Publications

In this bulletin, we draw attention to our most recent casework, including the landmark judgment in the Azul Rojas Marín case, the first case of LGBT+ discriminatory torture ever decided by a human rights court worldwide. We also provide the latest updates on our advocacy campaigns, publications and policy work during January-June 2020, including our new reports Litigating Peacekeeper Child Sexual Abuse, and A Way Forward? Anti-Torture Reforms in Sudan in the Post-Bashir Era.

This letter expresses REDRESS' deep concern about the possible transfer out of prison of former Sudanese President, Omar Al-Bashir, and other former regime members, in light of the COVID-19 health emergency. While REDRESS strongly supports measures to protect detained individuals’ rights to health and personal integrity, Covid-19 must not be a pretext for the unjustified release of those facing charges for serious international crimes. REDRESS calls on the UN Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in the Sudan to take note of this situation and to encourage the Sudanese authorities to adhere to international standards.

This letter expresses REDRESS' concern about the possibility of the release of individuals suspected and convicted of serious human rights abuses, including torture, in light of the COVID-19 health emergency. The letter discusses the cases of Omar Al-Bashir and Hissène Habré. REDRESS calls upon the UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence, to take note of these situations and to encourage the Sudanese and Senegalese authorities to adhere to international standards.

This letter expresses REDRESS' concern about the possible transfer out of prison of former Sudanese President, Omar Al-Bashir, and other former regime members, in light of the COVID-19 health emergency. While REDRESS strongly supports measures to protect detained individuals’ rights to health and personal integrity, Covid-19 must not be a pretext for the unjustified release of those facing charges for serious international crimes. REDRESS calls upon all decision-making authorities in Sudan, especially the office of the Attorney-General, to ensure respect for the rights of victims to justice and reparation, while upholding the rights of detainees to health and safe conditions of detention.

This Q&A summarises a joint policy submission released by FIDH, REDRESS and ECCHR calling on States to prioritise victims’ rights in negotiations for a new multilateral treaty on international cooperation in the domestic prosecution of serious international crimes, including genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. Since 2011, a group of States has advocated for a new multilateral treaty to enhance cooperation between States in investigations and prosecutions of serious international crimes. This Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) Initiative is currently supported by over 70 countries.

In this joint policy submission, FIDH, REDRESS and ECCHR call on States to prioritise victims’ rights in negotiations for a new multilateral treaty on international cooperation in the domestic prosecution of serious international crimes, including genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. Since 2011, a group of States has advocated for a new multilateral treaty to enhance cooperation between States in investigations and prosecutions of serious international crimes. This Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) Initiative is currently supported by over 70 countries.

REDRESS has submitted this evidence to the UK Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee relating to Iran's practice of unlawfully detaining dual and foreign nationals. The Foreign Affairs Committee is currently carrying out an inquiry into the UK’s relationship with Iran. The inquiry will explore the nature of the engagement between the UK and Iran and how successful it has been in achieving the UK’s foreign-policy objectives.  

On 12th March 2020, the Inter American Court of Human Rights gave its judgment in which it found Peru responsible for torture and sexual violence against an LGBTI person by Peruvian police officers in 2008. It is the first time in its history that the Court, the ultimate authority on human rights in the Americas, has considered a case of discriminatory torture. REDRESS has prepared this Briefing Note in order to provide a summary of the case decision.

An earlier version of this Briefing Note was prepared prior to the availability of the full judgment in English, and this amended version was produced in July 2020 to reflect more precisely the contents of the English judgment.