The 2nd ICJ Geneva Forum of Judges and Lawyers took place on 5-6 December 2011. This year’s theme was “Strengthening the Rule of Law in Times of Transition – The “Role of Lawyers and Bar Associations”.
This briefing paper addresses the proposal for a Directive on the Right of Access to a Lawyer in Criminal Proceedings and the Right to Communicate Upon Arrest.
The ICJ warmly welcomes the draft Directive, as an important support for effective implementation in EU Member states of the right of access to a lawyer as recognized in international human rights law and standards.
The paper makes recommendations for strengthening the protection offered by the Directive on several points, and responds to comments of the Presidency, and of certain Member States, on the Commission’s draft.
EU directive on the right of access to a laweyer-analysis brief-2011 (full text, PDF)
The ICJ ended its six-day High-Level Mission to Pakistan today after studying the role of the judiciary and the separation of powers.
The High-Level Mission, consisting of Judge Stefan Trechsel (Chair) and Graham Leung, visited Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad between September 7-8 and September 12-15, 2011. The Mission was a follow up to an earlier ICJ Mission which took place in 2007during the height of the constitutional crisis that was occurring at the time.
Pakistan-independence of the judiciary since the lawyers`movement-web story-2011 (full text, PDF)
The ICJ announces the beginning of a six-day High-Level Mission to Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad to examine the role of the judiciary and the separation of powers in Pakistan.
The Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is reviewing the Royal Thai Government’s compliance to human rights norms and obligations. The ICJ submitted its stakeholder report to the HR Council.
ICJ Oral statement at HRC urgent debate on protection of children and schools in armed conflict
Joint Statement from Legal Experts on Genetic Sex Testing in Sport
HRC on Iran: the Council must condemn human rights violations by all parties to this conflict
Lao PDR: Addressing gaps in access to justice for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence