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)
Nov 5, 2013 | Advocacy, Non-legal submissions
The ICJ has called on States that are candidates for membership to the UN Human Rights Council to do more to respect human rights at home and at the international level.
On 12 November, the United Nations General Assembly will elect 14 new members to the Human Rights Council.
The ICJ added its name to a joint letter, delivered by International Service for Human Rights on behalf of 40 NGOs from all regions of the world, emphasising the need for candidate states to uphold the highest standards of respect for human rights, the fullest cooperation with the Human Rights Council, and to refrain from impeding the access of individuals and civil society to international human rights mechanisms.
HRC-GAElections-JointNGOLetter-NonLegalSubmission-2013 (download joint open letter in PDF)
