The Bill of Rights threatens access to justice for civilians and service personnel – Ceasefire and RSI joint briefing
The UK government’s plans to abolish the Human Rights Act (HRA) and replace it with the Bill of Rights poses a serious threat to the human rights of both civilians and service personnel. Ceasefire and Rights & Security International have published a joint briefing on the impact of the Bill of Rights on overseas
Ceasefire holds their first fundraising concert in Islington on 4 November with Ukrainian concert pianist Sasha Grynyuk
Ceasefire are set to host their first fundraising concert in support of their work to empower civilians caught in conflict zones, including Ukraine, and the Middle East and North Africa. St James’ Church in Islington London has generously provided their beautiful venue for the event, where the concert will be held on Friday 4 November 7.30pm.
Reparations for Ukraine: An international route map
To bring justice to Ukraine’s civilians and enable them to rebuild their lives will require reparations. But while firm progress has been made on instituting war crimes investigations following the Russian invasion, international planning for the delivery of reparations has lagged behind, finds a major new report by Ceasefire Centre for Civilian Rights.
Ceasefire joins ten civil society groups in calling on the UK to urgently address civilian harm policies
On Protection of Civilians Week, Ceasefire joins eleven civil society organisations request to meet the UK Secretary of State for Defence to discuss improvements on the way the UK mitigates, accounts and investigates instances of civilian harm. As the United States announces a review of its approach to how it protects civilians in warfare there
The protection of civilians and siege warfare: CEASEFIRE and the Embassy of Switzerland in the UK host event
From Mariupol and other cities in Ukraine, to Mosul, Aleppo and other cities in Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Ethiopia and the Philippines, the global resurgence of siege warfare and its devastating impact on civilian populations have raised serious questions about the implementation of international humanitarian law (IHL) and military strategy and operational practice. Such questions were
CEASEFIRE addresses key Geneva talks on explosive weapons use in populated areas
CEASEFIRE participated in talks with delegates from over 65 countries at the Palais des Nations in Geneva in April focused on a political declaration on restricting the use of explosive weapons in populated areas (EWIPA). Delegates from governments and civil society met for three days of discussions on the wording of the political declaration, with
Global resurgence of siege warfare traps civilian populations on the frontline – new report
Read CEASEFIRE’s latest report on siege warfare here A resurgence across world regions of the tactics of siege warfare has trapped civilian populations at the frontlines of today’s battles, finds a new report by the Ceasefire Centre for Civilian Rights. From Mariupol and other cities in Ukraine, to Mosul, Aleppo and other cities in Iraq, Syria,
The Human Rights Act and Reparations for Civilian Harm: Explained
Read our submission to the consultation on reforming the Human Rights Act here. The Human Rights Act 1998 (HRA) is a piece of legislation which incorporates the rights contained in the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) into domestic UK law. It enables individuals to defend their rights in UK courts, as well as in
CEASEFIRE submits evidence to the UK government consultation on reform of the Human Rights Act
Read our submission to the consultation on reforming the Human Rights Act here. CEASEFIRE has submitted a response to the Ministry of Justice consultation to abolish the Human Rights Act 1998 (HRA) and instead replace it with a new Bill of Rights. CEASEFIRE’s submission, drafted by legal expert Dr Stuart Wallace, responds specifically to the
In Iraq’s disputed territories, militias dictate civilians’ lives
In Iraq’s disputed territories, government-funded militias are having a destructive impact on governance, economic life, and community relations, according to a report released today by the Ceasefire Centre for Civilian Rights. The dominance of these militias is acting as a major barrier to the return of civilians displaced by the conflict with ISIS, especially members
Ceasefire opens legal helpdesk in Mosul to promote civilian access to reparation
Ceasefire opens legal helpdesk in Mosul to promote civilian access to reparation December 2021 Civilians harmed by military operations have a right to compensation under Iraqi law, but the complex requirements to file a claim have left the process out of reach for many. Ceasefire’s new legal helpdesk in Mosul hopes to solve some of
UK compensation bill for civilian harm in Iraq and Afghanistan reaches £32m
The compensation bill for civilians harmed in UK military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan has now reached £32 million, according to a new report by Ceasefire Centre for Civilian Rights. During the last year the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has quietly settled some 417 claims related to Iraq, and 13 related to Afghanistan, to add to thousands already settled.
Afrin after Operation Olive Branch: An update on the situation in north-west Syria
As the UN Human Rights Council prepares to hear the findings of the Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic, the Ceasefire Centre for Civilian Rights and YASA e.V. – Kurdish Centre for Studies & Legal Consultancy have submitted a briefing to the Commission about the human rights situation in Afrin in Turkish-occupied northern
Syria’s minorities used in war of narratives, at the cost of civilian lives – new report
June 2021 Syria’s minorities have been caught in a war of narratives waged by the Syrian state, regional and international actors, according to a new report by the Ceasefire Centre for Civilian Rights. Most notably, the Assad-led government’s narrative that it is a ‘protector of minorities’ has been used to justify ongoing violations against civilians
The Yazidi Survivors’ Law: A step towards reparations for the ISIS conflict
On 1 March 2021, after nearly two years of deliberations, Iraq’s parliament passed the Yazidi Female Survivors’ Law, a major step forward in addressing the legacy of violations committed by ISIS against members of religious minorities in Iraq. The law (Law No. 8 of 2021) provides a comprehensive programme of reparations to Yazidi, Christian, Shabak, and
London Landmarks Half Marathon Free Places – Run For Civilian Rights!
This year we are taking part in the London City Landmarks Half Marathon on the 1st August 2021. We are looking for runners to take place in this wonderful event which guides its runners through the beautiful city of London and Westminster on a closed road route. If you, like us, cannot wait to get moving once
First to Know: promoting civilian-led early warning in armed conflict – new report
Civilian-led early warning of violence in armed conflict is a viable technique that has significant potential to save lives by alerting both responsible authorities and civilian populations of impending threats, finds a new report. ‘First to Know: Civilian-led early warning in armed conflict’ examines the lessons learned from a pilot early warning system in South Sudan implemented by Ceasefire and the Community Empowerment for Progress Organisation.
After decades of disappearances, Iraq preparing to turn the page – new report
January 2021 Iraq’s disappeared persons might finally have a chance at justice, according to a new report by the Ceasefire Centre for Civilian Rights. The report, entitled The Forever Crime: Ending enforced disappearance in Iraq, argues that Iraq is at a historic juncture in the struggle against enforced disappearance, a practice which has gone on
French authorities arrest Roger Lumbala, former militia leader, for crimes against humanity in DR Congo
January 2021 Congolese MP Roger Lumbala has been arrested in France and is under investigation for complicity in crimes against humanity committed in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in 2002-2003. The charges relate to his responsibility for a military campaign in Ituri province named Effacer le tableau (‘Erasing the Board’) in which thousands of
Official figures reveal only one prosecution of UK armed forces personnel for war crimes overseas since 2001
Official figures reveal only one prosecution of UK armed forces personnel for war crimes overseas since 2001 December 2020 Official figures released by the Ministry of Defence to Ceasefire Centre for Civilian Rights reveal that since 2001 there has only been one prosecution of UK armed forces personnel for war crimes overseas. Despite lengthy engagements
UK Overseas Operations Bill violates civilian rights
September 2020 Draft legislation in the UK will restrict the rights of civilian war victims to claim compensation for the harm they have suffered, further marginalising some of the most vulnerable people in the world. The Overseas Operations Bill, which will be debated in Parliament on September 23rd, not only creates a de facto statute
Warring Parties Undermine Students’ Future in Yemen – new report
August 2020 Warring parties carried out more than 380 attacks impacting schools and educational facilities in Yemen between March 2015 and December 2019, Mwatana for Human Rights and Ceasefire Center for Civilian Rights said in a new report published today. Attacks and other abuses completely or partially destroyed dozens of schools, disrupted the educational process,
Turkey orchestrating destruction, demographic change in northern Syria – new report
July 2020 Turkey’s occupation of Afrin in northwestern Syria is causing permanent changes to the demographic character of the area, according to a new report by the Ceasefire Centre for Civilian Rights and YASA e.V. – Kurdish Centre for Studies & Legal Consultancy. The report, entitled Cultivating Chaos: Afrin after Operation Olive Branch, is based
In the name of national security, Iranians pay a heavy price – new report
June 2020 Measures taken in the name of national security and combating terrorism have led to grave and widespread violations of human rights in Iran, according to a new report published jointly by Minority Rights Group International and the Ceasefire Centre for Civilian Rights. In the Name of Security: Human rights violations under Iran’s national
Recent news and reports:
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20 years on, Iraqis still wait for justice
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The Bill of Rights threatens access to justice for civilians and service personnel – Ceasefire and RSI joint briefing
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Ceasefire holds their first fundraising concert in Islington on 4 November with Ukrainian concert pianist Sasha Grynyuk
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Reparations for Ukraine: An international route map
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Ceasefire joins ten civil society groups in calling on the UK to urgently address civilian harm policies
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The protection of civilians and siege warfare: CEASEFIRE and the Embassy of Switzerland in the UK host event
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CEASEFIRE addresses key Geneva talks on explosive weapons use in populated areas
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Global resurgence of siege warfare traps civilian populations on the frontline – new report
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The Human Rights Act and Reparations for Civilian Harm: Explained
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CEASEFIRE submits evidence to the UK government consultation on reform of the Human Rights Act
