Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE)’s Post

The Human Rights System Is Under Threat: A Call to Action. The drivers of these human rights crises and their consequences often transcend borders and cannot be solved by governments acting alone. Understanding and responding. https://lnkd.in/euFKdms4

🚨 PRESS RELEASE: CLAIHR has observed with alarm a widespread pattern of State-level repression of pro-Palestine and pro-Palestinian views, opinions and expressions over the past year. Over the past 12 months we have witnessed a rapid deterioration of fundamental freedoms in Canada, a situation which has continued to worsen in recent weeks. CLAIHR is urgently calling on Rapporteurs from both the United Nations (UN) and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) to respond to this dangerous erosion of fundamental freedoms of opinion, expression, assembly and association in Canada. See our full press release in ENG and FR: https://lnkd.in/gC_SWM29

It's Forum on the Arms Trade annual conference time the first week of June, so you know what I'm up to... planning and promoting (and you might even see me on the screen). I'm biased, of course, but think we have some really interesting panels set up asking whether restraint on the arms trade is out the door, or if there are actually opportunities for better control given all the attention these days. Sign up and spread the word.

As human rights activists, we at the International Human Rights Foundation raise our voices against the blatant injustice of the arrest and continued detention of the Russian-Basque journalist Pablo Gonzalez. He has been held for two years in a maximum security prison in Poland without formal charge, without evidence of any crime and without trial. This act is not only an outrage against an individual, but a direct attack on the fundamental principles of the rule of law, freedom of the press and the right to freedom of expression. The complicity of the Spanish authorities, through their inaction and lack of diplomatic efforts to secure his release or at least a fair trial, is deeply worrying. This case is not an isolated incident, but a calculated attempt to intimidate and punish those who exercise a free and critical press, who dare to challenge censorship and military propaganda. We must speak out, mobilise and demand that all the authorities involved respect the human rights of Pablo González and, by extension, those of all journalists and press freedom defenders around the world. #FreePabloGonzalez #2AñosSinPablo #JusticiaParaPablo #Spain #Poland #HumanRights #IHRF #España #Polonia #DerechosHumanos

Check out the three panels for our annual conference June 4-6 and register now. * June 4 - Moving Beyond Rhetoric: Overcoming Challenges to Better U.S. Policy with Charles (Cob) Blaha, Brian Finucane International Crisis Group, Amanda M. Klasing Amnesty International USA * June 5 - Are Legal and Human Rights Challenges at a Tipping Point in Changing the Arms Trade? with Sara Elizabeth Dill, Chloé Bailey * June 6 - The Ongoing Humanitarian Disarmament Agenda with Peter Asaro, Alma Taslidžan, Cristian Guillermet, and Bonnie Docherty https://lnkd.in/eu8scpbn

#Accesstoinformation forms an integral part of Freedom of Expression, guaranteed by Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in #Africa.

Is the Civic Space in Ethiopia Flourishing or Diminishing?! According to EU's Annual Human Rights and Democracy Report of 2023, civic space in Ethiopia is diminishing as the gov't tightly controls reporting on critical issues. Besides, the report emphasizes that authorities are harassing and detaining critical voices, leading to journalists, opposition members, and civil society activists being silenced or forced into exile. Read pp 100ff - https://lnkd.in/gUfb96BU

Haiti is facing a potential collapse as violent criminal groups threaten to overthrow the government. The attacks have disrupted economic activity, humanitarian assistance, and transportation. Regional and international partners need to support Haitians' calls for a rights-based international response, including a rights-based mission and the formation of a transitional government. This and other International Legal News can be found in our weekly round-up here. https://lnkd.in/dxz2ubJ4

🇵🇸 #Palestine - The two questions being debated from Monday 19 February - by 52 States and 3 international organisations - at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) goes all at once to the heart of the conflict that is raging, of the world legal order, and of a possible peace solution. Explanations by Janet H. Anderson. 3 quotes: By asking the judges to examine this situation, the question implicitly asks “whether we are still falling under this [IHL] legal framework or not. And if not, what kind of legal framework are we now talking about?” says Chantal Meloni, professor at the University of Milan. “Here's the point that for me becomes very, very relevant.” Any ruling by the judges that IHL is no longer the acceptable framework for a 50-plus year occupation could “have further ramifications both in terms of a state responsibility and in terms of individual criminal responsibility”. A determination by the court, “will end this political deadlock”, says Navanethem Pillay, South African head of the independent inquiry into Palestine. “Contrary to what people say - as if there's been some brisk peace process going on - my view and the Commission's view, is, in fact, that this judicial opinion will advance the process of achieving peace in the Middle East.” The invasion in Ukraine in 2022 spurred that new development, says Dr Victor Kattan, professor of international law at the University of Nottingham. “The Palestinians saw Russia invade Ukraine. And the Americans saying ‘this is aggression. It's illegal, annexing territory’”. That frustration tapped into the longer-term disputes at the UN to bring this question to the International Court of Justice. #IsraelPalestine #InternationalCourtofJustice #InternationalLaw #IHL #Peace https://lnkd.in/eu2zs2qW

Sunday marks the International Day of Democracy, a day to reflect on the importance of protecting the rights and freedoms that define a free and democratic society. Did you know? New reforms to our laws are in place to protect people in Canada, our institutions, and our democracy from foreign interference. https://lnkd.in/gsBqbzhM #DemocracyDay