Case No
Country
Mandate(s)
Summary of the allegation transmitted
Reply
12/05/11 SAU 5/2011
JUA
Saudi Arabia
Arbitrary
detention;
Freedom of
expression;
Freedom of
religion;
Human rights
defenders;
Independence
of judges and
lawyers;
Torture
Alleged arrest and incommunicado detention. According to the information received, Mr.
Fadhel Al Manasif had observed and documented arrests carried out by security forces in the
context of peaceful protests. Reportedly, on 1 May 2011, Mr. Al Manasif was arrested and
transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department at Al Kutaief police station. He was
allegedly accused of inviting international media to demonstrations, as well as participating
in, and gathering information about demonstrations. On 2 May, Mr. Al Manasif was allegedly
transferred to Al Thakbah police station, where he had been held in incommunicado
detention. Two days before Mr. Al Manasif was arrested, he was reportedly actively involved
in the dissemination of information to international organizations regarding amendments
made to the Press and Publications Law. On 29 April 2011, King Abdullah bin Abd al-‘Aziz
issued a decree amending the 2000 Press and Publications Law, placing further restrictions on
the right to freedom of speech in Saudi Arabia. The amendments made to the aforementioned
law, allegedly prohibit publishing anything that “contradicts rulings of the Islamic Shari’a
Law or regulations in force”. It is also prohibited to publish anything that “calls for disturbing
the country’s security, or its public order, or services foreign interests that contradict national
interests, […] causes sectarianism or that spreads divisions between citizens, […] and
damages public affairs in the country”. It is further alleged that the amendments made to the
aforementioned law prohibit violating the “reputation, dignity, or the slander or libel” of the
chief mufti, members of the Council of Senior Religious Scholars, or any other government
official or government instruction.
12/05/11 USA 6/2011
JAL
United States
of America
Summary
executions;
Terrorism
24/06/11
Request to disclose facts in respect of the use of deadly force against Mr. Osama bin
Laden. According to information received, on 2 May 2011, the President of the United States
of America, Mr. Barrack Obama, made a public statement that Mr. Osama bin Laden had
been killed in Abbottabad, Pakistan, during an operation conducted by the United States
Government. On 4 May, the United States Attorney General, Mr. Eric J. Holder Jr., indicated
before the United States Senate that the killing of Mr. Osama bin Laden was lawful and was
“justified as an act of national self-defense”. The exact details of the operation remained
unclear; details emerging from Government officials remained sketchy and at times
inconsistent.
A/HRC/18/51
110
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