
La Commission Internationale de Juristes préoccupée par les graves atteintes à l’indépendance du pouvoir judiciaire au Niger

Kazakhstan: the ICJ calls for withdrawal of disbarment proceedings against defence lawyer
The Kazakhstan authorities should withdraw the unfounded and abusive disbarment proceedings begun this week against prominent Kazakh defence lawyer Daniyar Kanafin, the ICJ said today.
The attempt to annul Mr Kanafin’s licence to practice follows public comments in which he criticised the Kazakh law on state secrets as contrary to international law. The National Security Committee has sought his disbarment on the grounds that these comments create a negative image of the Government and of Kazakh legislation in the eyes of the international community.
Kazakhstan-ICJ calls for withdrawal of disbarment proceedings-Press Release-2009-Eng (full text, PDF)
Kazakhstan-ICJ calls for withdrawal of disbarment proceedings-Press Release-2009-Rus (full text, PDF)

Russia: the ICJ calls for thorough, independent investigation into killing of judge in Ingushetia
The ICJ today deplored the killing in Ingushetia of Judge Aza Gazgireeva, Deputy Chief Justice of the regional Supreme Court, who was shot dead on Wednesday outside her children’s kindergarten in Nazran.

Thailand: ICJ condemns killing of at least 10 worshipers in the Alfurquan Mosque
The ICJ strongly condemns the indiscriminate killing of worshipers during evening prayers on June 8th at the Alfurquan Mosque in Ai Payae Village, Narathiwat Province, Thailand.
Thailand-ICJ Condemns Killing of at least 10 Worshipers-Press releases-2009 (full text, PDF)

Government must stop unlawful returns of boats carrying migrants and potential asylum seekers
The ICJ drew the attention of the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants to the fact that between 6 and 10 May 2009 the Italian authorities intercepted some 500 migrants in international waters.
These people were trying to reach Italy in small boats. Italian authorities escorted them back to Libya, without taking due account of Italy’s obligations in relation to potential asylum-seekers or others who may not be transferred to Libya for reasons of non-refoulement, as stipulated in Article 33 of the 1951 Geneva Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees.