Human Rights Information Bulletin – No
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Human rights information bulletin – Recent titles No. 85, November 2011- April 2012 ISSN 1608-9618 – H/Inf (2012) 2 (2012) Human rights Human rights of Roma and Travellers in Europe ISBN 978-92-871-7200-6, €15/US$30 of Roma Human Rights writings In many European countries, the Roma and Traveller populations are still denied basic human rights and suffer blatant racism. They remain far behind others in and terms of educational achievement, employment, housing and health standards, and they have virtually no political representation. Travellers In many European countries, the Roma and Traveller populations are still denied basic human rights and Anti-Gypsyism continues to be widespread and is compounded by a striking lack of knowledge among the general population about the history of repression of Roma in Europe. In times of economic crisis, the tendency to direct frustration against scapegoats increases – and Roma and Travellers appear to be easy targets. This report presents the first overview of the human rights situation of Roma and in Europe suffer blatant racism. This report aims to encourage a constructive discussion about policies towards Roma Travellers, covering all 47 member states of the Council of Europe. Its purpose is to encourage a constructive discussion about policies towards Roma and Travellers in Europe today, focusing on what must be done in order to put an end to the discrimination and marginalisation they suffer. and Travellers in Europe today, focusing on what must be done in order to put an end to the discrimination www.coe.int The Council of Europe has 47 member states, covering virtually the entire continent and marginalisation they suffer. of Europe. It seeks to develop common democratic and legal principles based on the Human rights of Roma European Convention on Human Rights and other reference texts on the protection Council of Europe Publishing of individuals. Ever since it was founded in 1949, in the aftermath of the Second World COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS War, the Council of Europe has symbolised reconciliation. andCOMMISSAIRE Travellers AUX DROITS DEin L'HOMME Europe ISBN 978-92-871-7200-6 COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS http://book.coe.int COMMISSAIRE AUX DROITS DE L'HOMME €15/US$30 Council of Europe Publishing PREMS 79611 No. 85 Human rights and a changing media landscape (2012) The media play a crucial role in the protection of human rights. They expose human Human rights rights violations and provide a space for different voices to be heard in public discourse. Free, independent and pluralistic media are a core element of any democracy. However, the power of the media can also be misused to the extent that the very functioning of democracy is threatened. Some media outlets have been turned into propaganda megaphones for those in power. Others have been used to incite xenophobic ISBN 978-92-871-7198-6, €15/US$30 hatred and violence against minorities and other vulnerable groups. and a changing The phenomenon of social media presents us with a range of fresh challenges. Blogs, video and social networking sites have become a key forum for political debate and Human Rights writings organisation – so much so that they have been targeted by repressive measures in some states. While there is a need to ensure better protection of personal integrity in social media, the right to freedom of expression must not be undermined. Free, independent and pluralistic media are a core element of any democracy. However, there is a need The purpose of this publication is to contribute to a more thorough discussion on media developments and their impact on human rights in a constantly changing media media landscape. Eight experts contributed their personal assessments of trends and problems. They have not shied away from addressing controversial issues or providing far-reaching suggestions. Together their texts indicate that there is a need landscape for stronger protection of media freedom and freedom of expression in Europe today. This publication for stronger protection of media freedom and freedom of expression in Europe today. These are clearly topics of paramount importance which demand serious public debate. contributes to a more thorough discussion on media developments and their impact on human rights in a www.coe.int The Council of Europe has 47 member states, covering virtually the entire continent Human rights and a changing constantly changing media landscape. of Europe. It seeks to develop common democratic and legal principles based on the European Convention on Human Rights and other reference texts on the protection Council of Europe Publishing of individuals. Ever since it was founded in 1949, in the aftermath of the Second World media landscape War, the Council of Europe has symbolised reconciliation. Foreword by Thomas Hammarberg ISBN 978-92-871-7198-6 COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS http://book.coe.int COMMISSAIRE AUX DROITS DE L'HOMME € 15/US$30 Council of Europe Publishing Guidelines of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on child-friendly monograph The guidelines on child-friendly justice, and their explanatory memorandum, 5 were adopted by the Council of Europe in 2010. Based on existing inter- 5 national and European standards, in particular the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the European Convention on Human Rights, Guidelines of the Committee Ministers Council Europe on child-friendly justice the guidelines are designed to guarantee children’s effective access to and adequate treatment in justice. They apply to all the circumstances in which children are likely, on any ground and in any capacity, to be in contact with justice (2012) the criminal, civil or administrative justice system. They recall and promote the principles of the best interests of the child, care and respect, participation, equal treatment and the rule of law. The guidelines address issues such as infor- mation, representation and participation rights, protection of privacy, safety, a multidisciplinary approach and training, safeguards at all stages of proceedings and deprivation of liberty. The 47 Council of Europe member states are encouraged to adapt their legal systems to the specific needs of children, bridging the gap between ISBN 978-92-871-7274-7, €15/US$30 internationally agreed principles and reality. To that end, the explanatory memorandum offers examples of good practices and proposes solutions to address and remedy legal and practical gaps in justice for children. These guidelines form an integral part of the Council of Europe’s strategy on children’s rights and its programme “Building a Europe for and with children”. A series of promotion, co-operation and monitoring activities are planned in member states in view of ensuring effective implementation of the guidelines for the benefit of all children. Based on existing international and European standards, in particular the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the European Convention on Human Rights, the guidelines are designed to guaran- Guidelines of the Committee of Ministers www.coe.int of the Council of Europe tee children’s effective access to and adequate treatment in justice, recalling and promoting the principles The Council of Europe has 47 member states, covering virtually the entire continent of Europe. It seeks to develop common democratic and legal on child-friendly justice principles based on the European Convention on Human Rights and other Council of Europe Publishing reference texts on the protection of individuals. Ever since it was founded in 1949, in the aftermath of the Second World War, the Council of Europe BUILDING A EUROPE FOR AND WITH CHILDREN has symbolised reconciliation. of the best interests of the child, care and respect, participation, equal treatment and the rule of law. ISBN 978-92-871-7274-7 http://book.coe.int e15/US$30 Council of Europe Publishing Reform of the European Court Human Rights of Human Rights The United Kingdom organised, within the framework of the Chairmanship of the Council Information Bulletin of Europe’s Committee of Ministers, a high level conference on the future of the European Court of Human Rights Council of Europe Publishing in Brighton on 18-20 April 2012. F-67075 Strasbourg Cedex The aim of the Brighton Tel.: +33 (0)3 88 41 25 81 – Fax: +33 (0)3 88 41 39 10 Conference was to agree on a E-mail: [email protected] package of concrete reforms to ensure that the Court can be most http://book.coe.int effective for all 800 million citizens of Council of Europe member States. ISSN 1608-960X Pictured: Kenneth Clarke, Secretary of State for Justice, Directorate General of Human Rights and Rule of Law Thorbjørn Jagland, Secretary General Council of Europe – F-67075 Strasbourg Cedex of the Council of Europe. http://www.coe.int/justice/ Human rights information bulletin No. 85, 1 November 2011-30 April 2012 The Human rights information bulletin is published three times a year This issue published June 2012. ISSN: 1608-9618 (print edition) and by the Directorate General of Human Rights and Rule of Law, Council 1608-7372 (electronic edition). Internet address: http://www.coe.int/ of Europe, F-67075 Strasbourg Cedex. justice/. Table of contents Treaties and conventions Signatures and ratifications . 5 European Court of Human Rights Grand Chamber judgments . 6 Schwabe and M.G. v. Germany, 34 Gąsior v. Poland, 51 S. H. and Others v. Austria, 6 Di Sarno and Others v. Italy, 35 Rangelov v. Germany, 51 Al-Khawaja and Tahery v. the United Othman (Abu Qatada) v. the United Publications . 51 Kingdom, 8 Kingdom, 37 Annual report 2011, 51 Stanev v. Bulgaria, 9 Harkins and Edwards v. the United Practical guide on admissibility Axel Springer AG v. Germany and Von Kingdom, 38 criteria, 51 Hannover v.