MINELRES: Minority Rights Group International - e-bulletin - February 2004
MINELRES moderator
[email protected]
Thu Feb 19 21:32:11 2004
Original sender: Graham Fox <[email protected]>
Minority Rights Group International - e-bulletin - February 2004
Minority Rights Group International - e-bulletin
Welcome to the Minority Rights Group International (MRG) email bulletin
for February 2004. Simply click on the links below in order to access
the full news release or publication on MRG's website, or alternatively
visit our site at: http://www.minorityrights.org
In this e-bulletin:
UK anti-terror proposals threaten a 'culture of suspicion' against
minorities
Kofi Annan highlights need for Special Rapporteur on genocide
High hopes for new era of rights as African Court enters into force
French ban on faith symbols would contravene international rights law
Ethiopia: Rights groups call for urgent investigation of Anwak massacre
India's Dalits take to the road to raise awareness of 'hidden apartheid'
'Double-discrimination' leaves Albania's minority women vulnerable
The World Social Forum: Is another world possible?
Events and advocacy
Focus on: Caste discrimination - an international concern
Vacancies
- Head of International Programmes
New publications from MRG
Worth a closer look - useful sources of information, analysis and debate
News
UK anti-terror proposals threaten a 'culture of suspicion' against
minorities
Proposed new legislation to prevent terrorism including part-secret
trials of suspected British terrorists, may contribute to an increasing
'culture of fear and suspicion' against minorities in the UK and
internationally, stated Minority Rights Group International. Reacting to
proposed new legislation to lower the burden of proof in order to
convict British terror suspects, MRG stated: 'This is a potential
further step towards alienation and demonization of some minority
communities, who are the likely targets of this legislation, and who
already feel increasingly unfairly condemned as 'extremist' by the media
and others.'
http://www.minorityrights.org/news_detail.asp?ID=207
Kofi Annan highlights need for Special Rapporteur on genocide
In a major policy development, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi
Annan has raised the possibility of establishing a Special Rapporteur on
the prevention of genocide. Minority Rights Group International has
campaigned for two years for the establishment of such a post to
intervene in situations involving minorities and to prevent genocide,
avoiding the repetition of past inaction and failure by the UN and its
Member States. In a frank and unequivocal statement to the Stockholm
International Forum, Mr Annan spoke of the 'gravest mistakes', which
allowed the events in former Yugoslavia and in Rwanda to take place.
http://www.minorityrights.org/news_detail.asp?ID=208
High hopes for new era of rights as African Court enters into force
The entry into force of the African Court on Human and Peoples' rights
on 25 January 2004 has been welcomed as a significant opportunity for
the protection and promotion of human rights across the continent. The
Court will consider rights violations referred to it by the African
Commission, the body empowered to monitor implementation of the human
rights standards enshrined in the African Charter on Human and Peoples'
Rights. African regional human rights mechanisms have faced many
problems, yet progress has been achieved with the vital input of both
national and international NGOs, many of which have lobbied hard for
establishment of the Court.
http://www.minorityrights.org/news_detail.asp?ID=201
French ban on faith symbols would contravene international rights law
The proposed ban on 'conspicuous' religious symbols is in direct
contravention of France's obligations under European human rights law
said MRG. New laws may exacerbate ethnic and religious divisions if
imposed on members of religious minorities attending state institutions,
who may perceive them to be discriminatory. MRG works to uphold minority
rights including religious and cultural rights as established in
international law including the European Convention for the Protection
of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (ECHR), and has called upon
President Chirac to rethink the culturally divisive policy.
http://www.minorityrights.org/news_detail.asp?ID=202
Rights groups call for urgent investigation of Ethiopian Anwak massacre
claims
The reported massacre of ethnic Anwak civilians in the Gambela region of
Western Ethiopia in mid December 2003, has been described as displaying
characteristics of 'genocidal intent' by some NGO commentators offering
an early warning mechanism to the international community. Reports from
the region have claimed a death toll of over 400 in the December
violence following an incident in which a vehicle carrying UN and
government refugee officials was ambushed by unknown assailants, killing
eight. Conflicting reports regarding the causes and protagonists have
led to calls for an urgent investigation by human rights groups which
fear further incidents.
http://www.minorityrights.org/news_detail.asp?ID=200
The World Social Forum: Is another world possible?
For one week in early January over 100,000 people gathered on the
outskirts of Mumbai, India, with the modest aim of building another
world. The event was the World Social Forum (slogan: Another World is
Possible). For the first time MRG sent a delegate to determine whether
the WSF was just another talking shop or could be a real force for the
implementation of the rights of minorities. The WSF began in 2001 as a
civil society alternative to the World Economic Forum. In three years,
the WSF has grown into a massive undertaking with delegates taking part
in hundreds of events. This year, the WSF took place in Asia for the
first time.
http://www.minorityrights.org/news_detail.asp?ID=205
India's Dalits take to the road to raise awareness of 'hidden apartheid'
Members of Dalit communities have taken to the roads, villages and towns
of India to bring their issues directly to the Indian public and
politicians, raising awareness of caste discrimination through a series
of rallies, meetings and cultural events. The Dalit Swadhikar Rally,
conceived and organised by groups including the National Campaign on
Dalit Human Rights, is part of a wider advocacy and awareness raising
campaign. The events seek to influence public opinion, empower Dalit
organizations, and encourage the international community to condemn a
form of discrimination widely considered to be a type of 'hidden
apartheid'.
http://www.minorityrights.org/news_detail.asp?ID=199
'Double-discrimination' leaves Albania's minority women vulnerable
Minority women in Albania and across much of South-East Europe are in a
precarious and vulnerable position due to exclusion, poverty and
'double-discrimination' against them as both minorities and as women. An
innovative seminar held in Tirana, Albania, brought together both
minority-focused, and gender-focused groups, rights and gender experts
and international organizations, to share experiences and to develop
strategies to address a wide range of practical problems facing
minorities and minority women. Amongst the issues raised were the often
extreme poverty facing minorities, trafficking and prostitution,
unemployment and political exclusion.
http://www.minorityrights.org/news_detail.asp?ID=204
Events and advocacy
Neelan Tiruchelvam Training Programme on International Minority Rights -
Geneva, Switzerland, 22 - 28 February
MRG, together with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human
Rights, have again selected 25 representatives from minority and
indigenous organizations around the world to attend this annual training
event in advance of participating in the UN Working Group on Minorities.
The event aims to provide the knowledge and skills to enable
participants to promote their rights as established in the UN
Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic,
Religious and Linguistic Minorities. The training is named after
Sri-Lankan human rights and peace advocate and former Chair of MRG's
International Council, Dr Neelan Tiruchelvam, who was tragically killed
by a suicide bomber in July 1999, while working tirelessly to promote
peace and rights in Sri-Lanka and elsewhere. A selection of MRG training
materials and guides for minorities and indigenous peoples can be found
by clicking on the link below.
http://www.minorityrights.org/TrainingManuals/TrainingManualsBody.asp
United Nations Working Group on Minorities - 10th Anniversary - Geneva,
Switzerland, 01 - 05 March
2004 marks the tenth anniversary of the UN Working Group on Minorities
(WGM). The WGM is the only forum or mechanism devoted solely to minority
issues within the United Nations system. It contributes to the
Sub-Commission's role as think-tank for the Commission on Human Rights,
by organising thematic discussions, commissioning expert papers and
drafting recommendations on issues relevant to minorities. A crucial
part of this work involves examining peaceful, constructive solutions to
situations involving minorities. In a paper submitted to the
Sub-Commission following the 2003 WGM, MRG evaluates the progress made
over previous years and considers ways of strengthening and
supplementing the work of this unique forum.
http://www.minorityrights.org/International/int_stat_detail.asp?ID=64
For further information about the events above and other MRG regional
and international advocacy and programmes activities, visit our website
or contact us at the address below.
Focus on: Caste discrimination - an international issue
Caste, and similar forms of discrimination affect an estimated 250
million people in Asia, Africa, and among certain diaspora in Western
and Caribbean countries. Caste is based on classification of people
through attribution of specific social ranks determined by descent. It
is a form of racial discrimination which violates basic human rights and
often results in killings, rape and destruction of property. It is not,
as commonly believed, confined to the Indian sub-continent, but affects
groups including the Buraku minority in Japan and the Osu communities of
Nigeria. The International Dalit Solidarity Network (IDSN) has played an
important role in highlighting and working to combat caste
discrimination. It is made up of national solidarity networks, groups
from affected countries and international organisations concerned about
caste discrimination and similar forms of discrimination based on work
and descent. Click below to find a 'links trail' through a variety of
recent documents and detailed analysis of this complex and controversial
human rights issue, including MRG's briefing 'Inheriting a Life Without
Dignity', and visit the IDSN website for further information. MRG does
not necessarily endorse or support the views or opinions expressed on
external websites.
http://www.minorityrights.org/news_detail.asp?ID=159 IDSN website:
http://www.idsn.org
Vacancies
Head of Programmes - Minority Rights Group International
MRG work with over 150 partner organisations in 60 countries to
challenge discrimination, ensure minority rights are respected and
promote cooperation between communities. The post holder will manage a
team of 10 staff coordinating international training, advocacy, capacity
building or publishing projects. Candidates should have at least two
years experience of managing staff and budgets; a track record in
international project management; experience of working with minority
communities; and excellent communication and programme design and
evaluation skills. For an application pack, send a large stamped (76p)
self-addressed envelope marked Recruitment (ref. HOP-GU) to: Minority
Rights Group International, 54 Commercial Street, London E1 6LT - UK or
visit our website for further information. Striving to be an equal
opportunity employer.
Closing date for completed applications: 25 February 2004.
http://www.minorityrights.org/job_vac.asp
New Publications From MRG
Printed copies of MRG's reports are available for a small charge
directly from MRG. All new publications can be downloaded free of charge
from our website. Alternatively you may wish to become an MRG subscriber
and have all new reports delivered to you. By doing so, your
subscription fee makes a direct contribution to MRG's essential work,
helping to make a difference to the lives of minority and indigenous
peoples. For further information about how to subscribe please reply to
this message or contact MRG on: [email protected]
The International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial
Discrimination: Guide for NGOs - French Translation
This practical manual explains what ICERD is, how it fits within the
United Nations system and how states, individuals and NGOs can make use
of it. Importantly it explains how ICERD can be used by NGOs to bring
pressure on states to combat racial discrimination, and contains
step-by-step guidance on the activities that NGOs can use to influence
ICERD's Committee in its decision making.
http://www.minorityrights.org/TrainingManuals/TrainingManual.asp?ID=22
Gender and Minority Issues in Albania: Awareness-raising Seminar (MRG
workshop report)
Based on an innovative seminar held in Tirana in September 2003, this
publication considers the interplay between gender issues and minority
rights in Albania. Minority focused and gender focused groups and
individuals considered issues including legal instruments for the
protection of rights, equal access to education, employment, healthcare
and participation, and both problems and possibilities for women and
minorities today. The result is a unique consideration of contemporary
issues and experiences from those directly affected.
http://www.minorityrights.org/WorkshopReports/work_rep_detail.asp?ID=18
Worth a closer look:
In this new feature of the e-bulletin, MRG suggests some alternative
information sources that readers may find interesting and useful. Please
note that MRG does not necessarily endorse or support the views or
opinions expressed on external websites. To have your organization
considered for listing in this new section please email
[email protected]
Genocide Watch
Genocide Watch is the Coordinator for the International Campaign to End
Genocide (ICEG), founded in the Hague, Netherlands, May 1999. The
International Campaign to End Genocide is an international coalition
dedicated to creating the international institutions and the political
will to end genocide forever. Minority Rights Group International is a
member of ICEG.
http://www.genocidewatch.org/
The Minorities at Risk (MAR) Project
is a university-based research project that monitors and analyzes the
status and conflicts of politically-active communal groups in all
countries with a current population of at least 500,000. The project is
designed to provide information in a standardized format that aids
comparative research and contributes to the understanding of conflicts
involving relevant groups.
http://www.cidcm.umd.edu/inscr/mar/home.htm
MRG welcomes your comments on this e-bulletin and our work in general,
and greatly values your opinions and information. We hope that you will
find this e-bulletin useful, however, it is not our intention to send
you unwanted messages. If you wish us to remove you from this list,
simply reply to [email protected] stating 'un-subscribe' in
the subject line.
Minority Rights Group International (MRG) is a non-governmental
organization working to secure the rights of ethnic, religious and
linguistic minorities and indigenous peoples worldwide, and to promote
cooperation and understanding between communities.
MRG is a registered charity no. 282305, and has consultative status with
the United Nations Economic and Social Council and observer status with
the African Commission for Human and Peoples' Rights.
Contact MRG:
Floors 2-4, 54 Commercial Street, London, E1 6LT, UK.
Tel: 020 7422 4200 Fax: 020 7422 4201
email: [email protected]
http://www.minorityrights.org