The ICJ provides its views to the Human Rights Committee, in advance of the preparation of the list of issues for the Periodic Report of Spain.
In this short submission, the ICJ highlights several issues which it considers should be of particular concern to the Committee in its consideration of the Spanish report.
Spain-ICJ submission on 5th periodic report-legal submission-2008 (full text, PDF)
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)
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)
In its submissions to the Committee Against Torture, the ICJ draws attention to the lack of a definition of torture in Swedish law equivalent to that in Article 1 of the Convention.
In addition the ICJ points out the lack of specific criminal law offences of torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment; and the failure to institute criminal investigations in respect of a documented case of rendition involving treatment contrary to the Convention.
Sweden-ICJ Submission to the Committee against Torture-Non-judicial submission-2008 (full text, PDF)
In its submissions to the Committee Against Torture, the ICJ draws attention to the lack of a definition of torture in Icelandic law equivalent to that in Article 1 of the Convention Against Torture.
The ICJ also points out the lack of specific criminal law offences of torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, raising issues under Articles 2 and 4 of the Convention.
Iceland-ICJ Submission to the Committee against Torture-Non-judicial submission-2008 (full text, PDF)
Egypt’s Matsda2sh case: end the crackdown on media workers with fake “terrorism” charges
Thailand: Judges have a critical role to play in combating and ensuring accountability for torture and enforced disappearance
Joint Letter: Urgent diplomatic action to halt further executions in eastern Libya
Czech Republic: UN Committee on the Rights of the Child finds that immigration detention of children violated the prohibition of arbitrary detention and ill-treatment