Case No Country Mandate(s) USA 22/2011 Mercenaries; 08/12/2011 United States of AL America AZE 4/2011 09/12/2011 Azerbaijan JAL Summary of the allegation transmitted Alleged impact on human rights compliance and accountability for human rights violations of proposed new legislation and recent domestic court decisions. According to the information received, although the Status of Forces Agreement between the United States and Iraq will expire on 31 December 2011, some U.S. private military and security companies will remain in the country. The legal status and accountability of PMSCs in Iraq and elsewhere is unclear. The Civilian Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Act, which would extend United States jurisdiction over PMSC employees that commit certain crimes while working for the United States abroad, contains a carve-out for authorised intelligence activities that undermines the possibility of comprehensive criminal accountability for PMSC employees involved in serious human rights violations. Also according to information received, several recent United States court cases directly relate to, or potentially affect, contractor accountability: Kiobel v. Royal Dutch Petroleum, Minneci v. Pollard, Al-Quraishi v. Nakhla, Al Shimari v. CACI, Saleh v. Titan and Mohamed v. Jeppeson Dataplan. Freedom of Alleged killing of a journalist. According to information received Mr. Rafiq Tagi may expression; Summary have been killed because of his work as a journalist. Mr. Tagi, was attacked by executions; unknown assailants on 19 November 2011, suffering multiple stab wounds. He died on 25 November 2011 as a result of his injuries. Prior to his death Mr. Tagi had published an article entitled 'Iran and the Inevitability of Globalization' in which he reportedly criticised the Iranian Government. Previously Mr. Tagi had received death threats for his criticism of the Government of Iran. In 2007, Mr Tagi had been sentenced to three years in prison on charges of religious hatred by the Sabail district court in Baku, for allegedly publishing an article linking religious influence to the lack of economic and political development in the country. The article was allegedly interpreted as insulting Islam and sparked protests in Azerbaijan and Iran. Information received indicated that a Fatwa was issued ordering that he be executed. Reply A/HRC/20/30 16 Date Type

Select target paragraph3

Connect to a paragraph
Connect to an entity
Disable highlights
Add to table of contents