civicus at the un

• CSOs Plan Input to Post-Rio and Post-2015 Sustainable Development Processes

  At the meeting, titled "Post-Rio to Post-2015: Planning International Stakeholder Engagement," representatives of the Major Groups, including CIVICUS, and global stakeholders discussed the inclusiveness of Member States' negotiations to determine the post-2015 development agenda and create the new High Level Political Forum to replace the UN Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD). Eessing concern that they have hit a "glass wall" now that these negotiations are taking place within the UN General Assembly (UNGA), stakeholders discussed their search for entry points to make their views and experiences heard.

  Source and Read more: Sustainable Development Policy and Practice

• Enhancing the Effectiveness of the UN Universal Periodic Review: A Civil Society Perspective

  In a new report released today, “Enhancing the effectiveness of the UN Universal Periodic Review: A civil society perspective,” CIVICUS examines the experiences of civil society groups from across the world in engaging with the Universal Periodic Review (UPR). The report, based on interviews with civil society leaders operating in diverse regions of the globe, provides a number of substantive recommendations to strengthen the UPR process to support the creation of a safe and enabling environment for civil society to promote and protect human rights.

• Equal participation in political and public affairs - CIVICUS Statement at Human Rights Council

  33nd session of the Human Rights Council

  CIVICUS welcomes this opportunity to address the High Commissioner and the Council on the evolving discussion to develop a more robust guiding framework to protect and promote the right to participate in political and public affairs. We applaud the High Commissioner and Council for facilitating an inclusive process, including the recent expert working group meeting, to enable wide engagement among a diverse range of stakeholders.

• Eritrea: Under International Scrutiny, Allow Independent Human Rights Monitoring

  4th February 2014 

  The  Government  of  Eritrea  should  accept  recommendations  to  cooperate fully with the United Nations human rights system, said Human  Rights  ConcernFEritrea,  the East  and  Horn of  Africa 

  Human Rights Defenders Project and CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation, following its examination at the Universal Periodic Review yesterday. 

  Under the Universal Periodic Review mechanism, the human rights record of each UN member state is reviewed every four and a half years. Given the situation of widespread and systematic human rights violations in Eritrea, the UPR process is an important opportunity for scrutiny and dialogue.

  During the three and a half hour working group session in Geneva, the delegation of Eritrea, headed by Ambassador Tesfamichael Gerahtu, stated its commitment to human rights and to engagement, dialogue and cooperation, and  was commended for its participation in the review. However, Eritrea simultaneously continues to refuse  to  cooperate  or allow access to the country to  the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Eritrea.

  Eritrea: Under International Scrutiny, Allow Independent Human Rights Monitoring 

• Ethiopia after UPR: What is next for Freedom of Expression?
  In the lead up to Ethiopia’s second examination under the UN Universal Periodic Review (UPR) on 6 May 2014, PEN International, ARTICLE 19, Freedom Now and CIVICUS are hosting a panel discussion, at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland to examine the latest human rights developments in the country. The side event, “Ethiopia: What next for freedom of expression?” will scrutinize the government’s recent escalation in targeting journalists, human rights defenders and civil society groups.
• Ethiopia: EU must raise treatment of Human Rights Defenders with Prime Minister

  

  Dear President, High Representative, Dear Commissioners,

  The Prime Minister of  Ethiopia will be visiting Brussels for the 2016 European Development Days. We urge you to express serious concerns about the Ethiopian Government’s violent repression of the Oromo protests, and its escalating crackdown on human rights defenders, independent media, peaceful protesters, and members of the political opposition under the 2009 Ethiopian Anti-Terrorism Proclamation (ATP). Since December 2015, Ethiopian security forces have routinely used excessive, unnecessary and lethal force to disperse and suppress peaceful protests in the Oromia region. The protesters, who have been advocating against the dispossession of land without adequate compensation under the government’s Integrated Development Master Plan, have been subjected to widespread rights violations. According to international and national human rights groups, at least 200 demonstrators, including children and university students, have been killed during the protests. It is also widely reported that hundreds of people have suffered bullet wounds and beatings by the police and military.

• EU Statement: Follow-up to the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action

  This June, we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the World Conference on Human Rights and the adoption of the Vienna Declaration and Program of Action (VDPA). After twenty years, it remains as relevant as ever in guiding or efforts in responding to global human rights challenges. The European Union looks forward to celebrating this event by taking stock of the advances – and where necessary, the current difficulties – in the promotion and protection of human rights for all persons.

  Read more

• Event (19 January): Post-2015 Development Agenda and Accountability - A Data Revolution Anchored in Human Rights to Make the SDGs a Reality for All

  The objective of the event organised by CIVICUS, in cooperation with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) was to share information and discuss the potential roles of data revolution and the work of human rights mechanisms in the implementation and monitoring of the SDGs.

• Event (23 Nov): Working towards an enabling environment for the promotion and protection of the rights to water, land and food – Linking Global Advocacy with Local Action

  When: November 23, 2015, 4 - 6pm, followed by a light reception

  Where: Right Livelihood Award Geneva Office,Maison de la Paix, Chemin Eugène-Rigot 2E, 1202 Geneva

  Organisers: The Right Livelihood Award, The World Future Council, CIVICUS, IBFAN

  Register: RSVP before 20 November to 

  “The dramatic increase in demand for natural resources has brought with it a plethora of concerns relating to the sustainability of economic growth and its impact on the climate, the environment, and, more generally, on human rights.” – Maina Kiai, UN Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association, April 2015 report to the UN Human Rights Council

  The event will consist of a panel discussion with Laureates of the “Alternative Nobel Prize" on the topic of a human rights based approach to indispensable natural resources.

• Event at Human Rights Council (19 June): Civil Society Space in Central Asia

  When: Friday, 19 June 2015, 11:00-13:00

  Where: Geneva, Palais Des Nations, Room XII

  Organisers: CIVICUS, ICNL, World Movement for Democracy, ECNL, Article 19, fidh, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch

• Event at the Human Rights Council (18 June-Geneva): Overcoming Restrictions on Women Human Rights Defenders in the Middle East and North Africa Region

  When: 18 June, 10:00-11:30 am
  Where: Palais des Nations, Room XXII
  Organisers: CIVICUS, International Service for Human Rights, Gulf Center for Human Rights

• Follow up to and implementation of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action

  23rd session of the
  Human Rights Council
  Item 8

  Follow up to and implementation of the
  Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action

  Delivered by Renate Bloem

  Thank you Mr. President,

  During this year of the 20th anniversary of the Vienna Conference, CIVICUS wishes to reiterate the mile stone achievements and fundamental agreements reached in consensus by the 171 participating UN member States during this Conference. The legacy still shapes the human rights agenda of today:

  • Universality and indivisibility of human rights: the freedom from want and fear
  • Women’s Rights are Human Rights
  • Civil Society as crucial to the framework of human rights
  • Establishment of the Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights
    

• Fundamental freedoms being violated in Sudan - CIVICUS Statement at the Human Rights Council

  33rd session of the Human Rights Council

  CIVICUS welcomes the report of the Independent Expert and recognizes the Council’s continued vigilance in addressing the human rights situation in Sudan.  

  The report presented today clearly articulates that the Government has failed to take adequate and swift measures to realize its human rights obligations under international law.

  Indicative of the Government’s unwillingness to seriously address persistent human violations is its resistance to launching an independent judicial investigation into the killings, excessive use of force and arbitrary arrests of scores of peaceful protestors in September 2013 in response to oil-subsidies imposed by the State. The codification of impunity for the National Intelligence and Security Services under the 2010 National Security act presents a nearly insurmountable barrier to ensuring accountability for the gross human rights violations committed by security forces in response to the exercise of the right to freedom of assembly.

• General debate on human rights situations that require the council’s attention

  23nd session of the
  Human Rights Council
  Item4    

  Human rights situations that require the Council’s attention, General Debate
  Dr. Nada Dhaif
  

  Thank you Mr. President,

  I speak here on  behalf of CIVICUS.  I am  Dr. Nada Dhaif, chairperson of BRAVO, and am here to draw your attention to 3 problems in Bahrain

  1. Absence of Medical Neutrality
  2. Reprisals against Human Rights Defenders
  3. The use of Toxic Chemicals against civilians

  Firstly, on the absence of Medical Neutrality: There are still 4 health care workers remaining in prison today and the Bahraini health system is largely under the occupation of the Bahraini Defence Forces.

  Secondly, Reprisals against Human rights defenders and their families. During the last session of the HRC in March, I specifically asked that there be protection for Human Rights Defender Ali Fakhrawi.

  Mr. Fakhrawi, who is part of the exiled Bahraini diaspora, lives out of a suitcase, en-route to various destinations to speak about his experiences, and of his father who was tortured to death. A month after his participation in a side event during the HRC session, his brother was detained. Others like him continue to live under restrictive conditions, as the case of Nabeel Rajab demonstrates.

• High-Level Panel on the 10th Anniversary of the Human Rights Council

  CIVICUS welcomes this extraordinary panel on the 10th anniversary of the Council and salutes all its Presidents.

  Since its establishment, the Council has emerged as a principled leader in supporting and expanding space for civil society both within its corridors and at the national level. In the last year alone it has adopted several landmark resolutions and reports articulating specific protections for human rights defenders, freedom of assembly and civil society space, while vigilantly protecting NGOs’ right to contribute to each of these initiatives. 

• HRC 32: Interactive Dialogue on South Sudan

  Human Rights Council: 32nd Session

  The East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project and CIVICUS welcome this enhanced interactive dialogue with national, regional and international stakeholders on the grave situation in South Sudan.

  Mr President, the establishment of a Commission on human rights in South Sudan at the 31st Session of the Council and the appointment of Commissioners last week represent a welcome step towards accountability for the victims of grave human rights violations in Africa’s newest nation. The Commission represents an important opportunity for regional and international cooperation in response to one of the most brutal conflicts happening in the world today.

• Human Rights Council: Response to opening remarks from the High Commissioner for Human Rights

  CIVICUS welcomes the High Commissioner’s comprehensive update this morning. We share his myriad concerns and laud his continued support for the creation of an enabling environment for civil society at both the Council and nationally.

  Mr. President, six out of seven people live in countries where civil society groups and HRDs face substantial challenges in exercising their fundamental rights to freedom of assembly, association and expression. Under the guise of safeguarding state sovereignty, combating terrorism and the preservation of morals, governments in both the Global North and South are adopting regressive legislation and engaging in illicit surveillance, deadly forms of harassment and threats to silence voices of dissent.

• Human Rights Council's Thematic Report on the Seminar on Peaceful Protests

  CIVICUS welcomes the Human Rights Council’s report on the Seminar on effective measures and best practices to ensure the promotion and protection of human rights in the context of peaceful protest.

  Read the full CIVICUS statement here. 

• Human rights situation in Palestine and other occupied Arab territories

  23rd session of the
  Human Rights Council
  Item 7

  Human rights situation in Palestine and other occupied Arab territories
  General Debate
  Statement delivered by Enrica Barago

  Thank you Mr President,

  CIVICUS warmly welcomes Israel’s decision to pursue its dialogue with the Human
  Rights Council and hopes it will cooperate with its mechanisms in a positive and meaningful spirit.

  CIVICUS wishes to use this opportunity to reassert a number of concerns regarding the situation that prevails in Israel as well as in Palestine and in the Occupied Territories. Israel failed to comply with its legal responsibilities as the Occupying power. Additionally, in the context of the prolonged occupation, International Humanitarian Law shows its limits that should be addressed by the ICRC or by a special Commission of Inquiry as stated by Mr Falk.

• Human Rights Situation in Syria - CIVICUS Statement at the 25th Special Session

  We remain deeply alarmed by the humanitarian crisis in Aleppo and the rapidly deteriorating human rights situation across Syria. The renewed and indiscriminate attacks by the Syrian Government and its allies on the besieged areas of Eastern Aleppo have had devastating consequences for its civilian population and the city’s remaining social infrastructure. Hundreds of thousands of civilians remain trapped in Aleppo, largely deprived of access to potentially life-saving relief.  The attack on a humanitarian convoy last month and the bombing and shelling of hospitals, rescue structures and schools are against the minimal provisions of international humanitarian law and, if done deliberatively, constitute crimes against humanity.