Human rights situation in Equatorial Guinea still serious, UN expert says

The human rights situation in Equatorial Guinea is still serious and deserves close monitoring, the outgoing United Nations Special Representative for that country said today in Geneva.

Gustavo Gallón Giraldo, whose mandate was terminated last Friday by the UN Commission on Human Rights, underscored in a statement the need for proper follow-up, especially at this critical moment, in which massive detentions of political opponents have been carried out since mid-March.

He noted that the authorities of Equatorial Guinea have accepted in principle that a mission headed by the Special Representative visit the prisoners in early May. Due to the end of the mandate of the Special Representative, this mission should take place with the least delay, possibly by the appropriate thematic Special Rapporteurs.

Mr. Gallón also calls for a continued involvement of all relevant actors to make sure that the Commission on Human Rights Commission continues keeping a close eye on Equatorial Guinea, by monitoring technical assistance and by re-examining the rights situation during its next session.