civicus at the un

• Statement to the HRC on Bahrain by Nada Dhaif

  22nd  session of the Human Rights Council
  Item 6

  Delivered by Dr Nada Dhaif

  Thank you Mr. President,

  I would like to thank the 44 member states who signed the Swiss initiated statement last week on Bahrain.

  We hope to see more statements of this nature in future, with more signatures, and with more action from the counsel.

  As you all know there has been a significant increase in the reprisals against Human Rights Defenders in the context of UPR.

  Unfortunately the Bahraini authorities gave the worst example of repression of Human Rights Defenders, and therefore, I am deeply concerned for the welfare of two of my Bahraini friends who have joined me to advocate in Geneva, Mr Mohammed AlBoflasa, who was the first political detainee of the uprising in Bahrain.  He and his family were severely targeted and he is threatened with arrest and detention upon his return to Bahrain for his participation at the UNHRC.  

• Statement to the Human Rights Council on Bahrain

  21st session of the
  Human Right Council
  Item6

  UPR Bahrain
  Delivered by Nada Dhaif

  Thank you Madam President

  My name is Nada Dhaif, Chairperson of Bravo (Bahraini Rehabilitation & Anti-Violence Organization) Let me tell you about the situation in many villages and neighborhoods.  The people in the villages are not armed, their weapons are their voices.

  There are no men left.  Most of them are behind bars. Women are left with no income; they suffer from humiliation, blackmail, harassment and arrest and cannot protect their children.  A good example is a recent case of Zainab Al-Khawaja who was injured in the leg after state security forces ordered crowd controlled forces to directly shoot at her. She was alone.  She is still detained, heavily injured and without access to her family or proper medical care.  

• Strengthening the Human Rights Council at 10

  This joint civil society paper has been prepared by 20 leading international, national and regional non governmental organisations, on the occasion of the United Nations Human Rights Council’s 10th Anniversary.

  As the HRC enters its 10th anniversary year, this civil society paper details a number of short- and medium-term steps that would enhance its ability to better fulfil its role. Any healthy and functional body should be open to exploring opportunities for self-improvement on a continuing basis.

  The 10th anniversary should be not only an occasion for celebrating the achievements of the HRC, but primarily to critically reflect on its shortcomings, and to enhance its impact and effectiveness. It is imperative that civil society is able to participate and contribute fully and substantively to both formal and informal discussions in this regard.

• Swaziland Submission to the UN Universal Periodic Review 12th Session of the UPR Working Group

  Click here to download

• The deteriorating situation of human rights in the Syrian Arab Republic, and the recent killings in Al-Qusayr

  On 29 May 2013, the UN Human Rights Council squeezed in an urgent debate on Syria into its already crowded schedule. CIVICUS representative Renate Bloem delivered the following statement. 

  CIVICUS supports this urgent debate, although it comes too late for the some 100, 000 people who have lost their lives, including those in Al-Qusayr. The un- civil war in Syria and the enormous human suffering is a direct consequence of the failure of the international community to arrive at diplomatic consensus on how to deal with the crisis in its early days when peaceful pro-democracy protestors and civilians were bombarded with heavy weapons by the regime in gross violation of international human rights and humanitarian law.

• The UN Charter: Past, Present and Future

  On 26 June 1945, at the conclusion of the United Nations Conference on International Organization, the Charter of the United Nations was signed in San Francisco. It came into force on October 24 of that year. As the foundational document of the post-World War international legal order, the Charter sets out the high purposes of the United Nations:  the maintenance of international peace and security, promoting social progress and better standards of life for all, strengthening international law, and promoting human rights.

• TOGETHER WE STAND: Coordinating efforts for a global movement on the Post-2015 Sustainable Development Agenda

  Over 50 people from 6 continents and representing more than 30 key platforms and organisations engaged in civil society-led campaigns relating to sustainable development gathered in Istanbul, Turkey on 23-24 February 2014. The meeting was convened by CIVICUS in collaboration with the United Nations, the Overseas Development Institute and the United Nations Foundation. This communiqué summarises the discussions held in Istanbul.

  TOGETHER WE STAND: Coordinating efforts for a global movement on the Post-2015 Sustainable Development Agenda

   

• Uganda: Submission to the UN Universal Periodic Review at the 12th Session of the UPR Working Group

  Uganda: Submission to the UN Universal Periodic Review at the 12th Session of the UPR Working Group -  click to download (PDF)

• UN General Assembly vote today: CIVICUS calls on South Africa to reject attempts at the UN to block the appointment of the first-ever independent LGBTI expert

  Global civil society alliance, CIVICUS urges the South African government to reject attempts at the UN to block the appointment of the first-ever independent expert on sexual orientation and gender identity. A vote is due today at the UN General Assembly in New York to overturn the appointment of the expert which was mandated by the Geneva based UN Human Rights Council in June this year following a resolution.  

  The current situation has arisen out of a move by the 54 members of the Africa Group to suspend the September 2016 appointment of Thai international lawyer, Professor Vitit Muntarbhorn as the first UN Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The Independent Expert, who began his work on 1 November, is responsible for monitoring and reporting on implementation of international human rights standards to overcome violence and discrimination against LGBTI persons.

  “The creation of the mandate of the Independent Expert reflects the sustained and concerted efforts of a broad coalition of civil society stakeholders, UN bodies and states against violence and discrimination against the LGBTI community,” said Mandeep Tiwana Head of Policy and Research for CIVICUS, the global civil society alliance. “We hope South Africa will stand firm on its constitutional commitment against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.”

  In a global climate of continued prejudice and hostility against the LGBTI community, a vote to suspend the work of the Independent Expert would undermine the development of crucial international mechanisms to ensure that LGBTI individuals and groups subject to discrimination, harassment and attacks at home access have access to necessary protections and scrutiny. According to global civil society group the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA), over 70 countries maintain laws that criminalise same sex relations.

  CIVICUS urges South Africa to take a principled position in line with its constitutional values by (i) voting against the resolution to defer the appointment of an Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, and (ii) by engaging the states opposed to the expert’s mandate on the need to uphold not undermine the international human rights framework.  

  Note to editors

  In June 2016, the UN Human Rights Council, the world’s premier human rights body adopted Resolution 32/2 establishing the mandate of the Independent Expert. The resolution, presented by the governments of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico and Uruguay, was approved by the 47 member UN Human Rights Council. The resolution expands and elaborates on two prior resolutions including in 2011, led by South Africa, and in 2014 led by Brazil, Chile, Colombia and Uruguay to counter and violence and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

   

   

   

• UN Human Rights Council: CIVICUS and partner presentations

  8 March 2012

  Presentations by CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation and one of its partners from the Philippines, Karaptan, are available to view here.

  CIVICUS has called for a human rights perspective and space for civil society to be integrated into the fight against poverty, and the need for freedom of expression on the internet. Karapatan has called attention to multiple instances of arbitrary arrests and detentions in the Philippines.

  The 19th Session of the UN Human Rights Council is taking place from 27 February to 23 March 2012 in Geneva, Switzerland.

• UN Human Rights Council: further CIVICUS and partner presentations

  Three more contributions to the UN Human Rights Council by CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation and one of its partners from the Philippines, Karaptan, are available to view here.

  CIVICUS repeats its call for an enabling environment for civil society, and for the protection of human rights defenders, while Karapatan draws attention to human rights violations in the Philippines.

  The 19th Session of the UN Human Rights Council is taking place from 27 February to 23 March 2012 in Geneva, Switzerland.

• UN side event: Civil Society Space: Emerging threats and actions to restore freedoms

  Civil society relies on physical and digital spaces to perform their functions. In doing so they are protected by the freedoms of peaceful assembly, association, opinion and expression. However, these freedoms are under attack through a worsening policy and legal environment that seemingly seeks to restrict civil society. Over the past year, we have witnessed a proliferation of laws that aim to: criminalise and deter peaceful protests; limit political participation and advocacy; undermine digital security and erode internet freedoms; undermine association, assembly and expression of LGBTI and other minorities; and introduce impunity for attacks on civil society actors.

  This side event, paneled by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, Maina Kiai, and civil society activists from El Salvador, Libya, Malaysia and Ukraine, will seek to identify what the emerging threats are to civil society operations, and reflect on key steps that States and the UN must take to protect the spaces in which civil society operate.

• UNHCR 26 Side Event - Bahrain: Empty Promises, Crowded Prisions

  

• Universal Periodic Review (UPR) and CIVICUS

  Today the 12th session of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) comes to an end and with it the first cycle. 193 States have brought their country reports and have stood on the podium for their human rights record to be reviewed and discussed. The UPR process has also provided a new enabling environment for CS to be heard and recognized as an important stakeholder. It is quite an achievement and needs some assessment.

  But before doing so, allow me some comments on this last session. CIVICUS was involved as never before. We helped, supported and registered CS delegations from Venezuela, Moldova and Uganda. For the Ugandan delegation we supported also financially the representative from the Ugandan NGO Forum. We organized a side event to highlight in particular issues related to Freedom of Assembly, Expression and Association and were able to bring the fractured parts of the Ugandans together to form one strong CS voice. (See presentations and photos attached thanks to Gabrielle, my Intern) We also organized informal meetings with Governments from Norway, the EU, Poland and Switzerland and Representatives from the OHCHR.

• Universal Periodic Review General Debate

  23rd session of the
  Human Rights CouncilItem 6

  Universal Periodic Review
  General Debate
  

  Delivered by Olivia Tchamba

  I thank you Mr President,

  Founded on a consensus-based decision-making process, the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) provides a legitimate platform to request the responses to human rights issues by the state under review. Though the UPR first cycle resulted in some tangible benefits, the whole mechanism was tainted by numerous flaws. One pressing flaw being the unprecedented decision of Israel to suspend cooperation with the mechanism. IsraelS non-cooperation sets a breach for the universality of this crucial human rights protection mechanism. In this light, CIVICUS vividly encourages Israel to participate in its 2nd Cycle UPR review as schedule for the 29 of October 2013.

  As the UPR has the potential to become an important part of anchoring universal human rights norms in practice, it is essential to identify recommendations which could help to further strengthen this mechanism. In view of this, the role of stakeholders from civil society should not be weakened in the process. More accurate NGO involvement will have a very significant impact during the pre-review national process and post-review outcome document adoption stages. Additionally, more emphasis should be placed on action-orientated and measurable recommendations to avoid undermining the utility and impact of these recommendations. The follow-up procedure should also be strengthened through accelerating the institutionalisation of a mid-term reporting requirement.
  
  The UPR is one key element of the international human rights protection system. It triggers self-evaluations by states and reminds them of their responsibility to fully respect and implement all human rights and fundamental freedoms. The human rights community should thus work towards its becoming more deeply and permanently rooted.

  
  I thank you

• Universal Periodic Review Submissions on Bangladesh and Russia

  CIVICUS’ submission to the UPR working group outlines concerns related to the environment in which civil society organisation and human rights defenders operate in Bangladesh, and discusses threats they face in the exercise of freedoms of expression, association and assembly. CIVICUS is concerned by the persistent harassment, intimidation and attack against human rights defenders, trade union activists and independent journalists in Bangladesh. Impunity by security forces and the repression of civil society ramain pressing issues for redressal by the government.

  CIVICUS also made a joint submission with Citizens’ Watch and GOLOS Association in which they outline urgent concerns related to the stifling of freedom of association, assembly and expression through the adoption of several draconian laws by the Russian Parliament which seriously restricts the activities of civil society groups and makes them vulnerable to persecution by the State authorities.

• Unwarranted limitations on civic space in Cambodia, Egypt and Syria - Statement at Human Rights Council

  CIVICUS remains deeply concerned by the ongoing conflict in Syria and the continued suffering of its people. Yet last week’s cessation of hostilities and the attendant reduction in violence and airstrikes has again engendered hope that humanitarian access will be granted to besieged areas. This cessation of hostilities agreement - the second since February -  is also a rare opportunity to move towards a negotiated political solution to Syria’s devastating conflict. We call on all sides to ensure with utmost political will that this opportunity is not wasted. There is also a pressing need for the voices of Syria citizens and civil society to be heard and fully included in any transitional justice and peace process.

• World Press Freedom Day United Nations Geneva

  World Press Freedom Day
  United Nations Geneva
  3 May 2011

  "Twenty years on from the Windhoek Declaration:
  Freedom of the press in a changed world"

  Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers. (Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights)

  Under this title the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the UN Information Service and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization had invited to a joint seminar to discuss the current state of art of this inalienable right. They also wanted to look where we are now 20 years after the Windhoek Declaration - UNESCO 1991, when African journalists had laid down free press principles, which were adopted by the UN General Assembly and two years later declared into the World Press Freedom Day.

• Youth and human rights - Joint Statement at the Human Rights Council

  33nd session of the Human Rights Council

  CIVICUS has the honour of delivering this statement on behalf of CIVICUS Youth Action Team and three members organisations of the alliance: Amnesty International, Zimbabwe National Association of Youth Organisations and Young Diplomats of Canada. We thank the Council for organising this important discussion and the panellists for their insightful interventions. 

  Mr President, in 2016 CIVICUS reported that the enjoyment of at least one of the three core civic freedoms ― freedom of association, assembly and expression ― was threatened in one hundred and nine countries. Youth-led civil society groups and human rights defenders, routinely at the forefront of rights-based movements, remain particularly susceptible to these unlawful restrictions and draconian persecutions.