May 11, 2009
The ICJ is concerned by the Government’s participation in – and failure to protect its people from – forced evictions.
In its comments on the Initial Report of Cambodia on the implementation of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the ICJ also drew attention to the harassment and absence of protection for human rights defenders who focus on economic, social and cultural rights, particularly those working on housing and land rights.
It also urged the Government to ensure and guarantee the independence and impartiality of judiciary, unhindered access to justice and the right to a remedy for victims of human rights violations.
Cambodia-ICJ’s comments on the Initial Report-Position papers-2009 (full text, PDF)
Apr 14, 2009
Overbroad and vague emergency laws fail to meet basic human rights and criminal justice safeguards, and in some cases grant immunity from prosecution, the ICJ said in a new 47-page analysis brief.
The ICJ called upon the Government of Sri Lanka to initiate a wholesale review of the existing framework of emergency and counter-terrorism laws.
SriLanka-emergencylaws-advocacy-analysis brief 2009 (full text, PDF)
Mar 6, 2009
The systematic practice of enforced disappearances during Nepal’s civil war was among the worst anywhere in the world. The whereabouts of more than 1,000 people are still unknown.
To date not a single perpetrator of past human rights violations has been brought to justice and impunity remains widespread.
The Government has taken a crucial step by introducing a law to address the problem of enforced disappearances. The Ordinance, promulgated by the President on 12 February 2009, criminalizes the act of enforced disappearance, establishes a commission to investigate past cases from 1996 to 2006, and provides for prosecution of perpetrators and reparations for victims.
However, these positive steps could be undermined by the failure of certain provisions to meet international human rights standards. The ICJ paper reviews international law and best practices on enforced disappearances and makes a number of recommendations to improve specific provisions of the Nepali law in key areas and to strengthen the independence and effectiveness of the Commission on Disappearances.
Nepal-Briefing paper on Enforced Disappearances-Analysis briefs-2009 (full text, PDF)
Nepal-CJ calls for amendments-Press releases-2009 (full text, PDF)
Feb 20, 2009
The ICJ supports Centrum för Rattvisa (CfR) in its complaint against The Kingdom of Sweden about legislation monitoring and potential interception of all electronic communication passing Sweden’s borders.
Sweden-surveillance legislation-legal submission-2009 (full text, PDF)
Dec 5, 2008
At its World Congress, the ICJ adopted the Declaration and Plan of Action on Upholding the Rule of Law and the Role of Judges and Lawyers in Times of Crisis.
The Declaration reaffirms the essential role of judges and lawyers in safeguarding the Rule of Law and human rights during a range of crises, including public emergencies, armed conflict, political instability, terrorism and social, economic or financial upheaval.
It sets out 13 fundamental principles, which reflect fundamental and well recognized Rule of Law and human rights standards, to be upheld by governments and the legal community in crisis situations.
These include protection of the independence of judges and lawyers, and guarantees of fair administration of justice, including the right to a fair trial and effective remedy
ICJ Declaration and Plan of Action-Position papers-2008-Eng (full text, PDF)
ICJ Declaration and Plan of Action-Position papers-2008-French (full text, PDF)
ICJ Declaration and Plan of Action-Position papers-2008-Spanish (full text, PDF)
