International Commission of Jurists
ICJ calls on OSCE participating states to enhance practical measures for human rights compliance when countering terrorism

ICJ calls on OSCE participating states to enhance practical measures for human rights compliance when countering terrorism

Nov 14, 2012 | Advocacy, Events, Non-legal submissions

At a two-day conference of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the ICJ called on the OSCE to take practical steps aimed at enhancing human rights compliance while countering terrorism.

The OSCE conference addressed the subject of Strengthening Regional Co-operation, Criminal Justice Institutions and Rule of Law Capacities to Prevent and Combat Terrorism and Radicalization that Leads to Terrorism and was held in Vienna, Austria, on 12 and 23 November 2012.

Addressing the aim of the conference to identify best practices, the ICJ’s Representative to the United Nations, Alex Conte, spoke on trends in national legislative responses to the countering of terrorism, specifically concerning compliance with the rule of law and human rights and the combating of conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism and to radicalization. He recommended that the OSCE:

  • Continue with its encouragement of participating states to ratify and implement the universal terrorism-related conventions, including the four most recent conventions, as well as any international human rights treaties to which they are not yet parties.
  • In doing so, pick up on the best practices identified by the former UN Special Rapporteur on counter-terrorism with a view to ensuring that domestic implementing legislation is in compliance with, and is applied in a manner consistent with, human rights and the rule of law, in order to avoid laws and practices that might create conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism and to radicalization.
  • Organise structured workshops for judges and the legal profession, including with reference to the best practices mentioned.
  • Establish mechanisms through which participating states can be assisted in undertaking a review of new and existing implementing legislation

OSCEConference-CounterTerrorismAndROL-Agenda (download conference agenda in PDF)

Workshop for Thai civil society groups on effective alternative reporting to the UN Committee against Torture

Workshop for Thai civil society groups on effective alternative reporting to the UN Committee against Torture

Nov 14, 2012 | Agendas, Events

The ICJ is organizing this workshop in collaboration with Cross Cultural Foundation (CrCF) and the Association for the Prevention of Torture (APT) from 17 – 18 November 2012 in Bangkok, Thailand.

The workshop is aimed at supporting and strengthening civil society groups in Thailand in their engagement at the international level to address key issues in the implementation of the UNCAT.

This is a follow-up to a previous workshop held by the ICJ together with the APT and OHCHR last January 2012 where Thai groups decided to submit an alternative report to the UN Committee against Torture.

The November workshop will have discussions on the role of the UN Committee against Torture, as well as key provisions of the UNCAT.

A representative from the Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines will be sharing to Thai groups on the Commission’s experience on drafting an alternative report on the Philippines.

 

Geneva Seminar for Lawyers on International Human rights Law in the Criminal Justice Process

Geneva Seminar for Lawyers on International Human rights Law in the Criminal Justice Process

Nov 2, 2012 | Events

The ICJ will hold a five-day seminar in Geneva for lawyers from Central Asian countries on International Human Rights Law in the Criminal Justice Process. 

The training seminar, from 5 – 9 November, will cover international human rights law related to fair trial, the right to liberty, freedom from torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, and the right to life; as well as UN human rights mechanisms.  The training will involve ICJ Commissioners and legal advisers, as well as other experts.  Participants will meet with members of Committee against Torture, and with representatives of other treaty bodies and UN Special Procedures.   The participants will also attend a session of the Committee Against Torture, to observe the reporting process.

The seminar aims to build a strong connection between national lawyers in Central Asian countries and the international human rights system. It will provide a forum for detailed and practical discussion on international human rights law and its application in practice in national systems, drawing on the experiences of experts on international jurisprudence, standards and mechanisms, to ensure more effective application of these standards in Central Asian countries.

Agenda-CISTraining-2012-eng (download the agenda in English)

Agenda-CISTraining-2012-rus (download the agenda in Russian)

Respect the right not to be disappeared

Respect the right not to be disappeared

Oct 29, 2012 | Events

On 31 October the ICJ is co-sponsoring a side event with the Permanent Mission of France on “Respect the right not to be disappeared – Universal accession and implementation of the Convention against disappearances”.

This parallel event to the session of the Committee on Enforced Disappearance and the Working Group on Enforced and Involuntary Disappearances will take place at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Room XII, from 1 to 3 PM (13.00-15.00).

UN-ICAED enforced disappearances – Event-2012

 

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