UNITED A NATIONS Distr. GENERAL General Assembly A/HRC/7/3/Add.1 19 February 2008 ENGLISH/FRENCH/SPANISH ONLY Human Rights Council Seventh session Agenda Item 3 PROMOTION AND PROTECTION OF ALL HUMAN RIGHTS, CIVIL, POLITICAL, ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO DEVELOPMENT Report of the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, Manfred Nowak Addendum Summary of information, including individual cases, transmitted to Governments and replies received* * 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.08-10697 A/HRC/7/3/Add.1 page 2 Contents Paragraphs Page Introduction………….………………………………………..…… 1-5 4 Mandate abbreviations………………………………………..…… 6 Summary of allegations transmitted and replies received…….…… 1-288 8 Afghanistan………………………………………………………... 1 8 Algeria……………………………………………………………... 2-8 9 Angola.....………...………………………………………….…..… 9 14 Armenia............................................................................................. 10 16 Bahrain…………………………………………………………..… 11-13 16 Bangladesh……………………………………………………...…. 14-22 20 Bhutan……………......…………………………………………..... 23 30 Brazil..……………......…………………………………………..... 24-25 30 Burundi……...…………………………………………………..…. 26 32 Cambodia.................……………………………………………..… 27-28 33 Canada………………….....……………………………………..… 29 34 Central African Republic………………………………………..… 30 40 Chad....…………………………………………………………..… 31 40 Chile…………………………………………………………..…… 32 41 China………………………………………………………..……... 33-54 42 Colombia…………………………………………………..………. 55 71 Côte d’Ivoire……………………………………………..……….... 56 73 Cuba……..…………………………………………………………. 57 74 Democratic Republic of the Congo………………………..………. 58-61 75 Egypt………………………………………………………………. 62-65 82 Eritrea……………………………………………………………… 66-68 93 Ethiopia……………………………………………………………. 69-71 95 Fiji.........……....…...………………………………………………. 72-73 98 France...……………………………………………………………. 74-75 101 Georgia…………………………………………………………..… 76-77 103 Germany…………………………………………………………… 78 105 Guinea……..……………………………………………………… 79 111 Honduras…..……………………………………………………… 80 112 India…………………………………………………………….…. 81-84 113 Indonesia………………………………………………………..…. 85 118 Iran (Islamic Republic of) ……………………………………........ 86-110 121 Iraq……………………………………………………………….... 111-114 136 Italy..………………………………………………………………. 115 141 Jordan…………………………………………………………….... 116-117 141 Kazakhstan..……………………………………………………….. 118 143 Kenya……………………………………………………………… 119 145 Kuwait………..…………………………………………………… 120 146 Kyrgyzstan..………………………………………………………... 121-127 146 Latvia….…………………………………………………………… 128 154 Lebanon.…………………………………………………………… 129-133 154 Liberia……..……………………………………………………… 134-135 161 Libyan Arab Jamahiriya.………………………………...………… 136-139 166 A/HRC/7/3/Add.1 page 3 Paragraphs Page Malaysia……………………………………………………….…... 140-142 172 Maldives……………………………………………………….…... 143 177 Mexico…………………………………………………………….. 144-153 180 Morocco………………………………………………………….... 154-157 195 Myanmar…………………………………………………………... 158-163 200 Nepal……………………………………………………………… 164-170 203 Nicaragua.………………………………………………………… 171 212 Nigeria.……………………………………………………………. 172 213 Pakistan……………………………………………………………. 173-177 214 Philippines…………………………………………………………. 178-181 219 Romania……………......................................................................... 182 223 Russian Federation………………………………………………… 183-185 225 Rwanda.…………………………………………………………… 186 233 Saudi Arabia………………………………………………..……… 187-198 233 Sierra Leone……..………………………………………………... 199 240 Slovakia…..……………………………………………………...... 200 240 Somalia……………………………………………………………. 201-202 241 Sri Lanka…………………………………………………………... 203-206 242 Sudan………………………………………………………………. 207-212 243 Sweden.…………………………………………………………… 213 248 Syrian Arab Republic……………………………………...………. 214-223 250 Thailand…………………………………………………………… 224-226 256 Tunisia……………………………………………………………... 227-231 261 Uganda……………………………………………………………... 232 265 Ukraine…………………………………………………………….. 233-236 266 United Arab Emirates……………………………………...………. 237-241 274 United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland…..………. 242-247 278 United States of America………………………………….………. 248-256 292 Uzbekistan…………………………………………………………. 257-271 310 Viet Nam…………………………………………………..………. 272-274 328 Yemen………………………………...…………………………… 275-283 332 Zimbabwe…………………………………………………………. 284-288 336 Appendix – Model questionnaire for submission of cases………… 344 A/HRC/7/3/Add.1 page 4 Introduction 1. This addendum to the report of the Special Rapporteur contains, on a country- by-country basis, summaries of reliable and credible allegations of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment that were brought to the attention of the Special Rapporteur, and were transmitted to the Governments concerned. It also contains replies from Governments. This addendum does not illustrate the state of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment throughout the world, but rather reflects the state of information brought to the attention of the Special Rapporteur. 2. The Special Rapporteur would like to recall that in transmitting these allegations to Governments, he does not make any judgement concerning the merits of the cases, nor does he support the opinion and activities of the persons on behalf of whom he intervenes. The prohibition of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment is a non-derogable right, and every human being is legally and morally entitled to protection. When the Special Rapporteur receives reliable and credible information that gives grounds to fear that a person may be at risk of torture or other forms of ill-treatment, he may transmit an urgent appeal to the Government concerned. The communications sent by the Special Rapporteur have a humanitarian and preventive purpose, and do not require the exhaustion of domestic remedies. Governments are requested to clarify the substance of the allegations, take steps to protect the person’s rights, and are urged to investigate the allegations and prosecute and impose appropriate sanctions on any persons guilty of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. 3. During the period under review, i.e. from 16 December 2006 to 14 December 2007, the Special Rapporteur sent 79 letters∗ of allegations of torture to 51 Governments and 187 urgent appeals* to 59 Governments on behalf of persons who might be at risk of torture or other forms of ill-treatment. Government responses received up to 31 December 2007 have been included. The responses received after that date will be duly reflected in a future communications report. 4. The Special Rapporteur appreciates the timely responses received from Governments to the letters and urgent appeals transmitted. He regrets that many Governments fail to respond, or do so selectively, and that responses to older cases remain outstanding in large part. 5. Owing to restrictions on the length of documents, the Special Rapporteur has been obliged to reduce considerably details of communications sent and received, with attention given to information relating specifically to allegations of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. As a result, requests from Governments to publish their replies in their totality could not be acceded to. Moreover, attention is given to information in Government replies specifically relating to the allegations, particularly information on the following: ∗ Includes joint action with other special procedures of the Commission on Human Rights. General statistical information on communications sent by special procedures in 2007 is available on OHCHR website : http://www.ohchr.org. A/HRC/7/3/Add.1 page 5 (a) What steps were taken to ascertain the veracity of the facts alleged? (b) Has a complaint been lodged by or on behalf of the alleged victim? (c) The details, and where available the results, of any investigation, medical examinations, and judicial or other inquiries carried out in relation to the case. (d) Full details of any prosecutions which have been undertaken (e.g. penal, disciplinary or administrative sanctions imposed on the alleged perpetrator(s)). (e) What compensation and rehabilitation have been provided to the victim or the family of the victim? A/HRC/7/3/Add.1 page 6 Abbreviations TOR Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment FRDX Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression HRD Special Representative of the Secretary-General on the situation of human rights defenders SUMX Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions IND Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people WGAD Working Group on Arbitrary Detention HLTH Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health IJL Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers FOOD Special Rapporteur on the right to food RINT Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief VAW Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences MIG Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants EDU Special Rapporteur on the right to education MIN Independent Expert on minority issues LIB Independent expert on the situation of human rights in Liberia SALE Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography MMR Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar HOUS Special Rapporteur on adequate housing TERR Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism A/HRC/7/3/Add.1 page 7 AL Allegation letter JAL Joint allegation letter UA Urgent appeal JUA Joint urgent appeal A/HRC/7/3/Add.1 page 8 Para Country Date Type Mandate Allegations transmitted Government response 1. Afghanistan 02/05/07 JAL HLTH; Sanad Ali Yislam al-Kazimi, a 37-year-old TOR; Yemeni national, detained at the U.S. Naval Base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. In early January 2003, he was arrested in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, where he was held for eight months and 16 days. On or about 16 to 18 August 2003, he was transferred to the custody of United States forces and taken to Kabul, Afghanistan. He was held in the “Prison of Darkness” (also known as the Dark Prison) for nine months. He stated that the worst treatment he has experienced since his capture occurred in this prison. He suffered severe physical and psychological torture by Jordanian interrogators, who were supervised by U.S. personnel. It is reported that the torture was so extreme, going beyond the methods described above, that it prompted Mr. Al-Kazimi to attempt suicide three times by striking his head against the cell wall. As a result he sustained large visible scars on his scalp. Among other things, he was suspended with his arms above his head and beaten with electrical cables. On or about 16 May 2004, he was transferred to Bagram, where he was held in U.S. custody for four months, and where he was tortured in a manner similar to that in the Prison of Darkness. On or about 18 September 2004, he was transferred to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, where he is currently detained. Mr. Al-Kazimi continues to suffer psychological trauma, inability/unwillingness to discuss details of treatment/torture, has attempted suicide, fears reprisals and continued abuse, and A/HRC/7/3/Add.1 page 9 Para Country Date Type Mandate Allegations transmitted Government response finds himself talking to himself on a regular basis. Mr. Al-Kazimi suffers from chronic constipation, hemorrhoids, and blood in his feces since his detention in the Prison of Darkness. Fahd Muhammed Abdullah al-Fawzan, a 24-year-old Saudi national, detained at the U.S. Naval Base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. He was apprehended between October and December 2001 by Pakistani tribesmen who turned him over to the Pakistani military. He was interrogated by Pakistani military, transferred to U.S. military custody shortly thereafter in Kohat, Pakistan, and then transferred to Kandahar, Afghanistan, where he was held for two months. In detention he reports that unidentified U.S. officials threatened him with firearms, strangled him with wires, and shocked him with electricity. In early 2002, he was transferred to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, where he is currently detained. Mr. Al-Kazimi was not permitted to see a lawyer, relatives, or friends before his transfer to Guantanamo Bay. He has not seen any member of his family since his arrest in early 2003. Mr. Al-Fawzan has not seen any member of his family since his departure for Afghanistan in October 2001. His family only become aware of his imprisonment nearly two years after his capture and could only confirm it from photographs of Guantanamo Bay prisoners posted on the Internet. 2. Algeria 29/01/07 JUA WGAD; Abderrahmane Mehalli. M. Abderrahmane Par lettre datée du 26 juin 2007, le Gouvernement TERR; Mehalli aurait été arrêté le soir du 26 décembre a confirmé que M. Mehali a été arreté le 27 TOR 2006 à 19h30 à son domicile de Bachdjerah par décembre, inculpé par le juge d’instruction de la les services de la brigade mobile de la police 2ème chambre du Tribunal d’Alger et mis en A/HRC/7/3/Add.1 page 10 Para Country Date Type Mandate Allegations transmitted Government response judiciaire de Oued Ouchaeih, et quelques détention provisoire. L’affaire était pendante membres des services du département du devant le juge d’instruction. renseignement et de la sécurité. Il aurait été détenu dans un lieu inconnu pendant 12 jours, durant lesquels les agents des services du département du renseignement et de la sécurité l’auraient roué de coups de poings et de pied. Ils lui auraient aussi bouché le nez en mettant en même temps un chiffon dans la bouche, et ensuite versé du liquide sur la tête. Ils l’auraient également menacé au moment où il devait être entendu par le juge d’instruction. Le 6 janvier 2007, M. Mehalli aurait été présenté devant le juge d’instruction de la 2ème chambre du Tribunal d’Alger. Il aurait été placé sous mandat de dépôt et transféré à la prison de Serkadji où il se trouverait détenu à ce jour. M. Mehalli serait accusé « d’appartenance à un groupe terroriste armé». Il aurait reconnu les faits qui lui sont reprochés sous la menace et aurait été contraint de signer un procès verbal sans pouvoir le lire auparavant. Par ailleurs, M. Mehalli n’aurait pas reçu de soins médicaux suite aux actes subis mais il aurait été obligé de signer un document attestant du fait qu’il aurait été bien traité. 3. 20/02/07 JAL SUMX; Mounir Hammouche. M. Hammouche aurait été Par lettre datée du 26 juin 2007 le Gouvernement TOR arrêté une première fois à Ain Taghrout, Wilaya de a confirmé les faits et indiqué que l’autopsie Bordj Bou Arreridj, le jeudi 20 décembre 2006 entreprise par M. Benharkat, médecin chef du vers 20 heures à la sortie de la mosquée de la service de médecine légale de l’Hopital ville par plusieurs personnes armées et en tenue Universitaire de Constantine conclut que la mort civile circulant à bord d’un véhicule de marque de M. Hammouche était « consécutive à une Peugeot 406 de couleur grise et immatriculée à asphyxie mécanique par pendaison » et que Alger. Conduit dans une caserne militaire relevant « cette pendaison est considerée comme suicide,