Youth and human rights receive special attention at UN Panel discussion

On 22 September 2016 at 12.00, Human Rights Council President H.E. Mr. Choi Kyong-lim chaired the panel on “Youth and Human Rights”.  The panel was approved through resolution / HRC / 32 / L.1 during the Council’s 32^nd session on 30 June 2016.  The resolution was recommended by El Salvador on behalf of a core-group of Member States and it was approved by consensus.  The passage marked a historic achievement that recognized youth as subject partners for development, bearers of new ideals and catalysts of action.  The resolution provided for the convening of a panel whose aim was to identify the challenges, good practices and lessons learned in the exercise of human rights on the part of young people, as an important opportunity for the empowerment of their rights. 

Human Rights Council Session: a glance at the second week



The Human Rights Council (HRC) reconvened on Monday with the report of the Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic, which is tasked to investigate human rights law violations during the Syrian conflict.  The report sparked heated dialogue between the Member States in the general debate that followed.  NGOs also presented their views and experiences of the grave realities affecting people on the ground in Syria. 

During the week, representatives from VIDES and IIMA also had the opportunity to address themes of importance to the Council.  On Tuesday, IIMA delivered an oral statement during the Council’s discussion on Item 5, which included the issue of unaccompanied migrant children and adolescents and human rights.

Happy World Tourism Day!

Tourism is extremely important for every nation for its great social, cultural, political and economic value. In 2015 alone, international tourism generated US $1.5 trillion in export earnings.

International tourist arrivals grew by 4.6% in 2015 and the number is forecasted to increase in the coming years, expecting to reach 1.8 billion tourists by the year 2030. Everyone should have the opportunity to experience the diversity and beauty of our world, which is why it is important to support universal accessibility to tourism.

The official celebration for World Tourism Day (WTD) is being celebrated in Bangkok, Thailand today.  Experience the beauty of this country in the following video, prepared especially for WTD. 

Read more : http://www.un.org/en/events/tourismday/

High-Level Panel on Human Rights Education and Training

On the 14^th of September 2016, the United Nations in Geneva held a High-Level Panel on the Fifth Anniversary of the Adoption of the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Education and Training during the 33^rd session of the Human Rights Council.

H.E. Mr.Choi Kyong-lim, President of the Human Rights Council, declared the start of the High-Level Panel. The panel was introduced by Ms. Kate Gilmore, United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, followed by a keynote address by Mr. Jordan Naidoo, Director of the Division for Education 2030 Support and Coordination, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO); and later a panel discussion was moderated by Ms. Cristiana Carletti, Associate Professor of International Law at the University of Roma Tre in Italy. 

“A legitimate concern of the International Community" - Opening Statement of 33rd Session of Human Right Council

On 13th of September 2016 the Office attended the Opening Statement of the 33rd Session of the Human Rights Council that, Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights read in front of all the Representatives of the States and civil society brought together.

The speech began with a serious complaint that Al Hussein wished to share after two years as High Commissioner: the growing refusal on the part of an increasing number of Member States to grant OHCHR, or the human rights mechanism, access to countries when this is requested explicitly or even in other instances when the OHCHR wishes to engage with them.

Today is the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons

Global nuclear disarmament has been on the table for the General Assembly (GA) since the beginning. This was the subject of the GA’s very first resolution in 1946. Since then and the signing of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty in 1975, the call for nuclear disarmament has only increased. In spite of this, 15,000 nuclear weapons continue to exist in the world and no steps have been taken to dispose of them. With this disproportionate amount of nuclear weapons in our global arsenal, we have the fire power to destroy our Earth several times.  Unfortunately the doctrine of nuclear deterrence continues to be practiced. This days provides an opportunity for governments and constituents to become educated about the benefits of eliminating nuclear weapons.

"Let us pledge to work for the total elimination of nuclear weapons with urgency and a sense of collective purpose. Our very survival depends upon it."

Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon

Read more here: http://www.un.org/en/events/nuclearweaponelimination/

IIMA delivers oral statement on Unaccompanied Migrant Children

On September 20, 2016, IIMA representative Christian Ruehling delivered an oral statement to the Advisory Committee of the Human Rights Council (HRC) on the global issue of unaccompanied migrant children and adolescents.  The intervention occurred after the Committee presented its progress report on this issue, which was mandated by Human Rights Council resolution 29/12 at its 29^th session in June 2015.

The progress report highlighted the complexities and challenges facing States and civil society in tackling such a global issue. Unaccompanied migrant children are a vulnerable segment of society whose access to primary and secondary education is interrupted when they are forced to leave their home countries due to conditions that are beyond their control.  Access to secondary education is of particular importance as it allows adolescents who are transitioning to adulthood to discover and develop their skills and find their purpose in the world.

Human Rights Council Session : Week 1 (Sept. 13-16)

On September 13, the Human Rights Council (HRC) opened its 33rd regular session at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.   HRC President CHOI Kyong-lim presided over the opening of the session which will take place in the Human Rights and Alliance of Civilizations Room (also known as Room XX) from September 13-30.

Room XX was filled with Member States delegates, civil society observers, and NGO representatives who were electrified from the outset by the opening statement of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (HCHR) Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein.  The tone of his statement was a change from the past as he used strong words to convey his concerns at how human rights mechanisms were being obstructed, interefered with, and politicized by the Member States in contravention of their human rights responsibilities. Over 20 States accross the world were singled out by the High Commissioner over various human rights concerns.  General debate between the Member States was reserved for the next day during which time States lobbed accusations, defended their policies, or supported the HCHR for his remarks.

IIMA and VIDES participate in a Day of National Mourning observed by Italy badly affected by the earthquake in recent days. We are close to families in this moment of grief and we express our solidarity with the Italian people .

RESOLUTION-REVOLUTION: YOUTH AND HUMAN RIGHTS!

 On 30^th June 2016 The Human Right Council, during the 32^nd session, agenda item 3, Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to development, has adopted by consensus (approved without a vote) the draft resolution A/HRC/32/L.1, entitled YOUTH AND HUMAN RIGHTS.

His Excellency Mr. Joaquín Alexander Maza Martelli, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of El Salvador has presented the draft proposal on behalf a core-group of States, namely Côte d'Ivoire, Egypt, El Salvador, France, Greece, Italy, Morocco, Philippines, Portugal, Republic of Moldova, Tunisia. This initiative underscores the need to consider youth as development partners, bringing new ideals and proactive actions.

“Today will mark the history of the Council when we adopt for the first time a resolution on youth. This is an important matter. It is key for all of us, particularly in a world that is ever-changing and faces different challenges and threats, political violence, economic instability all of this puts youth in a situation of vulnerability.” – Ambassador Martelli said.