Mar 17, 2014 | Advocacy, Non-legal submissions
The ICJ made an oral statement at the UN Human Rights Council, on the need for fundamental reform of the legal system in Myanmar.
The oral statement was delivered during an interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar.
While noting some progress on legal reform to establish the rule of law during Myanmar’s economic and political transition, the ICJ noted that reforms are fragile and legal obstacles continue to block improvements to the extremely poor state of the rule of law and respect for human rights.
The ICJ considers that Myanmar’s judiciary is not yet independent. State authorities continue to exert improper influence on politically sensitive cases.
The ICJ was therefore deeply disappointed to hear the Representative of Myanmar state during the Council session that the Government rejected as “intrusive and prescriptive, infringing upon the national sovereignty” the Special Rapporteur’s basic recommendation that “the Government … Initiate fundamental reforms to establish a judiciary that is impartial and independent, including from the direct control of the Government and the military”.
Systemic problems affect the independence of lawyers, including the poor state of legal education and undue restrictions on licensing. Lawyers in Myanmar lack an independent Bar Council.
The ICJ stressed the need for Myanmar to ratify and implement all core human rights treaties, to cooperate with international human rights mechanisms, and to agree to the establishment of an OHCHR office in the country. At the same time, ICJ emphasised the continued need for a robust mandate for the UN Special Rapporteur on Myanmar.
The full statement may be downloaded in PDF: Advocacy-UN-HRC25-Myanmar-OralStatement-032014
The report of the Special Rapporteur is available here in Word format: SR Myanmar Report March 2014
For further information, please see the recent ICJ report Right to Counsel: The Independence of Lawyers in Myanmar (click to download PDF).
Mar 17, 2014 | Advocacy, Non-legal submissions
The ICJ made an oral statement at the UN Human Rights Council responding to the report of the Commission of Inquiry on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
The statement called on the Council to take action on the findings and commending the Commission of Inquiry for overcoming the challenges to its work
The ICJ underlined the need, in view of the findings, for the Council to act with a view to ensuring accountability of perpetrators, including through means of international criminal responsibility.
The statement commended the innovative methodology adopted by the Commission of Inquiry and emphasised the need to protect victims and witnesses.
The full statement may be downloaded in PDF: Advocacy-UN-HRC25-DPRK-OralStatement-032014
Mar 14, 2014
The ICJ has brought to the attention of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanism issues concerning due process and access to justice, as well as other key issues to be addressed in the review of Kazakhstan’s compliance with international human rights.
From 27 October to 7 November 2014, the Human Rights Council’s Working Group on the UPR will consider the situation of human rights in Kazakhstan. Ahead of the Working Group’s review, the ICJ has made a submission in which it has identified suggested recommendations concerning:
- Lack of access to independent and effective legal advice and representation, and its impact on the rights to liberty and to a fair hearing; and
- Legal obstacles that impede women’s access to justice, and undermine women’s enjoyment of human rights on a basis of equality and without discrimination.
Kazakhstan-UPR20-StakeholderSubmission-LegalSubmission-2014
Mar 14, 2014
The ICJ brought to the attention of the UPR mechanism issues regarding the effective impunity of the security and armed forces in Egypt for past and present human rights violations, and other key issues to be addressed in the review of Egypt’s compliance with international human rights.
From 27 October to 7 November 2014, the Human Rights Council’s Working Group on the UPR will consider the situation of human rights in Egypt. Ahead of the Working Group’s review, the ICJ has made a submission in which it has identified suggested recommendations concerning:
- The rule of law and civilian oversight of the armed forces;
- The independence of the judiciary and the use and jurisdiction of military courts; and
- The effective impunity of the security and armed forces for past and present human rights violations.
Egypt-UPR20-StakeholderSubmission-LegalSubmission-2014 (download full submission in pdf)
Mar 14, 2014 | Адвокаси, Юридические заявления
МКЮ обратила внимание на вопросы механизма универсального периодического обзора (УПО), касающиеся надлежащего процесса и доступа к правосудию.
МКЮ также указала на другие ключевые вопросы, которые необходимо рассмотреть в ходе обзора соблюдения Казахстаном международных прав человека.
С 27 октября по 7 ноября 2014 года Рабочая группа по УПО Совета по правам человека рассмотрит ситуацию с правами человека в Казахстане. В преддверии рассмотрения Рабочей группой МКЮ представила документ, в котором она определила предлагаемые рекомендации, касающиеся:
- Отсутствие доступа к независимым и эффективным юридическим консультациям и представительству, а также его влияние на права на свободу и справедливое судебное разбирательство; а также
- Правовые препятствия, затрудняющие доступу женщин к правосудию, и подрывают осуществление женщинами прав человека на основе равенства и без дискриминации.
Kazakhstan-UPR20-StakeholderSubmission-LegalSubmission-2014
