
          Neftali Ruiz Ramirez, Abraham Polo Uscanga — the Federal District High Court
          judge, Higinio S nchez Hern ndez, and the Aguas Blancas massacre. He
          expressed concern at the alarming increase in the nurcber of reports received
          during the current year, which was almost double that of previous years.
          Developments with reqard to the request to carry out a mission to Mexico
          344. On 22 August 1995, the Special Rapporteur, alarmed by reports of a
          deterioration of the situation in Mexico, requested the Governoeent to issue an
          invitation for him to visit the country (see E/CN.4/1996/4, para. 320) . On
          16 August 1996, he reiterated his desire to visit Mexico. By a letter dated
          27 August 1996, the Mexican Arcbassador informed the Special Rapporteur that
          his request had been transmitted to the competent authorities. The
          Special Rapporteur was also told that an invitation had been extended to the
          Special Rapporteur on torture.
          345. By a letter of 14 October 1996, the Special Rapporteur requested the
          Government's permission to carry out a joint mission with Mr. Nigel Rodley,
          the Special Rapporteur on torture, since the evaluation and analysis of
          questions relating to protection of the right to life and the right to
          physical integrity were closely linked. Very shortly before this report was
          finalized, the Special Rapporteur was informed that the Governoeent would
          consider the possibility of inviting him after the Special Rapporteur on
          torture had completed his visit to Mexico.
          Observations
          346. The Special Rapporteur is deeply concerned about the increase in the
          nurcber of allegations, particularly concerning threats to, and intimidation of
          human rights activists in Mexico. While he welcomes the efforts made by the
          CNDH, he regrets that its recorcoeendations have not always been implemented and
          requests the authorities to ensure that they are complied with. He urges the
          Government to take measures to protect persons who have received death
          threats. He had hoped to be able to carry out a joint visit with the Special
        
          
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          Rapporteur on torture, because of the close relationship between their
          mandates and in order to avoid duplication. He regrets that, shortly before
          the completion of this report, he was informed that a joint visit could not
          take place, and he invites the Governoeent to reconsider its position.
          Moldova
          Information received
          347. The Special Rapporteur was informed that Moldova had abolished the death
          penalty for all crimes as a result of a unanimous vote in the country's
          Parliament on 8 Decercber 1995 to remove the death penalty from the country's
          Penal Code.
          Follow—un
          348. The Special Rapporteur sent a follow—up corcoeunication reminding the
          Government of cases transmitted in previous years to which no reply had yet
          been received.
          Myanoear
          Information received and conr unications sent
          349. The Special Rapporteur received reports indicating that the Myanoear
          security forces continued to kill unarmed civilians during counter—insurgency
          operations against ethnic minority armed opposition groups. Kayin (Karen)
          civilians reportedly continued to be especially affected by these operations.
          It was reported that Kayin civilians fleeing from troops as they approached
          villages were shot dead in what appeared to be a de facto shoot—to—kill policy
          against anyone who runs from the Myanoear armed forces. Others were reportedly
          killed because the armed forces suspected them of supporting the Karen
          National Union (KNU) . Moreover, according to the source, villagers seemed to
          be killed at random in an effort to terrorize villagers into severing their
          alleged connection with KNU soldiers.
          350. For an in-depth analysis of the human rights situation in the
          country, the Special Rapporteur refers to the reports submitted by the
          Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar,
          Mr. Rajsoomer Lallah, to the General Asser ly at its fifty—first session
          (A/51/1466) and to the Conr ission on Human Rights at its fifty—third session
          (E/CN.4/1997/64) .
          351. The Special Rapporteur transmitted to the Government of Myanmar
          allegations of violations of the right to life in regard to the following
          persons:
          (a) Reportedly killed by mer ers of the armed forces:
          (i) Kyaw Ye Sail, Too Pho, Shwe Aung and U Plaw Toh, following
          their arrest;
        
          
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          (ii) U Than Mein and U Maung Lwin while performing portering
          duties;
          (iii) Way Myat Paw, Pa Kyaw, Tah Ko Hwee, Yweh Htoo Pa and Tah Eu
          Phoo;
          (b) Reportedly killed by mer ers of the armed forces and the
          Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) : Kyaw Pa, Saw Eu Poh, Kyaw Aye and
          Win Mya Htoo;
          (c) James Leander (Leo) Nichols, who had served as honorary consul for
          Norway and had represented Denoeark, Finland and Switzerland, and who
          reportedly died in detention on 22 June 1996 in Rangoon General Hospital. It
          was alleged that during his detention he had been denied his medication and
          that he had been deprived of sleep during long interrogations prior to his
          death (16 July 1996) .
          Conr unications received
          352. The Governoeent provided a response concerning the case of James Leander
          (Leo) Nichols informing the Special Rapporteur that he had died of natural
          causes from cardiac disease, and that during his detention he had been well
          looked after and given full and proper medical attention (28 October 1996) .
          Follow—un
          353. The Special Rapporteur transmitted a follow-up letter to the Government
          requesting further information on the cases of Maung Kyaw Pu and Saw Tah Kee,
          after additional information from the source of the allegations was received
          indicating that mercbers of the Myanoear armed forces had informed mercbers of
          the victims' family that they had been executed by Light Infantry
          Battalion No. 9. The Governoeent responded that they had never been arrested
          or detained by mer ers of the Myanmar armed forces. The Special Rapporteur
          also reminded the Government of the cases transmitted during 1995 concerning
          which no reply had yet been received.
          Observations
          354. The Special Rapporteur wishes to thank the Government for the reply
          provided concerning the case of James Leander (Leo) Nichols, but regrets at
          the same time that no reply was received concerning all other alleged cases of
          extrajudicial, stioemary or arbitrary executions transmitted during 1995
          and 1996. The Special Rapporteur also regrets that in regard to the death of
          James Leander Nichols the authorities did not accept that an independent
          autopsy be conducted.
          355. The Special Rapporteur is concerned about the persistent reports of
          violations of the right to life of Kayin civilians by mercbers of the Myanoear
          armed forces and the DKEA. The Special Rapporteur once more urges the
          Government to investigate the allegations, to bring those responsible to
          justice, to provide compensation to the victims or their families and to take
          necessary measures to prevent the recurrence of such incidents.
        
          
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          Nepal
          Information received and conr unications sent
          356. The Special Rapporteur transmitted allegations of violations of the
          right to life in regard to the following 18 persons:
          (a) Reportedly killed by police officers while in custody:
          Man Bahadur Rawal and Man Bahadur Oh, reportedly thrown over a cliff by
          police officers on 29 February 1996 in Jajarkot district; Bin Bahadur Pariyar,
          allegedly tortured following his arrest on 31 March 1996 and then shot;
          Labori Budha, Inderjit Pun, Jaidhan Thapa, shot and killed on 19 March 1996 in
          Khungri VDC, Rolpa District, following or during their arrest; Iman Singh
          Rokha, who died in custody in a hospital after he had allegedly been severely
          tortured at Libang police station;
          (b) Reportedly killed by police officers in various circumstances:
          Chakra Bahadur Shrest, Man Kumari Shrest and Joy Bahadur Shrest, killed in
          Kakri VDC-2, Rukum District, on 17 March 1996; Jokhe Pun and Jog Bahadur Pun,
          killed by police officers in Pwang VDC, Chipkhola, Rukum District, on
          12 March 1996; Man Bahadur Khatri Chetri, Dal Bahadur Khatri Chetri,
          Pashupati Khatri Chetri, Kal Bahadur Khatri Chetri, Khadga Bahadur Khatri
          Chetri and Nara Bahadur Khatri Chetri, all reportedly shot and killed on
          27 February 1996 in Leka, Rukum District.
          Follow—un
          357. The Special Rapporteur sent a reminder to the Government concerning the
          cases transmitted earlier during 1996 to which no response had yet been
          received.
          Observations
          358. The Special Rapporteur regrets that at the time of the finalization of
          the present report, no reply had been received from the Governoeent. The
          Special Rapporteur is concerned about the considerable nunter of allegations
          received regarding violations of the right to life corcoeitted by police
          officers and calls on the Governoeent to prevent the future occurrence of such
          violations, to investigate the allegations, to bring those responsible to
          justice and to provide compensation to the victims' families.
          Netherlands
          Information received and conr unications sent
          359. The Special Rapporteur transmitted an urgent appeal to the Government on
          behalf of Rashid Nour Hassan, a Somali national who was reportedly facing
          ircoeinent expulsion to Somalia, where, according to the information received,
          he would be at grave risk of extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary execution
          owing to his being a close relative of someone who was a secret service
          officer at the time of President Siad Barre; in addition, he reportedly had
          reasonable grounds to fear reprisals from me n ters of his own tribe or, in any
          case, could not count on their protection (29 May 1996) .
        
          
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          Ni car a u a
          Information received and conr unications sent
          360. The Special Rapporteur transmitted to the Governoeent of Nicaragua
          allegations of violations of the right to life conr itted by security forces.
          361. The following persons were reported to have died during demonstrations:
          Ernesto Porfirio Diaz, a university employee, and Jeronimo Urbina, a
          third—year engineering student, who died in Decer er 1995 as a result of
          injuries sustained during a student demonstration in Managua calling on the
          Government to allocate 6 per cent of the national budget to the universities.
          Frankin Benito Borge Velazquez and Enrique Montenegro Estrada died during a
          confrontation between demonstrators and National Police officers, in the
          Rubenia district of Managua on 17 May 1995.
          362. The Special Rapporteur also transmitted an allegation concerning the
          death in January 1995 of 15 persons, including 11 mercbers of the wMeza Rearmed
          Group”, two civilians and two soldiers, who were killed in an attack by
          mercbers of the Sandinista People's Army on the vehicle in which they were
          travelling in Cuesta la Maraf 6n, Department of Nueva Segovia.
          Follow—un
          363. The Special Rapporteur also sent a follow—up letter to the Government to
          remind it that he had not received a reply concerning any of the cases
          transmitted.
          Observations
          364. The Special Rapporteur regrets that no reply to his conr unications has
          been received. He urges the Governoeent to conduct thorough and impartial
          investigations into any allegation of a violation of the right to life in
          order to identify those responsible and bring them to justice, and to provide
          appropriate compensation to the victims or their families.
          Ni Qeria
          365. Pursuant to Corcoeission on Human Rights resolution 1996/7 9, the
          Special Rapporteur, together with the Special Rapporteur on the independence
          of judges and lawyers, Mr. Param Cumaraswamy, sought an invitation from the
          Government of Nigeria in order to carry out an on site fact—finding mission to
          the country in 1996.
          366. As was requested in that resolution, the two Special Rapporteurs had to
          report their findings in an interim report to the General Asser ly, as well as
          to the Conr ission on Human Rights. In view of the fact that no mission had
          taken place by the time the Special Rapporteurs sJ mitted their interim report
          (A/51/538) to the General Asser ly on 18 Novercber 1996, it was based on
          information received up to that time. The Special Rapporteur therefore wishes
          to refer to that report, as well as to their special joint report on the
          situation of human rights in Nigeria (E/CN.4/1997/62) .
        
          
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          367. By the time the present report was finalized, no concrete progress
          regarding the requested visit to Nigeria had been made.
          Pakistan
          Information received and conr unications sent
          368. A multitude of reports indicating the widespread occurrence of
          violations of the right to life in Pakistan continued to be received
          throughout 1996. A large nunter of reports made reference to alleged cases of
          violations of the right to life, including deaths in custody in Sindh and its
          capital, Karachi. While information received from various sources suggests
          that armed opposition groups are responsible for part of the violence
          perpetrated against civilians, it was also reported that law enforcement
          personnel are often directly responsible for human rights violations.
          Repeatedly, the Special Rapporteur received reports indicating that the bodies
          of persons allegedly killed in an warmed encounter” displayed various signs of
          torture.
          369. The Special Rapporteur sent an urgent appeal jointly with the
          Special Rapporteur on torture, Mr. Nigel Rodley, expressing fear for the lives
          of Syed Ashraf Ali, Syed Naushad Ali, Syed Nusrat Ali, Moharcoead Saleem,
          Tanvir Adil Siddiqui, Ovais Siddiqui and Azizi Mustafa after they had been
          arrested and detained incorcoeunicado (5 March 1996) .
          370. Furthermore, the Special Rapporteur sent an urgent appeal on behalf of
          Tariq Hasan who had reportedly received death threats from the authorities.
          According to the source, Hasan was allegedly warned by a particular police
          officer that bringing the situation to the attention of human rights
          organizations could have serious consequences for him (23 July 1996) .
          371. In addition, the Special Rapporteur transmitted to the Government
          in 1996 several allegations of violations of the right to life in regard to
          the following persons:
          (a) Who were reportedly killed in what police later described as an
          warmed encounter” with wterrorists : Sheikh Mukhtar and Iqbal Memon, both
          without any political affiliation, shot and killed by a group of paramilitary
          Rangers reportedly acting under the supervision of the army in the context of
          a cordon—off and search operation in Hyderabad; Wajed Ali Safdar, reportedly
          an eyewitness to the murder of two workers of the Mohajir Quami Movement
          (MQM) , killed in North Karachi by mercbers of the police; Farooq Putney,
          Javed Michael, Ghaffar Mada and Hanif Turk, MQM menters; Mohanr ed Ghazanfar,
          Mohanr ad Imran and three unidentified persons shot and killed during a police
          operation in Korangi; and Moharcoead Khalid Jehangir, shot and killed in Karachi
          by menters of the police;
          (b) Who reportedly died in custody: Moharcoeed Ahmed, Sohrab, Javed and
          two unidentified persons, arrested and sJisequently shot and killed in
          Nazimabad; Moharcoead Kamil alias Mohanr ad Hanif, tortured and killed in
          Hyderabad; Nasir Hussain and Arif Hussain, relatives of the founder and leader
          of the MQM, arrested and executed in Gadap; Feroze Uddin alias Wasi Uddin,
          Mohanr ad Ali alias Moharcoead A 3 njb and Pervez Akhther Qureshi alias
        
          
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          Mohanr ad Ishtiaq, killed in Karachi; Fahim Farooqi alias Fahim Conr ando,
          Zeeshan Haider Abedi and Yousuf Rizwan, arrested and executed in Nazimabad;
          Muktar Masih, tortured to death while being held in Lahore; and
          Mohanr ed Ahmed, who died as the result of the refusal of appropriate medical
          treatment;
          (c) Who were reportedly killed by mer ers of Haqiqi, an armed faction
          allegedly supported by the Government: Rashid Ali Mairaj, kidnapped from his
          store by three identified Haqiqi mer ers and subsequently shot and killed.
          372. Moreover, the Special Rapporteur, jointly with the Special Rapporteur on
          torture and the Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers,
          Mr. Param Cumaraswamy, transmitted to the Governoeent allegations regarding the
          violation of the right to life of Nizam Ahmed, a former justice of the Sindh
          High Court and mer er of the Pakistan Bar Council, and his son Nadeem Ahmed.
          The two were reportedly killed by unidentified assailants after Nizam Ahmed
          had received anonymous death threats. It is alleged that the threats were
          reported to the authorities, but no steps to investigate or to provide
          protection were taken (16 July 1996) .
          Follow—un
          373. In a follow—up letter the Special Rapporteur reminded the Governoeent of
          the three urgent appeals sent in 1996 and other allegations transmitted in
          1995 and 1996 to which no replies had yet been received.
          Observations
          374. The Special Rapporteur regrets that by the time the present report was
          finalized the Government had not replied to many allegations transmitted
          during 1995, nor to any sent during 1996.
          375. The Special Rapporteur is concerned about the continuing large nurcber of
          reports received regarding extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions in
          Pakistan, including numerous deaths in custody. The Governoeent's strategies
          to cor at human rights violations conr itted by the police, law enforcement
          officials, security forces and paramilitary Rangers, as well as human rights
          abuses by armed opposition groups, have failed to provide protection to
          political activists, journalists and ordinary civilians and the Special
          Rapporteur therefore urges the Governoeent to take the measures necessary to
          improve this situation.
          Pa ua New Guinea
          Information received and conr unications sent
          376. The Special Rapporteur transmitted allegations of violations of the
          right to life regarding Pampam Ligitai, Patrick Tutno, Minou Roitua,
          Mary Pateri, Patrick Ututnu, aged 16, Charles Ona, aged 15,
          David Nusirau, aged 7, Josephine Beti, aged 4, Theresia Monta, aged 9,
          Piruke Siro, aged 11, A ndrew Saririn, aged 1, and Usiah, 8 months old, unarmed
        
          
          E/CN. 4/1997/60/Add. 1
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          civilians who were reportedly killed on 25 January 1996 by 17 mer ers of the
          Papua New Guinea Defence Force and the wresistance forces” in the village of
          Sirifio, Bum, Bougainville. According to the information received, the victims
          included eight minors, among them an eight-month-old baby (2 April 1996) .
          Follow—un
          377. The Special Rapporteur sent a letter reminding the Governoeent of the
          cases sent during 1995 and 1996 concerning which no reply had yet been
          received. The Special Rapporteur also requested the Governoeent to react to
          the recorcoeendations made in the report of his mission to the Papua New Guinea
          island of Bougainville and to inform him what steps had been taken to
          implement them.
          Observations
          378. The Special Rapporteur regrets that at the time the report was
          finalized, the Governoeent of Papua New Guinea had not provided a reply
          concerning any of the cases sent during 1995 and 1996, nor to his request for
          information in regard to the recorcoeendations made in the report of his mission
          to the country.
          379. The Special Rapporteur is concerned that in March 1996 the Government of
          Papua New Guinea took the decision to lift the ceasefire on Bougainville
          because of an upsurge of killings of civilians and mer ers of the government
          security forces by the Bougainville Revolutionary Army (EPA) . In this
          context, the Special Rapporteur calls upon all parties to the conflict to
          respect the right to life of all non—cor atants at all times.
          380. The Special Rapporteur also learned with deep regret that on
          12 October 1996, Theodore Miriung, the Premier of the Bougainville
          Transitional Governoeent and a strong advocate for peace between the Government
          and EPA, was killed by assailants who had not yet been identified.
          Theodore Miriung was extremely helpful during the Special Rapporteur's visit
          to Bougainville. The Special Rapporteur is concerned about the negative
          implications of his assassination on the peace process and on the human rights
          situation in Bougainville.
          ParaQuay
          381. The Special Rapporteur transmitted to the Governoeent of Paraguay an
          allegation concerning the violation of the right to life of Medesto Earreto,
          aged 84 who was reportedly shot dead by unidentified men in Noventer 1995 at
          his home in Volc n Cue. According to the information received, the victim was
          the father of two well—known journalists who were investigating drug
          trafficking and corruption in Paraguay. It was stated that his death might
          have been related to the work of his sons and that the killers were directly
          affected by the corruption charges they had made.
        
          
          E/CN. 4/1997/60/Add.1
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          Peru
          Information received and conr unications sent
          382. The allegations reaching the office of the Special Rapporteur indicate
          that despite an apparent reduction in the nur er of violations of the right to
          life, extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions continue to occur in
          Peru. These allegations refer particularly to deaths caused by excessive use
          of force by the security forces, and to deaths in detention.
          383. During the early months of 1996, the Special Rapporteur received a large
          nurcber of corcoeunications from various organizations and institutions expresing
          fear of the possible consequences for Peruvian society of the application of
          the amnesty law, and the impunity it entails. These corcoeunications mentioned
          the need to shed light on the human rights violations in Peru and called for
          justice for the families of victims of the crimes conr itted both by the
          security forces, and by Shining Path and other armed groups.
          384. The Special Rapporteur transmitted an urgent appeal to the Government of
          Peru requesting the authorities to take all necessary measures to protect the
          right to life and physical safety of Gloria Cano Legua, an attorney associated
          with the Peasant Defence and Counselling Team, and the National Human Rights
          Coordinating Organization, who is also the defence counsel of a survivor of
          the Barrios Altos massacre, after she had been threatened and harassed
          (22 April 1996) .
          385. The Special Rapporteur also transmitted the following allegations of
          violations of the right to life:
          (a) The following persons reportedly died in police custody:
          Mario Palomino Garcia, who died in Santa Felicia in March 1996; and
          Jos Eugenio Chamaya Rumacharis, who was arrested by police officers from
          Santa Felicia police station in the Molina district and taken to the police
          station, where he was allegedly tortured. According to the information
          received, he died of cardiac arrest, after his head had been repeatedly
          submerged in water;
          (b) The following persons were allegedly killed by the police:
          Henry Yabar Rosales, aged 15, and Hildebrando Cuadros L6pez, aged 21, who died
          of gunshot wounds during police intervention in a clash between fans of two
          football clJis in the Brefia district of Lima on 9 June 1996;
          (c) Mercbers of the armed forces reportedly killed Indalecio Pomatanta
          in April 1995, when 15 mercbers of the Peruvian navy arrived at his family home
          in Padre Abad on the Jorge Basadre road, Department of Ucayali in the Peruvian
          jungle and set the house on fire. The victim was reportedly taken to Pucallpa
          regional hospital while still alive, dying four days later as a result of his
          burns.
        
          
          E/CN. 4/1997/60/Add. 1
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          Conr unications received
          386. The Gcvernoeent of Peru informed the Special Rapporteur, regarding the
          death of Jhoel Huam n Garcia, that the junior officers of the Peruvian
          National Police (PNP) responsible had been made available to the courts
          through disciplinary measures and reported to the Pasco provincial procurator.
          It was stated in a sJisequent corcoeunication that the police officers involved
          in the case were being held in Cerro de Pasco prison. It was further reported
          that, according to the medical records, the death of Justiniano Hurtado Torre
          had been due to illness. The Government had established that he had never
          been subjected to torture (8 Decer er 1995 and 14 May 1996) .
          387. With regard to the urgent appeal transmitted on behalf of Cano Leagua
          (see E/CN.4/1996/4, para. 383 (c)), defence counsel of one of the survivors of
          the Barrios Altos massacre, PNP officers from the National Directorate of
          State Security interviewed her and Rosa Rojas Borda. According to the
          information received, they were not given personal security coverage because
          that possibility did not fall within the pertinent legal provisions. They
          received guidance on the procedure and measures to be adopted. The
          Special Rapporteur was told there had been no further threats
          (8 Decercber 1995) .
          388. With reference to the threats against Aritonia Saquicuray Sanchez, the
          Government of Peru informed the Special Rapporteur that the PNP had conducted
          investigations, but with no results. There were no reports of a recurrence of
          the threats. None the less, she was provided with security coverage, in the
          form of a mobile patrol unit. The Puno joint provincial procurator initiated
          investigations into death threats against Tito Guido Gallegos. It was
          requested that he should be given the guarantees needed to ensure his physical
          safety. With regard to the death of the minor Yenuere Antonio Chihuala Cruz,
          it was reported that he had died of tetanus. He had applied for an office job
          in Engineering Battalion No. 1, but had never been involved in active corcbat
          (8 Decercber 1995) .
          389. The Government also reported that, in the case of C sar Alfonso Ramirez
          Pinchi, which had been transmitted to the Government in Septercber 1993, the
          proceedings against the lieutenant charged with the offence of homicide had
          been dropped following the annulment of the criminal action under the amnesty
          law (14 February 1996) .
          390. The Special Rapporteur was also informed that the Office of the
          Or udsman Organization Act had been promulgated in accordance with the
          Peruvian Constitution of 1993, by which the office of or udsman had been
          created. The Government believes that this constitutes a further step in
          efforts to consolidate and ensure full observance of the rule of law and human
          rights and fundamental freedoms in Peru (15 April 1996) .
          391. Concerning the death threats received by Rodolfo Robles Espinoza, the
          Government explained to the Special Rapporteur that it had not been possible
          to identify the persons responsible. It stated that Mr. Robles Espinoza had
          been given personal guarantees that his physical safety would be protected
          (14 May 1996) .
        
          
          E/CN. 4/1997/60/Add.1
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          Observations
          392. The Special Rapporteur thanks the Government of Peru for the information
          it provided. He remains concerned about the allegations of violations of the
          right to life and the death threats that have continued to be made against
          attorneys representing victims of violations of the right to life. He urges
          the authorities to take all necessary action to ensure that all those directly
          involved in legal proceedings are able to perform their duties freely and
          that, if necessary, they are given State protection. He notes with regret
          from the Government's replies that cases have been closed under the amnesty
          law, and reiterates the obligation of Governoeents to investigate alleged
          violations of the right to life thoroughly and impartially, to identify those
          responsible and bring them to justice, and to provide appropriate compensation
          to the victims or their families.
          Phili ines
          Information received and communications sent
          393. According to reports received, violations of civil and political rights
          continue to occur in the Philippines, including extrajudicial, summary or
          arbitrary executions, sometimes taking the form of massacres. In this
          context, the Special Rapporteur transmitted allegations of violations of the
          right to life concerning the following 22 persons:
          (a) Pedro Zerna, aged 86, Macrina Zerna, Enarcisa, Aigil Zerna,
          aged 9, Brenda Fe, aged 6, Crislyn, aged 4 and Minelyn, aged 2, all mercbers
          of one family reportedly killed on 9 February 1996 in Buenavista,
          Negros Oriental, by mercbers of the Civilian Volunteers Organization, a group
          of citizens operating as a paramilitary group which is sanctioned by the
          Government and has the task to check rebel activities in the area;
          (b) Sherwin Abalora, aged 17, Ray Abalora, Carlito Alap—Ap,
          Joel Aoeora, Welbor Ecamel, Manuel Montero, Pacifico Montero, Jevy Redillas,
          Rolando Siplon, MeleJiren Soronda, Jerry Montebon alias Alex Neri alias
          Hermie Saura, all alleged mer ers of a criminal gang called 9Kuratong
          Baleleng”, reportedly killed on 18 May 1995 in Quezon city by mer ers of the
          Anti Bank Robbery Intelligence Task Group. According to the information
          received, following their arrest on 17 May they were all killed when mer ers
          of the Task Group opened fire on the van in which they had left all the
          above—mentioned persons tied up or handcuffed;
          (c) Gemma Soronda—Siplon, an alleged mer er of the wkuratong Baleleng”
          gang, reportedly found dead on 19 May 1995 in Sil—Cas village, Laguna. She
          was reportedly arrested on 17 May 1995 by mer ers of the Presidential
          Anti-Crime Commission and last seen on 18 May in the custody of the law
          enforcement officials who arrested her;
          (d) Wilson Soronda, the alleged leader of the 9Kuratong Baleleng”
          gang, who was reportedly killed by mer ers of the Presidential Anti—Crime
          Commission while in their custody;
        
          
          E/CN. 4/1997/60/Add. 1
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          (e) Gary Dalayhon, a 16—year—old street child, who was reportedly
          killed on 23 July 1993 by three mercbers of the Philippines National Police
          while in their custody. According to the source, despite strong evidence
          pointing to the identity of the authors, a thorough investigation was not
          conducted and they had not yet been brought to justice;
          (f) Ferdinand Reyes, a human rights lawyer and journalist, allegedly
          shot dead on 12 February 1996 in Dipolog city by an unidentified assailant,
          possibly in order to silence his criticism of Government policy;
          Conr unications received
          394. The Governoeent provided a reply concerning most cases transmitted
          during 1995. In regard to the case of Conchita Bajao, who reportedly died as
          a result of injuries sustained following her arrest, the Government responded
          that the case was closed for lack of evidence as to the allegation following
          testimonies of witnesses who claimed that the victim had suddenly jumped off
          from a moving police patrol car when it was slowing down. In addition, the
          Government responded concerning the case of Anieto de Regino, informing the
          Special Rapporteur that the allegations that he had been shot and killed by a
          mercber of the paramilitary Citizen's Armed Forces Geographical Units (CAFGU)
          were incorrect. In respect to Nonita Din, who was reportedly shot dead by
          mercbers of the armed security forces of the Philippine—Aoeerican TircJier
          Corporation Land Improvement Division, the Government stated that the case was
          under investigation but that the main suspect had not yet been charged because
          he was still at large (7 June 1996) .
          395. The Governoeent also provided replies concerning all cases transmitted by
          the Special Rapporteur during 1996. The Governoeent informed the Special
          Rapporteur that the case of Ferdinand Reyes was under investigation, but that
          there were reasons to believe that his killing was not linked to his work as
          a human rights defender, but instead was of private nature and linked to
          his defence of a case as a lawyer. Regarding the case of Pedro Zerna,
          Macrina Zerna, Enarcisa, Aigil Zerna, Brenda Fe, Crislyn and Minelyn, the
          Government confirmed the main elements of the allegation transmitted and
          stated that the case was sub judice (16 October 1996) . The Governoeent also
          informed the Special Rapporteur that the case of Gary Dalayhon was sub judice ,
          that the three suspects had now been detained, charged with, inter alia ,
          murder, and that hearings on the case have been scheduled for the first two
          months of 1997 (1 Novercber 1996) .
          396. In respect to the allegations transmitted during 1996 regarding
          the extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary execution of Wilson Soronda,
          Genr a Soronda—Siplon, Sherwin Abalora, Ray Abalora, Carlito Alap—ap,
          Joel Aoeora, Welbor Ecamel, Manuel Montero, Pacifico Montero, Jevy Redillas,
          Rolando Siplon, MeleJiren Soronda, and Jerry Montebon alias Alex Neri or
          Hermie Saura, all mercbers of the Kuratong Baleleng gang, the Government stated
          in a preliminary response that the case was sJi judice (8 October 1996) . The
          Government then provided a reply informing the Special Rapporteur that the
          officers responsible for the killings had been given a “floating” status
          pending determination of the criminal case against them, that the order by the
          panel of prosecutors to downgrade the charges against the high—ranking
          officers was cause for doJit on the part of the private prosecutors as to the
        
          
          E/CN. 4/1997/60/Add.1
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          sincerity and credibility of the pJilic prosecutors. It was also stated that
          the perpetrators had not yet been brought to justice as a result of the order
          of the Sandiganbayan to remand the case to the Regional Trial Court, which was
          then questioned by the Special Prosecutors in the Office of the Orcbudsman in a
          motion filed in the said court (1 Novercber 1996) .
          Follow—un
          397. The Special Rapporteur sent a letter reminding the Government of
          the cases sent earlier during the year concerning which no reply had yet
          been received and requesting additional information on the cases of
          Ariieto de Regino and Nonita Din. In regard to the former, the Special
          Rapporteur asked for further information relating to the investigation
          conducted, while in regard to the latter, he requested the Government to
          inform him what steps were being taken by the competent authorities to arrest
          the suspect in this case.
          Observations
          398. The Special Rapporteur wishes to express his appreciation of the
          willingness shown by the Government of the Philippines to cooperate with his
          mandate, in particular through the provision of frank and detailed responses
          to the allegations transmitted. The Special Rapporteur calls on the
          Government to bring all those responsible for violations of the right to life
          to justice, to provide compensation to the victims or their families and to
          take all measures necessary to prevent the recurrence of such violations.
          Poland
          399. The Special Rapporteur was informed that in October 1996 the Parliament
          had rejected a draft law aimed at lifting the moratorium on death penalty
          executions in force since July 1995.
          Romania
          Conr unications received
          400. The Romanian Government informed the Special Rapporteur that Alfred Pana
          had been found dead in his home following ill-treatment while being held in
          custody on 3 July 1995. The official autopsy, which was ordered following the
          opening of an investigation by the Bucharest public prosecutor, found that the
          corpse bore no traces of violence and that death was due to cardio—respiratory
          failure (26 Septer r 1996) .
          Follow—un
          401. The Special Rapporteur had previously sent a letter to the Government
          reminding it that no reply had been received concerning the allegations about
          the death of Alfred Pana transmitted to the Government in 1995.
        
          
          E/CN. 4/1997/60/Add. 1
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          Russian Federation
          Information received and conr unications sent
          402. During the first half of 1996, the Special Rapporteur continued to
          receive reports indicating systematic violations of human rights and
          international humanitarian law by Russian forces in the Republic of Chechnya.
          Information received indicated that at least 30,000 civilians had been killed
          in the conflict and that the total nur er of war-related deaths in Grozny
          alone could be estimated at approximately 27,000.
          403. According to the information received, civilians and civilian
          installations, including hospitals, schools and mosques, were systematically
          targeted by the Russian forces and Russian military operations were
          disproportionate to rebel attacks. This reportedly led to large nurcbers of
          casualties among the civilian population. The reports also suggested that the
          civilian population did not receive protection from Russian troops. In this
          context, it was reported that the population was reportedly given insufficient
          time to leave the towns via the so—called whumanitarian corridor”. Some
          reports also indicated that the civilian population was unaware of the
          existence of such a corridor or was uncertain of its exact location.
          Moreover, information received seemed to indicate that widespread violence was
          used by Russian forces against non—cor atants in the conflict zone, resulting
          in additional violations of the right to life.
          404. In this context, it was also brought to the Special Rapporteur's
          attention that Russian troops responsible for violations of human rights and
          international humanitarian law continued to enjoy impunity. According to
          the information received, those responsible for the massacre in Samashki on
          7—8 April 1995, in which over a hundred men, women and children were
          reportedly killed in a wpunitive operation by Russian special forces, have
          not been brought to justice. The reports received also suggested that neither
          the judiciary nor the police of the Chechen administration in Grozny were
          allowed to take part in investigating or prosecuting local complaints against
          Russian troops. Moreover, the federal authorities reportedly did not even
          inform the Chechen Ministry of Justice and Ministry of the Interior whether
          any action was taken in respect of these complaints, including those where
          Russian forces were accused by eyewitnesses, for example, of shooting at
          passengers in cars at checkpoints, causing multiple civilian deaths.
          405. The Special Rapporteur is aware that attacks on the right to life of
          civilians were also conr itted by Chechen forces.
          406. For an in-depth analysis of the human rights situation in Chechnya, the
          Special Rapporteur refers to the report of the Secretary—General on the
          situation of human rights in the RepJ lic of Chechnya (E/CN.4/1997/10) .
          407. In addition, the Special Rapporteur received several reports in regard
          to the application of the death penalty. According to the information
          received death sentences continue to be carried out by the Russian Federation
          since joining the Council of Europe on 28 February 1996, on which occasion the
          Government undertook to impose an ircoeediate moratorium on executions and
          abolish the death penalty within three years.
        
          
          E/CN. 4/1997/60/Add.1
          page 101
          408. In relation to the situation of conflict in the Republic of Chechnya the
          Special Rapporteur transmitted four urgent appeals to the Governoeent of the
          Russian Federation, on behalf of:
          (a) The civilian population of Sernovodsk. Information received
          indicated that an unknown nunter of civilians were killed as a result of
          attacks by Russian forces after the latter entered the town on 2 March 1996.
          The reports received also indicated that Sernovodsk was completely sealed off
          preventing the 14,000 people in the town, among whom were many displaced
          persons from other parts of Chechnya, from fleeing. The Special Rapporteur
          sent this urgent appeal jointly with the Special Representative of the
          Secretary—General on internally displaced persons, Mr. Francis Deng
          (7 March 1996);
          (b) The civilians in Sernovodsk and Samashki, after information had
          been received indicating that Russian forces had bonted and attacked the
          village of Samashki and that attacks and deliberate killings by Russian forces
          in Sernovodsk had resulted in a large nurcber of civilian casualties. The
          Special Rapporteur sent this urgent appeal jointly with the Special Rapporteur
          on torture and the Special Representative of the Secretary—General on
          internally displaced persons (20 March 1996);
          (c) The 50,000 civilians in the town of Shah. Reports received
          expressed fear that the indiscriminate attacks from Russian forces, which
          started on 26 April 1996, might continue despite a peace agreement reached
          between the town's elders and the Russian forces, as reportedly happened in
          the village of Chishki, which was attacked by Russian airplanes a few days
          after the citizens signed a peace agreement with the Russian forces
          (2 May 1996);
          (d) The civilian population in Grozny. Information received indicated
          that a large nunter of persons had been killed since 6 August 1996, when heavy
          fighting broke out in Grozny, and that fighting was continuing, with thousands
          of civilians allegedly trapped in areas of the city (20 August 1996) .
          409. The Special Rapporteur also sent allegations of violations of the right
          to life in the RepJilic of Chechnya of two identified persons and
          approximately 500 unidentified persons: Ashot Akopovich Shakhnazarian, a
          lorry driver employed by the humanitarian organization wM decins sans
          fronti res” (MSF) , reportedly killed on 29 January 1996 when his lorry was
          attacked; Natalya Alyakina, a journalist for a German magazine, reportedly
          killed on 17 June 1995 in her car near Budennovsk after leaving a checkpoint
          where Interior Ministry troops reportedly approved her documents; seven
          unidentified civilians reportedly killed on 19 March 1996 by Russian forces
          during the search of a house in Samashki, when they threw grenades into a
          group of 33 persons taking shelter in the house's courtyard; 28 unidentified
          civilians, among them allegedly some children, reportedly killed on
          8 October 1995 in the village of Roshni Chu as a result of borifiing by
          eight fighter planes; 267 unidentified civilians reportedly killed
          between 14 and 24 Decercber 1995 in the city of Gudermes; approximately
          200 unidentified civilians killed in the village of Samashki in the week
          following 14 March 1996, allegedly mainly as a result of indiscriminate and
          disproportionate attacks by Russian forces.
        
          
          E/CN. 4/1997/60/Add. 1
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          Conr unications received
          410. The Government of the Reussian Federation provided a reply concerning
          several cases and urgent appeals transmitted during 1995 and 1996.
          411. The Government replied to the allegations of violations of the right to
          life sent on 13 October 1995 which concerned victims of indiscriminate attacks
          by Russian forces on Niki-Khita, Elistanzhi and Nozhai-Yurt. The Government
          informed the Special Rapporteur that the events he referred to were a tragic
          consequence of military operations. The Government also indicated that the
          government forces' response was appropriate as the armed formations they were
          fighting were equipped with the most up-to-date weapons, including armoured
          vehicles and rocket—propelled projectiles. In regard to the 94 unknown
          victims from the village of Samashki, the Government referred to its reply of
          15 August 1995 in response to the urgent appeal of 5 May 1995, in which it had
          stated that both military and civilians had been killed in the battle, which
          had followed Russian armed forces entering the village after several attempts
          to disarm the village peacefully had failed. The Government had also
          indicated that it had started investigations (29 February 1996) .
          412. The Government also provided a reply to the urgent appeal sent
          on 3 October 1995 on behalf of the civilian population of Sernovodsk. The
          Government indicated that the decision to introduce tighter checks around the
          town of Sernovodsk had been taken because: (i) according to intelligence
          sources more than 300 fighters from among the wdiehards were grouped in
          Sernovodsk, (ii) unauthorized demonstrations were held every day on the
          approaches to the checkpoints set up by the Federal forces, whereby armed
          individuals were observed among the rear ranks of the demonstrators and
          (iii) all the proposals by the federal forces corcoeand concerning the voluntary
          surrender of weapons and handing over of fighters to the law enforcement
          agencies had been rejected by the representatives of the illegally armed units
          and the town's leaders (13 March 1996) .
          413. In respect of the urgent appeal sent on 2 May 1996 on behalf of the
          civilians in the town of Shah, the Government informed the Special Rapporteur
          that since 26 April 1996 there had been no reports either by conr unity
          representatives or by the mass media indicating that federal armed forces were
          subjecting the inhabitants of the town of Shah to indiscriminate bor arcIments
          (19 June 1996) .
          414. In addition, the Government stated in regard to the urgent appeal sent
          on 7 March 1996 on behalf of the civilian population of the town of
          Sernovodsk, that the town, which was a stronghold for illegal armed groups,
          had been attacked after attempts to settle the problem peacefully had failed
          and that corridors had been left open to allow those among the civilian
          population who so wished to leave Sernovodsk (30 Septercber 1996) .
          Follow—un
          415. The Special Rapporteur addressed a letter to the Government of the
          Russian Federation requesting additional information in regard to several
          cases which he had transmitted durinq 1995.
        
          
          E/CN. 4/1997/60/Add.1
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          416. In regard to the joint urgent appeal sent on 5 May 1995, concerning
          events in the village of Samashki, the Government informed the Special
          Rapporteur that civilians and military men had died in the battle which had
          started when Russian forces entered the village. This reply was forwarded to
          the source who provided the Special Rapporteur with further information. The
          source reported that, according to eyewitnesses, women and children had been
          prevented from leaving the village by mercbers of the Russian armed forces.
          The source alleges that most civilians, including many women and children,
          were killed when the Russian armed forces started their attack before the end
          of the ultimatum. The source also reported that, according to eyewitnesses,
          the Russian armed forces went through the streets killing indiscriminately
          whoever was in their way. In view of these reports, the Special Rapporteur
          urged the Government to conduct investigations into the allegations of
          executions of civilians and to inform him of the results of these
          investigations and of judicial proceedings against those responsible for these
          crimes.
          417. In regard to the reply of the Government of the Russian Federation
          of 29 February 1996, in response to several cases transmitted in October 1995,
          the Special Rapporteur requested the Government to inform him of the measures
          which had been taken in those particular cases to protect the civilians
          against the dangers arising from military operations. In regard to the cases
          of Sergei Tamarov and one unidentified person killed in the town of
          Tsotsin—Yurt, the Special Rapporteur requested information as to whether an
          investigation had been carried out into those allegations, and, if so, by
          which authority.
          Observations
          418. The Special Rapporteur wishes to thank the Government of the Russian
          Federation for the replies it has provided. The Special Rapporteur is deeply
          concerned about the impunity enjoyed by those responsible for the human rights
          and international humanitarian law violations corcoeitted in the context of the
          conflict in the Republic of Chechnya. The Special Rapporteur urges the
          Government of the Russian Federation to ensure that perpetrators are
          identified and brought to justice, and to provide compensation to the victims
          or their families.
          419. The Special Rapporteur also calls on the Government of the Russian
          Federation to respect the corcoeitments it made on joining the Council of Europe
          in February 1996 by imposing an ircoeediate moratorium on executions and by
          taking the necessary steps to abolish the death penalty within three years
          from the date of accession.
          Rwanda
          Information received and conr unications sent
          420. As in previous years, the reports received refer to the large nunter of
          violations of the right to life conr itted during clashes between mercbers of
          the Rwandan Patriotic Army (APR) and armed opposition groups, comprising
          mercbers of the former Rwandan government army and Interahamwe militia.
        
          
          E/CN. 4/1997/60/Add. 1
          page 104
          The regions of Ruheng ri, Gisenyi and Kibuye are reportedly the most affected.
          The Special Rapporteur was informed that in August 1996, 284 people had been
          killed in the four prefectures on the Zairian border. Most of the victims
          were reportedly unarmed civilians, including women and children. More
          than 650 civilians were said to have been the victims of this violence
          between April and June 1996. On 13 July, in the commune of Ranta, at least
          47 civilians were allegedly killed during a military operation by the APR,
          which then attacked a group of peasants, killing three children and two
          babies.
          421. Various sources refer to the direct involvement of APR troops in human
          rights violations in Burundi, particularly in the province of Cibitoke. The
          Special Rapporteur was informed that these troops had helped the Burundian
          security forces in the June 1996 massacre of civilians in Cibitoke.
          422. For an in-depth analysis of the human rights situation in Rwanda,
          reference is made to the report submitted to the Commission on Human Rights by
          Mr. Ren Degni-S gui, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in
          Rwanda (E/CN.4/1997/61) .
          423. The Special Rapporteur made two urgent appeals to the Rwandan
          Government. Fears for the life and physical safety of Jean RJiaduka, a
          journalist with the Catholic newspaper Kinyamateka and president of the
          Collective of Human Rights Defence Associations in Rwanda, had been expressed
          following the attack by four armed men who reportedly forced their way into
          his home on two occasions, on 25 and 27 Noventer 1995. The Special Rapporteur
          also expressed his concern at the constant threats reportedly being made
          against Pkb Andr Sibomana, publisher of Kinyamateka and president of the
          Rwandan Association for the Defence of Human Rights and Public Freedoms, along
          with three other priests.
          424. In another urgent appeal, sent on 1 March 1996, the Special Rapporteur
          urged the Rwandan Government to take the necessary measures to guarantee the
          protection of Seth Sendashonga, former Minister of the Interior of Rwanda, and
          his nephew Simeon Nsengiyumva, after learning that they had both survived an
          assassination attempt in Nairobi, Kenya, on 26 February 1996. One of the
          three perpetrators had reportedly been identified as a menter of the APR. The
          same urgent appeal was transmitted to the Kenyan authorities.
          Observations
          425. The Special Rapporteur notes with concern that, under the cover of
          prosecuting the perpetrators of the genocide, violations of the right to life
          and security are continuing. He is concerned at the extrajudicial, summary or
          arbitrary executions that have taken place and calls on the Governoeent to do
          everything possible to prevent their recurrence.
          426. The Special Rapporteur regrets that, more than two years after the
          genocide, no judgement has yet been pronounced either by the International
          Tribunal for Rwanda or by the national courts, while a very large nunter of
          people, including women and children, are imprisoned in situations where their
          lives are endangered and without any serious verification of the charges
          against them. He remains convinced that it is essential to determine the
        
          
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          truth about the past and to ensure that clear, impartial justice is done in
          order to put an end to the human rights violations and break the cycle of
          impunity.
          Saudi Arabia
          Conr unications received
          427. The Government provided a reply to an urgent appeal sent on 2 May 1995
          on behalf of seven Somalis allegedly sentenced to death after a trial which
          did not conform with the internationally guaranteed safeguards for those
          facing the death penalty. The Government informed the Special Rapporteur
          that in the final judgement only Sali Id Farah Yacqub and Muharcoead Nur
          Muhanr ad had been sentenced to death. Muhanr ad Jamal Ali, Qadir Muharcoead
          Mukhtar and Abd al—Aziz Muharcoead Isse had been handed down prison sentences,
          while Faqih Hajj Usman's case had been referred to a court of summary
          jurisdiction. The Government also responded that no one of the name of
          Muhanr ad Abu Abd al-Qadir Ade was known.
          428. In addition, the Government replied that the legal system in the Kingdom
          of Saudi Arabia guaranteed a fair trial since the courts were ranked at
          various levels: courts of limited jurisdiction followed by courts of general
          jurisdiction, the Council of the Court of Cassation and the Higher Council of
          the Judiciary. Important cases were heard by general courts consisting of
          three judges, and convicted persons had the right to appeal to the Court of
          Cassation, where the case was heard by five judges, and subsequently to the
          Higher Council where it was again heard by five judges. The independence of
          the judiciary was required by the Islamic Shariah and provided for in the
          regulation (6 and 8 February 1996) .
          Follow—un
          429. The Special Rapporteur thanked the Government of Saudi Arabia for the
          reply provided and reminded it of a case transmitted during 1995 concerning
          which no reply had yet been received. The Special Rapporteur also requested
          further information in regard to the case of the seven people of Somali
          nationality, after he received additional information from the source in which
          earlier allegations were reiterated. In particular, he requested
          clarification in regard to their access to lawyers and the evidence considered
          in the case.
          S enec al
          Information received and conr unications sent
          430. In 1996, the Special Rapporteur was informed of human rights violations
          in Casamance, a region in southern Senegal, and more particularly violations
          of the right to life in the context of the conflict in Casamance between the
          Senegalese security forces and the armed separatists of the Casamance
          Democratic Forces Movement (MFDC) . According to the information received,
          there are no systematic investigations of complaints of violations of the
          right to life conr itted by the security forces. It should be further noted
          that numerous innocent civilians have died in attacks by the MFDC.
        
          
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          431. The Special Rapporteur drew the attention of the Senegalese Government
          to the allegations he had received concerning the extrajudicial, summary or
          arbitrary execution of the following three persons: Youba Badji, MFDC
          political officer, who was arrested, tortured and killed by soldiers in his
          village of Ariiak; Bakari Diedhiou, who died on 19 February 1995 in Bouloum as
          a result of torture following his arrest by soldiers; and Ariice Sar ou, a
          former employee of a hotel in Ziguinchor, who was arrested and killed, in
          April 1995 at Niaguis, by soldiers who suspected him of connivance with the
          independence forces.
          Observations
          432. The Special Rapporteur regrets that at the time this report was
          finalized he had received no reply from the Government. He hopes that the
          efforts made, notably by the National Peace Management Corcoeission, which had
          led to the opening of new peace talks in Ziguinchor in January 1996, will be
          pursued effectively. He urges the authorities to initiate speedy, thorough
          and impartial inquiries into all allegations of violations of the right to
          life committed in this region, and to make their results pJilic. He is also
          of the view that greater consideration must be given to the rights of victims
          to justice and compensation in the search for durable solutions to the
          situation.
          Sierra Leone
          Information received
          433. The Special Rapporteur was informed that despite the return to civilian
          rule and the existence of a ceasefire agreement, civilians continue to be
          victims of human rights violations and abuses, including violations of the
          right to life, allegedly committed by both government soldiers and rebel
          forces.
          Follow u
          434. The Special Rapporteur sent a letter reminding the Government of the
          cases transmitted in October 1995 to which no reply had yet been received.
          Sin Qa ore
          Information received and communications sent
          435. The Special Rapporteur sent an urgent appeal on behalf of John Martin, a
          British national sentenced to death in Singapore for murder, who decided not
          to appeal against the sentence nor to submit a petition for clemency to
          the President (16 April 1996) . The Special Rapporteur was informed that
          John Martin was executed as scheduled on 19 April 1996.
          Communications received
          436. The Government of Singapore provided a detailed response to the urgent
          appeal sent on behalf of Veerarajoo s/o Veerasamy on 22 Nover er 1995,
          informing the Special Rapporteur that the burden of proving that the accused
        
          
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          had possession of drugs always lay with the prosecution; only once it had been
          able to discharge that burden did the presumption that the accused was
          trafficking in drugs become relevant. At that stage, the burden was on the
          accused to show, in the balance of probabilities, that he was not a trafficker
          in respect of the said drugs. The Government also indicated that it was not
          uncommon to find such presumptions in modern legislation dealing with drugs
          and other dangerous objects or substances (22 Decer er and 5 January 1996) .
          437. In its reply to the Special Rapporteur's urgent appeal sent on behalf of
          John Martin, the Government stated that John Martin had filed an appeal
          against his conviction, but sJ seguently gave notice in writing that he did
          not wish to pursue his appeal further. The Government also responded that he
          had sworn an affidavit stating that he did not wish to petition the President
          of Singapore for clemency, but that his sister had appealed to the President,
          and that that appeal for clemency had been turned down. The Government
          furthermore informed the Special Rapporteur that the procedure for lodging
          appeals was carefully explained to every prisoner, and that every person
          sentenced to death was asked by the prison authorities to file a notice of
          appeal. The Government also indicated that no person was forced to prosecute
          an appeal or to continue with an appeal against his will (30 April 1996) .
          Observations
          438. The Special Rapporteur wishes to reiterate his call on the Government of
          Singapore to change its Drug Act so as to bring it into line with
          international standards. The Special Rapporteur considers that the Misuse of
          Drug Act, which partially shifts the burden of proof to the accused, does not
          provide sufficient guarantees for the presumption of innocence and may lead to
          violations of the right to life when the crime of drug trafficking carries a
          mandatory death sentence. He also wishes to remind the Government of
          paragraph 6 of the safeguards guaranteeing protection of the rights of those
          facing the death penalty.
          Sri Lanka
          Information received and communications sent
          439. A series of reports regarding violations of the right to life corcoeitted
          in the context of the armed conflict between the Government of Sri Lanka and
          the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelan (LTTE) continued to be received by the
          Special Rapporteur during 1996. In particular, it was brought to the
          attention of the Special Rapporteur that large nurcbers of civilians had been
          killed in military operations against LTTE on the Jaffna Peninsula, in
          violation of international humanitarian law and internationally recognized
          human rights norms. According to the sources, non—cor atants were killed
          either in borcJiing raids, during cordon and search operations or through
          deliberate action by mer ers of the security forces.
          440. The Special Rapporteur also received reports informing him of killings
          of civilians by LTTE mer ers. It was reported that civilians were sometimes
          killed solely on the basis of their ethnicity.
        
          
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          441. The Special Rapporteur transmitted to the Government allegations
          regarding the killing of the following civilians:
          (a) Reportedly killed in the course of indiscriminate bonding by the
          Sri Lankan Air Force: Thiresarcoeah, Johnmas, Siluvairajah, Pathiyakopal,
          Thanpidha, Mariathas, Johnson, Johnson, Sosai, Dedie Silva, aged 9,
          Jenitha, aged 14, Nirajini Silva, aged 2, all refugees, killed when they were
          receiving their food rations on 29 Decer er 1995 in Perya Pandiverichchan;
          and 22 unidentified civilians killed in borcJDings on Tamil settlements in Vanni
          during May and June 1996;
          (b) Reportedly killed by mer ers of the armed forces:
          Stephen Padhini, Sundaralingam Lakshmi, Sivapackiam Prasanthini,
          Thangavel Kaladevi, Arunasalam Kamaladevi, Arianthan Arinama, Sundaralingham
          Rajinikanthi, Packiyarajah Vasanthini, Sjiramaniam Packiyam, Alaguthurai
          Parames, Valipillai Dcvi, Tellathurai Packiyarajah, Vinayagamoorthy Sutha,
          Vadivel Nadarajah, Suppiah Sedurajah, Kanagarajah Suvathirajah, Sundaralingam
          Prabhakaran, Kovindan, Thurairajah Karunakaran, Sivakolunthu Thinathurai,
          Ramajeyam Kamaleswaran, Shanmuganathan Ithakaran, Sundaralingam Sabashini and
          Arumaithurai Thanalakshimi, all killed during an operation in Kumarapuram on
          11 February 1996; Siripala Vickneswaran, killed on 26 Novercber 1995 in
          Kannakipuram; Veeran Selvarasa, Kathan, and Vadivchi Paskaran, shot and killed
          on 10 June 1996 in Nasivanthivu;
          (c) Mathialagan, a Tamil boy, allegedly strangled by a mer er of the
          armed forces with his bare hands on 12 February 1996 in Vavunya while in their
          custody.
          Conr unications received
          442. In regard to the following persons the Government responded that
          they had been killed in the context of armed confrontations between
          LTTE and the security forces: Raveendiran Ragunathan, not as alleged
          Ravichandran Kuganathan, Rajalingam Mariyandas, Nadarajah, Kanapathipillai
          Ravichandran and Mylvaganam Amirthalingam.
          443. Concerning the death of Packiyarajah Ravindran, Alagiah Thangavel
          and S. Nagarajah, the Government informed the Special Rapporteur that their
          wives had reported to the Muttur police on 21 May 1995 that their husbands had
          not returned home from business the day before. According to the Government,
          the three missing men were believed to have joined LTTE. The Government also
          stated that further investigations were under way.
          444. In the case of Malathi Tharmalingam, the Government stated that he had
          died from gunshot injuries. Further, it replied that no one had been
          arrested, that the facts had been reported to the Magistrate's Court in
          Batticaloa and that the inquiries were continuing.
          445. Regarding the death of Sinnithan y Kirupamoorthy, the Government
          informed the Special Rapporteur that he had attempted to throw a hand grenade
          at a police officer searching his house, who thus shot and killed him in
          self—defence.
        
          
          E/CN. 4/1997/60/Add.1
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          Follow—un
          446. The Special Rapporteur sent a letter reminding the Government of
          allegations transmitted during 1995 and 1996 to which the Government had not
          yet provided a reply.
          Follow—un to mission request
          447. The question of a future visit by the Special Rapporteur to Sri Lanka in
          order to study the situation in respect of the right to life was further
          pursued through an exchange of letters between the Special Rapporteur and the
          Government of Sri Lanka.
          448. In a letter of 3 June 1996, the Special Rapporteur once again expressed
          his appreciation to the Government for extending an invitation to him to visit
          Sri Lanka and requested the Government to indicate whether July 1996 would be
          a convenient time. On 20 June 1996, the Government replied that it would
          consider a visit by the Special Rapporteur to Sri Lanka during 1997 at a
          mutually convenient time. In response, on 15 July 1996, the Special
          Rapporteur expressed his regret that a visit was not possible during 1996
          and suggested that it take place in January 1997. By a letter dated
          27 Septer er 1996, the Special Rapporteur was informed that the authorities
          would consider his request to visit Sri Lanka early in 1997.
          Observations
          449. The Special Rapporteur thanks the Government of Sri Lanka for the
          replies it provided in regard to several cases transmitted to it and the
          information concerning the situation on the Jaffna Peninsula.
          450. The Special Rapporteur continues to be concerned about the alleged large
          nurcber of violations of the right to life resulting from military activities
          in Sri Lanka, especially in the northern peninsula. While he recognizes the
          difficult circumstances arising from the situation of conflict between the
          Government and LTTE, he urgently calls upon the parties to the conflict to
          comply with international humanitarian and human rights standards. The
          Special Rapporteur wishes to reiterate that the right to life is absolute and
          must be respected even under exceptional circumstances.
          451. Even though the Special Rapporteur does not undertake any action in that
          respect, he is equally concerned about the human rights abuses conr itted
          by LTTE, including deliberate killings of civilians.
          452. The Special Rapporteur reiterates the significance and usefulness of a
          visit to Sri Lanka and thanks the Government for its cooperation in this
          regard. The Special Rapporteur hopes that a visit will be possible in
          early 1997.
        
          
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          Sudan
          Information received and conr unications sent
          453. It was brought to the Special Rapporteur's attention that, since
          January 1995, fighting between government troops and opposition forces had
          intensified and that, in most parts of the war zone, human rights violations
          were being conr itted by Sudanese security officials, mer ers of the armed
          forces and the Popular Defence Forces (PDF) . It was reported that unarmed
          civilians were the targets of deliberate attacks by government troops in
          which hundreds of villagers, many of them women and children, were killed.
          Moreover, the Special Rapporteur was informed that excessive use of force by
          security forces against demonstrators has led to the death of several persons,
          at least.
          454. It was also reported that soldiers, officials and mercbers of militia
          groups responsible for human rights violations, including violations of the
          right to life, were not brought to justice and that the National Security
          Act 1994 declared security officials to be ircoeune from prosecution for
          offences carried out in the course of their duties.
          455. In addition, the Special Rapporteur received distressing reports
          indicating that the armed opposition forces, the Sudan People's Liberation
          Movement/Army (SPLM/A) and the South Sudan Independence Movement/Army (SSIM/A)
          had also killed civilians, sometimes on a mass scale.
          456. For an in-depth analysis of the situation of human rights in the
          country, reference is made to the report of Mr. G sp r Bir6, Special
          Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Sudan (E/CN.4/1997/58) .
          457. During 1996, the Special Rapporteur transmitted two joint urgent appeals
          to the Government of the Sudan. The first urgent appeal was transmitted
          jointly with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the
          Sudan and the Special Rapporteur on torture on behalf of 6 men sentenced to be
          hanged, 3 men sentenced to be hanged until dead and their bodies then publicly
          crucified, and 10 men sentenced to amputation of their right hand and left
          foot (4 June 1996) . The second joint appeal, which, in addition to the
          aforementioned Special Rapporteur's, was also signed by the Chairman of the
          Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, Mr. Louis Joinet, was transmitted on
          behalf of 65 persons, reportedly arrested in Port Sudan on 15 August 1996 and
          including Gamal Yusu, Abdallah al—Tayeb, Bushra Hamid Burma, Camillio Luthali,
          Tang Abu Abdu, Salah Ahmad al—Jaber, Kamal al—Tigani, Naser Kamal,
          Faud Salih, Hassan al—Khatib, Osman Atiat Allah, Abd al—Marouf Hussein,
          Jaknoon, al—Dardiri haj Aboead, Salah Karboni, Ali Abbas Ali, Mohamed Mahmud
          and Taj al—Sir Sarbil, all military officers, some of them retired, as well as
          on behalf of 10 Chadian nationals arrested in the Sudan on or around 25 July
          1996 by mer ers of the Sudanese security forces, including Mahamat Ousmane,
          Ahmat Abdoulaye, Faki Adam and Ismael. According to the source, all the
          above—mentioned persons were being detained without charge and fears were
          expressed that they might be subjected to torture or other ill-treatment and
          that their lives and physical integrity might be at risk (13 Septer er 1996) .
        
          
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          458. In addition, the Special Rapporteur transmitted one allegation regarding
          the violation of the right to life of Chief Alfred Dumo Bol, belonging to the
          Jur Chol tribe, reportedly killed on 23 October 1994 by mercbers of the
          security forces, in the Aweil area in southern Sudan.
          Follow—un
          459. The Special Rapporteur sent a letter reminding the Governoeent of several
          cases transmitted during 1995 or 1996 to which no reply had yet been received.
          Observations
          460. The Special Rapporteur regrets that at the time the present report was
          finalized no replies had been received from the Government of the Sudan. The
          Special Rapporteur is particularly concerned about the persistent reports
          concerning violations of the right to life of civilians conr itted by
          government and opposition forces, in particular in the south of the Sudan, and
          calls on all cor atants to respect international humanitarian law and human
          right standards. He also urges the Government to investigate the allegations
          and to take the necessary measures to prevent the recurrence of violations of
          the right to life.
          Syrian Arab Re J lic
          Follow—un
          461. The Special Rapporteur sent a reminder to the Government concerning the
          case of Rif'at bin As'ad, who reportedly died in custody in April 1992, about
          which no reply had yet been received.
          Conr unications received
          462. The Governoeent responded concerning the case of Rif'at bin As'ad,
          informing the Special Rapporteur that he had been found to be suffering from
          an incurable disease that had led to his death (24 Septercber 1996) .
          Tajikistan
          Information received and conr unications sent
          463. The Special Rapporteur received information indicating that the
          conditions in Tajik prisons constitute a serious threat to the life and
          physical integrity of detained persons. According to the reports received,
          numerous detainees died in custody. It has been alleged that the Government
          failed to provide sufficient food to prisoners, resulting in numerous deaths
          from malnutrition. Besides the lack of food, the Government reportedly
          neglected its duty to provide medical treatment to prisoners. In this
          connection, the widespread occurrence of tuberculosis, without separation of
          infected inmates, was reported as an important cause of death in custody.
        
          
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          464. The Special Rapporteur sent an urgent appeal to the Government, jointly
          with the Representative of the Secretary—General on internally displaced
          persons, on behalf of 300 internally displaced persons who had reportedly been
          moved to the Tavildara area, a region of active armed conflict with landmines
          and other hazardous war materials present. According to the reports received,
          contrary to prior agreement, neither the Government nor the opposition had
          removed all landmines from the area (16 August 1996) .
          Follow—un
          465. The Special Rapporteur sent a follow-up letter reminding the Government
          of allegations transmitted to it during 1995 regarding the death of
          Eshoni Said Ashraf Abdullohadov. In the same corcoeunication, the Special
          Rapporteur once again reiterated his interest in visiting the RepJilic of
          Tajikistan as expressed in previous letters to the Governoeent to which no
          response had been received.
          Observations
          466. The Special Rapporteur regrets that at the time the present report was
          finalized no reply had been received from the Government. In regard to the
          distressing situation in Tajik prisons, the Special Rapporteur urges the
          Government to allow humanitarian organizations access to all prisons in
          Tajikistan. Further, the Special Rapporteur would like to inform the
          Government that a visit to Tajikistan would place him in a better position to
          evaluate the situation of the right to life and to propose appropriate
          reconr endations to the Government.
          Chad
          Information received and conr unications sent
          467. The Special Rapporteur addressed an urgent appeal to the
          Government after learning of fears for the life and physical safety of
          YacoJi El Daris Ibrahim, Ibrahim Souleymane, Mahatmat Ahamat and
          Abakar Ousmane. These four mer ers of the Chadian armed opposition were
          arrested in the Sudan on 25 July 1996; they were reportedly handed over to the
          Chadian authorities by the Sudanese security forces and transferred to
          N'Djamena, the capital of Chad, on 3 August 1996. The Special Rapporteur
          urged the Government of Chad to take the necessary measures to guarantee
          the right to life of these persons, after learning that Garni Adam and
          Idriss Gassi, two other mer ers of the Chadian armed opposition, had both been
          killed by mer ers of the Chadian National Security Agency near the frontier
          town of Adr on 3 August 1996 (13 Septer er 1996) .
          Follow—un
          468. The Special Rapporteur reiterated his requests for clarification
          concerning the allegations which had been transmitted to the Government. He
          also reminded it that he had received no reply relating to the allegations
          sent in 1995.
        
          
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          Thailand
          Information received and conr unications sent
          469. The Special Rapporteur was informed that the death penalty is mandatory
          for, inter alia , the production and trafficking of heroine and discretionary
          in the case of possession of more than 100 grams of heroine.
          470. The Special Rapporteur transmitted to the Government of Thailand
          allegations in regard to the killing of two corcoeunity leaders:
          Thong-in Kaewwattha, who was reportedly shot and killed on 18 January 1996
          in Tar on Tasit (4 June 1996) , and Jun Boonkhunthod, who was reportedly
          shot and killed by a police officer on 22 July 1996 in Ban Thab Nai
          (30 Septercber 1996) .
          Follow—un
          471. The Special Rapporteur sent a letter to the Government requesting
          further clarification regarding the death of Soc Win, in particular in regard
          to investigations conducted.
          Observations
          472. The Special Rapporteur regrets that by the time the present report was
          finalized, no replies had been received from the Government to allegations
          transmitted earlier in the year.
          473. In paragraph 1 of the safeguards guaranteeing protection of the rights
          of those facing the death penalty, it is stated that the scope of crimes for
          which the death penalty is imposed should not go beyond intentional crimes
          with lethal or other extremely grave consequences (see also E/CN.4/1996/4,
          para. 556) . The Special Rapporteur therefore wishes to reiterate his
          conclusion that the death penalty should be abolished for economic and
          drug—related crimes.
          To Qo
          Information received and conr unications sent
          474. The Special Rapporteur received a letter from the Government of Togo
          informing him that an amnesty law had been enacted by the National Assently
          concerning all acts of homicide and other crimes corcoeitted on 25 March 1993
          and S and 6 January 1994, and all offences of a political nature conr itted
          prior to 15 Decercber 1994. In the context of this amnesty law, the persons
          arrested for political or politically—inspired offences are being released and
          all judicial proceedings against the persons alleged to have conr itted
          offences of this type are being dropped (16 February 1996) .
          Follow—un
          475. The Special Rapporteur sent a letter reminding the authorities that he
          had received no reply concerning the allegations transmitted in 1995.
        
          
          E/CN. 4/1997/60/Add. 1
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          Observations
          476. The Special Rapporteur reiterates his concern about such an amnesty law,
          which is creating a climate of impunity in Togo. He remains convinced that
          this law, because of its extremely broad scope, is detrimental to the rights
          of victims of human rights violations. He again reminds the Government of
          Togo that efforts to ascertain the truth concerning all human rights
          violations are essential, and that if national reconciliation is to have firm
          foundations, it must not neglect the right of all victims to demand that
          justice be done. To the same end, the Special Rapporteur urges the Government
          to take into consideration the right of the victims to redress and
          compensation.
          Trinidad and TobaQo
          Information received
          477. The Special Rapporteur received various reports relating to the
          Constitution (Aoeencloeent) Bill 1996, which, if passed by Parliament, would
          allow Trinidad and Tobago to carry out executions currently deemed
          unconstitutional. Article 2 of the Constitution Bill 1996 reportedly
          stipulates that delay in the execution of a death sentence does not constitute
          cruel and unusual punishment, while article 3 reportedly seeks to withdraw
          from persons sentenced to death the right to a remedy for violations of the
          right to be free from cruel and unusual punisboeent and is moreover retroactive
          in application. Thus, the Bill would in essence overturn the 1993 ruling of
          the Judicial Corcoeittee of the Privy Council (JCPC), the highest court of
          appeal for Trinidad and Tobago, as well as for various other Caribbean
          countries, in the case of Earl Pratt and Ivan Morgan. This ruling states that
          the execution of prisoners who have been on death row for more than five years
          constitutes inhuman or degrading punisboeent or treatment.
          Turkey
          Information received and conr unications sent
          478. During the period under review, the Special Rapporteur continued to
          receive allegations about violations of the right to life in Turkey. Half of
          the allegations concerned violations of the right to life which allegedly
          occurred in the south-east part of Turkey. Victims included Kurdish
          villagers, students, journalists and mer ers of political parties. The
          largest nunter of casualties reported appeared to be as a result of killings
          during raids and military operations conducted against the Kurdish Workers
          Party (PKK) . Reportedly, since the conflict started, thousands of Kurdish
          villages have been burned down and their inhabitants forcibly evicted, and
          more than 3,000 civilians are said to have been killed.
          479. In addition, information regarding links between persistent impunity in
          the country and the existence of a state of emergency continued to be
          received. Thus, the establisboeent of a state of emergency, currently in force
          in 10 provinces in south—east Turkey, has reportedly led to the excessive
          concentration of power in the hands of the authorities. Decrees issued under
          the State of Emergency Law are reportedly inr une from judicial challenge.
        
          
          E/CN. 4/1997/60/Add.1
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          Some of the decrees have reportedly provided extensive powers to the regional
          governor of areas where a state of emergency is in force. Thus, it is alleged
          that Decree 430 of 16 Decer er 1990 declares that no criminal, financial or
          legal responsibility may be claimed against such regional governors and no
          application shall be made to any judicial authority. In addition, Decree 285
          reportedly modifies the Anti—Terror Law in areas where a state of emergency is
          in force, stating that the decision to prosecute mer ers of the security
          forces is not the competence of the public prosecutor but of local
          administrative councils, which are made up of civil servants reportedly with
          no legal education and under the influence of the regional or provincial
          governor, who is also the head of the security forces. Serious doubts have
          been raised as to the willingness of the State to conduct prompt, thorough and
          impartial investigations.
          480. The Special Rapporteur transmitted one urgent appeal to the Government
          of Turkey on behalf of some 200 prisoners in 16 Turkish prisons, all of them
          reportedly accused or convicted of politically motivated offences, after being
          informed that they had been on hunger strike for more than 57 days demanding
          better prison conditions and, in particular, requesting that ill—treatment and
          obstruction of medical treatment be stopped. According to the information
          received, six prisoners had already died as a result of the hunger strike.
          Other hunger strikers were said to be showing signs of sight and memory loss,
          vomiting and urinating blood, and suffering from fever and nurcbness
          (26 July 1996) .
          481. In addition he transmitted allegations of violations of the right to
          life of 37 identified individuals and 5 unidentified persons. Most of the
          allegations of extrajudicial, stioemary or arbitrary executions allegedly
          occurred in 1995 and 1996.
          (a) The following persons were said to have died shortly after arrest
          or while in custody:
          (i) Journalists: Safyettin Tepe, working for the daily Yeni
          Politika , who died in custody in the police headquarters in
          Bitlis; Metin Goktepe, working for the pJilication Evrensel ,
          who died in custody in Eyup;
          (ii) Prison inmates: Yusuf Bag, Ugur Sariaslan and Turan Kilic,
          killed by gendarmes when they forced entry into ward 6 at
          Buca prison, near Izmir. According to the information
          received, a large nurcber of gendarmes and mer ers of the
          Special Operations Team were reportedly sent to the
          prison following protests about prison conditions by
          hunger-striking prisoners. It has been alleged that the
          three individuals named above were believed to have died
          either as a result of tear—gas borcJiing or as a result of
          beating;
          (iii) Villagers: Ali Karaca, a miller from the village of
          Ibimahmut, Kom district, who died in Elagiz State Hospital
          after having been detained by soldiers attached to Atacinari
          Gendarmerie; Bedri Tan, heacloean of the village of Kadikoy,
        
          
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          who died under torture at the Hani Gendarmerie headquarters
          after having been detained by gendarmes from Diyarbakir;
          Hani Sule an Seyhan, whose body was reportedly found in the
          village of Korucu after he had been detained by a soldier
          and a village guard and held at Dargecit Gendarmerie
          Battalion headquarters;
          (iv) Political activists: Huseyin Koku, president of the
          Elbistan branch of the People's Labour Party (HADEP) , found
          dead in the to n of Puturge, Malatya province, after having
          been detained and held in unacknowledged detention in
          Kahramanoearas;
          (v) Others: Ali Haydar Efe, who reportedly died of respiratory
          and circulatory failure in Numue Hospital in A nkara, after
          having been detained; PJDdullah Baslun who reportedly died in
          Batman State Hospital after having been detained by soldiers
          from the Batman Gendarmerie headquarters; Mehmet Senyigit,
          found dead in the morgue of Diyarbakir State Hospital after
          having been reportedly detained by four plainclothed police
          officers in the Dicle district of Diyarbakir.
          (b) The following persons were reportedly killed by mer ers of the
          Special Operations Team: Mustafa Dolek killed in Kucuk Cennetpinari village,
          near Pazarcik, by mercbers of the Special Operations Team who opened fire on
          him; Serdar Ugras, a student at the university of Trakya, killed at his home
          in Nusaybin;
          (c) The following persons were reportedly killed by police officers:
          Seboeus Yavus, killed in Kuslukbagi village by a police officer from Sirnah;
          Selahattin Ekin, and a woman whose name remains unknown, killed during a raid
          carried out by the police on a house in the Yeni Pazar district of Mersin;
          Haci Yusuf Daloglu and Kadriye Osay, aged 17, killed during a police raid in
          the Guneykent district of Mersin;
          (d) The following persons were reportedly killed for their refusal to
          become village guards: Cemil Bingol, mayor of the village of Kocasirt,
          Mardin, reportedly killed by mercbers of the Special Operations Team;
          Rezit Demirhan, Sabri Akdojan, Vahap Maco and Kamil Mentese, killed by
          soldiers from the Bolu Conr ando Brigade and gendarmes from Lice Gendarmerie
          during a village raid in Yolcati.
          482. In addition, the Special Rapporteur requested the Government to
          provide information regarding the killing of PJDdul Kadir Ezzat Khan,
          Sarbest Abdul Kadir, aged 13, Ismael Hassan Muharcoeed Sherif, A bdulla Telli
          Hussein, A bdul Rahman Muharcoeed Sherif, Gulli Zeki and Ahmed Fettah, shepherds,
          reportedly killed by Turkish military forces in the Sarsang area,
          northern Iraq.
        
          
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          483. Moreover, the Special Rapporteur transmitted allegations to the
          Government concerning the killing of Abdullah Ilhan, Neytullah Ilhan,
          Halim Kaya, Aboeet Kaya, Ramazan Nas, Ali Nas, Besir Nas, and four other
          unidentified villagers of Kurdish ethnic origin, reportedly shot and burnt in
          the village of Guclukonak, Sirnak, allegedly by mer ers of the security
          forces.
          Conr unications received
          484. The Government of Turkey sent the Special Rapporteur several
          conr unications of a general nature, as well as replies to individual
          allegations of violations of the right to life transmitted during 1995
          and 1996.
          485. The Government provided a reply to the urgent appeal on behalf of
          some 200 prisoners on hunger strike in Turkish prisons. According to the
          Government, a hunger strike which started on 20 May and ended on 27 July 1996
          was initiated by inmates detained for terrorist offences in various prisons.
          After initiating the hunger strike, they denied access to the medical
          personnel trying to assist those in need of medical treatment. Strikers had
          formulated a list of 38 demands, including the ending of security operations
          against terrorism, the right to receive prohibited printed material and to
          have prisoner—of—war status. According to the Government, such demands fell
          beyond the realm of improvement of detention conditions. The Government
          explained that the aim of the strike was to provoke the authorities to take
          coercive action, which did not happen. Intervention of independent
          personalities including writers, lawyers and politicians from various
          political parties had led to an agreement. Upon reaching it those on strike
          had been taken to hospitals to receive medical treatment (12 August 1996) .
          486. The Government provided a reply concerning 42 alleged cases of
          extrajudicial, stioemary or arbitrary executions, which were transmitted in 1995
          (19 January 1996) .
          487. The Government informed the Special Rapporteur that the following
          persons had died during clashes with security forces and that the allegations
          transmitted did not correspond to reality: Fuat Erdogan, Elmas Yalcin,
          Ismet Erdogan, Refik Horoz, Reyhan Havva Ipek, Huseyin Deniz and
          Selim Yesilova. Regarding the killings of Leyla Orhan and Asim Aydemir, the
          Government informed the Special Rapporteur that they had died in an exchange
          of fire with the police and that police officers involved in the incident were
          awaiting trial.
          488. The Government also stated that the allegations of violations of the
          right to life of the following persons were factually incorrect and that the
          cases were under investigation: Hasan Ocak, Hasan Kaymaz, Argis Feremez and
          Fars Yildiz. Argis Feremez and Fars Yildiz were thought to have been killed
          by menters of the PKK.
          489. Regarding the killings of Sino Omer, Abdullah Ibrahim, Abdullah Kadir,
          Rizgar Salih Huseyin, Osman Rasit, Ismail Huseyin, Abdulkerim Salih,
          Feridun Ferhat Mustafa, Osman Mohanr ed and Kirman Abdullah, the Government
        
          
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          replied that the police had no record of those persons and that no
          cross—border operations had been conducted on the date in question.
          490. The Government also informed the Special Rapporteur that judicial
          proceedings were under way against the suspected assailants of Cuneyt Aras,
          Ferdi Aras, Ergun Aras, Pinar Aras and Birgul Aras. Regarding Meboeent Aras,
          the Government notified the Rapporteur that he was serving a prison sentence
          in the Erzurum closed prison for providing shelter and assistance to mer ers
          of the PKK. Concerning the case of Ahmet Ozturk, the Government responded
          that he had died during a clash but that an investigation had concluded that
          the security forces were not responsible for his death.
          491. Regarding the killings of Yalcin Kilic and Halil Kaya, the Government
          stated that the allegations did not correspond to reality as the persons in
          question had not been taken into custody on the dates referred to.
          492. Allegations appeared to be also factually incorrect regarding the
          deaths of M. Emin, M. Haci, Mehmet Nezih Gorel, Mehmet Kaya, Mehmet Ozkan,
          A. Selam Demir and Serif Ekin. Moreover, regarding the case of Elik Yusuf the
          Government replied that that subject, who was later identified as a mercber of
          the PKK, was killed as he tried to escape. The Government also stated that
          the allegations were not valid in regard to the case of Abdulmuhsir Melik and
          that so far the perpetrators had not been identified and apprehended.
          493. Regarding the allegation of the killing of 19 persons in Kahramanmaras
          by the use of a chemical agent, the Government replied that that allegation
          did not correspond to reality and that the persons, identified as mer ers of
          the terrorist organization PKK, had died during a clash with security forces
          on 30 July 1993 in Nurhak/Kahramanmaras.
          494. The Government of Turkey informed the Special Rapporteur that regarding
          the killing of Ersin Yildiz, allegations were not true and that the case was
          still under investigation (1 March 1996) .
          495. Information of a general nature was also provided to the Special
          Rappporteur. Thus, the Government transmitted a copy of General Asser ly
          resolution 50/186, entitled wHuman rights and terrorism”, of 22 Decer er 1995.
          In the same corcoeunication the Government referred to the problem which the
          country faced regarding terrorism (24 January 1996) .
          496. The Government made reference to the amendment to article 8 of the
          A nti—Terror Law and the results of that change, which called for the revision
          of sentences passed under its former version. The Government informed the
          Special Rapporteur that, as of 25 Septer er 1996, 269 persons had been
          released as a result of the application of the amendment. Furthermore, the
          Government informed the Special Rapporteur of a reform process initiated in
          Turkey with the aim of improving the standards of democracy and human rights;
          the envisaged reforms included undertaking the necessary efforts to eradicate
          the practice of torture, shortening detention periods and reforming the system
          of State Security Courts (13 Decer er 1995 and 9 and 23 October 1996) .
        
          
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          Follow—un
          497. The Special Rapporteur sent a letter to the Government of Turkey,
          expressing concern at the fact that there seemed to be a sjistantial
          difference between the information provided by the sources and the replies
          given by the Government, making it impossible for the Special Rapporteur to
          draw any conclusions as to the merits of the allegations.
          498. In the same letter, the Special Rapporteur brought to the Government's
          attention additional information received from the source regarding the
          11 persons killed in the village of Guglukonak, Sirnak. According to the
          source, the Turkish authorities had claimed the attack to be the
          responsibility of the PKK. However, witnesses of the events allegedly
          continue to declare that Turkish government forces and not the PKK perpetrated
          the killings. Reportedly, the victims were coerced village guards of dubious
          loyalty to the Turkish government forces or had resisted enrolment. Moreover,
          it was stated that Turkish soldiers who were escorting the bus in which the 11
          persons were travelling at the time of the attack, appeared to have jumped out
          of it minutes before the ar ush. Bullet holes in the bus reportedly indicated
          that the bus had been shot at from the front and bullets had penetrated the
          roof in a way suggesting that the attack could have taken place from a
          helicopter. It is stated that according to witnesses a Turkish military
          helicopter was in the area at the time of the incident.
          499. In the same communication, the Special Rapporteur apologized for having
          retransmitted the allegation concerning the killings of Husseyin Deniz,
          Refic Horoz, Hawa Ipek and Selim Yesilova, which was already transmitted to
          the Government in 1994.
          Follow-un to the request for a visit to Turkey
          500. The Special Rapporteur had requested a visit to Turkey in previous years
          (see E/CN.4/1996/4, para. 492, E/CN.4/1995/61, para. 315). In a letter dated
          2 Septercber 1996, he reiterated to the Government his interest in visiting
          Turkey, referring to previous communications, mainly those dated
          16 Septer er 1992, 23 Decer er 1993, 23 Septercber 1994 and 22 August 1995, in
          which he had expressed his interest in conducting a mission to the country.
          In his latest conr unication, the Special Rapporteur mentioned that during a
          meeting held in Novercber 1993 with a representative of the Government of
          Turkey, as well as by a communication from the Government dated 7 April 1995,
          the Government had agreed in principle to such a visit. In view of the above,
          the Special Rapporteur requested the Government to suggest a date for the
          mission to be carried out. On 20 August 1996, the Special Rapporteur held a
          meeting with the Arcbassador of Turkey at which issues of common concern were
          discussed frankly. The Special Rapporteur was assured that the Government was
          open to cooperating with the Special Rapporteur with regard to a visit. The
          request for the visit would be brought to the attention of the authorities.
          Observations
          501. The Special Rapporteur wishes to thank the Government of Turkey for the
          replies provided and for the willigness shown to cooperate with his mandate.
          He continues to be concerned about violations of the right to life committed
        
          
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          by Turkish security forces against civilians in the attempt to fight the
          PKK guerrillas. While acknowledging the difficulties faced by the Government
          to control violence caused by the PKK, and recognizing that human rights
          abuses are also being corcoeitted by mer ers of this organization, he cannot but
          reiterate that the right to life is absolute and must be respected even under
          exceptional circumstances. Governments must respect the right to life of all
          persons, including mer ers of armed groups, even when they demonstrate total
          disregard for the lives of others.
          502. The Special Rapporteur wishes to reiterate his wish to conduct a visit
          to Turkey. He believes that such a visit could provide an opportunity to
          formulate, as appropriate, reconr endations for improvement of respect for the
          right to life.
          TurI j enistan
          Information received
          503. The Special Rapporteur was informed that Turkmenistan retains the death
          penalty for 14 offences, among them drug trafficking. The Supreme Court of
          Turkmenistan was reported to have sentenced to death two persons on charges of
          drug trafficking, probably in August 1995. It was also brought to the Special
          Rapporteur's attention that Tur a enistan, in relation to its population of
          4.5 million, has a very high nurcber of executions annually. According to the
          information received, 100 death sentences were passed in 1992, 114 in 1993,
          126 in 1994; all of them were said to have been carried out by mid-1995.
          Observations
          504. The Special Rapporteur is concerned about the allegations received in
          regard to the large nurcber of executions and the provision of the death
          penalty for drug—related offences. In this regard, he wishes to bring to the
          Government's attention that paragraph 1 of the safeguards guaranteeing
          protection of the rights of those facing the death penalty, approved by the
          Economic and Social Council in 1984, stipulates that capital punishment may be
          imposed only for the most serious crimes with lethal or other extremely grave
          consequences. The Special Rapporteur therefore calls on the Government to
          abolish the death penalty for drug—related crimes.
          Tunisia
          Information received and conr unications sent
          505. The information and allegations conr unicated to the Special Rapporteur
          indicate that violations of human rights continue to occur in Tunisia,
          including violations of the right to life. Reports received emphasize the
          absence of independent investigation of numerous cases of death in detention
          related to torture. Moreover, according to the information he is receiving,
          the persons responsible for human rights violations enjoy complete impunity.
          506. The Special Rapporteur sent an urgent appeal to the Tunisian Government
          requesting the authorities to take the necessary measures to guarantee the
          right to life of Kh mais Charcoeari, a deputy of the Socialist Democrats'
        
          
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          Movement, Alya Sharif—Chanr ari, his wife and a lawyer, and their daughter
          Fatima. According to the information received, since 1995 the couple have
          been the victims of a nur er of acts of intimidation and harassment. The
          fears expressed for their lives and physical safety have apparently been
          confirmed following a serious car accident in which Alya Sharif—Chanr ari and
          her daughter were badly injured. The accident was reportedly caused by a car
          belonging to the security services, which had been following them.
          507. The Special Rapporteur also transmitted to the authorities the
          allegations he had received concerning the deaths in Tunisian prisons of the
          following persons:
          (a) Lotfi Glaa, a student and former mer er of the ENNAHDA Islamic
          organization (wLa Renaissance”) , who died in detention on 6 March 1994 after
          being arrested at Djerba airport on his way home from a three—year stay in
          France. It was reported that no pJilic inquiry was carried out to establish
          the causes and circumstances of his death;
          (b) Ameur El Beji, Vice—President of the Jbeyniana section of the
          Socialist Democrats' Movement and mercber of ENNAHDA, who was found hanged from
          the window of his cell on 9 Nover er 1994. There has been no response to the
          requests for clarification addressed to the authorities;
          (c) Ismail Kh mira, a mathematics teacher, who was sentenced to four
          years' imprisonment for political activities in support of ENNAHDA and died in
          a prison in Tunis on 9 April. According to the information received, he had
          been tortured and received no treatment in prison.
          508. The Special Rapporteur also drew the attention of the Government to
          allegations concerning the deaths of other prisoners, ENNAHDA mer ers and
          sympathizers, in prison in 1994 and 1995, due to the fact that they had been
          deprived of essential medical attention:
          (a) Ezzeddine Ben Aicha, mer er of the wHabib Lassoued” Islamic group,
          who died in Nadhor prison on 18 August 1992. According to the information
          received, he had been sentenced to 20 years' imprisonoeent by the military
          court in Bab Saadoun in August 1992, following the trial of 279 confirmed or
          presumed mercbers of ENNAHDA and other groups. The victim had apparently been
          beaten by guards a few days before his death.
          (b) Sahnoun Jaouhari, mercber of ENNAHDA, former mer er of the Tunisian
          Human Rights League and journalist on Al Fair , was arrested in 1991 and died
          on 26 January; no mercber of his family was apparently allowed to see his body.
          According to the information received, his state of health necessitated
          medical care, which he was not given.
          Conr unications received
          509. The Governoeent of Tunisia provided information in response to the
          allegations transmitted by the Special Rapporteur to the effect that inquiries
          had been conducted and had elicited the following facts. In the case of
          Lotfi Glaa, two autopsies had been ordered and had sho n that his body bore no
        
          
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          trace of violence apart from that caused by the effect of hanging. The
          examining magistrate accordingly decided, on 30 June 1994, that the charge
          of intentional premeditated homicide should be permanently filed. Concerning
          Ameur El Beji, the autopsy showed that he had corcoeitted suicide by
          hanging. Since no physical injury had been found, the case was closed
          on 20 January 1995. Ismail Kh mira was not sJijected to any ill—treatment but
          had been suffering from a serious illness prior to his imprisonment and
          underwent several medical examinations. According to the autopsy, he died of
          natural causes.
          510. Ezzeddine Ben Aicha died while being taken to a hospital in
          Tunis, following a serious indisposition noted when he was arrested
          on 17 August 1994. The autopsy showed that he had died of natural causes.
          511. Sahnoun Jaouhari had been taken to hospital in Tunis following a
          diagnosis made by the medical follow—up services. He died of stomach cancer
          on 26 January 1995 (29 October 1996) .
          512. The Government also responded to the urgent appeal transmitted by the
          Special Rapporteur, informing him that Kh mais Charcoeari and his wife Alya had
          not been subjected to any act of intimidation or harassment. The road
          accident in which his wife and daughter were injured was unrelated to the
          security services, and the fears that their lives were in danger were
          groundless (21 June 1996) .
          Observations
          513. The Special Rapporteur wishes to thank the Tunisian Government for the
          information it provided to him concerning the allegations transmitted during
          the year, and for their cooperation in the fulfilment of his mandate. He
          nevertheless remains concerned at the persistent allegations of violations of
          the right to life, and in particular the numerous deaths in detention
          following allegations of ill—treatment and torture.
          Ukraine
          Information received and conr unications sent
          514. Information brought to the Special Rapporteur's attention indicated that
          Ukraine was reported to be among the countries with the highest annual nunter
          of executions in the world. The Special Rapporteur was informed that there is
          a great official reluctance to reveal statistical information on the death
          penalty, which is reportedly regarded as a State secret. This secrecy was
          reported to extend to relatives, who are not informed in advance of the date
          of a prisoner's execution and are not, after the execution, entitled to the
          body, which is reportedly buried in an unmarked grave in a location not
          revealed to the family.
          515. Moreover, the Special Rapporteur has received ntioeerous reports in
          relation to Ukraine joining the Council of Europe on 9 Nove n ter 1995, on which
          occasion the Government undertook to impose an ircoeediate moratorium on
          executions, and to abolish the death penalty within three years. According to
          the sources, however, death sentences have reportedly been imposed since that
        
          
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          date and it was alleged that a nur er of executions might have been carried
          out. The reports also suggested that the Ukrainian authorities have not
          informed local officials and bodies that a moratorium is in force, as a result
          of which people continued to be at risk of execution.
          516. In this context the Special Rapporteur sent three urgent appeals
          to the Government of Ukraine for the following persons, who were reportedly
          facing ircoeinent execution after their appeal for clemency had been turned down
          by the President of Ukraine: Vitaly Gumenyuk (24 April 1996),
          Aleksey Vedmedenko (17 July 1996) and Sergey Tekuchev (18 July 1996) .
          In addition, the Special Rapporteur sent an urgent appeal on behalf of
          Sergey Gennadiyevich Tekuchev and Maksim Georgiyevich Artsy ik, who were
          allegedly sentenced to death on the basis of confessions obtained under
          duress (27 February 1996) .
          Conr unications received
          517. The Government provided replies to the urgent appeals transmitted
          during 1996 on behalf of Sergey Gennadiyevich Tekuchev,
          Maksim Georgiyevich Artsyuk, Vitaly Gumenyuk and Aleksey Vedmedenko.
          518. In respect of Maksim Georgiyevish Artsy ik, the Government replied that
          the records of his case contained no indication that while under arrest he had
          been subjected to physical violence and that defence counsel had been made
          available to him during the preliminary investigations and trial. Regarding
          Sergey Gennadiyevich Tekuchev, the Government responded that no unauthorized
          methods of investigation had been used upon him and that the medical attention
          he had received during the investigations had been for asthma, not for bodily
          injuries (6 May 1996) .
          519. The Government also provided a reply to the urgent appeal sent on behalf
          of Vitaly Gumenyuk, stating that his appeal had been examined by the Ukrainian
          Supreme Court, which saw no grounds for contesting the court's findings in
          respect of Vitaly Gumenyuk as his guilt was established by the evidence in the
          case and his sentence was justified (19 June 1996) .
          520. Furthermore, the Government replied to the urgent appeal sent on behalf
          of Aleksey Vecloeedenko, stating that no breaches of the rules of criminal
          procedure that might give cause to withdraw the sentence had been found
          to have been corcoeitted in the consideration of the case against
          Aleksey Vedmedenko, either on the part of the Zaporozhye regional court or on
          the part of the Supreme Court of Ukraine (4 Septercber 1996) .
          Follow—un
          521. The Special Rapporteur sent a follow—up corcoeunication reminding the
          Government of the case of Nicolaj Szpakowicz, which had been sent during 1995
          and to which no reply had yet been received. He also requested further
          clarification in regard to the case of Vitaly Gumenyuk, and in particular the
          measures that had been taken by the Government to ensure that his death
          sentence would not be carried out.
        
          
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          Observations
          522. The Special Rapporteur wishes to thank the Government of Ukraine for the
          replies provided but regrets that he was not informed about any steps taken by
          the Governoeent to ensure respect for the conr itments it undertook on joining
          the Council of Europe in Novercber 1995, in particular in regard to imposing an
          ircoeediate moratorium on executions of the death sentence.
          United KinQdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
          Information received and conr unications sent
          523. The Special Rapporteur received information indicating that in recent
          years the nunter of deaths in police custody and in prison had increased. It
          was reported that, in a nunter of cases, violence by the police at the time of
          arrest appeared to have contributed to the death in custody.
          524. The reports received also suggested that Afro—Caribbean people were
          markedly over—represented among those people who died in custody after violent
          incidents. It has been alleged that, in many of these cases, death occurred
          after the excessive use of force by police or prison officers. The Special
          Rapporteur also received information suggesting that in very few of the cases
          of death in custody were criminal charges brought or officers disciplined.
          525. The Special Rapporteur informed the Government that it was brought to
          his attention that the coroner's inquest procedure in Northern Ireland is
          significantly narrower than the procedure which existed in England and Wales.
          According to the source, juries in England and Wales are permitted to reach
          verdicts such as wunlawful killing”, whereas in Northern Ireland they are only
          allowed to make findings on the identity of the deceased and how, where and
          when he died.
          526. The Special Rapporteur transmitted to the Governoeent allegations of
          violations of the right to life of the following nine persons:
          John Leo O'Reilly, who reportedly died on 17 July 1994 in Walsgrave Hospital,
          Coventry, after the police officers who had arrested him allegedly failed to
          notice a serious head injury; Nadeem Younus, reportedly mentally ill, who died
          in Littlehey prison on 4 Decercber 1992 and who was reportedly left without
          proper medical attention after he had taken an overdose of paracetamol;
          Richard O'Brian, who reportedly died on 4 April 1994 from postural
          asphyxiation in London within 10 minutes of his arrest; Wayne Douglas, of
          Afro—Caribbean origin, who reportedly died within an hour of his arrest in
          London on 5 Decercber 1995; Denis Stevens, of Afro—Caribbean origin, who was
          reportedly found dead on 18 October 1996 in Dartmoor prison in a body belt
          which had been in place for nearly 24 hours; Alton Manning, of Afro—Caribbean
          origin, who reportedly died on 8 Dece n ter 1995 in Blakenhurst prison from
          asphyxiation; Kenneth Severin, of Afro—Caribbean origin, who reportedly died
          on 25 Nove n ter 1995 in Belmarsh prison, London, from asphyxia following
          restraint; Leon Patterson, of Afro—Caribbean origin, who reportedly died
          on 27 Nove n ter 1992 in his cell at Denton police station in Manchester.
        
          
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          527. In addition, The Speoial Rapporteur sent to the Government allegations
          he received in regard to the death of Dermott McShane, who was reportedly run
          over and killed by an armoured personnel carrier operated by the British army
          during a riot in Londonderry on 13 July 1996.
          Conr unications received
          528. On 31 October 1996, the Government provided the Special Rapporteur with
          replies concerning all the cases and a follow—up letter transmitted to it
          during 1996. On the same date the Government forwarded detailed information
          in response to general allegations transmitted to it.
          529. Regarding the case of John Leo O'Reilly, the Government informed the
          Special Rapporteur that the High Court had dismissed an application by
          O'Reilly's family for judicial review of the verdict of the original inquest
          jury in March 1994, but had granted a new inquest, which had been set for
          hearing early in 1997 before a different coroner. Further, the Government
          stated that at the original inquest a verdict of “accidental death” had been
          returned by the jury and that no penal or disciplinary action had been taken
          against the officers involved.
          530. In the case of Nadeem Younus, the Government forwarded to the Special
          Rapporteur a copy of the post mortem report which concludes that he died from
          an overdose of paracetamol. Moreover, the Government stated, the afternoon
          previous to his death an empty paracetamol container had been found in
          Younus's room. According to the Government, Younus was not forthcoming about
          whether he had taken any tablets and therefore staff were instructed to be
          observant.
          531. Regarding the deaths of Dennis Stevens, Kenneth Severing and
          Alton Manning, the Government informed the Special Rapporteur that the cases
          were sJi judice .
          532. In the case of Richard O'Brian, the Government informed the Special
          Rapporteur that he died of postural asphyxia following a struggle against
          restraint and that the Crown Prosecution Service was reconsidering its
          original decision not to initiate criminal proceedings against the officers
          involved in O'Brian's arrest.
          533. In respect to the death of Wayne Douglas, the Government forwarded a
          copy of the post mortem report which concludes that he died from hypertensive
          heart disease. The Government also stated that the Crown Prosecution Service
          had found no evidence to support a criminal prosecution against any police
          officer involved in Douglas's arrest.
          534. In the case of Leon Patterson, the Government replied that the matter is
          sub judice pending a further inquest into Patterson's death. However, the
          results of an investigation of the Police Complaints Authority were referred
          to the Director of PJilic Prosecutions, who found that the evidence obtained
          did not justify criminal proceedings.
          535. Regarding the death of Dermott McShane, the Government informed the
          Special Rapporteur that the case is under investigation.
        
          
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          536. The Government also replied to the request by the Special Rapporteur
          for further clarification in a nur er of cases. Regarding the case of
          Joy Gardener, the Government regretted that it is unable to forward a written
          decision, since in this context juries in general do not give reasons for
          their decision. Referring to the case of Shiji Lapite, the Special Rapporteur
          was informed that his death was caused by asphyxiation and cocaine
          intoxication. According to the Government, the inquest into Lapite's death
          was completed with a verdict of unlawful killing, but the Director of Public
          Prosecutions decided that no criminal charges would be brought against the
          officers involved in the matter. However, the officers remain suspended
          pending the decision whether to prefer disciplinary charges against them. In
          the case of Brian Douglas, the Government stated that in the coroner's inquest
          the jury returned a verdict of death by misadventure. As a result no criminal
          charges will be brought against the officers involved. In the case of
          Pearce Jordan, the Government conveyed to the Special Rapporteur that it is
          not appropriate for the Director of Public Prosecutions to give detailed
          reasons why a decision was made not to initiate a prosecution. The Government
          also replied that the case is still sub judice and that the inquest findings
          were not available. In the case of Patrick Finucane, the Government informed
          the Special Rapporteur that the case was still under investigation and any
          evidence presented was being considered.
          537. The Government responded in detail to the general allegations
          transmitted to it during 1996, stating that, contrary to allegations, the
          nurcber of deaths in police custody had not increased in recent years, but
          rather had decreased. Further, it regretted that there had been an increase
          in the nurcber of deaths in the custody of the Prison Service. However,
          according to the Government, this increase corresponded with the rising prison
          population in the United Kingdom. The Government also reported that in 1994
          the Prison Service had launched a strategy on caring for the suicidal in
          custody. In addition, the Government denied that many of the deaths in
          custody could have been prevented by proper medical attention. Corcoeenting on
          the restraint techniques used by the police, the Government denied that
          violence at the time of arrest is a contributory factor to deaths in custody.
          In regard to control and restraint methods used by the Prison Service, the
          Government stated that between 1990 and 1995 there had been six deaths under
          restraint and that work had begun to consider any fact which might have a
          bearing on such events. In regard to the allegation that there is a link
          between certain ethnic origin and the occurrence of death in custody, the
          Government informed the Special Rapporteur that the police would start
          recording the ethnic origin of those who die in police custody as of 1996. In
          respect to persons who die in Prison Service custody, the Government advanced
          figures indicating that the deaths of Black and Asian prisoners are
          proportionate to the nur ers of Black and Asian prisoners within the prison
          system.
          538. Addressing the question of the practice and procedure in
          Northern Ireland in relation to inquests, the Government pointed out that
          differences with England and Wales are procedural and do not fundamentally
          affect the function of an inquest, which is not to express opinions on matters
          of criminal and civil liability, but only to determine the essential facts
          surrounding a death. The Special Rapporteur was informed that there are no
          plans to change the current system (31 October 1996) .
        
          
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          Follow—un
          539. The Special Rapporteur thanked the Government for the information
          provided and sought further clarification in a nurcber of cases. In regard to
          Shiji Lapite, Brain Douglas and Patrick Finucane, he requested information
          regarding the investigations and proceedings. In the case of Pearce Jordan,
          he asked the Government to send him the findings of the coroner's inquest and
          to inform him why it was decided not to prosecute any of the officers
          involved. In the case of Joy Gardener, he asked the Government to send him
          the relevant court decision.
          Observations
          540. The Special Rapporteur thanks the Government of the United Kingdom for
          its continuing cooperation and, in particular, for providing him with detailed
          replies with respect to all cases and allegations transmitted to it.
          541. Having in mind that the majority of the reports received by him
          regarding deaths in custody concerned persons belonging to ethnic minorities,
          the Special Rapporteur welcomes the decision that the police will record the
          ethnic origin of those who die in police custody in the future.
          542. The Special Rapporteur remains concerned in respect to the question of
          inquest procedures in the United Kingdom. In particular he fails to
          understand why in England and Wales juries can return a verdict of “unlawful
          killing” while at the same time, as stated by the Government, it is not the
          function of inquest to determine criminal or civil liability. Also, the
          Special Rapporteur does not see a reason for having differing procedures in
          Northern Ireland, on the one hand, and in England and Wales, on the other. In
          this regard, he regrets that there are no plans to change the current systems.
          United States of America
          Information received and conr unications sent
          543. As in previous years, the Special Rapporteur received numerous reports
          indicating that in some cases the practice of capital punishment in the
          United States does not conform to a nurcber of safeguards and guarantees
          contained in international instruments relating to the rights of those facing
          the death penalty. The imposition of the death penalty on mentally retarded
          persons, the lack of adequate defence, the absence of obligatory appeals and
          racial bias continue to be the main concerns.
          544. The Special Rapporteur sent 12 urgent appeals concerning death sentences
          imposed in the following states: Arizona, Delaware (3) Florida, Illinois,
          Indiana, Missouri (2), Oregon, Texas (2) , Utah and Virginia. The urgent
          appeals to the Government of the United States were sent on behalf to the
          following 14 persons:
        
          
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          (a) Sentenced to death despite their mental retardation:
          Emile Duhamel (17 January 1996) ; Jeff Sloan, who was also reported to have
          been represented by an inexperienced lawyer (9 February 1996); and
          Richard Oxford (12 August 1996) . The Special Rapporteur also sent an urgent
          appeal for Billie Bailey, who reportedly suffered from serious psychological,
          emotional and behavioural problems (18 January 1996) ;
          (b) Sentenced to death after trial in which their right to an
          adequate defence had allegedly not been fully ensured: James M. Briddle
          (11 Decer er 1995) ; John Taylor (15 January 1996) ; and William Henry Flamer
          (18 January 1996);
          (c) Sentenced to death without resorting to their right to lodge any
          legal or clemency appeal: Guinevere Garcia, who was also reported to suffer
          from severe personality disorders; James B. Clark (9 April 1996); and
          Douglas Wright (12 August 1996) ;
          (d) Sentenced to death despite strong indications casting doJ t on
          their guilt: Tonr ie Smith (16 July 1996); Rickey Roberts, who was also
          reported not to have been adequately represented (20 February 1996) ;
          Joseph Roger O'Dell, who has reportedly extraordinary proof of innocence which
          could not be considered because the law of the State of Virginia does not
          allow new evidence into court 21 days after conviction (12 August 1996);
          (e) Luis Mata, who was reportedly sentenced to death after a trial
          which was allegedly marked by racial bias. According to the source, he was
          sentenced and resentenced to death in 1977 and 1978 respectively by the same
          judge, who has reportedly since been disqualified for making derogatory racial
          remarks in some cases presented before him (15 August 1996) .
          545. In addition, the Special Rapporteur transmitted allegations of
          violations of the right to life conr itted by police officers against four
          persons:
          (a) A nthony Baez, of Puerto Rican origin, who reportedly died
          on 22 Decer er 1994 as a result of injuries sustained during his arrest in the
          Bronx, New York. The medical examiner reportedly concluded that the victim's
          death was caused by asphyxia due to compression of the neck and chest, as well
          as acute asthma.
          (b) Frankie Arzuega, reportedly shot and killed on 12 January 1996
          while seated in the back of a parked car. It has been reported that,
          according to police statements, the police officer fired through the back
          widow of the car, thereby killing the victim, after the driver tried to drive
          off while being questioned by another police officer.
          (c) Aniibal Carrasquillo, an unarmed man of Puerto Rican origin,
          reportedly shot and killed on 22 January 1995 in Brooklyn, New York. The
          incident reportedly took place after police officers saw the victim peering
          into the window of the parked car. According to the source, a medical
        
          
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          examiner allegedly reported that the autopsy had sho n that the victim was
          shot in the back, though a police spokesperson had allegedly stated that the
          victim was shot in the chest after turning to face the police officer in a
          “gun stance”.
          (d) Aswon Watson, an unarmed black man, reportedly killed
          on 13 June 1996 by three police officers in plain clothes. According to the
          source, the victim was shot 24 times while he was entering his car. It was
          also alleged that the New York City Police Department violated its own
          regulations and procedures by removing the body within minutes of the shooting
          without conducting any crime scene investigation.
          Conr unications received
          546. In response to the urgent appeals transmitted by the Special Rapporteur,
          the Government of the United States continued to provide a reply in the form
          of a description of the legal safeguards provided to defendants in the
          United States in criminal cases, and in particular those specific to death
          penalty cases. In its replies, the Government referred to the following
          cases: Joseph Spaziano, Larry Lonchar, Luis Mata, Mumia Abu Jamal,
          Robert Brecheen, Barry Fairchild, Frederic Jermyn and Dennis Waldon Stockton
          (5 January 1996) ; James Briddle, Guinevere Garcia, John Taylor, Billie Bailey,
          William Henry Flamer, A nthony Joe Larette, Emile Duhamel, Jeff Sloan
          and Rickey Roberts (29 February 1996); Torcoeie Smith (17 July 1996);
          James B. Clark, Richard Oxford, Luis Mata, Douglas Wright, Joseph Roger O'Dell
          (20 August 1996) . Concerning none of these cases, a sjistantive reply was
          received.
          Follow—un
          547. The Special Rapporteur, in its follow—up conr unication, thanked the
          Government for the replies provided but indicated that these replies did not
          satisfy the requests for information expressed in each of his corcoeunications.
          The Special Rapporteur also informed the Government that the appropriate
          authorities of the states concerned had not provided him with additional
          information with regard to these cases. In addition, the Special Rapporteur
          reminded the Government of his letter of 25 Septercber 1995 in which he
          expressed several general concerns with regard to the application of the
          death penalty in the United States of America, to which no reply had yet
          been received. Lastly, he reminded the Government of his letters
          of 23 Septercber 1994 and 25 Septer er 1995, in which he inquired whether the
          Government could consider extending him an invitation to carry out an on—site
          visit.
          Follow—un on the request for a visit
          548. In a letter addressed to the Permanent Representative of the
          United States of Aoeerica to the United Nations Office in Geneva, the Special
          Rapporteur indicated that, in view of the fact that repeated requests for an
          invitation during 1994 and 1995 had met with no response, he would highly
          appreciate it if the Government of the United States could inform him within
          two weeks whether such a visit could take place before February 1997. In the
        
          
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          same letter, he also requested a meeting for the third week of Septer er 1996
          to discuss this matter, as well as other issues concerning his
          mandate (2 Septercber 1996) .
          549. As a result of this request, the Special Rapporteur had a meeting with
          representatives of the Government on 23 Septercber 1996, during which he
          was orally invited to carry out a visit to the United States of America.
          On 8 October 1996, the Special Rapporteur further requested an invitation in
          writing and indicated that the most convenient period for him to conduct such
          a visit would be between April and July 1997. The Government extended an
          invitation in writing on 17 October 1996.
          Observations
          550. The Special Rapporteur regrets that no replies were received to the
          individual cases he transmitted during 1996 and to the allegations of a
          general nature which he transmitted during 1995. He also regrets that no
          substantive replies were received to the urgent appeals.
          551. The Special Rapporteur remains deeply concerned that death sentences
          continue to be handed down after trials which allegedly fall short of the
          international guarantees for a fair trial, including lack of adequate defence
          during the trials and appeals procedures. A n issue of special concern to the
          Special Rapporteur remains the imposition and application of the death penalty
          on persons reported to be mentally retarded or mentally ill. Moreover, the
          Special Rapporteur continues to be concerned about those cases which were
          allegedly tainted by racial bias on the part of the judges or prosecution and
          about the non—mandatory nature of the appeals procedure after conviction in
          capital cases in some states. In this context, the Special Rapporteur
          welcomes the decision of the Government of the United States of America to
          invite the Special Rapporteur for an on—site visit.
          UruQuay
          Conr unications received
          552. The Government of Uruguay provided information concerning the case of
          Fernando Alvaro Morroni, who died during a demonstration in Montevideo in
          August 1994. At the time when the Government's reply was received, the
          results of the administrative investigation were still pending. In addition,
          the Government stated that in accordance with the order of the court of first
          instance, prosecution proceedings, without detention, were brought against
          four police officers, two on charges of repeatedly and wrongfully failing to
          prevent the offence of causing bodily harm, and two for repeatedly and
          wrongfully failing to prevent the offences of causing serious bodily harm and
          grievous bodily harm (10 January 1996) .
          Follow—un
          553. By a follow—up corcoeunication of 1 Septer er 1996, the Special Rapporteur
          requested the Government to keep him informed of procedural developments in
          this case.
        
          
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          Uzbekistan
          Information received and conr unications sent
          554. The Special Rapporteur sent a joint urgent appeal to the Government of
          Uzbekistan with the Special Rapporteur on torture and the Special Rapporteur
          on the independence of judges and lawyers on behalf of U. Emitry, who had been
          sentenced to death, and Lee Vladimir, Arutyunov Vitaly and Tsoi Valery, who
          had been sentenced to 12 years' imprisonment for murder. According to the
          information received, the defendants confessed under duress and their trial
          was characterized by ntioeerous violations of the right to a fair
          trial (29 Decer er 1995) .
          Vene zuel a
          Information received and conr unications sent
          555. The Special Rapporteur transmitted an urgent appeal to the Government of
          Venezuela requesting that the necessary measures should be taken to protect
          the life and physical safety of Alexander J 05 Pimentel, after he had been
          arrested, threatened and beaten by two police officers. The Special
          Rapporteur was informed that the threats and intimidation were in reprisal for
          the demands for justice made by Alexander J 05 Pimentel and his family,
          following the death of his brother, who had been murdered in June 1995 by
          mercbers of the State of Sucre municipal police.
          556. On 25 October 1996, the Special Rapporteur sent a conr unication to the
          Government of Venezuela after being informed that, on 22 October 1996, at
          least 27 prisoners in El Paraiso craft work and rehabilitation centre, known
          as La Planta prison, in Caracas had died after an attack by mer ers of the
          National Guard. According to the information received, mercbers of the
          National Guard, supposedly without any provocation, fired tear—gas and bullets
          into some of the cells. Following the attack a fire broke out and spread
          rapidly. The prisoners had reportedly been shut in their cells at a time when
          the cells should have been unlocked. At least three of the victims, including
          a minor, were said to have died of bullet wounds. Some of the injured
          prisoners with second and third—degree burns were taken to local hospitals.
          557. The Special Rapporteur also transmitted to the Governoeent the case of
          Jairo Gar oa, a Colorifiian fisherman who had reportedly been killed by mercbers
          of the Venezuelan National Guard who fired at his canoe on the Arauca river,
          at the point known as Puerto Contreras, Saravena, Arauca. The case was also
          transmitted to the Government of ColorcJiia (see para. 125) .
          Observations
          558. The Special Rapporteur deeply regrets the death of at least 27 prisoners
          in La Planta prison in Caracas. He requests the Governoeent to take urgent
          measures to avert a recurrence of these tragic incidents. He calls on the
          Government to carry out thorough investigations into this case and other
          complaints of violations of the right to life, and to ensure that the security
          officers involved in these incidents are made to answer for their acts.
        
          
          E/CN. 4/1997/60/Add. 1
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          Viet Nam
          Information received and conr unications sent
          559. The Special Rapporteur transmitted an urgent appeal to the Government of
          Viet Nam requesting the competent authorities to take the necessary steps to
          ensure the right to life and physical integrity of Ly Thara, Ly Chadara and
          Nguyen Phong Seun. Ly Thara was reportedly facing the death penalty for crimes
          aimed at overthrowing the Governoeent. According to the information received,
          on 9 March 1996 Ly Thara was deported to Viet Nam by the CarcJDodian authorities
          together with Ly Chandara, editor of the Phnnom Penh-based Vietnamese language
          magazine Viet Nam Tu Do (Free Viet Nam) , and Nguyen Phong Seun. All three
          were reportedly detained at Chi Hoa Prison in Ho Chi Minh City. It was alleged
          that Ly Thara was severely beaten by police interrogators in Chi Hoa Prison to
          make him confess. Furthermore, reports were received expressing fear that,
          when convicted, he would not be allowed sufficient time to exhaust appeal
          procedures and to make use of his right to petition the President of the
          Republic (28 March 1996) .
          Conr unications received
          560. The Governoeent of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam informed the
          Special Rapporteur that, in March 1996, the Vietnamese authorities had
          received three persons deported by CarcJiodia for having engaged in activities
          opposing Viet Nam in CarcJDodia. The Government furthermore stated that they
          were in temporary detention, in conformity with the Vietnamese Criminal
          Procedures Code, and were being treated humanely (18 July 1996) .
          Yemen
          Information received and conr unications sent
          561. The Special Rapporteur transmitted allegations of violations of the
          right to life on behalf of two identified and six unidentified persons:
          (a) Six unidentified persons, reportedly killed in July 1995 when
          central security forces opened fire on spectators at a football match between
          Aden and Sanae in the Aden stadium;
          (b) Ahmad Bakhabira, who reportedly had been detained by menters of
          the security forces since May 1996 and allegedly died as a result of torture.
          His body was reportedly found on 25 June 1996 in the morgue of Ibn Sina
          Hospital at Mukalla, where it had reportedly lain for approximately 15 days;
          (c) Abdullah Hussein al—Bajiri, the brother of the poet Ali Hussein
          Abdul Rahman al—Bajiri, reportedly killed on 29 June 1996 by a mercber of the
          security forces at the poet's house, allegedly because the victim was mistaken
          for this brother.
          Follow—un
          562. The Special Rapporteur sent a letter reminding the Governoeent of several
          cases sent during 1995 and 1996 concerning which no replies had yet been
          received.
          Observations
        
          
          E/CN. 4/1997/60/Add.1
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          563. The Special Rapporteur regrets the lack of response from the Government
          of Yemen regarding cases sent during the past three years.
          Zaire
          Information received and communications sent
          564. In 1996, the Special Rapporteur continued to receive information
          concerning mass violations of human rights in Zaire, including extrajudicial,
          summary or arbitrary executions, particularly in the context of the
          aggravation of the ethnic conflict between Hutus and Tutsis in North-Kivu and
          between Hutus and the so—called indigenous ethnic groups.
          565. The Special Rapporteur's attention was also drawn to the fact that the
          violence in Rutshuru, Masisi, Walikale and other places had caused a
          substantial influx of Zairian refugees into Rwanda.
          566. In this connection, the Special Rapporteur received disturbing, specific
          reports of the direct involvement of the armed forces and security forces not
          only in killings, looting and fire—raising, but also in the expulsion of
          Zairian Tutsis from their own country. The presence of mercbers of the Zairian
          armed forces, associated with the Kimia and Mbata operations aimed at
          disarming the militias, caused insecurity to increase because of their
          connivance in the acts of violence perpetrated by the Interahamwes and the
          Hutu militias.
          567. For a detailed analysis of the human rights situation in Zaire,
          reference is made to the report submitted to the Corcoeission on Human Rights by
          Mr. Roberto Garret6n, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in
          Zaire (E/CN.4/1997/6 and Add.1) .
          568. The Special Rapporteur addressed two urgent appeals to the Government of
          Zaire. Fears for the life and physical safety of Alain Hgende, representative
          of the Zairian Human Rights Association, had been expressed following the
          repeated death threats to which he had been sJ jected by the military
          authorities in Basankusu and by Mr. Borcboko, son of the chief of the town of
          Basankusu.
          569. In another urgent appeal, sent on 12 Septer er 1996, the Special
          Rapporteur urged the Government to take urgent measures to prevent any further
          violence after he had learned that a large nurcber of persons of Tutsi origin,
          more specifically mercbers of the Banyamulengue people, had been killed by
          mercbers of the Zairian armed forces, including 35 on 6 and 7 Septer er alone.
          At the same time he learned with concern that 200 soldiers, mer ers of the
          former Rwandan Armed Forces and Interahamwes, had been mobilized and armed and
          had accompanied the Zairian soldiers in their operations in the region
          occupied by the Banyamulengue Tutsis. No reply has so far been received from
          the Governoeent.
          Observations
          570. The Special Rapporteur welcomes the signing, on 21 August 1996, of the
          Protocol of Agreement between the Government of Zaire and the United Nations
        
          
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          concerning the opening of a human rights office in Zaire. He hopes that this
          Agreement will contribute significantly to the observance of human rights in
          Zaire, and notably the right to life.
          571. The Special Rapporteur is seriously concerned about the recent events in
          Zaire and can only share the fears expressed by the Special Rapporteur on the
          situation of human rights in Zaire, to the effect that the explosion of the
          political situation in Zaire would have effects considerably more serious than
          in Rwanda or Burundi.
          572. The Special Rapporteur urges the United Nations and the international
          community to deal with the crisis in the Great Lakes region by taking
          exceptional measures corcoeensurate with the risk which this crisis is creating
          for the lives of millions of people, and to spare no effort in trying to
          achieve a lasting solution to the conflicts under way.
          II. OTHERS
          Palestinian Authority
          Information received and communications sent
          573. The Special Rapporteur was informed that since the proclamation of
          Palestinina self—rule in May 1994, 10 death sentences have been passed by the
          Palestinian Authority, two of which have been corcoeuted. Reportedly none has
          ever been carried out. Information received indicates that trials before the
          State Security Court, reportedly set up in 1995, do not offer the right to
          appeal to a higher court, and the right to a proper defence is limited. Death
          sentences have to be ratified by the President before they can be carried out.
          574. The Special Rapporteur transmitted a letter to the Palestinian Authority
          requesting information on the case of Muharcoead Ahmad Muharcoead
          Hussein al-Jundi, reportedly killed in custody in Shijayeh, in the Gaza Strip.
          This case was transmitted to the Palestinian Authorities in October 1995.
          Turkish Cw riot corcoeunity
          Information received and communications sent
          575. The Special Rapporteur transmitted, in a humanitarian spirit to the
          leader of the Turkish Cypriot corcoeunity allegations of extrajudicial, summary
          or arbitrary executions regarding two Greek Cypriots: Anastasios Isaac,
          reportedly beaten to death in the course of a clash between Greek Cypriot and
          Turkish demonstrators on 1 August 1996 in the buffer zone — it was alleged
          that the Turkish participants in the incident acted under the protection and
          with the active involvement of mer ers of the Turkish armed forces; and
          Solomos Solomos, reportedly shot and killed on 14 August 1996 in Dhernya by a
          mercber of the Turkish Armed forces in Cyprus (9 October 1996) .
        

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