Mexico: Legislation giving control of public security and law enforcement powers to the Secretary of Defense is an affront to the rule of law
The ICJ called today on the Mexican Parliament to reconsider and amend the laws it adopted on 8 September which effectively give control of public security and law enforcement functions to the Mexican Secretary of Defense (SEDENA).
Mexico: authorities should modify domestic legislation to guarantee that persons with disabilities enjoy legal capacity in legal proceedings
The Mexican authorities should commit to a firm timeline for a consultative process with a view to ensuring effective review and modification of domestic legislation to guarantee that persons with disabilities have legal capacity to exercise their rights on an equal basis with others, the ICJ emphasized in a submission to the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
UN: ICJ concerned at impunity for enforced disappearances in Latin America and use of abductions in Turkey
The ICJ expressed concern today at the use of abductions in national security cases in Turkey and the enduring impunity for enforced disappearances in certain Latin American countries, during the interactive dialogue with the UN Working Group on Enforced and Involuntary Disapparances at the UN Human Rights Council.
The 2020 Martin Ennals Award for human rights defenders is granted to Huda Al-Sarari, Yemen
Huda Al- Sarari, Yemeni lawyer and human rights defender, is the 2020 Martin Ennals Award laureate. She was among three women selected as finalists by a jury of ten of the world’s leading human rights organizations, including the ICJ, along with Sizani Ngubane, South Africa, and Norma Librada Ledezma, Mexico.
The 2020 Martin Ennals Award ceremony, co-hosted by the Martin Ennals Foundation and the City of Geneva, was held today, and for the first time in the history of the Award, all three finalists are women.
“Women human rights defenders are subject to the same risks as every human rights defender, but as women, they also face certain forms of violence and violations due to their gender. They are often stigmatized and ostracized by community leaders, faith- based groups and even family members,” said the Mayor of the City of Geneva, Sandrine Salerno.
“The Martin Ennals Foundation is particularly proud to honour and support three resilient women human rights defenders this year, our laureate Huda Al-Sarari, as well as our two finalists Sizani Ngubane and Norma Librada Ledezma for their achievements. We hope that the award will shed a light on their achievements, and strengthen protection mechanisms around them,” said Philippe Currat, President of the Board of the Martin Ennals Foundation.
Huda Al-Sarari is a Yemeni lawyer and human rights defender who graduated in Sharia and Law from Aden University. She also holds a masters in Women’s Studies and Development from the Women’s Centre at Aden University. Over the last years, Huda investigated, exposed and challenged the enforced disappearances that occurred as a result of secret prisons run by foreign governments in Yemen where thousands of men and boys have suffered from arbitrary detention, torture and extrajudicial killings. She collected evidence on more than 250 cases of the abuse taking place within those prisons.
“Being a human rights defender in Yemen is extremely challenging, and being a woman makes this even more difficult. In a male-dominated society, I have to prove myself maybe ten times more than a man,” she said.
Despite the threats, defamation campaigns and sacrifices she and her family endured, Huda continues to stand alongside the families of those who have disappeared.
“Receiving the 2020 Martin Ennals Award for human rights defenders means the world to me. It gives me great strength and emboldens me to continue this fight for justice. I believe the Award will be incredibly important in drawing attention to the continual plight of victims of arbitrary detention, abuse and torture in Yemen,” she added.
“We commend Huda for the work that she conducted, not only against the backdrop of the ongoing Yemeni civil war, but also, in a country where women still struggle to express their political and civil rights. Huda’s legacy is crucial as her thorough investigations and search for accountability will serve to bring justice for human rights violations occurred during the conflict,” said Hans Thoolen, Chair of the Martin Ennals Award Jury.
The two finalists of the Martin Ennals Award this year are Sizani Ngubane (South Africa) and Norma Librada Ledezma (Mexico).
Sizani is a human rights defender who advocates for land rights for women in rural areas on South Africa. She also supports women to access education, and fights for the end of the traditional practice of Ukuthwala, which is the abduction and forced marriage of young girls and women.
Norma is the founder of Justicia para Nuestras Hijas. She has supported over 200 investigations into cases of feminicide, enforced disappearance and human trafficking in Chihuahua, Mexico.
Both were praised by the Martin Ennals Jury member organizations for their commitment and tremendous achievements in their respective countries.
Additional information
The City of Geneva has hosted the Award ceremony since 2008, together with the Martin Ennals Foundation, as part of its deep commitment to the defense of human rights. The support of the City, by means of its Service for International Solidarity, reflects its mission to promote human rights both internationally and
The Jury of the Martin Ennals Award is comprised of ten of the world’s leading human rights organizations: the ICJ, Amnesty International, FIDH, Human Rights First, HURIDOCS, International Service For Human Rights, Brot für die Welt (Bread for the World), Front Line Defenders, Human Rights Watch and the World Organization Against Torture.
Download
Universal-MEA2020bios-News-2019-ENG (full bios of finalists, in PDF)
Universal-MEA2020winner-News-Press releases-2019-ARA (full story in Arabic, PDF)
Universal-MEA2020bios-News-2019-ARA (full bios of finalists, in Arabic, PDF)
Contact
Olivier van Bogaert, Director Media & Communications, ICJ representative in the MEA Jury, t: +41 22 979 38 08 ; e: olivier.vanbogaert(a)icj.org
Watch the ceremony as it happened
https://www.facebook.com/MartinEnnals/videos/2552501445008021/