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26. 10. 2017.

NEWS RELEASE (ENGLISH / ESPAÑOL) - Put human rights at heart of development, Zeid urges Peru / Zeid insta a Perú a poner los derechos humanos al centro del desarrollo Inbox



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Put human rights at heart of development, Zeid urges Peru

GENEVA/LIMA (25 October 2017) – Peru has made great strides over the last decade in reducing poverty, but needs to stand up firmly for human rights to ensure its economic model is sustainable and works for the benefit of all, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein said on Tuesday at the end of a two-day visit to the country.

“I welcome Peru’s efforts to fight poverty and exclusion, and its economic progress is undeniable. The country must now consolidate such advances by continuing to strengthen the rule of law and the protection of human rights,” said Zeid, whose visit included meetings with President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, as well as with authorities from Congress and the Judiciary, civil society representatives and the private sector.

“Development, to be truly sustainable, should not leave anyone behind, and should never be at the expense of the rights of some members of society,” the High Commissioner stressed.

While expressing concern about the negative impact of corruption on the enjoyment of human rights in the country, Zeid said: “Peru has a great opportunity to significantly improve its human rights situation. In this endeavour, it is crucial to recall that international treaties ratified by the country impose obligations not only on  the Government but also on  Congress, the Judiciary and all State institutions.”

The High Commissioner highlighted the Government’s development of a National Human Rights Action Plan and called for the meaningful participation of all sectors, particularly civil society groups and the Ombudsman’s Office in its elaboration.“It is our sincere hope that the resulting National Action Plan can adequately address Peru’s human rights needs, particularly those of the most vulnerable groups,” he said. Zeid also reiterated the readiness of the UN Human Rights Office, including through its Regional Office for South America, to continue providing support and technical expertise on this and other human rights initiatives.

There has been progress in consulting indigenous peoples on mining, energy and other development projects since the adoption in 2011 of a landmark law, Zeid said, but more needs to be done to ensure they can give their free, prior and informed consent for such projects, in line with international human rights standards.

“Speaking to civil society groups, I heard their burning sense of injustice that decisions affecting people’s land, lives and futures are made by others,” Zeid said, highlighting that dozens of social conflicts and protests erupt each year in Peru, many linked to the mining, oil and logging sectors. “This is why, in my talks with business leaders, I stressed the urgent need for companies to respect the human rights of indigenous peoples, human rights defenders and trade unionists. Meaningful consultation and dialogue do not undermine business, rather they serve to advance the human rights and business agenda.”

Zeid also urged the Government to implement without delay measures to increase the protection of human rights defenders. “Peru is no exception to a trend across the Americas - and indeed the world - of harassment, intimidation and alarming attacks on human rights activists,” he noted.

The implementation of the 2016 legal framework and national plan to search for people missing between 1980 and 2000 is also urgent, the High Commissioner said.
“Such steps are vital to help Peru come to terms with its painful past that saw so much suffering and bloodshed, but I am concerned that the recommendations made more than a decade ago by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission have to date been insufficiently implemented,” he said.

“The high level of impunity for violations committed during this period is deeply troubling. The needs of victims and their relatives must be addressed, including their right to truth, justice and reparations. In addition, resources must be made available to ensure that the search for the missing can be fully carried out.”

Zeid also heard concerns about the possibility of a presidential pardon for former President Alberto Fujimori, who was sentenced in 2009 to 25 years in prison for very serious human rights violations. “Fujimori was convicted of crimes amounting to crimes against humanity, that is, crimes of interest to the international community as a whole. The international community must be approached and engaged in this highly important matter,” the High Commissioner recalled.

With women and girls at high risk of gender-based violence in Peru, the passing of laws designed to prevent and punish such violence, including domestic violence and femicide, is important, Zeid noted. Nevertheless, rigorous implementation and strong preventive measures are also required, because in too many cases the perpetrator escapes punishment. “I urge the Government to address the social and cultural attitudes that continue to be used to justify violence against women,” the High Commissioner said.

Zeid also called for improvements in the area of sexual and reproductive rights of women. The recent amendments by Congress to measures aimed at promoting gender equality and LGBTI rights were a “setback,” he added.

The High Commissioner welcomed Peru’s election as a Member State of the UN Human Rights Council. “I look forward to Peru’s full cooperation with the Council by upholding the highest human rights standards for the world, which must also be pursued at the national level,” he said.

ENDS

For more information and media requests, please contact:
In Geneva: Rupert Colville (+41 22 917 97 67 / rcolville@ohchr.org), or Liz Throssell (+41 22 917 94 66 / ethrossell@ohchr.org)
Travelling with the High Commissioner: Maria Jeanette Moya (+56979997907 / mmoya@ohchr.org)

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Zeid insta a Perú a poner los derechos humanos al centro del desarrollo


GINEBRA/LIMA (25 de octubre de 2017) - Perú ha logrado grandes avances en la última década en la reducción de la pobreza, pero debe defender firmemente los derechos humanos para garantizar que su modelo económico sea sostenible y funcione en beneficio de todas las personas, comentó el martes el Alto Comisionado de las Naciones Unidas para los Derechos Humanos, Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, al concluir una visita de dos días al país.

"Celebro los esfuerzos de Perú para luchar contra la pobreza y la exclusión, y sus progresos económicos son innegables. El país debe ahora consolidar tales avances, continuando con el fortalecimiento del estado de derecho y la protección de los derechos humanos", manifestó Zeid, cuya visita incluyó reuniones con el Presidente Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, así como con autoridades del Congreso y el Poder Judicial, representantes de la sociedad civil y del sector privado.

"Para que sea realmente sostenible, el desarrollo no debe dejar a nadie atrás, y nunca debe ocurrir a expensas de los derechos de algunos integrantes de la sociedad", subrayó el Alto Comisionado.

Junto con expresar preocupación por los impactos negativos de la corrupción en el disfrute de los derechos humanos en el país, el Alto Comisionado dijo que “Perú tiene una gran oportunidad para mejorar su situación de derechos humanos de manera considerable. En este cometido, resulta crucial recordar que los tratados internacionales ratificados por el país imponen obligaciones no solo al gobierno sino también al Poder Legislativo, el Poder Judicial y, en definitiva, a todas las instituciones del Estado”.

El Alto Comisionado destacó que el gobierno está desarrollando un Plan Nacional de Acción en Derechos Humanos y pidió una participación significativa de todos los sectores, especialmente las organizaciones de la sociedad civil y la Defensoría del Pueblo en su proceso de elaboración. “Esperamos sinceramente que el Plan Nacional de Acción resultante pueda abordar en forma adecuada las necesidades de derechos humanos en Perú, y en especial aquellas de los grupos más vulnerables”. Él también reiteró la disposición de la Oficina de Derechos Humanos de la ONU, incluyendo a través de su Oficina Regional para América del Sur, para continuar brindando su apoyo y asistencia técnica en esta y otras iniciativas de derechos humanos.

Ha habido progresos en consultar a los pueblos indígenas sobre asuntos relacionados a la minería, energía y otros proyectos de desarrollo desde la adopción en 2011 de una histórica ley, expresó Zeid, pero se necesita hacer más para garantizar que puedan dar su consentimiento libre, previo e informado para tales proyectos, en línea con los estándares internacionales de derechos humanos.

"Hablando con representantes de la sociedad civil, escuché una fuerte sensación de injusticia al ver que las decisiones que afectan las tierras, las vidas y el futuro de los pueblos indígenas son tomadas por otros", dijo Zeid, destacando que cada año en Perú surgen docenas s de conflictos sociales y protestas, muchos de los cuales están vinculados a sectores mineros, petroleros y madereros.

"Es por eso que en mis conversaciones con líderes empresariales enfaticé en la necesidad urgente de que las empresas respeten los derechos humanos de los pueblos indígenas, de las defensoras y los defensores de derechos humanos y de los líderes sindicales. Las consultas y diálogos significativos no socavan los negocios, sino que sirven para avanzar en los derechos humanos y la agenda de negocios."

Zeid también instó al gobierno a implementar sin demora medidas para aumentar la protección de las y los defensores de derechos humanos. "Perú no es una excepción a la tendencia en las Américas, y de hecho en todo el mundo, de hostigamiento, intimidación y ataques alarmantes en contra de activistas de derechos humanos", señaló.

La implementación del marco legal y del plan nacional de 2016 para la búsqueda de personas desaparecidas entre 1980 y 2000 es también urgente, dijo el Alto Comisionado. "Estos pasos son vitales para ayudar a Perú a superar su doloroso pasado de sufrimiento y derramamiento de sangre, pero me preocupa que las recomendaciones realizadas hace más de una década atrás por la Comisión de la Verdad y la Reconciliación se hayan implementado de manera insuficiente", destacó.

"El alto nivel de impunidad por las violaciones cometidas durante este período es profundamente preocupante. Deben abordarse las necesidades de las víctimas y sus familiares, incluidos su derecho a la verdad, la justicia y la reparación. Además, los recursos deben estar disponibles para garantizar que la búsqueda de los desaparecidos se pueda completar".

Zeid también escuchó preocupaciones sobre la posibilidad de un indulto presidencial para el expresidente Alberto Fujimori, quien fue sentenciado en 2009 a 25 años de prisión por muy serias violaciones a los derechos humanos. El Alto Comisionado recordó que “Fujimori fue condenado por delitos que constituyen crímenes contra la humanidad, es decir, crímenes que son del interés de la comunidad internacional en su conjunto. La comunidad internacional debe ser involucrada en este tema tan importante”.

Sobre mujeres y niñas en alto riesgo de violencia de género en Perú, la aprobación de leyes diseñadas para prevenir y castigar dicha violencia -incluida la violencia doméstica y el feminicidio- es importante, dijo Zeid. Sin embargo, Zeid agregó que también son necesarias una implementación rigurosa y fuertes medidas preventivas, pues en demasiados casos, el perpetrador escapa del castigo. “Insto al Gobierno a abordar las actitudes sociales y culturales que se siguen utilizando para justificar la violencia contra la mujer ", declaró el Alto Comisionado.

Zeid también llamó a introducir mejoras en el ámbito de los derechos sexuales y reproductivos de las mujeres. Asimismo, agregó que las recientes enmiendas introducidas en el Congreso a medidas que buscan promover la igualdad de género y los derechos de las personas LGBTI representan “un revés".

Por último, el Alto Comisionado saludó la elección de Perú como Estado Miembro del Consejo de Derechos Humanos de la ONU. "Espero con interés que Perú coopere plenamente con el Consejo, manteniendo los más altos estándares de derechos humanos frente el mundo, lo que también debe perseguirse a nivel nacional", enfatizó.


FIN

MEDIA STATEMENT - ENGLISH -- UN independent expert urges Spanish Government to reverse decision on Catalan autonomy



UN independent expert urges Spanish Government to reverse decision on Catalan autonomy


GENEVA (25 October 2017) - The UN Independent Expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order, Alfred de Zayas, is calling on Spanish authorities to enter into negotiations in good faith with leaders in Catalonia following the announcement that the Spanish Government would suspend the region’s autonomy. On 19 October, the Spanish Government announced its intention to impose direct rule on the region after a deadline seeking an end to the Catalan independence campaign was not met. His statement is as follows:

“I deplore the decision of the Spanish Government to suspend Catalan autonomy. This action constitutes retrogression in human rights protection, incompatible with Articles 1, 19, 25 and 27 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). Pursuant to Articles 10(2) and 96 of the Spanish Constitution, international treaties constitute the law of the land and, therefore, Spanish law must be interpreted in conformity with international treaties.  

“Denying a people the right to express themselves on the issue of self-determination, denying the legality of a referendum, using force to prevent the holding of a referendum, and cancelling the limited autonomy of a people by way of punishment constitutes a violation of Article 1 of the ICCPR and of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Alternatively, addressing the aspiration of peoples to self-determination in a timely fashion is an important conflict prevention measure, as is evidenced by the countless wars that have occurred since 1945 that found their origin in denial of self-determination. Dialogue and political negotiation should be encouraged to prevent violence.

“The Spanish Government appears to invoke the principle of territorial integrity to justify forceful attempts to silence political dissent and aspirations of self-determination. While the principle of territorial integrity is important, as understood in many United Nations Resolutions, including GA Resolutions 2625 and 3314, it is intended to be applied externally, to prohibit foreign threats or incursions into the territorial integrity of sovereign States. This principle cannot be invoked to quench the right of all people, guaranteed under Article 1 of the International Covenants on Human Rights, to express their desire to control their futures. The right of self-determination is a right of peoples and not a prerogative of States to grant or deny. In case of a conflict between the principle of territorial integrity and the human right to self-determination, it is the latter that prevails.

“Of course, there are many peoples worldwide who aspire to self-determination, whether internal in the form of autonomy or external in the form of independence. And while the realization of self-determination is not automatic or self-executing, it is a fundamental human right that the international community should help implement.

“The international law of self-determination has also progressed far beyond mere decolonization. Applying the 15 criteria contained in my 2014 report (paras 63-77), it is evident that no state can use the principle of territorial integrity to deny the right of self-determination and that arguments about the legality of actions taken by Catalonia’s elected parliament are immaterial. Such arguments do not nullify the ius cogens character of self-determination.

“The only democratic solution to the current impasse is to suspend repressive measures and to organize a referendum so as to determine the true wishes of the population concerned. Such a referendum should be monitored by the EU, OSCE and private observers including the Carter Center.”

ENDS

Mr. Alfred de Zayas (United States of America) was appointed as the first Independent Expert on the promotion of a democratic andequitable international order by the Human Rights Council, effective May 2012. He is currently professor of international law at the Geneva School of Diplomacy. Mr. de Zayas practiced corporate law and family law in New York and Florida. As a Human Rights Council mandate holder, he is independent from any government or organization and serves in his individual capacity.

The Independent Experts are part of what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights system, is the general name of the Council’s independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms that address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. Special Procedures’ experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. They are independent from any government or organization and serve in their individual capacity.

For more information and media requests, please contact Ms. Aminta Ossom (+41 22 917 9611 / aossom@ohchr.org) or write to ie-internationalorder@ohchr.org


Concerned about the world we live in? Then STAND UP for someone’s rights today. #Standup4humanrights and visit the web page at http://www.standup4humanrights.org 


NEWS RELEASE - ENGLISH -- Human rights defenders face worsening risks for challenging firms, UN expert warns



Human rights defenders face worsening risks for challenging firms, UN expert warns

NEW YORK (25 October 2017) - States and companies must do more to protect and respect human rights defenders working on business-related issues, amid a worsening climate of attacks, a United Nations expert has said.

“Human rights defenders who are pressing for companies to be held accountable should not be criminalised or threatened,” said Michel Forst, presenting his fourth report to the UN General Assembly.  

“They play a critical role in ensuring sustainable development and the enjoyment of fundamental rights.

“Human rights defenders, local communities, trade unionists and whistleblowers who denounce business scandals are all facing increasing dangers worldwide, and the responses so far have not matched the challenges,” Mr. Forst added.

The Special Rapporteur said there was a “worrying tendency to silence critics”, even though more and more companies were developing guidelines to ensure that development projects respected the rights of communities and defenders.

“Human rights defenders are often depicted as anti-development, but it is high time we change the narrative and show that those who act against human rights are actually those who are against progress and development,” Mr Forst said.

In many regions of the world, human rights defenders paid a high price for exposing human rights violations in the context of business-related activities, he said. The increasing number of threats and attacks could largely be explained by the lack of preventative measures such as consultations of affected communities and reactive measures like grievance mechanisms.

“I am also appalled by the number of cases in which companies benefit from corrupt political systems that favour short-term profits over human rights,” the Special Rapporteur added.

He highlighted a number of concrete steps which States could take to prevent human rights violations of people trying to hold companies to account.

For example, countries could introduce laws obliging companies to show due diligence in protecting human rights and guaranteeing the participation of communities and rights defenders in business-related decisions.

International finance institutions also had to ensure their projects avoided any negative impact on human rights on the ground, he added.

ENDS

Mr. Michel Forst (France) was appointed by the Human Rights Council as the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders in 2014. Michel Forst has extensive experience on human rights issues and particularly on the situation of human rights defenders. In particular, he was the Director General of Amnesty International (France) and Secretary General of the first World Summit on Human Rights Defenders in 1998. He is a former UN Independent Expert on the human rights situation in Haiti.

The Independent Experts are part of what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights system, is the general name of the Council’s independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms that address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. Special Procedures’ experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. They are independent from any government or organization and serve in their individual capacity.

For inquiries and media requests, please contact Lucía de la Sierra  (+41 22 917 9741 ldelasierra@ohchr.org), or write to defenders@ohchr.org

For media inquiries related to other UN independent experts:
Bryan Wilson – Media Unit (+ 41 22 917 9826 / mediaconsultant2@ohchr.org)  


Concerned about the world we live in? Then STAND UP for someone’s rights today. #Standup4humanrights and visit the web page at http://www.standup4humanrights.org


NEWS RELEASE - ENGLISH -- Time to fight global avalanche of misogyny caused by fundamentalism and extremism, UN rights expert says



Time to fight global avalanche of misogyny caused by fundamentalism and extremism, UN rights expert says


NEW YORK (25 October 2017) – The world must fight back against a growing threat to women’s rights fuelled by rising fundamentalism and extremism, a UN human rights expert has told the General Assembly in New York.

“Fundamentalism and extremism are giving rise to widespread abuses of women’s cultural rights,” said Karima Bennoune, Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights, presenting a report on the global challenges being faced.

“Some of the most urgent threats that women’s human rights will face in coming years will include the diverse forms of fundamentalism and extremism that are on the rise across all regions of the world.”

The Special Rapporteur asked the audience: “What world will your daughters inherit? This is a wake-up call for our times. We face a multidirectional global avalanche of misogyny, motivated by diverse fundamentalist and extremist ideologies. For the sake of all the daughters around the world, let us come together and take an unequivocal stand for women’s equal cultural rights, to reverse this worrying trend.

Ms. Bennoune said protecting women’s rights was not optional in tackling fundamentalism and extremism, which have inequality and rejection of human rights at their core and have to be met with a vigorous international human rights-based challenge.

“These ideologies seek to roll back advances achieved in securing women’s equality, aim to block further advances, and try to penalize and stigmatize women human rights defenders promoting such critical efforts. They give rise to a backlash against women’s rights and those who defend them,” she said.

“Diverse religious fundamentalists have sought to punish cultural expression incompatible with their interpretations of religion through blasphemy laws, gender discriminatory family laws, campaigns of harassment, human rights abuses and outright violence.”

“Extremists often harass and target women who are members of minority groups, or who are immigrants or are lesbian, bisexual or transgender, as they seek to enjoy their equal cultural rights. They are often motivated by myths of a homogenous nation, claims of cultural or ethnic or racial superiority or purity, and populist ultra-nationalism.”

The Special Rapporteur called for an immediate end to discriminatory practices such as banning women’s artistic expression, extremist targeting of cultural events associated with women and girls, the imposition of “modest” dress codes, and curbs on women’s equal participation in social, economic, political and cultural affairs.

“Boosting the protection and promotion of women’s human rights is not only essential to tackling extremism, but there is no way to achieve gender equality by 2030 as committed to in the UN Sustainable Development Goals without addressing the human rights impacts of fundamentalism and extremism,” she added.

The Special Rapporteur said she had particular concerns that fundamentalists and extremists were targeting education in an effort to impose their worldviews.

“The promotion and defence of non-sexist education in accordance with international standards, and of non-discrimination and full equality for women and girls in education, are among the most important measures governments can take to defeat fundamentalism and extremism and defend women’s cultural rights,” Ms. Bennoune said.

“Arts, education, science and culture are among the best ways to fight fundamentalism and extremism and support women’s rights. These are not luxuries, but are critical to creating alternatives and protecting youth from any form of radicalization.”

She also paid tribute to female human rights defenders around the world who “recognized and responded to” extremism, sometimes at the cost of their own lives, and stressed they should be central to developing strategies to combat fundamentalism and extremism. “Empowering them disempowers extremists,” she added.

The Special Rapporteur said the answer lay partially in secular politics and governance.

“The separation of religion and state is a critical piece of the struggle against fundamentalist and extremist ideologies that target women, as it creates or preserves space for women and minorities to challenge those ideologies, and to enjoy their cultural rights without discrimination,” Ms. Bennoune said.

She also stressed that women’s rights should never be used as a bargaining chip in pursuit of peace with extremist and fundamentalist groups. “Giving in to the social demands of fundamentalists and extremists, especially about women, only exacerbates the human rights situation and leads to escalating claims,” she said.  

ENDS

NOTE TO EDITORS: The Special Rapporteur is convening aside event, The Impact of Fundamentalism and Extremism on the Cultural Rightsof Women: Time to Take a Stand, at 1700 local time on 26 October 2017, in Conference Room 11, UN Headquarters, New York.

Ms. Karima Bennoune was appointed UN Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights in October 2015. She grew up in Algeria and the United States. She is Professor of Law and Martin Luther King, Jr. Hall Research Scholar at the University of California-Davis School of Law where she teaches courses on human rights and international law. Ms. Bennoune has worked in the field of human rights for more than 20 years.

The Independent Experts are part of what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights system, is the general name of the Council’s independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms that address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. Special Procedures’ experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. They are independent from any government or organization and serve in their individual capacity.

For inquiries and media requests, please contact Ms. Johanne Bouchard +41 22 917 9630 / jbouchard@ohchr.org) or write to srculturalrights@ohchr.org

For media inquiries related to other UN independent experts:
Bryan Wilson – Media Unit (+ 41 22 917 9826 / mediaconsultant2@ohchr.org)  


Concerned about the world we live in? Then STAND UP for someone’s rights today. #Standup4humanrights and visit the web page at http://www.standup4humanrights.org