Sexual orientation and gender identity: joint oral statement by the ICJ, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International

Sexual orientation and gender identity: joint oral statement by the ICJ, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International

During the 19th session of the Human Rights Council, a plenary Panel discussion was convened on discrimination and violence based on sexual orientation and gender identity – the first of its kind.

In a joint oral statement with Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, the ICJ welcomed the study by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and addressed concerns about the serious mischaracterization of international human rights law by some delegations at the Human Rights Council.

oral statement-analysis brief-2012 (full text in English, PDF)

Garzón trial: the application of international law to the crimes of the Spanish Civil War and the Franco regime does not constitute criminal malfeasance

Garzón trial: the application of international law to the crimes of the Spanish Civil War and the Franco regime does not constitute criminal malfeasance

The ICJ and other human rights groups call on the Supreme Court of Spain to act in accordance with international law standards on the independence of the judiciary and accountability for international crimes. Judge Garzón is accused of criminal malfeasance for authorizing investigations into the alleged disappearance, torture and execution of more than 110.000 persons during the Spanish Civil War and the subsequent Franco’s regime. The trial against Judge Garzón will begin on 24 January 2012.

Spain-trial judge Garzón-press release-2012 (full text in English, PDF)

Spain-trial judge Garzón-press release-2012-SPA (full text in Spanish, PDF)

NGOs recommendations on the strengthening of the UN treaty bodies

NGOs recommendations on the strengthening of the UN treaty bodies

Since 2009, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has called for the strengthening and increased funding for the UN treaty bodies. 

The UN treaty bodies are the monitoring mechanisms established under the universal treaties on international human rights.

To date, however, this strengthening process has inadequately addressed the need to strengthen, streamline and coordinate the Individual Communications procedures of the treaty bodies.

A coalition of NGOs has therefore issued a joint statement on the strengthening of these procedures, which represent a key aspect of the right of access by all to international justice in the context of human rights. The joint statement includes recommendations to States, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the treaty bodies themselves.

statement strengthening treaty body-analysis brief-2011 (full text in English, PDF)

Seventh anniversary of the killing of Maina Sunuwar: end obstruction of justice and respect victim’s rights!

Seventh anniversary of the killing of Maina Sunuwar: end obstruction of justice and respect victim’s rights!

Seven years after the arrest and killing of Maina Sunuwar, the Government of Nepal should take immediate steps to ensure that criminal proceedings move forward, the ICJ and other Human Rights groups said today.

Advocacy Forum (AF), Amnesty International (AI), Human Rights Watch (HRW) and the ICJ express their solidarity with Maina’s family, and call on the Nepali authorities to immediately transfer Major Niranjan Basnet to the Kavre District Court where he has been charged with murder, and arrest Babi Khatri, Sunil Prasad Adhikari and Amit Pun who have all been implicated in her death.

That Maina’s family is still waiting for justice for her killing, as in so many cases of crimes during the armed conflict, suggests that the realization of victims’ right to a judicial remedy for serious crimes remains a distant dream in Nepal.

Nepal-MainaSunuwar-news-2011 (full text, PDF)

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