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.

7th Session of the CDW reviews Banjul Declaration

On 17 may 2011, the Committee on Women and Development (CWD) of the UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), opened in Addis Abeba (Ethiopia) its 7^th Session concerning “Narrowing Gaps, Maximizing Opportunities: Beyond Beijing+15”.

The Protection of Human Rights and the importance of National Institutions

During the annual conference of the International Coordinating Committee of National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights in Geneva, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, underlined the importance of these institutions in maintaining and restoring rule of law as well as in assisting victims of human rights violations.

These institutions play a key role especially in post-conflict situations, contributing to restore the normal life of society. An important issue raised is the necessity to establish a close cooperation between the national institutions and the UN human rights bodies, such as the Human Rights Council.

Finally, Navi Pillay stressed that national human rights institutions must fulfil the “Paris principles” in order to ensure an effective national system for the protection of human rights. 

A new database on death penalty

On May 5^th, 2011, the IIMA Human Rights Office participated in the Side event “The Death Penalty Worldwide: new data regarding the practice and laws of death penalty retentionist States” held at Palais des Nations, in Geneva. 

UN expert warns of impact of prolonged Israeli occupation on Palestinian children

After an eight-day visit to Cairo and Amman, Mr. Richard Falk, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories, expressed his concern about the situation of Palestinian children, still subjected to attacks, detention and abuse.

European Union obtains the observer state status at the United Nations

On 3 May 2011, the General Assembly recognized to the European Union the observer status. By now the European Union can intervene during the Human Rights Council sessions, participate in the general debate of the General Assembly, present proposals and amendments, but they will not have the right to vote or to put forward candidates.

This decision is important because give to the EU the possibility to participate at the UN works and it creates a precedent to recognize the status of observer to other regional organizations. Today, the Human Rights Council counts two observers: Holy See and European Union.

Twenty years on from the Windhoek Declaration: Freedom of the press in a changed world

On 3 May 2011, the IIMA Human Rights Office participated in the World Press Freedom Day, commemorated by the United Nation Information Service, UNESCO and the United Nations Office in Geneva, to celebrate the 20^thanniversary of the adoption of the Windhoek Declaration.

VIDES meets the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous people during his visit in Costa Rica

The Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous people, James Anaya, visited Costa Rica last 25-27 April 2011. He was invited by the Government to assess the impact of the hydroelectric dam “El Diquis”, that will be built in the indigenous territory of Terraba, on the local communities settled in this area. In other words, his task was to verify if the hydroelectric project carried out by Costa Rica Government would imply a violation of indigenous people’s rights.

The Human Rights Council holds Special Session on Syria

On April 29, 2011, following the request of 38 member and observer states, the Human Rights Council held the 16^th special session to respond to the grave violations of human rights in the Syrian Arabic Republic.

46 Salesian Sisters of the Mother Ersilia Canta House (Rome) visit the IIMA Human Rights Office

On 29 April 2011, the IIMA Human Rights Office welcomed 46 Salesian Sisters coming from India, South Africa, Ethiopia and Japan among other countries.

All sisters, who were pilgrimaging to Annecy, scheduled the Human Rights Office in Geneva in their plan.

After the presentation of all Sisters, Sr. MariaGrazia Caputo, Director of the Office, and her young collaborators, illustrated the mission of the office: promote and defend human rights worldwide, and in particular the Right to Education for all.

UN Panel begins investigation into the Libyan country

A panel composed by three UN experts arrived in Libya on 27 April to investigate into the violence and the abuse of human rights perpetrated by forces supporting Muammar al-Qadhafi.
The creation of the panel led by Professor Cherif Bassiouni and composed by Asma Khader and Philippe Kirsch, follow the decision of the UN General Assembly to suspend Libya’s membership in the Human Rights Council and the authorization gave by the UN Security Council to the Member States to take “all necessary measures” to protect civilians.
The UN agencies strengthened all the efforts to intervene in the place more hit of the country and to fulfil medical, food and water priorities.

To read more:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=38205&Cr=libya&Cr1=

Salesian sisters visited the IIMA Human Rights Office

 On 15 April 2011, a group of 36 Salesian sisters coming from India, Australia, USA, UK, Ireland Rwanda , Sudan and Zambia visited the IIMA Human Rights Office in Geneva.

The goal of the meeting was to present the mission and activities of the office and to remember the possible areas for collaboration. 

Sister Rosita, FMA in Argentina, meets the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Right to adequate housing

From 13^th to 21^st April 2011, the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to adequate housing, Ms. Raquel Rolnik, is visiting Argentina where she has met members of the civil society.

Our Institute, through the Human Rights Office of ARO Province in Argentina, participated in one meeting. In fact, Sister Rosa Silvia Sidasmed, FMA in Argtentina, presented a detailed report concerning the situation of campesinos and indigenous people, who lived in the North of the country.

Message of the UN Secretary General in occasion of the World Water Day

On 22 March, on the occasion of the World Water Day, the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, reaffirmed the importance of the management of water resource to fight against poverty and to guarantee the dignity for all.

The management of water resource was among the several challenges decided during the Millennium Development Goal meeting. “Water for Cities” is the the theme of this year’s observance of World Water Day.

On the one hand, urbanization could play an important role to improve both the efficiency water management and the access to safe drinking water. On the other hand, the urbanization could overdraw the problems concerning water. Moreover, the problem of access to water is connected to the sanitation issue.

The water problems will be faced during the future UN Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio de Janeiro, in 2012- Rio+20.

Ban Ki-moon concluded calling governments to recognize the urban water crisis as a crisis of governance, weak policies and poor management, rather than one of scarcity.

To read more information, please follow the link below:

http://www.un.org/apps/sg/sgstats.asp?nid=5157

UN welcomes the decision of AU to appoint a Special Representative on Women, Peace and Security in the region

The UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Margot Wallström, welcomed the decision of the African Union to appoint a Special Representative on Women, Peace and Security as a point of contact to strengthen the collaboration between the UN and the AU to eradicate sexual violence in Africa.Margot Wallström said that “without the political leadership of Africa, we will not succeed in eradicating this international crime”. In addition, she encouraged the UN Security Council to include conflict-related sexual violence as an item of the agenda in their annual meeting.