«Il n‘y a pas un monde développé et un monde sous-développé, mais un seul monde mal développé»
CETIM focuses on the promotion and implementation of economic, social and cultural rights (ESCR). They are the backbone of human rights and a powerful tool for achieving a self determinated development model by peoples. This is particularly true for the most vulnerable and marginalised populations. Properly implemented, these rights contribute to the respect for human dignity and to the achievement of social justice. On the contrary, the violation of any of them can jeopardise the enjoyment of all the others.
The universality, indivisibility and interdependence of human rights are enshrined in international instruments. Yet, we are still a long way from their effective implementation for all, and ESCR are among the worst off. Indeed, the basic needs (food, water, health, housing, education) of a third of humanity are still not being met. In some respects, the situation has even deteriorated, including in the countries of the North. This is due to the fact that the policies adopted at economic level accentuate ESCR violations and cause
– increased poverty
– growing inequality across the world
– multiple crises (political, economic, financial, environmental, social and cultural).
By definition, human rights are designed to protect citizens from the arbitrary actions of the most powerful and their governments
The international health crisis linked to COVID-19 has only exacerbated this situation. It has also shown the importance of implementing public policies based on ESCR. In particular, the right to health, the right to housing, the right to food, the right to water, the right to work, the right to education and the right to social security.
But for human rights to be better respected, they must be known, they must be demanded and they must be enforced. However, victims are often unaware of their rights and of the mechanisms available to them for appealing (at national, regional or international level). States, which have an obligation to inform and educate their citizens about human rights, often fail in their duties.
The role played by civil society organisations and social movements in human rights education and training is therefore crucial
– to denounce human rights violations
– to contribute to the implementation of existing standards.
HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL 21st session 10 – 28 September 2012 [Excerpt from the statement] The situation of the Indigenous Peoples living in the municipalities of San Andrés and La Libertad, department of Petén continues to be grave. These communities suffer frequent violations of their human rights, in particular their economic, social and cultural rights guaranteed […]
Continue readingHUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL 21st Session Item 3: Interactive Dialogue on the Report of the Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty 12 September 2012 [Excerpt of the declaration] The “distinction” made between poverty and extreme poverty does not resolve the issue and fails to address the root causes of this phenomenon, which leads to human rights violations. […]
Continue readingAccess the Critical Report in PDF Presentation If one refers to the data of the World Bank, there are currently almost a billion and a half persons living in extreme poverty throughout the world, living on less than US$ 1.25 per day, and another billion persons living on less than US$ 2 per day – […]
Continue readingAccess the Critical Report in PDF Presentation Migration is a phenomenon as old as humanity itself. Individuals and peoples have always gone in search of an environment that is best for their survival and their comfort. Of course, those in power have also been responsible for the forced movement of whole populations, and at various […]
Continue readingAccess the Critical Report in PDF The term ‘mercenary’ comes from the Latin mercenarius (from merces -edis, wages) which means ‘working only for personal gain Mercenaries have not always been seen as they are today, as unprincipled lawless adventurers. In the Middle Ages, for example, mercenaries were used by monarchs as a mere commodity to […]
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