Spanish Supreme Court urged to proceed with case against former US officials accused of facilitating torture

Spanish Supreme Court urged to proceed with case against former US officials accused of facilitating torture

The ICJ and others argue that Spain should assume jurisdiction, as the US has allowed for impunity of top officials who facilitated torture.

The ICJ joined the Center for Constitutional Rights, the European Centre for Constitutional and Human Rights and other leading organizations and scholars, arguing that the Spanish Supreme Court should reopen the investigations for participation in or aiding and abetting torture and other human rights abuses against six senior legal officials of the Bush Administration.

The brief argues that Spain should exercise jurisdiction under Spanish law because the US itself has failed to carry out any meaningful investigations and prosecutions against the officials, who are alleged to have provided legal authorisation for torture practices against “war on terror” detainees.

The officials are David Addington (former Counsel to, and Chief of Staff for, former Vice President Cheney): Jay S. Bybee (former Assistant Attorney General, Office of Legal Counsel (OLC), U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ); Douglas Feith (former Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, Department of Defense (DOD); Alberto R. Gonzales (former Counsel to former President George W. Bush, and former Attorney General of the United States); William J Haynes (former General Counsel, DOD); and John Yoo (former Deputy Assistant Attorney General, OLC, DOJ).

SpainUSA-Bushlawyers-AmicusBrief-2012-eng (download third party intervention)

ICJ alternative report to the Human Rights Committee on the Philippines

ICJ alternative report to the Human Rights Committee on the Philippines

The ICJ addresses issues concerning the implementation by the Philippines of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) with the UN Human Rights Committee.

The ICJ’s alternative report to the Human Rights Committee responds to certain issues raised concerning the examination by the Committee of the fourth periodic report of the Philippines under the ICCPR, which will take place during the Committee’s 106th session in Geneva, from 15 October to 2 November 2012.

The ICJ’s report addresses issues concerning:

  • The constitutional and legal framework within which the ICCPR is implemented in the Philippines;
  • The right to life;
  • The independence of the judiciary, and fair trials;
  • Equality and non-discrimination; and
  • Rights of persons belonging to minorities.

Philippines-HRCttee106-AlternativeReport-Legal submissions-2012 (download alternative report, in PDF)

The Rule of Law and free elections in Africa: going beyond the rhetoric

The Rule of Law and free elections in Africa: going beyond the rhetoric

This report relates to a meeting convened by the ICJ in Zimbabwe and attended by delegates from seven African countries.

Attendees came for the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia, Kenya, Tanzania and Zimbabwe. They included two cabinets ministers (from Zimbabwe), heads of electoral commissions, academics, members of parliament, political party representatives, judges and practicing attorneys.

The African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance provided the the theoretical and structural framework of the Conference.

Africa-Elections and The Rule of Law-Report-Publications-2012 (full text in pdf)

ICJ and NJCM statement on adoption of the Universal Periodic Review of the Netherlands

ICJ and NJCM statement on adoption of the Universal Periodic Review of the Netherlands

In an interactive dialogue with representatives of the Government of the Netherlands, the ICJ and the Dutch section of the ICJ, the NJCM, called for greater consultation with civil society.

The ICJ and NJCM also urged the Netherlands to give human rights a prominent place in civic education.

The statement was delivered today during the adoption by the UN Human Rights Council of the Universal Periodic Review outcome document on the Netherlands, during the course of the 21st regular session of the Council.

HRC21-UPR-Netherlands-OralStatement-non-legal submission-2012 (download statement, in PDF)

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