CAT/C/46/D/399/2009
calls and planned to file a complaint against persons unknown with the Zurich police. The
State party also points out that the search and arrest warrant issued by the Congolese
authorities on 6 September 2004 was never submitted to ODM or to the Federal
Administrative Tribunal.
6.4
The Committee takes note of the complainant’s argument that the State party’s
courts have already violated article 3 of the Convention by wrongly rejecting the evidence
provided by the complainant during the asylum procedure, and that consequently the State
party should not be allowed to hide behind the argument that this new evidence was not
brought to the attention of ODM and the Federal Administrative Tribunal. The Committee
notes that, according to the complainant, going back to the national courts to submit the
new evidence would not lead to a stay of removal unless the authority decides otherwise.
6.5
The Committee recalls its case law,4 according to which the State party must have
the opportunity to examine new evidence covered by article 3 of the Convention against
Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment before it is
considered by the Committee as a communication under article 22 of the Convention. In
this instance, the national courts have not been able to consider new and important
evidence, namely proof of the complainant’s political activity within CERDEC in
Switzerland and the resulting threats made against him and his family, and a copy of an
arrest warrant dated 6 September 2004 for illegally wearing a military uniform and
possession of a weapon of war. The complainant has failed to provide any valid reason for
not submitting this evidence, which he knows to exist, to the national authorities during
national proceedings. The Committee is therefore of the view that the conditions set forth in
article 22, paragraph 5 (b), of the Convention have not been met and that the complaint is
therefore inadmissible. The Committee also notes that, in addition to the extraordinary
procedure, the complainant also has the right to file a new request for asylum on the basis
of the new evidence.
7.
Accordingly, the Committee decides:
(a)
That the communication is inadmissible;
(b)
That this decision shall be communicated to the State party and to the
complainant.
[Adopted in English, French and Spanish, the French text being the original version.
Subsequently to be issued also in Arabic, Chinese and Russian as part of the Committee’s
annual report to the General Assembly.]
4
6
Communication No. 24/1995, A.E. v. Switzerland, inadmissibility decision of 2 May 1995, para. 4.
GE.11-43892