The ICJ is disappointed by the decision of the UN Human Rights Council to defer the discussion of a global study on secret detention, torture and enforced disappearances in the name of counter-terrorism in 80 countries.
The ICJ today welcomed the affirmation by the UN Human Rights Council that human rights and the rule of law must not be forgotten behind the humanitarian crises in Haiti.
“The immediate priority is to ensure that relief efforts are used to address urgent and compelling human rights concerns, the rights to food, health and housing. Haiti and the international community through international cooperation and assistance will then need to adopt specific rule of law strategies to enhance legal system and foster good governance as a precondition for realization of human rights in Haiti,” said Lukas Machon, ICJ Representative to the UN.
Haiti- law rights guide -Press Release-2009 (full text in English, PDF)
The ICJ addresses the practice of incommunicado detention, and the transfer of persons as part of the alleged cooperation of Spain in the US-led renditions programme.
The ICJ also draws attention to the threat to judicial independence posed by the recent prosecution of Investigative Judge Baltasar Garzón Real; to the recent limitations introduced on the use of universal jurisdiction to prosecute crimes under international law; and to the limited scope of the offence of torture contained in the Criminal Code.
Universal Periodic Review Spain-non-legal submission-2009 (full text, PDF)
The ICJ believes that the Human Rights Council should retain an independent, expert and collegial body, with a mandate focused on studying unexplored, new challenges and areas of human rights.
Expert body HRC-Web stories-2006 (full text, PDF)
La CIJ destaca la importancia de que el Estado chileno este estudiando la promulgación de un nuevo Código de Justicia Militar, que suprima la jurisdicción de los tribunales castrenses sobre los civiles.
HRC61: Oral statement of The ICJ in the interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
ICJ Convenes Global Forum to Strengthen Non-Criminal Justice Pathways for Redress
Thailand: Draft Domestic Violence Act should be revised in line with international standards
HRC61: ICJ Statement on attacks against the rule of law and independent legal professionals — highlighting situations in Afghanistan and Guatemala