Indonesia/UN/Australia: Indonesia Condemns Statement by UN Experts on Papua Unrest

September 20, 2019

Indonesia has condemned a press statement issued by five independent United Nations Human Rights Council special rapporteurs in which they expressed serious concern over recent development in Papua.

The five rapporteurs also urged the Indonesian government on Tuesday to drop all charges against human rights lawyer Veronika Koman, whom they said had been “subjected to harassment and abuse online for her work on alleged human rights violations in Papua.”

Police have declared Veronika a suspect, accusing her of spreading false information and provoking unrest in Papua and West Papua by publishing reports on the protests and attacks against Papuan students in East Java.

Sporadic unrest in broke out in several cities in Indonesia’s two easternmost provinces after racial animosity by hardline Muslims and members of the police and military against Papuan students in Surabaya, East Java, in August.

The government said false information and provocative content spread on social media, including by Veronika, had contributed to the unrest.

…

https://jakartaglobe.id/context/indonesia-condemns-statement-by-un-experts-on-papua-unrest

https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2019/09/18/un-calls-indonesia-protect-veronica-koman.html

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-09-18/veronica-koman-pro-papua-lawyer-may-be-hiding-australia/11516246

https://en.tempo.co/read/1250173/veronica-koman-fugitive-police-issue-red-notice-for-interpol?TerkiniUtama&campaign=TerkiniUtama_Click_1

https://regional.kompas.com/read/2019/09/20/16510971/fakta-terkini-kasus-veronica-koman-resmi-masuk-dpo-hingga-polisi-minta (INDONESIAN)

https://surabaya.kompas.com/read/2019/09/20/12190111/polda-jatim-tetapkan-veronica-koman-sebagai-buronan?page=all (INDONESIAN)

Kepolisian Daerah Jawa Timur Jumat (20/9) pagi resmi mengumumkan penetapan Veronica Koman, tersangka kasus penyebaran hoaks dan provokasi kasus Papua masuk dalam DPO Kepolisian Repubik Indonesia.#CNNIDConnected https://t.co/ns6OyEyJew pic.twitter.com/wdH7FPgt8B

— CNN Indonesia Daily (@CNNIDdaily) September 20, 2019

Kasus Papua dan Aktivis Veronica Koman Sampai ke Sidang Dewan HAM PBB – https://t.co/ijmv2MxwuJ https://t.co/1cKJOH0FuH

— Deiyai – Papua (@atdeiyai) September 20, 2019

https://t.co/qIW0cUrNyv

Polisi resmi menetapkan status DPO kepada Veronica Koman. Status DPO ini diterbitkan… https://t.co/ykF0ZPqPX6

— Syafrizal Aghny (@AghnySyafrizal) September 20, 2019

Sita Sejumlah Dokumen Polisi Geledah Rumah Veronica Koman https://t.co/aB3r8wJ7yP

— Ayu Putri Rianti (@riantinada) September 20, 2019

Pemerintah Jawab Desakan Ahli PBB soal Veronica Koman https://t.co/eDBQKg9oYf
#VeronicaKoman #FreeWestPapua

— P.Lanny(puncak gunung) (@migara9) September 20, 2019

Polda Jatim Resmi Terbitkan DPO untuk Tersangka Veronica Komanhttps://t.co/TP1vAAihtM

— iNews (@OfficialiNewsTV) September 20, 2019

Iran: UN Rapporteur: Freedom of Expression in Iran is More Restricted

August 18, 2019

The UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Iran says freedom of expression in Iran has been curtailed. In his second report in six months, he expressed concern about the impact of sanctions on Iran’s “food and drug safety.” Javid Rahman submitted his second report to the UN General Assembly on Friday and it emphasized that in the past year freedom of expression in Iran has been curtailed and human rights abuses have continued.

Rahman said that the information was provided by various sources including non-governmental organizations. He has also contacted representatives of the Islamic Republic of Iran. his report highlights the devastating impact of natural disasters over the past six months from flooding that occurred in a significant part of Iran’s territory. Concerns have been raised about the impact of sanctions on “food security, food availability, and the availability of medicines and medical equipment” in Iran. The UN report emphasizes that sanctions had the greatest impact on the lives of ordinary people in Iran.

Rahman then examined the human rights situation in Iran over the past six months and emphasized that the right to freedom of expression, the right to liberty and the right to a fair trial in Iran have been restricted. He also reported harassment of human rights activists, minorities, especially Baha’i citizens of Iran, lawyers, journalists, labor activists, and women protesters who have been forced to wear the hijab. The UN report cited a decline in executions in Iran– five deaths per year– but says Iran still tops the list of countries with the highest number of executions.

Increasing pressure on human rights activists

Another part of the report referred to the intimidation of human rights lawyers, including Nasrin Sotoudeh, who defended women protesters about a forced veil in Iran. She was sentenced to five lashes and a long prison sentence. Eight prominent human rights lawyers were subsequently arrested for defending political prisoners and human rights activists, including Amir Salar Davoodi, who was sentenced to imprisonment and four lashes.

…

UN Rapporteur: Freedom of Expression in Iran is More Restricted

https://www.rferl.org/a/un-rapporteur-rehman-rights-violations-iran/30114404.html

https://www.omct.org/human-rights-defenders/reports-and-publications/iran/2019/08/d25480/

https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/08/1044371

Heavy sentences for women’s rights activists condemned internationally

https://www.iranfocus.com/en/human-rights/33796-un-blasts-iran-for-imprisonment-of-dual-nationals-and-human-rights-defenders

https://www.dawn.com/news/1500194/executions-in-iran-among-the-worlds-highest-un

https://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/SP/CountriesMandates/IR/Pages/SRIran.aspx

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_Rapporteur_on_Human_Rights_in_Iran

https://www.csdhi.org/index.php/actualites/repression/12984-selon-le-rapporteur-des-nations-unies-la-liberte-d-expression-en-iran-est-de-plus-en-plus-restreinte (FRANCAIS)

https://www.ohchr.org/FR/HRBodies/SP/CountriesMandates/IR/Pages/SRIran.aspx (FRANCAIS)

http://www.ilgiornale.it/news/milano/milano-mette-velo-1741063.html (ITALIANO)

#FreeNasrin

Oggi 17/08 su #Left trovate un mio articolo dedicato a #NasrinSotoudeh l’avvocatessa iraniana in carcere per aver difeso i diritti delle donne. #Iran #WomenRights #HumanRights pic.twitter.com/5eNWKUCLaN

— Tiziana Ciavardini (@Tiziana_1967) August 17, 2019

Prossima tappa per la presentazione di “TI RACCONTO L’IRAN” sarà a #Bologna il 30 Agosto alle ore 21.00 durante un evento organizzato dal Comitato #DonneperNasrin e #DonnePD nell’ambito della Festa dell’Unità.
Vi aspetto. 🌹#Iran #NasrinSotoudeh #HumanRights #WomenRights pic.twitter.com/RiBv1Xa6Q9

— Tiziana Ciavardini (@Tiziana_1967) August 16, 2019

#Valiente Nasrin Sotoudeh, ha dedicado su vida a trabajar por los derechos humanos de las mujeres que protestan pacíficamente contra la degradante legislación de Irán sobre el uso forzoso del velo. ¡Necesitamos tu firma para que sea liberada!➡https://t.co/6bQtvErv1U pic.twitter.com/kotSuCzysz

— Amnistía Internacional Perú (@amnistiaperu) August 16, 2019

Merci pour #NasrinSotoudeh @Avocats_Paris @batonnierparis @PEYRONA #FreeNasrin pic.twitter.com/PwW2Btkst7

— lasecrétaireduBâtonnier (@SecretaireduBat) August 15, 2019

Elle a juste mobilisé les ministres du G7 au mois de mai… Nasrin Sotoudeh n’est pas oubliée par la France. pic.twitter.com/6wWiTPFAhA

— AssiaBenziane (@AssiaBenziane) August 15, 2019

Iran/UN: UN Experts: Iran Must Protect Women’s Rights Advocates

November 29, 2018

UN human rights experts* have called on Iran to guarantee the rights of human rights defenders and lawyers who have been jailed for publicly supporting protests against the mandatory wearing of the hijab in Iran.

“We urge the Government to immediately release all those who have been imprisoned for promoting and protecting the rights of women,” the experts said.

In particular, the experts expressed alarm at the critical health of Farhad Meysami, a medical doctor, who was arrested in July after his advocacy in support of women protesting against the hijab law. Mr. Meysami began a hunger strike in August in protest at the charges and the lack of access to a lawyer of his choosing. Reports indicate that he has been moved to the medical centre in the prison, where he has been restrained in a bed and given intravenous injections. He is being held in isolation.

The experts said they were deeply disturbed by the reported lack of due process guarantees and said authorities had an obligation to respect the wishes of those who use hunger strikes as a form of protest.

…

The experts also reiterated their concern at the in-absentia conviction and subsequent imprisonment of Nasrin Sotoudeh, legal counsel for a number of the women protesters. She was convicted on security-related charges which appear to stem from her work representing the protesters. In September, her husband, Reza Khandan was arrested for “spreading propaganda against the system”, amongst other charges, and was accused of “promoting the practice of appearing in public without a veil”.

The experts called on Iran to urgently address Mr. Meysami’s grievances, and to guarantee the rights of Mr. Meysami, Ms. Sotoudeh, and of Mr. Khandan to not be deprived arbitrarily of their liberty. They also urged authorities to guarantee their right to fair proceedings before an independent and impartial tribunal.

The UN experts have notified the Government of Iran about their concerns.

https://www.iranhumanrights.org/2018/11/un-experts-iran-must-protect-womens-rights-advocates/

https://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=23947&LangID=E

http://radioallen.cl/2018/iran-27/

https://www.rferl.org/a/un-rights-experts-call-on-iran-to-protect-women-s-rights-advocates/29630800.html

https://women.ncr-iran.org/iran-women-news/5604-nasrin-sotoudeh-begins-hunger-strike-in-evin-prison

https://www.queensjournal.ca/story/2018-11-29/news/iranian-political-prisoner-suggested-for-honorary-degree/

https://www.iranhumanrights.org/2018/11/prominent-imprisoned-lawyer-nasrin-sotoudeh-hunger-strikes-for-fellow-prisoner-farhad-meysami/

https://www.gc4hr.org/news/view/2004

https://sensday.wordpress.com/2018/11/30/amir-saalaar-daavudi-human-rights-lawyer-arrested/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nasrin_Sotoudeh

http://www.ludovictrarieux.org/uk-index.htm

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ludovic_Trarieux_International_Human_Rights_Prize

https://persian.iranhumanrights.org/1397/09/new-charge-for-receiving-sakharov-prize-for-nasrin-sotoudeh/?fbclid=IwAR1JZjJlTs-ehPpXxuJJIQ7jEL-rWD4m1u1EUA85mw6pvuZNiRkmCQKyhkA (FARSI)

https://www.courrierinternational.com/article/en-iran-les-combats-de-lavocate-nasrin-sotoudeh (FRANCAIS)

 

https://www.gc4hr.org/news/view/2005 (ARABIC)

#FreeNasrin

UN human rights experts have urged Iranian authorities to immediately release Farhad Meysami, Nasrin Sotoudeh & anyone else jailed for defending women's rights through supporting peaceful protests against the mandatory wearing of the hijab in Iran https://t.co/TKFYEDmq2k pic.twitter.com/JiJhk9F3UX

— Amnesty Iran (@AmnestyIran) November 29, 2018

UN experts urge #Iran to guarantee the rights of #HumanRightsDefenders and lawyers – Farhad Meysami, Nasrin Sotoudeh, and Reza Khandan – who have been jailed for publicly supporting protests against the mandatory wearing of the hijab.

Read 👉 https://t.co/xG9p6dpWJw pic.twitter.com/LLOquo9PyY

— UN Special Procedures (@UN_SPExperts) November 29, 2018

Courrier International – En Iran, les combats de l’avocate Nasrin Sotoudeh https://t.co/Yb7t3SHf0W pic.twitter.com/mKEk1WIOxK

— Afropages (@Afropages) November 29, 2018

#Iran Women's News: Nasrin Sotoudeh begins hunger strike in Evin prisonhttps://t.co/55LMJijR35#FreeIran #PoliticalPrisoners pic.twitter.com/BzYkPgYYoE

— NCRIWomen'sCommittee (@womenncri) November 30, 2018

India: Bhima Koregaon case: Do not criminalise human rights defenders, UN experts urge India

October 5, 2018

They said they were concerned the terrorism charges were being used to silence people who work to protect the rights of Dalit, tribal and indigenous groups.

Human rights experts from the United Nations on Friday expressed concern about the arrests of activists in the Bhima Koregaon case, and urged India to ensure that their cases are “promptly heard in line with international law”.

Ten activists have been arrested since June under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act. Five of them are in prison, four under house arrest, and one has been released since.

The human rights experts said the vague definition of “unlawful activities” and “membership of terrorist organisations” in the law “confers discretionary powers upon state agencies, which weakens judicial oversight and diminishes civil liberties in the process”.

The Pune Police had arrested activists Shoma Sen, Surendra Gadling, Mahesh Raut, Rona Wilson and Sudhir Dhawale on June 6 as part of their investigation into violence during an event in Bhima Koregaon near Pune on January 1. On August 28, they arrested Sudha Bharadwaj, Gautam Navlakha, Vernon Gonsalves, Arun Ferreira and Varavara Rao.

On October 1, the Delhi High Court said Navlakha’s detention was untenable by law and ended his house arrest, but the Maharashtra government has now challenged it in the Supreme Court.

“We are concerned that terrorism charges brought in connection with the commemoration of Bhima-Koregaon are being used to silence human rights defenders who promote and protect the rights of India’s Dalit, indigenous, and tribal communities,” a statement by the UN experts said.

…

https://scroll.in/latest/897152/bhima-koregaon-case-do-not-criminalise-human-rights-defenders-un-experts-urge-india

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1810/S00037/india-terrorism-charges-are-pretext-to-silence-human-rights.htm

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/arun-ferreira-vernon-gonsalves-file-bail-pleas-in-pune-court/articleshow/66093187.cms

https://www.oneindia.com/india/bhima-koregaon-case-bail-application-filed-activist-arun-ferreira-in-pune-2788522.html

http://zeenews.india.com/india/bhima-koregaon-case-bail-application-filed-for-activist-arun-ferreira-in-pune-sessions-court-2146151.html

https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/mumbai/activists-welcome-sc-verdict-say-arrests-diversionary-tactic/article25100171.ece

https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/bhima-koregaon-case-sc-not-interfere-arrest-5-activists-declines-sit-probe-89139

http://zeenews.india.com/india/bhima-koregaon-case-bail-applications-for-surendra-gadling-shoma-sen-to-be-heard-on-oct-10-2146366.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arun_Ferreira

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/petition/Chief_Minister_Release_activists_arrested_in_connection_with_Elgaar_Parishad_NOW/edit (SIGN THE PETITION!)

https://www.newsstate.com/india-news/bhima-koregaon-case-surendra-gadling-and-shoma-sen-bail-applications-adjourned-by-pune-court-article-64655.html (HINDI)

https://teles-relay.com/inde-le-gouvernement-du-maharashtra-engage-le-sc-contre-lordonnance-du-hc-mettant-fin-a-la-detention-a-domicile-du-militant-navlakha-inde-nouvelles/ (FRANCAIS)

https://www.lahaine.org/mm_ss_mundo.php/y-idonde-esta-la-izquierda (ESPANOL)

https://www.agenzianova.com/a/0/2111584/2018-10-03/india-operazione-anti-naxaliti-liberato-uno-dei-cinque-attivisti-arrestati-2 (ITALIANO)

Mexico: UN experts call for an independent and impartial investigation into the use of spyware against rights defenders and journalists

July 19, 2017

A group of United Nations experts* today called on the Government of Mexico to carry out a transparent, independent and impartial investigation into allegations of monitoring and illegal surveillance against human rights defenders, social activists, and journalists.

The experts’ call comes a month after civil society organizations and the international media revealed allegations that the Mexican authorities deployed a spyware called ‘Pegasus’ to hack and monitor the mobile phones of people involved in the investigation and denunciation of cases of corruption and serious violations of human rights during 2015 and 2016.

“The allegations of surveillance, which represent a serious violation of the rights to privacy, freedom of opinion and expression, and freedom of association, are highly concerning and are evidence of the hostile and threatening environment that human rights defenders, social activists and journalists face in Mexico today,” the experts said.

The surveillance has reportedly targeted human rights defenders from the NGO Centro de Derechos Humanos Miguel Agustín Pro Juárez (Centro Prodh), as well as members of other civil society organizations such as Mexicanos Contra la Corrupción y la Impunidad and Instituto Mexicano para la Competitividad.

The Executive Secretary of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and some members of the Interdisciplinary Group of Independent Experts (GIEI), appointed to take part in the investigation into the disappearance of 43 students from Ayotzinapa, are also said to have been affected.

…

http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=21892&LangID=E

Turkey/UN Special Rapporteurs: Ahead of referendum, UN experts warn Turkey about impact of purge on economic, social and cultural rights

April 13, 2017

Turkey’s state of emergency has been used as a justification to undertake massive violations of the right to education and the right to work and to plunge many civil servants into poverty, according to United Nations experts*.

“The dismissal of up to 134,000 public servants, without due process, compensation, or access to a proper remedy, for alleged links with organizations that the Government has chosen to proscribe, cannot be justified by reference to Turkey’s longstanding international human rights obligations,” said the experts ahead of this Sunday’s constitutional referendum.

They noted that even under a state of emergency, economic, social and cultural rights can only be limited in ways that respect the basic rights themselves and ‘solely for the purpose of promoting the general welfare in a democratic society’. “But there has been no attempt to show that these blanket measures, which have destroyed the careers and livelihoods of tens of thousands of persons, satisfy such criteria in each case,” they said.

The right to education has been targeted in an especially problematic way. A significant proportion of the public servants who were dismissed worked as school teachers or for the Ministry of National Education. Around 1000 schools and 15 universities are estimated to have been closed by emergency decree. Many of the dismissed public servants were trade union members, including more than 10,000 teachers who were members of the Education and Science Workers’ Union.

…

http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=21497&LangID=E

https://www.icj.org/turkey-constitutional-amendments-threaten-long-term-damage-to-independence-of-the-judiciary/

http://stockholmcf.org/6013-2/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/resources/idt-sh/Erdogans_Turkey