International Commission of Jurists
Abu Omar case: no more concessions on accountability

Abu Omar case: no more concessions on accountability

Nov 4, 2009 | News

The ICJ today expressed satisfaction that the Italian judiciary and prosecutors have begun to address some of the worst human rights abuses arising in the post-11 September environment.

The Tribunal of Milan convicted 23 of 26 CIA agents charged with the kidnapping and enforced disappearance of Nasr Osama Mustafa Hassan (known as Abu Omar) in February 2003. Abu Omar was abducted by CIA agents from the streets of Milan in February 2003, with the cooperation of Italian officials, and transferred through Germany to Egypt, where he was subjected to torture.

Italy-Abu Omar case-press release-2009 (full text, PDF)

ICJ questions fairness of appeal hearing in case of human rights defender Evgeniy Zhovtis

ICJ questions fairness of appeal hearing in case of human rights defender Evgeniy Zhovtis

Oct 23, 2009 | News

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)

Human rights impacted by ill-conceived counter-terrorism measures

Human rights impacted by ill-conceived counter-terrorism measures

May 4, 2009 | News

The ICJ presented today the findings of a worldwide inquiry by a panel of some of the most prominent jurists into the impact of counter-terrorism laws on human rights at the United Nations in New York.

The report of the Eminent Jurists Panel concludes that many governments have confronted the threat of terrorism with ill-conceived measures that have undermined cherished values and resulted in serious violations of human rights.

It illustrates the devastating effects that notorious counter-terrorism measures such as extraordinary rendition, torture, arbitrary detention, and unfair trials have had on human rights worldwide.

It also warns of the increasing secrecy preventing accountability, and the danger of “temporary” measures becoming permanent features of law and practice in many states.

UN leadership in counter-terrorism-press release-2011 (full text, PDF)

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