Sep 23, 2009
The ICJ provided its views to the Human Rights Committee, in advance of the consideration of the Periodic Report of the Russian Federation.
This submission focuses on violations of human rights in the context of counter-terrorism and counter-extremism laws and practices, and on the erosion of the independence of judges and lawyers.
In particular, the ICJ wishes to highlight the lack of independent and effective investigations, and impunity, for gross violations of human rights in counter-terrorism operations in Chechnya and the North Caucasus; increasing harassment and persecution of lawyers; harassment and restrictions on the rights of human rights defenders; provisions of counter-terrorism legislation that risk violations of Covenant rights; and extradition and other transfers of suspects to countries within the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation, in violation of the obligation of non-refoulement to face a danger of torture or other serious violation of human rights.
Russia-ICJ submission Human Rights Committee-non-legal submission-2009 (full text, PDF)
Sep 2, 2009 | Advocacy, Non-legal submissions
The ICJ addressed the persistent failure of Iran to meet many of its human rights obligations and the wave of fresh human rights violations in the country in the aftermath of the June 2009 disputed presidential election.
The ICJ urged Iran to refrain from torture and ill treatment, end violations of freedoms of expression and assembly, abolish the death penalty and co-operate with international human rights mechanisms, including the Special Procedures of the UN Human Rights Council and the treaty bodies.
Iran-UPR-advocacy-2009 (full text, PDF)
May 22, 2009
The ICJ is contributing to the Human Rights Committee’s review of the Third Periodic Report of Uzbekistan.
In this submission, the ICJ points two issues of concern, which it recommends that the Committee highlight in the list of issues on Uzbekistan, in particular the need for an effective and independent investigation into the Andijan killings; the impact of counter-terrorism and extremism laws on protection of the Covenant rights; widespread use of torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment in the criminal justice system; failure to uphold fair trial rights; threats to the independence of the legal profession; and co-operation with inter-governmental organisations including Special Procedures of the United Nations.
Uzbekistan-human rights committee- legal submission-2009
May 8, 2009
The ICJ provides its views to the Committee Against Torture for the consideration of the Fourth Periodic Report of Israel.
Jan 13, 2009
A new ICJ report assesses that the United Nations Human Rights Treaty Body System has developed empirically, without clear vision of the intended role for the system as a whole.
As a result, individual treaty bodies exercise often different and distinct functions and do not operate through the uniform working methods. Only incremental reform initiatives have been possible so far, including the one of harmonizing the reporting guidelines for the common core document and focused periodic reports.
With the increase in number of States parties and reporting burden, establishment of the ninth treaty body and continual differences in function and operation of individual committees, the system reaches its limits both in terms of serviceability and effectiveness. The systematic reform has yet to take place to establish holistic and integral treaty body system.
Central is the question how to ensure equal implementation and standardized monitoring of all human rights obligations.
The ICJ suggests some of the key functions for the future treaty body system to become more effective, visible and accessible.
One of the essentials is to increase the treaty body system’s capacity to deal with urgent country situations, including through the system of early-warning and urgent action procedures and a set of targeted country visits.
Reform of the United Nations Human Rights Treaty Body System-Thematic reports-2008 (full text, PDF)
