At the UN Human Rights Council, the ICJ today raised the attention of UN Member States to the dire situation of human rights and lack of accountability in Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and Venezuela.
The statement reads as follows:
“Madam President,
The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) welcomes the High Commissioner’s Oral Updates on Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and Venezuela.
In Afghanistan, the dire human rights situation continues to require the action by this Council. The last special session provided insufficient responses. We continue to call for the establishment of a mechanism adequately staffed and resourced to conduct sustained monitoring and reporting on the situation of human rights; and to investigate serious violations of international human rights law and IHL.
In Sri Lanka, the rule of law is steadily deteriorating. Dubious justifications of fighting the pandemic are used to override laws and procedures, interfere with judicial independence and arbitrarily restrict human rights, in particular by suppressing dissent through arbitrary arrests and intimidation. We are gravely concerned by the further backtracking on accountability for human rights violation. We urge the OHCHR and the Special Procedures to closely monitor on the situation.
On Venezuela, the ICJ highlights the importance for the High Commissioner’s Office to strengthen cooperation on the basis of greater transparency and participation with civil society. The ICJ is extremely concerned about threats and violations of freedoms of expression and peaceful assembly and association as well as delays in COVID-19 vaccination and lack of protection of economic, social and cultural rights.
Thank you.”
Contact:
Massimo Frigo, ICJ UN Representative, e: massimo.frigo(a)icj.org, t: +41797499949