Announcements

The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a joint programme of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), strongly condemns the harassment faced by Ms. Nasrin Sotoudeh and, more generally, denounces the policy of subjecting jailed human rights defenders to punitive measures in prison.

Uruguay Wednesday became only the second country in mostly Catholic South America to legalize abortion.

"The convenors of a Pacific Regional Women’s Media and Policy Network dedicated to advancing implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (Women, Peace and Security) is looking forward to the implementation phase of the Regional Action Plan on Women,  Peace and Security saying it is a step closer in enhancing and institutionalizing the formal recognition of the efforts of Pacific Peacewomen who have indeed paved the way in the resolution's implementation - from literal translations to the translation of the resolution in practical ways.

A new study on violence against women conducted over four decades and in 70 countries reveals the mobilization of feminist movements is more important for change than the wealth of nations, left-wing political parties, or the number of women politicians. 

To denounce the grave and systemic human rights violations occurring in Honduras and demand an end to violence against women human rights defenders, particulary those who denounce the assaults on their territories and natural resources, international organizations and organizations in El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, Uruguay, USA, Canada, South Africa, and Southern Asia will take part in actions in solidarity with Honduras on 11 October 2012.  

Under the slogan “Governments owe a debt toward women, not toward banks. Marching together for decent, sustainable lives”, World March of Women (WMW) from Europe have officially launched their campaign against debt and austerity. 

"Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) condemns the brutal attack on young human rights defender Malala Yousufzai in Pakistan. The regional human rights organization that represents 49 human rights organizations in 17 Asian countries urges the Government of Pakistan to take effective steps immediately to ensure the protection of human rights defenders from violent attacks of extremist groups.

Gunmen have wounded a 14-year-old rights activist who has campaigned for girls' education in the Swat Valley in north-west Pakistan.

Gathered at the Ford Foundation in New York Monday, international luminaries, family planning experts and women’s rights activists repeatedly expressed a common sentiment: “I cannot believe that we are still having this discussion today.” They were there to mark the launch of a new 26-member high-level task force to galvanise support behind the goals of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD).

Jon O’Brien, the president of Catholics for Choice, welcomed the vote in the Uruguay to legalize abortion.