News

In its efforts to outreach people affected by the Nepal Earthquake, IMADR’s partner organization Feminist Dalit Organization (FEDO)  witnessed different kinds of discrimination practices such as caste-based discrimination, the lack of information and the lack of access to the Dalit and marginalized communities. To request more just and equitable distribution of emergency relief, we sent a letter  to the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) on 28th July. Today, 4th August, JICA acknowledged the receipt the letter to take account of the problems. Whole text can be read below or downloaded here.  Caste-based discrimination in the disaster response after the Nepal Earthquake is documented in the report “Waiting for Justice in Response: Report of Initial Findings from Immediate Needs […]

Aruba has the one of the highest percentage of immigrant population in the world, which is amongst the top 25 countries. Michel Sharpe, IMADR director, gives his views on migration in Aruba in an interview by ATV Aruba Broadcasting. He emphasizes the need for a participation mechanism for both host communities and migrants. He also explains the public misperception about people migrating to other countries. You can watch the full interview from here  or by clicking the image below. 

The zero draft outcome of the post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals   has failed to recognise the caste-based exclusion and discrimination based on work and descent. Over 260 million people suffer discrimination based on caste, work or descent who are often trapped in poverty. They are discriminated in every dimension of society such as accesses to education, employment, housing, water and sanitation. Girls and women belonging to those groups often fall victims of violence and gender discrimination. Asia Dalit Rights Forum , a network to combat caste-based discrimination in South Asia, issued a Response to Zero Draft of the Sustainable Development Goals  to demand the inclusion of the issues of discrimination based on work and […]

IMADR joined other NGOs to call on the Government of Sri Lanka to take immediate concrete measures towards establishment of an accountability mechanism with full cooperation with the UN. Whole text can be read below or downloaded here.  ——— 2 July 2015 To: Ambassadors of UN Human Rights Council Member States Subject: Open Letter on Sri Lanka Dear Excellencies, The dissolution of Sri Lanka’s Parliament on Saturday and the announcement of fresh Parliamentary elections has renewed international attention on the country. We take this opportunity to note that the ongoing 29th session of the UN Human Rights Council marks a midway point in the time given to the Sri Lankan government to demonstrate its willingness to cooperate […]

On 16th June, groups and individuals of Sri Lanka expressed concern on the South African government’s failure to arrest and surrender President al-Bashir to the ICC. Read the statement below, or download the PDF version from here.  ——— 16th June, 2015 STATEMENT OF CONCERN ON THE SOUTH AFRICAN GOVERNMENT’S FAILURE TO ARREST AND SURRENDER PRESIDENT AL-BASHIR TO THE ICC We, the undersigned groups and individuals in Sri Lanka, express our deep disappointment and outrage over the failure of the South African authorities to apprehend and detain President Omar al-Bashir of Sudan during his recent visit to South Africa for an African Union (AU) summit. This is in a context where President […]

On 5th June, civil society of Sri Lanka called for immediate Parliamentary elections. Read the statement below, or download the PDF version from here.  ——— 5 June 2015, Colombo, Sri Lanka: It is now more than a month after the 23rd of April 2015, promised as the date for the dissolution of Parliament in the 100-day programme of the National Democratic Front presidential election manifesto. It is becoming increasingly clear that the momentum generated by the historic January 2015 presidential election is being exhausted, and that the minority government appointed for the sole purpose of executing the 100-day reform programme is drifting aimlessly. After the enactment of the Nineteenth Amendment, […]

During its 86th session, the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) examined the State parties’ reports from France, Guatemala, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Soudan, Germany and Denmark. Following issues were raised in the meetings with the State parties. Concluding observations will be issued on Friday 15 May. Reports of State parties and other stakeholders are available at the OHCHR website . You can also watch the public meetings with State parties at UN Treaty Body Webcast . France The Committee expressed concern on prevailing hate speech including in the internet. Discrimination against Muslims and the treatment of Roma and travellers were concerned. Violations of indigenous peoples’ rights in oversea territories, […]

On 18 April 2015, International Movement Against All Forms of Discrimination and Racism (IMADR) joined the Joint Symposium on “Past and Present Discriminations”  organised by MRAP (Mouvement contre le Racisme et pour l’Amite entre les Peuples) , a long-standing partner organisation of IMADR. The Symposium was opened by Ms. Bernadette Hetier, co-President of MRAP, who introduced the history of MRAP as an anti-racism organisation established in 1949. She also shared the struggles of Buraku people in Japan and their determination to fight for equal rights of people in the world through establishing IMADR. The Central Council of German Sinti and Roma , an IMADR partner, was also cordially invited to join the […]

On 30th April, a discussion was held in Kathmandu among civil society organizations (CSOs) in the coordination of NGO Federation of Nepal (NFN)  to review the overall situation in the aftermath of devastating earthquake in Nepal and possible role of CSOs in rescue and relief efforts. After the discussions, following statement was issued on behalf of participating CSOs. PDF version of the statement can be downloaded here.  Joint Statement from Civil Society Organizations CSOs of Nepal express deep sorrow over the damages caused by 25 April earthquake in Nepal. We wish the soul of those died in the earthquake may rest in peace, express our heartfelt condolence to the people who […]

On the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, NGO Network for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (ERD Net) organized a gathering on “Stop Racism! Stop Hate Speech!” on 18th March to raise awareness on the situations of minority and indigenous communities in Japan. Foreign embassies in Japan were invited to the gathering. Countries attended to the gathering were from Europe, Africa, Middle East, Americas and Asia Pacific. Other participants included Diet members, national and international media and general public. _ Immediately after the opening remark of the organizer, representatives of Burakumin, Ainu peoples, Ryukyu/ Okinawa, migrant women and Korean residents shared their personal experiences of […]

On 4th February 2015, a group of civil society organisations and individuals co-signed “Civil Society Statement on Human Rights” . On the same day, Dr. Nimalka Fernando, President of IMADR, spoke the need of the new government to take prompt actions in 100-days for a fair and just nation. “Good governance and corruption are words we frequently hear now. On January 8, we saw the dawn of a new era. However there needs to be some debate on this 100-day programme. We have always stayed with the people and activists. Today we will be launching our pledges and would like to urge the government to incorporate them within this 100-day battle for […]

Together with Global civil society alliance, CIVICUS , IMADR issued a joint statement today demanding the Government of Sri Lanka to respect the civil society space under the new political leadership. Whole statement can be read below or downloaded here.    SRI LANKA: PUT CIVIL SOCIETY AT THE HEART OF THE NEW PRESIDENTIAL AGENDA 27 January 2015 International civil society is calling on Sri Lanka’s newly elected President Maithripala Sirisena to put civic freedoms and civil society participation at the heart of his 100 day plan. Global civil society alliance, CIVICUS, and the International Movement Against All Forms of Discrimination and Racism (IMADR) are urging the new president to start afresh in his […]

IMADR condemns the recent decisions of grand jury in New York and Ferguson, Missouri, which failed to find white police officers guilty for the deaths of unarmed African Americans, Michael Brown and Eric Garner. The decisions highlighted the biased rule of law and prevailing racial discrimination in the US. Our statement can be read below and downloaded here.  ——— Biased Rule of Law and Racial Discrimination in the US 18 December, 2014 International Movement Against All Forms of Discrimination and Racism (IMADR) deplores the recent decisions of grand jury in New York and Ferguson, Missouri, which failed to find white police officers guilty for the deaths of unarmed African Americans, Michael […]