Sep 20, 2010 | News
An ICJ delegation visited Maldives to assess progress towards the establishment of an independent, impartial, and competent judiciary, and make recommendations.
The ICJ urged collaboration by all political parties and authorities to support the consolidation of an independent, impartial, and competent judiciary. The delegation noted remaining challenges in this regard as well as steps to take the process beyond recent controversies.
Maldives-independent judiciary-web story-2010 (full text in English, PDF)
Jul 5, 2010 | News
The ICJ has urged the Maoist Party to immediately desist from further intimidation against lawyers acting in the case of Arjun Lama (photo of his wife holding his picture).The ICJ aslo called on the Government to ensure the protection of human rights defenders acting on behalf of victims of both state and non-state actors.
Nepal-intimidation HR defenders stop-press release-2010 (full text in English, PDF)
Mar 18, 2010 | News
The ICJ welcomes important step taken by the Fundamental Rights Committee towards constitutionally guaranteeing fundamental rights in Nepal but also points out serious weaknesses.
Mar 5, 2010 | News
The ICJ expressed concern at the deteriorating situation in Sri Lanka and welcomed the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights’ emphasis on countering discrimination, including on the grounds of sexual orientation.
The ICJ also called on the Council to consider establishing a dedicated mandate – such as the Early-warning Commission – to identify the emergence of human rights violations in crisis situations and make recommendations to the UN to prevent human rights violations and ensure accountability of their perpetrators.
SriLanka-humanrightsviolations-web story-2010 (full text, PDF)
Feb 17, 2010 | News
International and local human rights organizations have today urged the Nepali authorities to stop obstructing criminal proceedings over the alleged torture and murder of 15-year-old Maina Sunuwar by four army officers.
Nepal-Authorities must provide justice for torture and murder-press release-2010 (full text, PDF)
See also the open letter Government obstruction of justice and defiance of judicial authority
Feb 5, 2010 | News
The ICJ today urged action by the Government to ensure respect for civilian jurisdiction in the Maina Sunuwar case.
The Nepal Army has acknowledged that Maina Sunuwar died following prolonged torture at the Nepal Army’s Birendra Peacekeeping Training Centre in Panchakhal on 17 February 2004.
However, it has refused to recognize civilian court jurisdiction as established by the Supreme Court’s September 2007 decision, and to surrender Major Niranjan Basnet to the Kavre District Court pursuant to a 31 January 2008 arrest warrant.
Nepal-civilian jurisdiction-press release-2010 (full text, PDF)