News

- Minorities & Indigenous
Asia-Pacific Regional Forum on Minority Issues: Education, Language and Human Rights of Minorities (20-21 September, Bangkok)

IMADR is co-sponsoring the first Asia-Pacific Regional Forum on Minority Issues organised by UN Special Rapporteur on minority issues, Dr Fernand de Varennes and Tom Lantos Institute on “Education, Language and Human Rights of Minorities” which will take place from 20th to 21st September in Bangkok, Thailand. Participation is open to individuals involved in minority issues in the Asia-Pacific region only (list of countries), and with a clear focus and expertise on the education in and teaching of minority languages. All individual participants must register online here (Registration is open until midnight CET on Wednesday 11th September 2019). Detailed information is available in the Call for participation
August 16, 2019
- Racism and UN
CERD 100th session: Cambodia, Chile, Colombia, Ireland, Israel and Uzbekistan (November – December 2019)

At its 100th session from 25th November to 13th December 2019, the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) will consider the situation of racial discrimination in following 6 countries. Civil society organisations (CSOs) are encouraged to submit information on Cambodia, Chile, Colombia, Ireland, Israel and Uzbekistan. 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) *UPDATE (18 November 2019) – The review of Chile is postponed to 2021. Practical Information Deadline for NGO alternative reports for the review: 1 November 2019 Deadline for NGO alternative reports for the List of Themes: 29 August 2019 Deadline […]
August 15, 2019
Newsletter E-CONNECT No. 29 is out

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 […]
July 17, 2019
- Minorities & Indigenous
Racist hate speech against minority protesters in Hong Kong (HRC41, 2019, OS)

IMADR delivered the oral statement on “Racist hate speech against minority protesters in Hong Kong” at the 41st session of the Human Rights Council. Whole text can be read below or download here. ——— Oral Statement: 41st session of the Human Rights Council Item 9: General Debate 9 July 2019 Speaker: Taisuke KOMATSU Thank you Mr. President, We express concerns on reports that protesters from minority backgrounds in Hong Kong have been subject to racist hate speech, in particular in the internet, and the Hong Kong government has failed to address such racist manifestations targeting minorities who were simply exercising their right to dissent against an extradition bill. While the bill […]
July 9, 2019
- Minorities & Indigenous
Extractivism and indigenous people in West Papua, Indonesia (HRC41, 2019, Joint-OS)

IMADR delivered the joint oral statement on “Extractivism and indigenous people in West Papua, Indonesia” at the 41st session of the Human Rights Council. Whole text can be read below or download here. ——— Joint Oral Statement: 41st session of the Human Rights Council Item 9: Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on racism 8 July 2019 Speaker: Taisuke KOMATSU Thank you Mr. President, I deliver this statement on behalf of IMADR and Franciscans International. We thank the Special Rapporteur on her report on global extractivism and racial equality. We support her recommendations to States to ensure human rights protections in extractive activities of transnational corporations. In this context, we are […]
July 8, 2019
- Minorities & Indigenous
Freedom of expression in Okinawa, Japan (HRC41, 2019, Joint-OS)

IMADR delivered the joint oral statement on “Freedom of expression in Okinawa, Japan” at the 41st session of the Human Rights Council. Whole text can be read below or download here. ——— Joint Oral Statement: 41st session of the Human Rights Council Item 3: General Debate 1 July 2019 Speaker: Taisuke KOMATSU Thank you Mr. President, We express our appreciation to the first follow-up report on country visits presented by the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression. We welcome the gradual trend among different special procedures towards undertaking follow-up actions. We strongly encourage mandate holders to integrate follow-up activities in their […]
July 1, 2019
- Dalit / Buraku
Violence against Dalit women in Nepal (HRC41, 2019, OS)

IMADR delivered the oral statement on “Violence against Dalit women in Nepal” at the 41st session of the Human Rights Council. Whole text can be read below or download here. ——— Oral Statement: 41st session of the Human Rights Council Item 3: Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences 27 June 2019 Speaker: Renu Sijapati Tamata Ms. Simonović, In solidarity with FEDO Nepal and ISDN, we would like to thank you for your visit to Nepal, during which we had the opportunity to engage on the challenges Dalit women face in the enjoyment of our rights. We agree, as you pointed out in […]
July 1, 2019
- Minorities & Indigenous
Accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka (HRC41, 2019, Joint-OS)

IMADR joined the oral statement made by Franciscans International at the 41st session of the Human Rights Council. Whole text can be read below or downloaded here. ——— 41st Regular Session of the UN Human Rights Council Joint Oral Statement: General Debate Item 2 Oral update by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights 25 June 2019 Delivered by Fr Ashok Stephen OMI – Franciscans International Thank you Mr. President, Franciscans International, International Movement against All Forms of Discrimination and Racism (IMADR) and Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) welcome the Oral update of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. We join her in expressing […]
July 1, 2019
- Racism and UN
Joint Communiqué – 2019 CERD election set a milestone for gender parity

Joint Communiqué 2019 CERD election set a milestone for gender parity Geneva, Switzerland. 28 June 2019 On June 21st, States parties to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) voted to renew half of the membership of the Committee (CERD). They elected 6 new experts and re-elected 3 members who were already seating in the Committee, among 14 candidates from all regions.[1] New members include Ms. Stamatia Stavrinaki (Greece), Mr. Eduardo Ernesto Vega Luna (Peru), Mr. Ibrahima Guisse (Senegal), Ms. Faith Dikeledi Pansy Tlakula (South Africa), Ms. Sheikha Abdulla Ali Al-Misnad (Qatar) and Mr. Mehrdad Payandeh (Germany). They will join 3 experts whose terms as members […]
June 28, 2019
- Racism and UN
TB-Net Statement: 31st Meeting of Chairpersons of Human Rights Treaty Bodies (2019)

The NGO Network on UN Treaty Bodies (TB-Net), which IMADR is a founding member of, submitted a joint statement for the 31st meeting of Chairs of the UN Human Rights Treaty Bodies. The statement focuses on four of the key issues of the treaty body system: 2020 Review (treaty body strengthening); Quality, Independent and Diverse Treaty Body Membership; Implementation of the Guidelines against Intimidation or Reprisals (the San José Guidelines) ; and the Financial sustainability of the treaty body system. Download the statement here .
June 21, 2019
- Racism and UN
IMADR Comments on CERD Draft General Recommendation No. 36 on Preventing and Combating Racial Profiling

In response to the call for contributions to the draft General Recommendation No. 36 on preventing and combating racial profiling by the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD), IMADR provided comments based on international and regional human rights standards on racial profiling against discriminated groups and individuals such as indigenous peoples, minorities and migrants. Download our submission here
June 21, 2019
- Dalit / Buraku
HRC41 Side Event: #NoCasteLeftBehind – Dalit Women and Gender Justice (2:30 pm, 25 June)

Together with Anti-Slavery International, CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation, Franciscans International, Human Rights Watch, Lutheran World Federation and Minority Rights Group, IMADR is holding a side event on “#NoCasteLeftBehind – Dalit Women and Gender Justice” at the 41st session of the Human Rights Council from 14:30, Tuesday 25th June at Room IX in Palais des Nations. This event is supported by the International Dalit Solidarity Network (IDSN). For further information, click on the flyer below.
June 20, 2019
- Racism and UN
CERD 99th session: Czech Republic, El Salvador, Iceland, Mexico, Mongolia, Poland, State of Palestine (August 2019)

At its 99th session from 5th to 29th August 2019, the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) will consider the situation of racial discrimination in following 7 countries. Civil society organisations (CSOs) are encouraged to submit information on Czech Republic, El Salvador, Iceland, Mexico, Mongolia, Poland and the State of Palestine. 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: 12 July 2019 Deadline for NGO alternative reports for the List of Themes: 7 June 2019 Information Note for NGOs for the submission of reports, accreditation and participation in informal meetings and lunchtime […]
June 5, 2019
- Racism and UN
Joint NGO call to end financial crisis at UN human rights mechanisms

In response to the critical funding situation affecting the UN human rights system due to delays in UN member states’ payments and cuts of the UN budget, which can lead to postponement of six human rights treaty bodies’ sessions in autumn 2019 including the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD), IMADR joined the call to UN member states. In the letter, over 350 NGOs urge UN member states to: Pay their assessed contributions without further delay; Prioritise securing adequate funding for the UN’s human rights pillar; and Initiate discussions to assure that the UN human rights mechanisms are not disproportionately affected by over-all cuts to the UN budget. Read the full text here […]
May 29, 2019
- Racism and UN
UN: CERD adopted concluding observations of Andorra, Guatemala, Hungary, Lithuania and Zambia

On the 10th of May, the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) concluded its 98th session. At the session, CERD adopted concluding observations on Andorra, Guatemala, Hungary, Lithuania and Zambia. *Recommendations with asterisks [*] are one-year follow-up recommendations. Concluding observations, reports of the States parties and other stakeholders are available at the OHCHR website . Video archives of the public meetings with the States parties can be accessed at UN Web TV . The Committee adopted follow-up letters to the Governments of Australia, Ecuador, Kuwait, Pakistan and Serbia. Under the Early Warning and Urgent Action Procedure , the Committee issued letters to six countries. The letters will be posted on the OHCHR website in due course. The Committee issued letters to the Governments of Brazil, Canada, Cameroon, Chile, India, Latvia and the […]
May 13, 2019
- Racism and UN
Joint NGO submission on Treaty Body Strengthening to UN Secretary-General (2019)

General Assembly resolution 68/268 requests the Secretary-General to submit to the General Assembly, a third “comprehensive report on the status of the human rights treaty body system and the progress achieved by the human rights treaty bodies in realizing greater efficiency and effectiveness in their work” in 2019. In responding to the call for contributions, IMADR joined with nine other international human rights NGOs in making this submission which focuses on: the objectives and principles for the 2020 review; visibility and accessibility; membership; working methods and inter-committee coordination; and the growth of the treaty body system and adequate funding. Click the image below to read the full text.
May 9, 2019