Aadel Collection
Report of the Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, Leandro Despouy, submitted in accordance with Commission on Human Rights resolution 2003/43
UNITED NATIONS E Economic and Social Distr. ouncu GENERAL EICN.4/2004/60/Add. 1 4 March 2004 ENGUSH/FRENCH/SPANTSH COMMTSSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS Sixtieth session Item 11 of the provisional agenda CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGhTS, INCLUJ)ING TILE QUESTIONS OF: INDEPENDENCE OF THE JUDICIARY, ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE, IMPUNITY Report of the Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, Leandro Despouy, submitted in accordance with Commission on Human Rights resolution 2003/43 Addendum Situations in specific countries or territories * * The present document is being circulated in the languages of submission only as it greatly exceeds the page limitations currently imposed by the relevant General Assembly resolutions GE. 04-11506
E/CN. 4/2004/6 0/Add. 1 Page 2 Contents Paragraphs Page Introduction 1 - 5 3 Algeria 6 3 Argentina 7- 10 4 Belarus 11 5 Bolivia 12- 14 5 Brazil 15 6 China 16-19 6 Colombia 20 7 Cuba 21-22 8 Egypt 23-26 8 Guatemala 27-33 10 Haiti 34-35 11 Honduras 36-37 12 India 38 13 Indonesia 39 - 42 13 Iran (Islamic Republic of) 43 - 46 15 Israel 47- 50 17 Lebanon 51-52 18 Liberia 53 18 Malawi 54 18 Mauritania 55- 56 19 Mexico 57-65 19 Nicaragua 66 22 Saudi Arabia 67 - 69 23 Serbia and Montenegro 70 - 71 23 Sri Lanka 72 - 74 24 Sudan 75 - 80 25 Swaziland 81 - 82 27 Syrian Arab Republic 83 - 86 27 Tajikistan 87 28 Tunisia 88 - 91 29 Turkey 92 - 94 30 Turkmenistan 95 - 98 31 Uganda 99 32 United States of America 100- 109 32 Uruguay 110-113 35 Uzbekistan 114-118 36 Venezuela 119 38 VietNam 120-121 38 Yemen 122-123 39 Zimbabwe 124-127 39 Palestinian Authority 128 41
E/CN.4/2004/60/Add. 1 Page 3 Introduction 1. The present report contains summaries of the urgent appeals and communications transmitted to governmental authorities between 1 January and 31 December 2003, as well as replies received during the same period. In addition, the report contains summaries of the press releases issued during the current reporting period. Due to restrictions on the length of the report, the Special Rapporteur has been obliged to summarize the details of all correspondence sent and received. As a result, requests from Governments to publish their replies in their totality could regrettably not be accommodated. 2. The Special Rapporteur wishes to emphasize that the urgent appeals and communications reflected in the present report are based exclusively on information that has been transmitted to him directly. Where information was insufficient, the Special Rapporteur was not in a position to act. He also recognizes that problems concerning the independence and impartiality of the judiciary are not confined to the countries and territories mentioned. In this regard, he wishes to emphasize that readers of the present report should not interpret the omission of a particular country or territory as indicating that the Special Rapporteur considers that there are no problems with the independence of judges and lawyers in that country or territory. 3. The Special Rapporteur wishes to inform the Commission that during the period under review a total of 70 urgent appeals, communications and press releases were transmitted to 39 countries or territories. 4. At the time of submitting the present report the Special Rapporteur has received responses from the Governments of Bolivia, Lebanon, Mexico, Sudan and Turkey to urgent appeals or communications sent during the reporting period but these replies were either not able to be translated in time or were received after 31 December 2003, so they will be reflected in future reports to the Commission. 5. The Special Rapporteur would like to point out that all communications, allegations and press releases sent before 25 July 2003 were transmitted by his predecessor, Dato' Param Cumaraswamy. Algeria Communication reçue 6. Dans une lettre envoyCe le 4 dCcembre 2002, le Gouvernement algérien a répondu a une lettre envoyée le 12 septembre 2002 par le Rapporteur special, conjointement avec la Rapporteuse spéciale sur les executions extrajudiciaires, sommaires ou arbitaires, concernant le cas de Ahmed Ali Khelili (E/CN.4/2003/65/Add.1, para. 10). Selon les informations envoyées par le gouvernement, M. Khelili n'aurait pas cm bon de saisir lajustice et porter a sa connaissance les faits allégués, prévenant ainsi lajustice de procéder a une enquête et de verifier si les allegations étaient fondées ou non. Le gouvernement souligna que, selon la legislation algérienne, une personne qui s ‘estime être victime d'agissements contraires a la loi a la faculté de déposer une plainte, soit devant le Procureur de la République, soit directement par la voie de plainte avec constitution de partie civile, devant le Doyen des juges d'instruction, cc que Khelili n'aurait pas fait.
E/CN. 4/2004/6 0/Add. 1 Page 4 Argentina Comunicación enviada 7. Mediante comunicaciôn del 24 dejulio de 2003, ci Relator Especial agradecio las respuestas que ci Gobierno habia enviado en 2002 (E/CN.4/2003/65/Add.1, parr. 15), y soiicito las informaciones concernientes al estado del proceso de acusaciôn contra nueve magistrados de la Corte Suprema de Justicia. Respuestas del Gobierno 8. El Gobierno contestô ala comunicaciôn del Relator Especial de fecha 24 dejulio de 2003 y proporcionô la informacion siguiente: la existencia de graves denuncias respecto de la faita de independencia e imparcialidad de la Corte Suprema de Justicia creô una gran desconfianza en la ciudadania respecto de todo ci sistema de administracion dejusticia. Se mencionaba la faita de legitimidad de la Corte ya que debido a su composiciôn existia una “mayoria automática” para favorecer al gobierno de turno. Además, la designacion de los Jueces de la Corte estuvo viciada por un visible elemento partidista y sin los antecedentes, la trayectoria püblica y ci prestigio necesario para ocupar ci cargo. La situaciôn afecto en forma grave ci principio democrático de separaciôn de poderes dci Estado, dado que los Jueces designados para impiementar ci aumento de los miembros de la Corte tenian notorios vinculos con ci Poder Ejecutivo a cargo dci Gobierno. Frente a ello, hubo numerosos pedidos de Juicios politicos contra los Jueces de la Corte en la Cámara de Diputados, los que fracasaron al no contar con suficiente apoyo politico. Con la asunciôn dci Presidente Néstor Kirchner ci 25 de mayo de 2003 se reactivaron los pedidos de Juicio politico contra miembros de la Corte; asi la Cámara de Diputados iniciô ci Juicio politico al Juez de la Corte Julio Nazareno, quien renunciô a su cargo en Julio de 2003. Asimismo, la Cámara de Diputados aprobo la suspension en sus fhnciones dci Juez de la Corte Eduardo Moliné O 'Connor en octubre de 2003. 9. Como una manera de impedir en ci fhturo la repeticiOn de actos como los mencionados en ci párrafo anterior, que afectaron la credibilidad dci sistema de administraciOn deJusticia, ci Gobierno nacional instaurado a partir dci 25 de mayo de 2003 ha estabiecido reformas en ci proceso de designaciOn de los Jueces. En ci caso de los magistrados de la Corte Suprema, ci nuevo sistema aprobado por Decreto Presidencial n° 222/03 hace referencia a la importancia de la creaciOn de ciertos mecanismos que permitan a los ciudadanos, individual o colectivamente, a los colegios y a las asociaciones que agrupan a sectores en ci ambito profesional, académico o cientifico de que se trata, a las organizaciones no gubernamentaics con interés y acciones en ci tema, hacer conocer en forma oportuna sus razones, sus puntos de vista y obJeciones que pudieran tener respecto dci nombramiento a producir. El Senado de la naciOn también ha tomado medidas iniciales para asegurar la transparencia en la aprobaciOn de las designaciones. Por Decreto Presidencial n° 588/03 se extendiO ci mismo sistema de evaluaciOn pübiica de la Corte para los candidatos a cargos de Jueces, fiscaics o defensores pübhcos a nivel nacional y federal. 10. En 2003 ci Presidente dispuso la adhesiOn ala ConvenciOn sobre la Jmprescriptibiiidad de los Crimenes de Guerra y de los Crimenes de Lesa Humanidad. Por otra parte, en agosto de 2003 ci Congreso Nacional sancionO la Ley 25.779 por la que se deciaran “insanabiemente nulas” las icycs denominadas de Obediencia Debida y Punto Final. Frente a estas medidas ci propio Alto Comisionado adJunto sostuvo que “es alentador ver ci trabaJo que se está realizando para que la Justicia se imponga a pesar de que aigunos hicieron lo posibie en ci pasado para evitarlo. El Gobierno argentino ha demostrado voluntad para acabar con la impunidad...”.
E/CN.4/2004/60/Add. 1 Page 5 Belarus Communications received from the Government 11. On 30 January 2003, the Government replied to the Special Rapporteur's communication dated 27 November 2002 (E/CN.4/2003/65/Add.1, para. 24) and advised that in accordance with the Minsk City Bar Association, the lawyer, Vera Stremkovskaya, was accorded leave without pay and medical benefits, at her request, in order to attend the Council of Europe international conference on lawyers' associations and human rights in Brussels in October 2002 and the Democratic Forum in Seoul in November 2002. The Government fhrther advised that the Minsk City Bar Association imposed no restrictions on Ms. Stremkovskaya's capacity to attend or speak at international gatherings and she is currently performing her professional duties without restriction. The Government also provided some statistical information about the increased activities of the Minsk City Bar Association. Bolivia Comunicación enviada 12. El 2 de abril de 2003, el Relator Especial, junto con la Representante Especial del Secretario General sobre la situaciôn de los defensores de los derechos humanos, la Relatora Especial sobre ejecuciones extrajudiciales, sumarias o arbitrarias y el Relator Especial sobre la situaciôn de los derechos humanos y las libertades fhndamentales de los indIgenas, enviô un llamamiento urgente en relacion con la situaciôn de Cliver Rocha, responsable de la Unidad Regional del Centro de Estudios JurIdicos e Jnvestigaciôn Social (CEJIS) en Riberalta y asesor de la Central IndIgena de la Region AmazOnica de Bolivia (CIRABO), quien habrIa sido agredido el 13 de marzo de 2003 en las puertas del juzgado agrario de Riberalta cuando se retiraba de una audiencia püblica. El abogado Cliver Rocha habrIa sido perseguido a la salida del juzgado, golpeado en reiteradas oportunidades en la parte posterior de la cabeza y amenazado de muerte. 13. El 7 de mayo de 2003, el Relator Especial, junto con la Representante Especial del Secretario General sobre la situaciOn de los defensores de los derechos humanos, la Relatora Especial sobre ejecuciones extrajudiciales, sumarias o arbitrarias y el Relator Especial sobre la situaciOn de los derechos humanos y las libertades fundamentales de los indIgenas, enviaron un llamamiento urgente en relaciOn con la situaciOn de Cliver Rocha, quien habrIa sido golpeado el 23 de abril de 2003 por dos individuos no identificados que lo habrIan seguido en una motocicleta cuando saliO de su despacho. Mientras lo golpeaban, los agresores le habrIan repetido que abandonara la zona. Respuestas del Gobierno 14. Mediante comunicaciOn del 24 de septiembre de 2003, el Gobierno proporcionO informaciOn en relaciOn con los llamamientos urgentes que el Relator Especial, junto con la Representante Especial del Secretario General sobre la situaciOn de los defensores de los derechos humanos, la Relatora Especial sobre ejecuciones extrajudiciales, sumarias o arbitrarias y el Relator Especial sobre la situaciOn de los derechos humanos y las libertades fundamentales de los indIgenas, enviaron el 2 de abril y el 7 de mayo de 2003 en relaciOn con las amenazas y agresiones contra el abogado Cliver Rocha. Segün el Gobierno, de acuerdo con los informes de la policla provincial del Beni, una
E/CN. 4/2004/6 0/Add. 1 Page 6 vez recibida la denuncia se habrIa dado trasiado de su contenido a! ministerio pübiico. Asimismo informo que extraflamente ci cuadernillo de la investigaciôn (denuncia, deciaracion y certificado medico) no habrIa retornado a la policla provincial del Beni, razôn por la cual se habrIa hecho necesario obtener nuevamente una deciaracion informativa policial con ci fin de dar trámite a la investigaciôn. Para tal fin, se habrIa citado a! demandante para obtener una nueva deciaracion. Dicha peticiôn no habrIa obtenido respuesta, hecho ante ci cual se habrIa procedido a! envIo de las actuaciones a! ministerio pübiico, quien a su vez habrIa ampliado ci piazo de tCrmino de la investigaciôn por 10 dIas, después de los cuales, pese ala insistencia del encargado del caso, Chver Rocha no habrIa proporcionado informacion argumentando como motivo principal una reacciôn negativa por parte de los indIgenas a quien Ci patrocina. Brazil Communications to the Government 15. On 17 April 2003, the Special Rapporteur sent a communication concerning two judges, Judge Antonio José Machado Dias from Sao Paulo State, who was murdered on 14 March 2003, and Judge Alexandre Martins de Castro Filho from Espirito Santo State, who was murdered on 25 March 2003. According to the information received, Judge Dias was responsible for trials involving accused persons from the First Capital Commando, a criminal faction that operates within the prisons of Sao Paulo State. Judge Castro Fiiho was involved in many cases against members of organized crime in Espirito Santo. Both judges had received death threats in the past and, unfortunately, only two days before his death, Judge Dias had apparently dismissed his bodyguards as he felt his safety was no longer an issue. China Communications to the Government 16. On 9 January 2003, the Special Rapporteur sent a communication concerning two lawyers, Sizhi Zhang and iluigen Li, Chinese nationals from Beijing, who were asked by Lob Tsering, the brother of Tibetan Tenyin Delek Rinpoche (aka A'an Zhaxi), to defend Mr. Rinpoche, who received the death sentence on 2 December 2002. (Mr. Rinpoche received a two- year reprieve of the sentence following an appeal filed on 13 December 2002). According to the information received, Mr. Zhang and Mr. Li were preparing to travel to Dhartsedo in Sichuan Province, where Mr. Rinpoche was imprisoned, when on 29 December 2002 they were informed by Judge Jinghong Wang of the Sichuan Provincial Court that their services were no longer required as two local lawyers had already submitted documents on behalf of Mr. Rinpoche. It appears that Judge Wang may have been pressured by Sichuan Provincial authorities to prevent the two Beijing lawyers from representing Mr. Rinpoche. There was concern that the local lawyers may be pressured by the Sichuan authorities, which would impede Mr. Rinpoche's right to an adequate defence and a fair trial. A petition was filed in the Sichuan Provincial High Court to consider the issue of Mr. Rinpoche's legal representation. 17. On 24 February 2003, the Special Rapporteur sent a communication concerning Wang Bingzhang. According to the information received, on 22 January 2003 Mr. Wang's trial took place in secret and on 10 February the Shenzhen Intermediate People's Court in Guangdong Province found him guilty of various spying and terrorism charges and sentenced him to life imprisonment.
E/CN.4/2004/60/Add. 1 Page 7 Reportedly, Mr. Wang was held incommunicado for months following his detention in July 2002 and was denied adequate legal representation. Communications from the Government 18. On 29 April 2003, the Government replied to the Special Rapporteur's communication dated 9 January 2003 and advised that during the trial of first and second instance, the defendant, Mr. Rinpoche, secured and retained the legal services of Chen Shichang and Yu Jianbo. Subsequently, members of Mr. Rinpoche's family engaged two different lawyers. However, since the defendant had already exercised his right under 32 of the Code of Criminal Procedure to chose his own counsel, the court of second instance was unable to authorize the lawyers appointed by the family members. The Government stated that it was inaccurate to allege that the Sichuan Provincial People's Court was pressured by the local government to disqualify the lawyers from Beijing appointed by the defendant's family. The Government added that China was a State governed by the rule of law and that the Chinese judicial system operated in accordance with the principles of independence and impartiality. 19. On 29 April 2003, the Government replied to the Special Rapporteur's communication dated 24 February 2003. The Government advised that on 10 January 2003 proceedings commenced against Mr. Wang in the Schenzhen Intermediate People's Court, which decided to hear the case in closed session as it dealt with State secrets (pursuant to article 152 of the Civil Suits Act). According to the court of first instance, Mr. Wang engaged in espionage by collecting military information, publishing books on how to conduct terrorist activities and actively engaging in the recruitment and planning of terrorist acts. The Government advised that on 10 February 2003 Mr. Wang was sentenced to life imprisonment for espionage and to ten years' imprisonment for organizing and heading a terrorist oranization. The People's Higher Court in Guangdong Province, the court of second instance, ruled the evidence was credible and sufficient and the punishment appropriate and consistent with the law. The appeal was rejected and the verdict upheld. The Government advised that the proceedings in this case were in compliance with the law at every stage, in particular articles 6 and 7 of the Criminal Law of the People's Republic of China granting China exclusive jurisdiction over this case. The Government further advised that Mr. Wang's legal rights were fhlly respected during the investigation and prosecution stages; he had exercised his right to appeal and was represented by counsel during the review stage, which was conducted in a fair and unbiased manner. Colombia Comunicación enviada 20. El 18 de julio de 2003, el Relator Especial enviô un llamamiento urgente en relacion con la situaciôn del abogado José Ramiro Orjuela Aguilar, quien vendria siendo objeto de constantes intimidaciones y amenazas contra su vida y su integridad personal. D c acuerdo con las informaciones recibidas, el 10 de febrero de 2003 la oficina de Ramiro Orjuela, habria sido objeto de un allanamiento bajo la acusaciôn de pertenecer a la red urbana de las Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (FARC). Tales hechos guardarian relacion con el trabajo juridico que el Sr. Orjuela Aguilar adelanta con detenidos politicos. Asimismo se informo de que el mismo dia de su asesinato, el 11 de mayo de 2003, el abogado José Absalon Achury, amigo personal del Sr. Orjuela Aguilar, le habria llamado con el fin de informarle sobre las intimidaciones de que habria sido objeto y en las cuales se seflalaba que el abogado Ramiro Orjuela y él estaban en el “mismo
E/CN. 4/2004/6 0/Add. 1 Page 8 paquete para ser asesinados”. Tales intimidaciones guardarian relacion con la salida de la care d de Ignacio Gonzalez Perdomo, defendido del abogado Achury. Igualmente se ha informado sobre las averiguaciones que se habrian efectuado el dia 12 de mayo de 2003 en la antigua oficina del Sr. Orjuela Aguilar por parte del Cuerpo Técnico Jnvestigativo de la Fiscalia (CTI) las cuales harlan presumir la existencia de un proceso judicial contra José Ramiro Orjuela Aguilar. Cuba Comunicación enviada 21. El 19 de mayo de 2003, el Relator Especial, junto con el Relator Especial sobre la promociôn y protecciôn del derecho a la libertad de opinion y de expresiOn y el Representante Especial del Secretario General sobre la situaciOn de los defensores de los derechos humanos, enviO un llamamiento urgente relativo a la situaciOn de 78 personas que habr lan sido arrestadas el 18 de marzo 2003 y habrian sido procesadas enjuicios sumarios a puerta cerrada. Estos juicios habrian tenido lugar entre los dias 3 y 7 de abril 2003, bajo el marco de la Ley de protecciOn de la independencia nacional y economia de Cuba y la Ley de reafirmaciOn de la dignidad y soberania cubanas. Presuntamente, 75 de las personas detenidas habr lan recibido sentencias de 6 a 28 aflos de prisiOn, mientras que otras 3 se encontrarian bajo arresto domiciliario. Respuestas del Gobierno 22. Mediante comunicaciOn del 2 de septiembre de 2003, el Gobierno proporcionO informaciOn en relaciOn con el llamamiento urgente que el Relator Especial habia enviado el 19 de mayo de 2003 en relaciOn con la situaciOn de los ciudadanos Ariel Singler Amaya, Enrique Perez Morell, Juan Felipe de Ia Torre Requejo, Yoheni Junco Sardinas, Yoani Junco Sardinas, Justo Julio Sierra Silva, RaW Arencibia Fajardo y Oscar Ellas Biscet Gonzalez. Segün el Gobierno, los ciudadanos mencionados habr lan sido detenidos por violar la legislaciOn penal vigente, asimismo informO que a los detenidos se les habria impuesto una multa administrativa y posteriormente habrian sido puestos en libertad. El Gobierno también informO que durante la detenciOn, traslado y permanencia de en la unidad de policia habrian sido respetados los requisitos del debido proceso y observado las normas del procedimiento penal vigentes. Asimismo se informO de que el 7 de marzo de 2003, los detenidos Orlando Zapata Tamayo, Virgilio Morantes Guelmes y Raül Arencibia Fajardo habrian sido dejados en libertad provisional pendientes dejuicio. Por su parte, Elias Biscet Gonzalez habria permanecido en prisiOn al haberse probado su responsabilidad por el delito de instigaciOn para delinquir y otras tipificaciones delictivas directamente dirigidas a lesionar la soberania y el orden constitucional. Egypt Communications to the Government 23. On 9 April 2003, the Special Rapporteur sent a joint urgent appeal with the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment and the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences regarding the arrest and detention of hundreds of anti-war demonstrators who attended anti-war rallies held across Cairo between 20 and 25 March 2003. They were reportedly accused of various offences, including participating in illegal gatherings and threatening public security. It is reported that the total number and location of the detainees, many of whom have been held incommunicado, remain unknown.
E/CN.4/2004/60/Add. 1 Page 9 Among those reported to be detained are activist Ms. Manal Ahmad Mustafa Khalid and lawyer Ziad Abdel ilamid al-Uleimi, Ms. Nivin Ahmad Samir, two other lawyers, Mr. Gamal Abd at- Aziz and Mr. Yassir Farrag, four members of Parliament, Mohammed Farid ilassanein, llammdeen Sabahi, Abdet Azim at-Maghrabi and ilaidar Baghdadi and a number of students, including Marwa Faruq, Samir Futi, Mahmud ‘Izzat, Shaymaa Samir and Nourhan Thabet. While many of the hundreds of people initially detained have been released it is reported that at least 68 people have been served with detention orders of between 4 and 15 days and have reportedly been tortured or ill-treated (electric shocks and beatings) in police custody, including gender-based violence (threatened with rape) or have been subjected to excessive force upon detention by security forces. Reportedly, at least seven civilian detainees were transferred to the State Security Prosecution Office where due process is limited during the trial procedure and the right to appeal is denied as under these exceptional procedures there is no avenue for appeal and a conviction can only be overturned by order of the President of the Republic in his capacity as Military Governor under Egypt's emergency laws. 24. On 10 April 2003, the Special Rapporteur sent a comunication concerning Dr. Neesem Abdet Matek, former director of the Cairo El-Khanka Mental Hospital, who was reportedly unjustly sentenced to 25 years' imprisonment with hard labour by a military court. The prison sentence was reduced from 25 to 10 years in January 2000 but the ongoing concern is that it was an arbitrary sentence of imprisonment by a military tribunal under “state of emergency” regulations and therefore without any right to appeal. Of general concern is the fact that in February 2003, the Government of Egypt extended this “state of emergency” for a fhrther three years, which automatically refers any civilian to a military court by presidential decision if the case falls under the general category of “acts of terrorism”. 25. On 2 October 2003, the Special Rapporteur sent ajoint urgent appeal with the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on the situation of human rights defenders regarding Ashraflbrahim, an active member of the anti-war movement in Egypt. According to the information received, Mr. Ibrahim's case was referred to the Higher Emergency State Security Court on 10 August 2003 on charges of belonging to an organization seeking to overthrow the Government and of disseminating false information abroad (articles 80(d) and 86 respectively of the Penal Code). His trial, along with that of other co-defendants, was scheduled to begin on 16 December 2003. Of particular concern is that the Higher Emergency State Security Court, a tribunal established under the emergency law, allows no appeals to a higherjudicial body and, as a result, a verdict can only be overturned or modified by the President of the Republic. Communications from the Government 26. On 22 April 2003, the Government replied to the Special Rapporteurs'joint urgent appeal of 9 April 2003. The Government stated that it was not true that thousands of citizens were prevented from demonstrating against the war in Iraq. The only people arrested were those who breached public security and public order, for example those who destroyed public or private property. Those persons were questioned by the Department of Public Prosecutions and released once the investigation was complete. The Government further claimed that no one is currently being held in detention in connection with the demonstrations against the war in I raq.
E/CN. 4/2004/6 0/Add. 1 Page 10 Guatemala Comunicación enviada 27. El 16 de abril de 2003, ci Relator Especial enviO un ilamamiento urgente en reiaciOn con ci atentado contra Manuel de Jesus BarquIn Durán. Dc acuerdo con las informaciones recibidas, ci 10 de abril de 2003, Manuel de Jesus BarquIn habrIa detenido su camioneta en una estaciOn de servicio de Santa Cruz, departamento de Zacapa, a unos 125 kiiOmetros de Guatemala, cuando un grupo de hombres no identificados habrIa disparado contra ci automOvii. Segün informes, los hombres habrIan disparado varias veces con sus rifles AK-47 desde otro vehIculo y a continuaciOn habrIan abandonado ci lugar. Manuel de Jesus BarquIn Durán habrIa salido de la camioneta varios minutos antes dci atentado, pero su guardaespaidas, José A lfredo Gonzalez Méndez, que todavIa se encontraba en ci interior dci vehIculo, habrIa resuitado gravemente herido. La camioneta habrIa recibido 37 impactos de bala. Manuel de Jesus BarquIn Durán afirmarla que durante las dos semanas anteriores a este incidente habrIa recibido reiteradas amenazas de muerte. 28. El 1 °de Julio de 2003, ci Relator Especial, Junto con la Representante Especial dci Secretario General sobre la situaciOn de los defensores de los derechos humanos, enviO un ilamamiento urgente relativo a las amenazas de muerte y actos de hostigamiento contra Thelma de Lam, fiscal especial para los defensores de los derechos humanos, y Marines MartInez, fiscal auxiliar para los defensores de los derechos humanos. Segün las informaciones, ci 20 de Junio de 2003, tres hombres armados habrIan entrado en la casa de Marines MartInez, exigiendo veria. Una de las empicadas ics habria dicho que no se encontraba en casa, ante lo cual la habrian encargado de decirie que <>, y ci segundo que <E/CN.4/2004/60/Add. 1 Page 11 a pesar de contar con un servicio de seguridad personal privado, habrIa aceptado la seguridad perimetral ofrecida en los alrededores de su residencia en la capital y en la residencia de su familia en el municipio de San Benito, departamento de El PetCn. 31. Mediante comunicaciOn del 10 de diciembre de 2003, el Gobierno de Guatemala proporcionO informaciOn en relaciOn con el llamamiento urgente que el Relator Especial, Junto con la Representante Especial del Secretario General sobre la situaciOn de los defensores de los derechos humanos, habla enviado el 1 °de Julio de 2003 en relaciOn con las amenazas de muerte y actos de hostigamiento contra Thelma de Lam, fiscal especial para los defensores de los derechos humanos, y Marines MartInez, fiscal auxiliar para los defensores de los derechos humanos. Segün el Gobierno, la Fiscalia especial de delitos cometidos contra miembros o integrantes de los grupos pro derechos humanos habrIa iniciado la investigaciOn y persecuciOn penal correspondiente. Comunicado de prensa 32. El 8 del Julio de 2003, por comunicado de prensa, el Relator Especial ha mostrado su preocupaciOn por los problemas presupuestarios del Jnstituto para la Defensa Püblica Criminal de Guatemala. El Relator Especial fue informado recientemente de que la Coordinadora Nacional para la ModernizaciOn del Sistema de Justicia de Guatemala tiene problemas en unos de los sectores bajo su responsabilidad, el Instituto para la Defensa Püblica Criminal. La continuidad del Jnstituto es cuestionada debido a la falta de recursos. A consecuencia de ello, el Jnstituto ha advertido de que no podra implementar o continuar algunos de los programas como el de la oficina de la defensa, oficina del fiscal, el centro de administraciOn de lajusticia, los centros de ayuda legal de las estaciones de policia y los servicios de ayuda legal usados fundamentalmente por la poblaciOn indigena. En el aflo 2002, la Corte Suprema de Justicia puso de relieve las dificultades en el eJercicio de sus funciones debido a las reducciones de presupuesto. El Relator Especial comparte las preocupaciones expresadas por ambas instituciones. La inadecuada financiaciOn del importante Instituto para la Defensa Püblica Criminal perJudicaria seriamente el acceso de los ciudadanos a laJusticia y pondria en peligro el imperio de la ley en Guatemala. El Relator Especial urge al Congreso de la Repüblica y al Ministerio de Hacienda a dar el debido tratamiento ala falta de recursos dedicados a laJudicatura en general y a actuar urgentemente par aumentar el presupuesto del Instituto par la Defensa Püblica Criminal af ln de que pueda continuar trabaJando y sirviendo a los ciudadanos. 33. El 17 del Julio de 2003, por comunicado de prensa, el Relator Especial expresO su profunda preocupaciOn sobre la independencia, imparcialidad e integridad de laJusticia tras la decision de la Corte de Constitucionalidad de validar la candidatura del General Efrain Rios Montt. No solo la decision fue tomada a pesar deJuzgamientos previos de inhabilitaciOn por parte de la Corte Suprema de Justicia y del Tribunal Supremo Electoral fhndados sobre el articulo 186 de la ConstituciOn, sino que dicha Corte utilizO el mismo precepto constitucional par vedar anteriormente la candidatura del general en 1995. Ademas, esta ültima decision va en contra de la recomendaciOn concreta del Relator Especial que figura en su informe sobre la misiOn cumplida en Guatemala en agosto de 1999(E/CN.4/2000/61/Add.1, parr. 169 hi)). ilaiti Communications envoyées 34. Le 14 février 2003, le Rapporteur special, conJointement avec la Rapporteuse spéciale sur les executions extraJudiciaires, sommaires ou arbitraires, a envoyé un appel urgent au GouvernementE/CN. 4/2004/6 0/Add. 1 Page 12 haltien relatif a la situation de Pierre Josiard Agnant, juge d'instruction et président de i'Association nationale des magistrats haltiens. Scion i'information reçue, Pierre Josiard Agnant aurait été arrêté au scm même du Ministére de iajustice ic 10 février 2003, sur ordre du Ministre de iajustice, Cahxte Deiatour, qui iui reprocherait d'avoir << hbéré trop vite Sahm Barthrony >>, un individu accuse d'être imphque dans un trafic iilicite de stupefiants, aiors que i'accusation n'aurait sembie-t-ii pas pu fournir de preuves suffisantes pouvant conduire a une condamnation de cc dernier. Ii a par aiiieurs ete rapporté que ic juge Agnant aurait ete immediatement mis en indisponibihte et piace en residence surveilliee. Deux voitures flanquees de sept agents de pohce iourdement armés monteraient ia garde devant son domiciie de Santo, situation qui porte a craindre pour ia vie du magistrat et de sa famiiie. Communications reçues 35. Le 23 octobre 2003, ic gouvernement a envoyé une iettre accusant reception de ia communication du Rapporter speciai en date du 14 fevrier, mais a cc jour, date de redaction du present rapport, aucune réponse substantive na ete reçue. ilonduras Comunicación enviada 36. F l 8 de octubre de 2003, ci Reiator Especiai, junto con ia Reiatora Especiai sobre ejecuciones extrajudiciaies, sumarias o arbitrarias, ci Reiator Especiai sobre ia cuestiôn de ia tortura, ia Representante Especiai dci Secretario Generai sobre ia situaciôn de ios defensores de ios derechos humanos y ci Reiator Especiai sobre ia situaciôn de ios derechos humanos y ias iibertades fundamentaics de ios indigenas, enviô un iiamamiento urgente en reiacion con ia situaciôn de peiigro en ia que se encontrarian Marcelino Miranda, Leonardo Miranda y Marcelino Martinez Espinal. Segün ias informaciones, ci 22 dejuiio de 2003 personas no identificadas habrian iievado a cabo averiguaciones sobre ci abogado Marceiino Martinez que inciuirian detaiies sobre su vehicuio. También se informo de que ios mismos individuos habrian reaiizado comentarios despectivos en reiacion con ci abogado. Asimismo se informo de que ci 18 de septiembre de 2003 un vehicuio Toyota rojo con ios cristaics tintados y sin piacas de matricuia habria seguido ci automovii de Marceiino Martinez cuando se dirigia a efectuar una visita a dos dirigentes indigenas detenidos en ia prisiôn de Gracias. Finaimente, se informo de que estos actos de intimidacion afectarian a ia iabor de Marceiino Martinez, quien habria manifestado que por razones de seguridad personai no se sentiria capaz de continuar con sus visitas a ios dirigentes indigenas detenidos. Respuestas del Gobierno 37. Mediante comunicaciôn dci 19 de diciembre de 2003, ci Gobierno informo a ia Representante Especiai dci Secretario Generai sobre ia situaciôn de ios defensores de ios derechos humanos respecto ai iiamamiento urgente enviado ci 8 de octubre sobre ci caso de Marceiino Miranda y Leonardo Miranda y dci abogado Marceiino Martinez Espinai. H Gobierno estabiecio que varias investigaciones acerca de ias denuncias habian sido iniciadas. Con respecto a ios deiitos cometidos contra ios hermanos Leonardo y Marceiino Miranda, ci Gobierno informo que requerimiento fiscai fue presentado ante ci juzgado de primera instancia de Letras Departamentai de Gracias contra 28 personas por suponeries responsabies de cometer deiitos de abuso de autoridad, torturas, iesiones y daflo en perjuicio de Marceiino Miranda, Leonardo Miranda y ia comunidad indigena de Pianes de Montafla Verde. Hizo saber que en ia audiencia iniciai que se ceiebro ciE/CN.4/2004/60/Add. 1 Page 13 23 de septiembre, eijuez ordeno ci sobreseimiento definitivo a favor de los imputados. Con fecha de 29 de septiembre la Fiscaila interpuso recurso de reposiciôn y subsidiaria apeiacion ante la Corte de Apelaciones de Santa Rosa de Copán y ci 29 de octubre la misma Corte reformo ci sobreseimiento definitivo dictado por ci juzgado de primera instancia y ordeno que ci mismo se decrete de manera provisional. Con respecto a las acusaciones contra Marcelino Miranda y Leonardo Miranda, ci Gobierno hizo saber que prôximamente se dictara sentencia por cargos de tentativa de homicidio y asesinato, y con respecto al cargo de lesiones y atentado, se dicto sentencia absolutoria a la que ci ministerio pübiico luego interpuso recurso de Casaciôn ante la Corte Suprema de Justicia, que aün está pendiente de sentencia. Respecto a las amenazas contra ci abogado Jose Leonardo Miranda Espinoza, ci Gobierno informo de que una denuncia the interpuesta ci 16 de octubre ante la Direcciôn General de Jnvestigaciôn Criminal de Gracias Lampira y un requerimiento de investigaciôn habla sido emitido ci 28 de octubre a la Direcciôn General de Jnvestigaciôn Criminal. La investigaciôn sigue en curso. India Communications to the Government 38. On 24 July 2003, the Special Rapporteur sent ajoint urgent appeal with the Special Rapporteur on torture regarding Ayub Khan Pathan, Abdul Latif Pathan, Shamshad Begum A Pathan and Mehzabin Ayub Khan Pathan. Mr. Ayub Khan Pathan was reportedly arrested on 15 June 2003 and Mr. Abdul LatifPathan on 25 June 2003 by crime branch police officers of the Gujarat police. According to the information received, the wives of two of the detainees filed a habeas corpus petition in the Gujarat High Court on 7 July 2003, but were subjected to pressure by the superintendent of police to make them to withdraw it, and their husbands were threatened with death. On 11 July 2003, the women reportedly filed a complaint with the High Court which claimed that their husbands had been detained without due legal safeguards and that they had been subjected to torture and other forms of ill-treatment. It is said that at the hearing, the crime branch denied that they were in their custody. The High Court reportedly dismissed the habeas corpus petition and Ayub Khan Pathan and Abdul Latif Pathan were allegedly remanded to police custody. They are believed to be currently held in police detention without access to their lawyers and their relatives since 9 July 2003. Indonesia Communications to the Government 39. On 10 April 2003, the Special Rapporteur sent ajoint urgent appeal with the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression and the Special Rapporteur on the question of torture regarding Susyanti, An'am Jaya, Sahabuddin, Ansar Suherman, llariansyah and Muhammad Akman, who were reportedly arrested on 25 January 2003 in Sulawesi Tenggara Province. The six activists were reportedly charged under articles of the Indonesian Criminal Code which punish “insulting the President and Vice-President” (article 134) and “hate-sowing” (articles 154 and 155) with imprisonment for up to six and seven years respectively. It is alleged that two days before their arrest they had participated in a peaceful demonstration organized by a coalition of Indonesian organizations known as the Governing Front of the Poor (Front Pemerintah Rakyativi/skin, FPRLvI) in Kendari Town, Kendari Sub-district. According to the information received, they were initially detained at Kendari Police Resort (Poires Kendari), where they are believed to have been beaten and kicked. According to the informationE/CN. 4/2004/6 0/Add. 1 Page 14 received, complaints from the lawyers of the accused about being ill-treated resulted in one police officer being transferred. The six detainees were reportedly moved on 19 March 2003 to Kendari Prison (Rumah Tahanan Kendari) where they are also said to have been beaten. 40. On 25 June 2003, the Special Rapporteur sent a joint urgent appeal with the Special Representative of the Secretary General on the situation of human rights defenders and the Special Rapporteur on the question of torture regarding Nuraini, Volunteer Coordinator of the Commission for Involuntary Disappearances and Victims of Violence in Aceh (Kontras), Zakaria Ismail, and Zulkifli, who were reportedly arrested on 19 June 2003 in Lueng Dama Village, Pidie District, by members of the military from Delima Sub-district Military Command and police officers from Delima Police Sector (Polsek Delima), including members of the Police Mobile Brigade (Brimob). At the time of their arrest, Nuraini and Ismail were allegedly blindfolded and beaten and their house searched. Both are believed to have been subsequently taken to Polsek Delima. Zulkifli is alleged to have been detained at the same time. According to the information received, Mr. Ismail has been accused by the military commander of Pidie District of being a former member of the armed group Free Aceh Movement (GAM) and Zulkifli of being a fhnd-raiser for GAM. Concern has been expressed that since the declaration of a military emergency on 19 May 2003, members of Kontras and other human rights organizations have been directly warned by the local military commander that they will be targeted for arrest. These three individuals are thought to be currently detained in Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam Province (NAD), where they have allegedly been denied access to their relatives and lawyers. 41. On 9 July 2003, the Special Rapporteur sent a joint urgent appeal with the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, the Special Rapporteur on the question of torture and the Chairman-Rapporteur of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention regarding GustafAyomi, John ililipok, Welmus Asso and Elias Asso, who were reportedly arrested by the police on 7 July 2003 during a pro-independence ceremony in the town of Wamena, Jayawijaya District, Papua Province. They had been participating in the demonstration outside the local Parliament building at which the Morning Star flag, a symbol of support for Papuan independence, was raised. A police patrol arrived and tried to break up the ceremony. According to the police, they opened fire after the demonstrators attacked them. It is alleged that during this intervention, Iyut ileselo was killed. Welmus Asso and Elias Asso were reportedly shot at and then taken to the local hospital. According to the information received, Gustaf Ayomi and John Hilipok were taken to the Wamena Police Resort (Polres). It is reported that they had no access to lawyers. Communications from the Government 42. On 7 August 2003, the Government sent a detailed reply to the Special Rapporteurs' joint urgent appeal of 9 July 2003 about the “pro-independence ceremony” in Wamena, Province of Papua. According to the Government's response, on 7 July 2003, Jayawijaya police were informed that a number of people gathered inside the compound of the regency's legislative council and were allegedly attempting to hoist separatist flags. It was reported that two police units were dispatched to the area where they interrupted a ceremony involving several men armed with traditional weapons, who were raising three New Melanesian flags to mark what they called the “New Melanesian” anniversary. The Government indicated that a number of other individuals were posted as lookouts and were gathered approximately 500 metres away from the flagpoles. The Government submitted that efforts by the police to persuade the demonstrators to disperse failed and that the crowd gathered around the flagpoles in a show of defiance. The police report affirmed that severalE/CN.4/2004/60/Add. 1 Page 15 policemen approached the group in order to persuade them to lower their flags peacefully. The Government further indicated that, after negotiating with the men identified as Welmus Asso, Gustaf Ayomi, ilery Asso, Jean ilesegen and Yut ileselo for about an hour, the latter became increasingly aggressive and eventually attacked their interlocutors using arrows and machetes, and forcing the police to fire three warning shots. The Government of Indonesia also indicated that Yut Heselo was fatally wounded, while Hery and Welmus Asso were injured and evacuated to a hospital in Wamena for treatment. According to the Government's response, the Papuan police did not arrest Elias Asso and John Hilipok since, according to police records, the five men taken into custody in the wake of the incident were Hery and Welmus Asso, GustafAyomi, Jean Hesegen and Mayus Togostli, all from Wamena. They were reportedly questioned by the police regarding their involvement in the case and subsequently charged with violating articles 106 and 110 (offences against the State), as well as article 212 (attacking the security forces) of the Penal Code, and Law 12/195 1 (possession of firearms and sharp weapons). The Government submitted that the detainees were not held incommunicado and that they were accompanied by a lawyer throughout the investigation process. The Government further indicated that on its behalf, the Coordinator Minister for Political and Security Affairs, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, ordered a thorough investigation in order to shed light on the incident. In this respect, the separatists in custody allegedly informed investigators that the flags were raised following an order issued by Matias Wenda, a leader of the rebel Free Papua Movement (OPM), reportedly in an attempt to foster dissent and incite people to violence. The Government of Indonesia underlined that, while accepting the right of the people to protest peacefully and to voice dissent, it cannot tolerate armed resistance, especially when directed against government officials and employees. Therefore, it ordered the security forces to act firmly against anyone breaking the law. It was reported that the Government of Papua repeatedly made it clear that secessionist activities such as flag-raising ceremonies would not be tolerated and that any offender would be dealt with firmly by the police, in accordance with the law. Finally, the Government submitted that police intervention is fully justified in such cases and that the Jayawijaya Police acted according to proper procedures in this case. Iran (Islamic Republic of) Communications to the Government 43. On 24 January 2003, the Special Rapporteur sent a futher urgent appeal regarding lawyers of the Bar of Tehran, Mohammed- Ali Dadkah and Abdolfateh Soltani (E/CN.4/2003/65/Add.1, paras. 75, 77 and 78) who were imprisoned as a result of their defence work on behalf of political prisoners. The lawyers stated publicly that their clients had been tortured while in custody to extract confessions from them. According to the information received, on 20 May 2002, Mr. Dadkah was sentenced to imprisonment for five months and banned from practising law for 10 years. The trial took place behind closed doors, giving rise to fears that Mr. Dadkah did not receive a fair trial. In December 2002, the sentence was upheld by a court of appeals. The charge was based on a speech which Mr. Dadkah had made in court in November 2001, in defence of various political prisoners and journalists from the banned Freedom of Movement of fran who were arrested during two round-ups in March and April 2001. Mr. Dadkah had been expelled by the President of the Revolutionary Tribunal in the course of his defence speech and was therefore unable to carry out the defence of his clients for the rest of the trial. The other lawyer, Mr. Soltani, who defended 15 members of a dissident religious nationalist group charged with trying to overthrow Iran 's Islamic system, turned himself in on 21 January to begin a four-month prison sentence he received on 9 July 2002. He has also been banned from practising law for five years. The main charge against Mr. Soltani is that he claimed in his defence speeches that his clients had suffered from ill-E/CN. 4/2004/6 0/Add. 1 Page 16 treatment while being interrogated. Both lawyers have appealed the rulings and the appeals are pending. 44. On 12 March 2003, the Special Rapporteur sent ajoint urgent appeal with the Special Rapporteur on the question of torture regarding Abbas Abdi. It is reported that he was held in incommunicado detention for an indeterminate amount of time. It was reported that Mr. Abdi's lawyer prepared an appeal against the eight-year prison sentence handed down in January 2003. However, he was not permitted to be present at the interrogation of his client and was not provided with transcripts afterwards. In addition, an interrogator was allegedly present at their last meeting despite repeated assertions by the lawyer that it should take place in private. Mr. Abdi's lawyer has not been permitted access to his client and no information concerning the condition of Mr. Abdi has been made available by the prison authorities. 45. On 29 September 2003, the Special Rapporteur sent ajoint urgent appeal with the Special Rapprorteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, the Special Rapporteur on the question of torture and the Chairperson-Rapporteaur of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, regarding Mehdi Said Asgari, Maziyar Aslani and A u Khaleqi. According to information received, the first two were reportedly arrested on 9 August 2003 in their homes in Tehran by members of the Revolutionary Guard. Ali Khaleqi was reportedly arrested by members of the Revolutionary Guard on 1 September 2003. It is believed that their arrest was connected with their membership of the banned opposition group, Hezb-e Mellat-e Iran (Iran Nation Party). It is believed that Mehdi Said Asgari and Maziyar Aslani may be detained at Tehran's Evin Prison, but their whereabouts have not been confirmed. It is fhrther reported that they have been denied access to their family and to legal representation. Ali Khaleqi's place of detention is reportedly not known. Furthermore, it is alleged that all three men have been tortured while in custody. 46. On 5 December 2003, the Special Rapporteur sent a joint urgent appeal with the Special Rapprorteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on the situation of human rights defenders concerning Mr. Nasser Zarafchan, a lawyer of the Bar of Tehran. According to the information received, on 18 March 2002, Mr. Zarafchan was reportedly sentenced to three years in jail by the Military Tribunal of Tehran for “being in possession of weapons and alcohol” and to two years in prison for his statements to the press regarding the lawsuit of the alleged murders of intellectuals, which ended in January 2002. Following an appeal this decision was reportedly upheld by the Military Court of Tehran on 15 July 2002, and on 25 November 2003, Mr. Nasser Zarafchan's appeal to the Supreme Court was dismissed, thereby confirming his five-year prison sentence. It has been alleged that the case against him was fabricated by the police and that his sentence reportedly aimed at sanctioning his activity as a lawyer for the families of the intellectuals murdered by intelligence services agents in 1998. Reports indicate that Mt Zarafchan is being detained at Evin Prison, and that he was not allowed to meet his lawyer, Mrs. Chirin Ebadi, during the process. There was concern that Nasser Zarafchan may have been targeted in retaliation for his work as a lawyer and a human rights defender.E/CN.4/2004/60/Add. 1 Page 17 Israel Communications to the Government 47. On 28 February 2003, the Special Rapporteur sent ajoint urgent appeal with the Special Rapporteur on the question of torture and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on the situation of human rights defenders regarding Mr. Daoud Dirawi, who was reportedly detained on the evening of 21 February 2003 in Jerusalem. According to the information receieved, Mr. Dirawi was taken by Israeli soldiers to Qeshle Police Station in Jerusalem. Fatmi Dirawi, his wife, was reportedly told by officers at the police station that her husband would be held for 24 hours and then brought before a judge. The following morning, she was reportedly told that her husband had been taken away by personnel from Shin Bet (the Israeli Secret Intelligence Service), that he would be detained for interrogation purposes for 12 days, that his place of detention would not be revealed and that he would not be able to meet with a lawyer during this period. 48. On 24 July 2003, the Special Rapporteur sent ajoint communication with the Special Rapporteur on the question of torture regarding the detention of several individuals who are being held at the Russian Compound Detention Center (RCDC) in Jerusalem. According to the information rceived between 9 and 11 June 2003, Yasser A u Abu Dia, Bassam Sharawi and Yunes Abu-Sneineh were reportedly arrested and held in incommunicado detention. It is reported that after their arrest they were held at a number of locations, first in the Etzion Camp, then transferred to the General Security Services (GSS) Interrogation Unit at RCDC. It is alleged that during that period they did not have access to a lawyer as an Order Prohibiting Meeting with Counsel had been in place and that a petition to the High Court of Justice for its removal had been rejected on 22 June 2003. Communications from the Government 49. On 30 July 2003, the Government replied to the Special Rapporteurs' joint urgent appeal of 19 November 2002 (E/CN.4/2003/65/Add.1 para. 85). The Government advised that Dr. Diab was arrested on suspicion of invovlement in terrorist activities against the State. As Dr. Diab is an American citizen, the United States authorities were notified immediately upon his arrest and detention. Upon examination of his case by the relevant Israeli authorities, Dr. Diab was released on 26 November 2002 and he left the country. 50. On 21 October 2003, the Government replied to the Special Rapporteurs' joint urgent appeal of 7 May 2002 (E/CN.4/2003/65/Add.1, para. 83). The Government stated that the three detainees are members of a terrorist cell and were arrested on 30 April 2003 and indicted by the Jerusalem District Court for their involvement in placing a cart of explosives in east Jerusalem on 29 April 2002. The detainees' meeting with their legal counsel was lawfully postponed in accordance with Israeli law (by order of the Supreme Court sitting as the High Court of Justice) on the basis that the meeting would impede efforts to find additional explosive devices and capture other members of the cell. According to the Government, since the expiration of the order postponing the meeting, the detainees have been free to confer with their lawyers.E/CN. 4/2004/6 0/Add. 1 Page 18 Lebanon Communications from the Government 51. On 10 February 2003 the Government replied to the Special Rapporteur's urgent appeal of 27 December 2002 (E/CN.4/2003/65/Add.1, para. 96) regarding the attempted murder of Judge Fadi Nashar and advised that according to the investigation conducted by the judicial authorities the attempted murder of Judge Nashar was an isolated incident with no political or judicial implications. This incident has been referred to a public hearing at which the defendant has been afforded all means of defence and freedom of speech. 52. On 9 September 2003 the Government sent additional information to the Special Rapporteur concerning Judge Fadi Nashar (E/CN.4/2003/65/Add.1, para. 96) in handwritten Arabic but it could not be translated for technical reasons. On 26 December 2003 the Government sent a typed copy of the court decision but unfortunately the decision could not be translated in time for this report but will be summarized in next year's report to the Commission. Liberia Communications to the Government 53. On 29 April 2003, the Special Rapporteur sent ajoint urgent appeal with the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, the Special Rapporteur on the question of torture and the Special Representative of the Secretary- General on the situation of human rights defenders concerning Sheikh K.M. Sackor, the Executive Director of Humanist Watch, a non-governmental human rights organization, who was reportedly arrested on 25 July 2002 in Monrovia. According to the information received, on 23 October 2002, the Minister of National Defence announced that a military tribunal had convened and had concluded that he was a prisoner of war. It is reported that the consideration of his case by a military court was held in camera and in the absence of the accused and that no evidence was produced against him or tested before a competent, independent and impartial court. Fears have been expressed that the categorization of Sheikh KM. Sackor as a prisoner of war has no legal foundation and that he is being kept in detention because of his alleged criticism of the Government and his activities in defence of human rights. It is further alleged that despite the announcement made by the Government on 28 October 2002 that he would be released under certain conditions, Sheikh K.M. Sackor is reportedly still held in incommunicado detention in an unknown place. Matawi Communications to the Government 54. On 26 June 2003, the Special Rapporteur sent a joint urgent appeal with the Chairman- Rapporteur of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention regarding Fahad at Bahti, a Saudi national; Ibrahim ilabaci, a a Turkish citizen, ArifUtasam, also a Turkish citizen; Mahmud Sardar Issa, a Sudanese nationat and Khatifa Abdi ilassan, a Kenyan national, who were reportedly arrested on 21 June 2003 in Blantyre in ajoint operation by Malawi's National Intelligence Bureau and the United States Central Intelligence Agency. These five persons were all legal residents of Malawi and engaged in businesses and teaching at Islamic schools. It is alleged that they have not been charged with any offence, that their defence lawyers have been deniedE/CN.4/2004/60/Add. 1 Page 19 access to them, and that they are being held in incommunicado detention in an unknown place. It has also been alleged that on 24 June 2003, the authorithies failed to bring them before the Blantyre High Court, in spite of an express order from a High Court judge. Mauritania Communication envoyée 55. Le 18 juillet 2003, le Rapporteur special, conjointement avec la Representante speciale du Secretaire general concernant la situation des defenseurs des droits de l'homme et le Rapporteur special sur la promotion et la protection du droit a la liberte d'opinion et d'expression, ont envoyc un appel urgent sur la suspension presumee pour trois ans du batonnier Mahfoudh Ould Bettah par . . le Conseil de 1 Ordre de Mauritanie, le 7 juillet 2003. Le 27 juin 2002 a Nouakchott, M Bettah, batonnier depuis plus de 12 ans, connu pour son action en faveur des droits de l'homme, aurait etc reelu batonnier de l'Ordre national des avocats de Mauritanie a la majorite absolue. Ce scrutin aurait etc invalide, en violation du Code de procedure penal mauritanien, et un second tour aurait etc organise par les autorites. Des pressions auraient etc exercees sur les avocats, et les partisans de Me Bettah auraient prefere ne pas prendre part au vote, contestant les irregularites de la procedure. Le 16 decembre 2002, un batonnier proche du pouvoir aurait etc officiellement reconnu par le Parquet general. Le 24 avril 2003, le Conseil de l'Ordre aurait cite a comparaitre Me Bettah, aux motifs qu'il se considererait batonnier en violation des resultats des elections du second tour dejuin 2002. Cependant, l'audience du Conseil de discipline prevue pour le 12 mai 2003 pour la radiation de Me Bettah ne se serait pas tenue et depuis, il n'aurait reçu aucune nouvelle citation. Sa suspension serait intervenue le 7juillet 2003, sans convocation ni comparution. Des craintes ont etc exprimees que cette suspension, qui intervient peu de temps avant l'ouverture dune serie de procès a l'encontre d'opposants politiques, ne constitue une tentative de restreindre l'independance du barreau. Communication reçue 56. Le 28 aoüt 2003, pour faire suite a la correspondance du Rapporteur special en date du 18 juillet 2003, le Gouvernement mauritanien renvoie aux faits deja enonces dans sa premiere reponse du 18 novembre 2002. Il rappelle qu'aucun recours n'a etc introduit aprCs la notification du procès-verbal des elections au poste de batonnier de l'Ordre national des avocats a tous les candidats, Me Mahfoudh Ould Bettah compris. Les nouvelles instances de l'Ordre n'ont pris leurs fonctions qu'a expiration de ces delais de recours. Suite aux manquements repetes de l'interesse et a son attitude intransigeante durant la tentative de mediation conduite par deux anciens batonniers, le Conseil a du prendre des mesures disciplinaires a l'encontre de l'interesse. Le gouvernement n'a a aucun moment interfere dans cette affaire, et rappelle son attachement a la notion de l'Etat de droit. Mexico Comunicación enviada 57. El 14 de febrero de 2003 el Relator Especial, junto con la Relatora Especial sobre ejecuciones extrajudiciales, sumarias o arbitrarias, el Relator Especial sobre la cuestiôn de la tortura y la Representante especial del Secretario General sobre la situaciôn de los defensores de los derechos humanos, enviô un llamamiento urgente en relacion con la situaciôn de inseguridad en la que se encontrarlan Blanca Guadalupe Lopez, el detenido Victor Javier Garcia y su esposa, Miriam Garcia, quienes habrIan sido vIctimas de una serie de amenazas y actos de intimidacion. ElE/CN. 4/2004/6 0/Add. 1 Page 20 9 de noviembre de 2001 Victor Javier Garcia y Gustavo Gonzalez Meza, esposo de Blanca Guadalupe, habrian sido detenidos por un grupo de personas no identificadas en Ciudad Juárez, Estado de Chihuahua. Segün informes, habrian sido torturados hasta que confesaron el asesinato de ocho mujeres Jovenes en Ciudad Juárez. Mario Escobedo Anaya, abogado de Gustavo Gonzalez Meza, habria muerto por disparos a manos de la policia Judicial del Estado. Segün informes oficiales, la policia habria actuado en defensa propia porque el abogado habria disparado primero. Segün informes, esta version se contradice con la de testigos, quienes afirmarian que Mario Escobedo Anaya no habria disparado a la policia. Dichos acontecimientos se han producido a pesar de que la ComisiOn Jnteramericana de Derechos Humanos (CIDH) dictO medidas de protecciOn para Miriam Garcia, Blanca Guadalupe y el abogado Sergio Dante en septiembre de 2002. 58. El 6 de marzo de 2003, el Relator Especial, Junto con la Representante Especial del Secretario General sobre la situaciOn de los defensores de los derechos humanos y el Relator Especial sobre la cuestiOn de la tortura, enviO un llamamiento urgente respecto a la situaciOn de Samuel Alfonso Castellanos y Beatriz Casas Arellanas, abogados de la organizaciOn AcciOn de los Cristianos para la AboliciOn de la Tortura (ACAT), en Oaxaca, Carlos Cruz Mozo e Inocencio Lopez Michel, miembros de la OrganizaciOn Jndigena de Derechos Humanos de Oaxaca (OIDHO), quienes habrian sido obJeto de amenazas de muerte mediante una carta encontrada el 1 .°de marzo de 2003 en la oficina de ACAT-Oaxaca. El mismo dia, tres desconocidos armados habrian seguido al Sr. Castellanos. Estas amenazas e intimidaciones habrian sido el obJeto de una denuncia ante la Procuraduria General de Justicia del Estado (PGJE) y la ComisiOn Estatal de Derechos Humanos. 59. El 23 de abril de 2003, el Relator Especial, Junto con la Representante Especial del Secretario General sobre la situaciOn de los defensores de los derechos humanos, el Relator Especial sobre la situaciOn de los derechos humanos y las libertades fhndamentales de los indigenas y el Relator Especial sobre la cuestiOn de la tortura, enviO un llamamiento urgente en relaciOn con la situaciOn de Samuel Alfonso Castellanos PiflOn, quien habria recibido otra amenaza de muerte el 31 de marzo de 2003. La carta habria sido enviada ala oficina regional de ACAT. En la carta el abogado habria sido advertido de que si no deJaba de trabaJar como abogado defensor de los acusados de la masacre de 26 indigenas en la poblaciOn de Agua Fria, seria asesinado. Las amenazas habrian empezado cuando Samuel Alfonso Castellanos PiñOn y sus colegas habrian denunciado püblicamente que las personas acusadas de la masacre de Agua Fria fheron torturadas durante la investigaciOn. 60. El 24 de Julio de 2003, el Relator Especial, Junto con la Relatora Especial sobre eJecuciones extraJudiciales, sumarias o arbitrarias, enviO un llamamiento urgente respecto de la situaciOn de peligro en la cual se encontrarian David Meza y Jesus Argueta. D c acuerdo con las informaciones recibidas, tras ser detenido David Meza habria sido torturado y obligado a firmar una confesiOn en la que se reconocia autor del asesinato. Al dia siguiente se habria retractado de dicha confesiOn, afirmando que habria sido torturado y amenazado de muerte por agentes de policia. Asimismo, se informO de que mientras estaban baJo la custodia de la policia Judicial de la PGJE no habrian podido acceder a familiares o a un abogado de su elecciOn. En cuanto a Jesus Argueta, se informO de que habria sido sometido a una presiOn psicolOgica indebida para hacerle confesar el asesinato. Respuestas del Gobierno 61. Mediante comunicaciones de 29 de abril y 9 de diciembre de 2003, el Gobierno proporcionO informaciOn en relaciOn con el llamamiento urgente que el Relator Especialhabia enviado el 23 de abril de 2003 en relaciOn con la situaciOn de Samuel Alfonso Castellanos PiflOn. Segün el Gobierno, como consecuencia de la queJa presentada por la ComisiOn Estatal de Derechos Humanos del EstadoE/CN.4/2004/60/Add. 1 Page 21 de Oaxaca ci 4 de marzo de 2003, se habria impiementado una medida cautelar coordinada entre la PGJE y la Direcciôn de seguridad pübiica dci Estado con ci fin de brindar medidas de seguridad. Tambien se informo de que la policia preventiva dci Estado habria impiementado rondines periodicos de vigilancia a las instalaciones de ACAT y OIDHO asi como en los domicilios particulares de Samuel Aifonso Casteilanos Piflon, Beatriz Casas Arellanes, Carios Cruz Mozo e Jnocencio LOpez Michel. Asimismo se informO de que se habria ordenado la prestaciOn de un servicio de escoita puesto a disposiciOn de las mencionadas personas asi como ci inicio de las investigaciones correspondientes. 62. Mediante comunicaciones de 8 de agosto y 11 de noviembre de 2003, ci Gobierno proporcionO informaciOn en relaciOn con ci ilamamiento urgente que ci Relator Especial habia enviado ci 24 dejuiio de 2003 en relaciOn con la situaciOn David Meza. Segün ci Gobierno, al rendir su deciaraciOn ci Sr. Meza habria estado asistido en todo momento por un defensor de oficio y por un representante de derechos humanos. Asimismo se informO de que ci propio Sr. Meza habria manifestado que no habria recibido ningün tipo de presiOn por parte de elementos de la PGJE. 63. Mediante comunicaciones de 28 de octubre y 17 de noviembre de 2003, ci Gobierno proporcionO informaciOn en relaciOn con ci ilamamiento urgente que ci Relator Especial, junto con la Relatora Especial sobre ejecuciones extrajudiciales, sumarias o arbitrarias, ci Relator Especial sobre la cuestiOn de la tortura y la Representante especial dci Secretario General sobre la situaciOn de los defensores de los derechos humanos, habia enviado ci 14 de febrero de 2003 en relaciOn con la situaciOn de inseguridad en la que se encontrarian Bianca Guadalupe LOpez, Victor Javier Garcia y su esposa Miriam Garcia. Segün ci Gobierno, la orden de detenciOn contra Victor Javier Garcia habria sido proferida con base en todos los elementos de prueba recabados y ante la presunta intenciOn dci implicado de abandonar la ciudad. Una vez detenido, habria sido conducido a las instalaciones de la subprocuraduria de la zona norte ubicadas en la caile Barranco Azul, y al rendir su deciaraciOn sin coacciOn aiguna y asistido por un defensor, habria admitido su responsabilidad e involucrado en los hechos a Gustavo Gonzalez Mesa, quien posteriormente habria sido detenido y conducido a las instalaciones de la mencionada subprocuraduria. Segün ci Gobierno, al dictar ci auto de formal prisiOn ci juez instructor habria destacado que la violencia encontrada en los cuerpos de los indiciados no constituia la razOn por la cual hubieran firmado las primeras deciaraciones y habria corroborado que al momento de la detenciOn no habrian existido las lesiones que posteriormente se habrian exhibido en la deciaraciOn preparatoria. Ante este hecho ci Gobierno no descarta que las lesiones hubiesen sido auto infligidas, ya que por la levedad de las mismas no habrian sido la causa para confesar los hechos. Asimismo, ci hecho de que las deciaraciones scan identicas y congruentes con los hechos objetivos dci caso permitiria inferir la autoria material de los hechos. El Gobierno también informO que ci incidente de desvanecimiento de datos promovido por la defensa habria sido decretado improcedente en virtud de que las conciusiones dci aludido dictamen no eran necesariamente ci ünico medio de prueba para estabiecer la ocurrencia dci delito. Asimismo se informO de que las etapas de instrucciOn y defensa habrian sido agotadas y que ci ministerio pübiico habria ofrecido pruebas tendientes a acreditar ci pago de la reparaciOn dci daflo. Con relaciOn a la acciOn de amparo promovida por los detenidos, ci Gobierno informO que ci tribunal federal habria revocado la resoluciOn que la concedia y habria procedido a negar ci amparo y protecciOn de la justicia federal, reiterando la demostraciOn de la probable responsabilidad en la comisiOn de los delitos de violaciOn agravada y homicidio. Dc esta manera se habrian confirmado las actuaciones ministeriales y las practicadas ante ci tribunal. Con relaciOn a la las medidas cautelares respecto de Bianca Guadalupe LOpez, Victor Javier Garcia y Myriam Garcia, ci Gobierno informO que a pesar de que dichas medidas habrian caducado, ci Gobierno continuaria con los rondines policiacos en ci exterior de las direcciones de los beneficiarios a fin de saivaguardar su integridad fisica. AsimismoE/CN. 4/2004/6 0/Add. 1 Page 22 se estaria gestionando ci trasiado de Victor Javier Garcia a un centro de readaptaciOn en Ciudad Juárez, Estado de Chihuahua. 64. Mediante comunicaciOn dcl 10 de noviembre de 2003, ci Gobierno proporcionO informaciOn adicional en reiaciOn con la muerte de Digna Ochoa y Plácido. Segün ci Gobierno, la fiscalia especial para ci caso habria desarroilado la investigaciOn mediante indagatorias con ci fin de estabiecer las circunstancias relacionadas con ci homicidio mediante tres hneas de investigaciOn: militares, Guerrero y entorno social, familiar y personal. Dc acuerdo con la investigaciOn, durante la vincuiaciOn de Digna Ochoa al instituto Pro Juárez, su participaciOn como abogada habria sido reducida de manera tal que no existiria evidencia objetiva de que su intervenciOnjuridica hubiese propiciado o causado afectaciOn de los intereses de aiguna persona o autoridad relacionada que permitiese estabiecer vincuiaciOn con su muerte. A lo anterior se adjunta la renuncia de Digna Ochoa al instituto Pro Juárez ci 31 de octubre de 2000, en medio de un presunto ambiente de tensiOn y desacuerdos, primordialmente por su inconformidad de salir dci pais y por las supuestas dudas, por parte de aigunos compafleros, respecto dci üitimo incidente de amenaza. Otras informaciones recaudadas habrian permitido afirmar que ci arma de fuego hailada en ci lugar de los hechos habria pertenecido a la victima y segün los testimonios en torno a la presencia de personas desconocidas ésta se encontrariajustificada como un hecho ordinario y normal, pues se trata de un domiciiio que cuenta con despachos de abogados por lo que resuitaria cotidiana la entrada y salida de personas desconocidas para los propios habitantes. Con reiaciOn a las amenazas, ci conocimiento de las averiguaciones que se adelantan por parte de la Procuraduria General de Justicia continüan en curso, sin embargo las inspecciones habrian permitido determinar la probabilidad de que ci contenido de aigunos de los escritos hailados o de los que se tiene conocimiento hubiese sido creado por la propia Digna Ochoa. Finaimente ci Gobierno informO de que la decision de la fiscal encargada dci caso de no ejercer la acciOn penal al no demostrarse pienamente la existencia dci delito de homicidio encontraria soporte en los anaiisis de peritos en materia de psicologia y estudio psicodinamico de la personalidad. La mencionada resoiuciOn habria sido autorizada ci 17 de septiembre de 2003 por parte dci coordinador de agentes auxiliares dci procurador. 65. Mediante comunicaciOn dci 11 noviembre de 2003 ci Gobierno proporcionO informaciOn adicional concerniente al ilamamiento urgente que ci Relator Especial habia enviado ci 14 de febrero de 2003 en reiaciOn con la situaciOn de Gustavo Gonzalez Meza. Segün ci Gobierno, la causa de la muerte determinada en la autopsia the: tromboembolia cardiopuimonar, coaguiaciOn intravascular diseminada y hemangiomas multiples, los cuales habrian ocurrido despues de la intervenciOn quirürgica efectuada con base en una vaioraciOn medica ordenada, 15 dias antes dci failecimiento por ci jefe dci servicio medico de la prisiOn dci Cereso mediante la cual se habria detectado la existencia de una hernia inguinal. Asimismo, de acuerdo con ci testimonio de varios internos Gustavo Gonzalez Meza habria manifestado su desco de operar una hernia inguinal que padecia debido al dolor que la misma ic generaba. Segün ci Gobierno, no se habrian apreciado huelias de violencia ni desorden en la ceida dci detenido al momento dci haiiazgo de su cuerpo. Nicaragua Respuestas del Gobierno 66. Mediante comunicaciOn dci 14 de enero de 2003, ci Gobierno proporcionO informaciOn en reiaciOn con ci ilamamiento urgente que ci Relator Especial, junto con la Relatora Especial sobre ejecuciones extrajudiciales, sumarias o arbitrarias, enviO ci 7 de octubre de 2002 en reiaciOn con la situaciOn de iajuez Juana Méndez Perez. Segün ci Gobierno, en ci curso de las averiguaciones seE/CN.4/2004/60/Add. 1 Page 23 habrIa logrado la individualizacion de uno de los presuntos autores de las amenazas. Asimismo ci Gobierno informo que en la actualidad lajuez Juana Mendez Perez y su familia contarlan con doce agentes policiales encargados de brindar protecciôn permanente. Saudi Arabia Communications to the Government 67. 0117 July 2003, the Special Rapporteur sent a joint urgent appeal with the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions and the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants regarding Sarah Dematera, citizen of the Philippines, who was sentenced to death by a judgement issued on 14 November 1993 for bludgeoning to death the wife of her employer, four days after starting herjob as a domestic servant in Saudi Arabia. Ms. Dematera reportedly stated she was a witness to the killing and described the alleged perpetrator as an Arab male, who ordered her to move and cover the body, clean the murder weapon and wipe up the blood. She is said to have always protested her innocence. Ms. Dematera's trial took place on 4 October 1993 in Islamic Court No. 39/4 and, reportedly, she was not assisted by a lawyer or an interpreter during the court proceedings. She reportedly does not speak Arabic and has very limited fluency in English. It is also reported that the Philippines consular officials did not have access to her during the proceedings.According to the information received, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed that the execution has been postponed until the minor children of the deceased reach the age of majority when they can decide, along with other heirs, whether to request the execution of the accused. The family of the accused could accept monetary compensation in lieu of execution of the death sentence. Communications from the Government 68. On 17 February 2003, the Government provided some preliminary comments regarding the Special Rapporteur's report on his mission to Saudi Arabia (E/CN.4/2003/65/Add. 3). The Government advised that with respect to certain recommendations contained in the report (paras. 109 (a) and (c), 110 (a) and (b) and 111(c), (f) and (g)) these recommendations were being applied, implemented or adopted. 69. On 30 October 2003, the Government replied to the Special Rapporteurs'joint urgent appeal of 7 July 2003 and advised that the fifty-fifth session of the Commission on Human Rights decided to discontinue consideration of this case. The Government further advised that information previously sent concerning an explanation of the procedure of the enforcement of the death penalty is a sufficient explanation concerning this case. Serbia and Montenegro Communications to the Government 70. On 23 May 2003, the Special Rapporteur sent a communication concerning detainees in Serbia who were denied prompt access to a lawyer as a result of amendments made on 11 April to the Law on Organized Crime passed during the state of emergency declared on 12 March 2003 (upon assassination of Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic) and subsequently lifted on 22 April. These amendments enabled the police to prevent detainees from contacting a lawyer for a period of up to two months. Reportedly, over one thousand people were detained on suspicion of involvement inE/CN. 4/2004/6 0/Add. 1 Page 24 the assassination or in organized crime. These detainees are permitted access to counsel upon examination by an investigating judge but, according to the information received, only approximately three hundred detainees have appeared before an investigating judge. Communications from the Government 71. On 16 December 2003, the Government replied to the Special Rapporteur's communication of 23 May 2003. The Government transmitted a response by the Public Prosecutor on the implementation of the Law on Organized Crime during the state of emergeny in the Republic of Serbia. The response outlined in detail certain provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CPC) defining the status of a person under investigation and his or her rights with regard to due process of the law, in particular the right of defence. Article 229 of CCP sets out the rights of an accused person upon arrest, including the right to counsel, within 24 hours, of one's own choice and pro bono if necessary and the length of time that a suspect can be held (48 hours) before being released if there is no investigation. According to the information received, provisions of CPC apply to organized crime offences unless otherwise provided for in the “Law on the organization and powers of governmental agencies in suppressing organized crime”, which enables an authorized official of the Ministry of the Interior to hold persons in preventative detention, ordinarily lasting up to 24 hours, exceptionally for 30 more days, for information and evidence gathering. Article 15(d) of this law provides that the Minister responsible for home affaires may propose, after he is satisfied with the soundness of the recommendation made, that the detained person be held for a further period of 30 days. The Government advised that during the state of emergency, 2,264 persons were brought before investigative judges and 1,720 were remanded in custody. At the time of the response 1,286 detainees were no longer in detention and 434 persons were still in custody. Sri Lanka Communications to the Government 72. On 7 February 2003, the Special Rapporteur sent an urgent appeal concerning threats made against two district judges, the former President of the Bar Association, Desmond Fernando, and editor Victor Ivan Ravaya. According to the information received, on 24 January 2003 posters with slogans against the two district judges and Mr. Ravaya were pasted to buildings in the premises of the Supreme Court. There was concern that this threatening act might be related to the legal action instituted by the two district judges against the Chief Justice and the Judicial Service Commission on the grounds that they had obstructed the holding of the 60th anniversary celebrations of the Judicial Service Officers' Association as the posters were displayed on the same day as this case was being heard before the court. 73. On 4 April 2003, the Special Rapporteur sent a letter requesting a mission to Sri Lanka. Communications from the Government 74. On 3 January 2003, the Government provided further information to the Special Rapporteurs' joint urgent appeal of 13 September 2002 (E/CN.4/2003/65/Add.1, paras. 174 and 175) regarding the case of Nandani Sriyalantha ilerath. This response followed interim observations transmitted by the Government on 10 October 2002. According to the Government's response an investigation was initiated by the Criminal Invetigations Department (CID) on 21 June 2002. The investigation revealed that Ms. Herath was arrested by the Wariyapola Police on 8 MarchE/CN.4/2004/60/Add. 1 Page 25 2002 and was allegedly tortured while in custody. On the advice of the Attorney-General, Ms. Herath was medically examined by a number of medical officers. The Attorney-General further instructed CID to conduct an investigation into the alleged threat to Priyantha Gamage, the counsel of Ms. Herath, and Nishanta Kumara, human rights activist, by the Wariyapola Police. Ms. Herath's lawyer allegedly stated that on or about 2 September 2002, four unknown persons had come to his house and enquired whether he was appearing for the case of Ms. Herath. He therefore allegedly believed that these persons had come to threaten him but did not make a complaint to the police as information available was not sufficient. Investigations were also reportedly conducted into the allegation of assault on Mr. Kumara. He reportedly only stated that, when he was returning home by bus on the night of 10 July 2002, a person called Sunil pointed a knife at him threateningly, asking whether he was the one working for Ms. Herath. Investigations were also conducted into the allegation of threats against two other lawyers who had previously appeared on behalf of Ms. Herath. The lawyer who had withdrawn from handling Ms. Herath's case is said to have stated that his client did not carry out his instructions properly and that therefore he, on his own initiative, withdrew from handling the case. He fhrther allegedly informed that there were no threats or intimidation whatsoever from anyone in this respect. It was finally stated that the Attorney General was considering the possibility of pressing criminal charges against those responsible for the alleged torture of Ms. Herath. Sudan Communications to the Government 75. On 14 May 2003, the Special Rapporteur sent a joint urgent appeal with the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions regarding the death sentence of Al- Taher Ahmad llamdan, a fifteen-year-old boy, by a court in Nyala, South Darfur state. According to the information received, Mr. Hamdan along with 25 other men were found guilty of killing 30 people and injuring a fhrther 28 persons in a raid on the village of Singita, South Darfhr, on 31 December 2002. It is alleged that under the procedures for special courts in South Darfur, which were reportedly set up by decree of the Wali of South Darfhr in 2001, defendants are not permitted to be represented by lawyers except by special permission. Consequently, all 39 accused persons were reportedly defended by three lawyers who were not able to communicate with their clients. It is also reported that the lawyers were only able to access the case file five days before the trial opened on 17 March 2003. There were also concerns regarding the independence of the judges involved in the trial (one being from the police and another from the army) as the defence lawyers were reportedly only allowed to ask a limited number of questions to both the accused and witnesses whereas the prosecutors were able to ask an unlimited number of questions. 76. On 3 July 2003, the Special Rapporteur sent a joint urgent appeal with the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions regarding Tibin Abdel Rahman Isaag, A lhadi Abaker ilammad, Abaker Ahrran, Abader Adam Bakheet, Isaag Abaker, Saead Abdella Abaker, Mohamed Abdel Rahman Ibraheam, Easa Mohamed Adam and Mohamed Abdella Yahya, who were reportedly sentenced to death by hanging by a Special Court in the city of Kass, South Darfur state. There was concern that the death penalty has been imposed following a judicial process that did not respect international standards for a fair trial. According to the information received, all nine men were reportedly arrested on 13 November 2002 and accused of taking part in an attack on the village of Alibya, 30 km west of Kass, which is populated by members of the Fur ethnic group. Seven people were reportedly killed and 10 injured when a militia of between 150 and 300 men attacked the village in 2002. It is reported that no other allegedE/CN. 4/2004/6 0/Add. 1 Page 26 members of this militia have yet been arrested. The nine men reportedly deny having taken part in the attack. Of the 18 prosecution witnesses who testified at the trial, none could allegedly confirm that the accused had participated in the attack. According to the information received, the procedures for special courts in South Darfhr, which were set up by decree of the wall (Governor) of South Darfur in 2001, do not permit the defendants to be defended by lawyers except by special permission. The nine defendants were reportedly represented by one lawyer, who was authorized to attend the trial as a “friend” and who was allegedly allowed to ask the prosecution witnesses only three or four questions during cross-examination. The men were reportedly found guilty by a panel of judges and were sentenced to death on 12 June. Allegedly, the nine people accused have appealed to the Special Appeal Court in Nyala. Should their appeal prove unsuccessful, they may then appeal to the Supreme Court in the capital Khartoum and then to the Constitutional Court. 77. On 8 July 2003, the Special Rapporteur sent a joint urgent appeal with the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, the Special Rapporteur on the question of torture and the Chairman-Rapporteur of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention regarding Gazi Suleiman, a lawyer and Chairperson of the Sudan Human Rights Group, who was reportedly arrested on 2 July 2003 by officers of the National Security Agency (NSA) and questioned about the Khartoum Declaration (E ‘laan El Khartoum). According to the information received, this document, which has been signed by 18 leading political parties, 14 civil society groups and 78 prominent individuals, gives support to the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Peace Process, the Machakos Protocol and the Cairo Declaration, which calls for Khartoum to become the national secular capital of the Sudan and for respect of all Sudanese citizens, irrespective of race, religion or political affiliation. Since his arrest, Mr. Suleiman's whereabouts are reportedly unknown. Communications from the Government 78. On 3 July 2003 the Government sent a general response to the Special Rapporteurs'joint urgent appeal of 3 December 2002 (E/CN.4/2003/65/Add 1., para. 182), explaining its position on how Sudanese courts comply with the following regulations: 1. elderly people aged 70 years and over are not subject to execution; 2. a minor aged 18 years or less is not subject to execution or conscription into the armed forces; 3. a pregnant woman is subject to execution only after two years have elapsed since the deliveryof her baby; 4. a woman breastfeeding her baby is liable to execution only after two years of breastfeeding. 79. On 29 July, 9 September and 22 October 2003, the Government responded to the Special Rapporteurs' urgent appeal of 8 July 2003 advising that lawyer Gazi Suleiman was released on 14 July 2003 and claimed he was well treated. The Government fhrther advised that Mr. Suleiman was nominated for the 2003 United Nations Prize in the field of human rights. 80. On 27 October 2003, the Government replied to the Special Rapporteurs' urgent appeal of 14 May 2003 and advised that the juvenile Ahmad Amar Adam Hamdan was not sentenced to death since the Sudan Constitution does not provide for the death penalty to juveniles under 18 years of age. The Government stated that he was committed to a reformatory institution to serve a three-year term beginning on 26 April 2003 and that he was granted the right to appeal that verdict. The Government fhrther submitted that, as far as the 23 detainees were concerned, they were sentenced to death but that all of them lodged an appeal with the Court of Appeal, which was being considered by the competent judicial authorities.E/CN.4/2004/60/Add. 1 Page 27 Swaziland Press releases 81. On 15 April 2003 the Special Rapporteur issued a press release to express concern over the continued deterioration of the rule of law in Swaziland. The Special Rapporteur cited such recent developments as the resignation in protest at this situation of the Chief Justice of the High Court, Stanley Sapire, the effective demotion of Judge Thomas Masuku and the possible impending deportation of two senior members of the Law Society of Swaziland, including the President, Paul M. Shilubane, for holding dualnationality. He expressed further dismay that members of the Law Society of Swaziland, in an act of protest, decided not to appear in court before any judges recently appointed by the Government. The justice system cannot function in this environment of mistrust. Another issue of increasing concern is the continued use of the controversial 1998 Non-Bailable Offences Act, which denies magistrates the discretion to grant bail and which has led to a crisis of overcrowding in prisons. This situation puts additional strain on a prison system that is already at a breaking point. The Special Rapporteur welcomed the International Bar Association's report on Swaziland released on 2 April urging the Government to establish a national plan of action to address serious flaws in the justice system and to implement the urgently needed reforms, including a new draft constitution. The Special Rapporteur called upon the Government to take immediate steps to avert an impending crisis. Swaziland needs today, more than ever, a separation of powers between its executive and judicial branches of government in order to function as a fully democratic nation. 82. On 27 June 2003 the Special Rapporteur issued a press release to express concern over recent developments in Swaziland where a number of lawyers have been charged with contempt of court and at least two lawyers have been convicted for the same offence for refhsing to appear before two recently appointed judges. He had also learnt that the entire executive body of the Law Society has been summoned to appear in court to answer charges of inciting lawyers not to appear before these judges. The Law Society adopted a resolution calling upon its lawyers not to appear before these judges because their appointments were constitutionally flawed. If indeed the appointments of these judges are constitutionally flawed then the Law Society is quite right in taking the position that it took. Flawed judicial appointments would certainly not give legal legitimacy to the courts in which the judges sit. Such courts would certainly undermine the rule of law. Judges should be mindful of the legitimacy of the courts in which they sit and should see to it that their appointments meet all the constitutional requirements instead of ordering lawyers to appear before their unconstitutional courts to answer charges of contempt of court for failing to appear before them. How can there be contempt of court when that court is not constitutional and has no legitimacy? The Special Rapporteur called upon the Government and its competent agencies to stop these threats and harassment of the Law Society and its lawyers and instead to take measures to review the appointments of the judges concerned. The charges against these lawyers and the executive body of the Law Society should be withdrawn. Further, the convictions against the lawyers who failed to appear before these courts should be set aside. Syrian Arab Republic Communications to the Government 83. On 16 April 2003, the Special Rapporteur sent ajoint urgent appeal with the Special Rapporteur on the question of torture and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General onE/CN. 4/2004/6 0/Add. 1 Page 28 the situation of human rights defenders regarding ilassan Saleh and Marwan ‘Uthman who have reportedly been transferred from the Criminal Section to the Political Section of ‘Adra Prison, to the north of Damascus where they have allegedly been denied visits by lawyers, relatives and doctors. According to the information received, the Military Court recently changed the charge against both prisoners from “membership of an unauthorized organization” to “inciting sectarian strife”, which meant that the case had to be referred to the Supreme State Security Court (SSSC), which,in turn, added the charge of “attempting to sever a part of the Syrian territories”. It was alleged that in June 2002, SSSC indefinitely banned the defendants' lawyer Anwar al-Bunni from appearing before SSSC. Other lawyers are now said to be following the case and will represent Mr. Saleh and Mr. ‘Uthman. The concern is that SSSC operates outside the ordinary criminal justice system and is only accountable to the Ministry of the Interior. In addition, its verdicts are not subject to appeal and its trials are not conducted in accordance with the Code of Criminal Procedure. 84. On 26 June 2003, the Special Rapporteur sent a joint urgent appeal with the Special Rapporteur on the question of torture and the Chairman-Rapporteur of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention regarding Abdel Rahman Shaghouri who was reportedly arrested by secret police agents without warrant on 23 February 2003 at a checkpoint between the town of Qunaytra and Damascus. It is believed that his detention is linked to his accessing web sites and passing on information of a political nature about his country. It is reported that since his arrest he has been denied access to his lawyer and relatives and that he is currently held at the Military Security Branch prison in Damascus. Communications from the Government 85. On 22 May 2003, the Government replied to the Special Rapporteurs' urgent appeal of 16 April 2003 and stated that Mr. Saleh and Mr. ‘Uthman were members of an outlawed political party and were responsible for inciting acts of violence and unrest and for distributing literature that was critical of national policy and in breach of the Associations Act. Both men are being tried before the courts. 86. On 15 September 2003, the Government replied to the Special Rapporteurs' urgent appeal of 26 June 2003 and advised that the competent authorities had arrested Mr. Shaghuri for using the Internet and distributing articles to persons outside the country. The competent authorities believe that in view of the contents of those articles the accused was in breach of State security and was arraigned before the Higher State Security Court to admit or deny the charge. Tajikistan Communications to the Government 87. On 11 June 2003, the Special Rapporteur sent a joint urgent appeal with the Special Rapporteur on the question of torture and the Chairman-Rapporteur of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention regarding Shamsuddin Shamsuddinov, deputy chairman of the Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan. It was reported that he was arrested on 30 May 2003 at his home in Chkalovsk, northern Tajikistan, by unknown persons. He was allegedly last seen at the Chkalovsk Airport. On 4 June 2003, the Chief Prosecutor, SharifKubanova, informed the press that Shamsuddin Shamsuddinov had been arrested and accused of having committed serious crimes. He is reportedly being held at a detention centre in Dushanbe, and has been permitted neither family visits nor access to legal counsel.E/CN.4/2004/60/Add. 1 Page 29 Tunisia Communications envoyées 88. Par une lettre datee du 30 decembre 2002, qui a etc omise dans le rapport precedant (E/CN.4/2003/65/Add.1) pour des raisons techniques, le Rapporteur special, conjointement avec le Rapporteur special sur la torture et la Representante speciale du Secretaire general concernant la situation des defenseurs des droits de l'homme, ont informe le gouvernement qu'ils avaient reçu des renseignements selon lesquels Mokhtar Yahiaoui, juge, president du Centre tunisien pour l'independance de lajustice (CTIJ) et membre du comite de liaison de l'Association internationale de solidarite avec les prisonniers politiques (AISPP), aurait etc agresse et enleve par des agents de police en civil le 11 decembre 2002, alors qu'il se rendait chez son avocat a Tunis. Ii aurait etc hospitalise suite a cette agression. . Par ailleurs, le cabinet de Me Bhiri, son avocat et membre du bureau executif du CTIJ, et celui de sa femme, M Akermi, secretaire generale de l'AISPP, auraient etc encercles par unimportant dispositif policier le 13 decembre 2002. A cette occasion, les deux avocats auraient etc agresses par des agents de police, et leur enfant de 13 ans frappe au visage. Lassad Jouhri, membre fondateur de l'AISPP, present au moment des faits, aurait etc frappe et hospitalise. Plusieurs avocats, dont Mes AbderraoufAyadi, Sihem Rostom, Néjib Ben Youssef, Mokhtar Tritfi, Mohamed Goumani et Youssef Rezui, auraient par la suite egalement agresses ou autrement empeches d'acceder au cabinet de leurs confreres, MesBh n et Akermi. En outre, Me Samir DiIIou, membre fondateur de l'AISPP, aurait etc arête a son cabinet le 13 decembre 2002 et interroge pendant plusieurs heures. Ii aurait reçu un coup ala tête qui lui aurait fait perdre connaissance. Finalement, il etait allegue qu'un certain nombre de personnes, dont Abdallah Zouari et Me Said Mechichi, auraient etc empêchees de participer a la celebration du 54Cme anniversaire de la Declaration universelle des droits de l'homme, organisee par la Ligue tunisienne des droits de l'homme (LTDH) durant la soiree du 13 decembre 2002. 89. Le 21 janvier 2003, le Rapporteur special a envoyc un appel urgent relatif a l'agression dont auraient fait l'objet, le 13 decembre 2002, les avocats Saida Akremi Bhiri et Nourredine Bhiri, ainsi que leurs enfants, par des pretendus policiers en civil non identifies. Mme Bhiri aurait etc conduite de force au MinistCre de l'interieur oü elle aurait etc longuement interrogee. Son bureau serait touj ours encercle par des agents de securite qui empêchent tout autre avocat d'y acceder. Deux autres avocats, Samir Ben Amor et Samir Dilou, auraient egalement etc arrêtes le même jour. Le 17 decembre 2002, l'avocat Mohamed Jmour, en sa qualite de secretaire general de l'Ordre national des avocats de Tunisie, aurait tente d'acceder au bureau de Mme Akremi. Ii aurait cependant etc attaque par quatre agents qui surveillaient le batiment. Ceux-ci l'auraient traine dans la rue tout en le rouant de coups et en l'insultant. D'autres avocats, tels que Anwar Oled A u, YoussefRezjai et M. Ayadi, auraient egalement etc violemment agresses peu aprCs. Le batonnier de l'Ordre national des avocats de Tunisie, M. Bechir Essid, aurait, sans succCs, proteste auprCs du MinistCre de l'interieur contre ces agressions. Le Conseil national de l'Ordre aurait depose une plainte nominative contre les auteurs de ces agissements. Le Parquet n'aurait cependant pas donne suite a cette affaire. Par ailleurs, le 19 janvier 2003, la tenue de l'assemblee generale extraordinaire du barreau tunisien convoquce par le Conseil national de l'Ordre pour discuter de la situation d'insecurite dans laquelle se trouvent les avocats, aurait etc empêchee par certains de ses adherents, membres actifs de la cellule professionnelle << Avocats >> du parti au pouvoir, le RCD, qui en auraient bloque l'entree.E/CN. 4/2004/6 0/Add. 1 Page 30 90. Le 22 juillet 2003, le Rapporteur special, conjointement avec le Rapporteur special sur la promotion et la protection du droit a la liberte d'opinion et d'expression et la Representante speciale du Secretaire general concernant la situation des defenseurs des droits de l'homme, ont envoyc un appel urgent relatives aux atteintes presumees portees a la liberte de reunion en Tunisie, ainsi que sur l'agression dont aurait fait l'objet Me Radhia Nasraoui, avocate et presidente de l'Association de lutte contre la torture en Tunisie. Selon les informations reçues le 13 juillet 2003, un groupe de pretendus policiers en civil aurait empeche la tenue dune reception organisee par la Ligue tunisienne des ecrivains libres, en faisant un barrage aux abords du domicile de M. Jalloul Azzouna, ecrivain et president de la Ligue, oü devait avoir lieu la reception, obligeant ainsi tous les invites a faire demi-tour. Arrives peu aprés, Me Nasraoui et M. Azzouna auraient reussi a passer le barrage. C'est alors que Me Nasraoui aurait etc violemment frappee et M. Azzouna, qui tentait de la defendre, aurait etc malmene. Me Nasraoui, qui souffre de contusions aux bras, aurait decide de porter plainte. Des craintes ont etc exprimees que cette attaque ne soit une reponse a la creation par Me Nasraoui de l'Association de lutte contre la torture en Tunisie, dont l'enregistrement aurait etc reffise le 26 juin dernier. Communications reçues 91. Le 28 juillet 2003, le gouvernement a repondu qu'aucune plainte n'avait etc deposee quant a la supposee agression de M. Yahyaoui (E/CN.4/2003/65/Add.1 par. 205 et 210 a 217), et en reponse a l'appel du Rapporteur special en date du 21 janvier 2003, il souligne d'abord de l'absence de preuves soutenant les accusations formulees contre les autorites. Ii indique qu'aucune des associations visees na d'existencejuridique legale; par consequent, aucune personne physique ne peut pretendre les representer. Ii ajoute, dune part, que l'AISPP a induit en erreur plusieurs ONG et defenseurs des droits de l'homme suite a une annonce erronee, les obligeant par la suite a exprimer des regrets et des excuses officielles. D'autre part, le LTDDH, par decision judiciaire, est uniquement limitee a l'organisation d'assemblees generales electives. S'agissant du vol perpetre au prejudice du cabinet de Me Noureddine Bhiri, le gouvernement declare que les auteurs ont etc interpelles. Quant a M. Yahyaoui, il ne s'est pas conforme aux demarches administratives requises par les autorites concernant le renouvellement de son passeport suite a la modification de sa situation professionnelle. Le gouvernement souligne egalement qu'aucune plainte personnelle na etc deposee auprés des autorites a la suite des pretendues agressions dont ont etc victimes toutes les personnes mentionnees dans cet appel urgent. Ii stipule enfin que M. Adallah Zouari etait un detenu de droit commun, et non d'opinion, suite a sa condamnation pour des infractions graves du méme ordre. Sa liberation conditionnelle, par decision judiciaire, ne s'etend pas a l'application de la peine complementaire qui fixe son lieu de residence, restreignant ainsi ses possibilites de deplacement. Turkey Communications to the Government 92. On 19 December 2003, the Special Rapporteur sent a joint urgent appeal with the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, the Special Rapporteur on adequate housing, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on the situation of human rights defenders and the Representative of the Secretary- General on internally displaced persons concerning Sezgin Tanrikulu, Chairman of Diyarbakir's Bar Association, Sabahattin Korkmaz, Burhan Deyar and ilabibe Deyar, all lawers of the Diyarbakir's Bar Association. According to the information received, on 5 December 2003 the Diyarbakir Heavy Penal Court held its second hearing against these four lawyers, who were indicted on 3 June 2003E/CN.4/2004/60/Add. 1 Page 31 under article 240 of the Turkish Penal Code and artice 59/1-2 of the Law on the Legal Profession for “professional misconduct” and “abuse of legal responsibility” in connection with their representation on compensation cases of 96 villages from the Kulp and Lice Districts reportedly burned down in 1993 and 1994. The case was adjourned to 24 December and there was concern that it was launched against the lawyers to intimidate and prevent them from denouncing the forced evictions and house demolitions allegedly carried out against the Kurdish population living in southern and south-eastern Turkey. Communications from the Government 93. On 13 August 2003, the Government provided additional information to the Special Rapporteurs' joint urgent appeal of 23 May 2002 (E/CN.4/2003/65/Add. 1, paras. 219 and 223) and advised that Salih Yilar's complaint of ill- treatment was investigated and as a result of this investigation a lawsuit was filed against two policemen and the case was ongoing. 94. On 24 December 2003, the Government provided additional information to the Special Rapporteurs' joint urgent appeal of 28 June 2001 (E/CN.4/2002/72/Add.1, paras. 185 and 188) concerning 16 persons separately charged with publishing a book entitled Freedom of Thought 2000. With respect to the accused Sadik Tasdogan, he was acquitted by the Istanbul State Security Court (that decision was upheld by the Court of Cassation on 11 June 2001). The other 15 accused persons were acquitted on 7 September 2001 by the Turkish General Staff Military Court (that decision was not appealed and is therefore final). The other lawsuit filed against these 15 accused persons for “making propaganda for an armed terrorist organization through publication” contrary to the Turkish Penal Code, Anti- Terror Law and Press Law resulted in their acquittal on 29 September 2003 following recent legislative changes undertaken as part of the general reform process. Turkinenistan Communications to the Government 95. On 9 January 2003, the Special Rapporteur sent a communication concerning the conviction and sentencing of Turkmen opposition leader and former Foreign Minister Boris Shikhmuradov for the 25 November 2002 assassination attempt against President Saparmurat Niazov. Mr. Shikhmuradov was arrested on 25 December in Ashgabad and on 29 December the Supreme Court sentenced him, together with three exiled opposition leaders (Mr. Saparmurat Yklymov, the former deputy Minister of Agriculture; Mr. Khudaiberdy Orazov, the former head of the Central Bank of Turkmenistan; and Mr. Nurmukhamed Khanamov, a former ambassador to Turkey- all convicted in absentia), to the maximum prison term of 25 years for attempted assassination and coupd'etat. Reportedly, the following day, the Halk Maslikhat, Turkmenistan's supreme representative body, increased the sentence to life imprisonment, citing a new measure for those found guilty of treason. The trial and conviction of such serious charges were completed in four days after arrest and has raised concerns as to whether the accused were accorded due process recognized under international law. Of concern is the fact that Turkmenistan's supreme representative body imposed a final sentence over the initial sentence handed down by the court. 96. On 28 January 2003, the Special Rapporteur sent an urgent appeal concerning the trials of many individuals in connection with the recent assassination attempt against the President of Turkmenistan. According to the information received, on 13 January 2003, the trial ofE/CN. 4/2004/6 0/Add. 1 Page 32 32 individuals, including Batyr Berdyev, Amanmukhammet Yklymov and Orazmamed Yklymov, commenced. It is alleged that the defendants were not given adequate time and facilities for the preparation of their defence and for communicating with their legal representative. In particular, it is alleged that the defendants' lawyers were not given sufficient notice of the date of commencement of legal proceedings, that the defendants were not permitted to review the evidence adduced against them and that several lawyers stated in court that they were ashamed of representing their clients. No information has been published about the names of the defendants who appeared before the court, the nature of the charges brought against them and the place of the trial. 97. On 6 June 2003, the Special Rapporteur sent a letter requesting a mission to Turkmenistan. Communications from the Government 98. On 12 February 2003 the Government replied to the Special Rapporteur's communications of 9 and 28 January 2003 concerning the trial of a number of individuals for committing terrorist acts and making an attempt on the life of the President of Turkmenistan. The Government advised that the investigation was conducted in strict conformity with national legislation and norms of international law. Each defendant was afforded legal representation and the services of a translator and was able to prepare a full defence. The Government believes the investigation was conducted in a transparent manner and initiated extradition proceedings for accused persons who were foreign citizens. The Government further advised that the results of the investigation were reported to the highest representative body in the country, the People's Council of Turkmenistan, which made a political and legal evaluation of the events and that important State decisions aimed at strengthening the security of the country were adopted. The Government claims that the allegations are unsubstantiated and based on false interpretations. Uganda Communications to the Government 99. On 13 October 2003, the Special Rapporteur sent a joint urgent appeal with the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression regarding information about a public announcement by the Law Council of Uganda made in August 2003, in which the Council stated that it would enforce regulation 22 of the Advocates (Professional Conduct) Regulations of 1977 which reportedly states that all lawyers are to refrain from participating in radio talk shows, making public comments, writing articles or issuing press statements on legal or constitutional matters. Reportedly, the only way to be exempt from this regulation would be to obtain express authorization from the Council, a body which is under the authority of the Ministry of Justice. There is concern that lawyers may be restricted from exercising their right to freedom of expression in their professional capacity. United States of America Communications to the Government 100. On 16 June 2003, the Special Rapporteur sent ajoint communication with the Special Rapporteur on the question of torture concerning Jose Padilla, an American citizen, who has been held incommunicado in military custody in the United States of America as “enemy combatant” without charge, trial or access to his lawyer or family for over one year. According to theE/CN.4/2004/60/Add. 1 Page 33 information received, Mr. Padilla was arrested at Chicago Airport on 8 May 2002 and originally held as a “material witness” by the Department of Justice during a grand jury probe into an alleged conspiracy to detonate a radioactive “dirty bomb” on a city in the United States of America. However, on 9 June 2002, the Government reportedly transferred him from the jurisdiction of the criminal justice system to military custody and he has not had access to a lawyer. The transfer to military custody was made on the basis of an order by President Bush designating Mr. Padilla to be an “enemy combatant” closely associated withAl-Qaida, whose detention it said was necessary to prevent him from aiding an attack on the United States. He has been held since that date in solitary confinement on a naval base in Charleston, South Carolina. In December 2002, a United States district court upheld the President's authority to detain enemy combatants, even if American citizens, with a limited right of judicial review. However, the court also ruled that Mr. Padilla was entitled to have consultations with his lawyer in order to respond to the Government's case. The Government appealed, arguing that granting Mr. Padilla access to an attorney would hinder its ongoing process of interrogating him. He reportedly remains without access to his lawyer pending the Government's appeal. 101. On 11 July 2003, the Special Rapporteur sent ajoint urgent appeal with the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions regarding Darnell Williams who, according to our information, was due to be executed by the State of Indiana on 1 August 2003. It is reported that he is seeking commutation of his death sentence and is asking the Governor for a reprieve for the purposes of DNA testing. Mr. Williams has, according to the information receveived, always maintained that, while he was involved in the crime, he was not present when the shooting occurred and that appeal courts have agreed that his lawyers' performance on this issue was deficient but stated it did not affect the outcome of the trial. At the trial, the prosecution presented the report of a serologist, who had found three blood spots on Mr. Williams' shorts. However, defence lawyers did not hire their own experts to evaluate the blood spots, so their cross- examination with regard to this piece of evidence was limited. Newly discovered information from the State serologist's notes now suggests that the blood may not have come from the victims. A DNA test on these blood spots could therefore support Mr. Williams' claim that he was not present at the shooting. Mr. Williams appeal lawyers have sought to have the blood subjected to DNA testing and the trial prosecutor supports this request. In addition, a witness with exonerating evidence was reportedly interviewed by the prosecution, but Mr. Williams' defence lawyers did not review this evidence despite being aware of the interview tape and therefore this witness did not testify at the trial. According to the information received, appeals against Mr. Williams' death sentence on the grounds of failure by his lawyers to present the jury with evidence of his alleged limited mental competence have been unsuccessful. 102. On 19 December 2003, the Special Rapporteur sent anotherjoint urgent appeal with the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions regarding Darnell Williams. According to the information received, the late Governor, Frank O'Bannon, stopped Mr. Williams' scheduled execution on 1 August 2003 in order to allow modern DNA blood testing. Reportedly, the DNA results, released on 12 December 2003, support Mr. Williams' claim that the blood did not come from the victims. The blood evidence was reportedly the key element in the claim that Mr. Williams was at the scene of the shooting, yet despite these new developments, a spokesperson for the Attorney- General reportedly stated that the State of Indiana would press ahead with the execution of Mr. Williams.E/CN. 4/2004/6 0/Add. 1 Page 34 Communications from the Government 103. On 1 April 2003, the Government sent a detailed reply to the Special Rapporteurs' joint urgent appeal of 18 September 2002 (E/CN.4/2003/85/Add.1, paras. 254-273) regarding cases of detention of many individuals, particularly non-US nationals, since 11 September 2001. The Government responded that it would refrain from disclosing information on individual cases as the release of this information could jeopardize the conduct of ongoing investigations, the safety and privacy of aliens and public safety and interest. The Government did, however, advise that since 11 September 2001, the United States had mobilized unprecedented resources to prevent further attacks against the country while at the same time safeguarding civil liberties. To this end, the United States Department of Justice has used the full weight of the federal justice system as a method of neutralizing potential terrorist threats by prosecuting those who violated the law and thereby posed a national security risk. In some cases, the Department of Justice had prosecuted individuals for crimes not directly related to terrorism, including enforcement of its immigration laws. In this regard, the investigations in connection with the events of 11 September 2001 led to the arrest and detention of many aliens found in the United States in violation of the Immigration and Nationality Act). Their treatment while in INS custody was consistent with the protection aliens are afforded under United States law. 104. As for the concerns raised on the non- disclosure of a list of individuals detained on immigration law violations or deemed by the Government to have associations or information relating to the events of 11 September and related terrorist investigations, it was reported by the Government that such a policy was based on the professional judgement of senior law enforcement officials, including those from the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice and the FBI with leading roles in 11 September investigations. Disclosure of the identities of detainees would have endangered the ongoing investigations, as well as the detainees themselves, and could have revealed sources and methods of investigation to terrorist organizations. 105. Several measures had been taken to guarantee the nation's continued security and integrity of the 11 September investigations. These include, inter alia, refraining from publicly disclosing some information regarding the detainees and closing their immigration court hearings to the public for as long as the aliens concerned remained of interest to the investigations. Making public such information could have revealed road maps of the investigations and allowed terrorist organizations to alter further attacks plan, to intimidate witnessesand to fabricate evidence. 106. In responding to concerns expressed by the Special Rapporteurs about the resulting detention of non-US nationals, the Government provided some details regarding the number of individuals detained in INS custody as a result of 11 September investigations: as at 28 March 2003, INS had detained 766 aliens on immigration law violations at some time since the events of 11 September 2001 and in connection with the investigations related to those events. Of these 766, 505 had been deported or had left the country voluntarily. Only 1 of these aliens remained in custody as part of active 11 September investigations. 107. As for individuals held on immigration charges in the custody of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), they were entitled to due process protections in accordance with United States law. All detainees had been notified of the charges against them and were given the right to contest those charges in some type of an immigration proceeding. They were also given lists of pro bono counsels and advised of their right to retain a lawyer at no expense to the Government. TheyE/CN.4/2004/60/Add. 1 Page 35 were also given the opportunity to seek release onbail to continue to prepare their cases, to examine the evidence against them and to apply for discretionary relief from removal, as well as the right of appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals and to judicial review in the federal courts. In addition, the United States adhered to its obligations under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations to notify aliens of their rights to consular notification, communication and access. Press releases 108. On 12 March 2003 the Special Rapporteur issued a press release about the effects of the ruling by the United States' Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit that Guantanamo Bay detainees cannot invoke the jurisdiction of United States courts because the territory is not part of the country. The Special Rapporteur stated that the decision could set a dangerous precedent as it appears to imply that a Government of a sovereign State could lease a piece of land from a neighbouring State, set up a detention camp, fhlly operate and control it, arrest suspects of terrorism from otherjurisdictions, send them to this camp, deny them their legal rights -- including principles of due process generally granted to its own citizens -- on grounds that the camp is physically outside its jurisdiction. By such conduct, the Government of the United States, in this case, will be seen as systematically evading the application of domestic and international law so as to deny these suspects their legal rights. Detention without trial offends the first principle of the rule of law. The Special Rapporteur stated that the implications of this decision are far- reaching as the war on terrorism cannot possibly be won by denial of legal rights, including fhndamental principles of due process for those merely suspected of terrorism. 109. On 7 July 2003, the Special Rapporteur issued a press release to express alarm at the implementation by the Government of the United States of the Military Order (Detention, Treatment and Trial of Certain Non-citizens in the War against Terrorism) President Bush signed on 13 November 2001. Pursuant to this Order, six detainees may be brought to trial before a military commission. These detainees have been described as suspected members of Al-Qaida or “otherwise involved in terrorism directed against the United States”. In proceeding to apply these drastic measures to counter terrorism, the Government of the United States is seen as defying United Nations resolutions, including General Assembly resolution 57/219 of 18 December 2002 and Security Council resolution 1456 of 20 January 2003. These resolutions reiterate and affirm that States must ensure that any measures taken to combat terrorism must be in accordance with international law, including international human rights, refugee and humanitarian law. Uruguay Comunicación enviada 110. El 26 de febrero de 2003, el Relator Especial, junto con la Relatora Especial sobre la violencia contra la mujer, sus causas y sus consecuencias, enviO un llamamiento urgente en relaciOn con el supuesto traslado por parte de la Suprema Corte de Justicia de lajuez penal Ana Lima a una sede laboral. La Sra. Lima habrIa participado en programas de formaciOn en derechos humanos para jueces y habrIa aplicado sus conocimientos en la materia en sus funciones judiciales. Uno de estos casos serla el de la violaciOn de una menor, en el cual con base en las pruebas medicas solicitadas por lajuez, se habrIa sentenciado a cuatrojOvenes. Posteriormente, bajo un procedimiento especial, la Suprema Corte de Justicia habrIa perdonado a los sentenciados, poniéndolos en libertad sin haber revocado la condena ni la sentencia. La Corte no habrIa brindado explicaciones respecto a tal decision. El 9 de noviembre de 2002, la Sra. Lima habrIa tratado el caso relativo a la solicitud delE/CN. 4/2004/6 0/Add. 1 Page 36 Gobierno de Espafla para la extradiciOn de un ciudadano de ese pals. El mes siguiente, la Corte habr la decidido transferir a lajuez a una sede laboral. Esta decision habria sido percibida como una medida de represalia y castigo en contra de lajuez por su implicaciOn en los casos arriba mencionados y como una medida de alerta a otros miembros del poder judicial. Como protesta, la Sra. Lima habr la presentado su dimisiOn. 111. Mediante comunicaciOn del 14 de abril 2003 el Relator Especial expresO al Gobierno de Uruguay su preocupaciOn ante la publicaciOn de la carta de alegaciOn de fecha 26 de febrero 2003 enviadajuntamente con la Relatora Especial sobre la violencia contra la mujer, sus causas y sus consecuencias, la cual habria sido difundida en el diario El Observador el dia 9 de abril 2003. Respuestas del Gobierno 112. Mediante comunicaciOn del 14 de mayo de 2003, el Gobierno proporcionO informaciOn en relaciOn con el llamamiento urgente que el Relator Especial, junto con la Relatora Especial sobre la violencia contra la mujer, sus causas y sus consecuencias, habia enviado el 26 de febrero de 2003 sobre el supuesto traslado por parte de la Suprema Corte de Justicia de lajuez penal Ana Lima a una sede laboral. Segün el Gobierno, la decision respecto al traslado de la Sra. Lima habr la tenido como base razones de legalidad y de un mejor servicio de administraciOn de justicia. Asimismo el Gobierno informO de que la decision no tendria carácter de sanciOn y no habria representado la modificaci on de su categoria, rango o retribuci on ni tampoco del lugar de asignaciOn de las funciones. El Gobierno tambien inform o que lajuez habria alegado razones personales como motivo de su renuncia sin que hubiese acudido a la via contencioso anulatoria para obtener una eventual reparaciOn de los daflos que se habrian causado con la decision administrativa. 113. Mediante comunicaciOn del 15 de mayo de 2003, el Gobierno proporcionO informaci on en relaci on con la publicaci on de la carta de alegaci on de fecha 26 de febrero 2003 enviadajuntamente con la Relatora Especial sobre la violencia contra la mujer, sus causas y sus consecuencias. Segün el Gobierno, se desconocerlan los medios a través de los cuales dicha comunicaciOn se habria hecho püblica. Uzbekistan Communications to the Government 114. On 11 June 2003, the Special Rapporteur sent ajoint urgent appeal with the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, the Special Rapporteur on the question of torture and the Chairman-Rapporteur of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention regarding Khamila Ismailova, who was reportedly severely beaten by unknown attackers in her home in Shurchi, Surkhandaria Province, on 13 May 2003. Her husband, Ergash Choriev, who was also allegedly assaulted during this incident, reportedly died as a result of the beatings. Ms. Ismailova was allegedly taken to Termez Prison on 3 June 2003 and not allowed to see her lawyer until the following day and only in the presence of the prosecutor. It is believed Ms. Ismailova eventually signed a confession to the murder of her husband and that the police claimed that her injuries were self-inflicted. It is fhrther reported that on 9 June 2003 a new lawyer hired by the family was denied access to her by the Chief of the Investigation Department at the Surkhandaria Province Prosecutor's office. Although according to the domestic law, charges must be brought against a person within 72 hours of his or her detention, it was reportedly not done so in this case.E/CN.4/2004/60/Add. 1 Page 37 115. On 4 July 2003, the Special Rapporteur sent a joint urgent appeal with the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, the Special Rapporteur on the question of torture and the Chairman-Rapporteur of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention regarding ilairulla Ernazarov, a citizen of Samarkand Oblast, Narpai region and former journalist for “Halk Suzi” and “Sport” newspapers, who was reportedly arrested on 28 April 2003 by officers of the Service of National Security (SNS) in his apartment in Tashkent City without being given any reason at that time. Three days later, his wife was allegedly informed by a SNS officer that he had been wanted for three years for distributing audio cassettes of an Islamic preacher, Abduvalli-kori. Hairulla Ernazarov was reportedly taken to the Isolation- Investigation Centre of Samarkand SNS. It is alleged that a court proceeding against him began on 17 June 2003. His lawyers were allegedly not permitted to participate in the judicial proceedings. It is believed that he was charged with being connected with “Vahhabism” and being a member of the Hizb-Ut-Tahrir Party. Since his arrest he has reportedly not been allowed to receive visits from his relatives or from his lawyers. 116. On 23 May 2003, the Special Rapporteur sent a letter requesting a mission to Uzbekistan. Communications from the Government 117. On 5 August 2003 the Government replied to the Special Rapporteur's communication of 4 July 2003. The Government confirmed that ilairulla Ernazarov was arrested on 14 May 2003 and that his trial was still ongoing and advised that during the pre-trial investigation Mr. Ernazarov was represented by legal counsel from the Bagishamal district lawyers' association and due process was ensured by the judicial officials of the Samarkand Province. By way of backrground, the Government advised that on 28 May 2001 a warrant was issued for the arrest of Mr. Ernazarov, who evaded prosecution for nearly two years. The Government stated that Mr. Ernazarov was a member of an unlawful criminal organization engaged in criminal activities in the Tashkent Province designed to undermine public safety and promote extremism and separatism with the aim of overthrowing the Government. 118. On 19 August 2003 the Government replied to the Special Rapporteur's communication of 11 June 2003 with regard to the case of Khalima Ismailova. The Government stated that on 13 May 2003 the Surhan-Darya provincial procurator's office instituted criminal proceedings relating to this matter and that the case was being investigated on the basis of evidence of offences covered by articles 25 and 97 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan. According to the Government's response, in the course of the investigation, a number of different possible scenarios were considered, including that Ismailova was involved in the murder and, on 3 June 2003, she was arrested as a suspect under article 221 of the Code of Criminal Procedure of the Republic of Uzbekistan and, in accordance with article 243 of the same code, she was remanded in custody on 6 June 2003. She was allegedly released from custody on 16 June 2003 as there was insufficient evidence of her involvement in the offence in question. The Government affirmed that, from 3 June 2003, the date of her arrest, the investigative actions relating to her were conducted with the representation of I. Toshkulov, a lawyer from the town of Termiz, and that since 9 June 2003, she was represented by a lawyer named M. Bozorov who was assigned by her family. According to the Government, during the course of the investigation, she never complained about any unlawful methods being used against her. The Government stated that the allegation that Ms. Ismailova was forced to sign a confession to the murder while in custody was unfounded. The Government advised that the Office of the Procurator-General was monitoring the progress of the investigation.E/CN. 4/2004/6 0/Add. 1 Page 38 Venezuela Comunicación enviada 119. El 8 de octubre de 2003, ci Relator Especial enviô una comunicaciôn en reiacion con ci trámite de aprobacion dcl proyecto de la icy orgánica dcl Tribunal Supremo de Justicia sometido a la Asambica Nacional para su discusion definitiva. Segün los informes, existirlan multiples inquietudes en cuanto a la constitucionalidad de aigunas de las disposiciones contenidas en ci proyecto, las cuales, en ci caso de ser aprobadas y ejecutadas de manera inmediata, podrIan afectar de manera negativa la independencia e integridad dcl sistema judicial venezolano. Tales disposiciones estarlan relacionadas con ci aumento dcl nümero de magistrados dcl tribunal supremo; ci otorgamiento de facuitades para que la Asambica Nacional por mayorIa absoluta pueda aumentar o disminuir ci nümero de magistrados de las salas dci Tribunal Supremo de Justicia, asI como la facuitad para que dicha corporaciôn pueda decretar, por simple mayorIa, la nulidad dci nombramiento de magistrados dci Tribunal Supremo de Justicia. Asimismo, se habrIa expresado preocupaciôn en reiacion con los hechos ocurridos ci 23 de septiembre de 2003 en la sede de la Corte Primera de lo Contencioso Administrativo. Dc acuerdo con las informaciones recibidas, funcionarios de la Direcciôn de los servicios de intehgencia y prevenciôn dci Ministerio de Relaciones Jnteriores y Justicia, portando armas de alto calibre, habrIan ailanado y ocupado por más de seis horas la sede de la Corte Primera, con base en una orden judicial emitida contra uno de sus funcionarios por ci presunto delito de portaciôn ilegItima de documentos judiciales. Sc alega que este hecho podrIa constituir una reacciôn ante aigunas decisiones de la Corte Primera adversas al Gobierno, en casos tales como los de la Militarizac ion c /c la ciudad c/c Caracas, ci 2 de diciembre de 2002; ci caso Policia Mctropolitana, ci 13 de diciembre de 2002; ci caso UNAPETROL, ci 12 dejuiio de 2002 y ci casoMédicos cubanos, ci 21 de agosto de 2003, decisiones ante las cuales ci Ejecutivo habrIa asumido una posiciôn poiltica encaminada a descalificar a la Corte y ilamar pübiicamente al desacato de sus decisiones e irrespeto de sus magistrados. Viet Nam Communications to the Government 120. On 8 January 2003, the Special Rapporteur sent ajoint urgent appeal with the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on the situation of human rights defenders regarding Nguyen Khac Toan. According to the information received, on 20 December 2002 Nguyen Khac Toan was sentenced to 12 years in prison and to three years probationary detention by the People's Court in Hanoi. According to the information received, Mr. Nguyen's conviction and sentencing might be related to the assistance he gave to farmers' representatives in drafting petitions to the National Assembly and to the Government protesting against State confiscation of land and for sharing information about these demonstrations and protests, via the Internet, with Vietnamese human rights groups overseas.It was reported that Mr. Nguyen was charged with “espionage” (article 80 of the Vietnamese Criminal Code). The trial was reportedly closed to the public. According to the information received, his lawyer, Tran Lam, was only able to meet his client twice before the trial and he was not allowed to speak to him in private. Nguyen Khac Taon is detained in Thanh Liet Prison near Hanoi.E/CN.4/2004/60/Add. 1 Page 39 Communications from the Government 121. On 12 March 2003, the Government replied to the Special Rapporteurs' joint urgent appeal of 8 January 2003 and stated that Mr. Nguyen Khac Toan was arrested because of his acts of espionage which violated the very national security of Viet Nam and was not at all related to the assistance he gave to farmers' representatives in drafting petitions to the National Assembly and to the Government. The Government further advised that Mr. Nguyen's trial was held publicly on 20 December 2002 by the Hanoi People's Court and he was fully guaranteed his rights to a legal defence of his choice. Yemen Communications to the Government 122. On 23 May 2003, the Special Rapporteur sent a communication regarding the explosion that occurred on 14 May 2003 in a courtroom in Ibb causing injuries to Judge ilizam Mohammed Mufadhal. According to the information received, the explosion occurred at the same court where Mr. Abed Abdulrazzak Kamel was sentenced to death on 10 May for the murder of three doctors. However, it does not appear that this attack is linked to Judge Mufadhal as he was not the presiding judge. On 14 May Judge Mufadhal was reviewing a number of cases when family members connected to one case entered the court and requested that their case be reviewed on that day. Judge Mufadhal refused to reschedule the case that was set to be heard the week after. Five minutes later the explosion occurred. The judge is said to be in relatively stable condition in hospital. A number of people are reported to have been arrested. Communications from the Government 123. On 12 December 2003, the Government replied to the Special Rapporteur's communication of 23 May 2003 and stated that the explosion was an act of sabotage and a criminal act designed to disturb security and stability in general and that the independence of the judiciary was not a target. The Attorney-General is canying out an inquiry and some individuals have been arrested and further investigations are ongoing. Inquiries with security agents have resulted in providing more security and protection for the courthouse. In addition, more measures have been taken to ensure security in all courts in the Republic and to provide lawyers with a secure environment so that they are not disturbed or influenced in any way. Zimbabwe Communications to the Government 124. On 17 October 2003 the Special Rapporteur sent a joint urgent appeal with the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on the situation of human rights defenders and the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression regarding an alleged attack against Beatrice Mtetwa, a council member of the Law Society of Zimbabwe, who frequently takes up human rights cases, including some involving the freedom of the press. According to the information received, on 1 October 2003, an attempt was allegedly made to break into Ms. Mtetwa's car and on 12 October 2003, Ms. Mtetwa was allegedly attacked in her car and had a number of personal items stolen. She reportedly called the police about the robbery. On their arrival, the police allegedly accused her of driving while being intoxicated with alcohol andE/CN. 4/2004/6 0/Add. 1 Page 40 reportedly took her to Borrowdale Police Station. According to the information received, on the way to the police station Ms. Mtetwa was allegedly beaten by the officers. For three hours while in custody at the police station, she was reportedly also continuously beaten. On 16 October 2003, Ms. Mtetwa reportedly returned to the police station and presented her written statement relating to her charge of assault against the officer in charge. Concern has been expressed that Ms. Mtetwa may have been targeted on account of her human rights work. Communications from the Government 125. On 25 November 2003, the Government replied to the Special Rapporteur's communcation of 17 October 2003 and advised that according to a letter written by the Police Commissioner, Ms. Mtetwa arrived at the police station alleging a potential car jacking but this was apparently not supported by other witnesses' statements. Further, the police claim that Ms. Mtetwa acted in a hostile and possibly intoxicated manner and allegedly assaulted a police officer. According to the police, this police officer pressed charges and an ongoing internal investigation was immediately conducted to establish the circumstances and manner in which the officer handled the matter. The Police Commissioner gave assurances that if a member of the police force has acted outside the bounds of the law there is the possibility of a criminal prosecution or an internal disciplinary trial, possibly resulting in a dismissal. Press releases 126. On 19 February 2003 the Special Rapporteur issued a press release to express concern over the arrest and detention of another judge in Zimbabwe. On 17 February, Justice Benjamin Paradza was arrested and charged with an alleged obstruction of justice and released on bail. In January 2003, soon after Justice Paradza delivered his judgement on the Harare Mayor Elias Mudzuri case, ordering his release, he was intimidated and threatened with reprisal by police intelligence officers. The Government is reported to have alleged that Justice Paradza had attempted to influence a fellow judge in a case involving an application for the release of a passport of an accused in a murder trial. Last September 2002, anotherjudge, retired Judge Blackie was arrested and detained and subsequently charged with obstruction of justice. Prior to his retirement, Judge Blackie had convicted and sentenced the country's Minister of Justice to three months' imprisonment for contempt of court. The Government alleged that Judge Blackie had delivered a judgement quashing an appeal against a jail term imposed on a white woman without concurring with the otherjudge who sat on the appeal with him. What is common and so blatant about the alleged charges against Justice Paradza and retired Judge Blackie is that fellow judges are used as prime witnesses to prove those charges.While judges are not above the law, subjecting them to arrest and detention in such humiliating circumstances is tantamount to intimidation of the gravest kind. This leaves a chilling effect on the independence of the judiciary. This latest development is but one in a series of institutional and personal attacks on the judiciary and its independent judges over the past two years, which have resulted in the resignations of several senior judges and which have left Zimbabwe's rule of law in tatters. When judges can be set against one another, then intimidated with arrest, detention and criminal prosecution there is no hope for the rule of law, which is the cornerstone of democracy. It paves the way for governmental lawlessness. 127. On 3 July 2003, the Special Rapporteur issued a press release to welcome the withdrawal of all criminal charges against retired Judge Fergus Blackie by the Public Prosecutor in Zimbabwe. This is a step in the right direction towards respect for the independence of the judiciary and the rule of law in Zimbabwe. The Special Rapporteur urged the Public Prosecutor similarly to withdraw theE/CN.4/2004/60/Add. 1 Page 41 criminal charge preferred against Justice Benjamin Paradza on 18 February 2003 for alleged obstruction of justice. Palestinian Authority Communications to the Government 128. On 6 June 2003, the Special Rapporteur sent a joint urgent appeal with the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions regarding Sergeant Rani Darwish Khalil Shaqqura, a member of the Palestinian security services from Jabalya refugee camp in the Gaza Strip, who was reportedly sentenced to death by firing squad on 17 May 2003 by a special military court. It is reported that his death sentence must be approved by President Yasser Arafat, after which he could be executed at any time. According to the information received, Mr. Shaqqura was found guilty of the murder on 15 April 2003 of another member of the Palestinian security services, Captain Hani ‘Atiya al-Madhoun. It appears there was no legal basis for convening a military court, since such courts usually hear cases of security service employees in connection with offences committed during or as part of their work However, in this case, the killing was not carried out in the context of Mr. Shaqqura's work in the security services. It was reported that the charge sheet was not presented to the prosecutor until the court reconvened for the second time, on 26 April, and did not bear the signature and stamp of the civilian general prosecutor who had carried out the investigation, making it invalid. The defence lawyer reportedly objected to these and other irregularities. Nevertheless, the court overruled all the points he raised and the defence lawyer reportedly withdrew from the case in protest. Consequently, the court allegedly appointed two security officers to act as defence lawyers for Mr. Shaqqura. However, despite their law degree they are reportedly not registered with the Bar Association and do not practise law. They allegedly received the documents relating to the case only hours before the hearing. According to reports, no witnesses were called to testify in Mr. Shaqqura's defence.Download Attachments: