An Oral Statement to the 11th Session of the UN Human Rights Council from the Asian Legal Resource Centre (ALRC), a non-governmental organization in general consultative status
ASIA: Impunity continuing unabated concerning extra-judicial killings
Thank you,
Professor Alston, the Asian Legal Resource Centre (ALRC) notes with concern the poor cooperation of many Asian States with your mandate. For example, both India and Pakistan have failed to respond to 7 out of 8 recent communications. Pending requests for visits include Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
Concerning responses to reprisals against individuals assisting your work, are you aware of any credible actions taken by the government of the Philippines to investigate the death on March 10, 2007, of human rights defender Ms. Siche Bustamante-Gandinao, who was killed after speaking with you?
Your Philippines follow-up report highlights the lack of progress to investigations and prosecutions concerning hundreds of extra-judicial killings. We remain concerned by the ongoing numerous vigilante and death squad killings, and the reported recent leaking from the military of a list containing the names of 105 targeted individuals that presages further killings.
You highlight the need for effective witness protection. What other steps can this Council and your mandate now take to ensure that the Philippines cooperate and move beyond symbolic gestures, to concretely address widespread violations of the right to life?
Professor Alston, alongside the cases in your report, are you aware of the current increase of killings in Bangladesh? The ALRC conservatively estimates that over 1000 extra-judicial killings attributable to the State have taken place since 2003, notably by the police and Rapid Action Battalion, and have resulted in derisory investigations and impunity. Since the new government took power at the beginning of 2009, 31 new cases of extra-judicial killings have been recorded by the ALRC, half of which took place last month. Mr. Samsel Islam Robin was killed by the police just hours after Foreign Minister Dipu Moni claimed a policy of zero tolerance for killings and pledged to bring perpetrators to justice during the UPR session in February 2009. Four months later, no compliant has been registered and no credible inquiry has taken place regarding this case. Given the presence of a new government that has signalled an intention to address unlawful killings, will you be re-iterating your request for a visit to Bangladesh?
Thank you
Webcast video: http://webcast.un.org/ramgen/ondemand/conferences/unhrc/eleventh/hrc090603pm3-eng.rm?start=02:43:06&end=02:45:21
