Schlagwort: human rights

The first conscientious objector to refuse South Korea’s alternative to military service must not face further punishment for taking a stand against the country’s punitive new system, Amnesty International said ahead of his criminal trial on Tuesday.

Hye-min Kim, whose religious beliefs preclude him from doing military service, is the first person known to have refused “alternative service” since it was introduced in 2020. The new system involves working in a jail or other correctional facilities for three years – twice as long as the typical 18-month military service.

“Instead of being presented with a genuine alternative to fulfil their service requirements, conscientious objectors are effectively given an alternative punishment because of their religious and other personal objections to joining the military,” said Jihyun Yoon, Director of Amnesty International Korea. “Under international law, countries with compulsory military service are obliged to provide a truly civilian alternative of comparable length.”

Kim is charged under Article 88 of the Military Service Act, which imprisons those who fail to enlist without justifiable grounds. He believes his objection is based on “justifiable grounds” under the Act, and that the current alternative service includes excessively punitive aspects that do not measure up to international standards.

Under the new law, those refusing military service on religious or other grounds are required to work in a jail or other correctional facility for 36 months – making it one of the longest alternative services in the world. Previously, they would have been jailed for 18 months.

“Hye-min Kim should not be prosecuted for claiming his human rights and refusing to take part in this unfair system. All charges against him must be dropped immediately.”

“Instead of putting conscientious objectors on trial, the South Korean government should focus its efforts on amending the alternative service so that it does not continue to punish and stigmatize those undertaking it.”

Background 

Over the past 60 years, hundreds of young South Korean men have been convicted and imprisoned each year for objecting to military service due to their beliefs, even if they are willing to serve the community. Typically, they received 18-month jail terms and were saddled with criminal records and faced economic and social disadvantages that lasted far longer.

Landmark rulings by the Supreme Court and Constitutional Court in 2018 in effect recognized the right to conscientious objection in the country. The Constitutional Court issued a ruling requiring the government to introduce an alternative service of a civilian nature by the end of 2019.

On 27 December 2019, the legislature enacted amendments to the Military Service Act. However, the legislation still violates the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion or belief because it imposes unreasonable and excessive burdens on conscientious objectors.

It stipulates a disproportionate length of the alternative service and that it is administered by military authorities.

Since 30 June 2020, people objecting to compulsory military service have been able to apply for alternative service. In October 2020, the first batch of alternative service personnel started their 36-month duty, which was limited to working in prisons or other correctional facilities.

Under international human rights law and standards, states with compulsory military service are obliged to provide genuinely civilian alternatives. These should be of a comparable length to military service, with any additional length based on reasonable and objective criteria. The process for evaluating claims to be recognized as conscientious objectors and any subsequent work service must also be under civilian authority.

The post South Korea: Drop charges against first conscientious objector to refuse alternative service appeared first on Amnesty International.

Responding to reports that Wasantha Mudalige, the convener of Inter University Students’ Federation, Galwewa Siridhamma Thero, the convener of Inter University Bhikku Federation, and Hashantha Jawantha Gunathilake, member of the Kelaniya University Students’ Union, who were arrested on 18 and 19 August, are being detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), Yamini Mishra, Amnesty International’s South Asia Director, said:

“Using a draconian anti-terror law to crackdown on protesters is a new low for the Sri Lankan government. This weaponizing of an already highly-criticized law, which should be repealed immediately, is a testament to how the authorities are unwilling to withstand any form of criticism and are systematically stifling dissenting voices. This is against Sri Lanka’s international human rights obligations, especially the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.”

“Charges of terrorism do not commensurate with any offenses the protesters are alleged to have committed. Such an action by the authorities is excessive, disproportionate and in violation of international law. The PTA allows for detention of suspects for up to a year without charge, which is in violation of international law. The defence minister must not sign an order to detain them further under the PTA.”

“The PTA has a long history of abuse in Sri Lanka, and this development shows precisely why both local and international actors have been calling for its repeal. Time and time again, the Act has been used as a tool to silence government critics, journalists and minorities.”

Background

Sri Lanka’s worsening economic crisis has led to violations of the people’s civil, political, economic and social rights. Over the last few months, the President, Prime Minister, and the cabinet of ministers have had to resign following wide-spread public protests seeking their resignations.

The government responded to largely peaceful protests with excessive and unnecessary force and emergency laws giving sweeping powers to the police and the armed forces, in an effort to curb further demonstrations.

Amnesty International and others have urged the Sri Lankan government to end its crackdown on peaceful protests. Amnesty International has also documented the use of the draconian PTA by the Government of Sri Lanka to target, and harass minorities, activists, journalists and critical voices.

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• Es necesario dar con el paradero de los estudiantes que faltan por localizar, reparar el daño integralmente y garantizar que este tipo de casos no se repitan.  

• El informe de la Comisión para la Verdad, que concluye que la persecución y desaparición forzada de los jóvenes fue un crimen de Estado, debe ser una ruta para continuar con el esclarecimiento de los hechos. 

El reciente informe de la Comisión para la Verdad y Acceso a la Justicia, creada por el gobierno del presidente López Obrador hace tres años, concluye que la desaparición de 43 estudiantes normalistas de Ayotzinapa fue un “crimen de Estado”. Las recientes órdenes de aprehensión dictadas a petición de la Fiscalía General de la República contra el que fuera procurador general de la república y contra mandos militares, policías municipales y estatales, entre otros, son avances sustanciales en la búsqueda de la verdad y la justicia en este atroz crimen, señaló Amnistía Internacional. 

A casi ocho años de la desaparición forzada de 43 estudiantes de la Escuela Normal Rural de Ayotzinapa, el asesinato de tres personas más y la tortura y persecución en contra de estudiantes, las autoridades mexicanas han mostrado avances en las investigaciones sobre la política de encubrimiento del gobierno de Enrique Peña Nieto, bajo la cual se construyó una “verdad histórica”, que fue una investigación plagada de irregularidades, violaciones a los derechos humanos y otros crímenes, con la determinación absoluta de ocultar los hechos en vez de garantizar verdad, justicia y reparación para las víctimas y sus familias.  

Tras casi ocho años de lucha por la verdad y la justicia en el caso de los estudiantes de Ayotzinapa, los avances mostrados confirman, una vez más, que hubo una política intencional de encubrimiento y obstrucción de la justicia por parte de las autoridades bajo el gobierno de Enrique Peña Nieto

Erika Guevara Rosas, directora para las Américas de Amnistía Internacional 

“Tras casi ocho años de lucha por la verdad y la justicia en el caso de los estudiantes de Ayotzinapa, los avances mostrados confirman, una vez más, que hubo una política intencional de encubrimiento y obstrucción de la justicia por parte de las autoridades bajo el gobierno de Enrique Peña Nieto. El devastador informe de la Comisión para la Verdad, que concluye que la persecución y desaparición forzada de los jóvenes fue un crimen de Estado, debe ser una ruta para continuar con el esclarecimiento de los hechos, la localización de los jóvenes estudiantes y la garantía de no repetición con políticas integrales encaminadas a atender la profunda crisis de personas desaparecidas en México,” dijo Erika Guevara Rosas, directora para las Américas de Amnistía Internacional 

El gobierno del presidente López Obrador creó una comisión especial para dar seguimiento al caso, así como una unidad especial en la Fiscalía General de la República. Además, México aceptó la competencia del Comité contra la Desaparición Forzada para examinar casos de desaparición en México. El 19 de agosto, bajo pedido de la Fiscalía General de la República, se dictaron órdenes de aprehensión contra el ex-Procurador Jesus Murillo Karam, encargado de las investigaciones iniciales, “por los delitos de desaparición forzada, tortura y contra la administración de justicia, en el caso “Ayotzinapa,” y contra “20 mandos militares y personal de tropa del 27 y 41 batallones en la ciudad de Iguala, así como a cinco autoridades administrativas y judiciales del estado de Guerrero; a 26 policías de Huitzuco; seis de Iguala y uno de Cocula; más 11 policías estatales de Guerrero y 14 miembros del grupo criminal Guerreros Unidos”. 

Los recientes avances son el resultado de la lucha incansable de las madres, padres y familias de los jóvenes estudiantes de Ayotzinapa, y el destacado y arduo trabajo de las organizaciones de derechos humanos que los han acompañado

Edith Olivares Ferreto, directora ejecutiva de Amnistía Internacional México 

“Los recientes avances son el resultado de la lucha incansable de las madres, padres y familias de los jóvenes estudiantes de Ayotzinapa, y el destacado y arduo trabajo de las organizaciones de derechos humanos que los han acompañado. El gobierno del presidente López Obrador ha mostrado voluntad por esclarecer los hechos sobre la desaparición forzada de los estudiantes, así como fortalecer a las instancias del Estado dedicadas a la investigación de este atroz crimen, lo cual contribuye positivamente al saldo de la deuda después de casi 8 años. Es momento también de adoptar políticas integrales para atender la grave crisis de personas desaparecidas, que ya rebasa las cien mil personas, en un país atravesado por la injusticia y la impunidad,” dijo Edith Olivares Ferreto, directora ejecutiva de Amnistía Internacional México 

Antecedentes  

Los 43 estudiantes de la Escuela Normal Rural de Ayotzinapa fueron desaparecidos forzadamente la noche del 26 de Septiembre de 2014, después de haber sido arrestados por policías municipales mientras se preparaban para participar en una manifestación en la Ciudad de México, para conmemorar la masacre de estudiantes ocurrida el 2 de Octubre de 1968. 

A pesar de la fuerte presión internacional, nacional y de las familias de los estudiantes desaparecidos, aún se desconoce su paradero, y sigue bajo investigación el esclarecimiento de los hechos en los que se dieron estas graves violaciones a los derechos humanos. 

Diversos informes de organizaciones nacionales e internacionales, así como del Grupo Interdisciplinario de Expertos Independientes (GIEI), nombrado por la Comisión Interamericana de Derechos Humanos, pusieron siempre en cuestionamiento la versión oficial de los hechos en su momento, y presentaron críticas exhaustivas de las investigaciones realizadas. El gobierno de entonces se empeñó en seguir una sola línea de investigación (la de que los estudiantes habían sido detenidos por la policía municipal y entregados a una banda criminal, y sus cadáveres habían sido quemados en un vertedero local). La teoría de que los estudiantes habían sido incinerados fue rechazada tajantemente por el GIEI, por considerar que era imposible en las circunstancias descritas por las autoridades mexicanas y no se sustentaba con pruebas. 

Amnistía Internacional también denunció por años las falencias en la investigación, y la decisión política de ocultar la verdad, y con ello obstaculizar los esfuerzos de justicia en el caso de la desaparición forzada de los normalistas. En varios informes, Amnistía Internacional confirmó la deficiencia de las investigaciones, que no apuntaban al esclarecimiento mínimo de la responsabilidad del mando. Los lugares del delito no se protegieron ni fueron debidamente documentados con fotografías o grabaciones de vídeo. Se reunieron pruebas balísticas, pero no se examinaron para encontrar rastros de sangre o huellas dactilares, y tampoco se procesó correctamente material probatorio fundamental. Asimismo, las constantes denuncias de tortura y malos tratos de las personas detenidas con relación a las desapariciones, violaciones al debido proceso, manipulación de evidencias y protección de oficiales sospechosos de participación fueron otras violaciones de derechos humanos documentadas durante los primeros años de las investigaciones.  

Para más información o para concertar una entrevista, contacte a: 

Duncan Tucker  

Amnistía Internacional Américas 

duncan.tucker@amnesty.org 

Alejandro Juárez Gamero 

Amnistía Internacional México 

prensa@amnistía.org.mx  

+52 55 2265 4331 

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The Israeli authorities must end their campaign of repression against Palestinian civil society and let organizations carry out their work free from harassment, Amnesty International said after Israeli forces today closed the offices of seven Palestinian civil society organizations in the West Bank of the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT).

Before dawn, Israeli armed forces raided the Ramallah offices of Addameer, al-Haq, Defense for Children International – Palestine (DCIP), the Union of Agricultural Work Committees, Bisan Center for Research and Development, Health Work Committees, and the Union of Palestinian Women Committees, and confiscated files and equipment. They also issued military orders to close them down and welded shut their office doors.

“These organizations have contributed enormously to human rights in the OPT and across the globe, yet Israeli army boots trample all over their work. Amnesty International stands proudly in solidarity with our Palestinian partners and calls on all governments to condemn the Israeli army’s attack on Palestinian civil society,” said Amna Guellali, Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for the Middle East and North Africa.

“The international community needs to work together not only to reopen the offices of these seven organizations, but also to honour their calls to support the International Criminal Court’s investigation into the Palestine situation and for international condemnation of Israel’s apartheid against Palestinians.”

Amnesty International spoke to partners at three of the seven organizations, who conveyed their shock at the raids and closures.

These organizations have contributed enormously to human rights in the OPT and across the globe, yet Israeli army boots trample all over their work.

Amna Guellali, Amnesty International

“The occupying army has failed to silence our voice in defence of human rights. The army uses military law against human rights law. The raids show that Israel rejects the position of the EU and the international community, and rather invests in continuing the occupation and the human rights violations that it causes,” Khaled Quzmar, director of DCIP, told Amnesty International. 

Amnesty’s researchers examined the military orders posted on the office doors of three of the organizations. In all cases, the order to close the offices was based on the 1945 Defence (Emergency) Regulations, which were issued by the British to quash resistance to their rule, and never repealed. Since 1967, the Israeli military authorities have used these regulations extensively to demolish hundreds of Palestinian homes, deport residents and hold tens of thousands of Palestinians from the OPT in administrative detention. Israeli authorities had also used the regulations against Palestinian citizens of Israel until 1966, but not against Jewish citizens.

These practices, which amount to grave breaches of the Fourth Geneva Convention and violate numerous articles of human rights conventions to which Israel is a party, form part of the system of apartheid that oppresses the Palestinians.

“Amnesty International calls on all states to recognize that Israel is committing internationally recognized crimes, including the crime of apartheid, against Palestinians in Israel and the OPT. Governments must ensure that human rights considerations are integrated into all agreements with the Israeli authorities, and exercise due diligence to refrain from contributing to the system of apartheid,” said Amna Guellali.

Background 

On 19 October 2021, Israel’s Defense Ministry issued a military order declaring six Palestinian civil society organizations as “terrorist” entities (all excepting the Health Work Committees, who have been targeted separately). The designation effectively outlawed them from operating and allowed the Israeli authorities to close their offices, seize their assets and arrest or jail their staff members. It also prohibited publicly expressing support for their activities or funding the organizations. This designation has been widely condemned, including by international NGOs, European and other third-party governmental offices and representatives, and UN experts. 

Prior to the designation, in October 2021, the human rights NGO Front Line Defenders (FLD) collected data that confirmed, following a peer review by Citizen Lab and Amnesty International’s Security Lab, that six devices belonging to six Palestinian human rights defenders in these organizations were hacked with Pegasus, a form of spyware developed by Israeli cyber-surveillance company NSO Group.  

On 18 October 2021, the Israeli minister of interior notified French-Palestinian lawyer Salah Hammouri, who works with Palestinian prisoner rights group Addameer, that his Jerusalem residency was being revoked and he would be deported for allegedly “breaching allegiance with the State of Israel”. He has been held in administrative detention, without charge or trial, since 7 March 2022. Amnesty International has called for his release. 

The post Israel/OPT: The stifling of Palestinian civil society organizations must end appeared first on Amnesty International.

The Saudi Arabian authorities must immediately and unconditionally release Salma al-Shehab, a Leeds University PhD student who has been sentenced to 34 years in prison solely for her writing and peaceful Twitter activity, Amnesty International said today.

Salma al-Shehab was initially sentenced to six years behind bars in mid-2022. Following an appeal at the Specialized Criminal Court (SCC) on 9 August 2022, a judge raised her sentence to 34 years in prison after a grossly unfair trial, to be followed by a 34-year travel ban from the date of her release. 

“It is outrageous that Salma al-Shehab, a PhD student and mother of two from Saudi Arabia’s Shi’a minority, has been handed down such a cruel and unlawful punishment simply for using Twitter and retweeting activists who support women’s rights,” said Diana Semaan, Amnesty International’s Acting Deputy Director for the Middle East and North Africa.

Salma al-Shehab should never have been convicted in the first place, but to have her sentence increased from six to 34 years following an unfair trial shows that the authorities intend to use her to set an example amid their unrelenting crackdown on free speech.

Diana Semaan, Amnesty International

“Salma al-Shehab should never have been convicted in the first place, but to have her sentence increased from six to 34 years following an unfair trial shows that the authorities intend to use her to set an example amid their unrelenting crackdown on free speech. She must be immediately and unconditionally released. The Saudi authorities must allow her to reunite to her family and to continue her studies in the UK.”

Salma al-Shehab has been targeted for using Twitter to follow, write about and support women’s rights activists, including Loujain al-Hathloul, who was jailed after a grossly unfair trial at the SCC for “spying with foreign parties” and “conspiring against the kingdom.” Loujain was conditionally released in 2021, yet remains arbitrarily banned from travelling.  

Prolonged solitary confinement

According to activists with knowledge of the case, Salma al-Shehab was arrested in January 2021 at the General Directorate of Investigations after she was called in for interrogation a few days before she was due to fly back to the UK to continue her studies. She was held in prolonged solitary confinement for 285 days before she was brought to trial, which violated international standards and Saudi Arabia’s Law of Criminal Procedures. She was also denied access to legal representation throughout her pre-trial detention, including during interrogations.

At her appeal trial, the prosecution demanded a harsher punishment. The court sentenced her to 34 years based on the discretion of the judge for “supporting those who seek to disrupt public order, destabilize security and the stability of the state” and publishing tweets that “disturb public order, destabilize the security of society and the stability of the state” citing Articles 34, 38, 43, and 44 of the counter-terrorism law and Article 6 of the anti-Cyber Crime Law. The sentence against Salma al-Shehab marks an alarming escalation in the use of Saudi Arabia’s counter-terrorism law to criminalize and unduly restrict the right to freedom of expression. 

Other women’s rights activists also detained over Twitter activity

Amnesty International has learned from activists with knowledge of Salma’s case that several other women’s rights activists have been detained over their comments on Twitter since Salma’s detention. A prevailing fear of reprisals in Saudi Arabia, however, deters people from speaking out about these cases on social media or with the media.  

“Saudi Arabi must end its relentless crackdown on women’s rights activists and any others who dare to speak their mind freely. Women like Salma must be recognized and protected, not targeted for expressing their opinions. The authorities must also stop equating free speech with “terrorism”.  They should repeal or substantially amend Saudi’s counter-terrorism and anti-cybercrime laws, which criminalize dissent, and enact new laws that are fully compatible with international human rights law and standards,” said Diana Semaan.

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