ICJ disappointed by decision taken on SADC Tribunal

ICJ disappointed by decision taken on SADC Tribunal

The ICJ and other human rights and legal groups say that the the SADC Summit of Heads of State’s decision on SADC Tribunal denies the SADC people the right to approach the court for justice.The ICJ, SADC LA and SALC express their deepest disappointment at the decision taken by the SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government on the SADC Tribunal.

The Summit’s Final Communiqué explains that the region’s leaders had “resolved that a new protocol on the Tribunal should be negotiated and that its mandate should be confined to interpretation of the SADC Treaty and Protocols relating to disputes between member states”.

That decision effectively destroys an integral SADC organ – the currently established Tribunal – and denies the SADC people the right to approach the court for justice.

It is, as Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu observes, “a tragedy. It is a blow against accountable government and individual rights.”

SADC Tribunal decision-web story 2012 (Download in English)

Photo: Salc bloggers

 

Thailand: justice needs of women must be answered

Thailand: justice needs of women must be answered

In a new report released today, the ICJ and Justice for Peace Foundation (JPF) call for a series of changes in law, practice, approach and behaviour to address the justice needs of women across Thailand.

ICJ oral statement on access to justice for victims of human rights violations

ICJ oral statement on access to justice for victims of human rights violations

As part of the 20th session of the UN Human Rights Council (18 June to 6 July 2012), the ICJ today delivered an oral statement calling on the Council to systematically consider the question of access to justice in all of its work.

In a general debate under item 8 of the Council’s agenda (follow-up and implementation of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action), the ICJ noted the need for every State, individually and collectively, to provide victims of human rights violations with access to justice, including through the provision of effective remedies and reparations.

In calling on the Council to systematically consider this issue, the ICJ called for further consideration of how to strengthen existing, and develop new, international mechanisms, such as a World Court of Human Rights.

ICJ-HRC20-Item8-GD-OralStatement-non-legal submission (2012) (download PDF)

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