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Report

People’s Republic of China Head of state Hu Jintao Head of government Wen Jiabao The authorities maintained a stranglehold on political activists, human rights defenders and online activists, subjecting many to harassment, intimidation, arbitrary detention and enforced disappearance. At least 130 people were detained or otherwise restricted to stifle criticism and prevent protests ahead of the leadership transition initiated at the18th Chinese Communist Party Congress in November. Access to justice remained elusive for many, resulting in millions of people petitioning the government to complain of injustices and seek redress outside the formal legal system. Muslims, Buddhists and Christians, who practised…

May 17, 2013

Report

Republic of Colombia Head of state and government Juan Manuel Santos Calderón Formal peace talks between the government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) began in Norway in October, the first such talks in a decade. Concerns remained that a stable peace would not be possible without a verifiable commitment from the two sides to put an end to human rights abuses and a commitment by the authorities to bring abusers to justice. Internal armed conflict Civilians continued to bear the brunt of conflict-related human rights abuses and violations of international humanitarian law. Although precise figures were not…

May 17, 2013

Report

REPUBLIC OF CONGO Head of state and government Denis Sassou-N’Guesso Torture and other ill-treatment by members of the security forces were reported, in some cases leading to deaths. Three asylum-seekers from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) held without charge or trial since 2003 were released. Government critics were denied freedom of expression and detained for several months. Background On 4 March, as many as 300 people died, some 2,000 were injured and nearly 20,000 were made homeless by explosions caused by a fire in a munitions depot at the Congolese armoured regiment in the capital, Brazzaville. The government…

May 17, 2013

Report

REPUBLIC OF CUBA Head of state and government Raúl Castro Ruz Repression of independent journalists, opposition leaders and human rights activists increased. There were reports of an average of 400 short-term arrests each month and activists travelling from the provinces to Havana were frequently detained. Prisoners of conscience continued to be sentenced on trumped-up charges or held in pre-trial detention. Rights to freedom of expression, association, movement and assembly Peaceful demonstrators, independent journalists and human rights activists were routinely detained for exercising their rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly. Many were detained and others were subjected to acts…

May 17, 2013

Report

Republic of Cyprus Head of state and government Demetris Christofias Irregular migrants were detained for prolonged periods with no alternative measures being considered. There were allegations of police ill-treatment of peaceful activists. Background Negotiations between Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders regarding the reunification of the island did not progress. Refugees, asylum-seekers and migrants Irregular migrants, rejected asylum-seekers and certain categories of asylum-seekers were detained for prolonged periods. Detention appeared routine with no alternative measures being considered. Irregular migrants and asylum-seekers continued to be held in poor conditions in unsuitable facilities, such as short-stay police cells and two wings of…

May 17, 2013

Report

Democratic Republic of the Congo Head of state Joseph Kabila Head of government Augustin Matata Ponyo Mapon The already precarious security situation in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) deteriorated gravely due to the proliferation of armed groups, including the newly formed March 23 group, easy access to ammunition and weapons and violations by the Congolese armed forces. Both armed groups and government security forces threatened, harassed and arbitrarily arrested human rights defenders, journalists and members of the political opposition. Background On 28 April, newly re-elected President Joseph Kabila appointed a new government after months of disputed election results.…

May 17, 2013

Report

KINGDOM OF DENMARK Head of state Queen Margrethe II Head of government Helle Thorning-Schmidt A European Parliament report recommended that Denmark conduct an independent investigation into its involvement in the US-led rendition programme. A suspension of the transfer of detainees to the Afghan intelligence service by Danish armed forces was lifted despite the real risk of torture and other ill-treatment faced by those transferred. Immigration detention practices in relation to vulnerable people remained a cause for concern. Torture and other ill-treatment In April, the government established a commission to examine Denmark’s involvement in the Iraq war, including claims that the…

May 17, 2013

Update

We are holding a vigil outside the White House to send a clear message to the president: the time to close Guantanamo has come. Join us.

May 17, 2013

Update

Today, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) individuals and activists around the world will recognize the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO).

May 17, 2013

Report

Republic of Belarus Head of state Alyaksandr Lukashenka Head of government Mikhail Myasnikovich Prisoners of conscience remained in detention; some were sentenced to increased prison terms for violating prison rules. Civil society activists, including human rights defenders and journalists, faced violations of their rights to freedom of expression, assembly and association. Three men were executed. Background On 5 July, the UN Human Rights Council voted to appoint a Special Rapporteur on Belarus, following the adoption of a report by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights which documented a serious decline in the respect for human rights since December 2010.…

May 16, 2013

Press Release

Response to the release of the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics annual report, Sexual Victimizations in Prisons and Jails Reported by Inmates, 2011-12.

May 16, 2013

Report

BURKINA FASO Head of state Blaise Compaoré Head of government Luc Adolphe Tiao Demonstrations and clashes took place in the months before the December legislative and municipal elections against a background of attempts by the President’s party to amend the Constitution in order to allow President Compaoré to run for another term. As a result of the crisis in Mali, up to 100,000 people sought refuge in the north of Burkina Faso. Camps lacked basic necessities and health care. Torture and other ill-treatment In January, Moumouni Isaac Zongo and Ousséni Compaoré, arrested on suspicion of theft, were ill-treated by members…

May 16, 2013