We support the development of international human rights law and standards.
We work for their adoption and implementation at national level.
We promote the independence of the judiciary, and support judges, lawyers, and prosecutors in their roles as human rights defenders.
Updates
News & advocacy
Lesotho: ICJ makes a submission to the Universal Periodic Review
On 11 October 2024, the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) made a submission to the UN Human Rights Council’s Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in advance of its consideration of Lesotho’s human rights record during the 49th session of the UPR in April and May 2025. Continue Reading Lesotho: ICJ makes a submission to the Universal Periodic Review
Türkiye: Spying Bill Threatens Rights Defenders, Journalists Parliament Should Reject Vague, Overbroad Amendment
Türkiye’s parliament should reject a proposed legislative amendment that seeks to expand the definition of espionage in such a vague manner that it could criminalize legitimate work by human rights defenders, journalists, and other civil society actors in the country,...
Türkiye: Osman Kavala Marks 7 Years Behind Bars Wrongly Detained Rights Defender Awaits New European Court Ruling
(Istanbul, 1 November 2024) – Türkiye’s continued unlawful detention of the human rights defender Osman Kavala is a result of prosecutors and courts effectively operating under the political control of the government, three human rights organizations, including the...
Libya: The Authorities Must Ensure Women Have Effective Access to Justice for Sexual and Gender-Based Crimes
On 28 October, the International Commission of Jurists participated in the informal private briefing by NGOs during the 91st Pre-sessional Working Group for the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) on Libya. During such briefings, the...
Thailand: As statute of limitations expires in Tak Bai massacre, justice remains elusive
Despite a significant step by the Narathiwat Provincial Court, which on 23 August 2024 found sufficient evidence to prosecute former high-ranking officials, and the subsequent Attorney General's decision on 18 September 2024 to indict some of those responsible for the...
Most Recent
Publications
Montenegro: ICJ report call for comprehensive judicial reforms
The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) published today a report on the judicial system in Montenegro, summarizing its findings and presenting specific recommendations for reform. Continue Reading Montenegro: ICJ report call for comprehensive judicial reforms
EU: The Model Bench Book on rights of persons with disabilities published today
The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) and Validity have published the Model Disability Bench Book on the rights of persons with disabilities who are defendants in criminal proceedings. The Bench Book provides guidance to justice actors and State authorities on how to better ensure the protection of persons with disabilities’ rights in the context of criminal proceedings. Continue Reading EU: The Model Bench Book on rights of persons with disabilities published today
ICJ Annual Report 2023
This Annual Report represents our comprehensive approach to enhancing global mechanisms for justice and accountability. Through a combination of advocacy at high-level international forums, contributions to treaty negotiations, and the fostering of strategic...
‘Build Us More Schools’: The Quest for Quality Free Education in Mabatini and Ngei Wards of Mathare, Nairobi
The report was produced by the Mathare Community Education Taskforce (Taskforce), in partnership with the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) and the Global Initiative for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (GI-ESCR). Continue Reading ‘Build Us More Schools’: The Quest for Quality Free Education in Mabatini and Ngei Wards of Mathare, Nairobi
Libya: Draft Reconciliation Law is an opportunity for accountability and justice
In a new report, the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) calls on the Libyan authorities to remedy remaining shortcomings and adopt Libya’s Presidential Council’s Draft Reconciliation Law with a view to ensuring full compliance with international human rights...
Most recent
Events
Southeast Asian Region: Judicial Dialogue Considers How to Make Courts More Effective in Environmental Cases
On 26–27 September 2024, the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), in collaboration with the Raoul Wallenberg Institute (RWI) and the Thailand Institute of Justice (TIJ), convened a Regional Judicial Dialogue in Bangkok, Thailand. The two-day...
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Tajikistan: ICJ concludes mission on access to justice for women survivors of gender-based violence
From 16 to 19 September 2024, the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) conducted a mission to Tajikistan, focusing on improving access to justice for women survivors of gender-based violence (GBV). The mission was organized in...
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Asia and Caribbean regional consultation: A human rights-based approach to criminal law
On 9 and 10 September 2024, the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) and its partners, the Institute of Commonwealth Studies (ICwS), and the Commonwealth Secretariat (ComSec) co-hosted an Asia and Caribbean regional consultation on a human rights-based approach...
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Thailand: civil society groups identify areas of non-compliance with the Convention against Torture in advance of review
On 13-14 July and 6-7 August 2024, human rights defenders and civil society organizations from various regions of Thailand gathered to discuss shortcomings in the country’s compliance with its obligations under the UN Convention against...
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Nepal: Access to justice for victims and survivors of conflict abuses must be available now
At a Judicial Dialogue convened in Surkhet, Karnali Province, on 19 and 20 April 2024 by the International Commission of Jurists, Advocacy Forum Nepal and the Judges’ Society Nepal, some 45 judges and prosecutors from district...
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Tajikistan: ICJ and partners host roundtable on enhancing protection against arbitrary detention
On 31 July 2024, the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Regional Office for Central Asia (ROCA), the Supreme Court of the Republic of...
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