In a letter addressed to President Museveni of Uganda, the ICJ expressed its concern at the Law Council’s intention to enforce a 1977 regulation that essentially aims to abrogate freedom of expression for lawyers.
We are pleased to announce the launch of the new ICJ Network Challenge Fund. The purpose of the fund is to help foster collaboration between members of the ICJ Network in the promotion and protection of human rights through the rule of law.
“The proposals of the Justice Malimath Committee amount to an attack on the judiciary, prosecution and witnesses in criminal trial” said the ICJ.
The ICJ expresses its profound sorrow at the death of the UN Representative in Iraq and High Commissioner for Human Rights, Sergio Vieira de Mello, and all of his colleagues and other civilians killed yesterday in Baghdad.
The ICJ welcomes the significant achievements in a difficult political climate taken by the UN Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights during its 55th session, which concluded on Friday.
The ICJ is satisfied by the decision of the No. 1 Ankara Heavy Penal Court on 31 October to acquit 27 lawyers who had been charged with professional misconduct under the Turkish Penal Law.
The ICJ had sent a trial observer, Paul Richmond, Barrister of England and Wales, to observe this hearing which had been previously adjourned twice. Mr Richmond observed the earlier proceedings which took place on 9 May and 11 July.
The charge against the lawyers stemmed from their representation of political prisoners at Uluncular prison during a court proceeding in December 2000. It was at this hearing that the lawyers were alleged to have “shouted slogans” at the court and “incited those persons present in the courtroom to resist the gendarmes.” The charge was dismissed on the ground that it was not supported by sufficient evidence. A full report of the 31 October hearing will be available on the ICJ web site shortly. Reports of the first two hearings are currently available.
The ICJ calls upon the Government to implement the Court’s decision immediately and ensure full respect for the UN Principles on the Role of Lawyers.
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