International Justice - Passion of the Present

Archive for the ‘International Justice’ Category

International Justice: Taylor Trial Sets Positive Example

July 25th, 2012 | Author: Human Rights Watch

The trial of the former Liberian President Charles Taylor for war crimes and crimes against humanity during Sierra Leone’s armed conflict was a largely well-run proceeding, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today. The trial benefitted from a high-quality defense, sound handling of witnesses, and dynamic outreach to communities affected by the crimes. At the same time, Human Rights Watch’s analysis identified areas in which practice should be improved for future trials of the highest-level suspects before domestic, international, and hybrid war crimes tribunals.

(Brussels) – The trial of the former Liberian President Charles Taylor for war crimes and crimes against humanity during Sierra Leone’s armed conflict was a largely well-run proceeding, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today.

Posted in Africa, Charles Taylor, International Justice, Judicial Accountability, Liberia, Press release, Sierra Leone, Special Court for Sierra Leone, War Crimes/Crimes Against Humanity | Comments Closed

Senegal: Agreement on Habré Court

July 24th, 2012 | Author: Human Rights Watch

Senegal’s agreement on July 24, 2012, to establish a special court to try the former dictator of Chad, Hissène Habré, if swiftly implemented, could mark a turning point in the long campaign to bring him to justice, a coalition of human rights groups said today.

(Dakar) – Senegal’s agreement on July 24, 2012, to establish a special court to try the former dictator of Chad, Hissène Habré, if swiftly implemented, could mark a turning point in the long campaign to bring him to justice, a coalition of human rights groups said today.

Posted in Africa, Chad, Habré, Hissène Habré, International court of justice, International Justice, Judicial Accountability, Peace and Justice, Press release, Senegal, War Crimes/Crimes Against Humanity | Comments Closed

World Court: Important Victory for Habré Victims

July 20th, 2012 | Author: Human Rights Watch

The ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on July 20, 2012, that Senegal must prosecute “without further delay” or extradite Chad’s former dictator Hissène Habré is a great victory for his victims, a coalition of human rights groups said today. The ruling reinforces the obligation on all countries to bring to account people in their jurisdiction who are allegedly responsible for torture.

(Brussels) –The ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on July 20, 2012, that Senegal must prosecute “without further delay” or extradite Chad’s former dictator Hissène Habré is a great victory for his victims, a coalition of human rights groups said today.

Posted in Africa, Belgium, Chad, Habré, International court of justice, International Justice, Judicial Accountability, Press release, Senegal, War Crimes/Crimes Against Humanity | Comments Closed

African Union: Support International Justice

July 11th, 2012 | Author: Human Rights Watch

(Johannesburg) – The African Union should demonstrate support for justice for victims of grave international crimes at its summit meeting from July 9 to 16, 2012, African civil society organizations and international organizations with a presence in Africa said in a letter

Posted in Africa, Habré, International Justice, Press release | Comments Closed

ICC: Congolese Rebel Leader Gets 14 Years

July 10th, 2012 | Author: Human Rights Watch

The International Criminal Court’s sentencing on July 10, 2012, of Congolese rebel leader Thomas Lubanga to 14 years in prison for recruiting and using child soldiers sends an important message about the gravity of this crime.

(Brussels) – The International Criminal Court’s sentencing on July 10, 2012, of Congolese rebel leader Thomas Lubanga to 14 years in prison for recruiting and using child soldiers sends an important message about the gravity of this crime.

Posted in Africa, Bosco Ntaganda, Child Soldiers, Democratic Republic of Congo, ICC, International Criminal Court, International Justice, Lubanga, Press release, The Lubanga Trial | Comments Closed

UN Human Rights Council: Eritrea, Belarus Told to End Abuses

July 6th, 2012 | Author: Human Rights Watch

The United Nations Human Rights Council took bold action to address the chronically poor human rights situations in Belarus and Eritrea

The United Nations Human Rights Council took bold action to address the chronically poor human rights situations in Belarus and read more

Posted in Africa, Ales Bialitski, Bahrain, Belarus, Commission of Inquiry, Criminal Justice, Death Penalty, detention of journalists, Eritrea, Europe/Central Asia, Forced Conscription, free speech, Geneva, HRC, HRC 20th session, Human Rights Defenders, International Criminal Court, International Justice, Mali, Middle East/N. Africa, Press release, shoot to kill, Syria, Torture, United Nations | Comments Closed

Tunisia: Flaws in the Landmark Ben Ali Verdict

July 5th, 2012 | Author: Human Rights Watch

The trial before the Le Kef military Tribunalof former President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and others underscores the steps that must be taken if Tunisia’s judiciary is to hold officials of the ousted regime fully and fairly accountable for human rights violations. Human Rights Watch observed the trial for killing protesters during Tunisia’s 2010-2011 uprising, which concluded on June 13, 2012, and studied parts of the 1,066-page written verdict.

(Tunis) – The trial before the Le Kef military Tribunalof former President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and others underscores the steps that must be taken if Tunisia’s judiciary is to hold officials of the ousted regime fully and fairly accountable for human rights violations.

Posted in Criminal Justice, International Justice, Le Kef military tribunal, Middle East/N. Africa, Peace and Justice, Press release, Tunisia | Comments Closed

Libya: ICC Staff Detentions Raise Justice Concerns

July 3rd, 2012 | Author: Human Rights Watch

The release by Libyan authorities of four International Criminal Court (ICC) staff members on July 2, 2012, was a positive move, but their detention appears to have been unlawful from the start. The court officials, who had been held in the town of Zintan since June 7, flew out of Libya on a plane provided by the Italian government.

(Tripoli) – The release by Libyan authorities of four International Criminal Court (ICC) staff members on July 2, 2012, was a positive move, but their detention appears to have been unlawful from the start, Human Rights Watch said today.

Posted in ICC, International Criminal Court, International Justice, Libya, Melinda Taylor, Middle East/N. Africa, Press release, Saif al-Islam Gaddafi | Comments Closed

Syria: Rights, Accountability Key to Transition Plan

June 30th, 2012 | Author: Human Rights Watch

Accountability for serious abuses and human rights monitoring should be central to any transition plan in Syria, ahead of an international meeting on Syria in Geneva on June 30, 2012. Priorities should include the immediate end of gross human rights violations, the release of political prisoners, unrestricted access for human rights monitors to detention facilities, unhindered humanitarian assistance, and a concrete road map to rein in Syria’s security services.

(Geneva) – Accountability for serious abuses and human rights monitoring should be central to any transition plan in Syria, Human Rights Watch said today, ahead of an international meeting on Syria in Geneva on June 30, 2012.

Posted in International Criminal Court, International Humanitarian Law, International Justice, Middle East Uprising, Middle East/N. Africa, Press release, Syria, War Crimes/Crimes Against Humanity | Comments Closed

ICC: New Prosecutor Takes Reins

June 14th, 2012 | Author: Human Rights Watch

The swearing in of the new International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, comes at a time when expectations for international justice are growing. Bensouda will be sworn into office on June 15, 2012, as the current prosecutor, Luis Moreno Ocampo, reaches the end of his nine-year term.

(Brussels) – The swearing in of the new International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, comes at a time when expectations for international justice are growing, Human Rights Watch said today.

Posted in Fatou Bensouda, ICC, International Criminal Court, International Justice, Luis Moreno Ocampo, Press release | Comments Closed

Tunisia: Q&A on the Trial of Ben Ali, Others for Killing Protesters

June 11th, 2012 | Author: Human Rights Watch

Verdicts are expected next week in the trial of former President Zine el Abidine Ben Ali and his security chiefs, the first concerning the killing of protesters during Tunisia’s uprising in December 2010 and January 2011.

1. What is the Ben Ali trial all about?

2. Who are the defendants?

3. What are the charges?

4. What are the shortcomings of the trial?

5. Are there other trials in connection with the December 2010 uprising?

Posted in Criminal Justice, Death Penalty, International Justice, Middle East/N. Africa, Peace and Justice, Police Brutality, Q & A, Tunisia | Comments Closed

République centrafricaine : attrapez Joseph Kony, mais n’oubliez pas ses victimes

June 11th, 2012 | Author: fbenard

Par Godfrey Byaruhanga, chercheur sur l’Afrique centrale à Amnesty International, à Obo
Le premier d’une série de blogs centrafricains met en évidence la menace constituée par plusieurs groupes armés qui n’ont pas encore été désarmés et démobilisés, ainsi que les souffrances persistantes de leurs victimes.

Un lourd dimanche après-midi, Félicité Mboligassie nous a reçus chez sa mère, [...]

Posted in armed conflict, Central African Republic, Child Soldiers, DR Congo, impunity, International Justice, Violence Against Women, women | Comments Closed

AU Summit: Malawi Stands With Darfur Victims

June 8th, 2012 | Author: Human Rights Watch

The Malawi government showed strong support for victims of international crimes by deciding not to be the host of the African Union (AU) summit if President Omar al-Bashir of Sudan is allowed to attend, African civil society organizations and international organizations with a presence in Africa said today.

(Johannesburg) –The Malawi government showed strong support for victims of international crimes by deciding not to be the host of the African Union (AU) summit if President Omar al-Bashir of Sudan is allowed to attend, African civil society organizations and international organizations with a presence in Africa said today.

Posted in Africa, African Union summit, al-Bashir, ICC, International Criminal Court, International Justice, Judicial Accountability, Malawi, Press release, Sudan | Comments Closed

Central African Republic: Catch Kony, but don’t forget his victims

June 7th, 2012 | Author: cfortune

By Godfrey Byaruhanga, Amnesty International’s Central Africa Researcher, in Obo
The first in a series of blogs from the Central African Republic highlights the threats posed by several armed groups that have yet to be disarmed and demobilized, as well as the ongoing suffering of their victims.
On a muggy Sunday afternoon, Félicité Mboligassie met us [...]

Posted in armed conflict, Central African Republic, Child Soldiers, DR Congo, impunity, International Justice, Violence Against Women, women | Comments Closed

DR Congo: Rwanda Should Stop Aiding War Crimes Suspect

June 4th, 2012 | Author: Human Rights Watch

Rwandan military officials have been arming and supporting the mutiny in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) of Gen. Bosco Ntaganda, who is wanted for war crimes by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

(Goma) – Rwandan military officials have been arming and supporting the mutiny in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) of Gen. Bosco Ntaganda, who is wanted for war crimes by the International Criminal Court (ICC), Human Rights Watch said today.

Posted in Africa, Bosco Ntaganda, Democratic Republic of Congo, International Justice, Press release, Rwanda | Comments Closed