Global Economic issues are bound to Human Rights ones !

Human rights at the World Social Forum in Belem, Brazil, from 27 January to 1 February 2009

The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), an international NGO gathering together 155 human rights organizations throughout the world will be present at the world social forum in Belem, Brazil, from 27 January to 1 February 2009. At the WSF, FIDH will implement two activities and participate to a number of events organised by others including around two main issues: the criminalization of social protest and the responsibiliy of business with regard to human rights.

Criminalization of social protest is a growing phenomenon in various regions: those protesting against current development models or for the defense of economic, social and cultural rights are being repressed, harrassed and some times brought to justice in particular thanks under anti-terrorist legislations. At the World Social Forum will be sharing experiences and building common strategies between local activists, global NGOs and the trade union movement against this trend.

The conduct of transnational corporations has been under the spotlight during the various editions of the WSF. It is now widely recognized that business can impact on all the range of human rights, and it is also aknowledged by all stakeholders that corporations have the responsibility to respect human rights. However, corporate-related human rights abuses are still occuring. FIDH is organizing a workshop to examine the various tools and mechanisms that victims of corporate abuses, their representatives and civil society movements can use to achieve greater accountability of these actors.

Workshops
Criminalization Of Social Protest And Of Human Rights Defenders: Strategies And Alliances Human Rights Tent UFRA 29 January 2009, 8.30 – 11.30

Speakers include human rights defenders from Latin America, Asia and the Middle East amongst which:
Alirio Uribe (FIDH/ Colectivo de Abogados, Colombia) - Rosa Correa (MNDH) Brazil) - Mrs Vanessa Ramos (Asociación Americana de Juristas) - César Padilla (Broederlijk Delen, Bolivia) - Mrs Binda Paney (Gefront – Nepal) - Ernesto Moreau (PIDHDD, Argentina) - Vilma Nunez de Escorcia (FIDH/ CENIDH- Nicaragua) - Indria Fernida (Kontras, Philippines) - Alexandra Almeida (Accion Ecologica Ecuador) - Representative of Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP – Nigeria) - Javier Jancke (Red Muqui, Peru) - Manuel Najera (Serjus, Guatemala)
Dora Lucy Arias (CCAJAR, Colombia)
Mr. Sergio Yahni (AIC, Israel)

Instruments for Corporate accountability

Ecumenical Tent – UFPA
31 January 2009, 8.30 – 11.30

Speakers include representatives from :
International Federation for Human Rights
Justiça Global (Brazil)
Movimento dos Trabalhadores Rurais Sem Terra (MST)
SOMO, ghts and Democracy (Canada)
Colectivo de Abogados (Colombia)
CSC (Trade union Belgium)
International Campaign Against Coca-Cola (India)

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