Human rights instruments

BC Treaty Commission celebrates the passing of Bill C-15, federal legislation to implement the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, June 17, 2021
Articles, Ethnic groups in Canada, Indigenous peoples of North America, Human rights instruments, United Nations General Assembly resolutions, Indigenous peoples in Canada, Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Treaty, Indigenous rights, First Nations, Constitution Act, United Nations

Bill C-15 affirms and upholds the rights of Indigenous peoples as recognized by section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982 and the UN Declaration.

Key Points: 
  • Bill C-15 affirms and upholds the rights of Indigenous peoples as recognized by section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982 and the UN Declaration.
  • In BC, the treaty negotiations framework recognizes Indigenous rights and supports the implementation of the UN Declaration through negotiations of treaties and agreements.
  • In November 2019, the BC provincial government passed the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.
  • The Treaty Commission is the independent body responsible for overseeing treaty negotiations among the governments of Canada, BC and First Nations in BC.

Myanmar/Burma: Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on the outcome of the ASEAN Leaders’ Meeting

Retrieved on: 
Saturday, May 1, 2021
Human rights instruments, Council of Europe

The European Union underlines the need for their swift and faithful implementation.

Key Points: 
  • The European Union underlines the need for their swift and faithful implementation.
  • The European Union stands in solidarity with all those advocating for and working towards an inclusive democracy and the respect of Human rights and fundamental freedoms.
  • The EU underlines the need to respect the results of the elections of 8 November 2020.
  • The European Union calls for the immediate and effective enforcement of the ceasefire and for the avoidance of any further escalation.

Overseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Bill

Retrieved on: 
Saturday, February 27, 2021
Countries, Foreign relations, Government, Human rights instruments, European Convention on Human Rights, Derogation, Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, Article 15 of the European Convention on Human Rights, Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act

A Bill to Make provision about legal proceedings and consideration of derogation from the European Convention on Human Rights in connection with operations of the armed forces outside the British Islands.

Key Points: 

A Bill to Make provision about legal proceedings and consideration of derogation from the European Convention on Human Rights in connection with operations of the armed forces outside the British Islands.

FRA addresses national event marking 20 years of the EU Charter

Retrieved on: 
Friday, February 12, 2021
Political charters, Articles, Organizations, Human rights instruments, Ilham Tohti, Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, Political systems, European Union, Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms

As part of a series of national Fundamental Rights Charter events across the EU, FRA joined a roundtable discussion in Hungary.

Key Points: 
  • As part of a series of national Fundamental Rights Charter events across the EU, FRA joined a roundtable discussion in Hungary.
  • The discussion celebrated the 20th anniversary of EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and the 2019 laureate of the European Parliaments Sakharov-prize for the freedom of thought, Ilham Tohti.
  • FRA introduced the Charter, including its legal effects, novelties and potential.
  • It also spoke about the Agencys role in promoting the Charter and contributing to its respect by the EU and Member States.

Press release - Human rights and COVID-19: MEPs denounce measures taken by authoritarian regimes

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, January 21, 2021
Articles, Human rights instruments, EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime, Human rights, International human rights law

It also urges them to develop an explicit strategy to counter increasing state withdrawal and pushback against the international human rights framework.EU human rights sanctions mechanism

Key Points: 
  • It also urges them to develop an explicit strategy to counter increasing state withdrawal and pushback against the international human rights framework.EU human rights sanctions mechanism

    MEPs finally push for the new EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime to be implemented urgently, as an essential part of the EUs existing human rights and foreign policy toolbox.

  • QuoteAs MEPs, it is our duty to speak out, loudly and clearly, when it comes to human rights and the need to protect and recognise all those who work tirelessly and in difficult situations to uphold them.
  • To achieve true credibility as the European Union, it is vital that we act and speak with a strong and unified voice on human rights.
  • The text was originally prepared by MEPs in the Subcommittee on Human Rights.

Why Kellogg's enhanced Human Rights Strategy matters more than ever

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, December 10, 2020
Human rights instruments

We have made steady progress towards our commitment and are pleased to announce that we have evolved our Human Rights Strategy and updated our Human Rights Policy to enable greater action and impact.

Key Points: 
  • We have made steady progress towards our commitment and are pleased to announce that we have evolved our Human Rights Strategy and updated our Human Rights Policy to enable greater action and impact.
  • We are actively supporting human rights across our value chain by:
    Protecting farmers and worker rights, combatting forced and child labor, and ensuring a safe and healthy workplace for all.
  • Moreover, we're working to ensure human rights are protected not just in our operations but across our supply chain.
  • In 2020 we ranked 13th in the Know the Chain global human rights benchmark and 14th in the Corporate Human Rights Benchmark across industries.

BAT Launches tobacco industry-first Human Rights Report

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, December 10, 2020
Amnesty International, Articles, Organizations, World Health Organization, Human rights instruments, United Nations response to the COVID-19 pandemic

(BAT) has today become the first tobacco company to publish a Human Rights Report.

Key Points: 
  • (BAT) has today become the first tobacco company to publish a Human Rights Report.
  • The report coincides with UN Human Rights Day and highlights the company's commitment and actions to protect human rights across its global business and supply chain.
  • The report highlights the extensive measures BAT takes to promote, uphold and protect the human rights across its extensive supply chain, which includes 90,000 directly contracted farmers.
  • The report is published on UN Human Rights Day which, this year, focuses on the global impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on human rights.

Artificial intelligence: Presidency issues conclusions on ensuring respect for fundamental rights

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, October 22, 2020
Articles, Organizations, Human rights instruments, Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, European Union, Rights

The Presidency of the Council issued presidency conclusions on the charter of fundamental rights in the context of artificial intelligence and digital change.

Key Points: 
  • The Presidency of the Council issued presidency conclusions on the charter of fundamental rights in the context of artificial intelligence and digital change.
  • The text was supported or not objected to by 26 delegations.
  • These conclusions are designed to anchor the EU's fundamental rights and values in the age of digitalisation, foster the EU's digital sovereignty and actively contribute to the global debate on the use of artificial intelligence with a view to shaping the international framework.
  • The Presidency conclusions focus on a fundamental-rights based approach to artificial intelligence and provide guidance on dignity, freedoms, equality, solidarity, citizens' rights and justice.

EU sanctions regime for chemical weapons renewed for one year

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, October 13, 2020
Countries, Foreign relations, Government, Treaties of the Holy See, Human rights instruments, Politics of Iran, Foreign relations of Iran, Chemical Weapons Convention, Nuclear proliferation, Chemical warfare, International sanctions during the Russo-Ukrainian War, Sanctions against Iran

The Council today decided to extend the regime allowing the EU to impose restrictive measures on persons and entities involved in the development and use of chemical weapons by one year, until 16 October 2021.

Key Points: 
  • The Council today decided to extend the regime allowing the EU to impose restrictive measures on persons and entities involved in the development and use of chemical weapons by one year, until 16 October 2021.
  • The sanctions regime was introduced in 2018 as a follow-up to the conclusions of the European Council of 28 June 2018.
  • The objective was to counter the proliferation and use of chemical weapons, which pose a serious threat to international security.
  • The objective of the EU sanctions regime is to support the global prohibition of chemical weapons as laid down by the Chemical Weapons Convention, at a moment when chemical attacks are increasing in various parts of the world.

St Kitts and Nevis Accedes to UN Convention against Torture

Retrieved on: 
Monday, September 28, 2020
Countries, Foreign relations, Government, Human rights instruments, United Nations Convention against Torture, Nevis, Outline of Saint Kitts and Nevis, Capital punishment in Saint Kitts and Nevis

LONDON, Sept. 28, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --The Federation of St Kitts and Nevis acceded to the United Nations' Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.

Key Points: 
  • LONDON, Sept. 28, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --The Federation of St Kitts and Nevis acceded to the United Nations' Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
  • St Kitts and Nevis joins another 170 countries in their fight against torture through national capacity building, inter-state dialogue and cooperation.
  • Dr Alice Edwards, Head of Secretariat at the Convention Against Torture Initiative (CTI), commented on St Kitts and Nevis' accession as "an important ratification showing global resolve to tackle torture and ill-treatment."
  • With St Kitts and Nevis taking this step, we hope it would encourage other countries, who have not yet acceded to this Convention, to do likewise."