Oriente Médio e Norte da Africa

UN rights office voices concern over forced evictions of Palestinians in West Bank

Published in Wednesday August 28th, 2013 In In the media

The United Nations human rights office today expressed concern over the forced eviction of Palestinians in the West Bank as a result of recent demolitions carried out by Israeli authorities, and noted this could amount to a violation of international law. The demolitions began on 19 August and have been carried out by Israeli authorities in at least six different locations, including East Jerusalem, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) said.

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Check the responses received from countries for the security of tenure questionnaire

Published in Monday August 19th, 2013

Read the responses sent by governments to the Questionnaire on Security of Tenure. They will inform the Special Rapporteur’s final report to the HRC and other related guidance.

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Egypt: “an escalating and deeply worrying human rights crisis” – UN experts urge restraint and dialogue

Published in Monday August 19th, 2013 In News on the Rapporteurs

A group of United Nations human rights experts today called for restraint and an immediate end to violent confrontations that have seen hundreds killed and thousands injured in Cairo in recent days

FIFA : Make the World Cup a Fair Game for Workers

Published in Wednesday July 17th, 2013 In Social movement news

Workers employed on construction projects to prepare for the 2018 World Cup in Russia and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, most of whom are migrant workers, face numerous human rights violations, according to FIDH. In a letter sent today to the President of FIFA, Mr. Joseph Sepp Blatter, FIDH recalled the sports organisation’s responsibility to investigate and remedy reports that workers are being subject to unfair payment practices, excessive work hours, racist violence, and work conditions that can amount to forced labour.

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Centuries-Old Gardens Are the Latest Battleground in Istanbul

Published in Tuesday July 16th, 2013 In In the media

Many in Istanbul see the destruction of the traditional market gardens (known in Turkish as bostan) as the latest in a series of assaults on the city’s historic character and unique identity. Frustrations with the pace and process of change boiled over at the end of May, erupting into mass protests after police repeatedly tear-gassed people peacefully demonstrating to protect Gezi Park, a rare green space in the center of the city, from being turned into the site of a shopping mall. The ongoing debate raises bigger questions about who benefits from the city’s changing landscape.

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After Protests, Forums Sprout in Turkey’s Parks

Published in Wednesday July 10th, 2013 In In the media

The recent antigovernment riots, which began with a sit-in at an Istanbul park scheduled for demolition and grew to encompass the grievances of millions of Turks disillusioned with their government, have largely faded after an intense crackdown about three weeks ago. Now, Turkey’s parks have become safe places to gather and speak freely, with people arriving each evening in dozens of parks nationwide to discuss what happens next.

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Istanbulites to IOC: “Don’t Select Our City”

Published in Tuesday June 25th, 2013 In Social movement news

This is a call from two human rights organizations, Urban Movements Istanbul / HIC (Habitat International Coalition) and People’s Houses on behalf the citizens of Istanbul from all ages, social and political backgrounds, associations, ideologies and beliefs. The ideals of Olympic Games rest on excellence, respect and friendship, with respect for development, peace and the environment. We are sending you reports of international NGOs and organizations and some of the hundreds of videos documenting the disproportionate use of force by the police. This is material evidence of the brutality with which the government violates the ideals of the Olympics.

Turkey’s building boom unrest conceals fear of corruption

Published in Monday June 3rd, 2013 In In the media

The protests triggered in Turkey by plans to redevelop a park into a shopping mall at first seem an unlikely cause for public anger. In reality, the demonstrations over Taksim Square’s Gezi Park go to the very heart of Turkey’s modern discontents.

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Special Rapporteur sends 19 communications during the second semester of 2012

Published in Tuesday April 30th, 2013 In Dialogue with countries

Check the communications sent by the Special Rapporteurs, as well as the answers received from the Member States, referring to the second half of 2012.

International donors pledge billions for recovery of Darfur

Published in Tuesday April 9th, 2013 In In the media

The International Donor Conference for Reconstruction and Development in Darfur wrapped up today after two days of pledging which organizers had hoped would raise $7.2 billion to cover reconstruction and development of Darfur over a six-year period. According to reports, at least $3.7 billion was pledged.

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