The judiciary remained largely under the control of the executive. A significant number of lawyers were subjected to various forms of harassment, including arbitrary arrest and detention. The state of emergency declared in December 1999 remained in force.
Despite the adoption of the Basic Law of Government, Saudi Arabia continues to be lacking in basic constitutional safeguards and civil liberties. The nation is a monarchy deriving religious legitimacy from the Wahhabi doctrine.
Human rights defenders, including some lawyers, have encountered harassment and persecution for carrying out their professional activities. Egypt has continued to maintain an elaborate system of special courts, which undermines the jurisdiction of regular courts.
Despite the existence of constitutional and legal provisions guaranteeing the independence of the judiciary, the executive continues to exercise improper interference in the judicial domain.
The ICJ today expressed its dismay to Bashar al Assad that Habib Issa, founding member of the Human Rights Association, was sentenced by the Syrian Supreme State Security Court (SSSC) to five years’ imprisonment.
Ethiopia: Authorities must act to improve access to justice for persons with disabilities
Europe: Strengthening access to justice for child victims with disabilities, from legal rights to meaningful participation
Kenya: Kenya authorities must take steps to improve access to justice for women with disabilities, says UN Committee
Pakistan: International civil society organisations condemn the sentencing of human rights lawyers Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha