Description
The International Association of Jewish Lawyers and Jurists (IJL) strives to advance human rights everywhere, including the prevention of war crimes, the punishment of war criminals, the prohibition of weapons of mass destruction, and international co-operation based on the rule of law and the fair implementation of international covenants and conventions.
The association is especially committed to issues that are on the agenda of the Jewish people, and works to combat racism, xenophobia, antisemitism, Holocaust denial and negation of the State of Israel. IJL was founded in 1969. Among its founders were Haim Cohn, Attorney General of Israel, Arthur Goldberg, associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, and Nobel Peace Prize laureate René Cassin of France. Membership comprises lawyers, judges, judicial officers and academic jurists who are active locally and internationally as the need arises. Membership is open to lawyers and jurists of all creeds who share the organization's aims.
The IJL has an ECOSOC Special Consultative status as a non-governmental organization (NGO) at the United Nations, enabling it to participate in the deliberations of various UN bodies. In this capacity, the representatives of the IJL have been especially involved in the work of the United Nations Human Rights Committee in Geneva and of related bodies.
The Association also publishes Justice Magazine which examines a variety of relevant issues and current topics and is mailed to thousands of lawyers and jurists throughout the world.
Members of the Executive Committee, the Board and the President of the IJL serve on a voluntary basis.
The current president is Adv. Meir Linzen.