ICJ welcomes historic UN decision on economic, social and cultural rights
The United Nations Human Rights Council yesterday approved by consensus an Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
June ICJ E-Bulletin on counter terrorism and human rights – no. 24
Read the 24th 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.
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States should strengthen judicial independence, develop a legal framework for businesses on human rights and tackle the crisis in Zimbabwe, Tibet and Myanmar
The ICJ said today at the Human Rights Council that all States should use their interaction with experts on extra-judicial executions, independence of judges and lawyers, torture and business and human rights.
This is not just to review their mandates to better address the major rights’ challenges, but also to demand accountability and end impunity for the perpetrators of persistent human rights violations in Zimbabwe, Tibet and Myanmar, the ICJ added.
HRC-States should strengthen judicial independence-Press releases-2008 (full text, word)
ICJ calls on Iranian authorities to cease harassment of Baha’i faith leaders
” The Six leaders of the Baha’i faith in Iran, who were arbitrarily arrested in Tehran in May 2008 and are being held incommunicado, must be released immediately or legally charged with a recognisable offence,” said the ICJ.
Read the full press release here
Sri Lanka: the government must strengthen the justice system and agree to re-establish the international monitoring presence
The ICJ expressed dismay at the Sri Lankan government’s complacent responses to mounting criticism of deteriorating human rights situation in the country.
ICJ urges the government of Pakistan to address the consequences of the rule of law crisis as part of the gradual transition to democracy
The ICJ urged the Government of Pakistan to promptly address the consequences of the rule of law crisis culminating in the 2007 state of emergency. Although the delegation of Pakistan engaged in dialogue about how to better ensure respect of human rights in a number of areas, it often denied the prevalence of major human rights concerns. Pakistan’s steps towards democracy including legislative amendments to improve human rights were welcomed. But the Council’s Working Group failed to offer guidance on how to progress issues relating to the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary.
Pakistan-ICJ urges the Government of Pakistan-Press releases-2008 (full text, PDF)
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