The ICJ Centre for the Independence of Judges and Lawyers (CIJL) acts as a focal point and centre of expertise within the ICJ to advance the independence of lawyers, judges and prosecutors.
Amnesty International and the ICJ support in principle the proposal to create simplified amendment procedure including certain organizational provisions of Part II of the European Convention on Human Rights.
In the view of the two organisations, the overriding purpose of any such reforms must be to facilitate flexibility of amendments to the organisational and operational procedures of the Court so as to allow the Court to respond effectively and quickly to address changes in its case load. Any changes to the founding and regulating instruments of the Court – no matter what their form – should serve this purpose and this purpose alone, given the importance which was attached to it in the Interlaken Declaration.
Experts simplified procedure-analysis brief-2010 (full text in English, PDF)
The ICJ and other human rights groups welcome the opportunity to comment on the Draft Guidelines on Eradicating Impunity for Serious Human Rights Violations.
Notwithstanding the considerable progress made to date in the drafting of the Guidelines, the organizations hope that they can be further strengthened in the course of this meeting, to add the greatest possible value to the fight against impunity.
The organizations have also made suggestions for additional references in the Guidelines’ reference texts, in a separate paper.
Guidelines Council Europe impunity-analysis brief-2010 (full text in English, PDF)
The ICJ and other human rights groups suggest that some references be added to the Draft Reference-texts for these guidelines.
Guidelines Council Europe-analysis brief-2010 (full text in English, PDF)
The ICJ brought the attention of UN Special Procedures to the recent arrest in Cameroon of two men for suspected homosexuality.
Bruno Afaaba (DOB 26/10/1984) and Marc-Henri Batta (DOB 3/9/1982) were arrested 27 September, 2010 by officers of the First Squadron of the Gendarmerie in Yaoundé.
The arrest came after a search of their house revealed a large batch of condoms and lubricant. The two men were detained and on 4 October 2010 they were forced to undergo anal exams to confirm, in the words of the commander of the gendarmerie, their suspected sexual activity.
According to one of their lawyers, Maître André Nlend, Mr. Afaaba and Mr. Batta were not advised of their right to remain silent or to counsel, and were in fact handcuffed during the medical exam. They are currently being held in Kodengui Prison.
Cameroon-Special Procedures-open letter-2010 (full text in English, PDF)
Nepal: Balen Government Should Bring Human Rights Reforms
Global experts warn of eroding judicial independence amidst the rise of authoritarianism around the world
Development of the Crimes Against Humanity Convention
ICJ Publications on the Crimes Against Humanity Convention