2020 Human Rights Appeal

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

2020 Human Rights Appeal UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS APPEAL 2020 UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS APPEAL 2020 TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. FOREWORD BY THE HIGH COMMISSIONER 4 2. UN HUMAN RIGHTS IN 2019 6 3. ROADMAP TO 2021 10 4. UN HUMAN RIGHTS AROUND THE WORLD IN 2020 38 5. FUNDING AND BUDGET 40 6. TRUST FUNDS 50 7. YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE 52 8. ANNEXES 54 . OHCHR MANAGEMENT PLAN 2018-2021 - ELEMENTS FOCUSED ON CLIMATE CHANGE - ELEMENTS FOCUSED ON DIGITAL SPACE AND NEW TECHNOLOGIES - ELEMENTS FOCUSED ON CORRUPTION - ELEMENTS FOCUSED ON INEQUALITIES - ELEMENTS FOCUSED ON PEOPLE ON THE MOVE . UN HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATION CHART . ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS UN HUMAN RIGHTS APPEAL 2020 3 FOREWORD BY THE HIGH COMMISSIONER FOREWORD BY THE HIGH COMMISSIONER FOREWORD BY THE HIGH COMMISSIONER It is an honour to present the annual Human rights work is In the following pages, we outline the I believe that today’s challenges mean our appeal of my Office for 2020. My first year strategies and partnerships we are expertise is vitally needed. We appreciate as High Commissioner has reaffirmed my an investment. It is an devising to tackle these challenges. To the support we have received from our conviction that your political and financial investment many of you successfully deliver real human rights 78 donors in 2019, 63 of them being investment is crucial for the success impact in these areas, we know we also Member States. The US$172.1 million in our efforts to promote and protect have chosen to make, in need to align our organizational processes they provided to the Office constituted a human rights. order to ensure greater and working methods – to foster more small, but worrying decrease of some 8 innovation, cross-cutting teamwork, per cent from contributions in 2018*. I am Fostering peaceful societies and justice, security and and fluid communication across all our also concerned that many contributions sustainable development begins with teams, including in the field. Mindful of continue to be earmarked, hampering steps to support and promote human sustainable development the complexity of each of these issues, our ability to use these funds rapidly rights. By bringing States, civil society, across the world. as well as the connections between and effectively. Most importantly, at this business actors and many others together them, we will also be deepening our work level of under-funding, UN Human Rights behind the universal commitment to programmes grounded in human rights with the Human Rights Council’s Special cannot respond positively to all the rights, we can address the root causes of principles, analysis and guidance can Procedures, and the Treaty Bodies. requests for assistance that we receive in the crises that challenge our societies. constitute the most effective approaches any given year. As you read through some of the The advocacy, monitoring and technical to each of these issues. examples of the work we have begun – We can do better – with your help. On cooperation advanced by my Office in These are policy areas which involve from analysing the gender-differentiated behalf of all the people we work through, 2019 has generated progress for people multiple, complex risks that cross effects of climate change, to bringing tech with and for, I extend sincere thanks to around the world. We will continue to cultures, national boundaries and legal companies and NGOs together to discuss all our donors. Your support is crucial to advance under the pillars that shape our jurisdictions. Although they can be practical action to address online abuses everything we do. work: our support for the international conceived as separate issues, they are – I encourage you to consider how you human rights mechanisms; our efforts intertwined – forming tight knots that can best further our work to prevent and to drive mainstreaming of human rights strangle the freedom and dignity of defuse threats; protect the vulnerable; within the UN’s development and individuals, and the peace and sustainable promote human rights principles peace and security efforts; and our development of societies. of transparency, participation and work to help States fulfil the core human accountability; and expand our impact. rights principles of non-discrimination, We cannot tackle climate change, accountability and participation. vast movements of people, rising Human rights work is an investment. tensions and conflicts or sustainable It is an investment many of you have New issues are surging forward to development unless we also deal with chosen to make, in order to ensure challenge human rights – and old issues corruption and inequalities. Resolving greater justice, security and sustainable continue to create suffering. This appeal the interlocking issues, which shape development across the world. My Office highlights the five “frontier” issues in and accentuate inequalities is a vital is a tool – a uniquely qualified resource which we are strengthening our work, and part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable for governments, institutions and people where the human rights agenda can have Development – an unprecedented, once around the world, which monitors and powerful impact in improving lives. in a lifetime opportunity to end extreme analyses human rights situations and Climate change, digital space, inequalities, poverty on the basis of a cooperative topics; and, based on that work, assists corruption, and human rights concerns and global plan. And this, in turn, will the global community to fulfil rights related to the displacement and movement require comprehensive work to advance more effectively. MICHELLE BACHELET of people constitute forceful challenges the whole spectrum of rights – including United Nations to the inalienable human rights of every economic, social, cultural, civil and * Figures are estimated as of 15 December 2019 and will be adjusted and confirmed upon the final closure of the High Commissioner person. At the same time, policies and political rights, by working in synergy. 2019 accounts. for Human Rights 4 UN HUMAN RIGHTS APPEAL 2020 UN HUMAN RIGHTS APPEAL 2020 5 UN HUMAN RIGHTS IN 2019 UN HUMAN RIGHTS IN 2019 UN HUMAN RIGHTS IN 2019 Highlights in 2019 Mandate Promote and protect all MEMBER STATE COOPERATION human rights for all 39 3,027 128 treaty actions State party reports reviewed by 55 countries visited official documents produced the treaty bodies with Rationalize, adapt, strengthen Recommend that bodies of 2 signatures for meetings of human and streamline the United the United Nations system 19 ratifications over 68 rights mechanisms, General 7 States parties visited Nations human rights improve the promotion and visits by special Assembly and ECOSOC by the Subcommittee on machinery protection of all human rights 18 accessions procedures mandates Prevention of Torture PEOPLE CENTRED Coordinate human rights Promote and protect promotion and protection the right to development activities throughout the 8,5 9 4 fellows (41 female and 36 male) from United Nations system Mandate of the 35,997 victims of torture in victims of contemporary forms indigenous, Afrodescendant and minority United Nations High 77 countries received of slavery in 23 countries 77 communities in 56 countries, participated in Commissioner for rehabilitation support obtained assistance the UN Human Rights Fellowship Programme Human Rights Enhance international HUMAN RIGHTS MECHANISMS SUPPORT HUMAN RIGHTS INTEGRATION IN THE UN cooperation for the General Assembly Provide technical resolution 48/141 promotion and protection of assistance to States for Support to all human rights human rights activities the work of 92 12 36 172 treaty resolutions 23,645 Human Rights Human Rights Advisers body experts during adopted by the submissions related to Components in UN (14 female and Human Rights 21 sessions individual complaints and Peace Missions, 22 male) deployed in Engage in dialogue with Coordinate United Nations Council for a total of Committee on Enforced including 577 staff UN Country Teams governments in order to secure human rights education and Disappearances urgent supported by UN under the framework respect for all human rights public information programmes 76 weeks actions received Human Rights of the UNSDG CIVIL SOCIETY ENGAGEMENT Work actively to remove obstacles Over to the realization of human rights 251 and to prevent the continuation of grants awarded to civil society human rights violations 2,521 2,420 organizations, NHRIs and academic Oral statements delivered by participants in the 8th institutions for a total amount of NGOs during Human Rights Forum on Business and Council sessions Human Rights $11,539,113 Data available at the time of printing 6 UN HUMAN RIGHTS APPEAL 2020 UN HUMAN RIGHTS APPEAL 2020 7 UN HUMAN RIGHTS IN 2019 UN HUMAN RIGHTS IN 2019 Global presence in 2019 2019 Funding overview STAFF GENDER DISTRIBUTION BUDGET DONORS REGULAR BUDGET ALLOCATION 81 + 1 (2 locations) FIELD PRESENCES HQ Unmet extrabudgetary requirements 78 donors * of which 63 are 56% 44% $106.9m $149.4m EXTRABUDGETARY Member States REQUIREMENTS 1,425 142 HQ 63% 37% Voluntary contributions STAFF NATIONALITIES $321.5m BREAKDOWN BY AMONG STAFF FIELD received GEOGRAPHIC GROUP 47% 53% $172.1m + + GENERAL SERVICE 3 33 577 53% 47% African Group VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS JPOs SPONSORED BY STAFF IN PEACE PROFESSIONAL AND ABOVE 13 MEMBER STATES MISSIONS 57% 43% TOTAL AMOUNT BREAKDOWN OF DONORS BY BRACKETS RECEIVED OF CONTRIBUTIONS P1 50% 50% 15 P2 67% 33% EC, Norway, USA, Sweden, Asia-Pacific Group $172.1m $10-20m (57.9%**) Netherlands, Denmark *** P3 62% 38% P4 52% 48% 60% P5 39% 61% D1 29% 71% 14 Eastern D2 67% 33% 52.8 (31%) European Group 40% ASG 50% 50% Unearmarked USG 100% 119.3 (69%) Earmarked 6 international staff national staff Latin American and 40.1% Caribbean Group STAFF IN THE FIELD HQ 55% HQ 59.9% 25 Field UNDP (UN pooled and trust Western European 13.5% Africa $5-10m (20.8%**) funds funding), UK, Switzerland, 45% Germany *** and Others Group * The 2019 regular budget allotment reflects 12% Americas a number of across-the-board reductions of 55% between 5 and 25 per cent on several budget lines decided by the General Assembly.
Recommended publications
  • Daring to Stand up for Human Rights in a Pandemic
    DARING TO STAND UP FOR HUMAN RIGHTS IN A PANDEMIC Artwork by Jaskiran K Marway @J.Kiran90 INDEX: ACT 30/2765/2020 AUGUST 2020 LANGUAGE: ENGLISH amnesty.org 1 CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 3 1. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF DEFENDING HUMAN RIGHTS DURING A PANDEMIC 5 2. ATTACKS DURING THE COVID-19 CRISIS 7 2.1 COVID-19, A PRETEXT TO FURTHER ATTACK DEFENDERS AND REDUCE CIVIC SPACE 8 2.2 THE DANGERS OF SPEAKING OUT ON THE RESPONSE TO THE PANDEMIC 10 2.3 DEFENDERS EXCLUDED FROM RELEASE DESPITE COVID-19 – AN ADDED PUNISHMENT 14 2.4 DEFENDERS AT RISK LEFT EXPOSED AND UNPROTECTED 16 2.5 SPECIFIC RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH THE IDENTITY OF DEFENDERS 17 3. RECOMMENDATIONS 20 4. FURTHER DOCUMENTATION 22 INDEX: ACT 30/2765/2020 AUGUST 2020 LANGUAGE: ENGLISH amnesty.org 2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The COVID-19 pandemic and states’ response to it have presented an array of new challenges and threats for those who defend human rights. In April 2020, Amnesty International urged states to ensure that human rights defenders are included in their responses to address the pandemic, as they are key actors to guarantee that any measures implemented respect human rights and do not leave anyone behind. The organization also called on all states not to use pandemic-related restrictions as a pretext to further shrink civic space and crackdown on dissent and those who defend human rights, or to suppress relevant information deemed uncomfortable to the government.1 Despite these warnings, and notwithstanding the commitments from the international community over two decades ago to protect and recognise the right to defend human rights,2 Amnesty International has documented with alarm the continued threats and attacks against human rights defenders in the context of the pandemic.
    [Show full text]
  • Addressing the Challenges That Human Rights Defenders Face in the Context of Business Activities in an Age of a Shrinking Civil Society Space
    Wednesday 18 November 10:00 to 11:20 Room XX (Building E) Addressing the challenges that Human Rights Defenders face in the context of business activities in an age of a shrinking civil society space There is a growing clampdown worldwide against human rights defenders who challenge specific economic paradigms, the presence of corporations and harmful business conduct. Too often, Governments detain human rights defenders, prevent them from raising funds, restrict their movements, place them under surveillance and, in some cases, authorize their torture and murder. Meanwhile, many companies either stand by as Governments employ tough law and order responses against defenders, or they aggressively target defenders who challenge their activities through legal or other means. Against this bleak backdrop, a number of progressive companies recognize the need and value in communicating effectively with communities affected by their projects. Without a social license to operate, companies face many problems that can affect their operations, increase a project’s costs and success and it can harm the firm’s overall reputation. The freedom human rights defenders enjoy plays an essential role in ensuring the legitimacy of a company’s operations. An open, secure civic space enables defenders to build inclusive, stable societies characterised by the rule of law that contribute to a favourable investment climate and operating conditions for companies. This session will explore how to overcome the risks that defenders, who challenge business conduct, face in a world in which civil society at large fights for its place. It will showcase the experiences of prominent defenders and companies operating in complex environments.
    [Show full text]
  • The UN Definition of Human Rights Defenders: Alternative Interpretative Approaches
    2019 QMHRR 5(1) ISSN 2059-8092 The UN Definition of Human Rights Defenders: Alternative Interpretative Approaches Aikaterini Christina Koula* Abstract Human rights defenders play a crucial role in promoting the realisation of human rights and, in doing so, are often subject to human rights violations.The article explores who can be a human rights defender and particularly looks at the definition of defenders derived from Article 1 of the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders. The definition is broad and vague, as it concerns anyone who fights for human rights and fundamental freedoms. Recognising that the scope of the Declaration was uncertain, in 2004 the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights published Fact Sheet 29 in an attempt to provide guidance on how to approach it. The Fact Sheet establishes three requirements to be a defender; however, the definition remains problematic. The aim of the article is to show through examples that the requirements are themselves so vague that they could provoke misunderstandings, thereby limiting the effectiveness of the Declaration and to propose alternative interpretative approaches. Key Words Human Rights Defenders – definition – Declaration on HRDs – UNCHR Fact Sheet 29 – minimum standards – risk. 1. Introduction Human rights defenders (HRDs)1 play a crucial role in protecting and promoting the realisation of human rights. Their actions in improving human rights contribute in an important way to enhancing security and stability and to the promotion of the rule of law and respect for the international human rights framework.2 Due to the sensitivity of their work, human rights defenders are potentially exposed to serious human rights violations, including attacks and abuse.
    [Show full text]
  • New Protection Manual Human Rights Defenders
    ManualEnglish-2009.qxp 03/04/2009 11:32 PÆgina 1 NNEEWW PPRROTECTIONOTECTION MMANUANUALAL FFOROR HHUMANUMAN RRIGHTIGHTSS DDEFENDERSEFENDERS RESEARCHED AND WRITTEN BY ENRIQUE EGUREN AND MARIE CARAJ ManualEnglish-2009.qxp 03/04/2009 11:32 PÆgina 1 New protection manual for human rights defenders NEW PROTECTION MANUAL FOR HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS RESEARCHED AND WRITTEN BY ENRIQUE EGUREN, AND MARIE CARAJ, PROTECTION INTERNATIONAL (PI) PUBLISHED BY PROTECTION INTERNATIONAL 1 ManualEnglish-2009.qxp 03/04/2009 11:32 PÆgina 2 Published by Protection International 2009 Rue de la Linière, 11 B-1060 Brussels, Belgium. Third edition Copyright© 2008 by Protection International. This manual has been produced for the benefit of human rights defenders and may be quoted from or photocopied for non commercial purposes as long as the source/authors are acknowledged. For its inclusion in other publications or other uses please ask for authorization. Printed copies of the New Manual from Protection International Rue de la Linière, 11. B-1060 Brussels (Belgium) Tel: +32(0)2 609 44 05 / +32(0)2 609 44 07 / Fax: +32(0)2 609 44 07 [email protected] It can be downloaded for free from www.protectionline.org Prices of printed copies: Southern organisations: free Northern organisations: 20 Euros plus post and packaging (reductions for bulk orders) The New manual is available in English, French and Spanish (it is also being translated into other languages by Protection International) protection manual for human rights defenders ISBN: 978-2-930539-00-3 New 2 ManualEnglish-2009.qxp 03/04/2009 11:32 PÆgina 3 New protection manual for human rights defenders FForeword to the first edition by Hina Jilani In my work as Special Representative of the Secretary General on Human Rights Defenders I have noted with grave concern an increase in the number of reports of serious human rights abuses against defenders and a notable shift away from low-targeting, such as intimidation and harassment, to more serious violations, such as attacks on and threats to physical integrity of defenders.
    [Show full text]
  • A Manual for and About Women Human Rights Defenders a Publication of the Women Human Rights Defenders International Coalition
    GENDERING DOCUMENTATION: A MANUAL FOR AND ABOUT WOMEN HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS A PUBLICATION OF THE WOMEN HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS INTERNATIONAL COALITION Pro-women’s rights graffiti in Cairo by human rights defender and graffiti artist Mira Shihadeh. "Don't treat me according to my appearance only; treat me like a human being". Credit: Front Line Defenders. Image from 1983 flyer of Women’s Video Collective of the Seneca Women’s Encampment for a Future of Peace and Justice. To mark International Women Human Rights Defender Day (29 November) and International Human Rights Day (10 December), the Women Human Rights Defenders International Coalition is introducing its new publication, “Gendering Documentation: A Manual For and About Women Human Rights Defenders”. The manual will be posted in pdf form in coming days on the website of the Women Human Rights Defenders International Coalition www.defendingwomen-defendingrights.org Women human rights defenders (WHRDs) around the world are fighting for freedom, justice and fairness. We are connected to many political movements, including, but certainly not limited to, working for the rights of women. We are engaged in strategic and creative political and social struggle. As defenders, we face bodily harm and threats, social condemnation and legal restrictions on our organizing. We are targeted for who we are and for what we do. Yet, the experiences of women human rights defenders often go unnoticed, partly because of the very systems of inequity we are challenging. In both the global North and South, many with political, religious, military, familial and community authority try to stop our activism – and to keep us from making claims through sharing narratives about our experiences and ideas.
    [Show full text]
  • Violations of the Rights of Creative Professionals, Activists and Artists
    Violations of the rights of creative professionals, activists and artists during the post-election crackdown in Belarus between October 2020 and January 2021 Report: Violations of the rights of creative professionals, activists and artists during the post-election crackdown in Belarus between October 2020 and January 2021 Produced by: International Partnership for Human Rights (IPHR) Truth Hounds Georgia Belarusian PEN Center Legal Transformation Center (Lawtrend) With support of German Federal Foreign Office and Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency Within the framework of the Civic Solidarity Platform. Artworks by Jura Ledyan: https://www.behance.net/Ledyan / https://www.instagram.com/jura.ledyan/ Cover - Welcome to Minsk: https://www.instagram.com/p/CEd7NpanK7z/ Page 7 - Belaruskaya gotika: https://www.instagram.com/p/CEu4Mkkntvj/ Page 10 - Vystavka omon: https://www.instagram.com/p/CEE_BMWHf9z/ Page 12 - Sabachku: https://www.instagram.com/p/CEkmqV2nIFE/ Page 13 - Omon ubivayet: https://www.instagram.com/p/CExrY0InGCp/ Page 21 - Gor’ko: https://www.instagram.com/p/CEuCcj8HQMq/ Page 23 - Useagulnaya zabastouka: https://www.instagram.com/p/CGyCB-JnO0W/ Page 28 - 5 otlichiy: https://www.instagram.com/p/CGvqX8Pn_hC/ Page 31- Krik: https://www.instagram.com/p/CExBg-ZHQfe/ Page 33 - Zyvie Belarus: https://www.instagram.com/p/CD2c6SpnJqb/ Page 35 - Omon v semye: https://www.instagram.com/p/CGdZN-5HhlP/ Page 36 - Mother of a partisan: https://www.instagram.com/p/CHuRRk7ncB9/ Page 37 - Ministerstvo vnutrennikh bed: https://www.instagram.com/p/CGdZX__HkBA/ Back cover - Svadebnyy tanets: https://www.instagram.com/p/CGyGd0YHD9O/ © International Partnership for Human Rights (IPHR), 2021. Contents I. Executive summary 4 II. Methodology 6 III.
    [Show full text]
  • Sudan: Human Rights Defenders Detained, Face Death Penalty
    Sudan: Human rights defenders detained, face death penalty Authorities should release all in arbitrary detention, drop charges (7 July 2017) – Sudanese authorities have been unjustly holding Dr. Mudawi Ibrahim Adam, Hafiz Idris, and Mobarak Adam Abdalla, three human rights defenders, and have charged them with ‘crimes against the state which carry the death penalty, 26 human rights groups said today. Dr. Mudawi Ibahim Adam and Hafiz Idris have been held for approximately seven months, and Mobarak Adam Abdalla for over three months. Authorities should immediately release the men and drop the bogus charges against them, the groups said. Authorities are also holding seven other human rights activists in detention, some apparently solely because they are alleged to have had contacts with international human rights organizations. These individuals also face criminal charges in a related case. A trial date has not yet been set. Sudanese authorities should also immediately drop all criminal charges related to their legitimate human rights work and release the group. Sudanese national security officials arrested Mudawi and Hafiz on December 7 and November 24, respectively, and held both men in detention in Khartoum for over five months without charging them with any offence. Mobarak, a student at El Fashir University who participated in the 15th Creative Student Festival in Khartoum, was arrested on 25 March 2017. Credible sources report that Hafiz and Mobarak were severely beaten, and that Hafiz was given electric shocks and forced to make a confession. Dr. Mudawi has been denied essential medication. All three men are currently being held in Kober prison. The next court session for Mudawi, Hafiz and Mobarak will take place on July 20.
    [Show full text]
  • Human Rights Defending
    The East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project (EHAHRDP) seeks to strengthen the work of human rights defenders (HRDs) throughout the sub-region by reducing their vulnerability to the risk of persecution and by enhancing their capacity to effectively defend human rights. EHAHRDP is the secretariat of EHAHRD-Net, a network of over 75 human rights organizations in the eleven countries of the sub-region: Burundi, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia (together with Defending Somaliland), South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda. Human Rights A Resource Book for Human Rights Defenders 2nd Edition East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project Human Rights House, Plot 1853, Lulume Rd., Nsambya P.O Box 70356 Kampala Uganda Phone: +256-312-256-820 Fax: +256-312-256-822 Email: [email protected], [email protected] Web : http://www.defenddefenders.org Produced with the support of: facebook.com/humanrightsdefendersproject @EHAHRDP Defending human rights: A resource book for human rights defenders (2nd ed.) Published 2012 East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project Human Rights House, Plot 1853, Lulume Rd., Nsambya P.O Box 70356 Kampala Uganda Phone: +256-312-256-820 Fax: +256-312-256-822 Email: [email protected], [email protected] Web : http://www.defenddefenders.org This publication is available in English, French, Arabic, Amharic, Somali and Swahili on our website at http://www.defenddefenders.org/resource-book Attribution should be made to East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project Produced with the financial support of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
    [Show full text]
  • Manual By: Justice and Peace Human Rights Defenders and Security
    MANUAL BY: JUSTICE AND PEACE HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS AND SECURITY JANUARY 2017 January 2017 This manual is a publication of Justice and Peace Netherlands. Editor: Alexia Falisse Lay Out: Urban Emotions, Nadia Colombo No part of this manual may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise) without the prior permission of Justice and Peace The Netherlands. Justice and Peace Netherlands Riviervismarkt 5 2513 AM The Hague The Netherlands Tel.: +31 (0)70 7631499 www.justiceandpeace.nl Facebook: www.facebook.com/JusticeandPeaceNL Twitter: www.twitter.com/justice_peacenl For more than forty-five years, Justice and Peace Netherlands has actively promoted respect for human rights, human dignity, solidarity and social justice all over the world. Justice and Peace’s method is to link knowledge and expertise of our partners from a rights-based approach. Introduction ..................................................................................... 0 Purpose of this manual ................................................................... 1 Part 1: Getting started ..................................................................... 3 1.1. ANALYSE THE CONTEXT ............................................................................................. 3 1.2. IDENTIFY THE ACTORS ............................................................................................... 4 1.3. DEFINE THE TARGET GROUP, PURPOSE AND FEATURES
    [Show full text]
  • Human Rights Defenders and Lawyers in China: a Mid-Term Assessment of Implementation During the UPR Second Cycle
    Human rights defenders and lawyers in China: A mid-term assessment of implementation during the UPR second cycle May 2016 Cover image: This image was created by Badiucao, a Chinese activist working outside the country. It represents the range of human rights violations addressed by UPR recommendations to China, including surveillance, harassment,torture, death in custody and violent suppression of dissent. For further information on our work or on issues covered in this report, please visit our website at: www.ishr.ch or contact us at: GENEVA OFFICE - Sarah M. Brooks, [email protected] Rue de Varembé 1, 5th Floor P.O Box 16 CH-1211 Genève 20 CIC Switzerland DISCLAIMER While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information contained in this publication, ISHR does not guarantee, and accepts no legal liability whatsoever arising from any possible mistakes in the information reported on or any use of this publication. Please notify us of any errors or corrections: [email protected] COPYRIGHT © 2016 INTERNATIONAL SERVICE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS 1 Human rights defenders and lawyers in China: A mid-term assessment of implementation during the UPR second cycle ‘The second and subsequent cycles of the review should focus on, inter alia, the implementation of the accepted recommendations and the development of the human rights situation in the State under review.’ A/HRC/RES/16/21, 12 April 2011 ‘China will earnestly fulfil its obligations set out in the international human rights conventions to which it has acceded, submit reports on implementation in a timely manner, and receive considerations by relevant treaty bodies, including the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
    [Show full text]
  • Draft Report Round-Table with Human Rights Defenders Helsinki 13
    Strasbourg, 29 March 2019 CommDH(2019)10 Original version HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS IN THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE AREA: Current Challenges and Possible Solutions Round-Table with human rights defenders organised by the Office of the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Helsinki, 13-14 December 2018 REPORT CommDH(2019)10 Table of contents Introduction .................................................................................................................................................... 3 1 Safety and Liberty of Human Rights Defenders ....................................................................................... 4 1.1 Reprisals against human rights defenders: current trends and new challenges .............................. 4 1.2 Challenges faced by specific groups of human rights defenders ..................................................... 6 2 Restrictions upon Civil Society Organisations .......................................................................................... 7 2.1 Regulatory environment.................................................................................................................... 7 2.2 Hindrances to civil society’s participation in public affairs ................................................................ 8 3 Standards and Mechanisms for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders .......................................... 9 3.1 European standards favouring the work of civil society organisations ............................................. 9 3.2 Protection mechanisms
    [Show full text]
  • 31 October 2017 Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
    31 October 2017 Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights United Nations Office at Geneva 8-14, avenue de la Paix 1211 Geneva 10 Re: Input to the report of High Commissioner on civil society space in multilateral institutions We write to bring our input to the upcoming report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on civil society space in multilateral institutions. In particular, we wish to express our concerns over the process of application for special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council and provide as an example the case of the Alkarama Foundation. Who is Alkarama? The Alkarama Foundation was established in 2004 to act as a bridge between victims of the most serious human rights violations in the Middle East and North Africa region and the UN human rights mechanisms. Since its creation, we have submitted thousands of cases of victims of human rights violations from all Arab countries to the UN mechanisms and have worked in close collaboration with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, which considers us to be a reliable and credible source. We have also been very active in our engagement with the Treaty Bodies, to which we have submitted 52 reports, as well as with the Human Rights Council, to which we have submitted 40 reports in the framework of the Universal Periodic Review. As a result, since 2004, we have established ourselves as a trusted channel for all victims of human rights violations as well as for civil society in the region to refer their cases to the UN human rights mechanisms.
    [Show full text]