A/HRC/23/51 - Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights

54
Date
Type
01/02/2013
JUA
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> allegation transmitted Reply
SAU 1/2013
Saudi Arabia
Arbitrary detention;
Freedom <strong>of</strong>
expression; Freedom
<strong>of</strong> peaceful assembly
and <strong>of</strong> association;
Human rights
defenders; Violence
against women;
Allegations <strong>of</strong> arbitrary arrest and detention <strong>of</strong> human rights defenders and
o<strong>the</strong>r individuals. According to <strong>the</strong> information received, on 29 October
2006, Mr. Anas Hamad Al Kharboush was arrested, and has been detained
since without charge or trial. On 24 September 2012, his wife Ms. Al
Kharboush and <strong>the</strong>ir three children were allegedly arrested in <strong>the</strong> context <strong>of</strong>
a peaceful demonstration that ga<strong>the</strong>red more than 100 persons, who
protested against allegedly arbitrary detentions <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir family members and
conditions in detention. While two children <strong>of</strong> Ms. Al Kharboush were
released shortly after, one was allegedly kept in detention for four days. On
<strong>the</strong> occasion <strong>of</strong> this protest, <strong>the</strong> police reportedly also arrested about 60 male
protesters. The o<strong>the</strong>r protesters were reportedly confined to a desert area,
where <strong>the</strong>y were kept without food or water for close to a day. At <strong>the</strong> time
<strong>the</strong> communication was sent, three persons arrested during this
demonstration were still in detention.
A/<strong>HRC</strong>/<strong>23</strong>/<strong>51</strong>
01/02/2013
JUA
SWE 1/2013
Sweden
Freedom <strong>of</strong>
expression; Human
rights defenders;
Iran; Torture;
Alleged imminent deportation <strong>of</strong> a human rights defender and blogger to <strong>the</strong>
Islamic Republic <strong>of</strong> Iran. According to <strong>the</strong> information received, on 1
February 2013 <strong>the</strong> Swedish Migration Board is to decide on whe<strong>the</strong>r to
deport human rights defender and critical blogger Mr. Abdullah Barahouei
to <strong>the</strong> Islamic Republic <strong>of</strong> Iran. Mr. Barahouei is <strong>of</strong> Balochi origin and was
reportedly a regular contributor to <strong>the</strong> critical blog 'Balochistan Sarafraz',
which regularly denounced alleged human rights violations and instances <strong>of</strong>
discrimination against <strong>the</strong> Balochi minority. The blog published such posts
with particular intensity during <strong>the</strong> 2009 presidential elections. In <strong>the</strong> wake
<strong>of</strong> this period, it is reported that <strong>the</strong> blog's editor, Mr. Sakhi Regi, and
several o<strong>the</strong>r contributors were arrested, with <strong>the</strong> editor being sentenced to
20 years imprisonment. Mr. Barahouei consequently fled <strong>the</strong> country in fear
<strong>of</strong> his safety.
08/02/2013
12/04/2013