EU Commission should draft proposal for a strong EU human rights agency

EU Commission should draft proposal for a strong EU human rights agency

The ICJ today submitted a Memorandum to the European Commission on the establishment of a human rights agency in the European Union.

The ICJ sets out clear benchmarks for a human rights institution that would provide a strong mechanism to address human rights and rule of law problems in the European Union.

“We call on the European Commission to elaborate a proposal for a EU Human Rights Agency, which is in line with international standards for independent and effective human rights institutions”, says Gerald Staberock, Coordinator of ICJ’s National Implementation Programme. “This step is long overdue and the agency should have a real impact on the promotion and protection of human rights in the European Union and its member states. A weak and flawed institution, on the other hand, would not increase the legitimacy of EU policies but could raise concerns about double-standards, internally and externally.”

Submission on the establishment of a EU Human Rights Agency [full text, PDF]

Kenya : ICJ conducts mission on judicial independence

Kenya : ICJ conducts mission on judicial independence

The ICJ is conducting a 5-day mission to evaluate Kenya’s judicial situation in light of international standards on the independence of the judiciary.
The Mission will be led by the Honourable Justice Dr. George W. Kanyeihamba of the Supreme Court of Uganda. The other mission members are prominent Nigerian lawyer Mr. Clement Nwankwo and ICJ Lawyer Cecilia Jimenez. The ICJ-Kenya will be represented by Mr. Philip Kichana. As the government addresses real issues of corruption in the judiciary and the country discusses constitutional reform, it is essential that the judiciary emerges as an independent and impartial branch of the State. The mission will meet with members of the judicial, executive and legislative branches of government, the legal profession, the Law Society, legal academics and civil society.

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