On the 7th November 2002, the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly approved the Draft Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture by 104 votes in favour, 8 against and 37 abstentions. It now remains to be formally adopted at the plenary session in December. The Anti-Torture Protocol aims… Read More
The impact of the Al-Adsani ruling and its effect on the Redress for Torture Bill formed the basis for the meeting in the House of Lords on 13th February 2002 chaired by Lord Archer of Sandwell. Lord Archer opened the meeting with a summary of the objectives of the Redress… Read More
The treaty creating the International Criminal Court (ICC) entered into force today, beginning the jurisdiction of the world’s first permanent tribunal capable of trying individuals accused of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity (including torture). Importantly, and unlike any previous international criminal tribunal, the ICC allows victims to participate… Read More
Today, the United Nations hosts a ceremony marking the historic occasion of the 60th ratification of the Rome Statute, the Treaty that will create the landmark International Criminal Court (ICC). The deposit of the 60th ratification triggers the Treaty’s entry into force, which, according to a timetable set forth in… Read More
On the 21st November, the European Court of Human Rights handed out its final judgment in the case of Al-Adsani v. the United Kingdom. In the words of Judge Ferrari Bravo in his dissenting opinion, “the Court has unfortunately missed a very good opportunity to deliver a courageous judgment.” Owen… Read More
On the 14th November, the Inter-American Commission will hear testimony from witnesses to the 1992 massacre at Miguel Castro Castro prison which left more than 60 inmates dead and more than 100 injured. In this attack, Peru is accused of committing mass violations of the right to life and freedom… Read More
Fiona Mckay’s Statement to a Press Conference following the UK House of Lords Ruling on Pinochet 24th March 1999: When people think of legal redress they too often think only of monetary compensation. But that is not what redress is primarily about. Survivors of human rights violations, such as the… Read More
