Lobby Update – UPR of Dominica

Recently we began lobbying Permanent Missions on the upcoming Universal Periodic Review session of Dominica. This involved calling various Permanent Missions and persuading them to meet with us. We made many phone calls to a number of Missions. It was not as tedious as I expected and we were successful in securing appointments only two days after sending emails out !

Since then, we have had successful lobbying meetings with the Permanent Missions of Canada, Djibouti, Mexico, Italy, USA, Trinidad-Tobago, Australia and the Netherlands. These meetings have given us the opportunity to discuss with country representatives our concerns regarding the human rights situation in Dominica.

Edmund Rice International is concerned by :

– Poverty and youth unemployment in Dominica.

– Gender based violence/ violence against women.

– Low attandace rates in school and the lack of opportunities for technical and vocational education.

– The lack of services for children with disabilties, including specialised centres for assessment and support.

– Child abuse and the absense of child protection policies.

So far the meetings have been relatively successful. It was positive for us to hear that most Missions supported our recommendations and thought that violence against women and child abuse were particularly concerning issues. The Permanent Missions of Mexico, Italy and the Netherlands said that they attempt to make recommendations on all country reviews regarding human rights issues, which is optimistic and encouraging.

However, when it comes to deciding what recommendations a country will make it is ultimately up to the country’s home office to decide what specific issues and recommendations they will raise. For now, we have to wait and hope that they will support and consider our concerns when drafting their own recommendations for the UPR of Dominica.

The meetings also have also been a learning experience for myself. It has been interesting to go to Permanent Missions and interact during meetings and act like ‘experts’ on the issue. Up until now, I knew nothing about Dominica except that it was a tiny Caribbean island. Now I know multiple facts and figures about the country’s youth unemployment and poverty rate. In preparation for the meetings, I researched for further information regarding violence against women and child abuse in Dominica. It is a contentious and concerning problem throughout the country, particularly child sexual abuse and the lack of adequate protection services available.

Overall it was a positive experience and I’m glad I got to be apart of ERI’s work in this capacity and see first hand how small NGOs, like ERI, can influence Permanent Missions and in the long run, the recommendations of countries undergoing review. I look forward to seeing the review of Dominica on 1 May 2014, during the 19^th session of the UPR working Group.

You can access ERI’s submission to the UPR of Dominica on their webpage.

Here is the link to access basic facts about the UPR-http://www.ohchr.org/en/hrbodies/upr/pages/BasicFacts.aspx

 

Forced labour

ILO Video clip on forced labour

Indigenous Rights- Brazil

Recently I attended a side event titled: ‘Indigenous peoples’ right to consultation on large dam projects in Brazil’. The event highlighted the human rights abuses of Indigenous populations and environmental degradation taking place in the Amazon region. Sonia Guajajara, Coordinator of the Association of Indigenous Peoples Brazil, stated that indigenous rights in Brazil are being violated and are largely disregarded when it comes to development projects.

The Brazilian Constitution and international agreements such as the ILO convention 169 state the principle of Free, Prior and Informed Consultation and Consent (FPIC). This principle implies that consultation and negotiation between Indigenous peoples’ and governments, investors and companies must occur prior to development in the Amazon region (Forest Peoples Programme).

The Belo Monte Dam project is one such case that represents the failure to meet national and international legislation regarding human rights and laws regarding environmental protection. Recent attention has turned to the Tapajos River, where the Brazilian government is seeking to develop the region and build more dams.

Sonia Guajajara concluded by stating that ‘Brazil is not a unique case’. This is a global issue and their needs to be a global movement to protect indigenous human rights. ‘More visibility on an international scale needs to be given to our internal struggle here in Brazil’.

France Liberties: Foundation Danielle Mitterrand and the Society for Threatened Peoples’ have submitted a report to the Human Rights Council stating that the application of the ‘security suspension’ mechanism needs to be investigated as it represents an obstacle to compliance with international treaties and the right to prior and informed consultation.

New experiences

Work at the ERI office is enjoyable and very interesting most days. Between attending events at the UNHRC throughout the day and exploring Geneva, I have been involved in various projects at the office. I recently finished reviewing the Edmund Rice International online Human Rights Course. I suggested new ideas and ways to incorporate new content into the course including media resources that may add value and substance to the current modules and other ways the current course structure and layout could be improved. ERI hopes to see a higher number of students and participants involved in the course in the near future.

I have also been working with Moy on writing a report to the Committee on the Rights of the Child on the Child’s Right to Life and Health in India. The submission highlights the issue of youth suicide in India – an issue that requires urgent attention. It has been interesting to learn and engage in the CRC reporting process. This is really where NGOs, UN agencies and even children and individuals can make a difference and contribute and engage in advocacy processes in regards to human rights abuses. Watch this space for further developments on this submission!

In the last two weeks I have also had the chance to attend many side events ran by NGO’s and Permanent Missions and also sessions at the UN Human Rights Council. I have been overwhelmed with new information and material, however it has been valuable and interesting to learn about many human rights issues from various regions of the world, including Indigenous rights in Brazil, women’s rights in Sudan and attending a session on the 65^th Anniversary of Convention on Prevention of Genocide. I have left the UN some days and have felt rather frustrated. This is usually for two reasons. 1. It isn’t very uplifting to sit through a two-hour session and listen to vile human rights abuses taking place and 2. I have been questioning and asking myself how effective the UNHRC procedures and mechanisms are. However, whilst questioning the effectiveness of the UNHRC, it is important to acknowledge how much it has acheived so far. It is also rather gratifying to see states, NGOs and members of civil society come together on issues concerning human rights. I will no doubt have more time to ponder these questions throughout my time here as I experience and learn more things.

~ Travels ~

This past weekend I decided to get out of Geneva and head to Zurich. I caught the earliest possible train on Saturday morning, looking forward to exploring more of Switzerland. The train ride was rather spectacular; particularly when we reached Lausanne as the sun was rising and we were met with snow coated mountains in the distance. It was a lovely sight. Zurich is a great place to wander. I spent Saturday and Sunday roaming and exploring as many cobblestoned streets and alleyways I could find. I took many photos, climbed the Grossmuster church towers, explored and browsed many trendy designer shops and boutiques in Old Town, admired charming architecture and buildings, sat and people watched, brought chocolate treats at Confiserie Sprüngli, struggled to understand German, visited the Rietberg Museum and admired the famous and stunning stained glass church windows in the Fraumunster Church. I took advantage of the lovely spring weather and ventured around parts of Lake Zurich and also discovered Carnival festivities in the city center. I thoroughly enjoyed Zurich for many reasons. It has some very pretty areas, beautiful buildings, efficient public transport and in general it was a relaxing stress-free environment!

 

Zurich….

Child Marriage. Promote and Protect Girls’ Rights.

On Monday I attended a debate at Palais des Nations on child marriage. The event highlighted the urgent need to implement strategies and policies that empower and promote the rights of girls.

Much of the discussion centered on the social, emotional and physical implications of child marriage, including loss of personal choice and freedom, lack of access to education, social isolation and health risks associated with sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy and childbirth. In some cases of child marriage, girls may experience sexual and domestic abuse and, in extreme cases, child marriage can result in a life of enslavement and bonded labor.

It is very startling to read that ‘142 million girls will be married in the next decade- if current trends do not change,’ (UNFPA 2012)

Child marriage is a very complex issue and I often wonder; where do we start? How do you change traditions and customs in societies that have practiced child marriage/arranged marriage for many years, without disrespecting culture? How do you change attitudes? How do you educate families in low-income countries about the importance of education for girls?

What is apparent is that education for girls and all children is necessary to reduce child marriage worldwide. Promoting gender equality and empowering girls is also essential. But this issue is not just about girls. Boys and men need to be involved; educated about the effects of child marriage and ultimately change social norms and attitudes of girls and women. Education about child marriage must also extend to families, communities and elders.

You can read more about education for girls- INDIA: http://www.girlsnotbrides.org/video-no-to-child-marriage-yes-to-education-for-girls-in-india/

The Exhibition ‘To Young to Wed,’ by Photojournalist Stephanie Sinclair, who has documented the issue of child marriage, was also apart of this event. You can view her photographs on this website: http://tooyoungtowed.org

Upcoming events at the Human Rights Council : 03-28 March 2014

I am hoping to attend the following side and parallel events at the HRC.  

03 March

Human Rights Council- Opening Session

7 March

High Level Panel Discussion dedicated to the sixty-fifth anniversary of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide

–        Event introduced and opened by the Republic of Armenia

10 March

Report of the UN Special Rapporteur (SP) on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment

Report of the SR on the situations of human rights defenders

‘Human Rights in Sudan’- Maarji Foundation for Peace and Development

11 March

‘Human Rights Defenders’ – Amnesty International

12 March

Report of SR on the sale on children, child prostitution and child pornography

Report of the SR in the field of cultural rights

13 March

Annual Full-day Meeting on the Rights of the Child Access to Justice for Children

• Panels: International norms and standards on access to justice for children and child-sensitive justice and empowering children to claim their rights.

14 March

‘Human Rights in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’- Action Internationale pour la paix et le développement dans la region des Grands Lacs

18 March

Commission of Inquiry on Syrian Arab Republic

19 March

‘Human rights in Mexico’ –Women’s international League for Peace and Freedom

20 March

Universal periodic Review (UPR) outcomes- Israel, Belize, Chad

‘Human Rights in DRC’- Franciscans International

25 March

High-level Dialogue discussion on Sexual Violence in Democratic Republic of Congo

The story so far…

On Friday afternoon I arrived in Geneva coming from a very hot Australian summer to a chilly three degrees! Nevertheless I was excited to begin a new adventure abroad and begin working with Edmund Rice International (ERI).

I spent Saturday roaming around Geneva feeling rather tired and lost. I brought and ate Swiss chocolate, met some friendly people and tourists, admired the famous Jet d’Eau and strolled around Geneva’s Old Town and took many photos.  Sunday was a day of rest!

About me…

I am from Ballarat, Victoria, Australia. I am 22 years old and graduated from La Trobe University with a degree in International Relations last year. I have been involved and interested in social justice issues since I was a teenager, particularly after visiting and volunteering in Cambodia, which changed my outlook on the world. Since then I have become interested in human rights issues, particularly women’s and children’s rights, and also anti-human trafficking work. I am also a tutor to refugee students apart of the primary school homework club with Edmund Rice Community and Refugee Services. I am interested in post-graduate studies in either human rights law or social work. I have no doubt that this internship experience will help determine what direction I head in the near future.

During my time with ERI, I will be attending and monitoring UN Human Rights Council proceedings, including UPR and treaty body sessions, participating in advocacy processes and undertaking research on specific issues. It will be great to see the kind of impact NGO’s have on global issues as well as learning a great deal of knowledge from the brothers and seeing first hand how the UN system operates.

This week I collected my UN badge and attended an organizational meeting on the draft program of work for the 25^th Session of the Human Rights Council (3-28 March). This was very informative and outlined the side events coming up in March. I will be attending a few of these events and I will list these in my next post! It is a great opportunity to be working with ERI in this capacity and environment! I look forward to the next 3 months! 

Jet d’Eau

‘The broken chair’- symbolises the campaign against landmines