The ICJ today called on the Lao PDR government to carry out a thorough and impartial investigation into the ‘disappearance’ of prominent development activist Sombath Somphone to clarify his fate or whereabouts.
The ICJ has made a stakeholder submission for the second cycle Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Lao’s compliance with international human rights.
In January/February 2015, the Human Rights Council’s Working Group on the UPR will consider the situation of human rights in Lao’s People’s Democratic Republic. Ahead of the Working Group’s review, the ICJ has made a submission in which it has identified suggested recommendations concerning:
The recommendations of the UPR Working Group will be considered, alongside Lao’s acceptance or otherwise of those recommendations, during the Human Rights Council’s 29th regular session in June 2015.
The ICJ today delivered an oral statement on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, expressing concerns about recent and pending legislation in Pakistan on the use of firearms and other force by law enforcement officials.
The joint statement, delivered at the UN Human Rights Council during the interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur and on behalf also of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), expressed appreciation for the Special Rapporteur’s emphasis in his study on the issue, on the need for states to bring domestic laws on the use of force by law enforcement agencies, into line with international standards.
The statement noted that it was not clear whether the Protection of Pakistan Ordinance (PPO) 2013, which is currently in force, and the proposed Protection of Pakistan Bill (PPB) 2014 currently being debated in Parliament, were provided for review.
The statement explained how the PPO and PPB contain provisions that give law enforcement agencies overbroad powers to use firearms without independent accountability, in contravention of international standards. They increase the risk of use of excessive and lethal force and arbitrary deprivation of life.
The full statement may be downloaded in PDF form: Advocacy-HRC26-SREJEs-12062014.
The Report of the Special Rapporteur is available here.
The ICJ and the Cambodian Center for Human Rights (CCHR) today urged the Cambodian Senate to delay its decision to review three judicial reform draft laws on 12 June.
The ICJ today called on the Government of Nepal to amend the 2014 Commission on Investigation of Disappeared Persons, Truth and Reconciliation Act (TRC Act 2014) to bring it in line with international law.
EU: Strategies and good practices for ensuring the child’s right to be heard and to participate in legal proceedings
Serbia: Arbitrarily detained lawyer Cedomir Stojkovic must be released
ICJ Urges CEDAW To Address The Harmful Impact Of Criminal Laws On Women’s Rights
Rule of Law Under Strain in Eswatini: A Submission on Judicial Independence and Civic Space