Hawai'i Institute for Human Rights
Education • Mobilization • Realization
No na kanaka a pau na pono, O ka lahui kanaka - All Human Rights For All
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BE A HUMAN RIGHTS HERO!!!*
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Universal Periodic Review
(UPR) Keep an eye on news and developments.
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The Session is organised with the financial support of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Bern, the Canton and the City of Geneva 
 Patrick Madden was named Executive Director of the United Nations Association of the United States of America (UNA-USA) in February 2011. In this role he oversees a national citizen-based network of 120 chapters with a mission to inform, inspire, and mobilize the American people to support the ideals and vital work of the United Nations. For 70 years UNA-USA has worked to accomplish its mission through education programs, youth engagement, advocacy efforts, and public events. Madden speaks regularly around the country on the importance of U.S.-UN relations.
The paradigm shift on our plate was shaped by a series of actions by a coalition of civil society. The visit of Vandana Shiva coordinated by Hawaii SEED was the catalyst for changing the conversation. The main course of Shiva's visit to Hawaii was a series of speeches on a panel featuring local activists and national advocates focusing on the human right to food. The motivation was to grow a movement in Hawaii...
 D 146 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM
Directions in All Forms of Self-Determination Our lives are very busy in today’s time. However, we should all take time to honor history. More important, we should take action in the present rooted in the lessons of liberation, peace and human rights. A future of fear or freedom depends on our determination on a daily basis. Sovereignty Sunday is one such situation. It is an afternoon of authentic art and advocacy. Yet, so many enjoy Sunday as a respite before another week of work. Others are busy catching up from what wasn’t completed. We must bend the hands of time for pur...
 JANUARY January 18 16th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Human Rights & Fundamental Freedoms Film Forum Fest Hawaii January 18 Food is a Human Right Vandana Shiva Forum on Earth Democracy Hawaii January 13 – 18 20th Anniversary of 1993 Sovereignty Sunday
I didn’t consume planetary sized portions this seasons. However, I decided to go on a diet – a low carbon one. Looking at our common waste size, it’s clear we could all examine our lifestyles and get even more lean eliminating some luxury. One luxury is a vehicle I obtained mainly for transporting things and when running late deciding to forego the bus to conveniently ride. Almost a decade ago, I wrote a column noting I buried my car for Earth Day. I lived years witho...
 Aloha e Fellow Human Rights, Peace & Climate Justice Advocates, As we are commemorating the New Year, we have accomplished so much together for human rights. Mahalo for all of your support in our endeavors for equity and equality for all people on the planet. We have had quite a busy and bold year together and we believe 2013 will offer even more opportunities for creative collaboration together. Please take notice of the various conferences, meetings and forums that we will be coordinating and consider participating in partnership. Let's continue our advocacy and ally together to inform and influence public and foreign p...
Senator Inouye Life is a Lesson of Human Rights in Hawai’i and the World The day came many in Hawai’i couldn’t imagine; but, even more didn’t desire to face. Senator Dan Inouye passed on to what he desired in his life – peace. Dan had been involved in politics before Hawai’i was even a state in the union. Dan put his political science degree from University of Hawai’i at Manoa into full force. Dan won the first seat in the U.S. House of Representatives representing Hawai’i as our first full member taking the oath on August 21, 1959. He was elected t...
 The talk will focus on promoting equality, inclusion, empowerment and the human rights of people with disabilities worldwide with a focus on our families and communities in our country. The dialogue will feature leadership from the national coalition of the U.S. International Council on Disabilities in Washington D.C. The decision for the November dialogue t...
the UN Human Rights Council held its final meeting of 2012. These international institutions have important implications for our islands regarding the important issues of sustainability, human security, peace, social justice and fundamental freedoms. Hawaii residents attending the various United Nations meetings will share their insight into the global gatherings and share perspective on its significance to our future. The monthly Human Rights and Sustainability Campus Community Dialogue sponsored by the United Nations Association UsA Hawai'i and the Hawai'i Institute for Human Rights ...
 Please join us for the 11th Annual "Human Rights on the Hill" program, coordinated by Joshua Cooper. (Please note a schedule addition of Patrick Madden, Executive Director, UNA-USA on Monday and be sure, if you're coming on Tuesday, August 14, that you note we will be meeting at the OAS Hall of the Americas, 17th Street and Constitution Ave. NW.Washington, DC 20006 and, importantly, that additional registration is required at:
The theme and interactive dialogue at the 18th annual commemoration was Indigenous Media, Empowering Indigenous Voices. Indigenous leaders met in the Economic and Social Council chamber to celebrate the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. It was first proclaimed by the General Assembly in December 1994 to commemorate the first Intern...
There are nine core international human rights treaties that most states ratify with a promise to their people. Born out of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948, the past six decades have witnessed important initiatives in international law recognizing the inherent rights of all persons on the planet. Since Eleanor Roosevelt’s leadership as Chair of the UN Commission on Human Rights, citi...
Yet, on 31 July, one of the campaigns that has been coordinated at the United Nations headquarters was written up by The Wall Street Journal. The article outlines the abusive actions by a state to silence a member of civil society even beyond its borders actually at the United Nations itself. What was a procedural practices has escalated into an enormous exam for the United Nations to uphold its preamble of We the Peoples in an organization run by states serving only their interest of self-...
When one person came in with a black helmet with body armor tossing a canister of toxic gas then opened fire he plunged the country into a state of carnage. While most were mourning there were many forces mobilized to preserve their special interest cloaked in the Constitution. The atrocity at Aurora awakened America’s attention. Many remembered the Columbine killings that also killed innocents in Colorado. Also in Arizona earlier even...
The 13th annual summer seminar focus is Human Rights and the Environment. The talks will trace the historical developments of human rights and the environment in international law and the accompanying important institutions and instruments measuring implementation. The summer seminar will take place from 23 – 27 July 2012. The conference will take place at the University of Hawaii at Manoa daily from 10 a.m. There will be a film festival featuring documentary movies at...
The cover features notes Justin Bieber becomes a man with the title, “Hot. Ready. Legal.” Maybe he’s still hot but based on his interview inside, it’s more like “Not Ready and Illegal or at least Ill-informed. The teen sensation showed his immaturity throughout the interview and offended indigenous peoples of Canada with one statement, “ I’m actually part Indian, I think Inuit or something? I’m enough per cent that in Canada I can get free gas.” The ...
 Fixing the Future – a national screening event! Director Ellen Spiro, USA, 2010, 72 mins July 18 at 6pm. Sweet Home Waimanalo will serve p?p? and juices for purchase from 5 - 6pm More info |
1.15pm-2:45pm, Tuesday 15 May 2012, Church Center to the UN (Cnr. of 44th and 1st Ave) 10th Floor Panellists: Mattias Åhrén, President, Saami Council Joshua Cooper, Director, Hawai'i Institute for Human Rights Les Malezer, Chairperson, FAIRA - Foundat...
- Joshua Cooper - Hawaii Center for Human Rights Research and Action - Murlynn Crystal Lee - United Natives - Jocelyn Hung Chien - United Nations Indigenous Youth Caucus Monday, May 7th, 2012, 1pm - 3pm Lutheran Office for World Community, 10th floor 777 United Plaza, 10B New York, NY 10017 • Overview of CERD, CRC, ILO • Capacity building • Enhancing skills for more effective participation at the UN • Analysis of example cases Language: English with French and Spanish interpretation Drinks and snacks will be ...
Surya P. Subedi has served as the UN Special Rapporteur for human rights in Cambodia since 2009. As the Special Rapporteur, an independent expert appointed by the UN Human Rights Council, his tas...
ASEAN Civil Society Conference / ASEAN Peoples Forum The Association of SouthEast Asian Nations (ASEAN) community is coming together through dialogue and diplomacy of the ten member states. Even more important, the people are shaping the structures that serve the immediate interests of the region rooted in human rights. The ASEAN Civil Society Conference / ASEAN Peoples Forum (ACSC/APF) has been meeting for 8 annual sessions of ASEAN ministerial meetings bringing together the beauty and bravery of the citizens calling for social change. The ASCS/APF is a model for movements aiming to advocate for a future of fundamental freedoms. However, o...
Posted by Max Rodriguez C-SPAN filmed and broadcast a presentation by Kevin Martin, Executive Director of Peace Action, at the 10th Annual Human Rights on the Hill course. UDC-DCSL hosted the 10th Annual Human Rights on the Hill course, June 27 - July 2, 2011, for students, activists, and policymakers to learn about the state of human rights in the U.S. and abroad. In his presentation, Kevin Martin discussed U.S. foreign policy and cutting defense spending to address the national debt. Martin also discussed the use of military power since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2011, the U.S. nuclear arsenal, and the U.S. educat...
 There will also be contests of important facts regarding human rights, peace and global justice. Participants will receive products from the Body Shop.
Panel Presentation - Women in Film with Anne Misawa, Marlene Booth, Lisette Flanary and Edgy Lee Marlene Booth, a documentary filmmaker, teaches film at the Academy for Creative Media at the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa. Her major films include: Pidgin: The Voice of Hawai‘i, Yidl in the Middle: Growing Up Jewish in Iowa, and Read more >>
 First thing to do is sign up to read an article of the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). We are partnering with Hawai’i Women in Film Making to produce two videos of CEDAW so all women know their rights. The short version of CEDAW will be screened on March 19 at the premiere of In the Land of Blood and Honey. Sign up at the screening. Also, if you are interested, we are making a full version of CEDAW’s 30 articles, so sign up for that...
Dollar profits dominate politics determining the direction of national policies. Corporations control certain factors regarding the future of our country. Citizens united in civil society understand America must change course. One project epitomized this juxtaposition of justice – TransCanada Keystone XL Pipeline. On one side multinational corporations with record coffers and another side a citizen movement with renewed convictions put forward their positions. Money often lubricates levers of legislation. Big oil companies pour funds to fuel their fortunes and further a nation of addiction to fossil fuels. However,...
Super Bowl The Super Bowl is over. But for two weeks, television focused on football and from every angle possible about what could happen in those four quarters. We all learn more about players and potential plays during those days than seems possible. We are also equally distracted by commercials and a halftime show with a megastar sharing a mix of all their greatest hits in history. No doubt the game was exciting. It did come down to the last play and kept us on both sides rooting until the end. Sports hold our imagination and for four hours we know anything is possible. It’s a distraction from our lives of mundane madness. Ho...
The commemoration of Martin Luther King Jr. ‘s birthday offers an annual opportunity to reflect on the human rights movement King was mobilizing across the nation and the world. This is the first year, there is a statue of King on the national mall nestled between Jefferson’s vision of rights in the Declaration of Independence and Roosevelt’s idea of rights in his Four Freedoms. No longer do we stand in King’s footsteps where he delivered his iconic I Have a Dream but can read more of his writings at King’s monument expressing his evolution between civil rights in his country and human rights for all humanity. &nb...
Celebrate First Friday at Chinatown Peace Center Women’s Rights are Human Rights Celebration Friday, March 4, 2011 6:30 p.m. – 12:30 a.m. Peace Center, 63 N.BeretaniaStreet, Chinatown Two Rooms, All Night! Live Music in Suite Yin Documentary Films in Suite Yang Live music featuring female recording artist singing for social justice Hawaii Premiere of Documentary Films from Around the World Featuring Water Rights, Contemporary Slavery, Land Rights, and Gender Justice Sponsored by : Pacific Justice and Reconciliation Center, UNA Hawaii Division...
Fifth Annual Human Rights Day Activities Hawaii State Capitol Friday March 4, 2011 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Human Right’s Day 10a.m. to 2p.m., 2/F and 3/F Balcony ØJoin the network of peace, ecology, human rights and global justice to develop a common agenda for Hawaii ØCome participate in the Career Fair for the Common Good featuring Hawaii’s top NGOs ØAttend keynote lecture focusing on human rights education in our schools and institutions of higher education. June Gorman, United Nations Association, Education Chair will address Model United N...
15th Session Item 10: Interactive Dialogue with SR on Cambodia 28 September 2010 Speaker: Joshua Cooper EIP, Hawaii Center for Human Rights Research & Action Mr. President. We are pleased with the frequency and fortitude relating to the Special Rapporteur of Cambodia itineraries and interaction with the spectrum from the King of Cambodia to the civil society. We are also pleased to echo the encouragement of the SR regarding the realization of some of on the UN Millennium Development Goals to eliminate poverty and ensure dignity. We will...
15th Session Item 6: UPR Sweden 22 September 2010 Speaker: Joshua Cooper EIP, INDIG Mr. President, The participation of Sweden in the UPR is an important opportunity to discuss the human rights of the indigenous peoples living in the Nordic. The Saami were pleased with the questions and recommendations regarding the realization of human rights for the Saami. The UPR process allows for civil society to gather together to educate and engage together on the common aspirations for dignity and equality. It is also an excellent opportunity for human rights e...
15th Session Agenda Item 5 21 September 2010 Item 5 Human rights bodies and mechanisms Joshua Cooper, Ecole Instrument de la Paix, INDIG Mahalo, Mr. Chairman. We welcome all reports submitted that relate to the human rights of indigenous peoples at the 15th session of the UN Human Rights Council. It is great to address the Council on the International Day of Peace. Peace is at the core of the human rights work regarding indigenous peoples. The Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples is starting to take...
 *no cape required Contact us for more information: unagentforchange@gmail.com Upcoming opportunities to participate in human rights advocacy: Global - 12th Annual Advanced Summer Seminar on Peace, Ecology and Human Rights Honolulu - 3rd Annual Liberty, Democracy & Human Rights National Summit Philadelphia - 10th Annual Human Rights on the Hill National Training Conference Washington DC - 6th Annual United Nations Charter Conference on Self-Determinat...
On Sept. 21, The International Day of Peace, Captain Paul Chappell (West Point grad) is the keynote speaker at UH Campus Center to talk about his book "The End of War". Along with Capt. Chappell is a line up of entertainment and a candle light ceremony. This is a free event open to all. The event is also an opportunity to earn community service hours as the organizers are looking for people to help with the event in various capacities. If you are planning to attend, you can be earning service hours as ...
UNA-USA Human Rights Task Force Mid-Pacific Representative to UNA-USA Council of Chapters and Divisions The United States of America is a first time member in the historic UN Human Rights Council created by resolution 60/251. The United States of America received 167 votes on 9 May 2009 when it sought a seat on the 47-member United Nations Human Rights Council. The U.S. will hold one of the seven seats of the Western Europe and Other States group (WEOG) for a three year term starting officially on 19 June 2009. UN Human Rights Council members are directly elected by an absolute majority of the 192 UN General Assembly members, or 9...
 Director Four Freedoms Forum Director Hawaii Institute for Human Rights All of the stakeholders in the Universal Periodic Review for the United States of America have completed the first phase of preparation for a constructive review in the historical national and global conversation about human rights in America. A large number of civil society organizations submitted written reports based on community dialogues and in-depth research through the United States Human Rights Network. More popular methods of public participation were also received through a Testify! Project with videos posted on YouTube illuminating the issues of human r...
 Director Four Freedoms Forum Director Hawaii Institute for Human Rights A new feature of the UN Human Rights Council is creating a forum to promote and protect fundamental freedoms in every member state in the United Nations. The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is also uniting many segments of society in states under the title of stakeholders. Civil society is maximizing the UPR mechanism to mobilize citizens to claim their human rights throughout the state reporting system created to increase the credibility of the UN Human Rights Council. Since the first UPR session in April 2008, over 128 states have been reviewed. At the ninth...
Director INDIG Director Hawaii Institute for Human Rights The ninth session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues focused on the significant subjects of self-determination and development along with a screening of the film that explains indigenous peoples struggles to protect sacred lands. The special theme was Indigenous Peoples: Development with culture and identity; articles 3 and 32 of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UN DRIP). Director James Cameron screened Avatar to the world’s indigenous peoples and actress Sigourney Weaver participated in a protest to prevent a dam const...
 Director INDIG Director Hawaii Insititute for Human Rights The new mechanism in the global human rights machinery focusing on indigenous rights is illuminating insight into its potential future to promote the fundamental freedoms after only its third session at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. Following in the footsteps of the United Nations Working Group on Indigenous Populations (UN WGIP) with over two decades of annual summer sessions, the United Nations Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (EMRIP) held its third session from 12 – 16 July with over 500 participants consisting of indigenous people...
"More than 600 protesters were arrested in June at the G-20 summit in Toronto, where clashes with police led to burning squad cars and shattered store windows -- a situation local authorities are already working to avoid at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation conference here next year. "APEC will meet in Honolulu in November 2011, and security is paramount when the leaders of 21 countries and their entourages descend on the Hawai'i Convention Center. "About 20,000 visitors are expected in all." More...
How do you perceive the discussion? What is the news value of the UN HR Council? Also civil society feels there should be more coverage on human rights situation featuring in the discussion and there is not as much coverage in the media. HE Alex Van Meuven, President UN HR Council We were in a debate on the protection of journalists in armed conflict. I am glad the Council can draw attention to the dangers facing the media on a daily basis. We should think about concrete measures we should take. Promotion and protection of journalists and freedom of expression along with other freedoms is part of the UN HR Council's mandate and allows for people to ...
"In the most recent developments, the Brazilian government successfully appealed and overturned a federal court decision to halt the bidding on the construction contract, which was subsequently awarded to the Norte Energia consortium for 10.9 billion dollars, according to media reports." More...
"'Today, I am pleased to announce that the United States has decided to review our position regarding the U.N. Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples,' Susan Rice, U.S. ambassador to the U.N., told the gathered delegates." More...
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