APWLD and FORUM-ASIA share concerns expressed by United Nations Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial executions and concurs about his recommendation regarding the need for an international human rights monitoring mission in Sri Lanka, to address the rising number of extrajudicial killings and the grave human rights and humanitarian crisis in Sri Lanka. Both also expressed their deepest concern about the ongoing extrajudicial killings in the Philippines.
Extrajudicial killings in Sri Lanka:
APWLD and FORUM-ASIA shares the concerns expressed by the UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial executions and concurs about his recommendation regarding the need for an international human rights monitoring mission in Sri Lanka, to address the rising number of extrajudicial killings and the grave human rights and humanitarian crisis in Sri Lanka.
Extrajudicial killings in Philippines:
We also express our deepest concern about the ongoing extrajudicial killings in the Philippines. Since 2001, at least 752 people have been killed, and amongst them, more than 78 women. Most of the victims have been peasant leaders and indigenous peoples, while other human rights defenders, lawyers, teachers, religious leaders and political activists have also been targeted. The appointment of Task Force Usig and the Melo Commission by the government had not resulted in a stop or reduction of the killings taking place, neither have they been able to address the impunity that prevails and bring to justice any of the perpetrators. More importantly, Filipinos who live in fear of such killings and human rights defenders have no trust in these commissions. Witness protection remains a serious problem as several key witnesses have been killed.
We welcome the recent statement of the Philippine President indicating her openness for engagement with the Human Rights Council and request the Philippine government to extend an invitation to the Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial executions to visit the country and assist the government to address this serious issue.
Extrajudicial killings and other abuses in Chechnya:
Over the last several years, the Russian Government had been claiming that the conflict in Chechnya is over and the republic is on a steady path towards stability and reconstruction. These claims of “normalization” have been unchallenged as Chechnya remains relatively closed to outside scrutiny, Chechen civilians continue to suffer egregious abuses, including summary executions, forced disappearances, illegal arrests and detention, and torture. Enforced disappearances continue to be a hallmark of the conflict and constitute a crime against humanity.
What action do you recommend the Human Rights Council, and the UN as a whole, should take in response to these massive, large scale abuses, which continue to be perpetrated with impunity?
For further details, please contact:
Ruki Fernando [email protected] / 078-7131469 (Geneva) / 66-4-0991538 (Bangkok)
