A/HRC/22/53/Add.4
to investigate, prosecute and punish those responsible, and to provide full redress to the
victims.
(b)
JUA 04/05/2012 Case No. AZE 3/2012 State reply: None to date Alleged violent attack
on journalists.
9. The Special Rapporteur regrets that the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan has
not responded to this communication, thereby failing to cooperate with the mandate issued by
the Human Rights Council. The communication referred to the alleged attack on three
journalists --which included torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment by guards of
the State Oil Company of the Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR). One of the journalists, Mr.
Idrak Abbasov, was the subject of a prior communication sent to the Republic of Azerbaijan
on October 17, 2005 by the Special Rapporteur, which also had gone unanswered by the
Republic of Azerbaijan. The Special Rapporteur reiterates that paragraph 1 of the Human
Rights Council Resolution 16/23 “[c]ondemns all forms of torture and other cruel, inhuman
or degrading treatment or punishment.” In addition, the Special Rapporteur also reminds the
Government that “each State has a prime responsibility and duty to protect, promote and
implement all human rights and fundamental freedoms […].” In light of the fact that no
evidence has been provided to the contrary, the Special Rapporteur finds that the rights of
Mr. Idrak Abbasov, Ms. Gunay Musayeva, and Mr. Adalat Abbasov have been violated
under the UN Convention against Torture. The Special Rapporteur calls on the Government
to investigate, prosecute and punish those responsible, and to provide full redress to the
victims.
Bahrain
(a)
JUA 20/01/2012 Case No. BHR 1/2012 State reply: 21/03/2012 Alleged excessive use of
force against protestors for human rights
10. The Special Rapporteur thanks the Government of Bahrain for its reply, dated 21 March
2012, to this communication in reference to the alleged excessive use of force, including
beatings, tear gas, and stun grenades, during and following arrest for peaceful human rights
demonstrations. The Special Rapporteur emphasizes that paragraph 7b of Human Rights
Council Resolution 16/23 urges States “(t)o take persistent, determined and effective
measures to have all allegations of torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or
punishment investigated promptly, effectively and impartially by an independent, competent
domestic authority, as well as whenever there is reasonable ground to believe that such an act
has been committed […].” The Special Rapporteur thanks the Government for its explanation
of the complaint system available to victims of human rights abuses, but nonetheless urges an
investigation ex officio into the allegations, and reminds the Government of its obligation to
provide full redress, including fair and adequate compensation, and as full rehabilitation as
possible to all victims of torture or other ill-treatment.
(b)
JUA 09/02/2012 Case No. BHR 2/2012 State reply: 19/03/2012 Alleged beating in
detention and denial of access to specialist medical treatment.
11. The Special Rapporteur thanks the Government of Bahrain for its reply, of 19 March
2012, in response to the urgent appeal of 9 February 2012 regarding the alleged beating in
detention of Mr. Mahdi „Issa Abu Dheeb and his denial of access to specialist medical
treatment. The Special Rapporteur expresses grave concern about Mr. Mahdi Issa Abu
Dheeb‟s deteriorating health condition in prison. In its reply, the Government of Bahrain
described the health service procedures provided for all detainees, including Mr. Abu
7