The ICJ applauds the decision to “conduct a preliminary review into whether US laws were violated in connection with the interrogation of specific detainees at overseas locations.”
USA-Broader mandate for prosecutor essential-Press release-2009 (full text, PDF)
The ICJ is alarmed by the plans of the Obama administration to regularize the indefinite detention without trial that has been emblematic of the worst US abuses in its counter terrorism programs since 11 September 2001.
USA-President signals continuation of detention without trial-Press releases-2009 (full text, PDF)
“Reviving Military Commissions is a setback for the rule of law. It will entrench a fundamentally flawed system with some amendments and set a terrible precedent to the rest of the world.”
“We need a clear break with the past and the laws and policies grounded in the ill-conceived concept of a ‘war on terror’,” said Wilder Tayler, Acting ICJ Secretary General.
The comment comes as the US administration announced that it would revive the suspended military commission system to try certain detainees presently held in Guantánamo Bay.
According to this information the administration will introduce amendments to the Military Commission Act (MCA) 2006 increasing legal protections, including the prohibition of evidence obtained by torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment and the introduction of greater choice of legal counsel.
United States-Reinstituting military commission wrong way out-Press releases-2009 (full text, PDF)
The ICJ today called on the United States to comply with its international legal obligation to conduct a thorough investigation and prosecute officials who authorized and engaged in the international crime of torture.
United States-No impunity for torture-Press releases-2009 (full text, PDF)
Photo by acameronhuff
The ICJ welcomed the decision of President Obama’s administration to seek a seat on the UN Human Rights Council.
A reversal of the Bush administration’s decision to disengage from the Council came at the right time, as the Council continues to grapple with some of the most pressing human rights situations and concerns.
United States–US decision to run for membership reaffirms-web story-2009 (full text, PDF)
The UK government and the new US administration must ensure that the independence of the courts, and their ability to disclose information essential to accountability for crimes of torture, is not undermined.
The main threat is the withdrawal of intelligence co-operation, the ICJ said in response to yesterday’s Divisional Court judgment in R (Binyam Mohammed) v Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
UK-US-Governments must not impede courts’ disclosure of torture allegations-web story-2009 (full text, PDF)
USA/Israel/Palestine: Immediately rescind sanctions against UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese
Strong push back against US sanctions on the International Criminal Court at UN Human Rights Council
ECtHR Grand Chamber Ruling in Semenya v. Switzerland: Joint Statement of Third-Party Interveners
UN Human Rights Council struggles to fulfil its mandate in the midst of global attacks on human rights, the rule of law and multilateralism