International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) 2021-2025

ICJ achieves results in line with its 2021 - 2024 strategy where possible given the difficult global environment. Results are tracked in relation to the RBM framework, part of the global strategy. Most targets for 2023 were achieved. Examples of results under strategic goal 1: In 2023, at least 60 ICJ publications were used as advocacy tools to support, defend and strengthen institutions, instruments and standards of rule o law and human rights. During the year, ICJ developed its own expert advice on Human Rights standards. These include; the 8 March principles for a human rights based approach to criminal law to meet a global trend of increased criminalisation of behaviors related to sex, reproduction, drug use, HIV, homelessness and poverty. Principles and guidelines on human rights and public health emergencies were also developed and a report on the Taliban's war on women: the crime against humanity of gender persecution n Afghanistan. Examples of results under strategic goal 2: The ICJ Uzbekistan Judicial System Strengthening Project led to the adoption of a new training methodology whereby the country's Supreme School of Judges where judges are introduced to the primary source texts of human rights texts exposing them to modern international law that they would otherwise to have had been. In Africa, ICJ advocated for the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and for the ratification of the regional African protocol. ICJ supported several strategic court cases on disability rights in the region and worked with regional partners to identify the most critical cases to engage on. ICJ continued to contribute towards closing gaps to ensure accountability of business enterprises in respect of their impact on human rights. ICJ provided expert advice to the Intergovernmental Working Group on a forthcoming global convention as mandated by the UN Human Rights council. Examples of results under strategic goal 3: In 2023, together with partners in Latin America, ICJ exposed the ongoing trend in the region of harassment of actors in the justice system by bringing a group of them from several countries to give statements to the inter-american commission of human rights. ICJ also conducted advocacy on several cases of harassment by state actors against lawyers in Russia and Belarus in conjunction with the 54th UN Human Rights Council in 2023. Across several countries, at least 32 individuals had better access to a fair trial as the ICJ with Swedish support conducted trial monitoring, in some cases probably in coordination with Swedish diplomats. Examples of results under strategic goal 4: Combining the Swedish core funds with EU project funding, the ICJ concluded a a project facilitating synergies between human rights and environmental defenders and between national and international stakeholders enhancing access to justice for those who seek to protect the right to a healthy environment in Türkiye through the use of national and international human rights law. Participating Turkish CSOs stated that they gained knowledge and capacity as a result, including young lawyers. During 2023, six judiciaries in the Asia region committed to follow the ICJ initiated so called Bangkok General Guidance for Judges on Applying a Gender Perspective co-funded by the Swedish Embassy in Bangkok (through UN Women) and the Swedish global core funds. A separate external evaluation is available validating the results. Organisational development results at ICJ ICJ has continued its efforts to cut costs to match level of income during 2023 and is now in a reasonably solid position financially. Internal costs have been reduced but according to ICJ, capacity is not negatively affected as internal processes such as accounting has been made more efficient. Challenges in raising sufficient funds remain but are at a manageable level at the moment. The 2023 audit was clean. A change in auditor had been made. The management respons actions to observations are relevant and in good progress. Overall, ICJ has taken action to remedy institutional challenges identified earlier by Sida such as recruitment, matching ambition with funds and internal financial control. IT security is under review, a task supported by a US State department contracted company at the service pf several of the State department grantees. Overall ICJ remains a relevant partner under the strategy, in particular as it contributes to develop and uphold the international human rights system, its implementation at country level and to the safety and security of actors in the justice system (ICJ only partner with this specific focus in line with strategy objective 5).

The overall objective of ICJ is to support and advance the rule of law and human rights. The mission of ICJ identifies in what areas ICJ is engaged to contribute to the overall objective: 1. To ensure that people everywhere can benefit equally from the rule of law and fully enjoy their human rights, and if those rights are violated can seek and receive adequate remedies from courts that are independent, impartial, fair, and effective. 2. To work for the progressive development and implementation of international human rights law and standards in response to the great threats to human life and dignity of our times, including new challenges posed by catastrophic climate change, the resurgence of authoritarian populism, global pandemics, mass movements of people, and abuse of cyber technologies. 3. To assist judges, lawyers and prosecutors to be independent, impartial, and free to carry out their professional duties, in order to ensure the protection and promotion of human rights through the rule of law. The mission is operationalised in four strategic goals. Each goal has several expected outputs and outcomes: Strategic Goal 1 Develop, defend, and strengthen international institutions, instruments and standards on rule of law and human rights The first strategic goal has a range of activities in order to obtain its objective, including: organization of legal forum, research and investigation, partnership building, legal training material, advocacy and capacity building. The desired outputs are: International institutions are better able to protect and promote human rights globally and regionally Human rights defenders, especially those representing marginalized communities, are more effectively represented International legal norms are promulgated and understood globally and used by human rights defenders These outputs will expectantly lead to following outcomes i) International institutions are more effective in implementing the rules-based global order, and ii) International norms are developed to better protect the rights of people, especially those from marginalized communities Strategic Goal 2 Improve domestic implementation of, and compliance with, international law and standards The second strategic goal has following activities: Legal training material, research and investigation, capacity building and development, international and regional forum, strategic litigation, trial observations, engagement with local media and advocacy. These activities will hopefully lead to three outputs, including: Domestic legislation complies with international standards International standards are implemented in practice Justice actors and human rights defenders are familiar with and can use international standards at the domestic level The sought after outcomes are i) Respect for human rights law has improved, and ii) Commitment to international rule of law has increased. Strategic Goal 3 Bolster the effectiveness and independence of judges and lawyers Activities for strategic goal three includes: capacity building and development, research and investigation, advocacy, trial observations and judicial dialogue. The wanted outputs from these activities are: Judges and lawyers can investigate, question and assess evidence and make decisions on the basis of the law and the facts An independent, self-governing legal profession and legal professional associations are provided The adoption and implementation of mechanisms and processes to hold judicial institutions and individual judges accountable are promoted The outcomes intended are that i) Judges, prosecutors, and lawyers apply the law fairly and independently, and ii) Judges, prosecutors, and lawyers are protected in law and in practice for operating with appropriate independence, professionalism and impartiality. Strategic Goal 4 Improve access to justice for all and accountability Activities for strategic goal four comprises: organisation of legal forum, research and investigation, advocacy, strategic litigation, legal training material, trial monitoring and partnership building. The sought after outputs from these activities consists of: Rights holders are better informed about how to demand accountability for violations Lawyers and human rights defenders are better equipped to use the law to seek accountability for their clients Law enforcement and investigative mechanisms have the authority and capacity to pursue justice The outcome of these outputs are aimed to be i) Rights holders have better access to justice without discrimination, and ii) Government, States and non-State actors are held accountable for their actions, and finally iii) Individual perpetrators are held accountable.