Berhane Tewolde's Development Blog

From: OHCHR
Date: 27 Aug 2008

PRESS RELEASE, 27 August 2008.

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights is concerned about the recent violent protests in Indian-administered Kashmir that have reportedly led to civilian casualties as well as restrictions to the right to freedom of assembly and expression.

OHCHR calls on the Indian authorities and in particular security forces to respect the right to freedom of assembly and expression, and comply with international human rights principles in controlling the demonstrators. The use of force should be proportionate to the threat posed and firearms must only be used in dispersing a violent assembly to protect individuals against an imminent threat of death or serious injury. The Acting High Commissioner calls for thorough and independent investigations into all killings that have occurred so far.

Continue Reading…

… BY CLEAR BREACH OF LAW IN NEW LIBERIA  DEATH PENALTY LEGISLATION

Received by mail:

From: OHCHR
Date: Tue, 26 Aug 2008

Geneva: – The Human Rights Committee, the UN body in charge of monitoring compliance of States parties to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and its two Optional Protocols with their obligations under these treaties, was very concerned to learn that, on Tuesday 22 July 2008, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia signed into law legislation envisaging the death penalty for a number of crimes. The new law provides that “in the event death occurs during the commission of a crime of armed robbery, terrorism or hijacking, the accused […] shall be sentenced to death by hanging or imprisonment for life without possibility of parole”.

Continue Reading…

Received by mail

From: OHCHR
Date: 25/08/2008

Press Release:

Brasilia : – “Despite advances, exercise of the right to self-determination for indigenous peoples – that is, real control of their own lives and lands – is still a major challenge for Brazil.” This was the main observation of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people, S. James Anaya, as he concludes a 12-day visit to Brazil.

The Special Rapporteur’s visit came after a request by several indigenous organizations throughout the country. The purpose of the visit is to investigate and report on the human rights concerns of indigenous peoples and engage in a constructive dialogue with the Government of Brazil. The Government’s cooperation with the visit is an important component of its partnership with the United Nations to build democracy and respect for human rights.

Continue Reading…

Received by mail:

From: UNHCR
Date: Wed, 20 Aug 2008

Donate Today.

Dear supporter, High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres arrived in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

After visiting two collective centres and meeting displaced people living in desperate conditions he pledged to do all he could to mobilize international assistance.

More on this story.

Meanwhile, UN refugee agency staff are rapidly distributing aid — yesterday a UNHCR-chartered plane reached Batumi in western Georgia, previously cut off from humanitarian assistance. Its cargo included 200 tents, 15,000 blankets, 3,000 kitchen sets and 6,000 jerry cans.

Continue Reading…

Received by mail:

From: Berhane
Date: 15/08/2008

Social Forum 2008 in Geneva, 1-3 September 2008.

About the Social Forum:

The Social Forum is a unique space for interactive dialogue between the United Nations human rights machinery and various stakeholders, including grass-roots organizations, and underlines the importance of coordinated efforts at national, regional and international levels for the promotion of social cohesion based on the principles of social justice, equity and solidarity as well as to address the social dimension and challenges of the ongoing globalization process.

Continue Reading…

First session of the Advisory Committee of the Human Rights Council:

1. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) wishing to accredit representatives to the first session of the Human Rights Council Advisory Committee are invited to send their request to the secretariat of the Human Rights Council by fax to the following number:

Fax: +41 22 917 90 11
Telephone: +41 22 917 96 41

Continue Reading…