DR CONGO: UN HELPS WOMEN FIGHT UNDER-REPRESENTATION IN GOVERNMENT

DR CONGO: UN HELPS WOMEN FIGHT UNDER-REPRESENTATION IN GOVERNMENT
New York, Apr 1 2010 3:10PM
The United Nations is boosting the efforts of women in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to overcome decades of low female participation in politics and achieve their rightful role in governing the vast African country and rebuilding it after years of civil war.

"Achieving democratic governance is not possible without equal participation of men and women in decision-making processes," UN Development Programme (<"http://www.undp.org/">UNDP) gender expert Marie Bapu told the first national conference of Congolese women which concluded in Kinshasa, the capital, yesterday.

This implies "a good definition of public policies and the establishment of laws and programmes for the encouragement and achievement of equality," she said.

The conference was organized by the Congolese Women's League for Elections in collaboration with the UN, the Government, and the Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa.

The senior gender adviser for the UN Mission in DRC (<"http://monuc.unmissions.org/">MONUC), Elsie Effange-Mbella, noted that this year marks the 15th anniversary of the UN World Conference on Women in Beijing, which emphasized gender equality at all levels, including in decision-making processes and national policies through democratic elections.

She stressed that MONUC had striven to ensure that the conference achieve nationwide participation by arranging for delegates from 11 provinces to use MONUC flights and covering their accommodation and living expenses.

"This investment has been worthwhile considering the seminar's objectives and the fruitful exchange of experiences and ideas," she said.

UNDP, together with other partners, including the UN Development Fund for Women (<"http://www.unifem.org/">UNIFEM), has been supporting the Government in formulating a national gender policy to promote gender mainstreaming in all government actions at the national and provincial level.

The goal is to support Congolese women in their quest for leadership and make them aware that they have "a key role in rebuilding their country," Ms. Bapu said.
Apr 1 2010 3:10PM
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UN PLEDGES DEEPER COOPERATION WITH FRENCH-SPEAKING COUNTRIES IN FIGHTING AIDS

UN PLEDGES DEEPER COOPERATION WITH FRENCH-SPEAKING COUNTRIES IN FIGHTING AIDS
New York, Apr 1 2010 1:10PM
The United Nations agency that fights HIV/AIDS today pledged to strengthen its cooperation with some 50 French-speaking countries to combat the deadly disease that has infected more than 4 million people in the group, just two weeks after undertaking a similar effort with Portuguese-speaking States.

"I see UNAIDS' presence here as the start of a new era of deeper collaboration with French-speaking countries," the agency's Executive Director, Michel Sidibé, told the closing session of the 5th Francophone conference on HIV/AIDS in Casablanca, Morocco. Many of the countries are in Africa and the group overall is home to more than 800 million people.

"In partnership with Francophone countries my dream can become a reality: we can stop all new HIV infections," he said.

It was the first Francophone HIV conference in which <"http://www.unaids.org/en/KnowledgeCentre/Resources/FeatureStories/archive/2010/20100330_Francophone.asp">UNAIDS participated significantly. "I am impressed by the leadership Francophone countries have shown," Mr Sidibé said. "Here in Casablanca we have heard about how French-speaking countries are making important contributions to the AIDS response."

UNAIDS estimates that 4.1 million people are living with HIV in Francophone countries, with 340,000 new infections in 2008. Prevalence rates vary widely: for example in Algeria the rate is 0.1 per cent while in the Central African Republic (CAR) it is 6.3 per cent.

The next Francophone Conference on HIV/AIDS will take place in Geneva in 2012.

In March, Mr. Sidibé signed an agreement in Lisbon with Domingos Simões Pereira, Executive Secretary of the eight-member Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP) that is home to an estimated 223 million people.

"South-South cooperation among Portuguese-speaking nations can help achieve universal access to HIV prevention treatment, care and support and eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV," Mr. Sidibé said then.

Under the agreement, civil society groups and networks that assist people living with HIV will receive technical, political and financial support and channels will be established so that groups operating in different countries can share their experiences and knowledge.
Apr 1 2010 1:10PM
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UN EFFORTS TO IMPROVE REFUGEE PROTECTION IN MOROCCO BEAR FRUIT

UN EFFORTS TO IMPROVE REFUGEE PROTECTION IN MOROCCO BEAR FRUIT
New York, Apr 1 2010 1:10PM
Efforts by the United Nations refugee agency to address refugee protection and mixed migration in Morocco have helped to improve protection, but significant challenges remain, the agency said in a new report.

The report by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (<"http://www.unhcr.org/4bb34d516.html">UNHCR) found that innovative approaches have been taken in refugee community outreach, local integration opportunities and support to voluntary and dignified return in close cooperation with the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

Given the largely clandestine nature of migratory movements, it is difficult to estimate the number of foreign nationals currently living in Morocco without legal status, according to the report released on Wednesday by UNHCR's Policy Development and Evaluation Service.

Moroccan Government sources and independent researchers suggest a minimum of some 10,000 irregular migrants of sub-Saharan origin may be in the country. Only about 750 to 800 people, or less than one per cent of the total, have been recognized as refugees by UNHCR.

Morocco has a long-standing tradition of hosting refugees and migrants. The country has ratified all the major international treaties concerning migrants, refugees and human rights, including the 1951 UN Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol.

Hindered by their lack of a recognized legal status, as well as ethnic and linguistic differences, refugees, like other migrants in Morocco, find it hard to establish sustainable livelihoods. These difficulties remain a concern to UNHCR in Morocco.

The report identifies the Moroccan diaspora as an untapped source of potential partnership, as they might be motivated to play a role in advocating for the human rights of foreign nationals in Morocco, including refugees.

Increased collaboration with the UN country team has increased donors' confidence in inter-agency coordination, leading to the development of a strategic framework for joint action on migration, which includes a number of refugee protection components related to UNHCR's 10-Point Plan of Action on Refugee Protection and Mixed Migration.

The report also acknowledges that without the active engagement and support of the host State, UNHCR's efforts will inevitably be limited in their outcome and impact, as the ultimate responsibility to protect and provide durable solutions for refugees lie with States.
Apr 1 2010 1:10PM
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KENYA: ICC PROSECUTOR WELCOMES DECISION TO MOVE FORWARD WITH VIOLENCE PROBE

KENYA: ICC PROSECUTOR WELCOMES DECISION TO MOVE FORWARD WITH VIOLENCE PROBE
New York, Apr 1 2010 12:10PM
The Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (<"http://www.icc-cpi.int/Menus/ICC?lan=en-GB">ICC) today welcomed the body's decision to grant his request to investigate alleged crimes against humanity committed in the wake of disputed Kenyan elections two years ago, and said he expects at least two cases to result from the probe.

Last November, prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo sought authorization to open an investigation into the violence – claiming 1,000 lives and uprooting more than 300,000 others – that erupted after the disputed December 2007 polls in which President Mwai Kibaki was declared winner over opposition leader Raila Odinga, who is now Prime Minister.

Last month, following a request for additional information from the ICC, the Prosecutor named the 20 people he says are most responsible for the deadly post-election ethnic violence.

Both Mr. Kibaki and Mr. Odinga, he said, have promised to cooperate with any investigation.

Today, the Prosecutor, who will travel to the country next month, said that he hopes to wrap up most of the investigation by the end of this year and foresees at least two cases against one to three people each.

"I will engage in this process with the Kenyans, with all the communities," he <"http://www.icc-cpi.int/NR/exeres/6B518FB1-C68F-405A-887C-19CEACF91C05.htm">told reporters in The Hague, where the Court is based.

"This Court is their Court. Kenyan leaders – women, youth, tribal, judicial, political, religious [groups] – all have a role to play," he added, emphasizing the importance of the ICC and Kenyans cooperating to ensure no outbreaks of violence in the future.

During his visit to Kenya, the Prosecutor said he plans to meet with those who suffered as a result of the violence and will visit the crime scenes.

"I will listen to the victims, respect their views and request justice for them in Court," he underlined.

Mr. Moreno-Ocampo underscored the need to protect witnesses, which the ICC will do "independently." But he also emphasized that it is the responsibility of Kenyan authorities to "ensure that all those who speak in favour of justice are duly protected."

To limit the risk of witnesses to exposure, he said he will call as few witnesses to take the stand as possible.

Kenya will soon celebrate its 50th anniversary, "a historic opportunity to show an example of how one country overcomes violence," the Prosecutor underlined.

Yesterday, the ICC's Pre-Trial Chamber II found in a majority decision of two to one that "the information available provides a reasonable basis to believe that crimes against humanity have been committed on Kenyan territory."

It noted that "the majority moreover found that all criteria for the exercise of the Court's jurisdiction were satisfied, to the standard of proof applicable at this stage."

Judge Hans-Peter Kaul, dissenting, held that the crimes in Kenya do not qualify as crimes against humanity under the jurisdictional ambit of the Rome Statute, under which the ICC operates.

He concluded that there was no reasonable basis to believe that the crimes in Kenya were committed in an attack against a civilian population pursuant to or in furtherance of a policy stemming from a State or an organization, which he said was required by Article 7 of the Statute.

The majority decision by Judges Ekaterina Trendafilova and Cuno Tarfusser cited the low threshold applicable at this stage of the proceedings.

The ICC is an independent, permanent court that investigates and prosecutes persons accused of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.
Apr 1 2010 12:10PM
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INDEPENDENT UN RIGHTS EXPERT URGES END TO MIGRANT DISCRIMINATION IN JAPAN

INDEPENDENT UN RIGHTS EXPERT URGES END TO MIGRANT DISCRIMINATION IN JAPAN
New York, Apr 1 2010 11:10AM
Migrants in Japan face discrimination, exploitation and other forms of mistreatment, an independent United Nations human rights expert said, <"http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=9950&LangID=E">urging the Japanese Government to strengthen their protection.

"They [migrants] still face a range of challenges, including racism and discrimination, exploitation, a tendency by the judiciary and police to ignore their rights, and the overall lack of a comprehensive immigration policy that incorporates human rights protection," <"http://www.ohchr.org/en/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=9950&LangID=E">said Jorge A. Bustamante, UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants, at the end of a nine-day visit to Japan on Wednesday.

Mr. Bustamante praised some of the measures taken by the Government to alleviate the impact of the economic crisis on migrants and their children. However, he stressed that "Japan has yet to adopt a comprehensive immigration policy that provides for the protection of migrants' rights," 20 years after it started receiving migrant workers.

"Japan should establish institutionalized programmes designed to create the necessary conditions for the integration of migrants into Japanese society and the respect of their rights, including to work, health, housing and education, without discrimination," Mr. Bustamante said.

"Racism and discrimination based on nationality are still too common in Japan, including in the workplace, in schools, in healthcare establishments and housing," he added. Existing general provisions are not effective in protecting foreign residents from discrimination based on race and nationality, he said.

Mr. Bustamante expressed concern about the policy of detaining irregular migrants, including asylum-seekers, parents and children, for prolonged periods, in some cases for as long as three years, saying that practice amounted to a "de facto indefinite detention."

"Clear criteria should be established in order to limit detention to the cases where it is strictly necessary, avoiding detaining persons such as those who are ill or who are the parents of minor children," the human rights expert said. "A maximum period of detention pending deportation should be set, after which foreigners should be released."

The Special Rapporteur also drew attention to the high incidence of domestic violence against migrant women and their children. "Appropriate policies to protect and assist single mothers and their children who find themselves in this extremely vulnerable situation are lacking and should be adopted and implemented urgently," he said.

Noting that a considerable number of migrant children in Japan do not attend school, Mr. Bustamante said that "governmental efforts should be increased to facilitate that foreign children study either in Japanese or foreign schools, and learn Japanese."

During his mission, the independent expert heard many cases where parents of children born in Japan or who have lived there for up to 15 years have been recently deported or detained, resulting in the children being separated from their parents because of their irregular residence status. "In accordance with the principle of the best interest of the child, families should not be separated," he said.

The Special Rapporteur will later this year present to the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council a complete report on his visit, with his observations and recommendations.

An expert from Mexico on international migration, Mr. Bustamante was appointed as Special Rapporteur by the former Commission on Human Rights in 2005.
Apr 1 2010 11:10AM
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NEW UN STUDY CALLS FOR BETTER PROTECTION, BENEFITS FOR MIGRANT WORKERS

NEW UN STUDY CALLS FOR BETTER PROTECTION, BENEFITS FOR MIGRANT WORKERS
New York, Apr 1 2010 11:10AM
A new study by the United Nations labour agency <"http://www.ilo.org/global/About_the_ILO/Media_and_public_information/Press_releases/lang--en/WCMS_125324/index.htm">calls for adopting a "rights-based approach" to provide better protection for the world's 105 million migrant workers, who continue to experience challenges such as low wages and unsafe working conditions.

The <"http://www.ilo.org/public/english/protection/migrant/download/rights_based_approach.pdf">study – "<I>International Labour Migration: A rights-based approach</I>" – examines trends in global migration, its impacts on origin and destination countries, and working conditions experienced by migrant workers.

"It brings out the positive contributions made by migrant workers to both their countries of employment and origin," the International Labour Organization (<"http://www.ilo.org/global/lang--en/index.htm">ILO) noted in a news release.

"However, it also highlights the decent work and protection deficits they still experience today, including low wages, non-payment of wages, unsafe working environments, a virtual absence of social protection, denial of freedom of association and workers' rights, discrimination and xenophobia."

According to Ibrahim Awad, chief of the ILO's International Migration Branch, international migration is primarily a labour market, employment and decent work issue, and less a security and asylum-seeker/refugee issue.

"The challenge is to govern migration in such a way that it can serve as a force for growth and prosperity in both origin and destination countries, while protecting and benefiting migrant workers themselves," he stated.

The study also found that international migrants estimated at 214 million in 2010 represent only three per cent of the global population; that women make up almost 50 per cent of international migrants; migrant workers (economically active among total migrant population) are about 105 million in 2010; and that migrant workers and their families account for about 90 per cent of total international migrants.

As most migration is in search of decent work, the study recommended that national and global policies provide greater legal opportunities for labour mobility, and that policies be based on recognition of mutual benefits to both origin and destination countries.

It also pointed out that protection of migrant rights is central to realizing development benefits of migration for all parties, and that comprehensive approaches to irregular migration are needed including addressing its root causes.
Apr 1 2010 11:10AM
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FIVE JOURNALISTS KILLED IN HONDURAS IN MARCH, UNESCO REPORTS

FIVE JOURNALISTS KILLED IN HONDURAS IN MARCH, UNESCO REPORTS
New York, Apr 1 2010 10:10AM
The head of the United Nations agency tasked with defending press freedom today spoke out against the murders of two radio journalists ambushed last week, bringing the total number of media professionals killed in the Central American nation last month alone to five.

As José Bayardo Mairena and Manuel Juárez, who worked for the radio stations Excélsior and Super 10, drove from hosting a radio programme in Catacamas, in eastern Honduras, their car was sprayed with bullets by unidentified armed men, according to reports.

"Such despicable crimes against media professionals undermine the fundamental right of freedom of information, cornerstone of a democratic society," <"http://www.unesco.org/new/en/media-services/single-view/news/two_journalists_killed_in_honduras_bringing_media_death_toll_in_march_to_five/back/18256/">said Irina Bokova, Director-General of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (<"http://www.unesco.org/new/en/unesco/">UNESCO).

Also killed last month were journalist Nahúm Palacios Arteaga in Tocoa on 14 March; radio reporter David Meza on 11 March in La Ceiba; and, on 1 March, reporter Joseph Hernández Ochoa in Tegucigalpa, in a shooting that seriously wounded another journalist.

"I call on the Honduran authorities to make every possible effort to arrest the perpetrators and put an end to this unprecedented and intolerable wave of violence," Ms. Bokova said.

Reporters Without Borders, a non-governmental organization (NGO), has said that Honduras and Mexico are now the deadliest countries by far for journalists working in the Western Hemisphere.

A new report issued by UNESCO last week found that rising numbers of journalists are being killed worldwide, mostly in countries that are at peace, calling for an end to impunity in the murders of media professionals.
Last year set a new record, with 77 murders reported by the agency. The high number is due in part to the murder of some 30 journalists in one day during an ambush in the Philippines on 23 November 2009, the <"http://portal.unesco.org/ci/en/files/29600/12690062213safety_of_journalists_27_session.pdf/safety_of_journalists_27_session.pdf">publication says.
"Sadly, the frequency of acts of violence against journalists is increasing," it notes. "In most cases, impunity precludes the way of justice, and if this trend prevails, journalists will remain easy targets.
"Needless to say this represents a severe threat to freedom of expression and to our ability to seek the truth."
Apr 1 2010 10:10AM
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