Angola: ICJ condems the abduction of war veterans in Angola
The ICJ notes with concern reports of the alleged abduction of two war veterans, António Alves Kamulingue and Isaias Sebastião Cassule, in Luanda, on 27 and 29 May 2012 respectively.
ICJ disappointed by decision taken on SADC Tribunal
The ICJ and other human rights and legal groups say that the the SADC Summit of Heads of State’s decision on SADC Tribunal denies the SADC people the right to approach the court for justice.The ICJ, SADC LA and SALC express their deepest disappointment at the decision taken by the SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government on the SADC Tribunal.
The Summit’s Final Communiqué explains that the region’s leaders had “resolved that a new protocol on the Tribunal should be negotiated and that its mandate should be confined to interpretation of the SADC Treaty and Protocols relating to disputes between member states”.
That decision effectively destroys an integral SADC organ – the currently established Tribunal – and denies the SADC people the right to approach the court for justice.
It is, as Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu observes, “a tragedy. It is a blow against accountable government and individual rights.”
SADC Tribunal decision-web story 2012 (Download in English)
Photo: Salc bloggers
South Africa: ICJ concerned by the tragic events at the Lonmin mines
The ICJ has observed with deep concern the tragic and violent events that took place at the Lonmin mines since 10 august 2012, when miners embarked on a collective action for an increase in wages.The lives that have been lost during this short period bring to the fore various issues concerning the realization of economic and social rights, including the sensitive issue of business and human rights. Poverty, lack of employment and many other socio-economic issues sometimes lead to frustrations, which in turn manifest themselves in violence.
ICJ oral intervention on the adoption of the outcome document of the Universal Periodic Review of Zimbabwe
During the 19th session of the Human Rights Council, the ICJ made an oral statement during the Council’s consideration and adoption of the outcome document in the Universal Periodic Review of Zimbabwe.
The statement focussed on the lack of human rights protection and respect for the rule of law in the country, particularly as this affects lawyers, journalists and human rights defenders more broadly, and called on the Government of Zimbabwe to halt the repression of legitimate peaceful protests and undertake reforms necessary for the conduct of independent and effective investigations into gross human rights violations and crimes under international law.
Zimbabwe-oral intervention UPR-advocacy-2012 (full text in English, PDF)
ICJ oral intervention on the adoption of the outcome document of the Universal Periodic Review of Uganda
During the 19th session of the Human Rights Council, the ICJ made an oral statement during the Council’s consideration and adoption of the outcome document in the Universal Periodic Review of Uganda.
The statement focussed on the lack of human rights protection and respect for the rule of law in the country, particularly as this affects human rights defenders, and called on the Government of Uganda to end impunity for gross human rights violations, and to ensure that the Anti Homosexuality Bill is not adopted into law.
Uganda-oral intervention UPR-advocacy-2012 (full text in English, PDF)
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