New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants

At the UN Summit for Refugees and Migrants that was held in New York on September 19, 2016, world leaders came to a consensus on addressing the issue of large movements of refugees and migrants.  The New York Declaration contains a list of commitments for Member States to follow some of which are of key interest to IIMA and its activities such as:

• Protecting the human rights of all refugees and migrants, regardless of status. This includes the rights of women and girls and promoting their full, equal and meaningful participation in finding solutions.

• Ensuring that all refugee and migrant children are receiving education within a few months of arrival.

VIDES speaks about Youth Empowerment at HRC panel

On September 22, 2016, VIDES International Representative Maria D’Onofrio spoke at a panel discussion on youth and human rights that was held during the 33^rd session of the Human Rights Council (HRC) in the Palais des Nations in Geneva.  The panel discussion was mandated by HRC resolution 32/1 of June 30, 2016 and its objective was to identify challenges, best practices and lessons learned in the exercise of human rights by young people, as well as relevant opportunities for the empowerment of youth in the exercise of their rights. 

Youth empowerment through human rights was the key theme addressed by Ms. D’Onofrio in her opening statement. She highlighted the importance of access to quality education and effective implementation of children’s rights up to 18 in accordance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child has key conditions to empower youth and to unlock their potential as promoters of human rights.  

Youth and human rights receive special attention at UN Panel discussion

On 22 September 2016 at 12.00, Human Rights Council President H.E. Mr. Choi Kyong-lim chaired the panel on “Youth and Human Rights”.  The panel was approved through resolution / HRC / 32 / L.1 during the Council’s 32^nd session on 30 June 2016.  The resolution was recommended by El Salvador on behalf of a core-group of Member States and it was approved by consensus.  The passage marked a historic achievement that recognized youth as subject partners for development, bearers of new ideals and catalysts of action.  The resolution provided for the convening of a panel whose aim was to identify the challenges, good practices and lessons learned in the exercise of human rights on the part of young people, as an important opportunity for the empowerment of their rights.