HIGHLIGHTS OF RESULTS prosecute alleged perpetrators of serious violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law, including sexual violence. As a result, at least 132 soldiers from the armed forces, 45 police agents and 21 members of militias or armed groups were convicted for their involvement in human rights violations or abuses. In Guatemala, sentences handed down by judges and magistrates were based increasingly on international human rights standards. This was particularly evident in decisions regarding transitional justice, indigenous peoples, women and the abusive application of criminal charges against human rights defenders. For example, in the emblematic Sepur Zarco Case, the Court condemned two army officers for crimes against humanity that were committed during the armed conflict in the form of sexual violence, murder and enforced disappearance. Moreover, a policy on access to justice for indigenous peoples was approved by the Attorney General, which subsequently created the position of Secretary for Indigenous Peoples to ensure its implementation. Ending torture and ill-treatment In a number of countries, important legislative changes were adopted to prevent torture and ill-treatment. In Georgia, the Parliament introduced amendments to existing legislation, including severe punishment for crimes of torture or inhuman treatment, the repeal of the statute of limitations for these crimes, the identification of procedural guarantees for detained individuals and addressed gaps in legislation and bylaws that enable law enforcement agencies to act arbitrarily, thereby increasing the potential risk for ill-treatment. In Nigeria, the Anti-Torture Act and the Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshot Act were approved. The former introduces comprehensive provisions for penalizing torture and related acts while the latter prohibits use of any form of torture or inhuman treatment by a public official. Ending the death penalty UN Human Rights continued to provide technical assistance to, and sustained advocacy with, States retaining the death penalty. The purpose was to encourage establishment of moratoria in accordance with General Assembly resolution 67/176 and for the implementation of international standards guaranteeing the protection of the rights of those facing the death penalty. Several letters were sent by the High Commissioner to governments currently applying the death penalty, requesting stays of execution or commutations of the death sentences. In Barbados, a two-day discussion was organized with scholars, judges, lawyers and other experts on public A young man’s appeal for justice after acquittal In 2016, a 16-year-old construction worker named Paoskha (not his real name) was arrested by the police in Cambodia. After spending three days at the police station without being informed of the charges against him, he was taken to court where he was told that he had been convicted in absentia. He was able to contest that judgment thanks to the help of a court clerk who explained to him what a ‘default judgment’ was and how to ask for a retrial. family before the appeal hearing in order to gather sufficient evidence to uphold his acquittal. Through his family, the lawyer discovered that Paoskha has a unique nickname and that his arrest was in fact a case of mistaken identity. This information formed the basis of his defence. During his initial detention, Paoskha was unaware of his rights. He did not know that he had the right to be informed of the charges against him at the time of his arrest, the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty, the right to be tried in his presence and to a legal defence, as well as the right to communicate with his family. Nearly one year after his arrest, the Court of Appeal acquitted Paoskha. Although administrative issues delayed his release for another three weeks, the smile on his face when he walked out of prison on 14 July 2017, expressed his relief at finally being cleared of all charges and free to return to his life. Nevertheless, the difficult year spent in prison had significant consequences for him and for his relatives. He was thankful to IBJ for explaining the legal process to his family and for providing him with legal assistance. Paoskha was represented by a court-appointed lawyer and was acquitted at his new trial. However, the Prosecutor appealed the decision. In line with Cambodia’s criminal procedure, Paoskha had to remain in prison until the appeal ruling. With support from UN Human Rights, the legal aid organization International Bridges to Justice (IBJ) took up his case. The IBJ lawyer met with Paoskha and his Based on its monitoring work, its cooperation with the justice system and its partnerships with legal aid organizations, UN Human Rights has identified numerous cases where fair trial rights and freedom from arbitrary detention were not adequately protected. It works closely with judges, prosecutors, prisons and lawyers to ensure the increased protection of these rights. 24 UN HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT 2017