Oct 31, 2012
The ICJ has brought to the attention of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanism issues concerning the independence and impartiality of the judiciary in Bangladesh, as well as other key issues to be addressed in the review of Bangladesh’s compliance with international human rights.
From 22 April to 3 May 2013, the Human Rights Council’s Working Group on the UPR will consider the situation of human rights in Bangladesh. Ahead of the Working Group’s review of Bangladesh, the ICJ has made a submission in which it has made suggested recommendations concerning:
- Independence and impartiality of the judiciary;
- Lack of transparent appointment procedures for public prosecutors;
- Use of the Presidential pardon in cases concerning allegations of gross human rights violations; and
- Bangladesh’s engagement with international human rights instruments and mechanisms.
Bangladesh-UPR16-StakeholderSubmission-legal submission (2012) (download full submission in PDF)
Bangladesh-UPR16-AdvocacyNote-NonLegalSubmission-2013 (download advocacy note in PDF)
Bangladesh-UPR16-ComparisonChart-NonLegalSubmission-2013 (download comparison with first cycle UPR of Bangladesh)
Oct 10, 2012
The ICJ presented its views on the Russian Federation’s compliance with the Convention against Torture, highlighting torture and ill-treatment in detention, impunity, and refoulement to face torture.
The International Commission of Jurists highlighted, in its submission, situations of widespread practice of torture and other ill-treatment in detention, especially in pre-trial detention facilities, and impunity for torture and ill-treatment, particularly in the North Caucasus. The ICJ also raised concerns about the transfer of suspects to member States of the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation, in violation of the principle of non-refoulement, and the failure of the Russian Federation to cooperate with the UN mechanisms, especially with regard to visits by the Special Procedures.
Russia-UNCAT-legal submission-2012 (download the ICJ submission)
Oct 4, 2012
The ICJ and nine other NGOs presented comments on proposed protocols to the European Convention on Human Rights, amending the procedure and criteria for applying to the Court, and allowing for advisory opinions.
Amnesty International, the AIRE Centre, the European Human Rights Advocacy Centre (EHRAC), the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights (HFHR), Human Rights Watch, Interights, the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), JUSTICE, Open Society Justice Initiative and REDRESS take note of the ongoing discussion over the drafting of Protocols 15 and 16 (P15 and P16) to the European Convention on Human Rights and wish to provide the following comments.
EuropeanCourt-JointSubmission-Advocacy-2012 (download the joint submission)
Oct 1, 2012
Nikolai Alekseyev was convicted under the new homosexual propaganda ban and he is currently challenging the constitutionality of the law. The ICJ filed an amicus brief.
The activist was arrested and fined for holding up a sign quoting a famous Soviet era actress, who said: “Homosexuality is not a perversion. Field hockey and ice ballet are.”
The ICJ brief argues that the St. Petersburg law violates the right to freedom of expression, guaranteed by both the ICCPR and the European Convention on Human Rights. The homosexual propaganda bans are not only vague, they also fail the tests of proportionality and necessity and discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation, all contrary to human rights law.
The case is currently pending. A hearing scheduled for 27 September 2012 was postponed due to the recusal of one of the judges.
For more information on the homosexual propaganda bans, see the ILGA-Europe ICJ briefing paper.
Russia-homosexual propaganda ban challenged-ICJ Amicus Brief-2012 (full text in PDF)
Russia-homosexual propaganda ban challenged-ICJ Amicus Brief-2012-ru (full text in PDF)
Sep 23, 2012
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 ICJ has brought to the attention of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanism issues concerning the independence and impartiality of the judiciary in Bangladesh, as well as other key issues to be addressed in the review of Bangladesh’s compliance with international human rights.
