Category Archives: HUMAN RIGHTS

Truth and Reconciliation Commission: Canada guilty of cultural genocide against Indigenous peoples

… HUMAN RIGHTS …

An article from APTN National News

Canada is guilty of committing cultural genocide against Indigenous people, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission said in a summary of its final report released Tuesday.

trc-canada

The TRC builds a case that leads it to conclude Canada committed cultural genocide against Indigenous peoples and used Indian residential schools used as its main weapon.

“These measures were part of a coherent policy to eliminate Aboriginal people as a distinct peoples and to assimilate them into the Canadian mainstream against their will,” said the TRC report. “Residential schooling quickly become a central element in the federal government’s Aboriginal policy.”

The TRC unveiled two volumes and a summary of its final report which is expected to be released later this year. One volume was titled, What We Have Learned, and the other was titled, The Survivors Speak.

The TRC was created as part of the multi-billion dollar settlement agreement between Ottawa, the churches and survivors. About 150,000 Indigenous children went through Indian residential schools throughout the systems over century-long existence.

The TRC’s report said cultural genocide is defined as the “destruction of those structures and practices that allow the group to continue as a group.”

States that engage in cultural genocide aim to destroy political and social institutions by seizing land, persecuting spiritual leaders, banning languages, outlawing cultural practices, restricting movement and disrupting families so cultural values can’t be passed on to successive generations, said the report.

“In its dealing with Aboriginal people, Canada did all these things,” said the report.

The TRC report said Canada’s negotiation of treaties with First Nations were “marked by fraud and coercion.” The report said the federal government continues to stall on the implementation of treaties to this day.

The TRC suggests the only reason Canada bothered to enter treaties was because it couldn’t afford to subdue the Indigenous population through war. In 1870, the total of Canada’s budget was about $19 million. Across the border during the same time period, the U.S. was spending $20 million just to fight its “Indian Wars,” said the report.

Early post-Confederacy Canada had one goal in mind when it began negotiating treaty, said the TRC.

“The intent of the government’s policy…was to assimilate Aboriginal people into broader Canadian society,” said the report. “At the end of this process, Aboriginal people were expected to have ceased to exist as a distinct people with their own governments, cultures and identities.”

Canada’s first prime minister, Sir John A. Macdonald told the House of Commons in 1883 that residential schools would be one of the main weapons used to eliminate the “savage” before it grew to become incorrigible.

“When the school is on the reserve the child lives with its parents, who are savages, he is surrounded by savages, and though he may learn to read and write his habits and training and mode of thought are Indian,” said Macdonald, in a passage quoted by the report. “He is simply a savage that can read and write.”

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Question related to this article:

Truth Commissions, Do they improve human rights?

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The policy persisted into the 20th Century and was supported by Church leaders of all denominations running residential schools, the report said.

Supreme Court Justice Beverley McLachlin echoed the TRC’s findings in a speech delivered last Thursday when she said Canada committed cultural genocide.

The Harper government, however, has stated it does not support the view.

Canada’s attempts to wipe out Indigenous culture failed, but not without leaving deep wounds, said the report.

“Despite coercive measures that the government adopted, it failed to achieve its policy goals. Although Aboriginal peoples and cultures have been badly damaged, they continue to exist,” said the report. “Aboriginal people have refused to surrender their identity.”

The TRC report said Canada is getting another chance at reconciliation. The report notes that the 1996 Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples called on Canada to begin a process of reconciliation. That commission was triggered by the 1990 Oka crisis that saw armed Mohawks face down the Canadian military to protect a burial site from being turned into a golf course.

“In 2015, as the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada wraps up its work, the country has a rare second chance to seize a lost opportunity for reconciliation,” said the report. “The urgent need for reconciliation runs deep in Canada. Expanding public dialogue and action on reconciliation beyond residential schools will be critical in the coming years.”

The TRC report said the relationship between Canada and Indigenous peoples is “deteriorating.” The report lists First Nations education, child welfare and justice as sources of “divisive conflicts” and “barriers” to reconciliation.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper has failed to live up to the promise of the 2008 apology, the report said.

“The promise of reconciliation, which seemed so imminent back in 2008 when the prime minister, on behalf of all Canadians, apologized to survivors, has faded,” said the report.

The report said too many Canadians are still ignorant of First Nations, Inuit and Metis history and it bleeds into the government sphere.

“In the public realm, it reinforces racist attitudes and fuels civic distrust between Aboriginal peoples and other Canadians,” said the report. “Too many Canadians still do not know the history of Aboriginal peoples’ contributions to Canada, or understand that by virtues of the historical and modern Treaties negotiated by our government, we are all Treaty people.”

The TRC lays out 94 recommendations it believes help mark the path toward reconciliation. The recommendations include:

Ottawa, the provinces and territories should fully adopt the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous peoples.

Ottawa, in conjunction with Indigenous peoples, should develop a new Royal Proclamation on Reconciliation.

Ottawa should repudiate the Doctrine of Discovery and the concept of terra nullius.

Ottawa and Treaty nations should renew the Treaty relationship.

Ensure Indigenous peoples are full partners in Confederation by reconciling Crown and Indigenous legal orders.

The parties to the Indian residential school settlement agreement should sign a Covenant of Reconciliation.

A National Council for Reconciliation should be created.

The Pope should issue an apology to survivors of Indian residential schools.

Canada should mark the 150th anniversary of the country by creating a fund for reconciliation commemoration projects.

Ottawa should commit $10 million for the funding the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation over the next seven years.

The Oath of Citizenship should be changed to include the following passage, “I will faithfully observe the laws of Canada including Treaties with Indigenous peoples, and fulfill my duties as a Canadian citizen.

(Thank you to Janet Hudgins, the CPNN reporter for this article.)

HUMAN RIGHTS, North America

5 brave ways activists are fighting for LGBTI rights worldwide

… HUMAN RIGHTS …

An article by Azmina Dhrodia, Amnesty International (abridged)

Around the world, people face violent attacks and threats simply because of who they are or who they have sex with. But some brave activists are still standing up for their rights. To mark the International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOT) on 17 May, we celebrate the courageous activism of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people worldwide.

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1. Pushing to end hate crimes in Greece

. . . On this international day of action, activists from Greece and around the world are using the hashtag #KostasZabi to send support to the couple on social media, and to tell the Greek government to end hate crimes and stand against homophobia and racism. Greek activists, including Kostas and Zabi, will organize a ‘kiss-in’ in front of Parliament to highlight their case and the situation for LGBTI people in the country.

2. Ending homophobic violence in Cameroon

In Cameroon same-sex sexual conduct is punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine, and LGBTI people suffer violence, police harassment and even arrest and detention. . .

In 2011, Stéphane, a 36-year old gay man, was dragged away from his house by a group of men, stripped, beaten and tortured for hours. Four years later, the men who attacked him have not faced justice. But that has not stopped Stéphane. “Today my fight is so that my younger brothers or my friends don’t suffer discrimination like this,” he tells us. “I am alive today and I want to be an example, a living example. I will keep telling my story for as long as I can.”

3. Standing up for LGBTI rights in Tajikistan

Across Central Asia, homophobia and transphobia is on the rise. Police blackmail gay men, threatening to ‘out’ them to family and colleagues unless they agree to pay a bribe. Lesbian women face violence and abuse from within their families, and may be forced to marry against their will.

One example is Komil, a gay man from Tajikistan who was kidnapped, tortured, beaten and humiliated by police, and was eventually forced to flee the country. “Can you understand spending your whole life hiding that you are gay just to stay alive?” he tells us. “I am not a politician. I am a simple person who just wants a tiny piece of his own happiness. That is all.” With the help of his friends, he is rebuilding his life, and now speaks out for LGBTI rights in the region.

4. Celebrating EuroPride in Latvia

Latvia will be the first post-Soviet country to host EuroPride – a Europe-wide event dedicated to promoting LGBTI rights. In 2015, the event also celebrates a decade since Riga held its first Pride event: when 70 activists marched for their rights in spite of threats of violence and hostility from several thousand protestors. . . .

5. Campaigning for transgender rights in Norway

John Jeanette Remø Solstad is a 65-year-old transgender Norwegian woman who wants to change her legal gender from ‘male’ to ‘female’. . . .

In April 2015, an expert group appointed by the Norwegian government stated that the current practice is a violation of fundamental human rights, and stressed the need for change. “this is everything I have dreamt of and hoped for,” she told us. “It was worth the fight. It took a long time, but when the results of our work finally came, it felt great.”

 

Question related to this article:

The struggle against homophobia, Is progress being made in your community?

It would seem from articles on CPNN that progress is being made in some communities. In particular this is true in the United States according to the article by Danny B and in Bulgaria according to the article by Diana Tashkova.

global, HUMAN RIGHTS

WACC-SIGNIS Human Rights Award 2014 goes to “Taxi”

. HUMAN RIGHTS .

an article by Signis, World Catholic Organization for Communication

The WACC-SIGNIS Human Rights Award 2014 has gone to the film Taxi directed by Jafar Panahi (Iran, 2014), a feature-length documentary highlighting contemporary society in Iran.

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“Taxi”, by Jafar Panahi © Jafar Panahi Film Productions

An unusual and creative way of promoting the human right to communicate, challenging censorship and breaking the taboo of silence within and about Iran. A yellow cab driving through the vibrant streets of Tehran plays host to diverse passengers who express candid views while being interviewed by the driver, who is none other than the film’s director Jafar Panahi.

Taxi plays a dual role visually mediating freedom of expression while ironically showing how new technologies are part and parcel of life and social interaction today. The film underlines and critiques how media images often govern people’s understanding of what is official, authentic, and legal as opposed to what is unofficial, false or downright criminal.

Panahi achieved international recognition with his feature film debut, The White Balloon , which won the Caméra d’Or at the 1995 Cannes Film Festival, the first major award won by an Iranian film at Cannes. Although his films were often banned in his own country, he continued to receive international acclaim from film critics and won numerous awards, including the Golden Leopard at the Locarno International Film Festival for The Mirror (1997), the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival for The Circle (2000), and the Silver Bear for Best Director at the Berlin Film Festival for Offside (2006).

Panahi’s films are known for their humanistic perspective on life in Iran, often focusing on the hardships of children, the impoverished, and women. In his own words, “I’m a filmmaker. I can’t do anything else but make films. Cinema is my expression and the meaning of my life. Nothing can prevent me from making films. Because when I’m pushed into the furthest corners I connect with my inner self.”

Abbas Kiarostami, who made Iranian cinema world-famous, often set his protagonists in cars so that the audience sees what the actor sees. The car and the eyes of the viewer became one, a large moving camera, so that the film director shares observations and thoughts with the viewers.

Jafar Panahi uses a similar technique in Taxi , although the decision to do so was not entirely voluntary. Panahi is currently banned from making films in his home country and is not allowed to travel abroad. Although sentenced to a term in prison, his was freed as a result of pressure from abroad. However, he has chosen to disregard the work ban imposed on him.

Taxi is a courageous act of resistance. The director plays the taxi driver in his own film, making conversation with numerous passengers as he drives them around Tehran. Some of these passengers address Iran’s democratic abuses very directly. In this respect, Taxi is a politically committed film.

It is also fun. And the taxi driver and his passengers often talk about cinema. The resulting conversations are very insightful, resulting in a clever take on current events.

The criteria for the international WACC-SIGNIS Human Rights Award are a documentary film (rather than a feature film) from the year in question that seeks to throw light on a question of human rights reflecting the values and priorities of WACC [World Association for Christian Communication] and SIGNIS [World Catholic Organization for Communication].

(Click here for the French version of this article or here for the Spanish version.)

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HUMAN RIGHTS, South Asia

South Africa: International Training Program for Human Rights

… HUMAN RIGHTS …

an article by UNESCO Chair in Human Rights

Over the past 10 years, the UNESCO Chair & Institute of Comparative Human Rights has held summer leadership training fora for young leaders from all regions of the world. In conjunction with its annual fora at the University of Connecticut, it has conducted three regional leadership training programs in Rwanda, Italy, and Thailand. In partnership with the African Studies Centre at the University of Cape Town, the main goals of the upcoming Forum are to bring both outstanding participants from past Leadership Training Programmes and new leaders to launch a global intergenerational leadership organization, if not movement. Young leaders with demonstrated commitment to human rights are strongly urged to attend.

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View of Table Mountain and the Cape Town Skyline — Courtesy of Marita McComiskey

The program seeks to

• Provide a platform to launch a Global Intergenerational Leadership Association

• Provide tools and resources to continue to build upon knowledge from the International Leadership Training Programme: A Global Intergenerational Forum and effect real change

The registration fee is $800 (USD) and includes: dormitory housing for 10 days, meals, ground transportation in Cape Town, cultural excursions, resource materials and a certificate of participation. Participants will be responsible for providing their own airfare to Cape Town, South Africa. The UNESCO Chair & Institute of Comparative Human Rights is unable to provide scholarships or grant fee waivers.  Upon acceptance to the Forum, participants will receive instructions for submitting program fees directly to the University of Cape Town Conference Management Centre to cover the following:

• Shared dormitory accommodation at UCT residence halls for 10 days (check-in June 18, 2015 and check-out June 28, 2015)

• Bath Towels and soap

• Meals (Dinner on Day 1; Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner for Days 2-9; and Breakfast on Day 10), a Cocktail function, and a Gala dinner

• Conference program space

• Ground transportation from airport to conference facilities

• Registration materials (programme book, conference bags, t-shirt)
• Museum passes and transportation to the District Six Museum and Robben Island

The International Leadership Training Programme: A Global Intergenerational Forum, originally organized as an Intergenerational Global Forum seeks to empower young leaders by involving them in finding solutions to emerging human rights problems, and by nurturing individuals to be effective leaders in the field of human rights. To this end, the Forum has sought to introduce participants to the United Nations Development Agenda and Universal Declaration of Human Rights, build a network of solidarity among human rights leaders, expand knowledge relevant to human rights practice, provide tools and a platform for open debate, develop human rights leadership, and promote sharing of experiences and understanding. The Forum has showcased speakers on such topics as: health, education, the environment, the plight of child soldiers, the use of media, fundraising, conflict resolution and transformation, litigation, advocacy, and other emerging human rights issues to name a few.

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Is there a new international generation of human rights activism?

Latest reader comment:

CPNN has been enriched over the years by the young human rights activists who take part in the Annual UNESCO International Leadership Forum. This is truly the hope for our future!

Africa, HUMAN RIGHTS

Amnesty International: A Devastating Year

… HUMAN RIGHTS …

an article by Salil Shetty, Secretary General at Amnesty International (abridged)

Video: Amnesty: A devastating year for human rights

[As we have shown in our Annual Report,] this has been a devastating year for those seeking to stand up for human rights and for those caught up in the suffering of war zones.

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Governments pay lip service to the importance of protecting civilians. And yet the world’s politicians have miserably failed to protect those in greatest need. Amnesty International believes that this can and must finally change.

International humanitarian law – the law that governs the conduct of armed conflict – could not be clearer. Attacks must never be directed against civilians. The principle of distinguishing between civilians and combatants is a fundamental safeguard for people caught up in the horrors of war.

And yet, time and again, civilians bore the brunt in conflict. In the year marking the 20th anniversary of the Rwandan genocide, politicians repeatedly trampled on the rules protecting civilians – or looked away from the deadly violations of these rules committed by others. . . .

2014 marked 30 years since the adoption of the UN Convention against Torture – another Convention for which Amnesty International campaigned for many years, and one reason why the organization was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1977.

This anniversary was in one respect a moment to celebrate – but also a moment to note that torture remains rife around the world, a reason why Amnesty International launched its global Stop Torture campaign this year.

This anti-torture message gained special resonance following the publication of a US Senate report in December, which demonstrated a readiness to condone torture in the years after the 11 September 2001 attacks on the USA. It was striking that some of those responsible for the criminal acts of torture seemed still to believe that they had nothing to be ashamed of.

From Washington to Damascus, from Abuja to Colombo, government leaders have justified horrific human rights violations by talking of the need to keep the country “safe”. In reality, the opposite is the case. Such violations are one important reason why we live in such a dangerous world today. There can be no security without human rights.

We have repeatedly seen that, even at times that seem bleak for human rights – and perhaps especially at such times – it is possible to create remarkable change.

We must hope that, looking backward to 2014 in the years to come, what we lived through in 2014 will be seen as a nadir – an ultimate low point – from which we rose up and created a better future.

(Click here for a Spanish version of this article or here for a French version.)

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What is the state of human rights in the world today?,

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Each year we get overviews of the state of human rights in the world from Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch.

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The Caribbean Union of Teachers promotes LGBT Rights

… HUMAN RIGHTS …

an article by Education International

Teacher union leaders have made an important step in their journey to develop a better understanding of LGBT issues from a human rights perspective, as the region shifts its tolerance and acceptance toward sexual diversity.

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Lisa Shoman

In an effort to bring an end to the discrimination of LGBT students and teachers in Caribbean schools, teachers’ unions took small steps to find solutions to create acceptance of sexual diversity.

Human rights were at the core of the argument led by one of the Caribbean’s leading politicians and former Foreign Minister of Belize, Lisa Shoman, as she facilitated a discussion on “LGBT rights of students and teachers” at the Caribbean Union of Teachers’ (CUT) 6th Education Conference in Belize City, Central America in December.

Shoman, who is also a human rights lawyer, had the challenge of helping teachers move beyond what has been a contentious issue throughout the region’s history, which has been greatly influenced by religious and cultural beliefs and values. She worked to highlight human rights to separate them from issue of beliefs. However, one major roadblock in many countries has been the law.

“There are still antiquated laws on the statute books” that see people penalised for their sexual preferences, said Davanand Sinanan, President of the Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers Association (TTUTA), and Education International (EI) Executive Board Member. “In fact, in Trinidad and Tobago we have not been able to finalize a national gender policy for over three years because of opposition from religious bodies to clauses that speak to LGBT rights.”

Sinanan made it clear that wants his schools and society to change perspective, to recognise that all people deserve equal rights in order to stop discrimination.

Following the discussion, many agreed that there is a need for extensive education on the issue within the region to ensure that teachers are able to face varied lifestyle choices professionally and without judgement, especially youth friendly educational services that are delivered with the full respect of their rights and dignity for all, and the diversity of sexual orientation and gender identity.

Currently, 11 of the 12 Commonwealth countries of the Caribbean criminalise homosexuality under laws introduced by British colonialism. Many of these laws are reported to be indirectly enforced through police extortion and other state-sanctioned abuses, social stigma and direct discrimination. Criminal enforcement emerges as a barrier, which amounts to the denial of access and rights to education, employment, housing, health and other public services.

[Thank you to the Good News Agency for bringing this article to our attention.]

(Click here for a Spanish version of this article and here for a version in French.

 

Question related to this article:

The struggle against homophobia, Is progress being made in your community?

It would seem from articles on CPNN that progress is being made in some communities. In particular this is true in the United States according to the article by Danny B and in Bulgaria according to the article by Diana Tashkova.

HUMAN RIGHTS, Latin America