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On the 24th of October, we released our new issue of E-CONNECT. If you have not subscribed to our newsletter, you can do it from here! Back number is also available. Feature story Global civil society proposes stronger UN treaty body system In the lead up to the UN General Assembly’s review of the human rights treaty body system in 2020, civil society organisations from different parts of the world made joint proposals to strengthen the system. The proposals illustrate a model of the reporting procedures with the introduction of a fixed calender which are accessible to rights holders, responsive to victims of human rights violations, and ensure that all […]

In the lead up to the UN General Assembly’s review of the human rights treaty body system in 2020, civil society organisations from different parts of the world made joint proposals to strengthen the system. The proposals illustrate a model of the reporting procedures with the introduction of a fixed calender which are accessible to rights holders, responsive to victims of human rights violations, and ensure that all governments uphold their treaty obligations. TB-Net (NGO Network on UN Treaty Bodies), which IMADR is a member, held a series of consultations with civil society organisations from the national, regional and international levels to lead the development of the proposals. Download the […]

On the 17th of July, we released our new issue of E-CONNECT. If you have not subscribed to our newsletter, you can do it from here! Back number is also available. Feature story 2019 CERD election set a milestone for gender parity On 21st June, around 180 governments, which have ratified the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD), voted to renew half of the membership of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD). With the election/re-election of 6 women, half of the Committee’s seats will be held by women from next year. It was the first time in the history of CERD […]

On the 27th of March, we released our new issue of E-CONNECT. If you have not subscribed to our newsletter, you can do it from here! Back number is also available. Feature story Civil society calls on United Nations to continue monitoring Sri Lanka At the 40th session of the UN Human Rights Council, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) presented its report on the Government of Sri Lanka’s implementation of resolution on “Promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka” (A/HRC/30/1).  Prior to the presentation, IMADR and eight other organisations sent a letter to the international community to call for strengthening measures for the full implementation of resolution […]

February 25, 2019 Your Excellency, Sri Lanka: Need for time-bound plan for implementation of commitments to the Human Rights Council We write to seek your support in ensuring that the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC or Council) adopts a resolution at this 40th session to maintain scrutiny of Sri Lanka’s progress towards implementation of its commitments, including, at minimum, regular reporting to the Council and a time-bound plan, developed in collaboration with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, to implement its pledges. In October 2015, the Council adopted resolution 30/1 by consensus in which Sri Lanka, through its co-sponsorship, committed to 25 key undertakings across a […]

Together with Amnesty International, FORUM-ASIA, CIVICUS, Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI), Franciscans International, Human Rights Watch, International Commission of Jurists, International Service for Human Rights, IMADR is holding a side event on “Reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka” at the 40th session of the Human Rights Council from 13:30, Thursday 28th February at Room XXVII in Palais des Nations. For further information, click on the flyer below.

In response to the call for submissions by the UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression  for his upcoming follow-up report on Japan, IMADR and All Okinawa Council for Human Rights (AOCHR) submitted a joint NGO report. The report seeks to supplement the information on the Government of Japan’s implementation of the recommendations contained in the country visit report of the Special Rapporteur, namely on: the adoption of a broad anti-discrimination law; the enjoyment of the right to freedom of assembly; and the case of Mr. Hiroji Yamashiro. Download the full report here   

As a member organisation of TB-Net – NGO Network on UN Treaty Bodies, IMADR joined the call to UN Member States for an inclusive review process on treaty body strengthening. National, regional and international NGOs play a critical role in the work of the treaty bodies through monitoring the implementation of the treaties at the national level, providing information to the treaty bodies, and encouraging states to give effect to the treaty bodies’recommendations. Together with rights holders, NGOs are well placed to bring in-depth knowledge, expertise and proposals on strengthening the system. Click the image below to read the full text.

At its 98th session from 23rd April to 10th May 2019, the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) will consider the situation of racial discrimination in following 5 countries. Civil society organisations (CSOs) are encouraged to submit information on Andorra, Guatemala, Hungary, Lithuania, and Zambia.  If you are a CSO participating in the forthcoming session and wishes to receive practical information, contact us at: geneva[@]imadr.org (remove “[]” when you send e-mail) Practical Information Deadline for NGO alternative reports for the review:  29 March 2019 Deadline for NGO alternative reports for the List of Themes: 8 February 2019 Information Note for NGOs  for the submission of reports, accreditation and participation in informal meetings and lunchtime briefings  For States parties’ reports, list of […]