Monthly News Bulletin of Dignity International: April 2004
DIGNITY INTERNATIONAL: MONTHLY NEWSBULLETIN - April 2004
Dignity News
* NOVIB, Oxfam Netherlands appraisal visit to Dignity
* Brainstorm meet for 2004 Human Rights Day
* Web updates report of the Global Linking and Learning Programme on ESC
Rights now online further resources on Development & Human Rights
Other News
* Mobilizing the Sciences to Fight Global Poverty — State of the Planet 2004
* “Long Live Nairobi Alive!” Campaign against demolitions
* Betraying the Olympic spirit Oxfam launches a new campaign
* World Social Forum Updates
* Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and
Cultural Rights (OP to ICESCR)
* UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights 32nd session
* UN Human Rights Commission - 60th Session
Announcements
* 3D´s New Website
* Centre on Housing Rights AND Evictions COHRE) 2004 Housing Rights Awards
* Call for papers - The Essex Human Rights Review (EHRR)
Publications
* Close to Home: Case Studies of Human Rights Work in the United States,
* Addressing older people's rights in Africa: Good practice guidelines,
* The UN Human Rights Norms For Business: Towards Legal Accountability
* Realising the Rights of Children growing up in Child-headed households
Upcoming events
* World Forum on Human Rights 16-19 May
* The Forum of Local Authorities for Social Inclusion (FAL) 7-8 May
* 110 Assembly of the Inter- parliamentary Union 15-23 April
Dignity News
*** NOVIB, Oxfam Netherlands recently completed an appraisal of Dignity
International. In accordance with new appraisal procedures, Anne Kooistra of
the Global Programmes Bureau at NOVIB and Finance Officer Clemens Wennekes
met with Dignity’s Chairman Ton Waarts at NOVIB headquarters in the
Netherlands. This was followed by the visit of Anne Kooistra to Vivenda
Metta, Alcochete, Portugal for discussions with Dignity’s Executive Director
Aye Aye Win and Luis Gavinhos, member of the team with responsibility for
information technology. Discussions focussed on the three-year programme,
strategies, alliances, and specific outcomes for the duration of the
partnership as well as financial projections. NOVIB is a partner of Dignity’
s Capacity Building Programme in 2003 and it is hoped that this partnership
will be extended for the next three years.
*** Brainstorm Meet for 2004 Human Rights Day - A group of young human
rights activists from Portugal Marcos Andrade, Dignity’s Advisor and
coordinator of the youth programme at the North-South Centre, Luis Pinto of
INDUCAR - Organisation for the Promotion of Non Formal Education and Social
Integration, Teresa Encarnacao of the International Centre on Economic,
Social and Cultural Rights, and Simone Andrade from Humana Global gathered
at Dignity’s office in Vivenda Metta on 31 March to brainstorm around how
best to celebrate 2004 Human Rights Day.
Emphasis was put on participation and creativity. The group suggested to
bring in street performers and local music groups to help raise awareness
about human rights in a creative way and involve the schools and residents
of Alcochete the community where Dignity is currently based and the 25
participants who will attend the third linking and learning programme on ESC
Rights. Many ideas were put forward and the challenge will be to realise
them.
“If we are advocating that grassroots human rights education work is
possible around the world, then we must first try it out on the home front
in our own town of Alcochete and 10 December this year will be a perfect
opportunity”, said Dignity’s Director Aye Aye Win.
*** Web-updates The report of the 2003 Global Linking and Learning
Programme on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights is available on line at
http://www.dignityinternational.org/LLPESCR.html You can now download the
executive summary and the entire learning programme.
Development & Human Rights Do you want to know more about Human Rights
Based Approaches to development? Documents, experiences, contacts from
other agencies - then check out the Dignity’s website at
http://www.dignityinternational.org/development.html
Other News
*** Mobilizing the Sciences to Fight Global Poverty — State of the Planet
2004 - The Earth Institute at Columbia University brought together leading
scientists and policymakers for the 2004 State of the Planet conference to
prioritise the best scientific practices and most urgent needs for
investment in the areas of energy, food, water, and health. The Event will
lead to recommendations for G8 leaders toward sustainable development. The
Earth Institute is a partner of the Ethical Globalisation Initiative headed
by Mrs. Mary Robinson. See
http://www.earthinstitute.columbia.edu/sop2004/agenda.html
*** “Long Live Nairobi Alive!” International Campaign against demolitions
and evictions in Nairobi has been launched About 42.000 shelters (shacks,
churches, shops, community centres, dispensaries, etc.) will be demolished
in few days time, leaving 354.000 people homeless and with no hope, the
poorest among the poor of the world.
The solidarity campaign, promoted by the International Alliance of
Inhabitants (IAI), the Giovani Impegno Missionario and Unimondo, responds to
demands made by the Kutoka Network of Parishes in the Informal Settlements
in Nairobi slums and by several others local NGOs. See
http://habitants.org/IAI/
*** Betraying the Olympic spirit Oxfam launches a new campaign - In August
2004 the world ’s athletes will gather in Athens for the Summer Olympic
Games. Global sportswear firms will spend vast sums of money to associate
their products with the Olympian ideal. Images of Olympic events, complete
with corporate branding, will be televised to a global audience.
The expansion of international trade in sportswear goods under the auspices
of corporate giants such as Nike, Adidas, Reebok, Puma, Fila, ASICS, Mizuno,
Lotto, Kappa and Umbro has drawn millions of people, mainly women, into
employment.
From China and Indonesia to Turkey and Bulgaria, they work long hours for
low wages in arduous conditions, often without the most basic employment
protection. The rights to join and form trade unions and to engage in
collective bargaining are systematically violated.
During this Olympic year when such a high value is put on fair play, we ask
you to join workers and consumers worldwide who are calling for change
across the whole of the sportswear industry. You can ask the International
Olympics Committee and all sportswear companies to take action now
E-MAIL TO THE SPORTSWEAR INDUSTRY - Sportswear companies should take their
responsibilities seriously and stop pushing their manufacturers into
exploitative business practices for the sake of greater and greater profit.
In addition, the International Olympics Committee should use its clout to
ensure workers in the sportswear industry work under fair, dignified and
safe conditions. Email the sportswear industry and demand it takes action to
respect workers' rights. http://www.fairolympics.org/en/actnow/index.htm
Find out in detail about the exploitative business practices in the
international sportswear industry.
http://www.oxfam.org/eng/pdfs/report_040308_olympics.pdf
For further information on Clean Clothes Campaign, Global Unions and
Oxfam campaign Play Fair at the Olympics, see
http://www.oxfam.org/eng/campaigns_camp_olympics.htm
*** World Social Forum - Updates
For a series of evaluations of the recent World Social Forum in Mumbai see
http://www.forumsocialmundial.org.br/dinamic.asp?pagina=balancos_fsm2004_ing
International Council Meeting - The next WSF International Council meeting
will be held in Peruggia, Italy, between April 4 and 7, 2004.
The agenda includes the following subjects, among others: debate on the
conjuncture; new IC admissions; methodology and event format in 2005;
rotation, expansion policy; interface among social regional, thematic and
world forums; communication work plan and meetings of the IC commissions.
*** Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and
Cultural Rights (OP to ICESCR) The open ended working group to consider
options regarding the elaboration of an optional protocol to the ICESCR met
in Geneva from 23 February to 5 March. The official report of the Working
Group drafted by Chairperson/Rapporteur Ms. Catarina de Albuquerque is now
available on the web at http://www.unhchr.ch/pdf/chr60/44AV.pdf
It’s a good summary capturing the main discussion points on the subject. The
UN Commission on Human Rights is currently considering this.
The NGO Coalition on OP to the ICESCR is planning activities in order to
renew mandate of the open-ended working group for the elaboration of the
Optional Protocol. For good information on: important dates; issues arsing
on the mandate of the working group; recommended action for NGOs supporting
the OP-ICESCR and key documents and resources see
http://www.choike.org/nuevo_eng/informes/1795.html
*** UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights - Thirty Second
session of this Committee will meet from 26 April to 14 May in Geneva. The
committee will examine initial reports from Lithuania, Greece and Kuwait as
receive second/third periodic reports from Ecuador and Spain respectively.
A draft agenda of the Committee can be found at
http://www.unhchr.ch/tbs/doc.nsf/(Symbol)/E.C.12.2004.1.En?Opendocument
The committee is expected to receive NGO submissions on the afternoon of 26
April. At the 32nd session, the committee will also consider and adopt draft
general comments on article 3 (equality between men and women in the
enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights) and on article 6 of the
Covenant (right to work).
*** UN Human Rights Commission 60th session - (15 March 23 April) This
is currently in session and the Commission will work its way through an
agenda covering such topics as human rights violations around the world,
racism, the rights of minorities, migrant workers, and indigenous peoples;
the rights of women and the prevention of violence against women; the rights
of children; the prevention of torture, disappearances and summary
executions; efforts to end religious intolerance; the promotion of economic,
social and cultural rights and the advancement of the right to development.
Dignity´s coordinator for Asia, and Director of the Peace and Human Rights
Resource Centre, Boonthan Verawongse is currently in Geneva to attend the
Human Rights Commission. For further information on the Commission see
http://www.unhchr.ch
ANNOUNCEMENTS
*** 3D -> Trade - Human Rights - Equitable Economy, an NGO that promotes
collaboration amongst trade, development and human rights professionals, to
ensure that trade rules are developed and applied in ways that promote an
equitable economy has a new website. See www.3dthree.org
The website contains: - a guide to understanding the jargon of trade policy;
results of research on how UN human rights treaty bodies have considered
trade-related issues; materials about how Intellectual Property rules in
specific countries (including El Salvador and Uganda) affect access to
medicines and human rights; analysis of why rich country subsidies to
commodity production are a human rights issue; information about human
rights for trade and development practitioners; and much more!
*** Centre on Housing Rights AND Evictions COHRE) 2004 Housing Rights
Awards Call for Nominations - COHRE invites nomination of candidates for
the 2004 COHRE Housing Rights Awards. Any person or organisation can submit
nominations.
Housing rights violator awards (3) - The COHRE Housing Rights Violator
Awards are presented to governments and/or other institutions that have
committed appalling housing rights violations in the recent past, in clear
contravention of international human rights law and related housing rights
standards. The Violator Awards are designed to draw attention to some of the
world's worst housing rights abuses.
Housing rights protector award (1) - The COHRE Housing Rights Protector
Award is presented to a government and/or other institution that has
demonstrated an exceptional commitment to respecting or protecting housing
rights. The Protector Award demonstrates that housing rights can be
enforced, when the political will to do so exists.
Housing rights defender award 1)- The COHRE Housing Rights Defender Award is
presented to an individual who has shown outstanding commitment to the
defence of housing rights and promotion of the realisation of housing rights
for all. Candidates for this Award should be committed to non-violence and
be independent of any political or governmental affiliation.
How to submit a nomination - Please provide COHRE with details of the
nominee and a brief explanation as to why they should receive the award.
Nomination forms may be downloaded from the COHRE website -
www.cohre.org/nominations. Email your completed nominations to
awards2004@cohre.org or fax to +41.22.733.8336. The nomination period closes
15 May 2004.
*** Call for papers - The Essex Human Rights Review (EHRR) is a new online
publication edited by graduate students at the University of Essex. EHRR
welcomes articles, book reviews and other contributions on contemporary
human rights issues, primarily (but not exclusively) in the areas of law,
political science, sociology, and philosophy, covering both the academic and
the practical aspects of human rights. For our June 2004 issue, we would
particularly welcome submissions that focus on the following topics:
defending human rights in Africa; rights of minorities: The case of the
Roma; human rights in religion - religion in human rights? For further
information please contact ehrr@essex.ac.uk
PUBLICATIONS
*** Ford Foundation Report Examines Human Rights Work in the United
tates - For many Americans, human rights work is something that happens
beyond the borders of the United States. A new Ford Foundation publication
presents thirteen case studies that tell a different story.
Close to Home: Case Studies of Human Rights Work in the United States,
examines the work of U.S. organizations that are using traditional human
rights tools—such as fact-finding, litigation, organizing and advocacy—to
reduce poverty, promote workers’ rights and environmental justice, abolish
the death penalty and end discrimination. Together the case studies shed
light on the emerging human rights movement in the United States.
Close to Home provides activists, funders and policy makers with new points
of view and valuable tools for seeking positive social change in their
communities. The report illustrates the value that the use of human rights
brings to the struggle for social justice in the United States: a powerful
affirmation of human dignity, a broad and unifying framework of rights, a
set of international laws and mechanisms to demand justice, and a range of
additional strategies to translate human rights into concrete improvements
in people’s everyday lives.
“We hope this report will contribute to the on-going discussion of the role
international law and multilateral institutions should play in U.S. policies
and will expand support for the growing movement to bring human rights
closer to home,” said Larry Cox, Ford Foundation’s senior program officer
for human rights.
http://www.fordfound.org/news/view_news_detail.cfm?news_index=86
http://www.fordfound.org/publications/recent_articles/close_to_home.cfm
*** Latest publication from Help Age International - Addressing older
people's rights in Africa: Good practice guidelines, produced under our
Regional Rights programme. - The guidelines are based on Help Age
International's vast experience of working with and for older people in
Africa, a lot of whom face abuse from family and the community as a whole.
They are intended to provide guidance on older people's rights for those
working with older people and those involved in human rights issues.
The brochure is available on our website www.helpage.org under the
publications section or hard copies can also be mailed.
*** The UN Human Rights Norms For Business: Towards Legal Accountability"
http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGIOR420012004 - Human rights
organizations have addressed concerns to businesses for a number of years.
Recognizing that economic globalization has expanded the reach of corporate
power, advocates have struggled to ensure that companies, no less than other
significant actors, are brought within the framework of international human
rights rules. The UN Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human
Rights took a significant step in this direction in August 2003 when it
approved the UN Norms on the Responsibilities of Transnational Corporations
and Other Business Enterprises with Regard to Human Rights.
This booklet provides an introduction to the UN Human Rights Norms
for Business. It answers a number of questions about the UN Norms and
their legal status, and includes an overview of their development,
background on the drafting process, and a description of the content
and legal status of the UN Norms.
To receive updates on the campaign, share information on the Norms and to
explore other ways of getting involved in strengthening corporate
accountability, please join the ESCR-Net Corporate Accountability Discussion
Group by sending a blank email to
ESCR-corp-accountability-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
*** Realising the Rights of Children growing up in Child-headed households -
A major publication of the Project in 2004 has been produced. Written by
Professor Julia Sloth-Nielsen and edited by Sibonile Khoza and Sandra
Liebenberg, this publication is aimed at presenting in an accessible form
some of the main legal and policy issues that concern child-headed
households. It is aimed at a broad readership, not necessarily only those
who are knowledgeable about the law and legal debates.
http://www.communitylawcentre.org.za/ser/publications.php
UPCOMING EVENTS
*** World Forum on Human Rights, Nantes, France, 16-19 May 2004 - The City
of Nantes, at the initiative and with the support of UNESCO, in
cooperation with the French National Commission for UNESCO and supported by
the Office of the High Commissioners for Human Rights and the International
Labor Office, is organizing the World Forum on Human Rights.
The Forum will bring together on an equal footing all the actors involved in
the promotion and protection of human rights. It will contribute to
strengthen interaction between research and decision-making, with the aim to
consolidate a global movement for human rights. The Forum will offer a
platform for joint action for the world of science and research and the
world of policy and action. The Forum will contribute to generate ideas,
exchange and advance knowledge and to use this knowledge to address
challenges and threats to human rights in the 21st century.
The main topics of the Forum are:
* Terrorism and human rights
* Globalization and the struggle against all forms of discrimination and
exclusion
* Poverty as a violation of human rights
You are all invited to participate in the Forum and to join the debate!
Preliminary programme and more information on the Forum can be found on:
http://www.forum-humanrights.org or
http://www.unesco.org/shs/humanrightsforum
*** 7-8 May 2004 - The Forum of Local Authorities for Social Inclusion (FAL)
of Porto Alegre is a Mayors’ Forum that will take place in advance of the
World Social Forum and whose objectives include converting local governments
into agents that are capable of constructing and implementing publicly
managed alternatives to the process of globalisation by working together
with the civil society.
Its fourth edition, in accordance with the resolution adopted in Porto
Alegre during the 3rd FAL, will take place in the city of Barcelona on 7 and
8 May 2004, within the framework of the Universal Cultures Forum-Barcelona
2004.
The objectives of the 4th FAL are to strengthen the presence of cities in
the international ambit in order to promote peace, democracy, international
cooperation, sustainable development and cultural diversity.
The 4th FAL plans to reflect upon Culture as a means of favouring Social
Inclusion, and to create and propose to the world, from a local ambit, the
Agenda 21 of Culture, which will be presented to the United Nations
Organisation in September 2004.
http://www.agenda21cultura.net/default_en.htm
*** 15-23 April 110 Assembly of the Inter- parliamentary Union - The
Inter-Parliamentary Union will hold its 110th Assembly and related meetings
in Mexico City (Mexico) from 15 to 23 April 2004. Parliamentarians from
around the world will debate the role of the IPU and parliaments in
following up the parliamentary declaration adopted in Cancún on the occasion
of the Fifth WTO Ministerial Meeting (Committee on Sustainable Development,
Finance and Trade and discuss the role of parliamentary democracy in
defending human rights and promoting reconciliation. It will also look at
issues relating to justice, truth commissions, amnesties, pardons,
reparations and other means to bring reconciliation to parties driven by
conflict (committee on Democracy and Human Rights) See
http://www.ipu.org/conf-e/110agnd.htm
CALENDAR OF ACTIVITIES
For the updated Calendar of Activities for 2004, please see
April - June http://www.dignityinternational.org/2004monthly_planner2.html
This newsbulletin is also available online at
http://www.dignityinternational.org/News_April2004.html
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This is a monthly electronic news bulletin of “Dignity International: All
Human Rights for All”. Dignity International does not accredit, validate or
substantiate any information posted by members to this news bulletin. The
validity and accuracy of any information is the responsibility of the
originator.
