Oct 22, 2019 | News
On 25 and 26 October, the ICJ in Central America will hold the VII Regional Conference on Judicial Independence, with the central theme of the protection and security of Judges.
The Conference will discuss the role that governments should play in the protection of judges, as well as the relationship between judicial independence and security of those who deliver justice.
Participants from outside the region include Radmila Dragicevic Justice of the Supreme Court of Cassation of Serbia and Vice-President of the ICJ; José Antonio Martín Pallín, Judge Emeritus of the Spanish Supreme Court of Justice and ICJ Commissioner, and Erland Flaterud and Finn Arne Schanche, both judges from Norway.
Nine other judges from Central America will attend, including Leonardo Ramírez of the Supreme Court of Justice of El Salvador Murcia and Fernando Cruz Castro, President of the Supreme Court of Justice of Costa Rica.
The ICJ regrets that the Supreme Court of Justice of Guatemala has not been in a position to receive this important delegation at its plenary on 23 October to address the issue of the security of judges.
The ICJ recalls that this Conference is held within the framework of a letter of cooperation and understanding agreed with the former President of the Judicial Branch and the Supreme Court of Justice, Ranulfo Rojas Cetina in 2015.
The ICJ is particularly concerned that there is presently an unfilled vacancy for Chief of Security for the judiciary, following the resignation of the former Chief who had allegedly engaged in conduct not consistent with his function.
Ramón Cadena, Director of the ICJ for Central America, said: “It is the duty of the Supreme Court of Justice to inform the Guatemalan public about the Judges Protection System, so that it does not become a source of corruption or in any way interferes with the work of independent, and impartial judges.”
In Guatemala, the international delegation will meet with judges such as Yassmín Barrios, Ericka Aifán, Miguel Ángel Gálvez, Carlos Ruano and Pablo Xitumul among others. They have been the subject of seemingly unfounded complaints which have posed risks to their personal security and independent judicial functioning.
May 11, 2017 | Advocacy
Today the ICJ presented its views on counter-terrorism, security and human rights in Europe, to the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) of the European Parliament, as part of a hearing on the EU’s Comprehensive Assessment of EU Security Policy.
The exchange of views, Chaired by the Chair of the LIBE Committee, Claude Moraes, included contributions by Commissioner Julian King of the European Commission, as well as representatives of national parliaments, civil society organisations and MEPs.
The ICJ presentation by Róisín Pillay (photo), Director of the ICJ Europe Programme, emphasised the need to make human rights and the rule of law central to EU security policy, to the development of EU legislation and its implementation at national level.”
The full text of the presentation can be downloaded here: Europe-Presentation LIBE-Advocacy-2017-ENG (in PDF)
More on LIBE
Apr 9, 2015 | News
Among the victims of a gun attack today at the Palace of Justice of Milan, according to press reports, were Judge Fernando Ciampi and lawyer Lorenzo Alberto Claris Appiani.
Press reports state that the person who opened fire in the Palace of Justice of Milan, killing three persons and injuring several others, was a defendant in a case.
The ICJ calls on relevant authorities immediately to launch a thorough inquiry into the system of security at the Palace of Justice, for judges, lawyers, and prosecutors, as well as witnesses and parties to cases, employees, and others present in the buildings.
The ICJ recalls that the State has a duty under international law to ensure protection for members of the judiciary and others who may be at risk of such attacks.
Feb 5, 2015 | News
The ICJ is concerned by yesterday’s attack on lawyer Murad Magomedov in Makhachkala, near the Supreme Court of Dagestan building. The ICJ calls on the authorities to take effective measures to guarantee the security of lawyer Magomedov.
The attack took place during a break in a Supreme Court hearing in which Murad Magomedov was defending his client, Akhmed Israpilov, on charges of terrorism.
The lawyer was severely beaten by a group of five people, and sustained serious head injuries.
He was taken to the Republican Central Clinical Hospital, where he remains, recovering from concussion, multiple injuries and fractures of the jaw.
“This is yet another in a series of physical attacks against lawyers in Dagestan and shows the urgent need for the authorities to take effective measures to protect lawyers in the region,” Temur Shakirov, ICJ Legal Adviser, said today. “Both local and federal authorities in the Russian Federation must ensure a prompt investigation leading to those responsible for this violent act being brought to justice.”
The UN Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyer provide that “where the security of lawyers is threatened as a result of discharging their functions, they shall be adequately safeguarded by the authorities”.
Under international human rights law, the State must take steps to protect the security of persons who the authorities know or ought to know are under threat, and must ensure an independent, prompt, and thorough investigation of any attacks on the life or physical integrity of individuals.
Murad Magomedov has worked as a lawyer with “Memorial” Human Rights Centre since autumn 2014 and represents individuals affected by of a “special operation” in Dagestan’s Vremenyi village in September 2014. In this case Magomedov does not act as a Memorial representative.
The ICJ has previously highlighted cases of assault and killing of lawyers in Dagestan.
Contact:
Róisín Pillay, Director, Europe Programme, roisin.pillay(a)icj.org
Temur Shakirov, Legal Adviser, Europe Programme, temur.shakirov(a)icj.org
