The Situation in Syria

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In an expression of grave concern at the continuing escalation of violence in Syria, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a fifth resolution A/RES/67/262 on the situation in Syria, reiterating its call for rapid progress on a political transition. The council expressed outrage at the “rapidly increasing death toll” in Syria, which the UN estimates to be in the tens of thousands.

The resolution also strongly condemns the Syrian Government’s increased use of heavy weapons, and also condemns ongoing “widespread and systematic gross violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms.”

The resolution was adopted by a vote of 107 in favour to 12 against, with 59 abstentions. 

UN Resources

 

 

 

New Report on Human Rights Violation in Kivu

Report of the UN Joint Human Rights Office on Human Rights Violations from 15 November to 2 December 2012

According to a new report by the United Nations Joint Human Rights Office in the Democratic republic of the Congo, serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law were committed during November 2012 fighting.

The report details victim and witness accounts of mass rape, killings and arbitrary executions. Violations of Human Rights were perpetrated by Congolese Armed Forces (FARDC) and rebels of the Mouvement du 23 mars (M23).

This report highlights human rights violation between 15 November to 2 December 2012. The Joint Human Rights Office previously released several reports on human rights violations in the DRC :

Resources

Human Rights Situation in Myanmar

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The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Myanmar, Mr  Tomás Ojea Quintana welcomed what he called “some forward thinking recommendations” from the Rakhine Investigation Commission report. The 27-member Commission was set up in 2012 by President Thein Sein. 

Resources

Report on the Human Rights Situation in Colombia 2008-2013

The Universal Periodic Review of Colombia 2013 is a report in cooperation with the United Nations mechanisms and bodies that reviews Colombia’s development and progress in a number of field:

  • Indiginous Colombian ChildrenCooperation with United Nations Mechanisms and Bodies: Colombia continues to accept assistance and cooperate with the United Nations, however, there are several areas and recommendations in which Colombia fails to comply, such as issues and procedures surrounding ‘Enforced Disappearance’, ‘Displaced People’ and ‘Indigenous people’.
  • Armed Conflict: an overview of the effects of the FARC and its cooperation with the Colombian government.
  • Right to Life, Security and Security of Person: Covers the issues of forced disappearances, Extrajudicial Executions, Forced Displacement, Violence against Women, Conditions in Detention Centers, 
  • Administration of Justice, including the struggle against impunity and the Rule of Law: The Attacks against the Independence of the Justice System along with Generalised and Persistent Impunity. There is particular concern regarding the Draft Reform which seeks to expand Military and Police Jurisdiction, despite there being over 12,000 military members that are currently being investigated for gross violations of Human Rights. 
  • Freedom of Expression, Association and Peaceful Protest: Although there has been some change since with the Government of President Santos and it is more open to dialogue than its predecessor, concerns have increased over the number of attacks against Human Rights Defenders, Trade Unionists, Journalists and Social and Community Leaders and their families.
  • Economic, Social and Cultural Rights: Despite the 2010 Recommendations from the UN Committee on Economic, Social & Cultural Rights (CESCR), no systematic follow-up has been made and the country continues to lack adequate policies to overcome poverty, inequality and the crisis in different key sectors such as rights to food, social security, labour rights and health.
  • Indigenous Peoples and Afro-descendant Peoples: Indigenous and people of African descent continue to suffer attacks from the difference armed actors in the conflict, who put pressure on their territories due to their richness in natural resources and geostrategic characteristics.

Related UN Resources: 

Report on the Situation of Human Rights of Asylum Seekers Within the Canadian Refugee Determination System

This report examines a series of issues relating to the situation of human rights of persons subject to the refugee determination system of Canada. That system has been recognized by many sources, including the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), as demonstrating a strong commitment to providing durable solutions for refugees in need of protection.


                              Rfugee Family picture


In conclusion, the system as a whole is both humanitarian in spirit and highly generous in terms of its results. It plays a central role in the State’s efforts to respect the right to seek asylum and other attendant rights, and serves as a model in many respects. The ongoing interest of the State in refining the immigration and refugee system to better serve the interests of claimants and the citizenry in conformity with international obligations and domestic law provides the necessary basis for further enhancing compliance with its human rights obligations.

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Related UN Resolutions:

GA meet to Strengthen its Coordination of Humanitarian & Disaster Relief

Today the General Assembly will meet for its 54th Plenary Meeting, 67th Session. The focus will be on reviewing numerous Reports and Draft Resolutions associated with: the Strengthening of Coordination of Humanitarian and Disaster Relief Assistance of the United Nations, including special Economic Assistance.

          General Assembly Meeting

The Report of the Secretary-General (A/67/492) will be reviewed, this addresses the ‘Safety and Security of Humanitarian Personnel and the Protection of United Nations Personnel’.

The Drafts Resolutions ‘Harmony and Nature’ (A/67/L.37), revised by Bolivia, and Draft Resolution ‘Human Rights and Extreme Poverty’, revised by 21 member states, will also be discussed.

Other topical issues up for Review:

(a) Strengthening of the coordination of emergency humanitarian assistance of the United Nations

(b) Assistance to the Palestinian people

(c) Special economic assistance to individual countries or regions

Human Rights Day, 10th December

Human Rights Day commemorates the momentous occasion when the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed and adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on the 10th of December, 1948.

Human Rights Day was officially inaugurated in 1950 when the General Assembly declared, through Resolution 423(V), that all states and international organisations should celebrate the continual advancement of Human Rights.

 Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt of the United States holding a Declaration of Human Rights poster in English. [November 1949]


The purpose of Human Rights Day is to provide the opportunity celebrate Human Rights and our achievements, recognise ongoing issues and specific areas that require our focused attention. Each Year a topical issue is emphasised and the total enjoyment of human rights by everyone in the world is advocated; this year will highlight the rights of all people - youth, women, persons with disabilities, indigenous people, minorities, the poor and marginalised - and allow their voices to be publicly heard and influence political decision-making.

To Celebrate the Occasion a High-level event will be held at the United Nations at 3:30pm today, where an interactive discussion on the role of “Leadership in the Fight Against Homophobia” will happen among Human Rights Defenders from Argentina, Ukraine and Malawi. The Secretary General will also make some remarks, as well as the Minister for Women’s Rights, Najat Vallaud-Belkacem.

Other participants include: 

- H.E. Herman Schaper, Permanent Representative of the Netherlands to the UN;

- Yvonne Chaka Chaka (the “Princess of Africa”), South African musician, singer and campaigner;

- Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu (via video);

- Blas Radi, LGBT human rights defender, Argentina;

-Olena Schvechenko, LGBT human rights defender, Ukraine;

- Gift Tranpence, LGBT human rights defender, Malawi


Related UN Resources:

Born Free and Equal

The UN Human Rights Office has released a new publication entitled “Born Free and Equal”.  The publication provides information on sexual orientation and gender identity in international human rights law.  The 60-page booklet is designed as a tool for States, to help them better understand the nature of their obligations and the steps required to meet them, as well as for civil society activists, human rights defenders and others seeking to hold Governments to account for breaches of international human rights law.

More publications on Human Rights are available form the UN Human Rights Publications Website.

OHCHR Report 2011

The OHCHR 2011 Report provides a synthesis of the accomplishments by the office during the 2010-2011 biennium.

The report is accessible full text online at:  http://www2.ohchr.org/english/ohchrreport2011/web_version/ohchr_report2011_web/allegati/downloads/0_Whole_OHCHR_Report_2011.pdf

Other reports from 200o are available full text at:  http://www.ohchr.org/EN/PublicationsResources/Pages/AnnualReportAppeal.aspx

UN Declaration on minority rights

2012 marks 20 years of the declaration on minority rights.  Submitted under resolution  A/RES/47/135 , the UN Declaration  ushered in a new era by setting essential standards for protection and offers guidance to States as they seek to realize the  of minorities

More information is available at:  http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Minorities2012/Pages/minorityrights2012.aspx

UN envoy confident that the use of child soldiers can be eradicated

The Security Council process of naming and shaming groups that recruit and use child soldiers has been effective in combating the scourge, the United Nations envoy working on the issue says, adding that, like slavery, this horrible practice can be eradicated with concerted action.
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UN senior officials urge countries to boost their efforts to combat human trafficking

At a special General Assembly meeting today, top United Nations officials urged Member States to increase their collaborative efforts to prevent human trafficking and protect its victims.

Photo: IRIN/Mohamed Amin Jibril


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UN senior officials urge countries to boost their efforts to combat human trafficking

At a special General Assembly meeting today, top United Nations officials urged Member States to increase their collaborative efforts to prevent human trafficking and protect its victims.          A human trafficking awareness billboard. Photo: IRIN/Mohamed Amin Jibril


UN Resources:

International Criminal Court’s First Verdict

ICC First verdict: Thomas Lubanga guilty of conscripting and enlisting children under the age of 15 and using them to participate in hostilities. 

More informatin:

FAQ on International Criminal Court Prosecutions

To find out more on the ICC consult their Frequently Asked Questions:

RIO+20

UN experts call for including human rights standards in development goals.

A group of independent United Nations experts today urged States to include universally agreed international human rights norms and standards, as well as accountability mechanisms, in the goals that will emerge from a UN sustainable development forum in June.
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