Letter-In-EN-1.Pdf
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
Load more
Recommended publications
-
Algeria Joint Submission to the UN Universal Periodic Review 27Th Session of the UPR Working Group
Algeria Joint Submission to the UN Universal Periodic Review 27th Session of the UPR Working Group Submitted 22 September 2016 Submission by CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation, NGO in General Consultative Status with ECOSOC And Ibn Khaldoun Center for Research and Maghrebi Studies (IKCRMS) CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Ibn Khaldoun Center for Research and Participation Maghrebi Studies CIVICUS UPR Lead, Email: UPR Lead Ammar Djeffal [email protected] Email: [email protected] Ms Renate Bloem, Email: [email protected] Tel: +213 (0)662826248 Fax: +213 (0)23817103 Tel: +41 22 733 3435 Web: www.civicus.org 1. (A) Introduction 1.1 CIVICUS is a global alliance of civil society organisations and activists dedicated to strengthening citizen action and civil society around the world. Founded in 1993, we proudly promote marginalised voices, especially from the Global South, and have members in more than 160 countries throughout the world. 1.2 Ibn Khaldoun Center for Research and Maghrebi Studies (IKCRMS) is a Research Institute dedicated to the documentation and research in the key issues of democratic transition in Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco, economic and social rights and public freedoms processes. 1.3 In this document, CIVICUS and IKCRMS examine the Government of Algeria’s compliance with its international human rights obligations to create and maintain a safe and enabling environment for civil society. Specifically, we analyse Algeria’s fulfilment of the rights to freedom of association, assembly, and expression and unwarranted restrictions on human rights defenders (HRDs) since its previous UPR examination in May 2012. To this end, we assess Algeria’s implementation of recommendations received during the 2nd UPR cycle relating to these issues and provide a number of specific, action-orientated follow-up recommendations. -
Joint Letter to the Human Rights Council Calling for States' Action To
www.amnesty.org AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC STATEMENT DATE 17 June 2021 INDEX MDE 28/4303/2021 JOINT LETTER TO THE HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL CALLING FOR STATES’ ACTION TO ADDRESS THE ALGERIAN AUTHORITIES’ ALARMING CRACKDOWN ON PRO-DEMOCRACY FORCES 82 civil society organisations call on states to take action to address the Algerian authorities' alarming crackdown on pro- democracy forces during HRC 47 The unrelenting criminalisation of fundamental freedoms warrants an urgent response Dear representatives, We, the undersigned Algerian, regional and international non-governmental organisations, urge your government, individually and jointly with other states, to address the alarming crackdown on peaceful Algerian protesters, journalists, civil society members and organisations, human rights defenders and trade unionists during the 47th United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) session. Repression has increased drastically and a more assertive public position from states is crucial to protecting Algerians peacefully exercising their rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly. We urge you, in relevant agenda items such as in the interactive dialogue with the High Commissioner under Item 2 or in the Interactive Debates with the Special Rapporteurs on freedom of expression and freedom of association and peaceful assembly under Item 3, to: ● Condemn the escalating crackdown on peaceful protesters, journalists and human rights defenders, including the excessive use of force, the forced dispersal and intimidation of protesters and the -
Freedom to Write Index 2019
FREEDOM TO WRITE INDEX 2019 Freedom to Write Index 2019 1 INTRODUCTION mid global retrenchment on human rights In 2019, countries in the Asia-Pacific region impris- Aand fundamental freedoms—deepening oned or detained 100 writers, or 42 percent of the authoritarianism in Russia, China, and much of the total number captured in the Index, while countries Middle East; democratic retreat in parts of Eastern in the Middle East and North Africa imprisoned or Europe, Latin America, and Asia; and new threats detained 73 writers, or 31 percent. Together these in established democracies in North America and two regions accounted for almost three-quarters Western Europe—the brave individuals who speak (73 percent) of the cases in the 2019 Index. Europe out, challenge tyranny, and make the intellectual and Central Asia was the third highest region, with case for freedom are on the front line of the battle 41 imprisoned/detained writers, or 17 percent of to keep societies open, defend the truth, and resist the 2019 Index; Turkey alone accounted for 30 of repression. Writers and intellectuals are often those cases. By contrast, incarceration of writers is among the canaries in the coal mine who, alongside relatively less prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa, with journalists and human rights activists, are first 20 writers, or roughly eight percent of the count, and targeted when a country takes a more authoritarian the Americas, with four writers, just under two percent turn. The unjust detention and imprisonment of the count. The vast majority of imprisoned writers, of writers and intellectuals impacts both the intellectuals, and public commentators are men, but individuals themselves and the broader public, who women comprised 16 percent of all cases counted in are deprived of innovative and influential voices the 2019 Index. -
International Bureau for Children's Rights (IBCR)
Making Children’s Rights Work in North Africa: Country Profiles on Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco Country Profiles on Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco and Tunisia and Tunisia Making Children’s Rights Work in North Africa:Making Children’s Rights Work Making Children’s Rights Work in North Africa: Country Profiles on Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco and Tunisia The first version of this report was posted on IBCR’s website in March 2007. This second version has been reedited in August 2007. International Bureau for Children’s Rights (IBCR) Created in 1994 and based in Montreal, Canada, the International Bureau for Children’s Rights (IBCR) is an international non- governmental organisation (INGO) with special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). IBCR offers its expertise, particularly in the legal sector, to contribute to the protection and promotion of children’s rights in conformity with the 1989 United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and its Optional Protocols. The expertise of IBCR resides in the sharing of knowledge and good practices and in the development of tools and models to inspire implementation of children’s rights. IBCR’s expertise also lies in raising awareness about children’s rights to persuade decision-makers to adopt laws and programmes that more effectively respect the rights of the child. In recent years, IBCR’s main successes include its exceptional contribution to the elaboration of the Guidelines on Justice in Matters Involving Child Victims and Witnesses of Crime as well as their adoption by the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC Res. -
Enhancing the Rule of Law and Guaranteeing Human Rights in the Constitution
Enhancing the Rule of Law and guaranteeing human rights in the Constitution A report on the constitutional reform process in Tunisia Composed of 60 eminent judges and lawyers from all regions of the world, the International Commission of Jurists promotes and protects human rights through the Rule of Law, by using its unique legal expertise to develop and strengthen national and international justice systems. Established in 1952 and active on the five continents, the ICJ aims to ensure the progressive development and effective implementation of international human rights and international humanitarian law; secure the realization of civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights; safeguard the separation of powers; and guarantee the independence of the judiciary and legal profession. Cover photo © Copyright Remi OCHLIK/IP3 © Copyright International Commission of Jurists The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) permits free reproduction of extracts from any of its publications provided that due acknowledgment is given and a copy of the publication carrying the extract is sent to its headquarters at the following address: International Commission Of Jurists P.O. Box 91 Rue des Bains 33 Geneva Switzerland Enhancing the Rule of Law and guaranteeing human rights in the Constitution TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AND KEY RECOMMENDATIONS ................................... 2 CHRONOLOGY................................................................................................ 8 GLOSSARY .................................................................................................... -
Annual Report
2018 Annual Report Alkarama Foundation Alkarama Annual Report 2018 Contents Foreword ................................................................................................................................................. 2 Algeria ..................................................................................................................................................... 4 Bahrain .................................................................................................................................................... 8 Djibouti .................................................................................................................................................. 11 Egypt ..................................................................................................................................................... 14 Iraq ........................................................................................................................................................ 19 Jordan .................................................................................................................................................... 23 Kuwait ................................................................................................................................................... 26 Lebanon................................................................................................................................................. 29 Libya ..................................................................................................................................................... -
Tunisia: Freedom of Expression Under Siege
Tunisia: Freedom of Expression under Siege Report of the IFEX Tunisia Monitoring Group on the conditions for participation in the World Summit on the Information Society, to be held in Tunis, November 2005 February 2005 Tunisia: Freedom of Expression under Siege CONTENTS: Executive Summary p. 3 A. Background and Context p. 6 B. Facts on the Ground 1. Prisoners of opinion p. 17 2. Internet blocking p. 21 3. Censorship of books p. 25 4. Independent organisations p. 30 5. Activists and dissidents p. 37 6. Broadcast pluralism p. 41 7. Press content p. 43 8. Torture p. 46 C. Conclusions and Recommendations p. 49 Annex 1 – Open Letter to Kofi Annan p. 52 Annex 2 – List of blocked websites p. 54 Annex 3 – List of banned books p. 56 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The International Freedom of Expression Exchange (IFEX) is a global network of 64 national, regional and international freedom of expression organisations. This report is based on a fact-finding mission to Tunisia undertaken from 14 to 19 January 2005 by members of the IFEX Tunisia Monitoring Group (IFEX-TMG) together with additional background research and Internet testing. The mission was composed of the Egyptian Organization of Human Rights, International PEN Writers in Prison Committee, International Publishers Association, Norwegian PEN, World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC) and World Press Freedom Committee. Other members of IFEX-TMG are: ARTICLE 19, Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE), the Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Studies (CEHURDES), Index on Censorship, Journalistes en Danger (JED), Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA), and World Association of Newspapers (WAN). -
12 08 16 LA Tunisia
Tunisia: Draft Law Amending and Completing Specific Provisions of the Penal Code on the Criminalisation of Offences against Sacred Values August 2012 Tunisia: Draft Law Amending and Completing Specific Provisions of the Penal Code on the Criminalisation of Offences against Sacred Values Executive summary In this analysis, ARTICLE 19 calls upon the Tunisian Constituent Assembly to reject the Draft Law on the Amendment of the Penal Code concerning the Criminalization of Offences against Sacred Values (Draft Law) due to its illegitimate and excessive restrictions on freedom of expression. ARTICLE 19’s analysis highlights three critical problems with the Draft Law. First, the Draft Law seeks to impose broad restrictions on freedom of expression which go beyond what is permitted under international law, in particular by seeking to protect “sacred values” and “symbols” that do not enjoy protection under international law. Second, the Draft Law is conceptually flawed as it is written in vague terms, despite providing a detailed list of sacred symbols. The nature of the proposal leaves the provisions of the Draft Law open to extensive and overly broad interpretation. Third, ARTICLE 19 observes that the Draft Law runs contrary to the growing global consensus amongst states and UN human rights bodies themselves who have agreed that prohibitions of defamation of religions and protection of symbols and beliefs are not only contrary to guarantees of freedom of expression, but are also counterproductive and prone to being abused against the religious minorities that they purport to protect. ARTICLE 19 argues that if adopted, the Draft Law would represent a serious setback to democratic transition in Tunisia and a blow to Tunisians who had suffered enormously from censorship and restrictions on their freedom of speech under Ben Ali regime. -
2RP Responses to Recommendations and Voluntary Pledges
Promoting and strengthening the Universal Periodic Review http://www.upr-info.org Responses to Recommendations Senegal Session 31 Review in the Working Group: 9 November 2018 Adoption in the Plenary: 18 December 2018 Senegal’s responses to recommendations: (as of the 12th August 2019) In the Report of In the Addendum: During the plenary: Summary: the Working Group: Supported: 229 No Additional No Additional Information Accepted: 229 Noted: 28 Information provided provided Noted: 28 Pending: 0 Total: 257 Total: 257 Paragraph headers are as in the Report of the Working Group, but the nature of responses to recommendations may have subsequently been changed. List of recommendations contained in Section II of the Report of the Working Group A/HRC/40/5: 144. The recommendations formulated during the interactive dialogue/listed below have been examined by Senegal and enjoy the support of Senegal: S - 144.1 Ratify the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (Albania) (Austria) (Portugal) (Switzerland), aiming at the abolition of the death penalty (Belgium) (Benin) (Montenegro) (Paraguay) (Rwanda) (Togo); S - 144.2 Consider ratifying the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, aiming at the abolition of the death penalty (Uruguay); S - 144.3 Abolish the death penalty for all crimes and accede to the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (Iceland); 1 Promoting and strengthening the Universal Periodic Review -
Over 150 Ngos Appeal for Death Sentences of Four Yemeni Journalists to Be Overturned
Over 150 NGOs Appeal for Death Sentences of Four Yemeni Journalists to be Overturned Organisations which support human rights, press freedom and journalists are calling on United Nations mechanisms and member states to help save the lives of four Yemeni journalists who were sentenced to death in April 2020 in the capital Sana’a on charges of “spying” and “spreading false news.” Of the six other journalists in the same case whom the judge ordered to be freed, after five years in detention, only one has been released so far. The de facto authorities in Sana’a, the Houthis, must immediately overturn the death sentences and free the other nine journalists who have been convicted in violation of their right to freedom of expression. We recently celebrated World Press Freedom Day on 3 May 2020. Journalism, especially independent and critical journalism, is vital to promote transparency accountability, good governance and respect for human rights and the rule of law. Journalists are in no way actors in the conflict in Yemen and cannot be targeted under any circumstances. The four journalists, Abdulkhaleq Ahmed Amran, Akram Saleh Al-Walidi, Al-Hareth Saleh Hamid and Tawfiq Mohammed Al-Mansouri were convicted on 11 April 2020 by the Specialised Criminal Court in Sana’a, which is controlled by the Houthis. Their lawyer Abdelmajeed Sabra, who was denied access to the verdict hearing, began the appeals process on 22 April 2020. The judge sentenced the other six journalists, Hisham Ahmed Tarmoom, Hisham Abdulmalik Al- Yousefi, Haitham Abdulrahman Al-Shihab, Essam Amin Balgheeth, Hassan Abdullah Annab and Salah Muhammad Al-Qaedi, to time already served in prison, or approximately five years, and also placed them under police supervision for a period of another three years. -
January 2020
Country Policy and Information Note Algeria: Internal relocation and background information Version 1.0 September 2020 Preface Purpose This note provides a summary of and links to country of origin information (COI) for use by Home Office decision makers handling particular types of protection and human rights claims. It is not intended to be an exhaustive survey of a particular subject or theme. It is split into two main sections: (1) general background to the country concerned, including demography and geography; and (2) issues which may be relevant to protection claims. Unlike country policy and information notes, it does not contain an assessment of risk, availability of protection or reasonableness of internal relocation. Decision makers must, however, still consider all claims on an individual basis, taking into account each case’s specific facts. Country of origin information The country information in this note has been carefully selected in accordance with the general principles of COI research as set out in the Common EU [European Union] Guidelines for Processing Country of Origin Information (COI), dated April 2008, and the Austrian Centre for Country of Origin and Asylum Research and Documentation’s (ACCORD), Researching Country Origin Information – Training Manual, 2013. Namely, taking into account the COI’s relevance, reliability, accuracy, balance, currency, transparency and traceability. The structure and content of the country information section follows a terms of reference which sets out the general and specific topics relevant to this note. All information included in the note was published or made publicly available on or before the ‘cut-off’ date in the country information section. -
Algeria: Torture Remains a Common Practice
Algeria: Torture remains a common practice Report submitted to the Committee against Torture in the context of the review of the periodic report for Algeria Al Karama for Human Rights 4 April 2008 Alkarama for Human Rights – 2bis Chemin des Vignes – 1209 Geneva – Switzerland § +41 22 734 10 06 – ¬ +41 22 734 10 08 - Email: [email protected] – Url: www.alkarama.org Alkarama: Torture remains a common practice in Algeria – April 2008 CONTENTS 1. Introduction ................................................................................................................................................................. 3 2. A Legislation that destroys civil liberties ........................................................................................................ 4 2.1. The state of emergency .................................................................................................................................. 4 2.2. Some elements of the legal arsenal of repression ............................................................................... 5 2.3. The order for implementation of the Charter for Peace and National Reconciliation ......... 5 3. The institutionalization of torture and inhuman treatment .................................................................... 6 3.1. The persistence of torture............................................................................................................................. 7 3.1.1. Current methods of torture ................................................................................................................