Search Results for “war on terror” – Page 11 – International Justice Resource Center

As Hunger Strike Continues, International Human Rights Experts Urge U.S. to Close Guantanamo Detention Center

May 6, 2013 IJRC due process & judicial protection, Inter-American System, international human rights, international humanitarian law, liberty & security of person, security & rule of law

In response to the hunger strike carried out by detainees held at the Guantanamo Bay detention facility, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, UN Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, Juan Mendez, UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while

UN Votes to Adopt Arms Trade Treaty, Restricting Export of Weapons that May Be Used for Human Rights Violations

April 2, 2013 IJRC international human rights, international humanitarian law, right to life, security & rule of law, UN General Assembly

The United Nations (UN) General Assembly overwhelmingly voted to adopt an Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) on April 2, 2013. The treaty regulates international trade of conventional arms, and aims to “[contribute] to international and regional peace, security and stability.” ATT, art. 1. Among other requirements, States Parties must prohibit the international transfer of arms whenever the government has knowledge that

Mali Conflict: Concerns Persist for Protection of Human Rights, Displaced Populations, Minority Groups

February 5, 2013 IJRC African System, crime & impunity, democracy & political rights, International Criminal Court, international human rights, military and humanitarian intervention, right to life, security & rule of law, thought, expression & association, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, UN Human Rights Council, UN Security Council, Universal Periodic Review

The West African nation of Mali, previously hailed as a democratic model for other regional governments, has become engulfed in a human rights and political crisis that is now the target of international attention and military intervention. Government and foreign forces are attempting to reclaim territory from separatist rebel groups, while the International Criminal Court and UN and African human rights

Guatemala Abrogates Attempt to Limit the Inter-American Court of Human Rights’ Jurisdiction

January 23, 2013 IJRC crime & impunity, due process & judicial protection, enforced disappearance, extrajudicial executions, Inter-American System, international human rights, massacres, torture, transitional justice, universal jurisdiction

On January 17, 2013, Guatemalan President Otto Pérez Molina announced the derogation of a resolution that would have attempted to limit the Inter-American Court of Human Right’s jurisdiction over alleged human rights violations that took place before 1987. [IACHR; Procuraduría de Derechos Humanos] In December 2012, the Guatemalan Congress passed Resolution 370-2012, the purpose of which was to restrict the Inter-American Court of

Regional NHRI Networks and Forums

In connection with the International Coordinating Committee for NHRIs, four primary regional networks covering NHRIs located in Europe, the Americas, Africa, and Asia, as well as separate cross-regional NHRI forums. Coordinating Committee Regional Networks The European Group of National Human Rights Institutions has 40 NRHI members and is chaired by a rotation of NHRI members, with the Scottish Human Rights

Special Court for Sierra Leone's Annual Report Focuses on Legacy as Mandate Nears End

October 11, 2012 IJRC crime & impunity, international humanitarian law, internationalized criminal tribunals, transitional justice

Last week, the Special Court for Sierra Leone released its Ninth Annual Report on its activities. Article 25 of the Statute of the Special Court requires the President to release an annual report to the Government of Sierra Leone and the Secretary General of the United Nations. The Ninth Annual Report focused on activities carried out by the Special Court

Asylum & the Rights of Refugees

OVERVIEW States have been granting protection to individuals and groups fleeing persecution for centuries; however, the modern refugee regime is largely the product of the second half of the twentieth century. Like international human rights law, modern refugee law has its origins in the aftermath of World War II as well as the refugee crises of the interwar years

Venezuela Denounces American Convention on Human Rights as IACHR Faces Reform

September 19, 2012 IJRC Inter-American System, international human rights

Overview On September 10, 2012 the Government of Venezuela denounced the American Convention on Human Rights (the American Convention). Pursuant to Article 78 of the American Convention, the Government of Venezuela officially made its denunciation through a letter delivered to the Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), José Miguel Insulza. When the withdrawal takes effect in one year’s

Torture

OVERVIEW The right to freedom from torture is enshrined in many human rights instruments and protects all individuals from being intentionally subjected to severe physical or psychological distress by, or with the approval or acquiescence of, government agents acting for a specific purpose, including to inflict punishment or to obtain information. Under international humanitarian law, which applies in the context

Bahrain Update: Protests Continue, UN Team Finds Ongoing Rights Violations, Prominent Activist Beaten

January 8, 2012 IJRC civil society, due process & judicial protection, economic, social & cultural rights, human rights defenders, liberty & security of person, right to life, thought, expression & association, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

Last Friday, prominent human rights defender Nabeel Rajab, head of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights, was hospitalized after being beaten by security forces in the capital city of Manama following a large demonstration. [BCHR; Washington Post] Mr. Rajab believed the security forces to be nationals of Bahrain and of other Middle Eastern and South Asian nations. [For more on