Monthly News Updates: Human Rights Mechanisms - June 2021
By: Irene Aparicio García, Junior Research Associate, PILPG-NL
The following post summarizes and highlights some of the updates on the work of regional and international human rights mechanisms around the world in the month of June.
EUROPE
European Court of Human Rights | The ECtHR finds a violation of the right to freedom of expression of a Basque separatist politician
The ECtHR has issued its judgment in the Erkizia Almandoz v. Spain case. The case concerns a Basque separatist politician convicted in Spain for a “terrorism glorification offense”. The Spanish National High Court convicted the applicant after he had made several statements during a ceremony to commemorate the murder of a member of the terrorist organization ETA. The applicant allegedly supported the actions of the ETA member during his speech. The ECtHR has found a violation of the applicant’s right to freedom of expression. [June 22, 2021].
European Court of Human Rights | The ECtHR finds no violation of the right to life in the domestic violence case of Kurt v. Austria
The ECtHR’s Grand Chamber has issued its judgment in the Kurt v. Austria case. The case concerns a father who murdered his son after the mother consistently complained to Austrian authorities about the father’s domestic violence. The applicant, the mother of the child, claimed that Austrian authorities had grounds to detain the father based on the multiple protection orders against him, which would have prevented the death of the child. The Chamber found no violation of the right to life. It is the Chamber’s first clarification of the interpretation of the right to life in cases of domestic violence. [June 17, 2021]
AFRICA
African Commission on Human and People’s Rights | The ACHPR launches the Commission of Inquiry on the Tigray Region in Ethiopia
The ACHPR has announced the establishment of a Commission of Inquiry in the conflict in the Tigray Region in Ethiopia. The Commission is based in the Gambia and tasked with conducting investigations into the human rights violations that took place in Ethiopia’s Tigray Region. The Commission began its work on June 17. [June 15, 2021]
African Court on Human and People’s Rights | The AfCHPR appoints a new president and a new vice-president during its 61st session
During its 61st session, the AfCHPR appointed Justice Imani Daud Aboud as its new president. Aboud is originally from Tanzania and will hold the position for two years. The AfCHPR also appointed Justice Blaise Tchikaya, from the Republic of Congo, as its new vice president. [May 31, 2021]
African Commission on Human and People’s Rights | The ACHPR condemns the kidnapping of 200 children from an Islamic school in Nigeria
The ACHPR has condemned the kidnapping of 200 children from an Islamic school in Tagina, Nigeria, on May 30. According to reports, the perpetrators entered the town, opened fire on the school, and kidnapped the children. The ACHPR has called upon Nigeria to conduct a transparent investigation and reminded Nigeria of its duties under the African Charter, which includes the right to education.[May 31, 2021]
THE AMERICAS
Inter-American Commission on Human Rights | The IACHR requests provisional measures to protect several members of the political opposition in Nicaragua
The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) has requested that the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACtHR) grants provisional measures to protect several members of the political opposition in Nicaragua. These individuals are currently in detention, and the Nicaraguan authorities may be threatening their rights to life and personal integrity. The IACHR had already granted precautionary measures regarding this situation twice. However, the IACHR fears that this is no longer sufficient as Nicaragua has not provided information on the implementation of these initial measures, suggesting an increased risk for the opposition politicians concerned. Therefore, the IACHR has decided to request the implementation of the more binding provisional measures by the IACtHR. [June 23, 2021]
Inter-American Commission on Human Rights | The IACHR adopts provisional measures to protect a journalist in Nicaragua
The IACHR adopted precautionary measures to protect Kalua Salazar and her family. Salazar is the director of the independent media La Costeñísima. Nicaraguan authorities are surveilling her and her family because of her journalistic work. The IACHR has requested Nicaragua to take the necessary steps to protect Salazar and her family’s life. [June 14, 2021]
Inter-American Commission of Human Rights | Colombia’s working visit to the IACHR took place from June 8 to June 10
The IACHR’s working visit to Colombia took place from June 8 to June 10. The IACHR requested the visit in the context of the human rights violations during the social protests that have been ongoing since April 28 of this year. The IACHR has recognized Colombia’s willingness and cooperation, and it met with different sectors of society to gather testimonies from different groups. [June 8-10, 2021]
UN MECHANISMS
Human Rights Council (Several UN experts) | Several UN experts call on the Holy See to act against the cases of children’s sexual abuses
Several UN experts have called on the Holy See to take measures against cases of child sexual abuse occurring in Catholic institutions. The experts have highlighted the obstructive role of Catholic institutions in investigations and called for an end to impunity and the provision of reparations for victims. [June 21, 2021]
Human Rights Council (Several UN human rights experts) | UN experts call on the G7 leaders to provide access to COVID-19 vaccines in the Global South
Several UN human rights experts have called on the G7 leaders to ensure access to COVID-19 vaccines in the Global South. The experts also stressed that the lack of vaccines in the Global South will irredeemably prolong the pandemic and its social and economic impact on the world. [June 9, 2021]
UN and OAS human rights experts | UN and OAS experts call on Mexico to investigate human rights abuses during the electoral process
UN and OAS experts have advised Mexican authorities to investigate the human rights violations in the lead-up to the national elections on June 6. The experts also called on the Mexican authorities to maintain peace during the post-election process. More than 250 individuals have been killed during the electoral process, including politicians, candidates, journalists, and their relatives. [June 8, 2021]
Human Rights Council (Several UN experts) | Several UN experts call on Canada and the Holy See to conduct an investigation on the finding of a mass grave with indigenous children in Canada
Several UN experts have called on Canada and the Holy See to conduct an investigation into the discovery of a mass grave with 200 indigenous children in Canada. The mass grave was found at the site of a former indigenous residential school, which was jointly run by the Canadian authorities and the Catholic Church. The indigenous students that attended such institutions were often forcibly separated from their families and physically and sexually abused by school staff. The UN experts have called for further investigations of Canada’s other residential schools. [June 4, 2021]
UN Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Mali | UN experts calls on Malian military authorities to release the president and prime minister being held under house arrest
The UN Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Mali has condemned the detention of the president and prime minister by military forces. Contrary to what was reported, the military forces did not set free the president and prime minister on May 27, and they are still held under house arrest. The UN expert has called on all Malian authorities to respect human rights and restore the rule of law. [June 2, 2021]