Mar 10, 2009 | News
Serious failures in the criminal investigation have denied justice in the case of disappeared Muslim lawyer Somchai Neelapaichit in Thailand, the ICJ said in a new report released today.
The ICJ said there were no signs of concrete progress in bringing the perpetrators to justice and urged the investigators to use all available legal powers to overcome a ‘wall of silence’ in the police and to secure essential evidence.
Thailand-Serious failures in the criminal investigation-Press releases-2009 (full text, PDF)
Link to report of trial obervation mission (in English and Thai)
Jan 30, 2009 | News
The ICJ urges the Government of Nepal to ensure that legislation on Disappearances and Truth and Reconciliation are adopted through regular democratic process and not by executive ordinance.
The ICJ also reiterated that adoption of such legislation should follow broad based national consultation and should fulfil Nepal’s human rights obligations.
Nepal-Government should allow parliament to debate-Press releases-2009 (full text, PDF)
Nov 25, 2008 | News
The ICJ is urging the Constituent Assembly to adopt a series of amendments to ensure compliance of the Bill on Disappearances Act with human rights obligations.
The proposed Disappearances Bill would criminalize the act of enforced disappearance, establish a commission to investigate past cases from 1996-2006, and provide for prosecution of perpetrators and reparations for victims. However, these laudable steps could be undermined in practice by weaknesses in certain provisions.
Nepal-The ICJ urges human rights amendments-Press releases-2008 (full text, PDF)
Nepal-ICJ letter to speaker-Open letters-2008-Eng (full text, PDF)
Nepal-ICJ letter to speaker-Open letters-2008-Nep (full text, PDF)
Sep 29, 2008 | News
The ICJ strongly condemns the grenade attack on 27 September against prominent Sri Lankan human rights lawyer, J.C Weliamuna.
The ICJ calls on the Government of Sri Lanka to launch a prompt, independent, impartial and transparent investigation.
Sri Lanka-Attack against human rights lawyer threatens rule of law-Press releases-2008 (full text, PDF)
Aug 19, 2008 | News
ICJ regional ASEAN colloquium reaffirms independence of judges and lawyers.
“Ensuring independence and accountability of judges, lawyers and prosecutors is of fundamental importance in strengthening justice and the rule of law in the ASEAN region. The ICJ is delighted to host this high-level regional event in cooperation with the Office of the President of the Supreme Court of Thailand,” said Roger Normand, ICJ Asia-Pacific Director.
The high-level panel members exchanged views and comparative national experience on the application of international principles. The panel included judges from the Supreme Court and Administrative Court of Thailand, the Supreme Courts of the Philippines and Lao PDR, and representatives of the Office of the Attorney-General of Thailand and Lawyers Council of Thailand. The proceedings were observed by over 70 Thai judges, legal academics and other representatives of the Thai legal community.
Thailand-ICJ regional ASEAN colloquium reaffirms independence of judges and lawyers-Press releases-2008 (full text, PDF)
May 19, 2008 | News
The ICJ expressed dismay at the Sri Lankan government’s complacent responses to mounting criticism of deteriorating human rights situation in the country.
