By Namrata Hazarika / GICJ 

To respect and promote the right to legal assistance, the council adopted resolution L.12 on arbitrary detention without a vote. This resolution, proposed by France and co-sponsored by 55 states, stands for and promotes the rights of individuals who have been arrested and/or detained without impartiality. In accordance with Article 14 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), this resolution advocates for the right of any individual accused of any kind of criminal activity to have professional legal support and representation. 

Objections came in the form of 2 amendments, L.43 and L.44, put forward by the Russian Delegation regarding the “Right to Legal Assistance” not being enshrined in international law. Both amendments were rejected. Regarding L.43, 3 states (China, Eritrea and Qatar) voted for it, 27 states voted against it, and 14 abstained. For L.44, only one state (China) voted for it, 26 voted against, and 20 abstained. 

With the rejection of the two amendments, the resolution was passed without a vote.

Geneva International Centre for Justice (GICJ) is pleased with the adoption of this resolution and will continue to advocate against arbitrary detentions that hinder the enjoyment of fundamental human rights.

HRC51, Resolution, L.12, Justice, Human Rights, Arbitrary Detention, Geneva, Geneva4Justice, GICJ, Geneva International Centre for Justice, Human Rights Council