Detention without trial in Singapore
The ICJ has urged the government of Singapore to bring to trial or release the nine persons detained under the Internal Security Act without charge or trial on 19 April 1988.
The ICJ has urged the government of Singapore to bring to trial or release the nine persons detained under the Internal Security Act without charge or trial on 19 April 1988.
The ICJ is profoundly concerned about the measures taken by the Israeli military authorities in the village of Bieta, apparently as reprisals for the killing of a 15 years old girl from Elon Moreh settlement.
The latest Israeli army reports indicate that the girl was shot by an Israeli settler and not by a Palestinian from Bieta.
On any count the measures taken against the villagers were excessive. In particular the destruction of 16 houses as reprisals or as a punishment are illegal under the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949, as is the decision to deport 20 Palestinians of whom 6 come from Bieta.
According to Israeli officials hundreds of youths have been arrested in Bieta and the entire male population, which would number about 2,000, was detained in a school courtyard, allegedly for questioning.
The ICJ’s CIJL is concerned by the government’s proposal to amend the Constitution so as to undermine the separation of powers between the judiciary, the executive and the legislature.
The ICJ welcomes the resolution of the UN Security Council declaring that the deportation of Palestinians from the West Bank is a violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention.
Article by Niall MacDermot, Secretary-General of the ICJ, who first outlines the contents and history of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. He then describes the contribution of NGOs to the United Nations and regional mechanisms, in terms of standard-setting and interventions on violations.
Reprint from the book “Human rights in the changing world”, published by the International Law Association Regional Branch (India) and edited by E.S. Venkataramiah.
Role NGOs human rights-non-legal submission-1988-eng (full text in English, PDF)