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International Day for the Right to the Truth Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations – 24 March

24 mars 2024
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: assassination, death squads, human rights, Oscar Romero, truth, UN, values, violations, violence, witnesses

 The Right to the Truth

The right to the truth is often invoked in the context of gross violations of human rights and grave breaches of humanitarian law. The relatives of victims of summary executions, enforced disappearance, missing persons, abducted children, torture, require to know what happened to them. The right to the truth implies knowing the full and complete truth as to the events that transpired, their specific circumstances, and who participated in them, including knowing the circumstances in which the violations took place, as well as the reasons for them.

International Day

Each year, on 24 March, the International Day for the Right to the Truth Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims is observed.

This annual observance pays tribute to the memory of Monsignor Óscar Arnulfo Romero, who was murdered on 24 March 1980. Monsignor Romero was actively engaged in denouncing violations of the human rights of the most vulnerable individuals in El Salvador.

Purpose

The purpose of the Day is to:

  • Honour the memory of victims of gross and systematic human rights violations and promote the importance of the right to truth and justice;
  • Pay tribute to those who have devoted their lives to, and lost their lives in, the struggle to promote and protect human rights for all;
  • Recognize, in particular, the important work and values of Archbishop Oscar Arnulfo Romero, of El Salvador, who was assasinated on 24 March 1980, after denouncing violations of the human rights of the most vulnerable populations and defending the principles of protecting lives, promoting human dignity and opposition to all forms of violence.

Background

On 21 December 2010, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 24 March as the International Day for the Right to the Truth concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims.

The date was chosen because on 24 March 1980, Archbishop Oscar Arnulfo Romero of El Salvador was assassinated, after denouncing violations of human rights.

In a study conducted in 2006 the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights concluded that the right to the truth about gross human rights violations and serious violations of human rights law is an inalienable and autonomous right, linked to the duty and obligation of the State to protect and guarantee human rights, to conduct effective investigations and to guarantee effective remedy and reparations.

The study affirms that the right to the truth implies knowing the full and complete truth as to the events that transpired, their specific circumstances, and who participated in them, including knowing the circumstances in which the violations took place, as well as the reasons for them.

In a 2009 report on the Right to the Truth, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights identified best practices for the effective implementation of this right, in particular practices relating to archives and records concerning gross violations of human rights, and programmes on the protection of witnesses and other persons involved in trials connected with such violations.

The Commission on the Truth for El Salvador was established in accordance with the Mexico Agreements of 27 April 1991 to investigate serious acts of violence that had occurred since 1980 and whose impact on society was deemed to require an urgent public knowledge of the truth.  In its report of 15 March 1993, the Commission documented the facts of the assassination of Archbishop Oscar Arnulfo Romero by pro-government forces, the so-called « death squads ».  He was shot dead by an assassin as he celebrated mass on 24 March 1980.

 

Source: Text: https://www.un.org/en/observances/right-to-truth-day   Image: pexels.com (Gabriel Dalton)   2nd image: Journée mondiale

 

 

International Day against the Use of Child Soldiers – 12 February

12 février 2024
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: armed conflicts, Children, humanitarian aisstance, psychological trauma, recruitment, rights of the Child, sexual exploitation, support, UN, violence

End Violence Against Children

One in every six children live in conflict zones. Each day these children must navigate extreme risks of violence, psychological trauma, abduction, and abuse.
 
And thousands of these children are caught in the eye of storm each year, recruited and used as soldiers in armed conflicts across the world. Between 2005 and 2020, more than 93,000 children were recruited and used by armed groups. 8,500 of these cases were reported to authorities in 2020 alone, and the actual number of cases is believed to be much higher.
 
On 12 February, Red Hand Day is catalysing advocacy efforts from around the world to raise awareness about children recruited for armed conflict. Civil society, governments and international organisations are coming together to demand that children not be used in armed groups or other military units and to promote peace, aid and support for child soldiers.

No child should be a soldier in combat

Children in combat is more than just a child holding a weapon. Those recruited are forced into hardorzous child labour, hired as spies or looters, and forced to kill. Recruited children are often taken in by force, abduction, or even compelled by families for income and food. 

There is risk of abuse and sexual violence, especially for girls. Trafficking of children, particularly for sexual exploitation which disproportionately affects young girls and women, has been found in all conflict areas across the world.

Since 2002, the UN has instated the Optional Protocol on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict in the Convention of the Rights of the Child. Ratified by 172 countries, it states the commitment that children under the age of 18 should not participate in military organisations of any kind and that recruitment for such purposes must be actively prevented. Yet, the UN’s 2021 report on Children and Armed Conflict notes that at least 15 countries have cases of recruitment and use of children in settings that need humanitarian assistance.

 

Source: Text & Image: https://www.end-violence.org/articles/red-hand-day

World Day for Prevention of Child Abuse – 19 November

19 novembre 2023
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: adults, prévention, sustainable development goal, torture, violence, Youth

CALL TO ACTION: Commemorate the World Day – 19 November in synergy with the Universal Children’s Day – 20 November 2022

We call on all our coalition members, partners and friends around the world to participate again with local and national activities in the realization of the UN Sustainable Development Goal Target #16.2 « End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children » to speed up better prevention of violence against children and youth in the world.

With every 5 minutes a child dying as a result of violence around the world, we need to mobilize not only governments, but also all citizens – adults and youth – to commit to the full implementation of children’s right to dignity and non-violence.

For those of you who are new to the 19 November World Day for prevention of child abuse, please note that the Women’s World Summit Foundation (WWSF) inaugurated this Day in the year 2000 with endorsements from many dignitaries, including from Kofi Annan, Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, Desmond Tutu, Her Majesty Queen Rania of Jordan, Jean Zermatten and Prof. Yang-hee Lee, both former chairs of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child; Marta Santos Pais, Special Representative lf the United Nations General Secretary.

 

Source: Text & Image: https://www.woman.ch/19-days-of-activism-prevention-kit/world-day-for-prevention-of-child-abuse-19-nov/

Journée internationale de la paix – 21 septembre 2023

21 septembre 2023
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: De ceci... de cela...
Mots-clés: ambitions, avenir vert equitable, ideaux de paix, justice, non-violence, ONU, peur, violence

Thème 2023 – Action en faveur de la paix : nos ambitions pour les #ObjectifsMondiaux

Chaque année, la Journée internationale de la paix est célébrée dans le monde entier le 21 septembre. L’Assemblée générale des Nations Unies a déclaré cette journée consacrée au renforcement des idéaux de paix, en observant 24 heures de non-violence et de cessez-le-feu. Jamais notre monde n’a eu autant besoin de paix.

Le thème de cette année est Action en faveur de la paix : nos ambitions pour les #ObjectifsMondiaux. C’est un appel à l’action qui reconnaît notre responsabilité individuelle et collective dans la promotion de la paix. La promotion de la paix contribue à la réalisation des objectifs de développement durable (ODD), laquelle créera une culture de la paix pour tous.

Comme l’a déclaré le Secrétaire général des Nations Unies António Guterres : « La paix est nécessaire aujourd’hui plus que jamais. La guerre et les conflits provoquent la dévastation, la pauvreté et la faim et chassent des dizaines de millions de personnes de leur foyer. Le chaos climatique est omniprésent. Et même les pays pacifiques sont en proie à des inégalités criantes et à une polarisation politique. »

L’année 2023 marque la mi-parcours de la mise en œuvre des objectifs de développement durable (ODD). La célébration de la Journée internationale de la paix en 2023 coïncide avec le Sommet sur les objectifs de développement durable (18 et 19 septembre) afin de marquer l’étape à mi-parcours.

Les ODD visent à nous rapprocher de sociétés plus pacifiques, plus justes et plus inclusives, exemptes de peur et de violence. Mais sans l’adhésion et la contribution d’un large éventail d’acteurs, dont les 1,2 milliard de jeunes en vie, les objectifs ne seront pas atteints. Nous vous invitons à vous joindre à l’appel des Nations Unies pour agir en faveur de la paix : lutter contre les inégalités, prendre des mesures contre le changement climatique et promouvoir et protéger les droits de l’homme.

L’année 2023 marque également le 75ème anniversaire de la Déclaration universelle des droits de l’homme et de la Convention pour la prévention et la répression du crime de génocide. La Journée internationale de la paix 2023 encourage tous les jeunes à être ambitieux dans leur engagement en tant qu’agents sociaux positifs et constructifs, à rejoindre le mouvement pour atteindre les ODD et à contribuer à la construction d’une paix durable. Ensemble, nous pouvons contribuer à mener notre monde vers un avenir plus vert, plus équitable, plus juste et plus sûr pour tous.

 

Source: Texte & Image: https://www.un.org/

International Day of Peace – 21 September 2023

21 septembre 2023
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: actions, ambition, climate chaos, fear, global goals, human rights, inequality, violence

2023 Theme – Actions for peace: Our ambition for the #GlobalGoals

Each year the International Day of Peace (IDP) is observed around the world on 21 September. The UN General Assembly has declared this as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, through observing 24 hours of non-violence and cease-fire. Never has our world needed peace more.

This year’s theme is Actions for Peace: Our Ambition for the #GlobalGoals. It is a call to action that recognizes our individual and collective responsibility to foster peace. Fostering peace contributes to the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals will create a culture of peace for all.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said, « Peace is needed today more than ever. War and conflict are unleashing devastation, poverty, and hunger, and driving tens of millions of people from their homes. Climate chaos is all around. And even peaceful countries are gripped by gaping inequalities and political polarization. »

Sustainable Development Goals

2023 marks the mid-point in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals. The 2023 observance of the International Day of Peace coincides with the SDG summit (18 – 19 September) to mark the mid-point milestone.

The SDGs aim to bring us closer to having more peaceful, just, and inclusive societies, free from fear and violence. But without the buy-in and contribution of a wide range of actors including the 1.2 billion young people alive, the goals will not be achieved. We invite you to join the United Nations’ call to take action for peace: fight inequality, drive action on climate change, and promote and protect human rights.

 

Source: Text & Image: https://www.un.org/

Journée mondiale de la santé sexuelle – 4 septembre

3 septembre 2023
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: De ceci... de cela...
Mots-clés: amour, bien-être, communication, discrimination, OMS, pédopornographie, violence, viols

Journée mondiale de la santé sexuelle

Si vous imaginez une journée un peu légère, voire grivoise, vous n’y êtes pas du tout !La journée mondiale de la santé sexuelle existe bel et bien et son origine est à rechercher du coté de l’OMS (Organisation Mondiale de la Santé). Plus concrètemnet, elle a été instituée en 2010 par l’Association mondiale de santé sexuelle (World Association for Sexual Health – WAS).

Le concept de santé sexuelle

On parle ici de santé publique. La définition devrait aller de soi et pourtant, elle pose toujours question. A tel point que l’OMS en propose 2 sensiblement différentes.

Dans les années 1970, l’Organisation mondiale de la Santé (OMS) proposant la formulation suivante :

« La santé sexuelle est l’intégration des aspects somatiques, affectifs, intellectuels et sociaux de l’être sexué, réalisée selon des modalités épanouissantes qui valorisent la personnalité, la communication et l’amour. »

Cette définition posait déjà les bases d’une conception intégrative de la santé sexuelle, qui ne se limitait donc plus à l’absence d’infections sexuellement transmissibles.

A partir des années 1990 (eh oui, dans un autre millénaire), prenant en compte l’impact du sida, une nouvelle définition a été proposée :

« La santé sexuelle est un état de bien-être physique, mental et social dans le domaine de la sexualité. Elle requiert une approche positive et respectueuse de la sexualité et des relations sexuelles, ainsi que la possibilité d’avoir des expériences sexuelles qui soient sources de plaisir et sans risque, libres de toute coercition, discrimination ou violence. »

Mais pourquoi une Journée Mondiale ?

La lecture de ce qui précède nous a amené dans un univers quasi médical. Cela voudrait-il dire que la journée ne s’adresse qu’aux spécialistes ? Peut-être pas. Réfléchissons un instant aux perversions de la pédopornographie, aux viols, à la pornographie devenue le contenu le plus important (en volume) du web. Et responsons nous la question de la nécessité d’une bonne santé sexuelle.

Un site à visiter : cerhes.org     Source: Texte & Image: Journée mondiale

Partager… ou plutôt… tout donner…

2 août 2023
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: On m'a parlé de...
Mots-clés: conflits, Marc 12:30-31, réfugiés, tout donner, violence

Les médias et les plateformes d’information nous parlent quotidiennement des réfugié/es.
Les pays aux prises à des conflits de toutes sortes font souvent face à ce problème –
problème des gens obligés de quitter leur pays et les violence à laquelle ils sont soumis.
Souvent, on refuse de les accueillir dans les pays plus fortunés.

C’est une telle situation qui a interpelé Francine Robillard.
L’interpellation est venue par l’intermédiaire d’une enfant…
l’interpellation devenant… inspiration!

 

 

 

International Widows’ Day – 23 June

23 juin 2023
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: basic rights, dignity, discrimination, grief, health, poverty, trauma, violence

Invisible Women, Invisible Problems

For many women around the world, the devastating loss of a partner is magnified by a long-term fight for their basic rights and dignity. Despite the fact that there are more than 258 million widows around the world, widows have historically been left unseen, unsupported, and unmeasured in our societies.

Today, as armed conflicts, displacement and migration, and the COVID-19 pandemic leave tens of thousands of women newly widowed and many others whose partners are missing or disappeared, the unique experiences and needs of widows must be brought to the forefront, with their voices leading the way.

Experience from the past, shows that widows are often denied inheritance rights, have their property grabbed after the death of a partner, and can face extreme stigma and discrimination, as perceived ‘carriers’ of disease. Worldwide, women are much less likely to have access to old age pensions than men, so the death of a spouse can lead to destitution for older women. In the context of lockdowns and economic closures, widows may not have access to bank accounts and pensions to pay for healthcare if they too become ill or to support themselves and their children. With lone-mother families and single older women already particularly vulnerable to poverty, this is an area that needs urgent attention.

On International Widows’ Day, 23 June, take a look at some of the issues affecting widows around the world and what must be done to safeguard and advance their rights.

Nicaraguan women

Problems for widows in developing countries

close-up of an older lady with gray hair

What you should know about widowhood

As widows move through their own experiences of grief, loss, or trauma after the death of a spouse, they may also face economic insecurity, discrimination, stigmatization, and harmful traditional practices on the basis of their marital status.

 

Source: Texte & Images: https://www.un.org/en/observances/widows-day

 

International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia – 17 May

17 mai 2023
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: discrimination, gender identity, inclusive policies, LGBT, media, sexual orientation, violence

Combating discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity

Fighting discrimination based on sexual orientation has been an aim of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe since 1981. European governments took a historical step on 31 March 2010, when they recommended measures to combat discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. This is the first specific legal standard in the world to combat discrimination of this kind.

History

17 May is the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, commemorating the 1990 decision of the World Health Organization to remove homosexuality from the list of mental disorders. Every year, policy makers, opinion leaders, the media and the general public are challenged to address the urgent need to combat violence and discrimination against LGBTI persons and to build inclusive societies, enriched through their diversity.

The Council of Europe has been adamant in voicing its commitment to end homophobia and transphobia in its member states.

Discrimination against LGBTI people remains a reality across Europe. But some progress has been made. 

Examples of the positive impact of the Council of Europe’s standards and activities include the adoption of new legislation to recognise and protect LGBT couples and families, the adoption of legal gender recognition laws, the launch of national action plans on LGBTI persons’ rights, and exchanges of good practice and know-how on LGBTI inclusive local and regional policies.

 

Source: Text: https://human-rights-channel.coe.int/    Image: Freepik

Genocide International Prevention Day – 9 December

9 décembre 2022
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: conflict, crime, génocide, hate, human rights, mental harm, prévention, violence

By its resolution 69/323 of 29 September 2015, the United Nations General Assembly established 9 December as the International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime. 9 December 2022 marks the International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime, as well as the 74th anniversary of the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (the “Genocide Convention”), the first human rights treaty adopted by the General Assembly. The Convention signifies the international community’s commitment to “never again” and provides the first international legal definition of “genocide,” widely adopted at national and international levels. It also establishes a duty for State Parties to prevent and punish the crime of genocide. Every year the United Nations Office on Genocide Prevention and Responsibility to Protect organizes events to mark this International Day, honoring the victims of genocide and the anniversary of the Convention.

The Genocide Convention

The Genocide Convention (article 2) defines genocide as « any of the following acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group … « , including:

  • Killing members of the group;
  • Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group;
  • Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part;
  • Imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group;
  • Forcibly transferring children of the group to another group.

The Convention confirms that genocide, whether committed in time of peace or war, is a crime under international law which parties to the Convention undertake “to prevent and to punish” (article 1). The primary responsibility to prevent and stop genocide lies with the State.

Prevention of Genocide

To prevent genocide and genocidal conflicts, it is critically important to understand their root causes. While conflict has many causes, genocidal conflict is identity-based. Genocide and related atrocities tend to occur in societies with diverse national, racial, ethnic or religious groups that are locked in identity-related conflicts. It is not simply differences in identity, whether real or perceived, that generate conflict, but the implication of those differences in terms of access to power and wealth, services and resources, employment, development opportunities, citizenship and the enjoyment of fundamental rights and freedoms. These conflicts are fomented by discrimination, hate speech inciting violence and other violations of human rights.

In terms of prevention, the critical step is to identify the factors (discriminatory practices) in a given situation that lead to or account for acute disparities in the treatment of a diverse population, and to seek ways to diminish and eventually eradicate these possible causes of genocidal violence. Given that no country is perfectly homogeneous, genocide is a truly global challenge.

 

Source: Text: https://www.un.org/en/observances/genocide-prevention-day    Images: Newsd    Facebook