Lawyer killed in Dagestan: the ICJ calls for full and independent investigation
The ICJ today called on the Russian authorities to immediately launch a full and independent investigation into the killing of a lawyer in Dagestan.
Garzón trial: the application of international law to the crimes of the Spanish Civil War and the Franco regime does not constitute criminal malfeasance
The ICJ and other human rights groups call on the Supreme Court of Spain to act in accordance with international law standards on the independence of the judiciary and accountability for international crimes. Judge Garzón is accused of criminal malfeasance for authorizing investigations into the alleged disappearance, torture and execution of more than 110.000 persons during the Spanish Civil War and the subsequent Franco’s regime. The trial against Judge Garzón will begin on 24 January 2012.
Spain-trial judge Garzón-press release-2012 (full text in English, PDF)
Spain-trial judge Garzón-press release-2012-SPA (full text in Spanish, PDF)
The Kyrgyz Republic: ICJ concludes mission on the case of human rights defender Azimjan Askarov
The ICJ has concluded a fact finding mission concerning the prosecution and trial against human rights defender Azimjan Askarov. The mission was undertaken to respond to allegations of human rights violations surrounding the case, including breaches international fair trial standards during the investigation and trial. Particular concerns were raised about torture and ill-treatment of Mr Askarov, intimidation of lawyers and political pressure on judges.
Kyrgyzstan-mission case Askarov-web-2011 (full text in English, PDF)
Kyrgyzstan-mission case Askarov-web-2011 (full text in Russian, PDF)
Passing of Professor Antonio Cassese
It was with great sadness that the ICJ learned today of the passing of Professor Antonio Cassese who died this weekend at the age of 74 following a long fight with illness.
Professor Cassese was an Honorary Member of the ICJ having previously served as an ICJ Commissioner between 1995 and 2005. He was a distinguished figure in international justice, serving in a number of significant legal roles, and held the position of Professor of International Law at the University of Florence from 1975 until 2008.
Our thoughts and condolences are with his family.
Trainings on international human rights and migration for stakeholders and civil society in Malta
On 29 September, the ICJ, the Maltese NGO “aditus”, and the UNCHR office in Malta organized these trainings with the support of the European Commission Representation in the country.
The trainings targeted stakeholders working with migrants, asylum seekers and refugees, as well as those not working with these groups.
The topics covered included general human rights principles, international refugee law, human rights in Malta, detention of migrants and economic, social and cultural rights. The primary aims of the trainings were to facilitate migrant mainstreaming and the promotion of a rights-based approach to migrant issues.”
Italy: bill increasing length of criminal trial should be rejected
The ICJ is urging the Members of the House of Representatives to dismiss the draft legislation on evidence in criminal trials which could exacerbate further the already dramatic delays in Italian judicial proceedings.
The legislation would eliminate the possibility for a judge to reject the admission of “superfluous” and even “manifestly superfluous” evidence, allowing the parties to a case to call an almost infinite number of witnesses, and potentially delaying the case indefinitely. It also would make it unduly difficult to incorporate previous final rulings on the same case as prima facie evidence of the facts in the proceedings.”
Italy-length-criminal-trial-web story-2011-eng (full text in English, PDF)
Italy-length-criminal-trial-web story-2011-ita (full text in Italian, PDF)
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