Today, the ICJ expressed its utter dismay over the five-year imprisonment sentence against the Tunisian human rights defender and opposition Member of Parliament Mr. Khémais Chammari, aged 54.
Today, the ICJ responded to the Tunisian Government about the Government’s intimidation of Tunisian judges.
Today, the ICJ denounced the pressure which has been exerted against Tunisian judges who participated in a Seminar entitled Judicial Independence and Functions in Tunisia.
The Seminar was organized between 14-24 November 1994 in Tunis by the ICJ in collaboration with the Arab Institute for Human Rights and other governmental and non-governmental Tunisian institutions.
After the Seminar ended, the Ministry of Justice in Tunis exerted direct pressure on the Tunisian participants and asked them to withdraw their support of the document entitled Sommaire d’activités des cours (Summary of the Activities of the Course), a collection of reports drafted by participants during the Seminar.
The ICJ denounce the fact that the Ministry of Justice pressured participating judges to sign a new document significantly different in content.
The entire Seminar, including the session where the original document was discussed and adopted, was videotaped. Currently, the Ministry of Justice is in possession of the only copy of the videotape.
On this occasion, the ICJ Secretary-General, Adama Dieng, said: “We see these acts as direct attacks against the independence of the judiciary in Tunisia. We hope that no reprisals have been taken against those who had the courage to refuse to bow to pressure and sign the new document.”
The ICJ gave the opportunity to the Tunisian Government to remedy the situation before making their concern public. To date, however, no adequate response has been received. The ICJ, once again, invite the Tunisian Government to take urgent measures to remedy this situation.
Today, the ICJ condemned the shooting of demonstrators with lethal firearms, which caused the death of at least 14 Palestinians and injured 200 others.
Even when demonstrators throw stones at the security forces, the practice in countries shows that it is neither necessary nor permissible to use lethal weapons against them.
All violence used in self-defence must be necessary and proportionate to the violence used or the threat of violence. Stone-throwing rioters can be quelled by the use of water-hoses and other non-lethal measures, and the security forces can be protected with helmets and shields, The bloody events in Gaza are the consequence of a serious violation by the Palestinian Police of international and local standards.
The ICJ welcomes the establishment of a judicial Committee of Inquiry to investigate the details of the tragic incident in Gaza on 18 November 1994. Furthermore, the ICJ calls upon the Palestinian Authority to refrain from the use of lethal and indiscriminate force against civilians and to bring the actions of their agents into conformity with accepted international standards.
The ICJ deplores yesterday’s outrageous killing of civilians in Tel Aviv which claimed 22 Israeli lives and tens of other injured persons.
Those responsible for such an act should be brought to justice.
The ICJ is concerned over the potential consequences of this shocking killing. In retaliation, other innocent lives might be targeted. The ICJ calls upon all parties to end the vicious circle of violence.
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