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Report

TOGOLESE REPUBLIC Head of state Faure Gnassingbé Head of government Kwesi Ahoomey-Zunu (replaced Gilbert Houngbo) Demonstrations by political parties and students were dispersed by security forces using excessive force. Torture was used in order to extract confessions. Freedoms of expression, assembly and of the press were undermined by the authorities. The Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission (TJRC) published its first findings but by the end of the year no concrete measures had been taken to end impunity. Background Throughout the year, demonstrations in favour of political and economic changes were regularly organized, some of them resulting in clashes between protesters…

May 29, 2013

Report

REPUBLIC OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO Head of state George Maxwell Richards Head of government Kamla Persad-Bissessar Reports of unlawful killings by police continued, some in circumstances suggesting that they may have been extrajudicial executions. Death sentences continued to be handed down. Background The murder rate remained high; 377 homicides were recorded during the year. Legislation that allowed criminal proceedings for certain offences to be abandoned if more than 10 years had passed since the offence was committed was introduced in August and repealed in October following a public outcry at its application in high-profile corruption cases. Police and security forces…

May 29, 2013

Report

Republic of Tunisia Head of state Moncef Marzouki Head of government Hamadi Jebali The authorities restricted freedom of expression and prosecuted several people using repressive laws enacted under the previous government. There were new reports of torture and other ill-treatment by police, who also used excessive force against demonstrators. Families of people killed and injured during the uprisings that ousted the former president in January 2011 continued to call for justice and reparations. Some former officials were tried and imprisoned. Women continued to face discrimination in both law and practice. Nine people were sentenced to death; no executions were carried…

May 29, 2013

Report

Republic of Turkey Head of state Abdullah Gül Head of government Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Freedom of expression remained restricted despite limited legislative reforms. The police used excessive force to break up peaceful demonstrations. Investigations and prosecutions into alleged human rights abuses by state officials were flawed. The pattern of unfair trials under anti-terrorism legislation persisted. Bomb attacks claimed the lives of civilians. No progress was made in recognizing the right to conscientious objection or in outlawing discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity. The number of refugees from Syria seeking shelter in Turkey reached almost 150,000. Turkey adopted…

May 29, 2013

Report

TURKMENISTAN Head of state and government Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov A law on political parties was passed allowing for formal political opposition. However, opposition figures, journalists and human rights defenders continued to suffer harassment by the state. Torture and other ill-treatment remained widespread. Background In February, President Berdimuhamedov was re-elected with 97.4% of the vote. The OSCE did not send election monitors, citing limited political freedom in Turkmenistan. In March, the UN Human Rights Committee concluded that although Turkmenistan showed a “new willingness” to improve its human rights record, a disparity between legislation and implementation persisted. Turkmenistan remained closed to international scrutiny:…

May 29, 2013

Report

Ukraine Head of state Viktor Yanukovich Head of government Mykola Azarov Torture and other ill-treatment remained widespread, and impunity for such acts continued. Failings in the criminal justice system led to lengthy periods of pre-trial detention, and a lack of safeguards for detainees. Refugees and asylum-seekers risked detention and forcible return to countries where they faced human rights violations. The rights of LGBTI individuals were at risk. Torture and other ill-treatment There were continuing reports of torture and other ill-treatment in police detention. In a report on a visit to Ukraine in 2011, published in November, the Council of Europe…

May 29, 2013

Report

Eastern Republic of Uruguay Head of state and government José Alberto Mujica Cordano Steps were taken to end impunity for crimes committed during the civil and military rule (1973-1985), including efforts to establish the identity of victims of enforced disappearance. Background Political debate centred around measures to combat crime and increase public security. In this context, the Electoral Court announced in September that enough signatures had been collected to hold a popular referendum to amend the Constitution and reduce the age at which juveniles can be tried as adults from 18 to 16. In May, Parliament nominated members to the…

May 29, 2013

Update

Warren Hill was found to be "mentally retarded" by a Georgia state judge. This finding would have exempted him from execution in other states. But Georgia, and only Georgia, requires proof of "mental retardation" to be "beyond a reasonable doubt."

May 29, 2013

Update

This week my brother's life could be taken for a "confession" he was tortured into making.

May 29, 2013

Update

Why should President Obama be first in line to sign the ATT? Here are 13 reasons.

May 29, 2013

Press Release

The court appeal by two members of a prominent Saudi Arabian human rights organization is a bid for justice amid a broader crackdown on activism in the Gulf kingdom, said Amnesty International.

May 28, 2013

Update

By Nehal Amer, Social Media Specialist, Middle East Coordination Group 5/30/2013 UPDATE: Success! What does it take for the Israeli military to stop imprisoning Natan Blanc? It takes Amnesty International and other activists making their concerns known and taking action. Natan Blanc’s father received a call from his son telling him that he had been informed that he would be released at the end of his current prison term. The decision apparently follows a decision by the Unsuitability (or Compatibility) Committee which – according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) – is designed to deal with people with behavioral problems who are deemed unsuitable…

May 27, 2013