The ICJ is contributing to the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Uzbekistan, which is of particular importance given the gross and systematic violations of human rights that continue to take place in that country.
The ICJ drew attention of the Human Rights Council’s working group on the UPR to several issues of concern for the protection of human rights and the rule of law in Serbia.
The operation of Kyrgyzstan’s judiciary has remained largely within the control of the executive.
Belarus has become increasingly isolated from the international community in recent years due to President Lukashenko’s de facto dictatorship.
The Parliamentary elections and constitutional referendum held in October 2004 fell significantly short of international democratic norms. The government continued to crack down on those opposing the existing regime.
In November 2002, most European Union member states declared President Lukashenko persona non grata. The UN and the Council of Europe issued resolutions in 2003 and 2004 on the forced disappearances of Belarusian opposition leaders.
The many political trials throw doubts on the judiciary’s independence. Executive interference threatens judges’ security of tenure by exerting political and economic pressures. Lawyers are constrained by the licence system controlled by the executive and those defending human rights are harassed and persecuted.
In 2003, 51 case courts ruled to close down local non-governmental organizations.
Belarus-Attacks on Justice 2005-Publications-2008 (full text, PDF)
Fundamental rights are constitutionally enshrined and are respected. The judiciary is independent and judicial actors carry out their duties in an ethical manner. No attacks on judicial actors have been reported.
There is a slight shortage of judicial personnel, and a lack of continuous training of judges, lawyers and prosecutors. Gibraltar has as yet no Judicial Council. Although individuals enjoy the right to a fair trial before a competent, independent and impartial tribunal established by law, and in accordance with the principle of equality before the law and the presumption of innocence, there is room for improvement in the provision of legal aid and of pro bono work.
Gibraltar-Attacks on Justice 2005-Publications-2008 (full text, PDF)
The UN Human Rights Council makes significant but limited progress in addressing human rights around the world, as atrocities multiply in the Middle East and elsewhere
ICJ hosts an African Regional Convening in Kenya on Transformative Equality Jurisprudence
Russian Federation: Arbitrarily detained human rights lawyer Maria Bontsler must be released
ICJ Oral statement at HRC urgent debate on protection of children and schools in armed conflict