Date Type Case No Country PSE 2/2013 20/08/2013 State of JUA Palestine Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Arbitrary detention; Independence of judges and lawyers; Summary executions; Torture; Alleged risk of imminent execution and alleged executions carried out in violation of international human rights standards in the Gaza Strip. According to the information received, the de facto authorities in Gaza announced that executions would be carried out in the coming weeks. In particular, Mr Hani Mohammed Abu Aliyan appears to be at risk of execution, although he was reportedly subjected to torture and sentenced to death for an offence allegedly committed when he was a minor. Furthermore, Mr Faraj Abed Rabu was sentenced to death in 2013, while Messrs’ Emad Mahmoud Abu Ghalyoun and Husein Youssef Mohammad El Khatib were executed in June 2013. The proceedings against the defendants were allegedly conducted in serious violation of international standards. At least 35 individuals are reportedly on death row in the Gaza Strip. The unlawful imposition of the death penalty in the Gaza Strip was the subject of a previous communication dated 17 August 2012 (A/HRC/22/67). USA 13/2013 Torture; 20/08/2013 United States of UA America Reply Alleged excessive use and practices of prolonged solitary confinement, poor conditions of detention and retaliatory measures. According to the information received, from 8 July 2013, hundreds of prisoners in the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation have been conducting a hunger strike in protest of being placed in solitary confinement and denied certain basic necessities. Allegedly, the protest is in response to inaction by prison officials after a negotiated agreement after a 20-day hunger strike in July 2011. The prisoners are protesting against being subjected to solitary confinement for over 22 hours a day, some prisoners have been enduring isolation for decades, with inadequate food rations and quality, and overly restrictive policies regarding hobby materials and family visits. Reportedly, there are concerns regarding retaliation against the strikers, by further restricting family visits and denying any opportunity to contact family over the phone. Reportedly, there are also threats being made by the Corrections Secretary to obtain a court order to begin force feeding the prisoners. A/HRC/25/74 71