The Rights of the Child at the United Nations

Every year during the Human Rights Council at the United Nations in Geneva, a full day is reserved on the rights of the child. This day presents an opportunity for representatives from countries and NGOs to meet and compare various realities and international initiatives regarding children.

This year, on March 7th 2016, Mr. Benyam Dawit Mezmur (Chairperson of the Committee on the Right of the Child), Ms. Maud de Boer-Buquicchio (Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography) and Mr. Hernias Allen (Chairperson of the International Advisory Board of the United Kingdom) attended the early morning session.

Ms. Kate Gilmore (High United Nations Deputy Commissioner for Human Rights) introduced the debate reporting the situations to which children are exposed during online activities including the use of internet for the diffusion of pornographic material. The internet offers a great opportunity for people to connect socially and culturally, especially young people. Unfortunately in many cases, it’s submitted to a serious distortion: the younger the children are, the more vulnerable they are - both in the virtual and real world- and more serious is the abuse to which they are submitted.

Using comic books to prevent child soldier recruitment.

The 12^th of February 2016, on the occasion of the International Day Against the Use of Child Soldiers, or “Red Hand Day” in support of the victims, IIMA assisted a talk at the UN Library on how to prevent the recruitment of child soldiers through the use of comic books.

There has been a huge development in International Law to protect children from recruitment in armed conflicts including: the Additional Protocol to the CRC entered into force 14 years ago; the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development which targets specific measures to eliminate the worst forms of child labor, including child soldiers; the UNSC Resolution 16/12; and the Paris Guiding Principles of 2007.

However, according to Mr. Ulrich Seidenberger, the German Permanent Representative to the UN, there are still 250.000 children who were forcefully recruited to be soldiers, guards, concubines, and suicide bombers even today. He pointed out that in order to prevent these practices, it is very important to raise awareness among children and communities.

UN Library Talk Seminar in Geneva “Women and the UN Charter”

On February 8th IIMA attended the seminar “Women & the UN Charter; How gender equality got into the Charter and why it matters today” at the UN Library. The seminar was introduced by Dan Plesch, (Director, Centre for International Studies and Diplomacy, SOAS University of London) who stated that without gender equality in the main articles of the UN Charter the advancement of women these last seventy years would have been far more difficult.

This event was special because it was the first time Master students were included among the panelists and the first seminar on the topic of the involvement of women at the UN. The first speech, delivered by Elise Dietrichson, emphasized the importance of women in the Charter, specifically naming notable female figures that have contributed to this historical event. She said that although Eleanor Roosevelt played an important role, it is crucial to understand the importance of non-western women in the process. Furthermore, Elise mentioned that, within our own societies, we must continue to actively promote not only women but everyone’s rights.

UN Library Talk in Geneve: " A Dialogue on Faith, Peacebuliding & development"

On February 5^th IIMA attended a UN Library event called “A Dialogue on Faith, Peacebuilding & Development”, in commemoration of The World Interfaith Harmony Week.

The conference was introduced by Francesco Pisano, the director of the UN library; he explained the importance of remembering the United Nations General Assembly resolution A65/5 that enacted the World Interfaith Harmony Week, when we can emphasize the importance between all faiths and beliefs and the need to eliminate all terrorist extremism and violence all over the world.

The event was divided into two panels: the first panel talked about the different perspectives on faith and peacebulding while the other concentrated on the link between faith and development.

Inter religious service for peace: "Overcoming Indifference to Attain Peace"

The Permanent Mission of the Holy See invited the international community of Geneva to attend an Interfaith Service for Peace regarding Pope Francis’ World Day of Peace message where he urged people to “Overcome Indifference and Attain Peace.” 

The celebration was introduced by H.E. Archbishop Silvano M. Tomasi, Apostolic Nuncio, and Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations. Summarizing Pope Francis, the Catholic Archbishop Silvano Tomasi mentioned that if we are to attain peace in our world, then it is necessary “that we move beyond the many attitudes of cynicism and indifference that prohibit us from being in solidarity with our fellow human beings, especially with the most vulnerable.” 

UN Library Talks Geneva, book launch: “People at the Core”- Humanitarian Work Psychology and the Global Development Agenda

On January 26th IIMA attended the book launch of “People at the Core” in the UN Library. Mr. David Chikvaidze (Chef de Cabinet, Office of Director General UNOG) introduced the main theme of the book by affirming that in time of humanitarian crisis, while people are struggling against malaria and other diseases, only the 52% of the world “feels safe” and the 79% of those diseases comes from work situations.

The speakers emphasized the importance of guaranteeing the long-term health of humanitarian workers who are facing critical situations worldwide, causing stress and even burn out. Humanitarian Work Psychology (HWP) is the emerging field created to fill a vacuum and tackle the issue of health in humanitarian work.

November 25, 2015- International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

Six years after the General Assembly adopted the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women, in December 1999, the United Nations have established the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women with the resolution 54/134. The day chose is not a causality, it evokes November 25, 1960, when during the dictatorship of Trujillo in the Dominican Republic, the three Mirabal sisters, opponents to the regime, where tortured and brutally assassinated.

10th Anniversary of the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) – A Focus on Prevention

On November 19, 2015 the office attended the panel discussion “10th Anniversary of the responsibility to Protect – A Focus on Prevention”, co-organized by the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) Core Group in Geneva and the Permanent Missions of Australia, Ghana, Hungary, Nigeria, Rwanda and Uruguay as part of the Geneva Peace Week 2015 at Palais de Nations.

The panelists were Jennifer Welsh, Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General on Responsibility to Protect, Volker Türk, Assistant High Commissioner for Protection, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Davide Rodogno, Professor of International History, Geneva Graduate Institute, Elisabeth Decrey Warner, Executive President, Geneva Call. The discussion was moderated by Simon Adams, Executive Director, Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect (R2P).

Michael Møller, Director-General, UN Office at Geneva, made some introductory remarks recalling the birth of the Responsibility to Prot

ect (R2P) as the outcome document of the UN World Summit 2005 containing three fundamental pillars: 1) the responsibility for every state to protect its populations from genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing ; 2) the responsibility of the international community to encourage and assist states in fulfilling their duties and 3) to take appropriate collective actions, in a timely and decisive manner, in accordance with the UN Charter, if a state fails to protect its populations.

20 November - Universal Children’s Day

Today is the anniversary of the Convention which formulates in a consistent way the fundamental rights of every child to be guaranteed and recognized all around the world.

The Convention (November 20, 1989) provides a control mechanism to monitor the actions of the states party, which have to present a periodic report about the implementation of the rights of the child in their territory before a Committee of independent experts.

The Convention on the Rights of the Child is the most widely ratified human rights treaty. Until the present day, there are 196 states party to the Convention.

The Convention has 54 articles and three Optional Protocols (about the involvement of children in armed conflicts, about children’s sexual exploitation and about complaint procedures).

The role of International Organizations in the maintenance of peace and security

On November 18, 2015 the human rights office assisted to the panel discussion “The Evolution of the Role of International Organizations in the Maintenance of Peace and Security on the 70th Anniversary of the United Nations”, organized as part of the Geneva Peace Week 2015 in the UN Library.

The panelists were Ivan Ingravallo, Associate Professor of International Law, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Italy, Robert Kolb, Professor of Public International Law, University of Geneva, Roberto Virzo, Associate Professor of International Law, University of Sannio, Italy and Gian Luca Burci Legal Counsel, World Health Organization and Adjunct Professor of Law, Graduate Institute in Geneva. The discussion was moderated by Niels Blokker, Professor of Institutional Law, Leiden University, Netherlands; former Deputy Legal Adviser, Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

With suffering we speak

A night of terror and suffering, a new wage of pain for hundreds of families and French citizens.
The human rights office of IIMA and VIDES woke up heartbroken and without words in front of this new monstrosity and inhumane violence.
The members of the human rights office want to express our solidarity with all the persons affected and with the entire France, we condemn this act of hate and persistent violation of human rights.

The Venezuela President speaks to the Human Rights Council

Yesterday, November 12, 2015 the office attended the speech of Mr. Nicolás Maduro Moros, President of Venezuela, during a special session of the Human Rights Council at Palais de Nations. The speech was carried out three weeks before Venezuela holds parliamentary elections.

At the beginning of the session, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, addressed President Maduro in a video message. The High Commissioner welcomed the participation of Venezuela in the Universal Periodic Review and urged Venezuela to ratify again the Inter-American Convention on Human Rights.

The Rome Statute and the International Criminal Court

On November 11, 2015 the office assisted to the panel discussion “The Rome Statute, Accountability and the Protection of Human Rights”, co-hosted by the Permanent Missions of Denmark and Cyprus to the UN, at Palais des Nations.

The panelists were Judge Silvia Alejandra Fernandez de Gurmendi, ICC President, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Claudio Grossman, Chairperson of the Committee against Torture, Dr. David Donat Cattin, Secretary General - Parliamentarians for Global Action, Ambassador Christopher Onyanga Aparr, Permanent Representative of Uganda to the UN in Geneva and Ambassador Elayne Whyte Gomez, Permanent Representative of Costa Rica to the UN in Geneva.

Aung San Suu Kyi and Myanmar – The endless struggle of a leader and a country drenched in violence and oppression for democracy and peace

Myanmar, former Burma, has a long history of occupation and struggle for independence, democracy and self-determination. In the 19^th and 20^th century, the British and the Japanese occupied its territory. Finally, in 1962, the country reached independence but this step wasn´t as positive as awaited: with a coup d’état the military took control over the country and under the slogan “the Burmese Way to Socialism” transformed Myanmar in a single party state where freedom of expression and association were strongly restricted and human rights were constantly violated.

During these decades of oppression and violence, the world got to know the situation of Myanmar mostly through the story of Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of the opposition party National League for Democracy (NLD). This woman of extraordinary strength and endless believe in freedom and human rights has dedicated almost thirty years of her life leading the Burmese population in its struggle for peace and democracy in Myanmar. She didn´t abandon Myanmar not even when she had to decide between her family and her country. Despite huge personal sufferance she always chose to continue fighting for and with her homeland.

Dialogue with two human rights experts.

On the 4^th of November, 2015 the human rights office has hosted an encounter with Maria Francisca Ize-Charrin, former Director, Research and Right to Development Division Director a.i., Field Operations and Technical Cooperation Division at the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and in the afternoon to Dr. Elias Khouri, Representative of the Union of Arab Jurists at the United Nations at Geneva.

In the morning Mrs. Ize-Charrin talked about the path of human rights, what had happened in the world before they were recognized as rights, and what needs to be done to make sure they are respected and enjoyed by all. In particular, she stressed the fundamental link between human rights and spiritual values.

In the afternoon Dr. Elias Khouri, explained the situation in Syria, speaking about the history of the country and what lead to the present situation. He also explaining how the west media is transmitting a distorted image of the events, blaming Assad for all of them and excluding him from any negotiation of Syria’s future, even when most of the population is on his side

The Palestine President speaks to the Human Rights Council

On October 28, 2015 the office assisted to the speech of Mahmoud Abbas, President of Palestine, at Palais de Nations during a special session of the Human Rights Council. The speech was carried out two weeks after the Palestinian flag was raised at the United Nations in Geneva.

Mr. Abbas took the opportunity to thank the members of the Council for all their efforts to defend Palestine’s human rights and for the adoption of important resolutions that unveil the systematic violations of human rights in the occupied territories, the longest occupation in modern times.

For 70 years, Palestinians have been suffering the horrors committed against them by Israel and they are tired of Israel’s bloodshed. The President said, they will spare no efforts to protect, defend, and enable the Palestinian people to live in peace in their own land. Peace is still within reach and Palestine is stretching out for it.

He pleaded the Council to help Palestine and avoid pushing its people into further desperation, because there is nothing worse than despair and distrust of the present and the future. He asked the Council to be brethren to Palestine and let justice, peace and harmony prevail in its land; to allow children to dream of a life without violence and the young to have an education and a future to look forward to.o.

On October 24 the world will be painted blue

The 24th of October 2015 the world will be hit by a blue wave reaching all main monuments,
churches, archeological sites of almost 200 countries: blue, the official color of the United Nations that day celebrate its 70th birth anniversary.

The statue of the Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Pisa Tower, the Pyramids in Egypt, the Empire State Building in New York, the Hermitage Museum in Russia, all these monuments will remind us that 70 years ago, on that date, the Charter of the United Nations entered into force establishing the birth of this international organization created to maintain peace and international security, to peacefully solve conflicts and to promote the respect for human rights and sustainable development.

VIDES European seminar “Volunteering changes the reality or the reality changes volunteering? An open horizon.”

This Saturday we had the pleasure to assist to the VIDES European seminar “Volunteering changes the reality or the reality changes volunteering? An open horizon.” together with several Salesian representatives from all over the world and VIDES ex-volunteers.

The speakers were Guido Barbera, president of VIDES International, Eugenio Melandri, Italian activist and politician, European parliamentarian, Co-founder of different associations and director of the magazine ”Solidarietá Internazionale”, Fabio Attard, Salesian’s international responsible of Youth Ministry, Sr. MariaGrazia Caputo, founder of VIDES and main representative to the UN at the IIMA Human Rigths Office in Geneva, Sr. Runita Borja, Councilor for Youth Ministry and four VIDES ex-volunteers.

CULTURAL RIGHTS AND VULNERABLE GROUPS

On Tuesday, September 29, 2015 the office assisted to the “Cultural Rights and Vulnerable Groups” side event held by the UNESCO Basque Country Centre, UNESCO Etxea, and the International Catholic Centre of Geneva (CCIG).

The panel consisted of Mylène Bidault. Human Rights Officer at the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Gemma Carbó, Director of the UNESCO Chair in Cultural Policies and Cooperation at the University of Girona and Beatriz Barreiro, Professor of Public International Law and International Relations at the Rey Juan Carlos University.

Oral statetment co-sponsored by VIDES

On the occasion of the 30th Session of Human Rights Council, IIMA addressed once again the topic of Youth Empowerment, by delivering an oral statement co-sponsored by VIDES.

The human rights office of IIMA and VIDES urged the  Council to address major challenges youth are facing in regards to the full enjoyment of their rights. The statement highlighted the importance of  young people as an instrument in fostering constructive dialog for the well being of present and future generations.

Accordingly, IIMA called on all Member States to take concrete actions at local and international levels in order to: (i) consider the UPR as an opportunity to share the best practices they have developed to address this problem; (ii) create strong partnership with civil society actors to develop adequate awareness and to disseminate relevant information to empower youth.