On November 23 and 24, four individuals were arrested on charges of corruptly influencing witnesses in the International Criminal Court (ICC) case of The Prosecutor v. Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo (ICC-01/05-01/08). [ICC Press Release: Bemba Case] The accused, together with Jean-Pierre Bemba, are alleged to have procured false evidence and testimony in Mr. Bemba’s trial on charges of crimes against humanity
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Some Progress toward International Agreement at Warsaw Climate Change Conference
The 19th Session of the Conference of Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, held in Warsaw from November 11 to 23, was designed to bring the international community one step closer to the development of a new international agreement to address climate change. Representatives from the 195 Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
Read moreAfrican Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights Organizes Sensitization Conferences for National Judiciaries and News Media
This week, the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights (AfCHPR) is hosting two conferences at its seat in Arusha, Tanzania in an effort to increase awareness of the Court’s functions and activities. From November 18 to 20, the Court will organize a Continental Judicial Dialogue to bring together members from various institutions of the African human rights system, chief
Read morePinochet-Era Torture Victim Awarded Reparation by Inter-American Court of Human Rights for Chile’s Inadequate Investigation
In its first judgment in favor of a living survivor of Pinochet era abuses, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACtHR) has found Chile in violation of its obligations to investigate and remedy the arbitrary detention and torture of Mr. Leopoldo Garcia Lucero, who was left permanently disabled by the treatment he suffered in the 1970s. See I/A Court H.R.,
Read moreBangladesh International Crimes Tribunal Sentences Two to Death for 1971 Killings of Pro-Independence Intellectuals
On November 3, 2013, the controversial International Crimes Tribunal in Dhaka, Bangladesh released a verdict sentencing two expatriates to death by hanging for “aiding, abetting, instructing, ordering, encouraging, and providing moral support to” the murderers of 18 prominent pro-independence intellectuals during Bagladesh’s 1971 war of independence from Pakistan. New York Times The two defendants are among several individuals convicted in
Read moreUpcoming Sessions: African, Inter-American, and European Human Rights Mechanisms
This week, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACPHR), Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) and European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR) will begin holding sessions. During their sessions, all three bodies will evaluate human rights conditions in their regions and consider State compliance with the duties and obligations set forth in regional human rights treaties.
Read moreEuropean Court of Human Rights Cautions United Kingdom News Media about Misleading Coverage
The Registrar for the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) recently admonished several British newspapers for publishing misleading reports about the tribunal’s judgments. [The Guardian] The Registry‘s statement, which was emailed directly to reporters, explained that the ECtHR was “concerned about the frequent misrepresentation of its activities in the British media,” specifically pointing to recent articles discussing payments made to
Read moreAfrican Union Expresses Opposition to International Criminal Court Prosecutions and Seeks Postponement of Kenyatta Trial
On October 11 and 12, the African Union held an Extraordinary Summit on the International Criminal Court (ICC) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to discuss concerns regarding the ICC’s treatment of African cases and the upcoming trial of Kenyan President, Uhuru Kenyatta. [AU]
Read moreECtHR Rules that Discriminatory Dismissal of HIV-Positive Employee Violates European Convention on Human Rights
The European Court of Human Rights this week issued a judgment concerning an employee’s termination due to his HIV-positive status, and the lack of judicial protection offered by the Greek courts. See ECtHR, I.B. v. Greece, no. 552/10, Judgment of 3 October 2013 (in French). The European Court held that I.B.’s termination constituted violations of articles 8 (right to respect
Read moreOngoing Special Session of Inter-American Court of Human Rights Focuses on Rights of Child Migrants
From October 7 to 11, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (Court) will be holding its 48th Special Session in Mexico City. During this session, the Court will hold hearings regarding one contentious case and a forthcoming advisory opinion, both concerning the rights of migrants.
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