International Commission of Jurists

EU Legislative Interests

Promotion and protection of international human rights law within the EU as well as access to justice, in particular: -Protection of the Rule of Law and implementation of Article 7 TEU and the Rule of Law Framework -Protection of judicial independence across the EU -Protection of human rights of children (particularly procedural rights in criminal and other legal proceedings) -Implementation of EU law and international human rights law in the field of migration and asylum including revision of the Common European Asylum System (CEAS) -EU accession to the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) -EU and EEAS human rights policies and dialogues with third countries, especially in the EU neighbourhood and Central Asia -Rights of persons with disabilities

Communication Activities

The ICJ published a report on strategic litigation related to judicial independence in the EU. https://www.icj.org/eu-report-on-strategic-litigation-of-judicial-independence/ ICJ and other NGOs called on the EU to step in response to the US government’s suspension of foreign assistance. https://www.icj.org/eu-urgent-action-needed-to-sustain-global-development-aid/ The ICJ hosted an event on judicial independence across the EU.https://www.icj.org/eu-judicial-independence-in-member-states-discussed-at-the-european-parliament/ A joint letter was sent to EU Commissioner Brunner on the situation of migrant children in Greece. It was undersigned by 40 NGOs at European and national level in Greece. The ICJ contributed to the EC's 2025 RoL Report with the information from ICJ’s September 2024 report on Montenegro. The ICJ and partners organized a transnational roundtable on Access to Justice for Children Accused and Suspect in Criminal Proceedings. The ICJ and other human rights organisations issued an open letter calling on the European Union to take urgent action under the Article 7 procedure against Hungary. https://www.icj.org/eu-icj-and-other-organisations-urge-immediate-eu-action-on-hungarys-erosion-of-human-rights-and-rule-of-law/ The ICJ took part in a briefing for EU Permanent Representations ahead of the Article 7 hearing on Hungary. The ICJ met with the European Commission’s Rule of Law Unit to present its findings and concerns regarding the independence and effectiveness of the judiciary in Montenegro. On 17 April 2025, the ICJ and partner organisations sent a letter to the European Commission expressing concern over the announced ban on the Budapest Pride march. The ICJ and Forum for Human Rights held a transnational workshop in Prague on strategic litigation before UN Treaty Bodies and the European Committee of Social Rights.https://www.icj.org/eu-ending-child-immigration-detention-through-un-treaty-bodies-and-the-european-committee-of-social-rights/ The ICJ and 57 civil society organisations issued an open letter to EU calling for immediate and concrete measures to respond to mounting attacks on the rule of law in Türkiye.https://www.icj.org/eu-icj-and-other-organizations-call-on-eu-to-respond-to-escalating-crackdown-on-rule-of-law/ The ICJ convened a transnational workshop in Brussels, focusing on procedural safeguards for migrant and refugee children. https://www.icj.org/eu-procedural-safeguards-for-migrant-children-must-not-regress-under-the-pact-on-migration-and-asylum/ The ICJ hosted a webinar on litigation before the Court of Justice of the European Union concerning immigration detention and alternatives for children. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6VIjAa8yvw The ICJ organised a webinar on the role of the child’s representative and ensuring the child’s right to be heard in legal proceedings.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2o6MCDDqH4 The ICJ organised a workshop in Brussels on child-friendly justice and procedural rights. https://www.icj.org/eu-ensuring-the-childs-voice-is-heard-in-legal-proceedings/ The ICJ held a series of online workshops for judges, lawyers, social workers and probation officers from Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia, the Netherlands, Poland and Slovakia. https://www.icj.org/eu-judges-discuss-the-need-for-stronger-individual-assessments-and-alternatives-to-detention-for-children-in-conflict-with-the-law/ The ICJ organised a transnational workshop in Luxembourg on strategic litigation before the Court of Justice of the European Union. https://www.icj.org/eu-enhancing-litigation-strategies-before-the-cjeu-to-protect-migrant-children-from-detention/ The ICJ published a report on access to justice of survivors of GBV in Tajikistan entitled “Nowhere to go” -https://www.icj.org/resource/tajikistan-barriers-faced-by-survivors-of-gender-based-violence/

Interests Represented

Does not represent commercial interests

Member Of

Member of the International Legal Assistance Consortium (ILAC): http://www.ilacnet.org/member-organisations/ Member of the Human Rights and Democracy Network: https://hrdn.eu/about-us/members/

Organisation Members

http://www.icj.org/about/sections-and-affiliates/ https://www.icj.org/commission/

Additional Information

In 2024 (most recently closed and audited fiscal year) ICJ received EC funding for earmarked projects (only the indirect costs contribute to operating costs). The amount indicated above is the total amount of committed EC grants to ICJ for 2024 (last closed and audited) and 2025 based on contractual agreements, split by year on a pro rata basis. We will provide an update once the FY 2025 audited financial statement is available.