European Union needs to rethink its Latin America and the Caribbean relations Over 100 organizations presented their recommendations to the European Union during the second EU-CELAC Civil Society Forum held in Brussels, organised by CONCORD and Mesa de Articulación, last March 19. See attach
This issue includes a special focus on the peace negotiations, the situation of human rights defenders, Colombia in Europe, monitoring of the FTA and the interventions regarding Colombia in the Human Rights Council of the United Nations on March 26th.
The European Parliement’s role in relation to Humain Rights in Trade and Investment Agreements On 19th March was debated the report on the European Parliament’s role in relation to human rights in trade and investment agreements.
On March 17, the Spanish MEP Raul Romeva i Rueda made a parliamentary question to the European Commission regarding complaints received on possible actions against trade unionists by Prosegur, a Spanish private security company. According to a complaint received by the Colombian National Union School (ENS), the Compañía Transportadora de Valores Prosegur, a Spanish multinational,
Summary of the two November 2013 hearings. In a first hearing, the petitioners, who were present and had come from all over Latin America, expressed their concerns with regard to a new topic at the IACHR: the responsibility of States, including the home countries of the companies, as well as of the countries where the events
Press release on the hearing at the European Parliament on EU-Colombia Trade Agreement and Human Rights situation. oday the European Parliament Sub-Committee on Human Rights has organised a hearing on the Situation of Human Rights in Colombia and the Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Oidhaco welcomes this initiative because the process of ratification of the FTA
The newsletter includes information on: the recent and massive social mobilisations; peace dialogues; human rights defenders situation; Colombia and international mechanisms; extractive industries and human rights.
Summary of the multiple links between mining industry activities and human rights violations in Colombia. Joint document by the Colombian Platform for Human Rights, Democracy and Development and Oidhaco. In recent years, there has been an intense debate in Colombia about the role of mining in the national development process. The country is experiencing a
Intervention by Sergio Coronado at the Development Committee of the European Parliament on the impacts of large-scale mining in Colombia, mainly in relation to human rights, poverty and environmental rights. On September 17, 2013 the Development Committee of the European Parliament hold a hearing entitled “Promoting development through responsible business practices, including the role of
Declaration signed up by more than 100 organizations on the occasion a Regional Forum on Business and Human Rights for Latin America and the Caribbean in Medellín. On the occasion of the announcement made by the United Nations Working Group on Business and Human Rights, the Regional office for Latin America and the Caribbean (UNDP)
We are deeply concerned about all victims of armed conflict, repression and violence around the world — from Sudan to Syria, including the persecution of the Rohingya and so many other crises that often receive less international attention than they deserve. Each of these situations calls for solidarity, remembrance, justice and action.
However, we have decided to specifically highlight the message ‘Stop Genocide in Palestine’ because what is happening in Palestine represents not only a human tragedy of enormous magnitude, but also a direct challenge to the fundamental principles of international humanitarian law and to the rules-based international system itself. The indifference and complicity of much of the international community in the face of the apartheid regime imposed by the Israeli government on the Palestinian people represent one of the greatest moral and political contradictions of our time.
The persistent violation of essential norms — such as the protection of the civilian population, the prohibition of collective punishment and respect for proportionality in the use of force — not only has devastating consequences for the Palestinian population, but also erodes the global mechanisms designed to limit the power of states and prevent abuses.
When these rules are repeatedly breached without any effective consequences, the framework that protects all populations in conflict situations, anywhere in the world, is weakened. Therefore, speaking out in this case does not mean ignoring other forms of suffering, but rather emphasising the urgency of defending an international order which, if it collapses, leaves everyone in a more vulnerable position.
Drawing attention to this situation is, therefore, an act consistent with the universal values we uphold: the protection of life, human dignity and respect for international law, without exception.