UN Parallel Events
FI Side Event on Ensuring Access to Justice For Dalits : Good Practices And Key Challenges
On Thursday 28 February 2012, Franciscans International in collaboration with International Movement against all forms of Discrimination and Racism (IMADR), Minority Rights Group International (MRI), Human Rights Watch (HRW), World Council of Churches (WCC) and in association with the International Dalit Solidarity Network (IDSN) co-organised a side event at the 22nd Session of the Human Rights Council on Ensuring the access to Justice for Dalits: Good Practises and Key Challenges.
06/03/2012
Human Rights Defenders Combating Impunity in the Philippines
Franciscans International co-hosted a parallel event at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on the issue of human rights defenders combating impunity in the Philippines. The event included two short films and a panel discussion including human rights defenders. They outlined the deficiencies in the judicial and security sectors which have fostered the culture of impunity in which perpetrators of human rights violations go unpunished. The event raised critical questions and conclusions about the current situation of human rights defenders in the Philippines in preparation for the country's UPR in 2012.
Human Trafficking: Access to Remedies
On 1 June 2011, Franciscans International organised a parallel event on the recommendation that victims of human trafficking s have the right to access remedies without facing barriers. The panel discussion, co-sponsored by the Italian Mission, included Ms. Joy Ezeilo, UN Special Rapporteur on Trafficking, especially Women and Children, and Sr. Justine Senapati SJA, who was invited by FI to share her experience of working with victims in India.
Violence against Children as a result of Harmful Traditional Practices
On 8 March 2011 Fr. Bio Sanou delivered an oral statement during an UN side event organised by FI about: "Violence against Children as a result of Harmful traditional practices". FI is working with Franciscans in Benin to raise national and international awareness of harmful cultural traditions and to urge the Government to take appropriate action.
Domestic Servitude
Franciscan's International (FI) co-organised an UN Side Event on Domestic Servitude during the Human Rights Council XV Session in Geneva in September 2010.
The panel discussion aimed to deepen discussions on the grassroot causes and the national and international measures used to combat domestic servitude.
Representing FI, Sr. Nisha Mathew FSM, India, presented on the work of Franciscans at the national and regional levels.
Mrs. G. Shahinian, the Special Rapporteur on Contemporary Forms of Slavery (CFS), spoke about her role to address the biggest issues affecting the most vulnerable and the processes that happen to try to protect them. The UN Member States are planning to ratify the Convention on migrant workers and family.