The principles of rule of law, of accountability, of non-discrimination and gender equality, the principles of freedom of expression and freedom of religion and belief—these rights are also laid down in the Universal Declaration and the desire to see them realized was a driving force behind the Tunisian revolution. These rights, and all the others laid down in this visionary document, and subsequently enshrined in a wide range of international treaties, must permeate any legal or policy response to the challenges Tunisia is facing. A successful rights-based revolution must be followed by a new rights-based social, legal, political and economic order.

The UN human rights office in Tunisia [official website], which was first opened in July, is currently assisting and offering advice as Tunisia continues to transform into an independent and open democratic system. The constituent assembly is considered to be the first of its kind in any North African or Middle Eastern country affected by the Arab Spring reform movement [UN News Centre backgrounder] after a 10-month preparation. Earlier this year, Tunisia was able to free itself [JURIST report] from the regime of its president, Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali, who fled Tunisia to Saudi Arabia in January during protests against his 23-year autocratic rule. Ben Ali was sentenced in absentia in July to 15 years in prison, following a 35-year sentence [JURIST reports] issued in June.

This filing follows closely behind a call last week [JURIST report] from the International Commission of Jurists, Australian Section (ICJA) [advocacy website] for Australia to investigate a top ranking official in the Sri Lankan High Commission [official website] in Canberra for war crimes violations allegedly committed by the Sri Lankan Navy during clashes with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) [JURIST news archive] in 2009. Last month, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon [official profile] sent a report [JURIST report] to the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) [official website] accusing Sri Lankan troops of killing tens of thousands of civilians during the civil war. In April, a UN panel of experts on Sri Lanka found credible allegations of war crimes [JURIST report] committed during the country's war with the LTTE, warranting further investigation. In December, the Sri Lankan Ministry of External Affairs [official website] announced that the UN panel would be allowed to visit [JURIST report] the island to look into alleged war crimes. The decision signaled a reversal after months of strong opposition [JURIST report] from the Sri Lankan government, which described the UN panel as an infringement of Sri Lanka's sovereignty.

The call for the NTC to investigate the discovery of the bodies comes days after Gaddafi was captured and killed and the Libyan prime minister declared the official liberation [JURIST reports] from Gaddafi's regime. Gaddafi's death and Libya's liberation come as the latest of milestones [JURIST timeline] in the Libya conflict [JURIST backgrounder], which began in February as a protest in opposition to the arrest of a prominent human rights activist. The ICC warned Libya [JURIST report] in May against covering up possible war crimes that have occurred during the conflict, and stated those involved in a cover-up will be held accountable. Prior to Gaddafi's death, the ICC issued arrest warrants [JURIST report] for him and two of his high-ranking officials for their involvement in crimes against humanity.

Throughout his distinguished career Antonio Cassese made his exceptional professional skills available to the United Nations. ... In these and many other functions Antonio Cassese shaped the development of international criminal justice and made a major contribution to fighting impunity and bringing about an age of accountability. ... The United Nations will fondly remember Antonio Cassese as a giant of international law, as a loyal friend who was always there when the Organization needed his wise counsel and dedicated services, and mostly as an exceptionally charming and warm human being who courageously stood up for justice, for human rights and for humanity.

Cassese has been involved in international criminal proceedings as recently as August. Cassese, as president of the STL, had a large role in the trials of four men wanted for killing former prime minister Rafik Hariri [BBC profile; JURIST news archive] in 2005. He made a public plea [press release] in August, calling for the men to turn themselves in [JURIST report]. He also guaranteed a fair trial and adequate representation and pressed Lebanese citizens to allow the STL to hold the assassins accountable. In December 2010, Cassese rejected motions [JURIST report] to disqualify Lebanese judges for bias, holding that Lebanese General Jamil El-Sayed had failed to provide enough evidence that the judges were biased such that the mixed-composition panel would be dissolved.

Last week, UN Under-Secretary General for Legal Affairs Patricia O'Brien urged the Cambodian government to refrain from interfering [JURIST report] with the ECCC's work. In a meeting with Cambodia's Deputy Prime Minister Sok An to discuss recent developments at the tribunal, O'Brien expressed concern and reiterated the call to respect the integrity and independence of the tribunal. Last month, the ECCC ordered the trials of four alleged Khmer Rouge leaders be split into a series of smaller trials [JURIST report] to allow the tribunal to deliberate more quickly in the case. A week earlier, the ECCC concluded three days of hearings [JURIST report] aimed at determining whether two of the four Khmer Rouge leaders were fit enough to stand trial on accusations of genocide and other war crimes. The four leaders include Chea, who was Pol Pot's second-in-command and the group's chief ideologist, former head of state Khieu Samphan, ex-foreign minister Ieng Sary, and his wife, Leng Thirith [case profiles, PDF], who served as minister for social affairs. All four have pleaded not guilty to charges including crimes against humanity, war crimes, genocide, religious persecution, homicide and torture.

Equality and women's rights continue to be an issue for much of the world. Earlier this month, the UN Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women [official website] Rashida Manjoo [official profile] appeared in front of the General Assembly to urge states to fulfill their obligations to prevent violence against women [JURIST report]. Manjoo's presentation followed her August request for the US government to reevaluate its domestic violence policies [JURIST report]. Manjoo also released a report in June that said there is a continued prevalence of violence and discriminatory treatment of women in the US [JURIST report], with a heightened impact on poor, minority and immigrant women. In March, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay [official profile] pressed [JURIST report] Tunisia and Egypt to ensure that women's rights receive constitutional protection and to include women in the dialogue to shape the future of their countries. Last year, Human Rights Watch (HRW) [official website] called on the Afghan government to protect the rights of women [JURIST report] during integration and reconciliation efforts conducted with the Taliban [GlobalSecurity backgrounder] and other militants. Earlier in 2010, India's upper house of parliament, the Rajya Sabha [official website], approved a bill [JURIST report] to ensure that one-third of seats in parliament are reserved for women.

Libyan transitional leader Mahmoud Jibril [official profile] on Sunday declared the country's official liberation [JURIST report] from Gaddafi's regime and set a schedule for establishing a new government. Libyan civilians and NTC officials continue to celebrate the news of Gaddafi's death, and several world leaders have expressed relief and support for Libya. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon [official profile] said this week that Gaddafi's death marked "an historic transition" for the country and urged Libyans to stop fighting and promote peace [UN News Centre report]. Gaddafi's death marks the latest milestone in the Libya conflict [JURIST backgrounder], which began in February [JURIST report] as part of a wider protest movement, commonly referred to as the "Arab Spring," that had spread throughout the Middle East and North Africa.