From Local to Universal, a Fight for Human Rights
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FMDH_couv_CM_EN 5/05/10 10:48 Page 1 "Acting for a new world where human beings are free to speak and free to believe, liberated from fear and misery. " The World Forum on Human Rights held in Nantes every second year has become a must-attend event for all those who are actively involved in the defence of Human Rights. From 30 June to 3 July 2008, the 3rd edition brought together 2,500 delegates and speakers from over 100 countries. The discussions of the Forum clearly showed that, 60 years after the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the defence and the promotion of fundamental liberties remain a constant and arduous fight across the world. During inspiring and lively discussion workshops, participants were given the opportunity to express themselves openly and exchange equally. Economic globalisation and respect for fundamental rights, Human Rights diplomacy, the role of Europe, local governance and local action were among the challenging issues raised during “Nantes 2008”. A vast range of perspectives on actions to be taken, detailed in this essay drawn from the 3rd World Forum on Human Rights World Forum on Human Rights – Nantes, on Human Rights Forum World 2008 France rd 3 Photo: Samuel Bollendorff / L’Œil public. From local to universal, a fight for Human Rights FMDH_inter_EN 1-5.QXP 5/05/10 14:29 Page 1 From local to universal, a fight for Human Rights FMDH_inter_EN 1-5.QXP 5/05/10 14:29 Page 2 This book was written by Boris Martin, with the contribution of Céline Bretel, Marie Ernoult, Olivier Nouvel, Michel Taube, Élise Thiébaut and Souhila Zitouni. Thanks to Flora Barré, Charlotte Boulanger, Clémence Cottineau, Marie Cuq, Carla El Chammas, Anne-Laure Gauvrit, Céline Le Goff, Florence Leroux, Carine Monga-Nzefa, Anne-Cécile Orain, Bérangère Tam, who wrote the summaries of the discussions. Co-published by SPIDH - Cabinet Martinez © SPIDH (International Permanent Secretariat Nantes – Pays de la Loire “Human Rights and local governments”): [email protected] Franck Barrau, Adeline Cheriff, Amanda Rio de Pedro. Special thanks to Mr Emmanuel Decaux, president of SPIDH Board of Directors Translation and text layout Cabinet Martinez FMDH_inter_EN 1-5.QXP 5/05/10 14:29 Page 3 From local to universal, a fight for Human Rights FMDH_inter_EN 1-5.QXP 5/05/10 14:29 Page 4 3rd World Forum on Human Rights in Nantes The 3rd World Forum on Human Rights was organised with the support of: Nantes Metropolitan Council the Pays de la Loire region the Loire-Atlantique county City of Nantes Ministry of European and Foreign Affairs Francophonie International Organisation Caisse des dépôts And the participation of: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) United Cities and Local Governments (CGLU) Human Rights Consultative Committee (CNCDH) University of Nantes The Lawyers Council / Bar of Nantes Information and Research Centre on Development (CRID) Maison des citoyens du monde in Nantes (World Citizen's Centre) “Rights for Humanity” group, Nantes Cabinet Martinez Ouest France newspaper Nantes International Convention Centre Thanks to the members of SPIDH Board of Directors, and of the Forum Scientific Committee. 4 FMDH_inter_EN 1-5.QXP 5/05/10 14:29 Page 5 3rd World Forum on Human Rights in Nantes Table of contents Foreword . .9 Opening speech . .15 Introduction 60 years after, a Universal Declaration still relevant today . .21 • A fight for the universality of Human Rights . .22 • Some progress to recognize . .25 • New allies . .26 – Local and regional authorities . .26 – The European Union . .28 – "Francophonie" . .28 – The civil society . .29 • Foundations to strengthen for better efficiency . .29 Boxes • Launch of the International Coalition of Cities against Racism . .32 • General Assembly of the World Coalition against the death penalty . .34 Part 1 Human rights, between globalisation and international solidarity . .37 • Human Rights at the time of economic globalisation . .38 • Infringement of Human Rights: still an unbearable reality . .41 5 FMDH_inter_EN.QXP 5/05/10 14:31 Page 6 3rd World Forum on Human Rights in Nantes – Children's rights at the centre of Human Rights . .41 – Right to food, food sovereignty and right to land: the economy detrimental to the survival of humankind . .43 – Questions of the Arab-Muslim world . .46 Box • “There is nothing worth than indifference to push people to violence” . .47 • What possible levers for the international solidarity players? . .51 – Economic sanctions, political boycott sports boycott, opinion campaigns . .52 – The ambiguous role of companies . .52 – Weapons or stethoscopes for the maintenance of peace: confusion between military and humanitarian action . .53 – Testifying, a weapon for women’s rights . .53 – Memory: to serve a multicultural and united future . .55 – When Human Rights defenders are in danger . .56 Talk with Stéphane Hessel • “Fighting injustice is the number one challenge of our time” . .57 Part 2 Which Europe for Human Rights? Which Human Rights for Europe? . .61 • Which Europe for Human Rights? . .62 – The Council of Europe . .63 – The Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe . .64 – The European Union . .65 6 FMDH_inter_EN.QXP 5/05/10 14:31 Page 7 Contents Box • The European Agency for Fundamental Rights . .66 • Which external Human Rights policy for Europe? . .68 – The role of European institutions and their instruments in the promotion of Human Rights in the world . .68 – Europe and Human Rights: a risk for diplomacy, bilateralism and economic interests . .70 – The challenges of European policy for the protection of Human Rights and democracy . .72 • Which Human Rights for Europe? . .74 – Recognition of cultural diversity . .75 – From the management of migration flows to European citizenship, upon interview . .75 – Refugees: collateral victims of the management of migration flows . .78 – The fight against terrorism: spearhead of Europe, threat for Human Rights . .80 – European protection of Human Rights: the introduction of an effective European legal system? . .81 Part 3 Local governance and Human Rights: efficiency within the reach of all citizens . .85 • Local governments, the “new” players in the fight for Human Rights . .87 – Players that cannot be ignored any more, the result of a long-standing dynamics . .87 – United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) . .89 Box – Objectives and roles of United Cities and Local Governments . .90 7 FMDH_inter_EN.QXP 5/05/10 14:31 Page 8 3rd World Forum on Human Rights in Nantes • Human Rights at a local level . .92 – Handicap and housing: Human Rights in the day-to-day life . .92 – Memory of the slave trade, racism, Roma migration. When the sufferings of the world force themselves on to the memory of the cities . .96 – Extreme poverty and climate migrations. When globalisation calls for the union of local governments . .99 • From local to global. Alliance of the cities and their citizens for the promotion of Human Rights across the world . .101 – Decentralised cooperation: a ground for expertise to be developed . .102 – Civil society, an ally that cannot be ignored . .106 – International texts: from statement to implementation . ..