Oct 16, 2009
The ICJ has submitted a shadow report to the Committee against Torture for its consideration of the Periodic Report of Spain.
In the submission, the ICJ dealt with the law and procedure regarding incommunicado detention, and the limited safeguards the law provides for detainees. The ICJ also highlighted concerns regarding the credible allegations of Spain’s involvement in the CIA-run programme of renditions. Finally, the ICJ addressed a problem with Spain’s definition of the offence of torture and the recent attempts to limit the scope of Spanish universal jurisdiction to prosecute and try crimes under international law, including torture.
Spain-Consideration of the 5th Periodic Report-legal submission-2009 (full text, PDF)
Sep 14, 2009
The ICJ provided its views to the Human Rights Committee for the consideration of the 3rd Periodic Report of Switzerland.
In this submission, the ICJ highlights several issues which it considers should be of particular concern to the Committee in its consideration of the Swiss report. In particular, the ICJ is concerned at certain provisions of the Swiss legislation on asylum-seekers and migrants that affect adversely the principle of non-refoulement, their right to a fair expulsion procedure (Article 13 ICCPR) and their right not to be detained arbitrarily (Article 9 ICCPR).
Switzerland-ICJ Submission to the HRC-non-legal Submissions-2009 (full text, PDF)
Sep 10, 2009
It was submitted to the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, in relation to that Committee’s consideration of the Case of Alyne da Sliva Pimentel v. Federative Republic of Brazil.
Brazil-CEDAW-ICJ-legal submission-2009 (full text, PDF)
Jul 27, 2009
The ICJ presented to the Italian Senate its intervention on Bill no. A.S. 1440 on the reform of criminal procedure.
The ICJ expresses its views on certain provisions of the Bill which risk extending the already excessive length of judicial proceedings in Italy, such as concession of additional periods for the preparation of the defence, new rules on evidence, and the establishment of an additional judicial panel for judicial review of detention. The ICJ also puts forward recommendations for the amelioration of the reform of the Pinto Law, the remedy under Italian law for excessive length of judicial proceedings. Finally, the ICJ addresses the new rules on abstention and recusal of judges, which affect judges’ independence and freedom of expression; the rule on mandatory closure of criminal proceedings; the new rules on revision of criminal trials and the provision on publication of European Court of Human Rights’ decisions.
May 22, 2009
The ICJ is contributing to the Human Rights Committee’s review of the Third Periodic Report of Uzbekistan.
In this submission, the ICJ points two issues of concern, which it recommends that the Committee highlight in the list of issues on Uzbekistan, in particular the need for an effective and independent investigation into the Andijan killings; the impact of counter-terrorism and extremism laws on protection of the Covenant rights; widespread use of torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment in the criminal justice system; failure to uphold fair trial rights; threats to the independence of the legal profession; and co-operation with inter-governmental organisations including Special Procedures of the United Nations.
Uzbekistan-human rights committee- legal submission-2009
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