«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.
I. THE DECISION TO ABOLISH THE COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS1 The United Nations “Summit” held in September 2005, approved in its Final Declaration to abolish the Commission on Human Rights and to replace it by a Council on Human Rights. The Council’s features are not defined in the Final Declaration, but the superpower and its […]
Continue readingI. Introduction The attempt to convert the main United Nations human rights body into an instrument of unilateral service for several powers, unrepresentative of the current diversity of the international community of states, has, fortunately, been thwarted by the vote of the 170 member states of the General Assembly that approved the creation of the […]
Continue readingThe right to life is under threat for the Kurdish people in Turkey There are conflicts all around us. Many rights are violated during these conflicts. Many do this in the name of power and sovereignty. States assume their power over society under the pretext of the general protection of populations and culture. For this […]
Continue reading1. The Europe – Third World Centre (CETIM) and the American Association of Jurists (AAJ), along with numerous other international organisations for the defence of human rights, is preoccupied by the violations of human rights in Tunisia. President Ben Ali has recently amended the constitution to create a life-time presidency and to accord himself permanent […]
Continue readingI. THE AGGRESSION The invasion of Iraq, under the false pretext that the regime in place possessed weapons of massive destruction, was a crime of aggression and a crime against peace1. II. WAR CRIMES Acts of war committed during an aggression are war crimes, as specified in the Nuremberg Ruling (Judgement), already mentioned in footnote […]
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