Expert Panel On Arbitrary Detention To Discuss 43 Cases

UN Expert Panel On Arbitrary Detention To Discuss 43 Cases In Next Week’s Session

New York, Aug 26 2011 4:10PM

A group of independent United Nations human rights experts will on Monday begin a session to discuss 43 confidential cases of arbitrary detention concerning 22 countries and review information relating to those cases, including communications from States.

During the five-day session of the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention in Geneva, the expert panel plans to meet with representatives from States and civil society organizations to discuss various issues relating to deprivation of liberty, the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) said today in a statement.

Last year, the Working Group adopted 33 opinions concerning 98 persons in 23 States. It also transmitted 102 urgent appeals to 56 Governments concerning 2,774 men, 50 women and two boys. Governments and sources reported that 23 persons were released.

The expert panel will also adopt the report on its June mission to Georgia with its final observations and recommendations. It will also focus on the preparations for its 20th anniversary commemorative event to be held in November.

The Working Group was established by the former UN Commission on Human Rights in 1991 to investigate instances of alleged arbitrary deprivation of liberty.

Its mandate was clarified and extended by the commission to cover the issue of administrative custody of asylum-seekers and immigrants. Last year, the UN Human Rights Council confirmed the scope of the Working Group’s mandate and extended it for a further three-year period.

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