International human rights law and the criminalization of same-sex sexual conduct

International human rights law and the criminalization of same-sex sexual conduct

The most visible example of oppression on the grounds of sexual orientation is the continued criminalization of sexual activity between consenting adult partners of the same sex in many states around the world.

Regardless of whether they are enforced, these so-called sodomy laws have the effect of stigmatizing an entire group of people as criminal.  International law on the issue is clear.  Such laws violate human rights.  In this ICJ Briefing Paper, we analyze the application of international human rights law to the criminalization of same-sex sexual conduct.

International human rights law and the criminalizaion of same-sex sexual conduct-anyalsis brief-2010 (full text, PDF)

ICJ Submission to the UN Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review on Spain

ICJ Submission to the UN Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review on Spain

The ICJ addresses the practice of incommunicado detention, and the transfer of persons as part of the alleged cooperation of Spain in the US-led renditions programme.

The ICJ also draws attention to the threat to judicial independence posed by the recent prosecution of Investigative Judge Baltasar Garzón Real; to the recent limitations introduced on the use of universal jurisdiction to prosecute crimes under international law; and to the limited scope of the offence of torture contained in the Criminal Code.

Universal Periodic Review Spain-non-legal submission-2009 (full text, PDF)

Justice Ian Binnie analyzes legal remedies for corporate participation in international human rights abuses

Justice Ian Binnie analyzes legal remedies for corporate participation in international human rights abuses

In this brief, ICJ Commissioner Justice Ian Binnie (photo) describes the progress that has been made – and remains to be made – in developing an acceptable legal liability framework for corporate human rights violations.

In particular, Justice Binnie cites the ICJ’s Expert Panel Report on Corporate Complicity and the SRSG John Ruggie’s framework of “Protect, Respect, and Remedy,” as important advances in defining this framework.

He urges the greater development and use of both criminal and civil theories of liability for holding corporations accountable for violations.

He also calls for victims who have exhausted all local remedies to have access to an international body such as the International Criminal Court.

 

legalremedies-businessHR-analysis brief-2009 (full text, PDF)

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