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Top European Human Rights Judges Find Gross Violation of Freedom of Expression April 22, 2010
Related Materials: Letter to Azerbaijan Prosecutor General regarding new charges against Eynulla Fatullayev Azerbaijan: Young Bloggers Jailed Azerbaijan: Appeal Court Leaves Bloggers in Jail
(New York) - The European Court of Human Rights unanimously found Azerbaijan in violation of a journalist's right to freedom of expression today, Human Rights Watch said. The court, by a vote of six to one, also ordered his immediate release.
In its ruling, the court found that Azerbaijan "grossly" and "disproportionately" restricted freedom of expression by imprisoning Eynulla Fatullayev, one of the country's most outspoken journalists. In an exceptional move, the court also told Azerbaijan that its unlawful imprisonment of Fatullayev did "not leave any real choice as to the measures required to remedy the violations" and ordered his immediate release.
"This ruling should end the terrible miscarriage of justice against Fatullayev," said Giorgi Gogia, South Caucasus researcher at Human Rights Watch. "Now Azerbaijani authorities need to set him free."
The European Court of Human Rights is the regional court for the Council of Europe, and is the ultimate arbiter on states' compliance with the European Convention on Human Rights to which Azerbaijan is a party. Judgments of the court are legally binding on states and their execution is subject to supervision by the Council of Europe and the court.
Fatullayev is the founder and editor-in-chief of Realny Azerbaijan and Gundelik Azerbaijan, which were among Azerbaijan's most widely circulated newspapers. Fatullayev was convicted in two separate sets of criminal proceedings. In April 2007, he was charged with defamation and imprisoned for two and a half years over an article and an online comment regarding a 1992 massacre of Azeris in Khojali, Nagorno-Karabakh, when hundreds of Azerbaijani civilians are believed to have been killed by ethnic Armenian armed forces.
Six months later, Fatullayev was sentenced to an additional term, totaling eight and a half years in prison for "fomenting terrorism" in connection with an article he had written in Realny Azerbaijan. The article argued that the government's support for the United States' position on Iran made Azerbaijan vulnerable to attack from Iran, and speculated on likely targets of such an attack.
While the court acknowledged the "very sensitive nature of the issues discussed" in Fatullayev's article regarding the killings at Khojali, it noted that "freedom of information applied not only to information or ideas that are favorably received, but also to those that offend, shock or disturb." It also reiterated the role that freedom of speech and the media play in a democratic society to seek out historical truth.
The court determined that the second article was a matter of "general and public concern" and concluded that it had been Fatullayev's task as a journalist to impart information and express opinion about the government's foreign policy stance and possible consequences. The court said that the publication of a list of possible targets "neither increased nor decreased the chances of a hypothetical Iranian attack," and that Fatullayev's conviction by the domestic court had been arbitrary.
5454555454
Monday 22 February 2010, 12:22 pm
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Sunday 21 February 2010, 6:24 pm
jcreddy
Wednesday 17 February 2010, 9:02 am
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Custody Under Hindu, Muslim, Christian And Parsi Law’s
Child custody is a term used in family law courts to define legal guardianship of a child under the age of 18. During divorce or marriage annulment proceedings, the issue of child custody often becomes a matter for the court to determine. In most cases, both parents continue to share legal child custody but one parent gains physical child custody. Family law courts generally base decisions on the best interests of the child or children, not always on the best arguments of each parent. In general, courts tend to award PHYSICAL child custody to the parent who demonstrates the most financial security, adequate parenting skills and the least disruption for the child. Both parents continue to share legal child custody until the minor has reached the age of 18 or becomes legally emancipated. Legal custody means that either parent can make decisions which affect the welfare of the child, such as medical treatments, religious practices and insurance claims. Physical child custody means that one parent is held primarily responsible for the child's housing, educational needs and food. In most cases, the non-custodial parent still has visitation rights. Many of the religions practicing in India have their own personal laws and they have their different notion of custody.
Custody Under Hindu Law: All the personal law matrimonial statutes make provisions for dealing with the issue of child custody. The provisions in the matrimonial Acts can, however, be invoked only when there are some proceedings pending under the Act. Hindus have an additional Act, viz the Hindu Minority and Guardianship Act 1956 (HMGA). Apart from this, there is the Guardians and Wards Act 1890 (GWA). This is a secular law for appointment and declaration of guardians and allied matters, irrespective of caste, community or religion, though in certain matters, the court will give consideration to the personal law of the parties. The provisions of the HMGA (and other personal laws) and the GWA are complementary and not in derogation to each other, and the courts are obliged to read them together in a harmonious way. In determining the question of custody and guardianship, the paramount consideration is the welfare of the minor. The word `welfare' has to be taken in its widest sense, and must include the child's, moral as well as physical well-being, and also have regard to the ties of affection.
The English and Indian decisions are replete with such statements that : (i) the children of tender years should be committed to the custody of the mother, (ii) older boys should be in the custody of the father, and (iii) older girls in the custody of the mother. But these are judicial statements of general nature and there is no hard. and fast rule. As to the children of tender years it is now a firmly established practice that mother. should have their custody since father cannot provide that maternal affection which are essential for their proper growth. It is also now ac for proper psychological development of children of tender years ma is indispensable.
The Hindu Minority and Guardianship Act, 1956 contains a provision which lays down that custody of a child upon the age of five should ordinarily be with the mother. Under other personal laws, though it is no such statutory provision, the Indian courts have consistently taken view. The following observation of Beaumont, CJ. represents the judicial knew ......if mother is a suitable person to take charge of the child quite impossible to find an adequate substitute for her for the child.
In In Re Kamal Rudra Das J. expressed the same view vividly thus : „, I have no doubt in my mind that the mother's lap is God's own cradle for a child of this age, and that as between father and mother, other things being equal, a child of such tender age should remain with mother.'
But a mother who neglects the infant child as she does not want to sacrifice the type of life she leading can be deprived of custody. In respect of older children our courts take the view that the male children above the age of sixteen years and female children above the age of fourteen years, should not ordinarily be compelled to live in the custody to which they object.' However, even the wishes of the mature children will be given consideration only if they are consistent with their welfare! In Venkataramma v.. Tulsi,' the court disregarded the wishes of the children as it found these to induced by wholesale persuasion and were even tortured.
Custody to third persons. -Ordinarily, custody should be given to either of the parents. But where welfare so requires, custody may be given to a third person. In Baby v., Vijay granting custody of two minor children to maternal grandfather, the court observed that even if the father was not found unfit, custody might be given to a third person in the welfare of the child.
Custody Under Muslim Law: The first and foremost right to have the custody of children belongs to the mother and she cannot be deprived of her right so long as she is not found guilty of misconduct. Mother has the right of custody so long as she is not disqualified. This right is known as right of hizanat and it can be enforced against the father or any other person. The mother’s right of hizanat was solely recognized in the interest of the children and in no sense it is an absolute right
Son—Among the Hanafis, it is an established rule that mother’s right of hizanat over her son terminates on the latter’s completing the age of 7 years. The Shias hold the view that the mother is entitled to the custody of her son till he is weaned. Among the Malikis the mother’s right of hizanat over her son continues till the child has attained the age of puberty. The rule among the Shafiis and the Hanabalis remains the same.
Daughter—Among the hanafis the mother is entitled to the custody of her daughters till the age of puberty and among the Malilikis, Shafiis and the Hanabalis the mother’s right of custody over her daughters continues till they are married. Under the Ithna Ashari law the mother is entitled to the custody of her daughters till they attain the age of 7. The mother has the right of custody of her children up to the ages specified in each school, irrespective of the fact whether the child is legitimate or illegitimate. Mother cannot surrender her right to any person including her husband, the father of the child. Under the Shia school after the mother hizanat belongs to the father. In the absence of both the parents or on their being disqualified the grandfather is entitled to custody. Among the Malikis following females are entitled to custody in the absence of mother: 1. maternal grandmother 2. maternal great grandmother 3. maternal aunt and great aunt 4. full sister 5. uterine sister 6. consanguine sister 7. paternal aunt Father’s right of hizanat—All the schools of Muslim law recognize father’s right of hizanat under two conditions that are: • on the completion of the age by the child up to which mother or other females are entitled to custody. • In the absence of mother or other females who have the right to hizanat of minor children. • Father undoubtedly has the power of appointing a testamentary guardian and entrusting him with the custody of his children. Other male relations entitled to hizanat are: 1. nearest paternal grandfather 2. full brother 3. consanguine brother 4. full brother’s son 5. consanguine brother’s father 6. full brother of the father 7. consanguine brother of the father 8. father’s full brother’s son 9. father’s consanguine brother’s son Among the Shias hizanat belongs to the grandfather in the absence of the father.
When Right if Hizanat may be lost by Hazina or Hazin. All the schools of Muslim law agree that a hazina should be: i) of sound mind ii) good moral character iii) living at such a place where there is no risk, morally or physically to the child iv) of such a age which would qualify her to bestow on the child the care it may need (not applicable to the mother)
The Shia law is very categorical and lays down that a person who has ceased to be muslim is not entitled to the cutody of the child. Also hazina who marries a person not related to the child within the degrees of prohibited relationship forfeits her right of hizanat. The cardinal principal of hizanat in muslim law is the “welfare of the child”. The rights of hizanat cannot be lost on account of her poverty or want of funds to maintain the child. Also neither the father nor the mother has the right to remove the child from the matrimonial home. Hazin may be deprived of the custody of the child if he is a minor or of unsound mind. Also hazin who is leading an immoral life or who is a profligate has no right to the custody of the child.
De Facto Guardian: A de facto guardian is a concept under which past act results in present status and a de facto guardian is a self appointed guardian. Tayabji defines a de facto guardian as “an (unauthorized) person who as a matter of fact has the custody and care of the person and/or of his property.” A de facto guardian has no power of alienation of a minor’s property and that such an alienation is void. He has no power to convey any right of interest in immovable property which the transfer can enforce against the minor. A partition of property effected by the de facto guardian is void and not binding on the minor. The period of limitation to set aside a transfer by the de facto guardian is 12 years.
Custody Under Christian Law: Christian law per se does not have any provision for custody but the issues are well solved by the Indian Divorce Act which is applicable to all of the religions of the country. The Indian Divorce Act, 1869 contains provisions relating to custody of children. Section 41 of the said Act provides with the powers to make orders as to custody of children in suit for separation. -In any suit for obtaining a judicial separation the Court may from time to time, before making its decree, make such interim orders, and may make such provision in the decree, as it deems proper with respect to the custody, maintenance and education of the minor children, the marriage of whose parents is the subject of such suit, and may, if it think fit, direct proceedings to be taken for placing such children under the protection of the said Court.
In the case of Rosy Jacob v. Jacob A. Chakramakkal the Court held that: All orders relating to the custody of the minor wards from their very nature must be considered to be temporary orders made in the existing circumstances. With the changed conditions and circumstances, including the passage of time, the Court is entitled to vary such orders if such variation is considered to be in the interest of the welfare of the wards. It is unnecessary to refer to some of the decided cases relating to estoppel based on consent decrees, cited at the bar. Orders relating to custody of wards even when based on consent are liable to be varied by the Court, if the welfare of the wards demands variation. ‘The Court, after a decree of judicial separation, may upon application (by petition) for this purpose make, from time to time, all such orders and provision, with respect to the custody, maintenance and education of the minor children, the marriage of whose parents is the subject of the decree, or for placing such children under the protection of the said Court, as might have been made by such decree or by interim orders in case the proceedings for obtaining such decree were still pending’. In any suit for obtaining a dissolution of marriage or a decree of nullity of marriage instituted in, or removed to, a High Court, the Court may from time to time, before making its decree absolute or its decree (as the case may be), make such interim orders, and may make such provision in the decree absolute or decree and in any such suit instituted in a District Court, the Court may from time to time, before its decree is confirmed, make such interim orders, and may make such provision on such confirmation, as the High Court or District Court (as the case may be) deems proper with respect to the custody, maintenance and education of the minor children, the marriage of whose parents is the subject of the suit, and may, if it thinks fit, direct proceedings to be taken for placing such children under the protection of the Court.
In Halsbury's Laws of England, the Law is succinctly in the following terms:- "428. Infant's welfare paramount. In any proceedings before any Court, concerning the custody or upbringing of an infant or the administration of any property belonging to or held on trust for an infant or the application of the income thereof, the Court must regard the welfare of the infant as the first and paramount consideration, and must not take into consideration, whether from any other point of view, the claim of the father, or any right at common law possessed by the father in respect of such custody, upbringing administration or application is superior to that of the mother, or the claim of the mother is superior to that of the father. This provision applies whether both parents are living or either or both is or are dead.
Even where the infant is a foreign national, the Court, while giving weight to the views of the foreign Court, is bound to treat the welfare of the infant as being of the first and paramount consideration whatever orders may have been made by the Courts of any other country."
In the case of Rosy Jacob v. Jacob A. Chakrammakkal, this Court has observed: "Where, however, family dissolution due to some unavoidable circumstances becomes necessary the Court has to come to a judicial decision on the question of the welfare of the children on a full consideration of all the relevant circumstances. Merely because the father loves his children and is not shown to be otherwise undesirable cannot necessarily lead to the conclusion that the welfare of the children would be better promoted by granting their custody to him as against the wife who may also be equally affectionate towards her children and otherwise equally free from blemish, and who in addition because of her profession and financial resources, may be in a position to guarantee better health, education and maintenance for them. The children are not mere chattels; nor are they mere playthings for their parents. Absolute right of parents over the destinies and the lives of their children has, in the modern changed social conditions, yielded to the considerations of their welfare as human beings so that they may grow up in a normal balanced manner to be useful members of the society and the guardian Court in case of a dispute between the mother and the father, is expected to strike a just and proper balance between the requirements of welfare of the minor children and the rights of their respective parents, over them.
Custody Under Parsi Law The issue of custody is dealt with by the Guardians and Wards Act of 1890, under which it is a well-established principle that the welfare of the child is paramount - i.e., the most important thing considered by the Guardian Court when deciding custody.
No matter what customs or personal law rules the parents’ community or sect follows regarding custody, any parent who wants custody and does not presently have custody has to seek custody from the Guardian Court. In other words, there is never any automatic transfer of a child’s custody to a particular parent.
Factors Considered by the Courts when Granting Custody # The welfare of the minor is very broadly defined and includes many diverse factors, notably: # the age, sex and religion of the minor: courts take into account the personal law of the father). Thewelfare of younger children is generally regarded as being in the mother’s custody; # the character and capacity of the proposed guardian: courts usually reject baseless allegations against mothers; # the wishes, if any, of a deceased parent, for example specified in a will; # any existing or previous relations of the proposed guardian with the minor’s property: courts do not look kindly on guardians seeking custody just in order to have control over the minor’s property. But if, for example, the minor’s property is shared with the mother and she is otherwise a suitable guardian, the court will regard the property relationship as an additional factor in the mother’s favour. # the minor’s preference if she/he is old enough to form an intelligent preference, usually accepted as about 9 years old. # whether siblings would be divided: courts prefer to keep children united and award custody of both to either the mother OR the father. # whether either/both parents have remarried and there are step-children: Although the mother’s remarriage to someone who is not the children’s close blood-relative often means the court will not grant her custody, this rule is not strictly followed. Although the father’s remarriage usually denies him custody, sometimes the courts agree to grant him custody especially when the children’s step-mother cannot or will not have her own children. # whether the parents live far apart: courts sometimes do not give the mother custody because she lives very far away from the father who is the ‘natural’ guardian. But in 1994 an Uzbek woman living in Uzbekistan was given custody; the judge said modern transport had shortened distances and meant that the father could depart from his home in the morning and return by evening. # the child’s comfort, health, material, intellectual, moral and spiritual welfare: this very broad category includes the adequate and undisturbed education of the child.
However, the mere fact that the mother is economically less secure than the father, or that she suffers from ill-health or a disability is not usually reason enough to deny her custody because maintenance is the father’s responsibility irrespective of who holds custody. The mental and psychological development of the minor should not be upset by a reversal of the existing status quo: courts will take into account the likely impact of a change in guardians and the child’s reaction to this change.
R.SHRAVAN KUMAR
Friday 12 February 2010, 1:06 pm
Custody Laws
Category: Home \ Family law Article:
Custody Under Hindu, Muslim, Christian And Parsi Law’s
Child custody is a term used in family law courts to define legal guardianship of a child under the age of 18. During divorce or marriage annulment proceedings, the issue of child custody often becomes a matter for the court to determine. In most cases, both parents continue to share legal child custody but one parent gains physical child custody. Family law courts generally base decisions on the best interests of the child or children, not always on the best arguments of each parent. In general, courts tend to award PHYSICAL child custody to the parent who demonstrates the most financial security, adequate parenting skills and the least disruption for the child. Both parents continue to share legal child custody until the minor has reached the age of 18 or becomes legally emancipated. Legal custody means that either parent can make decisions which affect the welfare of the child, such as medical treatments, religious practices and insurance claims. Physical child custody means that one parent is held primarily responsible for the child's housing, educational needs and food. In most cases, the non-custodial parent still has visitation rights. Many of the religions practicing in India have their own personal laws and they have their different notion of custody.
Custody Under Hindu Law: All the personal law matrimonial statutes make provisions for dealing with the issue of child custody. The provisions in the matrimonial Acts can, however, be invoked only when there are some proceedings pending under the Act. Hindus have an additional Act, viz the Hindu Minority and Guardianship Act 1956 (HMGA). Apart from this, there is the Guardians and Wards Act 1890 (GWA). This is a secular law for appointment and declaration of guardians and allied matters, irrespective of caste, community or religion, though in certain matters, the court will give consideration to the personal law of the parties. The provisions of the HMGA (and other personal laws) and the GWA are complementary and not in derogation to each other, and the courts are obliged to read them together in a harmonious way. In determining the question of custody and guardianship, the paramount consideration is the welfare of the minor. The word `welfare' has to be taken in its widest sense, and must include the child's, moral as well as physical well-being, and also have regard to the ties of affection.
The English and Indian decisions are replete with such statements that : (i) the children of tender years should be committed to the custody of the mother, (ii) older boys should be in the custody of the father, and (iii) older girls in the custody of the mother. But these are judicial statements of general nature and there is no hard. and fast rule. As to the children of tender years it is now a firmly established practice that mother. should have their custody since father cannot provide that maternal affection which are essential for their proper growth. It is also now ac for proper psychological development of children of tender years ma is indispensable.
The Hindu Minority and Guardianship Act, 1956 contains a provision which lays down that custody of a child upon the age of five should ordinarily be with the mother. Under other personal laws, though it is no such statutory provision, the Indian courts have consistently taken view. The following observation of Beaumont, CJ. represents the judicial knew ......if mother is a suitable person to take charge of the child quite impossible to find an adequate substitute for her for the child.
In In Re Kamal Rudra Das J. expressed the same view vividly thus : „, I have no doubt in my mind that the mother's lap is God's own cradle for a child of this age, and that as between father and mother, other things being equal, a child of such tender age should remain with mother.'
But a mother who neglects the infant child as she does not want to sacrifice the type of life she leading can be deprived of custody. In respect of older children our courts take the view that the male children above the age of sixteen years and female children above the age of fourteen years, should not ordinarily be compelled to live in the custody to which they object.' However, even the wishes of the mature children will be given consideration only if they are consistent with their welfare! In Venkataramma v.. Tulsi,' the court disregarded the wishes of the children as it found these to induced by wholesale persuasion and were even tortured.
Custody to third persons. -Ordinarily, custody should be given to either of the parents. But where welfare so requires, custody may be given to a third person. In Baby v., Vijay granting custody of two minor children to maternal grandfather, the court observed that even if the father was not found unfit, custody might be given to a third person in the welfare of the child.
Custody Under Muslim Law: The first and foremost right to have the custody of children belongs to the mother and she cannot be deprived of her right so long as she is not found guilty of misconduct. Mother has the right of custody so long as she is not disqualified. This right is known as right of hizanat and it can be enforced against the father or any other person. The mother’s right of hizanat was solely recognized in the interest of the children and in no sense it is an absolute right
Son—Among the Hanafis, it is an established rule that mother’s right of hizanat over her son terminates on the latter’s completing the age of 7 years. The Shias hold the view that the mother is entitled to the custody of her son till he is weaned. Among the Malikis the mother’s right of hizanat over her son continues till the child has attained the age of puberty. The rule among the Shafiis and the Hanabalis remains the same.
Daughter—Among the hanafis the mother is entitled to the custody of her daughters till the age of puberty and among the Malilikis, Shafiis and the Hanabalis the mother’s right of custody over her daughters continues till they are married. Under the Ithna Ashari law the mother is entitled to the custody of her daughters till they attain the age of 7. The mother has the right of custody of her children up to the ages specified in each school, irrespective of the fact whether the child is legitimate or illegitimate. Mother cannot surrender her right to any person including her husband, the father of the child. Under the Shia school after the mother hizanat belongs to the father. In the absence of both the parents or on their being disqualified the grandfather is entitled to custody. Among the Malikis following females are entitled to custody in the absence of mother: 1. maternal grandmother 2. maternal great grandmother 3. maternal aunt and great aunt 4. full sister 5. uterine sister 6. consanguine sister 7. paternal aunt Father’s right of hizanat—All the schools of Muslim law recognize father’s right of hizanat under two conditions that are: • on the completion of the age by the child up to which mother or other females are entitled to custody. • In the absence of mother or other females who have the right to hizanat of minor children. • Father undoubtedly has the power of appointing a testamentary guardian and entrusting him with the custody of his children. Other male relations entitled to hizanat are: 1. nearest paternal grandfather 2. full brother 3. consanguine brother 4. full brother’s son 5. consanguine brother’s father 6. full brother of the father 7. consanguine brother of the father 8. father’s full brother’s son 9. father’s consanguine brother’s son Among the Shias hizanat belongs to the grandfather in the absence of the father.
When Right if Hizanat may be lost by Hazina or Hazin. All the schools of Muslim law agree that a hazina should be: i) of sound mind ii) good moral character iii) living at such a place where there is no risk, morally or physically to the child iv) of such a age which would qualify her to bestow on the child the care it may need (not applicable to the mother)
The Shia law is very categorical and lays down that a person who has ceased to be muslim is not entitled to the cutody of the child. Also hazina who marries a person not related to the child within the degrees of prohibited relationship forfeits her right of hizanat. The cardinal principal of hizanat in muslim law is the “welfare of the child”. The rights of hizanat cannot be lost on account of her poverty or want of funds to maintain the child. Also neither the father nor the mother has the right to remove the child from the matrimonial home. Hazin may be deprived of the custody of the child if he is a minor or of unsound mind. Also hazin who is leading an immoral life or who is a profligate has no right to the custody of the child.
De Facto Guardian: A de facto guardian is a concept under which past act results in present status and a de facto guardian is a self appointed guardian. Tayabji defines a de facto guardian as “an (unauthorized) person who as a matter of fact has the custody and care of the person and/or of his property.” A de facto guardian has no power of alienation of a minor’s property and that such an alienation is void. He has no power to convey any right of interest in immovable property which the transfer can enforce against the minor. A partition of property effected by the de facto guardian is void and not binding on the minor. The period of limitation to set aside a transfer by the de facto guardian is 12 years.
Custody Under Christian Law: Christian law per se does not have any provision for custody but the issues are well solved by the Indian Divorce Act which is applicable to all of the religions of the country. The Indian Divorce Act, 1869 contains provisions relating to custody of children. Section 41 of the said Act provides with the powers to make orders as to custody of children in suit for separation. -In any suit for obtaining a judicial separation the Court may from time to time, before making its decree, make such interim orders, and may make such provision in the decree, as it deems proper with respect to the custody, maintenance and education of the minor children, the marriage of whose parents is the subject of such suit, and may, if it think fit, direct proceedings to be taken for placing such children under the protection of the said Court.
In the case of Rosy Jacob v. Jacob A. Chakramakkal the Court held that: All orders relating to the custody of the minor wards from their very nature must be considered to be temporary orders made in the existing circumstances. With the changed conditions and circumstances, including the passage of time, the Court is entitled to vary such orders if such variation is considered to be in the interest of the welfare of the wards. It is unnecessary to refer to some of the decided cases relating to estoppel based on consent decrees, cited at the bar. Orders relating to custody of wards even when based on consent are liable to be varied by the Court, if the welfare of the wards demands variation. ‘The Court, after a decree of judicial separation, may upon application (by petition) for this purpose make, from time to time, all such orders and provision, with respect to the custody, maintenance and education of the minor children, the marriage of whose parents is the subject of the decree, or for placing such children under the protection of the said Court, as might have been made by such decree or by interim orders in case the proceedings for obtaining such decree were still pending’. In any suit for obtaining a dissolution of marriage or a decree of nullity of marriage instituted in, or removed to, a High Court, the Court may from time to time, before making its decree absolute or its decree (as the case may be), make such interim orders, and may make such provision in the decree absolute or decree and in any such suit instituted in a District Court, the Court may from time to time, before its decree is confirmed, make such interim orders, and may make such provision on such confirmation, as the High Court or District Court (as the case may be) deems proper with respect to the custody, maintenance and education of the minor children, the marriage of whose parents is the subject of the suit, and may, if it thinks fit, direct proceedings to be taken for placing such children under the protection of the Court.
In Halsbury's Laws of England, the Law is succinctly in the following terms:- "428. Infant's welfare paramount. In any proceedings before any Court, concerning the custody or upbringing of an infant or the administration of any property belonging to or held on trust for an infant or the application of the income thereof, the Court must regard the welfare of the infant as the first and paramount consideration, and must not take into consideration, whether from any other point of view, the claim of the father, or any right at common law possessed by the father in respect of such custody, upbringing administration or application is superior to that of the mother, or the claim of the mother is superior to that of the father. This provision applies whether both parents are living or either or both is or are dead.
Even where the infant is a foreign national, the Court, while giving weight to the views of the foreign Court, is bound to treat the welfare of the infant as being of the first and paramount consideration whatever orders may have been made by the Courts of any other country."
In the case of Rosy Jacob v. Jacob A. Chakrammakkal, this Court has observed: "Where, however, family dissolution due to some unavoidable circumstances becomes necessary the Court has to come to a judicial decision on the question of the welfare of the children on a full consideration of all the relevant circumstances. Merely because the father loves his children and is not shown to be otherwise undesirable cannot necessarily lead to the conclusion that the welfare of the children would be better promoted by granting their custody to him as against the wife who may also be equally affectionate towards her children and otherwise equally free from blemish, and who in addition because of her profession and financial resources, may be in a position to guarantee better health, education and maintenance for them. The children are not mere chattels; nor are they mere playthings for their parents. Absolute right of parents over the destinies and the lives of their children has, in the modern changed social conditions, yielded to the considerations of their welfare as human beings so that they may grow up in a normal balanced manner to be useful members of the society and the guardian Court in case of a dispute between the mother and the father, is expected to strike a just and proper balance between the requirements of welfare of the minor children and the rights of their respective parents, over them.
Custody Under Parsi Law The issue of custody is dealt with by the Guardians and Wards Act of 1890, under which it is a well-established principle that the welfare of the child is paramount - i.e., the most important thing considered by the Guardian Court when deciding custody.
No matter what customs or personal law rules the parents’ community or sect follows regarding custody, any parent who wants custody and does not presently have custody has to seek custody from the Guardian Court. In other words, there is never any automatic transfer of a child’s custody to a particular parent.
Factors Considered by the Courts when Granting Custody # The welfare of the minor is very broadly defined and includes many diverse factors, notably: # the age, sex and religion of the minor: courts take into account the personal law of the father). Thewelfare of younger children is generally regarded as being in the mother’s custody; # the character and capacity of the proposed guardian: courts usually reject baseless allegations against mothers; # the wishes, if any, of a deceased parent, for example specified in a will; # any existing or previous relations of the proposed guardian with the minor’s property: courts do not look kindly on guardians seeking custody just in order to have control over the minor’s property. But if, for example, the minor’s property is shared with the mother and she is otherwise a suitable guardian, the court will regard the property relationship as an additional factor in the mother’s favour. # the minor’s preference if she/he is old enough to form an intelligent preference, usually accepted as about 9 years old. # whether siblings would be divided: courts prefer to keep children united and award custody of both to either the mother OR the father. # whether either/both parents have remarried and there are step-children: Although the mother’s remarriage to someone who is not the children’s close blood-relative often means the court will not grant her custody, this rule is not strictly followed. Although the father’s remarriage usually denies him custody, sometimes the courts agree to grant him custody especially when the children’s step-mother cannot or will not have her own children. # whether the parents live far apart: courts sometimes do not give the mother custody because she lives very far away from the father who is the ‘natural’ guardian. But in 1994 an Uzbek woman living in Uzbekistan was given custody; the judge said modern transport had shortened distances and meant that the father could depart from his home in the morning and return by evening. # the child’s comfort, health, material, intellectual, moral and spiritual welfare: this very broad category includes the adequate and undisturbed education of the child.
However, the mere fact that the mother is economically less secure than the father, or that she suffers from ill-health or a disability is not usually reason enough to deny her custody because maintenance is the father’s responsibility irrespective of who holds custody. The mental and psychological development of the minor should not be upset by a reversal of the existing status quo: courts will take into account the likely impact of a change in guardians and the child’s reaction to this change.
R.SHRAVAN KUMAR
Friday 12 February 2010, 1:05 pm
Custody Laws
Category: Home \ Family law Article:
Custody Under Hindu, Muslim, Christian And Parsi Law’s
Child custody is a term used in family law courts to define legal guardianship of a child under the age of 18. During divorce or marriage annulment proceedings, the issue of child custody often becomes a matter for the court to determine. In most cases, both parents continue to share legal child custody but one parent gains physical child custody. Family law courts generally base decisions on the best interests of the child or children, not always on the best arguments of each parent. In general, courts tend to award PHYSICAL child custody to the parent who demonstrates the most financial security, adequate parenting skills and the least disruption for the child. Both parents continue to share legal child custody until the minor has reached the age of 18 or becomes legally emancipated. Legal custody means that either parent can make decisions which affect the welfare of the child, such as medical treatments, religious practices and insurance claims. Physical child custody means that one parent is held primarily responsible for the child's housing, educational needs and food. In most cases, the non-custodial parent still has visitation rights. Many of the religions practicing in India have their own personal laws and they have their different notion of custody.
Custody Under Hindu Law: All the personal law matrimonial statutes make provisions for dealing with the issue of child custody. The provisions in the matrimonial Acts can, however, be invoked only when there are some proceedings pending under the Act. Hindus have an additional Act, viz the Hindu Minority and Guardianship Act 1956 (HMGA). Apart from this, there is the Guardians and Wards Act 1890 (GWA). This is a secular law for appointment and declaration of guardians and allied matters, irrespective of caste, community or religion, though in certain matters, the court will give consideration to the personal law of the parties. The provisions of the HMGA (and other personal laws) and the GWA are complementary and not in derogation to each other, and the courts are obliged to read them together in a harmonious way. In determining the question of custody and guardianship, the paramount consideration is the welfare of the minor. The word `welfare' has to be taken in its widest sense, and must include the child's, moral as well as physical well-being, and also have regard to the ties of affection.
The English and Indian decisions are replete with such statements that : (i) the children of tender years should be committed to the custody of the mother, (ii) older boys should be in the custody of the father, and (iii) older girls in the custody of the mother. But these are judicial statements of general nature and there is no hard. and fast rule. As to the children of tender years it is now a firmly established practice that mother. should have their custody since father cannot provide that maternal affection which are essential for their proper growth. It is also now ac for proper psychological development of children of tender years ma is indispensable.
The Hindu Minority and Guardianship Act, 1956 contains a provision which lays down that custody of a child upon the age of five should ordinarily be with the mother. Under other personal laws, though it is no such statutory provision, the Indian courts have consistently taken view. The following observation of Beaumont, CJ. represents the judicial knew ......if mother is a suitable person to take charge of the child quite impossible to find an adequate substitute for her for the child.
In In Re Kamal Rudra Das J. expressed the same view vividly thus : „, I have no doubt in my mind that the mother's lap is God's own cradle for a child of this age, and that as between father and mother, other things being equal, a child of such tender age should remain with mother.'
But a mother who neglects the infant child as she does not want to sacrifice the type of life she leading can be deprived of custody. In respect of older children our courts take the view that the male children above the age of sixteen years and female children above the age of fourteen years, should not ordinarily be compelled to live in the custody to which they object.' However, even the wishes of the mature children will be given consideration only if they are consistent with their welfare! In Venkataramma v.. Tulsi,' the court disregarded the wishes of the children as it found these to induced by wholesale persuasion and were even tortured.
Custody to third persons. -Ordinarily, custody should be given to either of the parents. But where welfare so requires, custody may be given to a third person. In Baby v., Vijay granting custody of two minor children to maternal grandfather, the court observed that even if the father was not found unfit, custody might be given to a third person in the welfare of the child.
Custody Under Muslim Law: The first and foremost right to have the custody of children belongs to the mother and she cannot be deprived of her right so long as she is not found guilty of misconduct. Mother has the right of custody so long as she is not disqualified. This right is known as right of hizanat and it can be enforced against the father or any other person. The mother’s right of hizanat was solely recognized in the interest of the children and in no sense it is an absolute right
Son—Among the Hanafis, it is an established rule that mother’s right of hizanat over her son terminates on the latter’s completing the age of 7 years. The Shias hold the view that the mother is entitled to the custody of her son till he is weaned. Among the Malikis the mother’s right of hizanat over her son continues till the child has attained the age of puberty. The rule among the Shafiis and the Hanabalis remains the same.
Daughter—Among the hanafis the mother is entitled to the custody of her daughters till the age of puberty and among the Malilikis, Shafiis and the Hanabalis the mother’s right of custody over her daughters continues till they are married. Under the Ithna Ashari law the mother is entitled to the custody of her daughters till they attain the age of 7. The mother has the right of custody of her children up to the ages specified in each school, irrespective of the fact whether the child is legitimate or illegitimate. Mother cannot surrender her right to any person including her husband, the father of the child. Under the Shia school after the mother hizanat belongs to the father. In the absence of both the parents or on their being disqualified the grandfather is entitled to custody. Among the Malikis following females are entitled to custody in the absence of mother: 1. maternal grandmother 2. maternal great grandmother 3. maternal aunt and great aunt 4. full sister 5. uterine sister 6. consanguine sister 7. paternal aunt Father’s right of hizanat—All the schools of Muslim law recognize father’s right of hizanat under two conditions that are: • on the completion of the age by the child up to which mother or other females are entitled to custody. • In the absence of mother or other females who have the right to hizanat of minor children. • Father undoubtedly has the power of appointing a testamentary guardian and entrusting him with the custody of his children. Other male relations entitled to hizanat are: 1. nearest paternal grandfather 2. full brother 3. consanguine brother 4. full brother’s son 5. consanguine brother’s father 6. full brother of the father 7. consanguine brother of the father 8. father’s full brother’s son 9. father’s consanguine brother’s son Among the Shias hizanat belongs to the grandfather in the absence of the father.
When Right if Hizanat may be lost by Hazina or Hazin. All the schools of Muslim law agree that a hazina should be: i) of sound mind ii) good moral character iii) living at such a place where there is no risk, morally or physically to the child iv) of such a age which would qualify her to bestow on the child the care it may need (not applicable to the mother)
The Shia law is very categorical and lays down that a person who has ceased to be muslim is not entitled to the cutody of the child. Also hazina who marries a person not related to the child within the degrees of prohibited relationship forfeits her right of hizanat. The cardinal principal of hizanat in muslim law is the “welfare of the child”. The rights of hizanat cannot be lost on account of her poverty or want of funds to maintain the child. Also neither the father nor the mother has the right to remove the child from the matrimonial home. Hazin may be deprived of the custody of the child if he is a minor or of unsound mind. Also hazin who is leading an immoral life or who is a profligate has no right to the custody of the child.
De Facto Guardian: A de facto guardian is a concept under which past act results in present status and a de facto guardian is a self appointed guardian. Tayabji defines a de facto guardian as “an (unauthorized) person who as a matter of fact has the custody and care of the person and/or of his property.” A de facto guardian has no power of alienation of a minor’s property and that such an alienation is void. He has no power to convey any right of interest in immovable property which the transfer can enforce against the minor. A partition of property effected by the de facto guardian is void and not binding on the minor. The period of limitation to set aside a transfer by the de facto guardian is 12 years.
Custody Under Christian Law: Christian law per se does not have any provision for custody but the issues are well solved by the Indian Divorce Act which is applicable to all of the religions of the country. The Indian Divorce Act, 1869 contains provisions relating to custody of children. Section 41 of the said Act provides with the powers to make orders as to custody of children in suit for separation. -In any suit for obtaining a judicial separation the Court may from time to time, before making its decree, make such interim orders, and may make such provision in the decree, as it deems proper with respect to the custody, maintenance and education of the minor children, the marriage of whose parents is the subject of such suit, and may, if it think fit, direct proceedings to be taken for placing such children under the protection of the said Court.
In the case of Rosy Jacob v. Jacob A. Chakramakkal the Court held that: All orders relating to the custody of the minor wards from their very nature must be considered to be temporary orders made in the existing circumstances. With the changed conditions and circumstances, including the passage of time, the Court is entitled to vary such orders if such variation is considered to be in the interest of the welfare of the wards. It is unnecessary to refer to some of the decided cases relating to estoppel based on consent decrees, cited at the bar. Orders relating to custody of wards even when based on consent are liable to be varied by the Court, if the welfare of the wards demands variation. ‘The Court, after a decree of judicial separation, may upon application (by petition) for this purpose make, from time to time, all such orders and provision, with respect to the custody, maintenance and education of the minor children, the marriage of whose parents is the subject of the decree, or for placing such children under the protection of the said Court, as might have been made by such decree or by interim orders in case the proceedings for obtaining such decree were still pending’. In any suit for obtaining a dissolution of marriage or a decree of nullity of marriage instituted in, or removed to, a High Court, the Court may from time to time, before making its decree absolute or its decree (as the case may be), make such interim orders, and may make such provision in the decree absolute or decree and in any such suit instituted in a District Court, the Court may from time to time, before its decree is confirmed, make such interim orders, and may make such provision on such confirmation, as the High Court or District Court (as the case may be) deems proper with respect to the custody, maintenance and education of the minor children, the marriage of whose parents is the subject of the suit, and may, if it thinks fit, direct proceedings to be taken for placing such children under the protection of the Court.
In Halsbury's Laws of England, the Law is succinctly in the following terms:- "428. Infant's welfare paramount. In any proceedings before any Court, concerning the custody or upbringing of an infant or the administration of any property belonging to or held on trust for an infant or the application of the income thereof, the Court must regard the welfare of the infant as the first and paramount consideration, and must not take into consideration, whether from any other point of view, the claim of the father, or any right at common law possessed by the father in respect of such custody, upbringing administration or application is superior to that of the mother, or the claim of the mother is superior to that of the father. This provision applies whether both parents are living or either or both is or are dead.
Even where the infant is a foreign national, the Court, while giving weight to the views of the foreign Court, is bound to treat the welfare of the infant as being of the first and paramount consideration whatever orders may have been made by the Courts of any other country."
In the case of Rosy Jacob v. Jacob A. Chakrammakkal, this Court has observed: "Where, however, family dissolution due to some unavoidable circumstances becomes necessary the Court has to come to a judicial decision on the question of the welfare of the children on a full consideration of all the relevant circumstances. Merely because the father loves his children and is not shown to be otherwise undesirable cannot necessarily lead to the conclusion that the welfare of the children would be better promoted by granting their custody to him as against the wife who may also be equally affectionate towards her children and otherwise equally free from blemish, and who in addition because of her profession and financial resources, may be in a position to guarantee better health, education and maintenance for them. The children are not mere chattels; nor are they mere playthings for their parents. Absolute right of parents over the destinies and the lives of their children has, in the modern changed social conditions, yielded to the considerations of their welfare as human beings so that they may grow up in a normal balanced manner to be useful members of the society and the guardian Court in case of a dispute between the mother and the father, is expected to strike a just and proper balance between the requirements of welfare of the minor children and the rights of their respective parents, over them.
Custody Under Parsi Law The issue of custody is dealt with by the Guardians and Wards Act of 1890, under which it is a well-established principle that the welfare of the child is paramount - i.e., the most important thing considered by the Guardian Court when deciding custody.
No matter what customs or personal law rules the parents’ community or sect follows regarding custody, any parent who wants custody and does not presently have custody has to seek custody from the Guardian Court. In other words, there is never any automatic transfer of a child’s custody to a particular parent.
Factors Considered by the Courts when Granting Custody # The welfare of the minor is very broadly defined and includes many diverse factors, notably: # the age, sex and religion of the minor: courts take into account the personal law of the father). Thewelfare of younger children is generally regarded as being in the mother’s custody; # the character and capacity of the proposed guardian: courts usually reject baseless allegations against mothers; # the wishes, if any, of a deceased parent, for example specified in a will; # any existing or previous relations of the proposed guardian with the minor’s property: courts do not look kindly on guardians seeking custody just in order to have control over the minor’s property. But if, for example, the minor’s property is shared with the mother and she is otherwise a suitable guardian, the court will regard the property relationship as an additional factor in the mother’s favour. # the minor’s preference if she/he is old enough to form an intelligent preference, usually accepted as about 9 years old. # whether siblings would be divided: courts prefer to keep children united and award custody of both to either the mother OR the father. # whether either/both parents have remarried and there are step-children: Although the mother’s remarriage to someone who is not the children’s close blood-relative often means the court will not grant her custody, this rule is not strictly followed. Although the father’s remarriage usually denies him custody, sometimes the courts agree to grant him custody especially when the children’s step-mother cannot or will not have her own children. # whether the parents live far apart: courts sometimes do not give the mother custody because she lives very far away from the father who is the ‘natural’ guardian. But in 1994 an Uzbek woman living in Uzbekistan was given custody; the judge said modern transport had shortened distances and meant that the father could depart from his home in the morning and return by evening. # the child’s comfort, health, material, intellectual, moral and spiritual welfare: this very broad category includes the adequate and undisturbed education of the child.
However, the mere fact that the mother is economically less secure than the father, or that she suffers from ill-health or a disability is not usually reason enough to deny her custody because maintenance is the father’s responsibility irrespective of who holds custody. The mental and psychological development of the minor should not be upset by a reversal of the existing status quo: courts will take into account the likely impact of a change in guardians and the child’s reaction to this change.
R.SHRAVAN KUMAR
Friday 12 February 2010, 1:03 pm
Legal Service India.com
Significance Of Lok Adalat
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Written By : Kumar Ravish, Pre Law First Year Symbiosis College of Law
Camps of Lok Adalat were started initially in Gujarat in March 1982 and now it has been extended throughout the Country. The evolution of this movement was a part of the strategy to relieve heavy burden on the Courts with pending cases. The reason to create such camps were only the pending cases and to give relief to the litigants who were in a queue to get justice. Seekers of justice are in millions and it is becoming rather difficult for the Courts to cope up with the ever-increasing cases with the present infrastructure and manpower. Courts are clogged with cases. There is serious problem of overcrowding of dockets. Because of the ever-increasing number of cases the Court system is under great pressure. Therefore, if there was at the threshold a permanent mechanism or machinery to settle the matters at a pre-trial stage, many matters would not find their way to the Courts. Similarly, if there are permanent forums to which Courts may refer cases, the load of cases could be taken off the Courts.In order to reduce the heavy demand on Court time, cases must be resolved by resorting to 'Alternative Dispute Resolution' Methods before they enter the portals of Court. Here comes the significance of Lok Adalat which has showed its significance by settling huge number of Third Party claims referred by Motor Accident Claim Tribunal (MACT). Except matters relating to offences, which are not compoundable, a Lok Adalat has jurisdiction to deal with all matters. Matters pending or at pre-trial stage, provided a reference is made to it by a court or by the concerned authority or committee, when the dispute is at a pre-trial stage and not before a Court of Law it can be referred to Lok Adalat. Parliament enacted the Legal Services Authorities Act 1987, and one of the aims for the enactment of this Act was to organize Lok Adalat to secure that the operation of legal system promotes justice on the basis of an equal opportunity. The Act gives statutory recognition to the resolution of disputes by compromise and settlement by the Lok Adalats. The concept has been gathered from system of Panchayats, which has roots in the history, and culture of this Country. It has a native flavor known to the people. The provisions of the Act based on indigenous concept are meant to supplement the Court system. They will go a long way in resolving the disputes at almost no cost to the litigants and with minimum delay. At the same time, the Act is not meant to replace and supplants the Court system. The Act is a legislative attempt to decongest the Courts from heavy burden of cases. There is a need for decentralization of justice. Since April 1985, Lok Adalats have been exclusively organized for settlement of motor third party claims. Although the concept of Lok Adalat was very much vogue since early years. This form was made available for settlement of Motor Third Party claims under the initiative of former Chief Justice of India, Shir P.N.Bhagwati, since then number of lok Adalats have been organized throughout the Country through this forum to the satisfaction of the claimants. It is expected to gather further momentum for settlement of these claims through this medium as both claimants do and the Insurance Company get benefit out of it. That is the reason why Insurance Companies are interested in settling Third Party claims by Lok Adalats. The increase in cases in Motor Accident Claim Tribunal (MACT) and backlog of pending cases pressed the insurer and the judicial system to think about the quick disposal oriented system like Lok Adalat/Conciliatory forums should be utilized to optimum level. Lok Adalat now is playing sole role in solving disputes and settling MACT cases. It has become a Dispute Management Institution. It is an informal system of dispute resolution. This is the expeditious method to settle large number of MACT claims. It is the best provisions by the effort of judiciary. Disposal through Lok Adalat is the only panacea for controlling the arrears of cases. Insurance Company can save additional interest. This is the simplest method, which is devoid of procedural wrangles of regular trial. According to Legal Services Authorities (Amendment) Act 1994 effective from 09-11-1995 has since been passed, Lok Adalat settlement is no longer a voluntary concept. By this Act Lok Adalat has got statutory character and has been legally recognized. Certain salient features of the Act are enumerated below:
Section 19 1 Central, State, District and Taluka legal Services Authority has been created who are responsible for organizing Lok Adalats at such intervals and place. 2 Conciliators for Lok Adalat comprise the following: - A A sitting or retired judicial officer. B other persons of repute as may be prescribed by the State Government in consultation with the Chief Justice of High Court.
Section 20: Reference of Cases Cases can be referred for consideration of Lok Adalat as under: 1 By consent of both the parties to the disputes. 2 One of the parties makes an application for refrence. 3 Where the Court is satisfied that the matter is an appropriate one to be taken cognizance of by the Lok Adalat. 4 Compromise settlement shall be guided by the principles of justice, equity, fairplay and other legal principles. 5 Where no compromise has been arrived at through conciliation, the matter shall be returned to the concerned court for disposal in accordance with Law.
Section 21 After the agreement is arrived by the consent of the parties, award is passed by the conciliators. The matter need not be reffered to the concerned Court for consent decree. The Act provisions envisages as under: 1 Every award of Lok Adalat shall be deemed as decree of Civil Court. 2 Every award made by the Lok Adalat shall be final and binding on all the parties to the dispute. 3 No appeal shall lie from the award of the Lok Adalat.
Section 22 Every proceedings of the Lok Adalat shall be deemed to be judicial proceedings for the purpose of 1 Summoning of Witnesses. 2 Discovery of documents. 3 Reception of evidences. 4 Requistioning of Public record.
Hon’ble Delhi High Court has given a landmark decision highlighting the significance of Lok Adalat movement. It has far reaching ramifications. Landmark Decision of Hon’ble Delhi High Court AIR 1999 Delhi Page-88
Abdul Hasan and National Legal Services Authority-Petitioner Vs. Delhi Vidyut Board and others-Respondents. Facts of the Case - The petitioner filed a writ petition before Delhi High Court for restoration of electricity at his premises, which was disconnected by the Delhi Vidyut Board (DVB) on account of non-payment of Bill. Interalia, the grievances of the citizens were not only confined to the DVB but also directed against the State agencies like DDA, Municipal Corporation, MTNL, GIC and other bodies, Court notices were directed to be issued to NALSA and Delhi State Legal Service Authority. Judgment Held- His lordship Hon’ble Mr. Justice Anil Dev Singh passed the order giving directions for setting up of permanent Lok Adalats. The scholarly observations of His Lordship Mr Justice Anil Dev Singh deserve special commendations and are worthy of note. It will be profitable to reproduce the important text and abstract from this judgment, which should be an eye opener for all of us. It should also steer the conscience of all, as there is an increasing need to make Lok Adalat movement a permanent feature.
Article 39 A of the Constitution of India provides for equal justice and free legal aid. It is, therefore clear that the State has been ordained to secure a legal system, which promotes justice on the basis of equal opportunity. The language of Article-39 A is couched in mandatory terms. This is made more than clear by the use of the twice-occurring word “shall” in Art-39 A. It is emphasized that the legal system should be able to deliver justice expeditiously on the basis of equal opportunity and provide free legal aid to secure that opportunities for securing justice are not denied to any citizens by reasons of economic or other disabilities. It was in this context that the parliament enacted the Legal Services Authority Act-1987. The need of the hour is frantically beckoning for setting up Lok-Adalats on permanent and continuous basis. What we do today will shape our tomorrow. Lok Adalat is between an ever-burdened Court System crushing the choice under its own weight and alternative dispute resolution machinery including an inexpensive and quick dispensation of justice. The Lok Adalat and alternative dispute resolution experiment must succeed otherwise the consequence for an over burdened court system would be disastrous. The system needs to inhale the life giving oxygen of justice through the note. If we closely scrutinize the contents of the decision of Delhi High Court, there has been an alarming situation of docket-explosion and the ultimately remedy is the disposal of cases through the mechanism of Lok Adalat.
You may also contact the author for any query concerning this article : agrawalshyam@legalserviceindia.com
R.SHRAVAN KUMAR
Friday 12 February 2010, 10:13 am
# atholic Caucus: Daily Mass Readings, 02-09-10 Tuesday, February 09, 2010 11:19:25 AM · by Salvation · 28 replies · 153 views USCCB.org/New American Bible ^ | 02-09-10 | New American Bible February 9, 2010 Tuesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time Reading 1Responsorial PsalmReading 2Gospel Reading I1 Kgs 8:22-23, 27-30Solomon stood before the altar of the LORDin the presence of the whole community of Israel,and stretching forth his hands toward heaven,he said, “LORD, God of Israel,there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below;you keep your covenant of mercy with your servantswho are faithful to you with their whole heart. “Can it indeed be that God dwells on earth?If the heavens and the highest heavens... # The Sinner's Guide - Ch 9. The Ninth Motive for Practicing Virtue: The Thought of Heaven Tuesday, February 09, 2010 10:24:24 AM · by GonzoII · 3 replies · 105 views Catholic Tradition.org ^ | 16th cent. | Ven. Louis of Granada - With Imprimi Potest and Imprimatur Ven. Louis of Granada 1504-1588With Imprimi Potest and Imprimatur TAN BOOKS AND PUBLISHERS, INC. Ch 9. The Ninth Motive for Practicing Virtue: The Thought of Heaven, the Third of the Four Last Things A motive no less powerful than those we have enumerated is the thought of Heaven. This is the reward of virtue, and in it we must distinguish two things: the excellence and beauty of the abode promised us, which is no other than the empyreal heavens, and the perfection and beauty of the Sovereign King Who reigns there with His elect. But though no tongue can... # Trustful Surrender to Divine Providence - IN THE CONSEQUENCES OF OUR SINS Tuesday, February 09, 2010 10:14:34 AM · by GonzoII · 2 replies · 78 views www.olrl.org ^ | 17th cent. | Father Jean Baptiste Saint-Jure IN THE CONSEQUENCES OF OUR SINS With submission and conformity to the will of God we should bear the evil consequences of which falling into sin is often the cause. It may be some indisposition or some more serious effect on our health brought about by over-indulgence; some sacrifice we have to make because of money spent foolishly for selfish ends; some bad turn in our affairs owing to impatient or imprudent conduct on our part; difficulty in resisting temptation and leading a good life because of a long habit of sin we have contracted -- the situation... # Catholic Biblical Apologetics: Faith and Works Tuesday, February 09, 2010 9:25:53 AM · by Salvation · 21 replies · 164 views CatholicApologetics.org ^ | 1985-19991 | Dr. Robert Schihl and Paul Flanagan Catholic Biblical Apologetics Apologetics without apology! What does the Roman Catholic Church teach about ...? ... and why? This website surveys the origin and development of Roman Catholic Christianity from the period of the apostolic church, through the post-apostolic church and into the conciliar movement. Principal attention is paid to the biblical basis of both doctrine and dogma as well as the role of paradosis (i.e. handing on the truth) in the history of the Church. Particular attention is also paid to the hierarchical founding and succession of leadership throughout the centuries. This is a set of lecture notes... # The Creator Tuesday, February 09, 2010 9:23:00 AM · by Ken4TA · 15 replies · 252 views http://www.kenfortier.com/joomla/images/articles/The Creator.pdf ^ | 1982 | Kenneth Fortier When a Russian Cosmonaut returned from a space flight he said that he hadn’t seen God out there. An American Astronaut, one who was a Christian, was once asked if he had met God while in space. He answered with full confidence, “I would have, if I had taken off my space suit.” These are not just two contradictory answers to the same question. They are two totally different understandings of the word God and what is meant by it. The Russian Cosmonaut, an atheist, could not believe God existed unless he saw him with his own eyes. Whereas the... # Haiti as stage for atheists, environmentalists and Christians Tuesday, February 09, 2010 9:13:47 AM · by MarianoApologeticus · 135 views Examiner.com ^ | Mariano Apologeticus Worldviews are referred to as such for a reason; they are the spectacles through which we view the world and this has been recently demonstrated via the Freedom From Religion Foundation, Danny Glover, Pat Robertson, 14 hypocritical atheist groups and on it goes as they all use Haiti as a mirror that reflects their worldview. Haiti as soapbox – Dan Barker, Annie Gaylor, Danny Glover
R.SHRAVAN KUMAR
Friday 12 February 2010, 10:11 am
* Election - In Christ, or In us? Thursday, February 11, 2010 1:26:33 AM · by Mr Rogers · 12 replies · 182 views Ashland Theological Journal 41 (2009) 67-102 ^ | 2009 | Brian Abasciano CLEARING UP MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT CORPORATE ELECTION Brian Abasciano I. INTRODUCTION The nature of election has long been one of the most hotly debated topics in evangelical theology. The question lies at the heart of the debate between Arminianism and Calvinism, a debate which commands so much interest and attention because it ultimately has to do with the character of God. But beyond the inherent appeal the disagreement between Arminianism and Calvinism holds for those with a high view of Scripture, the debate has been raging with a heightened intensity in recent years with no sign of abating due to factors... * Henry VIII’s Defense of the seven sacraments - Part one Thursday, February 11, 2010 1:24:19 AM · by GonzoII · 7 replies · 218 views The Evangelization Station ^ | 1521 | Henry VIII, King of England, Henry VIII’s Defense of the seven sacraments - Part one In 1521, just four years after supposedly posting his famous "Ninety-five theses" on a church door in Wittenberg, and the same month he was excommunicated, Martin Luther published a controversial work called The Babylonian Captivity of the Church. This book denounced the seven sacraments as corruptions and papist inventions. When Luther’s book reached England, Thomas More, in refutation of Luther's work, composed a high quality theological treatise called Assertio Septem Sacramentorum contra Martinum Lutherum ("In Defense of the Seven Sacraments Against Martin Luther"). King Henry claimed authorship of the book... * Rebellious sisters congregations deserve salvaging Wednesday, February 10, 2010 11:52:19 PM · by Teófilo · 5 replies · 193 views Vivificat! - News, Opinion, Commentary
R.SHRAVAN KUMAR
Friday 12 February 2010, 10:10 am
* Amanda {"Mandy"} 13 y.o. in need of prayer -- lump on hip and on calf Friday, February 12, 2010 12:08:19 PM · by Joya · 30 replies · 237 views FReepmail from LibertyRocks | February 12, 2010 | Joya CURRENTLY via FReepmail from LibertyRocks 02/11/2010, late Thursday It was a rough day. We are right now at Children’s Hospital, we came in this afternoon at 2:30 and by 5:00 she was admitted as a patient. We are in our own private room in the oncology ward - not because she is sick, or because they are thinking it’s definitely cancer (still on the table though), it’s because there are so many kids sick with the flu and H1N1 in the other part of the Peds wing. It’s nice because they are very private rooms, and very comfortable and “homey”.... * Some Presbyterians see salvation by other faiths Friday, February 12, 2010 11:31:03 AM · by bogusname · 36 replies · 324 views Associated Press ^ | Feb.10, 2010 | Dylan Lovan LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Presbyterian Church USA's statement of faith says God through Jesus Christ delivers followers "from death to life eternal." But one in three members of the nation's largest Presbyterian denomination seem to believe there's some wiggle room for non-Christians to get into heaven, according to a recent poll. The Presbyterian Panel's "Religious and Demographic Profile of Presbyterians" found that 36 percent of members disagreed or strongly disagreed with the statement: "Only followers of Jesus Christ can be saved." Another 39 percent, or about two-fifths, agreed or strongly agreed with the statement. "There seems to be some universalist... * Catholic Caucus: Daily Mass Readings, 02-12-10 Friday, February 12, 2010 11:05:17 AM · by Salvation · 14 replies · 74 views USCCB.org/New American Bible ^ | 02-12-10 | New American Bible February 12, 2010 Friday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time Reading 1Responsorial PsalmReading 2Gospel Reading I1 Kgs 11:29-32; 12:19Jeroboam left Jerusalem,and the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite met him on the road.The two were alone in the area,and the prophet was wearing a new cloak.Ahijah took off his new cloak,tore it into twelve pieces, and said to Jeroboam: “Take ten pieces for yourself;the LORD, the God of Israel, says:‘I will tear away the kingdom from Solomon’s graspand will give you ten of the tribes.One... * The Sinner's Guide - Ch 12. The First Privilege of Virtue: God's Fatherly Care of the Just Friday, February 12, 2010 10:31:48 AM · by GonzoII · 1 replies · 43 views Catholic Tradition.org ^ | 16th cent. | Ven. Louis of Granada - With Imprimi Potest and Imprimatur THE SINNERS GUIDE Ven. Louis of Granada 1504-1588 With Imprimi Potest and Imprimatur TAN BOOKS AND PUBLISHERS, INC.    Ch 12. The First Privilege of Virtue: God's Fatherly Care of the Just  The greatest privilege attached to virtue is the care which God exercises over those who serve Him. From this, as from a fountainhead, flow all other favors. Though God's providence is extended to all His creatures, yet He manifests a special care for His faithful servants. To appreciate the greatness and goodness of God's providence we must have experienced it, or attentively studied the Holy Scriptures, which,... * Trustful Surrender to Divine Providence - SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION Friday, February 12, 2010 10:23:52 AM · by GonzoII · 1 replies · 53 views www.olrl.org ^ | 17 | Father Jean Baptiste Saint-Jure 14. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION This submission and conformity in all things to His will is so pleasing to God that it gained for David the honor of being called 'a man after His heart.' I have found, He says, David the son of Jesse, a man after my heart who will do all that I desire.1 David, in fact, was so obedient to the commands of Providence that his heart was like wax, ever ready to receive indifferently any impression from the hand of God. My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast, he exclaims.2 St.... * Catholic Biblical Apologetics: Jesus preached an end-times kingdom but one already existing... Friday, February 12, 2010 9:28:35 AM · by Salvation · 5 replies · 142 views CatholicApologetics.org ^ | 1985-1991 | Dr. Robert Schihl and Paul Flanagan Catholic Biblical Apologetics Apologetics without apology! What does the Roman Catholic Church teach about ...? ... and why? This website surveys the origin and development of Roman Catholic Christianity from the period of the apostolic church, through the post-apostolic church and into the conciliar movement. Principal attention is paid to the biblical basis of both doctrine and dogma as well as the role of paradosis (i.e. handing on the truth) in the history of the Church. Particular attention is also paid to the hierarchical founding and succession of leadership throughout the centuries. This is a set of lecture notes... * Sam Harris: 10 myths—and 10 Truths—About Atheism Friday, February 12, 2010 9:04:10 AM · by SeekAndFind · 31 replies · 418 views Sam Harris' Blog from his Los Angeles Times article ^ | Dec 24, 2006 | Sam Harris SEVERAL POLLS indicate that the term “atheism” has acquired such an extraordinary stigma in the United States that being an atheist is now a perfect impediment to a career in politics (in a way that being black, Muslim or homosexual is not). According to a recent Newsweek poll, only 37% of Americans would vote for an otherwise qualified atheist for president. Atheists are often imagined to be intolerant, immoral, depressed, blind to the beauty of nature and dogmatically closed to evidence of the supernatural. Even John Locke, one of the great patriarchs of the Enlightenment, believed that atheism was “not... * The Two Loves of Valentine’s Day - Agape - Eros Friday, February 12, 2010 8:25:30 AM · by The Ignorant Fisherman · 3 replies · 147 views The Ignorant Fishermen Blog ^ | 2/11/10 | DJP I.F. This February 14th multitudes around the world will be celebrating Valentine’s Day. Roses and candy for loved ones, jewelry and dinner dates - it seems harmless enough - but many truly do not understand the swift underlining current of the mood of the occasion and how its “24/ 7” godless spirit affects our society and culture. Please do not misunderstand me. I do not want to ruin anyone’s Valentines Day. Those things (candy, roses etc.) are perfectly fine and harmless enough, but it is key today to understand the immoral, decadent spirit masqueraded as love during this holiday when all... * The US bishops' continued imprudence on health-care reform (even though some have opposed it) Friday, February 12, 2010 8:17:10 AM · by Salvation · 7 replies · 131 views CatholicCulture.org ^ | February 10, 2010 | Phil Lawler The US bishops' continued imprudence on health-care reform By Phil Lawler | February 10, 2010 6:34 PM In the continuing debate about Obamacare-- a legislative proposal which is still very much alive-- the American bishops continue to play a very dangerous game.For months the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) energetically promoted the concept of sweeping health-care reform, while just as energetically opposing any legislation that would offer subsidies for abortion. The net result was confusion. Both proponents and opponents of Obamacare claimed the support of the US bishops, and both sides could cite statements to back up their claims.Politics... * Search for successor to LA's Cardinal Mahony has begun Friday, February 12, 2010 7:32:14 AM · by Deo volente · 12 replies · 182 views Los Angeles Times ^ | February 11, 2010 | Gillian Flaccus LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles confirmed Thursday that a search is under way for a successor to Cardinal Roger Mahony, who has spent 25 years as the spiritual leader of the nation's largest diocese. Mahony turns 74 on Feb. 27 and under church rules, bishops submit their resignation at age 75 to the pope. * World Orthodox Ecumenists Meet ELCA Delegation in Istanbul Friday, February 12, 2010 6:21:50 AM · by lightman · 10 replies · 108 views ELCA News Service ^ | 10 February AD 2010 | John Brooks ISTANBUL, Turkey (ELCA) -- A delegation of clergy and lay leaders of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) stressed "the long view" in ecumenical dialogue, a topic of discussion with leaders of the Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarchate here Feb. 9. The Lutherans and Orthodox discussed the status of some of the 28 international Orthodox theological dialogues, dialogue difficulties and the overall desire for Christian unity. The Ecumenical Patriarchate is the global headquarters of the Eastern Orthodox. The Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, world Orthodox leader, met the ELCA delegation Feb. 8. He also hosted the Lutherans at a luncheon Feb. 9... * Planning An Exit Strategy In End Times. You Cannot Make A Silk Purse Out Of A Sow's Ear. Friday, February 12, 2010 5:37:38 AM · by Armaggedon · 5 replies · 253 views Jesus did not come on earth in flesh to reform the kingdom of this world. He offered instead the kingdom of heaven on earth. It was a matter of people choosing which world they wish to dwell in. They could continue to serve Satan or gather together under Jesus Christ. The religious and secular leaders of the Satanic kingdom realized it was a matter of all or nothing for their world, so they conspired together to crucify our Lord. His crime was proposing an exit stratagy out of the mind made Satanic kingdom. The exit statagy is simple. John 14:6.... * Mysogynistic, Homophobic, Fascist, Racist and Xenophobic (Reaction to Pope's UK Visit) (Ecumenical) Friday, February 12, 2010 3:05:48 AM · by Pyro7480 · 7 replies · 202 views Saint Mary Magdalen: Online Magazine for the Catholic parish of Saint Mary Magdalen, Brighton (UK) ^ | 02/11/2010 | Father Ray Blake I find it quite frightening on how badly prepared the Church in England and Wales is to combat secularism and opposition to the Church's teaching. We give the impression that we don't really care. This weekend there will be a demonstration against the Papal visit outside Westminster Cathedral followed by a rally outside the Italian embassy, presumably in the hope of attracting the attention of the Italian media, amongst the speakers will be Peter Tatchell, it advertises itself as: We support: · Women's equality and reproductive rights · Equal rights for LGBT people · A secular Europe - immune to... * Coalition Launches Petition Asking Bishops to End Grants to Pro-Abort Groups Friday, February 12, 2010 2:54:47 AM · by NYer · 11 replies · 123 views LifeSite News ^ | February 11, 2010 WASHINGTON, D.C., February 11, 2010 (LifeSiteNews.com) – A petition was launched on Wednesday, which asks the U.S. bishops to suspend Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) grants. The petition is sponsored by American Life League, Human Life International, Catholic Advocate, Bellarmine Veritas Ministry and Real Catholic TV, members of the Reform CCHD Now coalition (RCN). The effort comes after repeated calls over the past three months for explanations from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) in response to the discovery that CCHD money is being used to support organizations that promote abortion and same-sex “marriage.” American... * Catholic Church Needs to Change on Homosexuality: Leading U.K. Catholic Magazine Friday, February 12, 2010 2:49:10 AM · by NYer · 37 replies · 391 views LifeSite News ^ | February 11, 2010 LONDON, February 11, 2010 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Britain’s left-leaning Catholic magazine, the Tablet, has called for the Catholic Church to “if not doctrinally, at least pastorally” change its teaching on homosexuality. The Catholic Church, said an unsigned editorial titled, “The Deepest Human Desire,” should “move on with confidence,” to facilitate greater acceptance of the homosexual lifestyle, or risk losing public approval.Referring to the media uproar following comments made to the English bishops by Pope Benedict XVI opposing the Labour government’s proposed Equality Bill, the Tablet said, “The Church must take seriously, and ponder deeply, the underlying reasons for this week’s furore.”The... * The World is Coming to an End........... Friday, February 12, 2010 2:48:13 AM · by TaraP · 6 replies · 433 views Christian Today ^ | Feb 11th, 2010 Most cultures and religious traditions have as part of their beliefs and overall worldview the idea that the current world will in one fashion or another come to an end. There are various apocalyptic scenarios out there, some more negative than others, and some more alarmist than others. If the world is indeed going to wind down or come to some cataclysmic end, the interesting question is how do people respond to this realisation? How do people cope if they are convinced that life as we know it may not last much longer? I saw just recently one way in... * Utah Haiti volunteer blog: Final days in Haiti [LDS Caucus] Friday, February 12, 2010 1:54:02 AM · by TheDon · 1 replies · 157 views Mormon Times ^ | Feb. 11, 2010 | Curtis C. Newman PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — The day started with a drive through Port-au-Prince at 6:30 a.m. in the back of a military transport truck. The air was still cool, the streets still shaded as the sun began to rise. The traffic was light, and many people were already awake, smiling and waving at our convoy. I'm comfortable here, now. I'm used to the smells, sights and people that were so foreign to me two weeks ago. I have seen and done amazing things, and I know why I have come to Haiti. It is deeply personal and sacred, but gratitude fills... * 'Economy needs ethics', pope says Benedict underscores role of greed in global recession Friday, February 12, 2010 1:48:15 AM · by GonzoII · 9 replies · 187 views ANSA ^ | 10 February 2010 (ANSA) - Vatican City, February 10 - The economy needs ethics to survive the recession, Pope Benedict XVI said Wednesday in a return to a recurring theme in his addresses focusing on the need to rethink the global economy along moral lines. ''The global financial crisis has impoverished no small number of people,'' he stated during a general audience at the Vatican. Underscoring the need to put ''people back at the center of economic decision-making,'' the pope said ''a new code of business ethics'' was required to usher in the transformation. As an example, he pointed to the figure of... * “More theologically correct” - Cardinal Mahony blogs about new Roman Missal Friday, February 12, 2010 1:24:12 AM · by GonzoII · 7 replies · 233 views California Catholic Daily ^ | February 10, 2010 | Cardinal Roger Mahony “More theologically correct” Cardinal Mahony blogs about new Roman Missal (The following is taken from an item published Saturday, Feb. 6, on the blog of Cardinal Roger Mahony, Archbishop of Los Angeles.) COMING NEW ROMAN MISSAL The Bishops of eleven English-speaking countries have completed a new English translation of the Latin Roman Missal, Editio tertia, and the new English Roman Missal is under final review at the Vatican. The new Missal will be the first new translation since the current Missal was published in 1974 -- some 36 years ago. It is anticipated that the new English Roman Missal will... * EWTN Programming Note: FSSP North American Seminary Chapel Friday, February 12, 2010 12:44:08 AM · by GonzoII · 2 replies · 71 views New Liturgical Movement ^ | Thursday, February 11, 2010 DENTON, Nebraska – February 1st , 2010 – On Wednesday night, February 24th, EWTN favorite, Fr. Mitch Pacwa, will be interviewing two members of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter, Father Calvin Goodwin and Deacon Rhone Lillard. The topic of the interview will be the Pontifical Consecration of the Fraternity's newly built chapel at Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary which EWTN is televising live on Wednesday, March 3rd at 11:00am (EST). His Excellency, Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz of Lincoln, Nebraska , will celebrate the Pontifical Consecration and Mass according to the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite. ...snip Watch EWTN Live... * Bishop Vasa Cautiously Concerned Over USCCB Membership in Pro-Abortion Coalition Friday, February 12, 2010 12:26:25 AM · by GonzoII · 4 replies · 115 views Life Site News ^ | Wednesday February 10, 2010 | Patrick B. Craine Wednesday February 10, 2010 Bishop Vasa Cautiously Concerned Over USCCB Membership in Pro-Abortion Coalition By Patrick B. CraineWASHINGTON, D.C., February 10, 2010 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Bishop Robert Vasa of Baker, Oregon has cautiously expressed concern after reports this week that the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) is listed as a member of a coalition that promotes homosexual “rights” and access to abortion.In a Monday article, Deal Hudson of Inside Catholic pointed out the USCCB's membership in the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights (LCCR), a coalition of nearly 200 national 'civil and human rights' organizations, founded in 1950, that... * The Smiting Is Still Implied (God of the OT vs the NT) Friday, February 12, 2010 12:21:17 AM · by NYer · 21 replies · 302 views NC Register ^ | February 11, 2010 | Pat Archbold People have strange notions of God. A semi-agnostic co-worker recently remarked to me that he regards the Bible as so much hooey because the God of the Old Testament is mean and wrathful while the God of the New Testament is about love and forgiveness. How can Christians, he wondered, be silly enough to believe in both. It seems to me that many people, whether or not they would articulate it in such a way, view God in much the same way. They think that the God of the Old Testament created the world and was determined to run things... * Radio Replies Second Volume - Religious Racketeers Thursday, February 11, 2010 11:21:26 PM · by GonzoII · 3 replies · 114 views Celledoor.com ^ | 1940 | Fathers Rumble
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Wednesday 10 February 2010, 6:52 am
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Wednesday 10 February 2010, 6:50 am
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Wednesday 10 February 2010, 6:44 am
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* Excuses for the Truth: Disappearances and Their Consequences Practical information on the struggle against "disappearances." Site is designed to facilitate an exchange of information and experiences for those affected by or working against disappearances. home.wxs.nl/~loz/home.html * Amnesty International USA: Women's Human Rights Offers a fact sheet on violence against women as well as its background and worldwide examples of human rights violations against women. www.amnestyusa.org/women/violence * Radio Netherlands: Human Rights Provides background facts and updates on problem areas around the world. www.rnw.nl/humanrights * Network for Good: Human Rights Offers links to human rights organizations that are in need of donations, volunteers, and support. www.networkforgood.org/topics/international/human_rights
jcreddy
Monday 8 February 2010, 6:02 pm
* Speak Truth to Power [*] Dedicated to the promotion of human rights awareness. Includes profiles of human rights activists around the world, timeline searchable by issue, an exhibition of photographs taken by Eddie Adams in four continents, news, and related resources. www.speaktruth.org * Universal Rights Network [*] Created to promote the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), which was adopted by the United Nations on 10 December 1948. Offers a history of human rights, people's stories, current news, and hero biographies. www.universalrights.net * Human Rights Web Includes history of the human rights movement, information on prisoners of conscience, and links to human rights resources. www.hrweb.org * Wikipedia: Human Rights Offers information on the legislation, history, philosophy, monitoring, and global abuse of human rights. Includes links to several human rights organizations. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_rights * Global Petitions Donate money and sign petitions online for human rights issues around the world. Includes news and forums. www.gopetition.com * United Nations Human Rights Treaties Purpose is to enhance access to UN treaties by making materials associated with the treaty system available in electronic and user-friendly forms. www.bayefsky.com * UN: Human Rights Hub for human rights from the U.N. with treaties, research guides, and documents like the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, international criminal tribunals for Rwanda and Yugoslavia, and information on Human Rights Day. www.un.org/rights * Human Rights Documents and Materials Houses more than 18,000 core human rights documents, including several hundred human rights treaties and other primary international human rights instruments. From the University of Minnesota Library. www1.umn.edu/humanrts * International Human Rights Law Group (1) Learn about International Human Rights Law Group, the nonprofit organization of human rights and legal professionals who assist the poor and vulnerable in both civil and criminal proceedings. Sites feature mission, initiatives, news, publications, and global activities. dir.yahoo.com/.../Human_Rights/International_Human_Rights_Law_Group * Universal Declaration of Human Rights 50th Anniversary From the Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Institute, celebrating the national coalition formed to promote action that would advance respect for human rights both at home and abroad. www.udhr.org * International Coalition of Historic Sites of Conscience Works with international human rights and social welfare organizations to bring the lessons of the past to bear on contemporary struggles. www.sitesofconscience.org * United for Human Rights Offers information on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights with public service announcements and publications. Get updated on human rights issues with information kit, DVD, and the Human Rights Handbook. www.humanrights.com * Karen Parker Page for Humanitarian Law Documents and analyses pertaining to current armed conflicts and human rights violations worldwide. www.webcom.com/hrin/parker.html * German Toilet Organization (GTO) Human rights organization dedicated to bringing toilets and proper sanitation to the billions of humans lacking basic sanitation and sewage systems. www.germantoilet.org * Human Rights Documentation Center (HRDC) Includes news articles and publications. Serves as a portal to human rights resources on the Internet. www.hrdc.net * Rights Maps Maps and geographic research for the human rights community. www.rightsmaps.com * Lesson Plan Unit: Human Rights From The New York Times Learning Network. www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/humanrts.html * Universal Declaration of Human Rights Offers translated version of the statement in several languages. www3.itu.int * Taking Aim at Small Arms A UNICEF exhibit in defense of children's rights around the world with respect to gun control, nonproliferation, and war. www.unicef.org/smallarms/exhibit * Universal Rights Network: Heroes Gives biogrophies of such human rights activists as Eleanor Roosevelt, Martin Luter King, Nelson Mandela, Dalai Lama, Mahatma Gandhi, and Mother Teresa. www.universalrights.net/heroes/index.htm
* Speak Truth to Power [*] Dedicated to the promotion of human rights awareness. Includes profiles of human rights activists around the world, timeline searchable by issue, an exhibition of photographs taken by Eddie Adams in four continents, news, and related resources. www.speaktruth.org * Universal Rights Network [*] Created to promote the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), which was adopted by the United Nations on 10 December 1948. Offers a history of human rights, people's stories, current news, and hero biographies. www.universalrights.net * Human Rights Web Includes history of the human rights movement, information on prisoners of conscience, and links to human rights resources. www.hrweb.org * Wikipedia: Human Rights Offers information on the legislation, history, philosophy, monitoring, and global abuse of human rights. Includes links to several human rights organizations. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_rights * Global Petitions Donate money and sign petitions online for human rights issues around the world. Includes news and forums. www.gopetition.com * United Nations Human Rights Treaties Purpose is to enhance access to UN treaties by making materials associated with the treaty system available in electronic and user-friendly forms. www.bayefsky.com * UN: Human Rights Hub for human rights from the U.N. with treaties, research guides, and documents like the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, international criminal tribunals for Rwanda and Yugoslavia, and information on Human Rights Day. www.un.org/rights * Human Rights Documents and Materials Houses more than 18,000 core human rights documents, including several hundred human rights treaties and other primary international human rights instruments. From the University of Minnesota Library. www1.umn.edu/humanrts * International Human Rights Law Group (1) Learn about International Human Rights Law Group, the nonprofit organization of human rights and legal professionals who assist the poor and vulnerable in both civil and criminal proceedings. Sites feature mission, initiatives, news, publications, and global activities. dir.yahoo.com/.../Human_Rights/International_Human_Rights_Law_Group * Universal Declaration of Human Rights 50th Anniversary From the Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Institute, celebrating the national coalition formed to promote action that would advance respect for human rights both at home and abroad. www.udhr.org * International Coalition of Historic Sites of Conscience Works with international human rights and social welfare organizations to bring the lessons of the past to bear on contemporary struggles. www.sitesofconscience.org * United for Human Rights Offers information on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights with public service announcements and publications. Get updated on human rights issues with information kit, DVD, and the Human Rights Handbook. www.humanrights.com * Karen Parker Page for Humanitarian Law Documents and analyses pertaining to current armed conflicts and human rights violations worldwide. www.webcom.com/hrin/parker.html * German Toilet Organization (GTO) Human rights organization dedicated to bringing toilets and proper sanitation to the billions of humans lacking basic sanitation and sewage systems. www.germantoilet.org * Human Rights Documentation Center (HRDC) Includes news articles and publications. Serves as a portal to human rights resources on the Internet. www.hrdc.net * Rights Maps Maps and geographic research for the human rights community. www.rightsmaps.com * Lesson Plan Unit: Human Rights From The New York Times Learning Network. www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/humanrts.html * Universal Declaration of Human Rights Offers translated version of the statement in several languages. www3.itu.int * Taking Aim at Small Arms A UNICEF exhibit in defense of children's rights around the world with respect to gun control, nonproliferation, and war. www.unicef.org/smallarms/exhibit * Universal Rights Network: Heroes Gives biogrophies of such human rights activists as Eleanor Roosevelt, Martin Luter King, Nelson Mandela, Dalai Lama, Mahatma Gandhi, and Mother Teresa. www.universalrights.net/heroes/index.htm
jcreddy
Monday 8 February 2010, 5:53 pm
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Monday 8 February 2010, 5:48 pm
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* Kids Can Free the Children An international youth movement. www.freethechildren.org * Global March Against Child Labour Began with a worldwide march in 1998 when thousands of people marched together to jointly put forth the message against child labour. www.globalmarch.org * Rugmark Foundation Global nonprofit organization working to end child labor and offer educational opportunities for children in India, Nepal and Pakistan. www.rugmark.org * Child Labor Coalition National U.S. network for the exchange of information about child labor, providing a forum and a unified voice on protecting working minors and ending child labor exploitation. www.stopchildlabor.org * Child Labour in the 19th Century Features biographies and entries on reformers, supporters, laborers, working conditions, and other things related to child labor in Britain. www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/IRchild.main.htm * Wikipedia: Child Labor Child labor is the employment of children under an age determined by law or custom. This practice is considered exploitative by many countries and international organizations. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Child_labor * Images of Child Labor Photography for social change that seeks to educate people about child labor and move them to action. www.childlaborphotoproject.org * Child Workers in Nepal Concerned Centre (CWIN) Promotes the rights of children through lobbying, education, and other means. www.cwin.org.np * Chocolate and Slavery: Child Labor in Cote d'Ivoire Trade Environment Database (TED) report. www.american.edu/TED/chocolate-slave.htm * Fisek Institute Focusing on child labor practices. Site also in Turkish. www.fisek.org * Child Labor in America 1908-1912 Investigative photos with Lewis W. Hine's original commentary. www.historyplace.com/unitedstates/childlabor/index.html * International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour (IPEC) Arm of the International Labor Organization that works on-the-ground to combat child labour with projects in more than 60 countries. www.ilo.org/public/english/standards/ipec * Free The Children - India A organization for child rights and the abolition of child labour in India. www.ftcindia.org * By the Sweat and Toil of Children: Volume V Report produced by the staff of the International Child Labor Program and published by the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of International Labor Affairs. www.dol.gov/ilab/media/reports/iclp/sweat5/welcome.html * Stolen Dreams Photographs by David Parker featuring children working in a variety of occupations. www.hsph.harvard.edu/gallery * Bonded Child Labor From Anti-Slavery International. www.anti-slaverysociety.addr.com/bclab.htm * End Child Labor and Sweatshop Abuses gbgm-umc.org/umw/endchild.html * UNICEF State of the World's Children 1997: Child Labour 1997 report from UNICEF examining the controversial issue of child labor worldwide. Urges an immediate end to hazardous and exploitative child labor, and advocates stronger support for child education. www.unicef.org/sowc97 * AFT: Child Labor Project Online resources and advice on what teachers and unions can do about ending child labor through education. www.aft.org/international/child * School for Iqbal Masih Fund mirrorimage.com/iqbal/index.html
jcreddy
Monday 8 February 2010, 5:47 pm
* Roison McAliskey Web Site www.wbaifree.org/radiofreeeireann/roisin.html
jcreddy
Monday 8 February 2010, 5:46 pm
* Derechos Humanos en Guatemala Spanish and English human rights information and links on Guatemala. www.derechos.org/nizkor/guatemala
jcreddy
Monday 8 February 2010, 5:37 pm
SPONSOR RESULTS
Abu Jamal Mumia Muslim www.smarter.comFind and Compare Prices on abu jamal mumia muslim at Smarter.com.
SITE LISTINGS By Popularity | Alphabetical (What's This?) Sites 1 - 6 of 6
* Justice for Police Officer Daniel Faulkner Information about the case and rebuttals to the factual misrepresentations made by Jamal's supporters. www.danielfaulkner.com * Prison Radio Aims to challenge mass incarceration and racism by airing the voices of prison inmates. Includes the audio essays of Mumia Abu-Jabal. From the Redwood Justice Fund. www.prisonradio.org * Articles About the Mumia Abu-Jamal Case Philadelphia Inquirer articles in their original form going back to 1981. www.fortunecity.com/meltingpot/botswana/509/inqarticles/inquirer-index.htm * Case of Mumia Abu Jamal By Terry Bisson. www.sff.net/people/tbisson/MUMIA.html * FAIR: Mumia Abu-Jamal Media criticism on the coverage of the Abu-Jamal case. www.fair.org/issues-news/mumia.html * Twin Cities Coalition to Defend Mumia Abu-Jamal Features news, Mumia's writings, and more. www1.minn.net/~meis
jcreddy
Monday 8 February 2010, 5:35 pm
SPONSOR RESULTS
Abuses Of Human Rights www.smarter.comFind and Compare prices on Abuses Of Human Rights at...
SITE LISTINGS By Popularity | Alphabetical (What's This?) Sites 1 - 3 of 3
* Justice for Jonathan Pollard Official site, authorized by Jonathan and Esther Pollard. www.jonathanpollard.org * Wikipedia: Jonathan Pollard Hyperlinked article about the former Navy intelligence officer who, in 1986, was convicted of spying for Israel. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan_Pollard * Internet Association for the Liberation of Jonathan Pollard shamash.org/lists/jpollard/pollard.htm
jcreddy
Monday 8 February 2010, 5:33 pm
SPONSOR RESULTS
Official Obama Website www.BarackObama.comJoin Organizing for America and Help Barack Obama Change America.
SITE LISTINGS By Popularity | Alphabetical (What's This?) Sites 1 - 16 of 16
* Free Tibet Campaign Stands for an end to the occupation of Tibet and for fundamental rights of the Tibetan people. www.freetibet.org * Campaign for Innocent Victims in Conflict, The (CIVIC) [pick] [read review] Working to obtain U.S. government assistance for communities and families in need, while helping to shine a spotlight on the human costs of war. Includes information on founder Marla Ruzicka, as well as a collection of her writings. www.civicworldwide.org * Jonathan Pollard (3) dir.yahoo.com/.../Campaigns/Jonathan_Pollard * Berenson, Lori Campaign to free a U.S. citizen convicted in 1996 of treason against Peru and sentenced to life imprisonment. www.freelori.org * Mumia Abu-Jamal@ dir.yahoo.com/.../Inmates/Mumia_Abu_Jamal * Human Rights Congress for Bangladesh Minorities (HRCBM) Worldwide campaigning movement offering yearly reports and articles on human rights and racial discrimination. www.hrcbm.org * Stop Gender Apartheid in Afghanistan Campaign to stop gender apartheid in Afghanistan. A project of the Feminist Majority. www.helpafghanwomen.com * Free Mzwakhe Mbuli Includes a petition for the release of this poet and musician. www.mzwakhe.org * Grenada 17 Supporting the release of fourteen former members of the Grenada government of 1979 to 1983 and the three soldiers imprisoned with them. www.grenada17.cwc.net * Human Rights Abuses in China Learn the story of the Golden Venture refugees who claim to be fleeing China's forced-abortion and sterilization policies. www.forerunner.com/mandate/X0046_Human_Rights_Abuses_.html * School of Americas Watch@ dir.yahoo.com/.../Opposing_Views/School_of_the_Americas_Watch * Justice for John Taft Campaign Seeks to highlight a miscarriage of justice. It is argued that John Taft was wrongfully convicted of murder and as a consequence is serving a life sentence in a British prison. www.justice-for-john-taft.org * Human Unity Project of the World Public Forum. Dedicated to a human-focused world; offers the Declaration of Human Unity. www.humanunity.org * Beko Ransome-Kuti - Appeal for Release Release Dr Beko Ransome-Kuti, leader of Campaign for Democracy, Nigeria. www.uib.no/isf/people/amnesty/bekobrv.htm * Jennifer Harbury (1) dir.yahoo.com/.../Campaigns/Jennifer_Harbury * McAliskey, Roisin (1) dir.yahoo.com/.../Campaigns/McAliskey__Roisin
National Human Rights Commission, New Delhi, India Home Page
National Human Rights Commission, New Delhi, India
State Human Rights Commissions NHRC Home Page ANDHRA PRADESH ASSAM HIMACHAL PRADESH JAMMU
jcreddy
Monday 8 February 2010, 3:45 am
National Human Rights Commission, New Delhi, India Home Page
National Human Rights Commission, New Delhi, India
State Human Rights Commissions NHRC Home Page ANDHRA PRADESH ASSAM HIMACHAL PRADESH JAMMU
jcr
Friday 5 February 2010, 9:38 pm
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humanrights ( india )
Friday 5 February 2010, 9:43 am
National Human Rights Commission, New Delhi, India Home Page
National Human Rights Commission, New Delhi, India
State Human Rights Commissions NHRC Home Page ANDHRA PRADESH ASSAM HIMACHAL PRADESH JAMMU
jcreddy
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National Human Rights Commission, New Delhi, India Home Page
National Human Rights Commission, New Delhi, India
State Human Rights Commissions NHRC Home Page ANDHRA PRADESH ASSAM HIMACHAL PRADESH JAMMU
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jcreddy
Sunday 31 January 2010, 1:15 pm
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Saturday 30 January 2010, 1:51 am
Mongolia announces moratorium on executions
14 January 2010
Amnesty International has welcomed the announcement made by the government of Mongolia on Thursday declaring an official moratorium on executions in the country.
The organization said it believes President Tsakhia Elbegdorj has taken a bold move for the protection of human rights in Mongolia and welcomed this important development as a key step toward full abolition of the death penalty.
"The government of Mongolia has shown that it has a strong commitment to human rights by introducing a moratorium on the death penalty. Amnesty International urges other countries in the region to follow Mongolia’s example," said Roseann Rife, Amnesty International Asia- Pacific deputy director.
Asia continues to execute more individuals than the rest of the world combined. Amnesty International estimates at least 1,838 individuals were executed in 11 countries in Asia in 2008.
In China, Mongolia, Vietnam, and North Korea, executions and death penalty proceedings are shrouded in secrecy and a lack of transparency.
"Mongolia must quickly amend its law on state secrecy to end the lack of transparency in the application of the death penalty. Transparency is an essential element of an open and free society but also an important step towards abolition," said Roseann Rife.
The President of Mongolia commuted the death sentences of at least three people in 2009. Executions are carried out in secret in Mongolia and no official statistics on death sentences or executions are made available. Prison conditions for death row inmates are reported to be poor. Families are not notified in advance of the execution and the bodies of those executed are not returned to the family.
More than two-thirds of the world’s countries have abolished the death penalty in law or practice. In 2008, 106 countries voted in favour of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) resolution calling for a moratorium on executions.
"We look forward to Mongolia’s support for the UNGA resolution in 2010 and urge other nations in the region to follow suit," said Roseann Rife.
In 2010 Mongolia’s human rights situation will also be reviewed under the United Nations Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review.
The UN General Assembly will consider a third resolution calling for a moratorium on executions in 2010. Mongolia voted against the UNGA resolutions adopted in 2007 and 2008, as has China, India, Indonesia, North Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Japan. In 2008, 106 countries voted in favour of the resolution, 46 voted against and 34 abstained.
Amnesty International said it believes the death penalty is the ultimate cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment and opposes the death penalty in all cases.
The organization said that the death penalty is discriminatory, used disproportionately against the poor, minorities and members of racial, ethnic and religious communities and it the ultimate act of state violence. There is no evidence that it is any more effective in reducing crime than other harsh punishments.
jcreddy
Saturday 30 January 2010, 1:49 am
Malaysia opposition leader Anwar faces 'show trial' Anwar Ibrahim lost an appeal for access to the government’s evidence against him
Anwar Ibrahim lost an appeal for access to the government’s evidence against him
Amnesty International has urged the Malaysian authorities to drop politically motivated criminal charges of sodomy against Anwar Ibrahim, the country’s opposition leader, after he lost an appeal for access to the government’s evidence against him on Friday.
His trial is now set to begin on 2 February at the High Court. This case is the second time in 12 years that the authorities have brought such charges against the former deputy prime minister.
Following his public criticism of then-Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammed in 1998, Anwar was arrested and convicted on sodomy and corruption charges. He spent six years in solitary confinement before his conviction was overturned and he was released.
“The Malaysian authorities have resorted to the same old dirty tricks in an attempt to remove the opposition leader from politics,” said Sam Zarifi, Asia-Pacific director at Amnesty International. “Malaysia’s judiciary should throw out these charges.”
Amnesty International considered him a prisoner of conscience before his release in 2004.
For five years, Anwar was banned from seeking public office as a result of his conviction on corruption charges. After the ban expired in April 2008, he won a parliamentary seat on 26 August 2008, and become opposition leader as head of the People’s Justice Party (Parti Keadilan Rakyat).
But one month before his election, on 17 July 2008, Anwar was again arrested on charges that he had committed sodomy with a male former aide. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison and loss of political office.
The criminal charge of sodomy against Anwar, under Section 377B of the Penal Code, is at odds with international human rights standards. This British colonial-era law provides for prison and whipping, a punishment that violates the international law prohibition on torture and other ill-treatment. Moreover, the UN Human Rights Commission in 1997 ruled that sodomy laws infringe the fundamental right to privacy.
Amnesty International is seriously concerned about fair-trial issues surrounding Anwar’s case. The prosecution’s refusal to deliver evidence to the defence at the pre-trial stage infringes international fair-trial standards and Malaysian law.
“Anwar’s case has rightly raised doubts among the international community and investors about Malaysia’s commitment to justice and the rule of law,” said Zarifi.
Under Section 51A of the Malaysia’s Criminal Procedure Code, the prosecution must deliver documents and a written statement of facts favourable to the defence. The UN Human Rights Committee has established that the minimum facilities for fair trials “must include access to documents and other evidence which the accused requires to prepare his case.”
On 29 January, however, the Malaysian Federal Court failed to uphold the prosecution’s obligation to provide access to evidence which Anwar’s lawyers believe may help exonerate him. In an earlier decision, the Court of Appeals had termed the defence’s application for evidence a “fishing expedition.”
“The court’s decision to allow the prosecution to withhold key evidence sets a dangerous precedent for criminal cases in Malaysia,” said Zarifi. “This is a recipe for unfair trials.” Read More Anwar Ibrahim continues campaign despite questionable charges
jc
Saturday 30 January 2010, 1:48 am
Haiti's human rights challenge
29 January 2010 HaitiTwo weeks after the earthquake that devastated Haiti, its people are confronted with a human rights crisis. Amnesty International has identified some of the country's biggest human rights challenges and outlined a plan that puts protection of human rights at the core of relief and reconstruction efforts.
Exploitation of children With families separated and schools destroyed, thousands of children in Haiti have been left without protection. The most vulnerable could become prey to the traffickers.
There is also a risk that children could be caught in irregular adoption processes - a risk increased by the interest of families abroad who would like to adopt Haitian children orphaned by the earthquake. Haitian institutions also have a lack of capacity to determine the status of children and ensure their rights are protected Separated and unaccompanied children might wrongly be considered orphans.
International adoption should be a last resort, used only after domestic alternatives have been exhausted. The Haitian authorities must ensure children are not taken out of the country without the completion of formal legal proceedings for international adoption.
Family tracing should be a priority for the international community, the Haitian authorities and international aid agencies.
Security and law enforcement The Haitian government's ability to ensure the rule of law has been severely undermined by the earthquake. Establishing a functional justice system to deal with the most serious crimes should be a top priority.
There is a growing concern that prisoners convicted of violent crimes who escaped from Port-au-Prince’s National Penitentiary are trying to regain control of the most deprived and vulnerable communities.
In response to this threat, community members have organized themselves to prevent gangs from taking over communities. However, this could put community members at risk of spiralling violence. Amnesty International has received reports of lynchings and incidents of mob justice where alleged looters have been killed.
There are also reports of alleged looters being shot by police. Haitian authorities must ensure that firearms are only to be used by police in self-defence and as a last resort. The Haitian authorities must also set up a provisional detention centre, as the country’s main prison has been destroyed and other detention centres are overcrowded.
Rights of the displaced Hundreds of thousands of people have been left homeless by the earthquake and many have fled the devastated areas.
Displaced people must be supported to make voluntary and informed decisions about their future. Any relocation of internally displaced persons from camps or disaster areas must be voluntary, unless the safety and health of those affected requires evacuation. They should not be coerced in any way, including through the suspension of assistance. All displaced persons have the right to return to their former homes unless safety issues prevent it.
Violence against women In post-disaster situations, women and girls are often particularly at risk from sexual violence, exploitation by traffickers and reduced access to sexual, reproductive and maternal health services. Their disadvantage in accessing aid is well documented. Those involved in the relief and reconstruction efforts must ensure that the prevention of all gender-based violence, in particular sexual violence, is integrated into their work.
Accountability of international forces More than 10,000 US troops, 150 military personnel from the Dominican Republic and 800 Canadian soldiers have been deployed in Haiti to provide security for the distribution of aid.
The terms of deployment and rules of engagement must be clarified from the onset and respected by all international forces The United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) personnel must also be governed by strict rules of accountability. In the past, leaving accountability for violations solely to the discretion of troop-contributing countries to UN peacekeeping missions has lead to impunity for serious human rights abuses.
Haiti’s foreign debt In 2009, international financial institutions and other creditors cancelled US$ 1.2 billion of Haiti’s foreign debt. Despite this, Haiti still owes hundreds of millions of dollars to its creditors.
The repayment of this debt now represents an unacceptable burden on Haiti’s population and national economy. Amnesty International has called on all creditors to cancel Haiti’s debt. Insistence on repayment would hinder Haiti’s ability to meet its human rights obligations.
All financial resources available to Haiti in the years to come must be channelled to reconstruction programmes that ensure Haitians’ welfare and access to basic services, and equitable and sustainable development.
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, 29 January 2010 – Rodrigue wipes away his tears and carries on talking. It's an astounding act of bravery for the 12-year-old Haitian boy, who saw his parents die in the 12 January earthquake here.
VIDEO: Watch now
He's telling UNICEF aid workers how he survived the quake and ended up at an orphanage, alone.
"I was playing football outside with two of my friends," says Rodrigue, "and then I heard the earthquake and I felt the ground shaking. I ran back to my house and found it destroyed, and my parents were dead."
While there are thousands of potential surrogate parents willing to adopt them, newly orphaned children like Rodrigue need physical and emotional support where they are.
UNICEF's experience shows that such support is best provided as part of a programme that seeks to reunite children with their families.
Family tracing programme
Rodrigue has three older sisters. He thinks they are alive and wants to see them again. To assist him and other orphaned or separated children in Haiti, UNICEF and its partners have to make every effort to trace not only their parents but other relatives, too.
"We are exhausting all the efforts we have to find their parents or their extended family," says UNICEF Regional Child Protection Specialist Caroline Bakker.
"It's only when we have exhausted all the options," she adds, "that we will look into other forms of alternative care for those children, and inter-country adoptions or national adoptions are options."
Sindy, 11, had left her family home in a rural area to attend school in Port-au-Prince. She lived with her aunt and uncle but was separated from them during the quake. Injured and alone, she found her way to a hospital.
When her parents learned of the quake the next day, they rushed to the capital to find their daughter. "But when we couldn't find her, I was distraught, I didn't know what to do," explains Sindy's father.
The hospital contacted UNICEF, which traced her uncle and then her parents, and the family was reunited.
Joy amidst tragedy
For Sindy, the relief was overwhelming. "They called my uncle and then took me to my parents," she recalls. "I was so happy to see them. I hugged them, and they were so happy to see me again."
In the midst of tragedy, the joy of being reunited with parents and other family members is helping many Haitian children overcome their trauma. UNICEF will continue working with separated and orphaned children to ensure that many more have the same opportunity.
jc
Saturday 30 January 2010, 1:42 am
WHO call for innovative technologies that address global health concerns
Deadline for submission: 31 January 2010
Medical devices are indispensable in health care delivery as tools for prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation. However, despite the exponential growth of scientific and technological development, availability of and access to appropriate and affordable health technologies are still insufficient.
The call for innovative technologies aims at identifying and evaluating innovative medical devices, either existing or under development, which address global health concerns and which are likely to be accessible, appropriate and affordable for use in low- and middle-income countries.
Selected innovative technologies will be highlighted on the WHO Essential Health Technologies website. They will be shared with governments, donors and other stakeholders, with a view to generally fostering the development, availability of and access to innovative health technologies, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
The call is open for manufacturers, institutions, universities, governments, individuals and non-profit organizations which design, manufacture and/or supply any type of medical devices that address the global health concerns below:
“The erosion of biodiversity is as big a global challenge as climate change,” cautions Irina Bokova The Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, opened the “Biodiversity Science Policy Conference” on Monday by underlining that preserving biological diversity represents “as big a global challenge as climate change”. She said the International Year of Biodiversity 2010 was an opportunity to reinforce UNESCO’s efforts to address “all aspects of biodiversity management and safeguarding”.
Regarding the project to create an intergovernmental platform on biodiversity and ecosystems services to promote exchange between scientists and policy-makers, similar to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Ms Bokova said UNESCO would want to cosponsor the initiative when it took form. Also present on the podium, Jean-Louis Borloo, French Minister for Ecology, Energy, Sustainable Development and Sea, expressed hope that the platform would be established “before the end of the year”.
Other participants at the opening of the conference were Carlos Gomes, Prime Minister of Guinea-Bissau; Henri Djombo, Minister of Sustainable Development, Forestry Economy and Environment of Congo; Ahmed Djoghlaf, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity; Jozsef Palinkas, President of the Academy of Sciences of Hungary; and, as moderator, Walter Erdelen, Assistant Director-General, Natural Sciences Sector, UNESCO.
Numerous experts on biodiversity are scheduled to speak at the five-day conference, which ends on Friday.
Prime Minister Gomes stated that his country’s biodiversity, though rich, was declining partly due to human activity but “mainly because of climate variation and change”. His government plans to create a biodiversity foundation, he announced.
Mr Borloo spoke of the current “sixth extinction” of living species, a situation he defined as highly alarming. Yet, he noted, there is a gap between our knowledge of biodiversity loss and the absence of real public awareness. He quoted philosopher Michel Serres, who said scientists were overlooked entirely in our show business society. Because politicians are “at a loss” in face of diminishing biodiversity, we must use the “common language” of science, Mr Borloo concluded. Mr Djoghlaf added a quotation from Louis Pasteur in the same vein, that “science knows no borders”.
The Congolese minister warned against accepting the idea that “countries in the North want those in the South to put their forests under glass, in exchange for financial compensation”. No country, he said, would allow its forests to become ecological reserves for conservation purposes. The “real solution” to the degradation of tropical forests, he maintained, lies notably in preventing illegal clearing while implementing sustainable use of resources and reforestation.
Furthermore, Mr Djombo underlined that UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme deserved to be “better known and to benefit from substantial funding”, because “MAB’s voice is not audible enough”. He deplored the limited budgets allocated to “prestigious programmes”.
Finally, Mr Djoghlaf noted that only two Heads of State had attended the Stockholm Conference on the environment in 1972, versus 120 who made their way to Copenhagen for last year’s summit on climate change. Considering it took 37 years to mobilize the international community on that issue, he expressed the hope that biodiversity would take less time and the conference on the subject planned at the United Nations in New York in September would bring together the entire international community. 29.01.2010 Source:
jcreddy
Saturday 30 January 2010, 1:37 am
“The erosion of biodiversity is as big a global challenge as climate change,” cautions Irina Bokova The Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, opened the “Biodiversity Science Policy Conference” on Monday by underlining that preserving biological diversity represents “as big a global challenge as climate change”. She said the International Year of Biodiversity 2010 was an opportunity to reinforce UNESCO’s efforts to address “all aspects of biodiversity management and safeguarding”.
Regarding the project to create an intergovernmental platform on biodiversity and ecosystems services to promote exchange between scientists and policy-makers, similar to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Ms Bokova said UNESCO would want to cosponsor the initiative when it took form. Also present on the podium, Jean-Louis Borloo, French Minister for Ecology, Energy, Sustainable Development and Sea, expressed hope that the platform would be established “before the end of the year”.
Other participants at the opening of the conference were Carlos Gomes, Prime Minister of Guinea-Bissau; Henri Djombo, Minister of Sustainable Development, Forestry Economy and Environment of Congo; Ahmed Djoghlaf, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity; Jozsef Palinkas, President of the Academy of Sciences of Hungary; and, as moderator, Walter Erdelen, Assistant Director-General, Natural Sciences Sector, UNESCO.
Numerous experts on biodiversity are scheduled to speak at the five-day conference, which ends on Friday.
Prime Minister Gomes stated that his country’s biodiversity, though rich, was declining partly due to human activity but “mainly because of climate variation and change”. His government plans to create a biodiversity foundation, he announced.
Mr Borloo spoke of the current “sixth extinction” of living species, a situation he defined as highly alarming. Yet, he noted, there is a gap between our knowledge of biodiversity loss and the absence of real public awareness. He quoted philosopher Michel Serres, who said scientists were overlooked entirely in our show business society. Because politicians are “at a loss” in face of diminishing biodiversity, we must use the “common language” of science, Mr Borloo concluded. Mr Djoghlaf added a quotation from Louis Pasteur in the same vein, that “science knows no borders”.
The Congolese minister warned against accepting the idea that “countries in the North want those in the South to put their forests under glass, in exchange for financial compensation”. No country, he said, would allow its forests to become ecological reserves for conservation purposes. The “real solution” to the degradation of tropical forests, he maintained, lies notably in preventing illegal clearing while implementing sustainable use of resources and reforestation.
Furthermore, Mr Djombo underlined that UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme deserved to be “better known and to benefit from substantial funding”, because “MAB’s voice is not audible enough”. He deplored the limited budgets allocated to “prestigious programmes”.
Finally, Mr Djoghlaf noted that only two Heads of State had attended the Stockholm Conference on the environment in 1972, versus 120 who made their way to Copenhagen for last year’s summit on climate change. Considering it took 37 years to mobilize the international community on that issue, he expressed the hope that biodiversity would take less time and the conference on the subject planned at the United Nations in New York in September would bring together the entire international community. 29.01.2010 Source:
jcreddy
Saturday 30 January 2010, 1:36 am
UNESCO calls for ban on trade in Haitian artefacts to prevent pillaging of the country’s cultural heritage UNESCO is launching a campaign to protect Haiti’s moveable heritage, notably art collections in the country’s damaged museums, galleries and churches, from pillaging.
The Director-General of the Organization, Irina Bokova, on Wednesday wrote to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, asking for his support in preventing the dispersion of Haiti’s cultural heritage.
“I would be most grateful,” she wrote, “if you would request Mr John Holmes, your Special Envoy for Haiti and Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian affairs, as well as the relevant authorities in charge of the overall coordination of UN humanitarian support in Port-au-Prince – the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) and the Department of Peace Keeping Operations (DPKO) – to ensure, as far as possible, the immediate security of the sites containing these artefacts.”
Ms Bokova further asked Mr Ban to consider recommending that the Security Council adopt a resolution instituting a temporary ban on the trade or transfer of Haitian cultural property. The Director-General also suggested that institutions such as Interpol, the World Customs Organization (WCO) and others assist in the implementation of such a ban.
The Director-General is also seeking to mobilize the support of the whole international community and of art market and museum professionals in enforcing the ban. “It is particularly important,” she urged in her letter, “to verify the origin of cultural property that might be imported, exported and/or offered for sale, especially on the Internet.”
Referring to UNESCO’s previous experiences in Afghanistan and Iraq, the Director-General said she intended to draw on national and international experts to orient and coordinate the assistance required to protect Haiti’s cultural heritage. “This heritage,” she insisted “is an invaluable source of identity and pride for the people on the island and will be essential to the success of their national reconstruction.”
It is important to prevent treasure hunters from rifling through the rubble of the numerous cultural landmarks that collapsed in the earthquake. Among them are the former Presidential Palace and Cathedral of Port-au-Prince, along with many edifices in Jacmel, the 17th century French colonial town Haiti planned to propose for inscription on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.
The one property already inscribed on the List – the National History Park - Citadel, Sans Souci, Ramiers - with its royal palace and large fortress appears to have been spared by the quake. As were the country’s main museums and archives.
UNESCO has already helped salvage the exceptionally rich historical archives of George Corvington, the historian of Haiti. It is also contributing to attempts to rescue whatever panels or significant fragments remain of the remarkable painted murals that decorated the Episcopal Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in Port-au-Prince. 29.01.2010 Source:
jcreddy
Saturday 30 January 2010, 1:34 am
EU: Keep Sanctions on Mugabe’s Inner Circle Zimbabwe’s Former Ruling Party is Blocking Critical Reforms January 29, 2010
Related Materials: False Dawn Zimbabwe: Hold the Line Diamonds in the Rough
ZANU-PF has continued committing grave human rights abuses and acting as if the agreement had never been signed. The European Union runs the risk of reinforcing ongoing repression and impunity in Zimbabwe if it eases the sanctions now. Georgette Gagnon, Africa director
(New York) - The European Union should maintain its travel restrictions and asset freezes on President Robert Mugabe and his inner circle until Zimbabwe carries out the concrete human rights reforms set out in the 2008 Global Political Agreement, Human Rights Watch said today. The EU is currently reviewing its sanctions policy toward Zimbabwe.
The Agreement, which established a power-sharing government, was implemented in February 2009 by Mugabe's party, the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF), and the then-opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) led by Morgan Tsvangirai. It contained specific measures to promote freedom of speech and the rule of law, end politically motivated violence, and apply laws of the country fully and impartially in bringing to justice all perpetrators of politically motivated violence. But the repression has continued, and the perpetrators are not being held to account for their actions.
"ZANU-PF has continued committing grave human rights abuses and acting as if the agreement had never been signed," said Georgette Gagnon, Africa director at Human Rights Watch. "The European Union runs the risk of reinforcing ongoing repression and impunity in Zimbabwe if it eases the sanctions now."
In September, the European Union sent a delegation to Zimbabwe to assess the implementation of the Agreement. The delegation found that the inclusive government had failed to meet the benchmarks the EU had established for resuming development cooperation with Zimbabwe and lifting targeted travel and financial restrictions on senior ZANU-PF members. The Swedish minister for international development, Gunilla Carlsson, who was part of the EU delegation, said then that targeted sanctions against Zimbabwe would not be lifted until human rights abuses ended.
Human Rights Watch's ongoing research and analysis in Zimbabwe show that the human rights situation there remains virtually the same as during the EU delegation's visit. As Human Rights Watch said in an August report on Zimbabwe's new power-sharing government, state agents affiliated with ZANU-PF continue to abduct and kill MDC activists without punishment and to arrest its legislators on spurious charges. Zimbabwe's oppressive media laws remain unchanged. Illegal invasions of commercial farms, frequently led by military personnel allied with ZANU-PF, are continuing; and there has been no meaningful progress in instituting promised human rights reforms or in demonstrating respect for the rule of law.
Some government-owned companies subject to EU sanctions, like Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation (ZMDC), are also actively involved in mining diamonds in eastern Zimbabwe, where Human Rights Watch has uncovered rampant abuses by the armed forces, including forced labor, child labor, killings, beatings, smuggling, and corruption. These abuses continue and justify the need to maintain pressure on ZANU-PF to honor its signed commitment to reform, Human Rights Watch said.
The European Union in 2002 began imposing travel restrictions and asset freezes on Mugabe and about 200 senior ZANU-PF officials, as well as on some state-owned companies with close ties to the party. The first round of sanctions followed Mugabe's controversial re-election that year, a breakdown of the rule of law, systemic human rights violations, and chaotic and often violent land seizures.
"Some in Europe might believe that making concessions is the way to get ZANU-PF to moderate its behavior, but ZANU-PF has shown that it would only take this as a sign of weakness and dig in its heels even further," Gagnon said. "The European Union should insist before it takes any action that ZANU-PF makes the concrete and irreversible improvements in human rights and the rule of law that it agreed to."
jcreddy
Saturday 30 January 2010, 1:33 am
Canada: Demand Return of Ex-Child Soldier from Guantanamo Government Should Bring Khadr Home Despite Court Ruling January 29, 2010
Related Materials: US: Redouble Efforts to Close Guantanamo Canada: Harper Should Raise Khadr Case During Obama's Visit Other Material: More of Human Rights Watch's reporting on Guantanamo
Canada was complicit in some of the abuse Omar Khadr faced at Guantanamo. Canada's Supreme Court today condemned Khadr's treatment in the strongest terms. The Harper government should now work to bring Omar Khadr home to Canada. Andrea Prasow, senior counterterrorism counsel.
(New York) - The Canadian government should immediately request the repatriation of Canadian citizen Omar Khadr from Guantanamo even though Canada's Supreme Court did not order it to do so, Human Rights Watch said today. Khadr, who was 15 years old when the US military took him into custody in Afghanistan, has been held at Guantanamo since 2002.
The Canadian Supreme Court today unequivocally condemned Canada's participation in Khadr's interrogations at Guantanamo as violations of Khadr's human rights, Canada's constitution, and "basic Canadian standards about the treatment of detained youth." The court declined to order the Canadian government to seek Khadr's repatriation because doing so would intrude upon the executive's discretion in foreign affairs. However, the court held that the effects of US and Canadian violations continue into the present and that the Canadian government must, in exercising its foreign affairs powers, take this into account.
"Canada was complicit in some of the abuse Omar Khadr faced at Guantanamo" said Andrea Prasow, senior counterterrorism counsel at Human Rights Watch. "Canada's Supreme Court today condemned Khadr's treatment in the strongest terms. The Harper government should now work to bring Omar Khadr home to Canada."
During his more than seven years in US custody, both at the US-run Bagram prison in Afghanistan and at Guantanamo, Khadr was reportedly subjected to abusive interrogations. He told his lawyers that he was subjected to sleep deprivation, shackled in painful positions, threatened with rendition to Egypt, Syria, or Jordan for torture, and used as a "human mop" after he urinated on the floor during one interrogation session.
In 2003, Canadian officials, including Canadian Security and Intelligence Service (CSIS) agents, interrogated Khadr at Guantanamo even though they had been informed that he had been subjected to three weeks of sleep deprivation in order to make him "more amenable" to talking to them.
Khadr, a native of Toronto, is slated for trial by military commission for allegedly throwing the grenade that killed US army medic Christopher Speer in 2002. In 2005, Khadr was charged with murder and conspiracy and is slated for trial by military commissions at Guantanamo that do not meet international fair trial standards.
Every other Western country whose nationals were detained at Guantanamo has successfully requested their return, Human Rights Watch said. Canada stands out as the sole exception.
"The United States was clearly Khadr's primary abuser, but Canada was complicit in his mistreatment," Prasow said. "The Canadian government should do the right thing and seek Khadr's return home."
A Canadian federal court first ordered Ottawa to request Khadr's return in April 2009, after finding that Canada had violated its constitution and was likely in violation of its international human rights obligations by cooperating with the United States' abusive interrogation regime. The court said requesting Khadr's repatriation was the only remedy it could offer to address the serious and ongoing human rights violations of a Canadian citizen.
The Canadian government appealed the ruling, and in August 2009, an appeals court upheld the lower court ruling. The government again appealed, and Canada's Supreme Court heard the case in November 2009.
Human Rights Watch, in conjunction with the University of Toronto law faculty's human rights clinic, appeared before the court on Khadr's behalf as one of nine interveners in the case. Arguing that Canada had become complicit in US treatment and abuse of Khadr, Human Rights Watch said the only reasonable remedy would be for Canada to seek his repatriation.
"The court's ruling puts the ball in the Canadian government's court," Prasow said. "Canada should now act to protect Khadr's rights as an ill-treated Guantanamo detainee and as a former child soldier. The best way to do this would be to make a real effort to return him to Canada."
jcreddy
Saturday 30 January 2010, 1:31 am
Dubai's Shameful Record on Rape The arrest of a British woman allegedly raped in Dubai mirrors harsh Middle Eastern attitudes to women and sexual assault by
Nadya Khalife
Published in: The Guardian January 29, 2010
For those of us who live in the Middle East, it is really not that clear what we should do if we're sexually assaulted, abused, or raped. That is because in so many instances, officials either don't take us seriously, or – as this case frighteningly illustrates – we may even be charged with a crime ourselves. Nadya Khalife, Middle East and North Africa researcher for the Women's Rights Division
Dubai sees and markets itself as a tolerant cosmopolitan city where east meets west: where occidental comforts and luxury sit cosily and apparently easily with the Arab-Islamic culture. As many visitors to the UAE notice (and have mentioned to me), alcohol is readily available in hotels and restaurants. Unmarried couples often openly share hotel rooms, and visitors to the UAE say they are rarely, if ever, troubled by the authorities over either issue.
But, recent events in Dubai suggest that this meeting place may not be quite as comfortable or cosy as one may think. On New Year's Eve, a young British woman of Pakistani descent was allegedly raped by a hotel worker at an upmarket hotel in Dubai Marina. She had been celebrating her engagement with her 44-year-old British boyfriend during a three-day romantic getaway to the city. But, based on news reports, their pleasant weekend apparently turned into a nightmare. She reported to the police that a hotel employee followed her into a restroom and raped her.
A woman should be able to report a rape to the police anywhere in the world and to expect them to investigate the charge. In some parts of the world that will actually happen, even though police officials are not always as sensitive or responsive as they should be. But for those of us who live in the Middle East, it is really not that clear what we should do if we're sexually assaulted, abused, or raped. That is because in so many instances, officials either don't take us seriously, or - as this case frighteningly illustrates - we may even be charged with a crime ourselves.
It became clear in this case that the Dubai authorities were not really interested in whether the young woman had been harmed. The authorities at the Jebel Ali police station in Dubai seemed to be much more intrigued about this young woman's alcohol consumption and her sex life, news reports indicate. Instead of seriously investigating the rape, which carries a harsh sentence under local law, the police charged the woman and her fiancé with drinking alcohol and having illegal sex.
They spent a night in jail and were then released on bail. Their passports have been confiscated as they await trial, and if convicted, they may face up to six years in prison. Police officials contend that the woman "fabricated" her story though they have provided no information to back up their conclusion, and despite the fact that the criminal investigation is apparently not yet complete. The hotel employee, who admitted he had sex with the woman but denies it was rape, has been charged with illegal sex, rather than rape.
This woman's experience is unfortunately not limited to tourists in Dubai. It is an example of how authorities, especially in this region, ignore violence against women every day and turn investigations of crimes against women into "moral" judgment calls. The real problem is the much broader and more basic one of how societies in the Middle East view women and attempt to control them, placing restrictions on how they should dress, speak, and act in public. Women are seen as custodians of family "honour" and are coerced into marriage. Even the most open societies in the region continue to fail women by not fully respecting their human rights.
Women in the Middle East face discriminatory legal provisions in personal status laws, which govern almost every aspect of their lives, including marriage, divorce, custody and guardianship, and inheritance. Discriminatory provisions in penal codes either exempt or hand down mitigated sentences to male family members who murder their female relatives. Women are also reluctant to report domestic abuse, rape, or other forms of gender-based violence to authorities because of the difficulties they face in seeking redress.
A few weeks ago, a young woman was allegedly raped in a restroom. The fact that she was treated like a criminal when she went to the police and that women in the Middle East are scared to report such crimes is the real moral outrage.
jcreddy
Saturday 30 January 2010, 1:30 am
Gaza: Hamas Report Whitewashes War Crimes Independent Investigation Needed January 28, 2010
Hamas can spin the story and deny the evidence, but hundreds of rockets rained down on civilian areas in Israel where no military installations were located. Hamas leaders at the time indicated they were intending to harm civilians. Joe Stork, deputy Middle East director at Human Rights Watch
(New York) - Hamas's latest claim that its rocket attacks against Israel are not war crimes is factually and legally wrong, Human Rights Watch said today.
On January 27, 2010, Hamas authorities in Gaza released the summary of an internal report that tried to clear itself and other Palestinian armed groups of laws-of-war violations during last year's hostilities with Israel. The report says that rocket attacks into Israel only targeted military objectives, and that civilian casualties were an unintended result.
"Hamas can spin the story and deny the evidence, but hundreds of rockets rained down on civilian areas in Israel where no military installations were located," said Joe Stork, deputy Middle East director at Human Rights Watch. "Hamas leaders at the time indicated they were intending to harm civilians."
Since 2001, Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups in Gaza have fired thousands of rockets deliberately or indiscriminately at civilian areas in Israel.
During the December 2008-January 2009 fighting, rockets launched from Gaza killed three Israeli civilians and wounded dozens. Hamas's armed wing, the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, claimed responsibility for all three fatal attacks. Two Palestinian girls also died when a Palestinian rocket struck inside Gaza.
Hamas prepared its report in response to the findings of the United Nations Fact Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict, headed by Justice Richard Goldstone. The Goldstone report said that rocket attacks by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups constituted war crimes and perhaps crimes against humanity.
The Goldstone report also found that Israeli forces committed war crimes and possible crimes against humanity, including indiscriminate and disproportionate attacks, and some attacks targeting civilians and civilian objects. The report called on Israel and Hamas to carry out impartial investigations by the end of March.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is to report to the General Assembly on February 5 on steps that Israel and Hamas have taken thus far to conduct impartial investigations. Israel is also expected to release its response to the Goldstone report soon.
The report from Hamas was prepared by a committee headed by Gaza's justice minister, Faraj al-Ghoul.
A Hamas media statement accompanying the report summary says: "Despite the certainty that there were no international humanitarian law or human rights violations amounting to war crimes, the committee opened its doors wide to receive people's complaints, investigate them to the fullest extent, and prosecute the perpetrators in accordance with Palestinian law."
Human Rights Watch said that statements by Hamas leaders during last year's fighting contradict Hamas's claims that Palestinian armed group fired rockets only at military targets. A spokesman for the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades who identified himself as Abu Obeida said in a video released on January 5, 2009, for example, that "continuing the incursion will only make us increase our rocket range [...]. We will double the number of Israelis under fire." Senior Hamas leader Mahmoud Zahar, in a speech broadcast the same day, said, "The Israeli enemy ... shelled everyone in Gaza. They shelled children and hospitals and mosques, and in doing so, they gave us legitimacy to strike them in the same way."
The balance of power and the politics of a conflict are never justifications for a warring party to target civilians, Human Rights Watch said. Violations of the laws of war by one party do not justify violations by the other side.
The locally manufactured Qassam and longer-range Grad rockets launched by armed groups in Gaza also have no guidance system and are therefore inherently indiscriminate when fired at populated areas. Firing them into densely populated areas of Israel is a violation of the laws of war.
"Hamas's self-investigation clearly failed the test," Stork said. "An independent and impartial investigation is needed to look seriously at its conduct during the fighting."
jcreddy
Saturday 30 January 2010, 1:29 am
Canada: Demand Return of Ex-Child Soldier from Guantanamo Government Should Bring Khadr Home Despite Court Ruling January 29, 2010
Related Materials: US: Redouble Efforts to Close Guantanamo Canada: Harper Should Raise Khadr Case During Obama's Visit Other Material: More of Human Rights Watch's reporting on Guantanamo
Canada was complicit in some of the abuse Omar Khadr faced at Guantanamo. Canada's Supreme Court today condemned Khadr's treatment in the strongest terms. The Harper government should now work to bring Omar Khadr home to Canada. Andrea Prasow, senior counterterrorism counsel.
(New York) - The Canadian government should immediately request the repatriation of Canadian citizen Omar Khadr from Guantanamo even though Canada's Supreme Court did not order it to do so, Human Rights Watch said today. Khadr, who was 15 years old when the US military took him into custody in Afghanistan, has been held at Guantanamo since 2002.
The Canadian Supreme Court today unequivocally condemned Canada's participation in Khadr's interrogations at Guantanamo as violations of Khadr's human rights, Canada's constitution, and "basic Canadian standards about the treatment of detained youth." The court declined to order the Canadian government to seek Khadr's repatriation because doing so would intrude upon the executive's discretion in foreign affairs. However, the court held that the effects of US and Canadian violations continue into the present and that the Canadian government must, in exercising its foreign affairs powers, take this into account.
"Canada was complicit in some of the abuse Omar Khadr faced at Guantanamo" said Andrea Prasow, senior counterterrorism counsel at Human Rights Watch. "Canada's Supreme Court today condemned Khadr's treatment in the strongest terms. The Harper government should now work to bring Omar Khadr home to Canada."
During his more than seven years in US custody, both at the US-run Bagram prison in Afghanistan and at Guantanamo, Khadr was reportedly subjected to abusive interrogations. He told his lawyers that he was subjected to sleep deprivation, shackled in painful positions, threatened with rendition to Egypt, Syria, or Jordan for torture, and used as a "human mop" after he urinated on the floor during one interrogation session.
In 2003, Canadian officials, including Canadian Security and Intelligence Service (CSIS) agents, interrogated Khadr at Guantanamo even though they had been informed that he had been subjected to three weeks of sleep deprivation in order to make him "more amenable" to talking to them.
Khadr, a native of Toronto, is slated for trial by military commission for allegedly throwing the grenade that killed US army medic Christopher Speer in 2002. In 2005, Khadr was charged with murder and conspiracy and is slated for trial by military commissions at Guantanamo that do not meet international fair trial standards.
Every other Western country whose nationals were detained at Guantanamo has successfully requested their return, Human Rights Watch said. Canada stands out as the sole exception.
"The United States was clearly Khadr's primary abuser, but Canada was complicit in his mistreatment," Prasow said. "The Canadian government should do the right thing and seek Khadr's return home."
A Canadian federal court first ordered Ottawa to request Khadr's return in April 2009, after finding that Canada had violated its constitution and was likely in violation of its international human rights obligations by cooperating with the United States' abusive interrogation regime. The court said requesting Khadr's repatriation was the only remedy it could offer to address the serious and ongoing human rights violations of a Canadian citizen.
The Canadian government appealed the ruling, and in August 2009, an appeals court upheld the lower court ruling. The government again appealed, and Canada's Supreme Court heard the case in November 2009.
Human Rights Watch, in conjunction with the University of Toronto law faculty's human rights clinic, appeared before the court on Khadr's behalf as one of nine interveners in the case. Arguing that Canada had become complicit in US treatment and abuse of Khadr, Human Rights Watch said the only reasonable remedy would be for Canada to seek his repatriation.
"The court's ruling puts the ball in the Canadian government's court," Prasow said. "Canada should now act to protect Khadr's rights as an ill-treated Guantanamo detainee and as a former child soldier. The best way to do this would be to make a real effort to return him to Canada."
jcreddy
Saturday 30 January 2010, 1:28 am
EU: Keep Sanctions on Mugabe’s Inner Circle Zimbabwe’s Former Ruling Party is Blocking Critical Reforms January 29, 2010
Related Materials: False Dawn Zimbabwe: Hold the Line Diamonds in the Rough
ZANU-PF has continued committing grave human rights abuses and acting as if the agreement had never been signed. The European Union runs the risk of reinforcing ongoing repression and impunity in Zimbabwe if it eases the sanctions now. Georgette Gagnon, Africa director
(New York) - The European Union should maintain its travel restrictions and asset freezes on President Robert Mugabe and his inner circle until Zimbabwe carries out the concrete human rights reforms set out in the 2008 Global Political Agreement, Human Rights Watch said today. The EU is currently reviewing its sanctions policy toward Zimbabwe.
The Agreement, which established a power-sharing government, was implemented in February 2009 by Mugabe's party, the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF), and the then-opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) led by Morgan Tsvangirai. It contained specific measures to promote freedom of speech and the rule of law, end politically motivated violence, and apply laws of the country fully and impartially in bringing to justice all perpetrators of politically motivated violence. But the repression has continued, and the perpetrators are not being held to account for their actions.
"ZANU-PF has continued committing grave human rights abuses and acting as if the agreement had never been signed," said Georgette Gagnon, Africa director at Human Rights Watch. "The European Union runs the risk of reinforcing ongoing repression and impunity in Zimbabwe if it eases the sanctions now."
In September, the European Union sent a delegation to Zimbabwe to assess the implementation of the Agreement. The delegation found that the inclusive government had failed to meet the benchmarks the EU had established for resuming development cooperation with Zimbabwe and lifting targeted travel and financial restrictions on senior ZANU-PF members. The Swedish minister for international development, Gunilla Carlsson, who was part of the EU delegation, said then that targeted sanctions against Zimbabwe would not be lifted until human rights abuses ended.
Human Rights Watch's ongoing research and analysis in Zimbabwe show that the human rights situation there remains virtually the same as during the EU delegation's visit. As Human Rights Watch said in an August report on Zimbabwe's new power-sharing government, state agents affiliated with ZANU-PF continue to abduct and kill MDC activists without punishment and to arrest its legislators on spurious charges. Zimbabwe's oppressive media laws remain unchanged. Illegal invasions of commercial farms, frequently led by military personnel allied with ZANU-PF, are continuing; and there has been no meaningful progress in instituting promised human rights reforms or in demonstrating respect for the rule of law.
Some government-owned companies subject to EU sanctions, like Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation (ZMDC), are also actively involved in mining diamonds in eastern Zimbabwe, where Human Rights Watch has uncovered rampant abuses by the armed forces, including forced labor, child labor, killings, beatings, smuggling, and corruption. These abuses continue and justify the need to maintain pressure on ZANU-PF to honor its signed commitment to reform, Human Rights Watch said.
The European Union in 2002 began imposing travel restrictions and asset freezes on Mugabe and about 200 senior ZANU-PF officials, as well as on some state-owned companies with close ties to the party. The first round of sanctions followed Mugabe's controversial re-election that year, a breakdown of the rule of law, systemic human rights violations, and chaotic and often violent land seizures.
"Some in Europe might believe that making concessions is the way to get ZANU-PF to moderate its behavior, but ZANU-PF has shown that it would only take this as a sign of weakness and dig in its heels even further," Gagnon said. "The European Union should insist before it takes any action that ZANU-PF makes the concrete and irreversible improvements in human rights and the rule of law that it agreed to."
jcreddy
Saturday 30 January 2010, 1:25 am
UN health agency lauds $10 billion Gates Foundation pledge for decade of vaccines [Children in Tajikistan after being vaccinated. [File Photo]]
Children in Tajikistan after being vaccinated. [File Photo] 29 January 2010 – The United Nations health agency today welcomed the $10 billion pledge from the Bill
jc
Saturday 30 January 2010, 1:24 am
Haitian relief efforts have long way to go despite improvement – UN official [Aid workers deliver water supplied by UNICEF to an orphanage in Port-au-Prince]
Aid workers deliver water supplied by UNICEF to an orphanage in Port-au-Prince 29 January 2010 – The emergency relief operation in Haiti continues to make progress on a daily basis although considerable logistical restraints have meant large numbers of people suffering from the impact of the devastating 7.0-magnitude earthquake have not yet received the aid they need, the United Nations humanitarian chief said today.
“We have a long way to go before we can feel satisfied about that,” the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator John Holmes told reporters at UN Headquarters in New York.
For the most part potable water is being shipped to the people who need it, but there are major concerns over the distribution of food, said Mr. Holmes, who is also the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs.
The World Food Programme (WFP) has been working night and day to reach around 600,000 people to date with the equivalent of 16 million meals, an effort which will be considerably scaled up to reach 2 million people in the next two weeks through food distribution sites.
“This will involve the distribution of some 10 million kilos of rice to over 400,000 households, which is the equivalent of 2 million people. This is just in the Port-au-Prince area,” he said, referring to the capital.
Food deliveries are also slated to be trucked directly to around 400 orphanages and hospitals altogether over the 14 day period, he added.
Mr. Holmes noted that the initial phase for Haitians in need of emergency surgical operations is largely over, but concerns remain over those who have undergone surgery and who need intensive care. “They don’t have homes to go to in many cases and that’s something being addressed.”
Current estimates of 2,000 amputee cases in Haiti as a result of injuries sustained in the 12 January earthquake are likely to rise, Paul Garwood of the World Health Organization (WHO) told a press briefing in Geneva earlier in the day.
“Clearly there would be a longer-term problem about how to cope with the large number of amputees in terms of artificial limbs and rehabilitation, but that’s a slightly longer-term issue, but one [that] we’re very conscious of as well,” said Mr. Holmes.
He said that rather than create large camps for displaced persons, the focus is to help provide shelter to where people have fled in the capital and other large cities, stressing that there are some 500 informal settlements scattered around Port-au-Prince alone.
The UN is making sure people have either tents, or other materials, including plastic sheeting, tarpaulins and wood to help create temporary shelters. Some people are starting from scratch on open ground and many are living on the land by their destroyed houses.
“In this context, sanitation is a particular concern at the moment,” said Mr. Holmes. “There is a need to provide sanitation particularly to these informal camps around Port-au-Prince and elsewhere.”
In addition, Mr. Holmes underscored the need to boost child protection. “This is a huge concern at the moment with so many children involved, so many orphaned and separated or otherwise isolated and the risks to them from unauthorized attempts to get them out of the country.”
At the press briefing in Geneva, Veronique Taveau of the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said that security is being strengthened in hospitals, orphanages, at the border crossing with the Dominican Republic and at the airport, and the UN mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) is conducting investigations into alleged kidnappings of children.
Mr. Holmes noted that the $575 million UN flash appeal for Haiti launched three days after the quake is 82 per cent funded, Mr. Holmes announced, expressing some concern that certain areas – including early recovery, the cash-for-work scheme, agriculture and nutrition – remain under-funded.
Although only around $3 million of the $41 million of the cash-for-work programme has been funded to date, Mr. Holmes said the funding will increase shortly. “At the moment 12,500 are already employed under this UNDP [UN Development Programme] cash-for-work scheme. That should reach 20,000 by the end of the weekend and the aim is to eventually reach 200,000 people.”
News Tracker: past stories on this issue
Top UN envoy stresses need for global coordination in post-quake Haiti
jc
Friday 29 January 2010, 2:45 am
Activists in Honduras tell Amnesty International of hidden human rights crisis
Women's rights activist Gilda Rivera speaks to Amnesty International
As Honduras' president elect Porfirio Lobo prepares to take power, new questions arise about events that have taken place since the coup d’etat last June.
An Amnesty International delegation in the country talked to human rights activists about the hidden crisis affecting the Central American nation.
Read interviews with activists: Dina Meza - “We have gone back 30 years” Donny Reyes - “Most crimes against LGBT people are lost in limbo” Alexis Quiroz - “The population needs to be informed to make objective decisions”
Gilda Rivera: “Women are at higher risk because they are considered second class citizens”
HildaGilda Rivera works in an apparent oasis of calm on a hill in Tegucigalpa. When you are there, among the plants and paintings which decorate the building, it’s hard to imagine the stories she and her organization hear. But some days, an unknown car appears and parks suspiciously in the close vicinity of the offices for no apparent reason and waits, then it leaves.
Gilda is the director of the Centre for Women’s Rights (Centro para Derechos las Mujeres), a group that works to document and combat violence against women in Honduras.
In a report published recently, the group painted a dark picture of what it is like to be a woman in Honduras, where hundreds have been victims of sexual abuse, domestic violence and murder.
Gilda says the situation for Honduran women has always been worrying but since the coup d’etat of June 2009, things have deteriorated rapidly.
“When the whole population is facing human rights violations, women are at even greater risk because we are considered second class citizens,” said Gilda.
The Centre for Women’s Rights has documented a number of cases of sexual violence against women reportedly committed by members of the security forces since de coup d’etat, particularly in the north of the country.
“A woman was detained by police officers after a demonstration, taken to a piece of wasteland and raped by four police officers. She recognized some of them from the names she could see on their uniforms.
"They left her there. She was forced to move away from her home because of the fear she feels. This is the punishment women experience for daring to speak out - to participate, to be citizens.”
Gilda is convinced that the historical lack of investigations and justice for women who have suffered violence is contributing to more cases of abuse.
“The coup d’etat ruined much of what we had gained and achieved… all women have received is more violence.”
DinaDina Meza: “We have gone back 30 years” Dina Meza lives and talks human rights at every opportunity she is given. As a journalist, an activist and a member of COFADEH (Committee of Relatives of the Disappeared in Honduras), one of Honduras' oldest human rights organizations, she knows all too well what it means to work on an issue that is not always popular with the authorities.
The past five months have been particularly challenging for Dina and her colleagues at COFADEH. Its members have spent countless days and nights collecting testimonies of threats, harassment, police beatings, arbitrary arrests, ill treatment and killings across the country. They then file habeas corpus and other legal remedies on behalf of those affected by the repression.
In one of the most serious incidents, on 23 September, police threw tear gas canisters inside their office in Tegucigalpa, while Dina and other colleagues were inside the building. The message was clear from those who had taken power: defending human rights was part of the problem, not the solution.
Dina believes the underlying problem in Honduras is a lack of justice prevailing since the 1980s, when hundreds of people were killed or disappeared at the hands of the country’s security forces.
“The generations who were repressed in the 80s – the men and women killed, disappeared, and whose relatives still haven’t received justice – all this accumulated impunity and the human rights abusers who are calmly walking the streets of Honduras, this all has to do with what’s happening now. It teaches us that when repression goes unpunished, it happens again,” Dina said.
“We have legal repression, police repression, military repression - so what does this mean? We have to reform and reconstitute all these institutions and start again, with a new procedure.”
Donny Reyes: “Most crimes against LGBT people are lost in limbo” donnyBefore the political crisis blew up in Honduras, Donny Reyes was trying to put his country on the map internationally, working to raise awareness of the abuses and discrimination suffered by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual and transgender people.
But as the Central American nation slid into political turmoil, human rights were sidelined.
“We had started talks with the Public Prosecutor’s Office, with members of the police and some members of the government for the investigation [of crimes against the LGBT community] and access to some public services. This stopped after the coup d’etat,” Donny explained.
According to information published by the organization Donny works for, the Rainbow Association, killings of transsexual people have also increased sharply since the coup d’etat.
Research conducted by Rainbow found that there were 12 killings of gay, lesbian, trans sexual and transgender people in Honduras in the whole of 2008. In the four months since the coup d’etat, that figure reached 14.
“These are the violent deaths and crimes that we have documented. It doesn't include the many others we don’t know of - the ones that are left in impunity, lost in limbo,” said Donny.
The activist – who was himself a victim of abuse at the hands of the security forces in 2007 – said the most worrying point of the crisis was during the state of emergency in the first week after the coup d’etat, when curfews were implemented in different areas of the country.
During that time, at least three members of the LGBT community were killed. Fabio Zamora was shot in the head while he was working in a market. Marion Cardenas was shot in the forehead on 29 June. Vicky Hernandez died the same way in San Pedro Sula, during the curfew on 28 June.
“During the state of emergency you could feel a climate of fear, collective panic. Nothing could move here if it hadn’t been authorized by the armed forces, particularly the army. When the state of emergency was declared that day, everybody just ran home to hide and find refuge. What the authorities would do that night was nobody’s responsibility.”
Alexis Quiroz: “The population needs to be informed to make objective decisions” In Alexis’s office, an old house in Tegucigalpa, the TV is stuck on one channel, Canal 36, one of the main news stations in the country. But there are no images on the screen. Instead, a multi-coloured test card reads: “They interfere with Canal 36’s signal to prevent us from informing you.”
This very sentence is reflective of the situation faced by journalists across Honduras and the changes in the way the media operates in the context of Honduras’ political crisis.
“Before the coup d’etat we had some differences of opinion with the government but we didn’t have censorship; we didn’t have violence against journalists or other people who spoke out against the government,” said Alexis
“Now we even have decrees which say that nobody can say anything against a public official, you can’t express any kind of unfavourable opinion against a public official.”
C-Libre, the organization where Alexis works, has recorded 130 incidents of threats, dismissals and attacks against journalists since the coup d’etat on 28 June.
“Military occupation of media outlets is high, the level of physical attacks against journalists is very high, and there are threats – these are the three most pressing issues. We have at least 130 cases, including closures of media outlets.” Read More Independent investigation needed into Honduras human rights abuses (News,
jc
Friday 29 January 2010, 2:43 am
Amnesty International issues human rights plan for Honduras The security forces committed acts of human rights abuse during the coup d'état
The security forces committed acts of human rights abuse during the coup d'état
Honduran President Porfirio Lobo must ensure the abuses of the past seven months are dealt with quickly and effectively
View all 4 images
28 January 2010
Amnesty International on Thursday issued a series of recommendations to newly elected Honduran President Porfirio Lobo to repair the damage done to human rights since the June 2009 coup d'état, which left hundreds seeking justice.
The 13 recommendations include issues relating to investigations into the human rights abuses committed by security forces, rejecting amnesty laws for those responsible for the crimes, training judges on international human rights legislation and setting up an effective witness protection programme.
"Honduras' devastating coup d'état has left the country in urgent need of a programme of human rights reconstruction with clear objectives and a timeline for completion," said Kerrie Howard, Deputy Director of Amnesty International's Americas programme.
"If President Lobo wants to restore the rule of law and confidence in his government, he must ensure the abuses of the past seven months are dealt with quickly and effectively."
Amnesty International's report also summarizes 20 cases which include police killings, arbitrary detentions, beatings and ill-treatment in detention, sexual abuse of women and girls, harassment of journalists, judges and activists.
No-one has been held to account for these abuses and few investigations have been opened.
On 1 August, 38-year-old teacher Roger Abraham Vallejo died in hospital as a result of injuries sustained from a bullet wound to the head, caused by a rubber bullet reportedly fired by police during the break up of a protest in Tegucigalpa in July. An investigation into the killing is open but no advances have been reported.
On 23 September, 16-year-old Gerson Ariel Cruz was seriously wounded by police following the break up of a protest in Tegucigalpa. According to an eyewitness, the police chased protesters into a residential neighbourhood where they opened fire with live ammunition. Gerson, who had taken no part in the protest, was shot in the stomach.
When family members tried to take him to hospital they were turned back from a police roadblock, substantially delaying their journey to seek emergency treatment. Gerson survived but sustained serious injuries from which he has still not fully recovered. The shooting was reported to the Special Prosecutor for Human Rights and an investigation is on-going.
"There are dozens of cases of killings, beatings, sexual harassment and other abuses by the security forces against members of the opposition movement and those seen as critical of the coup d'état which need to be urgently investigated," said Kerrie Howard. "Hondurans will expect President Lobo to provide answers and a resolution to the hundreds of human rights abuses committed by the security forces since 28 June 2009."
Honduran President Porfirio Lobo took office on 27 January. He was elected in November last year amidst a political crisis that saw President Manuel Zelaya ousted by military-backed right wing politicians in June.
Honduras: Recommendations to the new Honduran government following the coup of June 2009 (Document, 28 January 2010)
jcreddy
Friday 29 January 2010, 2:40 am
'Shocking' execution of Iran protesters condemned At least nine other people are on death row following post-election unrest
At least nine other people are on death row following post-election unrest
28 January 2010 Amnesty International has condemned the execution of two men arrested during protests that followed Iran's disputed presidential election last year.
Mohammad Reza Ali-Zamani and Arash Rahmanipour were hanged on Thursday after being convicted in unfair trials of “enmity against God” and being members of Anjoman-e Padeshahi-e Iran (API), a banned group which advocates the restoration of an Iranian monarchy.
They are the first executions known to be related to the post-election violence that erupted across Iran in June and has continued since.
"These shocking executions show that the Iranian authorities will stop at nothing to stamp out the peaceful protests that persist since the election," said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui, Amnesty International's Middle East and North Africa Deputy Director.
"These men were first unfairly convicted and now they have been unjustly killed – it is not even clear they had links to this group as their 'confessions' appear to have been made under duress."
According to the Iranian authorities, at least nine other people are currently on death row in Iran after being sentenced to death in similar post-election 'show trials'.
"Our fear is that these executions are just the beginning of a wave of executions of those tried on similar vaguely worded charges," said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui.
Mohammad Reza Ali-Zamani and Arash Rahmanipour were convicted of “enmity against God” by Tehran's Revolutionary Court in October. They were also convicted of "propaganda against the system", "insulting the holy sanctities" and "gathering and colluding with intent to harm national internal security".
Mohammad Reza Ali-Zamani was accused of illegally visiting Iraq where he was alleged to have met US military officials.
Arash Rahmanipour's lawyer says he played no role in the election protests and was forced to confess in a “show trial” after members of his family were threatened.
The two men's lawyers were not informed of their clients' executions, as is required by Iranian law.
"These executions highlight how the justice system is used as an instrument of repression by the authorities. They are sending a warning to those who may wish to exercise their right to peacefully demonstrate against the government, not to go out in the street,” said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui.
Further anti-government demonstrations are widely expected to take place on the anniversary of the Islamic Revolution on 11 February.
According to Iranian officials, over 40 people have died in demonstrations since the election, which were violently repressed by the security forces. Amnesty International believes the number to be much higher. More than 5,000 people have been arrested, many of whom were tortured or otherwise ill-treated.
Scores have been sentenced to prison terms, and in some cases flogging, after unfair trials, and at least 11 have been sentenced to death. One man – Hamed Rouhinejad - has had his death sentence commuted on appeal in January 2010.
jc
Friday 29 January 2010, 2:38 am
Department of Public Information • News and Media Division • New York
Press Conference on Findings by Human Rights Watch in Democratic Republic of Congo
The Security Council should immediately suspend United Nations support to military operations in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo until clear conditions were in place to ensure respect for international humanitarian law and the removal of commanders known to have committed war crimes and crimes against humanity, a senior researcher with Human Rights Watch said at Headquarters today.
“What we have documented is widespread and vicious attacks against civilians by all sides -– by the Congolese army, by the Rwandan army and also by the Rwandan Hutu militia, the FDLR”, Anneke Van Woudenberg, Senior Researcher on the Democratic Republic of the Congo, said at a press conference this morning as the non-governmental organization released a report documenting recent and ongoing atrocities in the eastern part of that country. Joining her on the podium was Ida Sawyer, a researcher based in the eastern Congolese town of Goma.
Underlining the calculated nature of the attacks, Ms. Van Woudenberg said: “These were not civilians who were caught in the crossfire. These were not civilians who were in the wrong place at the wrong time. These were civilians who were deliberately targeted.” To make good on its commitment to protect civilians, the Council should immediately deploy a civilian-protection expert group to formulate strategies and document ongoing atrocities. At a minimum, the United Nations should also work to remove known human rights abusers from the ranks of the Congolese army, starting with a list of 15 individuals that MONUC had itself already identified, she added.
Today’s launch of the 183-page report “You Will Be Punished: Attacks on Civilians in Eastern Congo” -- which details the deliberate killing of more than 1,400 civilians by Government and rebel forces between January and September 2009 -– comes two days before Alan Doss, Special Representative of the Secretary-General in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is expected to brief the Security Council and a week before that body is scheduled to renew the mandate of the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC).
Based on 23 fact-finding missions carried out by Human Rights Watch this year, as well as interviews with more than 600 victims, witnesses and family members, the report covers two phases of operations: the five-week joint operation between the Congolese and Rwandan forces against the FDLR (Democratic Front for the Liberation of Rwanda), which began in January, and the Congolese military’s ongoing Kimia II operation targeting the FDLR with support from MONUC.
The report details the FDLR’s deliberate strategy launched early this year to attack civilians so as to create a humanitarian catastrophe. It describes dramatic increases in sexual violence, forced labour for the transportation of weapons and ammunition –- particularly by the Congolese army -- and widespread burning of villages, homes, schools, churches and other structures.
Citing specific violations, Ms. Sawyer said one of the worst attacks that Human Rights Watch had documented had taken place in the Shalio area, where 129 Rwandan Hutu civilian refugees had been massacred during a three-day killing spree from 27 to 29 April. Some had been shot in the neck while trying to flee, others had been chopped to death by machete and still others had been burned to death in their homes. Many women and girls had been raped before being murdered.
Another 40 women and girls had been abducted and taken to a Congolese army position in nearby Busurungi, where they had been held as sex slaves for days and even weeks, said Ms. Sawyer, adding that she had interviewed members of a group of 10 escapees, one of whom had chunks of flesh missing from her breast and stomach.
She went on to say that, in retaliation for Shalio, the FDLR had massacred at least 96 civilians, some of whom had been tied together and had their throats “slit like chickens”, according to one witness. In one church compound, the pastor and his family had been massacred together, she said.
Stressing that the events included in the report were “the tip of the iceberg”, Ms. Van Woudenberg said it was crucial that the Security Council find a more comprehensive strategy for dealing with the FDLR. It should go beyond military means to encourage the militia group to disarm and leave eastern Congo. While FDLR President and Supreme Commander General Ignace Murwanashyaka had been arrested in Germany in November, other leaders should also be arrested.
The United Nations had taken an important step forward to cut off support to one army brigade in November, but it was not the only one carrying out abuses, she said. Indeed, reporting indicated that the Shalio massacre had been ordered by Lieutenant Colonel Innocent Zimurinda, whose troops were receiving rations, fuel and other support from the United Nations. While the officer had a well-known track record of war crimes and crimes against humanity, he remained in operational command of a unit still supported by MONUC.
Asked to comment on suggestions that MONUC forces should be drawn down, Ms. Van Woudenberg said that, in light of the immense risk Congolese civilians faced from their army and other armed groups, the time was not yet right for such a drawdown. The Council would be wise to resist any pressure to reduce troop levels –- including from Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. MONUC had made some steps forward in protecting civilians, but it should not only seek to be more effective, but to do more.
She noted, in that context, that an additional 3,000 troops mandated a year ago were only arriving now -- a delay due in part to the Council’s failure to respond quickly. With sexual violence in eastern Congo rising despite a special focus on that issue within the United Nations, policymakers should also wonder the effectiveness of the steps taken to end it.
In response to several questions about need for United Nations leadership, she emphasized that leadership should come first from the Council, and also from MONUC and the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO). It was shameful that MONUC, DPKO and the Council were allowing operations backed by the Organization to include Bosco Ntaganda, who was wanted by the International Criminal Court.
She went on to underscore further that the Organization’s own lawyers had advised, in memos between the Office of Legal Affairs, DPKO and MONUC written in April and made public last week, that MONUC should not be involved in operations until there was clear conditionality in place. That was one reason why Human Rights Watch was advocating for proper conditions to be put in place now, or for the suspension of MONUC operations until they were. Unless that was done, the United Nations -- and particularly MONUC -- would be in a situation where it was implicated in human rights violations.
Asked what that would mean for the Organization, she clarified that it did not mean the United Nations was involved in committing war crimes, since that required a demonstrable intent. Rather, the United Nations would be involved -- and legally implicated -- in violating the laws of war if it knowingly continued to support operations in which its partners committed war crimes.
Noting that the report included a range of recommendations for various actors, she said that if there was one thing that could fix the problems in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, it would have been done by now. However, it was to be hoped that, by providing the Council with its own internal United Nations documentation on the issues, a civilian protection expert group would provide the basis for it to push for an end to impunity.
United Nations Advocacy Director Steve Crawshaw, who moderated the press conference, pointed out that, while that recommendation might sound procedural, it could be a wake-up call that might not in itself change things, but it could serve as a starting point for confronting the truth about events in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Asked who would be responsible for arresting the 15 known human rights abusers, Ms. Van Woudenberg said the United Nations and MONUC could be stronger in saying they would not support operations in which the 15 it knew of were participants. MONUC could also support national and international justice efforts while working jointly with Congolese judicial officials for the arrest of many of the suspect commanders. However, in the case of Bosco Ntaganda, the Mission could act unilaterally on the basis of a Congolese Government request made two years ago for assistance in arresting him.
She went on to note that the International Criminal Court, which could investigate crimes from July 2002 through the present, and which had started investigations in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo’s North and South Kivu provinces, had jurisdiction over all the violations documented in the report, and Human Rights Watch would be encouraging it to do so.
Commenting on questions relating to the tracking of MONUC’s support assistance, she said Human Rights Watch did not know where it was going and did not think MONUC knew either. Oversight was inadequate and there was no specific manager for such support.
jcreddy
Friday 29 January 2010, 2:36 am
General Assembly GA/10908 Department of Public Information • News and Media Division • New York
Sixty-fourth General Assembly
Plenary
67th Meeting (PM)
General Assembly Calls for Urgent Implementation of Proposals to Assist Survivors
of 1994 Rwandan Genocide, including Medical Care, Skills Training, Victim Support
Also Adopts 8 Resolutions, 1 Decision Recommended by Budget Committee,
Elects Two Members to Organizational Committee of Peacebuilding Commission
Recognizing the numerous difficulties faced by survivors of the 1994 Rwandan genocide -- particularly orphans, widows and victims of sexual violence, many of whom had contracted HIV or since died of AIDS -– the General Assembly today adopted a resolution requesting the Secretary-General to encourage relevant United Nations agencies, funds and programmes to provide assistance in the areas of education, medical care, skills training and microcredit programmes aimed at promoting self-sufficiency.
Introducing the text on behalf of the African Group, Benin’s representative said it was imperative that, six years after the adoption of the first resolution on the matter, survivors of the Rwandan genocide were given the support they deserved.
The text -– titled “assistance to survivors of the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, particularly orphans, widow and victims of sexual violence” -- had the Assembly calling on Member States and the United Nations to urgently implement the recommendations contained in the Secretary-General’s report of the same name. The Secretary-General was requested to continue outreach activities aimed at victim remembrance and education, with a view to preventing future acts of genocide.
By other terms, the Assembly noted the importance of residual issues, including witness protection and victim support, the archives of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and capacity-building for the Rwandan judiciary. Given the critical situation of survivors and need for the International Criminal Tribunal to implement its completion strategy, the Secretary-General was requested to take all necessary and practicable measures to implement the resolution and report to the Assembly’s sixty-sixth session with recommendations on further support to survivors.
Also, acting on the recommendation of the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary), the Assembly made a series of decisions on an array of subjects ranging from staff concerns to programme planning, internal oversight, the Capital Master Plan, proper auditing of United Nations agencies, and peacekeeping. In all, the Assembly acted on eight resolutions and one draft decision submitted by the Committee.
In one decision, the Assembly decided that the new staff rules proposed by the Secretary-General thisyear should remain provisional, pending consideration at its sixty-fifth session. At its sixty-third session, the Assembly had approved new contractual arrangements comprising three types of appointments -- temporary, fixed-term and continuing. Those arrangements entered into force on 1 July, but the Assembly had requested the Secretary-General not to appoint any staff to continuing contracts before 1 January 2010, pending a thorough explanation of its financial and management implications.
The Fifth Committee had hoped to recommend some form of action on new contracts this year. But, dissatisfied with information provided by the Secretariat on continuing contracts, it had felt unable to do so.
In a separate text, the Assembly agreed to approve, as recommended by the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), the revised floor scale of salaries for staff in the Professional and higher categories contained in an annex to the Commission’s report. The decision was to take effect from 1 January 2010. It decided, as well, to take note of the Commission’s recommendation to introduce end-of-service severance pay in the common system for fixed-term staff with 10 or more years of continuous service, who had been involuntarily separated from the Organization. It would decide to revert to the question of the proposed end-of-service severance pay at its sixty-fifth session.
On a different note, as part of the continued reform of the United Nations internal justice system, the Assembly decided to request the Secretary-General to report on the status of the judges of the new United Nations Appeals Tribunal and their entitlements, who were installed in March.
Through a text entitled “administration of justice at the United Nations”, the Secretary-General was also asked to analyse the costs associated with an appeal under the new system, and to report on measures to hold officials accountable for causing financial loss to the Organization under the new system. He was further asked to compare the advantages and disadvantages of different types of remedies available to the different categories of non-staff personnel, such as individual contractors, consultants and daily paid workers, and to analyse their financial implications.
Another Fifth Committee resolution adopted today included a lengthy text on the Capital Master Plan, by which the Assembly decided not to approve the Secretary-General’s recommended “associated costs” at this time. It noted with concern that a number of those costs did not relate directly to the Capital Master Plan. The amount put forward as associated costs stood at $42.07 million.
Related to the Capital Master Plan, the Assembly -- through a separate resolution on pattern of conferences -- would note that, while the Headquarters building was being refurbished, conference-servicing staff had been temporarily located to a swing space. The Secretary-General was asked to provide those staff with adequate support to ensure continued delivery of quality services.
With regard to planning, programming and coordination of work at the United Nations, the Assembly adopted, without a vote, a text reaffirming the Committee for Programme and Coordination (CPC) as the main subsidiary organ of the Assembly and the Economic and Social Council devoted to that purpose. At the same time, however, the Assembly stressed that priorities-setting at the United Nations was the prerogative of Member States.
A similar sentiment was expressed in its resolution on activities of the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS), through which the Assembly expressed concern with its recommendations concerning the merging the Office of the Special Adviser on Africa and the Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States. As reiterated by the Assembly in its text, the OIOS was not to propose changes to legislative decisions and mandates already approved by intergovernmental bodies.
The remaining resolutions adopted by the Assembly were on the United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG) and on the finances of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). UNOMIG’s mandate had ended on 15 June, and its appropriations for 1 July 2008 to 30 June 2009 would be reduced by around half a million dollars. The appropriation for the period from 1 July to 31 December 2009, for administrative liquidation of the Mission, was to be reduced from $15 million to $10.94 million.
With regards the refugee agency, the Assembly noted concerns raised by auditors regarding finances administered by the UNHCR, which had not received third-party audit certificates from several implementing partners. The amount not certified totalled $252 million.
In other action, the Assembly took note of appointments, made by the General Assembly President on the recommendation of the African States Group, Eastern European States Group and Western European and Other States Group, respectively, of Czech Republic, Egypt and Sweden to the Consultative Committee of the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), which considers policy matters related to the Fund. Those countries will serve for a three-year term of office beginning on 1 January 2010, to fill three remaining vacancies.
Further, the General Assembly elected by acclamation Czech Republic as a member of the Organizational Committee of the Peacebuilding Commission for two-year term beginning on 1 January 2010. It also elected by secret ballot Peru to a term of the same duration.
In final action, the Assembly decided to extend the work of its Fifth Committee until Wednesday, 23 December.
The General Assembly will reconvene at a time to be announced on Wednesday, 23 December, to take up the remaining reports of its Fifth Committee.
Background
The General Assembly met today to take up the first group of reports from the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary), containing eight draft resolutions and one draft decision. Also slated for action was a plenary text on assistance to survivors of the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, particularly orphans, widows and victims of sexual violence (document A/64/L.40).
The first, on financial reports and audited financial statements, and reports of the Board of Auditors (document A/64/547), contains a draft resolution by the same name, which the Committee approved without a vote on 23 October (see Press Release GA/AB/3923).
By its terms, the General Assembly would accept the financial report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees for the year ended 31 December 2008, as well as a related audit opinion of the Board of Auditors and recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ).
Endorsing the recommendations of the Board, the Assembly would note its concerns as contained in the qualified audit opinion on the financial statements of the voluntary funds administered by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, which followed a Board of Auditors modified audit report in 2008. It would further note measures taken by the Office to address the seriousness of its financial problems, and encourage the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to implement all the recommendations of the Board and to report to the relevant governing bodies on progress made in that regard. The Assembly would further commend the Board of Auditors for its identification of common reasons for the lack of full implementation, as well as good practices in relation to the implementation and follow-up of its reports.
By further provisions, the Assembly would request the Secretary-General and executive heads of funds and programmes to ensure full and prompt implementation of the recommendations and to hold programme managers accountable for it. In the future, an explanation for delays would be requested, as well as information on the time frame and priorities for the implementation and office holders to be held accountable.
A second report, on the proposed programme budget for the biennium 2010-2011 (document A/64/548), contains a draft resolution on the Capital Master Plan, approved without a vote on 3 December (see Press Release GA/AB/3933).
The draft comprises three parts: a section relating to items touched on in the seventh annual progress report, one on risk mitigation measures to protect data and the information and communications systems of the Secretariat, and one on associated costs.
By the terms of that draft, the Assembly would endorse the ACABQ’s conclusions and recommendations regarding the Capital Master Plan and accept the report of the Board of Auditors for the year ended 31 December 2008. It would note with concern the findings of the Board of Auditors and would request the Secretary-General to provide, in his eighth annual progress report, steps taken and progress achieved for the full implementation of those recommendations.
The Assembly would, further by the text, request the Secretary-General to make every effort to avoid budget increases. It would express concern about the merging of the provision for contingencies and that for forward pricing escalation contrary to the outline of the budget, as approved by the Assembly at its sixty-first session. The Secretary-General would be requested to distinguish between the provision for contingencies and that for forward pricing escalation as was done in the previous presentation of the cost estimate for the project.
The text would also have the Assembly encourage the Secretary-General to pursue value engineering, and request him, in his next progress report, to provide a breakdown of the estimated cost savings to be realized through each value engineering initiative.
By other terms, the Assembly would express concern that the completion of the Capital Master Plan had slipped from mid-2013 to late in 2013, as a consequence of the delay in the construction of the temporary North Lawn building. It would take note, in that regard, of the accelerated schedule developed by the Secretary-General, which would allow for the completion of the Capital Master Plan on time. In future progress reports, it would request more information on the cost implications with respect to project delays, and would also express its regret that security concerns and space requirements were not duly considered much earlier. It would also express regret that the decision to maintain the Security Council within the main complex of buildings had not been part of initial planning, thus resulting in delays, significant changes in project design and additional costs.
Additional provisions of the text would have the Assembly request the Secretary-General to discuss in his next progress report steps taken to ensure that all previous and future amendments to contracts relating to the procurement were in line with the United Nations Procurement Manual. He would also be asked to report on efforts to involve the Headquarters Committee on Contracts in the adjudication process prior to the signing or amending of contracts, done within the scope of that Committee’s authority and in a manner which would not impede expeditious progress. It would express concern at the risk posed by the absence of a review of contractual amendments, and would note that some measures taken to avoid delays in the procurement process, in particular the ex post facto review of contracts, risked having a negative impact. It would reiterate its request to the Secretary-General to ensure that the construction manager, in consultation with the Procurement Division of the Department of Management of the Secretariat, prepare and implement an action plan to promote procurement opportunities for contractors and vendors from developing countries and countries with economies in transition.
As regards measures to protect data and the information and communications systems of the Secretariat, the Assembly would note with concern that the Secretary-General did not move forward with the International Computing Centre to lease services for the transfer of the secondary data centre. It would urge the Secretary-General to ensure that activities related to the migration and running of the secondary data centre were completed within the specified time frame. It would request the Secretary-General to continue to negotiate the most cost-effective lease and services possible, and to report on it to the Assembly in his next progress report.
The text would have the Assembly request the Secretary-General to absorb $11.64 million needed for data protection within the approved budget of the Capital Master Plan for the 2010-2011 biennium. It would also decide that the Secretary-General should include $1.25 million, to go towards that project, in the proposed requirements for the support account for peacekeeping operations for the period from 1 July 2010 to 30 June 2011, and $941,640 for the period from 1 July 2011 to 30 June 2012.
Regarding associated costs, the Assembly would decide not to approve the overall level at this time, bearing in mind opportunities for further cost reductions posed by the present economic circumstances, as well as savings realized by the Secretary-General. It would note with concern that a number of the requirements set out under associated costs required did not relate directly to the Capital Master Plan, but rather to ongoing capital improvements, investment costs and long-term commitments.
Of the associated costs recommended by the Secretary-General for approval, the text would request the Secretary-General to absorb $42.07 million of that amount within the overall budget approved for the Capital Master Plan, broken down as follows:
-- $645,600 for the Department for General Assembly and Conference Management;
-- $27.03 million for the Department of Public Information;
-- $6.01 million for the Office of Central Support Services;
-- $2.17 million for construction, alteration, improvement and major maintenance activities at Headquarters;
-- $5.60 million for the Department of Safety and Security; and
-- $611,800 for the Office of Information and Communications Technology.
The Assembly also had a report on programme planning (document A/64/549), containing a draft resolution of the same name that was approved without a vote on 5 November (see Press Release GA/AB/3928).
By its terms, the General Assembly would reaffirm the role of the Committee for Programme and Coordination (CPC) as the main subsidiary organ of the Assembly and the Economic and Social Council for planning, programming and coordination. At the same time, the Assembly would re-emphasize the role of its plenary and Main Committees in reviewing and taking action on the recommendations of the CPC relevant to their work and stress that setting the priorities of the United Nations is the prerogative of Member States.
Stressing the need for Member States to participate fully in the budget preparation process, the Assembly would further endorse the conclusions and recommendations of the CPC on: the annual overview report of the United Nations System Chief Executives Board for Coordination for 2008/09; the United Nations system support for the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD); and improving the working methods and procedures of the CPC within the framework of its mandate.
The next report, on pattern of conferences (document A/64/580), contains a draft resolution of the same name, approved without a vote on 18 December (see Press Release GA/AB/3938).
In Part I of the draft, the Assembly would approve the draft biennial calendar of conferences and meetings of the United Nations for 2010 and 2011, as submitted by the Committee on Conferences. It would request the Secretary-General to examine the feasibility and implications of all proposals to adjust the calendar of conferences and meetings, aimed at addressing the problem of timely availability and consideration of documentation of the Fifth Committee. It would authorize the Committee on Conferences to make any adjustments to the calendar of conferences and meetings for 2010 and 2011 that might become necessary as a result of actions and decisions taken by the Assembly at its sixty-fourth session.
Under Part II, the Assembly would note that the “utilization factor” at the four main duty stations in 2008 was at 85 per cent, as compared with 83 per cent in 2007 and 2006. It would welcome steps taken by the duty stations to achieve optimum use of conference-servicing resources, and invite the secretariats and bureaux of bodies to avoid late starts and unplanned early endings that could affect utilization. It would note that bodies entitled to meet “as required” were provided with interpretation services in New York about 90 per cent of the time in 2008, as compared with 88 per cent in 2007. It would express regret that, in 2007, the percentage of meetings held by regional and other major States groupings were provided with interpretation services 77 per cent of the time at the four main duty stations, compared with 84 per cent in 2007. It would request the Secretary-General to continue to employ innovative means to address the difficulties experienced by Member States owing to lack of conference services.
Still under Part II, the Assembly would urge intergovernmental bodies to make provision for meetings of regional groups and other major groupings in their programmes of work, and to notify conference services well in advance of any cancellations so that unused conference-servicing resources might be reassigned to meetings of regional groups and other major groupings. It would note with satisfaction that all meetings of Nairobi-based United Nations bodies were held in Nairobi in 2008. It would note with appreciation initiatives undertaken by the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), which led to a continued upward trend in the use of premises in 2008. It would request the Secretary-General to continue to explore means to increase the use of the ECA conference centre.
As regards the impact of the Capital Master Plan on meetings, the draft would have the Assembly request the Secretary-General to ensure that temporary relocation of conference-servicing staff to a swing space would not compromise the quality of conference services provided to Member States in the six official languages. It would note that, during the implementation of the Capital Master Plan, a part of the conference-servicing staff and information technology resources of the Department for General Assembly and Conference Management had been temporarily located to a swing space, and would request the Secretary-General to continue to provide adequate support to ensure continued delivery of quality conference services.
Under Part III, the draft would have the Assembly note the progress achieved in the implementation of the global information technology project, aimed at integrating information technology into meetings management and documentation-processing systems. It would request the Secretary-General to ensure that all language services were given equal treatment and were provided with equally favourable working conditions and resources, with full respect for the specificities of the six official languages and taking account of their respective workloads. It would reiterate the need for the Secretary-General to ensure that technology used in all duty stations were user-friendly in all official languages.
By further provisions, the Assembly would request the Secretary-General to complete the task of uploading all important older United Nations documents onto the United Nations website in all six official languages so that they were available to Member States through that medium. It would request the Secretary-General to continue to ensure that measures were taken by the Department for General Assembly and Conference Management to seek the evaluation by Member States of the quality of conference services, and welcome efforts by the Department to do so. It would request the Secretary-General to continue to explore ways to systematically capture and analyse feedback from States and committee chairpersons and secretaries on the quality of conference services. It would note with concern that the Secretary-General did not include in his report on the pattern of conferences information about financial savings achieved through integrated global management projects.
Under Part IV, on documentation and publication-related matters, the Assembly would decide that all reports adopted by the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review of the Human Rights Council, and information submitted by States under review, should be issued as documents in all official languages. It would recognize the work done by the task force chaired by the Department for General Assembly and Conference Management in addressing the problem of issuance of documents for the Fifth Committee. It would welcome continued efforts of the task force to shepherd the submissions of documents, while expressing deep concern at the unprecedented high level of late submission of documentation. It would decide to review the work of the task force and to consider additional measures to ensure compliance of submission deadlines by author departments, while acknowledging that a multi-pronged approach was required to solve the perennial difficulties of late issuances of Fifth Committee documents. It would encourage the Chairpersons of the Fifth Committee and the ACABQ to promote cooperation between the two bodies in the sphere of documentation.
Under Part V, on translation and interpretation-related matters, it would reaffirm its request that the Secretary-General, when recruiting temporary assistance in the language services, ensure that all language services be given equal treatment and were provided with equally favourable working conditions. It would acknowledge measures undertaken by the Secretary-General to address the issue of the replacement of retiring staff in the language services. The Secretary-General would be requested to hold competitive examinations for the recruitment of language staff sufficiently in advance, in order to fill current and future vacancies in language services in a timely manner. It would also request the Secretary-General to continue to improve the accuracy of translated documents and further request that steps be taken to enhance the translation quality, in particular for contractual translation.
A report on the United Nations common system (document A/64/581) contains a draft resolution on the report of the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC) for 2009, approved without a vote on 18 December (see Press Release GA/AB/3938).
By terms of the resolution, the Assembly would take note of the Commission’s report. In section A of the draft, on conditions of service of staff in the Professional and higher categories, the text would have the Assembly reaffirm that the range of 110 to 120 for the margin between the remuneration of officials in the Professional and higher categories and that of the comparator civil service (the United States federal civil service) should continue to apply, on the understanding that the margin would be maintained at a level around the midpoint of 115 over time. For the period from 1 January to 31 December, it is estimated at 113.8.
Regarding the base/floor salary scale, the text would recall the Assembly’s resolution 44/198 by which it had established a floor net salary level of officials in comparable positions serving at the base city of the comparator civil service. It would approve, with effect from 1 January 2010, as recommended by the ICSC, the revised base/floor scale of gross and net salaries for staff in the Professional and higher categories contained in an annex to the Commission’s report.
On gender balance and geographical distribution, the text would have the Assembly note with disappointment the insufficient progress made with regard to women’s representation, particularly at the senior level. It would welcome a decision by the Commission to implement outreach initiatives to attract, develop and retain the most talented men and women, and encourage the Commission to consider further issues relating to female staff retention.
Concerning conditions of service for both categories of staff, the text would have the Assembly take note of the Commission’s recommendation to introduce end-of-service severance pay in common system organization for fixed-term staff involuntarily separating from the organization upon the expiration of their contract after 10 or more years of continuous service. It would decide to revert to the question of the proposed end-of-service severance pay at its sixty-fifth session.
Further to the text, the Assembly would take note of the recommendation of governing bodies of the United Nations common system organizations to harmonize their termination indemnity schedule with that of the United Nations, and also request the Commission to review the application of the termination indemnity. It would reiterate that the death grant should not be payable to secondary dependants and reiterate its call to the governing bodies of the common system organization to align their provisions regarding death grants with those of the United Nations.
On the mandatory age of separation, the text would have the Assembly request the Commission to report, at its sixty-sixth session, on the possibility of changing the mandatory age of separation, including the implications in the areas of human resources policies and pensions. As for the senior management network, it would note the decision of the Chief Executives Board to discontinue work on the senior management network, and request the Commission to monitor the adequacy of measures aimed at improving management capacity and performance within the United Nations common system.
The Committee’s report on human resources management (document A/64/550) contains a draft decision on the provisional staff rules, approved without a vote on 3 December (see Press Release GA/AB/3933). By its terms, the Assembly would decide that the Staff Rules, as referred to in the report of the Secretary-General, should remain provisional pending their further consideration at its sixty-fifth session.
The report on the activities of the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) (document A/64/551) contains a draft resolution of the same name, approved without a vote also on 3 December (see Press Release GA/AB/3933). It would have the Assembly recall that the OIOS should exercise operational independence under the authority of the Secretary-General relating to the performance of its internal oversight functions. But, it would also express deep concern with the recommendations of the OIOS in paragraph 37 of its report (concerning the potential efficiency of combining the administrative and advocacy functions of the Office of the Special Adviser on Africa and the Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States, and would reiterate that the OIOS should not propose to the Assembly any change to the legislative decisions and mandates approved by intergovernmental legislative bodies. It would urge the Secretary-General to ensure that the Oversight Office conduct its activities in accordance with its mandates.
A report on the administration of justice at the United Nations (document A/64/582) contains a draft resolution of the same name, approved without a vote on 18 December (see Press Release GA/AB/3938).
By the draft, the Assembly would request the Secretary-General to report to the Assembly at its sixty-fifth session on the status of the judges of the United Nations Appeals Tribunal and their entitlements, including travel and daily subsistence allowance. The Secretary-General would be further requested to provide information on: the exact terms of reference of the Office of the United Nations Ombudsman and Mediation Services concerning access by non-staff personnel; the exact number of persons other than staff working for the United Nations system under different types of contracts, including individual contractors, consultants, personnel under service contracts, personnel under special service agreements and daily paid workers; and a compilation of the standard contracts and rules, including dispute settlement clauses, that govern the relations between the Organization and the various categories of non-staff personnel.
By other terms, further information would be requested on: an analysis of monetary compensation awarded, as well as indirect costs associated with an appeal, such as staff time, including identification of those aspects of staff administration which give rise to large numbers of appeals, as well as comparative data from the old and the new system; and measures in place to provide for accountability of officials for causing financial loss to the Organization under the new system for administration of justice.
Other provisions of the draft would have the Assembly request the Secretary-General, with regard to remedies available to the different categories of non-staff personnel, to analyse and compare the respective advantages and disadvantages, including the financial implications, of the following options:
-- Establishment of an expedited special arbitration procedure, conducted under the auspices of local, national or regional arbitration associations, for claims under $25,000 submitted by personal service contractors;
-- Establishment of an internal standing body that would make binding decisions on disputes submitted by non-staff personnel, not subject to appeal and using streamlined procedures, as proposed by the Secretary-General in his report on administration of justice;
-- Establishment of a simplified procedure for non-staff personnel before the United Nations Dispute Tribunal, which would make binding decisions not subject to appeal and using streamlined procedures; and
-- Granting of access to the United Nations Dispute Tribunal and the United Nations Appeals Tribunal, under their current rules of procedure, to non-staff personnel.
A report on financing of the United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG) (document A/64/552) contains a draft resolution of the same name, approved without a vote on 24 November (see Press Release GA/AB/3932).
UNOMIG’s mandate was not extended beyond 15 June 2009.
By the terms of the text, the General Assembly would reduce the Mission’s initial appropriation for the period from 1 July 2008 to 30 June 2009 from $36.08 million to $35.58 million. The Assembly would further reduce the appropriation of $15 million previously approved for the administrative liquidation of the Mission for the period from 1 July to 31 December 2009 to some $10.94 million.
In addition to taking action on those texts, the Assembly was also scheduled to appoint members to the Consultative Committee of the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), and to elect two members of the Organizational Committee of the Peacebuilding Commission.
Introduction of Draft
Introducing the draft resolution, on assistance to survivors of the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, particularly orphans, widows and victims of sexual violence (A/64/L.40), the representative of Benin, on behalf of the African Group and other co-sponsors, said the text welcomed the Secretary-General’s report of the same name (A/64/313). It commended efforts of the Rwandan Government and people, as well as the global community, for providing support to restore the dignity of survivors.
Moreover, the resolution called on Member States and the United Nations to urgently implement the recommendations of the Secretary-General’s report, he said. The Secretary-General was requested to take all necessary measures to implement the present resolution and report to the Assembly’s sixty-sixth session with recommendations for further support. It was imperative that, six years after the adoption of the first resolution on the matter, survivors of the Rwandan genocide be given the support they deserved. He hoped that the text would be adopted by consensus.
The Assembly then adopted, by consensus, the resolution on “Assistance to survivors of the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, particularly orphans, widows and victims of sexual violence”.
Appointment of Members to Consultative Committee
The Assembly then turned its attention to the appointment of members of the Consultative Committee of UNIFEM, which considers policy matters related to the Fund.
The Assembly took note of appointments, made by the General Assembly President on the recommendation of the African States Group, Eastern European States Group and Western European and Other States Group, respectively, of Czech Republic, Egypt and Sweden to the Consultative Committee for a three-year term of office beginning on 1 January 2010, to fill three remaining vacancies.
Action on Fifth Committee Texts
The Assembly took up nine reports of the Fifth Committee, each containing texts that were adopted without a vote. In order of adoption, they were a resolution on financial reports and audited financial statements, and reports of the Board of Auditors, contained in paragraph 7 in a report of the same name (document A/64/547); a resolution on the Capital Master Plan, contained in paragraph 6 of the report on the proposed programme budget for the biennium 2010-2011 (document A/64/548); a resolution on programme planning, contained in paragraph 7 in a report of the same name (document A/64/549); and a resolution on pattern of conferences, contained in paragraph 6 of a report by the same name (document A/64/580).
Other texts adopted without a vote were a resolution on the report of the International Civil Service Commission for 2009, contained in paragraph 8 of the report on the United Nations common system (document A/64/581); a decision on the provisional staff rules, in paragraph 8 of the report on human resources management (document A/64/550); a resolution on the report on the activities of the Office of Internal Oversight Services, contained in paragraph 6 of a report of the same name (document A/64/551); a resolution on the administration of justice at the United Nations (document A/64/582), contained in paragraph 6 of a report of the same name; and a resolution on financing of the United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia, contained in paragraph 6, also in a report of the same name.
Election of Members of Peacebuilding Commission Organizational Committee
The Assembly then moved to fill vacancies on the Organizational Committee of the Peacebuilding Commission, the three-year old body to which it has been mandated to appoint seven members. Last year, the Assembly decided that the term of office of two of the members it had appointed to the Organizational Committee due to expire on 22 June 2009, Georgia and Jamaica, would be extended through the end of December 2009. At that time, the Assembly also decided that the terms of office of the members of the Assembly on the Organizational Committee would begin from 1 January, rather than 23 June (the day that marked the official inauguration of the Peacebuilding Commission in 2006). Finally, the Assembly had decided that its members on that body were eligible for immediate re-election.
Regarding candidatures for the two seats under consideration today, the Assembly President informed Member States that the Group of Eastern European States had endorsed Czech Republic, and that the Latin American and Caribbean Group had nominated both Jamaica and Peru. The Assembly then elected by acclamation Czech Republic to a two-year term on the Organizational Committee of the Peacebuilding Commission beginning 1 January 2010. As the Group of Latin American and Caribbean States had put two candidates forward, the Assembly then held a secret ballot to elect a member from that Group.
jcreddy
Friday 29 January 2010, 2:35 am
In music and in words, UN gives voice to the legacy of Holocaust survivors [Holocaust exhibiton, "Architecture of Murder: The Auschwitz-Birkenau Blueprints"]
Holocaust exhibiton, "Architecture of Murder: The Auschwitz-Birkenau Blueprints" 27 January 2010 – With the help of stirring music from a German-Israeli chorus and solemn speeches, the United Nations tonight paid tribute to the victims of the Holocaust and spotlighted the legacy of the survivors of the Nazi death camps in World War II.
Hundreds of people attended a memorial ceremony and concert at the General Assembly Hall at UN Headquarters in New York, held as part of a series of worldwide events marking the International Day in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust.
The Nürnberg Philharmonic Orchestra, the Bayreuth Zamir Choir and the Jerusalem Oratorio Chamber Choir, under the baton of Maestro Isaak Tavior, performed a range of works, including pieces by Beethoven and Brahms.
Nechama Tec, a Holocaust survivor and Professor Emerita of Sociology at the University of Connecticut in the United States, and Andrzej Mirga, Senior Adviser on Roma and Sinti Issues for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR), also gave speeches reflecting this year’s theme for the Day – “The Legacy of Survival.”
Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information Kiyo Akasaka told the ceremony that it was vital that the world never forgets the stories of the men, women and children who endured the Holocaust.
“We have much to learn from their experiences and the painful and inspiring legacy they leave to future generations,” he said. “And as the number of survivors become smaller and smaller, their testimony becomes more and more precious.
“It is crucial to share their legacy, to ensure that people everywhere understand the universal lessons of the Holocaust, and to instil respect for diversity and human rights in generations to come.”
Estimates vary but about 6 million Jews are thought to have been killed in the genocide perpetrated by the Nazis, as well as countless numbers of Roma, Slavs, homosexuals, disabled people, Jehovah’s witnesses, Communists and political dissidents.
The UN has observed 27 January as the Day for remembering the victims since the General Assembly made the designation in 2005. Today marks the 65th anniversary to the day of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest and most notorious of all of the camps.
Tonight’s ceremony, which was sponsored by the Permanent Mission of Germany, was attended by Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro and by Byrganym Aitimova, the Vice-President of the General Assembly, as well as by dignitaries from many countries.
Peter Wittig, Germany’s Permanent Representative to the UN, and Yuli-Yoel Edelstein, Israel’s Minister of Information and Diaspora, made statements at the ceremony and Ms. Aitimova delivered a message on behalf of Ali Treki, the General Assembly President.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, en route to London for an international conference on Afghanistan, recorded a video message in which he spoke as well about the legacy of the survivors.
“All of them carry a crucial message for all of us,” he said. “A message about the triumph of the human spirit. A living testament that tyranny, though it may rise, will surely not prevail.”
Earlier today, the UN’s Chef de Cabinet, Vijay Nambiar, participated in an event at the Italian Consulate in New York in which the names of about 8,000 Italian Jews deported during World War II were read out.
Mr. Nambiar was joined by representatives of Italy, Israel and Germany at the event, which was co-organized by the consulate, the Centro Primo Levi, a number of Italian-American authorities and New York City authorities.
Holocaust remembrance events are also being held this week by the UN at its offices in Geneva and Vienna and across its global network of information centres, including in Bucharest and Bogotá. For the first time, observances were held in Myanmar and Namibia.
jcreddy
Friday 29 January 2010, 2:34 am
Press Conference Department of Public Information • News and Media Division • New York
Press Conference by Senior UN Officials on Afghanistan’s Presidential Elections
An extensive investigation, launched Monday, into charges of fraudulent voting in Afghanistan’s recent elections was moving forward with the aim of delivering results as soon as possible, Edmond Mullet, United Nations Assistant-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping said today at a Headquarters press conference.
Joining Mr. Mullet were Wolfgang Weisbrod Weber, Director of Asia and Middle East Division of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, and Craig Jenness, Director of the Electoral Assistance Division of the Department of Political Affairs.
Explaining procedure, Mr. Jenness said that the review was being undertaken to examine the issue of high voter turnout, and secondly, high numbers of votes cast for one candidate or another in the 20 August elections. A final determination on the number of participants at polling stations would be made after all ballots were scrutinized, including from the South. Only those considered legitimate would be counted.
On Monday, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) and Electoral Complaints Commission (ECC), which were in charge of the inquiry, allowed television cameras in the room where the audit was being conducted. It was communicated to Afghans that the process was ongoing and that people were working hard to give them results.
“There is anxiety and everybody wants this process to be over as quickly as possible,” Mr. Weber added. The United Nations had pressed the ECC to conclude its work quickly without jeopardizing the process, so that if a second round was needed, it could be held two weeks after the final results were announced, as electoral rules stipulated.
Responding to charges that Special Representative for Afghanistan, Kai Eide, had sided with the Karzai Government in endorsing the elections’ outcome, Mr. Weber clarified that Mr. Eide had sided with the two bodies tasked with carrying out the investigation: the IEC and ECC. His mission was to examine regulations, including on the question of fraud, which would strengthen those institutions. It was important to trust them and the mechanisms in place to detect fraud.
“We’ll see where the chips fall,” concerning the result. He would not prejudge the outcome.
Asked who compiled information on the number of people at the polling stations, and why “light monitoring” of those stations was needed if not to transmit such information to Afghan institutions, Mr. Jenness said the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) had offices in 20 of the country’s 34 provinces. Over five days -– including election day -- UNAMA staff had examined the overall electoral environment by, for example, going out to at least four polling stations, talking to observers, candidate agents, local officials, police and military, and sending their assessments to Kabul.
That information had been collected and provided to both the ECC and the IEC “sometime after” 25 August, he continued. Only those taking part in the election process could file complaints, accompanied by evidence, with the ECC. However, the ECC was willing to take and consider information from various sources. In addition to the audit, it was reviewing the 2,500 complaints submitted by candidates. The United Nations had not filed a formal complaint.“If someone wants to get redress, we tell them where to go,” Mr. Jenness added.
Asked why Mr. Eide had confirmed on 30 August that he had not handed such information over, and defended his reasons for not doing so, Mr. Jenness said the ECC’s job was to respond to formal complaints lodged by participants in the Afghan electoral process: candidates, voters and observers. Secondly, it had agreed to accept information from various sources and it would be important to discuss with the ECC its methodologies. The responsibility for filing complaints was with Afghans.
Adding to that, Mr. Weber said that people from “UNDP Elect” were on the IEC and there was a constant real-time information flow. Moreover, three of the five ECC Commissioners had been appointed by the United Nations. He urged avoiding the word “monitoring”, as it carried a special connotation on elections. “We had no monitoring role,” he said. Information had been collected to allow the Special Representative to be a political actor, vis-à-vis the ECC and UNAMA.
Pressed to clarify whether the United Nations had provided the information to the ECC, Mr. Jenness said those not participating in the electoral process -- the United Nations, European Union and others -- had no right to ask the ECC to adjudicate their cases. It was out of an “abundance of caution” that the ECC had asked the United Nations and the European Union to send over any useful information. He did not know whether an 80-page internal report and spreadsheet had been handed over to the IEC or ECC.
As to remarks by the Secretary-General’s Chief of Staff, Vijay Nambiar, that Mr. Galbraith had been recalled for trying to bring about anunconstitutional Government, Mr. Mullet said that that was one of various reasons. Mr. Galbraith wanted to close 1,500 of 6,900 polling stations, as they had been placed in volatile regions. In the end, only 500 of those stations had been closed. It was true that Mr. Galbraith had proposed annulling the elections and setting up a transitional Government. He also had made assertions that were “completely out of bounds” with UNAMA’s mandate regarding the elections.
Asked whether the United Nations had full confidence that Afghan courts would act according to the rule of law, Mr. Weber said that decisions to determine fraudulent voting rested with the ECC and he fully trusted that body. The Afghan courts had no role in that matter.
Mr. Jenness added that 3 per cent of returns in Afghanistan’s 2005 elections had been excluded, owing to fraud, in a decision made by the ECC. The highest number of excluded ballots had been from Paktika province.
Concerning complaints about a lack of voter registration, among other structural flaws, Mr. Weber stressed that “this is a country in conflict” and at the bottom of the development scale.
Mr. Jenness added that “imperfections” had been well-recorded. What was important was that Afghans had accepted the process. “After all, it’s their election.”
To another query, Mr. Weber responded that the other two of the five ECC members had been appointed by the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission and the Supreme Court.
In response to another question on Mr. Galbraith’s appointment, Mr. Mullet said he had been a candidate among other strong candidates. His citizenship in a country that played an important role in Afghanistan was taken into consideration.
Mr. Weber added that meetings had been held with Mr. Galbraith to request that he not unnecessarily exacerbate the divergence of views in public.
As to concerns that President Karzai would not be seen by Afghans as freely elected, Mr. Mullet said that whoever won the election would have to reach out to all sectors of Afghan society. Afghans were waiting for the process to deliver results and until that time, they trusted the institutions to do their job.
Regarding concerns that the neutrality and credibility of the United Nations had been badly compromised by the electoral process, Mr. Weber rhetorically asked in whose eyes that credibility had been damaged. He had not seen the Organization’s credibility diminished in the Security Council. UNAMA’s credibility hinged on the credibility of the audit, how fraud would be addressed, and further, on how the new Government reached out to its people. “Credibility is a long-term task,” he added.
jc
Friday 29 January 2010, 2:33 am
International support for Afghanistan must go beyond security needs – Ban [Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon meets with President Hamid Karzai at London conference]
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon meets with President Hamid Karzai at London conference 28 January 2010 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called for a coherent political strategy to assist Afghanistan in its quest for peace, security and development, noting that the country’s challenges cannot be overcome by military efforts alone.
“We must recognize that while security is a major element in the transition strategy, it must not be the main and only focus,” Mr. Ban said in his opening remarks to the International Conference on Afghanistan, which he is co-hosting with President Hamid Karzai and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
“We need a coherent political strategy – not as an add-on to the military strategy, but which guides it as part of a balanced civilian and military approach, with peace and reconciliation as an integral component.”
The United Nations, for its part, will continue to stand with the Afghan people in building peace
Some 70 nations are meeting in London to discuss the way forward in Afghanistan following last year’s elections, in which Mr. Karzai won another term as President.
“This is an extremely challenging time for Afghanistan and for international engagement in the quest for peace, security and development in the country,” noted Mr. Ban. “Today’s event is a chance to look forward … to explore how to build on achievements so far.
“It is an opportunity to redefine the relationship between Afghanistan and the international community and its partners … a relationship based on strengthened Afghan leadership and an increased support role for the international community … a relationship where international efforts align with the Afghan Government’s priorities.”
The long road ahead towards recovery and institution-building, he said, must be inclusive, must strengthen governance, respect the human rights and meet the basic needs of the Afghan people. It must also foster an environment conducive to justice and accountability, an environment where corruption cannot thrive.
“We must see corruption for what it is: an assault on the integrity of the state and people’s well-being. Afghans have suffered for far too long from a culture of impunity and the lack of rule of law.
“If we are to achieve a stable and secure Afghanistan, these ills must be remedied, starting with improving the electoral process ahead of this year’s parliamentary elections,” the Secretary-General stated.
He added that despite the increasingly complex security environment, the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), together with other UN partners, remains committed – for as long as necessary – to the Afghan people’s pursuit of peace and prosperity.
“The United Nations, for its part, will continue to stand with the Afghan people in building peace,” he pledged.
Yesterday Mr. Ban announced that he will appoint veteran diplomat Staffan de Mistura, a Swedish national who recently served as the top UN envoy to Iraq, to lead the world body’s efforts in Afghanistan.
During his meeting today with Mr. Karzai, the Secretary-General introduced Mr. de Mistura, who will take over on 1 March as his Special Representative for Afghanistan and head of UNAMA, replacing Kai Eide of Norway.
Mr. Ban and Mr. Karzai also discussed the UN’s role in coordinating civilian assistance, as well as the issues of good governance and the fight against corruption.
In addition, the Secretary-General underscored the world body’s readiness to support the electoral process in Afghanistan, should Kabul request assistance and subject to Security Council approval.
jcreddy
Friday 29 January 2010, 2:31 am
Quick Facts
Membership: 192 Member States
Established: 24 October 1945
Secretariat staffing as of 30 June 2009 (Secretary-General's report "Composition of the Secretariat" [A/64/352] ): about 40,000
Current UN peacekeeping operations: 16
Budget for 2008-2009: USD 4.171 billion (peacekeeping operations not included)
Official languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, Spanish. Information about the UN in other languages
UN Observances - The first day approved by the UN General Assembly was United Nations Day, 24 October (by resolution 168 (II) of 31 October 1947). Overview
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jc
Friday 29 January 2010, 2:09 am
Newsline
Return from Haiti: UNICEF staffer reflects on the children’s emergency PANAMA CITY, Panama, 28 January 2010 – After a week in Port-au-Prince immediately following the earthquake it was time for me to return home. Entering the city had been an ordeal; leaving was just as stressful. Hundreds of Haitians were crowding the airport’s entrance, pushing and cajoling the US marines posted at the gates, desperate to board one of the flights departing for Europe and North America.
Reaching young survivors with health and nutrition aid in Haiti's quake zone JACMEL, Haiti, 27 January 2010 – In parts of Haiti devastated by the earthquake that struck on 12 January – including the capital, Port-au-Prince, as well as the southern port city of Jacmel and other localities – UNICEF is reaching children with life-saving support.
UNICEF and partners provide safe water for Haitian children and families PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, 26 January 2010 – Two weeks after the earthquake that devastated Haiti, UNICEF continues to reach children with life-saving support, including urgently needed safe water.
In Jacmel, a young Haitian filmmaker documents the earthquake's aftermath NEW YORK, USA, 26 January 2010 – Jean Bernard Bayard, 29, is a second-year film student at Ciné Institute, the only film school in the southern port city of Jacmel, Haiti. Since the devastating earthquake struck Haiti on 12 January, Mr. Bayard and other film students have used their cameras to document the events and stories unfolding around them.
Charlie's ride: London boy, 7, gets on his bike to raise £150,000-plus for Haiti appeal LONDON, United Kingdom, 26 January 2010 – In a stirring example of the generosity seen worldwide in the aftermath of the 12 January earthquake in Haiti, Charlie Simpson, 7, has raised tens of thousands of British pounds for children in Haiti by completing a five-mile sponsored cycle around his local park.
To help Haiti’s children heal, build back education better than before NEW YORK, USA, 25 January 2010 – With nearly half of the country's population under the age of 18, children have been significantly affected by the 12 January earthquake in Haiti. Schools have been destroyed, and children are taking shelter in camps for the displaced. Many have been orphaned or separated from their families.
UNICEF and Haitian volunteers working together to protect children at risk PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, 25 January 2010 – UN representatives and leaders from 15 nations are meeting today in Montreal, Canada, to discuss the long-term reconstruction of earthquake-shattered Haiti – with the aim of building back better than before.
A young Haitian earthquake survivor uses art to cope with disaster NEW YORK, USA, 22 January 2010 – Until their home was destroyed in last week’s earthquake, Bruno Rene, 18, lived with his mother in the southern Haitian port city of Jacmel. Since then, Bruno, an aspiring artist, has been working on art projects to cope with the impact of the disaster.
Crisis response continues in Haiti, with an eye on challenges that pre-date the quake NEW YORK, USA, 24 January 2010 – Aid is reaching children in parts of Haiti devastated by the 12 January earthquake, but huge humanitarian challenges remain. Many of the disaster’s worst effects – including its impact on child health and safety – are aggravated by the country’s longstanding impoverishment and instability.
The stars come out for Haiti relief NEW YORK, USA, 23 January 2009 – The two-hour, star-powered ‘Hope for Haiti Now’ global concert benefiting Haiti earthquake relief – broadcast last night – featured more than 100 artists, many of whom have shown a long-time commitment to supporting UNICEF’s work in emergencies.
Young, injured Haitian quake survivors cross Dominican border for treatment SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, 21 January 2010 – Nine days after the earthquake that devastated Haiti, UNICEF is delivering life-saving support to children and families in need. Several planeloads of aid have landed in Haiti and the neighbouring Dominican Republic. Half a dozen more supply flights are scheduled to arrive before the end of the week.
Sebastien’s story: A young Haitian earthquake survivor speaks NEW YORK, USA, 21 January 2010 – The earthquake in Haiti has wiped out the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of people and crippled essential services for some 3 million Haitians from all walks of life – ranging from the desperately poor to middle-class and the affluent.
Delivering supplies and protecting children in the Haiti earthquake zone NEW YORK, USA, 20 January 2010 – A powerful aftershock struck Haiti early this morning, adding to the stress of children and families affected by the 12 January earthquake there but apparently causing little further damage. Relief operations are ongoing.
Field Diary: Supplies and protection for unaccompanied children in Haiti PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, 19 January 2010 – One week has gone by since an earthquake turned what was already a desperately poor part of the world into a full-fledged humanitarian emergency. The race against time to bring relief to the people of Haiti continues.
UNICEF concerned for the safety of Haiti’s most vulnerable children NEW YORK, USA, 19 January 2010 – The earthquake that struck Haiti a week ago has left many thousands of children orphaned, lost or separated from their families – and vulnerable to abuse and exploitation.
Donors worldwide support Haiti relief efforts of UNICEF and partners NEW YORK, USA, 19 January 2010 – As the full magnitude of the crisis in Haiti continues to unfold, donors have rushed to provide UNICEF with funding to meet the needs of children and families at risk.
UN Secretary-General visits Haiti as emergency supply efforts continue NEW YORK, USA, 18 January 2010 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and other UN and government officials visited stricken areas of Port-au-Prince yesterday, amidst continuing international efforts to help 3 million people – perhaps half of them children – affected by the 12 January earthquake in Haiti.
Field Diary: Notes from a tent hospital in Haiti PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, 17 January 2010 – This morning I went to visit a field hospital set up at the UN mission's logistical base here in Port-au-Prince. The hospital consists of two giant tents filled with Haitians wounded during the earthquake.
UNICEF steps up efforts to protect child health and safety in Haiti quake zone NEW YORK, USA, 17 January 2010 – Thousands have died, an unknown number are injured and an estimated 300,000 are homeless following the earthquake that struck Port-au-Prince and other densely populated areas of Haiti on 12 January, affecting a total of more than 3 million people.
UN and UNICEF launch aid appeal to overcome massive challenges in Haiti quake zone NEW YORK, USA, 15 January 2010 – The people of Port-au-Prince and other areas affected by this week's devastating earthquake in Haiti are living outdoors, surrounded by the ruins of their homes. Picking through the rubble, they try to salvage what they can from a tragedy that defies comprehension.
Angélique Kidjo appeals for Haiti earthquake relief donations NEW YORK, USA, 15 January 2010 – UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Angélique Kidjo has added her voice to the global call for donations to bring urgently needed assistance to the children of Haiti and their families. The singer and activist took time out from her European concert tour to record a fundraising appeal in Paris.
Aid begins to arrive in Haiti for earthquake survivors in dire need NEW YORK, USA, 14 January 2010 – UNICEF is part of a massive international relief effort now under way to assist up to 3.5 million people affected by Tuesday’s 7.2-magnitude earthquake in Haiti.
Supplies on the way to survivors of the earthquake in Haiti NEW YORK, USA, 13 January 2010 – The first shipment of UNICEF supplies for survivors of yesterday’s devastating earthquake is on its way to Haiti. The emergency aid is urgently needed, as basic services and infrastructure in the western hemisphere’s poorest nation were already close to collapse even before the 7.0-magnitude quake struck.
UNICEF gears up relief efforts for earthquake-stricken Haiti PANAMA CITY, Panama, 13 January 2010 – Despite heavy damages to its own offices in Port-au-Prince, UNICEF is ready to provide immediate support to the victims of the unfolding humanitarian crisis following the earthquake that hit Haiti yesterday.
Angélique Kidjo launches new campaign with Pampers to help eliminate tetanus PARIS, France, 28 September 2009 – UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and Grammy-winning world music artist Angélique Kidjo has launched ‘Give the Gift of Life’, a new campaign with Pampers to help eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus (MNT) by 2012.
Haiti prepares for another hurricane season PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, 8 September 2009 – Several tropical depressions have already formed in the Caribbean this summer, but Haiti is better prepared today than in 2008, when four major hurricanes slammed into the island.
UNICEF and ECHO prepare for a new storm season in Haiti NEW YORK, USA, 4 June 2009 – This year’s Atlantic storm season began on Monday and many forecasters are expecting that it will not be as intense as last year, which saw 16 tropical storms and eight hurricanes.
Amid last year’s destruction, Haiti braces for another hurricane season GONAÏVES, Haiti, 16 March 2009 – As Haiti braces for another hurricane season, UNICEF Representative in Haiti Annamaria Laurini recently surveyed Gonaïves, the country’s third largest city, to evaluate its emergency preparedness. She was accompanied on the visit by UNICEF Emergency Operations Chief Lucia Elmi.
A lifeline for mothers in a Port-au-Prince hospital PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, 12 January 2009 – In the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, no one struggles harder than the women trying to support their families.
UNICEF nominee Paul Farmer receives CDC Foundation Hero Award NEW YORK, USA, 10 October 2008 – Dr. Paul Farmer, a tireless activist, researcher and public health practitioner whose organization, Partners in Health, provides community-based care for millions of people throughout the developing world, has received the 2008 Hero Award from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Foundation in Atlanta, Georgia.
Haiti’s flood-damaged schools struggle to reopen GONAIVES, Haiti, 3 October 2008 – Venette and her sister arrived at their school around mid-morning. They were handed a shovel. Then they joined a crew of mud-splattered men and waded into what used to be their cafeteria.
After the storms: Field diary from flood-stricken Gonaïves, Haiti GONAÏVES, Haiti, 25 September 2008 – I have worked in Latin America and the Caribbean from 1994 to 2000 and have visited Haiti several times during that period. As I landed in Port au Prince this time around, I saw that after more than eight years the situation of poverty and despair has not changed much. Misery can be seen everywhere. Children are begging and women are trying, mostly unsuccessfully, to sell some homemade products.
Goodwill Ambassador Mia Farrow urges tsunami-like response in Haiti’s disaster zones GONAÏVES, Haiti, 22 September 2008 – Looking down from helicopter at the devastation wrought by a month of hurricanes and catastrophic flooding, actress Mia Farrow made an immediate comparison.
Delivering life-saving aid to hurricane-affected children and families in Haiti GONAÏVES, Haiti, 17 September 2008 – Fernando Thermidor has the look of a toddler who is all cried out as he buries his tear-stained face in his mother’s shoulder.
Storms batter the Caribbean, displacing thousands of children and their families PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, 5 September 2008 – Over 200 people are dead and nearly 600,000 urgently need help after a series of storms that have battered Haiti over the past three weeks, according to UN officials. And there may be more storms to come.
Executive Director visits UNICEF-supported projects on first official visit to Haiti PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, 7 January 2008 – UNICEF Executive Director Ann M. Veneman has just completed her first trip to Haiti, the country with the highest rates of infant and maternal mortality in the Western Hemisphere.
Partners In Health: Preventing mother-to-child HIV transmission in Haiti NEW YORK, USA, 6 December 2007 – In Haiti, where 2.2 per cent of the adult population is living with HIV, according to the latest Demographic and Health Survey, care and prevention are urgent issues. The Zanmi Lasante (‘Partners In Health’ in Haitian Creole) project is actively working to reduce the number of new infections, with a special focus on curbing mother-to-child transmission of HIV.
Basketball star Sam Dalembert brings hope and encouragement to Haitian children PORT-AU-PRINCE, 25 September 2007 – US National Basketball Association star and Philadelphia 76ers centre Samuel Dalembert has just completed a one-week visit to his native country, Haiti, where he spread the message of hope and encouragement to thousands of vulnerable children and women.
Breaking the cycle of mother-to-child HIV transmission in Haiti PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, 30 July 2007 – Della lives in an isolated village in the Northwest Department, an arid and mostly barren region that is among the poorest of Haiti’s 10 departments. It is in this economically challenged area that the young mother is raising her four daughters while preparing for the birth of her fifth.
UNICEF and partners help child domestic workers in Haiti regain their rights PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, 20 April 2007 – Andre does not know his real name nor how old he is. His mother died when he was young and he says he was sent to work for another family because his father was unable to take care of him.
Dropping guns for books in Haiti PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, 21 September 2006 – A back-to-school campaign has brought new hope to the children of Cité Soleil, the seaside slum in the Haitian capital that has long been regarded as one of most violent neighbourhoods in the whole Western Hemisphere. FIFA Haiti Youth Profile
Football helps Ivna Chérie, 11, forget violence in Haiti PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – On a sweltering Saturday morning when many Haitians are staying out of the sun, Ivna Chérie is playing football with her schoolmates on the marram pitch of a dilapidated stadium outside the capital, Port-Au-Prince.
Schools reopen in Bel Air, bringing hope and stability to Haitian children scarred by violence PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, 31 March 2006 – Sitting in rows of four on benches newly provided by UNICEF, young girls and boys fill classrooms in the schools of Port-au-Prince’s rundown suburb of Bel Air. And you can read the joy and excitement on their faces.
Haiti’s children still struggling for survival NEW YORK, USA, 21 March 2006 – Haiti’s children are facing a continuing struggle for survival, with one in eight likely to die before the age of five. A lack of basic services such as water, health care and education are compounded by poverty and violence, locking children into a cycle of deprivation and abuse.
Haiti’s President-elect René Préval pledges to put children on top of political agenda NEW YORK, USA, 20 February 2006 – Haiti’s new President-elect, René Préval, has announced that he intends to put children on top of his political agenda. "Children must be taken off the streets. Weapons must be taken from the hands of children and replaced with pens and books," said President Préval during a broadcast aired by AFP, the French news agency.
Haiti: Grim reality for street children PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, 27 December 2005 – Homeless children stand in the middle of a busy street in order to stop passing cars and beg passengers for money. This scene has become far too common in many neighbourhoods of Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s capital.
Haiti: Paediatric HIV treatments are saving children’s lives PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, 18 October 2005 - Like any boy, 7-year-old Samson Verneret enjoys playing with his favourite toys. But unlike other children his age, Samson is living with HIV.
‘Xchange’ helps children escape from cycle of poverty and violence PORT-AU-PRINCE, 14 October 2005 – In many parts of this city, Haiti’s capital, armed gangs recruit children for use as messengers, or to commit crimes. The gangs lure the children with money and food – which are hard to come by for many who live in the poverty-stricken neighbourhood of Cité Soleil. But once in a gang, children are coerced to fight other gangs or carry out illegal acts, with a beating or worse as punishment if they refuse.
A home for a child orphaned by Hurricane Jeanne PORT-AU-PRINCE, 26 September 2005 – “When Hurricane Jeanne hit Gonaives [one year ago], my home was destroyed and both my parents died,” said Daniel Joseph, 11. With no one to turn to for help, Daniel went to Port-au-Prince, the capital.
One year after Hurricane Jeanne, recovery continues GONAIVES, Haiti, 18 September 2005 – One year ago Hurricane Jeanne slammed into this coastal town, causing flooding and mudslides, leaving over 2,500 people dead or unaccounted for and severely affecting 300,000 more, including at least 150,000 children.
Reaching children with life-saving vaccines Port-au-Prince, 25 June 2004 - “This is the heart of the immunization campaign in Haiti,” says UNICEF Immunization Officer Enrique Cuevas as we enter the dimly lit warehouse. The cool room offers a nice contrast to the hot summer day.
Haiti Launches Vaccination Week Millions of children across the Americas will be vaccinated this week as part of an unprecedented campaign led by UNICEF. “Vaccination: an act of love,” will aim to reach the most isolated and vulnerable children in countries such as Haiti where basic health care is badly lacking.
NEW YORK, USA, 19 January 2010 – As the full magnitude of the crisis in Haiti continues to unfold, donors have rushed to provide UNICEF with funding to meet the needs of children and families at risk.
VIDEO: Watch now
Support from government, corporate and individual donors is critical to the relief effort in Port-au-Prince and other areas devastated by the 12 January earthquake.
"Food, fuel and water are key elements that are needed now," said UNICEF Director of Public Sector Alliances and Resource Mobilization Afshan Khan. "And we very much appreciate the support we've gotten from donors thus far to be able to scale up our operations."
Overall, UNICEF has appealed for $128 million to fund its emergency response in Haiti over the next six months. The funding request was part of a UN-wide appeal for $575 million. Since the disaster struck a week ago today, donors worldwide have given and pledged generously to help UNICEF assist quake-affected Haitian children, starting with lifesaving water-and-sanitation supplies.
"We've received quite strong support from the outset from public and private donors. The fastest money to come in was from our National Committees," Ms. Khan noted, referring to the partner organizations that raise funds and advocate on UNICEF's behalf in 36 industrialized countries.
"The European Commission has also made a very strong commitment of support," she added. Many other governments around the world have pledged funds, as well.
For its part, the corporate sector has pitched in with cash and in-kind contributions. British Airways, for example, was among the first airlines to donate a plane used to fly relief supplies to Haiti; DHL, UPS, Air France/KLM and Thomas Cook Airways are also offering air-transport assistance.
In the United States, several stars appeared last night on a special edition of CNN's 'Larry King Live' to help raise millions of dollars for earthquake relief, including funds for UNICEF. The MTV networks are planning a major fundraising telecast hosted by actor George Clooney on Friday. And in the sports world, Haitian-American National Basketball Association player Samuel Dalembert has personally pledged $100,000 to UNICEF's crisis response.
Essential supplies
Even as donors continue to fill the funding gaps, more aid is beginning to get into the earthquake zone:
* To date, three planeloads of UNICEF supplies have landed in Haiti and one has touched down in the neighbouring Dominican Republic; more supply flights are planned in the coming days. * UNICEF is scaling up distribution of safe water daily. Yesterday, 80,000 people received drinking water from tanks positioned around Port-au-Prince and hospitals in the capital received 120,000 litres. * Today, UNICEF warehouse tents bound for Haiti, via the Dominican Republic, left the United Arab Emirates in donated cargo space aboard an Emirates Airlines flight. * Tomorrow, 90 metric tonnes of emergency aid – including, shelter materials, nutrition kits, essential medicines and water-and-sanitation supplies – will leave on a UNICEF commercial flight from Billund, Denmark, to Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic.
As more resources become available and logistical problems on the ground are resolved, the flow of relief assistance is expected to accelerate in devastated areas of Haiti. Working with its donors and partners, UNICEF is planning for the needs of quake-affected children for the next six months and beyond, in hopes of building a stronger foundation for their future.
UNICEF Regional Communication Specialist Tamar Hahn has been serving as the agency’s chief spokesperson in the Haitian earthquake zone. She sends the following update.
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, 19 January 2010 – One week has gone by since an earthquake turned what was already a desperately poor part of the world into a full-fledged humanitarian emergency. The race against time to bring relief to the people of Haiti continues.
Supplies are arriving daily by land and by air, and distribution of safe water, food, hygiene kits and other life-saving provisions has greatly improved. Still, every day brings new challenges.
Hundreds if not thousands of people are leaving Port-au-Prince, their belongings tied up in bundles or squeezed into suitcases that they carry on their heads as they make their way to the countryside. But thousands still crowd together at camps set up spontaneously around the capital in squares and schools, and even on a golf course.
Enormous resilience These camps have become microcosms of survival. In one of them, a man has brought a generator that he uses to charge hundreds of cell phones. Meanwhile, women cook whatever food they manage to forage over open fires. Some camps have even set up committees to coordinate their needs.
UNICEF and its partners overcame fuel shortages to dispatch 140 tanker trucks that delivered water to over 140,000 people today. Supplies were also delivered to an orphanage where about 40 children are living and 50 more are expected to arrive shortly.
Also today, we went out to try to ascertain the situation of separated and unaccompanied minors. It is a time-consuming task – just getting around town takes hours – but a clearer picture of the situation is emerging, and UNICEF is taking action to provide a solution.
About 900 of these children, who have found themselves alone in the midst of this emergency, will be taken into interim centres set up by UNICEF to house, feed and care for them.
A close eye on children My first stop was the tent hospital where, late last week, I first met two unaccompanied children – seven-year-old Sean and two-year-old ‘Baby Girl’ (no one knows her real name). This time, I went there again with UNICEF Regional Child Protection Adviser Nadine Perrault to take these children and two others – Sandie, 9, and Medoshe, 6 – to one of the centres.
We felt that it would be best to take all of the children together. So for the next couple of days, they will all be together at the far end of the tent, right by the resting space for the doctors and nurses. This will enable the medical personnel to keep a close eye on them, as several people have attempted to take children out of the country.
Illegal adoption was an issue of concern before the earthquake. Amidst the chaos that followed it has become a concern for Haitian authorities who fear children may be taken out of the country without proper legal procedures being followed.
While adoption can be a viable option for many children who have lost their parents, it is reasonable to think that many people are still out there looking for their children or the children of their relatives. To prevent the illegal departure of many children UNICEF is deploying two specialized staff to control documentation at the airport.
Marie-Yolaine is a ‘restavek’, one of the almost Haitian 200,000 children who were given away by impoverished parents to relatives or to unknown families in hopes that they would be provided with a better life. The reality is that these children are forced to work as domestic servants, kept out of school and subjected to violence and abuse.
When the earthquake struck last week, Marie-Yolaine was out fetching water. When a falling slab of concrete broke her arm, the family with whom she was staying brought her to the hospital and left her there on her own. Now all she wants is for us to take her back to the village of Les Cayes in the south of the country, where she was born.
“My mother is dead, but I think my father is still alive,” she says. “If you take me there, I could recognize my house. I just want to go home.”
NEW YORK, USA, 20 January 2010 – A powerful aftershock struck Haiti early this morning, adding to the stress of children and families affected by the 12 January earthquake there but apparently causing little further damage. Relief operations are ongoing.
VIDEO: Watch now
The disaster, now in its second week, has had a two-fold impact beyond its dire toll in deaths and injuries: It has both wiped out the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of Haitians and crippled virtually all critical services and infrastructure needed for aid distribution.
UNICEF's two biggest challenges are to unplug aid supply and distribution bottlenecks and to coordinate among the various humanitarian actors on the ground so all those in need get help.
"We are deploying our efforts to cover the entire city," said UNICEF Water and Sanitation Specialist Julien Atchade. "We have some priority interventions – orphanages, health clinics and a few other strategic points. And certainly the major encampments, where we have already 72 water distribution points."
Because the youngest are the most vulnerable, UNICEF is also setting up nutrition support for children under two years of age. Therapeutic and supplementary feeding for undernourished children is on the way.
Tracing and registration of unaccompanied children has begun. It is crucial that they be reunited with their families or other caregivers who are known to them. Existing facilities for these children are strained to the limit.
"We are still having problems with finding food, medicines and diapers for the children," said Edith Salome, caretaker of an orphanage in Port-au-Prince. "And we are a bit tight here, because before we had a big house. But the house collapsed, so now we are living in two small rooms."
Supply airlift under way
Meanwhile, supplies continue to come in from outside the country by air and overland. Today, for example, 90 metric tonnes of emergency aid left the airport in Billund, Denmark, for Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic; from there, the supplies will be trucked into Haiti along a newly established humanitarian corridor.
Also today, 5.5 metric tonnes of Haiti-bound water bladders and chlorine tablets left the United Kingdom for the Dominican Republic aboard a flight donated by Thomas Cook Airways. Additional supply flights are scheduled for the rest of this week.
For those who have lost everything, of course, help cannot come soon enough.
UNICEF Regional Communication Specialist Tamar Hahn has been serving as the agency's chief spokesperson in the quake zone since last week. Click here to read her most recent update on the crisis response in Haiti.
NEW YORK, USA, 28 January 2010 – More than two weeks after a powerful earthquake struck Haiti, UNICEF's emergency relief effort is reaching hundreds of thousands of survivors. As of last night, 13 planes had brought health, nutrition, and water-and-sanitation supplies to Haiti and the neighbouring Dominican Republic.
VIDEO: Watch now
Aid was slow at first because the destruction took an enormous toll on Haiti's already poorly served communities, resulting in a double disaster for the country.
"When the earthquake hit the most populated area of the country, it not only destroyed hundreds of thousands of lives but also anything that was left in terms of infrastructure," said UNICEF Director of Emergency Programmes Louis-Georges Arsenault. "The UN was very badly hit as well, so our capacity on the ground was absolutely minimal."
More than 130 distribution points have been set up in the capital, Port-au-Prince, supplying water to over 300,000 people. Latrines have been built for some of the many thousands of people living in temporary shelters.
"For the first time, I can say with some comfort that the logistical capacity that we have on the ground to provide larger-scale distribution ... is improving substantially," said Mr. Arsenault.
Now that search and rescue operations are in their final stages and more aid is coming in, it is vital that vulnerable children receive what they need.
"The government is working in tandem with UNICEF in order to make an assessment of the number of children who may be in need," said the Permanent Ambassador of Haiti to the United Nations, Hon. Léo Mérorès.
"But already, for those who have been rescued, appropriate steps are being taken by UNICEF, jointly with the government, in order to care for them," he added.
'We've got to do it right'
The steps referenced by Ambassador Mérorès include initiatives to preserve children's health and improve their safety and security. For example:
* Safe spaces have been set up for unaccompanied children, especially those in displacement settlements and orphanages. Specific attention is being given to the youngest children. * To ward off any increases in acute malnutrition, children under five are getting therapeutic and supplementary feeding, as well as general rations. * Next week, UNICEF and partners will begin an immunization campaign for 600,000 children under five living in temporary shelters, to protect them against measles, diphtheria and tetanus.
International actors, including UNICEF, are also looking to Haiti's future – and the opportunity that the earthquake has presented to transform the poverty-stricken nation and improve future prospects for its children and families.
"With the political will, and I believe it exists right now, the resources shouldn't be a problem," said Mr. Arsenault. "Globally, people are committed to supporting the people of Haiti, so we've got to do it right."
jcreddy
Friday 29 January 2010, 2:01 am
Press release UN Appeals for $562 million for humanitarian operation in quake-struck Haiti
NEW YORK, 15 January 2010 - UNICEF joined the United Nations appeal for $562 million for humanitarian operation in Haiti launched today. The appeal seeks to provide resources to help 3.5 million people for the next 6 months. Key among the urgent needs are life-saving supplies of food, water, medicines and shelter. Given that nearly 50 per cent of Haiti's population is under the age of 18, UNICEF has a particularly critical role to play and is seeking approximately $120 million for its work as part of the humanitarian relief efforts.
Efforts are also underway to unload and deliver UNICEF emergency supplies and equipment that arrived in Port-au-Prince by plane in the early hours of this morning. This first UNICEF shipment included water tanks, water purification tablets and rehydration salts. Clean water and sanitation are amongst the most important emergency relief needs following most emergencies, in particular to protect against the serious health risks posed by diarrheal infections and diseases.
Two more planes loaded with relief are planned for the weekend, carrying some 70 metric tons of tents, tarpaulins, and medicines.
Many of Haiti's public buildings and utilities have been destroyed. There is severe damage to hospitals, schools and the city’s two seaports. This infrastructure damage has resulted in large scale displacement of people from their homes, into makeshift and overcrowded shelters.
Communications systems and infrastructure damaged by the earthquake that hit near Port au Prince on 12 January are slowly being repaired, and precise information about the damage is still not available. According to the UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) some 3.5 million people are estimated to be in the areas affected by the earthquake and its aftershocks. Thousands are feared dead, many more injured and unknown numbers still buried under the rubble.
UNICEF efforts to assist with life-saving and recovery operations in Haiti will focus on provision of clean water and sanitation, therapeutic food for infants and small children, medical supplies and temporary shelter.
About UNICEF UNICEF is on the ground in over 150 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence. The world’s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.
For more information, please contact: Christopher de Bono, UNICEF Media, New York, Tel 1 212 303 7984, E-mail: cdebono@unicef.org
Patrick McCormick, UNICEF Media, New York, Tel 1 212-326-7426, E-mail: pmccormick@unicef.org
jc
Thursday 28 January 2010, 6:57 am
Next topic Home > Child and Adolescent Development > Self-Esteem and Identity > Identity > Identity Across Childhood and Adolescence ShareThis Identity Across Childhood and Adolescence Identity Across Childhood and Adolescence photo by: apdk A person may alter or reinvent his or her identity many times between childhood and adulthood. Factors like gender, ethnicity, religious background, interests, talents, and hobbies all play a part in a child's emerging concept of self. Read on for more on the importance of identity, how to help girls build a positive self image, and how to plant the seeds for adult happiness. Search Topic Search Featured Articles
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* Sense of Self at Different Grade Levels Source: Pearson Allyn Bacon Prentice Hall * Developmental Trends: Sense of Self at Different Age Levels Source: Pearson Allyn Bacon Prentice Hall * Caught in the Middle: Raising a Multiracial Teen in a Rural Place Source: Education.com * Eating Disorders: What You Need to Know Source: Education.com * Self Concept - Social and Emotional Development: Ages 3-5 Source: State: Nebraska Department of Education * According to the School Psychologist: Middle School Source: Education.com * Gender Segregation Among Childhood Friends Source: Pearson Allyn Bacon Prentice Hall * Girls and Body Image: Loving the Skin She's In Source: Education.com * Developmental Dynamics Between Personal and Conventional Domains Source: Pearson Allyn Bacon Prentice Hall * Not My Kid: What to Do if Your Child is a Bully Source: Education.com
jcreddy
Thursday 28 January 2010, 6:56 am
Girls and Body Image Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Topics: Preteen Years (9-13), Identity Across Childhood and Adolescence, more... Middle Years (5-9), Teen Years (13-19), How Advertisers Target Children and Teens, Healthy Eating Strategies, Talking About Tough Issues
Your daughter may have outgrown the nursery rhyme that describes her as “sugar and spice and everything nice.” Instead, she might be worried about all of that sugar making her fat. Some studies suggest that body image ideas begin in children as young as 3.1 But parents—particularly moms—can have a positive impact on their daughters’ body image when they model healthy attitudes toward their own bodies. The Media’s Influence
Media images—TV shows, movies, and music showcasing rail-thin models, actresses, and singers—promote underweight women, which can affect what girls think about their own bodies. Even though most fashion models weigh 23 percent less than the average female,2 many young girls idealize this very thin body type. In one study, most girls (70 percent) reported that the appearance of models in magazines influences their image of a perfect female body, and 47 percent wanted to lose weight because of the magazine pictures.3 Parents’ Influence
It’s not just the media that influences young girls. Think about it—how many times have you said, “I need to go on a diet”? Now, think about how many times you may have said it in front of your daughter. Whether or not they are aware of it, parents and caregivers set the example for the eating patterns of their children. Being a role model is more than just what you eat—and it is more than who you admire on TV or in the neighborhood. Children learn how to eat by listening to and watching the adults around them.
Girls with mothers who reported recent dieting or who had a family history of being overweight were more likely to have ideas about dieting, according to a study in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association.4 At the extreme end, doctors are seeing girls as young as 5 or 6 who have eating disorders. Experts say that these young children, mostly girls, are following the patterns set by their mothers.5 What To Do?
The cycle can be frustrating—knowing if a child is overweight may be hard for a parent to judge, but too much talk about “dieting” can be negative as well. So, how do you establish healthy eating patterns for you and your family and help your daughter form a positive body image?
You can help your daughter establish and maintain healthy eating patterns and a positive body image while you improve or maintain your own positive body image.
* Let your daughter know that weight gain is a normal part of growth, especially during puberty. * Avoid negative statements about food, weight, and body size and shape. * Let your daughter make choices about food. Offer her healthy and nutritious meals and snacks. * Praise your child for her many activities, talents, and accomplishments. * Watch TV with your daughter and discuss the images you see. * Encourage your daughter to get regular exercise—try going on a family walk together.
Also, keep the lines of communication open with your child. Let her know she can come to you with any questions or concerns about her body, and guide her toward healthy choices. Doing so will help your daughter build not only a strong body, but a strong body image. Conversation Starters
What do you think of the way girls and women look on TV and in magazines? How often do you think about your weight? How do you feel about your body? Additional Resources
WomensHealth.gov. Body Image and Your Kids: Your Body Image Plays a Role in Theirs, last referenced 10/23/2006.
KidsHealth. Even Before Puberty, Kids Harbor Body Image Concern, last referenced 10/23/2006.
jc
Thursday 28 January 2010, 6:50 am
Burkina Faso: Giving life, risking death: Time for action to reduce maternal mortality in Burkina Faso Burkina Faso: Giving life, risking death: Time for action to reduce maternal mortality in Burkina Faso Download:
* PDF
Index Number: AFR 60/001/2010 Date Published: 27 January 2010 Categories: Burkina Faso
More than 2,000 women die in Burkina Faso every year from complications of pregnancy and childbirth. Most of these deaths could be prevented. In this campaign digest Amnesty International calls on the government of Burkina Faso to take measures to: allocate adequate resources to maternal and reproductive health care; reduce physical and cultural barriers that prevent poor rural women from accessing such health care; provide accessible information to women about their right to health; and, to ensure adequate monitoring of government policy to reduce maternal mortality.
jcreddy
Thursday 28 January 2010, 6:48 am
1 day to go: Burkina Faso maternal mortality campaign countdown Delivery room, maternity ward. Kiembara health center, Burkina Faso
Delivery room, maternity ward. Kiembara health center, Burkina Faso
26 January 2010 In Burkina Faso, the health care system suffers from several recurrent problems: inadequate health infrastructure, shortages and interruptions of supplies of drugs and medical equipment, blood shortages, a lack of trained medical personnel and a lack of skilled birth attendants.
Health care facilities are often far from people's homes, especially in rural areas, and transport is unreliable and expensive. Although the government has increased the number of community health centres in recent years, enormous disparities continue to exist between urban and rural areas.
Accountability is key in any health system. The government has to account for the implementation of its health policies. Patients are also entitled to hold accountable, medical personnel who might be responsible for abuses or misconduct, such as unlawful demands for unofficial payments, and must have access to avenues of redress. However, in Burkina Faso, accountability is rare, both at government and individual levels.
Women in Burkina Faso suffer discrimination in every area of their lives, with unequal access to education, health care and employment. Particularly in rural areas, women have little or no say in key domestic decisions. They are primarily valued as wives and mothers. Read More 2 days to go: Burkina Faso Maternal Mortality Campaign: Follow the caravan on our geoblog (25 January 2010) 5 days to go: Burkina Faso Maternal Mortality Campaign Countdown (22 January 2010) Burkina Faso maternal mortality caravan countdown (20 January 2010)
jcreddy
Thursday 28 January 2010, 6:47 am
Pregnant women in Burkina Faso dying because of discrimination Embed:
Launch of the maternal mortality caravan in Sierra Leone, September 2009
Poverty is a key contributing factor in preventable maternal death
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27 January 2010 Women are dying needlessly during pregnancy and childbirth because discrimination prevents them from accessing sexual and reproductive health services, leaving them unable to make key decisions on their pregnancies, Amnesty International said in a report released on Wednesday.
Every year in Burkina Faso more than 2,000 women die from complications during pregnancy and childbirth, according to government figures. Amnesty International's report Giving Life, Risking Death finds that many of these deaths could have been easily prevented if women were given access on time to adequate health care.
"Every woman has the right to life and the right to adequate healthcare, and the government should redouble its efforts to address preventable maternal death," said Claudio Cordone, interim Secretary General of Amnesty International. "Women in Burkina Faso are trapped in a vicious cycle of discrimination which makes giving birth potentially lethal."
Most women in Burkina Faso are subordinate to the men in their lives with little or no control over key decisions such as when to seek medical care and the timing and spacing of their pregnancies in spite of having equal status under Burkinabe law. Women and girls continue to be subjected to early marriages and female genital mutilation.
The Burkina Faso government, with the help of the donor community, has developed ambitious strategies that have lowered maternal death rates in some parts of the country. However these are undermined by failures in implementation and a lack of accountability that allows medical personnel to get away with abuses, such as illegal demands for payments.
Poverty is a key contributing factor in preventable maternal death, particularly for impoverished women living in rural areas who face both financial and geographical obstacles to accessing healthcare.
In 2006, the Burkinabe government introduced a policy to subsidize 80 per cent of the cost of childbirth and making it completely free for the most impoverished women. However this policy is not well publicised leaving it open to exploitation by corrupt medical staff. Criteria have not been elaborated to establish who qualifies for subsidized care so costs continue to act as a barrier in accessing medical care.
The Amnesty International report says that unequal access to adequate health facilities especially in rural areas; shortages of medical supplies and trained personnel and negative or discriminatory attitudes of health workers are also preventing women from seeking care.
"Maternal death is a tragedy that robs thousands of families of wives, mothers, sisters and daughters each year," said Claudio Cordone. "So long as women are not allowed control over their own bodies, they will continue to die in their thousands."
The authorities have responded to the report which was sent to them in advance by welcoming "the meticulous and important" work done by Amnesty International, while stressing that the cases of misbehaviour by medical personnel were "isolated" and reiterating the authorities' commitment to address the problem of maternal mortality in the country.
Amnesty International has called on the government to expand and improve access to family planning services, to remove financial barriers to maternal healthcare services, to ensure an even distribution of health facilities and trained staff across the country and to set up a well-publicized and accessible accountability mechanism to help combat corruption and mismanagement.
Burkina Faso is one of the poorest countries in the world, ranked 177 out of 182 countries in the United Nations Development Programme's 2009 Human Development Report.
Between January 28 and February 9 a campaign caravan will tour Burkina Faso spreading news of Amnesty International's campaign to end maternal mortality in the country and providing information to stimulate debate.
Between 10 and 13 February the interim Secretary General of Amnesty International will meet with the country's top authorities to share the outcome of the caravan and discuss government plans to address maternal mortality.
The campaign to end maternal mortality in Burkina Faso is a part of Amnesty International's Demand Dignity campaign launched in May 2009.
In September 2009 Amnesty International launched a campaign to end maternal mortality and a campaign caravan in Sierra Leone.
Amnesty International believes poverty is a human rights issue and through the Demand Dignity campaign is calling for an end to the human rights violations that drive and deepen poverty.
The campaign mobilizes people all over the world to demand that governments, corporations and others who have power listen to the voices of those living in poverty and recognise and protect their rights. For more information visit http://demanddignity.amnesty.org/ Burkina Faso: Giving life, risking death: Maternal mortality in Burkina Faso Download:
* PDF
Index Number: AFR 60/001/2009 Date Published: 27 January 2010 Categories: Burkina Faso
More than 2,000 women die in Burkina Faso every year from complications of pregnancy and childbirth. Some die because they cannot reach a suitable health facility or because their relatives cannot pay the fees demanded. Others die because of shortages – of blood, drugs, equipment or qualified medical staff. Maternal mortality takes its toll on the poorest and least educated women. Amnesty International calls for better information and services for family planning, for the removal of financial barriers to maternal health care and for improvements in access to care.
jcreddy
Thursday 28 January 2010, 6:42 am
Tragic Mogadishu attack a blow to the health system in Somalia
The attack on Thursday in Mogadishu that claimed the life of Somalia's Minister of Health, Dr Qamr Aden Ali, and several other senior government and community figures was a tragic blow to the nation's medical fraternity and underscores the urgent need for stabilization and security in the country.
Dr Ali was a tireless, energetic and influential advocate for health in Somalia who was determined to improve health standards and care for her fellow Somalis. Dr Ali worked very closely with the World Health Organization and was a strong supporter of WHO's activities to strengthen the country's health system.
The attack occurred during a ceremony for medical students graduating from Banadir University, a teaching institution that is training Somalis to be able to provide healthcare for the millions of Somalis suffering from decades of humanitarian crisis. WHO is supporting the training of medical students at the university through standardization of the curriculum, providing training materials and inviting professors to regional and international conferences.
WHO will continue working with Somali authorities and health providers to improve health care and conditions for the country's people. This attack serves only to reinforce WHO's commitment to the alleviating the country's health crisis and supporting those people who are determined to improve health care.
jcreddy
Thursday 28 January 2010, 6:41 am
Haiti health facilities treating quake survivors 25 January 2010 -- More than 150 health facilities - including hospitals, primary health care clinics and field hospitals - are offering a range of health care services to survivors of Haiti's earthquake. There is a strong need for post-operative care for the many people undergoing surgery for trauma injuries. Public health risk assessment and interventions: Haiti earthquake More information on the Haiti earthquake
Progress in public health and major challenges ahead 18 January 2010 -- In her opening speech to the Executive Board at its 126th session, Dr Chan, WHO’s Director-General, noted that many health problems today are transnational, such as the harmful use of alcohol and the marketing of unhealthy foods to children. Dr Chan also reviewed the international response to the current H1N1 influenza pandemic, noting that the moderate impact of the pandemic was the best health news of the previous decade. Read the Director-General's speech Health information systems
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jcreddy
Thursday 28 January 2010, 6:39 am
cover Cultural Property in War: Improvement in Protection
Commentary on the 1999 Second Protocol to the Hague Convention of 1954 for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict
This detailed analysis of the Second Protocol to the Hague Convention of 1954 for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict (1999) was written by Dr. Jiří Toman at the request of UNESCO. The study completes the author’s 1996 publication of the commentary on the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict (the “Convention”) and its 1954 (First) Protocol.
This commentary on the Second Protocol: # analyses provisions of the Second Protocol in relation to the corresponding Articles of the Convention since the two are closely intertwined;
# provides insight into the travaux préparatoires of the March 1999 Hague Diplomatic Conference; and
# addresses case-law developments of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia related to the destruction of cultural property, and relevant provisions of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.
The work is intended for practitioners, scholars, diplomats, civil servants and students interested in the international legal protection of cultural property, both in peacetime and in the event of armed conflict. It also highlights UNESCO’s contribution to the work in this field.
Also available in the World Heritage series
Also recommended: The Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict Commentary on the Hague Convention of 14 May 1954
MOTS CLES · Droit international · Guerre · Instrument international · Législation culturelle · Patrimoine culturel · Sauvegarde des biens culturels
Is it possible to achieve international consensus on combating climate change? Yes, as long as an agreement is drawn up based on principles upheld by all parties.
In December 1997, some 160 nations met in Kyoto (Japan) to discuss the measures to be taken to cope with global warming. The Kyoto protocol is the first legally binding programme aimed at combating climate warming. It is part of the follow-up to the Earth Summit (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 1992) and entered into force in February 2005.
On 30 October this year, the European Union Summit in Brussels was unable to reach a decision on who should pay for what to help developing countries cope with climate change. There is a similar risk that the UN Climate Change Conference (COP15) that kicks off in Copenhagen on 7 December will come to an a minima agreement that does nothing to guarantee future control of greenhouse gas emissions.
Yet no one, or hardly anyone, denies the urgency of taking measures that are both ambitious and based on concerted effort. So it is difficult to understand why it is so hard to find the consensus to take action, whether it is making drastic cuts in greenhouse gas emissions or helping those who are most vulnerable to adapt to impending transformations.
One significant reason is that the ethical terms of the international response to climate change have not been specified clearly. Agreed, the scientific and ethical issues are complex. And it is true that powerful interests are at stake. But, since the adoption of the Kyoto protocol in 1997, we have been searching for a way for all nations to share the costs of reducing emissions and of adapting to their consequences. Without agreement on the terms and modalities of what is equitable, no solution can be found.
Knowing, but doing nothing – this is the ethical knot at the heart of the matter. It is time that the international community gave itself the means to cut this knot.
In what ways, exactly, does climate change pose an ethical challenge? It seems to me essential to take account of at least four dimensions: climate change invokes responsibilities; it has to be based on scientific evidence; it calls for international solidarity, and it implicates every one of us as individuals.
Climate change is more than just greenhouse gases. It also has a human – and tragic – face. In Papua New Guinea, we see the Carteret Islands drowning, the population forced to live in exile and a whole culture destined to die out. Other islands will also soon be submerged, with millions of homeless condemned to seek shelter and asylum in an increasingly inhospitable world. Then there is the desertification of Africa and the fifty million refugees that it will create in the next ten years, according to some predictions. If the very scale of these figures makes them seem abstract, let us remember the women of sub-Saharan Africa who have to walk several kilometres each day to fetch water. And the more developed countries are not immune either: Hurricane Katrina, by devastating New Orleans and its coastal region, created a population of climate refugees, within the USA itself. Finding a way out
edito02_250.jpg
Faced with these ever increasing risks, it is our duty to ensure that we are informed, at all levels, so that we can act more wisely, for the benefit of those who have the greatest need. This brings us squarely to the heart of ethics.
What is more, the victims’ faces only express part of the challenge. Human life is just one form of life on Earth, which also includes the animal and vegetable kingdoms. The melting glaciers of the Arctic endanger entire ecosystems. It is not only the polar bear that faces extinction, but an entire marine fauna, which now feeds in polluted waters. And our actions will also affect future generations, who have no say in the matter. Is our epitaph going to read: “It’s your problem, you sort it out”?
An ethical approach to climate change, then, presupposes listening to all voices, taking all interests into account and drafting an agreement that is based on principles that everyone can endorse. We are far from this today.
So, how to get out of the impasse we are in?
UNESCO’s mandate is ethical in its very essence. And the Organization has taken a major step in this direction by initiating, at its General Conference in October 2009, a process that could lead to a universal declaration of ethical principles in relation to climate change. This presupposes an international consensus that may appear impossible. But, on other controversial issues, such as bioethics, UNESCO has demonstrated its ability to engender an agreement by consulting all parties.
Discussions between States are not the only requirement - the people have to be actively involved, too. And difficult subjects have to be tackled head-on, including the inherently ethical responsibilities that come with knowledge and with the ability to act. Without a recognition of this ethical dimension of climate change, there is a danger that all the technical agreements never implemented, all the endless political compromises, will just be foam on a wave that, gradually, will submerge us all.
Alain Pompidou (France), Chairperson, Bureau of COMEST (The World Commission on the Ethics of Scientific Knowledge and Technology)
Back to summary
jcreddy
Thursday 28 January 2010, 6:37 am
UNESCO commemorates victims of the Holocaust Paris, 26 January UNESCO commemorates victims of the Holocaust
The victims of the Holocaust will be remembered in a ceremony to be held at UNESCO Headquarters on 27 January, the anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration and death camps, designated by the United Nations in 2005 as the annual International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust.
The opening of the ceremony, at 7 p.m., will include addresses by Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO; Frédéric Mitterrand and Limor Livnat, culture ministers of France and Israel; and Eric de Rothschild, President of the French Mémorial de la Shoah (Holocaust Memorial).
International lawyer Samuel Pisar will deliver the central address of the commemoration, bearing witness to the Holocaust, which he survived after internment in Auschwitz and Dachau. Mr Pisar was chosen to testify at the 3rd edition of the International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust. “The legacy of survival” is the theme of this year’s commemoration.
The ceremony will feature musical performances and the screening of a documentary by French film director Francis Gillery, La Vie après la Shoah (Life after the Holocaust).
Ahead of the main event, at 5.30 p.m., Bulgarian-born Israeli author Michel Bar-Zohar will present his book, “Beyond Hitler’s Grasp: The Heroic Rescue of Bulgaria’s Jews.”
The book describes how Bulgaria’s 50,000-strong Jewish community was saved from extermination. Bulgaria’s pro-fascist Parliament rebelled against the deportation order of the Nazi occupiers just two hours before the scheduled departure of the trains that were to carry the Jews to camps in Poland. They prevailed on the King and the Church to work with them to thwart repeated attempts by the Nazis to annihilate the Jews of Bulgaria.
Tsetska Tsacheva, President of the National Assembly of Bulgaria, which played a key role in the saving of the country’s entire Jewish minority, as well as Guinio Ganev, the Ombudsman of the Republic of Bulgaria, will be special guests at both events.
jcreddy
Thursday 28 January 2010, 6:36 am
2010, International Year for the Rapprochement of Cultures Already 300 project proposals
2010, International Year for the Rapprochement of Cultures
The year 2010 will be celebrated as the International Year for the Rapprochement of Cultures (see Resolutions). The goal of the International Year consists in making the rapprochement of cultures the hallmark of all policy-making at local, national, regional and international levels, involving the greatest number of relevant stakeholders.
Entrusted with the mandate to contribute to build "the defences of peace in the minds of men" thanks to international cooperation in the fields of its competence, namely through education, sciences, culture and communication, UNESCO is designated to play a leading role for the celebration of the Year within the United Nations system. In fact, over the years and indeed in the past decade, the Organization has gained special experience and has won recognition through its efforts to demonstrate the beneficial effects of cultural diversity highlighting the importance of borrowings, transfers and exchanges between cultures.
In this framework and with a view to drawing up a draft action plan for Year 2010, the Director-General consulted Member States, intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations maintaining relations with the UNESCO and other relevant partners (CL 3880 of 15 May 2009) to gather their comments and proposals. A significant number of specific activities are already being considered by Member States and by various partners, including the Alliance of Civilizations. An open-ended List of activities and the new proposals to be submitted throughout the Year will be available on our special page dedicated to the Year.
jcreddy
Thursday 28 January 2010, 6:34 am
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights: 1948-2008
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon"On this Human Rights Day, it is my hope that we will all act on our collective responsibility to uphold the rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration. We can only honour the towering vision of that inspiring document when its principles are fully applied everywhere, for everyone."Video Link Video
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navanethem Pillay"We must work for the full implementation of human rights on the ground in a way that affects and improves the lives of the men, women and children who are all entitled, regardless of their race, sex, religion, nationality, property or birth, to realization of each and every right set forth in the Universal Declaration." Video Link Video
High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navanethem Pillay
Schedule of Events for Human Rights Day 10 December, 2008 at UN Headquarters in New York
On Human Rights Day, 10 December, 2007 the Secretary-General launched a year-long campaign during which all parts of the United Nations family took part in the lead up to the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) on Human Rights Day 2008. With more than 360 language versions to help them, UN organizations around the globe used the year to focus on helping people everywhere to learn about their human rights. The UDHR was the first international recognition that all human beings have fundamental rights and freedoms and it continues to be a living and relevant document today.
The theme of the campaign, “Dignity and justice for all of us,” reinforces the vision of the Declaration as a commitment to universal dignity and justice and not something that should be viewed as a luxury or a wish-list.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at the anniversary year launch in Bangkok on Human Rights Day 2007, 10 December Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at the anniversary year launch in Bangkok on Human Rights Day 2007, 10 December. To his left are Mr. Homayoun Alizadeh, the Regional Representative for South-East Asia, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and Ms. Noeleen Heyzer,Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific.
jc
Thursday 28 January 2010, 6:33 am
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights: 1948-2008
"The campaign reminds us that in a world still reeling from the horrors of the Second World War, the Declaration was the first global statement of what we now take for granted -- the inherent dignity and equality of all human beings."
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
"In the course of this year, unprecedented efforts must be made to ensure that every person in the world can rely on just laws for his or her protection. In advancing all human rights for all, we will move towards the greatest fulfillment of human potential, a promise which is at the heart of the Universal Declaration."
High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour
On 10 December, Human Rights Day, the Secretary-General launched a year-long campaign in which all parts of the United Nations family are taking part in the lead up to the 60th birthday of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) on Human Rights Day 2008.
With more than 360 language versions to help them, UN organizations around the globe are using the year to focus on helping people everywhere to learn about their human rights. The UDHR was the first international recognition that all human beings have fundamental rights and freedoms and it continues to be a living and relevant document today.
The theme of the campaign, “Dignity and justice for all of us,” reinforces the vision of the Declaration as a commitment to universal dignity and justice and not something that should be viewed as a luxury or a wish-list.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at the anniversary year launch in Bangkok on Human Rights Day 2007, 10 December Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at the anniversary year launch in Bangkok on Human Rights Day 2007, 10 December. To his left are Mr. Homayoun Alizadeh, the Regional Representative for South-East Asia, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and Ms. Noeleen Heyzer,Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific.
jcreddy
Thursday 28 January 2010, 6:32 am
International Law
CHARTER OF THE UNITED NATIONS - format
THE INTERNATIONAL BILL OF HUMAN RIGHTS
* Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948 * International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights 1966 * International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights 1966 * Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights * Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, aiming at the abolition of the death penalty
THE CORE INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS INSTRUMENTS and their monitoring bodies
There are nine core international human rights treaties. Each of these treaties has established a committee of experts to monitor implementation of the treaty provisions by its States parties. Some of the treaties are supplemented by optional protocols dealing with specific concerns.
Date
Monitoring Body ICERD International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination 21 Dec 1965
CERD ICCPR International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights 16 Dec 1966
CCPR ICESCR International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights 16 Dec 1966
CESCR CEDAW Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women 18 Dec 1979
CEDAW CAT Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment 10 Dec 1984
CAT CRC Convention on the Rights of the Child 20 Nov 1989
CRC ICRMW International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families 18 Dec 1990
CMW International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance 20 Dec 2006
CRPD Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 13 Dec 2006
CRPD ICESCR - OP Optional Protocol of the Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights 10 Dec 2008
CESCR ICCPR-OP1 Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights 16 Dec 1966
HRC ICCPR-OP2 Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, aiming at the abolition of the death penalty 15 Dec 1989
HRC OP-CEDAW Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women 10 Dec 1999
CEDAW OP-CRC-AC Optional protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict 25 May 2000
CRC OP-CRC-SC Optional protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography 25 May 2000
CRC OP-CAT Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment 18 Dec 2002
CAT OP-CRPD Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 12 Dec 2006
CRPD
UNIVERSAL HUMAN RIGHTS INSTRUMENTS
In addition to the International Bill of Rights and the core human rights treaties, there are many other universal instruments relating to human rights. A non-exhaustive selection is listed below. The legal status of these instruments varies: declarations, principles, guidelines, standard rules and recommendations have no binding legal effect, but such instruments have an undeniable moral force and provide practical guidance to States in their conduct; covenants, statutes, protocols and conventions are legally-binding for those States that ratify or accede to them. Information on the status of ratification of selected instruments is available here. Printer-friendly versions of these instruments may be downloaded from the CD-ROM Compilation of Universal Instruments accessible online here.
WORLD CONFERENCE ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND MILLENNIUM ASSEMBLY
* Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action * United Nations Millennium Declaration
THE RIGHT OF SELF-DETERMINATION
* United Nations Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples * General Assembly resolution 1803 (XVII) of 14 December 1962, "Permanent sovereignty over natural resources" * International Convention against the Recruitment, Use, Financing and Training of Mercenaries
RIGHTS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES AND MINORITIES
* Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples * Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention, 1989 (No. 169) * Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities
PREVENTION OF DISCRIMINATION
* Equal Remuneration Convention, 1951 (No. 100) * Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958 (No. 111) * International Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) * Declaration on Race and Racial Prejudice * Convention against Discrimination in Education * Protocol Instituting a Conciliation and Good Offices Commission to be responsible for seeking a settlement of any disputes which may arise between States Parties to the Convention against Discrimination in Education * Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief * World Conference against Racism, 2001 (Durban Declaration and Programme of Action)
RIGHTS OF WOMEN
* Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) * Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW-OP) * Declaration on the Protection of Women and Children in Emergency and Armed Conflict * Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women
RIGHTS OF THE CHILD
* Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) * Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography (CRC-OPSC) * Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict (CRC-OPAC) * Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138) * Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182)
RIGHTS OF OLDER PERSONS
* United Nations Principles for Older Persons
RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
* Declaration on the Rights of Mentally Retarded Persons * Declaration on the Rights of Disabled Persons * Principles for the protection of persons with mental illness and the improvement of mental health care * Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities
HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE: PROTECTION OF PERSONS SUBJECTED TO DETENTION OR IMPRISONMENT
* Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners * Basic Principles for the Treatment of Prisoners * Body of Principles for the Protection of All Persons under Any Form of Detention or Imprisonment * United Nations Rules for the Protection of Juveniles Deprived of their Liberty * Declaration on the Protection of All Persons from Being Subjected to Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment * Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) * Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT) * Principles of Medical Ethics relevant to the Role of Health Personnel, particularly Physicians, in the Protection of Prisoners and Detainees against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment * Principles on the Effective Investigation and Documentation of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment * Safeguards guaranteeing protection of the rights of those facing the death penalty * Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials * Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials * United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for Non-custodial Measures (The Tokyo Rules) * United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Administration of Juvenile Justice (The Beijing Rules) * Guidelines for Action on Children in the Criminal Justice System * United Nations Guidelines for the Prevention of Juvenile Delinquency (The Riyadh Guidelines) * Declaration of Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime and Abuse of Power * Basic Principles on the Independence of the Judiciary * Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers * Guidelines on the Role of Prosecutors * Principles on the Effective Prevention and Investigation of Extra-legal, Arbitrary and Summary Executions * Declaration on the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance * Basic Principles and Guidelines on the Right to a Remedy and Reparation * International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (not yet into force)
SOCIAL WELFARE, PROGRESS AND DEVELOPMENT
* Declaration on Social Progress and Development * Universal Declaration on the Eradication of Hunger and Malnutrition * Declaration on the Use of Scientific and Technological Progress in the Interests of Peace and for the Benefit of Mankind * Declaration on the Right of Peoples to Peace * Declaration on the Right to Development * Universal Declaration on the Human Genome and Human Rights * Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity
PROMOTION AND PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS
* Principles relating to the status of national institutions (The Paris Principles) * Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms
MARRIAGE
* Convention on Consent to Marriage, Minimum Age for Marriage and Registration of Marriages * Recommendation on Consent to Marriage, Minimum Age for Marriage and Registration of Marriages
RIGHT TO HEALTH
* Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS
RIGHT TO WORK AND TO FAIR CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
* Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122)
FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION
* Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1948 (No. 87) * Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention, 1949 (No. 98)
SLAVERY, SLAVERY-LIKE PRACTICES AND FORCED LABOUR
* Slavery Convention * Protocol amending the Slavery Convention signed at Geneva on 25 September 1926 * Supplementary Convention on the Abolition of Slavery, the Slave Trade, and Institutions and Practices Similar to Slavery * Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29) * Abolition of Forced Labour Convention, 1957 (No. 105) * Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and of the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others * Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime
RIGHTS OF MIGRANTS
* International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families (ICPMW) * Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime
NATIONALITY, STATELESSNESS, ASYLUM AND REFUGEES
* Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness * Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons * Convention relating to the Status of Refugees * Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees * Declaration on the Human Rights of Individuals Who are not Nationals of the Country in which They Live
WAR CRIMES AND CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY, INCLUDING GENOCIDE
* Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide * Convention on the Non-Applicability of Statutory Limitations to War Crimes and Crimes against Humanity * Principles of international co-operation in the detection, arrest, extradition and punishment of persons guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity * Statute of the International Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia * Statute of the International Tribunal for Rwanda * Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court
HUMANITARIAN LAW
* Geneva Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War * Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War * Protocol Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, and relating to the Protection of Victims of International Armed Conflicts (Protocol I) * Protocol Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, and relating to the Protection of Victims of Non-International Armed Conflicts (Protocol II)
Also available:
* Ratifications and Reservations * Status of ratifications of human rights treaties * CD Compilation of International instruments - Universal instruments * Conventions, Declarations and Other Instruments Found in General Assembly Resolutions (since 1946)
jc
Thursday 28 January 2010, 6:31 am
Useful Links
* Other language versions * Human Rights Day 10 December * 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
PREAMBLE
Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world,
Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people,
Whereas it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law,
Whereas it is essential to promote the development of friendly relations between nations,
Whereas the peoples of the United Nations have in the Charter reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,
Whereas Member States have pledged themselves to achieve, in co-operation with the United Nations, the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms,
Whereas a common understanding of these rights and freedoms is of the greatest importance for the full realization of this pledge,
Now, Therefore THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY proclaims THIS UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations, to the end that every individual and every organ of society, keeping this Declaration constantly in mind, shall strive by teaching and education to promote respect for these rights and freedoms and by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance, both among the peoples of Member States themselves and among the peoples of territories under their jurisdiction.
^ Top Article 1.
* All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
^ Top Article 2.
* Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty.
^ Top Article 3.
* Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.
^ Top Article 4.
* No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.
^ Top Article 5.
* No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
^ Top Article 6.
* Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law.
^ Top Article 7.
* All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law. All are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination in violation of this Declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination.
^ Top Article 8.
* Everyone has the right to an effective remedy by the competent national tribunals for acts violating the fundamental rights granted him by the constitution or by law.
^ Top Article 9.
* No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile.
^ Top Article 10.
* Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against him.
^ Top Article 11.
* (1) Everyone charged with a penal offence has the right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law in a public trial at which he has had all the guarantees necessary for his defence. * (2) No one shall be held guilty of any penal offence on account of any act or omission which did not constitute a penal offence, under national or international law, at the time when it was committed. Nor shall a heavier penalty be imposed than the one that was applicable at the time the penal offence was committed.
^ Top Article 12.
* No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honour and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.
^ Top Article 13.
* (1) Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state. * (2) Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country.
^ Top Article 14.
* (1) Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution. * (2) This right may not be invoked in the case of prosecutions genuinely arising from non-political crimes or from acts contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.
^ Top Article 15.
* (1) Everyone has the right to a nationality. * (2) No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his nationality nor denied the right to change his nationality.
^ Top Article 16.
* (1) Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and to found a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution. * (2) Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses. * (3) The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State.
^ Top Article 17.
* (1) Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others. * (2) No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property.
^ Top Article 18.
* Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.
^ Top Article 19.
* Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.
^ Top Article 20.
* (1) Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association. * (2) No one may be compelled to belong to an association.
^ Top Article 21.
* (1) Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives. * (2) Everyone has the right of equal access to public service in his country. * (3) The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures.
^ Top Article 22.
* Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security and is entitled to realization, through national effort and international co-operation and in accordance with the organization and resources of each State, of the economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity and the free development of his personality.
^ Top Article 23.
* (1) Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment. * (2) Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work. * (3) Everyone who works has the right to just and favourable remuneration ensuring for himself and his family an existence worthy of human dignity, and supplemented, if necessary, by other means of social protection. * (4) Everyone has the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his interests.
^ Top Article 24.
* Everyone has the right to rest and leisure, including reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic holidays with pay.
^ Top Article 25.
* (1) Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control. * (2) Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance. All children, whether born in or out of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection.
^ Top Article 26.
* (1) Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit. * (2) Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace. * (3) Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children.
^ Top Article 27.
* (1) Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits. * (2) Everyone has the right to the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic production of which he is the author.
^ Top Article 28.
* Everyone is entitled to a social and international order in which the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration can be fully realized.
^ Top Article 29.
* (1) Everyone has duties to the community in which alone the free and full development of his personality is possible. * (2) In the exercise of his rights and freedoms, everyone shall be subject only to such limitations as are determined by law solely for the purpose of securing due recognition and respect for the rights and freedoms of others and of meeting the just requirements of morality, public order and the general welfare in a democratic society. * (3) These rights and freedoms may in no case be exercised contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.
^ Top Article 30.
* Nothing in this Declaration may be interpreted as implying for any State, group or person any right to engage in any activity or to perform any act aimed at the destruction of any of the rights and freedoms set forth herein.
jcreddy
Thursday 28 January 2010, 6:29 am
The Human Rights Council The Human Rights Council in session
The Human Rights Council is an inter-governmental body within the UN system made up of 47 States responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights around the globe. The Council was created by the UN General Assembly on 15 March 2006 with the main purpose of addressing situations of human rights violations and make recommendations on them.
One year after holding its first meeting, on 18 June 2007, the Council adopted its “Institution-building package” [Word file] providing elements to guide it in its future work. Among the elements is the new Universal Periodic Review mechanism which will assess the human rights situations in all 192 UN Member States. Other features include a new Advisory Committee which serves as the Council’s “think tank” providing it with expertise and advice on thematic human rights issues and the revised Complaints Procedure mechanism which allows individuals and organizations to bring complaints about human rights violations to the attention of the Council. The Human Rights Council also continues to work closely with the UN Special Procedures established by the former Commission on Human Rights and assumed by the Council. News Meetings, events, other...
Advisory Committee discusses Draft Principles and Guidelines on Elimination of Discrimination against Persons affected by Leprosy 26 January 2010
Advisory Committee discusses missing persons 26 January 2010
Human Rights Council to hold Special Session on Support to recovery process in Haiti: A Human Rights approach 25 January 2010
Advisory Committee continues discussion on draft Declaration on Human Rights Education and Training 25 January 2010
More press releases...
13th Special session of the Human Rights Council (27 January 2010)
4th session of the Advisory Committee (25 - 29 January 2010)
13th regular session of the Human Rights Council (1-26 March 2010)
Webcast for for the 12th regular session
1st session of the Open-ended Working Group to explore the possibility of elaborating an optional protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child (14-18 December 2009)
United Nations Fact Finding Mission on the Gaza conflict
Human Rights Council Elections for 4th annual cycle - 12 May 2009
jc
Thursday 28 January 2010, 6:28 am
Social, Humanitarian
jcreddy
Thursday 28 January 2010, 6:20 am
On Human Rights, Obama's Words Soar Above Actions by
Kenneth Roth
Published in: National Public Radio January 20, 2010
2009_KenRoth_thumb.jpg
Ken Roth. Other Material: Human Rights Watch World Report 2010
Obama recognizes the importance of redeeming America's reputation on human rights after the dark Bush years. But it’ll take more than impressive rhetoric to succeed. Kenneth Roth, Executive Director
As one would expect from so eloquent a leader, Barack Obama has brought a marked improvement in presidential rhetoric on human rights compared with his predecessor. In a series of speeches around the world, carefully tailored for each audience, the president has set forth a compelling vision, stressing that respect for human rights is not only the right thing to do but also broadly beneficial for society. The challenge facing his administration is translating that rhetoric into policy and practice.
In Cairo, for example, Obama stressed the importance of democracy. Unlike George W. Bush, who stopped promoting democracy in the Middle East once Hamas won elections in the Palestinian territories and the Muslim Brotherhood did better than expected in Egypt, Obama suggested that he would accept the results of fair elections no matter how they came out. But disappointingly, Obama has done little visibly to push Middle Eastern autocrats allied with the U.S., such as Egypt's Hosni Mubarak and the Saudi royal family, in a more democratic direction.
In Africa, Bill Clinton had lionized such "new African leaders" as Paul Kagame of Rwanda and Meles Zenawi of Ethiopia, each of whom has now turned in a more authoritarian direction. Speaking in Accra, Obama implicitly repudiated that approach by saying that Africa doesn't need "strong men" but "strong institutions," such as honest police forces and independent media. Yet that insight has not yielded sustained pressure on either man to reverse course.
The Russian government has sought to impede critical human rights reporting by imposing burdensome regulatory requirements. Obama responded in a Moscow speech by stressing the importance of civil society. Yet he has not put serious pressure on Russia to bring to justice those unidentified assailants behind the epidemic of murders of activists and journalists working on human rights issues.
Obama touched the right points about the importance of respecting human rights in China, but he undermined the message by failing to meet beforehand with the Dalai Lama. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton did not help when she said earlier that human rights "can't interfere" with other U.S. interests in China. Predictably, Obama got little if anything in human rights terms from his China visit.
Even on counterterrorism — the area where Obama's actions have moved the farthest from Bush's — the results are less than had been hoped. Obama ordered the CIA to abide by the military's far better rules for interrogation, and he shut the secret detention facilities where torture occurred, but he has refused to investigate, let alone prosecute, those who ordered torture or provided thin legal justifications for it. Obama said he would close Guatanamo, but it turns out he may have meant only the physical facility, not what it symbolizes; he proposes to continue trying some suspects in military commissions that remain substandard, albeit slightly improved from Bush's, and he refuses to rule out long-term detention without trial.
Obama recognizes the importance of redeeming America's reputation on human rights after the dark Bush years. But it'll take more than impressive rhetoric to succeed. Words must be followed by action
jcreddy
Thursday 28 January 2010, 6:19 am
Cambodia: Close Compulsory Drug Detention Centers Respect Rights and Expand Voluntary, Community-Based Treatment January 25, 2010
Individuals in these centers are not being treated or rehabilitated, they are being illegally detained and often tortured. These centers do not need to be revamped or modified; they need to be shut down. Joseph Amon, director of the Health and Human Rights division at Human Rights Watch
People who use drugs in Cambodia are at risk of arbitrary detention in centers where they suffer torture, physical and sexual violence, and other forms of cruel punishment, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today. Detention centers, mandated to treat and ‘rehabilitate' drug users, instead subject them to electric shocks, beatings with electrical wire, forced labor, and harsh military drills.
In the 93-page report, "Skin on the Cable," Human Rights Watch documents detainees being beaten, raped, forced to donate blood, and subjected to painful physical punishments such as "rolling like a barrel" and being chained while standing in the sun. Human Rights Watch also reported that a large number of detainees told of receiving rotten or insect-ridden food and symptoms of diseases consistent with nutritional deficiencies.
"Individuals in these centers are not being treated or rehabilitated, they are being illegally detained and often tortured," said Joseph Amon, director of the Health and Human Rights division at Human Rights Watch. "These centers do not need to be revamped or modified; they need to be shut down."
According to the report, people are frequently arbitrarily arrested without a warrant or without reasonable cause, often on the request of a relative or as part of periodic police round-ups of people considered "undesirable." They are often lied to - or simply not informed - about the reasons of their arrest. They have no access to a lawyer during their period in police custody or during the subsequent period of detention in the centers.
Military drills, sweating while exercising, and laboring are the most common means used to "cure" drug dependence in these centers, which are operated by various government entities, including military police and civilian police forces. "Vocational training" activities which take place in some centers appear motivated by benefits to the center staff as opposed to detainees. The report highlighted the large number of children and individuals with mental illnesses also detained within the centers. Both groups, according to the report, were subject to similar physical abuses.
Human Rights Watch called on the Royal Cambodian Government to permanently close its drug detention centers and conduct a thorough investigation of acts of torture, ill treatment, arbitrary detention, and other abuses occurring in them. Torture and inhuman treatment are prohibited by both the government's international human rights obligations and the Constitution of Cambodia.
"The government of Cambodia must stop the torture occurring in these centers" said Amon. "Drug dependency can be addressed through expanded voluntary, community-based, outpatient treatment that respects human rights and is consistent with international standards."
Selected accounts from individuals interviewed for "Skin on the Cable":
"I think this is not a rehab center but a torturing center." - Kakada, former detainee
"[A staff member] would use the cable to beat people...On each whip the person's skin would come off and stick on the cable..." - M'noh, age 16, describing whippings he witnessed in the Social Affairs "Youth Rehabilitation Center" in Choam Chao
"[After arrest] the police search my body, they take my money, they also keep my drugs...They say, ‘If you don't have money, why don't you go for a walk with me?...[The police] drove me to a guest house.... How can you refuse to give him sex? You must do it. There were two officers. [I had sex with] each one time. After that they let me go home." - Minea, a woman in her mid 20's who uses drugs, explaining how she was raped by two police officers
"[Shortly after arrival] I was knocked out. Other inmates beat me....They just covered me with a blanket and beat me...They beat me in the face, my chest, my side. I don't know how long it lasted...The staff had ordered the inmates to beat me. The staff said, ‘The new chicken has arrived, let's pluck its feathers and eat it!'" - Duongchem, former detainee
This press release also available in: Khmer
jcreddy
Thursday 28 January 2010, 6:18 am
Iraq: Candidate Ban Jeopardizes Election Authorities Should Suspend Commission that Arbitrarily Disqualified More than 500 Candidates January 26, 2010
Related Materials: Iraq: Protect Besieged Minorities Iraq: Bring Bombers to Justice Iraq's New Surge: Gay Killings
"The commission has undermined faith in the electoral process at a time when there is already tremendous sectarian tension and a serious risk of a renewed Sunni election boycott. Excluding candidates in a secretive process based on unclear criteria ensures that the election will be neither fair nor free." Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East director
(Abu Dhabi) - Iraq's process of excluding candidates from the country's national parliamentary elections on vague, arbitrary, and secret grounds violates the principles of a free and fair election, Human Rights Watch said today. The government should immediately suspend the election body responsible, allow the candidates to participate in the election, and revise the law that allows for unfair and arbitrary exclusion of candidates, Human Rights Watch said.
Earlier this month, the Supreme National Commission for Accountability and Justice disqualified more than 500 candidates for the planned March parliamentary elections, apparently including several prominent Sunni politicians, causing a political crisis.
"The commission has undermined faith in the electoral process at a time when there is already tremendous sectarian tension and a serious risk of a renewed Sunni election boycott," said Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East director at Human Rights Watch. "Excluding candidates in a secretive process based on unclear criteria ensures that the election will be neither fair nor free."
The Commission revealed that it had disqualified 511 candidates but did not provide even a minimal level of transparency about its decision-making process, most significantly the evidence on which it has disqualified candidates for their alleged Ba'athist connections. The Commission also did not list all the barred candidates or set out the exact criteria it has used to bar them.
"We documented atrocities under Ba'ath Party rule, and support Iraq's efforts to hold those responsible for these crimes accountable and to bar them from public service," Whitson said, "But we do not support the use of vague and secret powers to keep the government's political opponents from participating in an election."
While the Commission has not published an official list of the barred candidates, it reportedly includes Saleh al-Mutlaq, a Sunni lawmaker who took part in drafting Iraq's Constitution, and Abdul-Kader al-Obeidi, the defense minister. It has also reportedly disqualified large numbers of candidates from secular groups expected to fare well in the election against Shi'ite-led parties that have governed Iraq since 2005. The Commission apparently targeted candidates from the two largest secular coalitions, barring 72 from Iraqiya and 67 from Iraq Unity. Barred candidates have only three days to appeal the decision.
"The government's next steps will be crucial to salvaging the credibility of these elections," Whitson said. "It needs to reinstate the candidates and suspend the Commission immediately and then revamp the law, establishing clear standards for disqualifying candidates and requiring the Commission to produce evidence against those it seeks to ban, so they can challenge its decisions."
The legal authority under which the Commission has the right to disqualify candidates is opaque; in January 2008, the Iraqi parliament passed a new law establishing the commission as the successor to the de-Baathification committee created after the fall of Saddam Hussein's government in 2003. The 2008 law requires that Parliament approve commissioners, which it has yet to do.
On January 22, 2010, President Jalal Talabani questioned the legality of the Commission's disqualifications, asking the Supreme Court for a ruling. Even if the Supreme Court overturns the Commission's decision, though, this episode highlights the significant and fundamental problems with the Commission's enabling legislation, Human Rights Watch said. Furthermore, the Supreme Court is unlikely to rule in time for the candidates to campaign in advance of the elections and for their names to appear on the ballots.
As with previous de-Ba'athification procedures, the 2008 law effectively maintains the principle of punishment on the basis of group affiliation, rather than individual actions or qualifications. It fails to provide those dismissed the right to see and challenge the evidence against them. Furthermore, the risk of more politically motivated mass dismissals remains great because the law does not establish the commission as an independent body made up of individuals chosen on the basis of competence and integrity.
As a party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), Iraq is obligated to allow its citizens equal opportunity to compete as candidates in an election, without being subject to "unreasonable restrictions." The Covenant requires elections to guarantee the "free expression of the will of the electors."
jcreddy
Thursday 28 January 2010, 6:17 am
Tough on Terror? Case of Mistaken Identity Shows Perils of Partnering with Yemen by
Letta Tayler, terrorism and counterterrorism researcher
Published in: The Huffington Post January 26, 2010
Related Materials: Yemen/UN: Allies Should Press Yemen on Human Rights Violations Seven Principles for Effective International Engagement in Yemen Lessons from Afghanistan for Yemen Other Material: More of Human Rights Watch's reporting on counterterrorism
The Yemeni government's arrest of an alleged al Qaeda member appeared to be a great success. As the suspect was receiving an award at Al Eman University in the capital, San'a, state security agents entered and grabbed him without firing a shot. "One of al Qaeda's most dangerous members arrested," Yemeni media proclaimed.
But the man security forces seized in April 2008 was not the notorious al Qaeda fugitive Abdullah al-Raimi, as Yemeni Defense Ministry officials asserted. Rather, he was Abdullah Sa'd Ghazi al-Raimi, a religion student who was a decade younger than the al Qaeda member, with a different middle name.
"I thought it would be easy to get him out because he obviously wasn't the right person," the student's brother, Abd al Basit, told me in Yemen a year ago. But Yemen's Political Security Organization-which reports to the president-held Abdullah Sa'd for 20 months without charge, despite three letters from the Yemeni attorney general's office requesting his release.
Abdullah Sa'd and his relatives declined interview requests after he was quietly freed in December 2009. Reliable sources told Human Rights Watch they had received information that Yemeni authorities beat him, forced him to stand in stress positions and held him for the first 40 days in solitary confinement in a dark, windowless dungeon-even though they had the fingerprints and photographs of the fugitive al-Raimi on file.
The case of Abdullah Sa'd should serve as a stark reminder to the US and its allies as they meet with Yemeni officials in London on Wednesday to craft a strategy to confront Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), the group's Yemen-based franchise. If donors don't stringently monitor and condition their planned counterterrorism aid for Yemen, they may inadvertently become complicit in such abuse.
In recent years, President Ali Abdullah Saleh has rounded up hundreds of alleged militants on little or no evidence to show foreign governments that he is tough on terrorism. His security agents also have taken hostage dozens of men in an effort to force the surrender of relatives the authorities suspect of involvement in al Qaeda. One man I interviewed a year ago in Yemen wept as he described how his reputation and business were ruined from being held hostage for two and a half months in an effort to bring in his brother, who had fought in Iraq.
While these men languish in prisons, President Saleh has allowed ranking al Qaeda members to remain at large or under house arrest.
Recent raids by Yemeni security forces suggest President Saleh is now serious about confronting AQAP. But the president has cracked down on al Qaeda several times since 2001, only to ease up once international attention turned elsewhere. Moreover, many government claims about killing or capturing key AQAP members since the l latest counterterrorism offensive began last month lack credibility.
Among other misstatements, Yemeni officials initially said they were almost certain that a US-assisted air strike on December 24 killed AQAP's top two leaders-commander Nasir al-Wuhaishi, and deputy commander Sa'id Ali al-Shihri-as well as the American-born cleric Anwar al-Awlaqi. But the Yemenis backpedaled after failing to produce any evidence. On January 19, Yemeni officials claimed to have captured al-Shihri, but then said the arrested man was his brother-in-law, Yusuf al-Shihri. (Yusuf al-Shihri, however, had long been reported dead.)
The government also said it killed AQAP's third in command, Qassim al-Raimi, as well as the head of the AQAP cell in Marib, on January 15, but Yemeni media cast doubt on those claims by reporting that the two were spotted later at a dinner.
Gaffes in such high-profile cases can be tracked. But with poor intelligence from remote areas outside central government authority-where most al Qaeda members operate-the US and its allies will have difficulty assessing whether the Yemeni forces it intends to continue training, financing or advising are killing or capturing genuine AQAP members, or perhaps ordinary Yemenis whom officials later brand as militants. The US will be similarly handicapped in determining whether the attacks are being used to take out political opponents and critical journalists.
The US-assisted air strikes on alleged AQAP targets in southern Abyan last month reportedly killed women and children, prompting outrage among the Yemeni public, whom the West can ill afford to alienate. US Gen. Stanley McChrystal learned the hard way about how those attacks can backfire. "We must avoid the trap of winning tactical victories-but suffering strategic defeats-by causing civilian casualties or excessive damage and thus alienating the people," he noted in a recent directive on Afghanistan.
Abdullah Sa'd, the student arrested in the case of mistaken identity, is a testament to the dangers of that trap. He is a devout Muslim who was receiving an award for memorizing the Quran when he was arrested, and sources said he had been optimistic that he would teach religion upon graduation and had intended to use his award money to pay for his wedding. Now, stigmatized as a terrorist, he can't find a job and his fiancée's father has called off the marriage. He spends his days at home in San'a, fretting about his future.
"His life has been destroyed," one source said.
Unless Washington and its allies ensure their assistance is not used for abuses that sow bitterness and alienation, they will never succeed in rallying popular support to rout AQAP from Yemen.
jc
Thursday 28 January 2010, 6:16 am
Afghanistan: Conference Should Link Rights to Security London Conference Needs to Address Warlords and Impunity to be Meaningful January 26, 2010
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Justice and human rights are not optional extras. To make progress in Afghanistan, the London Conference should not just focus on military plans in the south and east, but on producing implementable national strategies that tackle impunity and warlordism. Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch
(London) - The Afghan government and its supporters should make human rights an integral part of the discussion of political and security strategies at the upcoming conference in London, on January 28, 2010, Human Rights Watch said today.
Specific commitments are needed to protect women's rights, end warlordism, hold human rights abusers accountable, and ensure freedom of expression, Human Rights Watch said.
"Justice and human rights are not optional extras," said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch. "To make progress in Afghanistan, the London Conference should not just focus on military plans in the south and east, but on producing implementable national strategies that tackle impunity and warlordism."
The new focus on governance and justice reform by the government of Afghanistan and its supporters is important, but it cannot succeed as long as current and former warlords and government officials continue to act as though they are above the law, Human Rights Watch said. Government bodies such as the Special Advisory Board on Senior Appointments, Anti-Corruption Tribunal, Major Crimes Task Force, and High Office of Oversight have the potential to increase Afghans' confidence in government.
But the administration of President Hamid Karzai and its international backers need to ensure that these bodies subject all public officials to Afghan law, that those who break the law are appropriately removed or prosecuted, and that these bodies are free from political interference, Human Rights Watch said.
The insecurity Afghans face comes not only from the insurgency, but also from abuses by so-far untouchable government officials and warlords, Human Rights Watch said. Any security strategy should include rooting out abusive and corrupt officials to show Afghans that their government and its international backers can respond to their demands for better governance.
Human Rights Watch called on the international participants at the London Conference to make commitments to review all of their political and military relationships in Afghanistan to ensure that they are not providing financial or political support to individuals or groups known to be engaged in criminal activity or having a record of human rights abuse. This includes ending contracts with private security contractors and unregistered armed groups with ties to criminal networks; and distancing diplomatic and military personnel from individuals or groups against whom credible allegations of human rights abuses have been made.
"President Karzai needs to break his dependence on former warlords and act against officials who abuse local populations, flout the law, and fill their pockets with public funds," Adams said. "Influential governments should lead by example, severing their own links with corrupt or criminal actors."
While women's rights have improved in many areas since the fall of the Taliban government in 2001, recent trends have put these gains under pressure. Attacks on women in public life are increasing, while the passing of the Shia Personal Status Law in March 2009 showed how easily women's rights could be traded away for political gain. Human Rights Watch documented these negative trends in its December report, "We Have the Promises of the World: Women's Rights in Afghanistan."
Human Rights Watch expressed concern about the recent enthusiasm for making deals with the Taliban, saying that unless the focus on political reintegration with Taliban also incorporated effective mechanisms for the protecting Afghan women, the hard-won gains for women's rights would be in jeopardy.
"The rights of women and girls should not be seen as something that can be traded away so that the international community can find an exit strategy for Afghanistan," Adams said. "A return to the subjugation of women and girls cannot be the legacy of international intervention."
Human Rights Watch said the new emphasis on "civilian protection" by the US and NATO forces in Afghanistan should result in fewer civilian casualties. More than 2,400 civilians were reportedly killed in 2009, two-thirds by insurgents and one quarter as the result of actions by US, NATO, and Afghan government forces. However, the arrival of large numbers of additional US and NATO troops this year and continued military operations against the Taliban and other insurgents could result in an increase in civilian deaths in 2010.
US and NATO forces have increasingly recognized the need to provide funds to families for deaths, injuries, and property damage, but individual nations that contribute troops to the NATO led force have still failed to create common practices for "condolence payments," making the process haphazard for Afghan civilians who have suffered loss.
More broadly, the US and NATO have a poor track record in holding their forces accountable for attacks in violation of the laws of war that cause civilian deaths and injuries. This lack of accountability, along with the large numbers of civilian casualties, continues to undermine trust in the government and the international security presence, Human Rights Watch said.
"Afghan civilians have too often been caught up in the fighting between foreign forces and insurgents," Adams said. "If the troop surge causes an increase in civilian casualties it will further undermine the loyalty of the Afghan people."
jc
Thursday 28 January 2010, 6:15 am
Sri Lanka: President’s New Term Time for Accountability UN Secretary-General Should Work for Independent International Investigation January 27, 2010
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(New York) - United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and key international actors should take steps to bring accountability for Sri Lanka's grave human rights violations so that the thousands of victims will not continue to be denied justice during President Mahinda Rajapaksa's second term, Human Rights Watch said today.
The human rights situation in Sri Lanka deteriorated markedly during Rajapaksa's first term, and he failed to hold perpetrators accountable. During the final months of the 26-year-long war with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), which ended with the defeat of the LTTE in May 2009, both government and LTTE forces committed numerous serious violations of international humanitarian law, in which more than 7,000 civilians died in what the UN called a "bloodbath."
"The human rights situation in Sri Lanka plummeted to new depths on Rajapaksa's watch," said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch. "The president deftly played a false conflict between rights and the fight against terrorism in his first term. But with the war over, the UN and other international actors should loudly insist on justice for victims."
Rajapaksa was elected to a second term on January 26, 2010, in a hotly contested election in which his former army chief, retired Gen. Sarath Fonseka, was the runner-up. Although election day was relatively peaceful, according to election monitors, the campaign was marked by hundreds of incidents of violence in which at least four people were killed.
During and after the war, Rajapaksa's government confined nearly 300,000 internally displaced persons to large detention camps, where they were deprived of their liberty and freedom of movement in violation of international law. The government has separated more than 11,000 LTTE suspects from their families at checkpoints and in the camps, denying them due process, such as right to legal counsel and the right to have a court review their detention.
Threats and attacks against outspoken and critical civil society figures increased, and the government used anti-terror laws and emergency regulations against peaceful critics, further diminishing the space for public debate. The hostile, sometimes deadly, media environment drove dozens of journalists into exile.
Enforced disappearances and abductions, a longstanding and widespread problem in Sri Lanka, sharply increased in 2006, when military operations between the government and the LTTE intensified following the collapse of the 2002 ceasefire. In 2006 and 2007, the UN Working Group on Enforced and Involuntary Disappearances recorded more new "disappearance" cases from Sri Lanka than from any other country in the world.
Politically motivated killings during Rajapaksa's first term also remain unresolved, including the extrajudicial executions of five students in Trincomalee in January 2006 and of 17 aid workers with Action Contre la Faim in Mutur in August 2006.
Rajapaksa took no effective steps to bring accountability for human rights violations, Human Rights Watch said. In July 2009, Rajapaksa disbanded, before it could complete its work, a presidential commission of inquiry created in 2006 to investigate 16 cases of grave human rights violations. In April 2008, the International Independent Group of Eminent Persons (IIGEP) had withdrawn from monitoring the commission because it had "not been able to conclude ... that the proceedings of the Commission have been transparent or have satisfied basic international norms and standards."
The vast majority of the hundreds of new "disappearances" and politically motivated killings from the past few years have never been seriously investigated, and none of the perpetrators have been punished.
In May 2009 Rajapaksa promised Ban that the Sri Lankan government would investigate allegations of human rights and laws-of-war violations during the war's final months. No such investigation has taken place. Instead, the government has set up a team of lawyers to respond to allegations about rights violations in reports by the US State Department and the UN special envoy on extrajudicial executions.
Because of the government's failure to investigate serious human rights abuses, Human Rights Watch has long called for an independent international investigation into abuses by all parties to the conflict. Thus far, the secretary-general's office has stated that Ban was "considering" establishing a committee of experts to "assist the government" of Sri Lanka to look at evidence that its soldiers committed war crimes last year.
"The various investigatory bodies set up by President Rajapaksa have spent more energy trying to deflect serious inquiries into abuses than actually conducting them," Adams said. "Ban and key governments should not fall for the same trick again and instead should call for an independent international investigation. The ball is now in Ban's court."
jcr
Thursday 28 January 2010, 6:14 am
Cuba: Stop Harassing Human Rights Defender and Family Authorities Threaten Enforced Relocation Under Draconian Law January 27, 2010
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The harassment of González Leiva offers further proof that the Raul Castro government is willing to do everything within its power to prevent human rights monitoring, including forcibly displacing the monitors themselves. José Miguel Vivanco, Americas director at Human Rights Watch
(Washington, DC) - The Cuban government should immediately cease its harassment of the blind human rights defender Juan Carlos González Leiva, a leader of the Council of Human Rights Rapporteurs, and his family, Human Rights Watch said today.
In recent weeks, Cuban authorities have repeatedly threatened to force González Leiva and his wife and fellow rights defender Tania Maceda Guerra to leave Havana and move elsewhere on the island. The authorities have pressed for the move under a draconian law that restricts freedom of movement.
"The harassment of González Leiva offers further proof that the Raul Castro government is willing to do everything within its power to prevent human rights monitoring, including forcibly displacing the monitors themselves," said José Miguel Vivanco, Americas director at Human Rights Watch.
González Leiva and Maceda Guerra have lived in Havana since May 2007, when they were granted permission to live with and care for a blind friend. Under a law known as Decree 217, all Cuban citizens from outside of Havana must obtain government permission before moving to the capital.
In November 2009, the government denied the couple's application to renew their temporary residence status in Havana, where they are still living with their blind friend. González Leiva said housing authorities told him the refusal came at the orders of state security officers.
Since that time, security officers have repeatedly visited their home, calling them "counterrevolutionaries" and "traitors," and warning that they will be forcibly sent back to their native province, Ciego de Avila, if they do not leave Havana voluntarily. As a result, they have not left their apartment in a week.
González Leiva and Maceda Guerra have also been the victims of death threats and public acts of repudiation. Over the past several months, the email account of their organization has been hacked into and terminated, their movements monitored, and their family members threatened, González Leiva told Human Rights Watch.
"The international community needs to send a clear message to the Cuban government that such attacks on human rights defenders are completely unacceptable," Vivanco said.
A recent report by Human Rights Watch - "New Castro, Same Cuba: Political Prisoners in the Post-Fidel Era" - found that Raul Castro has kept Cuba's repressive machinery fully active, quashing virtually all forms of political dissent. The report documents the government's continued use of Decree 217 to restrict the freedom of movement of journalists, human rights defenders, and other members of civil society who criticize the government.
jc
Thursday 28 January 2010, 6:13 am
China: Microsoft Issues Weak Statement January 27, 2010
Sudan: Abuses Undermine Impending Elections End Rights Violations, Ensure Free and Fair Process January 24, 2010
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With less than three months to elections and with campaigning season starting in February, a robust international observer presence is needed now. Careful monitoring is even more pressing considering that al-Bashir is wanted for war crimes. Georgette Gagnon, Africa director
(New York) - Violations of civil and political rights by Sudanese security forces throughout the country are seriously undermining prospects for free, fair, and credible elections in April 2010, Human Rights Watch said today.
In the critical period leading up to and including voter registration in November and December 2009, both national and southern Sudanese authorities restricted basic rights, in violation of the Sudanese constitution and international law.
In northern Sudan, security forces arbitrarily arrested members and election observers of opposition political parties and activists. In one example from South Darfur, national security forces beat and arrested an election observer and detained him without charge for 25 days. In Khartoum, the capital, armed national security forces assaulted and arrested members of an activist group for distributing fliers with slogans opposing President Omar al-Bashir.
"The Khartoum government is still using its security forces to harass and abuse those who speak out against the ruling National Congress Party," said Georgette Gagnon, Africa director at Human Rights Watch. "That is no environment for holding free, fair, and transparent elections."
The Khartoum government has also used excessive force to suppress peaceful assembly and has prevented free association and expression. On December 7 and 14, police and national security forces violently dispersed massive peaceful demonstrations in Khartoum and other towns, using tear gas, rubber bullets, batons, and other weapons. In many locations across northern Sudan, authorities also interrupted or refused permission for public events, including training about the elections process conducted by civil society organizations.
In Southern Sudan, Human Rights Watch researchers who visited in November and December found that southern soldiers and police arbitrarily arrested, detained, and mistreated members of political parties opposed to the southern ruling Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM). The SPLM and northern ruling National Congress Party (NCP) are the two signatories to the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement, which ended more than 20 years of civil war in Sudan.
In Aweil, Northern Bahr el Ghazal, for example, authorities arrested Tong Lual Ayat, head of the United Democratic Party, on October 22, alleging that his party was not properly registered, detained him in a safe house for two weeks, and then transferred him to a military barracks. "I was placed under a tree and chained to the tree, even at night," Ayat told Human Rights Watch. He was held there for another 16 days.
Human Rights Watch also documented cases targeting members of SPLM-DC, a breakaway political party that Southern Sudan authorities have accused of links with the northern ruling NCP.
"Authorities in Southern Sudan should immediately end their arrests of people simply for their membership in a political party," said Gagnon.
Earlier in January, the ruling party nominated al-Bashir, who is being sought by the International Criminal Court for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur, as its presidential candidate to run for another term.
Human Rights Watch called on stakeholders to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, the European Union, and the African Union to deploy international elections observers urgently. Currently, the Carter Center is the only international observation mission in Sudan.
"With less than three months to elections and with campaigning season starting in February, a robust international observer presence is needed now," Gagnon said. "Careful monitoring is even more pressing considering that al-Bashir is wanted for war crimes."
Background
After several postponements, the Sudanese government announced it will hold national elections in April. The 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), which ended more than 20 years of civil war, calls for national elections, along with a series of democratic reforms designed to "make unity attractive" before 2011, when southerners will vote in a referendum on self-determination.
To date, the government has not enacted the required democratic reforms and many other provisions in the peace agreement. Following tense negotiations between the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) in late December, parliament passed a new national security law, one of the required reforms. However, the new law retains broad powers of search, seizure, arrest, and detention that fall short of the envisioned changes and violate international standards for due process.
The national unity government and southern authorities are moving ahead with election preparations. In November and December the National Elections Commission (NEC) and the state-level commissions carried out voter registration over a five-week period, ending December 7.
Restrictions on Freedom of Expression and Assembly in Northern Sudan
On December 7 and 14, security forces in Khartoum and other northern cities violently suppressed peaceful demonstrations that the SPLM and other political parties had organized to protest the ruling NCP's failure to enact democratic reforms ahead of the elections.
Witnesses told Human Rights that on the morning of December 7, riot police and security forces arrested more than 160 people, including political leaders and journalists, and injured more than 40 people while dispersing crowds in Khartoum using tear gas, rubber bullets, batons, and other weapons.
In one episode that day, police blocked a bridge in Omdurman, a suburb of Khartoum, prompting people to jump off the sides, resulting in injuries. A 24-year old student who was on the bridge told Human Rights Watch that police attacked him with clubs and inflicted head injuries that required stitches.
On December 14, riot police and security forces again used excessive force to disperse crowds and made scores of arrests. Hafiz Ibrahim Abdulgadir, a former minister of local government in Al Gezira state, told Sudan Radio Services that national security officials forced him out of his car, beat him severely, and dropped him off in a nearby location in Omdurman.
On both days, national security forces and police also assaulted and arrested journalists, in some instances inside their newsrooms.
The government has also refused to grant permission for public rallies and other events, though groups made the required applications. On December 16, a presidential adviser and former head of national security, Salah Ghosh, announced that the government would not allow any public demonstrations, saying conditions were "not suitable for this form of expression."
Prior to the December crackdowns, government authorities had already prevented or banned numerous public gatherings and events related directly to elections. In November and December, the government either cancelled, denied permission for, or interrupted at least two training sessions on election monitoring in Kassala, eastern Sudan; two public meetings in Kosti, White Nile state; a public speech in support of an independent presidential candidate in Khartoum; and dozens of public rallies.
Harassment of Activists and Elections Observers in Northern States
Human Rights Watch received credible reports from opposition political parties that police and national security officials restricted movement and speech of their election observers, particularly when they complained of actions by ruling NCP members and members of popular committees, groups of local leaders who certify residency.
On November 8 at a Khartoum registration center, a police officer beat a female student member of the Communist Party when she refused to surrender her voter registration card to the popular committee. Two days later, security forces detained an Umma Party observer who complained that ruling party members were misrepresenting themselves as elections officials, and had improperly collected voter registration cards.
In South Darfur, authorities arrested and detained a Communist Party observer, Tayfour Elamin Abdullah, for 25 days when he told people at a voter registration center they should not give their registration cards to the ruling party. Abdullah told Human Rights Watch that security officials beat him in custody and told him to leave the Communist Party.
More broadly, the Sudanese government has harassed, assaulted, and arbitrarily arrested human rights activists who speak out about elections, Darfur, or other sensitive topics.
On December 6, national security forces assaulted two student activists for distributing fliers with anti-Bashir messages and to promote voter registration in a public park in Khartoum. The security officers beat them and detained them for several hours. On November 22, security forces arrested an elderly man when he was at the hospital for diabetes treatment because he had fliers from the same group.
In Darfur, authorities continue to detain 16 leaders from displaced persons camps in El Fasher, North Darfur, under emergency laws that grant sweeping powers of detention to state authorities. Police arrested the group in early August while investigating a murder, but the prosecutor released them for lack of evidence. Security officers re-arrested many of them without explanation.
Dozens of Darfuri student activists remain in detention. Abdelmajeed Salih, a well known Darfuri activist who has spoken out about Darfur and international justice and who had been in detention without charge since August, was released January 16. He told Human Rights Watch that on August 28 a group of armed national security officers approached him and his friend in Khartoum, beat them with the backs of their guns, then detained them.
"During the first five days they were very aggressive, hitting me with tubes and planks of wood until I lost consciousness and they brought me to a doctor," he said. "They were shouting in my face that I am a traitor and spying for foreign countries."
At least four members of the United Popular Front, a student group affiliated with the Abdel Wahid faction of the Sudan Liberation Army, which has publicly supported the ICC arrest warrant for al-Bashir, have been held without charge since April.
One member of the group, arrested in early October in Hasahisa, al Gezira state, was held for 13 days and severally beaten before being released. On October 25, security forces arrested a Darfuri student leader at Khartoum University for organizing a demonstration protesting school fees. After subjecting him to intense interrogation and beating, they dropped him in a public park at 2 a.m.
Repression of Political Freedoms in Southern Sudan
Human Rights Watch found that Southern Sudan authorities arrested and detained dozens of members of the northern ruling NCP and political parties seen to be in alliance with it, accusing them of various irregularities without bringing charges.
In the episode in Aweil, Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Ayat, head of the newly formed United Democratic Party, reported to Human Rights Watch that state authorities ordered his arrest on October 22, alleging his party was not properly registered. Southern police held him in a safe house in town for two weeks, then transferred him to a military prison at Wunyiit.
"I was placed under a tree and chained to the tree, even at night," he said. "The prison is one house surrounded by a fence. I spent 16 days there. The commander said he would not tell my family where I was, and they denied me food and toilet."
In Juba, the capital of Southern Sudan, security officials arrested and detained a member of the Communist Party, Ismail Suliman, but did not charge him with any crime. He told Human Rights Watch that security officials approached him while he was hanging a party banner in Juba at 9 p.m. on December 5, and took him to a military detention center and interrogated him about his ethnicity and political party activities. They held him for three days.
SPLM-DC, a party established in June by former Sudanese foreign minister, Lam Akol, has reported dozens of arrests and detentions of its members. Southern politicians have publicly accused Akol, a candidate for president, of allegiance to the NCP and of fueling inter-ethnic fighting in Upper Nile state. In early November, the South Sudan government issued a letter ordering state governors to cooperate with all political parties except SPLM-DC.
In Western Bahr el Ghazal, soldiers arrested 14 members of the party on September 22, and took them to a military barracks, then interrogated and beat them. Ten were released, but four remain in a military detention center without charge.
In Upper Nile state on October 1, government soldiers arrested 22 members of the SPLM-DC in Renk, detained them in military barracks, interrogated them, beat them, and forced them to sign an agreement to stop their political activities, UN human rights staff said. They were held for three days. Party members have also been detained in Yei, Rumbek, and other towns.
The NCP also reported numerous arrests and detentions in towns across Southern Sudan, often on accusations of improperly registering their members. In Central Equatoria, a member in Morobo told Human Rights Watch that he was detained and beaten in early December for registering members. Another member reported to Human Rights Watch that he had been arrested with a group of 14 others in Yei town and detained on accusations of paying people to register as NCP, a charge he denies.
Risk of Violence in Southern Sudan
Although voter registration across Sudan was largely peaceful, inter-ethnic violence interrupted or delayed registration in some remote locations. In at least one case, a dispute over the National Elections Commission's constituency demarcations triggered violence in Southern Sudan.
On November 15, Samson Kwaje, minister of agriculture in the Southern Sudan government, visited Wondoruba payam, an administrative area west of Juba town, to encourage voter registration. During the visit armed members of the community shot Kwaje, wounding him in his left arm, in protest over his perceived attempts to move their payam to a neighboring county against their will. Kwaje had earlier successfully lodged a complaint to the NEC that included their payam in the neighboring county's electoral constituency.
Witnesses told Human Rights Watch that Southern Sudan security forces dispatched to the scene rounded up suspects, including members of the police force, and beat them. At least five civilians remain in detention in Juba without charge. Assaults on civilians and the prolonged detention of suspects without bringing charges point to systemic flaws in the administration of justice that have been previously reported by Human Rights Watch.
The case also illustrates that the elections process can spark violence, and that conflicts between communities over land and other issues should be addressed before the elections.
Government authorities and the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) have done little to prevent or prepare for likely security problems. As of December, government authorities were just starting to plan to train extra forces to provide security at polling places. The UN mission has been training the nascent Southern Sudan police force, but has no plans to deploy its own forces to hot spots during elections.
Human Rights Watch has repeatedly called on the UN mission to make protecting civilians a priority through increased presence and patrolling in volatile areas, better information-gathering and analysis of local dynamics, and helping counterparts in the Southern Sudan government in peace-building and protection efforts.
Recommendations
* The National Unity Government should ensure that government authorities at all levels respect the rights under the constitution and international law to freedom of expression and association, and should stop using excessive force to disperse peaceful demonstrations. * Both the national and southern governments should stop arbitrarily arresting and detaining people and mistreating them because of their political opinions; hold accountable police and security forces who violate human rights; and allow for a robust international observer presence with full freedom of movement in all parts of the country. * The UN mission should increase its presence and patrolling in volatile areas, in line with its mandate to protect civilians. * International donors and stakeholders should urgently deploy election observers in time to effectively monitor pre-elections conditions.
jcreddy
Thursday 28 January 2010, 6:09 am
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, 21 January 2010 – Nine days after the earthquake that devastated Haiti, UNICEF is delivering life-saving support to children and families in need. Several planeloads of aid have landed in Haiti and the neighbouring Dominican Republic. Half a dozen more supply flights are scheduled to arrive before the end of the week.
Meanwhile, injured survivors – including many children suffering from crush injuries and trauma – have been crossing the border into the Dominican Republic to seek medical attention that is not readily available in the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince.
Dominican hospitals along the border – particularly the state-run facility in the town of Jimani – have tried to respond to the overwhelming demand. The Ministry of Health has brought in additional medical personnel from surrounding districts, but these facilities’ capacity to meet the growing need remains woefully inadequate.
Children flown in
In an attempt to ease some of the pressure, the Dominican Government has reserved a ward at Dario Contreras Hospital for the quake's youngest victims.
"To date, we have 47 Haitian children being treated here," said the hospital’s director, Dr. Hector Quezada. "We have children as young as one month and as old as 14 years, and have been treating them for contusions, head trauma and fractured bones."
Dario Contreras is the first step for these children. As part of its child-protection programme, UNICEF is working with the National Council of Children and other partners to create safe spaces for them when it is time to leave.
Treatment and information
During a visit yesterday, the hallways of the hospital ward bustled with hospital staff and volunteers, as well as family members seeking information about their loved ones. Loud prayers and other exhortations mixed with the piercing wail of infants.
In the days and weeks ahead, as more Haitians seek medical treatment and information at Dario Contreras, Dr. Quezada anticipates that he will need help to maintain order and keep up with logistics. "We have more patients coming in every day," he noted.
‘A gesture of generosity’
For now, a group of Dominican women are ensuring that the babies in the ward have adequate food.
"A lot of infant children have arrived at the hospital without their parents. They need mother’s milk to continue to live," said Dr. Quezada. "We currently have some Dominican mothers who have donated their milk to feed these infants. This is a gesture of a generosity and solidarity."
Back in Haiti, UNICEF is leading relief efforts to protect child health by providing 200,000 litres of safe water per day in affected communities and 120,000 litres in hospitals. Water is critical to stave off a second wave of disaster caused by waterborne disease outbreaks, especially among children.
High-protein, ready-to-eat food is also ready for distribution, with more on the way, to prevent severe and acute malnutrition among thousands of Haitian children at risk.
UNICEF will continue working with the authorities in Haiti and the Dominican Republic to meet the medical needs of earthquake-affected children and their families – and to help them deal with the psychological impact of what they have endured. The well-being of these children is UNICEF's top priority in the aftermath of a terrible tragedy.
Chris Niles contributed to this story from New York.
jcreddy
Thursday 28 January 2010, 6:08 am
NEW YORK, USA, 22 January 2010 – Until their home was destroyed in last week’s earthquake, Bruno Rene, 18, lived with his mother in the southern Haitian port city of Jacmel. Since then, Bruno, an aspiring artist, has been working on art projects to cope with the impact of the disaster.
Bruno spoke with UNICEF Radio by phone from Jacmel, describing his experience during the earthquake and in its aftermath.
AUDIO: Listen now
When the quake struck on 12 January, Bruno was in the street. He heard a loud noise but didn’t understand what was going on, and then he fell. A man passed by and told him it was an earthquake. When he looked up, he saw that all the houses around him were destroyed – including his own.
“There are many mosquitoes, and we don’t have mosquito nets or tents,” he says. “We are really in a very bad state.”
Bruno’s school, too, was destroyed in the earthquake. Several teachers died when the building collapsed; others were badly injured.
Art programme provides support
As one of the star pupils in an art programme for young people in Jacmel, Bruno is a talented artist, working with paint on canvas and with papier-mâché. For the past 10 days, he has been painting whatever he sees going on around him.
Other local young artists – including two of Bruno’s classmates, Withnie Charles and Marie-Michelle Val – are also homeless as a result of the earthquake. Now they spend their days painting and creating papier-mâché constructions together at the Art Creation Foundation for Children in Jacmel. By night, they return to their displaced families.
Organizers of the programme hope the art activities will help students process some of the trauma they have experienced. UNICEF has found that such activities can provide a critically important support structure for children and young people in the wake of a disaster, when much of the world they knew before has been shattered.
NEW YORK, USA, 24 January 2010 – Aid is reaching children in parts of Haiti devastated by the 12 January earthquake, but huge humanitarian challenges remain. Many of the disaster’s worst effects – including its impact on child health and safety – are aggravated by the country’s longstanding impoverishment and instability.
The earthquake that killed so many is, in fact, a double disaster: The serious development constraints that Haiti already faced have now worsened significantly.
VIDEO: Watch now
Even before the quake, “the health system was relatively weak and the immunization coverage was not optimal,” said UNICEF Chief of Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Renee Van de Weerdt. “The rates of malnutrition were also relatively high,” she added. “We know that we have to deal with a very vulnerable population.”
In the critical area of water and sanitation, as well, pre-existing conditions in Haiti were dire.
“It’s one of the few countries in the world where sanitation coverage rate has actually declined over the past few years,” said UNICEF Chief of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Clarissa Brocklehurst. “The number of people who had access to what we would consider improved sanitation was only about 19 per cent. So we’re already starting from a low base.”
“So the issue is not an earthquake,” he said. “It’s the intersection, the interaction, between the earthquake and the situation in Haiti, as a poor country with a very, very limited ability to provide for its children at the best of times.”
Tomorrow in Montreal, Canada, representatives of the Haitian Government and 10 other nations will meet to discuss long-term reconstruction in the stricken country. By addressing systemic problems that have hindered Haiti’s development, the international community and the Haitian people could build the country back better than before – laying the foundation for its children’s future.
Reaching children with life-saving support Today, however, the top priority is still providing immediate relief for children at risk. They need to be found, fed, kept alive and kept safe.
Shelter materials are an urgent need. At present, hundreds of improvised settlements are scattered throughout the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince, and hundreds of thousands of the city’s residents are homeless. UNICEF tents will also be used to house child-feeding centres and emergency health and immunization posts.
Safe water, too, is critical. UNICEF is now reaching more than 185,000 people with water, and its operations are scaling up daily at hospitals and distribution points around the capital. This assistance is needed to stave off outbreaks of waterborne diseases, which pose particularly deadly risks for young children.
“We’ve been working with our partners to bring in water tankering, so that we can deliver quantities of safe water to centralized water storage tanks,” said Ms. Brocklehurst.
On the health front, the Ministry of Health and UNICEF will carry out an urgent immunization drive this week to protect 600,000 children under five from measles, tetanus and diphteria.
UNICEF is also supporting efforts to prevent the trafficking or unauthorized departure of minors.
Long experience in crisis situations shows that the interests of children are best served by making sure they are reunited with surviving members of their immediate or extended families. To that end, UNICEF is setting up safe spaces and family-tracing programmes for children who are lost or separated from their relatives. The agency has been reaching about 2,000 unaccompanied children a day; that figure is expected to double by tomorrow.
These and many other activities are under way to improve the difficult situation on the ground. Haiti had the highest rates of child and maternal mortality in the western hemisphere even before this catastrophe hit. Its children deserve nothing less than to have their basic needs met as quickly as possible in the current circumstances.
“UNICEF’s long-term relationship with Haiti started long before today,” said Mr. Seymour. “UNICEF will still be there long into the future.”
Elizabeth Kiem contributed to this story.
jcreddy
Thursday 28 January 2010, 6:06 am
LONDON, United Kingdom, 26 January 2010 – In a stirring example of the generosity seen worldwide in the aftermath of the 12 January earthquake in Haiti, Charlie Simpson, 7, has raised tens of thousands of British pounds for children in Haiti by completing a five-mile sponsored cycle around his local park.
Charlie, from Fulham in south-west London, decided to raise funds for UNICEF's Haiti crisis response by cycling around the borough's South Park seven times last Sunday. He initially aimed to raise £500, but now his total stands at over £150,000 and counting.
On his online sponsorship page , Charlie explained: "I want to do a sponsored bike ride for Haiti because there was a big earthquake and loads of people have lost their lives. I want to make some money to buy food, water and tents for everyone in Haiti."
The funds raised by Charlie and other young British donors are supporting UNICEF UK's Haiti Earthquake Children's Appeal.
UNICEF has sent emergency teams from around the region to help children and families in Haiti, and aid is getting through – providing safe water, preventing disease and saving lives. However, more supplies are urgently needed.
Charlie's fundraising has captured the public imagination and generated sponsors from as far afield as Hong Kong and New Zealand.
"He's done really well. He's worked hard and he's raised a phenomenal amount of money. He really felt strongly about this and thought that something had to be done. It was great to see him so motivated. I am extremely proud of our Charlie," she added.
"There's something quite special about a child in the UK reaching out to the children of Haiti," said UNICEF UK's Haiti Appeal Director, Michael Newsome. "It's quite fabulous."
UNICEF UK Executive Director David Bull described the bike-riding fundraiser as "bold" and "innovative," demonstrating that Charlie "not only understands what children his own age must be going through in Haiti, but is also wise enough to know that he can help them.... I thank Charlie for his effort."
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, 25 January 2010 – UN representatives and leaders from 15 nations are meeting today in Montreal, Canada, to discuss the long-term reconstruction of earthquake-shattered Haiti – with the aim of building back better than before.
VIDEO: Watch now
At the same time, UNICEF and its partners on the ground are reaching children with life-saving support and protection.
To date, a total of eight supply flights have arrived in Haiti and the neighbouring Dominican Republic, carrying essential aid for earthquake survivors. But both emergency relief and long-term recovery are challenging in the context of Haiti’s ‘double disaster’ – because the extreme poverty and other development constraints that it already faced have now worsened significantly.
For example, to prevent outbreaks of waterborne diseases – which can be particularly deadly for young children – safe-water distribution continued over the weekend at 115 sites here in the capital, reaching approximately 200,000 people. UNICEF leads the interagency UN effort on water and sanitation in Haiti.
Along with the World Health Organization, UNICEF is also addressing child nutrition needs, with a special focus on proper feeding of infants and young children.
And UNICEF is making progress in its effort to keep Haitian children safe from abuse and exploitation – an area that is receiving increased attention almost two weeks after the disaster struck. A major part of that effort involves the establishment of child-friendly, safe spaces for children who are lost or separated from their families.
Citizen volunteers
Part of what makes UNICEF effective in this work – in the Haiti crisis and worldwide – is its collaboration with community-based organizations.
The couple and their daughter have recruited their neighbors to focus on serving earthquake survivors who've been forced to take up residence on Place Boyer and in other local parks and plazas.
Establishing trust
“What else could we do but help?” asked BIC Director Margarite Arsen. “We live in this community. We know the people, and the people know us. Those that are living in the park have it the worst, and there are so many children that need proper care.”
UNICEF child-protection experts are working with BIC to accurately assess the number of children and families who are living in the parks and need assistance.
Aside from addressing serious health and sanitation concerns at the overcrowded Place Boyer, UNICEF and BIC are working to set up safe spaces for separated and unaccompanied children living there and in other parks around Pétionville.
Safe spaces allow UNICEF and its partners to look after children who have nowhere else to go. They can also serve as centres where food, water and medicines are available – along with temporary schools and recreation areas to help alleviate the acute psycho-social stress that children experience during and after an emergency.
Given that nearly half of all Haitians are under 18 years of age, the need for this sort of protection is critical.
UNICEF is now supporting three centres with the capacity to provide 900 unaccompanied children with family tracing and reunification services, nutrition, psycho-social support and medical assistance. Meanwhile, 29 other organizations have set up temporary centres to shelter young people, and there are an estimated 300 orphanages caring for children in Port-au-Prince alone (though not all of these institutions are officially registered).
The number of safe spaces in and around the capital is expected to rise steadily in the days ahead.
Richard Alleyne contributed reporting to this story from Haiti.
jcreddy
Thursday 28 January 2010, 6:05 am
NEW YORK, USA, 26 January 2010 – Jean Bernard Bayard, 29, is a second-year film student at Ciné Institute, the only film school in the southern port city of Jacmel, Haiti. Since the devastating earthquake struck Haiti on 12 January, Mr. Bayard and other film students have used their cameras to document the events and stories unfolding around them.
AUDIO: Listen now
UNICEF Radio spoke with Mr. Bayard by phone yesterday to find out about his experiences during the disaster and its aftermath in his hometown, where UNICEF, the World Food Programme and other humanitarian partners are providing food, water and other necessities for some 34,000 people affected by the quake.
International exposure
Mr. Bayard recalled filming the scene when a young survivor was carried out of the rubble eight days after the earthquake. He has also shot footage of the camps where displaced survivors live, many in improvised, makeshift shelters. He and his own family members are sleeping outside every night.
Two images from a visit to a local hospital particularly stuck with him, Mr. Bayard said. One was a man screaming in pain as he received surgery without any anaesthesia; the other was a young girl with an open leg wound, the injury completely exposed to the camera lens.
Films by Mr. Bayard and his colleagues have been shown on the website of The Wall Street Journal, on CNN and other television networks in North America and Europe, and via many additional international media outlets.
“We just want to let the world know what’s going on,” he said.
‘Trying to stay strong’
Recently, aid workers distributed portable kitchen sets to earthquake survivors in Jacmel, but Mr. Bayard was at the film school, as he is most days. Since he was not at the camp, he missed the distribution of supplies.
“Every day, I am out trying to tell what’s going on, trying to edit movies and videos with the school. I’m not able to go for help, for food or other stuff they give,” he said.
Even as they document the emergency, Mr. Bayard added, he and his fellow film students are deeply and personally affected by it. “We are also victims. We are just trying to stay strong,” he said.
An urgent appeal
The filmmaker reported that it has been raining and windy in Jacmel recently – and that his family and others in the camps are in an emergency situation, with an immediate need for tents.
Haitian President René Préval has also made an urgent appeal for more tents to house up to 1 million people left homeless by the quake two weeks ago. Mr. Préval said 200,000 tents would be needed before the expected start of the rainy season in May.
Mr. Bayard's school, Ciné Institute, grew out of UNICEF-supported film festival several years ago. The school provides young people with film education, technical training and media-related micro-enterprise opportunities.
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, 26 January 2010 – Two weeks after the earthquake that devastated Haiti, UNICEF continues to reach children with life-saving support, including urgently needed safe water.
VIDEO: Watch now
Here in the capital, UNICEF is now providing potable water for 235,000 people at hospitals and distribution points around the city. And water distribution is being scaled up significantly. The target is to reach half a million people with a consistent water supply within the next few days.
Safe water is critical to staving off a second wave of disaster caused by disease outbreaks, especially among children.
This is a challenge in the context of Haiti's 'double disaster' – because the development constraints that the country already faced have worsened considerably in the aftermath of the 12 January quake.
"You have to keep in mind that prior to the earthquake, only 50 percent of the entire country had access to clean water in the first place," said UNICEF WASH Specialist Silvia Gaya. "Children in emergency situations like this one are more susceptible to illness and death from waterborne disease."
Working in concert with DINEPA, the state-run water authority, UNICEF has been able to establish 115 water-distribution points throughout Port-au-Prince and surrounding locales. Many of the sites have been set up at the improvised settlements that Haitians have created because they've either lost homes in the disaster or remain hesitant to return to their homes for fear of aftershocks.
In the Canapé Vert neighbourhood, for example, UNICEF and partners are meeting the safe-water needs of approximately 105,000 people.
And at a temporary settlement in the capital's main public park, Champs de Mars, a 10,000-litre water bladder has been set up in the shadow of a monument to national hero General Jean-Jacques Dessalines. The park, with its picturesque plazas and lush landscapes, has been transformed into a small city of tents and makeshift shelters housing 20,000 people. Sanitation facilities there remain less than adequate.
The private, family-run mission has opened up its grounds to people who were displaced when entire communities in the area were reduced to rubble. While UNICEF has overseen the digging of 45 latrines at the compound, more than 10,000 people housed there are only being served by two small water cisterns.
In addition, DINEPA dispatches one water truck to the mission daily – but it is not enough to meet the cooking, bathing and drinking water demands everyone in the encampment.
"We expect that the residents here are getting water from alternate sources outside of the compound, since what is present is completely inadequate," said Ms. Gaya of UNICEF. "We will be working to get water bladders here to meet the immediate needs of daily usage. Meanwhile, with the construction of these latrines, we can offer some semblance of dignity and sanitary conditions for families temporarily residing here."
Richard Alleyne contributed reporting to this story from Haiti.
JACMEL, Haiti, 27 January 2010 – In parts of Haiti devastated by the earthquake that struck on 12 January – including the capital, Port-au-Prince, as well as the southern port city of Jacmel and other localities – UNICEF is reaching children with life-saving support.
VIDEO: Watch now
In many ways, this is a children’s emergency. Nearly 40 per cent of all Haitians are under 14 years of age, and children are at the greatest risk in the quake's aftermath. UNICEF and its partners are paying specific attention to the youngest and most vulnerable children, thousands of whom are living in displacement settlements, orphanages and care centres.
Here in Jacmel, UNICEF has been working with the World Food Programme to provide nutritional corn-soy blend to earthquake-affected children and families.
This historic seaside city of about 40,000 has sustained major damage. The earthquake destroyed entire blocks, killed many residents and left thousands more homeless. To accommodate the displaced and injured, churches and some other local institutions have opened up their properties for improvised settlements and temporary medical facilities.
UNICEF is providing emergency support to Saint Michel Hospital, which serves Jacmel and nearby LaValle but is largely inoperable due to quake damage and diminished staff capacity. A contingent of volunteer surgeons from the US states of Virginia and Delaware has set up open-air triage and treatment centres on the hospital grounds.
“We’re seeing a lot of trauma injuries,” said one of the surgeons, Dr. John Brevia. “We’re performing orthopaedic surgeries of open fractures, closed fractures, and in all age groups. We’re even seeing infants with fractures.”
Health needs in Carrefour
Closer to Haiti’s capital, in the town of Carrefour, the health needs of the affected population are critical, as well – particularly for children living in settlement camps. One such camp, now home to thousands of displaced families, sprawls across the campus of the English Adventist Academy in Carrefour.
“We are seeing some cases of sickness, such as vomiting, diarrhoea, fever and cough. There have also been cases of infection from injuries and the local hospitals are really overburdened,” said head nurse Bauzile Evenauze at the settlement’s makeshift clinic.
“We also need more supplies,” she added.
Haiti’s ‘double disaster’
Next week’s planned immunization campaign – which is being organized by UNICEF, the World Health Organization and Haiti’s Ministry of Health – will begin with children at camps like the ones in Jacmel and Carrefour, plus hundreds more such settlements in Port-au-Prince.
“We’ve already procured all the vaccines, the injection devices and the cold-chain equipment for preserving these life-saving medicines,” said UNICEF Emergency Health Chief Mehoundo Faton. “Because of the extremely poor sanitary conditions at the settlement camps and the greater potential for disease outbreak – particularly that of measles – we will be targeting children at these camps first.”
Even before the earthquake, only about half of Haiti’s children were properly immunized. Indeed, poor immunization coverage is yet another example of the ‘double disaster’ now facing the country – where existing development constraints have been significantly worsened by the earthquake’s ruinous impact.
Tim Ledwith contributed to this story from New York.
jcreddy
Thursday 28 January 2010, 6:02 am
More UNICEF life-saving emergency supplies, experts arrive in Port-au-Prince
NEW YORK, 16 January 2010 – Another plane loaded with UNICEF emergency relief supplies arrived in Port-au-Prince this morning, carrying urgently needed water and sanitation supplies. This is the second load of UNICEF water and sanitation materials to arrive in Haiti in the past 24 hours. The shipment contained additional oral rehydration salts, water purification tablets and jerry cans. Two experts in water and sanitation were also on the flight.
Providing access to clean water and sanitation is essential in the immediate aftermath of disasters, to avoid a second wave of deaths caused by diarrheal diseases such as cholera and dysentery. Children are particularly susceptible to diarrheal diseases.
Two more UNICEF planeloads, loaded with some 70 metric tons of tents, tarpaulin, and medicines, are currently awaiting clearance to fly to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
UNICEF efforts to assist with life-saving and recovery operations in Haiti will focus on providing clean water and sanitation, therapeutic food for infants and small children, medical supplies and temporary shelter and protection. Children make up some 50 per cent of the Haitian population.
About UNICEF UNICEF is on the ground in over 150 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence. The world’s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.
For more information, please contact: Christopher de Bono, UNICEF Media, New York, Tel 1 212 303 7984, E-mail: cdebono@unicef.org
Patrick McCormick, UNICEF Media, New York, Tel 1 212-326-7426, E-mail: pmccormick@unicef.org
jcreddy
Thursday 28 January 2010, 6:01 am
Statement by UNICEF Executive Director Ann M. Veneman on the situation of children in Haiti
NEW YORK, 19 January 2010 - We are extremely concerned about the situation of children in Haiti, many of whom have become separated from their families and caregivers. These children face increased risks of malnutrition and disease, trafficking, sexual exploitation and serious emotional trauma. The race to provide them with life-saving emergency food and medicine, safe shelter, protection, and care is underway.
UNICEF and its partners, including the Haitian Government, the Red Cross and Save the Children, are establishing safe spaces for children and the process of registering unaccompanied children has commenced.
UNICEF and partners are also providing food and supplies for orphanages in Port-au-Prince.
Every effort will be made to reunite children with their families. Only if that proves impossible, and after proper screening has been carried out, should permanent alternatives like adoption be considered by the relevant authorities. Screening for international adoption for some Haitian children had been completed prior to the earthquake. Where this is the case, there are clear benefits to speeding up their travel to their new homes.
UNICEF joins with the Committee on the Rights of the Child, International Social Service and other concerned groups in calling on all those involved in relief efforts to ensure that they act in the best interests of children. What is needed now is life saving support and care for children in Haiti.
For more information, please contact: Christopher de Bono, UNICEF Media, New York, Tel 1 212 303 7984, E-mail: cdebono@unicef.org
Patrick McCormick, UNICEF Media, New York, Tel 1 212-326-7426, E-mail: pmccormick@unicef.org
jcreddy
Thursday 28 January 2010, 6:00 am
UNICEF Humanitarian Operation in Haiti Zeroes in on Unaccompanied Children NEW YORK, 27 January 2010 - Assistance to unaccompanied children, who have lost or became separated from their families, is a focus of UNICEF's Haitian humanitarian operations, in the wake of the deadly earthquake which struck on 12 January.
While it continues daily delivery of critical life-saving supplies such as water, nutrition, shelter and medicine (so far, UNICEF supplies for 250,000 children have arrived and are being distributed), UNICEF and partners like Save the Children have also begun registering unaccompanied children found in the streets of Port au Prince. A programme will then begin to trace the families of these children, if they exist.
"Safe Spaces" for unaccompanied children including infants are now set up in the capital. These locations allow UNICEF and its partners to assist and protect children who have nowhere else to go, until their families are found or alternative arrangements are made.
Unaccompanied children are especially vulnerable to disease, malnutrition and exploitation, including trafficking and need urgent assistance as well as, in many cases, long term support.
The safe spaces are places where unaccompanied children can find shelter, food, water and medicines and they can also serve as make-shift schools and recreation areas. With nearly 40 per cent of the population under 14 years of age in Haiti, this is clearly a children's emergency, and the need for support and protection, registration and family tracing is widespread.
Safe spaces have been used by UNICEF to protect children in the aftermath of emergencies, most recently in cyclone-hit Myanmar and in Banda Aceh, Indonesia, post-Tsunami and also to reunite them with their families. The earthquake which struck on 12 January caused huge numbers of deaths, injuries and widespread damage to Haiti's already fragile infrastructures. The United Nations and its humanitarian agencies, NGOs, the US Government and many others, have mounted a massive relief and rebuilding operation.
About UNICEF UNICEF is on the ground in over 150 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence. The world’s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.
For more information, please contact: Christopher de Bono, UNICEF Media, New York, Tel 1 212 303 7984, E-mail: cdebono@unicef.org Patrick McCormick, UNICEF Med
jcreddy
Thursday 28 January 2010, 5:38 am
UNICEF has always worked in emergencies, both natural and man-made. Originally called the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund, the organisation was created to provide humanitarian assistance to children living in a world shattered by the Second World War. Much has changed since then, but UNICEF’s fundamental mission has not. Though emergencies grow increasingly complex, their impacts ever more devastating, UNICEF remains dedicated to providing life-saving assistance to children affected by disasters, and to protecting their rights in any circumstances, no matter how difficult. In health and nutrition, water and sanitation, protection, education and HIV/AIDS, UNICEF’s Core Corporate Commitments to Children in Emergencies are more than a mission statement – they are a humanitarian imperative.
Learn more about UNICEF's role in emergencies.
jcreddy
Thursday 28 January 2010, 5:36 am
Communication for Development (C4D) is one of the most empowering ways of improving health, nutrition and other key social outcomes for children and their families.
In UNICEF, C4D is defined as a systematic, planned and evidence-based strategic process to promote positive and measurable individual behaviour and social change that is an integral part of development programmes, policy advocacy and humanitarian work.
C4D uses dialogue and consultation with, and participation of children, their families and communities. It privileges local contexts and relies on a mix of communication tools, channels and approaches. C4D is not public relations or corporate communications.
C4D seeks to accelerate achievement of key results in UNICEF's Medium-term Strategic Plan (MTSP) for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by:
* Increasing knowledge and awareness * Improving and building new skills * Maintaining and increasing demand for products and services * Improving the performance of service providers * Changing individual behaviours and collective practices * Influencing attitudes, social norms and power relationships * Enhancing self esteem and promoting self efficacy * Changing national and local policies and legislationn
jcreddy
Thursday 28 January 2010, 5:36 am
Both evaluation and analysis of UNICEF programme cooperation are a core part of our work process.
Evaluation asks simple questions. What are the results of our work? Are we doing the right thing? Are we doing it well? We ask these questions about UNICEF-supported country programmes—UNICEF's specific contribution at country level—as well as how we work as an organization, regionally and globally. Asking these questions helps us learn and makes us more accountable to national partners, donors, sister organisations, ourselves and ultimately to children and women.
Identifying and analyzing programme cooperation is part of the search for excellence. This process results in the identification of innovations, lessons learned and good practices from UNICEF-supported programmes, advocacy or technical assistance. We distil from field experience, monitoring and evaluation as to what works in programming, advocacy and management, and why. These lessons learned and good practices feed into our country-level analysis and programming with partners and contribute to learning in the international community.
Evaluation and identifcation of innovations, lessons learned and good practices help UNICEF and partners achieve better results for children and women.
jcreddy
Wednesday 27 January 2010, 5:45 am
Socially constructed roles too often thwart the potential of girls and women. Discrimination denies them health care and education. It hides information that they can use to protect themselves from HIV/AIDS. Discrimination robs girls and women of the the power to make decisions, to earn a living and to be free from violence, abuse and exploitation. Often it deprives them of any legal protection.
UNICEF is committed to levelling the playing field for girls and women by ensuring that all children have equal opportunity to develop their talents. We work to ensure that all babies receive the best start to life through gender-sensitive, integrated early childhood care. We work so that all children are afforded quality education, one that prepares them for a productive life.
By recognizing and addressing discrimination against girls and women, success in the fight against all forms of discrimination -- class, race, ethnicity and age -- will become more likely, and more lasting. We have learned that entire societies develop when girls and women are enabled to be fully contributing community members.
jcreddy
Wednesday 27 January 2010, 5:30 am
ucation is a fundamental human right: Every child is entitled to it. It is critical to our development as individuals and as societies, and it helps pave the way to a successful and productive future. When we ensure that children have access to a rights-based, quality education that is rooted in gender equality,
KIIRKDINNER