October 2, 2012
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International Day of Non-Violence
In 1869 was born Mahatma Gandhi. October 2 is the International Day of Non-Violence ...
October 1, 2012
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The UN Human Right Council concludes the work of the 21st Ordinary Session
On 28th of September the Human Rights Council concluded the 21st regular session adopting 33 resolutions on a wide range of issues of undeniable social, judicial and political relevance. Under the Agenda Item 3 (on the Promotion and Protection of All Human Rights, Civil, Political, Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Including the Right to Development) the Council adopted 20 Resolutions, among which the most important are on the protection of human rights of indigenous peoples, on the fight against maternal mortality and morbidity and human rights, on the implementation of the right to truth, on regulation of the use of mercenaries,...
IIMA and VIDES International give voice to young people at the United Nations in Geneva.
During the week of 17-22 September, at the XXI Session of the Human Rights Council, the International Institute of the Daughters of Maria Ausiliatrice (Salesian Sisters of Don Bosco) and VIDES International presented four oral statements during the discussion of item 6 related to the adoption of the Universal Periodic Revsion (UPR) reports on Ecuador, Brazil, Poland and South Africa. In a general vision of youth envolvement and effective participation in the activities carried out by IIMA and VIDES International, four young people from Mexico, Republic of Korea and Italy, took the floor before the Council as spokesmen of...
September 27, 2012
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HRC interactive dialogue with the Commission of Inquiry on the situation of human rights in the Syrian Arab Republic
On the 17th of September, the Human Rights Council held an interactive dialogue with the Commission of Inquiry on the situation of human rights in the Syrian Arab Republic. Mr. Paulo Pinheiro, Chairperson of the Commission of Inquiry, expressed concern that the violations of human rights are committed in Syria by both parties: Government forces and anti-Government armed groups. Therefore, he stated that, in compliance with International Criminal Law, perpetrators should be held responsible for such violations...
September 24, 2012
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International solidarity and human rights: Meeting between the Independent Expert and Civil Society
An Informal consultation between the Independent Expert on International Solidarity and Human Rights and civil society was held on Friday, September 14th at Palais des Nations. The first panelist, H.E. Msgr. Silvano M. Tomasi, Apostolic Nuncio, Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See highlighted the importance of solidarity as key notion in the social doctrine as well as in human rights system. He also stated that the concept of solidarity has been devalued: “Solidarity must generate a moral and not only a legal obligation” Next to take the floor, Ms. Virginia Dan Dan (IE on International Solidarity and Human...
September 24, 2012
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Panel discussion on the issue of intimidation or reprisal against individuals and groups who cooperate or have cooperated with the UN.
On the 13th September the 21st Human Rights Council held a Panel discussion on the issue of intimidation or reprisal against individuals and groups who cooperate or have cooperated with the UN, its representatives and mechanisms in the field of human rights. The sad coincidence is that the panel was held the day after the murdered of the U.S. ambassador, Christopher Stevens, by Islamist gunmen who attacked the U.S. consulate in Libya. Mr. Ban Ki-Moon, General Secretary of the UN, through a video message, expressed his concern on the issue, reporting that episodes of intimidation and reprisals against those...
September 24, 2012
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21st session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva
On Monday September 10th the Human Rights Council opened its 21st Session, in Geneva. The UN Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon, in his opening speech, encouraged the Ambassadors, Member State representatives, and NGOs to “use all our tools to shine the light of human rights everywhere”. While recalling main international issues requiring to be addressed, he mentioned his expectations for this Session, which are: To enforce the perspective of Human Rights in every instance of the United Nations. To ensure protection of human rights defenders and avoid impunity. To draw special attention to women’s rights. Next to take the floor, the High Commissioner for...
July 12, 2012
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IIMA Side event on July 4th, 2012 (20th HRC session):”Haiti: two years after the earthquake”
On 4th July 2012, the Istituto Internazionale Maria Ausiliatrice (IIMA) organized a side event at Palais des Nations, Geneva, with the support of VIDES International. The event was co-sponsored by the Permanent Missions of Haïti, Uruguay, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Holy See and the NGOs Platform on the Right to Education. The event focused on the current situation in Haïti, with special regards to education, and on results of the humanitarian intervention in the country after two years from the earthquake. The panel consisted of representatives of governments, UN and civil society and as such, the issue...
July 9, 2012
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The Rights of Journalists
On the 21st of June, the Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression, Frank La Rue, and the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, Christof Heyns, presented reports to the Human Rights Council focused upon protecting the rights of journalists. Both emphasised the unacceptable worldwide level of violence against both professional and unprofessional journalists. They asserted that it was local journalists who were most vulnerable. According to the reports only 10 percent of murders committed against journalists results in any form of conviction. Mr Heyns highlighted a recent instance in Mexico where a non professional journalist was...
July 9, 2012
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Poverty, Transnational corporations and national debt
On the 21st of June, the Human Rights Council held an interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights and a clustered interactive dialogue with both the Working Group on the issue of human rights and transnational corporations and other business enterprises and the Independent Expert on the effects of foreign debt and other related international financial obligations of States on the full enjoyment of human rights, particularly economic, social and cultural rights. María Magdalena Sepúlveda Carmona, Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, expressed gratitude that extreme poverty was being prioritised but criticised...