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E-Digest on Freedom of Religion: 25 years of thought by four UN Special Rapporteurs March 31st, 2011

From freedom from coercion, to State religion; from the right to manifest one’s religion or belief, to religious intolerance and extremism: on the 25th anniversary of the mandate’s establishment, UN Special Rapporteur Heiner Bielefeldt has put together a key reference e-book with observations and recommendations by the four independent experts who have served on the Freedom of Religion or Belief mandate since 1986.

The “Rapporteur’s Digest on Freedom of Religion or Belief” is a 108-page downloadable compilation of relevant excerpts from reports produced by Mr. Bielefeldt (Germany, IE since August 2010), Ms. Asma Jahangir (Pakistan, 2004-2010), Mr. Abdelfattah Amor (Tunisia, 1993-2004), and Mr. Angelo d’Almeida Ribeiro (Portugal, 1986-1993).

Read the “Rapporteur’s Digest on Freedom of Religion or Belief” (Download PDF)

Mandate for Special Rapporteur on Water and Sanitation Adopted by UN HR Council March 25th, 2011

The UN Human Rights Council passed a resolution this morning extending the mandate on the human right to safe water and sanitation for another three years, and changing the powers of the Independent Expert to that of a special rapporteur.

This is good news. The mandate will continue with Catarina de Albuquerque in the position of Special Rapporteur. In this position, she will have enhanced powers: in addition to assisting governments to define the scope and content of the rights, she can engage with governments about complaints from affected individuals, communities, and civil society organizations on issues related to and possible violations of the human right to safe drinking water and sanitation.

Furthermore, the resolution explicitly states the full list of criteria for the human rights to water and sanitation. These are listed below:

Click here to read more »

March 8: International Day of Women March 1st, 2011

Each year on March 8 the United Nations and other global groups celebrate the gifts of women. This year the priority theme is “Equal access to education, training and science and technology: Pathway to decent work for women.” Celebrate the women in your life on this day. In some countries March 8 is a national holiday!

Learn more…

NGO Proposal for UN Commission on Social Development February 27th, 2011

At the United Nations, members of Civil Society (CSO) and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) work  hard to find better ways of promoting development, especially for those living in poverty. The OMI and Vivat International representatives are deeply involved in this process.

NGOs working at the UN have recently produced a document to tell governments of the world what they think does not work in their approach to development , as well as suggestions for what might promise much better results and help to eliminate extreme poverty in the world.

Read the NGO proposal developed for the 49th Session of the Commission for Social Development…

Background:

The Forty-Ninth session of the Commission for Social Development was held from Wednesday, 9, to Friday, 18 February 2011. Many Non-Governmental Organizations (including “OMI” and “VIVAT International”) are part of the Social Development Committee and the Sub-Committee on the Eradication of Poverty. The document referenced above was read by the Chairperson of the Committee at the opening session and has been officially received as a UN Document.

International Year of People of African Descent February 27th, 2011

On 18 December 2009, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed the year beginning on 1 January 2011 the International Year for People of African Descent.

The Year aims at strengthening national actions and regional and international cooperation for the benefit of people of African descent in relation to their full enjoyment of economic, cultural, social, civil and political rights, their participation and integration in all political, economic, social and cultural aspects of society, and the promotion of a greater knowledge of and respect for their diverse heritage and culture.

The General Assembly encourages Member States, the specialized agencies of the United Nations system, within their respective mandates and existing resources, and civil society to make preparations for and identify possible initiatives that can contribute to the success of the Year.

Full text of the Resolution (Download PDF)

More information can be found on the UN website…

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“Achieving Social Protection for All”: UN World Day of Social Justice February 15th, 2011

“Social justice is more than an ethical imperative, it is a foundation for national stability and global prosperity. Equal opportunity, solidarity and respect for human rights — these are essential to unlocking the full productive potential of nations and peoples..”

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

Message for the 2011 World Day of Social Justice

20 February 2011

In November 2007, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted resolution 62/10 proclaiming 20 February as the World Day of Social Justice. The resolution calls on Member States to devote the day to the promotion of concrete activities in accordance with the objectives and goals of the World Summit for Social Development which was held in Copenhagen in 1995.

The pursuit of social justice for all is at the heart of the United Nations’ mission to promote development and human dignity. It is based on the principles of fairness, equality, respect for diversity, access to social protection, and the application of human rights in all spheres of life. For a large portion of the world’s people, however, social justice remains, as UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has noted, an “elusive dream”.

Presently, 80% of the global population does not enjoy a set of social guarantees that allow them to deal with life’s risks. Ensuring basic social protection for these people, many of whom are struggling just to survive, is a necessity. The notion of a Social Protection Floor is very clear: No one should live below a certain income level and everyone should be able to access at least basic health services, primary education, housing, water and sanitation and other essential services. The United Nations Social Protection Floor Initiative was launched in 2009 as a mechanism to accelerate the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals and also as an important factor in combating poverty, reducing inequalities and building social inclusion.

…from UN DPI&NGO Relations

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