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 moreCategory: indigenous communities
United 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 moreAfrican Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights Takes Action on Access to Information, Reproductive Health during 53rd Session
The African Commission on Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR) is currently holding its 53rd Ordinary Session, from April 9 to April 23, 2013 in Banjul, The Gambia. During the session, the Commission’s agenda will include public hearings on the human rights situation in Africa, the review individual complaints (“communications”), States’ reports, and activity reports, and the launch of a model
Read moreUN Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous People Seeks New Members
The Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous People (Expert Mechanism) is currently accepting nominations for two new expert members, one from Latin America and Caribbean countries, and the other from Eastern European countries. Individual candidates must be nominated by January 15, 2013. In 2007 the UN Human Rights Council created the Expert Mechanism as a subsidiary body, also know
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Recent Developments for NGO Engagement with the UN
Recent developments have made it easier for civil society to engage in advocacy in before various UN human rights bodies. The changes particularly benefit NGOs that lack a permanent presence in Geneva and New York, allowing them to watch sessions or in some cases even participate even when travel to Geneva is not feasible. Online Speaker Lists for NGOs at
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
Read moreIACHR to Begin Hearings Today – Rights of Women, Indigenous Communities, Sexual Minorities and Human Rights Defenders on Today's Agenda
The 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 moreLoss of Indigenous Rights, Peace Activist Samuel Ruiz García Is Mourned
The 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 moreNews Clips – October 3, 2010
In Ecuador, a state of emergency remains in place following last week’s uprising of members of the military against President Correa’s government, prompting human rights defenders to call for a quick restoration of full civil liberties. [CEJIL] The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights condemned the attack against Correa. [IACHR] Germany today commemorates 20 years of reunification and will use its
Read moreNews Clips – June 13, 2010
Physicians for Human Rights has published a report documenting illegal experimentation and torture by CIA medical personnel in the “war on terror”. The report is available here. Following the paper’s publication, PHR and other organizations filed a formal complaint before the US Department of Health and Human Services Office for Human Research Protection against the CIA. [PHR] Human Rights Watch
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