A/65/273
child, allowing the judiciary to detain a relatively large number of children under
such orders. The Special Rapporteur was encouraged by the fact that no death
sentence has been executed since 1988. On the other hand, the rise in fatal shootings
by the police, and the apparent lack of investigation and accountability were of great
concern to him.
10. The Special Rapporteur conducted a visit to Papua New Guinea from 14 to
26 May 2010. At its conclusion, he expressed his appreciation to the Government
for the full cooperation extended to him. The Special Rapporteur was concerned that
the police are not always in a position to enforce the rule of law, leading to private
security companies carrying out some of the police’s main duties. He was
particularly concerned about the lack of capacity to prevent and to investigate
crimes relating to domestic violence, tribal fighting and victims of accusations of
sorcery. The Special Rapporteur found systematic beatings of detainees upon arrest
or within the first hours of detention, many times as a form of punishment. In
correctional institutions, those who attempt to escape or succeed in escaping are
tortured and disabled upon recapture. The Special Rapporteur was disappointed that
the Police Juvenile Policy and Protocols were not implemented. He was also
concerned to find boys mixed with adults in male correctional institutions. With
regard to women, they are at high risk of abuse, both in the domestic and in the public
spheres, with domestic violence being widespread. He also received many allegations
of sexual abuse by arresting officers in exchange for release from custody.
11. The Special Rapporteur would like to recall requests for invitations sent to the
following States: Afghanistan (2005); Algeria (request first made in 1997); Belarus
(2005); Bolivia (Plurinational State of) (2005); Côte d’Ivoire (2005); Egypt (1996);
Eritrea (2005); Ethiopia (2005); Fiji (2006); Gambia (2006); India (1993); Iran
(Islamic Republic of) (2005); Iraq (2005); Israel (2002); Liberia (2006); Libyan
Arab Jamahiriya (2005); Russian Federation with respect to the Republic of
Chechnya (2000); Saudi Arabia (2005); Syrian Arab Republic (2005); Tunisia
(1998); Turkmenistan (2003); United States of America (2004); Uzbekistan (2006);
Yemen (2005). He regrets that some of those requests are long-standing. The
Governments of Cuba and Zimbabwe extended invitations to visit their countries in
2009; the mission to Zimbabwe was postponed at the last minute and his mission to
Cuba did not take place.
C.
Key press statements
12. On 22 December 2009, the Special Rapporteur issued a statement expressing
serious concern about the forcible return of 20 ethnic Uyghurs from Cambodia to
China, before completion of determination of their refugee status.
13. On 31 December 2009, the Special Rapporteur issued a joint statement with
another mandate holder urging the Government of Thailand to stop the expulsion of
ethnic Hmongs.
14. On 8 March 2010, on the occasion of International Women’s Day, the Special
Rapporteur issued jointly with other special procedures mandate holders a press
release setting out a vision for women’s rights.
15. On 9 June 2010, the Special Rapporteur issued a statement expressing his
disappointment that his official mission to Cuba would not take place.
6
10-48049