WELCOME BACK, ISRAEL! Israel returns to the HRC, but not without reservations.

On 14^th May 2012, Israel decided to suspend its relations with the Human Rights Council (HRC), becoming one of the most controversial countries at the United Nations in Geneva. Absent during its Universal Periodic Review (UPR) on 29^th January 2013, the meeting was postposed to 29^th October 2013. Israel has been the first country to do this. As a result, the international community feared for the future and legitimacy of UPR process.

Affirming the role of youth as promoters of human rights, development and peace

From October 7^th to 16^th, 2013, the IIMA Human Rights Office staff organized several seminars and workshops in Panama, Nicaragua and Costa Rica to raise awareness on the importance of adopting a human-rights based prospective and bring local civil society’s concerns to the international level. 

China’s Takes a Big Move Forward, While Ignoring Any Steps Backwards: Universal Periodic Review of China

On 22^nd of October 2013, room XX of the United Nations office was filled with tension and excitement. Almost every State was ready to speak and contribute their opinion on the status of Human Rights in China over the four years since China’s first Universal Periodic Review (UPR). For China’s second UPR, Mr. Wu Hailong of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs gave an opening statement, which reviewed the progress that China recently made in human rights and quality of life. China is made of over 1.3 billion people and 56 ethnic groups, but the report was simple, to the point, and only lasted 25 minutes out of the allotted 70. China painted a picture of a country made of complete equality, freedom, and progress during the report.

International Day of Rural Women

"Empowering rural women is crucial for ending hunger and poverty. By denying women rights and opportunities, we deny their children and societies a better future. This is why the United Nations recently launched a programme to empower rural women and enhance food security." 

UN Secretary General,  Ban Ki-Moon

“We must enforce and protect the rights of rural women. When women have access to land, there are improvements in household welfare, agricultural productivity and gender equality.” 

UN Women - Executive Director, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka.

Innovating for Girls' Education

 In 2011, United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 66/170 to declare October 11 as the International Day of the Girl Child, to recognize girls’ rights and the unique challenges girls face around the world. Girls face discrimination and violence every day across the world. The International Day of the Girl Child focuses attention on the need to address the challenges girls face and to promote girls’ empowerment and the fulfillment of their human rights. The theme for 2013 is:  “Innovating for Girls’ Education”

“On this International Day of the Girl Child, let us work together to invest in education so that girls can advance in their personal development and contribute to our common future.”   (Ban Ki Moon)

Read the Secretary General Ban Ki-moon Message

A call for teachers

October 5th is the World Teachers' Day! THANKS for the work they do with passion and hope that it can always be quality teaching.

Happy Birthday, Mahatma!

On the 2nd of October, we celebrate the International Day of Non-Violence, held on the birthday of Gandhi, leader of the Indian Independence movement and pioneer of the philosophy and strategy of Non-Violence.

             "There are many causes that I am prepared to die for                     but no causes that I am prepared to kill for."

                                                                                       (Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi)

The 24th Session of the Human Rights Council reaches its end with still-standing issues and new challenges.

The 24^th Session of the Human Rights Council, which started 9^th September in Geneva, reached its end. For the Council, whose mission is to promote the respect of the human rights and to monitor the violations in all the UN Member States, it’s time to review and evaluate the results that were reached in this session.                                 
In this session, Syria sadly played the protagonist, with millions of civilians forced into mass displacement by gross violations of humanitarian law, at a time where international balances are at a critical moment. This session hosted a general debate on Israel and the Occupied Territories, reminding us that in the West Bank, Palestinians are still inhumanly treated. Other ever-hot topics were also addressed, including the rights of children in armed conflict, the rights of children of parents sentenced to the death penalty or executed, the treatment of indigenous people, the condition of women and gender discrimination, and contemporary forms of slavery. Interactive dialogues with the Special Rapporteur on human rights in Cambodia and with the Independent Expert on the human rights situation in Somalia and Sudan took also place.

“Education for Peace!” Celebrating the International Day of Peace

One day, every year entirely dedicated to Peace. It’s a way to discover the true meaning of that word, making peace real and not just a spot of ink on a piece of paper or just the visionary dream of a poet.

The UN has invented one day like that. One day when everybody lets a glimmer of peace into their busy daily life, from those in poverty living in a corner of the world, or into a devastating war, or children in fear, or into the heart of a young man anxious about his future.

IIMA Addresses Human Rights Issues Concerning Migrant Workers and Human Trafficking During Canada’s Universal Periodic Review at the Human Rights Council

On September 19^th, 2013, IIMA delivered an oral statement on Canada’s second Universal Periodic Review (UPR), which evaluates human rights issues in Canada and recommends where the nation needs to improve. IIMA encouraged Canada to implement the recommendations that they accepted leading up to their next UPR in 2017 and to continue greater work to protect migrant workers from exploitation. IIMA also raised additional concerns about the Canadian Temporary Foreign Worker Program’s holes and weaknesses, which include the unreasonable burden of proof placed on a trafficked victim in seeking the protection of the government, the abuse by foreign recruiting agencies, and harsh living and working conditions in Canada. IIMA’s oral statement delivered to the Human Rights Council is based on reports from sisters’ in Canada along with contributions from the Office for Systemic Justice of Federation of Sisters of Saint Joseph of Canada.

You can watch IIMA's oral statement on Canada by clicking the link and selecting chapter 18 on the right side of the page.http://webtv.un.org/watch/canada-upr-report-condsideration-22nd-meeting-24th-regular-session-of-human-rights-council/2681983486001/

The Rights of Children whose are parents sentenced to the Death Penalty or executed

When the parent of a child is sentenced to death or executed, the child’s mental health is damages and their physical heath is often put at risk. A child will often experience discrimination especially where the parent’s sentence is publicly known.

As the death penalty disproportionately affects those who are poor or marginalized groups, discrimination can be exacerbated. The effect on children can be drastic as the child can be orphaned or left without the care and support of a parent. Sometimes children may have to stop their education and begin working to support themselves. This situation can make the children susceptible to abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

The effect of Armed Conflicts on children

         

As our world is faced with conflicts with radically different armies and battlefields, children suffer the greatest from the effects of war. Young children are recruited as soldiers and others are displaced from their homeland. Their neighbourhoods are the frontlines for warfare. They are killed or maimed by explosives, land mines, drones, and other weapons. When children are displaced from their homes or when their homeland becomes dangerous, children are less likely to attend school, especially girls. In other cases, schools are destroyed. Rebel groups target schools and hospitals and children are used as human shields.

            The 24^th Session of the Human Rights Council turned its attention to the issue of Children and Armed Conflict and started a dialogue between State Members on how to create solutions for this problem.

Call for Peace in Syria!

 

During the conflict in Syria, killings of 150000 civilian have been reported, of which 7000 are chidlren. We support the call of Pope Francis for peace in Syria. 

INTERNATIONAL DAY IN SUPPORT OF VICTIMS OF TORTURE

Please find the UN  Secretary General's message for the International Day in support of Victims of Torture:

"As we mark International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, I call on Member States to step up efforts to assist all those who have suffered from torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. 

This year is also the 25th anniversary of the Committee against Torture. This body -- along with other UN human rights mechanisms such as the Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture and the Special Rapporteur on Torture -- is vital to strengthening a victim-oriented approach that also includes a gender perspective. This effort was further strengthened by the adoption this year of a UN Human Rights Council resolution focussing on the rehabilitation of torture victims.

I urge all Member States to accede to and fully implement the Convention against Torture and support the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture.  Let us work together to end torture throughout the world and ensure that countries provide reparation for victims.

Ban Ki-moon"