On September 2nd 2011 the UN independent expert on human rights in Haiti, Micheal Forst, positively welcomed the last announces of the Caribbean island’s authorities on new legal measures.The most important measure regards the establishment of an independent judiciary, free from any executive influences. In fact, it represents a pillar for supporting the new Haitian justice system. Moreover, Mr. Forst called for the dismissal of the police officers who did not meet the last national certifications, expressing a need of change within its institutional élites. Furthermore, Mr. Forst denounced the...

On the occasion of the European Year of Voluntary Activities Promoting Active Citizenship (2011) and the International Year for Youth (IYY), Vides international and Istituto Internazionale Maria Ausiliatrice (IIMA) are organizing a training course on the “Voluntary Service and Human Rights” to be held from September 9 to September 21.Committee on the Protection of the Rights of Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families - CMW and to share their own experiences with the members of the many NGOs present in Geneva. In addition, they will enjoy the occasion to meet...

On 30 August 2011, Philippines accepted the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the International Criminal Court (ICC) and deposed its instrument of ratification at United Nations in New York. The ICC, born in 1998, is the first permanent international court with the goal of prosecuting individuals for genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and the crime of aggression. The Statute will enter into force for the Philippines on 1st November, increasing the total number of States that has joined the Rome Statute to 117.ICC President, Mr. Sang-Hyun Song, visited the...

On Monday August 29, the Salesian primary school in Veyrier commenced the school year as the students excitedly rushed through the hallways exploring their newly constructed classrooms. The school boasts a contemporary-natural design with windows open for a view of the Salève mountain and the surrounding community. The first stone for the site was placed in April 2010 and the construction continued tirelessly to finish the school, just in time for the first day of school.Parents present for the inauguration also surveyed amenities the new building offers and listened to inaugural...

On 5 August we celebrate Sr MariaGrazia’s 50 years of religious life as Daughter of Mary our Help of Christians (Salesian Sister of Don Bosco). Sr MariaGrazia is Director of the IIMA Human Rights Office since 2007 and she founded the VIDES International in 1987.Her immense experience in VIDES International allowed her to have a deep knowledge of the Institute that at present she proudly represents in Geneva. During her VIDES International experience she involved young volunteers in the salesian project encouraging them to open their heart and to adopt the...

After the referendum of 2005, organized thanks the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), which stopped the long civil war between the North and the South of Sudan, South Sudan celebrated its independence on 9 July 2011.Immediately, the Security Council invited the General Assembly to admit the newborn Republic of South Sudan, as member of the United Nations. Guido Westerwelle, Foreign Minister of Germany, which holds the Council’s rotating presidency this month, expressed his satisfaction for the application for membership submitted by the President of South Sudan, and for the efforts made...

On Thursday 14th July 2011, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, will open an UN human rights office in Tunisia in the presence of the current Prime Minister Béji Caïd Essebsi. It is the first time that the OHCHR establishes an office in a Mediterranean North African country. Mrs. Pillay also announced she is planning to open another office in the Maghreb region, namely in Cairo city.The High Commissioner expressed its strong engagement in sustaining Tunisia in its transitional process towards democracy and pointed out the several...

From 4th to 8th July 2011 IIMA attended the High-level Segment that held at Palais des Nations, Geneva. In particular, IIMA participated in the Annual Ministerial Review (AMR) that focused on "Implementing the internationally agreed goals and commitments in regard to education”. During the meeting Maria D’Onofrio, of IIMA, presented an oral statement on behalf of the NGO Platform on the Right to Education that involves more than twenty NGOs working in Geneva to promote the Right to Education. In the statement Maria welcomed the decision to dedicate the High-Level...

On 7 July 2011, Mgr. Silvano Tomani, Apostolic Nuncio and Permanent Representative of the Holy See to the United Nations in Geneva, met at the Permanent Mission of the Holy See with representatives of catholic inspired NGOs working in Geneva. During the meeting the Apostolic Nuncio underlined the progresses achieved in the last years, highlighting the high number of joint statement submitted as well as the side events co-organized by several faith based NGOs. These joint activities transmit to governments in Geneva the unity of the group and the common...

South Sudan became the world's newest country Saturday, 9th July, 2011, closing one chapter of the Africa's longest and bloodiest civil wars.There are certainly no blueprints for gaining independence and, experts say, South Sudan's secession boldly goes where no other new nation has gone before.So what does a territory have to do to achieve statehood? First of all, international recognition. Any group or individual can declare their own nation, but without recognition from other states, this can be a futile gesture. South Sudan is unlikely to meet resistance since its...