Summary: Youth Forum Preparatory Session on Peace
UN Organizations and NGOs Sessions
| Time: |
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13 July 2002, 09:00-12:15 |
| Location: |
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ICCG 1 |
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Moderator(s): | | • Mr. Alexandre Ovona, Jeunesse Etudiante Catholique Internationale
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Presenters/ Participants: | | • Ms. Veronique Bourquin, Amnesty International
• Mr. Tsatsu Dawson, United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR)
• Mr. José Parra, Youth Resource Center on Human Rights (CODAP)
• Ms. Birgit Van Hout, United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR)
• Ms. Giovanna Zucchelli, United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR)
• Ms. Talkalit Aboubacrine, Association Tin Hinan
• Mr. Wen-Ju Cheng, Taiwan International Medical Alliance (TIMA)
• Mr. Huang Tzu-Chi, Taiwan International Medical Alliance (TIMA)
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| Reporter: |
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Huang Tzu Chi, Cheng Wen Ju |
| Key words: |
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Human Rights, Indigenous Peoples, OHCHR, racism, racial discrimination |
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It is with the idea of encouraging and accelerating the exchange of information and opinions on human rights that this conference was
organised.
Mr. Ovona introduced all presenters. Giovanna Zucchelli introduced guide lines for the study of Human Rights while Birgit Van Hout focused on a discussion of the World Conference in Durban on Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance. This was followed by delegates representing indigenous peoples who concentrated on describing the Indigenous Fellowship Program which is sponsored by
OHCHR.
During the NGOs Sessions, Véronique Bourquin of Amnesty International (AI) introduced the work of AI. There are three main kinds of actions that AI can do: long term, short term and “urgent”.
First, in the long term, AI tries to record and investigate any violations of Human Rights around the world. It makes every attempt to meet with the victims themselves and verify the violations. AI then issues reports about what’s been happening. After that AI writes letters to offending governments to remind them of their obligations as adherents to the Human Rights Convention. This is followed by lobbying
activities within the country.
Short term activities involve participation in high-profile conferences and “focus”days – e.g., International
Children's Day.
Those instances which are immediate and compelling, such as an individual being incarcerated and tortured unjustly, are investigated and verified by AI and intervene on the individual's behalf with the government.
Finally, there was a presentation by Walet Aboubacrin Talkaltt on the Human Rights’ situation in Mali. From the age of 14, she has been fighting for the rights of women, indigenous peoples and children. She has seen enough examples of the violations of basic human rights from the torture of children, to child abuse in the refugee camps to encourage her to continue to fight for some rectification of the situation.
Interesting questions
There was some debate on what the difference between “youth” and “child” is. The conclusion seemed to be that every country has a right to define this critical element to interpretation of
Human Rights.
Conclusions
Whether it be at the international, local or regional levels, there are still more actions that the youth of the world can take. Thanks to the Indigenous Fellowship Program, Human Rights issues will remain a main focus in youth activities.
It is important for the youth of the world to have a voice in the political process and to use it through their vote.
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