Apr 29, 2016 | Advocacy, Position papers
In a joint briefing paper published on the occasion of the anniversary of the Human Rights Council, 20 leading national, regional and international human rights NGOs have outlined a series of concrete steps and proposals that would strengthen the impact of the Council’s work.
The civil society paper outlines a broad vision of a Council that directly guides the actions of State and non-state actors, addresses serious rights violations head on, provides space for civil society, and demands better adherence to basic membership standards.The paper was coordinated by the International Service for Human Rights (ISHR) with the input of global NGOs including the ICJ, as well as organisations from all regions.
The paper can be downloaded here (in PDF): http://www.ishr.ch/HRCat10
Sep 14, 2015 | Events
Judges, lawyers, prosecutors and human rights: 30 years of UN action
Side event, Tuesday 15 September 2015, 1600 – 1800
Room XXII, Palais des Nations, Geneva
Followed by a drinks reception hosted by the IBA’s Human Rights Institute
in Bar Serpent, Palais des Nations
The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) and the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) are organising a side event at the Palais des Nations to mark the 30th Anniversary of the Basic Principles on the Independence of the Judiciary and the 25th Anniversary of the Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers and Guidelines on the Role of Prosecutors. This side-event, taking place during the 30th session of the Human Rights Council, will look back on the progress that has been made in the protection of judges, lawyers and prosecutors over the past 30 years and the continuing challenges for implementation of the UN standards.
Side Event, 1600-1800
Opening remarks:
- Her Excellency Zsuzsanna Horváth Ambassador of Hungary
Speakers:
- Monica Pinto Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers
- Anne Ramberg Secretary General, Swedish Bar Association
- Irene Petras Executive Director, Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights
- Nazir Afzal Former Chief Crown Prosecutor, North West England
Drinks Reception, 1800
The IBA’s Human Rights Institute will host a drinks reception in Bar Serpent, Palais des Nations, with a number of high-level speakers to follow the side event to the 30th session of the Human Rights Council.
Speakers:
- Her Excellency Patricia O’Brien Ambassador of Ireland
- His Excellency Mothusi Bruce Rabasha Palai Ambassador of Botswana
- Monica Pinto Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers
Side event co-sponsors include, in addition to the IBAHRI and ICJ:
Australian Permanent Mission to the UN, Permanent Mission of Hungary to the UN, Permanent Mission of Ireland to the UN, Permanent Mission of Mexico to the UN, Permanent Mission of Thailand to the UN, Permanent Mission of the Republic of Botswana to the UN, Council of Europe
Association pour la Prévention de la Torture, Avocats Sans Frontières, Colombian Commission of Jurists, Commonwealth Lawyers’ Association, Commonwealth Magistrates’ and Judges’ Association, International Legal Assistance Consortium, Judges for Judges, Lawyers for Lawyers
Attendance at this side event is open to individuals who have access to the UN grounds at Palais des Nations in Geneva.
Jun 11, 2014 | Events
The ICJ and the International Bar Association (IBA) co-sponsored a side event to the 26th session of the Human Rights Council, on Wednesday 11 June 2014, on Strengthening the Rule of Law in Venezuela.
Mar 17, 2014 | Advocacy, Non-legal submissions
The ICJ made an oral statement at the UN Human Rights Council responding to the report of the Commission of Inquiry on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
The statement called on the Council to take action on the findings and commending the Commission of Inquiry for overcoming the challenges to its work
The ICJ underlined the need, in view of the findings, for the Council to act with a view to ensuring accountability of perpetrators, including through means of international criminal responsibility.
The statement commended the innovative methodology adopted by the Commission of Inquiry and emphasised the need to protect victims and witnesses.
The full statement may be downloaded in PDF: Advocacy-UN-HRC25-DPRK-OralStatement-032014
Feb 24, 2014 | Events, Training modules
In partnership with the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), the ICJ conducted two-day workshops on NGO engagement with the United Nations, held in Pakistan on 18-19 and 21-22 February 2014.
The workshops, held in Lahore and Islamabad, focused on enhancing the meaningful participation of national NGOs with the UN human rights system. Participants included representatives from civil society working on a wide range of human rights issues, including enforced disappearances, education, violence against women and child rights.
Drawing from experiences of ICJ staff and participants, the workshops considered how international advocacy and engagement with the UN can benefit NGOs and addressed:
- The nature of international human rights law;
- State obligations under international human rights law;
- The UN human rights system;
- The Universal Periodic Review mechanism;
- The UN Special Procedures and the making of individual complaints to them;
- The UN Treaty Bodies, individual complaints and periodic reporting; and
- Documenting human rights violations.
Background materials on the Universal Periodic Review: (ENG) and (URDU)
Background materials on the UN Special Procedures: (ENG) and (URDU)
Background materials on the core functions of the UN Treaty Bodies: (ENG) and (URDU)
BAckground materials on periodic reporting to the UN Treaty Bodies: (ENG) and (URDU)
