«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.
SUB-COMMISSION ON THE PROMOTION AND PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS 57th session 25 July – 12 August 2005 [Excerpt from the declaration] It should be pointed out that the future of the Sub-Commission is not even being discussed during the negotiations on the reform of the Commission on Human Rights, despite the fact that the history […]
Continue readingSUB-COMMISSION ON THE PROMOTION AND PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS 57th session 25 July – 12 August 2005 [Excerpt from the declaration] Last June, the G8 leaders announced with great fanfare that they were cancelling the debts of 18 heavily indebted poor countries (HIPCs) to the tune of 40 billion US dollars. This decision, which on […]
Continue readingHUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION 61st session 14 March – 22 April 2005 [Excerpt from the statement] After several years of debate, this question undoubtedly deserves a more definitive answer. For a simple reading of the debt figures over the last three decades tends to show that all the policies adopted to date have had no other […]
Continue readingCOMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS 61st session 14 March – 22 April 2005 [Excerpt from the statement] As for the development of methods for assessing the social impact of trade policies, we have sufficient serious studies, from UN bodies and other sources, which describe the catastrophic situation in the world due in particular to the international […]
Continue readingHUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION 61st session 14 March – 22 April 2005 Read the CETIM oral statement 1. 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 […]
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