We support the development of international human rights law and standards.
We work for their adoption and implementation at national level.
We promote the independence of the judiciary, and support judges, lawyers, and prosecutors in their roles as human rights defenders.
Updates
News & advocacy
Afghanistan: Joint appeal to UN HRC to advance accountability for crimes under international law
To: Permanent Representatives to the UN Human Rights Council RE: Meaningful action needed at UN Human Rights Council to advance accountability for past and ongoing crimes under international law in Afghanistan Excellencies, We, the undersigned human rights...
Azerbaijan: Security services ramp up attacks on independent lawyers and human rights defenders
The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) deplores the arbitrary detention of Azerbaijan human rights lawyer Fariz Namazli by the State Security Service (SSS) on 31 August 2024. He was detained without an official summons, and without being informed of the reasons...
Venezuela: UN Rights Council should renew experts’ mandate
International Accountability Urgently Needed Amid Intensifying Post-Election Repression The United Nations Human Rights Council should renew the mandate of its Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela, 29 national and international...
MEXICO: SENATE SHOULD REJECT THE JUSTICE REFORM BILL UNDERMINING JUDICIAL INDEPENDENCE
The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) today called on the Mexican Senate to reject the judicial reform bill currently before it, and on the parliament and incoming government to promptly act to revise the proposed reform process to bring it into line with the...
ICJ’s strong calls for accountability for crimes and grave human rights abuses in Myanmar and Sri Lanka – Human Rights Council 57th session
On Myanmar, the ICJ welcomes the progress made by the UN independent investigative mechanism in its investigations into crimes in Myanmar, such as evidence collected on torture and other abuses in detention, including the commission of sexual and gender-based crimes....
Most Recent
Publications
Montenegro: ICJ report call for comprehensive judicial reforms
The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) published today a report on the judicial system in Montenegro, summarizing its findings and presenting specific recommendations for reform.
EU: The Model Bench Book on rights of persons with disabilities published today
The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) and Validity have published the Model Disability Bench Book on the rights of persons with disabilities who are defendants in criminal proceedings. The Bench Book provides guidance to justice actors and State authorities on how to better ensure the protection of persons with disabilities’ rights in the context of criminal proceedings. Continue Reading EU: The Model Bench Book on rights of persons with disabilities published today
ICJ Annual Report 2023
This Annual Report represents our comprehensive approach to enhancing global mechanisms for justice and accountability. Through a combination of advocacy at high-level international forums, contributions to treaty negotiations, and the fostering of strategic...
‘Build Us More Schools’: The Quest for Quality Free Education in Mabatini and Ngei Wards of Mathare, Nairobi
The report was produced by the Mathare Community Education Taskforce (Taskforce), in partnership with the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) and the Global Initiative for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (GI-ESCR). Continue Reading ‘Build Us More Schools’: The Quest for Quality Free Education in Mabatini and Ngei Wards of Mathare, Nairobi
Libya: Draft Reconciliation Law is an opportunity for accountability and justice
In a new report, the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) calls on the Libyan authorities to remedy remaining shortcomings and adopt Libya’s Presidential Council’s Draft Reconciliation Law with a view to ensuring full compliance with international human rights...
ICJ makes a submission on killings of LGBTIQ+ persons in response to a call by the UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions
On 6 June, the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) made a submission on the killing of LGBTIQ+ persons, in response to a call for inputs by the UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions. Continue Reading ICJ makes a submission on killings of LGBTIQ+ persons in response to a call by the UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions
Most recent
Events
Thailand: civil society groups identify areas of non-compliance with the Convention against Torture in advance of review
On 13-14 July and 6-7 August 2024, human rights defenders and civil society organizations from various regions of Thailand gathered to discuss shortcomings in the country’s compliance with its obligations under the UN Convention against...
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Nepal: Access to justice for victims and survivors of conflict abuses must be available now
At a Judicial Dialogue convened in Surkhet, Karnali Province, on 19 and 20 April 2024 by the International Commission of Jurists, Advocacy Forum Nepal and the Judges’ Society Nepal, some 45 judges and prosecutors from district...
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Tajikistan: ICJ and partners host roundtable on enhancing protection against arbitrary detention
On 31 July 2024, the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Regional Office for Central Asia (ROCA), the Supreme Court of the Republic of...
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BRIDGE to Equality holds first ever Conference on Equality and Access to Justice for Sexual and Gender Minorities
Colonial-era laws that discriminate against LGBTIQ+ individuals continue to be a source of human rights violations in Sri Lanka. Continue Reading BRIDGE to Equality holds first ever Conference on Equality and Access to Justice for...
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Thailand: Human rights defenders and lawyers consider strategies to further State compliance with the Convention against Torture
On 22-23 June 2024, Human rights defenders and lawyers in Thailand’s southern border provinces participated in a training co-hosted by the ICJ, ARTICLE 19, and the Cross-Cultural Foundation, in Narathiwat province, to discuss upcoming advocacy...
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Thailand: investigations into alleged cases of torture, ill-treatment, and enforced disappearance must comply with international human rights law and standards
Thai justice sector actors, government authorities, medical professionals, and officers of the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand (NHRCT) have undertaken discussions on how to improve and make effective investigations of torture, other ill-treatment, enforced...
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