On October 19, the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights issued its judgment in the case of Catan and Others v. Moldova and Russia, nos. 43370/04, 8252/05, and 18454/06. The case concerned Moldovan nationals living in the Moldovan Republic of Transdniestria (MRT), a separatist entity that split from the Republic of Moldova in 1990 but that has not
Read moreCategory: economic, social & cultural rights
ECHR Grand Chamber Hearing in Catan v. Moldova & Russia: Linguistic Discrimination
The Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights is hearing arguments today (video here) in Catan and Others v. Republic of Moldova and Russia (nos. 43370/04, 43370/04, 8252/05 and 18454/06). The Court’s press release describes the applicants as “Moldovan nationals who live in the ‘Moldovan Republic of Transdnistria’ (‘MRT’), a non-recognised separatist entity which split from the Republic of Moldova in September
Read moreBahrain Update: Protests Continue, UN Team Finds Ongoing Rights Violations, Prominent Activist Beaten
Last Friday, prominent human rights defender Nabeel Rajab, head of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights, was hospitalized after being beaten by security forces in the capital city of Manama following a large demonstration. [BCHR; Washington Post] Mr. Rajab believed the security forces to be nationals of Bahrain and of other Middle Eastern and South Asian nations. [For more on
Read moreThe International Emergence of South Africa and South African Civil Society
Adam Nord contributes this post illustrating and reflecting on the growing prominence of South Africa and its developing civil society in international legal affairs of significance for the entire globe. In his position as Lobbying and Engagement Manager at CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation, based in Johannesburg, Adam plays an active role in influencing high-level decision makers with local
Read moreMarking 30 Years of the African Charter – Where Next?
Iain Byrne contributes this post reflecting on the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights most recent session and the 30th anniversary of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. ___________________________ by Iain Byrne The October 2011 session of the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights marked a watershed in the history of the institution and the regional
Read moreBoston Conference to Examine Economic, Social & Cultural Rights Advocacy Strategies in the U.S. on November 3, 2011
The public sessions of the Institute on Framing Economic, Social and Cultural Rights for Mobilization and Advocacy: Towards a Strategic Agenda in the United States, to be held at Northeastern University on November 3rd, will bring together academics and advocates in discussing and developing strategies for advancing the ESCR agenda in the United States. See the flyer with panel description
Read moreA Milestone in Human Rights Protection in the Americas: 1st witness to use Legal Assistance Fund Testifies
Santiago Canton tweeted earlier this week that the first witness to use the Legal Assistance Fund would be testifying before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights during its current period of sessions. The witness appeared to provide testimony in a case involving the plight of the Buzos Miskitos, indigenous fishermen divers who work in dangerous conditions in a remote area
Read moreEuropean Social Charter: Promoting Economic and Social Rights for 50 Years Today
The European Social Charter was adopted by the Council of Europe on October 18, 1961 – fifty years ago today. [Deutsche Welle] The Charter provides protection of economic and social rights relating to vocational training, health, social security and other protections, freedom of association and collective bargaining, special rights of children and women, and freedom of movement. As stated in
Read moreCEJIL Documentary Highlights Plight of Miskito Communities Dependent on Dangerous Fishing Industry
The Center for Justice and International Law [CEJIL] has released a documentary on the plight of indigenous Miskito fisherman divers along the Caribbean coasts of Honduras and Nicaragua, where inadequate work safety protections, medical treatment, and compensation for injuries suffered in this increasingly-dangerous occupation have left many families in desperate situations. CEJIL and local organizations have presented a petition to the
Read moreRight to Prior Consultation Highlighted on International Day of Indigenous Peoples
On August 9, the International Day of Indigenous Peoples, the Inter-American Commission and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights highlighted the importance of procedural safeguards that adequately protect indigenous communities’ land rights and way of life – including the right to prior consultation on projects or policies that will impact them. [IACHR; OHCHR] The right to prior consultation is also
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