ICJ welcomes historic UN decision on economic, social and cultural rights
The United Nations Human Rights Council yesterday approved by consensus an Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
ICJ submission to the Committee Against Torture on the fifth periodic report of Sweden
In its submissions to the Committee Against Torture, the ICJ draws attention to the lack of a definition of torture in Swedish law equivalent to that in Article 1 of the Convention.
In addition the ICJ points out the lack of specific criminal law offences of torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment; and the failure to institute criminal investigations in respect of a documented case of rendition involving treatment contrary to the Convention.
Sweden-ICJ Submission to the Committee against Torture-Non-judicial submission-2008 (full text, PDF)
ICJ submission to the Committee Against Torture on the third periodic report of Iceland
In its submissions to the Committee Against Torture, the ICJ draws attention to the lack of a definition of torture in Icelandic law equivalent to that in Article 1 of the Convention Against Torture.
The ICJ also points out the lack of specific criminal law offences of torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, raising issues under Articles 2 and 4 of the Convention.
Iceland-ICJ Submission to the Committee against Torture-Non-judicial submission-2008 (full text, PDF)
ICJ welcomes the adoption of draft optional protocol to the International Covenant on ESCR
The Open-ended Working Group on an Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights adopted by consensus the Draft Optional Protocol.
The document will be transmitted to the Human Rights Council.
Submission by the ICJ on the impact of the draft Law on counter-terrorism of Bahrain
On 10 May, the ICJ made a submission to the Committee against Torture (CAT) on the recently introduced draft law on counter-terrorism in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
This law – if adopted – would greatly reduce safeguards against torture, cruel or inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment and negatively affect the implementation of the Convention against Torture in Bahrain. The ICJ invited the Committee to assess the impact of this draft law on the implementation of Bahrain’s obligations under the Convention and make recommendations to Bahrain to ensure that the law complies with international human right standards.
Bahrain-impact law counter-terrorism-non-judicial submission-2005 (full text in English, PDF)
Bahrain-impact law counter-terrorism-non-judicial submission-2005 (full text in Arabic, PDF)
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