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

[GRAHAM FOX]

Minority Rights Group International - e-bulletin

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


In this e-bulletin: 


*	UN summit recognizes role of minority rights in peace and stability
*	Destined to fail? Roma poverty alleviation initiatives replicate societal ills
*	Kenya delivers constitutional betrayal of minority and indigenous peoples
*	Too poor to count? The world's poorest slip through the poverty reduction net 
*	UN alerted to Dominican 'de-Haitianization' policy 
*	Minorities call for states to support 'new era' of genocide prevention
*	UN Committee denounces the inertia of the Nigerian government
*	Gay McDougall appointed as UN Independent Expert on Minority Issues
*	Focus on: MRG campaigns 2005 - 2008
*	Features: Conflict prevention and the rights of minorities and indigenous peoples
*	Vacancies
*	Worth a closer look - OHCHR minorities fellowship programme - call for applications
*	Publications -  
		-	PRSPs, Minorities and Indigenous Peoples: An Issues Paper

		             		

News

UN Summit recognizes role of minority rights in peace and stability
The 2005 World Summit Outcome document has explicitly recognized that the promotion and protection of minority rights make an important contribution to peace and stability. MRG welcomed the text as a strong consensual acknowledgement by UN member states of the crucial role of minority rights in the field of conflict prevention and resolution. MRG also highlighted strong confirmation of the responsibility to protect populations from gross human rights violations. It called for practical measures to more effectively promote neglected minority rights standards and good practice across UN member states.  
<http://www.minorityrights.org/news_detail.asp?ID=383>

Destined to fail? Roma poverty alleviation initiatives replicate societal ills
Strategies to combat Roma poverty in South-East Europe are failing due to institutional racism, discrimination and exclusion experienced by Roma over generations. A new MRG study finds that patterns of racism and discrimination inherent in wider society, are replicated even in policies aimed at alleviating Roma poverty, leaving them destined to fail. MRG demonstrates that Roma poverty is a legacy of discrimination and calls for full Roma involvement in meaningful poverty alleviation. Current strategies have often not been funded, publicized, implemented or monitored.
<http://www.minorityrights.org/news_detail.asp?ID=381>

Kenya delivers constitutional betrayal of minority and indigenous peoples
The Kenyan government has reneged on previous promises and removed all references to marginalized groups, minorities, pastoralists and hunter-gatherers from the proposed new Kenyan constitution document. Important gains for Kenya's poorest and most vulnerable peoples achieved during a three year constitutional review process have now been stripped from the document leaving them furious and betrayed.
<http://www.minorityrights.org/news_detail.asp?ID=375>

Too poor to count? The world's poorest slip through the poverty reduction net 
Despite being amongst the poorest of the poor, minorities and indigenous peoples are slipping through the net of worldwide initiatives to end poverty. Extreme poverty combined with discrimination and marginalization within society, means that minority and indigenous peoples are often 'too poor to count' and are excluded from Poverty Reduction Strategies, stated MRG. As the 2005 World Summit convenes at the UN in New York, MRG has called for a re-doubling of efforts to ensure success of the MDGs for the world's most vulnerable and impoverished peoples.
<http://www.minorityrights.org/news_detail.asp?ID=378>

UN alerted to Dominican 'de-Haitianization' policy
United Nations human rights bodies have been alerted to a deteriorating situation of violence and discrimination against Haitian nationals and their mass deportations by the Dominican Republic. MRG has warned the Dominican government that continued systematic deportations and its failure to protect the rights of Haitians could result in a charge of ethnic cleansing. Dominican public officials including the Secretary of State for Labour have commented in the media that the Dominican government is preparing a plan to "de-Haitianize" the country.
<http://www.minorityrights.org/news_detail.asp?ID=372>

Minorities call for states to support 'new era' of genocide prevention
Minorities and indigenous peoples, the most frequent victims of mass atrocities, have joined a call upon all states to take a new and effective stand against genocide and mass killing. Some of the world's most powerful states are joining some of its weakest in backing moves to strengthen international action to prevent genocide and protect civilians from mass atrocities. The call comes amid pressure by powerful states including the United States, Brazil, India and Russia to oppose and weaken strong language in the Millennium +5 Outcome Document due in September.
<http://www.minorityrights.org/news_detail.asp?ID=374>

UN Committee denounces the inertia of the Nigerian government
Geneva, 7th September 2005 - The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and Minority Rights Group International, present the alternative report submitted by FIDH affiliated member in Nigeria, Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), at the occasion of the examination of Nigeria by the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (Committee) and welcome the concluding observations addressed by the Committee to the Government of Nigeria. The concluding observations largely reflect the main areas of concern put forward by CLO in its alternative report to the Committee
<http://www.minorityrights.org/news_detail.asp?ID=377>

Gay McDougall appointed as UN Independent Expert on Minority Issues
Gay McDougall, Executive Director of Global Rights, has been appointed as the first United Nations Independent Expert on Minority Issues. She brings extensive and varied experience in the field of human rights to the newly created position, which has been described as a 'watchdog' on minority rights. Minority Rights Group International, which campaigned for the new UN minorities mandate, welcomed the appointment of Ms McDougall and has offered its full support and assistance in fulfilling her responsibilities.
<http://www.minorityrights.org/news_detail.asp?ID=371>


Focus on: MRG campaigns 2005 - 2008

In 2005 MRG launched its next strategic period focused on delivering its planned outcomes. To direct our advocacy work in 2005 - 2008 MRG has agreed five campaigns based on consultation with partners and stakeholders and analysis of where MRG's potential contribution can make the most difference. Below you will find a summary of these five campaigns and links to further information and publications on MRG's website. 

Conflict
Some 70 per cent of the world's conflicts have ethnicity or religion as a major factor. A very high proportion of these arise at least in part because governments, or other parts of the state, discriminate against minorities or indigenous peoples. Nevertheless, governments and international bodies such as the UN have been extremely slow to address violations of minority or indigenous rights in a systematic way.
<http://www.minorityrights.org/campaigns/campaigns_conflict.htm>

Development
At MRG, we have been concerned for some time about the links between poverty, membership of a minority or indigenous community and access to development. Most minorities or indigenous peoples have higher rates of poverty (fewer educational opportunities, higher mortality rates, higher unemployment, etc.) than other poor groups. Further, poverty reduction strategies have not been as successful for minorities and indigenous peoples as for other groups. 
<http://www.minorityrights.org/campaigns/campaigns_development.htm>

Education
The right to education is recognized in several international instruments, including: the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR). Quality education for minorities and indigenous peoples leads to improved literacy rates. It also improves their opportunities, and increases their access to social and economic justice. Our campaign seeks to address the obstacles to education experienced by minorities and indigenous peoples. 
<http://www.minorityrights.org/campaigns/campaigns_education.htm>

Gender
Men and women from a minority or indigenous community lack access to political power, and face discrimination in their access to education, services, rights and work. Women from these communities face all of these problems and more. This discrimination comes from both outside and inside the community. We want to tackle problems of discrimination and inequality, therefore, we need to work in a way that tackles gender- and ethnicity-based issues. 
<http://www.minorityrights.org/campaigns/campaigns_gender.htm>

Land
Minorities and indigenous peoples all over the world risk being driven from their land. They risk losing their livelihood and income, their heritage and often their identity as a people. Many communities have been closely bound to a particular territory for centuries. Yet once their land is wanted for 'development' (e.g. for dams, mining, oil or tourism) they are all too easily forced off their land and driven to live in poverty, with little or no compensation. 
<http://www.minorityrights.org/campaigns/campaigns_land.htm>


Features and events

Conflict prevention and the rights of minorities and indigenous peoples
"[T]he promotion and protection of the rights of persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities contribute to the political and social stability of States in which they live." 
In 1992, every single member state of the United Nations agreed with this statement. Nevertheless, many states continue to commit wide-scale violations of the rights of minorities and indigenous peoples. So why do so many states resist implementing minority rights, particularly in situations where there is a risk of violent ethnic or religious conflict? What should be the approach of national and international actors with an interest in resolving such issues? The UN Secretary-General's High-Level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change concluded that when sections of the population are at risk of widespread violations and/or violence, there is an obligation on the international community to protect them, and ideally to prevent violations from happening in the first place. MRG's Chris Chapman considers the issues. 
<http://www.minorityrights.org/features/features_prevention.htm>


Overcoming Exclusion and Promoting Participation of Minorities
MRG is delivering a training through BOND (British Overseas NGOs for Development) on minorities and development on the 10 October 2005. The training aims to strengthen the capacity of delegates to facilitate the participation of ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities in their development work, taking into account how minorities can be excluded from or harmed by development. Those interested can find all info and registration at: 
<http://www.bond.org.uk/lte/workshops/overcomex.htm>


For further information about MRG's programmes and advocacy activities, please visit MRG's website or contact us directly.
<http://www.minorityrights.org>

Vacancies

Programme Officer - Diversity and Democracy in Southeast Europe Programme
Minority Rights Group International has an opening for the position of Programme Officer for its Diversity and Democracy in Southeast Europe Programme. The project, jointly run with partners from the region, consists of organizing seminars, producing publications and conducting a variety of advocacy activities. The position will be based in MRG's Budapest office. This is a full-time temporary post, which will last for approximately 7 months. Applicants must be eligible to work in Hungary. Closing date: OCTOBER 7, 2005. Email application forms to mrg3.bud at tla.hu. The application form, full job description and person specification are available at:
<http://www.minorityrights.org/job_vac.asp>



Worth a closer look

OHCHR Minorities Fellowship programme - call for applications
The OHCHR fellowship programme for persons belonging to national or ethnic religious and linguistic minorities aims to give young minority women and men an opportunity to gain knowledge in the field of international human rights in general, and on minority rights in particular. The Fellowship Programme is intended to assist organizations and communities in protecting and promoting human rights. Five Fellows will be chosen to participate in this Programme to be held from the early February to end of April 2006. For further details and an application form visit:
<http://www.ohchr.org/english/issues/minorities/fellowprog.htm>


Publications

PRSPs, Minorities and Indigenous Peoples: An Issues Paper
Poverty Reduction Strategies (PRS) are part of the response to poverty worldwide. Although often among the poorest and most marginalized communities, minorities and indigenous peoples are seldom invited to participate in the formulation of Poverty Reduction Strategies Papers (PRSPs), or the design of poverty alleviation policies, which are thus likely to be inappropriate, or even detrimental to their interests. This publication presents strategies for supporting these groups' capacity to participate in, and influence, these processes in a meaningful way.
<http://www.minorityrights.org/admin/Download/pdf/MRG-PRSP.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>





Disclaimer - September 28, 2005 
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