International Commission of Jurists
Conference on enforced and involuntary disappearances in Asia: building solidarity, breaking barriers

Conference on enforced and involuntary disappearances in Asia: building solidarity, breaking barriers

Feb 3, 2015 | News

In partnership with the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), the ICJ convened a two-day conference in Islamabad on 2-3 February 2015.

The conference brought together civil society activists, lawyers and journalists from across Asia, including Thailand, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, India, Nepal and Pakistan with experience of working on enforced disappearances in the their national contexts as well as regional and international forums.

The participants expressed alarm at the continuing practice of enforced disappearances in the region and regretted that a culture of moral, political and legal impunity prevented perpetrators to be brought to justice.

They also urged their respective states to promptly ratify the International Convention for the Protection of all Persons from Enforced Disappearance, criminalize enforced disappearances, and meet their obligations under international law to provide remedy and reparations for human rights violations.

At the end of the two-day event, the participants of the conference adopted a resolution (download below) resolving to work together to address the common challenges and hurdles they encounter in their work on enforced disappearances.

Asia-Enforced disappearances Resolution final-Advocacy-2015-ENG (full text in PDF)

Asia-Enforced disappearances Resolution final-Advocacy-2015-URD (full text in PDF)

ICJ delivers training to human rights defenders in Pakistan

ICJ delivers training to human rights defenders in Pakistan

Feb 24, 2014 | Events, Training modules

In partnership with the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), the ICJ conducted two-day workshops on NGO engagement with the United Nations, held in Pakistan on 18-19 and 21-22 February 2014.

The workshops, held in Lahore and Islamabad, focused on enhancing the meaningful participation of national NGOs with the UN human rights system. Participants included representatives from civil society working on a wide range of human rights issues, including enforced disappearances, education, violence against women and child rights.

Drawing from experiences of ICJ staff and participants, the workshops considered how international advocacy and engagement with the UN can benefit NGOs and addressed:

  • The nature of international human rights law;
  • State obligations under international human rights law;
  • The UN human rights system;
  • The Universal Periodic Review mechanism;
  • The UN Special Procedures and the making of individual complaints to them;
  • The UN Treaty Bodies, individual complaints and periodic reporting; and
  • Documenting human rights violations.

Background materials on the Universal Periodic Review: (ENG) and (URDU)
Background materials on the UN Special Procedures: (ENG) and (URDU)
Background materials on the core functions of the UN Treaty Bodies: (ENG) and (URDU)
BAckground materials on periodic reporting to the UN Treaty Bodies: (ENG) and (URDU)

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