International Commission of Jurists
ICJ Conference on impunity in Central America

ICJ Conference on impunity in Central America

Jun 2, 2013 | Multimedia items, News, Video clips

Judges from Central America met in Guatemala on 4-5 June at the International Conference on Impunity and Independence of the Judiciary.

The conference was followed by a public debate on the role of judges in confronting the phenomenom of impunity.

The event was organized with the support of the Canton de Genève, Dan Churchaid and medico international.

Below, listen (in Spanish) to Ramón Cadena, ICJ Regional Director for Central America, who talks about the importance of this conference, and to judges Rubenia Galeano (Honduras), Juan Antonio Durán (Salvador), Carlos Oviedo (Nicaragua), Haroldo Vásquez (Guatemala) and Adriana Orocú (Costa Rica) who talk about impunity and the independence of the judiciary in their respective countries.

Ramón Cadena habla de la Conferencia Regional sobre Independencia Judicial y fenómeno de la impunidad en Centroamérica.

Rubenia Galeano (Honduras) habla del fenómeno de la impunidad y de la situación de la independencia judicial en su país


Juan Antonio Durán (Salvador) habla del fenómeno de la impunidad y de la situación de la independencia judicial en su país


Carlos Oviedo (Nicaragua) habla del fenómeno de la impunidad y de la situación de la independencia judicial en su país


Haroldo Vásquez (Guatemala) habla del fenómeno de la impunidad y de la situación de la independencia judicial en su país


Adriana Orocú (Costa Rica) habla del fenómeno de la impunidad y de la situación de la independencia judicial en su país

Bulgaria: ICJ and Rechters voor Rechters observe appeal against dismissal of a judge

Bulgaria: ICJ and Rechters voor Rechters observe appeal against dismissal of a judge

May 17, 2013 | News

On 16 May, the ICJ and Rechters voor Rechters (Judges for Judges) observed an appeal hearing at the Supreme Administrative Court (SAC) in a case against the dismissal of Judge Miroslava Todorova.

Judge Todorova, who had been serving on the Sofia City Court, is  known for critical commentary  on the problems in the judiciary in Bulgaria. In this hearing, the Prosecutor’s Office supported Judge Todorova’s appeal against her dismissal, but the Court has not yet issued its decision.

The ICJ previously raised concerns over Judge Todorova’s dismissal from her position of judge and as Chair of the Bulgarian Judges Association, in July 2012. The ICJ was particularly concerned at the disproportionate sanctions for delay of several reasoned cases, which is a problematic, but usual, practice among judges in Bulgaria.

The ICJ also expressed concern at the fact that the proceedings took place some six years after the limitation period ended. Further questions arose as to the composition of the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC), the body which both initiated the proceedings and conducted the hearing, and its independence in this case.

The trial observation mission consisted of Professor Doctor Günter Witzsch (Germany), who observed the trial on behalf of the ICJ, and Judge Janneke Bockwinkel (the Netherlands, on behalf of Judges for Judges). The ICJ and Judges for Judges will continue to follow the case of the dismissal of Judge Miroslava Todorova and will issue a detailed report following the issuing of the decision by the SAC.

 

For further information

Róisín Pillay, Director of the Europe Programme, roisin.pillay(a)icj.org

Temur Shakirov, Legal Adviser, Europe Programme, temur.shakirov(a)icj.org

ICJ addresses Human Rights Council on corporate complicity and access to justice

ICJ addresses Human Rights Council on corporate complicity and access to justice

May 7, 2013 | Advocacy, Legal submissions

The ICJ today submitted to the United Nations a written statement concerning corporate complicity in human rights abuses and access to justice for victims of such abuses.

The statement is made ahead of the UN Human Rights Council’s 23rd session (27 May to 14 June 2013) and comments on a report of the Council’s Working Group on human rights and transnational corporations and other business enterprises.

Setting out issues concerning obstacles to justice for victims of human rights abuses by business enterprises, the ICJ calls on the Working Group to take various steps to address such issues, including by:

  • Exploring the further development of international standards;
  • Raising specific allegations of corporate abuse with relevant State authorities and business enterprises; and
  • Addressing more clearly the issue of access to justice in cases of corporate complicity.

HRC23-Item3-WGBHR-WrittenStatement-LegalSubmission-2013 (download statement in PDF)

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