Opinion; Subjects: BANGLADESH, ARBITRARY DETENTION; [WGAD: UNO-Arbeitsgruppe über willkürliche Inhaftierung, willkürliche Haft; Groupe de travail sur la détention arbitraire; Gruppo di lavoro sulla detenzione arbitraria]
Volltext (verifizierbarer Originaltext)
GE.13-16260
Human Rights Council
Working Group on Arbitrary Detention
Opinions adopted by the Working Group on Arbitrary
Detention at its sixty-fifth session, 14–23 November 2012
No. 66/2012 (Bangladesh)
Communication addressed to the Government on 14 September 2012
Concerning Azharul Islam, Ghulam Azam and Mir Quasem Ali
The Government has not replied to the communication.
The State is a party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
1.
The Working Group on Arbitrary Detention was established in resolution 1991/42 of
the former Commission on Human Rights, which extended and clarified the Working
Group’s mandate in its resolution 1997/50. The Human Rights Council assumed that
mandate in its decision 2006/102 and extended it for a three-year period in its resolution
15/18 of 30 September 2010. In accordance with its methods of work (A/HRC/16/47,
annex, and Corr.1), the Working Group transmitted the above-mentioned communication to
the Government.
2.
The Working Group regards deprivation of liberty as arbitrary in the following
cases:
(a)
When it is clearly impossible to invoke any legal basis justifying the
deprivation of liberty (as when a person is kept in detention after the completion of his or
her sentence or despite an amnesty law applicable to the detainee) (category I);
(b)
When the deprivation of liberty results from the exercise of the rights or
freedoms guaranteed by articles 7, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20 and 21 of the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights and, insofar as States parties are concerned, by articles 12, 18, 19, 21, 22,
25, 26 and 27 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (category II);
(c)
When the total or partial non-observance of the international norms relating
to the right to a fair trial, established in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and in
the relevant international instruments accepted by the States concerned, is of such gravity
as to give the deprivation of liberty an arbitrary character (category III);
United Nations
A/HRC/WGAD/2012/66
General Assembly
Distr.: General
7 August 2013
Original: English
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(d)
When asylum seekers, immigrants or refugees are subjected to prolonged
administrative custody without the possibility of administrative or judicial review or
remedy (category IV);
(e)
When the deprivation of liberty constitutes a violation of international law for
reasons of discrimination based on birth; national, ethnic or social origin; language;
religion; economic condition; political or other opinion; gender; sexual orientation; or
disability or other status, and which aims towards or can result in ignoring the equality of
human rights (category V).
Submissions
Communication from the source
3.
Mr. Azharul Islam (hereinafter Mr. Islam), a Bangladeshi, is the acting Secretary-
General of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and Director of Bangladesh Publications Ltd.
4.
Mr. Islam was arrested on 19 September 2011 by the Dhaka Metropolitan Police
without a warrant or other decision by a public authority in relation to five cases in the
regular courts of Bangladesh: Paltan P.S. Nos. 18, 19, 20, 34 and 35. On 20 March 2012,
six months following his arrest, he obtained bail in all five cases.
5.
The source informs that Mr. Islam was immediately rearrested upon release, at the
gate of the prison on 20 March 2012, by the police without a warrant or other decision by a
public authority. He appeared before the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate of Dhaka on 21
March in relation to six new cases against him in the regular courts of Bangladesh: Paltan
P.S. No. 5(6)11, Paltan P.S. No. 46(6)10, Paltan P.S. No. 8(7)10, Ramna P.S. No. 17(9)10,
Motijheel P.S. No. 32(11)10 and Motijheel P.S. No. 33(11)10.
6.
According to the source, Mr. Islam was informed that, upon his release on bail from
these further charges, he would be immediately rearrested in the same manner as on 20
March 2012. A Writ Petition (No. 1638 of 2012) was lodged on his behalf challenging the
actions of the governmental authorities in rearresting him/threatening to rearrest him
without due process from the prison gate. The High Court Division issued a rule on 13
June. The Writ Petition is reportedly now pending hearing.
7.
According to the source, Mr. Islam was released again on 16 August 2012. Due to
the rule pending in Writ Petition No. 1638 of 2012, the authorities were compelled to
release Mr. Islam without rearresting him. He was followed from the jail gate to his
residence by approximately 20 police officers, who remained at his residence, installed
closed-circuit television (CCTV) and restricted entry and exit of people to the property
(including that of Mr. Islam). In fact, Mr. Islam was not allowed to perform his Friday or
taraweeh prayers at the mosque; he was not allowed to visit relatives nor to have his
relatives visit him; he was not allowed to carry out a CT and MRI scan as recommended by
the doctor in prison following a stroke in May 2012. He was effectively under house arrest
since his release from prison on 16 August.
8.
The source states that on 22 August 2012, Mr. Islam was arrested a third time at his
residence and taken to the Detective Branch office at the police station on Minto Road
where he was kept until produced before the International Crimes Tribunal, Bangladesh
(hereinafter the Tribunal) on 23 August. The Tribunal heard Mr. Islam’s application for bail
on that day. Arguing against it, the prosecution submitted that Mr. Islam had interfered with
the investigation and had contacted terrorist groups in Bangladesh and abroad.
9.
According to the source, his defence counsel submitted that there was no evidence
or substantial risk that he would tamper with evidence, interfere with witnesses or abscond.
He lawfully appeared and obtained bail in all 11 cases against him. It was also submitted
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that the allegations made against him under section 3(2) of the International Crimes
(Tribunal) Act 1973 (hereinafter the Act or ICTA) were false and that his medical condition
was such that he must be allowed proper medical care. He was 60 years old, suffered from
high blood pressure, was diabetic (for the past 20 years), had a stroke in May 2012, and was
in need of a CT and MRI scan (as recommended by the prison doctor). It was submitted by
his defence counsel that those symptoms had all been aggravated by the denial of medical
attention or relief whilst in jail and that he was in danger of being similarly neglected if not
bailed for a third time.
10.
His defence counsel submitted that there was evidence that Mr. Islam was tortured
whilst in prison and police custody and that he suffered from pain to his spine and legs and
found it difficult to retain his balance. It was further submitted that he had offered condition
of bail to minimize the risk of absconding, interference with investigation or committing
further crimes.
11.
The source reports that Mr. Islam’s application for bail was refused on 26 August
2012. In denying bail, the Tribunal Chairman stated that the Tribunal had failed to find
sufficient reason why he should be released on bail. The source submits that this effectively
reversed the burden of proof which falls on the Prosecutor. Indeed, it is for the Prosecutor
to establish relevant and sufficient grounds for withholding bail.
12.
The source also submits that following the exhaustion of procedural options for
custody in the regular courts, the authorities had Mr. Islam arrested for alleged crimes
under the jurisdiction of the Tribunal. Thus, the Government has succeeded in keeping Mr.
Islam in prison despite the previous decisions by the High Court Division to grant bail in all
11 cases.
13.
In addition, the source points to the fact that Mr. Islam is Director of Bangladesh
Publications Ltd., which owns and operates the Daily Sangram and Daily Rising Sun
newspapers. According to the source, it was commonly known prior to his arrest that his
newspapers had been warned by the Tribunal for reporting and criticizing the proceedings.
The source thus submits that the detention of Mr. Islam is an attempt to prevent any
opposition voice in Bangladesh.
14.
Mr. Ghulam Azam (hereinafter Mr. Azam), born on 7 November 1922, a
Bangladeshi, is a professor and former amir of the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami political
party.
15.
The source provides the information that on 9 January 2012 the Tribunal took
cognizance of the offences under sections 3(2), 4(1) and 4(2) of the Act against Mr. Azam,
stating that the Prosecution had established a prima facie case as required under rule 29(1).
He was subsequently arrested on 11 January on charges of committing crimes against
humanity and peace, genocide and war crimes during the 1971 Bangladesh independence
war, following the issue of a warrant for his arrest by the Tribunal.
16.
The same day, the Tribunal refused his application for bail and he was ordered to be
detained at Dhaka Central Jail. However, after three hours he was sent to Bangabandhu
Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) hospital for a medical check-up due to his age
(89 years). He remains in detention at Dhaka Central Jail and intermittently at the BSMMU
hospital.
17.
On 15 February 2012, the Chief Prosecutor of the Tribunal made an application to
the Tribunal for presenting a formal charge against Mr. Azam as per section 9(1) of the
ICTA and rule 18 of the Rules of Procedure framed under section 22 of the said Act.
18.
On 23 February 2012, the Tribunal rejected another bail application, having found
insufficient reasons to release the accused on bail. It was argued by the Prosecution that the
Tribunal had found a prima facie case against the accused, that treatment for his health
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condition was being properly seen to in his cell at BSMMU and that his physical condition
was not as poor as his defence counsel claimed.
19.
According to the source, Mr. Azam’s defence counsel had presented strong legal and
medical reasons in favour of bail and offered conditions, including that there were no
reasonable grounds for believing that he had committed offences as alleged as the
Prosecution had failed to show a prima facie case against him, that there was no substantial
risk that he would tamper with evidence as the investigation was closed and he had been
formally charged, that he must receive proper medical care and daily assistance, which
could not possibly be given in the prison cell in BSMMU, and that there was no substantial
risk of Mr. Azam absconding. The defence counsel further submitted that a number of
conditions for bail were offered and pointed to the presumption in favour of bail under
national and international law to prevent individuals from being arbitrarily deprived of
liberty and to ensure that the period of detention following arrest was not unreasonable.
20.
In denying bail, the Tribunal Chairman reportedly stated that the Tribunal had failed
to find any reason why he should be released on bail, thereby reversing the burden that the
Prosecutor was required to establish relevant and sufficient grounds for withholding bail. In
particular, the Tribunal found that Mr. Azam was not sick enough to be released on bail.
21.
With regard to the medical condition of Mr. Azam, the source declares that he is 89
years old and consequently suffers from a number of age-related medical complications and
ailments including hypertension, diabetes mellitus, osteoarthritis in both knee joints,
cervical and lumbar spondylitis with radiculopathy, an enlarged prostate, electrolyte
imbalance, loss of vision in the right eye, back pain and pain in his neck and knees.
22.
The source also states that Mr. Azam was examined by a medical board on 5
November 2011 when he was advised absolute bed rest, a continuation of his physiotherapy
treatment and restrictions on physical activity, use of a lumbar corset and walking with
elbow sticks. On 13 February 2012, following his arrest, he was examined by another
medical board; an X-ray revealed several complications with his bones as a result of his old
age and an ultrasonogram showed that he had numerous stones in his gall bladder.
23.
Furthermore, the source declares that his health problems call for special dietary
requirements which must be strictly followed at all times. It was submitted that the standard
of food is unsuitable at the prison hospital. His wife’s application to the prison authority,
requesting to be able to prepare home-cooked food according to his dietary needs, was
refused. The accused has been losing weight, is not able to attend the required
physiotherapy sessions and, with the absence of any assistance, injured himself on 25
January 2012 when he slipped on the floor of the bathroom and fell on his knees.
24.
On 7 June 2012, the Tribunal rejected Mr. Azam’s motion for a review of the
charges. It further rejected a petition for the recusal of the Tribunal Chairman and, in the
alternative, for the trial to be referred to the Second Tribunal, due to the Chairman’s prior
involvement in the People’s Court that held a mock trial convicting Mr. Azam and as part
of a lawyer’s forum that called for the execution of the verdict of the People’s Court, i.e.
the death penalty.
25.
The source reports that the trial against Mr. Azam has recently started and is
currently in the phase of the prosecution case. The first prosecution witness gave evidence
against Mr. Azam and was cross-examined for four days (1, 3, 4 and 5 July 2012). On 5
July the Tribunal issued an order directing the defence counsel to complete cross-
examination of prosecution witness No. 1 within one session of another day under rule 46A
of the Tribunal’s Rules of Procedure 2010. However, the cross-examination remains
incomplete and the Tribunal has given the prosecution witness liberty to return at his
convenience for the completion of cross-examination. Prior to the departure of the
prosecution witness, the Chairman reportedly summoned the lead defence counsel, Chief
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Prosecutor and first prosecution witness into his Chambers. Although the meeting was inter
partes, the inappropriateness of the meeting was demonstrated by permitting the
prosecution witness to query the defence counsel as to why the cross-examination was
taking so long. The prosecution witness has not returned to the Tribunal since that time.
26.
The source further reports that the cross-examination of prosecution witness No. 2
began on 29 July 2012 and ended on 31 July. Proceedings have been adjourned until 10
September for the deposition of prosecution witness No. 3 and one of the witnesses on the
seizure list, following which the Prosecution will not be calling any other witnesses and
will call the Investigation Officer. According to the source, there is serious concern that the
Tribunal will take judicial notice of the bulk of the evidence, including the hearsay, filed by
the Prosecution so as to bypass the difficulty in proving the nexus between Mr. Azam’s
speeches and actual crimes committed on the ground.
27.
Mr. Mir Quasem Ali (hereinafter Mr. Ali), born on 31 December 1952, a
Bangladeshi, is leader of the Bangladesh political party, Jamaat-e-Islami, head of Diganta
Media Corporation, director of an Islamic bank, member of the Ibn Sina Trust, and director
of the non-governmental organization, the Muslim World League.
28.
According to the source, Mr. Ali was originally arrested on 17 June 2012 in one of
his company offices in Motijheel, Dhaka, by the Detective Branch of the Dhaka
Metropolitan Police, and he was reportedly taken to Dhaka Central Jail under heavy
security. The source states that he was arrested on the basis of a warrant issued by the
Tribunal on allegations of having committed crimes against humanity during the 1971
Bangladesh independence war.
29.
On 17 June 2012, the Chief Prosecutor of the Tribunal made an application to the
Tribunal for the arrest of Mr. Ali under rule 9(1) of the Rules and Procedure of the Tribunal
for crimes committed under section 3(2) of the ICTA. In the order of arrest, the Tribunal
referred to rule 34(1) of its Rules of Procedure that allows the law enforcement authorities
to produce an accused before the Tribunal within 24 hours of arrest. However, the Tribunal
reportedly did not issue an order for custody until 19 June. According to the source, this
indicates that once Mr. Ali was produced before the Tribunal he fell within its jurisdiction
and considering that no valid detention order was issued until 19 June, his detention during
that period was unlawful.
30.
Mr. Ali was reportedly brought promptly before the Tribunal, but the Chairman of
the Tribunal refused to consider the question of bail and consequently he was taken into
custody without any lawful order for custody, just the warrant issued by the Tribunal. The
question of bail was not considered until 19 June 2012, two days after his arrest. Mr. Ali
applied for bail on the grounds that he was being arbitrarily detained. He submitted further
voluntary conditions in order to negate the risk of absconding or interfering with the
investigation or prosecution witnesses or the reoccurrence of any crimes.
31.
In denying bail, the Tribunal Chairman allegedly stated that the Tribunal had failed
to find any reasons why Mr. Ali should be released on bail; thereby reversing the burden
requiring the Prosecutor to establish relevant and sufficient grounds for withholding bail. In
particular, the Tribunal held that Mr. Ali was not sick enough to be released on bail. In
rendering the decision, the Tribunal Chairman acknowledged that the legal framework did
not permit bail in such cases, but the Rules of Procedure had been amended to allow bail
and the Tribunal had done so in one case.
32.
Following the refusal to grant bail, the Prosecutor filed a request for Mr. Ali to be
remanded in the custody of the Investigation Authority for the purpose of interrogation
under section 11(5) of the ICTA. According to the source, the defence filed a request for
counsel to be present during the interrogation; this was denied. The defence then filed a
request to have privileged communication prior to the interrogation; this was also denied.
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The Tribunal subsequently issued an order granting the Prosecutor’s request and ordering
the Prosecutor to report on the progress of the investigation by 12 August 2012.
33.
On 12 August 2012, the defence submitted two applications. The Tribunal refused to
hear either application that day, though they were reportedly both urgent. One application
related to the transportation of Mr. Ali by suitable vehicle or ambulance and the other to
direct the jail authority to take him to BIRDEM Hospital to seek medical treatment.
34.
According to the source, the Prosecutor submitted the progress report the same day
and requested further time to complete the investigation. The defence was not allowed to
receive or see a copy of the report, though it had been allowed to do so in other cases before
the Tribunal. The Tribunal directed the Prosecution to complete the investigation by 27
September 2012.
35.
The source also points to the fact that Mr. Ali runs an opposition media agency that
comprises a newspaper and television station. It was commonly known prior to his arrest
that his television station had commissioned the production of a documentary that would be
critical of the Tribunal and its procedures. Given that one of the grounds of his arrest was
that he was allegedly campaigning internationally against the Tribunal, the source submits
that his detention is an attempt to prevent any opposition voice in Bangladesh.
36.
Mr. Ali is currently being held in Dhaka Central Jail and has according to the source
not yet been charged with any crimes under section 3 of the ICTA.
37.
The source argues that in all the above-mentioned cases, there has been total or
partial non-observance of the international norms relating to the right to a fair trial before
an independent and impartial tribunal which are of such gravity as to give the deprivation of
liberty an arbitrary character. Of particular concern in this regard is the complete lack of
privileged access to counsel.
38.
The source first points to alleged structural deficiencies in the ICTA. According to
the source, section 3(1) of the ICTA allows for substantive criminal law to be applicable
retroactively, which would run contrary to Bangladesh’s own constitution under section
35(1) as well as article 11, paragraph 2, of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
(UDHR). The source alleges that the ICTA is currently being sheltered from judicial review
following amendment of the Constitution of Bangladesh to include article 47(3). It reads as
follows:
No law nor any provision thereof providing for detention, prosecution or punishment of any
person, who is a member of any armed force or defence or auxiliary forces or who is
prisoner of war, for genocide, crimes against humanity or war crimes and other crimes
under international law shall be deemed void or unlawful, or ever to have become void or
unlawful, on the ground that such law or provision of any such law is inconsistent with, or
repugnant to any of the provisions of this Constitution.
39.
The source also indicates that the amended article 47A (1) of the Constitution
removes guaranteed constitutional rights to those charged under the ICTA, which is
allegedly contrary to article 7 of the UDHR and article 14, paragraph 1, of the International
Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
40.
The source further argues that the number and weight of the legislative issues within
the ICTA which are contrary to international fair trial standards, amount to the continued
arbitrary detention of all the accused. According to the source, the Tribunal has, inter alia,
refused to order the disclosure of investigative reports to the defence despite the judges
having perused them prior to issuing key orders, and has also prevented the defence from
cross-examining prosecution witnesses on previous inconsistent statements.
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41.
The source further points to a complete absence of equality of arms and reports that
international conventions and treaties have been ruled to not apply, that investigations are
conducted in a shroud of secrecy and the defence is prevented access to investigative files,
and that interrogations are conducted in the absence of counsel.
42.
All the individuals subject to this communication have reportedly applied for bail on
the grounds that they were being arbitrarily detained without charge during pretrial
proceedings. They submitted voluntary conditions in order to negate the risk of absconding
or interfering with the investigation or prosecution witnesses or the reoccurrence of any
crimes. These included surrendering their passport to competent authorities, residing at a
given address and reporting to local authorities, and abstaining from travel without prior
permission. They also offered a surety for an agreed amount as a condition for bail. In
relation to all of the accused, the Tribunal has repeatedly refused bail applications on the
basis that their ill-health was not sufficiently serious to justify being released on bail and
also on the grounds that bail was a privilege that they were not entitled to in such a case.
The source considers that their clients’ detention is unreasonable and unnecessary in
contravention of article 9, paragraphs 1 and 3, of the ICCPR.
43.
In the light of the foregoing, the source submits that the continued pretrial detention
of Messrs. Islam, Azam and Ali is arbitrary as it is in violation of minimal guarantees as
enshrined in the right to a fair trial and access to justice.
Response from the Government
44.
The Working Group regrets that the Government has not responded to the
allegations transmitted by the Group.
45.
Despite the absence of any information from the Government, the Working Group
considers it is in a position to render its opinion on the detentions of Messrs. Islam, Azam
and Ali in conformity with paragraph 16 of its methods of work.
Discussion
46.
The Government opted not to rebut the allegations submitted by the source.
47.
In regard to the allegations related to the applications for bail, the Working Group
recalls that, pursuant to article 9, paragraph 3, of the ICCPR, it shall not be the general rule
that persons awaiting trial shall be detained in custody, but release may be subject to
guarantees to appear for trial, at any other stage of the judicial proceedings. As emphasized
by the Human Rights Committee, pretrial detention should be an exception1 rather than the
rule.
48.
In the cases under consideration the main reason for denial of bail was the gravity of
the offences with which the individuals have been charged (crimes against humanity, war
crimes, genocide). In this regard, it may be noted, for comparison, that the Internal Rules of
the United Nations-backed Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC),
the subject-matter jurisdiction of which are genocide and crimes against humanity, do
provide for possibility of provisional release, including bail..2
49.
It is true that the Working Group in its deliberation No. 6 found that a judge may
legitimately allow the exception (detention) to prevail over the rule (release) “in the case of
1 Human Rights Committee general comment No. 8 (1982) on the right to liberty and security of
persons, para. 3.
2 See rules 64, 65 and 82, paragraph 2, of the ECCC Internal Rules.
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international crimes or, in national legal systems, of extremely grave crimes”.3 However,
the Working Group also concurs with the European Court of Human Rights position that
the seriousness of the offence “can be regarded as relevant and sufficient only provided that
it is based on facts capable of showing that the accused’s release would actually prejudice
public order. In addition, detention will continue to be legitimate only if public order
remains actually threatened”.4
50.
In any case, when a bail application is considered by the court, the prosecution shall
have the burden of proving that the accused would not appear before the court if released,
and that he poses a danger to victims, witnesses or other persons.
51.
Indeed, in the international criminal tribunals the burden was shifted to the accused
to show exceptional circumstances to qualify for provisional release. This deviation from
the requirements of international human rights instruments has been justified mainly by
lack of any power, such as a police force, in the tribunals to execute their own arrest
warrants and absence of any control over the area in which the accused would reside if
released.5 However, these circumstances, inherent to the international institutions, are
irrelevant to the Bangladesh’s domestic international war crimes tribunal.
52.
In the case under consideration, the Tribunal effectively reversed the burden of proof
from the prosecution to the accused and made the pretrial release on bail the exception
rather than the rule. It is because of this flawed approach that the court denied bail to 89-
year old Ghulam Azam, and 60-year old Mir Quasem Ali and Azharul Islam, on the basis
that they were not sick enough to be released on bail and that the court failed to find any
reasons why they should be released on bail.
53.
In any event, when a bail application is considered by the court, it is the prosecution
or the relevant investigative authorities that have the burden of proving, in particular, that
the accused would not appear before the court if released, and that he posed a danger to
victims, witnesses or other persons, etc., regardless of the gravity of the offence.6
54.
Thus, Messrs. Islam, Azam and Ali have been deprived of liberty in violation of the
principle that release must be the rule and provisional detention the exception as provided
for in article 9 of the UDHR and article 9 of the ICCPR. The case, therefore, falls into
category III of the categories applied by the Working Group.
55.
As to the allegations on violations of the right to cross-examination, the Working
Group notes that the information provided by the source in this regard is not sufficient.
There is no information on whether or not the trials of Mr. Islam and Mr. Ali have started
yet. In Mr. Azam’s case, the applicant did cross-examine the first prosecution witness for
four days and the next witness for several days. Indeed, the right to cross-examine a witness
is subject to the duty of Trial Chamber to ensure a fair and expeditious trial and its exercise
3 Report of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, Legal analysis of allegations against the
International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (Deliberation No. 6) (E/CN.4/2001/14),
para. 23.
4 European Court of Human Rights, Tomasi v. France, application No. 12850/87, Judgment of 27
August 1992, para. 91 (emphasis added).
5 See, for instance, International Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, Prosecutor v. Delalić and others,
Decision on motion for provisional release filed by the accused Zejnil Delalić, case No. IT-96-21-T
(25 September 1996), para. 20; Prosecutor v. Tolimir and others, Decision concerning motion for
provisional release of Milan Gvero, case No. IT-04-80-PT (19 July 2005), para. 8; Prosecutor v.
Brđanin and Talić, Decision on motion by Momir Talić for provisional release, case No. IT-99-36-PT
(28 March 2001), para. 18; and Decision on motion by Radoslav Brđanin for provisional release, case
No. IT-99-36-PT (25 July 2000), para. 18.
6 See, for instance, the ECCC Pre-Trial Chamber decision of 30 April 2010 in the Ieng Sary case.
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is subject to the control of the Chamber.7 Accordingly, in the absence of the necessary
details of alleged violation of the right, the Working Group is unable to reach a conclusion
on these allegations.
56.
In regard to the allegations that Messrs. Islam, Azam and Ali have been deprived of
the right to communicate with counsel before and during the interviews conducted by the
investigators of the Tribunal, the Working Group found that Mr. Ali’s counsel was not
allowed to be present at the interview and consult his client as he was permitted to be
present only in the adjacent room. The Working Group does not possess sufficient
information in this regard concerning the alleged violations in the particular cases of Mr.
Islam and Mr. Azam.
57.
Concerning the allegations that the accused and their counsel were not given access
to the evidence collected by the investigation, the source has not provided information
related to specific violations in the individual cases of Messrs. Islam, Azam and Ali.
Disposition
58.
In the light of the foregoing, the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention renders the
following opinion:
The deprivation of liberty of Messrs. Islam, Azam and Ali is arbitrary and
constitutes a breach of article 9 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and
article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, falling into
category III of the categories applicable to the cases submitted to the Working
Group.
59.
Consequent upon the opinion rendered, the Working Group requests the
Government to take the necessary steps to remedy the situation of Messrs. Islam, Azam and
Ali and bring it into conformity with the standards and principles set forth in the UDHR
and the ICCPR.
60.
The Working Group considers that, given the circumstances of the case, the
appropriate remedy would be reconsideration of Messrs. Islam, Azam and Ali’s
applications for bail in accordance with the relevant provisions of international human
rights law.
61.
In accordance with article 33(a) of the revised methods of work of the Working
Group, the Group considers it appropriate to refer the allegations of torture or cruel,
inhuman treatment to the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or
degrading treatment or punishment, for appropriate action.
[Adopted on 23 November 2012]
7 In this regard, the Working Group concurs with the approach of the United Nations international
tribunals. See, for instance, International Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, Prosecutor v. Milan
Martić, Decision on defence motion to exclude the testimony of witness Milan Babić, together with
associated exhibits, from evidence, case No. IT-95-11-T (9 June 2006), para. 56; and Prosecutor v.
Delalić and others, Decision on the motion of the joint request of the accused persons regarding the
presentation of evidence, dated 24 May 1998; case No. IT-96-21-T (12 June 1998), paras. 32-33.