tag:www.imadr.org,2008:/un//33 2008-05-12T13:19:38Z Movable Type 3.33 tag:www.imadr.org,2008:/un//33.672 2008-05-12T08:32:36Z 2008-05-12T13:19:38Z

On May 9, 2008, Japan was reviewed by t...

IMADR On May 9, 2008, Japan was reviewed by the Working Group for the Universal Periodic Review in its 2nd session. After the review, IMADR produced the below press release on the review on Japan. The report on the review is scheduled to be adopted by the Working Group on May 14th. ■IMADR’s Comment on the Universal Periodic Review of Japan Related documents: -Download the joint NGO submission on Japan (PDF55KB) -Download the joint NGO submission on caste-based discrimination in India, including Annex 1 (List of references) and Annex 2 (Explanatory note on the situation of Dalits in India) (external links) *The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a new review mechanism established by the Human Rights Council in Resolution 5/1 of June 18, 2007, under which it will review, on a regular basis, the fulfilment by all 192 UN Member States of their human rights obligations and commitments. See the relevant OHCHR webpage (external link) for details.]]> tag:www.imadr.org,2008:/un//33.640 2008-03-29T07:40:21Z 2008-04-02T07:47:02Z

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IMADR attended the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) 7th session (March 3-28, 2008) held in Geneva, and was engaged in the activities listed below, which are related to the HRC's topics for discussion including the elimination of Discrimination Based on Work and Descent, Rights of Minorities, the situation of minority groups in Japan and the humanitarian crisis in Sri Lanka.]]> download flyer (PDF126KB) [Mar.12] - Organized parallel event "Unfinished business for the HRCAC: Adoption of Draft Principles and Guidelines for the Effective Elimination of Discrimination Based on Work and Descent?" [Mar.13] - Issued "Joint statement on the report by the Independent Expert on Minority Issues: Minorities in Sri Lanka" [Mar.14] - Organized parallel event "Minority Rights in Sri Lanka" download flyer (203KB) - Issued "Joint statement on the human rights situations that require the Council's attention: The situation in Tibet" [Mar.18] - Issued a statement regarding the review of the mandate of the Independent Expert on Minority Issues [Mar.19] - Issued statements regarding the report and the mandate review of the Special Rapporteur on Racism: Statement on the Special Rapporteur's annual report for the HRC 7th session Statement regarding the review of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on Racism [Mar.26] - Issued a joint statement in the General Debate on Racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related forms of intolerance, follow-up and implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action (DDPA) ]]> tag:www.imadr.org,2008:/un//33.648 2008-03-25T06:54:31Z 2008-03-25T06:58:20Z

tag:www.imadr.org,2008:/un//33.636 2008-03-05T03:55:41Z 2008-03-05T04:14:23Z

On Feburary 29, 2008, a joint submission...

92nd session (external link), where it will hold a Task Force to produce a list of questions to be posed to the Government of Japan. ]]> joint NGO submission on Japan (PDF84KB) The 5th periodic report created by the Japanese Government is scheduled to be considered by the Human Rights Committee Task Force at the 92nd session of the Committee to be held from March 17 to April 4, 2008 in New York. The report will then be considered by the Human Rights Committee at its 94th session, which will be held October 13-31, 2008 in Geneva.]]> tag:www.imadr.org,2007:/dev/july2007/un//33.417 2007-09-25T03:48:37Z 2007-12-05T10:41:14Z

The World Declaration on Human Rights, adopted in the UN General Assembly in 1948, is the most important basis regarding fundamental human rights. All international human rights treaties adopted then on are based on this declaration.

The World Declaration on Human Rights, adopted in the UN General Assembly in 1948, is the most important basis regarding fundamental human rights. All international human rights treaties adopted then on are based on this declaration. Governments that have ratified each of these treaties will be required to implement the standards set in the provisions in their own countries. At the same time, they are bound to submit periodic reports to treaty bodies in charge of observing the implementation of each treaty within countries. The treaty bodies review the government reports and give observations and recommendations. Japan has so far ratified 7 international treaties: ICECR, ICCPR, CEDAW, CRC, CERD, CAT, and CED. Except for CED, ratified on February 2007, there have been periodic report review processes for all these treaties. Such reviews are significant because they bring to light the human rights violations that cannot be addressed by legislations or systems within the country, and provide specific ideas on how to take charge of the problems. IMADR-JC, as well as many other Japanese NGOs working to implement international human rights standards in Japan, take actions to make these processes effective for the improvement of human rights situations in Japan at each stage of the process, calling for effective dialogue with the government in the preparation of the government report, submitting NGO shadow reports to treaty bodies and lobbying at the review sessions, and calling for the implementation of the treaty body recommendations after the review process. In December 2006, the Government of Japan submitted its 5th periodic report to the Human Rights Committee. This report will be reviewed in due course, bringing the situation of human rights in Japan provided in the convention before the committee to be observed. ICCPR, together with ICESCR are important conventions dealing with comprehensive themes and setting a basis for all other international conventions. Aware of the significance of this convention, IMADR took an active role in the previous review process of the government’s 4th periodic report. The Human Rights Committee made a number of important recommendations after the review, but, after 10 years, most of them have yet to be implemented. Regarding the review process of the 5th periodic report, IMADR-JC strives to engage in the process as part of a network of Japanese NGOs. The Japanese government is also currently preparing periodic reports for ICERD and ICESCR. A concluding observation on CAT was also issued in May 2005. IMADR-JC is closely observing these important processes. tag:www.imadr.org,2007:/dev/july2007/un//33.430 2007-08-31T11:16:17Z 2008-03-25T06:53:26Z

The Preparatory Committee for Durban rev...

The Preparatory Committee for Durban review conference (external link) held its first session from 27th to 31st August 2007, making decisions such as those related to NGO participation and rules of procedure.]]> The work of thecommittee has been reported to the Human Rights Council at its 6th session, as well as the UN General Assembly at its 62nd session. The next sessions of the Preparatory Committee are tentatively scheduled to be held in Geneva from 21 April to 2 May 2008 and 6 to 17 October 2008. tag:www.imadr.org,2007:/un//33.381 2007-08-23T17:31:32Z 2008-03-27T04:06:42Z

tag:www.imadr.org,2007:/dev/july2007/un//33.378 2007-08-06T03:54:26Z 2008-04-08T07:45:51Z

IMADR places special emphasis on the implementation of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD), the only legally binding global instrument that comprehensively addresses racial discrimination. It assists partner organizations to create NGO shadow reports and lobby at CERD sessions, as well as create session reports.

IMADR places special emphasis on the implementation of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD), the only legally binding global instrument that comprehensively addresses racial discrimination. It assists partner organizations to create NGO shadow reports and lobby at CERD sessions, as well as create session reports. One of the oldest international treaties, ICERD was established in 1965. As of April 19, 2007, 173 countries had ratified it. IMADR considers it a very important treaty, dealing with a wide range of discrimination, setting the international basis for the elimination of racism and racial discrimination and marking the importance of combat against such discrimination. IMADR works for the effective implementation of CERD upon the understanding that the convention covers all forms of discrimination that are not covered by other anti-discrimination treaties, namely the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), the Convention of the Rights of the Child (CRC), and the UN Convention for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). tag:www.imadr.org,2007:/dev/july2007/un//33.377 2007-07-23T05:39:02Z 2008-04-08T07:34:49Z

The World Conference against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance was held from 31 August to 7 September 2001, in Durban, South Africa. Mary Robinson, the UN High Commissioner of Human Rights then, served as the Secretary General in this conference, which hosted active discussions between Government delegations, experts, UN bodies, international organizations and NGOs, discussing the situation of racism and racial discrimination, and the elimination of such discrimination.

The World Conference against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance was held from 31 August to 7 September 2001, in Durban, South Africa. Mary Robinson, the UN High Commissioner of Human Rights then, served as the Secretary General in this conference, which hosted active discussions between Government delegations, experts, UN bodies, international organizations and NGOs, discussing the situation of racism and racial discrimination, and the elimination of such discrimination. During the preparatory process, IMADR carried out its campaign for WCAR. It was launched within its Third International Conference Against Racial Discrimination and Racism - Towards a World Conference on Racism in 2001 on November 22, 1998 in Tokyo, Japan. The goal of the campaign was: (a) To bring to the attention of the international community the plights of minorities and indigenous peoples who have been exposed to persistent and perennial discrimination; (b) To build and develop, particularly through the above-mentioned efforts, national and regional networks of NGOs as well as national and regional focal points for the world conference; (c) To undertake research on issues which are considered to enrich the discussion of a world conference; and (d) To influence, through the above-mentioned activities, the planning process of the preparation of the world conference. IMADR's Geneva Office played a leading role in the planning committee of NGOs for the world conference. It also provided training and internship programs for the community leaders of minority groups and indigenous peoples. During the conference, IMADR called for adequate attention and actions to be taken on the following issues: - Nexus between globalization and racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance; - Discrimination based on descent; - Multiple discrimination, especially the inter-linkages between race and gender; and - Affirmative/positive action or similar measures as a means to overcome discrimination and disadvantages based on racial grounds. Through organizing its three workshops, networking with other NGOs and providing information to governments, IMADR worked to raise awareness on the above issues. In 2009, a follow-up conference to the Durban WCAR will be held, and a preparatory committee has been launched in the Human Rights Council. IMADR is paying close attention to this new process. tag:www.imadr.org,2007:/dev/july2007/un//33.376 2007-07-23T05:38:37Z 2008-04-08T07:21:59Z

It is essential for the effective functioning of UN human rights system to reflect the voices of grassroots minorities within the discussions. As an NGO with ECOSOC consultative status, IMADR has lobbied in various meetings such as the Commission on Human Rights, Sub-Commission on Human Rights and its working groups, creating reports and presenting joint/individual statements.

It is essential for the effective functioning of the UN human rights system to reflect the voices of grassroots minorities within the discussions. As an NGO with ECOSOC consultative status, IMADR has lobbied in various meetings such as the Commission on Human Rights, Sub-Commission on Human Rights and its working groups, creating reports and presenting joint/individual statements. IMADR has promoted concern and action at the international level on issues such as discrimination based on work and descent, human rights education, minority rights, elimination of human trafficking, protection of tsunami affected populations, and those affected by the armed conflict in Sri Lanka. The Human Rights Council was launched on March 15, 2006, according to the General Assembly resolution 60/251, succeeding the Commission on Human Rights as a new main body to address human rights issues within the UN system. It consists of 47 UN Member States elected by the General Assembly, and since its first session, which began on June 19, 2006, has been going through a drastic reform and institution building process, while at the same time addressing a wide range of substantive human rights issues. The council will reach an outcome on its institution-building process at its 6th session, which will be held in September 2007. IMADR stresses the importance of voices from the minorities and NGOs being reflected in discussions within the new system. It calls for the continuation of important special procedures such as the working groups and independent experts on minorities and indigenous populations, as well as proposing that the creation of new systems such as the Universal Periodic Review and the Expert Advice Body be done in a way that will give minorities and NGOs proper voices in the UN system. Regarding procedures dealing with minority rights, IMADR has launched a joint campaign with Minority Rights Group International, calling for the HRC to maintain a forum where minorities can raise issues of concern to them. tag:www.imadr.org,2007:/dev/july2007/un//33.375 2007-07-23T05:38:17Z 2008-03-05T04:17:43Z

IMADR is in consultative status with the...

IMADR is in consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and maintains a UN liaison office in Geneva. IMADR lobbies at UN meetings and major world conferences, linking grassroots minority groups with UN human rights bodies and mechanisms. As one of the few international human rights NGOs based outside the North Atlantic region, IMADR is viewed as an important support vehicle for many local and regional organizations. It also takes an active part in the ongoing discussion on the institution building process of the newly- launched Human Rights Council, calling for the maintaining of important special procedures that enable adequate discussion on specific issues such as minority rights and discrimination based on work and descent, and the creation of an effective system that provides adequate participation for NGOs and grassroots minority groups. IMADR produces oral and written statements in relation to its areas of action in various UN meetings, including the Commission on Human Rights and its working groups, the Human Rights Council and committees on various international treaties. It also creates reports on meetings, such as the Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD), and the working group of Indigenous populations (WGIP). IMADR is one of the few NGOs that place special emphasis on the implementation of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD), the only legally binding global instrument that comprehensively addresses racial discrimination. It assists partner organizations to create NGO reports and lobby at CERD sessions, as well as creating session reports.