Jun 2, 2013 | Multimedia items, News, Video clips
Judges from Central America met in Guatemala on 4-5 June at the International Conference on Impunity and Independence of the Judiciary.
The conference was followed by a public debate on the role of judges in confronting the phenomenom of impunity.
The event was organized with the support of the Canton de Genève, Dan Churchaid and medico international.
Below, listen (in Spanish) to Ramón Cadena, ICJ Regional Director for Central America, who talks about the importance of this conference, and to judges Rubenia Galeano (Honduras), Juan Antonio Durán (Salvador), Carlos Oviedo (Nicaragua), Haroldo Vásquez (Guatemala) and Adriana Orocú (Costa Rica) who talk about impunity and the independence of the judiciary in their respective countries.
Ramón Cadena habla de la Conferencia Regional sobre Independencia Judicial y fenómeno de la impunidad en Centroamérica.
Rubenia Galeano (Honduras) habla del fenómeno de la impunidad y de la situación de la independencia judicial en su país
Juan Antonio Durán (Salvador) habla del fenómeno de la impunidad y de la situación de la independencia judicial en su país
Carlos Oviedo (Nicaragua) habla del fenómeno de la impunidad y de la situación de la independencia judicial en su país
Haroldo Vásquez (Guatemala) habla del fenómeno de la impunidad y de la situación de la independencia judicial en su país
Adriana Orocú (Costa Rica) habla del fenómeno de la impunidad y de la situación de la independencia judicial en su país
May 30, 2013 | Agendas, Events
On Wednesday 29 May 2013, the ICJ co-sponsored a parallel event with Human Rights Watch and other NGOs during the Human Rights Council’s 23rd regular session held in Geneva.
The event, held in Room IX of the Palais des Nations, addressed key issues concerning the independence of judges and lawyers within the Russian Federation. The event was chaired by Róisín Pillay, Director of ICJ’s Europe Programme. Panelists were Gabriela Knaul, the UN Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers; Tamara Morshchakova, ICJ Commissioner and former Deputy Chair of the Russian Consitutional Court; and Karinna Moskalenko, ICJ Commissioner and founder of the International Protection Centre.
May 28, 2013 | News, Publications
The ICJ has now published a translation of its Practitioner’s Guide, International Principles on the Independence and Accountability of Judges, Lawyers and Prosecutors.
This is the first comprehensive analysis of the existing standards and compilation of universal and regional instruments published in Russian. The Guide outlines the roles to be played by a strong legal profession, an independent judiciary and an impartial and objective prosecuting authority. References to international decisions, reports, texts of treaties and other international standards allow the Guide to be used as a reference book by legal practitioners and policy makers.
International-Principles-on-the-Independence-and-Accountability-of-Judges-Lawyers-and-Procecutors-(No.1)-Practitioners’ Guide series-2013-Rus (full text in pdf)
May 21, 2013 | News
El fallo emitido por la Corte de Constitucionalidad constituye un retroceso en la búsqueda de Justicia en Guatemala por las graves violaciones a los derechos humanos cometidas durante el conflicto armado interno, dijó la CIJ.
Es importante recordar que ya en diciembre de 2007, dos de los actuales magistrados de la Corte de Constitucionalidad también otorgaron un amparo al militar retirado General Ríos Montt, evitando su extradición a España. El día de ayer, la CC vuelve a amparar al militar retirado, esta vez para afectar gravemente el derecho de acceso a la justicia de las víctimas del Pueblo Ixil y provocar más impunidad en Guatemala.
Con este fallo, la Corte de Constitucionalidad envía un mensaje equivocado a la población guatemalteca y le da más poder a los victimarios. Sin embargo, la CIJ reconoce que tanto el Magistrado Chacón como la Magistrada Porras, emitieron un voto disidente, apartándose así de la decisión mayoritaria de los magistrados Molina Barreto, Maldonado Aguirre y Pérez Aguilera.
El amparo que la Corte de Constitucionalidad otorgó el día de ayer, lejos de respaldar la justicia, avala las acciones del abogado defensor Francisco García Gudiel, quien faltó a la ética profesional al aceptar la defensa de Ríos Montt, aún sabiendo que la Ley del Organismo Judicial en su artículo 201 literal a) le prohibía “actuar en los juicios en que el juez tuviere que excusarse o pudiera ser recusado a causa de la intervención del profesional.”
Ramón Cadena, Director de la Comisión Internacional de Juristas para Centroamérica expresó: «Nuevamente la Corte de Constitucionalidad está provocando el incumplimiento de la obligación internacional del Estado de Guatemala de juzgar y castigar a los responsables de crímenes gravísimos como el genocidio, crímenes de guerra y crímenes de lesa humanidad. Con dicho fallo, las víctimas del Pueblo Ixil han sido burladas y su derecho de acceso a la justicia ha sido nuevamente negado.»
Otros artículos:
La CIJ expresa su preocupación ante la posibilidad de que juicio por Genocidio y Delito contra los Deberes de Humanidad sea anulado
La CIJ celebra triunfo de la justicia sobre la impunidad
NOTE:
You can find a comprehensive background on the Rios Montt trial in English here
May 17, 2013 | News
On 16 May, the ICJ and Rechters voor Rechters (Judges for Judges) observed an appeal hearing at the Supreme Administrative Court (SAC) in a case against the dismissal of Judge Miroslava Todorova.
Judge Todorova, who had been serving on the Sofia City Court, is known for critical commentary on the problems in the judiciary in Bulgaria. In this hearing, the Prosecutor’s Office supported Judge Todorova’s appeal against her dismissal, but the Court has not yet issued its decision.
The ICJ previously raised concerns over Judge Todorova’s dismissal from her position of judge and as Chair of the Bulgarian Judges Association, in July 2012. The ICJ was particularly concerned at the disproportionate sanctions for delay of several reasoned cases, which is a problematic, but usual, practice among judges in Bulgaria.
The ICJ also expressed concern at the fact that the proceedings took place some six years after the limitation period ended. Further questions arose as to the composition of the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC), the body which both initiated the proceedings and conducted the hearing, and its independence in this case.
The trial observation mission consisted of Professor Doctor Günter Witzsch (Germany), who observed the trial on behalf of the ICJ, and Judge Janneke Bockwinkel (the Netherlands, on behalf of Judges for Judges). The ICJ and Judges for Judges will continue to follow the case of the dismissal of Judge Miroslava Todorova and will issue a detailed report following the issuing of the decision by the SAC.
For further information
Róisín Pillay, Director of the Europe Programme, roisin.pillay(a)icj.org
Temur Shakirov, Legal Adviser, Europe Programme, temur.shakirov(a)icj.org
