Web pages about "International Organizations"

ICC in difficulty ten years after the Rome Statute

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 19:27:01 +0100

Thursday 17 July marks the tenth anniversary of the Rome Statute, the treaty that led to the establishment of the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Set up in 2002, the ICC is mandated to investigate and prosecute crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, when national authorities are unable, or unwilling to do so.

Lauded as one of the most ambitious steps by the international community in recent history, the ICC has made significant progress in its investigations. But its work is being obstructed by serious internal and external difficulties.

The Court’s first investigations in the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Darfur region of Sudan and northern Uganda have focussed on some of the most serious human rights situations in the world. Afghanistan and Colombia are also being assessed.

Prosecuting cases is the problem. To date, the Court has issued 12 public arrest warrants, with another requested by the Prosecutor on 14 July 2008. Only four people have been arrested and surrendered for trial. The first case has been stayed. The accused may be released on fair trial grounds.

Without its own police force, the Court’s ability to prosecute cases depends upon the willingness of states to arrest and surrender those charged.

If a state fails or refuses to arrest and surrender persons to the Court, it was thought that other states and intergovernmental organizations would pressure them to do so. In practice, this is proving ineffective.

In response to the government of Sudan’s refusal to arrest and surrender former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs Ahmad Harun and Janjaweed leader Ali Kushayb to the Court, the United Nations Security Council issued a Presidential Statement in June 2008 calling for cooperation.

However, Sudan continues to refuse to implement the warrants. Four senior leaders of the Lords Resistance Army accused of crimes against humanity and war crimes in northern Uganda still remain at large.

An obstacle within the ICC emerged in June 2008, before the start of the Court’s first trial. The case against Thomas Lubanga Dyilo was stayed by the Trial Chamber to protect the right of the accused to a fair trial.

This was because the Prosecutor was unable to disclose to the defence exculpatory and mitigating evidence that had been provided confidentially by the United Nations and other organizations.

Confidentiality agreements are provided for in the Rome Statute, but only in exceptional circumstances and for the purpose of generating new evidence. A decision has been made to release the accused. Both decisions are the subject of appeals.

The possible collapse of the Court’s first case on fair trial grounds is deeply troubling. In particular, victims of the charges will be denied the opportunity to participate in the case.

However, the Trial Chamber’s decision to ensure the rights of the accused to have access to all information which could demonstrate their innocence demonstrates the Court’s determination to apply the highest standards of justice.

To date, 107 states, over half the international community, have ratified the statute. Many other states, including governments who originally opposed the statute, are in the process of ratifying.

Even the USA, which launched a worldwide campaign against the ICC, has since supported its work at the United Nations Security Council and indicated that it may cooperate with the ICC’s future investigations.

Amnesty International is a strong supporter of the Court. The organization lobbied extensively during the drafting of the Rome Statute for a just, fair and effective permanent court.

The long-term success of the Court as a central element of the new system of international justice will depend on its ability to prosecute cases. However, arrest and surrender of suspects is a matter largely outside the ICC’s control.

The supporters of the Court, therefore, have a vital role to ensure that cooperation is demanded bilaterally from states and through intergovernmental organizations. Efforts must also be taken to ensure that missions conducted by intergovernmental organizations are mandated to execute arrest warrants.

Zimbabwe accused of using food for political gain

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 18:16:17 +0100

The government of Zimbabwe has banned field operations by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in the country. Amnesty International has accused the government of using food for political ends and called on them to immediately lift the ban.

"The suspension of field operations by all NGOs on the order of the Zimbabwean government is likely to increase food insecurity in Zimbabwe and expose millions of people to hunger," said Amnesty International. "The suspension is yet another attempt by the government to manipulate food distribution for political ends."

"Suspension of humanitarian operations by NGOs ensures that the government has a monopoly over food distribution through the state-controlled Grain Marketing Board (GMB) during the pre-election period."

Since 2000, Amnesty International has documented how GMB food has been used as a political tool against perceived government opponents.

Without giving specific reasons for his action, the Zimbabwean Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, Nicholas Goche, wrote to all private voluntary organisations and NGOs on 4 June 2008, instructing them to stop their operations. The Minister gave his intention to invoke Section (10), Subsection (c), of the Private Voluntary Organisations Act [Chapter 17:05] as the basis for his action.

Amnesty International said that the restrictions will not only have a detrimental effect on food security in Zimbabwe, but also serve as a means for the government to prevent aid workers from witnessing the sharply increased levels of state-sponsored political violence taking place in the country since presidential and parliamentary elections were held on 29 March.

"By closing off the space for NGOs in Zimbabwe, the government is attempting to hide the worst of the human rights violations taking place in the country," said Amnesty International. "The Zimbabwean authorities must ensure that food is distributed to all on the basis of need -- irrespective of real or perceived political affiliation."

"Humanitarian organisations and other NGOs should be allowed go about their legitimate work without interference. By deliberately blocking life-sustaining aid, the government of Zimbabwe may be violating the right of its citizens to life, food, and health."

Since 2000, millions of people in Zimbabwe have had great difficulty in gaining access to adequate food. One of the major causes of the food crisis in Zimbabwe has been the drop in domestic food production.

While climatic factors, the HIV/AIDS pandemic and economic problems have all played a role in declining agricultural productivity, government policies and practices have exacerbated Zimbabwe's food security problems.

The poorest Zimbabweans will be worst affected by the ban. They will be increasingly exposed to life-threatening diseases, since the suspension affects water and sanitation projects. The ban will also severely impact the care of Zimbabwe's over one million children orphaned by AIDS, and the terminally ill who are on home-based care programmes.

MEDIA ADVISORY -- Human Rights Council: UPR must deliver on human rights

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 12:28:55 +0100

At its inaugural session, Amnesty International today called on the Working Group of the UN Human Rights Council to use the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) to overcome the bias and double standards that plagued the former Commission on Human Rights.

The UPR is the first-ever UN mechanism that will look at the human rights records of all countries.

Amnesty International called on the UPR to focus on the key human rights challenges in countries under review and for the Working Group, and later the Human Rights Council itself, to adopt concrete measures to improve the situation of human rights in all countries reviewed.

The organisation called for the whole process to be transparent and fair for stakeholders.

For more information on the human rights situation in individual countries under review, please see:

Indonesia
http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/ASA21/021/2007

Bahrain
http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/MDE11/001/2007

Algeria
http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/MDE28/021/2007

Brazil
http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/AMR19/023/2007

Czech Republic
http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/EUR71/003/2007

Finland
http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/EUR20/001/2007

India
http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/ASA20/021/2007

Morocco
http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/MDE29/012/2007

Netherlands
http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/EUR35/001/2007

Philippines
http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/ASA35/006/2007

Poland
http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/EUR37/005/2007

South Africa
http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/AFR53/005/2007

UK
http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/EUR45/020/2007

Tibet Protests: Independent UN investigation needed

Sat, 15 Mar 2008 18:00:55 +0000

"The Chinese authorities should allow an independent UN investigation into the events of the last week in Tibet, particularly in the light of the sealing off of the region in recent days and the long-term restrictions on human rights monitoring there," said Amnesty International today. "The situation also demands attention by the Human Rights Council at its current session." The organization calls on the Chinese authorities to exercise restraint in responding to continuing protests, to fully account for all detainees in Lhasa and other Tibetan areas during the crackdown on protests over the last week, and to release those detained for peacefully expressing their views and exercising their freedom of expression, association and assembly. "The Chinese authorities also need to address the underlying grievances of the Tibetan people and the long-term policies that have generated such resentment," said Catherine Baber, Director of the Asia-Pacific Programme at Amnesty International. Long-term grievances surfacing this week include perceived exclusion from the benefits of economic development, restrictions on religious practice and the weakening of Tibetan culture and ethnic identity through government policies. BACKGROUND INFORMATION Protests started last Monday when around 400 monks began a march from Drepung Monastery heading into central Lhasa, demanding the easing of a government-imposed campaign which forces monks to write denunciations of the Dalai Lama and subjects them to government political propaganda. Over 50 of them were arrested on the way to the city. Subsequent protests began in other monasteries in support of those detained, leading to more general unrest throughout Lhasa and in other parts of Tibet in which lay people joined in. Protests among Tibetans in the neighbouring provinces of Qinghai, Gansu and Sichuan have also been reported.Police and military forces were reported to have fired teargas into crowds, beaten protestors and fired live ammunition in an attempt to disperse them. On Friday protests in Lhasa turned violent, with some protestors setting fire to a police car, and specifically targeting and setting fire to Chinese-owned businesses. Official Chinese sources reported ten dead, largely businesspeople in Lhasa. There are unconfirmed reports of many more casualties. A curfew is reported to be in place throughout the whole city, and all shops are closed. Entry into the city has been blocked off through check-points around the whole city, armoured vehicles and contingents from the People’s Armed Police are present throughout Lhasa. Reports suggest that scattered protests continued in parts of the city today.Police and military forces have surrounded three major monasteries in the Lhasa area, confining monks inside and beating those who have attempted to leave. Monks from Sera monastery are reported to have started a hunger strike demanding the withdrawal of military forces from their monastery.Peaceful protests by Tibetans have also occurred this week in India and Nepal. In India protestors intending to march to the Chinese border were subjected to a restraining order and detained. In Nepal, protests in Kathmandu were violently dispersed and demonstrators who were briefly detained reported being beaten and otherwise ill-treated.

UN: High Commissioner for Human Rights resigns; replacement must preserve independence of post

Fri, 07 Mar 2008 15:09:28 +0000

Reacting to today’s news that Louise Arbour has resigned her position as United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Amnesty International paid tribute to her achievements and called on UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon to ensure that her successor is of a similar high international standard with a proven track-record as a strong and independent advocate for human rights.

As High Commissioner for Human Rights, Louise Arbour has been a forceful and formidable advocate for human rights protection, stressing the need to apply and enforce legal obligations and establish accountability for the perpetrators of human rights violations. During her time in office, the resources for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights were increased.

“In an increasingly challenging global environment, the High Commissioner’s position is that of a resolute and outspoken champion for human rights,” said Amnesty International. “The new High Commissioner must be a strong and independent advocate for human rights with a clear vision and a proven ability to inspire the broader human rights community.”

Amnesty International calls on UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon to ensure that the new High Commissioner for Human Rights is selected by means of a transparent process that includes thorough consultation with all stakeholders, including civil society.

World leaders urged to tackle Musharraf at World Economic Forum

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 11:57:03 +0000

Irene Khan has written to world political and business leaders, calling on them to raise the issue of Pakistan's human rights situation with President Musharraf at the World Economic Forum (WEF). In the letter, Amnesty International's Secretary General urges them to make human rights and rule of law in Pakistan a central theme in their discussions with the President.

President Musharraf is due to travel Davos, Switzerland, today for the WEF Annual Meeting and is expected to stay until the meeting ends on Sunday. He is expected to meet with many of the 2,500 political, economic and media leaders from 88 countries at the annual five-day meeting.

The letter urges the members of the international community present at Davos to use their utmost influence on the Pakistan government to immediately agree to uphold human rights and maintain rule of law in Pakistan. In particular, Ms Khan calls for the return to service of judges removed during emergency rule and the guarantee of an independent judiciary, as enshrined in its constitution and international law.

In addition, Ms. Khan urges them to appeal to President Musharraf that his government puts an end to the range of human rights abuses documented by Amnesty International, which include arbitary arrests and detentions, enforced disappearance and ill-treatment of those in custody, as well as all persecution of government critics and opposition. These measures can help build confidence and hope among the people to establish stability and prosperity in the country."

Amnesty International has conducted research in Pakistan over the past month to assess the human rights situation in the country, following the lifting of the state of emergency on 15 December 2007.

"We collected a wealth of evidence on human rights violations and the breakdown of rule of law, which are sowing the seeds of a political catastrophe, with devastating consequences for ordinary people," Ms. Khan writes.

Irene Khan will also attend the WEF where she will seek to raise a range of human rights issues with the participants, including, but not limited to, the situation in Pakistan.

Video: Sending a message to the Pakistan government

Mon, 10 Dec 2007 15:44:23 +0000

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People around the world took to the streets on Thursday to call for the restoration of human rights and justice in Pakistan.

Amnesty International joined forces with representatives of the legal profession and media industry to protest in support of lawyers, journalists and activists who have been detained in large numbers in the 'state of emergency' declared by General Musharraf.

In London, a sizeable crowd gathered under a huge banner, holding candles and chanting messages to the Pakistan government. Irene Khan, Secretary General of Amnesty International, with Jeremy Dear, General Secretary of the National Union of Journalists and Mark Muller QC, Chair of the England and Wales Bar Council's Human Rights Committee, presented a petition to Pakistan's High Commission in London.

Video: Marching for Myanmar

Sun, 09 Dec 2007 16:52:45 +0000

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People across the globe took to the streets this weekend in support of the people of Myanmar, who continue to be subjected to mass arrests and brutal repression.

Amnesty International was among those organising marches in countries around the world including Mongolia, Malaysia, Thailand, Austria, Belgium, France, Ireland, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the US.

In London, AI Secretary General Irene Khan marched in solidarity with Burmese monks. She said: "Support is now greatly needed to keep visible pressure on the Myanmar authorities to stop the violence towards demonstrators, ensure the safety of detainees and release prisoners of conscience."

Zimbabwean trade unionists in hiding

Tue, 27 Nov 2007 15:01:36 +0000

Two Zimbabwean trade unionists have gone into hiding after receiving threatening phone calls. The callers identified themselves as members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) and Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO).

The ZRP and CIO officers are reported to have accused Edward Dzeka and Joyce Muwoni, who are officers of the General Agriculture and Plantations Workers Union (GAPWUZ) in the farming town of Chegutu, of organising workers to take part in the job “stay away” demonstration in the town and on the surrounding farms.

Members of the ZRP and CIO also called at the GAPWUZ offices on 4 April and enquired about the whereabouts of the two unionists. They later visited the home of Edward Dzeka, who is also the district chairperson of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU), in Chegutu.

Some of the ZRP and CIO officers making the alleged threats are known to the trade unionists. They are believed to be targeting leaders of trade unions following the 3 to 4 April national job “stay away” demonstration organised by the ZCTU.

Edward Dzeka was previously arrested with 10 other trade unionists on 13 September 2006 for organising peaceful protests under the ZCTU. The 11 trade unionists were reported to have been tortured by members of the ZRP at Chegutu police station. They are currently on bail after being charged under the Public Order and Security Act (POSA).

Amnesty International understands that Edward Dzeka and Joyce Muwoni are being threatened for exercising their rights to freedom of association and assembly by organising a peaceful demonstration as part of GAPWUZ and the ZCTU. Amnesty International is deeply concerned about their safety and calls on the police and CIO to guarantee their safety.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights 60th anniversary

Thu, 10 Jan 2008 12:34:47 +0000

2008 is a landmark year in the global campaign to make human rights a reality for all people… it marks 60 years since the birth of its most important document.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) -- which confirms the acceptance of 30 rights - was adopted by UN member states on 10 December 1948. It began as an initiative of governments, but today it is the common goal of people everywhere.

In the run-up to the 60th anniversary, Amnesty International will organize a series of activities that celebrate the UDHR - and focus on what must be done to make that promise of universal, indivisible human rights a reality.

Every single person has rights - that is the essence of our humanity. Each of us has the duty to stand up, not just for our own rights, but also for those of others.

We believe human rights abuses anywhere are the concern of people everywhere.
We pledge to harness the power of individuals to galvanize action for justice and equality.
We are outraged at our leaders' betrayal and are determined to hold them to account.
We are committed to creating a world in which every person can realize their human rights.
We will carry the UDHR message of hope to every region of the world in its 60th anniversary year.

Guantánamo: Six years of injustice
Guantánamo is a symbol of injustice and abuse. Cases of secret detention, torture, renditions and indefinite detention without charge flout human rights principles. They jeopardize - rather than promote - security.

On 11 January 2008, we call on the US authorities to bring their detention policies and practices in line with international law - at Guantánamo and beyond. Read more

Anniversary highlights

Stop the human rights meltdown: make human rights real
Message from Irene Khan, Secretary General of Amnesty International, on International Human Rights Day (10 December 2007)