Commonwealth Human Rights e-Newsletter: April 2006   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:   ' Effective Functioning of Human Rights Mechanisms: National Institutions and Regional Arrangements' - Report of the Secretary-General to the Commission on Human Rights during the 62nd session in March 2006
Content:

	1. Forthcoming Events 2. Awards 3. Reports and Publications 4. News Stories

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

Forced Migration and Refugees: International Summer School from 3 to 21 July 2006, Oxford Oxford University 's Refugee Studies Centre is running an international summer school for practitioners and researchers involved with assistance and policy making for forced migrants and refugees. The programme offers an interdisciplinary and participative approach and aims to enable people working with refugees and other forced migrants to reflect critically on the forces and institutions that dominate the world of the displaced. The fee for 2006 is £2,450. The closing date for applications is 1 May 2006.

Second World Forum on Human Rights in Nantes, France from 10 to 13 July 2006 The second World Forum on Human Rights will be held in the Nantes Métropole International Convention Centre from 10 to 13 July 2006. 2006 will mark the 40th anniversary of the adoption of the International Covenants on Civil and Political Rights, and Economic, Social and Cultural Rights by the General Assembly of the United Nations. As in 2004, topical issues relating to Human Rights will be debated by policy makers (representatives of States, towns and local governments, members of parliaments) from all over the world, members of international organisations, of academia and representatives of civil society.

HREA's Distance learning course on Human Rights Monitoring from 6 September - 28 November 2006 This distance learning course offered by Human Rights Education Associates (HREA's) provides participants practical guidance on how to monitor human rights. Participants will be introduced to the doctrine and methodology of human rights monitoring, primarily as developed through the work of international organisations and NGOs, such as the Committee for the Prevention of Torture, the International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Association for the Prevention of Torture (APT) and national human rights NGOs. The course involves 60 hours of reading, on-line working groups, interaction with students and instructor and assignments, and is offered over a three-month period, beginning on 6 September 2006. E-mail will be the main medium for the course, although participants will need to have periodic access to the Web. The course tuition is € 525. A limited number of scholarships (tuition waivers) are available for applicants. The deadline for applications is 1 June 2006.

 

AWARDS,COMPETITIONS & INTERNSHIPS

Reebok Human Rights Award for 2007 – Call for nominations Established in 1988, the Reebok Human Rights Award honours young people from around the world who have made significant contributions to the cause of human rights, often against great odds. A $50,000 grant is given to further the work of each Award recipient. Award candidates must be 30 years of age or younger by December 31, 2006. Award candidates must be working on an issue that directly relates to the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Award is given to an individual, based on that individual's personal achievement and commitment. It is not given to groups of people, organisations, or as a memorial award to people who have died. The deadline to send nominations is 31 May 2006.

 

REPORTS & PUBLICATIONS

International

United Nations Secretary-General's Study on Violence against Children In 2003, the United Nations Secretary General appointed an Independent Expert, Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro, to lead a global study on Violence against Children. The Study, rooted in children's human rights to protection from all forms of violence, aims to promote action to prevent and eliminate violence against children at international, regional, national and local levels. The Study is an UN-led collaboration, mandated by the General Assembly (UN GA Resolution 57/190), to draw together existing research and relevant information about the forms, causes and impact of violence which affects children and young people (up to the age of 18 years). A major report will be published this year and recommendations presented to the UN General Assembly. The Independent Expert stated in his concept paper: “It is hoped that the Study will be a dynamic force for change and by fostering advocacy for, and promoting proven interventions to prevent violence against children, will be a catalyst for the mobilization of resources and political will at the international and national levels that are required to address the problem”. The Independent Expert is conducting the Study in collaboration with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human rights, the United Nations Children's Fund and the World Health Organization.

Summary Report on Violence against Disabled Children: UN Secretary General's Report on Violence against Children- findings and recommendations This report presents the findings of the Thematic Group on Violence against Disabled Children, convened by UNICEF at UN Headquarters in New York on 28 July 2005 and charged with the task of providing comments and recommendations on violence against disabled children to be made available for the UN Secretary General's Report on Violence against Children. In this report, key issues on violence against children with disabilities are reviewed. Some of the issues raised are familiar to those who work on violence against children. Other issues will be disability-specific and even experts and advocates on violence against children may be unfamiliar with them or have not thought deeply about the implications that such practices have in relation to violence against and abuse of disabled children.

Secretary General's Report - Investing in the United Nations: For a stronger organisation worldwide Secretary-General Kofi Annan presented to Member States his proposals for a fundamental overhaul of the United Nations Secretariat in March 2006. He states that the organisation's rules, systems and culture need significant retooling and investment if the UN is to fulfil growing expectations and demands placed on it by the international community. These new measures, a large number of which will require Member State approval, seek to modernize the UN's management practices which, while having been subject to incremental change over the years, have not been subject to a comprehensive review.

Integration of the human rights of women and a gender perspective: Report of the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights aspects of the victims of trafficking in persons, especially women and children This report of the Special Rapporteur on the human rights aspects of the victims of trafficking in persons, especially women and children, by Sigma Huda is submitted in accordance with Commission on Human Rights decision 2004/110. It covers the period January-December 2005. Section I outlines the Special Rapporteur's activities during this reporting period. Section II is devoted to a thematic study on the relationship between trafficking and the demand for commercial sexual exploitation. Section III contains the Special Rapporteur's conclusions and recommendations.

Female Genital Mutilation: A Matter of Human Rights - An advocate's guide to action This practical guide is intended for advocates working to stop the practice of FC/FGM. Its objective is to assist advocates in their efforts to engage their governments in this struggle. It develops a framework by which to hold governments accountable under international human rights law and identifies the duties of governments to ensure that women are free to abandon the practice of FC/FGM. This publication is based on a book entitled, Female Genital Mutilation: A Guide to Laws and Policies Worldwide, written by the Center for Reproductive Law and Policy (CRLP) and the Research, Action and Information Network for the Bodily Integrity of Women (RAINBO).

Concept paper on the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights' proposal for a unified standing treaty body In her Plan of Action, the High Commissioner for Human Rights indicated that she will develop proposals for a unified standing treaty body and invite States parties to the seven human rights treaties to an intergovernmental meeting in 2006 to consider options. This concept paper elaborates on her proposal and provides a basis on which options for reform can be explored. Further background papers will be prepared on specific issues relevant to the establishment of a unified standing treaty body, such as legal considerations, membership and resource requirements. While discussions with stakeholders on the High Commissioner's proposal proceed, efforts to strengthen the human rights treaty reporting system initiated pursuant to the Secretary-General's 2002 reform proposals will continue. Other ideas aimed at strengthening the system, and ensure that it has the best possible impact, will also be explored.

Preventing the Further Spread of HIV/AIDS: The essential role of Human Rights by Joseph Amon In the report, Joseph Amon, Director of HIV/AIDS research at Human Right Watch looks at the role of human rights abuses in the spread of HIV/AIDS and "whether the pandemic is due to denial of the existence or extent of the epidemic, misappropriation of resources, or hostility to those individuals infected or those populations most at-risk of infection." The author states that HIV/AIDS is linked to populations marginalised by society because of their gender, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, or social or economic class. Human rights are central both to understanding the dynamics of the disease and to how to combat it. HIV/AIDS is commonly thought to be related to economic, social, and cultural rights (such as the right to health care), as opposed to civil and political rights, such as freedom of expression and association and due process of law.

Commonwealth

Commonwealth Guidelines for the Treatment of Victims of Crime - Best Practice A Commonwealth Secretariat publication, the Guidelines provide a model legal and administrative framework through which Commonwealth member states can address the needs of victims of crime. In developing the Guidelines, the Expert Group was conscious of the historical neglect of the rights of victims of crime. The Guidelines describe what assistance and treatment, as minimum, victims of crime should expect from the criminal justice system, including the mandatory service standards expected of the criminal justice agencies and related government agencies. The Expert Group adopted a thematic approach in developing the Guidelines to allow for a more structured analysis. In doing so, it was recognised that some responsibilities may overlap, depending upon the role and powers of different agencies within the criminal justice system of the individual state.

Africa

Trafficking in Human Beings, especially women and children, in Africa (second edition) In recent years child trafficking has gained visibility as a major violation of children's rights. Trafficking of human beings affects every country in Africa for which data is available, either as countries of origin or destination. The report, published by the UNICEF Innocenti Research Centre, looks at information from 53 African countries and provides an analysis of the patterns, root causes, and existing national and regional policy responses and effective practices. Trafficking occurs when a child's protective environment collapses from such things as conflict, economic hardship, and discrimination. Traditional attitudes and practices, early marriage, and lack of birth registration further increase the vulnerability of children and women exploitation.

Australia

Ideas for Human Rights Education Published by the Victoria Department of Education & Training, this booklet documents good practices in human rights education across the schools sector in the state of Victoria (Australia) and offers interesting and innovative ideas from which schools and teachers can draw, according to their local needs and issues. This resource has three sections: Lesson Sparks; Whole School Organisation and Activities; and School and Community Partnerships. The activities in each section are not prescriptive and this resource does not attempt to provide a full curriculum for human rights education. Instead suggested activities are intended as a confirmation of many current practices in schools as contributing to a human rights agenda, and act as springboards for further ideas for human rights education for schools and their communities.

United Kingdom

Investigating Lethal Force Deaths in Northern Ireland This report, published by Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, is on the role of the inquest system in Northern Ireland in investigating deaths by lethal force. Article 2 of the ECHR ( European Court of Human Rights) requires the state to conduct an effective investigation of any death caused by lethal force or in a situation where the person is in the custody or care of the state. The report forms part of a series examining the implementation of Articles 2 and 3 (the first report in the series related to deaths in hospital). The Commission has also published short guides to Articles 2 and 3 (ECHR). The inquest is a very difficult experience for those who have been bereaved and it is important that the system works effectively to minimise distress for the family and to meet its expectations. The Commission hopes that this report will add to public knowledge of the problems in the system and point to ways of addressing these problems so that human rights can be upheld. The report discusses up-to-date case law relevant to Article 2 and looks at how the inquest system has operated in Northern Ireland in relation to lethal force cases.

Statistics on race and criminal justice system in the UK Section 95 of the UK's Criminal Justice Act 1991 requires the Secretary of State to publish such information as he considers expedient in order to enable those involved in the Criminal Justice System to become aware of the financial implications of their decisions, or to avoid discrimination on grounds of race, sex or any other improper grounds. The Home Office has published a series of documents since 1992 on the issue of race within the Criminal Justice System under these requirements. This report continues the series, bringing together statistical information on the representation of Black and Minority Ethnic groups as suspects, offenders and victims within the Criminal Justice System and on employees within the criminal justice agencies.

Hope Betrayed: An analysis of women victims of trafficking and their claims for asylum This report is a collaborative effort between the POPPY Project and the Refugee Women's Resource Project at Asylum Aid, UK. “Hope Betrayed” considers all the asylum claims made by women who were trafficked into the UK and subsequently supported by the POPPY Project from its inception in March 2003 until August 2005. The report provides the results and commentary on the asylum claims made by this group. The report compares reasons for refusal letters and asylum determinations by the adjudicators/immigration judges in the context of key aspects of the Refugee Convention, namely, sufficiency of state protection, convention reason and credibility. It points out the lack of acknowledgement of, or adherence, to the Home Office's gender guidance by its own caseworkers. The report suggests a number of potential reasons for the different appeal results. The report urges the government to put more of its energies into supporting women who have been trafficked into the UK by improving their access to the protection available through the asylum determination process.

Violence against Women - A briefing document on international issues and responses This Publication, produced by the British Council, looks at definitions and concepts and the many forms violence against women can take. It summarises the international context; definitions and main concepts; what we know about the scale of violence against women internationally; the connections to development; the impact on women's lives; and four stages of response. Case studies are used to look at the impact of violence on women's lives but also to illustrate new initiatives to tackle this continuing global problem.

Human Rights Commission for Scotland Report The Scottish Parliament's Justice 1 Committee has published its first report into the establishment of a Human Rights Commission for Scotland. The Scottish Commissioner for Human Rights Bill (“the SCHR Bill”) stems from a commitment made in the Scottish Executive Partnership Agreement of 2003 to establish a Human Rights Commission for Scotland.  The Bill was introduced to the Parliament on 7 October 2005 by the Minister for Justice, Cathy Jamieson MSP. On introduction, the Parliamentary Bureau referred the Bill to the Justice 1 Committee as lead committee. Under Rule 9.6 of the Standing Orders, it is for the lead committee to report on the general principles of the Bill.

User-friendly websites for all - Guide Key guidance on how to develop a website which is user-friendly for disabled people in the UK was launched on 8 March 2006. Following an investigation by the Disability Rights Commission (DRC) which revealed that 81 per cent of British websites are inaccessible, the guidance document, Publicly Available Specification (PAS) 78, was developed by the British Standards Institution (BSI) and sponsored by the DRC. The PAS 78 guide to good practice in commissioning accessible websites is applicable to all organisations. It covers areas including guidance on building accessible websites, auditing services and conformance checking. Since October 1999, website owners in the UK have had a legal duty under the DDA (Disability Discrimination Act) to ensure that services provided via the web are accessible to disabled people in the UK. Despite this law, many of the 10 million people who have rights under the DDA are being barred from using websites that fail to meet basic accessibility requirements. DRC formal investigation report on web accessibility

 

NEWS STORIES

CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Commission concerned about introduction of the TASER Concerns about the proposed introduction of the TASER for use by the police in Northern Ireland were expressed by the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission. The Commission was responding to a brief consultation by the Policing Board which invited views on the implications of a limited introduction of the TASER. It is proposed that the use of TASERs be introduced on a limited, pilot basis as a less-lethal alternative to the use of fire-arms in one-to-one situations. In responding to the issue, Chief Commissioner, Professor Monica McWilliams said: “The Commission is clear from the information provided by the Policing Board that the case for introducing TASERs to Northern Ireland , whether in a limited way or otherwise, has not been made. We are particularly concerned that not enough consideration has been given to the potential impact of the use of TASERs on individuals who may have mental health problems or children and young people. It is not clear from the information provided in the consultation whether or not an operational need for TASERs has been clearly identified in Northern Ireland ; and whether or not it is necessary to make the introduction at such speed. The short consultation period has not allowed for sufficient involvement of this Commission or other organisations to assess this crucial decision.

JUVENILE JUSTICE

Measure to improve juvenile prisons in Pakistan Children's rights activists have hailed the installation of security cameras at a detention facility for juveniles in Pakistan 's North West Frontier Province (NWFP), calling it a step forward in conditions for young people in detention facilities. “These surveillance cameras are the first ever installed in any juvenile jail in the country, which, we think, would greatly improve the number of abuse complaints," Jawad-ullah, regional coordinator of the Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child (SPARC), said. According to SPARC's 2005 annual report, an average of 2,500 male juvenile offenders are incarcerated across Pakistan, while the number of female juvenile inmates is not known for sure as they are counted with adult female prisoners in all four provinces. Pakistan only has three separate juvenile detention facilities: two in Punjab province and another in the southern port city of Karachi in Sindh. Throughout the rest of the country young offenders are kept in adult prisons but in separate accommodation known as juvenile cells.

HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL

General Assembly establishes New Human Rights Council by vote of 170 in favour to 4 against, with 3 abstentions United Nations Member States approved the establishment of a new Human Rights Council, aiming to strengthen the world body's machinery to promote and protect fundamental rights, and deal with major human rights offenders. Adopting its resolution 60/251 on 15 March 2006 by a recorded vote of 170 in favour to 4 against (Israel, Marshall Islands, Palau, United States), with 3 abstentions (Belarus, Iran, Venezuela), the General Assembly decided to set up the new Council to replace the Geneva-based Commission on Human Rights. Over objections from the United States that the resolution did not go far enough to exclude some of the world's worst human rights abusers from membership in the new body, the 191-member Assembly approved the text, which decided “members elected to the Council shall uphold the highest standards in the promotion and protection of human rights, fully cooperate with the Council, and be reviewed under the universal periodic review mechanism, during their term of membership”. The resolution calls for the election of new Council members on 9 May 2006, and an inaugural meeting on 19 June 2006. The Commission will be abolished on June 16. GA resolution 60/251 establishing the Human Rights Council Secretary-General's statement on the Human Rights Council Statement by General Assembly President Statement by the High Commissioner for Human Rights Message from Commonwealth Secretary-General on the Creation of a Human Rights Council

High Commissioner for Human Rights salutes creation of Human Rights Council High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour called the establishment of the United Nations Human Rights Council on 15 March 2006 "a historic opportunity to improve the protection and promotion of fundamental freedoms of people around the world". "The decision of the General Assembly to create the Council is momentous", the High Commissioner said. "It responds to the hope that the global community could come together and create a strong institution at the heart of the international human rights system". Mrs. Arbour said the Council was more than a "new and improved" Commission on Human Rights, the body it is replacing. She recalled that in addition to retaining some of the best elements of the Commission, such as the system of independent investigators and the broad participation of civil society, the new body boasted some significant features, including that candidates for membership would have to make commitments on human rights; elected members would be first in line for scrutiny under a universal periodic review of their human rights records; and members that committed gross and systematic violations of human rights could be suspended.

HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION

Child Rights/Citizenship & Human Rights Education UNICEF UK has launched a new website for young people aged 11 to 18. The UNICEF Youth Voice site replaces The Rights Site, and is packed with news and information about children's rights and global issues affecting young people. It provides a platform for young people to speak out and take action on issues about which they are concerned.

LABOUR

New Industrial Relations (IR) laws, same HREOC protections against dismissal on grounds of race, sex, disability and age With the Australian federal government's new laws governing workplace relations coming into effect, the Australian Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) reminded employers that federal and state equal opportunity laws still prohibit employers from dismissing people based on grounds covered under the race, sex, disability and age discrimination Acts. With the introduction of the government's Work Choices reforms, companies with fewer than 100 employees are exempt from unfair dismissal laws. However, all businesses, regardless of their size, must still adhere to equal opportunity laws and affected employees (including casuals, contract workers, part-time and/or full-time) can still use unlawful termination legislation and make a complaint to HREOC. The Commission is responsible for investigating and conciliating complaints under the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 , Sex Discrimination Act 1984 , Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and Age Discrimination Act 2004 . See the Federal IR Law changes

National Inquiry into Discrimination against People in Same-Sex Relationships: Financial and work-related entitlements and benefits The Australian Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission launched 'Same-Sex: Same Entitlements': A National Inquiry into Discrimination against People in Same-Sex Relationships Regarding Financial and Work-Related Benefits and Entitlements on 3 April 2006. The Inquiry intends to conduct an audit of Commonwealth, State and Territory laws in order to develop a full list of circumstances in which same-sex couples may be denied financial and work-related benefits and entitlements that heterosexual couples enjoy. The Inquiry will also be collecting individual stories about the impact of such laws on people in same-sex couples, and any children of same-sex couples. The Inquiry will make recommendations to the Federal Attorney-General, Philip Ruddock, and the Federal Parliament as to how to address any discrimination. The National Inquiry will be conducted jointly by Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission President John von Doussa QC and Human Rights Commissioner Graeme Innes AM. Read the Background Briefing

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS

Sixty-second session of the Commission on Human Rights from 13 March 2006 to 27 March 2006 The Human Rights Commission opened its sixty-second session on 13 March 2006 and then decided by consensus to suspend its work for one week until 20 March. On 15 March 2006, the General Assembly adopted resolution A/RES/60/251 to establish the Human Rights Council. The Commission on Human Rights concluded its sixty-second and final session on 27 March 2006. You can access: Provisional agenda of the 62nd session of the Commission Complete list of general documents presented before the Commission

Who will be the next UN Secretary General? UNSG.org provide news and commentary on the selection process of the next United Nations Secretary General. Posted items aim at addressing the selection of and the broad "job description" for the next UNSG in the sense of major challenges. Ongoing reform efforts are covered in the context of their implications for the future of the office. Information is provided by civil society leaders, government officials and media sources. UNSG.org invites its visitors to share their comments and reactions to specific candidates, the selection process and the positions of national governments.

Northern Ireland - Bill of Rights a priority for Human Rights Commissioner Marking the seventh anniversary of the foundation of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, Chief Commissioner, Professor Monica McWilliams has called on opinion formers in Northern Ireland to redouble their efforts to build a lasting framework for peace and social justice. Speaking at the 85th meeting of the Human Rights Commission taking place in Enniskillen on 13 March 2006, Professor McWilliams praised the valuable contribution which human rights defenders make in improving the quality of life for the community in Northern Ireland and pledged to continue campaigning for a comprehensive Bill of Rights. Noting that the Northern Ireland Office has been recently involved in discussions with local political parties and non governmental organisations on establishing a round table to facilitate progress on a Bill of Rights, she said: “The Commission believes it is vital to build a political consensus in favour of a comprehensive and inclusive Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland . In order to help achieve this, we support the establishment of a round table bringing together political parties and civic society. We hope that the Northern Ireland Office can make progress in setting up such a forum and the Commission urges local political leaders to support this important initiative.”

Australia - common law country without a Bill of Rights Australia is the only common law country (including the United Kingdom, Canada, Aotearoa/New Zealand and the United States of America) to have no Bill of Rights. Currently, United Nations Conventions are relied on to support state and federal discrimination legislation. The Australian Constitution does have several ‘human rights' provisions - the right to jury trial, to freedom of religion, to movement between the states - but no legislation or constitutional framework that explicitly protects the human rights of Australian citizens, residents or visitors. In 2006, Australian industrial rights took a step backwards with amendments to the Workplace Relations Act, particularly as to the role of trade unions in maintaining industrial rights and fair conditions of work. A Human Rights Act Campaign run by New Matilda , an e-magazine, was launched in 2005 and aims to have a Human Rights Bill tabled in the Australian Parliament by October 2006.

Countries begin submitting candidacies and pledges for Human Rights Council Elections on 9 May 2006 Countries are now submitting their candidacies for the 9 May elections for the Human Rights Council.  So far there have been five candidacies from Asia for thirteen seats, one candidacy from Africa for 13 seats, thirteen candidacies from Eastern Europe for six seats, five candidacies from the Latin American and Caribbean states for eight seats, and eight candidacies from Western Europe for seven seats. Six out of the 32 countries ( Algeria , Georgia , Hungary , Argentina Nicaragua and Switzerland ) have submitted pledges outlining their commitments to human rights, which include factors such as ratification of international human rights instruments, cooperation with treaty monitoring bodies in implementation and reporting, maintained financial support to the OHCHR, open invitations to the special procedures, etc.

Chief Commissioner of Canadian Human Rights Commission announces her retirement Mary Gusella, Chief Commissioner of Canadian Human Rights Commission announced her retirement on 8 March 2006 by issuing a statement, “After thirty-six years in the Public Service of Canada, including serving as Chief Commissioner of the Canadian Human Rights Commission since August, 2002, I have decided to take my retirement effective May 30th. It has been a great privilege to serve in many different government departments and agencies and to work on many issues that have touched the lives of Canadians.” Mary Gusella was appointed Chief Commissioner on August 7, 2002. In June 2005, Ms. Gusella received the Outstanding Achievement Award of the Public Service of Canada from the Prime Minister for her work at the Commission.

RIGHT TO WATER

Water: Not a Human Rights? By Diego Cevallos The assertion that access to water is a human right was not included in the ministerial declaration adopted at the Fourth World Water Forum, which ended in Mexico on World Water Day. The 4th World Water Forum convened in Mexico from 16 March to 22 March 2006. Although all of the delegates said they agreed with the principle, some argued that it was not feasible to include it in the final declaration, because it could generate legal problems at the national and international level. That stance was criticised by activists, who said the refusal to include the assertion was "a clear indication" that transnational corporations and rich countries do not want to budge an inch in their aim to "commodify" water, to which 1.1 billion people in the world do not have access. Water is a "guarantee of life for all of the world's people" was the compromise formula agreed by the government delegates taking part in the Forum. The delegates of the 148 participating countries agreed to sign the (non-binding) document, in which the governments pledged to work towards the goal of universal access to sanitation and safe water, after negotiating the inclusion of an annex that expresses a dissenting view held by several governments. Summary of the 4th World Water Forum: 16-22 March 2006

RIGHTS OF THE DISABLED

Suhakam: Government must be disabled-friendly The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) and the Damai Disabled Persons' Association of Selangor agree that there is a lack of disabled-friendly facilities in the country. They have called on the Government to provide more facilities for the handicapped. The association and Suhakam were commenting on the case of a handicapped woman who received an arrest warrant via court order from the Klang Municipal Council (KMC) for not paying her overdue fines. Suhakam president Prof Datuk Hamdan Adnan said: "KMC should have been more tactful and considerate. The Government must make sure facilities for the handicapped are available at all Government buildings.

RIGHTS OF THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE

Indigenous health needs to be addressed with a holistic rights-based approach says AHREOC Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Tom Calma said the release of a national health survey by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) was further confirmation that Indigenous health is in crisis and requires immediate attention. The 2004-05 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Health Survey is the largest ever conducted by the ABS, with over 10,000 Indigenous participants. Around two-thirds of those surveyed said they had at least one long-term health condition, a third reported eye problems, 15 per cent had asthma and around 12 per cent had heart and circulatory diseases. Commissioner Calma said: “It is unacceptable that Indigenous Australians are dying 17 years younger than other people in Australia and it is an absurdity that Indigenous health status is what it is in modern day Australia . The ABS figures reinforce the importance of the campaign for achieving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health equality within a generation which I have set out in my latest Social Justice Report.” Commissioner Calma warned that governments risk failure if they develop and implement policies about Indigenous issues without engaging with the intended recipients of those services.

 

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