Feb 19, 2020 | News
Huda Al- Sarari, Yemeni lawyer and human rights defender, is the 2020 Martin Ennals Award laureate. She was among three women selected as finalists by a jury of ten of the world’s leading human rights organizations, including the ICJ, along with Sizani Ngubane, South Africa, and Norma Librada Ledezma, Mexico.
The 2020 Martin Ennals Award ceremony, co-hosted by the Martin Ennals Foundation and the City of Geneva, was held today, and for the first time in the history of the Award, all three finalists are women.
“Women human rights defenders are subject to the same risks as every human rights defender, but as women, they also face certain forms of violence and violations due to their gender. They are often stigmatized and ostracized by community leaders, faith- based groups and even family members,” said the Mayor of the City of Geneva, Sandrine Salerno.
“The Martin Ennals Foundation is particularly proud to honour and support three resilient women human rights defenders this year, our laureate Huda Al-Sarari, as well as our two finalists Sizani Ngubane and Norma Librada Ledezma for their achievements. We hope that the award will shed a light on their achievements, and strengthen protection mechanisms around them,” said Philippe Currat, President of the Board of the Martin Ennals Foundation.
Huda Al-Sarari is a Yemeni lawyer and human rights defender who graduated in Sharia and Law from Aden University. She also holds a masters in Women’s Studies and Development from the Women’s Centre at Aden University. Over the last years, Huda investigated, exposed and challenged the enforced disappearances that occurred as a result of secret prisons run by foreign governments in Yemen where thousands of men and boys have suffered from arbitrary detention, torture and extrajudicial killings. She collected evidence on more than 250 cases of the abuse taking place within those prisons.
“Being a human rights defender in Yemen is extremely challenging, and being a woman makes this even more difficult. In a male-dominated society, I have to prove myself maybe ten times more than a man,” she said.
Despite the threats, defamation campaigns and sacrifices she and her family endured, Huda continues to stand alongside the families of those who have disappeared.
“Receiving the 2020 Martin Ennals Award for human rights defenders means the world to me. It gives me great strength and emboldens me to continue this fight for justice. I believe the Award will be incredibly important in drawing attention to the continual plight of victims of arbitrary detention, abuse and torture in Yemen,” she added.
“We commend Huda for the work that she conducted, not only against the backdrop of the ongoing Yemeni civil war, but also, in a country where women still struggle to express their political and civil rights. Huda’s legacy is crucial as her thorough investigations and search for accountability will serve to bring justice for human rights violations occurred during the conflict,” said Hans Thoolen, Chair of the Martin Ennals Award Jury.
The two finalists of the Martin Ennals Award this year are Sizani Ngubane (South Africa) and Norma Librada Ledezma (Mexico).
Sizani is a human rights defender who advocates for land rights for women in rural areas on South Africa. She also supports women to access education, and fights for the end of the traditional practice of Ukuthwala, which is the abduction and forced marriage of young girls and women.
Norma is the founder of Justicia para Nuestras Hijas. She has supported over 200 investigations into cases of feminicide, enforced disappearance and human trafficking in Chihuahua, Mexico.
Both were praised by the Martin Ennals Jury member organizations for their commitment and tremendous achievements in their respective countries.
Additional information
The City of Geneva has hosted the Award ceremony since 2008, together with the Martin Ennals Foundation, as part of its deep commitment to the defense of human rights. The support of the City, by means of its Service for International Solidarity, reflects its mission to promote human rights both internationally and
The Jury of the Martin Ennals Award is comprised of ten of the world’s leading human rights organizations: the ICJ, Amnesty International, FIDH, Human Rights First, HURIDOCS, International Service For Human Rights, Brot für die Welt (Bread for the World), Front Line Defenders, Human Rights Watch and the World Organization Against Torture.
Download
Universal-MEA2020bios-News-2019-ENG (full bios of finalists, in PDF)
Universal-MEA2020winner-News-Press releases-2019-ARA (full story in Arabic, PDF)
Universal-MEA2020bios-News-2019-ARA (full bios of finalists, in Arabic, PDF)
Contact
Olivier van Bogaert, Director Media & Communications, ICJ representative in the MEA Jury, t: +41 22 979 38 08 ; e: olivier.vanbogaert(a)icj.org
Watch the ceremony as it happened
https://www.facebook.com/MartinEnnals/videos/2552501445008021/
Feb 7, 2020 | News
The ICJ expresses concern at today’s physical assault of a lawyer and a journalist, who arrived in Grozny to take part in the trial of blogger Islam Nukhanov.
The ICJ called on the authorities of the Russian Federation and its Chechen local authorities to investigate the attack and ensure that those responsible be brought to justice.
On 6 February, at around 22.00 lawyer Marina Dubrovina (photo) and Yelena Milashina, a journalist of Novaya Gazeta, a Russian newspaper, were beaten up by a group of young women in the lobby of the “Kontinent” Hotel in Grozny, Chechnya.
Both women suffered injuries to the face and body. Dubrovina and Milashina had come to Grozny to observe the trial of Islam Nukhanov, a blogger from the town of Kogalzm in the Tumen Oblast of the Russian Federation, charged with possession of a weapon, who has been detained by Chechen police since November 2019 after he posted a video on YouTube, with footage allegedly taken near the residence of the head of the Chechen Republic, Ramzan Kadyrov.
On 7 February, neither Dubrovina nor Milashina was admitted to the courtroom where Nukhanov was tried, due to the public and the media reportedly being excluded from the hearing.
The ICJ urges the federal and local authorities of the Russian Federation, to investigate the attack against Dubrovina and Milashina in a prompt and independent manner.
Measures should be taken to ensure that lawyers, especially when exercising their professional duties, are protected against such attacks.
Furthermore, Islam Nukhanov’s trial should be held in public, unless and until the authorities demonstrate that the circumstances of his trial require that the public and the media be excluded from it, consistent with relevant international fair trial standards.
Background
Islam Nukhanov, 27, is a blogger of Chechen origin was apprehended on 1 November 2019 in Grozny after he posted a video clip where he filmed streets and houses in Grozny, allegedly, near the residence of the head of the Chechen Republic Ramzan Kadyrov. Since his apprehension, Nukhanov has been in detention.
In 2018, the ICJ expressed concern at allegations that the arrest and detention of Oyub Titiev, the head of the Chechen branch of the Russian human rights organisation Memorial, was carried out as retaliation for his human rights activity.
In 2016, the ICJ expressed concern at the reported resignations of federal judges in the Chechen Republic of the Russian Federation following apparent pressure by the acting Head of the Republic Ramzan Kadyrov who had suggested that resignation would be the “most correct decision of their lives”
The ICJ is concerned at the regular attacks on lawyers and human rights defenders in Chechnya, which are systemic and may have the purpose of intimidating those who wish to defend human rights in the Chechen Republic of the Russian Federation.
The UN Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers provide that “where the security of lawyers is threatened as a result of discharging their functions, they shall be adequately safeguarded by the authorities”.
Dec 10, 2019 | News
The ICJ mourns the loss of Professor Pedro Nikken, former President and Commissioner of the ICJ. Prof Nikken was elected ICJ President in January 2011, succeeding Mary Robinson (2008-2010) and followed by Nigel Rodley (2012-2017).
“Pedro Nikken left a tremendous legacy of respect for the rule of law and defense of human rights in his homeland of Venezuela, across Latin America and around the world,” said Prof Robert Goldman, the ICJ’s President.
“ Like so many others, I have lost a cherished friend and mentor whose company I will greatly miss,” he added.
Prof Nikken was a former Judge (1979-1989) and President (1983-1985) of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. He served as UN Independent Expert on El Salvador from 1992 to 1995 and from 1990-1992 he served as Legal Adviser to the UN Secretary-General on El Salvador’s peace process.
In 1995 he served as Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General to Burundi. He is former Dean and Professor (emeritus) at the Law School of the Universidad Central de Venezuela.
He was also former President and Permanent Counselor of the InterAmerican Institute of Human Rights. He was a Member (Chair N° 9) of the Venezuelan National Academy of Political and Social Sciences.
“Prof Nikken helped drive the ICJ’s work in pursuit of justice and accountability, particularly through regional human rights systems such as the Inter American Court of Human Rights, even as various governments tried to weaken the process and evade responsibility,” said Sam Zarifi, ICJ Secretary General.
“Pedro was indefatigable as a human rights defender and unsurpassed in the quality of his legal analysis, a rare combination of qualities that made him a role model for several generations of human rights lawyers around the world,” he added.
Pedro Nikken was born in Caracas, Venezuela in 1945. He graduated in 1968 from the Andres Bello Catholic University and obtained a diploma of higher studies in law at the Pentheon-Assas University (Paris II) and a doctorate in law from the University of Carabobo.
Nov 18, 2019 | News
Authorities in Hong Kong must avoid using excessive force to respond to protesters as the political crisis in the city deteriorates, the ICJ said today.
Media reports today show scenes of spiraling violence as police try to force their way into the campus of Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) past barricades erected by students and demonstrators.
“Any police who use excessive force, particularly as they surround and attack student protesters inside PolyU, must be sanctioned,” said Frederick Rawski, ICJ’s Asia Director.
“The events of the past week mark a further deterioration in the situation in Hong Kong – one that can only be effectively addressed through genuine political dialogue, and a commitment to holding police who use unlawful force accountable,” he added.
This morning, more than 100 people were also arrested in Tsim Sha Tsui, hands zip-tied by police and detained in public.
The ICJ urges the Hong Kong SAR government to:
• Ensure that people are able to exercise their freedom of expression, assembly, association and right to political participation;
• Review the means and methods used for the policing of assemblies, including the use of water cannons, tear gas, batons and shields, to ensure that they are not applied indiscriminately and excessively or against peaceful protesters and that they do not result in an escalation of tension;
• Ensure that all victims of excessive use of force by law enforcement officials are provided with access to medical services;
• Ensure that the detained people’s rights to timely and confidential access to counsel;
• Undertake prompt, independent, impartial and thorough investigation of all allegations of unlawful use of force, with a view to holding accountable any responsible authorities including possibilities of criminal prosecution of police officers, and providing an effective remedy and reparation, including compensation and rehabilitation to victims.
Additional information
- Under the Bill of Rights Ordinance and Basic Law Article 39, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights is applicable in Hong Kong. Pursuant to the ICCPR, the Hong Kong SAR government has a duty to guarantee and protect the rights to freedom expression and freedom of assembly and freedom from torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, including through the unlawful use of force.
- Under the Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials, “Law enforcement officials shall not use firearms against persons except in self-defence or defence of others against the imminent threat of death or serious injury, to prevent the perpetration of a particularly serious crime involving grave threat to life, to arrest a person presenting such a danger and resisting their authority, or to prevent his or her escape, and only when less extreme means are insufficient to achieve these objectives. In any event, intentional lethal use of firearms may only be made when strictly unavoidable in order to protect life.”
- Since June, large numbers of people have taken to the streets of Hong Kong to protest against the now-withdrawn extradition bill, which would have allowed case-by-case fugitive transfers to mainland China.
- Police have used excessive and indiscriminate force against protesters, in contravention of international standards, as well as arrested, harassed and attacked journalists. Police have regularly deployed tear gas against crowds and using water cannons, rubber bullets, pepper spray, and batons on protesters. On 15 November, hundreds of riot police fired more than 1,500 canisters of tear gas on the grounds of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK). On November 11, a police officer shot a protester with live ammunition.
Contact
Frederick Rawski, ICJ’s Asia Director, t +66 644781121 ; e: frederick.rawski(a)icj.org
Boram Jang, ICJ Legal Adviser, Asia & the Pacific Programme, e: boram.jang(a)icj.org
Oct 8, 2019 | News
The ICJ and the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) have jointly sent an international observer to attend the third hearing of the criminal trial on the “Gezi Park” protest at the Silivri Prison Courthouse in Istanbul, scheduled to take place on 8 and 9 October 2019.
The ICJ and IBAHRI observer will be monitoring a trial hearing before İstanbul 30th Assize Court with prinicipal defendant Osman Kavala, and 15 others; Ali Hakan Altınay, Ayşe Mücella Yapıcı, Ayşe Pınar Alabora, Can Dündar, Çiğdem Mater Utku, Gökçe Yılmaz, Handan Meltem Arıkan, Hanzade Hikmet Germiyanoğlu, İnanç Ekmekci, Memet Ali Alabora, Mine Özerden, Şerafettin Can Atalay, Tayfun Kahraman, Yiğit Aksakoğlu and Yiğit Ali Ekmekçi.
The observer will report directly to the IBAHRI and ICJ Secretariats on the proceedings following the mission.
The Gezi Park protests began in May 2013 as an effort by a group of environmentalists to save a park in central Istanbul from being rezoned, but soon turned into nationwide demonstrations.
The protest was quelled by police with the use of tear gas and water cannons against the protesters in Taksim Square. Following a six-year investigation into the events, the 657-page indictment issued by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office was accepted by the 30th A Court in Istanbul on 4 March 2019.
The defendants are to be charged under Turkish Criminal Code Article 312 (attempt to overthrow the Turkish Government or attempt to prevent it from fulfilling its duties), Article 151 (damage to property), Article 152 (qualified damage to property), Article 174 (possession or exchange of hazardous substances without permission), Article 153 (damaging places of worship and cemeteries), Article 149 (qualified robbery), Article 86 (intentional injury); crimes under the Law on Firearms, Knives and Other Tools no. 6136, and crimes under the Law on Protection of Cultural and Natural Assets no. 2863.
The total sentence asked for by the prosecution for these offences amounts to approximately 47,520 years imprisonment.
Contact:
Massimo Frigo, Senior Legal Adviser, t: +41 22 979 38 05 – e: massimo.frigo(a)icj.org
