1) Define your objectives realistically Why? As with any form of advocacy, the first step for engaging with the Human Rights Council is to clearly define your objectives based on realistic expectations of what is achievable. Advocates should recognize that the Council seeks to promote respect for human rights primarily through political dialogue. The Council holds no mandate to decide
Read moreThe International Justice Resource Center is pleased to announce the release of a five-part educational video on the Inter-American System for the protection of human rights, which monitors, promotes and enforces the human rights commitments of all 35 independent countries in the Americas. IJRC’s aim in producing the video and accompanying manual is to contribute to greater understanding and effective use
Read moreDaniel E. Rodríguez Infante, abogado argentino y defensor de los derechos humanos, contribuye la siguiente nota, la cual urge a la sociedad civil que actúe para defender el Sistema Interamericano de protección de los derechos humanos, el cual se encuentra en riesgo de que su independencia sea comprometida o que se disminuya su rol esencial en la promoción y protección
Read moreLast 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 moreOn December 7, IJRC hosted Boston Human Rights Night, bringing together the legal, academic and social just communities to learn about one another’s work and discuss the relevance of international law and mechanisms to their advocacy efforts. Panelists Gabor Rona (Human Rights First), Martha Davis (Program on Human Rights and the Global Economy), Christy Fujio (Physicians for Human Rights), John
Read moreIJRC advisors Katrina Anderson and James Ross, together with Jamil Dakwar, member of the IJRC Board of Directors, share their thoughts on the relevance of international law to human rights advocacy in the United States.
Read moreTo celebrate its launch as a public charity, IJRC is conducting Campaign 501 to gain 501 supporters over the next 50 days, ending December 10 (Human Rights Day). Please make a contribution today; no amount is too small. Every dollar raised will help us inform, advise and support human rights defenders. The International Justice Resource Center (ijrcenter.org) is a new
Read moreThe Inter-American Commission on Human Rights begins holding hearings today in its 141st Period of Sessions. The forty-four scheduled hearings will be held on March 25 (today), 28 and 29 at the OAS General Secretariat Building at 1889 F Street, N.W. in Washington, D.C. and are open to the public (with the exception of two closed hearings on Venezuela). No
Read moreThe death on January 24 of Mexican peace and human rights activist, Bishop Samuel Ruiz García at age 86 leads many to reflect on his work in support of the rights of the poor and indigenous communities in Mexico, and as a mediator between the Mexican government and Zapatistas. Bishop Ruiz founded prominent non-governmental organizations Servicios y Asesoría para la
Read moreVietnamese political activist Vi Duc Hoi has been sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment and five years’ house arrest on charges of spreading anti-government propaganda for publishing online articles advocating democratic governance. [AI] Article 88 of the Vietnamese penal code calls for imprisonment of between three and twenty years for various forms of anti-government propaganda, including “[m]aking, storing and/or circulating documents and/or
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