ASEAN lawyers to work towards stronger human rights safeguards
More than 40 delegates from nine countries attended a regional workshop for ASEAN lawyers in Bangkok April 28-30 on the promotion and protection of the rights of human rights defenders.
Thai authorities must urgently investigate Billy’s ‘disappearance’
The ICJ and other rights groups today demanded the Royal Thai Government carry out a thorough and impartial investigation into the “disappearance” of Pholachi “Billy” Rakchongcharoen.
Thailand: ICJ Seminar to advance women’s access to justice and human rights protection
The ICJ recently organized a Legal Seminar for Thai Lawyers and Women Human Rights Defenders on the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women.
On 25 April 2014 Thai lawyers and human rights defenders participated in a legal seminar on using international complaints mechanisms to advance women’s access to justice and human rights protection.
The ICJ seminar enabled global experts to provide local actors with practical guidance and strategic advice on using the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).
The Protocol, which was ratified by Thailand in 2004, allows women who believe their rights under CEDAW have been violated, to submit a complaint to the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women and seek the Committee’s deliberation and views on the matter.
The legal seminar was part of ongoing ICJ work to empower women lawyers and human rights defenders and advance women’s access to justice in Thailand.
Viet Nam – lift retaliatory travel restrictions on human rights defender
The ICJ today called on the government of Viet Nam to immediately return human rights defender Pham Chi Dung’s passport so he can travel to the United States to testify before Congress later this month.
Malaysia: ICJ saddened by death of prominent lawyer and human rights defender Karpal Singh
Karpal Singh, a prominent Malaysian lawyer, human rights defender and parliamentarian who fought courageously for equality, justice and democracy in the country, was killed in a road accident.
Malaysia: drop charges against human rights defender Lena Hendry
The ICJ expressed concern at today’s decision by the Kuala Lumpur High Court to dismiss the challenge by Lena Hendry, programme coordinator of the human rights advocacy organization Pusat Komas, to the constitutionality of elements of the Film Censorship Act 2002.
Recent News
Nepal: Protesters Demand Integrity, Rights, Rule of Law13 Sep 2025
India: Joint statement urging Indian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release human rights defender and student activist Umar Khalid12 Sep 2025
HRC60: Statement by the International Commission of Jurists in the Interactive Dialogue with the UN Special Rapporteur on truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence10 Sep 2025
HRC60: International Commission of Jurists in the General Debate under Item 210 Sep 2025