Adam Nord contributes this post illustrating and reflecting on the growing prominence of South Africa and its developing civil society in international legal affairs of significance for the entire globe. In his position as Lobbying and Engagement Manager at CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation, based in Johannesburg, Adam plays an active role in influencing high-level decision makers with local
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Kwoyelo Amnesty Raises Questions about Ugandan Justice
In Uganda, amnesty for an alleged Lord’s Resistance Army commander, Thomas Kwoyelo, by the country’s High Court has raised questions regarding the future of transitional justice there. Kwoyelo had been the first person charged by the International Crimes Division of the High Court for murder and other acts allegedly committed during nearly two decades of attacks by LRA forces on civilians
Read moreMexican Advocates Seek ICC Investigation of Violence, Deaths in Crack Down on Drug Trade
Mexican advocates have submitted a communication seeking an investigation by the International Criminal Court (ICC) into Mexican officials’ complicity in the deaths, torture and kidnapping of civilians in the country’s ongoing drug-related violence. [Reuters] The request for an investigation, submitted by attorney Netzai Sandoval and signed by 23,000 Mexican citizens, names President Felipe Calderon, Mexico’s most-wanted drug cartel head, the
Read moreUN Committee Against Torture Examines Belarus, Bulgaria, Djibouti, Germany, Others in 47th Session
The Committee Against Torture (CAT) completed its 47th Session on Friday, having adopted observations and recommendations on periodic reports from States party to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. [UN] Up for review during this session were: Belarus, Bulgaria, Djibouti, Germany, Madagascar, Morocco, Paraguay and Sri Lanka. The Committee also requested that Syria to submit
Read moreAfrican Children's Rights Committee in Session This Week
This week, the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC) will hold its 18th session in Algiers from November 27 to December 1, to engage in a dialogue with States, civil society actors and other stakeholders. [OSF] The ACERWC is based in Addis Ababa and is composed of eleven experts elected by the AU Assembly of
Read moreInter-American Court in Session through December 3
The Inter-American Court of Human Rights is in session in San Jose, Costa Rica through December 3. [IACtHR] During this 93rd Regular Period of Sessions, the Court will hold public hearings on two contentious cases (Néstor José and Luis Uzcátegui et al. v. Venezuela, and Díaz Peña v. Venezuela) and on compliance with three previous judgments (Yakye Axa, Sawhoyamaxa and Xákmok Kásek Indigenous Communities v. Paraguay, and Mapiripán
Read moreNews Clips- November 28, 2011
Today, elections will be held in the Democratic Republic of Congo and in Egypt. In both countries, rights groups have warned of restrictions on freedom of assembly and expression, as well as violence. [HRW; Washington Post; MONUSCO] This week, States will convene for the Durban Climate Change Conference, with the UN urging countries to finally come to an agreement on
Read moreNew Members Elected to International Law Commission
Last week, the United Nations General Assembly elected new members to the International Law Commission (ILC), a United Nations body charged with promoting “the progressive development of international law and its codification”. The International Law Commission, which was created by the General Assembly and began its work in 1949, is composed of thirty-four individual expert members of distinct nationalities who identify and
Read moreKhmer Rouge Tribunal Trial Underway in Case 002
This week, the Trial Chamber of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC), commonly referred to as the “Khmer Rouge tribunal” began hearing opening statements by the prosecution in Case 002, in which Nuon Chea, Ieng Sary, Ieng Thirith and Khieu Samphan are accused of crimes against humanity, grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions, and genocide in connection with
Read moreECHR Tomorrow: Hearing in Fernández Martínez v. Spain, Decisions on Medical Care in Georgia Prisons, Malta Land Rights, Turkish Army, UK Custody Death
On Tuesday, November 22, the European Court of Human Rights will hold a Chamber hearing in the case Fernández Martínez v. Spain (Application no. 56030/07) and release a number of decisions in applications against Georgia, Malta, Turkey, Azerbaijan, the United Kingdom, Spain, Montenegro and Estonia. The Fernández Martínez v. Spain case concerns the decision not to renew a Spanish priest’s
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