Current international law news relating to Indigenous Peoples and Ethnic Minorities from IGOs and NGOs as reported by Steven C. Perkins, J.D., M.L.L. (scperkins @ gmail.com)
Monday, March 13, 2023
Saturday, April 25, 2015
UN recognizes copyright of Maori artists in tukutuku hanging in UN headquarters
Forty-three tukutuku panels (a distinctive art form of the Maori people of New Zealand) woven by artists from around the country hang in the UN headquarters in New York. The United Nations has agreed that the artists retain copyright in the works, which is a departure from its usual practice.
Tuesday, December 04, 2012
Human Rights Day, 10 December 2012
Human Rights Day presents an opportunity, every year, to celebrate human rights, highlight a specific issue, and advocate for the full enjoyment of all human rights by everyone everywhere.
This year, the spotlight is on the rights of all people — women, youth, minorities, persons with disabilities, indigenous people, the poor and marginalized — to make their voices heard in public life and be included in political decision-making.
These human rights — the rights to freedom of opinion and expression, to peaceful assembly and association, and to take part in government (articles 19, 20 and 21 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights) have been at the centre of the historic changes in the Arab world over the past two years, in which millions have taken to the streets to demand change. In other parts of the world, the “99%” made their voices heard through the global Occupy movement protesting economic, political and social inequality.
Tuesday, November 02, 2010
PLoS: Are Drug Companies Living Up to Their Human Rights Responsibilities? Three Viewpoints
In 2008, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Right to Health, Paul Hunt, made a report to the UN General Assembly (11 August 2008) The Right of Everyone to the Enjoyment of the Highest Attainable Standard of Physical and Mental Health: Report of the Special Rapporteur, Paul Hunt. U.N. General Assembly, 63rd Session, Agenda Item 67(b). U.N. Doc. A/63/263. See, http://www.essex.ac.uk/human_rights_centre/research/rth/index.aspx
In September 2010, PLoS Medicine published the following Debate on drug companies and their human rights obligations.
Are Drug Companies Living Up to Their Human Rights Responsibilities? Three Viewpoints
In September 2010, the PLoS Medicine Debate asks whether drug companies are living up to their human rights responsibilities. Sofia Gruskin and Zyde Raad from the Harvard School of Public Health say more assessment is needed of such responsibilities; Geralyn Ritter, Vice President of Global Public Policy and Corporate Responsibility at Merck & Co. argues that multiple stakeholders could do more to help States deliver the right to health; and Paul Hunt and Rajat Khosla introduce Mr. Hunt's work as the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to health (2002-2008), regarding the human rights responsibilities of pharmaceutical companies and access to medicines.
In their accompanying editorial, the PLoS Medicine Editors argue that drug companies should be held much more accountable for their human rights responsibilities.
Editorial
Drug Companies Should Be Held More Accountable for Their Human Rights ResponsibilitiesPLoS Hub for Clinical Trials, PLoS Medicine:
Published 28 Sep 2010 | info:doi/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000344
The PLoS Medicine Debates
- Are Drug Companies Living Up to Their Human Rights Responsibilities? Moving Toward Assessment
Sofia Gruskin, Zyde Raad
PLoS Hub for Clinical Trials, PLoS Medicine:
Published 28 Sep 2010 | info:doi/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000310
- Are Drug Companies Living Up to Their Human Rights Responsibilities? The Merck Perspective
Geralyn S. Ritter
PLoS Hub for Clinical Trials, PLoS Medicine:
Published 28 Sep 2010 | info:doi/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000343
- Are Drug Companies Living Up to Their Human Rights Responsibilities? The Perspective of the Former United Nations Special Rapporteur (2002-2008)
Paul Hunt, Rajat Khosla
PLoS Hub for Clinical Trials, PLoS Medicine:
Published 28 Sep 2010 | info:doi/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000330