Jun 5, 2017 | Advocacy, Non-legal submissions
The ICJ has made a submission to the UN Human Rights Committee in advance of its forthcoming examination of Pakistan’s initial report under International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
In its submission, the ICJ has brought to the Committee’s attention concerns in relation to the following issues:
- The compliance of Pakistan’s counter-terrorism laws with the State’s obligations under Articles 6, 9 and 14 of the Covenant, particularly in the context of its “military justice” system;
- Shortcomings in the legal framework relevant to torture and other ill-treatment;
- The continuing practice of enforced disappearances and, in this context, the ongoing impunity of law enforcement and military agencies;
- The compliance of Pakistan’s blasphemy laws with Articles 14, 18, and 19 of the Covenant; and
- The compatibility of Pakistan’s “International Non-Governmental Organizations Policy” with the State’s obligations under Article 22 of the Covenant.
The Human Rights Committee will examine Pakistan’s initial report during its 120th session, which will be held in Geneva from 3-28 July 2017.
Following the review, the Committee will adopt Concluding Observations setting out recommendations to the Pakistani Government.
Pakistan -ICCPR submission-Advocacy-non legal submission-2017-ENG (full text in PDF)
Mar 30, 2017 | Advocacy, Non-legal submissions
Today, the ICJ made a submission to the Universal Periodic Review of Pakistan.
The submission brings to the attention of the members of the Human Rights Council’s Working Group on the UPR issues concerning:
- Trials of civilians by military tribunals;
- Enforced disappearances;
- Torture and other ill-treatment;
- Blasphemy laws; and
- International human rights instruments.
With respect to each of the above-mentioned concerns, the ICJ calls upon the Working Group on the UPR and the Human Rights Council to make a number of recommendations to the Pakistani authorities.
Pakistan-ICJ UPR-Advocacy-non-legal submissions-2017-ENG (full text in PDF)
Mar 30, 2017 | Advocacy
The ICJ submitted information to the UN Human Rights Council Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in advance of its review of Sri Lanka under the third cycle of the UPR mechanism during its 28th session in November 2017.
The ICJ submission focuses on concerns about Sri Lanka’s respect for its human rights obligations relating to ongoing issues of:
- Transitional justice;
- Enforced disappearance;
- Torture and other ill-treatment;
- Detention;
- Counter-terrorism; and
- Impunity.
SriLanka-UPR Submission March17-Advocacy-non legal submissions-2017-ENG (full text in PDF)
Mar 12, 2017 | Advocacy, Non-legal submissions
The ICJ has made an oral statement to the UN Human Rights Council on a range of measures needed to ensure truth, justice, reparations and non-repetition of past violations, in Nepal.
The statement read as follows:
TRUTH, JUSTICE, REPARATION, AND GUARANTEES OF NON-RECURRENCE IN NEPAL
10 March 2017
Mr. President
Without effective measures to ensure truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence, countries in situations of transition or post-conflict fail victims and put future reconciliation, peace and stability at risk. One example is Nepal.
Nepal’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission and Commission of Investigation on Disappeared Persons have not been effective. Changes are needed to bring their legal frameworks and operations in line with international standards and Supreme Court jurisprudence. These bodies require adequate resources. Trust-building measures including consultation processes must address the perspectives and needs of victims and for victims to feel ownership over the transitional justice process in Nepal.
Nepal must ensure prompt, independent and impartial investigation and prosecutions for serious human rights violations, including those committed during the armed conflict.
It must ensure justice and reparation for victims, including as provided for in the UN Basic Principles and Guidelines on the Right to a Remedy and Reparation.
It must criminalize serious crimes under international law in a manner that is consistent with international law, to help prevent such violations ever occurring again.
Nepal should also issue a standing invitation to all thematic special procedures of the Council.
Thank you, Mr. President.
Nov 19, 2016 | Advocacy
Ten years after the Comprehensive Peace Accord (CPA) ended Nepal’s bloody civil war, Nepali authorities must renew their commitment to ensure truth, justice and reparation for victims of the conflict who are still waiting for redress, the ICJ said today.
The CPA, signed by the Government of Nepal and the country’s major political parties, including the then Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) on 21 November 2006, called for a credible transitional justice process that would ensure victims’ rights to truth, justice, reparation and effective remedy in accordance with Nepal’s international human rights obligations.
“The hope and promise to conflict victims towards fulfillment of their rights to truth, justice and reparation that came with the signing of the CPA and the end of the conflict ten years ago have yet to be realized,” said Sam Zarifi, ICJ Asia director.
“Over the last ten years, various governments from all the different parties have blocked or hindered the transitional justice process, ignoring rulings by the Supreme Court that demanded compliance with international law and standards,” he added.
The full statement can be downloaded here:
nepal-statement-cpa-anniversary-advocacy-2016-eng (full text in PDF)
Sep 16, 2016 | Advocacy, Non-legal submissions
On 16 September 2016, the ICJ made a submission to the Universal Periodic Review of India.
The submission brings to the attention of the members of the Human Rights Council’s Working Group on the UPR issues concerning:
- discrimination and violence based on sexual orientation and gender identity;
- death penalty;
- impunity and accountability;
- freedom of speech, expression and association;
- ratification and implementation of international human rights instruments.
india-icj-upr-submission-advocay-non-legal-submission-2016-eng (full text in PDF)
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