Jun 10, 2014 | Advocacy, Non-legal submissions
The ICJ joined other non-governmental organisations in issuing a joint statement ahead of the 2014 annual treaty body chairpersons meeting, to be held on 24-27 June 2014.
The statement, made by NGOs that regularly contribute to the work of the treaty bodies, broadly welcomed the outcome of the UN General Assembly process to strengthen the treaty bodies. It, in particular, highlights a number of priority areas for consideration by treaty body chairpersons as critical to implementation of the General Assembly resolution and the ongoing process of strengthening the UN treaty bodies.
UNTBs-AnnualChairpersonsMeeting-JointStatement-Non-LegalSubmission-2014 (download full statement in PDF)
May 19, 2014 | Advocacy, News, Non-legal submissions
The UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights has just finalized its review of El Salvador, one of the State parties under examination during the 52nd session of the Committee held between the 28 April and 23 May 2014.
Feb 24, 2014 | Events, Training modules
In partnership with the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), the ICJ conducted two-day workshops on NGO engagement with the United Nations, held in Pakistan on 18-19 and 21-22 February 2014.
The workshops, held in Lahore and Islamabad, focused on enhancing the meaningful participation of national NGOs with the UN human rights system. Participants included representatives from civil society working on a wide range of human rights issues, including enforced disappearances, education, violence against women and child rights.
Drawing from experiences of ICJ staff and participants, the workshops considered how international advocacy and engagement with the UN can benefit NGOs and addressed:
- The nature of international human rights law;
- State obligations under international human rights law;
- The UN human rights system;
- The Universal Periodic Review mechanism;
- The UN Special Procedures and the making of individual complaints to them;
- The UN Treaty Bodies, individual complaints and periodic reporting; and
- Documenting human rights violations.
Background materials on the Universal Periodic Review: (ENG) and (URDU)
Background materials on the UN Special Procedures: (ENG) and (URDU)
Background materials on the core functions of the UN Treaty Bodies: (ENG) and (URDU)
BAckground materials on periodic reporting to the UN Treaty Bodies: (ENG) and (URDU)
May 3, 2013 | Multimedia items, News, Video clips
The ICJ warmly welcomes the entry into force of the Optional Protocol to the ICESCR that will be effective on Sunday, 5 May, 2013.
As noted in previous statements, the ICJ considers that the entry into force of the new instrument allowing the review of alleged violations of economic, social and cultural rights by a UN Committee will mark an historic boost to the international protection of these rights.
The ICJ and its allies in the International NGO Coalition for the OP-ICESCR look forward to pursuing the dialogue and interaction with the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and States parties, and aim to contribute at making the new procedures offered an effective tool for victims who could not achieve justice in their domestic justice systems.
Coalition press release in English
Coalition press release in Spanish
Mar 22, 2013 | News
The ICJ, the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) and Geneva for Human Rights are encouraged by steps taken by Taiwan to review compliance with human rights and urge further steps towards the realization of rights on the ground.
Due to the fact that the territory of Taiwan is not recognized by the international community as a sovereign State, Taiwan is not a member of the United Nations.
As such, the UN HUman Rights Committee and Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights have been unable to review Taiwan’s implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, in respect of which Taiwan has enacted incorporating legislation.
Notwithstanding this position, the Government of Taiwan has facilitated a parallel review by independent experts of implementation of these instruments.
This review was conducted on 25-27 February 2013, leading to the adoption by the independent experts of concluding observations and recommendations.
The ICJ, OMCT and Geneva for Human Rights are encouraged by the steps taken.
They urge the Government of Taiwan to undertake prompt and effective steps towards implementation of the recommendations of the independent experts by means that involve a constructive dialogue with civil society, including as this pertains to the abolition of the death penalty.
They also call on the Government to take similar steps for incorporation of human rights standards set out in other universal treaties, including the Convention against Torture.
Taiwan-ICCPR-ICESCR-Conclusions-IndependentExperts-2013 (download concluding observations of the independent experts)
