Today, the ICJ received news of the arrest of Mr. Olisa Agbakoba (photo), the President of the Civil Liberties Organization. This arrest is the latest in a series of disturbing developments occurring in Nigeria.
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.
The ICJ’s Centre for the Independence of Judges and Lawyers have concluded a three-day seminar on the relationship between the media and the judiciary in Madrid.
The seminar is part of an on-going study on the independence of the judiciary and the legal profession.
Lawyers, judges and journalists from Spain and different regions of the world gathered in Madrid to focus on the relationship between the media and the judiciary. The object has been to draft principles destined to facilitate a relationship that would enhance both the necessity of a free press and the independence of the judiciary. The debate also concentrated on the right of the accused, especially minors, to privacy and the presumption of innocence.
Many different angles were taken into consideration. They included the impact of publicity on judicial proceedings, the emergence of increasingly global and transnational modes of communication and their impact on judicial procedures, the relation between ethics and judicial independence, the restraints which may be necessary for the proper administration of justice, media criticism of judges and judicial decisions as well as in-depth perspectives of these issues in countries such as Brazil, the United Kingdom, France, Ghana, Jordan, India and Australia.
These principles fill a gap which is increasingly highlighted by the progress made in contemporary modes of dissemination of information. The principles are attached herewith.
madrid principles on media and judicial independence-publication-1994-eng (full text in English, PDF)
The ICJ’s Centre for the Independence of Judges and Lawyers is seeking an investigation into the death of Orton Chirwa, a pro-democracy activist and Malawi’s first Minister of Justice, who had been imprisoned since 1981.
Le Congrès de Juristes Africains Francophones s’est tenu du 5 au 9 janvier 1967 à Dakar, Sénégal.
Ce document contient le programme provisoire, renseignements généraux, information sur l’organisation du Congrès, le Réglement intérieur et la liste des participants.
Africa-function of the law-congress report-programme-1967-fra (full text in French, PDF)
Working documents: Africa-function of the law-congress report-working papers-1967-fra (full text in French, PDF)
Conclusions: Africa-function of the law-congress report-conclusions-1967-fra (full text in French, PDF)
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
EU: Ending child immigration detention through UN Treaty Bodies and the European Committee of Social Rights