djibouti joint submission to the un universal periodic ... · djibouti is a state party, also...

Submitted 5 October 2017

SubmissionbyCIVICUS:WorldAllianceforCitizenParticipation,NGOinGeneralConsultativeStatuswithECOSOC

EastandHornofAfricaHumanRightsDefendersProject,NGOinSpecialConsultativeStatuswithECOSOC

InternationalFederationforHumanRights,NGOinGener`lConsultativeStatuswithECOSOC

CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen

Participation

CIVICUS UPR Lead, Cathal Gilbert Email: [email protected] Ms Renate Bloem, Email: [email protected]

Tel: +41 22 733 3435

EastandHornofAfricaHumanRightsDefendersProject

Advocacy Manager, Clementine de Montjoye Email:

[email protected]

Tel: +256 779 673 378 Web: www.defenddefenders.org

Djibouti

Joint Submission to the UN Universal Periodic Review

30th Session of the UPR Working Group

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1. (A) Introduction

1.1 CIVICUS is a global alliance of civil society organisations (CSOs) and activistsdedicatedtostrengtheningcitizenactionandcivilsocietyaroundtheworld.Foundedin1993,weproudlypromotemarginalisedvoices,especiallyfromtheGlobalSouth,andhavemembersinmorethan170countriesthroughouttheworld.

1.2 TheEastandHornofAfricaHumanRightsDefendersProject(DefendDefenders)isa

regionalCSO that seekstostrengthen theworkofhumanrightsdefenders (HRDs)throughouttheregionbyreducingtheirvulnerabilitytotheriskofpersecutionandbyenhancingtheircapacitytoeffectivelydefendhumanrights.EHAHRDPfocusesitsworkonBurundi,Djibouti,Eritrea,Ethiopia,Kenya,Rwanda,Somalia(togetherwithSomaliland),SouthSudan,Sudan,TanzaniaandUganda.

1.3 The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) is an international human

rights NGO that unites 184 member organizations from 117 countries. Since itsfoundationin1922,FIDHhasbeendefendingallhumanrightssetoutintheUniversalDeclarationofHumanRights(UDHR)andothersinternationalhumanrightstext.

1.4 Inthisdocument,DefendDefenders,CIVICUSandFIDHexaminetheGovernmentof

Djibouti’scompliancewith its internationalhumanrightsobligationstocreateandmaintainasafeandenablingenvironment forcivilsociety.Specifically,weanalyseDjibouti’sfulfillmentoftherightstothefreedomsofassociation,peacefulassemblyand expression, and unwarranted restrictions on HRDs since its previous UPRexamination in 2013. To this end, we assess Djibouti’s implementation ofrecommendations received during the 2nd UPR cycle relating to these issues andprovideanumberofspecific,action-orientatedfollow-uprecommendations.

1.5 Duringthe2ndUPRcycle,theGovernmentofDjiboutireceived14recommendations

relatingtocivicspace.Oftheserecommendations,sixwereacceptedandeightwerenoted.An evaluation of a range of legal sources andhuman rights documentationaddressed in subsequent sections of this submission demonstrate that theGovernmentofDjiboutihasnotimplementedanyoftherecommendationsrelatingtothespaceforcivilsociety(civicspace).Whilethegovernmenthaspersistentlyfailedtoaddressunwarranted restrictionson civic space since its lastUPRexamination,acute implementation gapswere foundwith regard to the right to the freedomofexpressionandissuesrelatingtoworkinginassociations.

1.6 DefendDefenders, CIVICUS and FIDH are deeply concerned by the authorities’

relentlesstargetingofHRDsandtheirorganisationsinDjibouti.AsustainedpatternofharassmentandcriminalisationhasmadeitvirtuallyimpossibleformostHRDstooperate in Djibouti, while almost all organiastions promoting human rights have

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either been refused registration or have had their leaders regularly arrested anddetained.

1.7 DefendDefenders, CIVICUS and FIDH are further alarmed by the Djiboutian

authorities’flagrantviolationoftherighttofreedomofexpression.Asdetailedlaterinthissubmission,theauthoritiessystematicallyarrest,detainandsometimesbeatjournalists,HRDsandprivatecitizenswhoexpressviewswithwhichtheydisagree.Unjustifiablyrestrictivelawshavealsobeenimposedbythegovernmentthatfurthercurtail citizens’ freedom to share and access information through traditional andonlinemedia.

• Section B of this submission examines Djibouti’s implementation of UPR

recommendations and compliance with international human rights standardsconcerningfreedomofassociation.

• Section C examines Djibouti’s implementation of UPR recommendations andcompliancewithinternationalhumanrightsstandardsrelatedtotheprotectionofHRDs,civilsocietyactivistsandjournalists.

• Section D examines Djibouti’s implementation of UPR recommendations andcompliance with international human rights standards concerning freedom ofexpression,independenceofthemediaandaccesstoinformation.

• Section E examines Djibouti’s implementation of UPR recommendations andcompliance with international human rights standards related to freedom ofpeacefulassembly.

• SectionFmakesanumberofrecommendationstoaddresstheconcernslisted.• Anannexof implementationof2ndcycleUPRrecommendationsrelatedtocivic

spacecanbefoundinSectionG.

2. (B) Freedom of association 2.1 During Djibouti’s examination under the 2nd UPR cycle, the government received

seven recommendations on the right to freedom of association and creating anenabling environment for CSOs. Among other recommendations, the governmentcommitted to ensuring that “freedomof expression, association and assembly areguaranteed- includingbyallowingtheparticipationofoppositionpartiesandcivilsociety”1andto“Giveprioritytotheactivitiesonpromotionandprotectionoftradeunions freedomwithaviewtocontinuestrengthening freeand independent tradeunions.”2 Of the recommendations received, the government accepted three3 and

1ReportoftheWorkingGroupontheUniversalPeriodicReviewofDjibouti,HumanRightsCouncilTwenty-fourthsession,8July2013,A/HRC/24/10,143.110(Australia)https://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/G13/155/02/PDF/G1315502.pdf?OpenElement.2A/HRC/24/10,143.115(Uruguay)3A/HRC/24/10,143.110(Australia);143.112(Belgium);143.115(Uruguay)

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noted four. 4 However, as evidenced below, the government has failed to takeadequatemeasurestorealiseanyoftheserecommendations.

2.2 Article6ofDjibouti’sConstitutionguaranteestherightofpoliticalpartiestotakepartinelectionsandArticle15enshrinestherighttofreedomofassociation.Moreover,Article22oftheInternationalCovenantonCivilandPoliticalRights(ICCPR),towhichDjibouti is a stateparty, alsoguarantees freedomof association.However,despitethesecommitments, thegovernmenthasrepeatedlypreventedoppositionpoliticalparties fromoperating freely and effectively and created serious obstacles for theregistrationofhumanrightsassociationsandtradeunions.

2.3 Lawn°1/AN/92/2eLrelatingtopoliticalpartiesstatesinArticle4thatthefounding

members of political parties have to beDjiboutian, cannot hold dual nationalities,cannothavebeensentencedtoapenaltyresultinginthelossofcivilrightsorliberties,andhavetoresideonDjiboutianterritory.Giventhatmanyoppositionfigureshavebeenprosecutedunder spurious chargesorhave fled the country intoexile, theseconditions severely limit thepossibility of ahealthy andvocalpolitical oppositiondevelopinginDjibouti.Moreover,severalpoliticalpartieshavebeenpreventedfromregistering or have been de-registered, including the Mouvement pour ledéveloppementetlaliberté(MoDeL)andMouvementpourlerenouveaudémocratiqueetledeveloppement(MRD).

2.4 Article196of thePenalCodepenalises “direct incitement to rebellion”, expressed

throughshouts,publicspeeches,orwrittendocumentsinanyformwithoneyear’simprisonmentandafineof200,000DjiboutianFrancs.

2.5 Article41.8oftheLabourCode5statesthatworkcontractscanbesuspendedduring

the time that regular political or union activities are conducted that are deemedincompatiblewiththeworker’sprofessionalactivities.6Moreover,Article215givesthe Ministry of Labour full discretionary powers as to whether it delivers aregistrationcertificateornotwithnorecoursemechanismsshouldthefinaldecisionbenegative.AccordingtotheLiguedjiboutiennedesdroitsdel’homme(LDDH),on2May2014,fourtradeunionworkersfromtheDoralehport,DaherDiriehBarkadleh,MohamedMahmoudAyeh,AliAhmedHassanandAbdirahmanIbrahimIssak,werearrestedafterissuingnoticeofstrikeaction.TheywereimmediatelytransferredtoGabodecentralprisonandwerereleasedon14May2014.Theyreportedbeingforced

4A/HRC24/10,144.9(Belgium);145.3(Netherlands);145.4(Canada);145.6(U.S.A)5Lawn°133/AN/05/5èmeLestablishingtheLabourCode6Loin°133/AN/05/5èmeLportantCodeduTravail,JournalOfficieldelaRepubliquedeDjibouti,http://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---ed_protect/---protrav/---ilo_aids/documents/legaldocument/wcms_126983.pdf.

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tosignaletterstatingthattheywouldnotundertakesuchactionsagaininthefutureandtheirunionbuildinghasbeenclosedsince.

2.6 On24November2015,theDjiboutianCouncilofMinistersadoptedDecreeNo.2015-2016PR/PMwhichestablishedexceptionalsecuritymeasuresfollowingtheterroristattacksinParisinNovember2015andinresponsetosuspectedterroristthreatsinDjibouti.On28December2015,theDjiboutianParliamentmettodiscussadraftlawrelatingtothestateofemergency intheabsenceofeightrepresentatives fromtheoppositioncoalitiontheUnionpourlesalutnational(USN),whohadbeenpreventedbypoliceguardsfromtheenteringtheroom.7Thelawwasadoptedon31December2015 in the absence of any oppositionmembers of parliament.8Article 6.1 of thedecree states that associations that take part in, facilitate, or incite acts that canseriouslythreatenpublicorderaredissolvedbydecreeoftheCouncilofMinisters.

2.7 AlthoughtherearenomajorlegalobstaclestoregisteringassociationsinDjibouti,inpractice,CSOsworkingonhumanrightsissuesfinditclosetoimpossibletoregistertheir associations, and find that upon submitting thenecessarydocuments to theMinistry of the Interior their registration certificate is never delivered. TheObservatoiredjiboutienpourlapromotiondeladémocratieetdesdroitsdel’homme(ODDHL),createdfollowingthedeathofhumanrightsactivistJeanPaulNoelAbdiin2012,hasappliedforacertificateofassociationwiththeMinistryofInterioreveryyear without being granted formal status. 9 LDDH obtained its first registrationcertificatein2001undertheleadershipofitsinauguralfirstpresident,JeanPaulNoelAbdi,afterhecreateditin1999.Followinghisdeathin2012,theorganisationwasaskedtoobtainanewcertificate,whichtheMinistryoftheInteriorfailedtodeliverforthreeconsecutiveyears.LDDHeventuallyobtaineditsregistrationcertificatein2015afterinterventionoftheCommissionofInquiryonEritreaontheirbehalf.

2.8 Following the parliamentary elections on 22 February 2013, in which the ruling

coalitionUnionpourlaMajoritéPrésidentielle(UMP)wonover80percentofseats,protestserupted.Thesubsequentcrackdownbysecurityforcesresultedinatleastsix

7Fédérationinternationaledesliguesdesdroitsdel’Homme(FIDH),«Djibouti:Impassepolitiqueetintensificationdelarépression,àquatremoisdel'électionprésidentielle»,15January,2016https://www.fidh.org/IMG/pdf/note_de_position_djibouti.pdf.8AllianceRépublicainepourleDéveloppement(ARD)«Djibouti:terreurélectoraleàl’ombredesbasesmilitairesetdansl’indifférenceinternationale»5April,2016,http://ard-djibouti.org/djibouti-terreur-electorale-a-lombre-des-bases-militaires-et-dans-lindifference-internationale-collectif-de-solidarite-avec-les-luttes-sociales-et-politiques-en-afrique-040416/.EuropeanParliament,Resolutionof12May2016onDjibouti(2016/2694(RSP)),http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=-//EP//TEXT+TA+P8-TA-2016-0220+0+DOC+XML+V0//EN.9UnitedStatesDepartmentofStateBureauofDemocracy,HumanRightsandLabor,DjiboutiCountryReportonHumanRightsPracticesfor2016,atP.19,https://www.state.gov/documents/organization/265460.pdf.

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deathsandarrestsofoppositionfollowersandsupporters.10Theseincludemembersof the leadership of MoDeL, which was not cleared by the authorities to fieldcandidates and which instead lent its support to USN. 11 Three USN officials –spokesmanDaherAhmedFarah, leaderIsmailGuediHaredandcoalitionpresidentAhmedYoussouf–wereplacedunderhousearrest.12On5March2013,DaherAhmedFarah, previously leader of the nowbannedMRDwas called to the police station,wherehewasagainarrestedandtransferredtoGabodecentralprison.13

2.9 Atleast10politicalopponentswerearrestedaftertheparliamentaryelectionsof22

February2013,andwerereportedlyheldininhumaneconditionsatGabodecentralprison.14MahmoudElmiRayaleh,ofUSN,diedindetentiononthenightof28August2013.Hisdeath remainsunexplainedhoweveronenews report indicated thathisbody showed signsofmistreatment.15MrRayalehwasarrestedon2August2013after leaving Friday prayers in Balbala, along with Hassan Ahmed Ali,AbdourahmanMoussaMohamedandMahadAbdourazack.On3August2013,allwere charged by the public prosecutor with “participating in an illegaldemonstration.”16On20August2013,AbdourahmanMoussaMohamedandMahadAbdourazackwereacquittedof the chargesagainst them,butRayalehandHassanAhmedAliweresentencedtotwomonthsimprisonment.Atthetimeofhisdeath,MrRayaleh's lawyer, Zakaria Abdillahi of LDDH, had submitted an appeal against hisclient'sconviction.17

2.10 On16January2014,severalUSNleaders,alongwithanumberofactivistswhowere

celebrating the first anniversary of the creation of the opposition coalition, werearrestedanddetainedattheNagadDetentionCentre.18Theywerereleasedthesameday.

10FIDH,“Djibouti:atleast6killedasregimetakes80%ofparliamentaryseatsinelection”,18March,2013,https://www.fidh.org/en/region/Africa/djibouti/Djibouti-at-least-6-killed-as-13040.11Xinhua,"Législatives:lesrésultatsdivisentprofondémentlaruedjiboutienne,"27February2013http://french.peopledaily.com.cn/96852/8144861.html,12Sabahi,“ClashesinDjibouticontinue,arrestedclericstoappearincourtonSunday,”1March2013http://sabahionline.com/en_GB/articles/hoa/articles/newsbriefs/2013/03/01/newsbrief-01,13AssociationCulturesetProgres,ACPdemandelalibérationimmédiatedel’opposantpolitiqueDaherAhmedFarah,7thFebruary2013http://www.acp-europa.eu/?p=3049#more-3049,14OralInterventiononDjibouti'sUPRbyMeAbdillahiZakaria,PresidentoftheLigueDjiboutiennedesDroitsHumains(LDDH)attheUnitedNationsHumanRightsCouncil,19thSeptember2013,http://www.defenddefenders.org/2013/09/intervention-orale-sur-lexamen-periodique-universel-de-djibouti-au-conseil-des-droits-de-lhomme/.15OpenDeomcracy,“OpeningupdemocracyinDjibouti:greatpowersandlittlebattalions”,byJoshNeicho,8April,2016,https://www.opendemocracy.net/joshua-neicho/opening-up-democracy-in-djibouti-great-powers-and-little-battalions16ChapterI,SectionIIofthePenalCode17FIDH,“Djibouti:unmilitantdel’oppositionmeurtendétention”,30thAugust2013,http://www.fidh.org/fr/afrique/Djibouti,63/DJIBOUTI-LIGUE-DJIBOUTIENNE-DES/djibouti-un-militant-de-l-opposition-meurt-en-detention-1388918FIDH,“Djibouti:TheCrackdownIntensifies,”16January2014,http://www.fidh.org/en/africa/djibouti/14483-djibouti-the-crackdown-intensifies

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2.11 On 13 March 2017, 19 MRD members and followers were arrested by national

intelligence agents. Ten of them were released but told to remain available forsummons by the police, while nine others appeared in court before the generalprosecutor 10 days later on 23 March 2017. Four of these activists, Naguib AliGouardi, Farah Abadid Hildid, Mohamoud Mohamed Daher and Ibrahim AbdiIndayareh,were accused of conducting “illegal political activities”19on behalf of apoliticalpartythatwasdissolvedin2008.20Noneweregivenaccesstotheirlawyer,ZakariaAbdillahiAli,whowasphysicallyforcedtoleavetheprosecutor’sofficeandthreatenedwitharrest.21Theywerereleasedon10May2017.

2.12 TwoHRDs,OmarAliEwado,a leaderofLDDHanddeputysecretarygeneralofthe

primary school teachers’ union, and Ahmed-Kadar Nour, secretary general of thesame trade union, were arrested by security services on 19 and 20 March 2017respectively.MrEwadowasarrestedbyDjiboutiannationalintelligenceagents,whowere heavily armed and dressed in plain clothing.22 During detention Mr Ewadobeganahungerstrike.Theywerereleasedon27March2017afterbeinginterrogatedabout a letterwritten toTurkishPresidentRecepTeyyipErdoğanvia theTurkishEmbassyinDjiboutiaspartofaninternationalcampaigncoordinatedbyInternationalEducation,aworldwidetradeunion.TheywereaccusedofdefamationbytheTurkishstatebecause the letter expressed solidaritywith theTurkish education syndicateEditim-SenandprotestedagainstthearrestsofteachersinTurkey.Atthesametime,the Djiboutian Ministry of Education opened a disciplinary procedure for“abandonmentofpost“sincethetwowerenotpresentattheirworkplaceduringtheirdetention.23

2.13 On 2 August 2017 opposition figureMohamed Ahmed, nicknamed Jabha, died in

detentionafterspendingsevenyearsinGabodecentralprisoninillhealth.Hewasarrestedin2010andaccusedofbeinganEritreanagent,butonlywenttotrialinJune2017,whenhewassentencedto15yearsinprison.24

19Lawn°1/AN/92/2eLrelatingtopoliticalpartiesstates20MouvementpourleRenouveauDémocratiqueetleDéveloppement,CommuniquédePresse:ArrestationsdesMembresetSympathisants,23March,2007,http://www.mrd-djibouti.com/mrd-djibouti/index.php/actualites/76-confzak-221FIDH,«Leharcèlementdel’oppositioncontinue»,7thApril,2017,https://www.fidh.org/fr/regions/afrique/djibouti/le-harcelement-de-l-opposition-continue22DefendDefenders(EastandHornofAfricaHumanRightsDefendersProject),“Djibouti:ImmediatelyreleaseOmarEwado”,20March2017,https://www.defenddefenders.org/2017/03/djibouti-immediately-release-omar-ewado/,Accessed2August2017.23Ibid.24RFIAfrique,«Djibouti:mortdel'opposantMohamedAhmed,ditJabha»,3August,2017,http://www.rfi.fr/afrique/20170802-djibouti-mort-opposant-jabha-mohamed-ahmed.

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3. (C) Harassment, intimidation and attacks against human rights defenders, civil society activists and journalists

3.1 Under Djibouti’s previous UPR examination, the government received seven

recommendations on the protection of HRDs, journalists and civil societyrepresentatives.Thegovernmentcommittedtoseveralrelevantrecommendations,includingto“Takeappropriateactiontoguaranteefreedomofexpression,associationandassembly-includingbyallowingtheparticipationofoppositionpartiesandcivilsociety”25andto“Limittoastrictlynecessaryleveltheuseofprosecutionsagainstpersons that exercising their rights to freedom of expression and peacefuldemonstration.” 26 Of the recommendations received, four 27 were accepted andthree28werenoted,butnoneofthefouracceptedandthreenotedrecommendationshavebeenimplemented.

3.2 Article12oftheUNDeclarationonHumanRightsDefendersmandatesstatestotakenecessarymeasurestoensureprotectionofHRDs.TheICCPRfurtherguaranteesthefreedoms of expression, association and assembly. However, in spite of theseprotections,DjiboutihasfailedtocreateandsafeandenablingenvironmentforHRDs,andduetopersistent threatsdetailedbelowfewhavebeenable tocarryout theirlegitimatehumanrightswork.

3.3 TherearenospecificlawsfortheprotectionofHRDsinDjibouti.HRDsareregularlysubjectedtoharassment,physicalattacks,arbitraryandincommunicadodetentions,and at times spurious prosecutions. The creation of a National Human RightsCommissionhashadnoimpactontheworkofHRDsandseveralhavereportedthattheyarenotabletoengagewiththeCommission.

3.4 On21February2013,AbdiOsman,vice-presidentofLDDH,wasarrestedadayafter

denouncing torture inflictedonpoliticalprisoners at anopposition rally, andheldincommunicadobeforebeingreleasedon23February2013.29

3.5 On23January2014,policearrestedZakariaAbdillahiAli,aprominentlawyer,HRD

andleaderofLDDH.Hewasarrestedalongwithtwooppositionpoliticianswhoweresubsequentlyreleased.MrAbdillahiAliwassubsequentlytransferredtoDjiboutiCity,beganahungerstrikeinprotestofhisdetentionandwasreleasedseveraldayslater.MrAbdillahiAliisthelegalrepresentativeformanyDjiboutianoppositionpoliticians,

25A/HRC/24/10,143.110(Australia)26A/HRC/24/10,143.112(Belgium)27A/HRC/24/10,143.110(Australia);143.112(Belgium);143.113(Slovakia);143.147(Mexico)28A/HRC/24/10,145.3(Netherlands);145.4(Canada);145.6(USA)29FIDH,Djibouti:ArrestationetdétentionausecretdeM.AbdiOsman,22February,2013,https://www.fidh.org/fr/regions/afrique/djibouti/Djibouti-Arrestation-et-detention-12945.

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journalists andHRDs, and has been subject to state harassment, intimidation andarrestonnumerousoccasions.30

3.6 On10December2015,SaïdHusseinRobleh,thesecretarygeneralofLDDHandan

oppositionmemberofparliament,wasinsultedandpubliclybeatenbytheChiefofPolicewhile sitting ina café.Hesustainedserious injuriesandwas forced to seekmedicalassistance.31

3.7 On21December2015,duringapublicgatheringforareligiousfestivalinBalbalaon

theoutskirtsofDjibouticity,atleast27peoplewerekilledandover150woundedbysecurityforces.32Lateron21December2015,SaïdHusseinRobleh,theUSNcoalitionpresident and ex-Minister Hamoud Abdi Souldan were shot by police forces. MrRobleh received bullets to the throat and collarbone. Despite suffering criticalinjuries, his dischargewas ordered from Frenchmilitary hospital Bouffard on 29December2015.

3.8 On29December2015,OmarAliEwadowasarrestedbytheNationalGendarmerieat

Bouffardhospital.HewastransferredtoGabodecentralprisonseveraldayslater.ThearrestcameafterLDDHhadpublishedaprovisionallistofvictimsofthe21Decemberkillings.Additionally,policeraidedtheofficesofLDDHon29December2015,andtheorganisation’sarchivesandcomputerequipmentwereseized.33On7January2016,MrEwadowaschargedunderArticle425ofthepenalcodewithpublicdefamationforincitinghatredandspreadingfalsenewsrelatedtothe21December2015killings,andon17January2016hewashandedaprisonsentenceofthreemonths.Hewasreleasedon14February2016,afterservingoneandahalfmonthsofhissentence.34

4. (D) Freedom of expression, independence of the media and access to information

30FIDH,“DJIBOUTI:FIDHdemandstheimmediatereleaseofLDDHPresident,MrZakariaAbdillahi,”24January2014,http://www.fidh.org/en/africa/djibouti/14527-djibouti-fidh-demands-the-immediate-release-of-lddh-president-mr-zakaria,Accessed2August2017.31DefendDefenders,“Djibouti,Ethiopia,andSouthSudan:DefendDefendersCondemnsAttacksandArrestsofHRDsandJournalists,”15January2016,https://www.defenddefenders.org/2016/01/djibouti-ethiopia-and-south-sudan-defenddefenders-condemns-attacks-and-arrests-of-hrds-and-journalists/,Accessed2August2017.32FIDH,”L’escaladedanslarépressionfaitaumoins27mortsàDjibouti,”23December2015,https://www.fidh.org/fr/regions/afrique/djibouti/l-escalade-dans-la-repression-fait-au-moins-27-morts-a-djibouti,Accessed2August2017.33DefendDefenders,“Djibouti,Ethiopia,andSouthSudan:DefendDefendersCondemnsAttacksandArrestsofHRDsandJournalists,”15January2016,https://www.defenddefenders.org/2016/01/djibouti-ethiopia-and-south-sudan-defenddefenders-condemns-attacks-and-arrests-of-hrds-and-journalists/,Accessed2August2017.34TheCourtofAppealsreleasedhimhavingfoundthattheconstitutiveelementsusedinhistrialwerenotvalidFIDH,“Djibouti:LibérationdeM.OmarAliEwado,membrefondateurdelaLigueDjiboutiennedesDroitsHumains,”16February2016,https://www.fidh.org/fr/themes/defenseurs-des-droits-humains/djibouti-liberation-de-m-omar-ali-ewado-membre-fondateur-de-la-ligue,Accessed2August2017.

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4.1 Underthe2ndUPRcycle,thegovernmentreceived13recommendationsrelatingto

thefreedomofexpressionandaccesstoinformation.Amongothers,thegovernmentpledged to “Bring its laws and practice fully in conformity with Article 19 of theICCPR” 35 and to “Create a genuinely favourable environment -free and safe- topromote functioning of truly independent media.” 36 Of the recommendationsreceived, six37wereacceptedandseven38werenoted,but thegovernmenthasnotimplementedanyofthesixrecommendationsitaccepted,noranyoftheseventhatwerenoted.

4.2 Article19oftheICCPRandArticle15oftheConstitutionofDjiboutiguaranteetherighttothefreedomofexpression.However,inpolicyandpractice,thefreedomofexpressionishighlyrestrictedinDjibouti.Duringitslastreview,DjiboutiregrettablynotedarecommendationfromtheUKto“ReviewPenalCodeclausesondefamationin line with international standards and make public results.” Defamation iscriminalisedinDjibouti39andcanbepunishedwithuptosixmonthsimprisonmentwhenitisdeemedtoaffectindividualsorgroups,andoneyearwhenittargetspublicofficials or institutions. Article 78 of the Law on Freedom of Communicationspecificallycriminalises“offending”thePresident.40

4.3 TheLawonFreedomofCommunicationalsocontainssomeexcessiveandunjustifiedrestrictions on the freedom of speech. Article 4 states that the freedom ofcommunicationmustnot threatensocialpeace,humandignityandpublicorderorcannotcontainanyinformationcontrarytoIslamicmoralsorsusceptibleofincitingracism,tribalism,treasonorfanatism.41Articles14,15and17statethatmanagers,ownersandfundersofpressorganisationsmustbeDjiboutianandthattheeditorinchief(orhisdeputy)mustphysicallyliveinDjiboutiandArticle47statesthattheybeatleast40yearsold.Article29statesthatalltypesofpublicationscanbeforbiddeniftheyareconsideredtothreatenpublicorderorbecontrarytogoodmores.

4.4 Law no. 66/AN/14/7ème L relating to cyber security and the fight againstcybercriminality pertains mostly to fraudulent online activities and childpornography, but contains one provision which enables a judge to order online

35A/HRC/24/10,143.111(Belgium)36A/HRC/24/10,143.113(Slovakia)37A/HRC/24/10,143.110(Australia);143.111(Belgium);143.112(Belgium);143.113(Slovakia);143.114(Estonia);143.147(Mexico)38A/HRC/24/10,144.9(Belgium);144.11(Spain);144.12(U.K);145.2(Belgium);145.3(Netherlands);145.4(Canada);145.5(France)39ThroughArticle425ofthePenalCodeandArticles77,79and80oftheLawn°2/AN/92/2eLonfreedomofcommunication.40Punishmentcanrangefromthreemonthstoayearinprisonand/orafinebetween300,000and3,000,000DjiboutianFrancs(FD),between$1686and$16865.41Loin°2/AN/92/2eLrelativeàlalibertédecommunication,JournalOfficieldelaRepubliquedeDjibouti,http://www.ilo.org/dyn/natlex/docs/ELECTRONIC/35458/68364/F546069324/DJI-35458.pdf

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surveillance or interception of communications, and to order service providers toprovideaccesstosuchinformationinsecret.Refusaltodosowouldopentheserviceprovideruptopunishmentforbreachofprofessionalsecrecy(Article3.1).

4.5 In October 2016, Djibouti officially launched its new National Commission on

Communications, with a mandate to advise the government and submitrecommendations on safeguarding the freedom of the press and the right toinformation. 42 While this is a positive step, no substantial activities have beenrecordedbylocalpartnerssincetheCommissionwasestablished.

4.6 Overthecourseofthereportingperiod,anumberofcasesillustratetheentrenched

restrictionsonthefreedomofexpression,affectinginparticularjournalistsandthemedia.

4.7 DaherAhmedFarah,a former journalist turnedoppositionpoliticianwhofled into

exile after facing defamation charges in 2003, returned to Djibouti in 2013 andbecame the USN spokesman ahead of the 2013 parliamentary elections. He wasarrestedanddetainedonmultipleoccasionsthroughoutthecourseof2013.Uponhisreturn, he was under surveillance by the Service de Documentation et de Securité(SDS),andwasjailedfortwomonthsinMarch2013onchargesof“disturbingpublicorderandparticipatinginaninsurrectionalmovement.”On23April2013,hewasagain detained after responding to a summons to report toGendarmerieheadquarters.HewassentencedunderaDjiboutiSupremeCourtdecisionof19September2004,whichfoundhimguiltyinabstentiaaseditorandpublisherofthenewspaperLeRenouveauDjiboutien of defaming the army chief of staff. On2 July2013, hewas sentenced to twomonths in prison and immediately transferred toGabodefor“failingtocomplywithajudicialorder.”43Hewasreleasedon14August2013.

4.8 ThepoetFarahMoussaBouh,anMRDsympathiser,wasarrestedon17January2013

atBalbala.Hewasbeatenduringthearrestalongwithhiswife,HawaOmarAbdillahi.MrBouhallegeshewassubsequentlytorturedbypolicechiefsergeantAhmedAbdouSaid,andheldforthreedayswithoutaccesstoalawyerormedicalassistance,untilhisreleaseon20January2013.44

4.9 Fourcontributorsofopposition-orientedLaVoixdeDjiboutiradiostationwhowere

provisionally released from detention on 23 June 2011, Farah Abadid Hildid,42LawNo.114/AN/15/7èmeLInsitutingtheNationalCommunicationsCommission43RFI,“Djibouti:DaherAhmedFarahcondamnéàdeuxmoisdeprison,immédiatementincarcéré”,3rdJuly2013,http://www.rfi.fr/afrique/20130703-djibouti-daher-ahmed-farah-condamne-deux-mois-prison-immediatement-incarcere,44LaVoixdeDjibouti,Unpoètedjiboutienarrêtéettorturépoursympathieàl’égardduMRD,2February2013http://www.lavoixdedjibouti.com/2013/02/un-poete-djiboutien-arrete-et-torture-pour-sympathie-a-legard-du-mrd/#more-3676,

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HousseinAhmedFarah,MoustaphaAbdourahmanHousseinandMohamedIbrahimWaïss,appearedincourton19June2013oninflatedchargesof“incitingpublicorderdisturbances” and “taking part in an insurrectional movement”. 45 Two otherjournalists who were also detained in 2011 saw their charges dropped. 46 FarahAbadidHildidandMoustaphaAbdourahmanHusseinremainedindetentionfortwomonthswhiletheotherswerefreedaftertwoweekswithoutbeingsentenced.

4.10 On4December2013,policedetainedandbeat journalistsAbdourahmanHousseinandSadamAinan,bothalsoofLaVoixdeDjibouti,whiletheywerecoveringapoliceraidonmarketstallvendorsintheMakaMoukaramaMarket.On12December2013,policearrestedMohamedIbrahim,a journalist fromthesameoutlet,whilehewascoveringawomen’sprotestinthecapitalrelatingtolandevictions,accordingtolocaljournalists.MrIbrahimwasheldbeyondthemaximumpre-trialdetentiondurationoffourdaysandtransferredtoGabodecentralprison.Hewaschargedwithincitingademonstrationbeforebeinggrantedbailon19December2013.47

4.11 On9March2014,MaydanehAbdallahOkieh,thewebsiteeditorofLaVoixdeDjibouti,

was arrested at his home and chargedwith disturbing public order following hiscoverage of an oppositionmeeting.48He had previously been held on defamationchargesin2013.In2015,hewasarrestedagainandwassentencedon28Mayto45daysinGabodeprison,alongwithafineof200,000FD(approx.US$1,100).Hewasalsoorderedtopayasumof2millionFD(approx.US$11,000)indamagestoapoliceofficerthathehadmentionedinapostonsocialmedia.49Hewasreportedlyarrestedfor posting pictures on his Facebook profile that showed police breaking up anoppositionprotest.50ItwasreportedbyUSNthatOkiehwasbadlybeatenbysecurityforces,andwasdeniedmedicalcareindetention.51

4.12 InAugust2014,MohamedIbrahimWaïsswasagainarrestedanddetained,inDjiboutiCity, and accused of “incitement and publishing false news.” According to theCommittee to Protect Journalists, he was beaten and denied access to medical

45Thesetypesofchargesarecommonlyusedtoprosecuteoppositionactivists,andaremostcommonlyfoundinthePenalCode’ssectionson“Participationinanillegalgathering”(Articles179to181),“Illegaldemonstrations”(Articles182and183),andon“Insurrectionalmouvements”(Articles184to186).46https://www.fidh.org/fr/regions/afrique/djibouti/djibouti-arrestations-et-proces-se-poursuivent-en-silence-1354047CommitteetoProtectJournalists,“Djiboutijournalistdetainedforcoveringdemonstration”,20December2013,https://www.cpj.org/2013/12/djibouti-journalist-detained-for-covering-demonstr.php48ReportersWithoutBorders,“Independentradio’swebsiteeditordetainedagain”,13March2014,http://en.rsf.org/djibouti-independent-radio-s-website-editor-13-03-2014,46000.html,49https://rsf.org/en/news/website-technician-gets-45-days-jail-big-fine-defaming-police50ReportersWithoutBorders,“Websitetechniciangets45daysinjail,bigfinefordefamingpolice”,29May,2013(Updatedon20January2016),https://www.fidh.org/fr/regions/afrique/djibouti/djibouti-arrestations-et-proces-se-poursuivent-en-silence-13540.51Sabahi,publishedbyAllAfrica,“JailedDjiboutianJournalistDeniedMedicalCare,OppositionSays”,18thSeptember2013,http://allafrica.com/stories/201309190124.html.

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treatmentorhislawyeratHodanBalbalaPoliceStation.Thisfollowedhiscoverageofa demonstration organised by a coalition of opposition political parties. He wasarrested again on 11 January 2016 and detainedwithout access to his lawyer ormedicalcare,despitehavingsustainedinjuriesandrefusingtoeat.Hereportedbeingill-treated by intelligence agents of theSection deRecherches et deDocumentation(SRD),andbeing forced tosignadeclarationagainsthiswilland tohandoverhisFacebooklogindetails,sothatimagesinsultingtheoppositioncouldbepostedonhisaccount.Hewasreleasedon17January2016.52

4.13 On4April2016, theBBCreportedthatDjiboutianauthoritiesbrieflydetainedand

thenexpelleditsteamofreportersandproducers,whohadtravelledtheretocoverthe 2016 presidential elections. 53 TheBBCjournalists, who all had accreditation,werearrestedon1April2017,questionedforeighthoursanddetainedforatotalof18hours.54

4.14 L’Aurore, Djibouti’s only privately-owned media outlet, was suspended in August

2016after itsco-directorandchiefeditorKadarAbdi Ibrahimwasarrestedon12AugustatDjibouti’sinternationalairport.Ithadpreviouslybeensuspendedfortwomonths in January and February 2016. 55 Mr Ibrahim, who was accompanied byformerMinisterturnedoppositionpoliticianHamoudAbdiSouldan,waspreventedfromenteringtheairport.56PoliceofficersconfiscatedhisiPadanddetainedhimatapolicestationnorthofthecapitalfor48hours.

4.15 InearlyMarch2017,thefamouscaricaturist IdrissHassanMohamedwasarrested

and held in an undisclosed location for five days. According to LDDH, his legwasbroken during interrogation and detention. LDDH claims he was arrested inretaliationforanarticlehepublishedcriticisingtheregime.57

4.16 Playwright, sketch video artist and cartoonist Chehem Abdoulkader Chehem,

nicknamedChehemRenard,wasarrestedonthenightof5June2017athishomeby

52ReportsWithoutBorders,«HarcèlementcontrelesjournalistesàDjibouti»,19January2016(Updatedon8March2016),https://rsf.org/fr/actualites/harcelement-contre-les-journalistes-djibouti53BBC,“DjiboutiexpelsBBCreportersaheadofpresidentialvote”,4April2016,http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-35958465.54ReportersWithoutBorders,“Djibouticlampsdownonjournalistsinrun-uptopoll”,5April2016(Updatedon19May2016),https://rsf.org/en/news/djibouti-clamps-down-journalists-run-poll.55Alkarama,“Djibouti:Suspensiondujournall'Auroreetprisonavecsursispoursonco--directeurdepublication”,22January2016,https://www.alkarama.org/fr/articles/djibouti-suspension-du-journal-laurore-et-prison-avec-sursis-pour-son-co-directeur-de.56AlwihdaInfo,“Djibouti:arrestationdel'opposantKadarAbdiIbrahim,unevictimedequi?,”11August2016,http://www.alwihdainfo.com/Djibouti-arrestation-de-l-opposant-Kadar-Abdi-Ibrahim-une-victime-de-qui_a38694.html.57LDDH,“ArrestationdesInternautesàDjibouti”,8March2017,http://www.lddh.net/arrestation-des-internautes-a-djibouti/.

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SRDagents.58BloggerOmarMohamedNour,betterknownbyhispennameOmarZohra,wasarrestedbysecurityagentsthefollowingnighton6June2017intheQ7bisneighbourhoodofDjibouticity.Theywereheldincommunicadoandinanunknownlocationbeforebeingreleasedon18June2017.

5. (E) Freedom of peaceful assembly

5.1 DuringDjibouti’sexaminationunderthe2ndUPRcycle,thegovernmentreceivedfourrecommendations on the right to the freedom of assembly. Among otherrecommendations,thegovernmentcommittedto“Limittoastrictlynecessarylevelthe use of prosecutions against persons that exercising their rights to freedom ofexpression and peaceful demonstration” 59 and to “Ensure that legal andadministrativemeasurestakentocombatterrorismrespecttheenjoymentofhumanrightsandfundamentalfreedoms.”60Oftherecommendationsreceived,three61wereaccepted and one 62 was noted, but the government has not implemented anyrecommendations.

5.2 Article21oftheICCPRguaranteesthefreedomofpeacefulassembly.However,Article15 of the Constitution of Djibouti only broadly guarantees “the full enjoyment ofpublicrightsandfreedoms”.TheConstitutionalsorecognisestherighttogoonstrike.Articles 179of thePenal Codedefines illegal “gatherings” as all public assembliesconsideredlikelyto“disturbpublicorder”.Article182.3broadlydefinesasillegalanassemblyforwhichapriorincompleteorinexactnotificationhasbeensubmittedtotheauthorities.

5.3 Theonlylegaldocumentthatexplicitlyprotectstherighttothefreedomofpeacefulassembly in Djibouti is public order No. 77-033/PR, signed on 4 October 1977.63However,Article2ofthisstatesthatallpublicmeetingsshouldbepreparedbyanofficeofatleastthreepeople,whoareresponsibleformaintainingorder,preventinginfractionsandensuring thatnospeechcontrary topublicorderorgoodmores isspoken.Agovernmentrepresentativeisdesignatedtoattendallpublicmeetings,withthe power to dissolve the meeting. Meetings or assemblies in public spaces areforbiddenbyArticle5unlesspriorauthorisationissoughtincaseswherethenumberofparticipantsinameetingexceedsthespaceavailabletothehost.

5.4 On25November2015,adayaftertheDjiboutianCouncilofMinistersadoptedDecreeNo.2015-2016PR/PMonterrorism,PrimeMinisterMrAbdoulkaderKamilMohamedspokeintelevisionandradiointerviewsandannouncedthatallpublicmeetingsand

58CIVICUSMonitor,“CrackdownonCriticalVoicesItensifies”,19July2017,https://monitor.civicus.org/newsfeed/2017/07/19/crackdown-critical-voices-intensifies-djibouti/59A/HRC/24/10,143.112(Belgium)60A/HRC/24/10,143.147(Mexico)61A/HRC/24/10,143.110(Australia);143.112(Belgium);143.147(Mexico)62A/HRC/24/10,144.9(Belgium)63Article1statesthat“publicreunionsarefreeandcanbeheldwithoutpriorauthoritisationintheconditionsdescribedbelow”.

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gatherings were forbidden. This was only months ahead of Djibouti’s April 2016presidential elections. Additionally, Article 7 of the Law relating to the State ofEmergencyadoptedon31December2015givesextraordinarypowerstotheMinisteroftheInterioraswellasregionalprefectstoshutdownmeetings,includingonthegroundsthattheywouldcausepublicdisorder.64

5.5 From25February2013,intheweekaftertheparliamentaryelections,regularstreetbattlestookplacebetweenDjiboutiansecurityforcesandoppositionsupportersasprotests against the UMP’s victory turned violent. Some protesters threw petrolbombswhile security forces fired teargas and live and rubber bullets to dispersecrowdschanting“freeourleaders,”referringtothearrestsofAbdourahimSouleimanBashir, Abdourahman Barkat God and Guirreh Meidal of MoDeL. At least sixprotesters are reported to have been killed in the initial violence, andmorewereseriously injured.65On1March, InteriorMinisterHassanDararHouffanehbannedopposition demonstrations and rallies, using post-election disturbances withopposition demonstrators as a pretext. The ruling UMP had come under scrutinybecauseoftheopposition’sclaimsthattheelectionsof22ndFebruarywerenotfreeandfair.66

5.6 AccordingtoLDDH,sixoppositionpoliticalactivists67werearrestedinDikhilduringa peaceful march in September 2015, and only freed on 11 October 2015 afterspendingthreeweeksindetentionwithoutaccesstotheirlawyerormedicalcare.68

5.7 Asreportedabove,atleast27peoplewerekilledandover150injuredwhensecurityforces shot live bullets into a crowd during a public gathering for a religiouscelebration.69Police, laterassistedbythePresidentialGuard,hadcometodisperse

64AllianceRépublicainepourleDéveloppement(ARD),«Djibouti:terreurélectoraleàl’ombredesbasesmilitairesetdansl’indifférenceinternationale»,5April2016,http://ard-djibouti.org/djibouti-terreur-electorale-a-lombre-des-bases-militaires-et-dans-lindifference-internationale-collectif-de-solidarite-avec-les-luttes-sociales-et-politiques-en-afrique-040416/.65FIDH,électionslégislatives:Aumoins6mortset80%dessiègespourlerégime,18thMarch2013http://www.fidh.org/Djibouti-elections-legislatives-80-13026,FIDH,Desopposanttuesparlesforcesdel’ordredanslesmanifestationsencours,28thFebruary2013http://www.fidh.org/Djibouti-Des-opposants-tues-par-12967.66AfrikNews,ManifestationsinterditesaDjibouti,2ndMarch2013http://www.afrik.com/manifestations-interdites-a-djibouti?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+afrikfr+%28Afrik+VF%29,LaNation,LaCNDHs’insurgecontrelesrumeursmensongères,3rdMarch2013http://www.lanation.dj/m-news2.php?ID=1776,67TheyareSaidHassanMiguil,IbrahimHassanAbdi,AbdoulkarimDjamaGuedi,YahyaElmiYonis,HamzaRayeHassan,andMahmoudRoblehMireh68Alkarama,“Djibouti:OpponentsofDikhilarbitrarilydetainedsinceSeptember18,refusedbail”,30September2015,https://www.alkarama.org/en/articles/djibouti-opponents-dikhil-arbitrarily-detained-september-18-refused-bail.69FIDH,”L’escaladedanslarépressionfaitaumoins27mortsàDjibouti,”23December2015,https://www.fidh.org/fr/regions/afrique/djibouti/l-escalade-dans-la-repression-fait-au-moins-27-morts-a-djibouti

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the crowd of several hundreds, who responded by throwing stones at the police.Djiboutianauthoritiesclaimedonlysevenhadbeenkilledand50policemeninjured.70

5.8 Inmid-June2017,ayouthprotestdemandingbetteraccesstojobsinthenewPortofTadjourahwascutshortwhensecurityofficialsdetainedseveraldozenprotestersattheTadjourahGendarmerieheadquarters.71

6. (F) Recommendations to the Government of Djibouti

CIVICUS, DefendDefenders and FIDH call on the Government of Djibouti tocreateandmaintain, in lawandinpractice,anenablingenvironmentforcivilsociety, in accordance with the rights enshrined in the ICCPR, the UNDeclarationonHumanRightsDefendersandHumanRightsCouncilresolutions22/6,27/5and27/31.Ataminimum,thefollowingconditionsshouldbeguaranteed:thefreedomsofassociation,expressionandpeacefulassembly, theright tooperate free fromunwarrantedstate interference, the right tocommunicateandcooperate, therighttoseekandsecurefundingandthestate’sdutytoprotect.Inlightofthis,thefollowingspecificrecommendationsaremade:

6.1 Regardingthefreedomofassociation

• Removeallundueobstaclestotheregistrationofassociations,includinghumanrights CSOs, political parties and trade unions. In particular, ensure that theMinistryof the Interiordeliversregistrationcertificiates,withinareasonabletimeperiod,toallassociationsthatmeetthelegalrequirementsforregistration.

• Remove all unjustified impediments to the formation and operation ofassociationsthroughtheadoptionofalawonthefreedomofassociation,whichshouldenabletheworkofCSOs,politicalpartiesandtradeunions,andbeinlinewithguaranteesintheDjiboutianconstitutionandinternationalhumanrightstreatiestowhichDjiboutiisaparty.

• Repeal Decree No. 2015-2016 PR/PM that established exceptional securitymeasures following the terrorist attacks in Paris in November 2015. Inparticular, amend Article 6.1 of the Decree, which grants the authoritiesexcessivelybroadpowerstoderegisterassociations.

70Ibid.71OnlythenamesofAliChehemAli,MohamedAliIssa,andAliHassanAliareknownforcertain–allthreehavebeenpreviouslyarrestedforprotestingjobaccessibilityintheregion.

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• PutanimmediateendtotheharrassmentofCSOs,oppositionpoliticalpartiesandtradeunionsandensurethatallDjiboutianshavetherighttoformorjoinanyassociationtoadvancetheircollectiveinterests.

• ImplementtransparentandinclusivemechanismsofpublicconsultationswithCSOsonallissuesmentionedaboveandenablemoreeffectiveinvolvementofcivilsocietyinthepreparationoflawandpolicyandtheUPRprocess.

6.2 Regardingtheprotectionofhumanrightsdefenders

• Takemeasures to foster a safe, respectful and enabling environment for civilsociety, including by removing legal and policymeasures that unwarrantedlylimittherighttoassociation,includingtheadoptionofalawfortheprotectionofHRDsinaccordancewithresolution27.31oftheHumanRightsCouncil.

• Conductimpartial,thoroughandeffectiveinvestigationsintoallcasesofattacks,harassmentandintimidationagainstHRDs,andbringperpetratorstojustice.

• Ensurethatallattacks,includingphysicalattacks,threats,houseandofficeraidsandother formsofharassment, are investigatedandperpetratorsareheld toaccount.

• Unconditionally and immediately release all HRDs, including journalists andbloggers,detainedforexercisingtheirrights,andreviewtheircases,includingthatofOmarZohra,topreventfurtherharassment.

• EnsuretheNationalHumanRightsCommissionbecomesoperationallyeffectiveandindependent,thatitisaccessibletoHRDsandsupportstheirworkindefenceofhumanrights.

6.3 Regardingthefreedomofexpression,independenceofthemediaandaccesstoinformation

• Ensure the freedom of expression and media freedom by repealing all

problematiclawsandbringingthemintolinewithinternationalstandardsonthefreedomofopinionandexpression.72

• Ensure the independence of the National Communications Commission andensureitisabletofacilitatethefreeworkofthemedia.

72ThisincludesArticle425ofthePenalCode,whichcriminalisesdefamation;Lawn°2/AN/92/2eLonFreedomofCommunication,includingarticles4,14,15,17,19,29,47and77-80;andLawno.66/AN/14/7èmeLrelatingtocybersecurityandthefightagainstcybercriminalitytheLawonCyberSecurity,particularlyArticle3.1whichpunishesonlineserviceproviders.

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• PutanimmediateendtothepracticeofusingDjibouti’slawsandlegalsystemtosilencejournalistsandmediahouses.Authoritiesmustensurethatjournalistsareabletoinvestigatestoriesandreportimpartially,includingontopicsthatthegovernmentmightfindsensitive,withoutfearofreprisal.

• Reinstateallmediaoutletsunwarrantedlyclosed.

• Adoptalawonaccesstoinformationinordertofullypromotetheexerciseoftherighttofreedomsofexpressionandopinion.

6.4 Regardingthefreedomofpeacefulassembly

• AmendtheConstitutiontoincludeexplicitprotectionoftherighttothefreedomofpeacefulassemblyanddevelopa lawonthe freedomofpeacefulassemblythatprovides for theexerciseof this rightbyDjiboutian citizens in linewithinternationalstandards.

• Adoptbestpracticesonthefreedomofpeacefulassembly,asputforwardbytheUNSpecialRapporteuron the rights to freedomofpeaceful assembly andofassociationinhisannualreport(2012)..

• Unconditionally and immediately release all demonstrators, journalists andHRDSdetainedforexercisingtheirright to the freedomofpeacefulassemblyandreviewtheircasestopreventfurtherharassment.

• Immediatelyandimpartiallyinvestigateallinstancesofextra-judicialkillingandexcessive force committed by security forces whilemonitoring protests anddemonstrations.Mosturgently,athoroughinvestigationshouldbecarriedoutintokillingofatleast27demonstratorsandtheinjuryofover150ininBalbalaon21December2015,perpetratorsidentifiedandheldtoaccount.

6.5 RegardingaccesstoUNSpecialProceduresmandateholders

• TheGovernmentshouldextendastandinginvitationtoallUNSpecialProcedure

mandateholdersandprioritiseofficialvisitswiththe:1)SpecialRapporteuronthesituationofhumanrightsdefenders;2)SpecialRapporteuronthepromotionand protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression; 3) SpecialRapporteurontherightstofreedomofpeacefulassemblyandofassociation;

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7. (G) Annex 1. UPR of Djibouti (2nd Cycle – 16th session) - Thematic list ofrecommendationspertainingtocivicspaceRecommendation Position Fulllistofthemes Assessment/comments

onlevelofimplementation

Rightorarea:FreedomofExpression(somerecommendationsalsopertaintoFreedomofAssociation,FreedomofPeacefulAssembly)

Takeappropriateactiontoguaranteefreedomofexpression,associationandassembly-includingbyallowingtheparticipationofoppositionpartiesandcivilsociety(Australia)

Sourceofposition:

A/HRC/24/10Para143.110

Accepted Civilsociety

Freedomofassociationandpeacefulassembly

Freedomofopinionandexpression

Status:Notimplemented

Source:Seeparagraphs2.7–2.13.

Bringitslawsandpracticefullyinconformitywitharticle19oftheICCPR(Belgium)

Sourceofposition:

A/HRC/24/10Para143.111

Accepted Freedomofopinionandexpression

Internationalinstruments


Source:seeparagraphs4.2–4.4.

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Recommendation Position Fulllistofthemes Assessment/commentsonlevelofimplementation

Limittoastrictlynecessaryleveltheuseofprosecutionsagainstpersonsthatexercisingtheirrightstofreedomofexpressionandpeacefuldemonstration(Belgium)

Sourceofposition:

A/HRC/24/10Para143.112

Accepted Freedomofassociationandpeacefulassembly




Createagenuinelyfavourableenvironment-freeandsafe-topromotefunctioningoftrulyindependentmedia(Slovakia)

Sourceofposition:

A/HRC/24/10Para143.113

Accepted Freedomofthepress

Status:Notimplemented.


Considerdevelopingandadoptingafreedomofinformationlawinaccordancewithinternationalstandards(Estonia)

Sourceofposition:

A/HRC/24/10Para143.114

Accepted Freedomofopinionandexpression

Status:NotImplemented.


21


ExtendaninvitationtotheSpecialRapporteuronfreedomofopinionandexpressionandtheSpecialRapporteurontherightofpeacefulassemblyandofassociationtovisitDjibouti(Belgium)

Sourceofposition:

A/HRC/24/10Para144.9

Noted Freedomofassociationandpeacefulassembly


Specialprocedures


Source:seeparagraphs2.1–2.13;4.1–4.17.

ExtendanopeninvitationtotheHumanRightsCouncilSpecialProcedures,andinparticulartotheSpecialRapporteuronTortureandtheSpecialRapporteuronthepromotionandprotectionofhumanrightsandfundamentalfreedomswhilecounteringterrorism(CostaRica)

Sourceofposition:

A/HRC/24/10Para144.10

Noted Freedomofthepress

Status:PartiallyImplemented.

Source:seeparagraphs4.3–4.11

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Createalegislativeframeworkthatguaranteesfreedomofinformationfavouringtheestablishmentofprivatemedia(Spain)

Sourceofposition:

A/HRC/24/10Para144.11

Noted Freedomofopinionandexpression

Freedomofthepress



ReviewPenalCodeclausesondefamationinlinewithinternationalstandardsandmakepublicresults(UnitedKingdom)

Sourceofposition:

A/HRC/24/10Para144.12



Source:seeparagraph4.2.

RemoverestrictionsonactivitiesbythemediaandallowthemanindependentandcriticalcoverageofGovernment'saction(Belgium)

Sourceofposition:


Noted Freedomofthepress



23


Authorizethepresstoworkfreely,liftallrestrictionstopoliticalopposition,putstoptotheprosecutionofjournalistsandensurethatcasesofharassmentagainstdefendersofeconomicandsocialrightsareinvestigated(Netherlands)

Sourceofposition:


Noted ESCrights–general



Freedomofthepress

Humanrightsdefenders


Source:seeparagraphs3.1–3.9;4.1–4.17.

Takethenecessarymeasurestoguaranteethefreedomofexpressionofjournalists,workers,mediaandmembersoftheopposition,andallowthemtooperatewithoutbeingintimidatedorarbitrarilyarrestedanddetained(Canada)

Sourceofposition:


Noted Detention



Freedomofthepress

Labour


Source:Seeparagraphs2.1–2.13;3.1–3.9;4.1–4.17.

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Guaranteerespectforfreedomofinformationandexpression,especiallyregardingthepress,bothlocalandforeign,andthepoliticalsphere(France)

Sourceofposition:



Freedomofthepress


Source:Seeparagraphs4.1–4.17.

Rightorarea:FreedomofAssociation

Releasedetaineeswhosearrestsarelinkedtotheirsupportfortheopposition(UnitedStatesofAmerica)

Sourceofposition:


Noted Detention



Source:seeparagraphs2.8-2.13.

Rightorarea:ProtectionofHumanRightsDefenders

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ExtendanopeninvitationtotheHumanRightsCouncilSpecialProcedures,andinparticulartotheSpecialRapporteuronTortureandtheSpecialRapporteuronthepromotionandprotectionofhumanrightsandfundamentalfreedomswhilecounteringterrorism(CostaRica)

Sourceofposition:

A/HRC/24/10Para144.10

Noted Specialprocedures

Counter-terrorism

TortureandotherCIDtreatment

Status:Notimplemented.


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