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IMPACT
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Aung San Suu Kyi meets with human rights defenders
June 27th saw a historic meeting between Aung San Suu Kyi and French and international human rights organisations. During her trip to France, Ms. Suu Kyi sought to personally thank the associations supporting her during her many years of isolation. The victory enabling her to attend this meeting has given tremendous hope to the worldwide community of human rights defenders.
During the two-hour event, coordinated by FIDH and Info-Burma, with the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ms. Suu Kyi answered human rights activists’ many questions.
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Meeting with Aung San Suu Kyi
in Paris, last June 27th.
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Algeria and Uzbekistan: another two defenders released!
Mohammed Smaïn (Top photo, link in French), former head of the Algerian Human Rights League (LADDH) in Relizane, has been granted a presidential pardon and was released on 6 July. He was imprisoned on 19 June for “defamation” and “denunciation of imaginary crimes”.
Moreover, after more than six years in prison, Khabibulla Okpulatov (Lower photo), a member of the Human Rights Society of Uzbekistan (HRSU) was released on 4 July. He had been accused of “extortion of funds with aggravating circumstances”. The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders has been extremely active in both cases and regrets that 10 human rights defenders are still in prison in Uzbekistan.
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A United Nations Special Rapporteur for Belarus – at last!
On 5 July, the UN Human Rights Council mandated the creation of a Special Rapporteur for Belarus in response to the deteriorating human rights situation since the presidential elections in December 2010. FIDH has been calling for the creation of this position for several years. The Rapporteur’s mandate will enable them to support civil society, which is currently the prime target for repression. It will also enable them to levy pressure on the Belarusian authorities not only to release political prisoners and human rights defenders but also to respect freedom of speech and assembly.
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A new prosecutor for the International Criminal Court
On 15 June, as the ICC celebrated its 10th anniversary, Mrs. Fatou Bensouda (The Gambia,) took over from Mr. Luis Moreno Occampo as Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court. FIDH welcomes Mrs. Bensouda and will continue its active engagement with the Office of the Prosecutor. FIDH has just published a list of 10 recommendations for ensuring the effectiveness and independence of the ICC. These recommendations are characterised by the key words support, guarantee and strengthen and are directed at both States and the ICC.
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The EU adopted a strategic position on human rights and democracy
On 26 June, the 27 Member States of the European Union adopted a strategic framework and action plan to support human rights and democracy throughout the world. This move attests to the EU’s determination to incorporate human rights systematically into EU foreign policy, especially on economics and trade. The strategic framework is a result of FIDH’s continuous advocacy encouraging the inclusion of human rights in EU trade and development policies, as well as the fight against terrorism and European business regulations. FIDH will ensure that priority is given to implementing these measures to bring about greater visibility, effectiveness and coherence.
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Hello democracy, goodbye ACTA!
478 against, 39 in favour, 165 abstentions: thus did the European Parliament vociferously reject the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA), as lobbied for by FIDH and 58 other organisations.
FIDH is very pleased at this tremendous victory for freedom of expression as the ACTA threatened to paralyse cyber-innovation and free access to technologies, education and culture. This vote takes a noteworthy place in the history of European democracy and citizenship.
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Learn more about FIDH in action!
To watch all of our operations in the world, click here.
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FIDH - International Federation for Human Rights
17, Passage de la Main d’Or, 75011 PARIS, FRANCE
Tél : (33-1) 43 55 25 18 / Fax : (33-1) 43 55 18 80
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