Commonwealth Human Rights e-Newsletter: December 2005   Commonwealth National Human Rights Commission (CNHRC) Project

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This e-Newsletter has been produced for Commonwealth National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) by the British Council, as part of the British Council's project to support networking and sharing between such NHRIs.

SPOTLIGHT of the month:   Message from Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon on World AIDS Day on 1 December, 2005
Content:

	1. Forthcoming Events 2. Reports and Publications 3. News Stories

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

E-learning courses in 2006 by Human Rights Education Associates (HREA) The registration process is now open for all HREA distance learning courses offered in 2006. Courses include HREA's annual courses on human rights advocacy; the United Nations human rights system; human rights-based programming; project development & management in the NGO sector; and human rights monitoring.

Human Rights Day on 10 December 2005 On 10 December 1948, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which has become a universal standard for defending and promoting human rights. Every year on 10 December, Human Rights Day marks the adoption of the Universal Declaration. On Human Rights Day it is celebrated around the globe that "All human beings are born with equal and inalienable rights and fundamental freedoms". The theme of Human Rights Day 2005 is "End Torture Now!". Torture is a crime under international law. According to all relevant instruments, it is absolutely prohibited and cannot be justified under any circumstances. This prohibition forms part of customary international law, which means that it is binding on every member of the international community, regardless of whether a State has ratified international treaties in which torture is expressly prohibited.

 

REPORTS & PUBLICATIONS

Asia-Pacific

Concluding statement - Regional Workshop on Trafficking and National Human Rights Institutions: Cooperating to End Impunity for Traffickers and Secure Justice for Victims from 20-23 November 2005 in Sydney, Australia The Asia Pacific Forum and the Australian Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission jointly organised a Regional Workshop on Trafficking and National Human Rights Institutions with a specific focus on ending impunity for traffickers and securing justice for trafficked persons. This focus provided a realistic framework for constructive discussion and practical outcomes. The primary target audience for this workshop was the APF's member institutions - the national human rights institutions of Afghanistan , Australia , Fiji , India , Indonesia, Jordan, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, New Zealand, Palestine, Philippines, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Timor Leste. Non-governmental organisations from the region also attended the workshop. Read the Papers presented by the participants

International

Human Rights Compliance Assessment (HRCA) ‘Quick Check' Authored by Danish Institute for Human Rights, Confederation of Danish Industries (DI) and Danish Industrialisation Fund for Developing Countries (IFU), Rights Compliance Assessment (RCA) is a diagnostic tool designed to promote corporate social responsibility by providing companies with useful information about how to avoid human rights violations in all aspects of their operations. The entire tool runs on a database containing over 350 questions and 1000 corresponding human rights indicators, developed from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the 1966 Dual Covenants and over 80 other major human rights treaties and conventions. The quick check comprises approximately 10% of all the questions contained in the entire HRCA database and relates to some of the most essential human rights issues a company must consider in relation to its activities.

Violence against Children in Cyberspace This report was written by ECPAT International, an acronym for End Child Prostitution, Child Pornography and Trafficking of Children for Sexual Purposes, with leading experts around the world as a contribution to the UN Study on Violence Against Children. It draws together the latest knowledge on cyber violence against children and outlines an agenda for action, including more action by Internet service providers and stronger national legislations harmonised to international standards. The report says that violence against children through new technologies is pervasive, causes deep and lasting physical and psychological damage to the child victims, and is outstripping the resources of law enforcement agencies. Forms of cyber violence against children outlined in the report include: child pornography and ‘live' online sexual abuse for paying customers, online sexual solicitation, cyber stalking and bullying, and access to illegal and harmful materials.

UN Human Rights Standards and Mechanisms to Combat Violence Against Children - A Contribution to the UN Secretary General's Study on Violence Against Children Produced by UNICEF's Innocenti Research Centre, the purpose of this publication is to recall the human rights framework set out in international instruments adopted by the United Nations with relevance to the right of children to freedom from violence. It also reviews how treaty bodies established by human rights conventions to monitor progress in their implementation, as well as other UN human rights mechanisms have addressed the protection of children from violence.

Changing a Harmful Social Convention: Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting - A Digest produced by the UNICEF Innocenti Research Centre Every year, three million girls and women are subjected to genital mutilation/cutting, a dangerous and potentially life-threatening procedure that causes unspeakable pain and suffering. Not only is it practiced among communities in Africa and the Middle East , but also in immigrant communities throughout the world. Moreover, recent data reveal that it occurs on a much larger scale than previously thought. It continues to be one of the most persistent, pervasive and silently endured human rights violations. This Innocenti Digest examines the prevalence of FGM/C and its social dynamics. It provides an explanation as to why the practice persists and of the elements necessary for its abandonment. It also takes stock of progress to date, identifies what works and what does not, and provides direction regarding the most successful strategies to promote the abandonment of FGM/C. Combining concrete field experience with tested academic theory, the Digest provides a practical tool to bring about positive change for girls and women.

Australia

Rights of Passage: A Dialogue with Young Australians about Human Rights A new report 'Rights of Passage: A Dialogue with Young Australians about Human Rights' has been launched by Dr Ozdowski OAM, Human Rights Commissioner, Australian Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission. This is his final project before his five-year tenure ends on 7 December 2005. As part of the Young People and Human Rights Dialogue conducted throughout the last year, the Commissioner listened to the views of as many young Australians as possible through focus groups and a national survey. Essay and art competitions were also held as part of the project. The resulting ‘Rights of Passage' report provides an insight into what Australian young people know about human rights and what they think about topical issues such as: terrorism, workplace reforms, torture, refugees and indigenous issues.

Australian Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission's Annual Report 2004-05 Annual Report of the Australian Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission provides an overview of the Commission and its work during the financial year period. The 2004 - 05 Annual Report for the period ending 30 June 2005 is produced pursuant to section 45 of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Act 1986. The report has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of section 70 of the Public Service Act 1999.

'On the Record: Guidelines for the prevention of discrimination in employment on the basis of criminal record' –AHREOC's new guidelines on criminal record discrimination in the workplace The Human Rights Commissioner Dr Sev Ozdowski said that new guidelines launched by the Australian Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission aim to clear up misunderstandings by employers and people with criminal records about discrimination on the basis of criminal record. The guide provides information and practical guidance on how to prevent criminal record discrimination in the workplace. It covers existing anti-discrimination and related laws, as well as best practice principles when recruiting or employing someone who may have a criminal record. “In recent years there have been a significant number of complaints to the Commission from people alleging discrimination in employment on the basis of criminal record. The complaints indicate that there is a great deal of misunderstanding on the issue,” said Dr Ozdowski. As a result, in August 2004 the Commission commenced a research project: to closely examine the extent and nature of this discrimination; to clarify the rights and responsibilities of employers and employees; and to consider measures which may be taken to protect people from this form of discrimination. In December 2004, the Commissioner issued a Discussion Paper on Discrimination in Employment on the basis of Criminal Record, calling for submissions. These submissions, together with a series of consultations on the issue of criminal record discrimination, highlighted further the need for practical guidance for employers and employees in this area. 'On the Record' is a result of this research and consultation process. Read the Discussion Paper on Discrimination in Employment on the basis of Criminal Record

India

Concluding Statement - International Round Table for NHRIs on ESCR in New Delhi, India The three-day International Round Table on National Human Rights Institutions for ways to implement Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ESCR) concluded in New Delhi, with a call to states to respect and ensure that National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) are established in accordance with the Paris Principle adopted by the UN General Assembly on 20 December 1993. They also called on their institutions to be adequately resourced to enable them to deal with Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ESCR). The New Delhi concluding statement, adopted by delegates from 24 countries reaffirmed that all human rights being universal, indivisible and inter-dependent, National Institutions should adopt a comprehensive approach to the promotion and protection of human rights, which includes ESCR . It was reiterated that National Institutions must adopt a rights-based approach to ESCR. Emphasis was placed on particular challenges faced by National Institutions including ensuring respect for ESCR in relation to rationalising resources among various institutions; addressing ESCR in situations of conflict; and in relation to globalisation. It was highlighted that neglect of ESCR can lead to conflicts resulting in violations of human rights thus posing a threat to peace and security. It was opined that despite the development of a universal human rights framework there remain inequities and injustices requiring more proactive strategies to realise the enjoyment of ESCR.

Handbook of Human Rights and Criminal Justice in India: The System and Procedure Authored by a team at the South Asia Human Rights Documentation Centre (SAHRDC), this Handbook is a practical introduction to the Indian criminal justice system. It provides an up to date overview of the Criminal Procedure Code and explains the provisions and rules that the police and courts must follow while dealing with criminal complaints. It sets the hierarchical structure of the police and the judiciary and their functions in the criminal justice system. It draws attention to the implications of errors and omissions that may occur during the investigation and trial process. The Handbook underscores the remedies found within the Code and in the Indian Constitution. It also highlights cases that have established important rules and guidelines relating to the implementation of the Code in consonance with the Indian Constitution.

South Africa

Living on the Margins - Inadequate protection for refugees and asylum seekers in Johannesburg Asylum seekers and refugees in Johannesburg often face harassment, mistreatment and extortion by the police, Human Rights Watch said in a 66-page report, “Living on the Margins: Inadequate Protection for Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Johannesburg”. The report documents how refugees and asylum seekers in South Africa 's largest city often encounter abuse by police and other obstacles throughout the refugee-status determination process. South Africa hosts approximately 142,000 refugees and asylum seekers. Human Rights Watch calls on South Africa , in line with its international and domestic obligations, to take further measures to provide effective protection to refugees and asylum seekers.

Uganda

Forgotten Voices: A Population-Based Survey on Attitudes about Peace and Justice in Northern Uganda This report was released in July 2005 by the International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ) and the Human Rights Center (HRC) at the University of California, Berkeley, urging the national and local authorities of Uganda and the international community to work together to develop an integrated and comprehensive strategy for peace and justice in Northern Uganda. The report is based on detailed interviews, conducted in April and May 2005, with more than 2,500 Ugandans on their personal experiences of the conflict and their opinions on how peace and justice should be achieved.

United Kingdom

Consultation Paper – The powers of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission The UK Government has published a consultation paper on its proposals for the powers of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission. This paper outlines proposals for ensuring that the Commission is provided with the right powers to enable it to carry out its duties effectively, while taking into account those safeguards that already exist and taking care to ensure that the work of the Commission does not duplicate work that is already properly carried out by other bodies. Commenting on the consultation, Political Development Minister, David Hanson MP, said: “The Government has assessed recommendations put forward by the Commission and is satisfied that it already broadly possesses the right powers to carry out its duties efficiently. However, in two important areas, the right of access to places of detention and the power to compel evidence and witnesses, we agree that it is right to amend the Northern Ireland Act 1998 to make sure that the Commission can fulfil its existing functions properly.”. The consultation will run until 8 February 2006.

'Making the Grade: An independent analysis of Government initiatives on violence against women This report comprehensively examines the performance of UK government departments in tackling violence against women, and identifies key policy gaps. The report is published by the new End Violence Against Women (EVAW) Coalition, which has been formed because violence against women - including domestic violence, forced marriage, crimes in the name of honour, rape and sexual assault, trafficking, female genital mutilation, sexual harassment and stalking - is said to be at crisis levels in the UK. The report finds a picture of disarray across government with little or no co-ordination between departments and many not understanding the relevance of violence against women to their work. They are also unable to provide information on budgets, training, monitoring of projects they have set up or timelines and targets. The report reminds the Government that under international human rights law it is required to protect women from violence, including taking action to prevent violence, and finds that currently it is not reasonably living up to this obligation.

State of Children's Rights in England - Annual review of UK Government action on 2002 concluding observations of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child The Children's Rights Alliance for England has published its report on the Government's failure in the past year to uphold the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The Alliance welcomes the Government's programme of initiatives to transform children's services, and the appointment of England 's first Children's Commissioner, but claims the Government has failed to apply the treaty in the case of juvenile offenders and young asylum-seekers. CRAE is calling for an immediate cross-government review of children's law and policy, in preparation for the examination in 2009 of the UK by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, and says that a national plan of action should be prepared showing how the UK will meet its human rights obligations to children; and a Minister at Cabinet level should be given the implementation of the Convention as part of his or her portfolio. In October 2002, the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child issued the UK with 78 recommendations, to make law, policy and practice compatible with the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The report shows significant progress has been made on just 16 of these recommendations in the past year.

 

NEWS STORIES

ANTI-TERRORISM

AHREOC appears before Senate Inquiry into Anti-Terrorism Bill The President of the Australian Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission John von Doussa QC and staff provided oral evidence before the Senate Legal and Constitutional Legislation Committee's inquiry into the Anti-Terrorism Bill (No. 2) 2005 in Sydney. The Bill proposes to amend various federal laws with the stated aim of improving existing offences and powers targeting terrorist acts and terrorist organisations.  Key features of the Bill include: a new regime to allow for ‘control orders' to authorise the overt close monitoring of terrorist suspects; a new police preventative detention regime to allow detention without charge where reasonably necessary to prevent a terrorist act or to preserve evidence of such an act; updated sedition offences; new questioning, search and seize powers exercisable at airports and other Commonwealth places; and amendments to information gathering powers available to law enforcement and security agencies. Read the Senate inquiry into the provisions of the Anti-Terrorism Bill (No. 2) 2005

ASYLUM

Rise of intolerance around the globe The rise of intolerance in today's world and the inability of different people to live together threaten peace, the safety of refugees and the social cohesion of societies, said the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Presenting the report of UNHCR to the Social, Humanitarian and Cultural committee of the General Assembly, António Guterres said his agency faces increasing challenges in confronting rising intolerance as it works to protect refugees, returnees and other displaced persons. Intolerance, he said, was also making it more difficult to preserve the institution of asylum, especially considering the increasing complexity of population flows, and to solve complex societal problems in an increasingly multi-cultural milieu.

CHILD RIGHTS

Canadian Senate committee calls for children's commissioner in Canada A Senate committee says Canada needs a children's commissioner to protect the rights of young people. In an interim report, the human rights committee recommends that a commissioner monitors Canada 's progress on implementing the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. The independent appointee, reporting annually to Parliament, would conduct ongoing reviews of federal legislation, services, and funding for programmes affecting children and their rights. Senator Raynell Andreychuk, who chaired the committee, says a commissioner is essential so children can make their views and experiences heard. The senators also call for an interdepartmental working group for children's rights to co-ordinate activities, policies, and laws. The senators plan to continue hearings across Canada next year, focusing on children who are medically fragile, disabled, exploited or caught in conflict.

Landmark win in human rights case in New Zealand In a landmark case, Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) has won confirmation of its right to bring legal action against the New Zealand Government over discriminatory policies. This is the first case of its kind under provisions of the New Zealand Human Rights Act allowing Government legislation and policy to be challenged. CPAG alleges aspects of the Government's family assistance policy result in significant discrimination against thousands of New Zealand children. Following a preliminary hearing, CPAG has won access to the Human Rights Review Tribunal for its case alleging discrimination in the current Child Tax Credit as well as the In Work Payment which is set to be introduced next year as part of the government's Working for Families package.

Children's rights treaty celebrates 16th birthday on 20 November, 2005 The first international agreement to recognise that all children have the same human rights as adults has reached its 16th year, with few of the growing pains of adolescence. The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1989. It is the most extensively agreed-upon treaty in international history. Only two countries – the United States of Amrica and Somalia have failed to ratify it, although both countries have signalled their intention to do so by formally signing the Convention. Since its adoption the Convention has adopted two Optional Protocols which give specific emphasis to protecting children from trafficking, prostitution and pornography, and during times of armed conflict. More broadly, as the Convention moves through its teenage years it will continue to improve jurisprudence on children's rights. Also see e-Alert on ‘Rights of the Child' and online exhibition of posters on child rights

CONFLICT

UN to step up support for 2 million displaced by conflict with rebels in Uganda The United Nations is planning to increase its activities in northern Uganda in the coming year to help some 2 million Ugandans displaced by Africa 's longest running yet one of its least reported conflicts. “This is one of the longest, largest, and least addressed humanitarian crises in the world today,” the Special Advisor on Displacement to the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, Dennis McNamara declared of the fighting with the rebel Lord's Resistance Army (LRA). Nearly 2 million people have been displaced by the 19 year-old conflict, 1.7 million of whom live in over 200 squalid and overcrowded camps, relying largely on international assistance to survive. Estimates indicate that more than 1,000 people a week die from disease or violence, according to a July 2005 Ministry of Health/UN World Health Organization (WHO) mortality survey. The UN is planning to further increase its international presence next year, especially through its main humanitarian organizations including the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), and Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). It will also increase its request for funding for humanitarian programmes to more than $200 million for 2006.

DEATH PENALTY

HREOC says there is no place for the death penalty in the 21st Century The Australian Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission said that the execution of Australian man Nguyen Tuong Van in Singapore reminds us why we should remain vigilant in our opposition to the use of the death penalty and support efforts to universally outlaw its use. President von Doussa said: “The very sad case of Van Nguyen illustrates that there is no place for the death penalty in the 21st Century”. Australia stopped using the death penalty four decades ago. Queensland was the first state to abolish the death penalty in 1922 and New South Wales the last in 1985. Australia has committed itself to opposing the death penalty by becoming a party to the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) which prohibits signatories re-instating the death penalty. Human Rights Commissioner Dr Sev Ozdowski said: “Nothing is gained from the many executions which take place across the world each year. Such executions are wrong and brutalise us all”.

MEDIA

Terror law "chilling for democracy and press freedom," warns IFJ The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) says that anti-terror legislation being prepared independently by Britain and Australia could endanger democracy and press freedom and are "chilling for the exercise of journalism". In both countries parliaments are discussing new anti-terror laws that will criminalise some forms of free speech. According to IFJ, the Government in Britain is seeking to outlaw views that could be said to "glorify" terrorism, calling into question media reporting on the activities of political or armed groups. In Australia journalists warn that a too broad definition of sedition in a new anti-terrorism law will erode free speech and artistic expression. The IFJ says that both governments are exploiting public fears over acts of terrorism to justify new rules that will diminish existing forms of accountability.

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS

Commonwealth human rights forum meets in Malta On 20 and 21 November 2005, just prior to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) from 25-27 November, human rights activists from across the Commonwealth met in Valletta , Malta , for the second Commonwealth Human Rights Forum. Members of human rights non-governmental organizations, National Human Rights Institutions and other civil society actors participated in the meeting, as well as a representative of the Commonwealth Secretariat as observer. Complementing the official CHOGM theme of “Networking the Commonwealth for Development”, participants focused on “Networking for Human Rights” and examined the reality of space available to civil society for human rights activity within member countries and the Commonwealth as an association. Participants shared experiences and discussed how to raise the profile of human rights within the Commonwealth system. Participants discussed the human rights situation in a number of Commonwealth countries, but felt that the crisis in some specific countries deserved particular mention. The Forum recommended that governments should ensure that human rights norms are not compromised by using security as an excuse and that the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group should investigate the situations in Uganda and the Maldives , and the Commonwealth should stay engaged with the former Commonwealth country Zimbabwe . Also read - Commonwealth Human Rights Forum 2005 - Final Communique - Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM 2005) - Final Communique

Launch of Human Rights Week 5 -11 December 2005 by NIHRC In association with a number of agencies, the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission organised a programme of activities for the week leading up to Human Rights Day on 10 December with the aim of raising awareness of human rights issues both locally and internationally and inviting the public to celebrate Human Rights Week, and of profiling the important work of human rights defenders in Northern Ireland. A major conference reviewing the Bill of Rights project also took place from 7-8 December in Armagh.

Raising the Bar on Human Rights Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon has called on those Commonwealth countries which have not yet signed and ratified key human rights conventions to consider doing so. Most countries have signed and ratified them," Mr McKinnon said at the closing session of the Commonwealth Human Rights Forum in Malta on 21 November 2005 . "But there are about 18 members that have not, and in my view that is exactly 18 too many." The Secretary-General noted that signature and ratification of the conventions would represent a clear indication of a country's commitment in the 21st century to shared human rights principles. Mr McKinnon stated that a core aspect of the Commonwealth vision is the need to raise awareness about fundamental human rights. We are all born with rights, he said, but we are not all born equally aware of those rights or equally able to access or articulate them.

British Muslim Human Rights Centre opens in London A new independent centre was launched in London on 9 November 2005 to protect and promote the human rights of Muslims in Britain by offering advice and representation on human rights cases; challenging existing laws and policies through test cases; conducting research to identify issues affecting Muslims; obtaining opinions from leading human rights barristers to raise awareness; and providing human rights training and guidance.

One law for all races' risky in New Zealand says Professor Rudolfo Stavenhagen The "one law for all" philosophy is a recipe for making race relations in New Zealand worse, says Professor Rudolfo Stavenhagen, United Nations human rights expert, who is investigating the Foreshore and Seabed Act for the UN Human Rights Commission after the UN's Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination ruled the act discriminatory. He said ethnic and cultural diversity was a fact of life that "should not, that cannot be ignored" when it came to policy. Professor Stavenhagen said he hoped the findings he made would carry weight, but said the UN only had the power to recommend, not enforce. Each country had to resolve in its own way the human rights issues confronting it, but there were nevertheless agreed international standards.

40 years of law against racial discrimination in the UK Four decades have now passed since the introduction of Britain 's first Race Relations Act in 1965. To mark this event, the UK 's Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) staged a special exhibition in London on 8 November. The exhibition considers the social and political factors that have shaped the law over the past 40 years. It looks at the discrimination faced by newly-arrived migrants from Britain 's former colonies in the mid1960s, before moving on to the advent of the CRE and its new enforcement powers in the 1970s. It concludes with the present day, and the introduction of new statutory duties on public authorities and the prospect of a single equality body.

RIGHT TO EDUCATION

My right: Universal elementary education in India The right to education has become a fundamental right in the Indian statutebooks in 2002, since the Indian parliament gave its approval to the 86th constitutional amendment in 2002 under article 21A of constitution. According to this every Indian child of 6-14 years of age has the fundamental right to free and compulsory education. The government of India has introduced the Right to Education Bill 2005, which deals with early age child care and education for all children up to the age of 6. It also says that, it is the fundamental duty of Indian parents to provide all their children between the ages of 6 and 14 with equal opportunities to receive an education. Read the Right to Education Bill 2005

RIGHT TO INFORMATION

Right to communicate ignored at WSIS Summit - and outside it Responding to letters of protest from 100 civil society groups before the Tunis WSIS, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan suggested that Tunisia use the Summit “to address various human rights concerns”, adding: “Those rights are crucial for any country hoping to use information and communication technologies to advance their economic and social development”. Activists gathered at the Tunis World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) held from 16-18 November, 2005, have cited it to campaign on a diverse range of issues - from gender to poverty (the poor have a right to be heard) to press freedom. Many delegates in Tunis say freedom of expression is central to Communication Rights (CR) and feel their demands have not been adequately addressed in the WSIS process, even though sections of the Geneva WSIS Declaration mention Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

RIGHTS OF THE DISABLED

International Day of Disabled Persons 2005 The annual observance of the International Day of Disabled Persons was proclaimed in 1992, by the United Nations General Assembly resolution 47/3. The observance of the Day aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilise support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. It also seeks to increase awareness of gains to be derived from the integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life. The day involves disability organisations, individuals with a disability, businesses, federal, state and local governments and community organisations in events to celebrate and acknowledge the experience and ability of people with a disability. This year's theme focuses on the interdependence between human rights, development and disability. Message from the Chair of the Ad Hoc Committee on a Comprehensive and Integral International Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities Dr Sev Ozdowski, Acting Disability Discrimination Commissioner, AHREOC on International Day of People with a Disability on 3 December 2005

TRAFFICKING

UN wants report on child trafficking from Malaysia The United Nations has requested Malaysia to submit a report on child trafficking as it needs the input to check on the multi-billion dollar trade. Its Committee on the Rights of the Child chairman Prof Jaap E. Doek said there was no reason for Malaysia not to submit the report that should have been done nine years ago. Prof Doek said Malaysia needed to play a role in formulating bilateral agreements pertaining to child trafficking as it involved all ASEAN countries.

Digital dangers: information & communication technologies and trafficking in women Produced by Women's Networking Support Programme (WNSP) and Association for Progressive Communications Women's Programme (APC), this paper asks if new technologies are re-shaping or facilitating trafficking in women, and/or if the use of information and communication technology (ICTs) in trafficking will change the way we understand other issues. The authors address three areas in relation to the role of ICTs and trafficking: whether the role of ICTs is important or just a fashionable distraction from serious counter-trafficking work; definitions of trafficking images and people; whether consideration of privacy is an essential part of a broader movement to create safety and freedom for individuals. The authors warn that concentrating on ICTs as the main problem in trafficking gives ICT experts (who are often men) control over an area that women have traditionally dominated. It diminishes women's expertise about stopping violence, and repackages counter-trafficking as a high tech exercise in which only ICT experts can engage.

WOMEN'S RIGHTS

Women's Rights Protocol for Africa - Victory for women's rights in Africa The Protocol on the Rights of Women in Africa came into force on 25 November 2005 - a milestone in the protection and promotion of women's rights in Africa . Fifteen countries have ratified the Protocol - Benin , Cap Verde, Comoros , Djibouti , Gambia , Lesotho , Libya , Malawi , Mali , Namibia , Nigeria , Rwanda , Senegal and South Africa . The drafting of the Protocol began eight years ago under the leadership of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights, in close collaboration with African and international women's rights organisations and the support of the International Commission of Jurists. Interights was involved in commenting on the draft Protocol. Its main objective is to complement the African Charter in strengthening the protection of the rights of women in Africa , taking into account the cultural specificity of the continent and the special needs of African women which may not yet have been adequately addressed by the current women's rights treaties. It also includes provisions prescribing violence against women and protects women's health and reproductive rights. The Protocol will help the African Commission and African Court to better protect women's rights in Africa. Read the full text of the Protocol

UN Human Rights Committee blasts Canada : Women call for action Discrimination against Aboriginal women and women prisoners, and negative impacts on women caused by cuts to social assistance and social programmes, drew severe criticism from the United Nations Human Rights Committee, which just completed its 5th review of Canada 's compliance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. “The Committee recognises Canada 's failure to protect Aboriginal women from violence, to address the poverty of Aboriginal women, and to correct overt discrimination in the law,” said Sharon McIvor of the Canadian Feminist Alliance for International Action. “The discrimination in the law is decades old, and it affects Indian women's ability to pass on their status and reserve membership to their children and grandchildren, and their access to matrimonial property rights and to basic human rights protections.”

UN calls for strong action to eliminate violence against women The United Nations on 25 November 2005 marked the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women with calls for states to take legal action against this global scourge, for societies to change a mindset that permits such abuse, and for women themselves to stand up and speak out against a culture of shame. The UN Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) said violence against women is both a cause and consequence of rising rates of HIV infection: a cause because rape and sexual assault pose a major risk factor for HIV transmission, and a consequence because HIV-positive status makes women more likely to be targeted for abuse. Read UN Secretary-General's message on International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on 25 November, 2005

Ending violence against refugee women is a top priority, says Guterres Violence is a common thread in the lives of refugees and displaced people all over the world. War, torture and persecution provide the grim background to their flight, while displacement and exile often engender more violence. The situation can be even worse for women refugees than it is for men, and UN High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres said combating violence against refugee women was one of his top priorities. The United Nations Population Fund has found that violence kills as many women and girls between the ages of 15 and 44 as cancer; that worldwide, one in three women has been beaten, coerced into unwanted sexual relations, or abused; and that roughly 80 per cent of the 800,000 people trafficked across borders each year are women and girls.

 

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