Newsroom

Report

Lao People's Democratic Republic Head of state Choummaly Sayasone Head of government Thongsing Thammavong Restrictions on freedom of expression, association and assembly continued. Three prisoners of conscience and two Hmong political prisoners remained imprisoned. Harassment of Christians in several provinces was reported. Concerns increased over land disputes caused by development projects affecting livelihoods. Background In February, the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination expressed concern about the lack of international access given to Hmong involuntarily returned from Thailand. In September, Laos ratified the UN Convention against Torture. In November, Laos adopted the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration, despite serious…

May 21, 2013

Report

Lebanese Republic Head of state Michel Suleiman Head of government Najib Mikati Reports of torture and other ill-treatment continued, including forced, abusive physical examinations of detainees. Discrimination against Palestinian refugees continued, impeding their access to education, health, employment and adequate housing. Migrant workers faced abuse from employers and sometimes security forces. Some refugees and asylum-seekers, including those fleeing violence in neighbouring Syria, were arbitrarily detained. At least 170,000 refugees from Syria sought safety in Lebanon during the year. Women were discriminated against in law and practice. The Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) announced a trial date in 2013 but the…

May 21, 2013

Report

REPUBLIC OF MALI Interim head of state Diouncounda Traoré (replaced Amadou Toumani Touré) Interim head of government Django Cissoko (replaced Cissé Mariam Kaïdama Sidibé) The armed conflict in the north of the country and the military coup that ensued led to very serious human rights violations committed by the security forces, including extrajudicial executions, enforced disappearances and torture. Armed groups in the north committed abuses including sexual violence, deliberate and arbitrary killings and corporal punishments. Both sides recruited child soldiers. Background In January, Tuareg and Islamist armed groups launched an uprising which triggered in March a military coup in the…

May 21, 2013

Report

Republic of Maldives Head of state and government Mohamed Waheed (replaced Mohamed Nasheed) The controversial resignation of the President in early February was followed by months of protest and political repression across the archipelago. Security forces used excessive force – including truncheons and pepper-spraying people in the eyes – to suppress demonstrations that were largely peaceful. Supporters of the former President's Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) were targeted for attack in February. Detainees were subjected to torture and other ill-treatment. Weaknesses in the justice system perpetuated impunity for human rights violations. Background Months of party rivalry and unrest, followed by a…

May 21, 2013

Report

Malaysia Head of state King Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah Head of government Najib Tun Razak Colonial-era laws which had allowed for arbitrary detention and restricted freedom of expression were replaced with new legislation which nonetheless failed to meet international human rights standards. Peaceful protesters calling for electoral reform encountered police abuses and mass arrests. At least 14 people continued to be detained without trial under the Internal Security Act. Background Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak's coalition and the parliamentary opposition prepared for elections, which the Prime Minister was required to call by March 2013. Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, who faced…

May 21, 2013

Report

REPUBLIC OF MALAWI Head of state and government Joyce Banda (replaced Bingu wa Mutharika) Harassment and intimidation of government critics continued in the early part of the year. Following the swearing in of President Joyce Banda in April, the environment for civil and political rights rapidly improved. Commissions of enquiry into the deaths of 20 people during the July 2011 nationwide demonstrations and into the death of a student activist presented their findings. Several laws which threatened internationally guaranteed human rights were repealed. Background Following the sudden death of President Bingu wa Mutharika on 5 April, the then Vice-President Joyce…

May 21, 2013

Report

Republic of Malta Head of state George Abela Head of government Lawrence Gonzi Detention for up to 18 months remained mandatory for asylum-seekers and irregular migrants, and safeguards to challenge it were inadequate. Legal protection against hate crimes was extended to LGBTI people. Refugees, migrants and asylum-seekers The number of people who arrived by sea increased by 28% (from 1,577 to 2,023) on the previous year. The government continued to automatically detain undocumented migrants, often for up to 18 months, in breach of Malta's international human rights obligations. Unaccompanied children whose age was in question were also reportedly detained. Age…

May 21, 2013

Report

Republic of Moldova Head of state Nicolae Timofti (replaced Marian Lupu) Head of government Vladimir Filat There were reports of torture and other ill-treatment committed by the police with impunity. The state failed to protect people from discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and state of health. Torture and other ill-treatment In spite of changes to the law, impunity for torture and other ill-treatment continued. Of 128 complaints received by the Prosecutor General's Office in connection with incidents following demonstrations in April 2009, only 43 had reached the courts and only three police officers had been convicted by the…

May 21, 2013

Report

Mongolia Head of state Tsakhia Elbegdorj Head of government Norovyn Altankhuyag (replaced Sükhbaataryn Batbold) Mongolia took one step closer to abolishing the death penalty by acceding to the Second Optional Protocol to the ICCPR. Trials of high-profile individuals, including political figures, failed to meet international standards of fairness. Lack of due process led to forced evictions in ger districts in Ulaanbaatar. Background Parliamentary elections were held on 28 June. The majority Democratic Party formed a coalition government with the Justice Coalition and the Civil Will Green Party. Death penalty There were no executions. In March, Mongolia became a party to…

May 21, 2013

Report

Montenegro Head of state Filip Vujanović Head of government Milo Đukanović (replaced Igor Lukšić) Verdicts in war crimes cases were inconsistent with international law. Independent journalists continued to face intimidation and attacks. Background Demonstrations against the government's economic and social policies continued throughout the year. Negotiations on Montenegro's accession to the EU began in June, focusing on the rule of law, including combatting organized crime and high-level corruption. After October elections, the longstanding ruling Democratic Party of Socialists was only able to form a coalition government with ethnic minority party support. Former President Milo Djukanović became Prime Minister for the…

May 21, 2013

Report

REPUBLIC OF MOZAMBIQUE Head of state Armando Emílio Guebuza Head of government Alberto Vaquina (replaced Aires Ali) People were subject to arbitrary arrest and detention by police, and prolonged detention without trial. Excessive use of force by police was reported. Appalling conditions in prisons led to riots. Background On 8 March a shoot-out between police in Nampula city and about 300 members of the opposition Mozambique National Resistance (Resistência Nacional Moçambicana, Renamo) resulted in the deaths of a police officer and a Renamo member, and injuries to several others, both police and Renamo. Police had raided the Renamo headquarters where…

May 21, 2013

Report

REPUBLIC OF MADAGASCAR Head of state Andry Nirina Rajoelina Head of government Jean Omer Beriziky Serious human rights violations, including hundreds of unlawful killings by the security forces, as well as illegal arrests and detention, continued to take place with almost total impunity. Political leaders, journalists, pastors and lawyers, as well as others critical of the authorities, were intimidated and some jailed following unfair trials. Background The political and social situation remained tense and security volatile in some parts of the country, especially the south. Some important provisions of the “Roadmap for Ending the Crisis in Madagascar”, signed in September…

May 21, 2013