Advance Edited Version Distr. GENERAL

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Advance Edited Version Distr. GENERAL Advance Edited Version Distr. GENERAL A/HRC/13/30/Add.1 2 March 2010 ENGLISH/FRENCH/SPANISH HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL Thirteenth session Agenda item 3 PROMOTION AND PROTECTION OF ALL HUMAN RIGHTS, CIVIL, POLITICAL, ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO DEVELOPMENT Opinions adopted by the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention* The present document contains the opinions adopted by the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention at its fifty-fourth, fifty-fifth and fifty-sixth sessions, held in May, September and November 2009, respectively. A table listing all the Opinions adopted by the Working Group and statistical data concerning these opinions are included in the main part of this report. * Late submission. A/HRC/13/30/Add.1 Page 2 CONTENTS Page AVIS n° 17/2008 (Liban) ................................................................................................................. OPINION No. 18/2008 (Egypt)........................................................................................................ OPINION No. 19/2008 (United Kingdom of Great Britain ............................................................. and Northern Ireland)........................................................................................................................ OPINION No. 20/2008 (Egypt)........................................................................................................ OPINION No. 21/2008 (China)........................................................................................................ OPINION No. 22/2008 (Saudi Arabia) ............................................................................................ OPINION No. 23/2008 (Syrian Arab Republic)............................................................................... OPINION No. 24/2008 (Syrian Arab Republic)............................................................................... OPINION N°. 25/2008 (México)...................................................................................................... OPINION No. 26/2008 (Myanmar).................................................................................................. OPINION No. 27/2008 (Egypt)........................................................................................................ OPINION No. 28/2008 (Syrian Arab Republic)............................................................................... OPINION No. 29/2008 (China)........................................................................................................ OPINION No. 30/2008 (Sri Lanka).................................................................................................. OPINION No. 31/2008 (Saudi Arabia) ............................................................................................ OPINION No. 32/2008 (Malaysia)................................................................................................... AVIS n°. 33/2008 (Algérie).............................................................................................................. OPINION No. 34/2008 (Islamic Republic of Iran) .......................................................................... OPINION No. 35/2008 (Egypt)........................................................................................................ OPINION No. 36/2008 (Saudi Arabia) ............................................................................................ OPINION No. 37/2008 (Saudi Arabia) ............................................................................................ OPINION No. 38/2008 (The Sudan) ................................................................................................ OPINION No. 39/2008 (Islamic Republic of Iran) .......................................................................... OPINION No. 40/2008 (Yemen)...................................................................................................... OPINION No. 41/2008 (Indonesia).................................................................................................. OPINION No. 42/2008 (Egypt)........................................................................................................ OPINION No. 43/2008 (Myanmar).................................................................................................. OPINION No. 44/2008 (Myanmar).................................................................................................. A/HRC/13/30/Add.1 Page 3 OPINION No. 45/2008 (India) ......................................................................................................... OPINION No. 46/2008 (Myanmar).................................................................................................. OPINION No. 1/2009 (Viet Nam).................................................................................................... OPINION No. 2/2009 (United States of America)........................................................................... OPINION No. 3/2009 (United States of America)........................................................................... OPINION No. 4/2009 (Maldives)..................................................................................................... AVIS n° 5/2009 (Liban) ................................................................................................................... OPINION No. 6/2009 (Islamic Republic of Iran) ............................................................................ AVIS n° 7/2009 (Niger).................................................................................................................... OPINION No. 8/2009 (United Arab Emirates) ................................................................................ OPINION No. 9/2009 (Japan) .......................................................................................................... OPINION N°. 10/2009 (República Bolivariana de Venezuela) ....................................................... OPINION No. 11/2009 (Malawi) ..................................................................................................... AVIS n° 12/2009 (Liban) ................................................................................................................. OPINION No. 13/2009 (Yemen)...................................................................................................... OPINION No. 14/2009 (The Gambia).............................................................................................. OPINION No. 15/2009 (Zimbabwe) ................................................................................................ OPINION No. 16/2009 (Ukraine)..................................................................................................... OPINION N°. 17/2009 (España) ...................................................................................................... A/HRC/13/30/Add.1 Page 4 AVIS n° 17/2008 (LIBAN) Communication adressée au Gouvernement le 9 octobre 2007. Concernant M. Assem Kakoun. L’État est partie au Pacte international relatif aux droits civils et politiques. 1. Le Groupe de travail sur la détention arbitraire a été créé par la résolution 1991/42 de la Commission des droits de l'homme, laquelle a précisé et prolongé son mandat par la résolution 1997/50. Le Conseil des droits de l’homme a assumé le mandat du Groupe de travail par sa décision 2006/102 et l’a renouvelé pour trois ans par sa résolution 6/4 de 28 septembre 2007. Agissant conformément à ses méthodes de travail, le Groupe de travail a transmis au Gouvernement la communication susmentionnée. 2. Le Groupe de travail remercie le Gouvernement de lui avoir communiqué les renseignements demandés. 3. Le Groupe de travail considère comme arbitraire la privation de liberté dans les cas énumérés ci-après : I. Lorsqu'il est manifestement impossible d'invoquer une base légale quelconque qui la justifie (comme le maintien en détention d'une personne au-delà de l'exécution de la peine ou malgré une loi d'amnistie qui lui serait applicable) (catégorie I); II. Lorsque la privation de liberté résulte de l'exercice de droits ou de libertés proclamés dans les articles 7, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20 et 21 de la Déclaration universelle des droits de l'homme et, en outre, en ce qui concerne les États parties, dans les articles 12, 18, 19, 21, 22, 25, 26 et 27 du Pacte international relatif aux droits civils et politiques (catégorie II); A/HRC/13/30/Add.1 Page 5 III. Lorsque l'inobservation, totale ou partielle, des normes internationales relatives au droit à un procès équitable, établies dans la Déclaration universelle des droits de l'homme et dans les instruments internationaux pertinents acceptés par les États concernés, est d’une gravité telle qu'elle confère à la privation de liberté un caractère arbitraire (catégorie III). 4. Selon la communication adressée au Groupe de travail le 31 juillet 2007 et les précisions et informations complémentaires reçues ultérieurement, Assem Kakoun a été arrêté le 6 janvier 1990 à Hammana, au domicile de Rustom Ghazalé, un responsable des services de renseignement syriens au Liban, pour qui il travaillait. L’arrestation a été effectuée par les services de sécurité syriens au Liban, sans présentation d’un mandat d’arrêt. M. Kakoun a été emmené dans l’un des centres de la sécurité syrienne situé à Anjar, dans la Bekaa libanaise, puis transféré deux semaines plus tard à Damas, dans un établissement administré par des services syriens, où il est
Recommended publications
  • US, Missile Defence and the Iran Threat
    IDSA Monograph Series No. 9 December 2012 In Pursuit of a Shield: US, Missile Defence and the Iran Threat S. Samuel C. Rajiv US, MISSILE DEFENCE AND THE IRAN THREAT | 1 IDSA Monograph Series No. 9 December 2012 In Pursuit of a Shield: US, Missile Defence and the Iran Threat S. Samuel C. Rajiv 2 | IDSA MONOGRAPH SERIES Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, New Delhi. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, sorted in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photo-copying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA). ISBN: 978-93-82169-08-6 Disclaimer: It is certified that views expressed and suggestions made in this Monograph have been made by the author in his personal capacity and do not have any official endorsement. First Published: December 2012 Price: Rs. 299/- Published by: Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses No.1, Development Enclave, Rao Tula Ram Marg, Delhi Cantt., New Delhi - 110 010 Tel. (91-11) 2671-7983 Fax.(91-11) 2615 4191 E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://www.idsa.in Cover & Layout by: Geeta Kumari Printed by: Omega Offset 83, DSIDC Complex, Okhla Industrial Area, Phase I New Delhi-110 020 Mob. 8826709969, 8802887604 E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://www.omegaoffset.co.nr US, MISSILE DEFENCE AND THE IRAN THREAT | 3 Contents Acknolwedgement.......................................................................................5 I. INTRODUCTION .............................................................................7 II. US AND IRAN: THREE DECADES OF CONTENTIOUS RELATIONS..................................................10 III. US STRATEGIC ASSESSMENTS AND IRAN.....................16 Missile Threat Nuclear Threat IV.
    [Show full text]
  • Ceasefires Sans Peace Process in Myanmar: the Shan State Army, 1989–2011
    Asia Security Initiative Policy Series Working Paper No. 26 September 2013 Ceasefires sans peace process in Myanmar: The Shan State Army, 1989–2011 Samara Yawnghwe Independent researcher Thailand Tin Maung Maung Than Senior Research Fellow Institute of Southeast Asian Studies (ISEAS) Singapore Asia Security Initiative Policy Series: Working Papers i This Policy Series presents papers in a preliminary form and serves to stimulate comment and discussion. The views expressed are entirely the author’s own and not that of the Centre for Non-Traditional Security (NTS) Studies, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS). The paper is an outcome of a project on the topic ‘Dynamics for Resolving Internal Conflicts in Southeast Asia’. This topic is part of a broader programme on ‘Bridging Multilevel and Multilateral Approaches to Conflict Prevention and Resolution’ under the Asia Security Initiative (ASI) Research Cluster ‘Responding to Internal Crises and Their Cross Border Effects’ led by the RSIS Centre for NTS Studies. The ASI is supported by the MacArthur Foundation. Visit http://www.asicluster3.com to learn more about the Initiative. More information on the work of the RSIS Centre for NTS Studies can be found at http://www.rsis.edu.sg/nts. Terms of use You are free to publish this material in its entirety or only in part in your newspapers, wire services, internet-based information networks and newsletters and you may use the information in your radio-TV discussions or as a basis for discussion in different fora, provided full credit is given to the author(s) and the Centre for Non-Traditional Security (NTS) Studies, S.
    [Show full text]
  • List of Signatories Family Members of the Victims and Former Political
    List of Signatories Family Members of the Victims and Former Political Prisoners 1 Abani, Ali Former Political Prisoner, Political Activist and University Professor 2 Alavi, Dr. Hossain Physician and brother of the victim Mehdi Alavi Shushtari 3 Alavi, Edina M. Family member of the victim Mehdi Alavi Shushtari 4 Alavi, Laleh Sister of the victim Mehdi Alavi Shushtari 5 Alavi, Mark M. Brother of the victim Mehdi Alavi Shushtari 6 Alavi, Ramin Nephew of the victims Mehdi Alavi Shushtari 7 Alizadeh, Solmaz Daughter of the victim Mahmoud Alizadeh 8 Bakian, Hasti Niece of the victim Bijan Bazargan 9 Bakian, Kayhan Nephew of the victim Bijan Bazargan 10 BaniAsad, Hanna Niece of the victim Bijan Bazargan 11 BaniAsad, Leila Niece of the victim Bijan Bazargan 12 Bazargan, Babak Brother of the victim Bijan Bazargan 13 Bazargan, Banafsheh Sister of the victim Bijan Bazargan 14 Bazargan, Dr. Niloofar Physician and sister of the victim Bijan Bazargan 15 Bazargan, Laleh Sister of the victim Bijan Bazargan 16 Bazargan, Lawdan Former Political Prisoner & Sister of the victim Bijan Bazargan & Political & Human Rights Activist 17 Behkish, Mansureh Former Political Prisoner & Sister of the Victims Zahra Behkish, Mohammad Reza Behkish, Mohsen Behkish, Mohammad Ali Behkish, Mahmoud Behkish and Sister- in-Law of victim Siamak Asadian 18 Boroumand, Dr. Ladan Co-founder of the Abdorrahman Boroumand Foundation; Daughter of the Victim Abdorrahman Boroumand 19 Boroumand, Dr. Roya Executive Director of the Abdorrahman Boroumand Foundation; Daughter of the Victim Abdorrahman Boroumand 20 Damavandi, Ali Brother of the victim Mohammad Seyed Mohesen Damavandi 21 Damghani, Saman Family Member of one of the Victims of 1988 22 Ebrahim Zadeh, Bagher Brother of the victim Dr.
    [Show full text]
  • Gender Equality Discourse in Yemini Constitutions
    GENDER EQUALITY DISCOURSE IN YEMINI CONSTITUTIONS RIGHTS AND DUTIES AMAL AL BASHA NO. 2014/3 Authors: Amal Al Basha The lines engraved on this paper are a humble effort dedicated to: All my country’s girls, young girls, young women as well as worn out, poor and distressed women in both rural and urban communities, in each corner of this country, dreaming of the dawn of equality, justice and equity to break soon, and it is indeed soon. © 2014 The Danish Institute for Human Rights Denmark’s National Human Rights Institution Wilders Plads 8K DK-1403 Copenhagen K Phone +45 3269 8888 www.humanrights.dk This publication, or parts of it, may be reproduced if author and source are quoted. MATTERS OF CONCERN is a working paper series focusing on new and emerging research on human rights across academic disciplines. It is a means for DIHR staff, visiting fellows and external researchers to make available the preliminary results of their research, work in progress and unique research contributions. Research papers are published under the responsibility of the author alone and do not represent the official view of the Danish Institute of Human Rights. Papers are available online at www.humanrights.dk. CONTENT INTRODUCTION 8 The importance of this research paper 9 The research methodology 11 1 EQUALITY AND DISCRIMINATION IN THE CONSTITUTIONS OF YEMEN IN THE SOUTH 12 1.1 The British Occupation Stage 12 1.1.1 The Laws of the Colony of Aden 12 1.1.2 The Constitution of the Colony of Aden, 1962 13 1.1.3 The Constitutions of the Sultanates, Emirates and
    [Show full text]
  • Silencing Dissent
    Silencing Dissent SILENCING DISSENT The ongoing imprisonment of Burma’s political activists In the lead up to the 2010 elections Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma) P.O Box 93, Mae Sot, Tak Province 63110, Thailand, e.mail: [email protected], web: www.aappb.org Silencing Dissent Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma) P.O Box 93, Mae Sot, Tak Province 63110, Thailand, e.mail: [email protected], web: www.aappb.org Silencing Dissent Repression to silence dissent The widespread and unlawful detention of political activists has a significant impact on Burma's political environment in two main ways. Firstly, most of the prominent activists are removed from public or political life. Almost all of the 88 Generation student movement leadership is in prison preventing them from organising against the elections or educating the people on political issues. Lead members of National League for Democracy party, including democracy icon Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, are imprisoned, as are lead ethnic politicians who promote a peaceful tripartite dialogue and national reconciliation, such Gen Hso Ten and U Khun Tun Oo. Secondly, the harsh sentences handed down and the torture and punishments inflicted on political activists threatens the wider population, sending a clear message: refrain from opposition activities or risk the consequences. The consequences are well known. Unlawful arrest and detention and torture are practiced systematically in Burma and occurred throughout 2009 and 2010. These practices pose an ongoing threat to civilians; ensuring populations live in fear, thereby preventing any politically critical activities. This fear stifles dissent, prevents a vibrant civil society and halts any criticism of the regime; key components of a genuine democratic transition.
    [Show full text]
  • Militarized Conflicts in Northern Shan State
    A Return to War: Militarized Conflicts in Northern Shan State ASIA PAPER May 2018 EUROPEAN UNION A Return to War: Militarized Conflicts in Northern Shan State © Institute for Security and Development Policy V. Finnbodavägen 2, Stockholm-Nacka, Sweden www.isdp.eu “A Return to War: Militarized Conflicts in Northern Shan State” is an Asia Paper published by the published by the Institute for Security and Development Policy. The Asia Paper Series is the Occasional Paper series of the Institute’s Asia Program, and addresses topical and timely subjects. The Institute is based in Stockholm, Sweden, and cooperates closely with research centers worldwide. The Institute serves a large and diverse community of analysts, scholars, policy-watchers, business leaders, and journalists. It is at the forefront of research on issues of conflict, security, and development. Through its applied research, publications, research cooperation, public lectures, and seminars, it functions as a focal point for academic, policy, and public discussion. This publication has been produced with funding by the European Union. The content of this publication does not reflect the official opinion of the European Union. Responsibility for the information and views expressed in the paper lies entirely with the authors. No third-party textual or artistic material is included in the publication without the copyright holder’s prior consent to further dissemination by other third parties. Reproduction is authorised provided the source is acknowledged. © European Union and ISDP, 2018 Printed in Lithuania ISBN: 978-91-88551-11-5 Cover photo: Patrick Brown patrickbrownphoto.com Distributed in Europe by: Institute for Security and Development Policy Västra Finnbodavägen 2, 131 30 Stockholm-Nacka, Sweden Tel.
    [Show full text]
  • Election Monitor No.13
    Euro -Burma Office 4 January 2010 to 8 January 2010 Election Monitor ELECTION MONITOR NO . 13 CENSUS OF RETIRED CIVIL SERVANTS IN RAKHINE AND RANGOON DIVISION The Burmese junta has begun taking a census and collecting personal details of retired government servants in the education sector in Sittwe and Taung-gok townships in Rakhine State. According to a retired female teacher from Taungok Township, "I retired three years ago. Officials from the education department came and asked me when I retired, my age and who my family members are. Even if they had come in connection with the forthcoming elections, I will vote for the candidate and the party I like." Another retired teacher in Sittwe said, "the authorities are collecting details of retired employees of the education department in the township and [it is] thought to be related to the elections. They already have lists of retired government servants but they are confirming who are retired and still alive. It is being done for the 2010 elections. During the 2008 referendum to approve the constitution, they used the votes of retired government servants as “YES” votes." Similar census activities are also being undertaken in several townships in Rangoon Division. Family member’s lists (Tha- gaung-sa-yin) are being checked for those currently living and working abroad, and those over the age of 18 years. While the regime had announced that it will hold nation-wide elections this year, it has not announced the dates nor declared the electoral law yet. USDA WOOS VOTERS WITH FREE EYE TREATMENT CAMP IN KACHIN STATE.
    [Show full text]
  • World Bank Document
    Document of The World Bank Public Disclosure Authorized Report No. 16850-YEM STAFF APPRAISAL REPORT Public Disclosure Authorized REPUBLIC OF YEMEN SOUTHERN GOVERNORATES RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECT Public Disclosure Authorized September 18, 1997 Rural Development, Water and Environment Departnent Public Disclosure Authorized Middle East and North Africa Region CURRENCY Yemeni Rials 125 = US$1 (at June 1, 1997) ABBREVIATIONS BDA Business Development Advisors CACB Cooperative and Agricultural Credit Bank CAS The Country Assistance Strategy CPPR Country Portfolio Performance Review EIRR Economic Internal Rate of Return FIAHS Fund for Innovative Approach in Human and Social Development GDP Gross Domestic Product GOY Government of Yemen GTZ German Technical Cooperation ICB International Competitive Bidding IDA International Development Association IFAD International Fund for Agricultural Development IU Irrigation Unit M&E Monitoring and Evaluation MAWR Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources MENA Middle East and North Africa MIS Management Information System MOPD Ministry of Planning and Development MSE Micro and Small Enterprises NCB National Competitive Bidding NGO Non-Governmental Organization NWRA National Water Resources Authority OC Operations Committee O&M Operation and Maintenance PDC Participatory Development Coordinators PDRY People's Democratic Republic of Yemen PHRD Policy and Human Resource Development (Japanese grant) PMU Project Management Unit PNA Participatory Needs Assessment ROY Republic of Yemen SDR Special Drawing Right
    [Show full text]
  • Struggle for Citizenship.Indd
    From the struggle for citizenship to the fragmentation of justice Yemen from 1990 to 2013 Erwin van Veen CRU Report From the struggle for citizenship to the fragmentation of justice FROM THE STRUGGLE FOR CITIZENSHIP TO THE FRAGMENTATION OF JUSTICE Yemen from 1990 to 2013 Erwin van Veen Conflict Research Unit, The Clingendael Institute February 2014 © Netherlands Institute of International Relations Clingendael. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the copyright holders. Clingendael Institute P.O. Box 93080 2509 AB The Hague The Netherlands Email: [email protected] Website: http://www.clingendael.nl/ Table of Contents Executive summary 7 Acknowledgements 11 Abbreviations 13 1 Introduction 14 2 Selective centralisation of the state: Commerce and security through networked rule 16 Enablers: Tribes, remittances, oil and civil war 17 Tools: Violence, business and religion 21 The year 2011 and the National Dialogue Conference 26 The state of justice in 1990 and 2013 28 3 Trend 1: The ‘instrumentalisation’ of state-based justice 31 Key strategies in the instrumentalisation of justice 33 Consequences of politicisation and instrumentalisation 34 4 Trend 2: The weakening of tribal customary law 38 Functions and characteristics of tribal law 40 Key factors that have weakened tribal law 42 Consequences of weakened tribal law 44 Points of connection
    [Show full text]
  • Khomeinism, the Islamic Revolution and Anti Americanism
    Khomeinism, the Islamic Revolution and Anti Americanism Mohammad Rezaie Yazdi A thesis submitted to the University of Birmingham For the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY School of Political Science and International Studies University of Birmingham March 2016 University of Birmingham Research Archive e-theses repository This unpublished thesis/dissertation is copyright of the author and/or third parties. The intellectual property rights of the author or third parties in respect of this work are as defined by The Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988 or as modified by any successor legislation. Any use made of information contained in this thesis/dissertation must be in accordance with that legislation and must be properly acknowledged. Further distribution or reproduction in any format is prohibited without the permission of the copyright holder. Abstract The 1979 Islamic Revolution of Iran was based and formed upon the concept of Khomeinism, the religious, political, and social ideas of Ayatullah Ruhollah Khomeini. While the Iranian revolution was carried out with the slogans of independence, freedom, and Islamic Republic, Khomeini's framework gave it a specific impetus for the unity of people, religious culture, and leadership. Khomeinism was not just an effort, on a religious basis, to alter a national system. It included and was dependent upon the projection of a clash beyond a “national” struggle, including was a clash of ideology with that associated with the United States. Analysing the Iran-US relationship over the past century and Khomeini’s interpretation of it, this thesis attempts to show how the Ayatullah projected "America" versus Iranian national freedom and religious pride.
    [Show full text]
  • Myanmar AI Index: ASA 16/034/2007 Date: 23 October 2007
    Amnesty.org feature Eighteen years of persecution in Myanmar AI Index: ASA 16/034/2007 Date: 23 October 2007 On 24 October 2007, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi will have spent 12 of the last 18 years under detention. She may be the best known of Myanmar’s prisoners of conscience, but she is far from the only one. Amnesty International believes that, even before the recent violent crackdown on peaceful protesters, there were more than 1,150 political prisoners in the country. Prisoners of conscience among these include senior political representatives of the ethnic minorities as well as members of the NLD and student activist groups. To mark the 18th year of Aung San Suu Kyi's persecution by the Myanmar, Amnesty International seeks to draw the world's attention to four people who symbolise all those in detention and suffering persecution in Myanmar. These include Aung San Suu Kyi herself; U Win Tin, Myanmar's longest-serving prisoner of conscience; U Khun Htun Oo, who is serving a 93 year sentence; and Zaw Htet Ko Ko, who was arrested after participating in the recent demonstrations in the country. Read more about these four people: Daw Aung San Suu Kyi Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s party won the general elections in Myanmar in 1990. But, instead of taking her position as national leader, she was kept under house arrest by the military authorities and remains so today. At 62, Aung San Suu Kyi is the General Secretary and a co-founder of Myanmar’s main opposition party, the National League for Democracy (NLD).
    [Show full text]
  • LAST MONTH in BURMA JAN News from and About Burma 2009
    LAST MONTH IN BURMA JAN News from and about Burma 2009 Rohingya refugees forced out to sea by Thai authorities The Thai government faced international condemnation after reports that Thai authorities forcibly expelled Rohingya boat people, towing them out to sea and setting them adrift. Around 1000 Rohingya refugees and asylum seekers, fleeing persecution in Burma and squalid living conditions in Bangladesh, were intercepted by the Thai navy in December 2008. They were subsequently towed into international waters in boats without engines and with little food and water. Hundreds are feared drowned, others were rescued off the coast of India and Indonesia, some claiming to have been beaten by Thai soldiers. The Rohingya are a mainly Muslim ethnic Rohingya refugees apprehended by the Thai authorities. group in western Burma. They are subjected to (Photo: Royal Thai Navy) systematic, persistent and widespread human rights violations by the ruling military regime, including denial of citizenship rights, severe restrictions of freedom of movement and arbitrary arrests. Ethnic groups reject 2010 elections of civilian government.” The Minister also stated The Kachin Independence Organization and the that; “We will continue to give our full support to the Kachin National Organization have stated they will UN Secretary General and his efforts to break the not take part in the 2010 elections. Colonel Lamang current deadlock.” Brang Seng, a spokesperson for the KNO, told Mizzima News, “We don’t think the election will be “The 2010 elections could be the freest and fairest free and fair,” and added that the elections and the in the world, but it would make little difference as junta’s roadmap are designed to further entrench the constitution they bring in keeps the dictatorship military rule in Burma.
    [Show full text]