Proposed UK anti-terror law raises serious concern
The ICJ today expressed concern over new counter-terrorism legislation proposed by the UK Government.
The ICJ today expressed concern over new counter-terrorism legislation proposed by the UK Government.
The ICJ today called on the Thai Government to amend their new Emergency Decree to ensure it complies both with the Constitution and Thailand’s international human rights obligations.
Press release-2005 (full text in Thai, PDF)
Thailand-summary recommendation-analysis brief-2005 (full text in Tha, PDF)
Thailand-comments draft ISA-legal submission-2007 (full text in English, PDF)
During the 57th Session of the United Nations Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights the ICJ made an oral intervention on Human Rights and the Fight against Terrorism under Agenda Item Six.
The ICJ unequivocally condemns the bombings that rocked the city of Sharm al-Sheikh on Friday night, which left at least 64 people dead and hundreds of wounded, according to the latest official estimates.
“Indiscriminate attacks against civilians are totally prohibited under international law and cannot be justified under any circumstances”, said Nicholas Howen, ICJ Secretary-General. “Perpetrators of such killings against civilians have to be brought to justice, in full compliance with international human rights law”, he added.
However, in view of the large number of reportedly arbitrary arrests that took place after previous attacks, such as the bombing in Taba in October 2004 and the bombing in the Cairo Bazaar in April 2005, the ICJ recalls in particular that human rights law forbids arbitrary, secret or incommunicado detention, as well as torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. As the authorities have already started arresting suspects, it is crucial to respect such human rights obligations and to try perpetrators of such attacks in ordinary courts that respect fair trial standards.
The ICJ expresses its condolences to the relatives and families of the victims of the bombings.
The ICJ and JUSTICE, its British Section, condemn today’s bomb attacks killing and injuring civilians in the city of London.
“The indiscriminate targeting and killing of civilians can never be justified morally or legally. Those responsible must be brought to justice within the criminal justice system and in accordance with international standards”, says Nicholas Howen, ICJ Secretary-General.
“In times of crisis, it is all the more important to strengthen our efforts to uphold the very principles of liberty, human rights and the rule of law that once again came under attack today,” says Roger Smith, Director of JUSTICE.
The ICJ and JUSTICE express their condolences to the victims of the bombings, their families and close ones and their sympathy with the people of London.
UK-lawyers condemn attack London-press release-2005 (full text in English, PDF)