Latest news with #HumanRightsCommittee
The Independent
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Fury as Mauritius uses UK Chagos deal cash to pay for debts instead of indigenous resettlement
It comes after Chagossian campaigners submitted a formal legal communication to the United Nations Human Rights Committee as part of an attempt to challenge the legitimacy of the deal. The agreement, signed last month, will see the UK give up sovereignty of the island territory to Mauritius and lease back the US-UK military base on Diego Garcia at a cost of £101m per year for 99 years. Under the deal, a £40 million 'Future Fund' trust was established by the UK, to help resettle indigenous Chagossians and 'create wealth for future generations', after hundreds of people native to the islands were deported more than half a century ago when the British and US governments built the military base there. It is set to be funded by the UK and established by Mauritius, but the Mauritian budget for 2025/26 indicates ministers will use any money for the trust fund until three years into the agreement. The budget, presented to the Mauritian parliament on Wednesday, stated 'the revenue from Chagos… will be used for debt repayment for the first 3 years'. It adds that the government will 'start the groundwork to set up a Future Fund, to which receipts from the Chagos deal will be transferred as from year four. But the budget contains no details of how much money will be put towards it each year. The revelation comes despite both countries saying they wanted to 'recognis[e] the wrongs of the past' and are 'conscious that past treatment of Chagossians has left a deeply regrettable legacy, and [they are] committed to supporting the welfare of all Chagossians'. There are none left on the islands to consult or to take part in a referendum. In a shameful episode during decolonisation, they were deported, with most settling in Mauritius, the Seychelles and the UK. Many oppose the deal, but their legal actions have failed. Jean Francois-Nellan, of campaign group Chagossian Voices, told The Independent he is 'appalled but not surprised'. 'Chagossians are being erased from both the history and future of Mauritius. The government is more interested in using our suffering to balance its books than in delivering justice,' he said. 'Instead, the budget outlines development priorities for Rodrigues and Agalega regions, rightly deserving of investment, but completely omits the Chagossians, the very people whose displacement gave rise to the international legal fight Mauritius continues to wage.' He added: 'Despite repeated claims of sovereignty and responsibility over the Chagos archipelago, the government of Mauritius has once again failed to acknowledge or prioritise the rights and welfare of the Chagossian people in its 2025/26 national budget.' The case, being brought to the UN by campaigners Bernadette Dugasse and Bertrice Pompe, criticises the UK-Mauritian deal for having been 'negotiated and concluded without the participation or consent of the Chagossian people, who remain displaced from their homeland since the orchestrated deportation carried out between 1965 and 1973'. The campaigners add: 'It explicitly bars their return to Diego Garcia, historically the most populous island, and entrenches the colonial and strategic use of the territory by leasing it for up to 99 years to the United States. 'The agreement constitutes the crystallisation of a historical injustice and threatens to make permanent the exclusion of an entire people from their native land.' While the committee's decision is not legally binding, it carries significant moral and legal authority. As a quasi-judicial body, its rulings shape international legal norms and state obligations - meaning that if they rule in favour of the Chagossians, it would significantly undermine the government's decision to sign the treaty. Ms Pompe said: 'The fight is not over. There is nothing in that treaty for Chagossians and we will fight.' She added: 'I pity the poor souls in the No.10 Press Office who are being ordered to justify Keir Starmer's betrayal of the Chagossian people. We're looking forward to the explanation of why the UN Human Rights Committee doesn't matter. Not pausing the Chagos deal until the Committee rules is indefensible.' The deal was signed in May after months of legal wrangling, and even an overnight legal challenge the night before brought by indigenous campaigners, which initially put the treaty on pause but was later dismissed.
Scoop
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Kyrgyzstan: National Leader's Reputation Must Not Override Right To Freedom Of Expression, UN Committee Finds
GENEVA (26 May 2025) - A national leader's reputation must not outweigh the right to freedom of expression, the UN Human Rights Committee has ruled, finding that Kyrgyzstan violated the fundamental freedoms of a lawyer and a journalist who were prosecuted for criticising the then-president and barred from leaving the country. In a recently adopted Decision, the Committee concluded that Kyrgyzstan has violated the rights of Cholpon Djakupova, a lawyer and civil society advocate, and Narynbek Idinov, a journalist. The two were sued by the General Prosecutor for discrediting then-President Atambaev's honour and reputation. The case stemmed from Ms Djakupova's critical remarks about the then-President during a roundtable discussion on freedom of assembly and speech, and from Mr Idinov publishing the speech along with his commentary on a news portal. 'A head of State is not above public scrutiny,' said Committee member Imeru Yigezu, adding that, 'Using the courts to silence criticism undermines the very foundations of democracy.' Before any judgment on the case was issued, a local court imposed an injunction barring the two from leaving the country and ordering the seizure of their personal assets, including Ms Djakupova's house and bank account. These restrictions remained in place throughout the trial, even though they both had not missed a single court hearing. The Committee raised particular concern about the restrictions imposed before a court ruling, describing these actions as a dangerous form of pressure against critical voices. 'The use of travel bans and asset seizures before adjudication raises serious concerns about judicial overreach and creates a chilling effect,' said Yigezu Both Ms Djakulpova and Mr Idinov were found liable for discrediting the then-president's honour and reputation and were ordered to pay 3 million soms each, an amount that, in Mr Idinov's case, equated to his income over 31 years. After exhausting local legal remedies, they brought their case to the Human Rights Committee, claiming their rights to freedom of speech and freedom of movement under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) had been violated. The Committee found that the imposed measures were disproportionate and of punitive nature. 'Ms Djakupova's speech and Mr Idinov's reporting clearly concerned matters of public interest. In such cases, open debate must be protected, and the fact that speech may offend a public figure does not, on its own, justify penalties and a blanket travel ban,' added Yigezu. 'Restrictions on freedom of expression under the ICCPR must be provided by law, pursue a legitimate aim such as protecting national security and public order, and be necessary and proportionate. The measures taken failed to meet all the necessary criteria,' he explained. The Committee stressed that criticism of high-ranking officials, including heads of state, is a core element of democratic oversight and must not be stifled through judicial intimidation. The Committee found that Kyrgyzstan had violated the complainants' rights to freedom of expression and freedom of movement. It called on Kyrgyzstan to provide effective remedies, including full compensation for the two complainants and reimbursement of legal costs. It also urged the State party to revise its legislation to ensure that such violations do not recur.
Middle East
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Middle East
OPEN// FM highlights int'l recognition of Egypt's progress on human rights
CAIRO, April 22 (MENA) - Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Expatriates Badr Abdelatty affirmed that the file on Egypt's human rights status which was presented by the Egyptian delegation at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva was widely praised by all member states. He emphasized the importance of building on this international recognition to enhance Egypt's global image and continue the country's efforts in human rights reforms, institutional development, and legislative improvements. This came during the minister's participation in a meeting of the Human Rights Committee of the House of Representatives, chaired by MP Tarek Radwan, to discuss various human rights-related issues in the context of continuous cooperation between the legislative authority and the relevant executive bodies. Abdelatty reviewed Egypt's report submitted under the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanism to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva at the end of January. He highlighted that the report on the accomplishments and developments achieved so far in enhancing and protecting human rights in Egypt reflects the country's commitment to realizing tangible progress in this important area and its positive engagement with international mechanisms. He added that this success is a result of close coordination among various state institutions, including the parliament and the relevant House committee, in preparing the report and following up on the implementation of recommendations. For his part, Radwan stated that the meeting was part of the committee's legislative and oversight role, emphasizing commitment to supporting Egypt's human rights efforts both nationally and internationally. During the meeting, the status of human rights was reviewed, along with the official positions Egypt adopts on the matter. The meeting also discussed cooperation mechanisms between the committee and the foreign ministry in preparing periodic reports for international bodies, especially the UN Human Rights Council. Additionally, the implementation of international recommendations was examined, alongside the ministry's role in coordinating with relevant authorities to ensure their fulfillment. Diplomatic strategies for addressing external media or political campaigns concerning human rights within Egypt were also discussed, with a focus on systematic responses that safeguard the country's image and interests. (MENA) R E E/
National News
08-04-2025
- Politics
- National News
Thursday, April 10, 2025
NNA - Parliamentary Committee Sessions: 10:00 am Human Rights Committee session, chaired by MP Michel Moussa, to discuss prison-related issues. (Location: MPs' Offices Building, 2nd Floor, Room 201) 11:00 am Subcommittee under the Education, Higher Education, and Culture Committee session to continue the study of the proposed amendment to Law No. 515 (June 1996), which aims to regulate school budgets and establish rules for determining tuition fees in private, non-free schools.
Shafaq News
03-04-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iraqi Turkmen Front Leader set to resign: Arshad al-Salihi to head election list
Shafaq News/ Hassan Turan, the head of the Iraqi Turkmen Front, is planning to submit his resignation from the position, a political source in Kirkuk revealed on Thursday. The source also noted that Turan's successor would be selected, with potential candidates including Mohammad Samaan and another member of the Iraqi Turkmen Front. He added that a delegation from the Turkmen Front will visit Ankara to discuss the developments within the political group. Additionally, the source confirmed that Arshad al-Salihi, the current Iraqi parliament member and head of the Human Rights Committee, will lead the Turkmen Front's list in the upcoming parliamentary elections. The decision will be finalized once internal arrangements within the Iraqi Turkmen Front are completed.
