A/HRC/WGEID/126/1
Information from sources
57.
Sources provided information on two outstanding cases, but it was considered
insufficient to clarify them.
Prompt intervention letter and reply
58.
On 26 October 2021, the Working Group transmitted, jointly with other special
procedure mechanisms, a prompt intervention letter concerning alleged threats and
harassment against Jimmy Francisco Ortiz Rodríguez, a lawyer, human rights defender and
relative of two victims of enforced disappearance whose cases remain outstanding before the
Working Group.14
59.
On 6 January 2022, the Government provided a reply to the prompt intervention letter
sent on 26 October 2021.15
Guatemala
Joint prompt intervention letter and reply
60.
On 16 December 2021, the Working Group transmitted, jointly with other special
procedure mechanisms, a prompt intervention letter concerning the alleged attacks and
threats against Coline Manon Christine Fanon and her brother Dino Ernesto Suchite
Rodríguez and other members of their family, as well as against the Racines Perdues
foundation.16
61.
On 14 February 2022, the Government provided a reply to the prompt intervention
letter sent on 16 December 2021.17
India
Joint urgent appeal
62.
On 1 December 2021, the Working Group transmitted, jointly with other special
procedure mechanisms, an urgent appeal concerning allegations of intimidation, searches and
confiscations committed during raids, conducted by national security agents, of Khurram
Parvez’s residence and office premises at Jammu and Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society – a
human rights and civil society organization – as well as his subsequent arbitrary arrest and
detention on charges related to conspiracy and terrorism.18
63.
On 5 January 2022, the Government provided a reply to the joint urgent appeal sent
on 1 December 2021. The Government requested that the letter remain confidential.
General allegation
64.
The Working Group received information from credible sources concerning alleged
violations and obstacles encountered in the implementation of the Declaration on the
Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance in India, with particular reference to
the state of West Bengal. According to the sources, since 2016, nearly 100 people have been
forcibly disappeared by members of the Border Security Forces in the state of West Bengal,
at the border with Bangladesh. In some of the cases reported, the victims’ fate and
whereabouts remain unknown. Allegedly, victims include men, women and minors. In their
majority, they are Muslims and often pertain to the lower castes. Members of the Border
Security Forces reportedly target villagers – especially if pertaining to low castes – suspected
of engaging in smuggling and trafficking across the border. Allegedly, people meeting this
14
15
16
17
18
10
See SLV 6/2021.
See reply to SLV 6/2021.
See GTM 12/2021.
See reply to GTM 12/2021.
See IND 19/2021.