The purpose of the mission was to gather information on the situation in Algeria and present a report to him which he would make public. The Panel visited United Nations Headquarters on 8 July for meetings with the Secretary-General and for other consultations. It then met in Lisbon from 20 to 22 July where it planned its visit. It thereafter proceeded to Algeria where it stayed from 22 July to 4 august. Following its departure from Algeria, the Panel met in Lisbon on 5 and 6 August where it worked on its report.
Copies are available.
A number of significant features may be noted about the Panel, the process, and the report being made public today. In one instance, the Panel visited a massacre site within days and spoke to the victims. It underlines that there can be no excuse for terrorism. At the same time, it states that efforts to combat terrorism must take place within the framework of legality, proportionality and respect for fundamental human rights. The Panel calls for further invigoration and strengthening of institutions responsible for the promotion and protection of human rights, as well as expeditious attention to complaints of arbitrary detention, extrajudicial execution and disappearances.