The UN Human Rights Council’s 22nd session will be held from 25 February to 22 March 2013 and consider a range of significant thematic and country-specific human rights issues and actions. The ISHR provides timely and expert information especially as for human rights defenders there are several relevant initiatives. Norway will lead negotiations on a resolution focusing on legislation that affects human rights defenders with the goal of improving the protection of human rights defenders and eliminating laws which impair their work. ISHR
has watched the development of this resolution closely. The resolution will build on the report of the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, Ms Margaret Sekaggya, to the UN General Assembly in 2012. This report considered the issue of the ‘criminalisation’ of human rights defenders through laws which are used or misused to hinder, obstruct or render unlawful actions to promote and protect human rights. ISHR will organise a side event with the Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders on 5 March from 12pm – 2pm which will provide an interactive space for further discussion of the issue of criminalisation and the specific impacts this has on human rights defenders around the world. The Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders will also present her latest report to the Human Rights Council, the subject of which is the role of national human rights institutions in the promotion and protection of human rights. She will also report on country visits made to Honduras, Tunisia, and Ireland. Based on the thematic calendar of resolutions, a resolution on peaceful protests is also likely to be negotiated at this session…..
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Hans Thoolen on Human Rights Defenders and their awards 
February 15, 2013 at 18:26
Human rights do not have any borders: Pillay
GENEVA (14 February 2013) – The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights,
Navi Pillay, stressed Thursday the importance of addressing human rights
issues in disputed territories, following the publication today of the
first report on the human rights situation in the Transnistrian region*.
“Human rights do not have any borders. It is vital to address underlying
human rights issues in disputed territories, regardless of the political
recognition or the legal status of a territory,” Pillay said.
“People living in disputed territories, where legitimacy of control over a
territory, security, development and humanitarian concerns are frequent,
often lack or have very limited access to effective legal remedies,” the
High Commissioner said. “These political deadlocks and security concerns
all together affect the full enjoyment of their human rights and often
create protection gaps. But the bottom line is that all human rights
should be enjoyed by all people at all times regardless of these
constraints,” Pillay said.
The report by the independent senior expert, Mr. Thomas Hammarberg, was a
follow-up to the visit by the High Commissioner to the Republic of
Moldova, including the Transnistrian region, in November 2011. Mr.
Hammarberg’s report highlights key human rights issues in the
Transnistrian region which has not been under the effective control of the
Government of the Republic of Moldova since 1992.
Following three visits between May and November 2012 to assess the human
rights situation on the ground, Mr. Hammarberg recommended a review of the
ordinary legislation to address aspects which are not consistent with
international human rights law.
He also called for a thorough reform of the penitentiary system, including
a reduction of the number of prisoners, the abolition of inhuman
disciplinary measures in prisons and training of prison staff. The human
rights expert also asked the de facto authorities to give high priority to
measures against trafficking of human beings and its root causes.
Welcoming the full cooperation by the de facto authorities and the access
given to Mr. Hammarberg in the Transnistrian region, the High Commissioner
called on the de facto authorities “to address the deeply rooted problems
identified in the report and to fully implement its recommendations,
including the development of a plan of action for human rights.”
“Mr. Hammarberg’s research in the Transnistrian region clearly
demonstrates how the deployment of technical human rights experts can
truly benefit people on the ground, without having a bearing on issues of
political recognition or the legal status of a territory,” Pillay said.
The High Commissioner called upon all parties to ensure that the human
rights needs of affected people are addressed as swiftly and effectively
as possible.
“We should neither forget nor neglect the human rights of people who live
in areas which, for various reasons, are controlled by de facto
authorities,” said the High Commissioner, who has been repeatedly
advocating for human rights issues to be addressed in the context of
protracted conflicts.
“I also urge Member States and the international community to be proactive
in supporting the deployment of human rights experts, to focus on the
human rights situation in other disputed territories worldwide,” she said.
ENDS
*The Report on Human Rights in the Transnistrian Region of the Republic of
Moldova is available online
· In English:
http://www.un.md/key_doc_pub/Senior_Expert_Hammarberg_Report_TN_Human_Rights.pdf
· In Moldovan:
http://www.un.md/key_doc_pub/Expert_Superior_Hammarberg_Raport_TN_DrepturileOmului.pdf
· In Russian:
http://www.un.md/key_doc_pub/Senior_Expert_Hammarberg_Report_TN_Human_Rights_Russian.pdf
To read the full statement of the High Commissioner following her visit to
the Republic of Moldova, including the Transnistrian region, go to:
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=11569&LangID=E
For more information or media requests, please contact Cécile Pouilly (+
41 22 917 9310 / cpouilly@ohchr.org)
My voice, my right, my voice counts – Watch the Human Rights Day’s video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCnLOpUW7tY&feature=share&list=UU3L8u5qG07djPUwWo6VQVLA
UN Human Rights, follow us on social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/unitednationshumanrights
Twitter: http://twitter.com/UNrightswire
Google+ gplus.to/unitednationshumanrights
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/UNOHCHR
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Check the Universal Human Rights Index: http://uhri.ohchr.org/en
Gianni Magazzeni
Chief of Branch,
Americas, Europe and Central Asia.
Field Operations and Technical Cooperation Division
Office of the High Commissioner
for Human Rights
Tel: + 41 22 928 9212
Mob: + 41 79 571 1704
Web: http://www.ohchr.org
From: Hans Thoolen on Human Rights Defenders
To: gmagazzeni@ohchr.org
Date: 15/02/2013 16:17
Subject: [New post] Upcoming Human Rights Council to deal with laws
affecting human rights defenders
Hans Thoolen posted: “The UN Human Rights Council’s 22nd session will be
held from 25 February to 22 March 2013 and consider a range of significant
thematic and country-specific human rights issues and actions. The ISHR
provides timely and expert information especially as for “
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February 15, 2013 at 18:38
indeed Gianni good to draw the attention to human rights in the disputed territories which often fall between the wall and the ship
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February 27, 2013 at 05:41
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