Jurists denounce excessive use of force
Today, the ICJ denounced the indiscriminate use of force by the Russian army against civilian targets in and around Grozny, the capital of the Chechen Republic, which caused the death of hundreds of civilians.
Philippines: assassination of attorney Eugene Tan
The ICJ’s Centre for the Independence of Judges and Lawyers condemns the assassination of attorney Eugene Tan and his driver, Mr. Eddie Constantino.
The ICJ takes note of the Order issued by the President of the Philippines, President Ramos, to all law enforcement agencies to investigate the murders and to effect an arrest within the week.
Attorney Eugene Tan was a human rights lawyer, and the former National President of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines.
On 14 November 1994, Attorney Eugene Tan and his driver, Mr. Eddie Constantino were kidnapped at gunpoint at about 7:30 in the evening near his residence, in Metro Manila. The kidnap was not announced publicly until the two bodies were later found. The car was found later in the evening at Holiday Village, Imus, Cavite.
On 18 November 1994, the bodies of both Attorney Eugene Tan and Mr. Constantino were found in Sitio Barangay Sampaloc, Cavite – south of Metro Manila. Both bodies bore signs of torture and strangulation. Several gun shots and stab wounds were evident on the bodies, as well.
The autopsy reports indicate that both were handcuffed when shot, and that Attorney Tan had 5 to 6 broken ribs. Reports attribute the cause of the death of Attorney Tan to a gun shot wound to the right temple of the head. The type of firearm used is not yet determined.
The reasons for the assassination are not yet clear. The ICJ calls on the Government of the Philippines to thoroughly investigate the assassination and to bring the perpetrators of the crime to justice, and to guarantee the protection of human rights activists in the Philippines.
Jurists denounce lethal weapons for crowd control In Gaza
Today, the ICJ condemned the shooting of demonstrators with lethal firearms, which caused the death of at least 14 Palestinians and injured 200 others.
Even when demonstrators throw stones at the security forces, the practice in countries shows that it is neither necessary nor permissible to use lethal weapons against them.
All violence used in self-defence must be necessary and proportionate to the violence used or the threat of violence. Stone-throwing rioters can be quelled by the use of water-hoses and other non-lethal measures, and the security forces can be protected with helmets and shields, The bloody events in Gaza are the consequence of a serious violation by the Palestinian Police of international and local standards.
The ICJ welcomes the establishment of a judicial Committee of Inquiry to investigate the details of the tragic incident in Gaza on 18 November 1994. Furthermore, the ICJ calls upon the Palestinian Authority to refrain from the use of lethal and indiscriminate force against civilians and to bring the actions of their agents into conformity with accepted international standards.
Jurists condemn the Tel Aviv bombing
The ICJ deplores yesterday’s outrageous killing of civilians in Tel Aviv which claimed 22 Israeli lives and tens of other injured persons.
Those responsible for such an act should be brought to justice.
The ICJ is concerned over the potential consequences of this shocking killing. In retaliation, other innocent lives might be targeted. The ICJ calls upon all parties to end the vicious circle of violence.
Jurists deplore the assassination of the President of the Algerian League for Human Rights
The ICJ is deeply saddened by the assassination of Mr. Youssef Fathallah, the President of the Algerian League for Human Rights.
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