Read the 33rd issue of ICJ’s monthly newsletter on proposed and actual changes in counter-terrorism laws, policies and practices and their impact on human rights at the national, regional and international levels.
The ICJ presented today the findings of a worldwide inquiry by a panel of some of the most prominent jurists into the impact of counter-terrorism laws on human rights at the United Nations in New York.
The report of the Eminent Jurists Panel concludes that many governments have confronted the threat of terrorism with ill-conceived measures that have undermined cherished values and resulted in serious violations of human rights.
It illustrates the devastating effects that notorious counter-terrorism measures such as extraordinary rendition, torture, arbitrary detention, and unfair trials have had on human rights worldwide.
It also warns of the increasing secrecy preventing accountability, and the danger of “temporary” measures becoming permanent features of law and practice in many states.
UN leadership in counter-terrorism-press release-2011 (full text, PDF)
The ICJ is concerned that an amendment introduced to new security legislation on administrative detention of irregular migrants would contravene international human rights standards.
The ICJ and other Human Rights groups are requesting the Attorney General to publicly explain his decision not to prosecute certain officers involved in an operation that killed 28 suspected insurgents five years ago.
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 condemns the purported abrogation of the constitution in Fiji and the summary dismissal of the entire judiciary under the pretext of establishing a “New Legal Order.”
Fiji-the government should respect rule of law-Press releases-2009 (full text, PDF)
India: Joint statement urging Indian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release human rights defender and student activist Umar Khalid
HRC60: Statement by the International Commission of Jurists in the Interactive Dialogue with the UN Special Rapporteur on truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence
HRC60: International Commission of Jurists in the General Debate under Item 2
Serbia: Political leaders must cease interference with the judiciary