Jul 9, 2010 | News
The ICJ welcomes the Royal Thai Government’s decision to revoke the state of emergency in five provinces but calls for more.
While the ICJ understands that Thailand currently faces complex security challenges, the ICJ calls upon Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and the Royal Thai Government to revoke immediately the declaration of the State of Emergency in Bangkok and in the 18 other provinces where it has been in place since May 2010.
On 6 July 2010, the Prime Minister of Thailand, with the approval of Cabinet, declared the extension of a Severe State of Emergency in the areas of Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Samut Prakan, Pathumthani, Ayutthaya, Conburi, Chiangmai, Chiangrai, Lampang, Kon-Kaen, Udon Thani, Chaiphum, Nakornrajsrima, Ubonrajthani, Nhongbualampoo, Mahasarakram, Roied, Sakonnakorn and Mukdaharn Provinces. The Severe State of Emergency was lifted in Kalasin, Nakhon Prathom, Nakhon Sawan, Nan and Si Sa Ket Provinces.
Thailand-emergency decree revoked-press release-2010 (full text in English, PDF)
Thailand-emergency decree revoked-press release-2010 (full text in Thai, PDF)
Jul 5, 2010 | News
The ICJ has urged the Maoist Party to immediately desist from further intimidation against lawyers acting in the case of Arjun Lama (photo of his wife holding his picture).The ICJ aslo called on the Government to ensure the protection of human rights defenders acting on behalf of victims of both state and non-state actors.
Nepal-intimidation HR defenders stop-press release-2010 (full text in English, PDF)
Jul 5, 2010 | News
The ICJ and other Human Rights groups today strongly condemned the conviction, and sentence to three years’ imprisonment, of Mr. Haytham Al-Maleh, a 79 years old prominent Syrian human rights lawyer.
This conviction was ordered on the grounds of “transferring false and exaggerated news that weaken national sentiments”, under Articles 285 and 286 of the Syrian Criminal Code. The charges arise from Mr. Al-Maleh’s interviews with the media in which he criticized, amongst other things, the continued use of the emergency laws in Syria and the ongoing control of the Syrian authorities over the judicial system.
Syria-conviction Al-Maleh-press release-2010 (full text in English, PDF)
Jun 24, 2010 | News
Representatives of the ICJ, concluding a visit to the Russian Federation, today stressed that major reforms are needed to protect the independence of the Russian judiciary.
Without significant progress in strengthening the independence of the courts, the public will continue to lack confidence in the Russian judicial system, and the rule of law will remain fragile. The political priority given to judicial reform by President Medvedev needs to be followed through with a clear programme of action, the ICJ concluded.
Russian Federation-reforms judicial indepence-press release-2010 (full text in English, PDF)
Russian Federation-reforms judicial indepence-press release-2010 (full text in Russian, PDF)
Jun 24, 2010 | News
The Centre for the Independence of Judges and Lawyers (CIJL) of the ICJ today raised concerns about ongoing attacks against the professional and personal integrity of Justice Richard Goldstone.
OPT-statement harassment Goldstone-press release-2010 (full text in English, PDF)
