International Commission of Jurists

International Commission of Jurists

Abbreviation	ICJ
Formation	1952
Type	NGO with Consultative Status
Headquarters	Geneva, Switzerland
Official language	English, French, Spanish
Acting President	Robert Goldman (since 2017)
Secretary-General	Saman Zia-Zarifi
Staff	60
Website	www.icj.org

The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) is an international human rights non-governmental organization. It is supported by an International Secretariat based in Geneva, Switzerland, and staffed by lawyers drawn from a wide range of jurisdictions and legal traditions. The Secretariat and the Commission undertake advocacy and policy work aimed at strengthening the role of lawyers and judges in protecting and promoting human rights and the rule of law. In addition, the ICJ has national sections and affiliates in over 70 countries.

The ICJ was established in 1953 by German jurists involved in human rights investigations in the Soviet Zone of post-war Germany. It was partially funded by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to counter the International Association of Democratic Lawyers, perceived as leftist by American officials. Starting from the 1970s, Secretary-General Niall MacDermot moved the organization away from its association with the CIA.

The current ICJ President is Professor Robert Goldman. Former Presidents include Sir Nigel Rodley (2012–2017), a former member of the UN Human Rights Committee, Professor Pedro Nikken (2011–2012) and Mary Robinson (2008–2011), the former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and President of Ireland.