Photo Credit to 'America: The Jesuit Review'
Originally scheduled for April 2020, the 10th Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) had been postponed several times, due to the ongoing pandemic. Most recently, the NPT Conference had been scheduled to convene in New York from 4-28 January 2022, but, over the past several days, NPT States Parties had been discussing whether and how to proceed and decided to postpone again until August 1st 2022 (tentatively).
IFOR regularly engages on these Review Conferences and on the occasion of the 10th Conference joined a STATEMENT FROM CIVIL SOCIETY TO THE STATES PARTIES OF THE NUCLEAR, signed by over 90 organizations of the civil society and sent to the State Parties on January 10th.
"It is encouraging to see countries reiterate their support for the #NPT. However, the Treaty is only as strong as its implementation. [...] Implementing past action plans must be the floor and not the ceiling for taking forward the NPT’s provisions. [...] Many countries have demonstrated their commitment to nuclear disarmament by joining the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (#TPNW), which has now entered into force. The TPNW is a major contribution to the common goal of eliminating the threat of nuclear war and eliminating nuclear weapons. [...]
The 91 undersigned organisations call on NPT states parties and the international community to advance new and bolder leadership. We urge all NPT states parties to move beyond bitter politicisation and to work together to build majority support for a plan of action to advance the NPT’s Article VI goals, create much needed momentum for further progress on disarmament, and save humanity from the scourge of nuclear war."
The International Fellowship of Reconciliation has just submitted to the UN Human Rights Committee a report on Turkmenistan regarding the right to conscientious objection to military service.
In particular, IFOR highlights the non-recognition of this right in the country and the consequent discrimination of conscientious objectors, as outlined by the individual cases mentioned in the text.
Along with the non-recognition of the CO right, other relevant issues are the imprisonment of conscientious objectors, the violation on the ne bis in idem principle and the torture and ill-treatment of prisoners.
The Report has been prepared for the adoption of the List of Issues which will be undertaken by the Committee at its 134th session which will take place in March.
Learn more about the States review procedure at the Human Rights Committee
The Human Rights Committee is the body of independent experts that monitors implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights by its State parties. It meets at the Palais Wilson and its Members serve in their personal capacity, not as representatives of their Governments.
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights has been Adopted and opened for signature, ratification and accession by General Assembly resolution 2200A (XXI) of 16 December 1966; it entered into force on 23 March 1976.
Here you can find an easy-to read version of the Covenant
The right to conscientious objection to military service inheres in the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, Art 18 of the Covenant. It entitles any individual to an exemption from compulsory military service if such service cannot be reconciled with his/her religion or beliefs.
All States parties are obliged to submit regular reports to the Committee on how the rights are being implemented.
Civil society organizations are invited to submit "alternative reports" and contribute to the review procedure.
The Committee examines each report and addresses its concerns and recommendations to the State party in the form of "concluding observations”.
The process of examining a report runs across two Committee sessions.
At the first session, reporting procedure are streamlined and a “List of Issues” arising from the relevant report and other information supplied to the Committee is adopted.
The List of Issues addresses the most crucial matters regarding the enjoyment of Covenant rights in the relevant State and often seeks additional information with respect to key questions. The List of Issues is sent to the State party well in advance - at least one session ahead - of the session at which the report will be examined in the presence of representatives of the State party.
Subsequently, the Committee is also often briefed, typically in an informal meeting, on views of members of civil society wishing to bring Committee members up to date on certain issues.
The Committee then proceeds to examine each report in a public constructive dialogue with a delegation of the relevant State party.
The examination begins by an opening presentation of the report by the State party’s delegation, often including a response to the List of Issues. Thereafter, Committee members put questions to the representatives, seeking to clarify or deepen understanding of issues arising concerning the implementation and enjoyment of Covenant rights in the State party.
After the conclusion of this dialogue, the Committee drafts detailed written concluding observations on the report in question. The concluding observations have the dual function of helping States to prepare future reports and helping the Committee to focus on the most 19 critical issues in future dialogues over future reports. All concluding observations are publicly available via the Treaty Bodies database of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (http://www.unhchr.ch/tbs/doc.nsf).
The Committee’s follow-up procedure complements and focuses the efforts of States parties and civil society subsequent to the adoption of concluding observations.
Dear IFOR community and friends,
We are delighted to send out the latest bulletin of 'Reconciled'! Please enjoy the news from around the Fellowship. This is a public edition and can be shared widely within your BGAs, membership and other friends who may be interested!!
Click here to download the Bulletin in English.
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Chers communauté du MIR et amis,
Nous avons le plaisir de vous envoyer le dernier bulletin de 'Reconcilié-e-s' ! Nous vous invitons à prendre connaissance des nouvelles du Mouvement. Il s'agit d'une édition publique et vous pouvez la partager avec vos BGA, vos membres et d'autres amis qui pourraient être intéressés.
Cliquez ici pour télécharger le bulletin en français!!
Nous vous souhaitons à tous un joyeux Noël et une bonne année !
Queridos comunidad del MIR y amigos,
Estamos encantados de enviarles el último boletín de "Reconciliad@s". Esperamos disfruten de las noticias del Movimiento. Esta es una edición pública y puede ser compartida ampliamente entre sus RGAs, miembros y otros amigos que puedan estar interesados.
Haga clic aquí para descargar el boletín en español!!
Les deseamos a todos una feliz Navidad y un próspero año nuevo!
Today, December 15th, at the UN in Geneva Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, Nada Al-Nashif presented the findings of the latest OHCHR periodic report on the situation of human rights in Ukraine.
During the interactive dialogue several countries took the floor, followed by representatives of the civil society.
The main representative of IFOR at the UN in Geneva delivered a statement concerning the right to conscientious objection to military service in the country, forced enlisting and other related issues.
Human Rights Council
Geneva, 15th December 2021
Interactive dialogue on the oral presentation by the High Commissioner for Human Rights on the findings of the latest OHCHR periodic report on the situation of human rights in Ukraine (HRC res. 41/25)
Oral statement delivered by the International Fellowship of Reconciliation.
Madam President,
International Fellowship of Reconciliation (IFOR) thanks the High Commissioner and her office for the oral presentation on Ukraine.
IFOR is concerned about violations of the right to conscientious objection reported on the ground.
The local media recently reported the case of the young Vladyslav Korol who expressed his conscientious objection for religious reasons and was eventually transferred to military service as a military recruit.1
Another case concerns two players of the Ukrainian national handball team Ruslan Diyakon and Dmitry Kovalenko detained by representatives of the police and District Territorial Center for Recruitment and Social Support.2
The Human Rights Committee, in its concluding observation on the 8th periodic report of Ukraine, stated that "The State party should ensure that abductions and arbitrary detention of conscripts are promptly, thoroughly, and independently investigated, [that perpetrators are prosecuted and punished and that victims are provided with effective remedies, including adequate compensation.]"3
We would also like to continue to draw the attention4to the case of the Ukrainian journalist and pacifist Ruslan Kotsaba who is under trial5 because of a video posted in 2015 to express opposition to the military mobilization for armed conflict in eastern Ukraine6. He has already spent over 500 days under arrest and has been victim of assaults7 by haters for whom there is still impunity.
“Freedom of thought, conscience and religion is a non-derogable right”, alike freedom of expression, “and it continues to apply regardless of a situation of armed conflict.”
Thank you.
Click here to download the original statement
You can watch the session here -IFOR statement is at 01:05:13-
The situation of the right to conscientious objection in Ukraine is critical and there are other relevant issues concerning military service and young conscripts.
You can read here the report prepared by IFOR for the review of Ukraine at the 133rd session of the UN Human Rights Committee, which took place in October 2021.
desplácese hacia abajo para español
5 Years of the Peace Agreement in Colombia: The Support of the International Community is Crucial for its Implementation
November 24th, 2021
Today marks the 5th anniversary of the Peace Agreement between the Colombian Government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia – People’s Army (FARC-EP), which was a real moment of hope in a very dramatic context. After decades of violent conflict, the Colombian people, alongside the entire world, long for a peaceful Colombia and, above all, justice, truth and non-repetition. This should as well include demilitarization of the territory and a permanent end to illegal practices in the military recruitment process, such as the so-called “batidas”. 1
The final report from the Commission for the Clarification of Truth, Coexistence and Non-Repetition, which will be published next year, is a milestone. Despite some progress, however, implementation of the Peace Agreement is slower than expected. The Comptroller General of Colombia noted that at the current rate, the treaty will not be fully implemented until 2047.2 After five years, a mere fraction of the objectives has been achieved, while prominent supporters of the extinct guerrilla group are once again reaching for their weapons.
Without exception, all points of the peace agreement are behind schedule. A distinct lack of progress has been made with the Comprehensive Rural Reform in particular, where the annual implementation rate in key aspects such as in land formalization is below 30% of the expected result, and land distribution for peasants with no or insufficient land lies under 1%. Totally, less than 5% of this chapter has been implemented, although the land tenure issue is one of the main causes of the conflict and should receive special attention.3 In addition, it is of particular alarm the approach to the commitment to substitute the illicit economies, in particular coca, with legal sustainable crops as it is turning into forced eradication, as aerial fumigation with glyphosate is also expected to resume.4
Of particular concern is the increase in violence. Defenders of human rights are being killed at a rate that has not been seen for many years. In the current year, 155 human rights defenders and 44 former guerrilla fighters who signed the peace agreement have already been killed.5 Moreover, since 2016, there has been an alarming increase in massacres; the number of victims tripled last year and in the current year there have already been 88 massacres with 313 deaths.6 It is worth highlighting that the regions prioritized for implementation are the most affected by violence. If the safety of human rights defenders and former FARC-EP members is not guaranteed, the remaining points of the peace agreement will be a minor matter.
IFOR is concerned about the slow implementation of the peace agreement and the escalating violence against people who work on the respect for human rights and calls on the Colombian government to implement the necessary and expected measures. In view of the numerous challenges, IFOR urges the support of the international community, thus the United Nations, the Organization of American States, the European Union -its member states- and other regional governmental institutions to:
Insist on the comprehensive implementation of the Peace Agreement.
Support a negotiated solution to the ongoing conflict between the Colombian Government and the National Liberation Army (ELN).
Support the dismantling of the paramilitary successor groups such as the self-proclaimed “Autodefensas Gaitanistas de Colombia”.
Monitor the delicate security situation of human rights defenders and former FARC-EP members closely and insist in their protect.
1 Contagioradio (2021): https://www.contagioradio.com/acooc-denuncia-regreso-de-batidas-y-reclutamiento-ilegal-del-ejercito-en-bogota/ Colombiainforma (2021) https://www.colombiainforma.info/servicio-militar-obligatorio-en-colombia-una-cadena-de-irregularidades/
2 El Espectador (2021): Al ritmo actual el acuerdo de paz se implementaría en su totalidad hasta 2047
3 Congreso de la República (2021): ¿En qué va la paz? Las cifras de la implementación.
4 AlJazeera (2021): https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/9/28/colombia-coca
5Indepaz (2021): Líderes sociales, defensores de DDHH y firmantes de acuerdo asesinados en 2021
6Indepaz (2021): Informe de masacres en Colombia durante el 2020 y 2021
Click here to download the entire statement
If you want to share this statement via facebook, you can do so here!
https://www.facebook.com/InternationalFellowshipofReconciliation/posts/3066603096884875
5 años del Acuerdo de Paz en Colombia:
El Apoyo de la Comunidad Internacional es Crucial para su Implementación
24 de noviembre de 2021
Hoy se cumplen 5 años del Acuerdo de Paz entre el Gobierno colombiano y las Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia - Ejército del Pueblo (FARC-EP), que fue un verdadero momento de esperanza en un contexto muy dramático.
Después de décadas de conflicto violento, el pueblo colombiano, junto al mundo entero, espera una Colombia en paz y, sobre todo, justicia, verdad y no repetición. Esto debe incluir también la desmilitarización del territorio y el fin permanente de las prácticas ilegales en el proceso de reclutamiento militar, como las conocidas “batidas”.1
El informe final de la Comisión para el Esclarecimiento de la Verdad, la Convivencia y la No repetición, que se publicará el próximo año, es un hito. Sin embargo, a pesar de algunos avances, la implementación del Acuerdo de Paz es más lenta de lo esperado. El Contralor General de Colombia señaló que, al ritmo actual, el tratado se implementará en su totalidad hasta 2047.2 Después de cinco años, apenas se ha logrado una fracción de los objetivos, mientras que destacados partidarios de la extinta guerrilla vuelven a coger las armas.
Sin excepción, todos los puntos del acuerdo de paz están retrasados. En particular, la Reforma Rural Integral no ha avanzado, ya que la tasa de implementación anual en aspectos clave como la formalización de la tierra está por debajo del 30% del resultado esperado, y la distribución de la tierra para los campesinos sin tierra o con tierra insuficiente está por debajo del 1%. En total, se ha implementado menos del 5% de este capítulo, a pesar de que la cuestión de la tenencia de la tierra es una de las principales causas del conflicto y debería recibir una atención especial. 3
Además, es especialmente alarmante el planteamiento del compromiso de sustituir las economías ilícitas, en particular la coca, por cultivos legales sostenibles, ya que se está convirtiendo en una erradicación forzosa, pues también se prevén reanudar las fumigaciones aéreas con glifosato.4
Es especialmente preocupante el aumento de la violencia. Los defensores de los derechos humanos están siendo asesinados a un ritmo que no se ve desde hace muchos años. En lo que va del presente año, ya han sido asesinados 155 defensores de los derechos humanos y 44 exguerrilleros que firmaron el acuerdo de paz.5 Además, desde 2016 se ha producido un alarmante aumento de las masacres; el número de víctimas se triplicó el año pasado y en el actual ya se han producido 88 masacres con 313 muertos.6 Vale remarcar que las regiones priorizadas para la implementación son las más afectadas por la violencia. Si no se garantiza la seguridad de los defensores de los derechos humanos y de los ex miembros de las FARC-EP, los restantes puntos del acuerdo de paz serán un asunto menor.
IFOR está preocupada por la lentitud en la implementación del acuerdo de paz y la intensificación de la violencia contra las personas que trabajan para el respeto de los derechos humanos y hace un llamamiento al gobierno colombiano para que implemente las acciones necesarias y esperadas.
En vista de los numerosos desafíos, IFOR solicita el apoyo de la comunidad internacional, por lo tanto de las Naciones Unidas, de la Organización de los Estados Americanos, de la Unión Europea -sus estados miembros- y de otras instituciones gubernamentales regionales para:
Insistir en la aplicación integral del Acuerdo de Paz.
Apoyar una solución negociada al conflicto actual entre el Gobierno colombiano y el Ejército de Liberación Nacional (ELN).
Apoyar el desmantelamiento de los grupos sucesores de los paramilitares, como las autoproclamadas "Autodefensas Gaitanistas de Colombia".
Seguir de cerca la delicada situación de seguridad de los defensores de los derechos humanos y de los ex miembros de las FARC-EP e insistir en su protección.
1 Contagioradio (2021): https://www.contagioradio.com/acooc-denuncia-regreso-de-batidas-y-reclutamiento-ilegal-del-ejercito-en-bogota/ Colombiainforma (2021) https://www.colombiainforma.info/servicio-militar-obligatorio-en-colombia-una-cadena-de-irregularidades/
2 El Espectador (2021): Al ritmo actual el acuerdo de paz se implementaría en su totalidad hasta 2047
3 Congreso de la República (2021): ¿En qué va la paz? Las cifras de la implementación.
4 AlJazeera (2021): https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/9/28/colombia-coca
5Indepaz (2021): Líderes sociales, defensores de DDHH y firmantes de acuerdo asesinados en 2021
6Indepaz (2021): Informe de masacres en Colombia durante el 2020 y 2021
Si desea compartir esta declaración a través de Facebook, ¡puede hacerlo aquí!
https://www.facebook.com/InternationalFellowshipofReconciliation/posts/3066603096884875
IFOR "Introduction to the UN" 2nd edition
Sept 21st Gandhi statue
The new edition of the "Introduction to the UN" program took place on September 20th-24th, 2021; the special program aimed to provide an opportunity to come and see the work of IFOR at the United Nations in Geneva and experience first-hand engagement within the UN system.
This year, empowering training was part of the project "Empowering civil society representation at the United Nations", funded with the support of Otto per Mille of the Waldensian Church of Italy.
The project was carried out with the full involvement of 9 participants from Colombia, Holland, Spain, Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Italy, five women and four men.
During the week of the project, the coordinator Z. Zafarana, on behalf of IFOR, and IFOR's additional representative at the UN, H. Gerber. The variety of backgrounds enriched the exchanges between the participants and the insights gained; in fact, apart from the place of origin, we had people from the Caribbean, Kyrgyzstan and India among the participants. The week's stay in Geneva presented a varied learning and experiencing program that alternated between moments of in-depth study of the UN system and moments of encounter and exchange with human rights defenders. Other moments were devoted to participation in official UN meetings, such as the ongoing session of the Human Rights Council and the Geneva Peace Talks on International Peace Day.
READ ABOUT OUR PARTICIPANTS' FEEDBACK:
"It was an intensive and interesting time with the great opportunity to get to know other committed young people and human rights defenders." - Sophia
"Introduction to the UN" was one of the eye-opening events I have ever participated in. The agenda was perfectly scheduled, the participants fit well together, all other moments organized so well that we could get most of it despite the COVID restrictions. I wish IFOR would continue to maintain such an enthusiasm to support those who are willing to speak out about their issues, thus contributing to the peace movement." - Aku
"Introduction to the UN" is an intense and brilliant way to get to know and experience how the UN functions. To me was a chance to visit Geneva and its diplomatic atmosphere as well as lifestyle. In a multicultural environment, I had the chance to know more about local cases of human rights defenders such as the ones in South America witnessed by other participants and activists. I really enjoyed it and it was really inspiring!" - Silvia
"I enjoyed the program in general a lot as it helped me to get a deeper understanding of the UN in general and IFORs international work in particular. It was super interesting to slowly realize how complex international diplomacy can be and how strategic the work of NGOs like IFOR has to be to achieve any impact on a specific topic." - Marco
"This was an enlightening experience with a really engaged group, that was put together in the midst of covid restrictions, that nevertheless conveyed the reality of how the UN works and how it is possible for civil society to engage with it." - Peter
"The UN system is incredibly difficult and convoluted, an experience like this UN introductory week can demystify your preconceptions of the world of the United Nation and show you in very practical terms how you can use the different aspects of the UN system to further your own humanitarian and sociopolitical goals either personal or within an organization." - Iskra
IFOR expresses solidarity to indigenous communities in Nicaragua at the 48th UN Human Rights Council
The International Fellowship of Reconciliation supported the appeal launched by Peace Brigades International concerning the impunity of abuses against indigenous communities in Nicaragua, with a particular reference to the latest massacre on 23rd August in the Territorio Mayangna Sauni.
The Statement has been delivered at the 48th session of the UN Human Rights Council at Geneva, during the General Debate following the oral update by the High Commissioner Ms Michelle Bachelet.
IFOR joined 15 other NGOs to support the right to life, land and territory of indigenous communities and called for accountability and investigation of crimes.
Read here the text of the Statement delivered.
DECLARACIÓN ORAL CONJUNTA
48ª SESIÓN DEL CONSEJO DE DERECHOS HUMANOS DE LA ONU:
ITEM 2: DEBATE GENERAL (14 de septiembre de 2021)
Leída por: Amaru Ruíz
(English translation below)
Item 2: Debate General sobre las actualizaciones orales de la Alta Comisionada sobre la situación de los derechos humanos en Afganistán, Nicaragua y Sri Lanka
Gracias Sra Presidenta.
En nombre de las organizaciones firmantes, saludamos la actualización oral sobre la situación en Nicaragua de la Alta Comisionada. Hacemos eco a sus preocupaciones sobre el profundo deterioro de la situación de derechos humanos en el país.
En estos últimos meses han continuado las detenciones arbitrarias, allanamientos, persecuciones penales, criminalización de la protesta, la cancelación de la personería jurídica de 55 organizaciones nacionales e internacionales, así como la implementación de leyes restrictivas que socavan las libertades fundamentales. En particular, desde finales de mayo 37 personas, entre las cuales siete aspirantes a la Presidencia, líderes de la oposición, activistas, personas defensoras de los derechos humanos, periodistas, estudiantes y empresarios han sido detenidos arbitrariamente, sumando a más de 150 el número de presos políticos actualmente.
Nos alarma la omisión, negligencia e impunidad del Estado ante los recurrentes ataques contra los pueblos indígenas y afrodescendientes en la Región Autónoma Costa Caribe Norte con el objetivo de adueñarse de sus tierras. El incidente más reciente fue la masacre del 23 de agosto, en el Territorio Mayangna Sauni As, dentro de la zona núcleo de la Reserva de Biosfera de Bosawás, en la que preliminarmente se conoce el asesinato de al menos 9 personas de los pueblos indígenas Miskitu y Mayangna.
Desde el 2015, estas comunidades han venido denunciando el aumento sistemático de la invasión a sus territorios, la falta de protección de sus derechos colectivos y el deterioro ambiental causado por actividades de ganadería extensiva, la explotación forestal y la minería. Inclusive, algunas se han visto obligadas a desplazarse forzosamente de sus territorios para salvaguardar sus vidas.
Instamos a que se garantice y protege el derecho a la vida de estas comunidades, su derecho a la tierra y el territorio, además de su derecho a defender derechos humanos; a través del saneamiento de los territorios indígenas y afrodescendientes, así como de procesos de investigación que permitan el esclarecimiento de los hechos, identificación de responsables, acceso a la justicia y garantías de no repetición para los familiares de las víctimas.
Debido a la continua denuncia que desde el año 2020 realiza Amaru Ruíz, presidente de la Fundación del Río, por la situación de vulneración de las comunidades indígenas y afrodescendientes, el 8 de septiembre de 2021 el Ministerio Público de Nicaragua ha presentado el comunicado 075-2021 donde el señor Ruíz es acusado por infringir el artículo 30 de la Ley 1042 o Ley Especial de Ciberdelitos, evidenciando que continua la persecución y criminalización contra la personas defensoras de derechos humanos en Nicaragua.
Organizaciones firmantes:
1. Centre for Civil and Political Rights (CCPR)
2. Centro por la Justicia y el Derecho Internacional (CEJIL)
3. Colectivo de Derechos Humanos Nicaragua Nunca Más
4. Fundación del Río
5. Iniciativa Mesoamericana de Mujeres Defensoras de Derechos Humanos (IM-Defensoras) 6. International Fellowship of Reconciliation (IFOR)
7. International Service for Human Rights (ISHR)
8. Mesa de Articulación LGBTIQ+ en el Exilio Costa Rica (MESART)
9. Movimiento Campesino Anticanal
10. Organización Mundial Contra la Tortura (OMCT)
11. Peace Brigades International (PBI)
12. Red Internacional de Derechos Humanos (RIDH)
13. Red Internacional de Derechos Humanos – Europa (RIDH-E)
14. The International Institute on Race, Equality and Human Rights
15. Unidad de Protección a Defensoras y Defensores de Derechos Humanos - Guatemala (UDEFEGUA) 16. Women's Link Worldwide
ORAL JOINT STATEMENT
48th SESSION OF THE UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL
ITEM 2: GENERAL DEBATE (14TH September 2021)
Read by: Amaru Ruíz
Item 2: General Debate on the oral updates of the High Commissioner on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, Nicaragua and Sri Lanka.
Thank you, Madam President.
On behalf of the undersigned organisations, we welcome the High Commissioner's oral update on the situation in Nicaragua. We echo her concerns regarding the profound deterioration of the human rights situation in the country.
In recent months, we have seen arbitrary arrests, raids, criminal prosecutions, criminalisation of protest, the cancellation of the legal status of 55 national and international organisations, as well as the implementation of restrictive laws undermining fundamental freedoms. In particular, since the end of May, 37 people, including seven presidential hopefuls, opposition leaders, activists, human rights defenders, journalists, students and businessmen have been arbitrarily detained, bringing the number of political prisoners to more than 150.
We are alarmed by the State's omission, negligence and impunity in the face of the recurrent attacks against indigenous and Afro-descendant peoples in the North Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region with the aim of widespread land-grab. The most recent incident was a massacre of 23 August, in the Mayangna Sauni As Territory, within the core zone of the Bosawas Biosphere Reserve, in which at least nine people from the Miskitu and Mayangna indigenous peoples are known to have been killed.
Since 2015, these communities have repeatedly denounced the systematic increase in the invasion of their territories, the lack of protection of their collective rights and the environmental deterioration caused by extensive cattle ranching, logging and mining activities. Indeed, some have even had to leave their territories to safeguard their lives.
We call for the guarantee and protection of the right to life of these communities, their right to land and territory, as well as their right to defend human rights, through the restoration of indigenous and Afro-descendant territories, as well as investigation processes that allow for the clarification of the facts, identification of those responsible, access to justice and guarantees of non-repetition for the families of the victims.
Due to the continuous denunciation since 2020 by Amaru Ruíz, president of the Fundación del Río, of the situation of violation of indigenous and Afro-descendant communities, on 8 September 2021 the Nicaraguan Public Prosecutor's Office presented the communiqué 075-2021 in which Mr. Ruíz is accused of infringing article 30 of Law 1042 or the Special Law on Cybercrime, yet another example of the persecution and criminalisation of human rights defenders in Nicaragua.
Signatories:
1. Centre for Civil and Political Rights (CCPR)
2. Centro por la Justicia y el Derecho Internacional (CEJIL)
3. Colectivo de Derechos Humanos Nicaragua Nunca Más
4. Fundación del Río
5. Iniciativa Mesoamericana de Mujeres Defensoras de Derechos Humanos (IM-Defensoras) 6. International Fellowship of Reconciliation (IFOR)
7. International Service for Human Rights (ISHR)
8. Mesa de Articulación LGBTIQ+ en el Exilio Costa Rica (MESART)
9. Movimiento Campesino Anticanal
10. Organización Mundial Contra la Tortura (OMCT)
11. Peace Brigades International
12. Red Internacional de Derechos Humanos (RIDH)
13. Red Internacional de Derechos Humanos – Europa (RIDH-E)
14. The International Institute on Race, Equality and Human Rights
15. Unidad de Protección a Defensoras y Defensores de Derechos Humanos - Guatemala (UDEFEGUA) 16. Women's Link Worldwide
The International Fellowship of Reconciliation is committed to achieve a sustainable, just, and nonviolent world and highlights the connection between Climate Change and Peace Issues.
In line with this view, IFOR has joined other international and local organizations in the Call to Governments to commit to meaningful military emissions cuts at COP26.
This Call has been launched by the Conflict and Environment Observatory
IFOR has also joined the Call to Stop Excluding Military Pollution from Climate Agreements sponsored by World beyond War, together with GCOMS - Global Campaign on Military Spending, Peace Action Maine, Ground Zero Center for Nonviolent Action, RootsAction.org
Read more about this Call here.
The 2015 Paris Agreement left cutting military greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to the discretion of individual nations.
Militaries are huge energy users and contribute significant GHG emissions, as well as causing wider adverse environmental impacts from training, activities and operations. Militaries are typically the largest energy consumers among government agencies, but historically there has been a reluctance to disclose data on their emissions.
Global military expenditure rose by 2.6% in 2020 to almost US $2 trillion, in spite of a fall in global GDP of 4.4% due to the COVID-19 pandemic.1 The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change obliges signatories to publish annual GHG emissions, but military emissions reporting is voluntary and often not included. NATO has acknowledged the problem but not created any specific requirements to address it. In June 2021 NATO agreed to ‘assess the feasibility of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050,’ which would apply to its activities.
We encourage individuals and organizations to join these international efforts!
The Climate Catastrophe is a reality for many people on this planet and will soon affect everyone. It's an emergency!
IFOR is concerned and aware of the connection of this issue with other important ones such as migration, war, land exploitation, nuclear disarmament, human rights and so on.
For these reasons the IFOR fellowship is engaging in an internal discussion to listen to global perspectives and hear many different voices around the globe, identify areas where action is needed and engage in initiatives tackling the Climate Catastrophe.
The International Fellowship of Reconciliation (IFOR), after the postponement due to the ongoing pandemic, is glad to invite you to participate to the new edition of the special program aimed to provide an opportunity to come and see the work of IFOR at the United Nations in Geneva and experience first-hand engagement within UN system.
The program will last one week, from Monday September 20th to Friday 24th 2021. It will run during the 48th session of the UN Human Rights Council.
Participants will learn more about IFOR work on conscientious objection at the UN and find out how civil society can fully engage at the UN and network.
We contemplate a group of about ten people, which can move about together and is also small enough to share reflections communally between formal meetings.
Have a look at the first edition here.
Unfortunately, this year, due to the current situation concerning covid-19, the running of the program could be subject to changes accordingly to the ongoing pandemic and some meetings at the UN may not be in person.
PROGRAMME
The detailed program will be sent to the participants prior to the start of the program.
Program will start in Geneva on Monday 20th at 4 pm with a preliminary orientation session.
During the week the participants will attend to working sessions of the Human Rights Council -which include plenary meetings, negotiations of resolutions, side events-, assist in the drafting and delivering of oral statements, participate in informal meetings with partner NGOs, explore advocacy initiatives.
The program will conclude on Friday 24th at noon.
Every day participants will have the possibility to meet together to exchange on the experience and deepen topics and procedures of interest with IFOR UN representatives; in addition there will be a tutoring opportunity to better follow the Human Rights Council working sessions, the general debates and interactive dialogues planned in the Program of Work of the UN.
ACCOMMODATION AND TRAVEL
IFOR has pre-arranged a single room accommodation with full board at the John Knox Centre which is located near the Palais des Nations, in Geneva. These costs (accommodation + meals) will be covered by IFOR through the Otto per Mille fund of the Waldensian Church. All participants will receive a free pass for local public transportation for the entire period.
Other costs shall be met by the participants and/or their organizations.
HOW TO APPLY
To apply you need to fill in the online form here
Deadline for application is September 1st 2021 at 1pm CEST. The confirmation of the application will be notified to the candidates within the following 48 hours.
If necessary, we will give preference to:
a) those who are prepared to commit for the entire week
b) persons with a direct connection with IFOR
c) young people.
For further information you are welcome to contact Zaira Zafarana, coordinator of the program, at zaira.zafarana@ifor.org
Due to the pandemic some meetings may have restriction and not allow participation in person.
NOTE: Given the current situation of the pandemic the program will run accordingly to the actual situation and safety measures in place. Participants are invited to check all requirements given by the Swiss Federal Office for people traveling from other countries.
Looking forward to having you in Geneva!
READ ABOUT OUR PARTICIPANTS' FEEDBACK:
"It was an intensive and interesting time with the great opportunity to get to know other committed young people and human rights defenders." - Sophia
"Introduction to the UN" was one of the eye-opening events I have ever participated in. The agenda was perfectly scheduled, the participants fit well together, all other moments organized so well that we could get most of it despite the COVID restrictions. I wish IFOR would continue to maintain such an enthusiasm to support those who are willing to speak out about their issues, thus contributing to the peace movement." - Aku
"Introduction to the UN" is an intense and brilliant way to get to know and experience how the UN functions. To me was a chance to visit Geneva and its diplomatic atmosphere as well as lifestyle. In a multicultural environment, I had the chance to know more about local cases of human rights defenders such as the ones in South America witnessed by other participants and activists. I really enjoyed it and it was really inspiring!" - Silvia
"I enjoyed the program in general a lot as it helped me to get a deeper understanding of the UN in general and IFORs international work in particular. It was super interesting to slowly realize how complex international diplomacy can be and how strategic the work of NGOs like IFOR has to be to achieve any impact on a specific topic." - Marco
"This was an enlightening experience with a really engaged group, that was put together in the midst of covid restrictions, that nevertheless conveyed the reality of how the UN works and how it is possible for civil society to engage with it." - Peter
"The UN system is incredibly difficult and convoluted, an experience like this UN introductory week can demystify your preconceptions of the world of the United Nation and show you in very practical terms how you can use the different aspects of the UN system to further your own humanitarian and sociopolitical goals either persona or within an organization." - Iskra