International Commission of Jurists facts for kids
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| Abbreviation | ICJ |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1952 |
| Type | NGO with Consultative Status |
| Headquarters | Geneva, Switzerland |
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Official language
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English, French, Spanish |
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Acting President
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Robert Goldman (since 2017) |
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Secretary-General
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Santiago Canton |
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Staff
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60 |
| Website | www.icj.org |
The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) is a global organization that works to protect human rights. It is a non-governmental organization (NGO), meaning it is not part of any government. The ICJ has an office in Geneva, Switzerland, where lawyers from many different countries work.
These lawyers and judges help make sure that human rights are respected everywhere. They also work to strengthen the rule of law, which means everyone, including governments, must follow the law. The ICJ has groups and partners in more than 70 countries around the world.
The ICJ was started in 1953 by German legal experts. They were looking into human rights problems in Germany after World War II. Professor Robert Goldman is the current President of the ICJ. Important leaders like Mary Robinson, a former President of Ireland, have also led the organization.
Contents
How the ICJ Started
The ICJ began in 1952 at a meeting in West Berlin, Germany. This meeting was organized by a group of German lawyers. They wanted to investigate human rights issues in the part of Germany controlled by the Soviet Union.
During the meeting, the delegates decided to expand their work. They wanted to investigate human rights problems in other parts of the world too. So, in 1953, they created the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ). It became a permanent group focused on defending human rights through the rule of law.
A Lawyer's Abduction
One important event that worried the delegates was the case of Dr. Walter Linse. He was a West German lawyer and a leader of the group that started the ICJ. In July 1952, just before the meeting, Dr. Linse was taken by East German agents. He was then given to the KGB, which was the Soviet Union's main security agency.
Even though many countries spoke out against this, Dr. Linse was executed in Moscow in 1953. This happened because he was accused of "espionage," which means spying.
Early Funding and Changes
The ICJ initially received some money from the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in the United States. This was done to oppose another group called the International Association of Democratic Lawyers. Most members of the ICJ did not know about this funding at the time.
In 1967, the CIA's role became public. The organization then went through changes under its leader, Seán MacBride. It also received funding from the Ford Foundation. From 1970 to 1990, Niall MacDermot became the Secretary-General. He helped the ICJ move away from its past connections and become a leading group in the international human rights movement.
Important Milestones
- In 1978, the ICJ created the Centre for the Independence of Judges and Lawyers (CIJL). This center helped create important rules for how judges and lawyers should be independent.
- In 1980, the ICJ received the European Human Rights Prize. This award recognized their important work.
- In 1986, the ICJ brought together experts in international law. They discussed the rights related to economic, social, and cultural well-being. This led to the Limburg Principles, which still guide international law today.
- In the 1990s, the ICJ helped with several big international changes. These included a UN declaration about protecting people from forced disappearances. They also pushed for the creation of an International Criminal Court.
- In 2006, the ICJ held a meeting in Yogyakarta to discuss LGBT rights. They published The Yogyakarta Principles in 2007, which are important guidelines for these rights.
- The ICJ also helped create principles for protecting human rights and ensuring victims get help. In 1993, they received the United Nations Prize in the Field of Human Rights.
- In 2013, the Dalai Lama and the International Campaign for Tibet gave the ICJ the Light of Truth Award. This award is for groups that have greatly helped the Tibetan cause.
What the ICJ Does Today
The ICJ actively works to promote human rights and the rule of law around the world. They work with the United Nations, regional groups, and national organizations.
The ICJ's International Law and Protection Programme focuses on how international law applies to human rights problems. They work to make sure countries respect human rights. They also help victims and hold people accountable for breaking human rights laws. Their specific areas of work include:
- Helping judges and lawyers be independent (CIJL).
- Promoting Economic, social and cultural rights.
- Looking at how businesses affect human rights.
- Working on rights related to Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity.
- Supporting Women's Human Rights.
- Working with United Nations human rights groups.
- Connecting Global Security with the Rule of Law.
The ICJ also has regional programs in Africa, Asia Pacific, Central America, Europe, and the Middle East and North Africa. These programs focus on local human rights issues and support independent legal systems.
ICJ Groups in Different Countries
As of 2015, there are 21 independent National Sections of the ICJ. These are groups in different countries that work on human rights issues. Some examples include:
- ICJ Africa
- Australian Section of the ICJ
- ICJ Canada
- Comisión Chilena de Derechos Humanos (Chile)
- Comisión Colombina de Juristas (Colombia)
- JUSTICE (United Kingdom)
- American Association for the ICJ (United States)
ICJ World Congresses
Every few years, the ICJ holds a World Congress. At these meetings, legal experts from all over the world come together. They discuss important human rights issues and agree on principles in a public statement called a Declaration. These Declarations are often used by international organizations, lawyers, and other human rights groups. For example, the Declaration of Delhi in 1959 explained the ICJ's idea of the rule of law.
The most recent Declaration was made at the 17th World Congress in December 2012. It focused on access to justice and the right to get help for human rights problems. Here is a list of some past ICJ Congresses:
- 2012 – Geneva, Switzerland – Access to Justice and Right to a Remedy in International Human Rights Systems
- 2008 – Geneva, Switzerland – Upholding the Rule of Law and the Role of Judges & Lawyers in times of crisis
- 2004 – Berlin, Germany – Upholding Human Rights and the Rule of Law in Combating Terrorism
- 1995 – Bangalore, India – Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the Role of Lawyers
- 1989 – Caracas, Venezuela – The Independence of Judges and Lawyers
- 1959 – New Delhi, India – The Rule of Law in a Free Society
- 1952 – Berlin, Germany – The International Congress of Jurists
See also
In Spanish: Comisión Internacional de Juristas para niños
- Rule of law
- JUSTICE
