International Justice Resource Center

European Committee of Social Rights Hears Complaints Involving Trade Union Rights, Access to Abortion, Social Security, and Discrimination during its 263rd Session

March 19, 2013 IJRC discrimination, economic, social & cultural rights, education, European System, family, health, international human rights, labor rights, reproductive and sexual rights

The European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR) will hold its 263rd Session from March 18-23, 2013, during which it will hear thirteen collective complaints and examine States’ reports on compliance with certain articles of the European Social Charter. [ECSR Agenda] Additionally, the Committee will hold a meeting about non-accepted provisions of the Charter and exchange views with the Commissioner for

ICC Prosecutor Withdraws Charges against Muthaura: Background and Implications for Kenya Cases

March 13, 2013 IJRC International Criminal Court, international human rights

In a written and video statement made public on Monday, March 11, 2013, International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor Fatou Bensouda announced she would be withdrawing all charges against Francis Muthaura arising out of Kenya’s 2007 and 2008 post-election violence. Muthaura, Kenya’s former civil service chief, was accused of committing crimes against humanity, including murder and rape. Bensouda’s decision marks the first time charges have been withdrawn

Bangladesh Faces Violence, Controversy Over International Crimes Tribunal Convictions

March 12, 2013 IJRC domestic courts, due process & judicial protection, international criminal law, international human rights, internationalized criminal tribunals

Bangladesh has been marked by riots and violence, with more than 80 killed since January 21, 2013 due to conflict surrounding the International Crimes Tribunal’s recent convictions of members of the Islamist Jamaat-e-Islami political party on charges stemming from the its collaboration with Pakistani forces during the 1971 Liberation War, through which Bangladesh won independence. [The International] Since it began

UN Special Rapporteur Addresses Possible Torture in Healthcare

March 11, 2013 IJRC health, international human rights, LGBTI rights, liberty & security of person, torture, UN Human Rights Council, UN Special Procedures

UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, Mr. Juan Méndez, presented last week a controversial report to the UN Human Rights Council asserting that certain acts under national healthcare systems may violate the Convention against Torture (CAT). Special Rapporteur Méndez recognized that the report may arguably extend beyond his mandate as traditionally defined and into the realm of the “right to health,”

In Celebration of International Women's Day

March 8, 2013 IJRC international human rights, reproductive and sexual rights

March 8, 2013 is International Women’s Day, a day when the world reflects on the progress made and obstacles that remain in achieving gender equality and respect for women’s human rights. This year, the UN has planned a variety of events in honor of this day, and its human rights experts have taken the opportunity to highlight the need for continued

African Court in Session to Consider Cases Involving Journalist’s Assassination, Employment and Political Rights

March 7, 2013 IJRC African System, international human rights

The African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Court) is currently holding its 28th Ordinary Session at its seat in Arusha, Tanzania through March 15, 2013. The Court, whose mandate is complementary to that of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, has announced it expects to focus on several cases during the session. A New Judge Joins the

Inter-American Commission and Court to Address Broad Range of Human Rights Issues in March Hearings

March 6, 2013 IJRC Inter-American System, international human rights

The two bodies of the Inter-American human rights system will be in session this month to consider issues of concern in the Americas and to receive testimony in pending contentious cases. The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights will hold its 147th Session from March 7 to 22, with public hearings taking place on March 11-12 and 14-16 at the Commission’s headquarters

UN Compensates Zimbabwe Staffer, but Haitian Victims' Struggle for Justice Continues in Cholera Outbreaks Attributed to UN

March 5, 2013 IJRC due process & judicial protection, health, international human rights, military and humanitarian intervention, reparations, right to life, Universal system

At the end of February, the United Nations (UN) issued two decisions concerning its role is the spread of cholera in Haiti and Zimbabwe. In Haiti, victims of cholera and their advocates claim that UN peacekeepers from Nepal introduced cholera to the country, but the UN has stated it will not hear their complaint. [UN] In Zimbabwe, a UN official claims

Opportunities to Contribute to UN Reports with March Deadlines

March 5, 2013 IJRC civil society, death penalty, international human rights, right to life, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, UN Human Rights Council, UN Special Procedures

This month, civil society organizations and human rights defenders have the opportunity to contribute their comments on three upcoming UN reports on the topics of the right to peace, the relationship between human rights and traditional values, and the death penalty.