A/HRC/22/53/Add.4 I. Introduction 1. The present document is submitted by the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, Juan E. Méndez, to the Human Rights Council, pursuant to its resolution 16/23. 2. In the present addendum, the Special Rapporteur provides observations, where considered appropriate, on communications sent to States between 1 December 2011 and 30 November 2012 , as well as on responses received from States in relation to these communications until 31 January 2013. Communications sent and responses received during the reporting period are accessible electronically through hyperlinks. 3. The Special Rapporteur acknowledges the receipt of additional responses from States through to 31 January 2013 in relation to the joint study on global practices in relation to secret detention in the context of countering terrorism (A/HRC/13/42). The current report does not comment on the substance of responses received so far to the joint study on secret detention. Subject to agreement with the other mandate-holders responsible for that joint report, and after more responses are received, a special report on those contributions will be issued. 4. The Special Rapporteur is grateful to all States which have transmitted responses to communications sent. He considers response to his communications an important part of cooperation by States with his mandate. In this context, the Special Rapporteur recalls paragraph 6(a) of the Human Rights Council resolution 16/23 which urges States to “cooperate with and assist the Special Rapporteur in the performance of his or her task, to supply all necessary information requested by him or her and to fully and expeditiously respond to his or her urgent appeals, and urges those Governments that have not yet responded to communications transmitted to them by the Special Rapporteur to answer without further delay.” 5. The communications and the relevant replies can be accessed via the communications reports of Special Procedures A/HRC/20/30 (communications sent, 1 December 2011 to 15 March 2012; replies received, 1 February 2012 to 15 May 2012); A/HRC/21/49 (communications sent, 16 March to 31 May 2012; replies received, 16 May to 31 July 2012) and A/HRC/22/67 (communications sent, 1 June to 30 November 2012; replies received, 1 August 2012 to 31 January 2013). II. Observations by the Special Rapporteur Angola (a) JAL 21/12/2011 Case No. AGO 3/2011 State reply: None to date Alleged excessive use of force by authorities during peaceful protests 6. The Special Rapporteur regrets that the Government of Angola 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 excessive use of force against peaceful protestors. The Special Rapporteur reiterates that principle 4 of the UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Officials, provides that, “Law enforcement officials, in carrying out their duty, shall, as far as possible, apply non-violent means before resorting to the use of force and firearms.” In light of the fact that no evidence has been provided to the contrary, the Special Rapporteur finds that the rights under the UN Convention against Torture of the individuals mentioned in the communication have been violated. The Special 5