Projects

Ethiopia/Nigeria/Zimbabwe

Human rights defenders in countries like Ethiopia, Nigeria and Zimbabwe cannot openly support human rights in their country. Their position is perilous. The national authorities suppress every sign of dissent and issue discriminatory legislation to obstruct human rights activities. In consequence, the work on human rights and democracy issues is criminalised.
  
In early 2009, Justitia et Pax helped human rights defenders from the Niger Delta participate in the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Nigeria. In December 2009 this was repeated for the UPR of Ethiopia. Activities for Zimbabwe are under preparation and could be carried out in 2011.
  

Partners

Justitia et Pax assists partners in their policy influencing activities at the UN. The UPR provides a new opportunity to discuss human rights situations, also with respect to countries that would often remain unaddressed in the past. Justitia et Pax participated in the UPRs of The Netherlands, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Nigeria, Ethiopia and others.
 
 
 
Vote count in national elections, Lagos, April 2007 (photo: Tiggy Ridley/IRIN)
 

Ethiopia

  

Along with other international and Ethiopian human rights and development organisations, Justitia et Pax aims to place the developments in Ethiopia with regards to human rights on the agenda at various political levels and to place pressure on the Ethiopian government in addressing and acknowledging violations.

 

Justitia et Pax’s history and relations with members of the Ethiopian Diaspora allowed for the development of close cooperation and a fruitful partnership. Through these relations dialogue was facilitated between the Ethiopian Human Rights Defenders and the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs which resulted in the meeting and discussion between themselves and representatives of various Dutch NGOs. A joint statement was made and addressed to the State Secretary Knapen following his visit to Ethiopia, after which a discussion was held with the new Human Rights Ambassador. Subsequently the situation in Ethiopia was brought to the attention of the House of Representatives in the build up to the general consultation on the review of the Dutch Human Rights Strategy. The collaboration with members from the Ethiopian Diaspora in this light has allowed for increased capacity in structured and informed advocacy with regards to the situation in Ethiopia. Additionally an independent organisation was set up in order to support Human Rights Defenders in and from Ethiopia as well as to encourage and influence policy to improve the human rights situation in Ethiopia.

 

Results

  • Ensuring that Justitia et Pax discusses the human rights situation in Ethiopia and the situation regarding human rights organisations in Ethiopia, who have had to cease activities with respect to the CSO law, with the Human Rights Ambassador in the department of Africa and Human Rights in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with the Embassy in Addis Ababa and ensuring that it is brought to the attention of Minister Knapen who will bring up the issue with his counterparts in Ethiopia.

 

  • To intensify collaboration with support groups of Ethiopian Human Rights organisations in the Netherlands and join efforts on project development

 

  • To inform CESCR (Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights) of the human rights violations in Ethiopia

 

  • Discuss the cooperation/support for human rights defenders of Ethiopia, with EU External Action Service Staff

 

  • Discussion with UN Special Reporters (Mandate: Human Rights and Terrorism); Information given for report and complaint regarding the addressing of the Ethiopian situation and Ethiopian Human Rights Defenders

 

  • Preparations for a training over digital security for Ethiopian Human Rights Defenders
     
What is a UPR?
 
A Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is an evaluation of the human rights situation in a particular country. Since 2008, all countries are required to complete a ‘human rights exam’ at the Human Rights Council of the United Nations, once every four years. Information for the UPR is submitted beforehand and consists of:
  • a report drawn up by the respective government
  • recommendations and comments by treaty bodies and UN reporters about the country, compiled by the High Commissioner for Human Rights
  • research information provided by human rights and development organisations.
The subsequent exam consists of a three-hour session during which countries can ask questions and offer recommendations. The country under examination may then respond and must indicate which of the recommendations it shall implement over the next four years.
 
80-yr old refugee and her grandson, South Ethiopia (photo: George Mulala/IRIN)
80-yr old refugee and her grandson, South Ethiopia (photo: George Mulala/IRIN)