On Thursday 1 March (16:30-18:00 in Room XXIV, Palais des Nations), don’t miss the side-event to the 37th Session of the Human Rights Council reflecting on the situation of human rights defenders on the ground. With FORUM-ASIA, FIDH – International Federation for Human Rights, OMCT and Franciscans International.
For Lent, Franciscans International offers a contemporary take on the Seven Last Words. By meditating on the passion of Christ through the lens of migration, we hope to engage in a deep, spiritual reflection on the realities faced by many of our migrant and refugee brothers and sisters.
ITALIANO
Per la Quaresima, Franciscans International offre una visione contemporanea delle Sette Ultime Parole. Meditando sulla passione di Cristo attraverso la lente della migrazione, speriamo di impegnarci in una riflessione profonda e spirituale sulle realtà affrontate da molti dei nostri fratelli e sorelle immigrati e rifugiati.
ESPAÑOL
Para Cuaresma, Franciscans International ofrece una visión contemporánea sobre las Siete Últimas Palabras. Meditando sobre la pasión de Cristo a través del lente de la migración, esperamos comprometernos en una reflexión profunda sobre las realidades a que muchos de nuestros hermanos y hermanas migrantes y refugiados se enfrentan.
DEUTSCH
Für die Fastenzeit bietet Franciscans International eine zeitgemäße Interpretation der Sieben letzten Worte. Indem wir die Passion Christi durch die “Brille der Migrationser-fahrung” meditieren, erhoffen wir uns, eine in die Tiefe gehende, spirituelle Hinwendung zu jener bittere Realität, die Migranten und Flüchtlinge erleben.
FRANÇAIS
À l’occasion du Carême, Franciscans International propose une interprétation contemporaine des Sept Dernières Paroles. En méditant sur la passion du Christ à travers le prisme de la migration, nous espérons engager une profonde réflexion spirituelle sur les réalités auxquelles sont confrontés nombre de nos frères et sœurs migrants et réfugiés.
Franciscans International and partners have drafted a joint press release (in French) expressing the need to actively implement the 2015 code safeguarding the rights of the child. Read the press release here.
On 16 January, Franciscans International has joined other faith based organizations in a “debriefing” of COP23. You can find out more about the discussion here.
As a follow up to COP 23, we invite climate and human rights activists, diplomats, practitioners and people of different faiths to share their views on COP 23 outcomes on 16 January 2018 from 10am to 12:30pm at the Main Hall, Ecumenical Centre, 150 route de Ferney, 1218 Le Grand-Saconnex – Geneva.
We will evaluate the contribution of faith-based organisations to climate justice advocacy at COP 23, discuss the role of faith-based organisations in the Talanoa dialogue for the effective implementation of the Paris Agreement as well as plan for a strong faith-based engagement at COP 24.
You cannot attend? Watch it live here: youtube.com/wccworld/live
Br. Rodrigo Peret OFM collaborates with the Serviço Inter-Franciscano de Justiça, Paz e Ecologia (SINFRAJUPE) and many other Latin American and international organizations, and is a long-standing partner of Franciscans International.
In November 2017, Br. Peret travelled to Zimbabwe for an exchange visit held by the People’s Dialogue Network (PD). The aim of this mission was to understand the status, potential, and sustainability of artisanal mining in the country. Within that visit, together with other 22 PD delegates, he was arrested and, after two days, released.
Franciscans International reached out to him to better understand the mining situation in Zimbabwe and how human rights work fits within his Franciscan mission.
The interview has been edited for clarity and length.
Why is mining so contentious in Zimbabwe?
Zimbabwe is a very rich country in terms of natural resources, especially minerals. However, the population is very poor. There is no direct translation of this natural wealth in positive gains for the population. Actually, local communities are displaced by mining corporations and seldom receive proper compensation both in terms of hard cash and of infrastructures—roads, fresh water distribution, schools, among others. Many communities, displaced years ago, are still fighting for their human rights to water, education, health, etc.
Also, you have to realise that all mining concessions given to foreign and national corporations are at the discretion of the President [at the time of the interview the President Mugabe had just been deposed]. This is different from other countries in the region, where different bodies within the state decide on these matters.
Do you think the situation of mines is bound to change for the better given the new President Emmerson Mnangagwa?
I do not have much hope for big changes. President Mnangagwa is a veteran of the revolution; he was Vice-President and has been in many different positions in the government during the 37 years of Mugabe’s presidency.
In your experience is this situation specific only to Zimbabwe?
No. There is a pattern in the way big mining corporations operate, regardless of the country. Although at different degrees, you will find similar types of exploitation of communities living on the land where the mining has, or will occur: a lack of redistribution of wealth, abuses, human rights violations, lack of compensation (communal or private) and poor to inexistent infrastructures. These communities and these lands are, in the eyes of corporations, expendables for profit. We really need to rethink this extractivist approach in its totality.
How do you see the connection between Franciscan charism and the type of human rights work that you engage in?
My human rights engagement is, at the base, an effort to protect and safeguard creation. There is a deep connection with the Canticle of Creatures and the feeling of brotherhood and sisterhood with all creatures and ecosystems on the planet. Human rights are Franciscans at heart, they are a call to all people to defend the dignity of our brothers and sisters and the environment around us: all of God’s creation.
Harry McKnight, former Chief Financial Officer of Franciscans International, passed away on Saturday, 6 January 2018.
Harry joined FI in 2005 as a volunteer after his professional retirement. His expertise in financial management was of great assistance to our organization.
In 2006, he was appointed Chief Financial Officer. From November 2007 to February 2008, Harry acted as interim Co-director of Franciscans International, always serving on a pro-bono basis.
He left FI in 2010, but, being a strong believer of our organization’s vision and mission, he continued his friendship with many of our former and present staff members. He continued working with Edmund Rice International, FI’s partner organization, which meant he was regularly present in the office. Like the wise men in the gospel of the feast of Epiphany, Harry followed the “star” in his strong belief in Christ and his vision of a better world. We, in FI and ERI, are very grateful for all the support Harry has provided during the past 12 years and believe that he now enjoys the kingdom of God.
He will be missed.
It is with our deepest sorrow that we inform you of the death of Sr. Marie Theresa Plante, FMM.
Sr. Marie Theresa was the first representative of Franciscans International at the United Nations in New York. She has dedicated her life to make our World a better place and to defend the rights and the dignity of all those that are discriminated and oppressed.
With gratitude, we will always remember her and we are sure that she enjoys now the presence of our saviour that she followed in her life.
Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and with her community of the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary.
On the behalf of Franciscans International,
Markus Heinze, ofm
Executive Director, Franciscans International
You can read Sr. Marie Theresa’s bio here.
ENGLISH
Franciscans International’s Advent 2017 Reflection focuses on the four women mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew. These four women will serve as an inspiration to identify and reflect on contemporary human rights issues that disproportionately affect women today.
ITALIANO
La Riflessione sull’Avvento 2017 di Franciscans International si concentra sulle quattro donne che nel Vangelo secondo Matteo sono citate nella genealogia di Gesù. Queste quattro donne ci saranno di ispirazione per identificare e riflettere su problemi contemporanei relativi ai diritti umani che vanno oggi a incidere sulle donne in maniera sproporzionata.
ESPAÑOL
La Reflexión de Adviento 2017 de Franciscans International se centra en las cuatro mujeres mencionadas en la genealogía de Jesús en el Evangelio de Mateo. Estas cuatro mujeres servirán de inspiración para identificar y reflexionar sobre temas contemporáneos de derechos humanos que afectan de modo desproporcionado a las mujeres hoy.
DEUTSCH
Die Adventsreflektion von Franciscans International beschäftigt sich dieses Jahr mit vier Frauen, die im Stammbaum Jesu im Kapitel 1 des Matthäusevangeliums genannt werden. Diese vier Frauen dienen als Inspiration, um aktuelle Menschenrechtsprobleme zu reflektieren, die überwiegend Frauen betreffen.
FRANÇAIS
Franciscans International vous propose une Réflexion pour le temps de l’Avent 2017, qui met en lumière les quatre femmes mentionnées dans la généalogie de Jésus de l’Évangile selon Saint Matthieu. Ces quatre femmes sont sources d’inspiration pour réfléchir aux enjeux liés aux droits humains qui affectent les femmes de façon disproportionnée aujourd’hui.
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On Friday, 10 November 2017 the third Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Benin took place at the Palais des Nations, in Geneva. The UPR is a UN human rights mechanism that reviews the human rights record of UN member States every four and a half years.
In total, 82 UN member States took the floor to ask questions and make recommendations to the Government of Benin. The recommendations reflected several concerns raised by Franciscans International and its field partners pertaining to children’s rights, including the issue of ritual infanticide, birth registration, and the right to education.
In this regard, while many States commended Benin for the adoption of the new Child Code, they also advised the Government of Benin to take concrete measures to ensure its effective implementation. Further, States demanded that Benin protect children from harmful practices—in particular, to ensure that cases of ritual infanticide are prosecuted and sanctioned.
Ritual infanticide in Benin involves the killing of the so-called ‘witch children’: children who experience an ‘abnormal’ birth. This can include infants born in the breech position – where feet are delivered first – or those born face down, as a normal birth is one in which the child is born head first and face up. Newborns are also killed if they are born prematurely, with teeth or perceptible disabilities, or if the mother dies during childbirth. These children are believed to bring a curse on the family and the community. Since these deaths are not always registered it is difficult to assess the magnitude of the practice.
Regarding birth registration, States recommended that Benin intensify efforts in view of ensuring universal birth registration of children — a practice that, in the west African state, still lags behind international standards.
The Government also received, and committed to, a number of recommendations on the right to education. These focused on ensuring a completely free primary education for all—no hidden ancillary costs for families—especially for those from disadvantaged households. In addition, the recommendations highlighted the necessity to create a safe environment for all children attending school.
Franciscans International and its field partners, who have been working on the issue of child protection in Benin for almost a decade, welcome the commitment of the Government of Benin to take action to implement these recommendations. Together with other actors of the Beninese civil society, FI will continue its engagement in the country to ensure that these commitments are translated into concrete action on the ground.
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