The ICJ released today its Trial Observation Report on proceedings before the Colombo High Court in the prosecution of J.S. Tissainayagam, a Tamil journalist.
On 31 August 2009, Mr Tissainayagam was convicted under anti-terrorism laws and sentenced by Judge Deepali Wijesundara to 20 years “rigorous imprisonment.”
SriLanka-journalist-news-2009 (full text, PDF)
The ICJ is alarmed by the plans of the Obama administration to regularize the indefinite detention without trial that has been emblematic of the worst US abuses in its counter terrorism programs since 11 September 2001.
USA-President signals continuation of detention without trial-Press releases-2009 (full text, PDF)
The ICJ presented today the findings of a worldwide inquiry by a panel of some of the most prominent jurists into the impact of counter-terrorism laws on human rights at the United Nations in New York.
The report of the Eminent Jurists Panel concludes that many governments have confronted the threat of terrorism with ill-conceived measures that have undermined cherished values and resulted in serious violations of human rights.
It illustrates the devastating effects that notorious counter-terrorism measures such as extraordinary rendition, torture, arbitrary detention, and unfair trials have had on human rights worldwide.
It also warns of the increasing secrecy preventing accountability, and the danger of “temporary” measures becoming permanent features of law and practice in many states.
UN leadership in counter-terrorism-press release-2011 (full text, PDF)
Initial widespread support for the US-lead ‘War on Terror’ in response to the 9/11 attacks has diminished markedly. What does this mean for Africa?
In fact, counter-terrorism today has a less-than-honourable reputation, conjuring images of extra-judicial renditions, unlawful and indefinite detention, and torture.
However recent developments indicate that change is coming to the way the world – and Africa – combats terrorism. President Obama has already ordered an end to several unlawful US-lead practices; in Europe and other regions courts are reminding governments about the importance of human rights and due process. Rather than falling primarily within the domain of spies and the military, criminal justices responses will become increasingly important.
Is Africa ready for this change? The ICJ and the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) are organizing an evening reception to explore these questions and launch the recent report of the ICJ’s Eminent Jurists Panel on Terrorism, Counter-Terrorism and Human Rights.
Africa-terrorism-news-2009 (full text, PDF)
The ICJ urged all Governments to review and repeal laws and policies on operations of intelligence services in countering terrorism that had served to deprive victims of their right to an effective remedy and reparation.
The call was made in interaction with the UN Special Rapporteur.
ICJ intervention in the interactive dialogue-non-legal submission-2009 (full text, PDF)
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