Oral statement by OMCT and RCT
HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL
12th session (14 September - 2 October 2009)
Item 4: General debate (22 September 2009) Human rights situations
that require the Council's attention
Oral statement delivered by The World Organisation Against Torture
(OMCT) and the Rehabilitation and Research Centre for Torture
Victims (RCT), two non-governmental organisations in general
consultative status
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Mr. President,
The World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) and the
Rehabilitation and Research Centre for Torture Victims (RCT) wish
to avail themselves of this general debate to address the human
rights situation in Honduras.
OMCT and RCT are gravely concerned about the human rights
violations occurring in the country under the de facto Government,
since the coup d'état on 28 June 2009.
OMCT and RCT have received several reliable allegations and
credible reports of a wide range of human rights violations
committed by the police and the armed forces, notably
(extrajudicial) killings, disappearances in police custody,
disproportionate use of force by law enforcement officials, large
scale arbitrary detention of, and death threats against students,
human rights defenders, journalists and other persons in connection
with peaceful demonstrations against the coup d'état. Several cases
of torture and ill-treatment, including rape and other gender based
violence, have also been reported. The acts of torture and
ill-treatment have reportedly taken place in police custody, often
in illegal improvised detention centers (for example on the
premises of the Batallón de los Comandos de la Fuerzas Especiales
de la Policía (COBRAS), premises only designed to serve as a
training camp). In certain cases that were reported, the acts of
torture and ill-treatment were used in order to punish the victims
either for actions undertaken prior to the coup d'état, such as in
connection with the promotion of the planned popular referendum, or
for peacefully protesting against the coup d'état.
Within this particular context, both organisations are gravely
concerned about the safety of the people of Honduras, especially of
outspoken journalists and human rights defenders, but also of
ordinary citizens who have either actively or passively opposed the
coup d'état and the human rights violations committed by or with
the consent or acquiescence of the de facto government. It is our
assessment that there is a real risk that more violations of
fundamental human rights may take place.
OMCT and RCT call on the Human Rights Council as a matter of
urgency to address the violations of fundamental human rights and
freedoms, including torture, arbitrary detention, extrajudicial
killings, threats and general intimidation of people opposing the
coup d'état and others by promptly dispatching an investigation
mission to Honduras, which should include relevant Special
Procedures mandate holders, in particular the Special Rapporteur on
torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, the
Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary
executions, the Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges
and lawyers, the Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders, the
Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and
consequences and the Working Group on arbitrary detention.
OMCT and RCT further wish to urge the de facto Government of
Honduras to fully implement the recommendations and precautionary
measures issued by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights
(IACHR) since the coup.
Finally, both organisations call on the international community to
take all necessary measures to seek a peaceful solution to the
political crisis in Honduras and to press for the prompt return to
a democratic constitutional order respectful of the rule of law,
human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Thank you, Mr. President.