9th Session of the Human Rights Council: The Council gradually loosens its grip on pressing country situations such as Sudan, and fails to respond to crises in Zimbabwe and Georgia

The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), at the conclusion of the UN Human Rights Council's 9th session, reminded the international community and in particular the Member States of the Human Rights Council of their responsibility to meaningfully respond to human rights violations in individual countries.

"Rights Work" Conference, Stockholm: ICJ Intervention on Systematic Work for Human Rights Implementation

At the Conference on Systematic Work for Human Rights Implementation, the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) underscored the civil society's dual role in terms of assessment of implementation of human rights norms as well as assistance to States in this regard. According to the ICJ, the development of international norms has not been accomplished once and forever. As an example, it pointed to a need to develop norms to extend the obligations to respect and ensure human rights also to businesses. On the other hand, the UN Universal Periodic Review and the system of treaty monitoring bodies should play a more meaningful role to help States ensure full compliance with human rights standards.

Universal Periodic Review of Poland: ICJ urges complete response to questions on secret detentions and on renditions of terrorism suspects

The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), together with its Polish section, today urged the Government of Poland to respond fully to concerns about the adequacy of its investigations into allegations of CIA-run secret detention centres in Poland and renditions of terrorism suspects, following the review of Poland's human rights record at the first session of the UN Human Rights Council's Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review (UPR).