A/HRC/WGEID/112/1
Joint urgent appeals
28.
On 22 March 2017, the Working Group transmitted, jointly with two other special
procedure mechanisms, a joint urgent appeal concerning allegations of arbitrary arrest,
short-term disappearance, prolonged incommunicado detention and torture and other cruel,
inhuman or degrading treatment relating to the detention of four human rights defenders
and lawyers, in particular while under “residential surveillance at a designated location”.
The four alleged victims are Xie Yang, Li Heping, Wang Quanzhang and Jiang Tianyong.
Concern was also expressed about the fact that the charges against them might be related to
their activities as human rights defenders.
29.
On 13 April 2017, the Working Group transmitted, jointly with three other special
procedure mechanisms, a joint urgent appeal concerning the impending forced repatriation
of 31 individuals from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, who were under the
custody of Chinese authorities in different prisons throughout the country. If returned to the
Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, these individuals would be at risk of suffering
gross human rights violations, including imprisonment, forced labour and possibly enforced
disappearance, as well as torture and other forms of cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment
or punishment, in violation of the principle of non-refoulement.
Colombia
Information from the Government
30.
On 13 February 2017, the Government of Colombia transmitted information
concerning three outstanding cases. The information provided was considered insufficient
to lead to a clarification.
Other letter
31.
On 8 March 2017, the Working Group transmitted, jointly with another special
procedure mechanism, a joint “other letter” concerning the legislative debate on the
creation of a unit for the search of missing persons, envisaged as part of the comprehensive
system of truth, justice, reparation and non-repetition agreed to under the peace process in
Colombia.
Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
Standard procedure
32.
The Working Group transmitted 23 cases to the Government. A summary of these
cases is included in annex II.
33.
In accordance with the methods of work of the Working Group, the Government of
the Republic of Korea and the Government of Japan also received a copy of the files of the
cases involving their nationals.
Information from the Government
34.
On 21 October 2016, the Government of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
transmitted information concerning 34 outstanding cases. The information provided was
considered insufficient to lead to a clarification.
Observation
35.
The Working Group remains concerned about the fact that the Government, instead
of cooperating with the Working Group in relation to very serious allegations of grave and
systematic enforced disappearances in the country, accuses it of being partial and being
involved in an alleged political plot against the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
The Working Group would like to firmly reiterate that it operates with the highest levels of
objectivity, independence and impartiality.
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