World Organisation Against Torture

OMCT, Switzerland | Published in June 2012 Nothing can justify torture under any circumstances

Foreword by the President Transitions 2

Introduction by the Secretary-General “Amazonian Indians Seizing historic opportunities under Threat” 2

Activities carried out in 2011 To increase protection against torture and secure the rehabilitation of victims

Working towards the implementation of international human rights standards

Mobilisaton and strengthening of the NGO members of the SOS-Torture network by means Donors of training and Bodies 4-11 14 Annual Accounts Publications Balance sheet on 31 December 2011 Statement of income and expenditures and Reports 12 15 7

OMCT | 2011 Annual Report 1 Foreword by the President TRANSITIONS

The year 2011 will remain the year of hope, born The transition government had invited OMCT the actions taken by the SOS-Torture Network, of the Arab Spring. OMCT rejoiced that people in acknowledgement of its activities on behalf as well as its expansion in those countries where rose up in the name of human rights, and to see of people who had been victims of torture it has very little or no presence, can be made among them many whom the Organisation had under the old regime. Many ministers pon- more effi cient if undertaken on a regional basis. defended during the years of dictatorship and dered with us the diffi cult question of how to who had returned from exile or prison. fairly balance truth, justice, reconciliation and The retirement of Eric Sottas and the arrival pardon. For the members of the OMCT dele- of Gerald Staberock to replace him were an- That initial period of joy has passed. Now our gation, which included senior human rights nounced in the last Activity Report. The passing task is to do all we can to make sure that respect advocates who had themselves lived through on of the torch was fl awless. Before leaving, for fundamental freedoms and human rights is transition processes following dictatorships in Eric was able to convince Dick Marty to join sustained and, as far as OMCT in concerned, Spain and Chile, the discussions on how best the Executive Council of the Organisation and that the practice of torture ends and never re- to overcome the legacy of torture were mo- today, Eric continues to undertake missions for appears. From this point of view, the months ments of strong feeling, when the weight of OMCT. Gerald follows in Eric’s footsteps, main- following the fall of an authoritarian regime or the responsibility of power was felt in all its taining the holistic approach to the fi ght against dictatorship are crucial. This is the time when force. After these meetings, OMCT became torture: prevention; denunciation of acts of vio- the new constitution is being prepared, when the fi rst international NGO able to freely visit lence; bringing perpetrators of torture to justice; fi gures connected with the old regime are being Tunisia’s prisons. Those visits confi rmed that and ensuring reparations and compensation to arrested and brought to trial, when order must torture was not only infl icted on political pris- victims. He has been able to quickly overcome be maintained and the security of the country oners but also on ordinary criminal suspects. any concern that may have existed on the part ensured. In these three areas, OMCT was pres- of those for whom Eric incarnated OMCT and, ent in Tunisia at the invitation of human rights OMCT opened an offi ce in Tunisia to support with the help of all the members of the staff, organisations and the authorities. We arranged the numerous missions carried out in that coun- to gain their confi dence in leading it into the debates on the different legal arrangements try as well as the mission it was requested to un- future. for preventing torture and, in the light of the dertake to Libya, and also to test the feasibility Organisation’s fi rm conviction that impunity is of more decentralized action in the Arab world one of the principal causes of the perpetuation and to see if such an approach would work in Yves Berthelot of violence and ill-treatment, for punishing the other regions. The priorities in the fi ght against President of OMCT perpetrators. torture differ from one region to another, and

Introduction by the Secretary-General SEIZING HISTORIC OPPORTUNITIES

The political transformations in the Arab region sations who have themselves been key actors and legal reforms aimed at preventing torture, have marked the year 2011 like no other po- in transitions in their home countries. True, no and works with civil society and the legal com- litical development. Few would have predicted two situations are identical, and each transfor- munity to ensure effective remedies and com- in the beginning of the year that a region so mation needs to be judged in its own political pensation for victims of torture. Being present marked by the practice of torture could open and social context. Yet there are lessons to be in Tunis is a fi rst step towards a greater region- up to reforms. learned, notably that the window of opportu- alisation of our work in the years to come, nity for reforms is often very small. This unique seeking to increase the impact of our efforts For over 15 years, OMCT has documented and momentum in the fi ght against torture in the and bringing our advocacy closer to those we litigated cases of torture in Tunisia and other region is not to be missed! support. countries in the region and supported human rights defenders when they were harassed, in- It is in this light that OMCT sent three high-level Regaining universal consensus timidated and/or physically threatened and at- missions to Tunisia and pressed the transitional tacked. In this spirit, in the midst of the popular authorities to make anti-torture reforms an in- Despite the understandable attention given uprising in Tunisia, OMCT deployed a solidarity tegral part of the transition process. Some suc- to North Africa and the Middle East in 2011, mission in January 2011 to protect local human cesses are to be seen, including legal changes it would be wrong to neglect the fi ght against rights organisations and activists who had been that OMCT had advocated for a long time and torture and ill-treatment in other regions of the threatened and targeted. the ratifi cation of the Optional Protocol to the world. Unfortunately, we see in our work every Convention against Torture. Signifi cantly we day that torture and ill-treatment persist globally. Yet none of us imagined that we would be received a political commitment during our invited back only three weeks later to partici- high-level meetings with the transitional gov- International law is crystal clear that torture and pate in a highly emotional event: the Tunisian ernment to reopen cases of torture brought be- ill-treatment are prohibited in all circumstan- Organisation Against Torture (OCTT), a part- fore the UN Committee against Torture, whose ces. Furthermore, there exist suffi cient interna- ner organization of long standing, was fi nally decisions the Ben Ali regime had refused to tional mechanisms to monitor respect for the allowed to offi cially deposit its registration implement. OMCT was also permitted to con- commitment to end torture. Nevertheless, the documents. For more than a decade OCTT had duct independent visits to prison facilities in absolute prohibition of torture has been chal- been refused formal registration, forcing it to post-revolution Tunisia, which we did in May lenged for a number of years. In the name of operate without a proper institutional basis and 2011 - the fi rst international non-governmen- combating terrorist acts or forms of organized under constant threat of being shut down. It tal organisation to do so. What we discovered, crime and stimulating economic growth, law is having stood side by side with local groups however, was disquieting. We found that acts enforcement, intelligence and security forces fi ghting torture under diffi cult circumstances of torture and ill-treatment of ordinary prison- have been granted extensive powers while at that allows us now to take on a credible leader- ers continued after the revolution. While in the same time they have been systematically ship role in supporting anti-torture reforms in countries in transition the use of torture as a released from accountability. The aggressive the region. tool of political repression might dissipate dur- security-dominated discourse over the last de- ing a period of political transformation, “rou- cade has led to a weakening of the public re- Transitions can be turning points for societies. tine” torture and ill-treatment in police stations action against torture among certain segments They can also be turning points in the fi ght and prisons tend to persist. This is a long -term of the population, including in established de- against torture. Events in 2011 illustrated that challenge that we need to address. mocracies. OMCT has reacted to this challenge, OMCT is well placed to seize such opportuni- including through an international campaign ties. For our missions and advocacy we were In September 2011 OMCT opened a small fi eld implemented with its member organisations to able to draw on the expertise within our global representation in Tunis, a milestone for the reinforce the absolute prohibition of torture in SOS-Torture Network of individuals and organi- Organisation. The offi ce supports institutional the face of such challenges.

2 OMCT | 2011 Annual Report Introduction by the Secretary-General SEIZING HISTORIC OPPORTUNITIES

Reversing this trend is becoming a long-term the capacity of human rights NGOs, including in America and sub-Saharan Africa, it is those challenge. In early 2011, OMCT submitted an members of its SOS-Torture Network, enhanc- defending land rights or access to economic, amicus curiae brief to the United States Su- ing their knowledge on international standards social and cultural rights who are increasingly preme Court challenging the practice of all- and procedures and their ability to use them in a threatened, not only by State agents but also by encompassing invocations of State secrecy that strategic manner. OMCT also started to support powerful private actors. These threats will also ban any legal recourse in cases of the interna- the construction of a rehabilitation centre for require our continuous attention and new strat- tional crime of torture. We also continued to victims of sexual violence in North Kivu Province egies to confront them. support victims of torture, including a number by one of its partner organisations. of persons formerly held in the Guantánamo By encouraging Swiss personalities to rally Bay detention facility, following their resettle- Children deprived of their liberty are among the around human rights defenders who have be- ment, to allow them to regain their lives and to most threatened. OMCT and its local partners come victims of persecution and acts of ha- benefi t from needed medical assistance. are working to sensitise national authorities, rassment, OMCT has begun to forge a chain civil society and the broader public on the vul- of solidarity that extends beyond the restricted In January 2011, OMCT, in a landmark victory, nerability of children in detention through vari- circle of “specialists” and aims at mobilising succeeded in preventing former US President ous advocacy activities, such as dialogue with public opinion, the only real counterweight to George W. Bush from visiting Geneva. A day af- the relevant stakeholders complemented by the arbitrary power of States. We will need to ter OMCT decided to make public its memoran- consultative seminars and workshops. Over the develop new communications tools to reach dum to the Swiss authorities on Switzerland’s past years, OMCT has conducted 48 monitoring beyond those already convinced. In a breath- obligations as a State party to the Convention visits to prisons and juvenile detention centres taking mission - with the participation of Swiss against Torture, the visit was formally cancelled. in Benin and Uruguay, reaching more than 500 actress Noémie Kocher – OMCT documented This sucess is a small step on the road to ac- children. The visits have increased the transpar- threats against people defending the rights of countability for the US policy of torture. ency of the conditions in the detention centres indigenous communities in Amazonas, Brazil. A and the protection from torture of the child fi lm documenting their diffi cult situation will be Bringing human rights home detainees. In 2012 OMCT will build upon this released in 2012. work, seeking to capitalise on the political mo- OMCT has been among the fi rst to systematical- mentum following the publication of detailed A global movement against torture and ill- ly support local organisations and the members recommendations by the UN Subcommittee on treatment of its SOS-Torture Network to access universal the Prevention of Torture following its visit to and regional mechanisms for the protection of Benin. An effective response to torture and ill-treat- human rights. These processes have matured ment requires the collective voice of civil so- over the years and have the potential to impact Enabling actors for change ciety organisations around the world. OMCT, national policies on torture and ill-treatment. In with its SOS-Torture Network based on genuine 2011 we submitted authoritative reports on tor- The promotion and protection of human rights partnership, will continue to play a crucial role ture in Madagascar, Greece, Colombia, Mexico continues to be a high-risk activity in more than in that regard. In 2011, we continued to issue and Morocco. It is gratifying to see that the in- 80 countries around the world, in Africa and the numerous joint statements, interventions and formation we submit continues to be mirrored Middle East, Central Asia and countries of the support and training to members of the Net- in the fi ndings of universal and regional human former Soviet Union, as well as in many parts work. Our philosophy is one of supporting and rights bodies. of Asia and Latin America, where human rights reinforcing, not replacing, local action. defenders become the targets of enforced dis- However, the core challenge is the lack of im- appearances, summary executions, arbitrary It is also in this spirit that OMCT embarked on plementation. OMCT has started to develop detentions and torture to keep them quiet. Re- a universal campaign to secure respect for the new strategies, in partnership with its Network pression also takes the form of stalking, threats absolute prohibition of torture which has pro- members, to strengthen the domestic follow- and intimidation, including of family members; vided support to local campaigns undertaken by up on the recommendations issued to States. defamation campaigns orchestrated by the of- our Network partners, including on the Interna- By the same token, OMCT maintained its vo- fi cial media; preventing defenders from leaving tional Day in Support of Victims of Torture, in cal role in 2011 at the United Nations Human or returning to their country; harassment at countries on all continents. Rights Council, the African Commission on Hu- work; ill-treatment; and even murder. man and Peoples’ Rights and the Inter-American Finally, the work that you fi nd refl ected in this human rights system in demanding compliance OMCT remains today the only anti-torture or- Annual Report is the result of a small team of with the absolute prohibition of torture. ganisation whose work prioritises protecting exceptionally committed staff, working, often human rights defenders. In the course of this under great pressure, to satisfy multiple and im- Protecting victims of torture year I was able to learn fi rst hand from those mediate needs and demands from the fi eld. I affected about how much our support is ap- would like to express my sincere gratitude and OMCT continues to receive daily information on preciated by those in the fi eld. Many of the appreciation to them for their unrelenting ef- women, men and children subjected to torture cases never reach the public eye. But our work forts to bring the promise of universal respect and ill-treatment in every region of the globe. remains crucial, providing vital protection to for all international human rights standards Remedies and reparation, including rehabilita- those under imminent threat, including through home. tion, even where they exist on paper, are rarely emergency assistance to leave the country tem- available or effective in practice. porarily or through legal or other support. The By the same token, I would like to extend my work of the Observatory for the Protection of gratitude to all those, whether private individu- The direct material, legal and/or social assis- Human Rights Defenders, operated in partner- als, foundations or State authorities, who sup- tance OMCT provides, through its Fund for Ur- ship with the International Federation for Hu- ported our work in 2011. The strong global gent Assistance to Victims of Torture, remains man Rights, continues to be fundamental in this movement against torture that is the OMCT crucial in this regard. It directly impacts the lives regard. SOS-Torture Network is needed now more than of torture victims and human rights defenders ever. Your fi delity in the years to come is vital to by providing them increased security and better While we have made progress over the years in our success. legal representation, and breaches their isola- bringing the protection of human rights defend- tion. International remedies are often the last ers onto the international agenda, new chal- resort for victims of torture. Supporting them lenges have emerged. Authoritarian regimes, Gerald Staberock and enabling our partner organisations to use too, adapt their ways of repressing legitimate Secretary-General international procedures is an important ele- human rights work. A particularly worrying ment of our work and philosophy. In a posi- trend in 2011 was the increasing criminalisation tive development, in December 2011 OMCT of movements of social protest, such as those secured the fi rst-ever ruling by the UN Human in Latin America or South Asia, as well as the Rights Committee on the practice of torture criminalisation of foreign funding of human and ill-treatment in Côte d’Ivoire. rights organisations. The arbitrary detention of Ales Bialetski and leading human rights defend- Since the beginning of the 1990s, OMCT has ers in Belarus for having received funds from been engaged in the struggle to protect women EU member States for legitimate human rights and children from torture and other forms of vi- work is but one dramatic case in which OMCT olence. In the Democratic Republic of the Con- had to intervene in the course of the year. In go, OMCT is involved in efforts to strengthen other parts of the world, notably in Asia, Lat-

OMCT | 2011 Annual Report 3 Activities carried out in 2011

I TO INCREASE PROTECTION AGAINST TORTURE AND SECURE THE REHABILITATION OF VICTIMS

Protecting potential victims from torture and to the situation of the victim. Activities aimed Restoring the rights of victims: a long- man or Degrading Treatment or Punishment providing for the rehabilitation those who have at recovery must include restoring the right of term struggle with respect to the arrival on Swiss territory of been tortured is one of the priorities of OMCT. the victim to justice, and comprise medical and former American President George W. Bush. The action strategy developed by the Organi- social rehabilitation, compensation and repara- OMCT’s work in 2011 was therefore character- OMCT reminded the President of the Confed- sation, articulated at the time of its founding tions at the national, regional and international ised by greater efforts to follow up complaints eration and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, and and based on urgent interventions and emer- levels; this will contribute not only to recovery, previously submitted, in collaboration with the the Confederation Prosecutor and the Prosecu- gency medical, legal and/or social assistance, but also to the fi ght against impunity. member organisations and other partners of tor of the Republic and Canton of Geneva that has been progressively refi ned over the years in the SOS-Torture Network, to the United Nations there existed a solid body of evidence that un- order to adapt, on the one hand, to the spe- Armed with this conviction, and at the request Human Rights Committee and the Committee der the Bush administration the United States cifi c features of certain groups and the acts of of the members of the SOS-Torture Network, against Torture, concerning Côte d’Ivoire, Libya, conducted a policy of torture and ill-treatment. violence to which they are subjected and, on OMCT sought to complement its legal, medical the Russian Federation, South Africa and Tunisia. OMCT therefore called upon the competent the other, to the need to diversify the tools and/or social emergency assistance to victims Swiss authorities to respect their international used so as to be able to respond in the most of torture, women, men and children, with a The diffi culty encountered in monitoring the obligation under the Convention to undertake appropriate manner to the needs expressed medium- and long-term intervention strategy. implementation of the decisions issued by the an effective investigation of any person present by the victims themselves and to the hu- The submission of individual complaints to the quasi-judicial organs poses the larger question on the territory with respect to whom reliable man rights violations that have come to light. regional and international mechanisms for the of the responsibility of States with regard to information exists that he or she has committed protection of human rights and of amicus cu- their international human rights obligations and the crime of torture. Listening to the victims riae briefs and legal opinions to judicial and their willingness to respect them. For a number quasi-judicial bodies and the organisation of of years OMCT has engaged in strategic think- The day after the publication of this legal opin- of torture training seminars (see sect. III below) are part ing about this question and considers the imple- ion, it was learned that the visit of former Presi- of the Organisation’s desire not only to obtain mentation of these decisions to be crucial. dent Bush to Switzerland had been cancelled. Since the establishment in 1986 of the Fund for compensation for the victims and punishment Urgent Assistance to Victims of Torture, OMCT, of the perpetrators, but also to advance juris- The “Jasmine Revolution” in Tunisia was ex- convinced that assuaging the suffering endured prudence in the fi eld of torture prevention and tremely encouraging with regard to the imple- by victims must include the identifi cation, pros- to strengthen the absolute prohibition against mentation of the decisions of the Committee ecution and punishment of the perpetrators torture. against Torture in the Ali Ben Salem1 and Saadia of the crime of torture, has sought to provide Ali2 cases, which OMCT took on. The evolving urgent assistance as part of a global approach situation in Libya as it affects the outcome of the Milhoud Ahmed Hussein Bashasha3 case, sub- mitted to the Human Rights Committee, must also be monitored. In addition, changes in Côte Assisting the victims of torture, ill-treatment and d’Ivoire were encouraging for the resolution of other human rights violations the Traoré v. Côte d’Ivoire case,4 which the Hu- man Rights Committee adjudicated in Decem- Urgent interventions : ber 2011, fi nding in favour of the victims, who Dissemination of 174 urgent interventions (urgent appeals, press releases and confi - were represented by OMCT. The decision in this dential letters to governmental authorities), either for specifi c victims (women and chil- case was the fi rst concerning torture and forced dren) or of general applicability, on behalf of 3,741 persons, in the following countries: disappearance in that country. Bahrain, Bangladesh, Burma, Burundi, Cameroon, Chile, China, Colombia, Cuba, Demo- cratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, France, Georgia, Guatemala, Honduras, Advancing international jurisprudence India, Iran, Iraq, Israel/Occupied Palestinian Territory, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Mexico, on the question of torture 4,738 Moldova, Morocco/Western Sahara, Panama, Nepal, Nicaragua, Philippines, Russian Fe- people received support directly from OMCT of whom deration, Spain, Sri Lanka, Syria, Tajikistan, Tunisia and Venezuela. During 2011, OMCT also intervened in cases of great strategic and legal importance to the Urgent assistance to victims : rights to an effective remedy and to compensa- Medical, legal and/or social assistance to 64 victims of torture (48 individual cases and tion for victims of torture, and to the obligation one collective case), in cooperation with members of the SOS-Torture Network, in of States to investigate allegations of torture. 110received legal, medical and social the following 17 countries: Angola, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Chile, China, assistance. Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Guinea, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Occupied In January 2011, at the request of partner or- Palestinian Territory, South Africa, Tunisia and Turkey. ganisations in the United States, OMCT drafted and submitted, jointly with the International Legal opinions/complaints : Commission of Jurists (ICJ) and Redress, an ami- – Submission and follow-up of one individual complaint to the African Commission on cus curiae brief5 to the United States Supreme Human and Peoples’ Rights concerning the ill-treatment following arrest in 2008 of Court in a representative case of extraordinary three Sudanese human rights defenders (in the framework of the Observatory for the rendition concerning respect for the right under Protection of Human Rights Defenders). international law to an effective remedy and to compensation in the face of excessive recourse – Securing the fi rst ruling of the United Nations Human Rights Committee in favour of a to the principle of “State secrets”. This case also victim of torture and ill-treatment, in Côte d’Ivoire (Traoré v. Côte d’Ivoire). raised the question of the civil responsibility of a private enterprise – Jeppesen Dataplan, Inc., an – Follow-up of individual complaints submitted by OMCT to the United Nations Human affi liate of Boeing – implicated in extraordinary Rights Committee and the Committee against Torture on behalf of victims of torture rendition circuits involving, in addition, secret and ill-treatment, and of the implementation of the views and/or decisions adopted in detentions and acts of torture. those cases, including, as appropriate, the prosecution of the presumed authors of the violations (Côte d’Ivoire, Libya, Russian Federation, South Africa and Tunisia). This case also raises questions with regard to impunity for the acts of torture that were com- – Submission of an amicus curiae brief to the United States Supreme Court in the Jeppe- mitted and the American policy of secret deten- son Dataplan case (respect for the right to an effective remedy and to compensation tion. At the request of OMCT, well-known inter- by persons subjected to torture in the context of extraordinary rendition, justifi ed national jurists associated themselves with the by inappropriate invoking of the “State secrets privilege”); submission of an amicus amicus curiae brief: Manfred Nowak, former curiae brief to the European Court of Human Rights in a case against Switzerland in United Nations Special Rapporteur on torture; connection with obtaining a civil remedy for acts of torture; submission of a legal opi- Dick Marty, member of the Parliamentary As- nion on the draft general comment by the Committee against Torture on article 14 of sembly of the Council of Europe and Vice-Presi- the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or dent of OMCT; Bob Goldman, former President 1 Communication No. 269/2005, Ali Ben Salem v. Tunisia. Punishment (compensation and rehabilitation). of the Inter-American Commission on Human 2 Communication No. 291/2006, Saadia Ali v. Tunisia. Rights; and Stefan Trechsel, former President of 3 Communication No. 1776/2008, Milhoud Ahmed Hussein – Submission of a legal opinion to the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Swiss Confede- the European Commission on Human Rights. Bashasha v. Libyan Arab Jamahiriya. 4 ration on the occasion of the planned visit to Geneva by former US President George Communication No. 1759/2008, Zoumana Sorifi ng Traoré W. Bush and leading role in the activities undertaken by a number of organisations that In February 2011, OMCT submitted a legal et al. v. Côte d’Ivoire. 5 Brief of amici curiae No. 10-778 in the Supreme Court of led to the visit being cancelled. opinion concerning the obligations of the Swiss the United States, Binyam Mohamed, Abou Elkassim Britel, Confederation under the United Nations Con- Ahmed Agiza, Mohamed Farag, Ahmad Bashimlah, Bisher vention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhu- Al-Rawi v. Jeppesen Dataplan, Inc.

4 OMCT | 2011 Annual Report Human rights OMCT has placed protection at the heart of its L’assistance de l’OMCT, action in favour of defenders. This takes the à part son aspect fi nancier, Les mots me manquent defenders: a proven form of urgent appeals; of inquiry, observation a joué un rôle important pour pour vous remercier de tout protection strategy and legal defence missions; alerting the com- nous : ce que vous avez fait pour la petent international and regional mechanisms; - l’OMCT a été à nos côtés famille K.. Depuis le 26 sep- in constant evolution granting material assistance to defenders with- comme un assistant, un soutien tembre 2011, elle est en Suède. OMCT’s long experience in the protection of in the framework of the Observatory for the moral. Car les problèmes qui se Que vos efforts pour soutenir human rights defenders has clearly demon- Protection of Human Rights Defenders, created posent au loin sur les enfants tous les défenseurs de droits de strated that there is a correlation between the in 1997 in partnership with the International affectent les parents au plus l´homme dans le monde soient situation of defenders and that of the societies Federation for Human Rights (FIDH); and mobi- haut degré surtout quand on est un succès. Encore une fois in- in which they live, because a worsening of the lising public opinion through solidarity missions à l’incapacité de les résoudre. fi ni merci pour tout. Meilleures conditions; in which they work necessarily pre- undertaken in connection with audio-visual La ponctualité de résoudre ces salutations. fi gures a general deterioration of freedom in reporting and photographic exhibitions under problèmes était pour nous un their countries, and that strengthening the pro- the “Defend the Defenders” project begun in réconfort moral sans concurrent A Congolese human rights defender, tection of defenders contributes to the devel- 2007. (exemples : factures logement, Democratic Republic of the Congo, opment and consolidation of democracy and hospitalisation, etc.); (…) September 2011 the rule of law, as well as respect for human - Nous avons le sentiment que rights and fundamental freedoms. l’OMCT est notre partenaire non seulement fi nancier, mais aussi moral ; - Tous les membres de ma fa- Protecting human rights defenders mille présentent la gratitude à l’OMCT pour avoir pris en Protection of threatened or harassed defenders : charge de sa mission auprès de Thank you for kind – Sending of 331 urgent interventions (urgent appeals, press releases, open or confi - nous jusqu’à la fi n sans faillir. continued support. [...] Victims dential letters to governmental authorities), within the framework of the Observa- J’en parle à maintes reprises à express their sincere thanks to tory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, on behalf of 887 defenders and mes enfants nouvellement arri- OMCT and Observatory team. 41 NGOs and other organisations, in the following 58 countries: Algeria, Angola, Ar- vés de l’OMCT et de son apport This works gave them moral gentina, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Brazil, Burundi, Cambodia, Cam- à notre famille victime support to continue their hu- eroon, Chad, China, Colombia, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, de torture. man rights. Thanking you for Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, France, Gambia, Georgia, Greece, Guatemala, your kind cooperation. Guinea, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Malawi, Ma- A victim, Democratic Republic of the Congo, laysia, Mauritania, Mexico, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Republic of Korea, November 2011 Core Manipur - India, August 2011 Russian Federation, Rwanda, Senegal, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Thailand, Tunisia, Tur- key, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen and Zimbabwe.

– Distribution of eight audio-visual testimonies on the situation of defenders in Belarus, Colombia, Kyrgyzstan, Turkey and the Democratic Republic of the Congo; an audio- visual report fi lmed during the inquiry mission to Nicaragua which was released at the same time as the mission report was published; a series of interviews conducted during the fi ftieth session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights with defenders from sub-Saharan and North Africa who described the obstacles con- fronting them in their work on the continent; a short documentary on the situation of defenders in Europe during the Human Dimension Implementation Meeting of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). The right of victims to compensa- tion – general comment No. 3 of – Support for the making of a documentary fi lm by Thierry Michel about the Chebeya- the Committee against Torture on Bazana affair in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, for release in February 2012. article 14 of the United Nations Convention against Torture (forty- Material assistance/help in leaving the country and with resettlement : sixth session, June 2011) Granting of material assistance to 46 defenders and their families as well as seven NGOs, and general assistance (fi nancial support for Syrians removed to France) in the follow- Backed by its experience in assisting victims ing 24 countries: Algeria, Bahrain, Belarus, Cambodia, Chad, China, Colombia, Côte using a global approach to their problems d’Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Gambia, Guinea, Honduras, and its involvement with the Committee Lebanon, Malaysia, Mexico, Rwanda, Syria, Togo, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Venezuela and against Torture, OMCT submitted a legal Yemen. opinion on draft general comment No. 3. In the opinion OMCT welcomed the Com- Missions to the fi eld, judicial observation missions, round tables : mittee’s interpretation of article 14 in the – Conducting three solidarity mission to Tunisia (January 2011) and the Democratic Re- light of the rules of general international public of Congo (June and July). law and its defi nition of rehabilitation as – Conducing eight judicial observation missions covering a total of six cases in Burundi a holistic concept that includes social, legal (January), Turkey (February), the Russian Federation (March, May and October), the and medical elements and whose implica- Democratic Republic of the Congo (March), Malaysia (August) and Belarus (November). tions are not necessarily limited to the victim – Conducting two inquiry missions to Colombia (November/December) and Zimbabwe but may also extend to family, descendants (December). and, sometimes, even the wider community. – Publication of fi ve reports on judicial observation missions to Syria (February), France OMCT also stressed the need to strengthen (March), Burundi (April), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (June) and the Russian several aspects of the draft to include: tak- Federation (July). ing account of the specifi cities, linked to the Publication of two reports of inquiry missions to the Gambia (July) and Nicaragua right to compensation, of child victims’ need (November). for heightened protection; recognition of – Co-organisation, in April 2011, of a seminar in Brussels on the criminalisation of hu- the fact that invoking exceptional circum- man rights defenders in the context of the fi ght against the harmful effects of the stances relating to reasons of national secu- activities of transnational corporations in Latin America. rity can inhibit access to an effective remedy – Support for the organisation of and participation in the round table organised in May and compensation and that this must be 2011 in Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of the Congo) for members of civil society and opposed; and recognition of the fact that governmental authorities on the protection of the rights of human rights defenders private military or security fi rms acting on in the country. More than 150 people participated in the meeting, whose purpose was behalf of a country, and the countries them- to draft recommendations for the adoption or effective implementation of specifi c selves, must be held accountable for any mechanisms for the protection of defenders and to work towards the normalisation acts of torture that they cause, so that the of relations between the defenders and the national authorities. victims can obtain compensation.

OMCT | 2011 Annual Report 5 I TO INCREASE PROTECTION AGAINST TORTURE AND SECURE THE REHABILITATION OF VICTIMS

A complex strategy that pays heed to tory has also distinguished itself in this fi eld by Helsinki, Islamabad, Kampala, Kiev, Kin- Benin and Uruguay: the needs of defenders using the available audio-visual tools to give shasa, Lima, Manila, Mexico City, Quito, greater visibility to defenders who are in espe- Santiago, Tegucigalpa and Tunis. an innovative strategy In view of the sophisticated forms of repres- cially dangerous situations. for protecting children sion of which they are targets, the necessary strengthening of the strategy for protecting de- For example, during the OECD Human Dimen- The use of Web applications as an additional deprived of liberty fenders poses major challenges. These include sion Implementation Meeting in September tool for the mobilisation of a wider public is the concurrent needs to take immediate urgent 2011, the Observatory fi lmed a six-minute under study, as well as the establishment of an At the beginning of 2011, the pilot project action and to plan for longer-term mobilisation; documentary that painted a sombre picture “Observatory” Internet site for defenders to “Monitoring the treatment of children deprived the link between individual protection through of the situation of human rights defenders in centralise information and resources and to in- of liberty” came to an end. Begun in Septem- immediate responses targeted at individual Eastern Europe and Central Asia, who operate crease their visibility. ber 2009, the project was the fruit of collabora- cases (urgent interventions and material assist- in a very restricted environment and are faced tion between OMCT and two national partners, ance) and wider protection through daily moni- with similar acts of repression: obstacles to the The sponsorship project “Defend the Defend- members of the SOS-Torture Network: Enfants toring of the legal framework within which the exercise of freedom of assembly and associa- ers” is intended to be an innovative, integrated Solidaires d’Afrique et du Monde (ESAM) in defenders operate; the complementarity of the tion, obstacles to registering non-governmen- and media-friendly approach to strengthening Benin and the Instituto de Estudios Legales y responses to situations of repression by the in- tal organisations (NGOs) and accessing funds; the protection of human rights defenders by fo- Sociales (IELSUR) in Uruguay. The project clearly ternational and the regional protection mecha- criminalisation of non-registered organisations; cusing on the complexity of the problems they was the beginning of a process of improvement nisms; the identifi cation of the interlocutors judicial harassment; and arbitrary detention. face. in the protection of children deprived of liberty within the State, intergovernmental entities and In addition, during the fi ftieth session of the from all forms of violence, including torture and the media capable of taking concrete and effec- African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Its originality rests fi rst of all on the fact that other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, tive action on behalf of defenders. Rights held in Banjul in October 2011, at which the project associates international and Swiss and from situations that could lead to such it presented its Annual Report 2011, the Ob- personalities from the worlds of politics, eco- abuse. OMCT and its partner FIDH, within the frame- servatory conducted a series of interviews with nomics, sports and culture with defenders of work of the Observatory, continually strive to human rights defenders from Algeria, the Gam- economic, social, cultural, civil and political Thus, in Uruguay, but even more in Benin, regu- identify new means of further strengthening the bia, Guinea, Burundi, Uganda and Nigeria that rights with a view to making the public more lar monitoring visits to the places where children protection of human rights defenders. This effort illustrated the obstacles put in the way of their aware of the work of defenders and the risks are detained (a total of 48 visits) led to greater led to the convening in June 2011, in Kinshasa, work in Africa. they run. The sponsors thus act both as links transparency in the conditions of detention and of a round table gathering together defenders in between the defenders and the public and as thereby to the strengthening of respect for the the Democratic Republic of the Congo and gov- sources of support at times when the defenders physical and psychological integrity of those ernmental authorities with a view to advocating Publication of its 14th Annual are at particular risk. children. In addition, by submitting legal opin- for the establishment of a national human rights Report: a key moment for the ions to the competent authorities, OMCT and commission and the adoption of a law on the Observatory It is integrated in the sense that the project takes its partners contributed to the preservation and protection of human rights defenders. advantage of the expertise of OMCT in this area reinforcement of the national legal frameworks On 24 October 2011, the Observatory for and the tools that have been in place for several concerning children in confl ict with the law and This initiative was innovative in more than one the Protection of Human Rights Defenders years, in particular within the Observatory for deprived of liberty. Furthermore, the training respect. It refl ected the desire of the Observa- published its 14th Annual Report on the the Protection of Human Rights Defenders. The workshops organised for 87 professionals in the tory not only to take concrete steps to strength- situation of defenders. A press conference fi eld missions, urgent interventions, advocacy fi eld of the administration of justice, the prison en the dialogue between civil society and State was held during the sixty-sixth session of with the international and regional mechanisms administration, NGO representatives and jour- authorities on the question of the conformity the United Nations General Assembly in for protecting defenders, and governmental nalists allowed them to expand their practical of national legislation with the relevant regional New York. Present were Margaret Sekag- delegations are all included in OMCT’s global and theoretical knowledge. Finally, thanks to and international instruments for the protec- gya, United Nations Special Rapporteur on protection strategy, thereby ensuring coherence the opening of a constructive dialogue and to tion of human rights, but also to initiate and/or the situation of human rights defenders, of action. the awareness-raising activities, the national au- deepen the political dialogue with States with and Tawakkoi Karman, winner of the No- thorities, civil society and the public in the two respect to the protection of defenders. The ob- bel Peace Prize for 2011. Finally, the project is media-friendly in that it countries acquired greater understanding of the jective was to create the conditions for an en- attempts to mobilise members of the public as vulnerability of children in confl ict with the law vironment respectful of human rights and basic The report underlines the universality of active partners in raising awareness about the and deprived of liberty and of the vital impor- freedoms in which defenders can carry out their the demands of the Arab Spring and de- causes championed by human rights defend- tance of protecting them. activities without hindrance. tails the struggle being waged, in the face ers by, for example, making short documentary of personal danger, by human rights de- fi lms. The term “human rights defender” has To cite only one of the areas in which concrete The Arab Spring opened the way for new possi- fenders in some 70 countries. They are civil entered into popular language; the defender is progress was made thanks to the project, in De- bilities and opportunities for reforms leading to society activists, journalists, trade union now perceived as a key actor for change lead- cember 2010 in Benin, under the patronage of the establishment of the rule of law and democ- members, lawyers and ordinary citizens ing to the establishment and strengthening of OMCT and the Ministry of Justice, a road map racy. It would be wrong to say that the peaceful who have become “Indignados”; outraged democracy and the rule of law and whose role of actions to be taken to improve the protec- revolutions that took place in Egypt and Tunisia by injustice, the arbitrary use of State pow- must be protected. tion of such children was adopted by judges, were the work of a handful of defenders; that er and terror. lawyers, prison guards and directors, police, civil would be an injustice to the women and men servants and NGOs. who mobilised, despite the peril to their lives. The Observatory organised a total of 20 However, it was those same defenders who for press conferences and other events from Encouraged by this positive result, OMCT pro- years had documented and denounced human October 2011 to January 2012 in a number ceeded to design and operationalise follow-up rights violations and called for a response by the of key countries, in association with local to the pilot project by planning activities over international community who laid the founda- partners, in order to present the main con- the next three years to solidify the achievements tion for the aspirations expressed by their coun- clusions of the report: in New York during by concentrating on the effective application by trymen and –women. a side event sponsored by the Permanent the authorities in Benin and Uruguay of the rec- Mission of Norway to the United Nations, ommendations of several international mecha- Public opinion, the media and social net- with the participation of the Special Rap- nisms for the protection of human rights, in works: partners in protection porteur and Congolese and Mexican de- particular the United Nations Committee on the fenders; in Banjul during the fi ftieth ses- Rights of the Child and the Committee against The mobilisation of public opinion, the media sion of the African Commission, with the Torture, the Subcommittee for the Prevention of and the social networks has become crucial. participation of the Commission’s Special Torture and the Special Rapporteur on torture. Recognition of the fundamental role of de- Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders In close cooperation with its partners, OMCT fenders in the establishment and strengthen- in Africa and defenders from Senegal, the will maintain the momentum by institutionalis- ing of the rule of law and democracy must be Democratic Republic of the Congo, Algeria ing the monitoring visits by NGOs to the places taken up by the media and the social networks, and the Sudan; in Washington, D.C. at the where children are detained; expanding the which alone can raise awareness in the great- 143rd session of the Inter-American Com- training of judges and offi cials charged with est number of people and promote solidarity mission on Human Rights (IACHR) of the enforcing the law, including prison offi cials; with defenders. The participation of the media, Organisation of American States (OAS), contributing to the reform of legislation and of social networks and public opinion is, in other with the participation of the Commis- implementation policies; and coordinating ac- words, determinant in making States that re- sion’s Rapporteur on the Situation of Hu- tivities in the fi eld with OMCT’s initiatives in the press defenders loosen their stranglehold and man Rights Defenders and defenders from area of the protection of detained children at create conditions that are favourable to activi- Mexico, Colombia and Venezuela; and in the international level. ties in defence of human rights. The Observa- the cities of Baku, Cairo, Cuenca, Dakar,

6 OMCT | 2011 Annual Report Activities carried out in 2011 “AMAZONIAN INDIANS UNDER THREAT”

Following the fi rst documentary fi lmed during the solidarity mission to Mexico in September 2008 Sponsorship about the women of Ciudad Juárez fi ghting for justice during a wave of murders of women in that city, and a second fi lmed during the solidarity mission to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in project “Defend February 2010 about the human rights defenders working to secure justice for Congolese women victims of rape, OMCT produced a third documentary fi lmed during a mission to Brazil from 25 the Defenders” November to 6 December 2011.

The mission, which included Swiss actress Noémie Kocher, who also took part in the mission to Mexico, and director Daniel Schweizer, a prize-winner at the Film Festival and International Human Rights Forum in March 2011, visited Amazonia and the Xingu reservation in order to spotlight the situation of Yanomami and Kayapo human rights defenders who are being threatened because of their involvement in defending the lands of their peoples, demanding respect for their cultures and resisting the exploitation of the riches of their subsoil and forests.

A short documentary, entitled “Amazonian Indians under Threat”, will be released in early 2012. The Film Festival and International Human Rights Forum held in Geneva in March 2012 will devote an evening to a screening of the fi lm followed by a debate on a theme linked to the subject. In ad- dition, the weekly television magazine Temps présent on Radio Télévision Suisse (RTS) will broadcast the fi lm in prime time.

Photographs: Daniel Schweizer/Horizon Films

OMCT | 2011 Annual Report 7 Activities carried out in 2011

II WORKING TOWARDS THE IMPLEMENTATION OF INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS STANDARDS

OMCT, in partnership with the NGO members Value added of OMCT preparatory Después”, to the Committee against Torture High Commissioner for Human Rights (OH- of the SOS-Torture Network and its other part- missions in December 2010 and to the Committee on CHR), OMCT is in a good position to bolster ners, works towards achieving respect for the the Elimination of Discrimination against NGO action at the international level and to absolute prohibition of torture and ill-treatment In 2011, OMCT carried out preparatory missions Women in January 2011, jointly with the maximise its impact. by advocating with the various intergovern- to Madagascar, Morocco and Tunisia in order to Centro de Derechos Humanos Miguel mental human rights mechanisms, including draft and submit alternative reports and follow- Agustín Pro Juárez (Centro Prodh), a mem- In addition, in order to ensure wide dissemi- the treaty bodies that monitor the application up notes to the United Nations treaty bodies, ber of the SOS-Torture Network, exemplifi es nation and greater awareness of the work of by States of their obligations under the conven- notably the Committee against Torture. These OMCT’s strategy. The paper presented an in- the Committee, OMCT “tweeted” the session tions to which they are party, as well as in the missions were undertaken at the request of depth evaluation of the implementation by and, in partnership with other NGOs, webcast Human Rights Council and its special proce- NGO members and partners of the SOS-Torture the Mexican authorities of the treaty body the proceedings on its Internet site. The vid- dures. OMCT maintains very close working rela- Network that wished to be accompanied and recommendations specifi cally relevant to eos are available at www.ustream.tv/channel/ tions with those mechanisms, in particular the supported in this process. The missions allowed the mandate of OMCT and encouraged the cat-webcast1. That experience, which was very United Nations Committee against Torture and OMCT to strengthen its cooperation with na- members of the two committees to take a positive, will be repeated at subsequent ses- the Special Rapporteur on torture. The regional tional NGOs, gather fi rst-hand information unanimous position on a particular prob- sions of the Committee. Also, at the end of mechanisms for the protection of human rights and data and meet the competent authorities lem, thereby increasing pressure on the au- the session, OMCT published a newsletter, en- are also important partners for OMCT. to apprise them of the initiatives being under- thorities to act. titled omct@cat, to inform targeted audiences. taken. They also laid the foundation for future The crucial contribution cooperation, for example follow-up missions on In 2012, OMCT, along with Mexican NGO the implementation of the recommendations members of the SOS-Torture Network, will of OMCT to the work adopted by the Committee against Torture. continue its advocacy through the submis- of the United Nations sion of an alternative report on Mexico to In Morocco, as part of the meetings that OMCT the Committee against Torture at its forty- treaty bodies organised for NGOs, OMCT explained the pro- eighth session in May 2012. This will be pre- visions of the Convention against Torture, how ceded by a preparatory mission. A follow-up Since 1992, the year it presented its fi rst report the Committee against Torture functioned, and mission will also be organised to continue to the Committee against Torture, OMCT has what kind of information was required by the advocacy with the Mexican authorities. been deeply involved with the treaty bodies, Committee’s expert members. including through its support for local NGOs wishing to further contribute to these mecha- A targeted and proactive strategy As part of this strategy, in November 2011 nisms, its innovative and pioneering efforts to OMCT drafted and submitted to the Com- integrate a gender and child-rights dimension in The implementation of the recommendations mittee against Torture alternative reports on the work of the committees, and its insistence adopted by the United Nations treaty bodies is Madagascar and Morocco; alternative reports on the importance of implementing the interna- one of OMCT’s priorities. The procedure adopt- on these two countries had already been sub- tional human rights standards. ed by OMCT consists of submitting alternative mitted to the Human Rights Committee at its Je vous adresse mes plus reports and/or follow-up notes to the various eighty-ninth session in March 2007 and to the vifs remerciements pour avoir Throughout the last 20 years, OMCT has lis- committees on the status in particular countries Committee against Torture at its thirty-fi rst ses- permis à l’ACAT Madagascar tened closely to the members and partners of of the implementation of the conventions to sion in November 2003. Morocco was chosen […] d’avoir eu, une seconde the SOS-Torture Network and to the treaty bod- which they are party or of the recommenda- because, reacting to the Arab Spring, it had fois, l’heureuse possibilité de ies. This attention, backed up by the results of tions addressed to them. With a view to greater adopted a new constitution in July 2011 giv- soutenir son rapport alternatif internal as well as external evaluations, enabled effectiveness, OMCT will sometimes concen- ing rise to hopes that the international human devant le CAT […]. OMCT to diversify and refi ne its intervention trate on a single theme in a given country, for rights standards would be fully implemented. C’était une expérience fort tools. Thus, OMCT multiplied the number of its example violence against women in Mexico (see Madagascar was chosen in order to monitor intéressante à tous points de fi eld missions, hosted NGO representatives at box below). the application of the national anti-torture law vue, tant sur le plan du ren- sessions of the committees in Geneva and New adopted in 2008, shortly after the country was forcement de capacités en ce York and prioritised the drafting of follow-up examined by the Human Rights Committee. qui concerne les organes des notes evaluating the implementation by States A follow-up note on Mexico, entitled “La traités, que sur le plan des re- parties of the recommendations and decisions Tortura Sexual de Mujeres en San Salva- The “Jasmine Revolution” in Tunisia also lations humaines et du dévelop- adopted by the treaty bodies. dor Atenco, México: Cuatro Años y Media opened new vistas. On the basis of the experi- pement personnel. ence acquired from its long association with Tu- nisian NGO members and partners of the SOS- Ce genre d’expérience permet Torture Network, OMCT wished to assess how aux associations et ONG de the decisions and recommendations adopted prendre un nouveau souffl e, by the treaty bodies were being followed and lorsque le doute sur la perti- to contribute to the ongoing process of transi- nence de leurs actions com- tion towards decisive legal reforms that would mence à poindre à l’horizon.... provide justice to victims of acts of torture and Cette expérience a conforté Strengthen the international and national human rights standards end the impunity enjoyed by the perpetrators of ma conviction selon laquelle, and mechanisms human rights violations (see sect. III below). This sans un travail de collabora- analysis was undertaken during three missions tion, d’équipe et de Réseau, aux – Submission, in partnership with NGOs in the fi eld and members and partners of the carried out in the fi rst half of 2011. plans national et international, SOS-Torture Network, of : il est diffi cile d’atteindre les - Three alternative reports to the Committee against Torture concerning Greece, Mada- Forty-seventh session of the objectifs assignés. Ceci étant gascar and Morocco (November). Committee against Torture valable pour la société civile. - A follow-up report to the Committee against Torture concerning Colombia on the De même pour l’Etat dont la situation of torture in the country and the implementation of the Committee’s recom- At the forty-seventh session of the Committee surveillance des engagements mendations (August). against Torture, held in Geneva from 31 Oc- est une nécessité. - A follow-up note to the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Wo- tober to 25 November 2011, OMCT contrib- men and the Committee against Torture concerning sexual torture of the women of uted to the debates on Greece, Madagascar, J’ai pu également en rendre San Salvador Atenco (Mexico) (January). Morocco and Paraguay, four of the nine States compte au représentant du parties that presented their reports on the im- Haut Commissariat aux droits – Carrying out of two preparatory missions to Madagascar (4-8 July) and to Morocco plementation of the provisions of the Conven- de l’Homme qui l’a très bien (10-15 July) and three missions to Tunisia: an exploratory mission from 21 to 26 Fe- tion against Torture. apprécié et a sollicité une col- bruary; a consultation and programming mission from 17 to 20 March; and a high- laboration accrue avec l’ACAT level mission from 17 to 23 May. OMCT submitted three alternative reports dans l’accomplissement de sa jointly with member organisations of the SOS- mission. – Inviting four representatives of 15 national NGOs from Madagascar and Morocco to Torture Network and facilitated the travel to participate in the forty-seventh session of the Committee against Torture, including in Geneva of their representatives. Accompany- Maria Raharinarivonirina, lawyer and Presi- the formal briefi ng of the experts. ing NGO members and partners of the SOS- dent of ACAT-Madagascar, whose travel to Torture Network is an integral part of OMCT’s Geneva was provided by OMCT – Webcast of the sessions of the Committee against Torture and publication of the fi rst activities in support of fi eld organisations. Ow- e-bulletin (omct@cat) on the forty-seventh session of the Committee. ing to its presence in Geneva and its close rela- tionship with the Offi ce of the United Nations

8 OMCT | 2011 Annual Report Support for the treaty At the sixteenth session of the Human Rights body reform process Council, in March 2011, OMCT, together Advocacy before the regional human rights mechanisms with the ICJ, organised a discussion about the Because of its expertise and long history of problem of the lack of legal responsibility for – Participation in the NGO Forum at the forty-ninth and fi ftieth sessions of the African collaboration with the United Nations treaty grave violations of human rights committed in Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (April/May and October/November 2011, bodies, OMCT was invited to take part in the the name of national security. This debate, in in Banjul, with written and oral inventions on the situation of torture and ill-treat- ongoing discussions on treaty body reform be- which the new Special Rapporteur on torture, ment in Africa as well as the situation of human rights defenders on the continent; ing conducted by OHCHR. At the consultation Juan Méndez, participated, sought to identify organisation of three parallel events on the protection of victims and witnesses in the organised for members of civil society in Seoul ways in which the Council and its special pro- fi ght against impunity and on human rights defenders (including presentation of the on 19 and 20 April 2011, OMCT made propos- cedures could ensure respect for the right to report of the judicial observation mission to Burundi by the Observatory and of its als concerning better application of the deci- compensation in accordance with international Annual Report); accompanying defenders from Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Repub- sions and recommendations of the commit- law and that actions taken in the name of na- lic of the Congo, Zimbabwe, Senegal and Burundi at the sessions. tees; greater involvement by national NGOs; tional security adhere to the relevant interna- more precise and concise committee recom- tional standards. – Participation at a hearing held during the 141st session of the Inter-American Com- mendations; an increase in the staffi ng of the mission on Human Rights (March/April 2011) on the situation of human rights and Offi ce; and creation of a page on the website OMCT also follows the Council with a view to defenders in Nicaragua; organisation of a parallel event on human rights defenders of the Offi ce dedicated to the follow-up to in- ensuring that the situations of grave violations at the 143rd session of the Commission (October/November 2011) in Washington, D.C. dividual communications. of human rights are kept or put on its agenda. OMCT associated itself with initiatives calling for – Participation in the Human Dimension Implementation Meeting of the Organization In its intervention OMCT also proposed that a special session of the Council on the situation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) (September/October 2011) in War- the temporary protection offered by the in- in Syria.6 OMCT also intervened on violations of saw, submitting of a written and making an oral statement on the situation of hu- ternational mechanisms to victims of an al- human rights, in particular torture and excessive man rights defenders in the member States of the OSCE; co-organisation of a parallel leged violation of their human rights should use of force, committed in repressing the Arab event on how to improve the protection of defenders in the OSCE region; accompany- be extended to the individuals that submit Spring in Bahrain, Egypt, Libya and Yemen in ing of a Kyrgyz defender. such information. To that end, OMCT took the 2011. initiative to organise in May 2011, with TRIAL – Participation in the round table organised on 27 and 28 October 2011 in Strasbourg and Redress, two information meetings for the In addition, at the Council sessions held in (France) by the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe on the situ- expert members of the Committee against Tor- March and June 2011, OMCT, together with its ation of human rights in the region. One of the purposes of the round table was to ture and the Human Rights Committee (June Mexican partners, organised two discussions on discuss the obstacles to activities in defence of human rights and possible solutions, 2011). It also submitted to the Committee the human rights situation in Mexico. The fi rst and access to the mechanisms for human rights protection. against Torture proposed amendments to ar- was on the situation in San Salvador Atenco (see ticle 114 of its rules of procedure to expressly box), with the participation of a female torture include any person who transmits information victim and human rights defenders. The purpose about an individual case and who risks repris- of the discussion was twofold: to draw the at- als for doing so, for example witnesses and tention of delegations and States members of human rights defenders. The Committee indi- the Council to the human rights situation in cated its willingness to revise its rules of proce- Mexico, in particular the use of torture and the sation, Peoples’ Front for the Defence of OMCT and the regional dure accordingly. impunity enjoyed by the perpetrators, and to re- the Land (Frente de Pueblos en Defensa de mechanisms for mind Mexico of its obligations in this domain. In la Tierra, FPDT). The police operation end- OMCT also took part in similar initiatives with- fact, while Mexico plays a crucial role within the ed with the arrest of 207 people and the the protection of human in the African system for the protection of hu- Council, the level of violence raging through- death of two civilians. At least 27 of the 47 rights man rights in order to strengthen the follow- out the country is very worrying, in particular women who were arrested were subjected up to individual communications. in the context of the fi ght against drug traf- to torture, including sexual abuse, during fi ckers, and the level of compliance by Mexico their detention. More than fi ve years later, OMCT works regularly with the regional mech- OMCT and the United with the recommendations adopted by various impunity for these crimes continues. OMCT, anisms for the protection of human rights, in United Nations bodies is very inadequate. The which documented the facts in a follow-up particular the African Commission on Human Nations Human Rights Mexican delegation to the Council took part in note (see above), supports in various ways and Peoples’ Rights, the Organisation for Secu- Council both events. the demands by its Mexican partner organi- rity and Cooperation in Europe and the Inter- sations for an end to impunity and for full American Commission on Human Rights. It pro- As OMCT consistently reminds the Human and effective compensation to be awarded vides these bodies with information on human Rights Council – an eminently political body – San Salvador Atenco: the facts to the victims. rights violations documented by its partners in the prohibition of torture is absolute and must the fi eld, and takes part in debates during their be respected in all circumstances. It makes this On 3 and 4 May 2006, more than 2,000 fed- meetings to highlight situations of concern in point during the interactive debates (see box) eral, state and local police took part in an OMCT also continued its activities with the Hu- certain countries and to remind States of their and organises parallel events at the sessions of operation in Texcoco and San Salvador At- man Rights Council within the Observatory for obligations. the Council in close collaboration with the mem- enco, in the State of Mexico, to end dem- the Protection of Human Rights Defenders. In bers and partners of the SOS-Torture Network. onstrations led by a local peasant organi- March 2011, the Observatory organised a paral- lel event at the sixteenth session of the Council on the theme “Social protests and democracies: lessons learned for the protection of human rights defenders”. During the session the Ob- Advocacy before the Human Rights Council and the General Assembly servatory also provided the funding to enable a Colombian human rights defender to attend, – Eleven interventions at the Human Rights Council under various items of its agenda co-organised a parallel event on women de- relevant to the mandate of OMCT. Participation in the interactive dialogues with the fenders and made two joint statements during Special Rapporteur on torture; the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or the interactive dialogue with the Special Rap- arbitrary executions; the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defend- porteur on the situation of human rights de- ers; the independent expert on the situation of human rights in Burundi; the Special fenders. At the July and September 2011 ses- Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia; the Special Rapporteur sions, the Observatory made statements during on the situation of human rights in Belarus; and the Special Representative of the the interactive dialogue with the independent Secretary-General on Violence against Children, and during the annual day of discus- expert on the situation of human rights in Bu- sion on the rights of the child. rundi and the Special Rapporteur on the situa- tion of human rights in Cambodia, focusing on – Organisation and facilitation of nine parallel events on the absolute prohibition of the former’s missions to Burundi in November torture and ill-treatment (2), human rights defenders (2), the rights of the child and 2010 and January 2011 and the latter’s numer- country situations: Mexico (2), Iraq (Camp Ashraf) and United States of America. ous activities denouncing the draft law on as- sociations and NGOs in Cambodia. – Convening of a press conference and a parallel event at the United Nations General Assembly on human rights defenders.

6 In 2011, the Council held three special sessions to address the events taking place in that country.

OMCT | 2011 Annual Report 9 Activités réalisées en 2011

III MOBILISATON AND STRENGTHENING OF THE NGO MEMBERS OF THE SOS-TORTURE NETWORK BY MEANS OF TRAINING

OMCT’s philosophy rests on the principles of tion in Burundi; a conference-debate on torture great deal of work will be required to maintain context of the transition under way in Tunisia, collaboration, networking, building the capaci- with students from the National Gendarmerie the momentum generated by this mobilisation. the scope of the international prohibition of tor- ties of NGOs and solidarity. It conceives of its in the Democratic Republic of the Congo; an OMCT will also refl ect on whether it is relevant ture and the legal requirements of the United role as providing to its NGO affi liates in the fi eld exhibition of paintings by children in Honduras to identify more specifi c themes, notably in Nations Convention against Torture. the tools and services that will best allow them depicting acts of violence to which they and connection with the categories of victims con- to carry out their work successfully, that is, help- their families had been subjected by the mili- sidered to be vulnerable, in view of the success At the two workshops, the practical challenges ing them to strengthen their capacity and effec- tary; publication of a brochure on psychological of the regionalisation of the campaign on 10 linked to the use of such instruments were also tiveness in preventing and denouncing torture support for victims of torture in China; and a December 2011. discussed, based on the OMCT practical guides. and ill-treatment, seeing that the perpetrators debate following the screening of a fi lm on the In accordance with OMCT’s strategy, the par- of grave human rights violations are prosecuted fi ght against torture in Lebanon. A list of the Strengthening the ticipants were also trained in drafting individual and providing assistance to the victims, includ- activities organised in connection with the Inter- communications and alternative reports. Such ing their rehabilitation. The SOS-Torture Net- national Day is available on the OMCT website NGO members of the guidance will encourage defenders to resort to work, by virtue of the diversity of its members, (www.omct.org/events/2011/06/d21318/). SOS-Torture Network these mechanisms and will support them in us- their expertise and their reputation, is the key- ing them strategically on their own. stone of OMCT’s work. Its role is crucial, in par- On 10 December 2011, the SOS-Torture Net- by training ticular in identifying and documenting human work, in particular the NGO partners and mem- In this regard, discussions are under way with rights violations, supporting victims of torture, bers in North Africa and the Middle East, was some of the participants with a view, for exam- and pleading their cases with the competent mobilised to respond to the call for liberty and Training sessions in Burundi and ple, to collaborating in the drafting of a joint authorities and the international and regional justice launched by the Arab Spring. Fourteen Tunisia alternative report to the second periodic report mechanisms for the protection of human rights. organisations in Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Moroc- of Togo which will be examined at a future ses- co, Mauritania, Lebanon, Libya, Syria and Tuni- - Organisation of a three-day training semi- sion of the United Nations Committee against Mobilisation of the mem- sia associated themselves with OMCT’s call to all nar, from 17 to 20 October 2011, in Bujum- Torture. Following the visit of the new United the Governments in the region to ensure that bura, on the effective and complementary Nations independent expect on the situation of bers of the SOS-Torture the absolute prohibition of torture becomes a use of the international and regional con- human rights in Côte d’Ivoire, Doudou Diène, Network reality. To that end, OMCT and the other organi- ventional and non-conventional human in November 2011, the Ivoirian participants sations drew up a 10-point agenda for putting rights mechanisms, for 16 human rights de- asked OMCT to help them draft a note to him. The SOS-Torture Network is at the heart of an end to torture once and for all; to investi- fenders from Burundi, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, There is also the possibility of collaboration with the international media campaign launched in gate acts of torture and bring the perpetrators the Democratic Republic of the Congo, some of the new partners in identifying com- June 2010 by Kofi Annan, former United Na- to justice; to guarantee to the victims their right Rwanda and Togo. plaints that could be submitted to the United tions Secretary-General. The campaign Mani- to a remedy and to compensation; to dismantle Nations treaty bodies, concerning in particular festo, “Nothing can justify torture under any the apparatus of repression; to demilitarise the - Organisation of a two-day training semi- Côte d’Ivoire. circumstances”, was signed by several Nobel system of justice and to establish a system of nar, on 19 and 20 November 2011, in Tu- laureates, including Martti Ahtisaari, Jimmy protection; to prevent torture and end incom- nis on the application of the international Regional training seminars are important as Carter, Jean-Marie Gustave Le Clézio, Roberta municado detention; to establish a mechanism standards and the procedures concerning venues where human rights defenders in the Menchú. Adolfo Pérez Esquivel, José Ramos- for independent follow-up and monitoring; to the prohibition of torture and other cruel, same region can gather, creating networks of Horta, Joseph Stiglitz and Desmond Tutu. create an environment favourable to human inhuman or degrading treatment or punish- actors who would not otherwise have the possi- rights defenders and civil society; to use the ment, for 18 young activists, human rights bility of working together (general NGOs, wom- On 26 June 2011, the 311 members of the international legislation against torture as the defenders and judges working closely with en’s NGOs and Church-affi liated NGOs), as well SOS-Torture Network were encouraged to work principle reference and to strengthen the de- the principal civil society organisations in places where good practices can be exchanged alongside the International Secretariat in (1) dis- termination of the international community to Tunisia. and defenders draw inspiration from actions seminating the Manifesto in their countries and fi ght against this scourge. and strategies put forward by others in their among a wider public, asking everyone to sign region. The Bujumbura seminar, for example, the document online; (2) contacting national The outcome of the international media cam- OMCT is determined to work alongside the was attended by defenders from Chad, Côte personalities to support the Manifesto; and (3) paign by OMCT on 26 June and 10 December NGOs in the fi eld in their fi ght against torture d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, identifying recommendations and resolutions 2011 was very positive; it succeeded in mobi- and ill-treatment. This action takes the form Rwanda and Togo as well as the host country. adopted by international bodies and requesting lising members of the SOS-Torture Network of supporting their advocacy with the national national authorities to take the necessary meas- around the call to respect the absolute prohi- authorities for the implementation of the rec- ures to put an end to torture, prevent its resur- bition of torture and to alert the public to the ommendations and decisions adopted by the gence, provide compensation to the victims and dangers threatening this prohibition (see box international mechanisms for the protection punish the perpetrators. below). The reactions to the diverse and crea- of human rights, as well as supporting them in tive activities organised by the members of the their interactions with these mechanisms (see National activities were also organised in Af- Network in many countries, including the Mani- sect. II above). rica, Asia, Latin America, Eastern Europe and festo, which gained many new signatures, dem- the Maghreb/Middle East. Among them was a onstrated that the initiative was welcomed. It Such support is expressed in particular by the debate on the theme of truth and reconcilia- goes without saying that in the months ahead a organisation of training workshops in the fi eld. In 2011, OMCT organised two seminars, in Bu- rundi in October and in Tunisia in November, in order to respond to the questions and dif- 26 June 2011 – International Day in Support of Victims of Torture fi culties that arise daily in the work of those – Organisation of an international media campaign on the absolute prohibition of tor- struggling to secure better respect for human ture, in close collaboration with the NGO members and partners of the SOS-Torture rights. The training explained in detail the con- Network, and support for national campaigns in Africa (Burundi, Côte d’Ivoire, Demo- ventional and non-conventional human rights cratic Republic of the Congo, Senegal and Togo), Asia (China, India, Indonesia, Pakistan mechanisms and how they work in a practical and the Philippines), Europe (Georgia and Turkey), Latin America (Argentina, Chile, and concrete fashion, stressing the vital impor- Colombia, Honduras and Mexico) and the Middle East (Israel and Lebanon). tance of national implementation of the recom- mendations and decisions adopted by these – Holding on 15 June 2011, by the Subcommittee on Human Rights of the European Par- mechanisms. liament, of a hearing devoted to OMCT and the International Day. During the event, Heidi Hautala, President of the Subcommittee; Hina Jilani, former Special Representa- The purpose of the training in Bujumbura was tive of the United Nations Secretary-General on the situation of human rights defen- to train the participants - human rights defend- ders, human rights lawyer and founding member of the Human Rights Commission of ers – in the effective and strategic use of the Pakistan; and Eric Sottas, Secretary-General of OMCT, called attention to the threats to United Nations and African Union human rights the absolute prohibition of torture. The hearing was organised by OMCT-Europe, which protection mechanisms and of the regional represents the OMCT International Secretariat at the European institutions in Brussels courts with a human rights mandate, such as and Strasbourg. the Court of Justice of the Economic Commu- nity of West African States (ECOWAS). 10 December 2011 – International Human Rights Day – Joint statement issued by OMCT and 14 organisation members and partners of the SOS- The workshop in Tunis, aimed at young activ- Torture Network on the 10 steps to be taken to end torture and ill-treatment in North ists, human rights lawyers and judges working Africa and the Middle East. closely with the principal organisations of civil society, in the capital and outside it, focused on the role of the international standards in the

10 OMCT | 2011 Annual Report Toutes les matières et Cet atelier m’a permis de compétences apprises seront mieux maîtriser la procédure utiles à notre organisation. de soumission des communica- Elles nous ont permis de tions et des rapports aux méca- connaître les différentes voies nismes de protection des droits de recours dont nous dispo- de l’Homme. sons tant au niveau régional Je suis capable de présenter que international en tant désormais une communication qu’organisation de défense des ou un rapport au nom de mon droits humains. Et vont nous ONG à ces mécanismes. permettre de recadrer nos actions futures dans différents Ivoirian participant at the Burundi training domaines de travail de notre workshop organisation (Droits civils et politiques, droits économiques et socioculturels, droits de l’enfant et droits des personnes vulnérables).

Congolese participant at the Burundi training workshop

2training seminars for

The Syrian Organization for Human Rights sends our warmest greetings to you and expresses its deep thanks and gratitude for this attention 34human rights defenders. targeted to the struggle of the lawyers for human rights in Syria. We are certain that your efforts will have a good impact and contribute to effective and great benefi t to spread and cir- culate the education of human rights in Syria. [...]

Mohannad Al Hassani, winner of the Martin OMCT in Tunis Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders, Syria, August 2011. OMCT opened its fi rst fi eld offi ce, in Tunis on 1 September 2011. This act was a concrete expression of the Organisation’s desire to infl uence the process of transition taking place in Tunisia and to encourage the adoption of decisive legal reforms that will de- liver justice to the victims of acts of torture and create an environment in which the absolute prohibition of torture is respected and where the member and partner or- ganisations of the SOS-Torture Network – strengthened as a result – can function with complete independence.

The staff of the Tunis offi ce spent the fi rst few months meeting the principal actors, go- vernmental and non-governmental, in the country who were involved in the protection of human rights, informing them of the presence of OMCT in Tunisia and about the objectives and future activities of the Organisation. Contacts were initiated with the Minister of Justice, the Minister of the Interior, the National Consultative Commission on Human Rights and the Commission for the Establishment of the National Fact-Find- ing Commission to investigate abuses and excesses committed during the revolution.

In November 2011, OMCT initiated the fi rst forum for exchanges between NGOs work- ing in the fi ght against torture, in order to strengthening coordination and cooperation among the various actors and to develop common strategies for action and advocacy. Support was given to Tunisian NGOs for a submission to the Universal Periodic Review (UPR). Also, on 10 December 2011, during the “Ten days of activism for human rights” campaign, OMCT organised a series of radio discussions with experts on the theme of torture in order to reach out to the public and support the reforms in this area.

It should be noted that the opening of the offi ce in Tunis was preceded by three fi eld missions during the fi rst half of 2011, one of which (in May) was a high-level mission, to analyse the transition process from the perspective of OMCT, that is, to identify the key areas of the functioning of the rule of law in the country that required substantial re- forms in order to be in conformity with the United Nations Convention against Torture. These included the legislative framework, the administration of justice and impunity for human rights violations perpetrated by the old regime.

It should further be mentioned that during that mission, OMCT was able to carry out the fi rst independent inspection of the country’s prison system.

OMCT | 2011 Annual Report 11 ANNUAL ACCOUNTS

12 OMCT | 2011 Annual Report BALANCE SHEET ON 31 DECEMBER 2011 STATEMENT OF INCOME AND EXPENDITURES

BALANCE SHEET ON 31 DECEMBER 2011 (WITH 2010 COMPARATIVE) STATEMENT OF INCOME AND EXPENDITURES ON 31 DECEMBER 2011 BILAN AU 31 DECEMBRE 2011 (AVEC COMPARATIF 2010) COMPTE DE RECETTES ET DEPENSES DE L’EXERCICE AU 31 DECEMBRE 2011

ACTIF / ASSETS ANNEE 2011 ANNEE 2010 ANNEE 2011 YEAR 2011 YEAR 2010 YEAR 2011

LIQUIDITES / CASH 971’855.26 906’419.19 RECETTES/INCOME 2’432’719.53

Caisses / Cash funds 1’446.02 4’018.20 Assistance d’urgence aux victimes de la torture / Urgent Assistance to Victims of Torture 74’893.12 CCP / Postal cheque account 10’001.24 59’612.33 Droits de l’enfant / Children’s Rights 50’500.00 Banque Lombard et Odier / Violence contre les femmes / Violence against Women 2’500.00 Bank Lombard & Odier 765’846.73 754’658.02 Défenseurs des droits de l’homme - Observatoire / Human Rights Defenders - Observatory 676’345.94 Banque UBS / Bank UBS 194’561.27 88’130.64 Campagnes d’urgence / Urgent Campaigns 0.00 Suivi des mécanismes de protection / Monitoring of Protection Mechanisms 475’047.23 AUTRES ACTIFS / OTHER ASSETS 110’187.15 149’605.69 Division opérations (gestion) / Operations Division (management) 0.00 TOTAL DIVISION OPERATIONS / TOTAL OPERATIONS DIVISION 1’279’286.29 Impôts anticipés / Withholding tax recoverable 257.81 1’157.34 Droits économiques, sociaux et culturels / Economic, Social and Cultural Rights 0.00 Actifs transitoires / Other assets 34’894.34 64’006.56 Formation / Training 0.00 Garanties / Guarantees 10’468.20 10’468.20 Division recherche & développement (gestion) / Research and Development Division (management) 0.00 Débiteurs et subventions à recevoir / TOTAL DIVISION RECHERCHE ET DEVELOPPEMENT / Debtors and grants to be received 64’566.80 73’973.59 TOTAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT DIVISION 0.00

TOTAL DE L’ACTIF / TOTAL ASSETS 1’082’042.41 1’056’024.88 Division recherche de fonds & communication (gestion) / Fundraising and Communication Division (management) 0.00 TOTAL DIVISION RECHERCHE DE FONDS ET COMMUNICATION / PASSIF / LIABILITIES TOTAL FUNDRAISING AND COMMUNICATION DIVISION 0.00

CREANCIERS / CREDITORS 904’247.42 984’970.46 Cotisations des membres du réseau / Membership fees 3’323.90 Dons “Club des Cent” / Donation “Club des Cent” 170’000.00 Créanciers / Creditors 91’998.21 40’972.53 Contributions privées / Private donations 371’730.66 Frais échus / Other liabilities 69’523.28 83’319.17 Soirées - Mailings / Gala evenings - Mailings 44’993.96 Subventions et produits reçus d’avance / Bulletins et produits divers / Bulletins and various donations 20’153.80 Grants paid in advance 742’725.93 860’678.76 Subventions fédérales, cantonales, communales / Federal, cantonal, communal grants 169’600.00 Subventions gouvernementales européennes / Grants from European governments 15’000.00 PROVISIONS / OTHER LIABILITIES 267’850.00 357’850.00 Subventions de fondations et autres / Grants from foundations and others 358’630.92 TOTAL EXTENSION, DEVELOPPEMENT DU RESEAU, Provision Assemblée biennale / REPRESENTATION EN DEHORS DU SIEGE ET GESTION / Provision for Biennial Assembly 7’850.00 57’850.00 TOTAL EXTENSIONS, DEVELOPMENT OF THE NETWORK, Provision Conseil executif / REPRESENTATION OUTSIDE GENEVA HEADQUARTERS 1’153’433.24 Provision for Executive Council 10’000.00 50’000.00 Provision garantie sur salaires et charges sociales / DEPENSES/EXPENDITURES -2’437’268.77 Provision for salaries and social charges 250’000.00 250’000.00 Assistance d’urgence aux victimes de la torture / Urgent Assistance to Victims of Torture 122’102.09 COMPTE DE RESULTAT / RESULTS -90’055.01 -286’795.58 Droits de l’enfant / Children’s Rights 86’836.68 Violence contre les femmes / Violence against Women 4’726.53 Report au 1er janvier 2011 / Défenseurs des droits de l’homme - Observatoire / Human Rights Defenders - Observatory 966’075.68 Carried forward at 1 January 2011 -286’795.58 -12’347.15 Campagnes d’urgence / Urgent Campaigns 224’759.66 Attribution de la Fondation de soutien à l’OMCT / Suivi des mécanismes de protection / Monitoring of Protection Mechanisms 460’363.21 Contribution from the Foundation supporting OMCT 200’000.00 0.00 Division opérations (gestion) / Operations Division (management) 3’280.37 Excédent de dépenses de l’exercice / TOTAL DIVISION OPERATIONS / TOTAL OPERATIONS DIVISION 1’868’144.22 Excess of expenditures -3’259.43 -274’448.43 Droits économiques, sociaux et culturels / Economic, Social and Cultural Rights 7’954.62 TOTAL DU PASSIF / TOTAL LIABILITIES 1’082’042.41 1’056’024.88 Formation / Training 26’225.62 Conférence et réunions statutaires / Conference and statutory meetings 13’332.20 Division recherche et développement (gestion) / Research and Development Division (management) 4’330.23 Genève, le 3 avril 2012 / Geneva, 3 April 2012 TOTAL DIVISION RECHERCHE ET DEVELOPPEMENT TOTAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT DIVISION 51’842.67

Promotion 291’288.86 Communication 101’119.84 Division recherche de fonds & comm. (gestion) / Fundraising and Comm. Division (management) 34’137.99 TOTAL DIVISION RECHERCHE DE FONDS ET COMMUNICATION TOTAL FUNDRAISING AND COMMUNICATION DIVISION 426’546.69

Extensions et développement du réseau / Extensions and development of the network 23’340.04 Représentation en dehors du siège / Representation outisde Geneva Headquarters 18’313.94 Gestion / Management 49’081.21 TOTAL EXTENSION, DEVELOPPEMENT DU RESEAU, REPRESENTATION EN DEHORS DU SIEGE ET GESTION / TOTAL EXTENSIONS, DEVELOPMENT OF THE NETWORK, REPRESENTATION OUTSIDE GENEVA HEADQUARTERS 90’735.19

RESULTAT AVANT INTERETS CREANCIERS ET AUTRES PRODUITS / RESULTS BEFORE CREDITORS INTERESTS AND OTHER INCOMES -4’549.24

INTERETS CREANCIERS ET AUTRES PRODUITS / CREDITORS INTERESTS AND OTHER INCOMES 1’289.81 Intérêts créanciers / Creditors interests 441.39 Autres produits / Other incomes 848.42

EXCEDENT DES DEPENSES DE L’EXERCICE / EXCESS OF EXPENDITURES -3’259.43

Genève, le 3 avril 2012 / Geneva, 3 April 2012

505urgent interventions, either of a general nature (including economic, social and cultural rights) or on behalf of specifi c victims (children, women and human rights defenders).

OMCT | 2011 Annual Report 13 DONORS AND BODIES

Non-governmental grants Government grants Executive Council

American Jewish World Service Germany President Yves Berthelot, France Vice-Presidents José Domingo Dougan Beaca, Equatorial Guinea Brot für die Welt Liechtenstein Dick Marty, Switzerland Treasurer Anthony Travis, United Kingdom Catholic Committee against Hunger Norway Members Jose Burle de Figueiredo, Brazil - Aminata Dieye, Senegal - Kamel Jendoubi, Tunisia and for Development Switzerland Tinatin Khidasheli, Georgia - Jahel Quiroga Carillo, Colombia Fondation de la Banque Pictet Christine Sayegh, Switzerland - Henri Tiphagne, India

Oak Foundation General Assembly

Africa Gustavo Palmieri, Argentina Grants from international or intergovernmental organisations Boubacar Messaoud, Mauritania Jahel Quiroga Carrillo, Colombia Floribert Chebeya, Claudia Samayoa, Guatemala European Commission Democratic Republic of the Congo † Europe United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture Innocent Chukwuma, Nigeria Oumar Diallo, Senegal Yves Berthelot, France Aminata Dieye, Senegal Panayote Elias Dimitras, Greece José Domingo Dougan Beaca, Jaap E. Doek, Netherlands Equatorial Guinea Tinatin Khidasheli, Georgia Cantonal grants (Switzerland) Municipal grants (Switzerland) Sam Mohochi, Kenya Dick Marty, Switzerland Michael O’Flaherty, Ireland Geneva Jussy Asia Christine Sayegh, Switzerland Teodoro Max De Mesa, Philippines Anthony Travis, United Kingdom Schwyz Geneva Vrinda Grover, India Leyla Yunus, Azerbaijan Lausanne Adilur Rahman Khan, Bangladesh Osamu Shiraishi, Japan Middle East and North Africa Sion Henri Tiphagne, India George Abu Al-Zulof, Palestine Renee Xia, China Georges Assaf, Lebanon Troinex Abdel-Ilah Benabdesselam, Morocco Latin America Nassera Dutour, Algeria Ernesto Alayza Mujica, Peru Hadi Ghaemi, Iran Others Luis Arriaga, Mexico Kamel Jendoubi, Tunisia SOS-Torture network membership fees José Burle de Figueiredo, Brazil Karim Saber, Egypt Private donations - Club des Cent Alberto León Gómez, Colombia Celia Medrano Amador, El Salvador North America Florizelle O’Connor, Jamaica Theresa Harris, United States of America OMCT extends its sincere thanks to all the contributing individuals, institutions and governments for their support and generosity. International Secretariat

Secretary-General (until 31 August 2011) Eric Sottas Secretary-General (from 1 September 2011) Gerald Staberock

Deputy Secretary-General Anne-Laurence Lacroix Deputy Secretary-General (until 31 August 2011) Gerald Staberock

Operations Division Urgent Campaigns Alexandra Kossin (Coordinator) - Clemencia Devia Suarez Urgent Assistance to Victims of Torture Orlane Varesano (Coordinator) Pierre-Henri Golly (Project Offi cer) Monitoring Protection Mechanisms Seynabou Benga (Human Rights Adviser) Carin Benninger-Budel (Human Rights Adviser) - Pierre-Henri Golly (Project Offi cer) Children’s Rights Cécile Trochu Grasso (Coordinator) Human Rights Defenders/ Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders Delphine Reculeau (Coordinator) - Seynabou Benga (Coordinator a.i.) Andrea Meraz Sepulveda (Project Offi cer) Seynabou Benga (”Defend the Defenders”, Project Coordinator) Violence against Women Carin Benninger-Budel (Human Rights Adviser)

Fundraising and Communication Division Carin Benninger-Budel (Human Rights Adviser)

Administration Halima Dekhissi - Claudine Fäsch - Eliane Rau-Reist - Erol Schaffner Webmaster Sébastien Courvoisier IT Support Alain Gross Accounting Marc Aebersold and Marinella Gras-Michielini (NDC Conseil)

OMCT Europe

European Coordinator Guro Engstrøm Nilsen

OMCT Tunis

Project Coordinator Gabriele Reiter Project Assistant Emtyez Belalli

14 OMCT | 2011 Annual Report PUBLICATIONS AND REPORTS

Human Rights Defenders/ Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders

Annual Report – Steadfast in Protest, Annual Report 2011 of the Observatory, October 2011 (French, English, Spa- nish, Arabic, Russian).

Judicial observation missions reports – Syria: The Trial of Human Rights Lawyer Haytham Al-Maleh Before the Second Military Court of Damascus - February-July 2010, February 2011 (French, English, Arabic). – France : Procès en appel d’André Barthélemy, March 2011 (French). – Burundi : L’assassinat d’Ernest Manirumva, défenseur des droits de l’Homme: deux ans après, un déni de justice, April 2011 (French). – République démocratique du Congo : rapport de mission internationale d’observation judiciaire du procès des assassins présumés des défenseurs des droits de l’Homme Floribert Chebeya et Fidèle Bazana, June 2011 (French). – Russian Federation : Trial against human rights defender Aleksei Sokolov, July 2011 (English).

Fact-fi nding missions reports – The Gambia : Climate of fear amongst the community of human rights defenders, July 2011 (French, English). – Nicaragua : Violaciones en contra de los defensores de derechos humanos en un contexto de polari- zación política frente a las elecciones, November 2011 (Spanish).

Monitoring Protection Mechanisms

UN Committee against Torture – Informe de Seguimiento a las Recomendaciones del Comité contra la Tortura las Naciones Unidas en Colombia, August 2011 (Spanish). – Evaluation de la mise en oeuvre de la Convention contre la torture et autres peines ou traitements cruels, inhumains ou dégradants par le Maroc, November 2011 (French). – State Violence in Greece, November 2011 (English). – Mise en œuvre de la Convention contre la torture et autres peines ou traitements cruels, inhumains ou dégradants par Madagascar, November 2011 (French).

UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women – La Tortura Sexual de Mujeres en San Salvador Atenco, México : Cuatro Anõs y Medio Después, January 2011 (Spanish). – The Case of the Women of San Salvador Atenco, October 2011 (English).

17fi eld missions. OMCT | 2011 Annual Report 15 Urgent assistance provided worldwide by OMCT in 2011

Help us to help victims of torture

Contacts OMCT International Secretariat Rue du Vieux-Billard 8 P.O. Box 21 1211 Geneva 8, Switzerland

Tel. : +41 22 809 49 39 - Fax : +41 22 809 49 29 [email protected] www.omct.org

Post offi ce account Geneva, CCP 12-5500-1

Bank accounts UBS SA, Geneva, Switzerland Agence du Rhône, P.O. Box, 1211 Geneva 2

Account No. 279.C8106675.0 Holder : OMCT SOS TORTURE IBAN : CH91 0027 9279 C810 6675 0 Swift Code : UBSWCHZH80A

LOMBARD ODIER DARIER HENTSCH & Cie Rue de la Corraterie 11 1204 Geneva, Switzerland

Account No. 88515.00 Holder : OMCT SOS TORTURE IBAN : CH25 08760 00000 88515 00 Swift Code : LOCYCHGG

IMPRESSUM OMCT Europe 2011 Annual Report 19, rue du Marteau 1000 Brussels, Belgium Hard copies 500 English Phone/Fax : +32 2 218 37 19 12’700 French [email protected] www.omct.org Copyright photos Daniel Schweizer OMCT Tunis Translation 26, rue d’Angleterre (Apt. 310) Bonnie Nusser Tunis Bab Bhar 1000, Tunisia

Graphic design Phone/Fax: +216 71 322 568 OMCT Genève @OMCTorg www.mostra-design.com [email protected] www.omct.org www.omct.org