IH-D, occasionally with IH-A and with other NGOs, held meetings on IHRAAM activities, Chiapas and Kashmir with the following:
NGOs:
International Association of Democratic Lawyers
International Association Against Torture
pax Christi
Franciscan International
Association for World Education
European Union of Public Relations
Amnesty International
Minority Human Rights Group
Human Rights Asia
UNCTAH
International Alliance of Women
International Council of Women
World Federation of Democratic Youth
African Association of Education for Development
Arab Lawyers Union
Centre for Justice and International Law
Dayemi Coplex Bangladesh
December Twelfth Movement International Secretariat
Habitat
Human Rights Watch
international Federation of Human Rights League
International Federation Terre Des Hommes
International Human Rights Law Group
International Service for Human Rights
New Human Rights
Socialist International Women
Union of Arab Jurists
World Vision International
Centre Europe
Action: All the above NGOs will be placed on the IHRAAM mailing list and up to date data and information must be forwarded to them on IHRAAM's activities.
Government Delegations:
Russia
Venezuela
Japan
Turkey
Sudan
USA
Iraq Austria
Bhutan
France
Costa Rica
Uganda
Iran
United Kingdom
Recommended action: It is advisable that all the government missions in Geneva must be forarded an update, at least four times a year, abouat the activities of IHRAAM
Sub-Commission Members:
IH-D held meetings with Sub-Commission Members from the following countries:
I)
United States of America
II) United Kingdom
III) France
IV) Senegal (Chairman)
V) Norway
VI) Sri Lanka
VII) Uganda
VIII) Morocco
IX) Mauritius
X)
Other members. In addition IH-D held meetings with the Members from
Chile, Cuba, Japan, China and Egypt.
Recommended Action: It is advisabe to
maintain a close contact with the members of the Sub-Commission.
IH-D had two meetings with the
Sub-Commission Member from Norway. He discussed the proposed "First
International Conference of NGOs on the Human Right to Self-Determination."
IH-D provided him with a copy of IHRAAM Chairman's note on it, and requested
him to participate in it. He is likely to respond to Dr. Kly directly.
IH-D also raised the issue of African American prisoners with him.
He listened to this carefully. He was requested to look at four cases
as a "test case", to which he agreed. The names of the cases are
as follows:
i) Barry Eugene Boyce
ii) Michael D. Cooper
iii) C. Henderson
iv) Omar R. Shabazz
All the relevant papers on this were handed over to the Member from Norway.
Recommended Action: Please remain in touch with him with regards to the conference and the situation of the prisoners in general, and the "test case" in particular.
Round Table/Seminar, 11 August,
1998.
RAPE: A WAR CRIME
IHRAAM, initially together with other NGOs, ie. International Education Development, World Muslim Congress, International peace Burewau, APWA and many others, pursuant to discussions IH-D had with the IHRAAM Chair in London on this matter, took the initiative to convene this important "Round-Table." However, IH-D decided to withdraw from the lead role, but nevertheless agreed to extend help to materialising the Round Table.
Long meetings were held at the Palais with Asbjorn Eide, H.E. Warzazi, Joseph Aloka-Onyango and Yeung Kam Sik Yuen concerning the objectives of the Round Table.
The Round Table was chaired by Mr. Maqbool Ahmed and coordinated by Ms. Karen Parker. IH-D provided direction and guidance to the coordinator.
The Round Table was conducted in a way that it was totally balanced. It touched the issues of Africans, Chiapas, Tamils, Kosovo, Kashmiris, etc.
The panel consisted of Eide, Warzazi, Joseph Oloka-Onyango and Yeung Kam Suk Yuem (all members of the Sub-Commission and invited by IH-D). Besides, Molina Brano-Abram (Chief of Thematic Procedure), Wilda Spalding and Felicity Hill were also part of the panel. IHRAAM's contribution was very much recognized.
NGOs attendance was simply overwhelming, which remained intact until the Round Table was declared closed by the Chair.
Resolutions:
The Sub-Commission, among others,
passed two resolutions in which IHRAAM contributed. IH-A vehemently
advocated the cause of Chiapas of Mexico together with other NGOs.
The Sub-Commission passed a resolution against the Mexican government on
this. IH-D advocated "protection" for Human Rights Defenders around
the world. There was considerable enthusiasm among NGOs on this.
Mr. Bengoa (Chile) sponsored the resolution together with other members
of the Sub-Commission. The resolution was passed unanimously.
FORTHCOMING WORKING GROUPS
It is very crucial that the following working
group sessions should be attended by IHRAAM:
19-10-1998 to 06-11-1998
Human Rights Committee
Geneva
11-11-1998 to 20-22-1998
Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances
Geneva
25-11-1998 to 04-12-1998
Working Group on Arbitrary Detention
Geneva
It is crucial from the point of view that the reports prepared by these working groups end up in the Commission's work.
IH-D is considering to attend one or more of these working groups, Indeed, the Chair's and the Directorate's views on this would be very much welcomed.