Influencing the UN system The Economic, Social and Cultural Root Causes of Torture Influencing the UN system The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

Influencing the UN system: CESCR Opportunities for NGOs to Influence the Work of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights submission of a Pre-sessional list of issues drawn up in the light of a State Report preparation of an alternative report for submission to the Committee prior to the examination of a State Report Follow-up on concluding observations and recommendations participation in the Committee’s General Discussion Days drafting of General Comments submission of communications or urgent appeals And soon… The Optional Protocol to the Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

Influencing the UN system: CESCR What the Committee on Economic Social and Cultural Rights says about the root causes of torture and other forms of violence Domestic Violence Serbia and Montenegro, 2005 The Committee expresses its deep concern about the high incidence of domestic violence, often resulting from psychological distress caused by unemployment […]. Ukraine, 2001 Most low-paid workers and 80 per cent of the unemployed are women. They are also frequently victims of violence in the family and of sexual harassment in the workplace.

Influencing the UN system: CESCR What the Committee on Economic Social and Cultural Rights says about the root causes of torture and other forms of violence Vulnerable populations - Roma Albania, 2006 The Committee is concerned that ethnic minorities in Albania, in particular the Roma and the Egyptian communities, suffer from discrimination and serious disadvantages in access to services and only enjoy a limited protection of their economic, social and cultural rights. The Committee is also seriously concerned about the reports of ill-treatment and excessive use of force by law enforcement officials vis-à-vis these persons, notwithstanding the explanation provided by the State party that they are isolated incidents.

Influencing the UN system: CESCR What the Committee on Economic Social and Cultural Rights says about the root causes of torture and other forms of violence Vulnerable populations - indigenous Bolivia, 2001 The Committee is concerned about the large housing shortage, the incidence of forced evictions with respect to peasants and indigenous populations in favour of mining and lumber concessions, and the absence of effective measures to provide social housing for low-income, vulnerable and marginalized groups.

Influencing the UN system: CESCR What the Committee on Economic Social and Cultural Rights says about the root causes of torture and other forms of violence Development projects and forced evictions Greece, 2004 Olympic Games China, 2008 Olympic Games China, Three Gorges dam project Mexico, La Parota dam project

Influencing the UN system: CESCR What the Committee on Economic Social and Cultural Rights says about the root causes of torture and other forms of violence The link between violence and the denial of economic, social and cultural rights Kenya, 2008 The Committee is concerned that disparities in the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights, including access to land, have led to inter-ethnic tensions and post-election violence during which at least 1,500 persons were killed early in 2008. […] The Committee recommends that the State party address disparities in the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights, including in access to land, which particularly affect poor people in urban areas and minority and indigenous communities in rural areas.

Influencing the UN system: CESCR What the Committee on Economic Social and Cultural Rights says about the root causes of torture and other forms of violence The link between violence and the denial of economic, social and cultural rights – human rights defenders Brazil, 2009 The Committee is deeply concerned about the culture of violence and impunity prevalent in the State party. In this regard, the Commitee is concerned about reports that human rights defenders, including those assisting individuals and communites in asserting their economic, social and cultural rights, are threatened, harassed and subjected to violence, frequiently by private militias commissioned by public and private actors. The Committee is concerned at reports of the murders of union leaders. In addition the Commitee notes with concern that trade union leaders are frequently subjected to other forms of harassment , including intimidation and malicious prosecution […]

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