A special wish to Sr MariaGrazia for her 50 years of religious life

On 5 August we celebrate Sr MariaGrazia’s 50 years of religious life as Daughter of Mary our Help of Christians (Salesian Sister of Don Bosco). Sr MariaGrazia is Director of the IIMA Human Rights Office since 2007 and she founded the VIDES International in 1987.

Her immense experience in VIDES International allowed her to have a deep knowledge of the Institute that at present she proudly represents in Geneva.

During her VIDES International experience she involved young volunteers in the salesian project encouraging them to open their heart and to adopt the ideals of justice and peace.

At present, in Geneva she is lead by the same enthusiasm and passion in order to touch the Governmental representatives’ hearts. She persistency fights to promote children’ rights and, in particular, to guarantee the right to education for all.

Security Council recommends South Sudan for UN membership

After the referendum of 2005, organized thanks the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), which stopped the long civil war between the North and the South of Sudan, South Sudan celebrated its independence on 9 July 2011.

Immediately, the Security Council invited the General Assembly to admit the newborn Republic of South Sudan, as member of the United Nations.

Guido Westerwelle, Foreign Minister of Germany, which holds the Council’s rotating presidency this month, expressed his satisfaction for the application for membership submitted by the President of South Sudan, and for the efforts made by the state in the promotion of the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter.

Tunisia: opening of a new UN human rights office

On Thursday 14^th July 2011, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, will open an UN human rights office in Tunisia in the presence of the current Prime Minister Béji Caïd Essebsi. It is the first time that the OHCHR establishes an office in a Mediterranean North African country.

IIMA participates in the Annual Ministerial Review of ECOSOC

From 4^th to 8^th July 2011 IIMA attended the High-level Segment that held at Palais des Nations, Geneva. In particular, IIMA participated in the Annual Ministerial Review (AMR) that focused on "Implementing the internationally agreed goals and commitments in regard to education”. During the meeting Maria D’Onofrio, of IIMA, presented an oral statement on behalf of the NGO Platform on the Right to Education that involves more than twenty NGOs working in Geneva to promote the Right to Education.

Mrg. Tomasi, Apostolic Nuncio, meets with catholic NGOs in Geneva

On 7 July 2011, Mgr. Silvano Tomani, Apostolic Nuncio and Permanent Representative of the Holy See to the United Nations in Geneva, met at the Permanent Mission of the Holy See with representatives of catholic inspired NGOs working in Geneva.

During the meeting the Apostolic Nuncio underlined the progresses achieved in the last years, highlighting the high number of joint statement submitted as well as the side events co-organized by several faith based NGOs.

These joint activities transmit to governments in Geneva the unity of the group and the common principles inspiring all NGOs.

South Sudan became the world's newest country

South Sudan became the world's newest country Saturday, 9^th July, 2011, closing one chapter of the Africa's longest and bloodiest civil wars.

There are certainly no blueprints for gaining independence and, experts say, South Sudan's secession boldly goes where no other new nation has gone before.

So what does a territory have to do to achieve statehood?

First of all, international recognition. Any group or individual can declare their own nation, but without recognition from other states, this can be a futile gesture. South Sudan is unlikely to meet resistance since its so-called parent state, Sudan, has agreed to the secession. South Sudanese officials say they are on track for recognition by the United Nations, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and other key bodies.  

Side Event on “The Right to education: key to the MDGs”

On 6 July 2011 the Permanent Mission of Uruguay to the United Nations in Geneva and the NGO Platform on the Right to Education, of which IIMA and VIDES International are members, organized a parallel event on “The Right to education: key to the MDGs, at Palais des Nations, in Geneva. The meeting organized in collaboration with the Permanent Missions of Portugal and Morocco, was moderated by H.E. Mr. Gert Rosenthal, Ambassador of Guatemala to the United Nations in New York.

Human Rights and extreme poverty - Discussion on the Report presented by the Independent Expert

On 22 and 23 June 2011, Ms. Magdalena Sepúlveda, Independent Expert on extreme poverty and human rights, presented her report during a meeting organized by the High Commissioner for the Human Rights.

Tunisia joins the International Criminal Court

On 24^th June 2011, Tunisia decided to join the International Criminal Court (ICC), becoming the first country of North Africa to join with this body. For Tunisia, the Statute will be into force the first September 2011.

This decision is very important considering the event happened recently in Tunisia, said the UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon.

The ICC appreciated the decision of the Tunisia government to join the efforts of the international community to fight against the most international crimes, such as crime against humanity, crime of aggression, and menace to the international peace and security. Moreover, according to the ICC, the Tunisia accession highlights the essential role played by the Court in the context of international criminal justice.

To read more:

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=38841&Cr=international+criminal+court&Cr1=

NGOs and Labour groups Call for Ratification of ILO Convention on Domestic Workers

During the Conference hosted by the International Catholic Centre of Geneva on June 3^rd and 4^th, 2011, more than 70 catholic-inspired NGOs called for the ratification of the ILO Convention on Domestic Workers.

The Convention was adopted on June 17^th at the conclusion of the ILO Conference, opening it up for ratification by state parties. 

This is a very important progress because until now domestic work has long been excluded from traditional labour protections such as minimum wage and access to labour courts, leaving domestic workers without social protection. 

H.E. Ms. Laura Dupuy Lasserre, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Uruguay, elected President of the Human Rights Council

On 20 June 2011, H.E. Ms. Laura Dupuy Lasserre, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Uruguay, was elected President of the Human Rights Council, on the occasion of the Organizational meeting that was held in Palais des Nations, Geneva.

The president of the Human Rights Council, H.E. Mr. Phuangketkeow, introduced the brief speech of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms. Navy Pillay.

Meeting with Maria Clara Martin, Chief, Section Americas, Field Operations and Technical Cooperation Division of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

On June 17^th, 2011 an informal meeting between Maria Clara Martin Chief of the Americas Section of the Field Operations and Technical Cooperation Division of the Office of the High Commission for Human Rights, and some members of the IIMA Human Rights Office.During the meeting, Sr. MariaGrazia Caputo, Director of the Office, presented the future projects of IIMA, focusing on the Side Events that IIMA will organised on the occasion of the 18^th and 19^th sessions of the Human Rights Council. The first Side Event, set out by VIDES International, and co-sponsored by IIMA, is scheduled for September 2011 and will be about the engagement of youths and volunteers for human rights. The second Side Event, planned for March 2012 by IIMA, will be focused on the right to education for peace for children and youths of the Middle East, with a special regard on Lebanese children.

The meeting between IIMA Human Rights Office and the Special Rapporteur on Haiti

On June 17^th 2011, a meeting between the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Haiti and some members of the IIMA Human Rights Office was held at the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Independent Expert on the human rights situation on Haiti

On the occasion of the 17^th session of the Human Rights Council, on 16 June 2011, at Palais des Nations, the Independent Expert on the human rights situation on Haiti, Mr. Michel Forst, presented his annual report concerning the period between March 2010 and March 2011.

Ban Ki-moon thanks Uruguay’s contribution to UN peacekeeping worldwide

During his visit in Uruguay the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon thanked the Uruguay government to be the first contributors for peacekeeping operations and to make big efforts to maintain peace and security in some of the world’s most dangerous places. “When adjusted for population, no country contributes more troops than Uruguay”, he said.

Since 1951, Uruguay served in more than 21 peacekeeping operations which involved 25.000 Uruguayans. Currently the Uruguayans troops are composed of 2400 persons under the blue flag.  

To read more:

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=38731&Cr=peacekeepers&Cr1=

UN rejected allegations of interference in work of Cambodian genocide court

UN has been accused by media reports of interference in work of Cambodian genocide court with regard to the mass killings and other crimes committed under the Khmer Rouge three decades ago.  

The UN rejected the allegations saying that they defend and protect judiciary independence as well as the independent role of judges and prosecutors at the Extraordinary Chambers in the Court of Cambodia (ECCC).

The UN categorically rejected Media reports that accuse that at least five UN staff in the ECCC’s investigations office have quit their posts since April following disagreements over the decision to close the tribunal’s third case without allegedly properly investigating the charges.

To read more:

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=38715&Cr=cambodia&Cr1=

100-Day countdown to International Day of Peace, observed on 21 September 2011

Message by Mr. kiyo akasaka Under-Secretary-General for communication and public information of UN

September 21, 2011, marks the 30^th anniversary of the International Day of Peace.  As we begin today a 100-day countdown to the observance, we pay tribute to the many civil society activists who lent the strength of their imagination to the institution of this Day.

Ban ki-moon would be honoured to serve United Nations for the second mandate

On 6 June 2011, the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said that it has been a privilege to lead this Organization, and he would be honoured to serve the United Nations Organization once more between 2012 and 2016.

46th session of CAT- Committee against Torture (CAT)

The 46^th session of the Committee against Torture (CAT) took place at Palais Wilson, in Geneva from 9 May to 3 June 2011. Sr. MariaGrazia Caputo and her collaborators of the IIMA Human Rights Office attended the session and in particular the examination of the National Reports of Turkmenistan, Finland, Monaco and Ireland.

The needed of a Security Council Reform

During a conference held in Rome on 16 May 2011, the UN General Assembly President Joseph Deiss, argued the importance of a Security Council reform to avoid the loss of credibility of the United Nations.