International Justice Resource Center

Ten Human Rights Standards Implicated by U.S. Immigration Policy Changes

June 27, 2018 IJRC children, discrimination, due process & judicial protection, family, immigration & asylum, Inter-American System, international human rights, liberty & security of person, migrants, right to life, U.S. courts, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, UN Special Procedures, UN treaty bodies

Recent changes in the United States’ immigration policies have drawn fresh condemnation from human rights experts and civil society, particularly as news spread that authorities had separated approximately 2,000 children from their parents at the country’s southern border. [IACHR Press Release; OHCHR Press Release; UNHCR Press Release] These changes include automatic criminal prosecution and detention of adults – including asylum

OAS Elects Three Judges to Inter-American Court of Human Rights

June 19, 2018 IJRC Inter-American System, international human rights, regional human rights protection

On June 5, 2018, the Organization of American States (OAS) elected three judges to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACtHR), consisting of Judge Humberto Sierra Porto (Colombia), Eduardo Ferrer Mac-Gregor (Mexico), and Ricardo Pérez Manrique (Uruguay). [OAS Press Release] Judges Sierra Porto and Ferrer Mac-Gregor were re-elected after serving one full term on the IACtHR, while Judge-elect Pérez Manrique

UN Experts, Civil Society Welcome FIFA’s New Complaint Mechanism

June 12, 2018 IJRC corporate accountability, human rights defenders, international human rights, thought, expression & association

On May 29, 2018, the international governing body for soccer, Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), launched a complaint mechanism for human rights defenders and journalists ahead of the 2018 World Cup in Russia, garnering praise from United Nations experts and civil society members. [FIFA Press Release: Mechanism; OHCHR Press Release; CPJ Press Release; HRW: Daily Brief] The new complaint mechanism

Qatar to Become Party to Two UN Human Rights Conventions

June 5, 2018 IJRC economic, social & cultural rights, international human rights, labor rights, migrants, UN treaty bodies, Universal system, women's rights

On May 21, 2018, Qatar acceded to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), which will both come into force for the State in August. [HRW: Treaties] Qatar’s accession to these conventions included both formal reservations on articles to which Qatar will not consider itself bound by

African Court Finds Mali’s Family Law Violates Human Rights Obligations

May 29, 2018 IJRC African System, children, discrimination, economic, social & cultural rights, international human rights, regional human rights protection, women's rights

On May 10, 2018, the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights (AfCHPR) ruled that Mali’s Persons and Family Code violates international human rights standards on the State obligation to establish a minimum age of marriage for girl children; the right to consent to marriage; the right to inheritance; and the State obligation to eliminate harmful social and cultural practices

June 2018: Human Rights Council, UN Treaty Bodies, and Regional Human Rights Bodies in Session

May 28, 2018 IJRC children, civil society, corporate accountability, discrimination, economic, social & cultural rights, enforced disappearance, environmental rights, equal protection, European System, human rights defenders, Inter-American System, international human rights, liberty & security of person, monthly overview, regional human rights protection, right to life, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, UN Human Rights Council, UN Special Procedures, UN treaty bodies, Universal system, women's rights

In the month of June, several universal and regional bodies will be in session to assess States’ compliance with their human rights obligations through interactive dialogues, the consideration of State and civil society reports, country visits, and the review of individual complaints. Two United Nations treaty bodies will meet in June to engage with States regarding their treaty obligations related

Inter-American Court Judge Resigns Amid Domestic Violence Allegations

May 22, 2018 IJRC Inter-American System, international human rights, regional human rights protection, women's rights

On May 15, 2018, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACtHR) accepted the resignation of Judge Roberto F. Caldas, whose appointment to the Court will terminate immediately. [IACtHR Press Release] Caldas submitted his letter of resignation on May 14, following the revelation of allegations of domestic violence against him. [IACtHR Press Release] Caldas had served on the Inter-American Court since

COE Parliamentary Assembly Holds Hearings Following Investigation into Members’ Corruption

May 15, 2018 IJRC European System, liberty & security of person, regional human rights protection

The Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) Rules Committee is set to hold a hearing today, May 15, on its findings on a member of PACE’s compliance with the PACE Code of Conduct following an investigation on allegations of corruption among members of PACE in connection to Azerbaijan; the independent investigation concluded that some PACE members have violated the PACE Code

Nicaragua’s Response to Protests Raise Human Rights Concerns

May 8, 2018 IJRC assembly and association, civil society, democracy & political rights, economic, social & cultural rights, extrajudicial executions, Inter-American System, international human rights, regional human rights protection, right to life, thought, expression & association, UN Special Procedures, Universal system

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and United Nations experts have expressed concern over Nicaragua’s response to protests that began in opposition to President Ortega’s proposed social security reforms and led to violence, deaths, and the suppression of media attention. [NY Times: Protests; OHCHR Press Release; IACHR Press Release: Concern] The demonstrations started in Managua after President Ortega proposed changes

IJRC Newsletter: May 2018

May 2, 2018 IJRC African System, civil society, environmental rights, extrajudicial executions, human rights defenders, IJRC Newsletter, IJRC Updates, indigenous communities, Inter-American System, reproductive and sexual rights, UN Special Procedures, women's rights

We are pleased to share our latest newsletter. It details the newest additions to the Online Resource Hub, recent engagement with the universal and Inter-American human rights systems, and upcoming events. If receiving this update via email, you can also read the May 2018 newsletter online, or open the PDF directly. For the latest in human rights developments, visit the News