This review represents the first chance for the Human Rights Council to take stock of US counter-terrorism laws, policies and practices since the new US administration took office in 2009.
The ICJ urges the Human Rights Council to seize this opportunity to define clear benchmarks for the protection of human rights in the fight against terrorism.
USA-legal submission-2010 (full text, PDF)
ICJ releases its Annual Report 2009. Foreword by Wilder Tayler, ICJ Secretary General.
At the UN Human Rights Council, the ICJ requested that the Government of Iran allow the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to visit the country expeditiously.
The call comes as Iranian security forces have continued to engage in extrajudicial killing, arbitrary arrest and detention, torture and other ill-treatment of peaceful protesters following the flawed 2009 presidential elections. In addition, the ICJ urged the Government of Sri Lanka to stop a campaign of intimidation against journalists, human rights defenders and members of the opposition.
Iran-Sri Lanka-gross human rights viloations-open letter-2011 (full text, PDF)
The Legal Opinion addresses the international obligation on Bangladesh to ensure that no one within its jurisdiction be subject to torture,cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
The opinion is provided for use by the petitioners in the matter before the Supreme Court of Bangladesh (High Court Division) concerning the imposition in Bangladesh, by order of traditional village tribunals, of extra-legal penalties amounting to beating and whipping.
Bangladesh-infliction of extra-legal penalties involving corporal punishment-legal submission-2010 (full text, PDF)
In November 2009, the Nepalese constitutional committee charged with preparing a Concept Paper on Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles delivered its draft text to the country’s Constituent Assembly.
The Committee’s chapter on Fundamental Rights contains proposed rights provisions including a variety of articles that are equality/non-discrimination related or bear directly on economic, social and cultural rights (ESCRs).
In many ways, the Committee on Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles has produced a remarkable draft text in the area of ESCRs and Equality Rights. A broad range of ESCRs has been included—many have been explicitly included for the first time in South Asia—and the equality rights of many disadvantaged groups have been recognized. All in all, the draft text is an impressive foundation and demonstrates, on the part of Committee members, a considerable commitment, dedication and concern for the interests and rights of all Nepalis.
Nepal-Fundamental Rights Committee ESC rights-analysis brief-2010-eng (full text in English, PDF)
Nepal-Fundamental Rights Committee ESC rights-analysis brief-2010-nep (full text in Nepali, PDF)
USA/Israel/Palestine: Immediately rescind sanctions against UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese
Strong push back against US sanctions on the International Criminal Court at UN Human Rights Council
ECtHR Grand Chamber Ruling in Semenya v. Switzerland: Joint Statement of Third-Party Interveners
UN Human Rights Council struggles to fulfil its mandate in the midst of global attacks on human rights, the rule of law and multilateralism