News
-
Sri Lanka: Joint Urgent Appeal to Provide Protection for Refugees and Asylum Seekers
JOINT URGENT APPEAL TO PROVIDE PROTECTION FOR REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS IN SRI LANKA We, the undersigned organisations, write with concern for the safety of refugees and asylum seekers in Sri Lanka in the wake of the Easter Sunday attacks. Over 250 people were killed, and hundreds injured in the Easter Sunday attacks on April 21, 2019. We condemn these attacks and call upon the authorities in Sri Lanka to identify and prosecute the perpetrators and take steps to prevent further attacks. The authorities in Sri Lanka should also take steps to maintain order and prevent retaliatory vigilante actions. Unfortunately, refugees and asylum seekers have been unfairly targeted and displaced […]May 9, 2019 -
IMADR urges the Government of Sri Lanka to bring perpetrators of Easter Sunday attacks to justice and protect religious minorities
24 April 2019 International Movement Against All Forms of Discrimination and Racism (IMADR) strongly denounces the series of blast attacks on churches and hotels in Sri Lanka on the Easter Sunday, 21st of April 2019. These explosions in Colombo, Negombo and Batticaloa have killed over 320 people and left more than 500 people wounded as reported in the media. We express our sincere condolences to the victims, their families and friends, and people of Sri Lanka. At the same time, we strongly urge the Government of Sri Lanka to investigate these attacks in a swift and impartial manner and bring those responsible for the attacks to justice. IMADR deeply regrets that […]April 24, 2019 -
Combatting racial hatred in political campaign (HRC Intersessional Panel, 2019, OS)
IMADR delivered the oral statement on “Combatting racial hatred in political campaign” at the 40th session of the Human Rights Council. Whole text can be read below or download here. ——— Oral Statement: Intersessional high-level panel discussion on the incompatibility between democracy and racism: identifying challenges and good practices 2 April 2019 Speaker: Taisuke KOMATSU Thank you Mr. President, We welcome the convening of this intersessional panel discussion on the incompatibility between democracy and racism at this critical time. We share our concerns with the Human Rights Council on the rise of racism and racial discrimination in the political and public spheres which is further marginalising particular members of the […]April 2, 2019 -
Newsletter E-CONNECT No. 28 is out
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 […]March 27, 2019 -
Reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka (HRC40, 2019, Joint-OS)
IMADR delivered the joint oral statement with Franciscans International on “Reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka” at the 40th session of the Human Rights Council. Whole text can be read below or downloaded here. Due to the time constraints, the shorter version of the statement was delivered. ——— Joint Oral Statement: 40th session of the Human Rights Council Item 2: Interactive dialogue on the OHCHR report on Sri Lanka 20 March 2019 Speaker: Ameer Faaiz Thank you, Mr. President. I was here, with you, a year ago, sharing my dismay at the terrible events that were taking place in Sri Lanka, my country, in March 2018. You will recall, violent mobs led […]March 20, 2019 -
Countering racial and ethnic hatred in politics (HRC40, 2019, OS)
IMADR delivered the oral statement on “Countering racial and ethnic hatred in politics” at the 40th session of the Human Rights Council. Whole text can be read below or download here. ——— IMADR Oral Statement: 40th session of the Human Rights Council Debate on the mitigation and countering of rising nationalist populism and extreme supremacist ideologies 15 March 2019 Speaker: Taisuke KOMATSU Thank you Mr. President, At the outset, we express our sincere condolences to the families and friends of the victims of the shooting at two mosques which took place today in Christchurch, New Zealand. We welcome this annual panel discussion to commemorate the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. […]March 15, 2019 -
HRC40 Side Event: Role of Civil Society in Transitional Justice Process in Sri Lanka (15h, 18 March)
Together with CIVICUS, Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI), Franciscans International, Human Rights Watch, International Commission of Jurists, IMADR is holding a side event on “Role of Civil Society in Transitional Justice Process in Sri Lanka” at the 40th session of the Human Rights Council from 15:00, Monday 18th March at Room XXIV in Palais des Nations.March 15, 2019 -
Stateless minorities and discrimination against Dalit women and girls (HRC40, 2019, OS)
IMADR delivered the oral statement on “Stateless minorities and discrimination against Dalit women and girls” at the 40th session of the Human Rights Council. Whole text can be read below or download here. ——— IMADR Oral Statement: 40th session of the Human Rights Council Item 3: Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on minority issues 13 March 2019 Speaker: Taisuke KOMATSU Thank you Mr. President, We thank the Special Rapporteur on minority issues for presenting his reports including the annual report. We congratulate him for the last year’s successful Forum on Minority Issues which focused on disproportionate impacts of statelessness on minorities. We echo the Special Rapporteur’s concern on the risk of further […]March 13, 2019 -
Dalit women’s enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights (HRC40, 2019, Joint-OS)
IMADR delivered the joint oral statement with the Right Livelihood Award Foundation on “Dalit women’s enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights” at the 40th session of the Human Rights Council. Whole text can be read below or download here. ——— Oral Statement: 40th session of the Human Rights Council Item 3: General Debate 8 March 2019 Speaker: Ruth Manorama Mr. President, We give this statement in solidarity with the International Dalit Solidarity Network. We find it very opportune to bring to the Council’s attention the linkages between inequalities and economic, social and cultural rights. We cannot agree more on the multidimensional nature of poverty and on the need to address poverty through […]March 8, 2019 -
“UN monitoring on Sri Lanka must continue”, civil society calls on Human Rights Council (28 February 2019)
On Thursday the 28th of February at the 40th session of the UN Human Rights Council, jointly with Amnesty International, FORUM-ASIA, CIVICUS, Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI), Franciscans International, Human Rights Watch, International Commission of Jurists and the International Service for Human Rights, IMADR held a side event titled “Reconciliation, Accountability and Human Rights in Sri Lanka”. Mr. Budi Tjahjono from Franciscans International moderated the event. Ms. Sandya Eknaligoda and Dr. Kasipillai Manoharan gave testimonies about their cases. Human rights defenders from Sri Lanka namely: Dr. Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu from the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA), Ms. Shyamala Gomez from the Centre for Equality and Justice (CEJ) and Mr. Senaka Perera from […]March 5, 2019 -
Sri Lanka: Need for time-bound plan for implementation of commitments to the Human Rights Council
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 […]February 26, 2019 -
HRC40 Side Event: Reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka (13h30, 28 February)
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.February 22, 2019 -
Japan: Joint NGO follow-up report on the freedom of expression
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 hereFebruary 22, 2019 -
NGOs call for an inclusive review process on treaty body strengthening
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.February 19, 2019 -
CERD 98th session: Andorra, Guatemala, Hungary, Lithuania, Zambia (April-May 2019)
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 […]February 7, 2019 -
IMADR Anniversary Booklet: Thirty Years of Fighting Racism
To mark the 30th anniversary, IMADR published the booklet “Thirty Years of Fighting Racism – The International Movement Against All Forms of Discrimination and Racism Celebrates its 30th Anniversary”. You can read the booklet from the image below.December 18, 2018