CAT/C/47/D/444/2010
8.6
Finally, on the issue of diplomatic assurances, counsel explains that he Human
Rights Committee, in its concluding observations concerning Kazakhstan in July 2011, has
specifically warned the State party to exercise utmost care in relying on diplomatic
assurances when considering the return of foreign national to countries where they are
likely to be subjected to torture or serious human rights violations; the Committee
encouraged the State party to monitor the manner such individuals are treated after return
and to take appropriate action if the assurances were not respected. In the present case,
according to the counsel, no appropriate follow-up mechanism for the monitoring of the
situation of the complainants exists in Uzbekistan, and there is no access to the
complainants there.
Additional information by the State party
9.1 On 13 September 2011, the State party requested, under rule 117, paragraph 4, of the
Committee’s rules of procedures, to have the opportunity to have an oral hearing with the
Committee in order to provide additional information and answer questions on the merits of
the communication.
9.2 On 23 September 2011, the State party submitted additional information. It reiterates
that all proceedings concerning the asylum applications of the complainants before the
Migration Committee of the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy (since 30 September
2010, the Migration Committee is part of the Ministry of Internal Affairs) were lawful.
According to the State party, the authorities’ decision not to grant asylum to the
complainants was grounded and lawful. Representatives of UNHCR were also present, and
interviewed all applicants. UNHCR’s representatives had access to all documents before
the Migration Committee and presented recommendations, which were taken into account
by the State party’s authorities. In addition, the Migration Committee was provided with all
extradition materials received from the Uzbek authorities. No claims were formulated by
the complainants' lawyers during the interviewing process. All stages of the work of the
Migration Committee were monitored by a lawyer from the Human Rights Bureau (an
NGO), who did not report any violation either.
9.3
All refusals to grant asylum to the complainants were examined and confirmed by a
court, including on appeal. The decisions to have the complainants extradited were also
verified and confirmed in court, including on appeal. All proceedings were transparent and
held in an impartial manner. All complainants were offered the services of lawyers, at all
stages of the trial, including representing their interests on appeal.
9.4
The State party emphasizes that the decisions of the Migration Commission were
based on the existence of reliable and verified information to the effect that the
complainants’ presence in Kazakhstan constitutes a threat for the State party and could also
cause irreparable harm to the security of other States. Article F (c) of the 1951 Convention
relating to the Status of Refugees provides that the provisions of the Convention shall not
apply to any person with respect to whom there are serious reasons for considering that “he
has been guilty of acts contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations”.
Pursuant to article 12 of the Kazakh Law on Refugees, refugee status cannot be granted
where there are serious grounds to believe that the interested individuals participate or had
participated in the activities of forbidden religious organizations. On this ground, having
studied the materials on file, UNHCR has decided to annul the refugee’s certificates
previously issues to a number of the complainants.
9.5
The State party further explains that the complainants were not subjected to torture
or ill-treatment in the Kazakhstan; all complainants underwent medical examinations at the
moment of their placement in detention, but no one complained of torture. The Prosecutor’s
Office has conducted a number of verifications, including in the detention centre the
complainants were held, and no acts of ill-treatment were revealed.
10