Commonwealth Human Rights e-Newsletter: July 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: Speech of Miloon Kothari – UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Adequate Housing, to the World Urban Forum held from 19 to 23 June 2006, Vancouver : Annual reports of the Special Rapporteur on adequate housing
Content:

	1. Forthcoming Events 2. Awards 3. Reports and Publications 4. News Stories 5. Update on Human Rights Council's First Session

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

11th Annual Meeting of APF in Suva, Fiji Islands from 31 July to 3 August 2006 The 11th Annual Meeting of the Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions (APF) will be hosted by the Fiji Human Rights Commission. The meeting will bring together more than 150 representatives of national human rights institutions, governments, non-government organisations and United Nations and other international organisations. A highlight of the meeting will be the focus on the role of national human rights institutions in the protection and promotion of economic, social and cultural rights. The APF's Advisory Council of Jurists will meet to consider a reference from the Forum Council on the legal obligations of States for the implementation of economic, social and cultural rights, with respect to the right to education.

Belfast 2006 : The Right Justice - XVII World Congress of the International Association of Youth and Family Judges and Magistrates from 27 August to 1 September 2006 in Belfast The central theme of the Congress is ‘The Right Justice' and is dedicated to promoting the rights of children. Issues touching on the administration of justice as it affects the main influences on children and youth – family, community, society and youth justice will be considered within the context of a set of themes that reflect the rights enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and other relevant international instruments. The aim of the Congress will be to promote fresh initiatives internationally for the protection of children's rights and the progress of youth justice.

Use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) for Human Rights Work - Advance course starting from 20 September 2006 This e-learning course offered by Human Rights Education Associates (HREA) is intended for staff members of human rights and social justice NGOs and inter-governmental organisations who are responsible for information and communication (i.e. information officers, web editors, webmasters/webweavers, communication specialists) within their organisation. Participants will be introduced to proven methods of using ICTs to promote their human rights work. They will become equipped with the knowledge and tools to more effectively design and implement listservs, web sites, databases or multi-media for advocacy campaigns, training and information management. This 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 20 September 2006. The course is based on a participatory, active learning approach, with an emphasis on peer-to-peer learning. The course tuition fee is 525 €. A limited number of scholarships is available for this course based on financial need. The deadline for applications is 15 July 2006.

South Africa Regional course on Economic, Social & Cultural Rights from 16 October to 3 November 2006 Human Rights Trust of Southern Africa - SAHRIT is offering a regional course on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The course is the 5th course organised by SAHRIT since 2002. The course will run from 16 October to 3 November 2006 at St Lucia Park in Harare, Zimbabwe . The course will bring pertinent economic, social and cultural rights issues to the fore. It will be an opportunity for participants from the different backgrounds and countries of Southern Africa to share information and experiences. The deadline for application is 21 August 2006.

Intensive Course on Justiciability of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in Turku/Åbo, Finland from 13 to 17 November 2006 The Course is organised jointly by the Institute for Human Rights at Åbo Akademi University and the Centre on Housing Rights and Evictions (COHRE). The course is meant to offer the participants an opportunity to develop specialist-level knowledge in the field of international human rights treaties on economic and social rights, in particular in the issue of their justiciability on the national and international level. Jurisdictions subjected to scrutiny will include Canada , Finland , India , South Africa , as well as the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the European Committee of Social Rights. The number of participants is restricted to 30. The course fee is EUR 600. The fee is EUR 400 for those who make their own housing arrangements. The deadline for applications is 15 September 2006. Download the Application Form

The CRE Race Convention 2006 in London from 27-28 November, 2006 This November, the Commission for Racial Equality, UK will host a major international conference in London to mark its 30th anniversary. The Commission for Racial Equality is established by the 1976 Race Relations Act to lead the fight against discrimination and to promote good race relations. It will be a landmark event with high-profile speakers, up-to-the-minute debate, practical workshops, a host of cultural activities and networking opportunities. Convention 2006 will bring together people from all parts of society to debate of some of the most critical issues facing the UK , Europe and beyond.

 

AWARDS,COMPETITIONS & INTERNSHIPS

UNESCO prize for Human Rights Education - Call for nominations UNESCO Sector for Social and Human Sciences is calling for nominations for its Prize for Human Rights Education from member states and associate members of UNESCO, and from intergovernmental organisations and international non-governmental organisations maintaining official relations with UNESCO. This Prize was established in 1978 to mark the 30th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and to honour efforts of organisations or individuals, having made an exemplary contribution to the advancement of knowledge on human rights and building a universal culture of human rights. The name of the 15th laureate of the Prize will be announced on 10 December 2006, on the occasion of Human Rights Day. The prize-winner will receive $10,000 and a diploma and trophy. Deadline for nominations is 21 July 2006.

African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights 20 years in force - call for papers The year 2006 marks 25 years since the adoption of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, in Nairobi, Kenya, on 27 June 1981, and 20 years since its entry into force, on 21 October 1986. The African Human Rights Law Journal, edited by the Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria and published by Juta Law , South Africa , has, since being launched in 2001, focused on the African regional human rights system. Commemorating the 20 years in the life of the African Charter, the African Human Rights Law Journal will devote its second issue of 2006 to the first 20 years of the African Charter and is inviting contributions on any aspect of the jurisprudential development of substantive rights in the African Charter. Please prepare submissions in line with the guidelines and submit by 31 July 2006. Please note that contributions should not exceed 10 000 words.

 

REPORTS & PUBLICATIONS

International

Reconceiving the UN Human Rights Regime: Challenges confronting the new UN Human Rights Council In 2006, the UN Commission on Human Rights, established 60 years earlier, was replaced by a new Human Rights Council. This article, published by the Centre for Human Rights and Global Justice, examines the widely differing reasons given for the Commission's loss of credibility and seeks to draw lessons relevant to the new institutional regime which the Council must build. It argues that the preoccupation with the Council's composition, and the exclusion of violators, fails to address the more important factors in the Commission's downfall. Detailed consideration is given to the potential strengths and pitfalls involved in establishing a system of universal periodic review of the human rights performance of every state, and of the need to learn from the dismal failure of a very similar exercise undertaken by the Commission between 1956 and 1981. The article then considers some of the key reforms that need to be undertaken in order to transform the system of ‘special procedures' — currently involving some 41 country and thematic mechanisms — into a more coherent, professional and effective system for defending human rights and one which should be at the core of the work of the new Council.

Human Rights Council Handbook The International Service for Human Rights (ISHR) and Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) have developed a joint publication, 'A new chapter for human rights: a handbook on issues of transition from the Commission on Human Rights to the Human Rights Council'. The handbook highlights the major issues of transition from the Commission on Human Rights to the new Human Rights Council. It briefly describes the old system under the Commission, what the Council needs to consider and do during its first year, and some of the key issues, and existing suggestions and choices. The handbook also identifies the main questions around each of these issues to generate discussion and reflection on what NGOs and defenders hope can be achieved through the system, what features they think would be useful, and better options. The handbook is also supplemented by a series of annexes containing key documents, compilations and tables of information that may be useful to readers.

Keeping the Promise: An Agenda for Action on Women and AIDS The UNAIDS-led Global Coalition on Women and AIDS on the eve of the High Level meeting (30 June 2006) issued a new Agenda for Action on Women and AIDS, urging leaders attending the 2006 High Level Meeting on AIDS to keep promises made at previous international meetings to tackle the social, cultural and economic factors that intensify the impact of AIDS on women and girls. ‘Five years ago, Member States agreed that gender equality and women's empowerment are fundamental to ensuring an effective response to AIDS,' said Dr Peter Piot, UNAIDS Executive Director. ‘Specific pledges were made to promote women's rights, protect women and girls from discrimination, and improve their access to vital services such as education and the prevention of mother-to-child transfer of HIV. Some progress has been made, but major opportunities to stem the global epidemic are being missed.' Dr Piot stressed: ‘The ultimate criterion to judge all AIDS programmes is “Does this work for women and girls?” Read Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS and 2006 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic

Australia

Ending family violence and abuse in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities - key issues The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission has released an overview paper of research and findings by the Commission on this important issue. The paper provides a summary of the key challenges in addressing family violence and abuse in Indigenous communities which have been identified and reported by the Commission from 2001 to 2006. Tom Calma, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner said the paper seeks to ensure that any government and non government program responses to family violence in Indigenous communities are built on solid evidence and facts. Commissioner Calma said: “The Commission's research demonstrates how violence relates to almost every aspect of policy making and service delivery in Indigenous communities.  There is a need to adopt a holistic approach to address the causes and consequences of family violence. If we treat these issues simply as a law and order issue we will not achieve the necessary lasting improvements in the lives of Indigenous peoples.” Family Violence overview paper

Africa

Born to high risk: violence against girls in Africa Published by the African Child Policy Forum, this report aims to enrich work on violence against children in Africa and to provide a framework for action. It provides strong foundations for future action by exploring the concept of violence and identifying what makes African girls especially vulnerable to various forms of violence. The report focuses on violence against girls specifically in the areas: violence in the community; trafficking and child labour; girls in crisis situations.

Asia- Pacific

Conclusions and Recommendations of the Colloquium and Workshop for Judges and Lawyers on the Justiciability of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in the Pacific region held in Suva, Fiji from 1 to 3 June 2006 The colloquium and workshop for judges and lawyers on the justiciability of economic, social and cultural rights in the Pacific was organised in Suva , Fiji from 1 to 3 June 2006, by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in collaboration with the Fiji Human Rights Commission (FHRC), Interights and the Commonwealth Secretariat. The event was convened in the context of the United Nations Framework on Regional Cooperation for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights in the Asian-Pacific Region, which aims to promote consideration of the establishment of regional and/or sub-regional human rights arrangements for Asia and the Pacific. Participants examined the approach of judges and lawyers in a number of jurisdictions to the civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights embodied in the international human rights treaties, in particular the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. They also considered the approach of regional and international decision-making bodies to these rights. They stressed the importance of the treaty monitoring system, including the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights as a framework for establishing a culture of human rights.

South Africa

Right to Basic Education Report by SAHRC On 13 June 2006, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) launched its report on the ‘Right to Basic Education'. This report, a culmination of the public hearings on the right to basic education convened from 12 – 14 October 2005 by the SAHRC, explores the meaning, content and context in which the right to basic education is experienced in South Africa. The public hearings brought together members of the public and other stakeholders to dialogue and explore, among others, the meaning of the right to basic education and to assess the realisation of this right in South Africa . The hearings provided an opportunity to examine the right to basic education from the perspectives of the vulnerable groups in society, such as those living with disabilities, farming communities and those affected by HIV/AIDS.

United Kingdom

"Medical Investigation and Documentation of Torture” – A handbook Funded by the UK government, the book “Medical Investigation and Documentation of Torture”, is published by the University of Essex's Human Rights Centre (HRC). The handbook, which encourages the investigation and documentation of state-sanctioned torture in the hope of preventing further abuse, is to be distributed to health professionals world-wide through Britain 's embassies and diplomatic missions. The handbook, which raises awareness of the use of torture and the physical and psychological wounds it leaves, is published to coincide with UN international day in support of victims of torture on 26 June 2006. It advises doctors and other health workers on the most appropriate way of examining a person who has been tortured and looks at the uses to which the effective documentation of injuries can be put, including battling impunity, helping prosecute perpetrators, seeking redress for survivors, and helping asylum seekers substantiate their accounts of persecution. This book is the latest in a series produced by HRC. Access the previous titles The Torture Reporting Handbook, Combating Torture: A Manual for Judges and Prosecutors and Reporting Killings as Human Rights Violations

Two new progress reports released on HIV in the UK Two reports, one by the UK AIDS and Human Rights Project (AHRP), the other by the National AIDS Trust (NAT) have both praised the UK 's record of funding and supporting HIV and AIDS programmes overseas, but say that the HIV epidemic in the country itself is being overlooked.  The United Nation's General Assembly (UNGASS) Declaration of Commitment on HIV and AIDS outlines the action that every member state must take in order to tackle HIV and AIDS in their country.  Many see the UNGASS declaration as a commitment that only applies to poor countries carrying the greatest burden of HIV.  However, the declaration is equally applicable within countries more traditionally seen as aid ‘donors', including the UK. With 7750 new infections diagnosed in 2005 alone, the United Kingdom has one of the highest rates of HIV in Western Europe.  Yet according the NAT report, in the last two years, there has not been a single speech given by the Prime Minister or any Cabinet Minister focusing on the problem in the UK.  The National Strategy for Sexual Health and HIV has not been updated or even reviewed since 2001, and there are no firm governmental targets relating to the reduction of HIV infection in the population.  The AHRP report also reveals that the UK Department of Health failed to submit a report on its progress towards achieving the Declaration of Commitment goals before the UN's deadline in December. The Disability Discrimination Act now ensures that HIV+ people cannot legally be discriminated against, and mother-to-child transmission has been reduced dramatically over the past 10 years thanks to the implementation of opt-out antenatal HIV screening.  Some policies relating to the controversial area of HIV and migration have also been improved, with HIV+ asylum seekers now only being ‘dispersed' around the country if they can be guaranteed access to HIV care and uninterrupted treatment.  Both reports now call for the UK government to renew its commitments on AIDS, to stem the annual rise in new cases and ensure that all those affected by the illness in the UK receive appropriate care and support. UK AHRP UNGASS Report and NAT report

 

NEWS STORIES

ASYLUM

UNHCR launches a global campaign on World Refugee Day: ninemillion.org ninemillion refugee children in the world dream of a better future. This campaign is helping these children realise their dreams by improving their lives in refugee camps through education and sport. Education, play and sport in refugee camps engage children in positive activities that give them hope and provide vital life tools, which can be used to rebuild lives and regain a sense of normalcy and structure in their daily lives. The objectives of the campaign are to raise awareness about refugee children and youth; and raise funds for education and sport programs for refugee children and youth. Visit ninemillion.org

UN urges greater refugee support The UN refugee agency marked the World Refugee Day on 20 June by calling for more long-term support for the millions of refugees who have returned home. If a country's basic infrastructure is not in place, insecurity and conflict can easily return, the UNHCR says. In the last four years, more than six million people have returned home from other countries. This has brought the global number of refugees to its lowest level in more than 25 years, the UN says. Hope was the theme for this year's event - a reference, the UN says, to the hope of millions of refugees for a safe return home. But the world needs to look beyond just the return of refugees, the UN says. Read - World Refugee Survey 2006 - 2005 Global Refugee Trends: Statistical overview of populations of refugees, asylum-seekers, internally displaced persons, stateless persons, and other persons of concern to UNHCR - Refugees are not illegal migrants - India

CHILD

UN special representative to send Special Adviser to Sri Lanka to look at abuse Warning that the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) are continuing to "recruit and use child soldiers" in Sri Lanka and highlighting allegations of "grave violations" against children by all parties in the conflict, Radhika Coomaraswamy, the United Nations Special Representative for Children affected by armed conflict, said. She has appointed a Special Adviser to undertake a fact-finding mission to the island. "Besides recruitment of child soldiers, there are also allegations of other grave violations against children by all parties to the conflict, she added, expressing deep concern about the deteriorating situation in Sri Lanka, where separatists and Government forces have been fighting for two decades. Ms. Coomaraswamy has appointed Ambassador Alan Rock of Canada as Special Advisor to conduct the fact-finding mission, according to a UN news release that added the dates would be finalised in consultation with Sri Lanka 's Government, UN partners and others. Ambassador Rock has served as the Canadian Ambassador to the UN from 2004 to June 2006. During this period, he was involved in setting up the UN Human Rights Council and the Peace building Commission.

Cameroon to adopt legislation to protect children Following the law of 29 December 2004 against child trafficking, the government of Cameroon is about to adopt yet more legislation to protect the rights of children against abuse by adults. The announcement was made by the Minister of Social Affairs, Catherine Bakang Mbock during the UN Press Club meeting in Yaounde. The event was organised by the UN Information Centre in Yaounde to mark the eighth day of the African Child on June 16. The law drafted in collaboration with UNICEF and ILO, the Minister said, will soon be tabled to parliament for adoption. The law falls within the framework of the government's broader social policy which consists of providing support to vulnerable children and the handicapped. She said “her ministry has plans to rehabilitate institutions that take care of vulnerable children. Also, government was going to continue the tradition of children's parliament geared at inculcating the spirit of participation in national life.”

World Day Against Child Labour - 12 June 2006 Each year the World Day Against Child Labour (WDACL) on 12 June has often focused on one of the “Worst Forms of Child labour” listed in Convention No.182, starting with the Unconditional Worst Forms, such as child trafficking. This was then followed by child domestic work and then child labour in mining last year. The event is aimed at mobilising people around the world against child labour and its worst forms, reflecting local cultures and customs, while encouraging the participation of authorities, the media, civil society and the public at large. This year the event was focused on the findings of the new ILO global report on child labour ‘ The end of child labour: within reach' . This second Global Report documents the fact that there has been a major shift in the progress of the movement to end child labour. For the first time it can be documented that there is a world-wide decrease in child labour, with the worst forms of child labour decreasing most significantly. The Report reviews the ways in which this has been achieved – broadly speaking, the international community now understands the policies that have to be put into place, and is helping countries make them work. Read the report The end of child labour: Within reach

CRIMINAL JUSTICE

The world says NO to torture on 26 June 2006 On 26 June 1987 the Convention against Torture came into force. It was an important step in the much-needed process of globalising human rights and acknowledging that torture, and all forms of inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, are absolutely and universally illegal. In 1997, the United Nations General Assembly decided to mark this historic date and designated 26 June each year as International Day in Support of Victims of Torture. This year's common theme of 26 June was the need for rehabilitation and the need for adequate and sustainable funding to the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture, UNVFVT. After the EU the Fund is the biggest donor to rehabilitation centres and programmes worldwide, but still, there are requests from centres and programmes for double the resources available. The International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT) was the coordinator of 26 June activities which are being marked at more than 100 locations around the globe. Exhibitions, theatre performances, panel discussions, street marches and visits by celebrities were only some of the numerous events highlighting the importance of this day honouring torture survivors.

DEATH PENALTY

Abolish the Death Penalty in Ghana - Amnesty International Amnesty International-Ghana remains seriously concerned about the continued existence of the death penalty in the country's law books and reiterates its opposition to the death penalty in all cases, without exception, as a violation of the right to life as proclaimed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Convinced that the death penalty is offensive to all norms of human dignity, Amnesty International-Ghana urged the government of Ghana to abolish the death penalty by expunging it from the country's law books.

HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL

Maldives welcomes inauguration of new Human Rights Council The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Maldives, Dr. Ahmed Shaheed, has addressed the High-Level Segment of the inaugural session of the UN Human Rights Council, welcoming the establishment of the Council and promising to work closely with the new body in order to improve human rights protection in the Maldives. Addressing delegates, Dr. Shaheed congratulated the President of the new body, Ambassador Luis Alfonso de Alba of Mexico, on his election and welcomed the inauguration of the Council together with its stated aim of “promoting universal respect for the protection of all human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, without distinction of any kind and in a fair and equal manner”. Dr. Shaheed reminded the audience that “the inauguration of the Human Rights Council comes at an important time in the democratic history of the Maldives. The country is embarked on an ambitious reform programme designed to bring its political institutions into line with modern democratic and human rights standards. The international community has played and continues to play a key role in this reform process, offering invaluable advice, support and expertise.” The Minister also recalled that the Government has made a public commitment, in its roadmap for the reform agenda, to sign up to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights by December 2006.

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS

Human Rights council approves disappearance treaty   The United Nations Human Rights Council unanimously approved an international treaty that would ban states from abducting perceived enemies and hiding them in secret prisons or killing them. The International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance would require states to keep registers of detainees and tell their families the truth about their disappearance, as well as paying compensation. It still has to be adopted in the UN General Assembly, and then individual governments would need to approve it. Rights experts say the United States , in the spotlight over allegations that it has been transferring terrorism suspects to secret jails in other countries, is not expected to ratify the pact. The Human Rights Council, a new 47-member state forum, agreed, in its first major decision, to send the pact to the General Assembly for final adoption.

Corruption undermines Human Rights – CHRAJ The Deputy Director of anti-corruption of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), Charles Ayamdoo, has stated that corruption, especially in a grand and systemic form, impedes full realisation of human rights, lowers moral standards and drains the nation's resources. He was speaking at a workshop organised by the Center for Democratic Development (CDD) on the theme; "Exploring and Deepening the Linkage Between Corruption and Human Rights", in Accra to assess the role of civil society organisations, the media, parliament and other stakeholders in highlighting corruption as a human rights issue. According to him, this situation undermines the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights guaranteed in law and also worsens poverty, hunger, illiteracy and insecurity in the country. He noted that corruption and human rights are inextricably interrelated and interdependent, hence the promotion and protection of human rights cannot be divorced from the fight against corruption, which is a threat to the rule of law, democratic system of government, individuals and society at large. "With corruption, the rights to life, dignity and equality, and all other rights lose their meaning, let alone be realised," he stated.

Minister of Justice appoints full-time Commissioner of the Canadian Human Rights Commission The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, Vic Toews, Q.C., announced the appointment of David Langtry to the position of full-time Commissioner of the Canadian Human Rights Commission on 16 June 2006. Mr. Langtry is an accomplished senior executive and lawyer with more than 23 years of combined progressive experience in the private practice of law and public sector administration. In his home province of Manitoba, he has served as the Assistant Deputy Minister for Child and Family Services, where he led five programme areas: Child, Family and Community Development (child welfare), Family Conciliation, Family Violence Prevention, Children's Special Services, and Child Day Care. Prior to that, Mr. Langtry served as Executive Director of the Multiculturalism Secretariat in Manitoba, responsible for implementation of the province's Multicultural Policy. In this role, he helped develop the Multiculturalism Act proclaimed by the province in 1992, as well as a Multicultural Internship in Government program to facilitate the entry into government by individuals from specific ethnocultural communities. In addition, Mr. Langtry has served as Vice-President and President of the Folk Arts Council of Winnipeg/Folklorama festival on a volunteer basis. Other roles have included membership of the Canadian Multiculturalism Advisory Council, Chairperson of the Multicultural Grants Advisory Council, and Treasurer of the Manitoba Bar Association. He earned his LLB from the Faculty of Law at the University of Manitoba in 1976.

First Human Rights Tribunal in Kenya The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) is in the process of conducting the first human rights tribunal in Kenya. The National Commission's hearing panel began hearing cases on violations of human rights on 26 June 2006. The hearings are based on complaints of alleged human rights violations brought to the National Commission by members of the public. The legal basis of the tribunal is found at Sections 19-21 of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights Act, 2002 and proceedings before the hearing panel will be governed by the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (Complaints Procedures) Regulations, 2005. These regulations set out the procedures and formal requirements to be followed while the hearing panel conducts its business. The key features are, among other things, that the National Commission, under the Act, is granted the powers of a court. This includes the power to summon persons and documents; the power to question any person regarding any matter under investigation by the National Commission; and t he power to compel any person to disclose any information within their knowledge relevant to any investigation by the Commission. Also read: The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights Act, 2002

Partnerships crucial in promoting Human Rights Collaboration between government agencies, national human rights institutions (NHRIs), the media, civil society organisations, and international partners is necessary to ensure effective national plans of action to enhance awareness of and respect for human rights, according to Rabab Fatima , Head of the Human Rights Unit of the Commonwealth Secretariat. She was speaking at the opening of a four-day Expert Planning Workshop on National Human Rights Institutions in West Africa in Accra , Ghana , which began on 4 July 2006. It is organised by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Ms Fatima shared practical experiences of NHRIs in other Commonwealth countries on establishing partnerships, and planning strategies for joint action. Government ministries working with NHRIs and other partners for joint reporting to United Nations human rights treaty bodies is an example of such partnerships, she said, as is conducting joint prison visits to monitor penitentiary conditions, or national awareness programmes for police and other officials.

Joint statement call on Nigeria to revoke the decision to dismiss Mr. Bukhari, Executive Director of the National Human Rights Commission of Nigeria The International Service for Human Rights and the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a joint programme of the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) and the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), call on the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to revoke the decision to dismiss Mr. Bukhari Bello as Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission of Nigeria (NHRC). On 19 June 2006, Mr. Bello received a letter from the Federal Ministry of Justice purportedly removing him from the office of Executive Secretary of the Commission. According to the information received, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria instructed the Attorney General and Minister of Justice to remove Mr. Bello from his office due to discontent on the part of the Government on the positions taken by Mr. Bello. In particular, the Government appears to have been displeased with comments made by Mr. Bello regarding proposed amendments to the Constitution of Nigeria prolonging the term of office of the Presidency of the Federation as well as his condemnation of the attacks by law enforcement personnel on members of the media, including the arrest and detention of a television journalist. Read more: - UN and African Commission experts on situation of human rights defenders concerned over removal of head of Nigerian rights body - Independence of National Human Rights Commission Must be Defended: NGOs Call for Sanctions if Nigeria Sacks Executive Secretary

RIGHTS OF THE DISABLED

Disability Rights Commission, UK launches first formal investigation into public sector fitness standards The DRC launched a general formal investigation (FI) on 22 May 2006 looking at the barriers people with impairments and long-term health conditions face in trying to pursue careers in teaching, nursing and social work. This investigation is a general formal investigation and will use a variety of research methods and an inquiry panel to take evidence. The investigation covers England , Scotland and Wales and will be completed in summer 2007.

RIGHTS OF THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE

UN council approves indigenous rights treaty The United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council has endorsed a widespread extension of the rights of the world's indigenous people. Canada and Russia were the only two nations who opposed the declaration. Australia is not a member of the council but Canada says it was representing the interests of Australia , America and New Zealand. The declaration calls on nations with Aboriginal peoples to give them more control over their lands and resources. The official Australian position is that the Government favours the declaration, which has been in the works for 23 years, but not in its current form. Canada came out against the declaration saying it wanted two more years of discussions. The declaration won 30 votes in the 47-member council, with 12 abstentions. The 18-page declaration is not binding but calls on governments to introduce laws to underpin its provisions. It now goes to the UN General Assembly in New York for final approval, probably in September. UN Resolution and Draft Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Social Justice Commissioner of Australian Human Rights & Equal Opportunity Commission praises United Nations Human Rights Council for adopting the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

UN expert urges South Africa and New Zealand to ratify ILO 169 immediately The UN's top expert on indigenous rights has called on the governments of South Africa and New Zealand to ratify ILO Convention 169 on indigenous and tribal peoples' rights. Dr Rodolfo Stavenhagen, the UN special rapporteur on indigenous peoples visited both countries, and recently released reports on them. ILO Convention 169 is the only legally binding international instrument which upholds tribal peoples' rights to the collective ownership of their lands. The UN report reveals that the most pressing concern of all the indigenous communities in South Africa is ‘securing their land base' in order to practice their economies such as pastoralism and hunter-gathering. It notes that ‘forced dispossession' of indigenous peoples off their lands has pushed them from self reliance into dependency and poverty. In New Zealand, the report acknowledges that one of the most urgent human rights concerns for the Maori tribes relates to land issues, and reveals that 94 per cent of Maori ancestral land has been taken from them by a variety of historical processes. It urges the government of New Zealand to continue ‘to support efforts to achieve a United Nations declaration on the rights of indigenous peoples by consensus, including the right to self-determination'. Read the reports: South Africa and New Zealand

WOMEN

Cameroon: Hope for an end to female genital mutilation Hope is growing for those working in Cameroon to end the practice of female genital mutilation, a tradition the United Nations estimates impacts 20% of the women in the Central African country. There is no law against circumcision in Cameroon , even though the right to health is protected by the constitution and the penal code. The country is signatory to several international conventions aimed at promoting the rights of women and girls. Rights groups and female lawmakers are working on legislation that could be submitted to parliament before the end of the year.

UN-backed conference aims to tackle sexual violence ‘in conflict and beyond' Rape and sexual violence in conflict appear to be worsening and very little is being done to tackle the problem, a major UN International Symposium on Sexual Violence in Conflict and Beyond, held from 21 to 23 June 2006 in Brussels , has heard. The UN Population Fund (UNFPA), wants a UN declaration and extra funding. Delegates from 14 conflict-affected countries, half from Africa, attended the conference in Brussels . Participants include heads of United Nations agencies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), human rights activists and researchers, government ministers, doctors and other field-based humanitarian workers, parliamentarians, representatives from the International Criminal Court (ICC), military and police officers, war correspondents and other members of the media. The UNFPA says that, while sexual violence in wartime is not new, there is evidence it is becoming more common. The trend towards more civil and regional conflicts means civilians are targeted more than ever before, the organisation says. Women and children are vulnerable, not just during armed attacks, but also in displacement camps, during aid distribution and even after conflict has officially ended. A UN report ‘Sexual Violence Against Women and Girls in War and its Aftermath: Realities, Responses, and Required Resources' prepared for the meeting found that systematic rape was a prominent feature of the conflicts. •  Report on Sexual Violence Against Women and Girls in War and Its Aftermath: Realities, Responses, and Required Resources •  International Symposium on Sexual Violence in Conflict and Beyond

Women and HIV/AIDS According to Human Rights Watch, the deadly link between women's rights abuses and the spread of HIV/AIDS is slowly gaining recognition, but not before millions of women lost their lives to the disease. Evidence indicates that women especially at risk are those in a heterosexual marriage or long-term union in a society where men commonly engage in sex outside the union and women confront abuse if they demand condom use. Every day, in every corner of the world, women and girls are beaten in their homes, trafficked into forced prostitution, raped by soldiers and rebels in armed conflicts, sexually abused by their "caretakers," deprived equal rights to property and other economic assets, assaulted for not conforming to gender norms, and often left with no option but to trade sex for survival. Some are "inherited" by male in-laws when they become widows, often becoming wives in polygamous families. These acts of discrimination and violence are conduits for HIV infection. Women living with AIDS confront not only stigma, but also the deprivations caused by violations of their rights. Relative to the scale and severity of these abuses, laws, policies, and programs to combat HIV/AIDS by protecting the rights of women and girls are negligible.

 

Update on Human Rights Council's first session: 19 June to 30 June 2006
Human Rights Council concludes first session The Human Rights Council has concluded its first session, which began on 19 June, adopting eight resolutions, three decisions and two statements by the President. Several rounds of informal consultations were held in Geneva to prepare for the first session of the Human Rights Council. The consultations with Council member states took place between May 3 and June 15 and were chaired by president-designate Ambassador Luis Alfonso de Alba of Mexico. Regarding the Council's work program for the first year, broad support was expressed for an omnibus resolution extending the mandates of special procedures, Sub-commission, and the confidential procedure based on ECOSOC Resolution 1503 . Members were divided, however, over whether to undertake a universal periodic review (UPR) immediately in order to examine the 14 members whose term will only last this year. GA Resolution 60/251 (OP 5e, 6) calls for all members to be reviewed within their term, and some states wished to delay the initial reviews until the second session in September of this year in order to ensure that enough time is spent establishing effective procedures during the first session.
Factsheet - Commission on Human Rights vs. Human Rights Council
Update on Human Rights Council Election held on 9 May 2006
In-depth overview of the Human Rights Council
Open-ended informal consultations on preparations for the first session of the Human Rights Council on 23 May 2006
Agenda for the first session of the Human Rights Council
Programme of work for the first session of the Human Rights council
19 June 2006	Address of United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan to the Human Rights Council ‘The eyes of the world are upon you', Secretary-General says
19 June 2006	Statement by the President of General Assembly to first session of Human Rights Council
19 June 2006	Statement by President of Human Rights Council to first session of the Council
19 June 2006	Human Rights Council opens First Session
19 June 2006	Press encounter with Presidents of the General Assembly and the Human Rights Council
19 June 2006	Human Rights Council concludes first day of High-Level Segment
20 June 2006	Human Rights Council concludes second day of High-Level Segment
21 June 2006	Human Rights Council begins General Segment
22 June 2006	Human Rights Council concludes High-Level Segment
22 June 2006	Human Rights Council adopts Agenda
22 June 2006	Speech of the Independent Expert for the UN Study on Violence against Children at the first session
23 June 2006	High Commissioner for Human Rights presents report to Human Rights Council
26 June 2006	Human Rights Council exchanges views with representatives of special procedures, Sub-Commission and Treaty bodies
26 June 2006	Human Rights Council considers reports of Working Groups on Durban Declaration and Right to Development
27 June 2006	Human Rights Council discusses draft treaties on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and Enforced Disappearance
27 June 2006	Council concludes discussion on report of Working Group on draft Convention against Enforced Disappearance
27 June 2006	Human Rights Council discusses report of Working Group on Declaration on Rights of Indigenous Peoples
28 June 2006	Human Rights Council discusses modalities of a Universal Periodic Review Mechanism The Universal Periodic Review
28 June 2006	Human Rights Council considers review of Mandates and Mechanisms
29 June 2006	Human Rights Council discusses future Programme of Work; Dialogue and Cooperation on Human Rights
29 June 2006	Human Rights Council adopts texts for Protection from Enforced Disppearance, Rights of Indigenous Peoples
30 June 2006	Human Rights Council adopts texts on Right to Development and Universal Periodic Review
30 June 2006	Human Rights Council concludes first Session
1 July 2006	Inaugural session of UN Human Rights Council marked by progress on key issues
Draft resolutions and decisions of the first session of the Human Rights Council
ICC Position Paper – Volume I: National Human Rights Institutions and the UN Human Rights Council -- Justice A S Anand, Chairperson, National Human Rights Commission, India, calls for making Human Development a basic Human Right, at the UN Human Rights Council
NGOs written statements during the first session of the Human Rights Council
•  Joint written statement submitted by the Centre on Housing Rights and Evictions (COHRE), the International Federation of Human Rights Leagues (FIDH), the International Women's Rights Action Watch (IWRAW) and the FIAN - Foodfirst Information and Action Network •  Written statement submitted by Amnesty International (AI) •  Joint written statement submitted by Amnesty international (AI), Human Rights Watch (HRW), International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) and the International Federation of Human Rights Leagues (FIDH) [International Convention for the Protection for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance]

 

 

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