«Il n‘y a pas un monde développé et un monde sous-développé, mais un seul monde mal développé»
CETIM focuses on the promotion and implementation of economic, social and cultural rights (ESCR). They are the backbone of human rights and a powerful tool for achieving a self determinated development model by peoples. This is particularly true for the most vulnerable and marginalised populations. Properly implemented, these rights contribute to the respect for human dignity and to the achievement of social justice. On the contrary, the violation of any of them can jeopardise the enjoyment of all the others.
The universality, indivisibility and interdependence of human rights are enshrined in international instruments. Yet, we are still a long way from their effective implementation for all, and ESCR are among the worst off. Indeed, the basic needs (food, water, health, housing, education) of a third of humanity are still not being met. In some respects, the situation has even deteriorated, including in the countries of the North. This is due to the fact that the policies adopted at economic level accentuate ESCR violations and cause
– increased poverty
– growing inequality across the world
– multiple crises (political, economic, financial, environmental, social and cultural).
By definition, human rights are designed to protect citizens from the arbitrary actions of the most powerful and their governments
The international health crisis linked to COVID-19 has only exacerbated this situation. It has also shown the importance of implementing public policies based on ESCR. In particular, the right to health, the right to housing, the right to food, the right to water, the right to work, the right to education and the right to social security.
But for human rights to be better respected, they must be known, they must be demanded and they must be enforced. However, victims are often unaware of their rights and of the mechanisms available to them for appealing (at national, regional or international level). States, which have an obligation to inform and educate their citizens about human rights, often fail in their duties.
The role played by civil society organisations and social movements in human rights education and training is therefore crucial
– to denounce human rights violations
– to contribute to the implementation of existing standards.
[During its sitting on 21 May 2012, the ECOSOC Committee on NGOs took note of the fact that the two-year suspension of the CETIM’s consultative status would end in July 2012. During the same sitting, Turkey (which had requested this sanction against the CETIM) declared that it would not oppose the restitution of its status […]
Continue readingMr. President, We welcome the report1 submitted by the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders and we share her concerns about the smear campaigns that target human rights defenders as, basically, defending human rights is a political act as Mahtma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela, among others, have taught to us. The written […]
Continue readingAccess the Critical Report in PDF There is a dense network of economic and financial agreements and treaties – international, regional, sub-regional and bilateral – that have superseded the basic instruments of international and regional human rights, including the right to a safe environment. Constitutions and national laws intended to promote harmonious national development and political, economic, […]
Continue readingThank you Mr. President We would like to express our appreciation to the Viet Nam Government for their constructive and considered approach to the UPR process and generally for their commitment in the field of human rights. We warmly commend Viet Nam for his significant achievements in the promotion and protection of all human rights, […]
Continue reading1. The grave financial crisis currently affecting the United States and the other countries of the North did not suddenly happen overnight1. If it is difficult to determine exactly when it began, the fact is that it first hit the South – and the East – on the periphery of the world capitalist system: Mexico […]
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