Case No
Country
Mandate(s)
Summary of the allegation transmitted
USA 1/2014
Torture;
10/01/2014 United States of
UA
America
Alleged prolonged solitary confinement. According to the information received, Mr.
Whitmore was arrested on charges of armed robbery and rape which were later
dropped by the complainant. He was later charged with the murder of the Zachary
City Mayor. It is alleged that during this period when charges were pending against
him, Mr. Whitmore was held in East Baton Rouge Parish Prison (EBRPP) together
with eight other inmates in a cell designed for three inmates. Mr. Whitmore was seen
by the District Attorney of East Baton Rouge Parish Prison, who had allegedly
suggested that he should confess to the murder of the Mayor. It is reported that in the
wake of this visit, Mr. Whitmore was subjected to beating and other forms of illtreatment and was eventually forced to sign a confession. On 27 September 1976,
during a subsequent trial, Mr. Whitmore’s lawyer asked for acquittal as the
subsequent charges of robbery and rape were reportedly dismissed by the presiding
judge at an evidentiary hearing in August 1975. On 15 April 1977, Mr. Whitmore was
nevertheless charged with armed robbery and rape and sentenced to 75 years and 50
years of hard labour. In March 1978, Mr. Whitmore was reportedly taken to Louisiana
State Prison, and was placed in solitary confinement in D-Tier, the so-called militant
tier, where he reportedly remains detained.
NGA 1/2014
13/01/2014 Nigeria
JAL
Alleged upcoming signature of the Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Bill, 2011, by the
Senate on 18 December 2013. According to the information received, the Bill allows
for 10 years imprisonment for anyone who “registers, operates or participates in gay
clubs, societies or organizations” or who “supports the registration, operation and
sustenance of gay clubs, societies, organizations, processions or meetings”. If passed,
this Bill could be used to prevent LGBT individuals, as well as those perceived as
belonging to any of these groups, and those that bring support to them, from
associating or assembling freely. This Bill was the subject of an earlier
communication sent on 13 June 2013, see A/HRC/25/74, case no. NGA 4/2013.
Arbitrary
detention;
Freedom of
expression;
Freedom of
peaceful assembly
and of association;
Health; Human
rights defenders;
Reply
A/HRC/26/21
40
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