A/HRC/16/47 United Nations General Assembly Distr.: General 19 January 2011 Original: English Human Rights Council Sixteenth session Agenda item 3 Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to development Report of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention* Chair-Rapporteur: El Hadji Malick Sow Summary On 30 September 2010, the Human Rights Council, in its resolution 15/18,1 extended the mandate of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention for a further three years. During 2010, the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention visited Malaysia and Armenia at the invitation of the Governments. The reports on these visits are contained in addenda to the present document (A/HRC/16/47 Add.2 and 3). Throughout the period 1 January to 30 November 2010, the Working Group adopted 33 Opinions concerning 98 persons in 23 States. These Opinions are contained in the first addendum to the present document (A/HRC/16/47 Add.1). Also during the period 16 November 2009 to 17 November 2010, the Working Group transmitted 102 urgent appeals to 56 Governments concerning 844 individuals (2,774 men, 50 women, 2 boys). Governments and sources reported that 23 persons were released. Information about the implementation of recommendations made by the Working Group to the Governments of countries visited in 2008 was received from the Government of Ukraine. The Working Group sent a reminder to the Government of Angola relating to its country visit in 2007 but did not receive a reply. The Governments of Colombia, Italy and Mauritania have offered to send the requested information. This report includes thematic issues to which the Working Group has devoted its attention in 2010, namely the application of international human rights law to situations of armed conflict and the impact this has on the mandate of the Working Group. The issue of secret detention in the context of countering terrorism is also addressed. * Late submission. 1 A/HRC/RES/15/18. GE.11-10276