Last week, human rights defenders and the United Nations commemorated the 20th anniversary of the Vienna Declaration and Program of Action and the 1993 World Conference on Human Rights with parallel international conferences reflecting on advances in human rights over the past two decades. Though not legally binding itself, the Vienna Declaration reiterated basic civil, political, and economic freedoms enshrined in
Read moreAuthor: IJRC
In Nencheva v. Bulgaria, European Court Finds State Responsible for Deaths in Institution for Children with Disabilities
The European Court of Human Rights recently issued its judgment in Nencheva and Others v. Bulgaria, a case involving a State-run facility for children with disabilities, holding that Bulgarian authorities knew or should have known that the lives of children in the facility were at grave risk and failed to take action to protect them. See ECtHR, Nencheva and Others v. Bulgaria,
Read moreUN Human Rights Council Calls on States to Safeguard Judicial Independence
At the conclusion of its 23rd Regular Session this month, the UN Human Rights Council adopted by consensus Resolution A/HRC/23/6 on the “independence and impartiality of the judiciary, jurors and assessors, and the independence of lawyers.” The Resolution addresses a range of critical areas requiring State attention to ensure an independent legal system, from the impartiality of prosecutors to the
Read moreWorld Refugee Day Draws Attention to Near-Record Number of People Displaced by Conflict and Humanitarian Crises
World Refugee Day is commemorated annually on June 20 to raise awareness of the plight of refugees around the globe. This year, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is drawing attention to the near-record number of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) unable to return home due to conflict, humanitarian crises, and other causes. At over 45 million
Read moreUpcoming Opportunities for Civil Society and Indigenous Peoples' Involvement in UN Human Rights Mechanisms
In June and July, there are several key opportunities for civil society, and particularly for indigenous peoples, to become involved with the programs of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous People, the Universal Periodic Review, and the UN human rights treaty bodies.
Read moreUN Expert Proposes Universal Standard for State Surveillance, Infringement on Right to Privacy
Last week, the UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression presented his report to the UN Human Rights Council concerning “the implications of States’ surveillance of communication on the exercise of the human rights to privacy and to freedom of opinion and expression.” These rights have their roots in the International Covenant
Read moreOAS General Assembly Elects Three New IACHR Commissioners during its 43rd Regular Session
The General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS) held its 43rd regular session from June 4 to 6, 2013 in Antigua, Guatemala. [OAS; IACHR] Notably, the General Assembly filled three upcoming vacancies on the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), electing two new Commissioners and electing current IACHR Chair José de Jesús Orozco to a second term. [OAS Press Kit]
Read moreEl Salvador Allows Caesarean, but Not Abortion, to Save Life of Pregnant Woman Granted Provisional Measures by IACtHR
On May 29, 2013, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (the Court) granted provisional measures ordering El Salvador to take all necessary measures to protect the life and personal integrity of “Beatriz,” an ill, pregnant 22-year-old Salvadoran woman, in effect mandating termination of her pregnancy. I/A Court H.R., Matter of B. Provisional Measures. Judgment of May 29, 2013, para. 17.
Read moreThe Right to Legal Aid: Observations of a UN Special Rapporteur
On May 30, Ms. Gabriela Knaul, the UN Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, presented her report on the right to legal aid to the UN Human Rights Council. Legal Aid as a Human Right In framing the report, the Rapporteur stresses that “[l]egal aid is an essential component of a fair and efficient justice system that
Read moreUnited Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues Discusses Health, Education, and Culture at Twelfth Session
The United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) will hold its Twelfth Session between May 20 to 31, 2013 at the UN Headquarters in New York City. The UNPFII is an advisory body to the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). [UNPFII] Its mandate includes providing expertise and recommendations regarding indigenous issues to ECOSOC and UN programs, agencies, and funds;
Read more