The ICJ today reiterates its call on the United Nations Security Council to take robust measures to end the ongoing attacks on the Syrian population by members of the security and armed forces.
The attacks have resulted in gross human rights violations amounting to crimes under international law.
Syria-protection from violent attacks by security forces-press release-2011 (full text, PDF)
On September 20-21, 2010, the ICJ Global Security and Rule of Law Initiative convened an informal expert consultation on the issue of drone killings and targeted killings. The meeting discussed legal policy and advocacy issues with the perspective of strengthening the international human rights response to the increasing use of drone killings in different parts of the world, including in situations of armed conflicts and outside genuine armed conflicts. It illustrated the frequent disregard of international human rights law and a lack of transparency and accountability for when and how drones are used for targeted killings. The meeting brought together senior lawyers of leading international human rights organizations, experts of international humanitarian law and general international law. The newly appointed UN Special Rapporteur on Arbitrary and Summary Executions also attended the meeting.
For more information see the agenda of the meeting.
Drones killing rights back-agenda-2010 (full text in English, PDF)
The ICJ expresses deep concern and regrets the violence and associated loss of life in Bangkok on the evening of 10 April 2010.
We send our deepest condolences to the families of all those who were killed during these events, and urge all parties and individuals to pursue peaceful solutions to the current political conflict. The ICJ believes that peaceful reconciliation will be best served if all those involved respect the rule of law and comply with international standards, especially those relating to the use of force, full and transparent investigations into alleged human rights violations, and protection of fundamental rights including freedom of expression. In this public statement the ICJ highlights the content of these long-standing and widely accepted international standards.
Thailand-ICJ concern violence-press release-2010 (full text in English, PDF)
International and local human rights organizations have today urged the Nepali authorities to stop obstructing criminal proceedings over the alleged torture and murder of 15-year-old Maina Sunuwar by four army officers.
Nepal-Authorities must provide justice for torture and murder-press release-2010 (full text, PDF)
See also the open letter Government obstruction of justice and defiance of judicial authority
South Africa: Constitutional Court’s affirmation that principles of judicial independence are fully applicable to military courts is a welcome step forward
EU: Lawyers and civil society call for mandatory humanitarian clause in anti-smuggling directive
EU: Access to a lawyer in juvenile justice proceedings remains a key concern in several EU Member States