Dec 21, 2009 | News
La CIJ expresa su profunda preocupación ante la detención de la Jueza María Lourdes Afiuni en virtud de una decisión adoptada en el marco del caso del Sr. Eligio Cedeño.
Asimismo, la CIJ resalta la gravedad que implica que dicha detención se haya producido tras las declaraciones efectuadas por el Presidente de la República de Venezuela, Hugo Chávez, quien opinó abiertamente sobre el caso y exigió que se castigue a la jueza con la pena máxima de 30 años, prevista en la ley sólo para los delitos más graves, cometidos con agravantes.
Venezuela-detention judge-press release-2009-spa (full text in Spanish, PDF)
Dec 1, 2009 | Advocacy, Non-legal submissions
The ICJ addresses the practice of incommunicado detention, and the transfer of persons as part of the alleged cooperation of Spain in the US-led renditions programme.
The ICJ also draws attention to the threat to judicial independence posed by the recent prosecution of Investigative Judge Baltasar Garzón Real; to the recent limitations introduced on the use of universal jurisdiction to prosecute crimes under international law; and to the limited scope of the offence of torture contained in the Criminal Code.
Universal Periodic Review Spain-non-legal submission-2009 (full text, PDF)
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)
Sep 15, 2009 | News
The ICJ urged the UN Human Rights Council to establish a new expert mandate to improve protection of human rights of individuals in armed conflicts and generally in any crisis situations.
The ICJ requested the Council to harness protection of judges and lawyers from violence and intimidation inflicted on them for their professional functions. It also sought accountability for human rights violations and international crimes committed by the Israeli Army, Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups during the recent war in Gaza.
ICJ urges that the HRC establish new expert mandate_Prss Pelease_2009 [Full text PDF]
Sep 7, 2009 | News
The ICJ today expressed its concern about the criminal prosecution of Magistrate Baltasar Garzón for his investigation into crimes against humanity committed during and after the Spanish Civil War.
Judge Garzón is being prosecuted before the Second Chamber (Criminal) of the Spanish Supreme Court for intentionally issuing an unjust judgment or ruling (the offence of prevaricación).
Spain-Garzón-press release-2009-eng (full text in English, PDF)
