Sep 21, 2017 | Events, News
At a side event to the UN Human Rights Council on 22 September, the ICJ will discuss challenges in prevention of, and accountability for, violations of human rights in the US-led rendition system, and in the CIS region.
The event will address as well the challenges of extraditions, expulsions and renditions of national security suspects in CIS and EU countries.
The panel discussion is being held as part of the launch of the ICJ report Transnational Injustices – National Security Transfers and International Law, which analyses recent experiences of national security transfers in the CIS region, and makes recommendations for change based on international human rights law and comparative experiences.
The event will take place at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on Friday 22 September at 14:00 – 15:00 at Room no. XXIII.
Panelists:
- Julia Hall, Expert on Counter Terrorism and Human Rights – Amnesty International
- Bartłomiej Jankowski, Lawyer of Guantanamo detainee and rendition victim Abu Zubaydah
- Massimo Frigo, ICJ Legal Adviser
- Irina Urumova, Independent Justice Reform Consultant
Copies of the report in English will be available for the persons attending the meeting.
A flyer for this event is available in PDF format by clicking here.
For more information, contact massimo.frigo(a)icj.org and/or un(a)icj.org
Sep 19, 2017 | Advocacy, Non-legal submissions
The ICJ today joined other civil society organisations in calling for the UN Human Rights Council to renew the mandate of the Commission of Inquiry on Burundi and to initiate suspension of Burundi’s membership in the Council, and other measures of justice and accountability.
The call came in an open letter to all Member and Observer States of the Human Rights Council.
The letter in English: HRC36-OpenLetter-Burundi-2017-EN
Sep 19, 2017 | Advocacy, Non-legal submissions
In a statement to the UN Human Rights Council today, the ICJ called for the appointment of a Special Rapporteur on the situation for human rights in Venezuela, given the ongoing human rights and rule of law crisis in the country.
The statement, which was delivered during a general debate on country situations of concern, read as follows:
“In Venezuela, extrajudicial and arbitrary executions, torture, arbitrary detention, prosecution of civilians by military tribunals, and persecution and attacks against opponents, dissidents and human rights defenders have become systematic and widespread practices.
Demonstrations and protests are violently suppressed by state security bodies and groups of armed civilians close to the government.
These gross human rights violations remain subject to impunity.
The possibility of exercising fundamental freedoms of expression and assembly, as well as political rights, is non-existent.
Following a series of decisions by the Supreme Court of Justice and the Government, the rule of law has ceased to exist, there is no separation of powers, the legislative branch has been stripped of its constitutional powers and the judiciary has become an instrument of the Executive Branch.
The National Constituent Assembly has usurped functions that do not belong to it, such as legislating and dismissing officials.
The International Commission of Jurists considers that, given the very serious human rights situation and the breakdown of the rule of law, it is imperative that the Human Rights Council appoint a Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Venezuela.”
ICJ reports:
Venezuela: the Supreme Court of Justice has become an arm of an authoritarian executive
Venezuela: rule of law and impunity crisis deepens
Venezuela: dismissal of Attorney General a further blow to the rule of law and accountability
Venezuela: Human rights and Rule of Law in deep crisis
Strengthening the Rule of Law in Venezuela
Sep 18, 2017 | Advocacy, Non-legal submissions
The ICJ today called for international legal regulation of private military and security companies, in an oral statement tot he UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, and welcomed recent steps towards this goal.
The statement, made during general debate on thematic concerns, read as follows:
The ICJ welcomes the opportunity to comment on the “Report of the open-ended intergovernmental working group to consider the possibility of elaborating an international regulatory framework on the regulation, monitoring and oversight of the activities of private military and security companies on its sixth session.” (A/HRC/36/36)
The ICJ notes with satisfaction the consensus reached among States to commence elaborating the content of “an international regulatory framework” in efforts to protect human rights and ensure accountability for violations and abuses relating to the activities of private military and private security companies (para. 28).
The ICJ joins the Working Group on Mercenaries’ call for an international legally binding instrument “to ensure consistent regulation worldwide and adequate protection of human rights of all affected” by activities of PMSCs ((A/HRC/36/47, para. 67). This instrument would provide common standards on regulation and prevention as well as on measures to ensure access to effective remedies and reparations by the victims of abuse, areas where the working group has identified gaps of protection.
Broad-based participation by all stakeholders is critical for the success of the process, its legitimacy, the adequacy of its content as well as for the effectiveness of its implementation. The ICJ calls on the Chairperson Rapporteur ensure wide participation, especially from civil society from the developing countries.
The ICJ calls on this Council to support the renewal of the Open Ended Intergovernmental working Group as recommended in the report (A/HRC/36/36) and to actively participate in its deliberations.
Sep 12, 2017 | Events, Multimedia items, News, Video clips
At a side event to the UN Human Rights Council session, the ICJ reviewed today the latest developments in Venezuela, highlighting the extremely serious human rights situation and prevailing impunity, and discussed action that should be taken by the Human Rights Council to address the crisis.
- Laila Matar, Senior UN Advocate, Human Rights Watch
Speakers:
- Sam Zarifi, ICJ Secretary General
- Carlos Ayala Corao, Venezuelan lawyer, ICJ Commissioner
- Federico Andreu Guzman, ICJ South America Representative
Watch the video:
https://www.facebook.com/ridhglobal/videos/10157079100584616/
For additional recent ICJ reports on Venezuela, click here.
The flyer for this event is available in PDF format by clicking here.
For more information, contact un(a)icj.org
