SUMMARY
EXECUTIONS
This
year, the Commission received the fifth annual report of Ms. Asma Jahangir,
the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions. In
2002, Ms. Jahangir sent 188 urgent appeals to 54 governments and the
Palestinian Authority. She also addressed 56 communications to 42 governments.
Her report also contains country reports on Honduras, Afghanistan and Congo-DRC.
Impunity
"Impunity
for grave human rights violations which could constitute crimes against
humanity continues to challenge the international community. There is a
growing tendency to prioritise peace over justice… it does undermine the
rule of law and the sustainability of the peace process itself. Peace and
justice go hand in hand and mutually support one another in the process of
nation-building. Peace cannot be simply equated with the absence of conflict,
but must contain the essential element of justice" (al.73).
"The key institution to
address impunity is the judiciary, which must be supported by an independent
investigative machinery and a fair legal system based upon universal
principles of humans rights" (al. 75).
Conclusions
and recommendations
· "Resorting
to extrajudicial killings in order to fight terrorism is a worrying precedent
and an issue of serious concern".
· "There
are growing reports of threats and extrajudicial killings of
journalists".
· "Special
forces, intelligence services and the military accused of extrajudicial
killings often enjoy impunity and are rarely held accountable for their
acts".
· "Extrajudicial,
summary or arbitrary executions often occur during the period leading up to a
conflict and in many cases spill
over into the post-conflict period. A greater focus and effort need to be
concentrated on preventive actions".
· "Regrettably,
these warnings have not been responded to effectively. A stronger system of
response to early warnings must be conceptualised and made effective".
· "The
military should be used for internal security demands as a last resort, if at
all. Special forces and intelligence agencies must be constantly kept in check
and made accountable to a high committee or institution".
· "Governments
must end systematic and institutional impunity for those who kill women in the
name of honour and so-called morality".
