The ICJ today expressed its grave concern at the murder in Moscow yesterday of prominent human rights lawyer Stanislav Markelov and called for a thorough, prompt and independent criminal investigation.
Russian Federation-ICJ calls for investigation and accountability-Press releases-2009 (full text, PDF)
The ICJ today called for an immediate end to the 12-day Israeli Military operations in Gaza that have claimed lives of more than 660 and wounded some 3.000 Palestinians.
Nine Israelis have also been killed during these operations. Many of the victims have been civilians.
“Palestinian civilians continue to pay the heaviest toll in operations that appear replete with violations of international humanitarian law”,” said the ICJ. “Many attacks have been indiscriminate or disproportionate, and Israel has failed in its legal obligation to take constant care to spare civilians and civilian objects from attack.
Palestine-Israeli military operations in Gaza must stop; civilians must be protected-Press releases-2009 (full text, PDF)
The declaration has become a beacon for the development of international law, the institution of universal human rights mechanisms and procedures and a primary instrument for those who struggle for dignity.
Nevertheless, the promise of the Universal Declaration has yet to be fully realised.
“Despite the burgeoning of a culture of human rights in parts of the world, major objectives of the Universal Declaration remain unfulfilled, as the efforts to implement human rights have left many men and women behind”, said Lukas Machon, ICJ Representative to the UN.
UN-Universal declaration of human rights at its 60th anniversary-news-2008 (full text, PDF)
Read the 29th 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 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)
Qatar: States urged to ensure access to justice for women and girls with disabilities
End the judicial persecution of human rights lawyers Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha
Tunisia: Conviction of Ebru Timtik Award Laureate Ahmed Souab marks escalating repression of lawyers
ICJ Honored for Championing Refugee and Migrant Justice Worldwide