On 16 January 2023, the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) made a submission to the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights on Cambodia’s implementation of and compliance with the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR).
Ahead of the continuation of the misdemeanour trial of Seán Binder and Sarah Mardini and 22 others, that is set to start today, the ICJ calls on the Greek authorities to support rather than criminally prosecute people who provide humanitarian assistance to migrants and refugees. The humanitarian volunteers should be acquitted.
“The use of the criminal law to punish persons courageously performing life-saving humanitarian assistance for people on the move is deplorable,” said Karolína Babická, legal adviser at the International Commission of Jurists. “There are concerns that major procedural flaws in the proceedings stand to undermine the defendants’ rights to a fair trial.“
“A fully gender responsive judiciary should be able to set the example that court rooms stand for the elimination of discrimination against women and enhancing access to justice,” stressed the 24 participating judges at a Judicial Dialogue held recently in Kathmandu.
The ICJ condemns the use of criminal judicial processes to harass and disrupt the work of lawyers who are acting as the last line of defense against the increasing crackdown on the rule of law and fundamental freedoms.
Lebanon: Ensure the independence of the judiciary
The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) has released a new advocacy paper on the current situation of the judiciary in Lebanon that documents the recent attacks on the independence of the judiciary; analyses the provisions of the Draft Law designed to improve the independence of the judiciary (hereinafter Draft Law) in light of international standards; and offers recommendations and guidance to the new legislature regarding the Draft Law.
In memory of Gustavo Gallón
Tunisia: Conviction and sentence of Anas Hmedi, President of the Association of Tunisian Magistrates, must be quashed
EU: Further efforts needed for child-friendly justice in criminal proceedings
Three Years After the EU-Tunisia Deal, Review EU Approach Toward Tunisia’s Human Rights Decline