International Commission of Jurists
ICJ submission to the Universal Periodic Review of Sri Lanka

ICJ submission to the Universal Periodic Review of Sri Lanka

Apr 16, 2012 | Advocacy, Non-legal submissions

Under the second cycle of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanism, the UN Human Rights Council Working Group on the UPR will be undertaking a review of Sri Lanka during its 14th session.

In a submission to the Working Group, the ICJ has focused on the discrete issues of:

  1. the failure of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission and previous national commissions of inquiry to hold accountable those responsible for serious human rights violations;
  2. the systemic barriers affecting the efficacy of the habeas corpus writ as legal remedy for arbitrary detention and enforced disappearance;
  3. the ongoing detention of Sri Lankans in “rehabilitation camps” and the lack of any independent monitoring mechanism;
  4. Sri Lanka’s failure to implement witness protection measures;
  5. Sri Lanka’s failure to properly incorporate the Convention Against Torture into domestic law; and
  6. Sri Lanka’s party status to international human rights instruments and its cooperation with the UN treaty bodies and the Council’s Special Procedures.

Sri Lanka-ICJ submission UPR-non-judicial submission-2012 (full text in English, PDF)

Sri Lanka-Comparison second cycle-advocacy-2012 (full text in English, PDF)

ICJ oral intervention on the adoption of the outcome document of the Universal Periodic Review of Syria

ICJ oral intervention on the adoption of the outcome document of the Universal Periodic Review of Syria

Mar 30, 2012 | Advocacy

During the 19th session of the Human Rights Council, the ICJ made an oral statement during the Council’s consideration and adoption of the outcome document in the Universal Periodic Review of Syria.

The statement focussed on the lack of investigations into human rights abuses, including ongoing gross human rights violations, and called on UN bodies responsible for peace and security and human rights to take effective measures to allow regular access for humanitarian assistance, including essential supplies of food, water and medicines.

Syrian Arab Republic-oral intervention UPR-advocacy-2012 (full text in English, PDF)

US President Obama must veto bill allowing for indefinite detention without trial

US President Obama must veto bill allowing for indefinite detention without trial

Dec 21, 2011 | News

The ICJ today deplored the passage of legislation by the US House of Representatives that would allow for the indefinite imprisonment of terrorism suspects, detained anywhere in the world, without charge or trial.

The ICJ considers the legislation to be incompatible with international law, including human rights principles, and calls on US President Barack Obama to veto it.

Obama veto bill-press release-2011 (full text in English, PDF)

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