Dear UNPO Members and Friends,
July 22 saw the International Court of Justice rule in favour of Kosova’s claim to independence. Despite a large number of states continuing not to recognize Kosova, there can be little doubt that such a verdict has positive implications for the present and future, both in symbolical terms but also practically, with the increased prospect of EU membership for Kosova as well as regional stability. UNPO has long supported the right of Kosova to self-determination and therefore strongly welcomed the decision by the ICJ and subsequent positive responses from members of the international community.
Somaliland continued its step towards increasing democratization of the country when, on July 2, a new President, Ahmed Mohamud Silanyo, was successfully elected. Despite the continuing lack of global recognition by the international community, the elections were declared a success not only due to their peaceful conduct, but also to the acceptance of defeat by outgoing President Dahir Riyale Kahin. As reported in last month’s newsletter, UNPO has been following the build up to the elections for some time and is extremely pleased that such a successful outcome has been achieved and accepted by all parties. UNPO Project Coordinator, Andrew Swan argued that other nations should take heed of Somaliland’s uncelebrated democratic nature in a letter published in the Financial Times.
After hearing of the sad news of his death, UNPO pays tribute to the life of Baloch leader Mr. Habib Jalib Baloch. Mr. Jalib was Secretary General of the Balochistan National Party (BNP), an organization which has been a UNPO member since 2006, and remained an active member of both the organization and a part of the wider Baloch movement, with a strong adherence to human rights. He was tragically killed in an attack outside his home, July 14. UNPO members and staff pay their deepest respects to Habib Jalib Baloch and express condolences to his family and friends.
Finally, we hope you will take a few moments to visit our new website – www.unpo.org. We hope you will like the new more professional format, and I thank the Secretariat staff for their constant endeavours to improve the quality of information available to the wider public.
Best wishes and kind regards,
Marino Busdachin
UNPO General Secretary
UNPO Activities
July 2010
02 July Conference: Democracy in Iran: Pitfalls and Potential
Chamber of Deputies, Rome, Italy
A two day event held in the Italian Parliament brought together Italian Senators, Members of Parliament, Iranian exiles, human rights defenders, civil society representatives and international experts to forge concrete proposals on how to consolidate the democratic transition in Iran to the betterment of all Iranian citizens including non-Persian nationalities who face ongoing discrimination and marginalisation from political processes.
The conference, organised by the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization and supported by the Nonviolent Radical Party, gave opportunity to Iranian exiled leaders from different political backgrounds to discuss the current situation in Iran and the possibility of a democratic transition which accommodates the demands of its different social, political religious and nationalities. In light of a year which has seen harsh clampdowns on civil up rise and protest, continued executions without due process, and the controversial election of Iran onto the UN Commission on the Status of Women, the conference and round table was seen by participants as very topical and well deserving of in depth analysis.
5 July 1st Anniversary of Urumqi Unrest
The Hague, the Netherlands
Commemoration of the tragic event that took place on July 5, 2010 in the autonomous Chinese Province East-Turkestan. UNPO demonstration on “het Plein”, opposite the Dutch parliament in the centre of The Hague, with a total of 100 participants. This event was organised by UNPO in collaboration with Vereniging Uyghuren Nederland (VUN) and Turks Academische Studenten Associatie (TASA)
14 July- 16 July Speak Out! Indigenous Voices
Clingendael Institute
During the 14-16 July, UNPO held its second ‘Speak Out’ event, an international human rights training program. The program, at the Clingendael Institute in The Hague, featured presentations and workshops from the United Network of Young Peacebuilders, Global Human Rights Defense, the Ambassador of Bolivia, Ms. Martine Alonso Marquis of the European Parliament, and many of others, as well as a visit to the ICC and the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where the group had a session with Mr Jochem de Groot, policy officer from the Human Rights Department. UNPO would like to thank all those who participated in what was a truly informative and enlightening event.
5 July UPR Stakeholder Report Submission Deadline on Rwanda and Myanmar
UNPO submitted Stakeholder Reports to the UN Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rghts on Rwanda and Myanmar.
5 July -16 July Independent Expert on Minority Issues Visits Vietnam
Vietnam
Independent Experts on minority issues officially visited and reviewed Vietnam highlighting language as a key barrier to development amongst Vietnamese minority communities which include Degar Montagnard and Khmer Krom UNPO Member populations.
12 July- 16 July Third Session Expert Mechanisms on the Right of Indigenous Peoples
Geneva, Switzerland
The task force discussed the situation in Ethiopia in terms of its performance in upholding the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in advance of their review next year (2010). The stakeholders report submitted from UNPO members Oromo and Ogaden were considered. See the reports here http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrc/hrcs99.htm
12 July Annual Summer Reception of the German Stiftungen
Tervuren , Belgium
UNPO, represented by Andrew Swan and Mohammed Ahmed, joined the Brussels NGO and diplomatic community in the annual reception convened by the Friedrich-Naumann-Stiftung. Following remarks by Dr. Werner Hoyer MP, Minister of State in the German Federal Foreign Office, UNPO discussed forthcoming activities with NGO representatives in the following networking event.
13 July Ken Saro Wiwa Commemoration Meeting
The Hague , the Netherlands
Stakeholder meeting, hosted by UNPO, to discuss how to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the execution of Ken Saro- Wiwa, nonviolent environmental Ogoni activist, which will take place in November 2010.
13 July Official Reception for the Birthday of H.H. the Dalai Lama
Brussels, Belgium
The official reception marking the 75th birthday of H.H. Dalai Lama was held in the Concert Noble in Brussels with UNPO represented alongside EU diplomats, Members of the European Parliament, and civil society.
14 July Journey for Peace Photo Exhibition
Brussels, Belgium
A photo exhibition on His Holliness the Dalai Lama entitled Journey for Peace was held at the European Parliament. UNPO representative, Evelin Sawall attended the exhibition.
30 July- 1 August Ogaden Annual Event
Stockholm, Sweden
An event will be held to discuss the current situation facing Ogaden in the Horn of Africa and to celebrate the unique culture associated with the region and its people.
31 July Government of National Unity Referendum
Zanzibar City, Zanzibar
Referendum will be held to decide whether Zanzibar should have a government of national unity.
EVENTS FOR THE DIARY
August 2010
2-6 August Pre-Session Working Group for the 48th Session of CEDAW
New York
South Africa Under Review
9 August International Day of Indigenous People
By resolution 49/214 of 23 December 1994, the UN General Assembly decided to celebrate the International Day of the World´s Indigenous People on 9 August every year during the International Decade of the World´s Indigenous People.
14 August Anniversary Abkhazia Declaration of Independence 1992
Abkhazia
23 August European Day for Victims of Stalinism and Nazism
European Parliament, Brussels
27- 28 August UNPO Training on Human Rights and Activism for Degar-Montagnards Members
North Carolina, USA
Important Notices:
Application forms for the 2011 UN Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Populations are now available. The fund provides financial assistance to indigenous delegates wishing to attend the 4th session of the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the 10th session of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. See http://www2.ohchr.org/english/about/funds/indigenous/ for forms and further information. Deadline is 1 October 2010
The annual grant competition of the United States Institute of Peace supports peacebuilding projects managed by non-profit organisations including educational institutions, research institutions, and civil society organizations. These innovative peace projects should be focused on preventing, managing, and resolving violent conflict and promoting post-conflict peacebuilding in settings outside the borders of the U.S. More Information: http://www.usip.org/grants-fellowships/annual-grant-competition. Deadline is October 2010
UNPO Publications
UN Human Rights Committee: UNPO reports on the situation of Ethiopia
UNPO published a report discussing the situation in Ethiopia, considering the implementation of provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). The official UNPO report can be found here and on the website of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. Reports by the Oromo Support Group and the African Rights Monitor are also published.
Please visit UNPO’s new website!
As a result of discussions over several months about how to improve the UNPO website, we are pleased to be able to welcome you to visit our new website. We are sure you will agree that the website is clearer, more professional and has better capacity to better represent your views. We do hope you will be patient with us over the coming weeks to ensure that the website reaches its full capacity as soon as possible.
UNPO Donations
UNPO is a not-for-profit organization and relies on membership fees, grants and donations, which help the organisation sustain its work and activities. Click here to make a donation
Please send us your agendas for the coming months so that we can include them in our diary. For any information please feel free to contact the UNPO Secretariat at unpo@unpo.org
UNPO Secretariat
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