regional human rights protection – Page 39 – International Justice Resource Center

S.A.S. v. France: The European Court’s Decision in Light of Human Rights Doctrine on Restricting Religious Dress

July 11, 2014 IJRC cultural rights, discrimination, European System, freedom of religion, women's rights

Earlier this month, the European Court of Human Rights published its Grand Chamber decision in the case of S.A.S. v. France, which challenged the French “burqa ban” on wearing face coverings in public spaces. See ECtHR, S.A.S. v. France [GC], no. 43835/11, Judgment of 1 July 2014. The Grand Chamber held that prohibiting the concealment of a person’s face in public did

IACHR Special Rapporteur Releases Comprehensive Report on Freedom of Expression and the Internet

July 9, 2014 IJRC human rights defenders, Inter-American System, international human rights, thought, expression & association

In a new report, the regional human rights expert on freedom of expression in the Americas identifies principles and standards to guide States in their regulation of online communication. On June 27, 2014, the Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) released the report, Freedom of Expression and the Internet, specifically addressing the

African Union Approves Immunity for Government Officials in Amendment to African Court of Justice and Human Rights’ Statute

July 2, 2014 IJRC African System, crime & impunity, ICTR, ICTY, International Criminal Court, international criminal law

In a controversial decision, the African Union has decided to specifically exempt senior government officials from prosecution by a proposed regional human rights court, which will otherwise be authorized to try individuals accused of crimes against humanity and other serious international crimes. At its 23rd Ordinary Session in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea last week, the Assembly of the African Union (AU) adopted an amendment to

World Refugee Day 2014 Draws Attention to Record Number of Displaced Persons

June 23, 2014 IJRC African System, immigration & asylum, Inter-American System, international human rights

On Friday, June 20th the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and nations around the world marked World Refugee Day with diverse tributes and activities. In its efforts to raise awareness about the struggles faced by refugees, UNHCR emphasized that the number of displaced persons in 2013 was the highest in the post-World War II era.

European Court of Human Rights Releases Six New Thematic Factsheets on Landmark Cases

June 17, 2014 IJRC democracy & political rights, discrimination, European System, immigration & asylum, liberty & security of person, persons with disabilities, thought, expression & association, women's rights

The European Court of Human Rights has released six new factsheets summarizing its jurisprudence on the topics of: hunger strikes in detention, migrants in detention, domestic violence, elderly persons, persons with disabilities, and political parties and associations. The factsheets provide valuable insights into the kinds of issues being raised before the Court, direct practitioners to key cases and decisions, and

African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights Adopts Resolution Condemning Violence and Discrimination against LGBTI Persons

June 10, 2014 IJRC African System, discrimination, human rights defenders, LGBTI rights

The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights adopted a landmark resolution (Resolution 275) condemning acts of violence, discrimination and other human rights violations against persons on the basis of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity during its 55th Ordinary Session held from April 28 to May 12, 2014 in Luanda, Angola. See ACommHPR, Res. 275: Protection Against Violence and other Human

New Inter-American Commission Session Report Includes Details on the Status of Decisions, Rights Conditions in the Americas

May 27, 2014 IJRC civil society, Inter-American System

For apparently the first time, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights has published a detailed report concerning its most recent session that: identifies forthcoming decisions on the admissibility and merits of petitions; lists the working meetings held between members of the Commission, States, and civil society; summarizes the information gathered through thematic hearings on a range of rights topics; and, describes

European Court Finds Georgia Plea Bargain Procedure Compatible with Human Rights Convention, Despite “Shady Factual Circumstances”

May 13, 2014 IJRC due process & judicial protection, European System

In a judgment released on April 29, the European Court of Human Rights examined the compatibility of a plea bargain procedure with the fair trial protections of the European Convention on Human Rights. See ECtHR, Natsvlishvili and Togonidze v. Georgia, no. 9043/05, Judgment of 29 April 2014. This Chamber decision marks the first case in which the European Court has analyzed in detail any

African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights Holds 55th Ordinary Session in Angola

May 7, 2014 IJRC African System

The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) opened its 55th Ordinary Session on April 28, 2014 in Luanda, Angola. During this session, which continues through May 12, the Commission is scheduled to discuss the human rights situation in Africa, consider State reports, and hear activity reports from members of the Commission and its special mechanisms. [ACHPR]

Join the Conversation: Engaging with Regional Human Rights Mechanisms

April 18, 2014 IJRC African System, civil society, European System, human rights defenders, IJRC Updates, Inter-American System, regional human rights protection

Join the International Justice Resource Center and the New Tactics community for an online conversation on Engaging Regional Human Rights Mechanisms from April 21 to 25, 2014. IJRC’s executive director, Lisa Reinsberg, will join experts and practitioners from around the world in discussing the practical details of seeking justice, accountability, and reform through the regional human rights systems.