UN Watch calls out Equatorial Guinea for arbitrary use of torture & violence

unwatch — Fri, 20 Sep 2019 11:33:17 +0000

Oral Statement by United Nations Watch
UN Human Rights Council, 42nd Session
Agenda Item 6: Universal Periodic Review of Equatorial Guinea
Delivered by Ms. Hilary Miller
20 September 2019

Thank you, Mr. President.

United Nations Watch remains deeply concerned over the ongoing human rights situation in Equatorial Guinea. The government has made limited human rights progress since the country’s 2014 review. Repression of civil and political rights continue to undermine human rights under President Obiang, who has been in power since 1979—making him the world’s longest serving president. His authoritarian regime reveals how Equatorial Guinea is a multiparty republic only in nominal terms.

United Nations Watch is especially concerned with the arbitrary use of torture and violence carried out by state security forces against the political opposition. In October 2018, 34 members of Equatorial Guinea’s main opposition party were released from prison. Reports indicate that detainees were subject to torture and violence. Pergentino Miguel Edu was released with a broken arm, while Evaristo Oyaga Sima and Juan Obama Edu died from resulting injuries.

Page seven of the UPR report says that the government is making the “eradication of torture, the punishment of inappropriate behavior by state agents, and the death of individuals in the custody of public institutions” top priorities.

In order to fully address these human rights abuses, UN Watch calls on the government of Equatorial Guinea to bring domestic law into compliance with international human rights obligations. One way is by ratifying — and complying with — the Convention against Torture. Further, to strengthen awareness and capacity-building programs on human rights, the government should establish an independent NHRI in accordance with the Paris Principles.

Mr. President, this Council must hold the government to account so that Equatorial Guinea eradicates all state-backed torture and violence currently being perpetrated against the members of the opposition.

Thank you, Mr. President.

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Equatorial Guinea praised in UN rights review

unwatch — Tue, 14 May 2019 07:40:52 +0000

Alfonso Nsue Mokuy (above), Equatorial Guinea’s third human rights minister, presented the country’s report to the Human Rights Council on May 13, 2019.

GENEVA, May 13, 2019 — Following last week’s glowing reviews of North Korea, DR Congo, and Brunei’s human rights records, the UN Human Rights Council gathered today to applaud the human rights situation in Equatorial Guinea, where the current president has been in power since a brutal military coup in 1979. (See quotes below.)
While the mandatory review exercise is meant to scrutinize all nations once every five years in order to improve the lives of victims, most countries who took the floor, in what is a peer review process, chose not to speak against Equatorial Guinea’s arbitrary killings, denial of free and fair elections, censorship of journalists and detention of opposition politicians.
According to a count by UN Watch, 57 out of 82 countries that spoke today praised the regime, or 70 percent.
An additional 17 countries expressed some praise for the authoritarian regime’s alleged achievements, while also applying scrutiny in their statements. If one includes these statements, then 74 out of 82 countries, or 90 percent, expressed praise for the government.
Representing Equatorial Guinea at the UN session was Alfonso Nsue Mokuy, Equatorial Guinea’s third human rights minister, who claimed the government respected the rights of civil society and freedom of the press.
“Equatorial Guinea encourages independent media, and journalists are able to act in freedom without restraint,” he said. “No journalist is persecuted. No journalist is in detention.”
Following is a selection of the praise of Equatorial Guinea at today’s review:
Nicaragua: “We recognize the exemplary actions by authorities.”
China: “We welcome human rights efforts.”
Sudan: Equatorial Guinea is “committed to cooperate with human rights mechanisms.”
North Korea: “We positively note that the government has made sincere efforts and progress.”
Egypt: “We commend efforts to reduce violence against women.”
Libya: “We applaud positive developments.”
Burundi: “We commend efforts to provide quality health services and education for all.”
Burkina Faso: “Efforts have led to a legislative and institutional framework that bolsters efforts on the ground.”
Nigeria: “Efforts in strengthening the legal framework in the human rights field are commendable.”
Myanmar: “We commend achievements in education.”
Venezuela: We welcome the “great distinguished delegation.”
Philippines: We are “pleased to note the adoption of measures for health care and for persons with disabilities.”
Uganda: “We commend the government for progress made to improve human rights.”
Qatar: “We note our “appreciation for the government’s efforts in promoting human rights.”
Zimbabwe: Equatorial Guinea “has boosted budgetary allocations to improve the quality of life.”
However, a minority of countries—including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Brazil, and Costa Rica—rightly called out the regime for its intimidation of civil society, restrictions on the media and use of torture.

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UN Watch calls out Equatorial Guinea for arbitrary use of torture & violence

Equatorial Guinea praised in UN rights review