Search Results for “international criminal law” – Page 46

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

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

Jordan’s Prince Zeid to Succeed Navi Pillay as New United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in September 2014

June 25, 2014 IJRC civil society, international human rights, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Universal system

The United Nations General Assembly has approved the appointment of Prince Zeid Ra’ad Zeid al-Hussein as Navanethem (Navi) Pillay’s successor to head the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). The High Commissioner is the official with the foremost responsibility for human rights activities at the United Nations. See UN General Assembly, Resolution 48/141, High Commissioner for

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

UN Committee on the Rights of the Child to Review Six Countries’ Reports during Ongoing 66th Session

June 5, 2014 IJRC children, UN treaty bodies

The United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child is currently holding its 66th Session in Geneva, Switzerland. The session began on May 26 and will continue until June 13, 2014. During this time, the Committee is scheduled to review State reports from Jordan, Kyrgyzstan, the United Kingdom, India, Indonesia, and St. Lucia on their implementation of the Convention

Mexico Adopts Legislation Limiting Military Courts’ Jurisdiction over Soldiers’ Human Rights Abuses

May 19, 2014 IJRC Uncategorized

The Mexican Congress has adopted a revision of the country’s Code of Military Justice to transfer jurisdiction over alleged human rights abuses committed by members of the armed forces against civilians to the ordinary, civilian justice system. [LA Times] Mexico’s military plays an important role in policing and law enforcement in the country, and although thousands of serious human rights abuses by soldiers are reported each

UN Human Rights Committee Invites Feedback on Draft General Comment No. 35 on the Rights to Liberty and Security of Person

April 14, 2014 IJRC civil society, due process & judicial protection, international human rights, international humanitarian law, liberty & security of person, security & rule of law, UN treaty bodies

During its 110th session last month, the United Nations Human Rights Committee concluded its first reading of Draft General Comment No. 35 on Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which protects the right to liberty and security of person, including the freedom from arbitrary arrest and detention. The Committee invites interested stakeholders to submit

UN Human Rights Council Focuses Attention on Promoting and Protecting Human Rights Defenders, Civil Society Space, and Peaceful Protest during 25th Regular Session

April 4, 2014 IJRC civil society, human rights defenders, international human rights, thought, expression & association, UN Human Rights Council, UN Special Procedures

During its 25th regular session last month, the UN Human Rights Council undertook several measures to address the challenges and risks faced by human rights defenders and other civil society actors. On March 11, it held a panel discussion to analyze the factors that reduce civil society space and to evaluate strategies to promote an interactive partnership between States and

UN Human Rights Committee Issues Concluding Observations on State Reports of Chad, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Nepal, Sierra Leone, and the United States

April 3, 2014 IJRC civil society, democracy & political rights, discrimination, due process & judicial protection, human rights defenders, immigration & asylum, indigenous communities, international human rights, international humanitarian law, judicial independence, LGBTI rights, liberty & security of person, reparations, reproductive and sexual rights, right to life, security & rule of law, thought, expression & association, transitional justice, UN treaty bodies, women's rights

The UN Human Rights Committee held its 110th session from March 10 to 28 to consider the State reports of Chad, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Nepal, Sierra Leone, and the United States of America. Following the session, the Committee released its concluding observations, detailing key concerns and recommendations for these States’ improved implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Courts & Monitoring Bodies

A number of distinct courts and monitoring bodies oversee States’ implementation of, and compliance with, their specific obligations under international human rights law. These bodies may be judicial (national, regional or international courts), quasi-judicial (bodies that are not courts, but do decide individual complaints), political (led by States), or supervisory (documenting and assessing human rights conditions). Each of these entities