Publications

The American Association for the International Commission of Jurists periodically undertakes fact-finding missions, both independently and in conjunction with the ICJ, in countries where the rule of law may be under threat. The AAICJ issues reports on these missions to its membership and the ICJ for consideration.

The AAICJ also supports the work of academics and experts in the fields of international justice, the rule of law and human rights.

ICJ Press Releases

View recent press releases issued by the International Commission of Jurists. >> Go to full list

ICJ Practitioners’ Guide Series

“Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and International Human Rights Law” [download]
The Guide explains how international law and standards can and should be used to provide victims of human rights violations, on the grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity, the protection they are entitled to. ICJ Practitioners Guide No. 4. Geneva: International Commission of Jurists, 2009.

“Impunidad y Graves Violaciones de Derechos Humanos” (Impunity and Gross Violations of Human Rights) [download]

The Guide presents a systematic study of the international legal principles applicable to impunity for serious human rights violations, including what obligations arise for States in terms of combating and eradicating impunity. In Spanish. ICJ Practitioners Guide No. 3. Geneva: International Commission of Jurists, July 2009.

“The Right to a Remedy and to Reparation for Gross Human Rights Violations.” [download]
This Guide outlines the international legal principles governing the right to a remedy and reparation for victims of gross human rights violations by compiling international jurisprudence on issues of reparations. The Guide is aimed at practitioners who may find it useful to have international sources at hand for legal, advocacy, social or other work. ICJ Practitioners Guide No. 2. Geneva: International Commission of Jurists, July 2009.

“International Principles on the Independence and Accountability of Judges, Lawyers and Prosecutors” [download]
First published in 2004, this guide explains how international standards can be used to strengthen the independence and accountability of judges, lawyers and prosecutors. It includes an exhaustive compilation of United Nations and regional standards in this area. ICJ Practitioners Guide No. 1. Geneva: Minute, 2004.

Human Rights and Rule of Law Series

No. 1 – “Legal Commentary to the ICJ Berlin Declaration” [download]
The ICJ Berlin Declaration on Upholding Human Rights and Rule of Law in Combating Terrorism established eleven principles to ensure counter-terrorism measures remain within the rule of law. This commentary explains the international law and jurisprudence under the eleven principles adopted by 160 jurists in August 2004. Geneva: International Commission of Jurists, 2009.

No. 2 – “Courts and the Legal Enforcement of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights” [download]
Drawing upon a full range of case law, the report shows that adjudication of economic, social and cultural rights is possible, desirable and already being carried out by courts in all continents. The report addresses the legal and political objections to the justicability of economic, social and cultural rights and confirms their justifiability. Geneva: International Commission of Jurists, 2009.

Expert Panel Reports

“Assesing Damage, Urging Action” [download full report - executive summary]
Report of the Eminent Jurists Panel on Terrorism, Counter-terrorism and Human Rights. Geneva: International Commission of Jurists, 2009.

Report of the Expert Legal Panel on Corporate Complicity in International Crimes (Vol.1) [download]

The ICJ’s Expert Legal Panel on Corporate Complicity in International Crimes, which was established in 2006 to develop the legal and public policy meaning of corporate complicity in the worst violations of international human rights and humanitarian law that amount to international crimes, has concluded its work and released its final report to the public. International Commission of Jursits, 16 Sep 2008.

Report of the Expert Legal Panel on Corporate Complicity in International Crimes (Vol.2) [download]
The Panel examines the ways in which criminal responsibility may arise for companies when they are implicated with another actor in the commission of gross human rights abuses amounting to crimes under international law. It also looks briefly at national criminal accountability in relation to such crimes.

Report of the Expert Legal Panel on Corporate Complicity in International Crimes (Vol.3) [download]
The Panel explores the comparative law of domestic civil liability (domestic law of tort in common law jurisdictions and the law of non-contractual obligations in civil law jurisdictions) and the ways in which, across jurisdictions, civil liability may arise for companies and/or their officials when they are complicit in gross human rights abuses.

Attacks on Justice Seires

United States (2005) [download]
The 9/11 2001 attacks on the Pentagon and the World Trade Center have led to wars in Afghanistan (2001) and Iraq (2003) and the detention of thousands of individuals in detention centres in various countries including the Guantánamo Bay Naval Reserve in Cuba. The detention centres have become a “legal black hole” where detainees have no legal status or legal rights.

Principles and Declarations

The Princeton Principles on Universal Jurisdiction [download]
With: Program in Law and Public Affairs and Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, Princeton University; International Commission of Jurists; American Association for the International Commission of Jurists; Netherlands Institute of Human Rights; and Urban Morgan Institute for Human Rights. Princeton: Princeton University, 2001.

The Berlin Declaration [download]
International Commission of Jurists Declaration on Upholding Human Rights and the Rule of Law in Combating Terrorism, 28 Aug 2004.

Regional Reports

ICJ Report on Nicaraguan Elections [download]
International Commission of Jurists, 1996.

2006 Presidential Elections in Nicaragua [download]

AAICJ Consejo Supremo Electoral Nicaragua 2006 (English) [download]

AAICJ Consejo Supremo Electoral 2006 (Spanish) [download]

International Commission of Jurists – Members transmittal letter on Nicaraguan Elections, 2006. [download]

Thematic Reports

Princeton Project on National Security. Final Report. [download]

“Legal Redress for Corporate Participation in International Human Rights Abuses” [download]
Progress report. Justice Ian Binnie, 2009, The Brief, 38:4, American Bar Association.

Professor Arthur H. Butler Report on The Military Commissions Act Of 2006 And Habeas Corpus Jurisdiction