Where's me rights?

by EDA Cork Thu Nov 27, 2008 23:01

On Wed 10th December, Ethical Development Action (EDA) is hosting a free event, "Where's Me Rights?", as part of the worldwide celebrations for the 60th Anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The highlight of the celebrations will take place in the Bodega Bar, Cornmarket Street, Cork, from 7pm. On the night the public are welcome to come enjoy free world music and visuals from musicians, human rights art, free food from twenty different countries, a human rights dance performance from Cork-based anti-racism dance group, with short talks and information stalls from Cork and global rights-based advocacy groups.

Where's Me Rights? promises to be a significant event for the celebration and promotion of human rights in Ireland. "EDA wants the people of Cork to let the world know that we are an inclusive and accepting society that respects and supports human rights for everyone, in Ireland and the rest of the world" says Barry, from EDA.

"It is often those who most need their human rights protected, who also need to be informed that the Declaration exists- and that it exists for them" says UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon. It is in this spirit of drawing attention to human rights that EDA hosts this event in Cork.

EDA is working with several Cork-based community and rights-based groups, including over 100 volunteers in order to make this celebration of Human Rights a success. Partner groups include Amnesty International, Nasc (The Irish Immigrant Support Centre), No Frontiers Dance Company, Mayfield Community Arts Centre, UCC International Development Society, Garda Community Relations, Oxfam Fair Trade shop, Cut and Paste graphic design, Asylum groups, and many more.
All the music and other entertainment on the night is being voluntarily provided by musicians, artists and performers, to promote Human Rights for all. Music acts include performances by Niwel Tsumbu and Friends, Aaron Dillon, Sudanese Drum Talk, Brian Deady Band and DJ Fiasco, with accompanying visuals by VJ Presents.

From 7pm sharp, there will be free food from twenty different countries, all prepared by people seeking asylum who want to share the tastes of their home-lands with the people of Cork. The asylum seekers will use volunteers' kitchens on the day of the event and will bring their dish on the night to add a touch of authenticity and a sense of community. Significantly, this will be the only time this year that this small group of asylum seekers will have an opportunity to express and enjoy their cultures through the preparation of food. Under normal circumstances, asylum seekers in Direct Provision Centers do not have access to kitchens to cook food for themselves.

Art works will be presented by teenagers from Mayfield Community Arts Centre, whose Global Education Programme uses art as a tool to connect local issues with those in the Global South. The art exhibition called "What Human Rights Means to Me!" will be displayed on the back of old election posters. Recently, on the 12th of November, the group launched their first exhibition in Mayfield Library. No Frontiers Dance Company, a multicultural dance group who promote anti-racism through the medium of dance, will also perform.

Short and provoking talks by human rights experts will punctuate the evening. These will be provided by EDA, UCC Law Department, Polisario (from Western Sahara), Nasc, Traveller Visibility Group (TVG), Cork Gay Project and Amnesty International. Information stalls will be set up to spread the word on the work of human rights groups and how to get involved.
Ethical Development Action (EDA) is a Cork-based membership-led activist and development-education group, founded to create a public forum for meeting, raising awareness and campaigning on global issues, such as human rights, food security and environmental issues. EDA's project is funded by Irish Aid, with additional financial support for the Where's Me Rights? event provided by EDA members, Cork City Council, and three Cork based solicitors who work in the area of human rights, namely Seán Mulvilhll & Co., Colm Stanley & CO., and Thomas Coughlan & Co.

People under 18 are welcome before 9.30pm - as per licensing laws - and the event ends by 12am.

For more information on Where's Me Rights?, contact Barry O'Riordan on 085 7612470 or edaevents@gmail.com

Where's me Rights? Poster

by Curious Fri Nov 28, 2008 10:08

Is the immigrant support group part of Amnesty?

Am interested because of course that concerns domestic policy and when Amnesty Ireland was asked to intervene in issues here such as the treatment of republican prisoners, Section 31 etc, etc, it refused on the basis that it did not become involved in issues pertaining to the state in which it was based.

by Mystified Fri Nov 28, 2008 11:01

"Now, Therefore THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY proclaims THIS UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations, to the end that every individual and every organ of society, keeping this Declaration constantly in mind, shall strive by TEACHING and EDUCATION to promote respect for these rights and freedoms and by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance, both among the peoples of Member States themselves and among the peoples of territories under their jurisdiction."

The above statement forms part of the PREAMBLE of the United Nations "Universal Declaration of Human Rights", as can be seen at http://www.un.org/Overview/rights.html

Small wonder perhaps that so many in the legal and medical professions appear not to have yet heard anything about the United Nations "UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS"?

by H Fri Nov 28, 2008 13:51

In reply to Curious above I'd offer the personal comment that, yes, Amnesty in Ireland does not get involved in the human rights cases of citizens within the state, although it might pass on case information confidentially to an Amnesty group from another state. An Amnesty group from another state has to investigate and act on such cases. This is to preserve the objectivity/impartiality of the world organisation. During the cold war an Amnesty group in India or Scandanavia might have been asked to investigate possible US airforce or army atrocities in the Vietnam War, while a Scandanavian or neutral Asian Amnesty group might correspondingly have been given the task of investigating alleged human rights abuses in, say, communist Czechoslovakia. The old legal tenet (in Latin) Nemo sit judex in causa sua, applied. Remember that Amnesty was set up by trained and experienced lawyers like the late Sean MacBride S.C. With regard to immigration issues there is a transnational dimension, insofar as immigrants are not citizens of the state to which they have migrated in order to work or seek work. Irish constitutional case law has established that non citizens in the state have the same rights before the law as citizens i.e. habeas corpus, the right to fair trial, judicial review, the right of children to schooling etc; but not the right to vote in general elections and referenda; stand for public office and other rights reserved to citizens. Irish Amnesty would have an interest in maintaining the human rights of immigrant non-citizens, just as French Amnesty would have an interest in the rights of non-citizen immigrants in France.

I am not a member of Amnesty.

by Curious Fri Nov 28, 2008 14:45

Thanks H, I do understand the very valid reasons why Amnesty do not involve themselves in domestic issues hence my query.

Anyway, seems the original post has been corrected since my post! Now refers to NASC which is not a part of Amnesty so there you go !

by James Fri Nov 28, 2008 15:32

On the other hand Amnesty International may have become some kind of hear-all, see-all, know-it-all, but never-do- anything-of-any-real value type of organisation: assuming it ever was anything other than an information gathering agency of some kind?

All talk, and no action: apart from what little their puppet-masters allow by way of "crumbs from the master's table"?

A bit like the mainstream media really - with a little "huff and puff" thrown in here and there for appearance purposes?

If Amnesty International was any good , why is the WHOLE world still in such a sad and shocking mess regarding human rights abuses: some sixty after the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights came into being?

I'm not a member of Amnesty International either; I used to be, but I decided to keep away from them when I found out just how useless they are in reality - worse than useless I'd say, because they give the false impression they are doing something of substance regarding the protection of human rights for each and every individual.

Amnesty International are only interested in some individuals - and that's not good enough.

by H Sat Nov 29, 2008 08:15

While repeating that I am not a member of Amnesty I'd say in reply to the last commenter that Amnesty does a lot of behind-the-scenes lobbying on behalf of prisoners of conscience. Amnesty, like the Pope or the Archbishop of Canterbury, commands no military divisions and its power as such has to be legal and moral. Real clout rests with governments, some of which have no sense of morality, law or justice. Other governments which pay lip service to ideals of justice and humanity can be selective about acting decisively on cases, depending on geopolitical and economic interest considerations. Individual Amnesty members may also work in influential sectors of society such as the civil service, the legislature, religious organisations, business and trades unions. In sensitive totalitarian regimes where an Amnesty group is not tolerated these individuals would be discreet, indeed secretive, about their membership or sympathy. They might use confidential information and 'connections' to obtain favours that save lives or alleviate desperate conditions of imprisonment. Many of Amnesty's successes make no headlines - and this may be the only way to save some lives in extreme political conditions.

The routine activity of Amnesty groups in some stable countries can seem humdrum. Yet the simple fundraising and awareness-raising contributes to a complicated international network that scores occasional unpublicised achievements in varied situations.

by Baz - EDA Mon Dec 01, 2008 14:28

Here is some info on Ethical Development Action (EDA) - a new activist and educational organisation focusing on global issues

A quick guide to EDA:

What is EDA

Ethical Development Action (EDA) is a Cork-based membership-led activist and development-education group, founded to create a public forum for meeting, raising awareness and campaigning on global issues, such as human rights, food security and environmental issues.

What we do

* Public Talks and Events

Each year EDA hosts a series of talks on global issues which the public are encouraged to attend. To be accessible to the broader public, talks take place once a month in the Victoria Hotel. and other City Centre locations. Previous Public Talks have included events on: Multi-culturalism (an exciting event for Anti-racism Day!); Corporate Accountability in the Food Supply Chain; Farm and International Trade Policies, Trafficking in Women and Children : Exploitation and Development in a Global World. Details of upcoming public talks can be found on our website (www.edacork.org)

* Membership Monthly Meetings...mmm!

As an organisation led by its members EDA hosts membership meetings every month. Monthly Meetings serve as a informal meeting point where EDA members have an opportunity to:

o meet socially to discuss and get informed on global and ethical issues

o give direction to EDA as to future monthly meetings and other EDA activities
o become more involved in the running of EDA Activities (no pressure!)

Not already a member - don't worry you can sign up to EDA at any meeting, event or on the website!

* Ethical Development Evening Course

Each year EDA hosts a 6 week evening course on Ethical Development Issues. The evening courses are a perfect chance to get informed on a range of development issues, and also to learn more about campaigning techniques and EDA's activities.

* Conferences

A significant event in the EDA calendar is the hosting of Yearly EDA Conference.
In 2008 EDA hosted a highly informative and successful international conference entitled BioFuels and Global Food Security - Are they Compatible? Keep an eye on the website (www.edacork.org) for information on forthcoming conferences.

* Lobbying and campaigning

What better way to put your increased knowledge on ethical and global issues to good use than to campaign for a better future! Campaigns may result from conference outcomes as well as direction from our members. Where appropriate, EDA may also get involved to support the campaigns of other organisations on ethical and developmental issues.

Who Are The Members

At present all EDA members are active on a purely voluntary basis. As there is quite an amount of work involved in the running of EDA, any member who wishes to become active in helping run EDA is most welcome! Current active membership is comprised of: development professionals in food security and emergency relief, labour rights and human trafficking, health and disease, agri-food, biofuel and environmental policies and Fairtrade, including university lecturers and students, immigrants and others interested in development issues.

Structure of EDA:

EDA Activities are now organised through the work of EDA Sub-groups and Weekly Meeting. The Sub-groups meet on specific areas of activity and all activities are then coordinated through the Weekly Meetings.

The Sub-groups are as follows:

Yearly Conference Group; Monthly Meeting and Public Talks Group; Six-Week Evening Course Group, EDA Website Group, Documentary/Local Food Platform Group, EDA Membership and Promotions Group ,Email Account Group, Treasurer/Finances Group.

How to Get Involved:

* Sign up to our mailing list
* Become a member
* Become active in an EDA Sub-group or in a particular event

Contact EDA:

edacork@gmail.com

www.edacork.org

085 7612470

Funded by:

Membership fees, donations and Irish Aid.

by mother Tue Dec 02, 2008 18:13

Amnesty International did fuck all for my children and for 16000 other children including a lot of Irish children who are currently held in the Netherlands in the hands of the private company bjz.
This organization kidnaps children from all over the world and puts them in jails.
They have government approval and a personal signature of the queen. They are above the law.
The parents are made to pay for the costs of 'raising' the children.
Amnesty knows all about this and have been fully informed but chose not to get involved as the country in question is the Netherlands and not some African nation.

by Robert Sat Dec 27, 2008 14:29

"Whereas it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law, ..." (From 1948, see at: http://www.un.org/Overview/rights.html )

Related link: http://www.humanrightsireland.com