Situation of human rights in Equatorial Guinea.

Situation of human rights in Equatorial Guinea

Commission on Human Rights resolution 1995/71

The Commission on Human Rights, Recalling its resolution 1994/89 of 9 March 1994, Guided by the principles embodied in the Charter of the United Nations, in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and in the International Covenants on Human Rights, Reaffirming that all States have the obligation to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms and to fulfil the obligations they have undertaken under the various international instruments in this field, Bearing in mind that, since the adoption by the Economic and Social Council of its decision 1993/277 of 28 July 1993 and the appointment of Mr. Alejandro Artucio as Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights, the Government of Equatorial Guinea has received the advisory services of the Special Rapporteur and the Centre for Human Rights, while progress has been observed in the human rights situation, Taking note with satisfaction of the fact that the Government of Equatorial Guinea is a party to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Optional Protocols thereto, as well as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, Mindful that it is essential that all the political tendencies and political parties should play an active part in political and social life, in order to ensure the effective transition to a democratic and pluralistic society, Taking note with satisfaction of the fact that, in June 1994, the Government of Equatorial Guinea took steps to grant pardon and amnesty to a number of prisoners, as requested by the Special Rapporteur on his visit to Equatorial Guinea on 11 May 1994, Taking note of the report of the Special Rapporteur (E/CN.4/1995/68), in which it is pointed out that even though progress has been made in the human rights situation in Equatorial Guinea, serious violations of human rights continue to take place, Aware that it is essential to ensure full observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms in Equatorial Guinea,

1. Expresses its thanks to the Special Rapporteur for his report;

2. Calls upon the Government of Equatorial Guinea to take all necessary measures to promote the harmonious coexistence of all the ethnic groups making up the society of Equatorial Guinea;

3. Also calls upon the Government of Equatorial Guinea to implement all the measures necessary to fulfil the obligations deriving from the International Bill of Human Rights and other relevant international instruments, with a view to furthering democracy, the rule of law and the observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms in Equatorial Guinea;

4. Encourages the Government of Equatorial Guinea to continue the dialogue with all the political forces with a view to achieving consensus on the democratization of the country;

5. Also encourages the Government of Equatorial Guinea to facilitate the return of exiles and refugees and to adopt measures permitting the full participation of all citizens in the country's political, social and cultural affairs;

6. Calls upon the Government of Equatorial Guinea to continue improving the conditions of prisoners and detainees;

7. Also calls upon the Government of Equatorial Guinea to continue taking the measures necessary to put a complete stop to the practice of arbitrary arrest and detention, torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment and to ensure that those responsible are investigated and punished;

8. Encourages the Government of Equatorial Guinea to extend and amplify the improvement in human rights, along the lines laid down in Commission on Human Rights resolution 1994/89;

9. Appeals to the Government of Equatorial Guinea to take the measures necessary to improve the legal and social situation of women in that country;

10. Invites the Government of Equatorial Guinea to consider ratifying or acceding to the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination;

11. Requests the Secretary-General to provide the Government of Equatorial Guinea with the technical assistance suggested by the Special Rapporteur in his report;

12. Decides to renew the mandate of the Special Rapporteur for one year;

13. Requests the Secretary-General to provide the Special Rapporteur with all the assistance necessary for the discharge of his mandate;

14. Requests the Special Rapporteur to report to the Commission at its fifty-second session;

15. Decides to consider the question at its fifty-second session under the agenda item entitled "Question of the violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms in any part of the world, with particular reference to colonial and other dependent countries and territories".

60th meeting, 8 March 1995 [Adopted without a vote]
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