Recognition, Human Rights Documents, Educaiton and collaboration
Disabled Peoples International would like to congratulate Rachel Hurst, Director of Disability Awareness in Action (DAA) on receiving the CBE (Commander of the British Empire) for her work on disability and advocacy. DAA is an international disability and human rights information network that works with disabled people in 164 countries. Upon receipt of the award, Rachel stated “I am pleased and very honoured, but I feel it is not a personal gift. The honour is really to the disability movement and disabled people throughout the world.”
In this week’s E-news, we include an update on Human Rights, along with access to disability-related documents.
Human Rights
DPI would like to congratulate Nicaragua on ratifying the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on 7 December 2007.
Reader Friendly format and Core International Human Rights Treaties
The Office of the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights (OHCHR) has reproducedthe new core universal human rights treaties in pocket size. It complements The Core International Human Rights Treaties, which the OHCHR published in 2006. By issuing the latest core instruments in this user-friendly format, OHCHR wishes to make them more accessible to government officials, human rights defenders, legal practitioners, scholars, and other citizens. Document available at http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Publications/newCoreTreatiesen.pdf
Leading World Disability Groups, including DPI, meeting in Madrid to Discuss Convention on Rights on Persons with Disabilities
The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, in collaboration with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Government of Spain, and Fundación ONCE organized an Expert Group Meeting entitled “Making it work - Civil society participation in the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.” The meeting was held in Madrid, Spain, 27 to 29 November 2007.
The meeting had the following objectives:
• To inform and consult civil society on the future steps of the Convention process, and particularly the Conference of the parties, including implications on civil society participation
• To learn from functioning of and lessons learned from other civil society mechanisms linked to existing Conventions
• To establish dialogue and present proposals aimed at ensuring effective civil society participation in the future steps of the implementation of the Convention, upon its entry into force
The Ad Hoc Expert Group produced two documents with recommendations for Member States and Civil Society respectively.
For copies, please contact:
Maria Veronica Reina, CIR
211 EAST ONTARIO STREET
SUITE 300
CHICAGO, IL 60611
TEL: 312.229.1359
FAX: 312.229.1370
New Book on Human Rights and International Law
Human Rights in International Law is a broad introduction to the wide-ranging subject of human rights, comprising international declarations, charters, conventions and protocols from the major international organisations working in the human rights field at world and regional level. Included are texts from the ILO, the United Nations, World Conference on Human Rights, the Council of Europe, the European Union, the Organisation of African Unity, the Organisation of American States, the OSCE and the Arab League. A large part of this selection of basic texts is made up of binding legal instruments drawn up by international organisations since 1930. Together they will serve as an invaluable tool for lawyers, legislators, diplomats, teachers and law students, as well as anyone involved in the work of protecting human rights. Contact
Council of Europe Publishing
Palais de l'Europe, 67075 Strasbourg Cedex, France
E-mail: publishing@coe.int
Website: http://book.coe.int
Phone: +33 (0)3 88 41 25 81
Fax: +33 (0)3 88 41 39 10
World Disaster Report includes issues of Discrimination
The “World Disaster Report” (2007), written by a UN Independent expert, examines what happens to vulnerable groups in disaster situations. It calls on communities, governments and agencies to work harder to identify the most vulnerable and work together to ensure that their specific needs are addressed in an emergency. The report points out that “disasters do not cause discrimination: they exacerbate it.” Read full report at http://www.ifrc.org/Docs/pubs/disasters/wdr2007/WDR2007-English.pdf
Children and Education
UNICEF Report on “Education for All”
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has just released a document on a human right based-approach to accessible education for all. This document brings together the current thinking and practice on human rights based approaches in the education sector. It also provides a framework for policy and programme development from school to national and international levels. As such it is a valuable resource to governments, civil society organizations, United Nations and bilateral agencies, as well as other development partners strategically involved in the development of education policies and programmes.
Document available at http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0015/001548/154861E.pdf
Equality for all in Quebec, Canada
The position of COPHAN/ AQRIPH/ AQIS/ AGIDD-SMQ on equality for all is now available. The document can serve as a good reference tool for policy development on elimination of barriers. Please contact Chloe at chloe@qc.aira.com
Invitation for Collaboration
Mother Theresa Children’s Homes in Kenya is looking to partner with other NGOs on initiatives to support children with HIV/AIDS. Please contact
Edith Nyambura, Principal, Mother Teresa Children's Centre
P.O BOX 3305, Nakuru, Kenya, Email: m_teresa70@yahoo.com
Funding Opportunities
A competition is now underway in which non government organizations
(NGOs) in South Asia can try to obtain funding for projects to fight stigma and discrimination toward people with HIV/AIDS. The deadline for proposals is January 31, 2008. For more information, please go to http://wecando.wordpress.com/2007/12/12/funding-for-south-asian-projects-on-hivaids-stigma-and-discrimination/