Mar 11, 2021 | Advocacy, Non-legal submissions
Today, the ICJ called on the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to guarantee transparency and participation in its activities in Venezuela in an oral statement delivered during the interactive dialogue on the oral update by the UN’s High Commissioner of Human Rights on Venezuela.
The statement reads as follows:
“Madame President,
The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) welcomes the High Commissioner’s oral update on the situation of human rights in Venezuela, particularly regarding the cooperation between her office and the Venezuelan authorities.
The ICJ underscores the importance of transparency on the activities conducted under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by both parties. Publication of the MoU to inform the public and ensure the optimal engagement of stakeholders is critical to its success.
The ICJ stresses that in addition to civil and political rights, economic, social, cultural rights continue to be violated in Venezuela, a situation aggravated by the COVID-19 pandemic. As of January 2021, at least 37 health workers have died due to the lack of protective equipment and basic supplies in healthcare centers.
In light of recent announcements by Venezuelan authorities, political considerations appear to be a driving factor in the COVID-19 vaccine prioritization plan, instead of objective and public health criteria, which could lead to discrimination and a denial of equal protection of law.
The ICJ recommends that the High Commissioner monitor and report on the status of the Venezuelan authorities’ compliance with her previous recommendations, and on her broader engagement with local civil society with a view to protecting human rights.
Thank you.”
Contact:
Massimo Frigo, ICJ UN Representative, e: massimo.frigo(a)icj.org, t: +41797499949
Feb 6, 2021 | Comunicados de prensa, Noticias
La reciente, continuada e injustificada detención de cinco miembros de la ONG venezolana “Azul Positivo” es un hecho más de una serie de amenazas, hostigamientos, ataques, restricciones, represalias y procesos penales contra las organizaciones de la sociedad civil y las personas defensoras de los derechos humanos venezolanas, que se ha intensificado desde noviembre de 2020.
En los últimos meses y semanas, agentes del Estado han entrado por la fuerza en las oficinas de las organizaciones de la sociedad civil; se han proferido amenazas públicas contra las personas defensoras que han interactuado con los mecanismos de derechos humanos, se han congelado las cuentas bancarias de las ONG y se han emitido órdenes de detención contra lxs trabajadorxs humanitarixs.
La sociedad civil venezolana opera en un contexto de graves obstáculos legales y administrativos, con leyes nacionales utilizadas para atacar a las personas defensoras de los derechos humanos, como la “Ley contra el Odio”, o que tienen el efecto de limitar las operaciones de las ONG y restringir su acceso a la financiación, esencialmente bloqueando el trabajo de muchas organizaciones vitales para las y los venezolanos necesitados.
En una declaración pública, varixs expertxs independientes en derechos humanos de la ONU y expertxs regionales han descrito las amenazas y las medidas adoptadas contra la sociedad civil venezolana desde noviembre de 2020 como una “persecución y estigmatización sistemáticas”.
Es esencial que las organizaciones humanitarias y de derechos humanos que responden a las graves crisis humanitarias y de derechos humanos en el país, que presionan para que se rindan cuentas por las violaciones y los abusos y para que se devuelvan las garantías que ofrecen las instituciones y los procesos democráticos, puedan realizar su trabajo sin miedo ni obstáculos.
Las personas defensoras de los derechos humanos son críticos, constructivos y esenciales para la promoción de la democracia y el funcionamiento del Estado de derecho. Los intentos de silenciarlos y acobardarlos son contraproducentes y vergonzosos. Instamos a las autoridades venezolanas a que garanticen el cese del hostigamiento y las amenazas contra las personas venezolanas y a que se respeten todas las garantías jurídicas internacionales. Hacemos un llamamiento a todos los Estados y a los organismos y agencias de la ONU para que apoyen activamente a las organizaciones de la sociedad civil, a las personas defensoras y a las y los activistas, y para que se pronuncien con fuerza y coherencia a favor del derecho a defender los derechos humanos en Venezuela y en todo el mundo.
Nos inspira el compromiso y el valor diarios de las personas defensoras de los derechos humanos y lxs trabajadorxs humanitarixs venezolanxs y nos solidarizamos con nuestrxs socixs y amigxs venezolanxs.
Amnistía Internacional
Centro por la Justicia y Derecho Internacional
CIVICUS
Civil Rights Defenders
Conectas Diretos Humanos
Freedom House
Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect Human Rights Watch
International Commission of Jurists
International Service for Human Rights
People in Need
Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA)
Sep 18, 2020 | News
Today, the ICJ called upon the responsible authorities to ensure that prompt, transparent, thorough, impartial and effective investigations are carried out of allegations of extrajudicial killings and other serious human rights violations by the Colombian police during recent street protests.
The ICJ stressed that any official responsible should be prosecuted and brought to justice and victims of any violations be provided an effective remedy and reparation.
From 9 September to 10 September 2020, mass protests against serious human rights violations by Colombian police took place in Bogota, following the death of Javier Ordóñez. Ordoñez died in police custody after he had been subjected to severe ill-treatment, including by prolonged taser shock.
The protests were met with acts of unlawful, unnecessary and disproportionate use of force by police. The protests left 13 people dead, and more than 200 injured.
The incidents have been condemned by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), which pointed to allegations of unlawful detention and ill-treatment of persons arrested following the demonstrations. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has also expressed concern at the allegations the use of excessive force during the protests.
According to witness accounts, police opened fire against people who were protesting peacefully. Some of the victims killed were said to be people who had not taken part in the protests and died due to stray bullets. Some videos of police conduct have been circulated on social media.
Similarly, Bogota Mayor, Claudia López Hernández, has affirmed that she had handed over videos of police shooting indiscriminately against people during the protests to the Office of the Attorney General and other authorities. In addition, she shared part of the videos on her Twitter account.
The ICJ recalls that under international standards governing the use of force by law enforcement officials, lethal force may never be used unless strictly necessary to protect life.
The ICJ stresses that investigations must be impartial and the need for investigators to be independent of the police. Equally important, the investigations must take place within the civilian rather than the military justice system.
The ICJ is also concerned at the threats received by human rights lawyers who have been working working to document possible human rights violations during the protests.
Background
The protests were triggered by the death of Javier Ordoñez, who died at a police facility (Comando de Acción Inmediata, CAI), on the early morning of 9 September.
A video shows that before being transferred to the facility, Ordoñez was repeatedly shocked by policemen with a stun gun while on the ground and did not represent any threat to life or safety the police or other persons. Initial results of the investigation, including the autopsy report, indicate that Ordoñez was hit in the head, neck, shoulders, and chest inside the police facility.
On 11 September 2020, the Police and the Ministry of Defence offered an “apology” for any violation of the law that may have been committed by the police, without acknowledging any specific wrongdoing.
Subsequently, on 16 September, the Minister of Defence recognized that Javier Ordóñez was murdered by the police. Although he stated that the Police respect peaceful protests, he also said the protests of September 9 and 10 were a massive and systematic attack against the police.
Along the same lines, on 13 September 2020, the office of the Mayor of Bogotá held a ceremony of “forgiveness and reconciliation”. The ceremony had the participation of some of the victims, who demanded justice.
On 17 September 2020, the Office of the Attorney General filed arrest warrants against two policemen involved in the murder of Ordóñez. The warrants have been granted by a judge. Both policemen had been arrested.
In accordance with Colombia’s obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, investigations “must always be independent, impartial, prompt, thorough, effective, credible and transparent”.
The UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials require that any the use of force is exceptional, necessary, and proportional and that lethal force may only be used when strictly necessary to protect life.
Colombia has been recently facing a significant increase in serious human right violations and abuses, including unlawful killings. For example, since the Peace Agreement was signed in November 2016, there has been an upward trend in the killings, death threats, and harassments against human rights defenders.
As of December 2019, the UN Verification Mission in Colombia verified 303 killings of human rights defenders and social leaders since the signature of the Peace Agreement. So far, during 2020, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Colombia has documented 47 killings of human rights defenders and is reviewing other potential 44 cases.
Contact:
Carolina Villadiego, Legal and Policy Adviser, Latin America. Email: carolina.villadiego(a)icj.org
Rocío Quintero M, Legal Adviser, Latin America. Email: rocio.quintero(a)icj.org
Aug 30, 2020 | News, Publications, Reports, Thematic reports
The ICJ marked the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances today by releasing a baseline study (in Spanish) which identifies key obstacles to accountability for serious human right violations in Colombia.
“The report finds that although Colombia has a comprehensive legal framework aimed at providing accountability for serious human rights violations, victims still face many challenges in obtaining access to justice,” said Kingsley Abbott, Coordinator of the ICJ’s Global Accountability Initiative.
“A robust domestic legal framework is important, but without effective Government implementation at every level full accountability for these violations will remain out of reach,” added Abbott.
Among other challenges, some victims still encounter difficulties in participating in criminal proceedings or obtaining information about investigations and prosecutions of those alleged to be responsible for violations.
The study recommends steps Colombia should take to improve the implementation of the domestic legal framework, including:
- raising the awareness of civil servants, including judicial employees, of victims’ rights and the appropriate legal mechanisms employed to search for “disappeared” persons;
- improving coordination between the State’s institutions, including the Search Unit for Persons Presumed Disappeared in the context and by Reason of the Armed conflict, the Special Jurisdiction for Peace, and the Office of the Attorney General; and
- ensuring that the investigation and prosecution of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings take place within the civilian rather than the military justice system.
The study also stresses the importance of Colombia recognizing the competence of the UN Committee on Enforced Disappearances (CED) to receive and consider individual communications. Considering the high levels of impunity, the recognition has been requested by Colombian civil society organizations and victims to improve the protection and guarantee of rights of victims of enforced disappearances.
The baseline study has been produced as part of the ICJ’s regional project addressing justice for extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances in Colombia, Guatemala and Peru, sponsored by the European Union.
The baseline study is available in Spanish.
Background
The ICJ has long been monitoring laws, policies and practices concerning the investigation and prosecution of serious human rights violations and abuses in Colombia, including enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings, as part of its efforts to promote accountability, justice and the rule of law around the world.
Enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings are among the most prevalent human rights violations committed in Colombia, particularly in the context of the ongoing internal armed conflict. In Latin America, Colombia has one of the highest figures of people who have been subject to enforced disappearance or unlawfully killed.
The project is implemented under the ICJ’s Global Accountability Initiative which has also produced baseline studies for Eswatini, Nepal, Myanmar, Venezuela, Cambodia, Tajikistan and Tunisia.
Contacts
Kingsley Abbott, Coordinator of the Global Accountability Initiative, e: kingsley.abbott(a)icj.org
Carolina Villadiego, Legal and Policy Adviser, Latin America, and Regional Coordinator of the Project, e: carolina.villadiego(a)icj.org
Rocío Quintero M, Legal Adviser, Latin America, e: rocio.quintero(a)icj.org
Download
Colombia-GRA-Baseline-Study-Publications-Reports-Thematic-reports-2020-SPA (full report, in Spanish, PDF)
Jun 15, 2020 | Multimedia, Noticias
Como parte de las actividades que la CIJ adelanta en relación con la crisis generada por el COVID-19, se encuentra el monitoreo sobre la protección y garantía de los derechos de las mujeres. Al respecto, informes de todas partes del mundo indican un aumento en los casos de violencia domestica y nuevos problemas para acceder a la justicia.
En consideración a ello, los equipos de la CIJ en África y en Asia trabajaron juntos para realizar una animación sobre el impacto que las medidas de aislamiento y similares han tenido en los derechos de las mujeres.
La animación también ofrece sugerencias a los Estados sobre las medidas que se pueden adoptar para proteger los derechos de las mujeres. En particular, se llama la atención a los Estados sobre la importancia de adoptar un enfoque de género en sus políticas.
La animación fue lanzada en inglés durante un webinar, el 26 de mayo de 2020. Durante el webinar, mujeres defensoras de derechos humanos de Asia, África y el Medio Oriente discutieron sobre el impacto que las medidas impuestas para contener el avance del virus han tenido en los derechos de las mujeres.
Contacto:
Shaazia Ebrahim, Oficial de comunicaciones (CIJ Africa), Correo electrónico: shaazia.ebrahim(a)icj.org
