Lawyer Somchai Neelapaijit began his career as a lawyer in 1977. Khun Somchai was known for speaking out against unjust practices by the police and advocating for reform of the justice system. He disappeared in 2004.
The ICJ expressed concern at the deteriorating situation in Sri Lanka and welcomed the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights’ emphasis on countering discrimination, including on the grounds of sexual orientation.
The ICJ also called on the Council to consider establishing a dedicated mandate – such as the Early-warning Commission – to identify the emergence of human rights violations in crisis situations and make recommendations to the UN to prevent human rights violations and ensure accountability of their perpetrators.
SriLanka-humanrightsviolations-web story-2010 (full text, PDF)
The ICJ is alarmed by a campaign of intimidation against journalists and media outlets and at the continuing use of emergency laws to restrict freedom of expression following the re-election of President Rajapakse.
The ICJ calls for immediate Government action to reform these laws and to protect journalists from further harassment and attacks.
SriLanka-freedomexpession-news-2010 (full text, PDF)
A new ICJ report released today addresses the systematic absence of remedies for gross human rights violations in Sri Lanka between 1977 and 2001 – a period of widespread disappearances and unlawful killings.
The ICJ today expressed its concern at deficiencies in the appeal process in which the conviction of the prominent Kazakh human rights defender Evgeniy Zhovtis was upheld this week.
ICJ Commissioner Karinna Moskalenko observed the appeal hearing on 20 October, on behalf of the ICJ, to assess its compliance with international fair trial standards.
Kazakhastan-ICJ questions fairness of appeal hearing-press release-2009-eng (full text, PDF)
Kazakhastan-ICJ questions fairness of appeal hearing-press release-2009-rus (full text, PDF)
Myanmar: As armed conflict rages and military rule continues, critical measures can be taken towards eventual justice and accountability for victims of Enforced Disappearance
HRC63: ICJ Raises Alarm over Repression in Tunisia and Arbitrary Detention in El Salvador
HRC63: ICJ Calls for Protection of Lawyers and Accountability in Myanmar
More than fifty years on: enforced disappearance, the families who named it, and the reframing of international protection