Dignity News

* Happy New Year to all our readers!

* “Imagine there’s no poverty – It could be if we try”

* The Tail Wagging the Dog - The Distorted Global Financial and Economic System

* Dignity International – Producers of Change Makers!

Other News

* System Change, Not Climate Change

* After Copenhagen: Climate Change Struggle Continues

* Labour Disputes Continue to Escalate in Beijing

* Caribbean Labour Congress urges Regional Cooperation

* UN experts urge Thailand to stop immediately the expulsions of Hmong

* Cairo Declaration to End Human Rights Abuses of Palestinians

Action Appeals

* Support the Complaints Mechanism for Children’s Rights

Announcements

* UNICEF Launches Legislative Reform Initiative

Forthcoming Events

* OHCHR Meetings in January

* Postgraduate Course on Socio-Economic Rights in Pretoria

Publications

* Reporting Gender-based Violence: A Handbook for Journalists

* The Idea of Justice

* FIAN: Human Rights of African Peasant Farmers

* COHRE: Guide to Defending Land and Housing Rights

* FAO: Budget Work to Advance the Right to Food

*** Happy New Year to all our readers! - January 2010 is not only the start of the New Year but also a new decade. Copenhagen ended without a legally binding agreement for climate justice but let us not lose hope. The struggle for systemic change that will ensure justice in all its forms - social, economic, gender, climate - will be a long one. In the coming year and decade, let us use the power of human rights to make more progress towards equality, human dignity and justice for all.

*** “Imagine there’s no poverty – It could be if we try” - On 10 December 2009 the European Anti Poverty Network – Netherlands and Dignity International joined many other organisations to convene at Parliament Square in the Hague to celebrate World Human Rights Day. Human rights activists from over 25 different countries around the world gathered to reclaim our human dignity and to reassert our rights. Inspired by the John Lennon song “Imagine” Ms. Quinta Ansem of EAPN Netherlands rewrote part of the lyrics and sang:

Imagine there's no poverty

It could be if we try

No one's to be excluded

There is no reason why

Imaging all the people

Living for this dream

You can say I'm a dreamer

But I'm not the only one

I've got you all to join in

And our voices will be as one

To listen CLICK HERE>>>

The group was welcomed by Mr. Coskun Coruz of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Parliament, who pledged his commitment to do what he can to ensure that “…all human rights become a reality for all, everywhere”. Mr. Coruz pointed to the fact that the present Dutch government puts the highest priority to Human Rights in its foreign policy. Not just in actions and diplomacy, but also by directly supporting Human Rights organisations and activists in many places of the world CLICK HERE>>>

Human rights activists from Africa, Asia, Americas, Oceania and Europe shared short solidarity and inspirational statements clinging to the hope that human rights bring and the challenge ahead to make this a reality. Representatives from the different continents the bed Human Rights Torch, the symbol of justice around the world. The happy crowd sang and danced to the pulsating music of BrotherHood4Real Band – that resonated throughout the square.

See more video clips from 2009 World Human Rights Day Celebrations.

Dignity Chairman - Ton Waarts

Struggle Song from South Africa

The Dignity Tree

Human Rights Now

*** The Tail Wagging the Dog - The Distorted Global Financial and Economic System – On 10 December 2009 Human Rights Day, the Institute of Social Studies in the Hague, Netherlands, hosted the international roundtable on the “Global Financial and Economic Crisis – A Human Rights Perspective”. The roundtable was opened by Professor Louk de la Rive Box, the Rector of ISS and speakers included: Dr. Manuel F. Montes, from the United Nations; Prof. Dr. Nico Schrijver, Member of the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights; Mr. Arjan Hamburger, Dutch Human Rights Ambassador, Ms. Liesbeth van der Hoogte of Oxfam NOVIB and participants of Dignity International’s 8th Global Human Rights Learning Programme.

In his opening remarks Professor de la Rive Box pointed to the persistence of negative effects of the crisis on already excluded people, even now financial institutions and stock-markets seem to recover. He highlighted the importance of “using what we already have”, like mechanisms of the United Nations to claim rights. And to the importance and relevance of building international movements, like the one to abolish anti-personnel mines, which started small, but was successful. He complimented efforts by Dignity International in this regard.

Dr. Montes of the United Nations painted a picture of a distorted global economy and financial sector where “…the tail is wagging the dog, because the financial sector is determining what happens in the economy and not the other way round”.

In the three hours of rich inputs and interventions, the roundtable highlighted the social, environmental and human rights impact of the crisis of people living in poverty in Europe as well as in the global south. Ms. Quinta Ansem of the European Anti Poverty Network shared the impact of the crisis on the poor in Europe whilst Ms. Prossy Jonker of Raising Voices in Uganda focused her intervention on the impact of the crisis on primary education programmes in Uganda. Mr. Zeyar Lin of Foundation for Education and Development highlighted the worsening situation of migrant workers with examples from Thailand and Burma. Mr. Joy Tudu of the Church of North India outlined the human rights and environmental impact of the crisis on the indigenous communities and how these communities have become the “…structural victims of internal colonialism”.

The Roundtable also advocated for reform of policy and practices from national to global levels to ensure human beings, especially the most vulnerable are at the heart of policy and structural reform. Mr. Nico Schrijver focused his intervention of the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural rights which will allow people suffering from social economic rights violations to find redress at the international level. Mr. Arjan Hamburger, Dutch Ambassador for Human Rights explained how human rights form the centre piece of Dutch foreign policy and the clear recognition of how “…human rights contribute to stability and development worldwide.” He also expressed the government’s commitment to ratify the Optional Protocol on ESC Rights as soon as possible.

For further information on the Roundtable CLICK HERE>>>

*** Dignity International – Producers of Change Makers! - Dignity International has been honoured with the role of “producers of global change makers” by the participants of the 8 th Annual Global Linking and Learning Programme. The programme took place from 1-10 December 2008 Dignity International in partnership with local host European Anti Poverty Network – Netherlands in the Netherlands. The theme of the programme was human rights Based development. 25 participants selected from over 400 applications from all different corners of the world gathered for an eleven day intensive – enjoyable - learning journey that aimed to equip them with the knowledge of the key elements of human rights based development, and enhance skills for its practical application.

Let’s leave you here the words of Doris Anusi from Nigeria who wrote a poem dedicated to Dignity International at the 8 th Annual Global Linking and Learning Programme.

In addition to the usual sponsors of the programme, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland and Oxfam NOVIB, the programme also enjoyed the support of MINBUZA the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands. The organisers would like to thank the programme sponsors, partners and the fantastic participants which contributed to the success of the programme.

“Dignity International has a legal base in the Netherlands and its great to be able to organise the event here finally!” said Ton Waarts, Chairman of Dignity International Board of Directors.

For the FULL REPORT of the meeting CLICK HERE>>>

For the List of Participants, CLICK HERE>>>

To view a selection of photos from the Programme CLICK HERE>>>

*** System Change, Not Climate Change - A capitalist economic system dependent on fossil fuels and the exploitation of natural resources to generate profit has left people and ecosystems across large parts of the planet – including swathes of Africa – vulnerable to climate change, Ama Biney writes in this week’s Pambazuka News. The ‘derisory’ funding developed nations have offered to ‘assist developing countries to adapt to climate change’ is not enough to solve the problem, Biney argues. The real focus, says Biney, should be on ‘transforming the exploitative, unsustainable, profit-driven ethos that underpins the current system of wealth accumulation that simultaneously damages the environment’. To read more CLICK HERE>>>

Source: Pambazuka

*** After Copenhagen: Climate Change Struggle Continues - The Copenhagen climate summit has ended without the fair, ambitious and legally binding agreement that millions of citizens around the work demanded. Despite the calls from millions and millions of voices all over the world demanding action and moral leadership, the 120 world leaders gathered for the last two days of the summit were unable to resolve issues blocking the road towards a just outcome. To read more GCAP coverage of the Copenhagen Accord CLICK HERE>>>

More than 250 partner organisations have come together to form an unprecedented alliance under the TckTckTck banner – including development, human rights, environment, religious and youth groups, trade unions and scout groups. Over three days of global action, these partners have mobilised unprecedented numbers of people campaigning for urgent action on climate change. In Copenhagen on December 12, one hundred thousand people marched in a powerful manifestation of this unity. To learn more about the TckTckTck campaign CLICK HERE>>>

Not only did the Copenhagen summit fail to address climate change and the inevitable suffering of millions upon millions of the world’s most deprived citizens, the venue was rife with violence against those who mobilised. CIVICUS , the World Alliance for Citizen Participation “is deeply appalled at the indiscriminate targeting of peaceful protestors by law enforcement agents during the World Climate Summit in Copenhagen, Denmark. According to on the ground sources, hundreds of protestors have been detained since the Summit began on December 7. A large number of protestors have been severely assaulted by officers using batons, tear gas and pepper spray, requiring them to receive medical treatment.” Click here to read the press release.

*** Labour Disputes Continue to Escalate in Beijing - The number of workers filing grievances with the Beijing municipal authorities reached 80,000 by the end of November, nearly double the number last year, according to a local trade union official, quoted by China Daily.

The capital’s labour dispute arbitration committees (LDACs) have so far accepted more than 70,000 cases (many involving more than one worker), compared with 49,000 cases in the same period last year, and 26,000 cases in 2007, said Zhang Hengshun, director of municipal trade union’s law department. The massive rise in labour disputes, which has been mirrored nationwide, was related in no small part to the passage of the Labour Contract Law, which went into effect on 1 January 2008, and the Labour Dispute Mediation and Arbitration Law, implemented on 1 May 2008. The latter simplified and streamlined the arbitration process and eliminated the application fee for filing a case with the LDAC. To read more CLICK HERE>>>

Source: China Labour Bulletin

*** Caribbean Labour Congress urges Regional Cooperation - The Caribbean Congress of Labour (CCL) stresses that in 2010 Caribbean governments and people will need to better manage their political, social and economic rights in order to create favourable conditions for regional stability, particularly regarding immigration within the region. In his annual New Year’s message CCL General Secretary Lincoln Lewis said that the CCL urges Caribbean governments to ensure that the resources of the Caribbean benefit the Caribbean and not just foreign investors or foreign countries. “We must not embrace similar productive inequalities of the colonial economic era which our foreparents fought against and which the world recognised was wrong and acknowledges its creation of imbalances in economic development of various regions.” To read more CLICK HERE>>>

Source: Caribbean Congress of Labour

*** UN Experts Urge Thailand to Stop Expulsions of Hmong - Two independent experts of the UN Human Rights Council -the Special Rapporteur on torture, Manfred Nowak, and the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants, Jorge A. Bustamante- expressed their grave concern at reports that the forcible return of large numbers of Hmong from Thailand to the Lao People’s Democratic Republic is on-going despite numerous international protests. “We urge the Government of Thailand to stop immediately all expulsions, to grant access to relevant international organisations, notably UNHCR, and to take all necessary measures to ensure that the human rights of the Hmong are scrupulously respected,”said the experts in a joint statement. To read more CLICK HERE>>>

Source: OHCHR

*** Cairo Declaration to End Human Rights Abuses of Palestinians – On 3 January Gaza Freedom Marchers approved a declaration aimed at accelerating the global campaign for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) against “Israeli Apartheid.” Roughly 1400 activists from 43 countries converged in Cairo on their way to Gaza to join with Palestinians marching to break Israel's illegal siege. They were prevented from entering Gaza by the Egyptian authorities. As a result, the Freedom Marchers remained in Cairo. They staged a series of nonviolent actions aimed at pressuring the international community to end the siege as one step in the larger struggle to secure justice for Palestinians throughout historic Palestine. To read more CLICK HERE>>>

Source: Counter Currents

*** Support the Complaints Mechanism for Children’s Rights - The Human Rights Council passed a Resolution in June establishing a Working Group to discuss a communications procedure under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). This was a huge step forward in our campaign. The mandate of the Working Group is 'to explore the possibility of elaborating an Optional Protocol to the CRC to provide a communications procedure complementary to the reporting procedure under the Convention'. This means that they will not begin drafting, but will discuss whether there is a need for such a mechanism. Almost 600 organisations from around the world have already signed it. The petition was launched in January 2008 calling to strengthen the enforcement of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child by the drafting and adoption of an Optional Protocol to provide a communications procedure. If you have not signed it yet, go here:

http://www.crin.org/petitions/petition.asp?petID=1007

Source: Child Rights Information Network

*** Call on S. Korea to Protect Migrant Workers - South Korea was one of the first Asian countries to guarantee the rights of migrant workers - but today migrant workers in the country are exposed to abusive work conditions including discrimination, verbal and physical abuse. Around 500,000 low-skilled migrant workers are employed in South Korea in manufacturing, construction, agriculture and other industries. To read more and take action CLICK HERE>>>

Source: Amnesty International

*** UNICEF Launches Legislative Reform Initiative  - UNICEF has recently launched the Legislative Reform Initiative (LRI) with the aim of harmonising national legislation with international human rights instruments. The website contains papers, tools, and reports developed by UNICEF and its partners, in the area of legislative reform.  The LRI supports efforts for the realisation of the rights enshrined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and in the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).  It recognises that legislative reform must go beyond the letter of law to address polices and programming in order to make the laws effective and enforceable.

UNICEF has also launched a new Social and Economic Policy website to communicate its views and knowledge on social and economic policy issues, focusing on their importance to children and how they should be addressed. The site offers information and events related to the global economic crisis, UNICEF's growing Social and Economic Policy Working Briefs and Papers series, and links to partner organisations including the International Budget Partnership.

Source: Equalinrights

*** Finland President Tarja Halon Awarded Millennium Torch - President of the Republic Tarja Halonen was awarded with the Millennium Torch presented by the Danish government. The reward was awarded in a women's event organised in context with the Copenhagen Climate Conference. The Danish Minister for Development Cooperation Ulla Toernaes awarding the reward emphasised Halonen's merits in promoting the status of women. The Danish government has awarded the symbolic torch since 2000 for meritorious promotion of the UN Millennium Development Goals. Halonen's reward was the 101st.

In her speech of thanks, Halonen promised to keep up her work for better status of women to the best of her abilities. The President also promised that Finland will continue to financially support women in, for example, the developing countries. In Halonen's view, women hold a key position in many ways in fighting the threats caused by the climate change. “This is not to underestimate men; they constitute nearly half of the population, after all,” Halonen said and made the audience, dominated by women, laugh. “The best way to get results is hand in hand, working together.” Improving the status and rights of women, especially in the developing world, is, in Halonen's view, an effective and powerful means for solving environmental problems. To read more CLICK HERE>>>

Source: Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Finland

*** OHCHR Meetings & Events (Geneva)

If you are working in the area of human rights with a special attention to different aspects of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, we would love to hear from you. To contribute, email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it