SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR APPEALS FOR CLEMENCY IN EQUATORIAL GUINEA

HR/98/35
4 June 1998


The Special Rapporteur for human rights in Equatorial Guinea, Alejandro Artucio, has written to the President of the west African country appealing for clemency for 15 people sentenced to death by a military tribunal this week for their alleged roles in attacks on military installations in January this year.

Mr Artucio appealed to President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo to commute the sentences in the interests of his country's peace and stability.

The Special Rapporteur said he had serious reservations about the proceedings in the military tribunal which, he said, did not meet international standards of due process and did not provide adequate protection for the rights of the accused. He urged the President to limit the use of military tribunals to cases involving members of the armed forces who committed military offences.

Mr Artucio visited Equatorial Guinea in March this year following the attacks in January which were blamed on insurgents. Ten people died in the incidents.

The Special Rapporteur said his appeal did not reflect on the seriousness of the acts. However, he argued that an act of clemency by the President would send a positive signal about the process of democratisation and the commitment to pluralism by the authorities in Equatorial Guinea.