Feb 19, 2016
The ICJ, with other NGOs, today published comments on the proposed EU counter-terrorism Directive, which addresses the “foreign fighters” phenomenon.
The briefing paper analyses the compliance of the proposed Directive with international law, including international human rights law.
In particular, it raises concerns regarding the wide definition of terrorism, and the inclusion of broadly-defined offences of participation in the activities of a terrorist group, public provocation to commit a terrorist offence, receiving training for terrorism, and travelling abroad for terrorism.
The paper makes recommendations for amendment to the text to guard against arbitrary or discriminatory interference with human rights in the implementation of such offences, and to ensure compliance with the principle of legality.
EU-Directive terrorism-Advocacy-Analysis Brief-2016-ENG (full text, in PADF)
Feb 19, 2016 | News
The ongoing incommunicado detention of human rights defenders Nguyễn Văn Đài and Lê Thu Hà must end, said today seven human rights groups, including the ICJ. It violates their right to freedom from torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
All charges against Nguyễn Văn Đài and Lê Thu Hà, should be withdrawn and they should be immediately and unconditionally released, the organizations added.
An incommunicado detention is one in which a detainee is held without access to the outside world, particularly to family, lawyers, courts and independent doctors. The practice of incommunicado detention violates key rights of persons deprived of liberty and facilitates torture and other ill-treatment. Prolonged periods of incommunicado detention can themselves constitute a violation of the prohibition on torture and other ill-treatment.
Nguyễn Văn Đài and Lê Thu Hà were arrested on 16 December 2015 and charged under Article 88 of the Penal Code, ‘Conducting propaganda against the state’. All efforts by family and legal counsel to visit the pair since their arrests have been denied.
Vietnam-Release prisoners-News-webstory-2016-ENG (full story, in PDF)
Feb 18, 2016
Today the ICJ launched a new report that makes several findings and recommendations regarding the independence and accountability of the judiciary in the country.
The report is a result of the International Fact Finding Mission in Swaziland (IFFM-SZ) held in 2015 by the ICJ, in collaboration with the Africa Judges and Jurists Forum (AJJF), Judges for Judges Netherlands (J4J) and the Commonwealth Magistrates’ and Judges’ Association (CMJA).
The mission was conducted at the backdrop of a number developments of concern for the independence and accountability of the judiciary in Swaziland.
The report observes that:
- The Kingdom of Swaziland has a constitutional and legislative framework that does not respect the separation of powers or provide the necessary legal and institutional framework and safeguards to ensure the independence of the judiciary;
- The former Chief Justice Ramodibedi failed to protect and defend the institutional independence of the judiciary;
- The Executive failed to respect the independence of the judiciary; and
- The failure to respect the independence of the judiciary by the Executive and the failure by the Chief Justice to defend the institutional independence of the judiciary created conditions conducive to abuse of the legal system for personal gain
Presenting the Mission’s findings, the ICJ Africa Regional Programme Director, Arnold Tsunga urged the Crown, Judiciary, civil society and international community to collectively work towards the implementation of the recommendations to strengthen the institutional and structural independence of the judiciary thereby restoring citizen’s and stakeholders confidence in the judiciary and the rule of law.
Contact
Arnold Tsunga, ICJ Regional Director for Africa, t: +27 73 131 8411, e: arnold.tsunga(a)icj.org
Swaziland-Justice locked out RoL crisis-Publications-Fact Finding Mission Report-2016-ENG (full report, in PDF)
Feb 18, 2016 | Доклад миссии установления фактов, Доклады, Новости, Публикации, Статьи
Сегодня МКЮ опубликовала окончательный текст доклада, посвящённого реформе адвокатуры в Кыргызской Республике и созданию единой ассоциации адвокатов.
В докладе представлены замечания МКЮ и изложены рекомендации по вопросам, которым необходимо уделить первоочередное внимание в ходе реформы.
«Решение данных вопросов позволит заложить фундамент сильной адвокатуры в Кыргызстане с учётом международного права и стандартов, касающихся независимости юристов», – отметила Роушин Пиллей, директор Региональной программы МКЮ по Европе.
В докладе приветствуется формирование единой Адвокатуры, что является важной вехой как для адвокатов, так и для системы правосудия в целом, поскольку адвокаты играют важнейшую роль с точки зрения поддержания верховенства права и защиты прав человека в любой системе правосудия.
В то же время, в докладе отмечается, что создание соответствующей правовой и институциональной базы является лишь первым шагом на пути к созданию независимой и самоуправляемой адвокатуры, которая сможет обеспечить высокие моральные качества и профессионализм своих членов.
МКЮ подчеркнула значение происходящего, а также привилегированное положение адвокатов, которые вошли в состав руководства новой Адвокатуры.
«Именно видение и действия этих людей определяют будущее кыргызской адвокатуры», – добавила Роушин Пиллей.
Доклад подготовлен по итогам миссии МКЮ в Кыргызскую Республику, которая была организована в сентябре 2015 года для оценки, исследования и анализа реформы с точки зрения функционирования юридической профессии. Представители МКЮ провели встречи с различными представителями Адвокатуры, включая членов Совета Адвокатуры и её органов, таких как Комиссия по этике, Комитет по защите прав адвокатов и Законодательный комитет Адвокатуры.
Вместе с Учебным центром адвокатуры МКЮ провела «круглый стол» с участием адвокатов, а также встретилась с представителями прокуратуры и судебных органов.
Kyrgyzstan-New Advokatura-News-Web Story-2016-RUS (история на русском, PDF)
Kyrgyzstan-New Advokatura-Publications-Reports-Fact Finding Mission Report-2016-RUS (доклад на русском, PDF)
Feb 18, 2016
Today the ICJ published a final report on the reform of the legal profession in the Kyrgyz Republic and creation of a unified bar association.
The report sets out the ICJ’s observations and provides recommendations on the issues that should be addressed as a matter of priority in the course of the reform.
“Resolving these issues will lay the foundations for a strong Kyrgyz legal profession based on international law and standards on the independence of lawyers,” said Róisín Pillay, ICJ Europe Programme Director.
The report welcomes the establishment of a unified Advokatura as an important step both for lawyers and the whole justice system as lawyers play an essential role in any legal system in upholding the rule of law and protecting human rights.
However, the report notes that the establishment of a legal and institutional framework is only the first step in creating an independent, self-regulated profession capable of ensuring integrity and high professional standards.
The ICJ stresses the importance of the momentum as well as the privileged position of lawyers who became the leadership of the new Advokatura.
“It is the vision and actions of these people that will shape the future of the legal profession in the country,” Róisín Pillay added.
The report is based on the ICJ’s mission to the Kyrgyz Republic in September 2015, organized to assess, examine and analyze the reform in terms of the functioning of the legal profession.
An ICJ team met with various representatives of the Advokatura, including members of the Council of the Advokatura and the Advokatura’s constituent bodies, such as the Ethics Commission, the Committee to Protect the Rights of Advocates and the Legislation Committee of Advokatura.
The ICJ, in cooperation with the Training Centre of Advokatura, held a round table discussion with lawyers and held meetings with members of the Prosecutor’s Office and the Judiciary.
Kyrgyzstan-New Advokatura-News-Web Story-2016-RUS (Story in Russian, PDF)
Kyrgyzstan-New Advokatura-Publications-Reports-Fact Finding Mission Report-2016-ENG (Report in English, PDF)
Kyrgyzstan-New Advokatura-Publications-Reports-Fact Finding Mission Report-2016-RUS (Report in Russian, PDF)
