ICJ welcomes historic UN decision on economic, social and cultural rights
The United Nations Human Rights Council yesterday approved by consensus an Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
ICJ intervention on the human rights situation in Palestine and other occupied Arab territories
The ICJ in its intervention of 16 June 2008 expressed concerns at continuing excessive, disproportionate, and indiscriminate use of force by the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) and the Palestinian armed groups.
The ICJ condemned attempts to reinterpret the humanitarian law principles of distinction and proportionality, as well as deliberate targeting of civilians and objects indispensable to the survival of the civilian population without any legitimate military advantage at all. It also denounced the siege on Gaza and urged to prevent the growth of illegal settlements and address the issue of refugees.
Israel-ICJ Intervention on the Human Rights Situation-Open letters-2008 (full text, PDF)
7th special session of the UN Human Rights Council: ICJ intervention on the impact of the worsening world food crisis
The ICJ stated that the current food crisis has hit hard the right to food, and negatively impacted the adequacy of the standard of living of millions of people.
This in turn determines the enjoyment of other human rights, and even the right to life, as in the case of many hungry children.
ICJ Intervention on the impact of the worsening world food crisis-Open letters-2008 (full text, PDF)
7th Session of the UN Human Rights Council: ICJ intervention on the escalating human rights situation in Tibet
The ICJ in its intervention of 25 March 2008 urged the Government of China to permit the Tibetan people to exercise their rights to demonstrate peacefully and to express their views about the situation in Tibet.
The ICJ also called for a prompt and independent international investigation into allegations of the human rights violations.
The ICJ concluded that the Tibetan people have a right to self-determination and that a referendum of the Tibetan people to determine the future status of the region would significantly contribute to resolving the political conflict in Tibet.
China-ICJ Intervention under Item 8 on the Follow-up and Implementation of the Vienna Declaration-Open letters-2008 (full text, PDF)
Human Rights Council: ICJ intervention on the report of the independent expert on the situation of human rights in DRC
The ICJ in its intervention of 19 March 2008 regretted that violence has erupted again in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), following last year’s election.
Of particular concern are the massive and systematic human rights violations taking place in the East of the country, in Kivu, which have been committed by militias, rebel forces and the Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC).
The ICJ supported the renewal of the mandate of the Independent Expert, to assist the Government in preventing further violations, resolving the problem of impunity and bringing the military tribunal system into conformity with international standards and with the Constitution.
Democratic Republic of the Congo-ICJ Intervention in the Interactive Dialogue-Open letters-2008 (full text, PDF)
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