Sep 24, 2015 | Advocacy, Non-legal submissions
The ICJ made an oral statement to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva today, calling on the Maldives to accept and implement recommendations on human rights and the rule of law, including the independence of the judiciary, received as part of the UN Universal Periodic Review process.
The statement, which was also supported by the NGO South Asians for Human Rights (SAHR), may be downloaded in PDF format here: Maldives-UN-HRC30OralStatement-Advocacy-non legal statement-2015-ENG
The report of a joint ICJ-SAHR fact-finding mission to the Maldives, conducted earlier this year, is available here.
Sep 23, 2015 | Advocacy, Non-legal submissions
The ICJ has joined other NGOs in calling on the UN Human Rights Council and states to take more effective measures to prevent and respond to reprisals against human rights defenders and others who cooperate with the United Nations.
The full statement, which was delivered by the International Service for Human Rights (ISHR) during the Human Rights Council session in Geneva, may be downloaded in PDF format:
UN-HRC30-JointOralStatementReprisals-Advocacy-Nonlegal submissions-2015-ENG
Sep 21, 2015 | Advocacy, Non-legal submissions
The ICJ today delivered an oral statement at the UN Human Rights Council during the Interactive Dialogue with the Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic concerning accountability and other measures to address the Syrian conflict.
In the statement the ICJ called upon the UN Human Rights Council and the Security Council to respond to the findings of the 10th report of the Syria Commission of Inquiry, including with a view to ensuring accountability for the serious violations of international law.
The ICJ also called upon all states to comply with their obligations under international law vis-à-vis the Syrian conflict, including by searching for all those responsible for international crimes committed in this conflict and bringing them before their own courts, and by protecting the rights of Syrian refugees and abiding by the principle of non-refoulement.
The full statement may be downloaded in PDF format, here: Syria-UN-HRC30-OralStatement-Advocay-non legal submission-2015-ENG
Sep 21, 2015 | Advocacy, Non-legal submissions
Today, the ICJ and Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR) made a joint submission to the Human Rights Council’s Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review in advance of the Human Rights Council’s review of Thailand in April/May 2016.
In their submission, the ICJ and TLHR expressed concern about the following issues:
(1) the impact of the new legal and institutional framework, imposed since the May 2014 coup d’état, on human rights in Thailand;
(2) instances of suspected enforced disappearance and torture; and
(3) issues concerning international human rights instruments and mechanisms.
A copy of the submission can be found here:
THAILAND-UPR SUBMISSION FINAL AS LODGED-Advocacy-Non legal submission-2015-ENG (full text in PDF)
Sep 21, 2015 | Advocacy, Non-legal submissions
Today, the ICJ made a submission to the Human Rights Council’s Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review in advance of the Human Rights Council’s review of Swaziland in April/May 2016.
In its submission, the ICJ expressed concern about the following issues:
1) independence and impartiality of the judiciary and fair trial rights; and
2) international human rights instruments and mechanisms.
A copy of the submission can be found here:
Swaziland-ICJ-UPR-SWAZI SUBMISSION FINAL AS LODGED-Advocacy-2015-ENG (full text in PDF)
Sep 18, 2015 | Advocacy, Non-legal submissions
The ICJ today delivered an oral statement at the UN Human Rights Council in the General Debate on item 3, concerning judicial accountability, and on the link between ESC rights and enforced or involuntary disappearances.
In the statement, the ICJ welcomed the focus on judicial reform and accountability of judges in the report of the Special Rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence.
The ICJ also welcomed the initiative of the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances to address more systematically and comprehensively the relationship between disappearances and the realization (or lack thereof) of economic, social and cultural rights.
The full statement may be downloaded in PDF format, here: UN-Advocacy-HRC30-OralStatement-GDItem3-2015-ENG
