We have issued E-CONNECT No.21 on 15 December, 2016

Feature story

Global civil society joins hands with UN to end racial discrimination

On 23rd November, civil society from all over the world, including indigenous and minority groups, met with the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD). Civil society representatives shared their challenges in own country and region, and put ideas in order to improve the work of the CERD to achieve the goal of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. IMADR Under-Secretary General participated in the panel. More >>

Sri Lankan civil society demands no delay in accountability

On 3rd November, civil society activists and organisations in Sri Lanka sent a joint letter in expressing deeps concerns on the Government of Sri Lanka’s plans to indefinitely delay the establishment of the proposed accountability mechanism, despite the promises that the Government made to the international community by co-sponsoring the Human Rights Council resolution (A/HRC/30/L.29) in September 2015. Recently the UN Committee Against Torture concluded that more efforts should be done by the Government. More >>

NGO joint call on CERD to strengthen follow-up of recommendations

Together with Minority Rights Group International (MRG) and Race and Equality, IMADR submitted a joint response for the consultation of the CERD with civil society held on 23rd November. The joint paper examined different follow-up mechanisms of the existing treaty bodies on specific recommendations in order to identify areas where the CERD can further strengthen its cooperation with civil society to fight racial discrimination. More >>

IMADR in the world

END OF YEAR APPEAL: Help us fight racism!                                                             Look how your support made it possible for us to take many action for the eradication of racial discrimination in 2016. We will continue and strengthen our fight against racism through human rights advocacy at the grass-roots and UN levels in 2017. More >>

IMADR and its concerns

UN expert urges Sri Lanka to establish an Independent Commission on Minorities   UN Special Rapporteur on minority issues concluded her mission to Sri Lanka on 20th October. In her end of the mission statement, she recommended the Government to establish an Independent Commission on Minorities under the Constitution. More >>

IMADR at the UN

CERD concluded 91st session                       On 9th December, the CERD concluded its 91st session. At the session, the Committee adopted concluding observations of Argentina, Italy, Portugal, Togo, Turkmenistan and Uruguay. More >>

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Publication

Template for Civil Society Actors: Follow-up Information on the CERD recommendations More >>

We have issued E-CONNECT No.20 on 4 October, 2016

Feature story

UN urge USA to end impunity for State violence against African Americans

UN Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent presented its country visit report to the USA at the 33rd session of the Human Rights Council. The Working Group stated in the report that it “remains extremely concerned about the human rights situation of African Americans”, urging the Government to take measures against racial bias and disparities in the criminal justice system and structural racial discrimination. On 26 September, IMADR delivered the joint statement with the US Human Rights Network. More >>

“More needs to be done”, message to Sri Lanka to heal wounds from enforced disappearances

On 20 September, IMADR held a side event on “Enforced Disappearances in Sri Lanka”. The event invited two family members of the disappeared and the journalist from Sri Lanka, as well as the members of the UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances. While acknowledging the recent positive steps taken by the Government, the event stressed the need for the Government to do more to establish and implement credible processes to address the issue of enforced disappearances. More >>

Targeted attack on freedom of expression in Okinawa, Japan

In follow-up to the visit of the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom of opinion and expression, IMADR and All Okinawa Council for Human Rights produced the joint report “Targeted attack on freedom of expression in Okinawa”. The report identified disproportionate restrictions on the freedom of expression in Okinawa such as surveillance and excessive use of force against protesters, violation of the press freedom as well as persistent oppressive comments by government officials against the Okinawan media. More >>

IMADR in the world

Sri Lanka met UN anti-racism body after 15 years                                                               In August, Sri Lanka was reviewed by the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD), for the first time after the end of the armed conflict. The Committee urged the Government to address root causes of the decades-long conflict. More >>

IMADR and its concerns

Gender integration in human rights bodies IMADR joined the call for action to promote gender parity within the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and other treaty bodies including the CERD, international and regional organisations. More >>

IMADR at the UN

CERD holds the 91st session                             In November, the CERD will examine the periodic reports of Argentina, Italy, Portugal, Togo, Turkmenistan and Uruguay. The Committee will hold a consultation with civil society on 23 November. Contact us for further information.. More >>

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Publication

ICERD and CERD: A Guide for Civil Society Actors More >>

We have issued E-CONNECT No.19 on 6th July, 2016

Feature story

Post-Earthquake recovery and rehabilitation support for the most vulnerable people in Nepal

From immediately after the Earthquakes, IMADR supported Feminist Dalit Organization (FEDO) in Nepal to conduct relief and rehabilitation activities for vulnerable communities including Dalits, widows and single women, people living with disabilities and children. FEDO has reached out to thousands of victims in 8 districts to provide material support and empowerment activities. More >>

“Confidence has to be built for accountability and good governance in Sri Lanka”, civil society alerts UN Human Rights Council

On 24 June, IMADR held a side event at the Human Rights Council to bring the views from the ground level to the international community about the positive steps taken so far and remaining challenges in Sri Lanka including the Constitutional reform, fight against corruption, addressing enforced disappearances and protection of human rights without discrimination. More >>

Impunity must end to protect and promote human rights in Bangladesh

IMADR called for the international attention to the deteriorating human rights situation in Bangladesh. Freedom of expression is particularly under threat due to the violence against journalists, bloggers and media professionals. The government must end the impunity for the attacks against human rights defenders and religious minorities as well as enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings. More >>

IMADR in the world

UN urges Argentina to protect indigenous peoples                                                               UN Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, Mr. Mutuma Ruteere, urged Argentina to protect the rights of indigenous peoples who have been historically marginalized. The Rapporteur visited the country in May. More >>

IMADR and its concerns

Restrictive measures on freedom of expression in Okinawa, Japan                                           UN Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom of opinion and expression, Mr. David Kaye, shared his concern on the situation in Okinawa in conclusion of his visit to Japan. IMADR produced the information on Okinawa with the partners. More >>

IMADR at the UN

CERD holds the 90th session                             In August, the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) will examine the periodic reports of Greece, Lebanon, Pakistan, Paraguay, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Ukraine and the United Kingdom. More >>

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Publication

ICERD and CERD: A Guide for Civil Society Actors More >>

We have issued E-CONNECT No.18 on 2nd April, 2016.

Feature story

“Challenges of Transitional Justice in Sri Lanka”, UN Human Rights Council must stay engaged 

On 17th of March, jointly with Franciscans International and Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA), IMADR held a side event at the Human Rights Council to share civil society perspectives on the ongoing process to address past crimes and violations. The event called for continuing engagement of the international community. More >>

UN asks Japan to protect and promote the rights of indigenous and minority women

On 16th of February, UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) expressed concern on the situation of indigenous and minority women in Japan who belong to Ainu, Buraku and Zainichi Korean communities. The Committee issued strong recommendations to advance their status and protect them from violence and harmful practices. More >>

Universal Periodic Review: Nepal must fulfill its promise to eradicate caste discrimination

On 16th of March, the Human Rights Council adopted the report of Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Nepal. The government accepted nine recommendations related to caste under the category of “already implemented or in the process of implementation”. Pointing to the weak rule of law and the experience of discrimination in relief efforts after the Earthquake, IMADR and Dalit rights organisations demand Nepal to fully implement the recommendations through effective legal and policy measures while ensuring transparency and the inclusion of Dalits in the design of a national action plan to combat caste discrimination. More >>

IMADR in the world

Human Rights Council discussed the incompatibility between democracy and racism                                       While governments reaffirmed their commitment to fight against racism and promote democracy, IMADR brought a concern on the lack of implementation of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) and its article 4 to combat racist ideology. More >>

IMADR and its concerns

Milestone UN report on caste discrimination UN Special Rapporteur on minority issues Rita Izsák presented her epoch report on “Minorities and discrimination based on caste and analogous systems of inherited status”. IMADR underlined the continuing Buraku discrimination in Japan. More >>

IMADR at the UN

CERD holds the 89th session                             In April, the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) will examine the periodic reports of of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Namibia, Oman, Rwanda and Spain. More >>

Publication

ICERD and CERD: A Guide for Civil Society Actors More >>