The time has come to ensure that people denied their economic, social and cultural rights, in particular those living in poverty, are able to access justice.
Only thirty-three states have signed and two states have ratified the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
In July 2009, Muhannad Al-Hasani, a Syrian lawyer, human rights defender and ICJ Commissioner, was arrested in Damascus by officers of the Syrian General Intelligence Service.
Syria-trial Al-Hasani-trial observation report-2010 (full text in English, PDF)
The ICJ and other human rights groups made written submissions in the case of Lautsi v Italy before the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights.
The case concerns the display of the crucifix in classrooms in state schools. The intervention analyses the jurisprudence of national courts and international tribunals regarding the state endorsement or promotion of religion in education, in light of rights to education and freedom of religion or belief protected by Article 2 of Protocol 1 and Article 9 ECHR, and considers how these principles may be applied to the official display of religious symbols in the classroom.
Italy-third party intervention-analysis brief-2010 (full text, PDF)
The offices of GALZ in Harare, Zimbabwe were raided and two employees arrested. The ICJ writes to the Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders Concerning GALZ Raid.
Zimbabwe-human rights defenders-open letter-2010 (full text, PDF)
Kyrgyz Republic: ICJ welcomes Constitutional Court ruling blocking reintroduction of the death penalty
UN HRC: ICJ Statement on the Human Rights Situation in Venezuela
FES-ICJ High-Level Conference: The role of civil society in the UN80 Initiative
Laos: After 13 years, renewed international action needed to ensure justice in Sombath Somphone’s enforced disappearance