May 14, 2012
The report provides a general overview of the pre-trial investigation and the court of appeal hearing in a criminal case in St. Petersburg (Russia) and offers some recommendations based on the main findings.
Having received credible information about possible violations of fair trial principles in a criminal case in St. Petersburg, the ICJ took a decision to send a Mission of observation at the appeal hearing on case # 1-553/10; # 22-2154/2011 at the Saint Petersburg City Court against Gurgen Stepanyan, Vardan Sakanyan, Tigran Arutyunyan. The report provides a general overview of the pre-trial investigation and the court of appeal hearing. As explained below, the appeal hearing was held in camera and despite a request by the ICJ request that it be open for observers, it was closed.
Nevertheless the ICJ observers were able to meet with the Deputy President of the Court and with lawyers involved in the case, and to study documents in the case. The observers express their gratitude to all who met with them and who assisted in the Mission.
Russia-appeal hearing Saint Petersburg-trial observation report-2012-eng (full text in English, PDF)
Russia-appeal hearing Saint Petersburg-trial observation report-2012-rus (full text in Russian, PDF)
Apr 2, 2012
This ICJ Pakistan Mission Report reflects the findings of a short mission undertaken by the organization in the autumn of 2011.
The visit followed up on the work of a mission on the independence of the judiciary and the Lawyers’ Movement undertaken by the ICJ in 2007. The mandate of the 2011 mission was to assess the situation and make recommendations in accordance with international principles and standards on some aspects of the issue of the independence of the judiciary and the separation of powers.
Pakistan-ICJ mission-fact-finding mission report-2012 (full text in English, PDF)
Mar 29, 2012
This Report explores the relationship between bilateral investment treaties (BITs) and international human rights law.
It argues that there is a significant and growing potential for conflict between these bodies of law, and that international investment tribunals can and should interpret BITs in a manner that mitigates these conflicts.
treaties law interpretation-thematic report-2012 (full text in English, PDF)
Dec 20, 2011
The ICJ welcomes the release of the first ever United Nations report on human rights, sexual orientation and gender identity.
The mandate for the report came from a UN Human Rights Council resolution introduced by South Africa last June. The report documents widespread discrimination and violence faced by LGBT people worldwide, and calls on States to apply the international legal framework to end these human rights violations. The findings of the report are due to be presented and discussed by governments at an expert-led panel at the Human Rights Council in March 2012.
laws acts individuals-UN report-2011 (download the UN report in English, PDF)
Dec 7, 2011
The 2nd ICJ Geneva Forum of Judges and Lawyers took place on 5-6 December 2011. This year’s theme was “Strengthening the Rule of Law in Times of Transition – The “Role of Lawyers and Bar Associations”.
2nd CIJL Geneva Forum-Workshop Report-2011
