Continuing the Momentum of Youth Rights and Participation at the UN

The first session of the Forum on Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law focused on the role of youth in public-decision making. The Forum was established by the Human Rights Council (HRC) through resolution 28/14, adopted on 26 March 2015.  The purpose of the Forum is “to provide a platform for promoting dialogue and cooperation on issues pertaining to the relationship between these areas” and to “identify and analyze best practices, challenges and opportunities for States in their efforts to secure respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law”.  The resolution also decided that the theme of the first session would be “Widening the Democratic Space: the role of youth in public decision-making”. The Forum was co-chaired by Mr. Ahmad Alhendawi, UN Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth, and H.E. Ambassador Daniiar Mukashev, Permanent Representative of the Kyrgyz Republic to the UN.  The Forum took place on 21-22 November 2016 in La Salle des Emirats (Room XVII) at Palais des Nations.

The General Assembly Adopts Declaration on the Right to Peace

On November 18^th, the General Assembly established the Declaration on the Right to Peace. Many States and civil society groups have been fighting for the recognition of this right for twenty years.  This lengthy process was due to the great lack of consensus as to the meaning of the concept of peace as a right and because it would increase the obligations of States, for example, to actively and transparently control the arms trade and to suppress the illegal sale of these. The first attempt to adopt peace as a right was carried out by UNESCO in 1997. In 2012 i n its 20th session, the Human Rights Council adopted resolution 20/15 , which established the Working Group (WG) on the Right to Peace .  Spearheading this WG was Chairperson-Rapporteur Mr. Christian Guillermet, Deputy Permanent Representative of Costa Rica. The WG met for three sessions in 2013, 2014 and 2015 in Geneva, Switzerland. A few days ago t he WG was able to see the success of the adoption of  Resolution A/HRC/32/28, acknowleging the Declaration on the Right to Peace. This Declaration is expected to achieve ratification in December 2016 by the Plenary of the General Assembly.  This is the first peace Declaration to be adopted by the General Assembly in the new millennium.

 

International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

Today is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. From November 25th through December 10th (Human Rights Day) the UN proposes the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. Violence against women is a human rights violation, a consequence of the persisting inequalities between men and women in law and practice, and it has been identified as a global pandemic. 

 

"Violence against women and girls is a human rights violation... The world cannot afford to pay this price." Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary General.

Human Rights Advocacy: A Cause Worth Committing To

An Interview with Maria D’Onofrio, Advocacy Officer at 

Istituto Internazionale Maria Ausiliatrice

The IIMA Human Rights Office conducted an interview with Maria D’Onofrio, Advocacy Officer at Istituto Internazionale Maria Ausiliatrice (IIMA) and Secretary General of the International Catholic Center of Geneva (CCIG). On September 22^nd D’Onofrio sat on the Panel Discussion on Youth and Human Rights during the 33^rd session of the Human Rights Council. As a young women and a former intern of the IIMA Human Rights Office, we asked D’Onofrio to share the story of her personal empowerment and how this led her to become a permanent human rights advocate in Geneva.

Seeing the World through the Eyes of the Youth

An Interview with Simon-Pierre Escudero, Founder of 

Asociación Tierra de Jóvenes in El Salvador

The IIMA Human Rights Office conducted an interview with Mr. Simon-Pierre Escudero, founder of Asociación de Tierra de Jóvenes in El Salvador. On September 22^nd, Mr. Escudero sat on the Panel Discussion on Youth and Human Rights during the 33^rd session of the Human Rights Council. Tierra de Jóvenes was founded in February of 2014 to protect the rights of street children and youth ages 4-25 in El Salvador. Gang activity in this country is particularly pervasive and street children are most often the victims of recruitment. To address the cycles of violence that are present amongst this vulnerable population, Tierra de Jóvenes works to bring street children’s concerns to the forefront of governmental and international conversations. Tierra de Jóvenes connects street children with medical, social and administrative assistance. However, more than anything, Tierra de Jóvenes focuses on building friendships with these children and youth and provides a listening ear when one is needed.

As a former intern of the IIMA Human Rights Office and being 25 years of age, we asked Mr. Escudero to share the story of his personal empowerment and how this led to the launch of Asociación de Tierra de Jóvenes. 

  

IIMA: In few words, how would you describe the work of Tierra de Jóvenes?

Simon-Pierre Escudero: The clear goal of our association is not just the protection, but also the promotion of the rights of children working and living on the street. We promote their rights to influence governments and the United Nations. We speak of these children so they may exist and we try to change society through the mechanism of the United Nations. I can work as an educator, but I would only change the reality of one child. Why are these children here? There are very global phenomena behind that question and these phenomena can be changed here in the United Nations.

IIMA: How did you have the idea to start Tierra de Jóvenes and why is it bear that name?

SPE: First, the idea of the street child caught my attention. Probably because my father had been a street child in France…Second, I am French, but I have a Spanish surname. It is assumed that my grandfather or great-grandfather came to France during the civil war in Spain. You could say that I am a “mix between a family destroyed by migration and a super-cohesive family from the country.” My mom is a country woman and my dad is a city man and street child. That gave me good roots and, at the same time, made me ask "why are there so many problems in the world?" My last name (Escudero) brought me to visit Spain, and after Spain I came to Latin America, a place that fascinated me.

91st Session of the Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD)

The Committee is holding its 91st session at the Palais Wilson from November 21 to December 9, 2016.  The Committee is a body of 18 independent experts tasked to monitor the implementation of this Convention by its State Parties.  During this session, the Committee will be considering the reports of the following States: Argentina*, Italy*, Portugal*, Togo*, Turkmenistan, and Uruguay*.

* These reviews are attended by IIMA representatives.

The International Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD) was adopted on December 21, 1965 and entered into force on January 4, 1969.  As of October 2016, there are 177 State Parties to the Convention. Additional information on CERD can be found here.

UN Celebration of International Day of Tolerance

Since 1996, November 16^th has been designated as the International Day for Tolerance. The yearly recognition of this day continues to hold relevance, especially as we find ourselves in a world where violent extremism is on the rise, where there is no foreseeable end to armed conflicts, where differences in race, religion, gender, social-status, etc. are often enough to trigger violent—and sometimes deadly—outbursts.

Every two years on this day UNESCO awards the Madanjeet Singh Prize for the Promotion of Tolerance and Non-Violence. This year, the award goes to the Federal Research and Methodological Center for Tolerance Psychology and Education of Russia, which creates educational programmes to promote dialogue between youth with different religions and worldviews.

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

Celebrating World Science Day for Peace and Development

November 10^th is World Science Day for Peace and Development and has been celebrated since 2001. The 2016 celebration seeks to emphasize the importance of science centers and museums to foster science communication. One of its goals is also to support teachers who are making children excited about science and are encouraging them to use their creativity to make a positive impact on the world. Furthermore, this day can be especially useful for inspiring young women to enter STEM fields, seeing as they are vastly underrepresented in these careers.

On this day, let us renew the worldwide commitment of the 1999 UNESCO-ICSU World Conference on Science in Budapest to using science for purposes of peace and development.

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

Marrakech Climate Change Conference – November 2016

The twenty-second session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 22), the twelfth session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (CMP 12) and the first session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement (CMA 1) will be held in Bab Ighli, Marrakech, Morocco from 7-18 November 2016.

59th Session of the Committee on the Convention Against Torture

The Committee is holding its 59th session at the Palais Wilson from November 7 to December 7, 2016.  The Committee is a body of 10 independent experts tasked to monitor the implementation of this Convention by its State Parties.  During this session, the Committee will be reviewing the reports of the following States: Armenia, Cape Verde, Ecuador*, Finland, Monaco, Namibia, Sri Lanka*, Turkmenistan.

The Convention Against Torture and other Cruel Inhuman or Degrading Treatment of Punishment (CAT) entered into force on June 26, 1987.  As of August 2016, there are 159 State Parties to the Convention. Additional information on CAT can be found here.

* These reviews are attended by IIMA representatives.

International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict

November 6^th marks 15 years since the first celebration of the International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict. The environment is the “unpublicized victim of war.” According to the United Nations Environment Programme, over the last 60 years 40% or more of internal conflicts have been linked to the exploitation of valuable resources or the scramble for scarce ones.  Resolution 15 of this year’s UN Environment Assembly highlights the fact that healthy ecosystems and sustainably managed resources reduce the risk of armed conflict. Therefore, in order to work towards peace in our world, we must not discount the needs of the planet on which we live.

"On this International Day, I urge governments, businesses and citizens around the world to prioritize environmental care and the sustainable management of natural resources for preventing conflict, building peace and promoting lasting prosperity."

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

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

26th Session of the Universal Periodic Review

The Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Working Group is holding its 26th session at the Palais des Nations from October 31 to November 11.  The UPR is a state-driven process in which States present the steps they have taken to fulfill their human rights obligations and committments, assessing both positive developments and identfying challenges.