UN meeting to discuss fair trial and due process for alleged terrorists in European countries

Brussels – European government representatives, judicial and human rights experts and senior United Nations officials will meet in Brussels this week to discuss challenges European countries face in ensuring fair criminal trials and due process in the course of fighting terrorism.

Issues to be discussed at the 5-6 July meeting include administrative detention without charge or trial; incommunicado detention; extradition of terrorism suspects; access to legal counsel for the accused; access to evidence for the criminal defence; the use of secret and intelligence information and information obtained under duress as evidence in trial; special courts, special advocates and other special procedures for individuals accused of terrorism acts and extraordinary renditions. It will consider how to better ensure accountability for human rights violations occurring in this context.

The two-day meeting is organised by the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF) and the United Nations Human Rights Office.

The opening session will be open to the media and interviews with UN officials may be arranged upon request.

WHAT:
Regional meeting on ‘Fair Trial and Due Process in the Counter-terrorism Context’

WHO:
Mr. Ivan Šimonović, UN Assistant Secretary General for Human Rights

Mr. Ben Emmerson, UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism

Mr. Malcolm Evans, Chair, UN Subcommittee on the Prevention of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment

Mr. Mads Andenas, Member of the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention

European government representatives

Media representatives are invited to attend the meeting’s opening session.

Venue: Le Meridien Hotel, Brussels

Time: 9:00 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. Thursday 5 July 2012

Opportunity for filming/photographs at the opening.

One-on-one interviews are also possible. For appointments, please contact:

Jean-Luc Onckelinx ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; Alexandra Forger ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) tel +32 476 215 485
Or
Dima Yared This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it tel +32-473-514-035.

For further information please contact: Ms. Denise Lifton at: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Mr. Nikolaus Schultz at: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it