International Commission of Jurists
UN Human Rights Council: side event related to sexual orientation and gender identity

UN Human Rights Council: side event related to sexual orientation and gender identity

Sep 17, 2009 | Events

The ICJ and other NGOs are hosting a side event at the 12th Session of the Human Rights Council: the Role of International Law in the Protection of People of Diverse Sexual Orientations and Gender Identities.

Featured speakers include ICJ Commissioner Vitit Muntarbhorn, Kenya National Human Rights Commissioner Lawrence Mute, and Alternative Law Forum co-founder Arvind Narrain. The occasion is also the launch of the Practitioner’s Guide on Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and International Human Rights Law.

HRC Side Event on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity-Events-2009 (Full text, DOC)

A new era of counter-terrorism in Africa

A new era of counter-terrorism in Africa

Apr 6, 2009 | Events

Initial widespread support for the US-lead ‘War on Terror’ in response to the 9/11 attacks has diminished markedly. What does this mean for Africa?

In fact, counter-terrorism today has a less-than-honourable reputation, conjuring images of extra-judicial renditions, unlawful and indefinite detention, and torture.

However recent developments indicate that change is coming to the way the world – and Africa – combats terrorism. President Obama has already ordered an end to several unlawful US-lead practices; in Europe and other regions courts are reminding governments about the importance of human rights and due process. Rather than falling primarily within the domain of spies and the military, criminal justices responses will become increasingly important.

Is Africa ready for this change? The ICJ and the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) are organizing an evening reception to explore these questions and launch the recent report of the ICJ’s Eminent Jurists Panel on Terrorism, Counter-Terrorism and Human Rights.

Africa-terrorism-news-2009 (full text, PDF)

“Rights Work” conference, Stockholm: ICJ intervention on systematic work for human rights implementation

“Rights Work” conference, Stockholm: ICJ intervention on systematic work for human rights implementation

Nov 14, 2008 | Events

At the Conference on Systematic Work for Human Rights Implementation, the ICJ underscored the civil society’s dual role in terms of assessment of implementation of human rights norms as well as assistance to States in this regard.

According to the ICJ, the development of international norms has not been accomplished once and forever.

As an example, it pointed to a need to develop norms to extend the obligations to respect and ensure human rights also to businesses. On the other hand, the UN Universal Periodic Review and the system of treaty monitoring bodies should play a more meaningful role to help States ensure full compliance with human rights standards.

ICJ Intervention on Systematic Work for Human Rights Implementation-Events-2008 (full text, PDF)

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