[MRG e-bulletin] Minority Rights Group International - e-bulletin - August 2004

Fri Aug 27 13:46:22 BST 2004

Minority Rights Group International - e-bulletin

Welcome to the minority Rights Group International (MRG) email bulletin for August 2004. Simply click on the links below in order to access the full news release or publication on MRG's website, or alternatively visit our site directly at:  http://www.minorityrights.org

In this e-bulletin:

*	Darfur: no extension without verification states MRG
*	Special Rapporteurs recommended on caste discrimination 
*	Hopes raised for UN minority adviser
*	Sexual violence epidemic exposes flaws in gender and minority protection
*	UN anti-discrimination body extends protection of non-citizens
*	Turkey must improve minority reforms to meet EU standards 
*	'Diversity is not a threat' confirms key UN Development Report
	*	Former political prisoner, Juan Méndez, chosen for UN genocide prevention role
	*	Feature: The Silent War Against Congo's Pygmies
	*	Events and advocacy:
		 -	MRG Interim report on activities 2004
*	Coming up: forthcoming events for your diary
*	Focus on: Genocide - Debunking the Myths
*	Vacancies 
*	Worth a closer look: bayefsky.com - how to complain to the UN human rights treaty bodies
*	New Publications:
		-	Gender, Minorities and Indigenous Peoples
		- 	Minorities in Turkey: Submission to the European Union and Government of Turkey

News

Darfur: No extension without verification states rights group
New UN reports from Darfur indicate that attacks are continuing to take place against black African communities in the region despite assurances by the Sudanese government that urgent measures would be taken to disarm and disband the Arab 'Janjaweed' militia. Any extension to the current 30 day period allowed to the Government of Sudan to act before further UN action is considered, will prove too long for hundreds more innocent civilians who will die. Effective sanctions must be tabled for early consideration stated MRG.
http://www.minorityrights.org/news_detail.asp?ID=302

Special Rapporteurs recommended on caste discrimination 
A resolution adopted by the UN Sub-Commission on Human Rights, today paved the way for the creation of two Special Rapporteurs to take forward the UN's studies into discrimination based on work and descent, commonly known as caste discrimination. A well-coordinated and persistent lobby of activists have encouraged this important further step towards convincing the UN of the need to pay closer attention to, and apply additional pressure on, these issues affecting hundreds of millions of people worldwide. The Commission on Human Rights is urged to recognize the legitimacy of this call by independent UN experts and NGOs alike, in its decision on whether to approve such measures. 
http://www.minorityrights.org/news_detail.asp?ID=299

Hopes raised for UN minority adviser
The UN Sub-Commission on the Protection and Promotion of Human Rights has added its weight to calls for a special representative of the Secretary-General on minority issues by presenting a 'draft decision' to the Commission on Human Rights for approval. The decision, which will face a vote at the more political, state dominated Commission, highlights the value of such a role in country fact finding and preventive diplomacy, working closely with the Working Group on Minorities. MRG, which has long called for the establishment of such a mechanism suggested that it presents a unique opportunity to consolidate steps already taken to improve the UN's capacity in early warning and conflict prevention.
http://www.minorityrights.org/news_detail.asp?ID=300

Sexual violence epidemic exposes flaws in gender and minority protection
Sexual violence of nearly epidemic proportions and multiple forms of discrimination against minority and indigenous women could be better prevented, but are inadequately understood and confronted by existing rights mechanisms and legal instruments. In a new report launched during the session of the UN's Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD), MRG has called for urgent action by states and human rights and gender rights actors to address the causes and consequences of serious and ongoing discrimination against minority and indigenous women. 
http://www.minorityrights.org/news_detail.asp?ID=290

UN anti-discrimination body extends protection of non-citizens
Migrants, refugees and asylum-seekers and undocumented residents amongst other 'non-citizens' are the subject of new authoritative comments by the UN treaty body charged with tackling racial discrimination. Such groups have long been seen by some states as falling outside of their commitments and obligations under a number of human rights instruments, which are often considered to apply only to the treatment of those who are 'citizens' or nationals of the state. The new 'General Recommendation' is intended to extend and strengthen the protection of what are often uniquely vulnerable minority groups. 
http://www.minorityrights.org/news_detail.asp?ID=293

Turkey must improve minority reforms to meet EU standards
Turkey's improved treatment of minorities is still considerably below required standards for EU accession according to a submission to the EU and the Turkish Government, suggesting that reforms remain unimplemented due in part to institutional inability to fully accept principles of minority rights. 'General human and minority rights practice and implementation still falls well short of obligations and standards expected of European Union members' stated MRG. The rights group is calling for far reaching change by Turkey on issues including the right of return of thousands of internally displaced people to their villages, and for close scrutiny and sustained pressure by the EU before taking forward accession talks. 
http://www.minorityrights.org/news_detail.asp?ID=305

'Diversity is not a threat' confirms key UN human development report
The annual Human Development Report of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has stated that rather than a source of division and 'clashes' creating obstacles to development, diversity and 'cultural liberty' are at the core of human development. The influential report strongly refutes a number of assumptions that have led cultural diversity to be blamed as a cause of violent conflict and instability, when in fact the root causes of such problems lie in discrimination, exclusion and suppression of cultural freedom. 
http://www.minorityrights.org/news_detail.asp?ID=296

Former political prisoner, Juan Méndez, chosen for UN genocide prevention role
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan has announced that he has selected Juan Méndez, a former Argentine political prisoner and human rights advocate for the post of UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide. Mr Annan announced the new role, which will operate largely as an information gathering and early warning mechanism, in April as part of an Action Plan to Prevent Genocide that coincided with the 10th anniversary of the Rwanda genocide. The appointment forms part of Mr Annan's stated desire to transform the culture of the UN itself from one of reaction to one of prevention.
http://www.minorityrights.org/news_detail.asp?ID=288

Feature: The Silent War Against Congo's Pygmies

More than three million have died in the Congo since 1998 in a civil war largely ignored by the outside world. MRG Director, Mark Lattimer, gained rare access to the remote and lawless eastern forest as part of a research team compiling evidence for a dossier of information which was submitted to the International Criminal Court in July. The evidence that was compiled documented a shocking catalogue of violations carried out against the pygmy people, which continue to this day and was perpetrated by some who are now high ranking members of the government. Mark Lattimer discovers why the pygmy people have been targeted by all sides. 
http://www.minorityrights.org/features/features_silentwar.htm

Events and Advocacy

Interim Report on Activities (1 January - 30 June 2004) 
Want to know what MRG has been doing so far in 2004? Then look no further than this round up of events, activities, projects and publications, which highlights some of MRG's key achievements and ongoing initiatives this year. 
http://www.minorityrights.org/admin/Download/pdf/InterimRpt_Jan-June2004.pdf

Picture Feature - Gender report launches in Geneva and London
Two successful launches of MRG's new report 'Gender, minorities and Indigenous Peoples' were held at the United Nations in Geneva and the Institute of Commonwealth Studies in London in August. These well-attended events sparked considerable constructive debate and helped to highlight the need for effective action to address the global problem of multiple discrimination, particularly against women and girls. To see pictures of these events click the link below.
http://www.minorityrights.org/genderphotos.htm

Marginalization of Batwa Pygmies from Accessing Education in the Great Lakes Region. Following a regional workshop in Burundi a report of this workshop was launched on July 28 in Bujumbura, Burundi. This successful event attracted 75 guests, including twenty members of parliament, representatives of various ministries, NGO representatives as well as a number of Batwa students. Kirundi and French editions of MRG's report were distributed among those attending.

MRG call for legal cases
MRG will be launching a new call for cases on September 9, 2004. Cases on minority rights or indigenous rights issues from all jurisdictions are welcome. The closing date for applications will be October 29, 2004. Application forms as well as FAQs on this process will be available on the MRG website as of September 9. Those interested are also welcome to contact the Legal Cases Officer directly at cynthia.morel at mrgmail.org.
http://www.minorityrights.org

For further information about the events above and details of many additional MRG programmes and advocacy activities, please visit MRG's website or contact us directly.

Coming up:

Working Group on the Draft Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples - 13 - 24 September
http://www.ohchr.org/english/issues/indigenous/groups/groups-02.htm

Seminar on good governance practices for the promotion of human rights
15 - 16 September
http://www.ohchr.org/english/issues/development/governance/seminar.htm

Working Group on People of African Descent - 27 Sept - 8th Oct
http://www.ohchr.org/english/events/2004.htm

Focus on: Genocide - Debunking the Myths 

Genocide is a legal term, which according to differing opinions, is either over used or not used frequently enough. It is nevertheless commonly understood to define the very worst and most abhorrent crime against humanity, deserving of universal condemnation and punishment. Recently attention has focused on the situation in Darfur and debate has once again turned to the issue of genocide and the legal responsibility of the international community to act if such a definition is confirmed. Here, MRG takes a close look at what genocide actually is in an attempt to throw out 20 commonly held myths and misconceptions to establish the truth beyond the apparent confusion. However, beyond the legal and political debate, MRG's message is clear, that whether the international community chooses to define a situation as genocide or not, it does not absolve it of the responsibility to act when innocent civilians face slaughter and persecution.     
http://www.minorityrights.org/features/features_genocide.htm

Vacancies

Please click the link below to find out about new vacancies at MRG. MRG strives to be an equal opportunities employer. MRG occasionally has opportunities for internships and voluntary work and those interested in applying for such positions should initially contact MRG with a brief curriculum vitae (resume) and covering letter.
http://www.minorityrights.org/job_vac.asp

Worth a closer look

bayefsky.com - An extremely useful source of online information, this website now provides an easy-to-use guide for making a complaint to the UN human rights treaty bodies on civil and political rights, discrimination against women, torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, and racial discrimination.
http://www.bayefsky.com

Information contained in external websites does not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of MRG and its staff.

New MRG Publications

Gender, Minorities and Indigenous Peoples
While it is generally acknowledged that women suffer discrimination, women who are also members of minority or indigenous communities are particularly marginalized. Like male members of minority and indigenous communities, they lack access to political power and face discrimination in their access to services and rights. However, as women they face these problems and more.
http://www.minorityrights.org/OnlineReports/OnlineReport.asp?ID=38

Minorities in Turkey: Submission to the European Union and the Government of Turkey
http://www.minorityrights.org/admin/download/pdf/MRG-TurkeySub.pdf

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Minority Rights Group International (MRG) is a non-governmental organization working to secure the rights of ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities and indigenous peoples worldwide, and to promote cooperation and understanding between communities.

MRG is a registered charity no. 282305, and has consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council and observer status with the African Commission for Human and Peoples' Rights.

Contact MRG:
54 Commercial Street, London, E1 6LT, UK.
Tel: 020 7422 4200	Fax: 020 7422 4201
email:	minority.rights at mrgmail.org

http://www.minorityrights.org

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