11/01/2016
JAL
13/01/2016
JAL
Case No
Country
Mandate(s)
Summary of the allegation transmitted
Reply
ZMB 4/2015
Zambia
Freedom of
expression;
Freedom of
peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders;
Alleged undue delays in the registration process of a non-governmental
organization working on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex
(LGBTI) rights. According to the information received, Mr. Paul Kasonkomona,
Head of Engender Rights Center for Justice, a non-governmental organization
working to promote respect for the rights of LGBTI persons, has since 2011
repeatedly requested the Zambian authorities to register his organization without
success. On 7 August 2015, the Registrar of the Ministry of Community
Development, Mother and Child Health communicated the decision to refuse
registration of the organization as its objectives reportedly conflict with the Penal
Code of Zambia. In addition, on 7 April 2013, Mr. Kasonkomona was arrested and
charged with “soliciting for immoral purposes” after he had appeared on a
television programme in which he expressed the view that Zambia needed to
protect and respect the human rights of all people, including LGBTI persons. He
was acquitted by the High Court on 15 May 2015. Mr. Kasonkomona was the
subject of a previous communication sent on 14 May 2013, see A/HRC/24/21, case
no. ZMB 1/2013.
AUS 9/2015
Australia
Business
enterprises;
Extreme poverty;
Somalia;
Terrorism;
17/03/2016
Allegations concerning the negative impact of termination of accounts of Somali
money transfer operators (MTOs) by commercial banks in Australia on the human
rights of Somali-Australians and people living in Somalia who are dependent on
remittances from Australia. According to the information received, the
implementation and enforcement of domestic and international anti-money
laundering and counter-terrorism (AML/CFT) legislation and regulations resulted
in increasing and widespread closure of bank accounts of Somali MTOs in
Australia. There are concerns that the closing of bank accounts of Somali MTOs
and the accompanying reduction in the level of remittances to Somalia may have a
direct and significant impact on the enjoyment of a wide range of human rights of
Somali-Australians as well as people living in Somalia, including the rights to
equality, culture, food, education, health and life. Related communications were
sent to the Governments of Somalia, the Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern
Ireland, and the United States of America on 13 January 2016, see below, case nos.
SOM 2/2015, GBR 5/2015 and USA 21/2015.
A/HRC/32/53
46
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