Publications

In this letter addressed to the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, REDRESS and nine other human rights groups respond to the UK government’s announcement on 19 December 2013 that the parliamentary Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) has been tasked with examining allegations of UK complicity in torture and other ill-treatment of detainees held overseas; allegations that previously had been the subject of the Detainee Inquiry, chaired by Sir Peter Gibson. The organisations reiterate their position that an inquiry compliant with international human rights standards is what is required to get to the truth about these allegations and fulfill the UK’s obligations under international law.

This briefing paper, submitted to the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), explains the ways in which to ensure that victims of sexual and gender-based violence participate effectively in justice processes – both during and after situations of conflict. The report covers both ordinary justice systems and transitional justice systems.  

This briefing outlines REDRESS' concerns ahead of the UN Human Rights Committee’s examination of Nepal’s second periodic report. This examination takes place while impunity for past and current human rights violations continues to prevail, torture in police custody is systematic, the National Human Rights Commission is weakened after recent changes in its statute and the criminal justice system is in need of reform. We suggest a number of critical areas to be addressed to improve Nepal’s implementation of the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (CCPR) and to enable the enjoyment of rights it guarantees by those within its jurisdiction.

REDRESS submitted comments on a number of key concerns in relation to Peru in advance of the adoption of the List of Issues Prior to Reporting at the 52nd Session of the Committee against Torture. In particular such issues include the need for amending the Criminal Code of Peru and the establishment of National Preventive Mechanism (NPM). A key concern was also the excessive use force by the police and security forces in the context of social protests and the discriminatory practices and their impact on the causes and consequences of torture in Peru.

Shadow report to the United Nations Human Rights Committee for its examination of the United States of America at its 110th session.

REDRESS provided comments to the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court on her office's Draft Policy Paper on Sexual and Gender Based Crimes. The development of a policy on gender based crimes is an important tool to address in a holistic manner the investigation and prosecution of some among the most serious crimes falling within any gravity criteria employed by the Office of the Prosecutor (OTP).

The Project for Criminal Law Reform (www.pclrs.com), a joint initiative by REDRESS and the Sudanese Human Rights Monitor, has identified a series of shortcomings in Sudan’s legal system, particularly in respect of Sudan’s international human rights obligations, and advocated reforms over the last seven years. This Compilation of Advocacy Briefings, which covers four briefings published in the period May 2013 to January 2014, highlights a number of key areas of concern:  torture, immunities as a barrier to justice and the right to protest. In addition, it draws together the multiple recommendations made by regional and international human rights bodies.