The ICJ today expressed its grave concern at the murder in Moscow yesterday of prominent human rights lawyer Stanislav Markelov and called for a thorough, prompt and independent criminal investigation.
Russian Federation-ICJ calls for investigation and accountability-Press releases-2009 (full text, PDF)
The ICJ strongly condemns the grenade attack on 27 September against prominent Sri Lankan human rights lawyer, J.C Weliamuna.
The ICJ calls on the Government of Sri Lanka to launch a prompt, independent, impartial and transparent investigation.
Sri Lanka-Attack against human rights lawyer threatens rule of law-Press releases-2008 (full text, PDF)
In the past three weeks alone there have been reports of wide scale and systematic violence (including cases of torture) of supporters of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) in post election political retribution.
The Zimbabwe Association of Doctors of Human Rights (ZADHR) reported treating over 452 people who had been assaulted or tortured by militias operating with the acquiescence of the state security agents or together with such agents.
At least 10 people are known to have also been extra judicially executed in politically motivated violence perpetrated by the governing party, ZANU-PF. Thousands have been internally displaced and remain without access to adequate food and other social necessities.
Zimbabwe-gravitates towards chaos-Press releases-2008 (full text, PDF)
On the fourth anniversary of the disappearance of Thai lawyer Somchai Neelapaichit, the ICJ met with his wife and the UN in Geneva to renew calls for progress in the criminal investigation.
The ICJ told the UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances (‘UN Working Group’), who are examining the case, that it welcomed the continued investigation by Thailand’s Department of Special Investigations (DSI) to establish the fate of Somchai Neelapaichit, find the body and bring the perpetrators to justice. The ICJ urged the UN Working Group to remain vigilant in the case.
Thailand-ICJ urges United Nations to remain vigilant in disappeared lawyer case-Press releases-2008 (full text, PDF)
The ICJ raised in its submission the Government of Pakistan’s failure to fully and effectively ensure and protect human rights and the rule of law in the fight against terrorist acts and to protect people against terrorism.
The ICJ also addressed the issue of the Government’s attacks on the rule of law, the independence of the judiciary, and the legal profession over the last nine months, and especially since 3 November 2007. These concerns should be addressed as a matter of priority in the Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review of Pakistan.
Pakistan-UPR-advocacy-2008 (full text, PDF)
HRC59: Statement on the High Commissioner’s report – addressing accountability gaps in Sri Lanka, Libya, and global attacks on justice
HRC59: Joint statement on the report of Special Rapporteur in Afghanistan
Israel/Iran: Israel’s attack on Iran violates international law, threatening peace and security
Tanzania: Authorities must ensure justice for trial observers subjected to arbitrary detention and torture