IJRC regularly hosts events and trainings intended to raise awareness of human rights issues and advocacy opportunities, and to build connections among activists and attorneys working to address inequalities and injustices. To keep informed of IJRC events in the San Francisco Bay Area, write to [email protected] to be added to the Bay Area Human Rights email list. For information on
Read moreSearch Results for: human rights defenders
Reflecting on the Vienna Declaration 20 Years Later
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 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 moreUN High Commissioner Navi Pillay to Present OHCHR Annual Report for 2012
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, will present the 2012 annual report of her office on May 24, 2013 in Geneva. The report provides an assessment of the current state of human rights with respect to six thematic priorities and reviews efforts by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) over the last
Read moreOpportunities to Contribute to UN Reports with March Deadlines
This month, civil society organizations and human rights defenders have the opportunity to contribute their comments on three upcoming UN reports on the topics of the right to peace, the relationship between human rights and traditional values, and the death penalty.
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52nd Ordinary Session of the African Commission to be Held October 9-22
The 52nd Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights will take place October 9-22 in Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire. The session will commemorate the 25th anniversary of the formation of the African Commission, which is tasked with promoting and protecting human rights throughout the African Continent as well as interpreting the African (Banjul) Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
Read moreECOSOC Debates Consultative Status for NGOs
Last week the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) debated a key concern of its subsidiary NGO Committee’s work to review and recommend NGO applications for ECOSOC consultative status. According to the UN Department of Public Information, Cyprus speaking on behalf of the European Union highlighted concerns that: over the past few years, the Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations continued
Read moreIn Guatemala, Long-Awaited Step towards Accountability as Former Dictator Faces Genocide Charges
On January 14, 2012, Efraín Ríos Montt lost the immunity against prosecution that he had enjoyed as a member of the national legislature (diputado al Congreso) since 2008, and previously from 1994-95 and 1999-2004. [PrensaLibre] After taking office through a coup d’état, Rios Montt presided over what is considered the bloodiest period in Guatemala’s thirty-six year internal conflict. As the
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IJRC’s partner organizations and volunteers make our work possible and help us reach new communities of human rights defenders. Organizations, universities, and law firms interested in partnering with IJRC or requesting our assistance on a particular project should contact IJRC’s executive director, Lisa Reinsberg. For immediate volunteer and staff openings, please visit the Employment page.
Read moreNews Clips- November 28, 2011
Today, elections will be held in the Democratic Republic of Congo and in Egypt. In both countries, rights groups have warned of restrictions on freedom of assembly and expression, as well as violence. [HRW; Washington Post; MONUSCO] This week, States will convene for the Durban Climate Change Conference, with the UN urging countries to finally come to an agreement on
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