Jun 11, 2014 | Events
The ICJ’s Senior Legal Adviser on women’s human rights participated in a panel discussion on ‘Gains, gaps and challenges in addressing violence against women’, convened on 10 June 2014 in the margins of the Human Rights Council’s 26th regular session in Geneva.
The event was co-sponsored by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the Permanent Missions of Canada and Chile and was moderated by Jane Connors, Chief of the OHCHR Special Procedures Branch. Panelists included Rashida Manjoo, Special Rapporteur on violence against women; Her Excellency Elisa Goldberg, Ambassador of Canada; Her Excellency Marta Maurás Peréz, Ambassador of Chile; and Leah Hoctor, ICJ Senior Legal Adviser.
The ICJ’s intervention focussed on remaining challenges, including the lack of prompt and effective investigations into allegations of violence against women (VAW); systemic failures in some States’ implementation of their due diligence obligations; and a series of disconnects at the international level pertaining to the link between VAW and other forms of discrimination and rights violations that women face, the lack of a holistic conceptualisation and treatment of VAW, and the insufficient integration of legal and normative progress in the discussions and approach of international fora.
Jun 10, 2014 | Advocacy, Non-legal submissions
The ICJ joined other non-governmental organisations in issuing a joint statement ahead of the 2014 annual treaty body chairpersons meeting, to be held on 24-27 June 2014.
The statement, made by NGOs that regularly contribute to the work of the treaty bodies, broadly welcomed the outcome of the UN General Assembly process to strengthen the treaty bodies. It, in particular, highlights a number of priority areas for consideration by treaty body chairpersons as critical to implementation of the General Assembly resolution and the ongoing process of strengthening the UN treaty bodies.
UNTBs-AnnualChairpersonsMeeting-JointStatement-Non-LegalSubmission-2014 (download full statement in PDF)
Mar 27, 2014 | Advocacy, Non-legal submissions
The ICJ made an oral statement on the recommendations made to Israel by the UN Human Rights Council, following Israel’s Universal Periodic Review.
The ICJ statement focussed on recommendations related to:
- compliance with international humanitarian and international human rights law , including particularly for thorough and impartial investigations into all allegations of human rights and humanitarian law violations committed in the context of the prolonged occupation of the OPT, and accountability of individuals responsible for such violations;
- Israel’s unlawful settlement policy;
- the separation wall; and
- administrative detention.
The full statement can be downloaded in PDF: Advocacy-UN-HRC25-IsraelUPR-20032014
Video of the discussion, including the ICJ statement, may be viewed here.
Mar 26, 2014 | Advocacy, Non-legal submissions
The ICJ emphasised the need for an international inquiry to monitor and investigate human rights violations in Sri Lanka, during discussion at the UN Human Rights Council.
The ICJ stated that an international investigation mechanism such as a Commission of Inquiry is needed in part because the Sri Lankan justice system today simply cannot be relied upon to function as an independent and impartial institution.
- The judicial appointment process is subject to political interference.
- Judges and lawyers are subjected to threats and intimidation.
- Security of tenure for the judiciary is not protected by an independent, impartial and fair procedure for the removal or discipline of judges.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has repeatedly expressed concern about “the continuing high levels of harassment and intimidation meted out to human rights defenders, lawyers and journalists”. Further incidents against human rights defenders occurred during the Human Rights Council session itself.
The ICJ urged the Council to establish an international independent and impartial investigation mechanism to give a glimmer of hope to victims and families, that their rights under international law to truth, justice and reparation will ultimately be upheld.
A number of delegations have jointly presented a draft resolution that would establish an international investigation with the backing of the Human Rights Council. A vote on the resolution is expected later in the week.
The full statement can be downloaded in PDF: Advocacy-UN-HRC25-SriLanka-OralStatement-26032014-rev
Video of the discussion of the report, including the ICJ oral statement, is available in the UN webcast archive.
See also:
Briefing note on independence of judges and lawyers in Sri Lanka
Mar 24, 2014 | Advocacy, Non-legal submissions
The ICJ made an oral statement to the UN Human Rights Council during the general debate on the situation of human rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
The ICJ noted that, almost ten years after the International Court of Justice ruled the construction of the separation wall in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) to be unlawful, States and international organizations have failed to take effective measures to hold Israel accountable for violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law arising from the wall.
As the International Court of Justice held, States must not “recognize the illegal situation resulting from the construction of the wall” and must not “render aid or assistance in maintaining the situation created by such construction.” Israel, for its part, must dismantle the wall and its associated regime and provide reparation to victims.
At the same time, Palestinian armed groups must renounce all direct or indiscriminate attacks on civilians and civilian objects. Israel must also cease its own violations of international humanitarian law.
The ICJ further addressed the human rights impacts of Israeli settlements in the occupied territory, and the need for the Security Council effectively to address the issue.
The full statement can be downloaded in PDF here: Advocacy-UN-HRC25-IsraelOPT-24032014
