wr2014_web_0

EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIAIn two separate cases, the ECtHR ruled in September and November thatFrance’s return of a failed Tamil asylum-seeker to Sri Lanka and of a Congolesenational to the Democratic Republic of Congo would breach the tortureprohibition.Amid reports of mass data interception by US and British intelligence agencies,Prime Minister Ayrault denied allegations in a July Le Monde article that Frenchintelligence services were systematically collecting data on communications inFrance. At time of writing, parliament was examining a bill to increase moderatelyoversight of intelligence agencies.GermanyAsylum seekers and refugees launched protests and hunger strikes againstconditions in reception centers and restrictions on freedom of movement andaccess to the labor market throughout 2013.The trial of an alleged member of a neo-Nazi cell accused of murdering nineimmigrants and a policewoman, and four alleged accomplices, began in May. Afederal commission of inquiry made recommendations in August towardsimproving German police practices, including increased attention to hatecrimes, more diversity among the police, and a greater emphasis on humanrights in police training. Parliament rejected bills to enhance penalties forracially-motivated crimes as well as a bill to introduce hate crimes as a specificcategory.In April, Baden-Württemberg issued a decree requiring individual risk assessmentsbefore returning Roma, Ashkali, and Egyptians to Kosovo, but deported127 people in April and 90 to Serbia and Macedonia in July. At least threeGerman states continued to forcibly return Roma, Ashkali, and Egyptians toKosovo without adequate risk assessments and despite concerns about discriminationand inadequate integration measures upon return.The German Institute for Human Rights reported in June that ethnic profiling is acommon police practice, particularly in transportation hubs for immigrationcontrol purposes, and recommended legal and policy reforms.439