ICJ comments on the United Kingdom’s 6th periodic report on the implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

ICJ comments on the United Kingdom’s 6th periodic report on the implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

The ICJ submitted its comments for consideration by the Human Rights Committee along with the UK’s sixth periodic report on the implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

The ICJ drew Committee’s attention to a number of counter-terrorism measures of concern in the UK, such as deportations on grounds of national security, use of diplomatic assurances against the risk of torture, the control orders or prolonged pre-charge detention. Those measures raise concerns as regards their compliance with Articles 7, 9, 12 and 14 of the Covenant.

United Kingdom-ICJ´ Comments on the 6th Periodic Report-Legal submission-2008 (full text, PDF)

ICJ calls for end to government interference with judicial independence

ICJ calls for end to government interference with judicial independence

The ICJ today expressed its concern at government attacks on the independence of the judiciary in relation to a case involving the Prime Minister, Mr Silvio Berlusconi.

In a letter to the President of the Senate, read out to the Senate last week, the Prime Minister alleged that a criminal prosecution against him had been initiated for political purposes by “extreme left magistrates”, and accused judges and prosecutors involved in the case of politicisation and bias.

Italy-ICJ calls for end to government interference with judicial independence-Press releases-2008-Eng (full text, PDF)

Italy-ICJ calls for end to government interference with judicial independence-Press releases-2008-Ita (full text in Italian, PDF)

Denmark and diplomatic assurances against grave violations of human rights

Denmark and diplomatic assurances against grave violations of human rights

Denmark suggests it would use diplomatic assurances against torture as a basis for the return of foreign nationals to countries where they face a risk of torture, and that it might promote the use of such assurances at an EU level.The ICJ and other human rights groups wrote to the Danish Minister for Justice to express concerns about this suggestion.

Denmark-Diplomatic assurances against grave violations of human rights-Open letters-2008 (full text, PDF)

ICJ urges complete response to questions on secret detentions and on renditions of terrorism suspects

ICJ urges complete response to questions on secret detentions and on renditions of terrorism suspects

The ICJ today urged the Government of Poland to respond fully to concerns about the adequacy of its investigations into allegations of CIA-run secret detention centres in Poland and renditions of terrorism suspects.

The call follows the review of Poland’s human rights record at the first session of the UN Human Rights Council’s Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review (UPR).

Poland-UPR detention renditions-press release-2008 (full text, PDF)

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