ISHR Publications

GA Third Committee Programme of Work Aug 2010

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 19:25:37 +0200

Programme of work, HRC 15

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 06:53:09 +0200

Human Rights Monitor Quarterly, ed 2

Wed, 11 Aug 2010 15:50:18 +0200

HRC Pesident's paper on the review, July 2010

Tue, 10 Aug 2010 13:40:46 +0200

Presidents paper on modalities for the review of the Council, July 2010

GA resolution to establish UN Women

Fri, 02 Jul 2010 17:47:40 +0200

2010 NGO Forum (I) Inside Perspectives EN

Tue, 15 Jun 2010 07:58:51 +0200

Banjul, May 8-10th, 2010. The Forum on the Participation of NGOs to the Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (NGO Forum or Forum) has provided for more than ten years a bedrock for the African scene of human rights. With the objective to offer a platform for debate to NGOs coming from all over Africa, the Forum creates a bridge between NGOs and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Commission or ACHPR). The former presents recommendations to improve the situation of human rights on the basis of known facts in their country; the latter holds a mandate of protection and promotion of human rights that are recognised in the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. A mutual strengthening of their work is dependant on their meeting. The present document proposes an overview of the Forum that was held in May 2010 in Banjul before the 47th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (May 12-26th, 2010). The objective is to present the organization, thematics and outcomes of the Forum through the impressions of some of the participants.

ISHR 2009 Annual Report

Mon, 14 Jun 2010 14:08:05 +0200

CADHP 46ème Rapport Analytique

Thu, 10 Jun 2010 07:47:56 +0200

Les sessions ordinaires de la Commission Africaine des Droits de l’Homme et des Peuples (CADHP ou la
Commission) ont lieu deux fois par an, en mai et en novembre. Avant chaque session, un Forum de participation des
ONG (Forum des ONG) d’une durée de trois jours est organisé par le Centre Africain pour la Démocratie et les
Etudes des Droits de l’Homme (ACDHRS) et est financé par le Haut-Commissariat aux droits de l’Homme (HCDH).
Des ONG venant de toute l’Afrique y assistent. Le Service International pour les Droits de l’Homme (SIDH) assiste et
participe activement au Forum, ainsi qu’aux sessions de la CADHP en tant qu’observateur accrédité depuis 2000.

Joint NGO statement on killing of Floribert Chebeya under Item 4

Wed, 09 Jun 2010 15:27:49 +0200

Joint NGO statement on reprisals against human rights defenders under Item 2

Wed, 09 Jun 2010 15:25:34 +0200

Communiqué Final de la 47ème Session de la CADHP

Thu, 03 Jun 2010 09:40:50 +0200

Quatre vingt douze (92) délégués représentant trente (30) Etats
parties, neuf (9) Institutions nationales des droits de l’homme, cinq (5)
organisations internationales et intergouvernementales et quarante et
une (41) ONG africaines et internationales étaient représentés à la
47ème Session ordinaire de la Commission africaine. Au total, cinq cent
vingt trois (523) délégués ont participé à la 47ème Session ordinaire

ISHR Interactive Dialogue on the Rights of Women in Africa (Item7)

Thu, 03 Jun 2010 09:11:35 +0200

Madam Special Rapporteur, the remarkable and commendable commitment of women in the promotion and protection of human rights needs to be encouraged and protected. This requires taking into account the specific risks incurred by them. Constituting a major breakthrough since the 1998 Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, the Resolution 13/13 adopted by the United Nations Human Rights Council in March 2010 asks Member States to take into account the particular risks faced by them, including acts of violence they face in carrying out their activities.

ISHR Statement Interactive Dialogue on Human Rights Defenders in Africa (Item7)

Thu, 03 Jun 2010 09:10:09 +0200

The right of every individual to form associations with others in order to promote and protect fundamental rights and freedoms recognized and guaranteed by international and regional human rights is being undermined in some States Parties through the adoption of laws restricting freedom of association, freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and movement, the right to receive money in order to promote and protect human rights, the right to access information etc. It is worth remembering that the guarantees of these rights allows human rights defenders to fulfill their mission of promotion and protection of human rights and provides them with the necessary information for assessing the periodic reports of States Parties.

ISHR Statement Interactive Dialogue on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (Item7)

Thu, 03 Jun 2010 09:08:22 +0200

As you know, Mr. Special Rapporteur, human rights defenders working in economic social and cultural rights have the difficult task of promoting rights the justiciability of which remains problematic. For this reason in particular, the recognition by States of their activities as activities of human rights promotion and protection, as well as their own claim to act for the protection and promotion of human rights, remains a challenge. This challenge that is specific to defenders working in economic, social and cultural rights was recognized as such by the United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders in its 2007 report. To meet this challenge, the Special Rapporteur has specifically called upon States to recognize the legitimacy of the promotional activities of these rights. The Special Rapporteur also stressed the need for States to protect human rights defenders in carrying out their activities, taking into account the specific challenges they face.

ISHR Statement on Human Rights Defenders (Item 4)

Thu, 03 Jun 2010 09:06:56 +0200

The ISHR would also like to draw the attention of the African Commission to the concerns expressed by the non governmental organizations (NGOs) who participated in the NGO Forum prior to this session of the ACHPR, regarding the serious situation of certain groups of human rights defenders. In that respect, we would like to draw the attention of the ACHPR to the particular vulnerabilities and risks faced by women human rights defenders, human rights defenders working on the rights of lesbian, gay, transgender and inter-sex persons; defenders working on economic, social and cultural rights and human rights defenders who are at higher risk of attack during election periods in Africa.

ISHR Statement on human rights defenders (Item 4)

Thu, 03 Jun 2010 08:49:13 +0200

HRM 2009 - Treaty Bodies

Tue, 04 May 2010 11:33:51 +0200

2009 was an eventful year for the treaty bodies. There was expansion in the ranks with the first meeting of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in February 2009, and an extension of the international legal framework through the opening for signature of the optional protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in September 2009.

HRM 2009 - Security Council

Tue, 04 May 2010 11:32:28 +0200

In 2009 the Security Council made notable progress at the thematic level on the protection of civilians. It passed a resolution addressing a wide range of issues, including ensuring compliance by all parties to armed conflict with international human rights standards, and improving the implementation of the protection mandates of its peacekeeping missions.

HRM 2009 - Human Rights Council

Tue, 04 May 2010 11:31:15 +0200

In 2009, the Human Rights Council (the Council) held seven sessions including three regular sessions and four special sessions.

HRM 2009 - General Assembly

Tue, 04 May 2010 11:29:22 +0200

In comparison to recent years, the main session of the General Assembly in 2009, its 64th session, was relatively dull in terms of its human rights outcomes.

Human Rights Monitor 2009

Tue, 04 May 2010 11:27:13 +0200

HRM 2009 - Editorial

Tue, 04 May 2010 11:24:38 +0200

We hope that you will enjoy the 2009 edition of the Human Rights Monitor. As in previous
years, the Monitor provides an analysis of key developments and trends in the United Nations’ human rights bodies and discussion fora. The Human Rights Monitor has been ISHR’s flagship publication for over twenty years now and will remain an important reference and tool for human rights defenders, academics, students and UN colleagues. A new feature in this year’s edition is the presence of a glossary and list of definitions for abbreviations to help navigate through UN language and acronyms.

Human Rights Monitor Quarterly - April 2010 1/3 (Black&White Version)

Tue, 04 May 2010 10:26:18 +0200

A NEW ISHR PUBLICATION

Information for human rights defenders on key developments and opportunities in the UN and regional human rights systems

The International Service for Human Rights (ISHR) is pleased to launch its new publication, the Human Rights Monitor Quarterly. We are introducing this new publication to present a composite picture of key developments in the international and regional human rights systems to human rights defenders.

HRMQ 1/3 - Upcoming Opportunities

Tue, 04 May 2010 10:23:51 +0200

Opportunities for NGO Engagement

HRMQ 1/3 - CRPD

Tue, 04 May 2010 10:22:54 +0200

The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) entered into force on 3 May 2008 and has up to now been ratified by 82 States and signed by another 62 States. An Optional Protocol, allowing for individual communications and inquiry procedures, has also entered into force, which so far has been ratified by 51 States Parties.

HRMQ 1/3 - ACHPR

Tue, 04 May 2010 10:20:16 +0200

The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) was established by the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights (the African Charter) and is the main regional body with a mandate to promote and protect human rights in Africa. The ACHPR has its headquarters in Banjul, the Gambia and convenes its ordinary sessions twice per year, usually in May and November. The venue of each session rotates among the State parties to the African Charter.

HRMQ 1/3 - UPR

Tue, 04 May 2010 10:15:13 +0200

The 7th session of the universal periodic review (UPR) Working Group took place from 8 to 19 February. The Working Group reviewed the human rights situation in the following countries: Angola, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Egypt, El Salvador, Fiji, Gambia, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Kazakhstan, Madagascar, Nicaragua, San Marino, Slovenia, and Qatar.

HRMQ 1/3 - Security Council

Tue, 04 May 2010 10:14:18 +0200

There have been a number of noteworthy developments in the work of the Security Council (the Council) this year, ranging from a new mandate for the UN’s assistance mission in Afghanistan that encourages Afghanis to take charge of running their country, to a more concerted effort to enforce the arms embargo in Somalia. However, serious human rights concerns have arisen on two fronts, which are elaborated below. The first concerns the Council’s failure to take action in response to Myanmar’s ‘unfair’ electoral process. The second stems from increasing pressure on the Council from some African States to prematurely withdraw UN peacekeepers. Both developments raise concerns about the ability and willingness of the Council to ensure the protection of civilians where there are threats to international peace and security.

HRMQ 1/3 - Human Rights Council

Tue, 04 May 2010 10:13:13 +0200

The Human Rights Council held its 13th session from 1 to 26 March. The main session in 2010 saw positive developments with greater State engagement in important discussions and several significant outcomes. Consensus was reached on issues that had previously divided States (torture and the Ad-Hoc Committee on Complementary Standards). Some country resolutions were adopted by greater majority (DPRK and follow-up to ‘Goldstone report’) and one new one was passed by consensus (Guinea). These outcomes reflect changes in State positions that have long been advocated by those seeking to strengthen the Council’s work. States must build on these achievements and avoid the Council falling back into the inertia of block positions.

HRMQ 1/3 - Human Rights Committee

Tue, 04 May 2010 09:43:20 +0200

The Human Rights Committee (the Committee) held its 98th session in New York from 8 to 26 March 2010 and reviewed reports from Argentina, Mexico, New Zealand and Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan stood out as one of the most argumentative delegations in the memory of some seasoned Committee members. Its insistence that the massacre of hundreds of protestors by Uzbek security forces in 2005 at Andijan was a ‘closed chapter’, was a prime case in point. This may have contributed to the Committee’s high praise for New Zealand, whose review immediately followed Uzbekistan’s, but it too was not spared from probing questions. Tension accompanied Mexico’s review, largely as a result of the serious human rights violations that have occurred against the backdrop of rampant organised crime and drug trafficking. This, coupled with Mexico’s tendency to focus on policies and programmes, rather than directly answering questions, resulted in its review running well over time. Argentina enjoyed a more constructive exchange, but generally failed to respond to requests for new information or disaggregated statistics.

HRMQ 1/3 - CRC

Tue, 04 May 2010 09:42:21 +0200

From 11 to 29 January 2010, the Committee on the Rights of the Child (the Committee) held its 53rd session and met in two parallel chambers to examine 16 reports from 11 States parties. Under the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) the Committee examined the reports of Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Mongolia, Norway, Paraguay, and Tajikistan.

HRMQ 1/3 - CERD

Tue, 04 May 2010 09:41:03 +0200

The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (the Committee) held its 76th session in Geneva from 15 February to 12 March 2010, the first time its session was extended to four weeks. Likewise the Committee for the first time expanded consideration of reports to eleven State parties to the International Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination (the Convention): Argentina, Cambodia, Cameroon, Guatemala, Iceland, Japan, Kazakhstan, Monaco, Netherlands, Panama, and Slovakia. The session also marked the election of a new Chair of the Committee, Mr Anwar Kemal, along with new vice-chairs and a new Committee rapporteur. New Committee members Ms Anastacia Crickley (Ireland),
Mr Gun Kut (Turkey), and Mr Waliakoye Saidou (Niger) were also welcomed.

HRMQ 1/3 - CEDAW

Tue, 04 May 2010 09:35:51 +0200

The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (the Committee) held its 45th session in Geneva from 18 January to 5 February 2010. During the session, the Committee considered reports from eight State parties to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (the Convention): Botswana, Egypt, Malawi, Netherlands, Panama, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Uzbekistan. Generally, the session was fruitful and saw interactive discussion on the most pertinent issues. Key common themes to emerge from the diverse examinations included the legal status and domestic implementation of the Convention; stereotypes and traditional values; violence against women and trafficking; and health, with a focus on sexual and reproductive health. Other notable developments included an informal meeting with non-governmental organisations to discuss their interactions with the Committee and the Committee’s issuing of a statement on the situation in Haiti.

HRMQ 1/3 - Advisory Committee

Tue, 04 May 2010 09:31:22 +0200

The Human Rights Council Advisory Committee (the Advisory Committee) held its 4th session from 25 to 29 January 2010. It adopted six recommendations for the consideration of the Human Rights Council (the Council) at its March 2010 session on: human rights education and training, right to food, elimination of discrimination against persons affected by leprosy and their family members, human rights of the older person, missing persons, and protection of the human rights of civilians in armed conflict.

Human Rights Monitor Quarterly - April 2010 1/3

Tue, 04 May 2010 09:01:17 +0200

A new ISHR publication

Information for human rights defenders on key developments and opportunities in the UN and regional human rights systems

Call for applications

Fri, 23 Apr 2010 16:01:15 +0200

Application form

Fri, 23 Apr 2010 15:59:32 +0200

Résumé analytique de la 46e session de la Commission africaine des droits de l'Homme et des ...

Fri, 09 Apr 2010 15:14:18 +0200

La 46e session de la CADHP s'est déroulée à Banjul en Gambie du 11 au 25 novembre 2009. En dépit des déclarations alléguées au Président Yahya Jammeh contre les défenseurs des droits de l'Homme, la session n'a pas été délocalisée dans un pays autre. Un certain nombre d'ONG avaient en effet menacé de boycotter le Forum des ONG pour ce motif: l'objectif était d'attirer l'attention sur la situation des défenseurs des droits de l'Homme en Gambie et d'obtenir, en vertu de la résolution adoptée par la CADHP à sa 7e session extraordinaire à Dakar, au Sénégal (5-11 octobre 2009), que le Président revienne sur ses déclarations. En dépit de ces évènements, la session a été maintenue à Banjul et s'est déroulée avec la participation d'un nombre d'ONGs certes plus limité mais toujours conséquent. Tout au long du Forum, les ONG ont largement discuté de la controverse suscitée par les propos du Président, ainsi que de la proposition qui avait été faite de déplacer le Secrétariat de la CADHP hors de Gambie.

Analytical overview of the 46th session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights

Fri, 09 Apr 2010 15:10:08 +0200

The 46th session of the ACHPR, held in Banjul, the Gambia (11-25 November 2009), was convened amid much speculation that the session might be moved to another African country given the alleged statements made by President Yahya Jammeh against human rights defenders in the Gambia. Amidst rumours of a boycott of the NGO Forum by a number of NGOs in order to draw attention to the situation of human rights defenders in the Gambia and the resolution passed by the ACHPR at its 7th extra-ordinary session in Dakar, Senegal (5-11 October 2009) calling for President Jammeh to withdraw his statements, the session was eventually convened in Banjul, and attended by a smaller but still significant number of NGOs. The controversy with the President was widely discussed among NGOs throughout the Forum, including suggestions of moving the secretariat of the ACHPR out of the Gambia.

Joint NGO statement on the end of the 13th session of the Human Rights Council

Tue, 30 Mar 2010 13:25:57 +0200

Click here to watch the statement

Halfway to where? The UPR in 2009

Tue, 30 Mar 2010 08:10:06 +0200

The second year of the universal periodic review (UPR) mechanism of the Human Rights Council (the Council) saw a broad consolidation of practices from 2008, to the point that the UPR process is now reasonably well-defined. There was an emergence of good practice in 2009, including an increase in specific and realistic recommendations, increased cross-referencing of treaty body recommendations and calls for ratifications of international instruments, as well as submissions of overdue reports, a number of innovative approaches by States under review (SuRs) to reporting back to the Council on pending recommendations, and the use, although limited, of the Council's general debate on the UPR to report back to the Council on steps taken to implement UPR recommendations.

Developments in International Human Rights Standards

Tue, 30 Mar 2010 08:07:59 +0200

2009 saw the continuation of efforts to elaborate complementary standards to the International Convention on the Elimination of All formsof Racial Discrimination. The process has largely stagnated and remains extremely polarised with seemingly little prospect for progress.

2011 review of the Human Rights Council PGA appoints Co-Facilitators

Mon, 22 Mar 2010 18:26:28 +0200

ISHR statement during the general debate on the UPR

Mon, 22 Mar 2010 09:59:03 +0200

OHCHR follow‐up unit; current reporting on national consultation processes during reviews could improve, as well as the reflection of views of national civil society in national reports; national consultations after the review, with a focus on plans for implementation; encourage Permanent Missions to advise speakers not to repeat questions already answered by the State under review; increasing rejection of recommendations based on international treaty obligations.

ISHR statement on the draft declaration on human rights education and training

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 11:59:51 +0200

Statement on the draft declaration on Human Rights Education and Training

Human Rights Council 13th session, 16 March 2010

ISHR panel discussion at Human Rights Council on the protection of human rights defenders

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:11:14 +0200

The International Service for Human Rights cordially invites you to a panel discussion on security and protection of human rights defenders with the Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders, Ms Margaret Sekaggya.

The event will take place on Thursday 11 March from 1-3 p.m. in Room 22 at the Palais des Nations (Geneva), in parallel to the Human Rights Council's 13th session.

The event will be an opportunity for continued debate with the Special Rapporteur on the topic of her annual report to the Council, which she will present on the morning of 11 March 2009.

Sesión 64 de la Asamblea General

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 11:41:58 +0200

En comparación con años pasados, la sesión principal de la Asamblea General en 2009 estuvo relativamente carente de novedades en lo que a derechos humanos se refiere. En ausencia de nuevas iniciativas, y ahora que la resolución sobre pena de muerte se adopta cada varios años, el foco de las discusiones estuvo en cómo los países occidentales, junto con varios países latinoamericanos amigos1, intentaron por todos los medios mantener sus posiciones frente a los movimientos del Grupo de Países Africanos, la Conferencia Islámica, el Movimiento de Países no Alienados o el Grupo Árabe para debilitar protecciones y estándares relativos a los derechos que han sido suficientemente establecidos en resoluciones en el pasado. El momento más tenso en este sentido se registró durante la presentación del informe del Relator Especial en contraterrorismo. Debido a la consideración recogida en el informe acerca del impacto de medidas contra el terrorismo en los derechos humanos de personas lesbianas, gays, bisexuales y transexuales, muchas delegaciones anticiparon un diálogo controvertido y las complicaciones que esto crearía en cuanto a la aprobación de la resolución. Sin embargo, muy pocas previeron hasta qué punto el desacuerdo respecto al informe influiría en el resto del trabajo del Tercer Comité, ni tampoco su futuro potencial para impactar negativamente en el entusiasmo de los estados para expandir la perspectiva de género en todo el sistema de las Naciones Unidas.

Overview of the 64th session of the General Assembly

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 11:40:27 +0200

In comparison to recent years, the main session of the General Assembly in 2009, its 64th session, was relatively dull in terms of its human rights outcomes. In the absence of any new initiatives, and with the 'death penalty resolution' now occurring every other year, it was more a case of Western States, together with a handful of Latin American States,1 endeavouring to hold the line against moves by the African Group, the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC), the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) or the Arab Group to weaken hard-won human rights protections and standards in resolutions. The one wild card during the session proved to be the report of the Special Rapporteur on counter-terrorism. Given the report's consideration (inter alia) of the impacts of counter-terrorism measures on the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons (LGBTI), many delegations anticipated the heated interactive dialogue and the complications it would create for the associated resolution. However, few foresaw the extent to which it would percolate through the work of the Third Committee, nor its future potential to negatively impact on States' enthusiasm for 'gender mainstreaming' across the UN system.

Advisory Committee: testing its independence

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 11:14:36 +0200

The Human Rights Council Advisory Committee (the Advisory Committee) held its 2nd (26 to 30 January) and 3rd (3 to 7 August) session of five days each in 2009, and its 4th in early 2010 (25 to 29 January).

In its Resolution 5/1, the Human Rights Council (the Council) established the Advisory Committee as the successor body of the former Sub-Commission on the promotion and protection of human rights (the Sub-Commission). It is an 18-member expert body that serves as the Council's 'think-tank', destined to provide expertise to the Council 'in the manner and form requested by the Council, focusing mainly on studies and research-based advice.' It is generally understood that the Council intended to give less room for independent initiative to the Advisory Committee than the Sub-Commission used to have. Its mandate is limited to thematic issues and it is explicitly restricted from adopting 'resolutions' and 'decisions'.

During its second year of operation, the Advisory Committee laid the foundation for its work in the coming years. It started work on the priority areas mandated by the Council and even suggested its own thematic priorities. On a procedural level, too, the Advisory Committee has done the groundwork for the future, particularly with the adoption of its rules of procedure at the 3rd session.

Sesión 64 de la Asamblea General - ISHR report

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 20:57:49 +0200

Human Rights Monitor 2009 - General Assembly chapter - Spanish translation