A/HRC/WGEID/99/1
was drafted, and that it will not affect the fight against impunity in Colombia. The Working
Group also notes that enforced disappearance is among the crimes which are excluded from
the military jurisdiction, in accordance with article 16 of the Declaration. The Working
Group wishes to emphasize that the reform shall not in any way affect the principle that all
acts of enforced disappearances, irrespective of the perpetrator, should at all times fall
under the competence of the ordinary criminal justice system. This includes the preliminary
investigation phase, which is essential for the establishment of facts and clarification of
responsibilities, in particular in cases of investigation of crimes that may be linked to
enforced disappearances but do not necessarily qualify prima facie as such, including
arbitrary detention and abuse of authority.
9.
Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
Standard procedure
40.
The Working Group transmitted one case to the Government under its standard
procedure concerning Mr. Seong-hwan Lee, who was allegedly arrested on 4 September
1950, at his home in Seoul, Republic of Korea, by a State Political Security Department
Officer of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
Information from the Government
41.
On 21 January 2013, the Government transmitted information in relation to 15
outstanding cases. The information provided was not considered sufficient to lead to the
clarification of the cases.
Press release
42.
On 27 February 2013, the Working Group, jointly with three other special
procedures mechanisms, issued a press release concerning allegations of serious human
rights violations, including enforced disappearances, in the context of an extensive labour
camp system, also known as kwan-li-so, for political prisoners. This press release, which
followed a general allegation transmitted on 3 October 2012, called, inter alia, for an
international inquiry into human rights abuses in the Democratic People’s Republic of
Korea.
Observations
43.
The Working Group regrets that no reply has been received to the general allegation
dated 3 October 2012 and reiterates the call upon the Government to fully cooperate with
the inquiry mechanisms appointed by the Human Rights Council. The Working Group also
encourages the Government to cooperate with the Working Group to help it to carry out its
mandate effectively as set out in paragraph 14 of Human Rights Council resolution 21/4.
10.
Egypt
Standard procedure
44.
The Working Group transmitted nine cases to the Government under its standard
procedure. The first case concerned Mr. Mohamed Seddiq Tawfiq Mohamed, who was
allegedly arrested on 28 January 2011 by the State Security Investigation Services after
leaving home to join the demonstration in Tahrir Square, Cairo.
8