UK lawyers to honor Dato’ Param Cumaraswamy
The ICJ congratulates Dato’ Param Cumaraswamy, the former UN Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, who will become an honorary member of the Law Society of England and Wales.
The Human Rights Law Conference 2003
This conference, organised by JUSTICE (the British section of the International Commission of Jurists) will be held in London on 17 October 2003. In one highly practical day, the speakers assess recent UK case law and legislative developments, guide delegates through the impact on each area of law, and look ahead to likely developments over the next twelve months.
Fair trial for all Guantanamo Bay detainees, particularly appeal rights
JUSTICE (British Section of the ICJ) called on the Attorney General to press for fair trials for all Guantanamo detainees and, in particular, appeal rights to civilian courts as envisaged by international human rights obligations.
JUSTICE welcomes the commitment of the Attorney General to establishing fair trail rights but is concerned that, despite concessions, the current arrangements for the proposed military commissions still fall far short of ensuring a fair trial for detainees according to international human rights standards. In particular, both the US and the UK are parties to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Article 14 of the Covenant states that “everyone shall be entitled to a fair and public hearing by a competent, independent and impartial tribunal established by law”. Under the current rules for military commissions, all trials and appeals would be heard by military personnel appointed by the US Department of Defense, and any final appeal would be determined by the US President himself.
In addition, JUSTICE argues that the UK government should meet the costs of the civilian legal representation of the defendants.
Eric Metcalfe, JUSTICE’s Director of Human Rights Policy, said:
“The Attorney General has correctly argued for ‘fair trials that meet recognised principles’. The US must guarantee, as an absolute minimum, that all detainees have a right of appeal to a civilian court and the UK government should press for this until it is granted. The right to independent judicial review lies at the heart of the right to a fair trial.”
United Kingdom-Guantanamo Bay detainees-press release-2003 (text, PDF)
No exception to the prohibition of torture
The ICJ is deeply shocked at the admission by an MI5 expert that the British intelligence service would use information extracted from tortured persons as evidence in court.
The Eurowarrant: European extradition in the 21st century
Summary: This important conference, organised by JUSTICE (the British section of the ICJ) will be held in London on 5-6 July 2003. There will be 11 speakers from various countries of the European Union on this important topic. Further details are attached.
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