Today is the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). The theme for the past year in the lead up to the 60th anniversary has been "Dignity and justice for all of us". The UNDR has been translated into 360 languages allowing various UN and NGO organisations to spread the word about this important document which informs us of our rights. The Declaration has been translated into Gaeilge: Dearbhú Uile-Choiteann Cearta an Duine.
The commemoration was established in 1950, when the General Assembly invited all states and interested organizations to celebrate the day as they saw fit. It is also the day that the five-yearly United Nations Prize in the Field of Human Rights and Nobel Peace Prize are awarded. The United Nations Prize in the Field of Human Rights are due to be presented today to Ms. Louise Arbour (former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights), Mr. Ramsey Clark (former United States Attorney General and lawyer), Dr. Carolyn Gomes (Jamacan Human Rights Defender), Dr. Denis Mukwege (founder, director and chief surgeon of Panzi Hospital in Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo) and Human Rights Watch. Mrs. Benazir Bhutto (Pakistani politician) and Sr. Dorothy Stang (US/Brazilian Human Rights Defender) are to be awarded the prize posthumously.
In his remarks on Human Rights Day the UN General Secretary Ban Ki-moon hopes "that we will all act on our collective responsibility to uphold the rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration." He went on say that we could only "honour" that "inspiring document when its principles are fully applied everywhere, for everyone."
Full Video
The High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navanethem Pillay wants the "full implementation of human rights on the ground" in a way that is "regardless of their race, sex, religion, nationality, property or birth, to realization of each and every right set forth in the Universal Declaration."
Full Video
There are a number of events being organised around the worldmy favourite being this campaign in Austrailia being organised by the UNYA called write4rights asking young people to text what they think about Human Rights. An excellent idea.
If you have any links or stories on Human Rights Day, please post them in the comment thread!
Showing posts with label UN. Show all posts
Showing posts with label UN. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Universal Periodic Review - UN Human Rights Council
Via UN News Centre.
Under General Assembly Resolution 60/251 (Which also established the Human Rights Counicl), the General Assembly mandated the Council to
This Universal Periodic Review got underway yesterday in Geneva with Bahrain and Ecuador. The other states in this 1st Session Review are
These will all be examined during the First Session which lasts till the 18th of April.
The Second Session will consider
This session will take place between 5-16 May.
The third and Final Session this year will see the following states examined,
That session will take place between the 1-12 December.
What do these reviews entail?
The reviews entail each country giving its own information, limited to a 20 page report, but also shadow reports can be submitted by Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), limited to 10 pages. NGOs, NHRIs (National Human Rights Institution's), Human rights defenders, Academic institutions and Research institutes, Regional organizations, as well as civil society representatives may also submit observations as stakedholders but there submissions summarized by the OHCHR in a 10 page report.
Example: Bahrain
Bahrain's Report(PDF) contains information on reforms it pledged to make on election to the Human Rights Council. It details constitutional protections, legal protections, treaties signed and/or ratified, as well as the State's view of whats happening on the ground. State's may also give additional Documentation, Bahrain has taken the opportunity and submitted 6. They havent been translated from Arabic so I cant read them.
The OHCHR Report (PDF) is a summary of the Treaties signed and ratified by Bahrain. It gives a summary of the views of the bodies set up by the treaties on work done and any issues.
12 stakeholders (PDF) made submissions to the OHCHR giving there view on whats happening on the ground.
Hopefully these UPR's will make a difference around the world and put more pressure on states to respect Human Rights and their treaty obligations.
Ireland will be reviewed in 2011 in the 12th (and last) Session of the UPR.
---
Sources:
UN human rights body begins first-ever examination of all countries’ records - UN News Centre
Universal Periodic Review - OHCHR
General Assembly Resolution 60/251 (PDF) - UN
Universal Periodic Review: Bahrain - OHCHR
Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review Calender (PDF) - OHCHR
Under General Assembly Resolution 60/251 (Which also established the Human Rights Counicl), the General Assembly mandated the Council to
undertake a universal periodic review, based on objective and reliable information, of the fulfillment by each State of its human rights obligations and commitments in a manner which ensures universality of coverage and equal treatment with respect to all States; the review shall be a cooperative mechanism, based on an interactive dialogue, with the full involvement of the country concerned and with consideration given to its capacity-building needs; such a mechanism shall complement and not duplicate the work of treaty bodies.
This Universal Periodic Review got underway yesterday in Geneva with Bahrain and Ecuador. The other states in this 1st Session Review are
* Tunisia
* Morocco
* Indonesia
* Finland
* United Kingdom
* India
* Brazil
* Philippines
* Algeria
* Poland
* Netherlands
* South Africa
* Czech Republic
* Argentina
These will all be examined during the First Session which lasts till the 18th of April.
The Second Session will consider
1. Gabon
2. Ghana
3. Peru
4. Guatemala
5. Benin
6. Republic of Korea
7. Switzerland
8. Pakistan
9. Zambia
10. Japan
11. Ukraine
12. Sri Lanka
13. France
14. Tonga
15. Romania
16. Mali
This session will take place between 5-16 May.
The third and Final Session this year will see the following states examined,
1. Botswana
2. Bahamas
3. Burundi
4. Luxembourg
5. Barbados
6. Montenegro
7. United Arab Emirates
8. Israel
9. Liechtenstein
10. Serbia
11. Turkmenistan
12. Burkina Faso
13. Cape verde
14. Colombia
15. Uzbekistan
16. Tuvalu
That session will take place between the 1-12 December.
What do these reviews entail?
The reviews entail each country giving its own information, limited to a 20 page report, but also shadow reports can be submitted by Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), limited to 10 pages. NGOs, NHRIs (National Human Rights Institution's), Human rights defenders, Academic institutions and Research institutes, Regional organizations, as well as civil society representatives may also submit observations as stakedholders but there submissions summarized by the OHCHR in a 10 page report.
Example: Bahrain
Bahrain's Report(PDF) contains information on reforms it pledged to make on election to the Human Rights Council. It details constitutional protections, legal protections, treaties signed and/or ratified, as well as the State's view of whats happening on the ground. State's may also give additional Documentation, Bahrain has taken the opportunity and submitted 6. They havent been translated from Arabic so I cant read them.
The OHCHR Report (PDF) is a summary of the Treaties signed and ratified by Bahrain. It gives a summary of the views of the bodies set up by the treaties on work done and any issues.
12 stakeholders (PDF) made submissions to the OHCHR giving there view on whats happening on the ground.
Hopefully these UPR's will make a difference around the world and put more pressure on states to respect Human Rights and their treaty obligations.
Ireland will be reviewed in 2011 in the 12th (and last) Session of the UPR.
---
Sources:
UN human rights body begins first-ever examination of all countries’ records - UN News Centre
Universal Periodic Review - OHCHR
General Assembly Resolution 60/251 (PDF) - UN
Universal Periodic Review: Bahrain - OHCHR
Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review Calender (PDF) - OHCHR
Thursday, April 03, 2008
UN Convention on the rights of Persons with Disabilities
I should have picked up on this alot earlier. But anyway 20 coutries have ratified the Convention meaning it can enter into force so who are these twenty enlightened countries?
Now I must say some of these countries to not instantly spring to mind when thinking of countries that might sign up for it! Only one of the twenty seven EU Member States has ratified the Convention which was opened for signature over a year ago (30 March 2007).
Ireland signed the convention on the 30th of March last year, but there is still no sign of legislation forthcoming to allow us to ratify the treaty.
Here some information on the Convention. Links at the end of the post (As usual!)
There are eight guiding principles that underlie the Convention and each one of its specific articles:
* Respect for inherent dignity, individual autonomy including the freedom to make one's own choices, and independence of persons
* Non-discrimination
*Full and effective participation and inclusion in society
* Respect for difference and acceptance of persons with disabilities as part of human diversity and humanity
* Equality of opportunity
* Accessibility
* Equality between men and women
* espect for the evolving capacities of children with disabilities and respect for the right of children with disabilities to preserve their identities
The convention will become legally binding on 3 May.
----
Links:
Secretary-General Ban hails entry into force of treaty on disability rights - UN News Centre
CONVENTION on the RIGHTS of PERSONS with DISABILITIES
List of Signatories and Ratifications - UNEnable
Bangladesh - 30 November 2007
Croatia - 15 August 2007
Cuba - 6 September 2007
Ecuador - 3 April 2008
El Salvador - 14 December 2007
Gabon - 1 October 2007
Guinea - 8 February 2008
Hungary - 20 July 2007
India - 1 October 2007
Jamaica - 30 March 2007
Jordan - 31 March 2008
Mexico - 17 December 2007
Namibia - 4 December 2007
Nicaragua - 7 December 2007
Panama - 7 August 2007
Peru - 30 January 2008
San Marino - 22 February 2008
South Africa - 30 November 2007
Spain - 3 December 2007
Tunisia - 2 April 2008
Now I must say some of these countries to not instantly spring to mind when thinking of countries that might sign up for it! Only one of the twenty seven EU Member States has ratified the Convention which was opened for signature over a year ago (30 March 2007).
Ireland signed the convention on the 30th of March last year, but there is still no sign of legislation forthcoming to allow us to ratify the treaty.
Here some information on the Convention. Links at the end of the post (As usual!)
There are eight guiding principles that underlie the Convention and each one of its specific articles:
* Respect for inherent dignity, individual autonomy including the freedom to make one's own choices, and independence of persons
* Non-discrimination
*Full and effective participation and inclusion in society
* Respect for difference and acceptance of persons with disabilities as part of human diversity and humanity
* Equality of opportunity
* Accessibility
* Equality between men and women
* espect for the evolving capacities of children with disabilities and respect for the right of children with disabilities to preserve their identities
The convention will become legally binding on 3 May.
----
Links:
Secretary-General Ban hails entry into force of treaty on disability rights - UN News Centre
CONVENTION on the RIGHTS of PERSONS with DISABILITIES
List of Signatories and Ratifications - UNEnable
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Kosovo: Who recognises the new state?
Its been over 24hrs since Kosovo unilaterally declared independence from Serbia. The following countries have recognised an Independent Kosovo:
Partailly Recognised States who recognise Kosovo:
Kosovo will also be recognised by the International Olympic Committee, but it will be too late to organise a delegation for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Other countries in the process of recognising Kosovo are:
The following states are refusing to recognise an Independent Kosovo:
Other countries are waiting for a decision from the UN, which will be slow coming as the P5 on the Security Council are split on the issue.
Source
- Afghanistan, 18 February 2008
- Albania, 18 February 2008
- Australia, 19 February 2008
- Costa Rica, 17 February 2008
- France, 18 February 2008
- Turkey, 18 February 2008
- United Kingdom, 18 February 2008
- United States, 18 February 2008
Partailly Recognised States who recognise Kosovo:
- Republic of China (Taiwan), 18 February 2008
- Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, 18 February 2008
Kosovo will also be recognised by the International Olympic Committee, but it will be too late to organise a delegation for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Other countries in the process of recognising Kosovo are:
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland, 29 February 2008
- Germany, 20 February 2008
- Hungary
- Ireland
- Italy, 20 February 2008
- Japan
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Pakistan
- Panama
- Poland
- Slovenia
- Sweden, 4 March 2008
- Switzerland
The following states are refusing to recognise an Independent Kosovo:
- Azerbaijan
- Belarus
- People's Republic of China
- Cyprus
- Georgia
- Greece
- Kazakhstan
- Moldova
- Romania
- Russia
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Spain
- Sri Lanka
- Vietnam
Other countries are waiting for a decision from the UN, which will be slow coming as the P5 on the Security Council are split on the issue.
Source
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Kosovo declares itself independent as an EU Colony
Today the Kosovar Assembly voted unamimously for Independence from Serbia. What does this actually mean for the province is something else entirely. Independence here is entirely symbolic as the EU will be running the Administration, the Courts and the Police Service, with NATO being the Army. Not exactly an "Free, independent and sovereign state"?
Pristina will be able to pass laws and sign treaties but will depend on EU Officals to implement them. The EU mission, when it is up and running, will have sweeping executive powers. It will have the right to veto the elected government if it deviates from the Brussels-approved reform path. It will have the power to intervene directly in Kosovo's internal affairs.
The EU of course are playing these powers down. Saying they will be seldom used, or are for emergencies only. Kosovo can be expected to be ruled like Germany and Japan after World War II for at about five to eight years.
Kosovo will be the EU's first time being an exporter of democratic principles. The EU has of course helped countries in tranisition from Dictatorships (Greece, Portugal, Spain) and from Communism (Estonia, Latvia, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Lithuania and Poland). Kosovo is different as it is it defiance of international law. United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 which in the preambulatory clauses states "Reaffirming the commitment of all Member States to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the other States of the region, as set out in the Helsinki Final Act and annex 2"
This leaves Russia in a strong poistion in the UN. It can veto any application by Kosovo to join the UN, it can also block changes to Reslution 1244. Conversely France, the UK and the US can block Russian moves to have the UNSC declare the move illegal. So its stale mate at the UN.
Serbia, immediately disregard the´declaration saying it will not recognise a 'false state' which would be a "satellite state known as Kosovo". Serbia of course has ruled out the use of force, but will use ddiplomatic means to try and bring Kosovo back in.
Serbia remains the main trading partner of Kosovo so if Serbia brings in sanctions then Kosovo could be worse off.
Only time will tell if Kosovo will end up a "Free, independent and sovereign state" or just a failed state.
Pristina will be able to pass laws and sign treaties but will depend on EU Officals to implement them. The EU mission, when it is up and running, will have sweeping executive powers. It will have the right to veto the elected government if it deviates from the Brussels-approved reform path. It will have the power to intervene directly in Kosovo's internal affairs.
The EU of course are playing these powers down. Saying they will be seldom used, or are for emergencies only. Kosovo can be expected to be ruled like Germany and Japan after World War II for at about five to eight years.
Kosovo will be the EU's first time being an exporter of democratic principles. The EU has of course helped countries in tranisition from Dictatorships (Greece, Portugal, Spain) and from Communism (Estonia, Latvia, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Lithuania and Poland). Kosovo is different as it is it defiance of international law. United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 which in the preambulatory clauses states "Reaffirming the commitment of all Member States to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the other States of the region, as set out in the Helsinki Final Act and annex 2"
This leaves Russia in a strong poistion in the UN. It can veto any application by Kosovo to join the UN, it can also block changes to Reslution 1244. Conversely France, the UK and the US can block Russian moves to have the UNSC declare the move illegal. So its stale mate at the UN.
Serbia, immediately disregard the´declaration saying it will not recognise a 'false state' which would be a "satellite state known as Kosovo". Serbia of course has ruled out the use of force, but will use ddiplomatic means to try and bring Kosovo back in.
Serbia remains the main trading partner of Kosovo so if Serbia brings in sanctions then Kosovo could be worse off.
Only time will tell if Kosovo will end up a "Free, independent and sovereign state" or just a failed state.
Monday, February 26, 2007
Morning Briefing, 26th February
Well I'm back in Cork after USI LGBT Standing Conference, where I was re-elected to Working Group on the 3rd count! Also congrats to Ms. Sonya Donneally who was elected unanimously as the new LGBTRO! woo! (P.S. If anyone wants to know what motions where passed email me!)
In the news today!
The International Court of Justice, is due to deliver its verdict today on whether ot not Serbia is responsible for Genocide 'through the killing, torture, rape and expulsion of Bosnian Muslims' (CNN, RTÉ, Breakingnews) If passed, it will be the first time that a state, rather than an individual or group, has been held responsible for genocide.
Nurses begin there industrial action today with a protest outside CUH (Breakingnews, RTÉ) The INO and PNA are seeking a 10% pay increase for their members and a reduction in their working week to 35 hours.
Israel is after performing a raid on the West Bank, it has now entered its second day (RTÉ, Breakingnews)
Jean-Marie Le Pen has laucned his latest bid for the french presidency (France 24, CNN) He has put forward an anti-immigration, ultranationalist stance, pledging to cut off social benefits for foreigners and deporting those who are unable to fend for themselves. He is having difficulty getting 500 mayors to back him.
Talks begin today in London on Iran's Nuclear program. (CNN, France 24). The P5 and Germany are meeting to discuss the next course of action. Israel is denying that its has plans to attack Iran's Nuclear facilities (France 24) and the USA have plans to bomb Iran according to Pulitzer-Prize winning journalist Seymour Hersh (CNN)
Thats its for now!
In the news today!
The International Court of Justice, is due to deliver its verdict today on whether ot not Serbia is responsible for Genocide 'through the killing, torture, rape and expulsion of Bosnian Muslims' (CNN, RTÉ, Breakingnews) If passed, it will be the first time that a state, rather than an individual or group, has been held responsible for genocide.
Nurses begin there industrial action today with a protest outside CUH (Breakingnews, RTÉ) The INO and PNA are seeking a 10% pay increase for their members and a reduction in their working week to 35 hours.
Israel is after performing a raid on the West Bank, it has now entered its second day (RTÉ, Breakingnews)
Jean-Marie Le Pen has laucned his latest bid for the french presidency (France 24, CNN) He has put forward an anti-immigration, ultranationalist stance, pledging to cut off social benefits for foreigners and deporting those who are unable to fend for themselves. He is having difficulty getting 500 mayors to back him.
Talks begin today in London on Iran's Nuclear program. (CNN, France 24). The P5 and Germany are meeting to discuss the next course of action. Israel is denying that its has plans to attack Iran's Nuclear facilities (France 24) and the USA have plans to bomb Iran according to Pulitzer-Prize winning journalist Seymour Hersh (CNN)
Thats its for now!
Friday, February 16, 2007
Morning Briefing, 16th February
Dia Duit
An nuacht ar an maidin seo.
The row over the cost of the Mahon Tribunal continues today (Breakingnews) with Judge Mahon saying the tribunal will only cost €300m, maybe less. Also Labour are getting in on the act (RTÉ) saying that the government are trying to delay the tribunal. Well d'uh
Russian President Vladimir Putin has appointed a former rebel as President of Chechnya (France 24) Pity he wasn't elected.
Serbia has rejected the UN plan for Kosovo (CNN). Surprise surprise. I can't see any Serbian parliament accepting independence, virtual or not, for Kosovo.
North Koreans are celebrating Kim Jong-Il 65th birthday (France 24). Though state media in north korea seam to warning about a military threat from the US. I don't see how they can invade as the armed forces are stretched to the limit Iraq and Afghanistan.
The US House of Representatives is due to vote on a resolution against the troop surge in Iraq today. (CNN)Also House speaker Nancy Pelosi has stated that "Bush lacks authority to invade Iran"
The European Parliament has adopted a report which implicates 13 member states in cooperating with CIA rendition flights (France 24) The national governments specifically criticised for their unwillingness to cooperate with Parliament's investigations were those of Austria, Italy, Poland, Portugal and the UK. The report also gives detailed evidence of investigations of illegal rendition or CIA flight cases involving Germany, Sweden, Spain, Ireland, Greece, Cyprus, Denmark, Turkey, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), Bosnia and Romania (EU Parliament Website)
Thats it for now!
Slán!
An nuacht ar an maidin seo.
The row over the cost of the Mahon Tribunal continues today (Breakingnews) with Judge Mahon saying the tribunal will only cost €300m, maybe less. Also Labour are getting in on the act (RTÉ) saying that the government are trying to delay the tribunal. Well d'uh
Russian President Vladimir Putin has appointed a former rebel as President of Chechnya (France 24) Pity he wasn't elected.
Serbia has rejected the UN plan for Kosovo (CNN). Surprise surprise. I can't see any Serbian parliament accepting independence, virtual or not, for Kosovo.
North Koreans are celebrating Kim Jong-Il 65th birthday (France 24). Though state media in north korea seam to warning about a military threat from the US. I don't see how they can invade as the armed forces are stretched to the limit Iraq and Afghanistan.
The US House of Representatives is due to vote on a resolution against the troop surge in Iraq today. (CNN)Also House speaker Nancy Pelosi has stated that "Bush lacks authority to invade Iran"
The European Parliament has adopted a report which implicates 13 member states in cooperating with CIA rendition flights (France 24) The national governments specifically criticised for their unwillingness to cooperate with Parliament's investigations were those of Austria, Italy, Poland, Portugal and the UK. The report also gives detailed evidence of investigations of illegal rendition or CIA flight cases involving Germany, Sweden, Spain, Ireland, Greece, Cyprus, Denmark, Turkey, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), Bosnia and Romania (EU Parliament Website)
Thats it for now!
Slán!
Friday, January 26, 2007
Morning Briefing, 26th January
Dia Duit ar an maidin fuar!
An nuacht ar an lá seo.
A conference is taking place in Spain on the EU Constitution (BBC). Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Spain are sending ministers and Germany, Ireland and Portugal are sending observers. Im not sure what outcome it will have as only 17 member states are attending.
The UN will announce its plan for Kosovo today (BBC). Hopefully it will safe gaurd
In a historic step the Prime Minister of Vietnam has met with the Pope (CNN)
Kofi Annan has returned home to Ghana (CNN) after his ten year stint as head of the United Nations. He is thinking of entering agriculture
No more .um sites (CNN)awww, but there are talks of getting rid of .su sites also.
The US has unveiled an non-lethal ray gun!(CNN) i thinks its a cool idea. It makes u think ur going to catch fire, wo wont run from that!
And finally in UCC RAG week is over and nominations for the Student Union Elections open next wednesday. I am intending to seek a nomination to run for Welfare officer in the SU. check out my website its still under construction so check back. But i do have a Bebo, MySpace and Facebook profiles
An nuacht ar an lá seo.
A conference is taking place in Spain on the EU Constitution (BBC). Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Spain are sending ministers and Germany, Ireland and Portugal are sending observers. Im not sure what outcome it will have as only 17 member states are attending.
The UN will announce its plan for Kosovo today (BBC). Hopefully it will safe gaurd
In a historic step the Prime Minister of Vietnam has met with the Pope (CNN)
Kofi Annan has returned home to Ghana (CNN) after his ten year stint as head of the United Nations. He is thinking of entering agriculture
No more .um sites (CNN)awww, but there are talks of getting rid of .su sites also.
The US has unveiled an non-lethal ray gun!(CNN) i thinks its a cool idea. It makes u think ur going to catch fire, wo wont run from that!
And finally in UCC RAG week is over and nominations for the Student Union Elections open next wednesday. I am intending to seek a nomination to run for Welfare officer in the SU. check out my website its still under construction so check back. But i do have a Bebo, MySpace and Facebook profiles
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
MORE THAN 20 UN PERSONNEL KILLED IN 2006, SAYS STAFF UNION AS IT CALLS FOR ACTION
Fatal attacks against United Nations personnel last year claimed the lives of at least 22 peacekeepers and civilian staff, mostly in southern Lebanon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Haiti, Sudan, and Afghanistan, the world body’s staff union said today, as it called for greater effort to bring those responsible to justice.
“Apprehending and punishing the perpetrators would go a long way to address this situation. Very seldom those who attack and kill United Nations personnel pay for their crimes,” said Stephen Kisambira, President of the Staff Union. Last year’s figure is lower than the fatalities in 2005, when 32 UN staff were killed worldwide.
As well as the killings in 2006, there were also “numerous violations of the independence of the international civil service around the world, and staff members were detained or expelled in Eritrea,” the Union said.
The most deadly place for the UN last year was southern Lebanon during the month-long war between Israel and Hizbollah, when 16 personnel from the world body were killed or wounded, according to figures from the Staff Union’s Committee on the Security and Independence of the International Civil Service.
The worst incident occurred on 25 July when an Israeli air strike hit the building and shelter of a UN observer post in the town of Khiyam, southern Lebanon, killing four observers: Du Zhaoyu, 34, of China; Hans Peter Lang, 44, of Austria; Paeta Hess-von Kruedener, 43, of Canada; and Jarno Mäkinen, 29, of Finland.
Other deadly attacks occurred against operations worldwide, particularly in the DRC on 23 January when eight Guatemalan peacekeepers serving with the UN Mission (MONUC) were killed and five others wounded by suspected elements of the Ugandan rebel Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA).
On 15 March, two gunmen attacked a compound of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Yei, southern Sudan, killing UNHCR guard David Batali and critically wounding Nabil Bahjat Abdulla, 48, of Iraq, who died later that month.
In Afghanistan, Sarajudin Noorzai, an Afghani driver serving with the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), was killed on 12 May by a rocket-propelled grenade while his UN vehicle was travelling between Badghis and Herat.
“Apprehending and punishing the perpetrators would go a long way to address this situation. Very seldom those who attack and kill United Nations personnel pay for their crimes,” said Stephen Kisambira, President of the Staff Union. Last year’s figure is lower than the fatalities in 2005, when 32 UN staff were killed worldwide.
As well as the killings in 2006, there were also “numerous violations of the independence of the international civil service around the world, and staff members were detained or expelled in Eritrea,” the Union said.
The most deadly place for the UN last year was southern Lebanon during the month-long war between Israel and Hizbollah, when 16 personnel from the world body were killed or wounded, according to figures from the Staff Union’s Committee on the Security and Independence of the International Civil Service.
The worst incident occurred on 25 July when an Israeli air strike hit the building and shelter of a UN observer post in the town of Khiyam, southern Lebanon, killing four observers: Du Zhaoyu, 34, of China; Hans Peter Lang, 44, of Austria; Paeta Hess-von Kruedener, 43, of Canada; and Jarno Mäkinen, 29, of Finland.
Other deadly attacks occurred against operations worldwide, particularly in the DRC on 23 January when eight Guatemalan peacekeepers serving with the UN Mission (MONUC) were killed and five others wounded by suspected elements of the Ugandan rebel Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA).
On 15 March, two gunmen attacked a compound of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Yei, southern Sudan, killing UNHCR guard David Batali and critically wounding Nabil Bahjat Abdulla, 48, of Iraq, who died later that month.
In Afghanistan, Sarajudin Noorzai, an Afghani driver serving with the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), was killed on 12 May by a rocket-propelled grenade while his UN vehicle was travelling between Badghis and Herat.
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Morning Briefing, 31st December
Well its the last day of 2006 and my final Morning briefing of the year :( not that I've been doing them for very long, but I'd like to take this moment to wish all the readers of this blog the Best for 2007! Have a great night and be careful!!!!
An nuacht ar an maidin seo!
CNN reports on Kofi Annan's Legacy saying he left a 'mixed legacy'
BreakingNews.ie reports on the destruction of prisoner files in the North before the Freedom of Information Act came in. I'm surprised that didn't happen down here. Reminds me of an episode of Yes, Minister, the one where Sir Humphrey's mistake is hushed up by saying the files were destroyed in a flood!
McDowell is spouting off again, saying the PD's will be successful in the next election according to breakingnews.ie. Who do you think will win the next election? Vote on Cllr Seamus Ryan's Blog
Now its time for year 2006 round ups!
France 24: Retrospective 2006
BBC: Stories of 2006
Thats all i can find for the moment! so enjoy what is left of 2006!
Athbhliain faoi mhaise duit.
An nuacht ar an maidin seo!
CNN reports on Kofi Annan's Legacy saying he left a 'mixed legacy'
BreakingNews.ie reports on the destruction of prisoner files in the North before the Freedom of Information Act came in. I'm surprised that didn't happen down here. Reminds me of an episode of Yes, Minister, the one where Sir Humphrey's mistake is hushed up by saying the files were destroyed in a flood!
McDowell is spouting off again, saying the PD's will be successful in the next election according to breakingnews.ie. Who do you think will win the next election? Vote on Cllr Seamus Ryan's Blog
Now its time for year 2006 round ups!
France 24: Retrospective 2006
BBC: Stories of 2006
Thats all i can find for the moment! so enjoy what is left of 2006!
Athbhliain faoi mhaise duit.
Thursday, December 21, 2006
CELEBRITIES LAUNCH GLOBAL CAMPAIGN TO DECRIMINALIZE HOMOSEXUALITY
Paris, November 20, 2006 — Prof. Louis-Georges Tin, president of the International Committee for IDAHO (the International Day Against Homophobia), today announced the launching of a global petition campaign for a proposed United Nations resolution in favor of the universal decriminalization of homosexuality.
“With more than 70 countries in the world still making homosexuality a crime by law — and punishable by death in twelve of them — this is a legal scandal which the petition for a proposed U.N. resolution decriminalizing homosexuality gives people a concrete way to fight,” Tin said.
The International Committee for IDAHO coordinates world-wide annual observances of the Day Against Homophobia each May 17 — and in this, its second year, IDAHO was marked by events in over 50 countries and endorsed by the European Parliament.
IDAHO today released not only the text of the petition (FULL TEXT BELOW) but also a list of hundreds of national and international organisations, well-known cultural, political, and intellectual figures who have endorsed the campaign :
— -many international NGOs such as the ILGA (International Lesbian and Gay Association), the FIDH (Fédération Internationale des Droits de l’Homme), the IUSY (International Union of Socialist Youth), the International AIDS Society, the ILGCN (International Lesbian and Gay Cultural Network) etc.
— - five Nobel Prize winners:
Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Bishop Desmond Tutu, South Africa, Nobel Laureate for Literature Dario Fo, Italy, Nobel Laureate for Literature José Saramago, Portugal, Nobel Laureate for Literature Elfriede Jelinek, Austria, Nobel Laureate for Economics Amartya Sen, India;
— -from the entertainment industry, Merryl Streep, Sir Elton John, David Bowie, Edward Norton, Lily Tomlin, Victoria Abril, Cyndi Lauper, directors Bernardo Bertolucci and Mike Nichols, and Hollywood producer Kathleen Kennedy;
— - distinguished writers and intellectuals like Salman Rushdie, Gore Vidal, Sir Tom Stoppard, Edward Albee, Tony Kushner, Noam Chomsky, Russell Banks, Judith Butler, John Patrick Shanley, Martin Amis, Ian McEwan, Richard Sennett, Princeton University President Shirley Tilghman, and 10 Pulitzer Prize winners;
— - leading African-American intellectuals like Cornel West and K. Anthony Appiah;
— - political leaders, including Jacques Delors, former President of the European Commission; two former French Prime Ministers (Michel Rocard and Laurent Fabius); Michael Cashman, president of the Intergroup on gay and lesbian rights of the Europarliament ; Thomas Hammerberg of Sweden, Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe ; former European Union Commissioner for Justice and Home Affairs Antonio Vitorino of Portugal, and Mayor Bertrand Delanoe of Paris, France.
(A LONGER LIST OF ENDORSERS IS APPENDED BELOW)
The petition — entitled, “For the Universal Decriminalization of Homosexuality” and based essentially on the articles of the U.N.’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights — says, in part, “We ask the United Nations to request a a universal abolition of the so-called ‘crime of homosexuality‘, of all ‘sodomy laws‘, and laws against so-called ’unnatural acts‘ in all the countries where they still exist.”
Tin said that “the object of the petition is to insure that a decriminalization resolution will be presented at the United Nations in the months to come.”
Michael Cashman, the Member of the European Parliament (MEP) who is President of the EuroParliament’s Intergroup on Gay and Lesbian Affairs, declared: “The members of the Intergroup unanimously support this initiative of the IDAHO Committee. We hope that it will go far, and that it will bring strong pressure to bear on the United Nations. We invite everyone who supports fundamental human rights to support this petition, and to ask their friends and co-workers to do so too.”
Alice Nkom, the African human rights lawyer who defended the 11 young men arrested earlier this year in Cameroon and imprisoned for homosexuality, said: “This proposed resolution gives us immense optimism, and we ardently hope that Louis-Georges Tin and the IDAHO Committee will achieve their goal. This is a fight for liberty and for human rights.”
Tin noted that, “In October this year, the U.N. Working Group on Arbitrary Detention declared that the imprisonment in Cameroon of 11 young men who’d been caught in a raid on a gay bar on charges of homosexuality was ‘an arbitrary deprivation of liberty‘ that violates the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. That’s encouraging.”
Tin added that, “It is obvious that the battle to get the U.N. to pass such a resolution is a difficult one, because there are a number of Heads of State who justify and encourage homophobic violence. Despite this, we are counting on the U.N.’s own preceding jurisprudence in this matter. In 1994, the U.N.’s Commission on Human Rights (as it was called then) condemned Tasmania for making homosexuality a crime. As a result, Tasmania had to change its legislation to make it conform to the U.N.’s position. The object of our petition is to make the U.N.’s jurisprudence in the Tasmania case applicable to all the countries which still penalize homosexuality”
The petition may be signed online via the Internet at www.idahomophobia.org. But local and country associations of all kinds, including labor unions, are urged to reprint and circulate the petition — once signatures have been collected, the completed petitions should be mailed to:
Louis-Georges Tin, President, Comité IDAHO, 26 rue de Lappe, 75011 Paris, FRANCE.
Click here for full list
Click here to sign the Petition
Text of the Petition
TO THE UNITED NATIONS :
Petition “For a universal decriminalization of homosexuality”
Considering
The Universal declaration of Human Rights
Article 1.
All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
Article 2.
Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.
Article 3.
Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.
Article 12.
No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honour and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.
Considering
The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (adopted by General Assembly resolution 2200A (XXI) of 16 December 1966, entry into force 23 March 1976)
Article 17
1. No one shall be subjected to arbitrary or unlawful interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to unlawful attacks on his honour and reputation.
2. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.
Considering
The Human Rights Committee’s decision in Toonen v. Australia (04 April 1994)
We ask the United Nations
to request a universal abolition of the so-called “crime of homosexuality”, of all “sodomy laws”, and laws against so-called “unnatural acts” in all the countries where they still exist.
“With more than 70 countries in the world still making homosexuality a crime by law — and punishable by death in twelve of them — this is a legal scandal which the petition for a proposed U.N. resolution decriminalizing homosexuality gives people a concrete way to fight,” Tin said.
The International Committee for IDAHO coordinates world-wide annual observances of the Day Against Homophobia each May 17 — and in this, its second year, IDAHO was marked by events in over 50 countries and endorsed by the European Parliament.
IDAHO today released not only the text of the petition (FULL TEXT BELOW) but also a list of hundreds of national and international organisations, well-known cultural, political, and intellectual figures who have endorsed the campaign :
— -many international NGOs such as the ILGA (International Lesbian and Gay Association), the FIDH (Fédération Internationale des Droits de l’Homme), the IUSY (International Union of Socialist Youth), the International AIDS Society, the ILGCN (International Lesbian and Gay Cultural Network) etc.
— - five Nobel Prize winners:
Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Bishop Desmond Tutu, South Africa, Nobel Laureate for Literature Dario Fo, Italy, Nobel Laureate for Literature José Saramago, Portugal, Nobel Laureate for Literature Elfriede Jelinek, Austria, Nobel Laureate for Economics Amartya Sen, India;
— -from the entertainment industry, Merryl Streep, Sir Elton John, David Bowie, Edward Norton, Lily Tomlin, Victoria Abril, Cyndi Lauper, directors Bernardo Bertolucci and Mike Nichols, and Hollywood producer Kathleen Kennedy;
— - distinguished writers and intellectuals like Salman Rushdie, Gore Vidal, Sir Tom Stoppard, Edward Albee, Tony Kushner, Noam Chomsky, Russell Banks, Judith Butler, John Patrick Shanley, Martin Amis, Ian McEwan, Richard Sennett, Princeton University President Shirley Tilghman, and 10 Pulitzer Prize winners;
— - leading African-American intellectuals like Cornel West and K. Anthony Appiah;
— - political leaders, including Jacques Delors, former President of the European Commission; two former French Prime Ministers (Michel Rocard and Laurent Fabius); Michael Cashman, president of the Intergroup on gay and lesbian rights of the Europarliament ; Thomas Hammerberg of Sweden, Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe ; former European Union Commissioner for Justice and Home Affairs Antonio Vitorino of Portugal, and Mayor Bertrand Delanoe of Paris, France.
(A LONGER LIST OF ENDORSERS IS APPENDED BELOW)
The petition — entitled, “For the Universal Decriminalization of Homosexuality” and based essentially on the articles of the U.N.’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights — says, in part, “We ask the United Nations to request a a universal abolition of the so-called ‘crime of homosexuality‘, of all ‘sodomy laws‘, and laws against so-called ’unnatural acts‘ in all the countries where they still exist.”
Tin said that “the object of the petition is to insure that a decriminalization resolution will be presented at the United Nations in the months to come.”
Michael Cashman, the Member of the European Parliament (MEP) who is President of the EuroParliament’s Intergroup on Gay and Lesbian Affairs, declared: “The members of the Intergroup unanimously support this initiative of the IDAHO Committee. We hope that it will go far, and that it will bring strong pressure to bear on the United Nations. We invite everyone who supports fundamental human rights to support this petition, and to ask their friends and co-workers to do so too.”
Alice Nkom, the African human rights lawyer who defended the 11 young men arrested earlier this year in Cameroon and imprisoned for homosexuality, said: “This proposed resolution gives us immense optimism, and we ardently hope that Louis-Georges Tin and the IDAHO Committee will achieve their goal. This is a fight for liberty and for human rights.”
Tin noted that, “In October this year, the U.N. Working Group on Arbitrary Detention declared that the imprisonment in Cameroon of 11 young men who’d been caught in a raid on a gay bar on charges of homosexuality was ‘an arbitrary deprivation of liberty‘ that violates the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. That’s encouraging.”
Tin added that, “It is obvious that the battle to get the U.N. to pass such a resolution is a difficult one, because there are a number of Heads of State who justify and encourage homophobic violence. Despite this, we are counting on the U.N.’s own preceding jurisprudence in this matter. In 1994, the U.N.’s Commission on Human Rights (as it was called then) condemned Tasmania for making homosexuality a crime. As a result, Tasmania had to change its legislation to make it conform to the U.N.’s position. The object of our petition is to make the U.N.’s jurisprudence in the Tasmania case applicable to all the countries which still penalize homosexuality”
The petition may be signed online via the Internet at www.idahomophobia.org. But local and country associations of all kinds, including labor unions, are urged to reprint and circulate the petition — once signatures have been collected, the completed petitions should be mailed to:
Louis-Georges Tin, President, Comité IDAHO, 26 rue de Lappe, 75011 Paris, FRANCE.
Click here for full list
Click here to sign the Petition
Text of the Petition
TO THE UNITED NATIONS :
Petition “For a universal decriminalization of homosexuality”
Considering
The Universal declaration of Human Rights
Article 1.
All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
Article 2.
Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.
Article 3.
Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.
Article 12.
No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honour and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.
Considering
The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (adopted by General Assembly resolution 2200A (XXI) of 16 December 1966, entry into force 23 March 1976)
Article 17
1. No one shall be subjected to arbitrary or unlawful interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to unlawful attacks on his honour and reputation.
2. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.
Considering
The Human Rights Committee’s decision in Toonen v. Australia (04 April 1994)
We ask the United Nations
to request a universal abolition of the so-called “crime of homosexuality”, of all “sodomy laws”, and laws against so-called “unnatural acts” in all the countries where they still exist.
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
NEW UN TREATY TO PRESERVE WORLD'S RICH CULTURAL DIVERSITY TO COME INTO FORCE IN MARCH
A United Nations-backed international treaty to preserve the rich diversity of the world’s means of cultural expression from the dangers of globalization, including its many languages, will enter into force on 18 March after it topped the needed total of 30 ratifications yesterday.
“The rapidity of the ratification process is unprecedented,” UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (http://portal.unesco.org/en/ev.php-URL_ID=36209&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html) Director-General. Koïchiro Matsuura said today of the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, adopted by UNESCO’s General Conference in October 2005.
“None of UNESCO’s other cultural conventions has been adopted by so many States in so little time,” Mr Matsuura added. Another 13 countries, as well as the European Community, yesterday deposited their instrument of ratification at UNESCO’s Paris headquarters, bringing the total to 35.
As examples of the kind of cultural consolidation threatened by globalization, UNESCO notes that 50 per cent of the world languages are in danger of extinction and that 90 per cent of them are not represented on the Internet. In addition, five countries monopolize the world cultural industries. In the field of cinema, for instance, 88 countries have never had their own film productions.
Besides promoting diversity in those areas, the Convention seeks to reaffirm the links between culture, development and dialogue and to create a platform for international cooperation, including the creation of an international fund for cultural diversity.
It highlights “the importance of intellectual property rights in sustaining those involved in cultural creativity” and reaffirms that “freedom of thought, expression and information, as well as diversity of the media, enable cultural expressions to flourish within societies.”
It also supports UNESCO’s Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity adopted in 2001, which recognized cultural diversity as “a source of exchange, innovation and creativity,” a common heritage of humanity that “should be recognized and affirmed for the benefit of present and future generations.”
The new Convention reaffirms the sovereign right of States to elaborate cultural policies with a view “to protect and promote the diversity of cultural expressions and reinforce international cooperation” while respecting human rights and fundamental freedoms.
“The rapidity of the ratification process is unprecedented,” UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (http://portal.unesco.org/en/ev.php-URL_ID=36209&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html) Director-General. Koïchiro Matsuura said today of the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, adopted by UNESCO’s General Conference in October 2005.
“None of UNESCO’s other cultural conventions has been adopted by so many States in so little time,” Mr Matsuura added. Another 13 countries, as well as the European Community, yesterday deposited their instrument of ratification at UNESCO’s Paris headquarters, bringing the total to 35.
As examples of the kind of cultural consolidation threatened by globalization, UNESCO notes that 50 per cent of the world languages are in danger of extinction and that 90 per cent of them are not represented on the Internet. In addition, five countries monopolize the world cultural industries. In the field of cinema, for instance, 88 countries have never had their own film productions.
Besides promoting diversity in those areas, the Convention seeks to reaffirm the links between culture, development and dialogue and to create a platform for international cooperation, including the creation of an international fund for cultural diversity.
It highlights “the importance of intellectual property rights in sustaining those involved in cultural creativity” and reaffirms that “freedom of thought, expression and information, as well as diversity of the media, enable cultural expressions to flourish within societies.”
It also supports UNESCO’s Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity adopted in 2001, which recognized cultural diversity as “a source of exchange, innovation and creativity,” a common heritage of humanity that “should be recognized and affirmed for the benefit of present and future generations.”
The new Convention reaffirms the sovereign right of States to elaborate cultural policies with a view “to protect and promote the diversity of cultural expressions and reinforce international cooperation” while respecting human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Friday, December 08, 2006
‘MAKE-IT-OR-BREAK-IT’ AIDS CHALLENGE REQUIRES EXTRAORDINARY RESPONSE: UN AGENCY CHIEF
The head of the main United Nations agency dealing with HIV/AIDS today said the global threat posed by the disease requires an extraordinary response.
“We are already witnessing a new form of AIDS ‘denialism,’ which maintains that AIDS must be treated as simply one of many public health crises,” the Executive Director of the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (<"http://www.unaids.org/en/AboutUNAIDS/Governance/200609-19PCB.asp">UNAIDS) Dr. Peter Piot said, opening the agency’s 19th board meeting in Lusaka, Zambia.
“AIDS is exceptional – it is a make-or-break challenge, like global warming – and its exceptionality must be maintained.”
While noting that “prevention finally found it voice in 2006,” he added much still needs to be improved.
Dr. Piot emphasized the need for predictable financing and annual increases in funding in order to improve universal access to HIV prevention and treatment, as well as boost development of new technologies for drugs and vaccines. He stated the greatest challenge of the programme in this new phase will be the struggle for social change.
Mr. Piot thanked outgoing Secretary-General Kofi Annan for his leadership in the global fight against AIDS, and welcomed his successor, Ban Ki-moon, who takes over at the UN’s helm in January.
“We are already witnessing a new form of AIDS ‘denialism,’ which maintains that AIDS must be treated as simply one of many public health crises,” the Executive Director of the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (<"http://www.unaids.org/en/AboutUNAIDS/Governance/200609-19PCB.asp">UNAIDS) Dr. Peter Piot said, opening the agency’s 19th board meeting in Lusaka, Zambia.
“AIDS is exceptional – it is a make-or-break challenge, like global warming – and its exceptionality must be maintained.”
While noting that “prevention finally found it voice in 2006,” he added much still needs to be improved.
Dr. Piot emphasized the need for predictable financing and annual increases in funding in order to improve universal access to HIV prevention and treatment, as well as boost development of new technologies for drugs and vaccines. He stated the greatest challenge of the programme in this new phase will be the struggle for social change.
Mr. Piot thanked outgoing Secretary-General Kofi Annan for his leadership in the global fight against AIDS, and welcomed his successor, Ban Ki-moon, who takes over at the UN’s helm in January.
Thursday, December 07, 2006
UN ASSEMBLY TAKES STEPS TOWARDS NEW TREATY REGULATING GLOBAL CONVENTIONAL ARMS TRADE
The United Nations General Assembly today adopted a resolution effectively kicking off a diplomatic process aimed at promulgating a new international treaty on the global trade in conventional arms – a move immediately hailed by Secretary-General Kofi Annan – as it acted on a series of resolutions adopted at the recommendation of its Disarmament and International Security (First) Committee.
“The Secretary-General welcomes today’s adoption by the General Assembly of a resolution launching a process that could lead to a treaty regulating international trade in conventional weapons,” his spokesman said in a <"http://www.un.org/apps/sg/sgstats.asp?nid=2346">statement released in New York.
“While there are still many steps to be taken to forge a consensus to this end, the resolution represents the first formal step towards developing common international standards for the import, export and transfer of conventional weapons,” the spokesman said, pointing out that “unregulated trade in these weapons currently contributes to conflict, crime and terrorism, and undermines international efforts for peace and development.”
The resolution, “Towards an arms trade treaty: establishing common international standards for the import, export and transfer of conventional arms,” was adopted by a recorded vote, with the United States alone in opposing the text which was supported by 153 countries. An additional two dozen countries abstained.
Under its terms, the Secretary-General was requested to seek the views of Member States “on the feasibility, scope and draft parameters for a comprehensive, legally binding instrument establishing common international standards for the import, export and transfer of conventional arms” and to report on this at its next session.
He was also asked to establish a group of governmental experts to start examining in 2008 the feasibility, scope and draft parameters for such a treaty. This will be considered by the Assembly’s sixty-third session, which opens in September 2008.
The resolution was one of 52 submitted by the First Committee to the Assembly for action today. The Committee’s measures are traditionally among the most contentious submitted each year, and 2006 was no exception, with dozens of votes expected to be cast before day’s end on texts covering such subjects as the prevention of an arms race in outer space, multilateralism in the area of disarmament and non-proliferation, the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons, the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and the establishment of nuclear-weapon-free zones.
“The Secretary-General welcomes today’s adoption by the General Assembly of a resolution launching a process that could lead to a treaty regulating international trade in conventional weapons,” his spokesman said in a <"http://www.un.org/apps/sg/sgstats.asp?nid=2346">statement released in New York.
“While there are still many steps to be taken to forge a consensus to this end, the resolution represents the first formal step towards developing common international standards for the import, export and transfer of conventional weapons,” the spokesman said, pointing out that “unregulated trade in these weapons currently contributes to conflict, crime and terrorism, and undermines international efforts for peace and development.”
The resolution, “Towards an arms trade treaty: establishing common international standards for the import, export and transfer of conventional arms,” was adopted by a recorded vote, with the United States alone in opposing the text which was supported by 153 countries. An additional two dozen countries abstained.
Under its terms, the Secretary-General was requested to seek the views of Member States “on the feasibility, scope and draft parameters for a comprehensive, legally binding instrument establishing common international standards for the import, export and transfer of conventional arms” and to report on this at its next session.
He was also asked to establish a group of governmental experts to start examining in 2008 the feasibility, scope and draft parameters for such a treaty. This will be considered by the Assembly’s sixty-third session, which opens in September 2008.
The resolution was one of 52 submitted by the First Committee to the Assembly for action today. The Committee’s measures are traditionally among the most contentious submitted each year, and 2006 was no exception, with dozens of votes expected to be cast before day’s end on texts covering such subjects as the prevention of an arms race in outer space, multilateralism in the area of disarmament and non-proliferation, the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons, the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and the establishment of nuclear-weapon-free zones.
Saturday, December 02, 2006
ON WORLD AIDS DAY, UN LEADERS UNDERLINE NEED FOR ACCOUNTABILITY
Stressing this year’s theme of accountability, senior officials from across
the United Nations system have marked World AIDS Day with calls for
international leaders to maintain recent momentum and make good on their
promises to ensure greater access to treatment, prevention and support.
“The latest global AIDS figures give us reason for concern and for some
hope,” said Peter Piot, Executive Director of the Joint United Nations
Programme on HIV/AIDS, (UNAIDS), in one of a series of messages today by
the heads of UN organs and agencies.
Almost 40 million people live with HIV and another 4.3 million will be
infected this year, while at least 25 million others have died from
AIDS-related diseases in the 25 years since the first case was reported.
The pandemic is now the leading cause of death among both men and women
aged between 15 and 59.
Yet the number of countries providing antiretroviral (ARV) treatment to
sufferers and the breadth of access to HIV testing, counselling services
and health care have also continued to expand, including in sub-Saharan
Africa, the region hardest hit by AIDS.
“However, we must increase the scale and impact of HIV prevention
activities, including those directed at the drivers of the epidemic,” Dr.
Piot said. “New data show that HIV prevention programmes have better
results if focused on reaching people most at risk and adapted to changing
national epidemics.”
General Assembly President Sheikha Haya Rashed Al Khalifa said the theme of
accountability applied to everyone, from world leaders who have previously
vowed to improve reproductive health care services and information,
particularly for women, to individuals who can help establish healthy
behaviour when their children are young.
“The challenge for all of us is to make good on our commitments and work in
closer partnership towards our common goal. Civil society, NGOs
[non-governmental organizations], the media, private sector and faith
groups have an important role in promoting public awareness and holding
leaders to account for their promises,” she said.
Anders Nordström, Acting Director-General of the UN World Health
Organization (WHO), said the international community had reached “a
critical juncture” and needed to become smarter and more adaptable as it
responded to HIV/AIDS.
“We have to be… aware of which approaches are successful, and flexible
enough to adapt our resources accordingly,” Dr. Nordström said. “We do not
just need ‘more.’ We need to commit to clear-sightedness about what is
working and what is not – and quickly apply that knowledge.”
Antonio Maria Costa, Executive Director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime
(UNODC), warned against the stigmatization and marginalization of people
living with HIV/AIDS, especially women, young people, injecting drug users,
prisoners and victims of human trafficking – all groups that are
particularly vulnerable to the pandemic.
The UN Population Fund’s (UNFPA) Executive Director, Thoraya Ahmed Obaid,
saw signs of hope among the young, noting that HIV prevalence rates among
youth have fallen in several countries because of increased condom use and
other behavioural changes.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour said it was vital that
Member States are made to live up to their earlier commitments to
eventually provide universal access to comprehensive prevention programmes,
treatment, care and support by 2010.
Achim Steiner, Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP),
said it was important to recognize that combating HIV/AIDS is linked to
resolving other key global challenges, from promoting economic development
and fighting poverty in poorer countries to encouraging gender equality to
supporting environmental sustainability.
Numerous events are being staged around the world today to draw attention
to the pandemic and to some of the ways that individuals can help to reduce
or ameliorate its impact on communities.
In New York, Drawing IT Out, an exhibition of 300 cartoons drawn by
artists, in 50 countries opened at UN Headquarters. The event is sponsored
by UNAIDS, the Brazilian Ministry of Health and the International Planned
Parenthood Federation/Western Hemisphere Region.
the United Nations system have marked World AIDS Day with calls for
international leaders to maintain recent momentum and make good on their
promises to ensure greater access to treatment, prevention and support.
“The latest global AIDS figures give us reason for concern and for some
hope,” said Peter Piot, Executive Director of the Joint United Nations
Programme on HIV/AIDS, (UNAIDS), in one of a series of messages today by
the heads of UN organs and agencies.
Almost 40 million people live with HIV and another 4.3 million will be
infected this year, while at least 25 million others have died from
AIDS-related diseases in the 25 years since the first case was reported.
The pandemic is now the leading cause of death among both men and women
aged between 15 and 59.
Yet the number of countries providing antiretroviral (ARV) treatment to
sufferers and the breadth of access to HIV testing, counselling services
and health care have also continued to expand, including in sub-Saharan
Africa, the region hardest hit by AIDS.
“However, we must increase the scale and impact of HIV prevention
activities, including those directed at the drivers of the epidemic,” Dr.
Piot said. “New data show that HIV prevention programmes have better
results if focused on reaching people most at risk and adapted to changing
national epidemics.”
General Assembly President Sheikha Haya Rashed Al Khalifa said the theme of
accountability applied to everyone, from world leaders who have previously
vowed to improve reproductive health care services and information,
particularly for women, to individuals who can help establish healthy
behaviour when their children are young.
“The challenge for all of us is to make good on our commitments and work in
closer partnership towards our common goal. Civil society, NGOs
[non-governmental organizations], the media, private sector and faith
groups have an important role in promoting public awareness and holding
leaders to account for their promises,” she said.
Anders Nordström, Acting Director-General of the UN World Health
Organization (WHO), said the international community had reached “a
critical juncture” and needed to become smarter and more adaptable as it
responded to HIV/AIDS.
“We have to be… aware of which approaches are successful, and flexible
enough to adapt our resources accordingly,” Dr. Nordström said. “We do not
just need ‘more.’ We need to commit to clear-sightedness about what is
working and what is not – and quickly apply that knowledge.”
Antonio Maria Costa, Executive Director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime
(UNODC), warned against the stigmatization and marginalization of people
living with HIV/AIDS, especially women, young people, injecting drug users,
prisoners and victims of human trafficking – all groups that are
particularly vulnerable to the pandemic.
The UN Population Fund’s (UNFPA) Executive Director, Thoraya Ahmed Obaid,
saw signs of hope among the young, noting that HIV prevalence rates among
youth have fallen in several countries because of increased condom use and
other behavioural changes.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour said it was vital that
Member States are made to live up to their earlier commitments to
eventually provide universal access to comprehensive prevention programmes,
treatment, care and support by 2010.
Achim Steiner, Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP),
said it was important to recognize that combating HIV/AIDS is linked to
resolving other key global challenges, from promoting economic development
and fighting poverty in poorer countries to encouraging gender equality to
supporting environmental sustainability.
Numerous events are being staged around the world today to draw attention
to the pandemic and to some of the ways that individuals can help to reduce
or ameliorate its impact on communities.
In New York, Drawing IT Out, an exhibition of 300 cartoons drawn by
artists, in 50 countries opened at UN Headquarters. The event is sponsored
by UNAIDS, the Brazilian Ministry of Health and the International Planned
Parenthood Federation/Western Hemisphere Region.
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Ethiopia authorises military action
Ethiopia's parliament has authorised military action in the event of an attack on the country by Somalia's Union of Islamic Courts.
On Thursday the Ethiopian parliament passed a resolution to let the government take "all necessary" steps in response to what it said were plans for an invasion by the Islamic Courts movement.
Parliament approved the resolution by 311 votes to 90 against and 16 abstentions.
The resolution states that: "Parliament hereby authorises the government to take all necessary and legal steps to stave off a declaration of holy war and invasion by the Union of Islamic Courts against the country."
Meles Zenawi, prime minister of Ethiopia, said his country had already suffered attacks by groups working closely with Eritrea and the Islamic Courts forces in Somalia.
He said: "The jihadists in the Union of Islamic Courts, in collaboration with Eritrea, have already invaded Ethiopia by smuggling in rebel groups whom they trained and armed ... to destabilise and create upheaval in the country."
Ethiopian troops killed
On Thursday the Islamic Courts claimed to have blown up an Ethiopian military truck near Baidoa in Somalia, the headquarters of the country's transitional government.
Fighters targeted a government convoy, possibly with a remote-controlled bomb, blowing up one of the vehicles, close to a camp where Ethiopians were training troops loyal to the transitional government.
Sheikh Mukhta Robow, deputy defence chief for the Union of Islamic Courts, said: "In praise of Allah, our holy warriors succeeded and destroyed a truck carrying troops. I'm not sure how many were killed, but all who were on board were blown up."
Sources have said around 20 Ethiopian troops were killed in the attack, but the claims could not be independently verified and one Somali government official denied the attack took place.
Later a suicide car bomb was also reported to have exploded at a government checkpoint outside Baidoa.
The attacks came a day after the Islamic Courts accused Ethiopia of shelling a Somali town.
Arms embargo
On Wednesday, the UN security council condemned what it called a "significant increase" in the flow of weapons to Somalia in violation of a 1992 arms embargo.
The Union of Islamic Courts and the Ethiopian-backed transitional government are vying for control of Somalia, and many analysts fear that it could escalate into a regional conflict.
Both Ethiopia and Eritrea have been accused of violating the 14-year-old arms embargo on Somalia.
The US is consulting the UN Security Council members on a resolution that would lift the arms embargo for a regional peacekeeping force to help promote dialogue between the transitional government and the UIC.
However, the Islamic Courts movement is opposed to foreign intervention in the country and has declared a holy war on Ethiopia over incursions into its territories.
Ethiopia says it just has a few hundred military trainers in Somalia but a report commissioned by the UN suggests between 6,000 and 8,000 Ethiopian troops are in or near Somalia's border.
The report also said 2,000 troops from Eritrea are inside Somalia supporting the Islamic Courts.
Source Al Jazeera
On Thursday the Ethiopian parliament passed a resolution to let the government take "all necessary" steps in response to what it said were plans for an invasion by the Islamic Courts movement.
Parliament approved the resolution by 311 votes to 90 against and 16 abstentions.
The resolution states that: "Parliament hereby authorises the government to take all necessary and legal steps to stave off a declaration of holy war and invasion by the Union of Islamic Courts against the country."
Meles Zenawi, prime minister of Ethiopia, said his country had already suffered attacks by groups working closely with Eritrea and the Islamic Courts forces in Somalia.
He said: "The jihadists in the Union of Islamic Courts, in collaboration with Eritrea, have already invaded Ethiopia by smuggling in rebel groups whom they trained and armed ... to destabilise and create upheaval in the country."
Ethiopian troops killed
On Thursday the Islamic Courts claimed to have blown up an Ethiopian military truck near Baidoa in Somalia, the headquarters of the country's transitional government.
Fighters targeted a government convoy, possibly with a remote-controlled bomb, blowing up one of the vehicles, close to a camp where Ethiopians were training troops loyal to the transitional government.
Sheikh Mukhta Robow, deputy defence chief for the Union of Islamic Courts, said: "In praise of Allah, our holy warriors succeeded and destroyed a truck carrying troops. I'm not sure how many were killed, but all who were on board were blown up."
Sources have said around 20 Ethiopian troops were killed in the attack, but the claims could not be independently verified and one Somali government official denied the attack took place.
Later a suicide car bomb was also reported to have exploded at a government checkpoint outside Baidoa.
The attacks came a day after the Islamic Courts accused Ethiopia of shelling a Somali town.
Arms embargo
On Wednesday, the UN security council condemned what it called a "significant increase" in the flow of weapons to Somalia in violation of a 1992 arms embargo.
The Union of Islamic Courts and the Ethiopian-backed transitional government are vying for control of Somalia, and many analysts fear that it could escalate into a regional conflict.
Both Ethiopia and Eritrea have been accused of violating the 14-year-old arms embargo on Somalia.
The US is consulting the UN Security Council members on a resolution that would lift the arms embargo for a regional peacekeeping force to help promote dialogue between the transitional government and the UIC.
However, the Islamic Courts movement is opposed to foreign intervention in the country and has declared a holy war on Ethiopia over incursions into its territories.
Ethiopia says it just has a few hundred military trainers in Somalia but a report commissioned by the UN suggests between 6,000 and 8,000 Ethiopian troops are in or near Somalia's border.
The report also said 2,000 troops from Eritrea are inside Somalia supporting the Islamic Courts.
Source Al Jazeera
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
UN International Day for Tolerance
First they came for the Jews
and I did not speak out –
because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for the communists
and I did not speak out –
because I was not a communist.
Then they came for the trade unionists
and I did not speak out –
because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for me –
and there was no one left
to speak out for me.
UN International Day for Tolerance 16.11.06
Found that on the USI website and i really like it so i said id post it up.
Saturday, November 04, 2006
Panama emerges as compromise candidate to fill last vacant Security Council
Panama today emerged as the compromise candidate to fill the last remaining
seat on the 15-member United Nations Security Council, breaking more than
two weeks and 47 rounds of voting deadlock in the General Assembly that
pitted Guatemala against Venezuela to represent the Latin American and
Caribbean region.
The foreign ministers of the two rival countries decided to withdraw their
candidatures at a meeting in New York and proposed Panama to the Group of
Latin American and Caribbean States, General Assembly spokesperson Gail
Bindley-Taylor Sainte told a news briefing.
“Both Ministers stressed that Panama was chosen as it was a country with
which both nations had close ties,” she added.
The 192-member Assembly is expected to proceed with a formal vote on the
consensus candidate on Tuesday.
Throughout the earlier voting Guatemala maintained its lead over Venezuela,
except in one tie vote, but was never able to reach the necessary
two-thirds majority to serve as the region’s member for a two-year term
starting on 1 January, replacing Argentina.
In the final round on Tuesday, when 122 votes would have been enough to
secure victory, Guatemala obtained 101 votes, Venezuela received 78, and
Barbados, Ecuador and Uruguay received one vote each. There were seven
abstentions.
At the start of this year’s balloting on 16 October Assembly members,
following an agreed geographic allocation, elected Belgium, Indonesia,
Italy and South Africa to serve as new non-permanent members, replacing
Denmark, Greece, Japan and Tanzania when their terms end on 31 December.
The Council’s five other non-permanent members, whose terms end on 31
December 2007, are Congo, Ghana, Peru, Qatar and Slovakia. The five
permanent members, the only ones with veto power when voting, are China,
France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States.
seat on the 15-member United Nations Security Council, breaking more than
two weeks and 47 rounds of voting deadlock in the General Assembly that
pitted Guatemala against Venezuela to represent the Latin American and
Caribbean region.
The foreign ministers of the two rival countries decided to withdraw their
candidatures at a meeting in New York and proposed Panama to the Group of
Latin American and Caribbean States, General Assembly spokesperson Gail
Bindley-Taylor Sainte told a news briefing.
“Both Ministers stressed that Panama was chosen as it was a country with
which both nations had close ties,” she added.
The 192-member Assembly is expected to proceed with a formal vote on the
consensus candidate on Tuesday.
Throughout the earlier voting Guatemala maintained its lead over Venezuela,
except in one tie vote, but was never able to reach the necessary
two-thirds majority to serve as the region’s member for a two-year term
starting on 1 January, replacing Argentina.
In the final round on Tuesday, when 122 votes would have been enough to
secure victory, Guatemala obtained 101 votes, Venezuela received 78, and
Barbados, Ecuador and Uruguay received one vote each. There were seven
abstentions.
At the start of this year’s balloting on 16 October Assembly members,
following an agreed geographic allocation, elected Belgium, Indonesia,
Italy and South Africa to serve as new non-permanent members, replacing
Denmark, Greece, Japan and Tanzania when their terms end on 31 December.
The Council’s five other non-permanent members, whose terms end on 31
December 2007, are Congo, Ghana, Peru, Qatar and Slovakia. The five
permanent members, the only ones with veto power when voting, are China,
France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Monday, October 30, 2006
UCC International Relations Society Celebrates UN Day
On Tuesday 24th of October University College Cork's International Relations Society (IRSOC) had an information stand in Arás Na Mac Leinn to coincide with UN day. Members of the society throughout the day operated the stand and they had many materials with information on the UN.
Society Auditor, David Murphy said, "The IRSoc has been very successful at international conferences in New York, Harvard and in Canada. Building on this success, the society has become more active on campus this year, as shown by our well received student centre information stand for UN Day . "
UN Day has been celebrated worldwide since 1973 after the General Assembly passed a resolution calling on states to observe the 24th of October as UN Day as it is the anniversary of the coming into force of the United Nations Charter, which came into to force on the 24th of October 1945.
Society Auditor, David Murphy said, "The IRSoc has been very successful at international conferences in New York, Harvard and in Canada. Building on this success, the society has become more active on campus this year, as shown by our well received student centre information stand for UN Day . "
UN Day has been celebrated worldwide since 1973 after the General Assembly passed a resolution calling on states to observe the 24th of October as UN Day as it is the anniversary of the coming into force of the United Nations Charter, which came into to force on the 24th of October 1945.
Monday, October 16, 2006
UN Security Council Nominees
On Monday October 16 the U.N. General Assembly will choose five new non-permanent members of the Council to replace Argentina, Denmark, Greece, Japan and Tanzania. New members will take up their seats on January 1, 2007.
Eight countries are contesting the five seats, which are being allocated according to geographical region: Latin America and the Caribbean: Asia; Africa; and Western Europe and Others (to which two seats have been allocated). Guatemala and Venezuela are vying for the Latin American and Caribbean Seat; and Indonesia, The Republic of Korea and Nepal for the Asia seat. South Africa is uncontested for the Africa seat, as are Italy and Belgium for the two Western Europe and Others seats. Election to the Council is by secret ballot, with each country requiring a two-thirds majority to win.
Eight countries are contesting the five seats, which are being allocated according to geographical region: Latin America and the Caribbean: Asia; Africa; and Western Europe and Others (to which two seats have been allocated). Guatemala and Venezuela are vying for the Latin American and Caribbean Seat; and Indonesia, The Republic of Korea and Nepal for the Asia seat. South Africa is uncontested for the Africa seat, as are Italy and Belgium for the two Western Europe and Others seats. Election to the Council is by secret ballot, with each country requiring a two-thirds majority to win.
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