Internal displacement is increasingly the biggest humanitarian issue that confronts agencies such as CRS, made all the more complicated because there is not a public agreement on how best to serve the needs of populations that are inside sovereign states.

As noted above, it is the primary responsibility of states to provide for the basic rights of their citizens. But what if the state is either unable or unwilling to do this? What is the moral obligation of the international community in this context?

Do we ‘push’ for intervention and how is this not a ‘belligerent act’? Then again, do we simply let people die because they are inside a border? – Daisy Francis, CRS. Read more at http://crs-blog.org/the-conscience-of-mankind-after-60-years-more-work-remains/

On the eve of the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Catholic social justice agency Caritas has joined Catholic bishops in calling on the government to support the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

The indigenous rights Declaration was passed by the United Nations General Assembly in September 2007 with 143 nations in support. New Zealand voted against, along with the United States, Canada and Australia.

“It is to our nation’s shame that despite playing a leading role in other areas of human rights, New Zealand was one of only four countries to vote against the indigenous rights Declaration. We believe it is appropriate that our new government revisit that decision, especially as Australia – under the Rudd government – is now indicating its support of the Declaration,” said Caritas Director Michael Smith.

“Caritas supports indigenous peoples through many of its development and aid work in the Pacific, Asia, Africa and Latin America. Through this, and its advocacy and education work in Aotearoa New Zealand, we have clearly seen that indigenous people throughout the world face similar disadvantages in obtaining fulfilment of their human rights recognised in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.”

Caritas has written to the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Maori Affairs asking for the government to support the indigenous rights Declaration and take a leading role to improve human rights for all indigenous peoples. It also welcomes the New Zealand Catholic Bishops’ statement for Human Rights Day (10 December) supporting the indigenous rights Declaration.

Caritas staff will also witness the presentation to Parliament at 1pm on Wednesday of the national petition calling on the government to support the Declaration.
Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand is a member of Caritas Internationalis, a confederation of 162 Catholic aid, development and social justice agencies active in over 200 countries and territories.
ENDS.

For more information contact Martin de Jong 04-496 1782 or 021-909 688, Communications and International Advocacy Coordinator.

To mark UN Human Rights Day (December 10), we are showcasing the
Pastoral Land Commission (CPT) – a CAFOD partner helping the poor in
Brazil stand up for their rights against some of the powerful landowners

The fight for land is a life and death struggle in many parts of Brazil.
Without it people often end up working for some large landowners with a
status similar to that of slaves.

Thousands are forced to work for months without pay or even decent food
or shelter, while gunmen guard the farm exits and entrances where they
work.

Others bear scars of being shot. At the end of their contracts their
employers tried to kill them to avoid paying them their wages. They are
fortunate to be alive.

CPT provides help and legal support for people who have been threatened
and intimidated. Supported by CAFOD, it is an organisation standing
shoulder to shoulder with the poor and oppressed.

There are stories, videos and an action to take in solidarity with our
partner.

You can see all the coverage at:
http://www.cafod.org.uk/humanrightsday