WorldCourts: International Case Law Database   International Case Law Database
50,000+ decisions · 50+ institutions
 
     
 
   

3 November 1989

 

Communication No. 244/1987; U.N. Doc. CCPR/C/37/D/244/1987

 
     

human rights committee

  Thirty-Seventh Session  
  23 October – 10 November 1989  
     
     

G. G.

 

v.

Colombia

     
     
 

DECISION

 
     
 
 
 
     
     
 
BEFORE: CHAIRMAN: Mr. Rajsoomer Lallah (Mauritius)
VICE-CHAIRMEN: Mr. Joseph A. L. Cooray (Sri Lanka), Mr. Vojin Dimitrijevic (Yugoslavia), Mr. Alejandro Serrano Caldera (Nicaragua)
RAPPORTEUR: Mr. Fausto Pocar (Italy)
MEMBERS: Mr. Francisco Jose Aguilar Urbina (Costa Rica), Mr. Nisuke Ando (Japan), Miss Christine Chanet (France), Mr. Omran El Shafei (Egypt), Mr. Janos Fodor Hungary, Mrs. Rosalyn Higgins (United Kingdom), Mr. Andreas V. Mavrommatis (Cyprus), Mr. Joseph A. Mommersteeg (Netherlands), Mr. Rein A. Myullerson (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics), Mr. Birame Ndiaye (Senegal), Mr. Julio Prado Vallejo (Ecuador), Mr. S. Amos Wako (Kenya), Mr. Bertill Wennergren (Sweden).

The thirty-seventh session of the Committee was attended by all members of the Committee except Messrs. Aguilar Urbina and Serrano Caldera; Mr. Mavrommatis attended only part of the session.

   
PermaLink: http://www.worldcourts.com/hrc/eng/decisions/1989.11.03_GG_v_Colombia.htm
   
Citation: G. G. v. Colom., Comm. 244/1987, U.N. Doc. A/45/40, at 135 (HRC 1989)
Publications: Report of the Human Rights Committee, U.N. GAOR, 45th Sess., Supp. No. 40, U.N. Doc. A/45/40, Annex X, sect. C, at 135 (Oct. 4, 1990)
 
     
 
 
     
  DECISION ON ADMISSIBILITY

1. The author of the communication (letter dated 18 September 1987; no further submissions) is G. G., a Colombian lawyer writing on behalf of A. Z., a Colombian student and labourer, born in 1963, at the time of submission of the communication detained at a prison in Bogota. The lawyer (who states that she is A. Z.'s female companion) alleges that he is a victim of a violation of article 7 of the Covenant by Colombian police authorities.

2.1 It is stated that A. Z. was arrested on 31 August 1987 and that no reasons for his arrest were given by the authorities until 2 September 1987. (The lawyer does not indicate what reasons were then given). It is alleged that A. Z. has been subjected to serious ill-treatment, including a severe beating, evidenced by a hematoma in his upper right arm, and by bruised ribs and legs. These injuries were allegedly caused by blows with rifle butts and by kicks. It is further alleged that A. Z. was blindfolded, that he was forced to breathe smoke, that he was subjected to psychological torture in the form of death threats if he refused to answer questions, and that medical attention was refused.

2.2 With respect to the exhaustion of domestic remedies, it is stated that A. Z. requested an examination by an expert in forensic medicine but that the judge did not order any medico-legal investigation. Furthermore, A. Z. is said to have requested the Attorney General's Office (Procuraduria General de la Nation)to investigate his allegations of torture, hitherto without success.

3. By its decision of 20 October 1987, the Working Group of the Human Rights Committee transmitted the communication to the State party, requesting it, under rule 91 of the rules of procedure, to provide information and observations relevant to the question of the admissibility of the communication.

4. In its submission under rule 91, dated 20 October 1988, the State party confirms that A. Z. was arrested on 31 August 1987 and adds that he was charged with the offences of homicide and rebellion. He was released on parole and subsequently left the country, residing at present in France. The court of first instance, however, has indicted him and will proceed to judge him in absentia if he fails to appear in court. The State party contends that the communication should be declared inadmissible under article 5, paragraph 2 (b), of the Optional Protocol, since the author has not exhausted domestic remedies. In particular, the State party affirms that a thorough search of the files of the Procuraduria General de la Nation and of the Procuradurias Delegadas did not reveal that the author had filed any complaint. If the author claims to have been subjected to ill-treatment, he may still file a complaint with the competent authorities with a view to the investigation of the case and eventual prosecution of the responsible officials.

5. On 6 December 1988 the Secretariat transmitted the State party's observations to the author, requesting comments thereon. The deadline for the author's comments expired on 3 January 1989. No further submission has been received from the author.

6.1 Before considering any claims contained in a communication, the Human Rights Committee must, in accordance with rule 87 of its rules of procedure, decide whether or not it is admissible under the Optional Protocol to the Covenant.

6.2 With regard to the requirement of exhaustion of domestic remedies in article 5, paragraph 2 (b), of the Optional Protocol, the Committee has noted the State party's contention that A. Z. has not exhausted them. As to A. Z. 's arrest, the Committee takes into account that criminal proceedings on charges of homicide have been opened against A. Z.; as to A. Z. 's allegations of ill-treatment, he has not contested the State party's contention that he has not filed an official complaint and that he may still do so. Thus the Committee concludes that the author's communication does not meet the requirements of article 5, paragraph 2(b), of the Optional Protocol.

7. The Human Rights Committee therefore decides:

(a) That the communication is inadmissible;

(b) That this decision shall be transmitted to the State party and to the author.
 
     

 

 

 

   






Home | Terms & Conditions | About

Copyright © 1999- WorldCourts. All rights reserved.