communications, Author at Franciscans International

As we, the entire staff of Franciscans International, are confined but healthy in our respective homes in Switzerland, the USA, and France, we are made more aware every day of our privileged situation, despite the unusual and uneasy circumstances in which confinement is putting us.

In the first weeks of this crisis, we were carefully observing not only the development of the situation but also the reaction of the United Nations (UN), other human rights experts, and States. We continue to do so. However, as it has become clear that the epidemic has definitively turned into a pandemic with a terrible death toll and that extraordinary measures will last for months, our Franciscan Sisters and Brothers, colleagues, and friends from various parts of the world are reaching out to share with us the dire situations they are experiencing, confronted with, and witnessing.

It is to relay some of these testimonies and stories and to put them in a more global picture that we issue this statement today.

From a human rights perspective, the issues raised by the pandemic are manifold and the impacts numerous at various levels.

From the failure of States to take the necessary measures to prevent such situations…

The last months have shown how some States have failed to take timely and necessary measures to protect the health of their populations, thus failing to comply with their international human rights obligations to protect the right to health.

According to the UN,¹ this protection shall include prevention, treatment and control of diseases that requires, among others “the creation of a system of urgent medical care in cases of (…) epidemics and similar health hazards, and the provision of disaster relief and humanitarian assistance in emergency situations.” Moreover, under international human rights law, the right to life also imposes a duty on States to protect life by taking adequate measures to ensure timely access to essential goods and services such as food and water, and to provide effective emergency health services or shelters.

The individual and collective failures of States to prevent the crisis the world is currently facing came not without warning. In September 2019, months before the first cases of COVID-19 infection were declared but after the SARS, Ebola, and Zika outbreaks, to name only a few, a body of independent experts convened by the World Health Organization and the World Bank urged to prepare for the worst: a rapidly spreading, lethal respiratory pathogen pandemic.² This group of experts criticized the gross inadequacy of the preparedness efforts made globally, especially in light of the disproportionate impacts and suffering that this failure would have on the poor, and in light of the vulnerability of all economies to such shocks.

Furthermore, other scientists³ have highlighted the link between the increasing risks, and actual instances of spreading, of new viruses transmitted by animals to humans, and the rapid environmental degradation, deforestation, loss of habitats, and illegal trade.

But here we are. Analogous to what our colleagues in El Salvador say about natural catastrophes: the real disaster is not so much events like the COVID-19 pandemic, but the lack of preparedness and inappropriate responses to them. In a situation like this, already existing discrimination and inequalities, as well as latent vulnerabilities, are severely aggravated and express themselves in radical ways.

… through direct and indirect impacts on human rights of the pandemic and of the response by States…

The health of virtually the entire world population is at risk when a pandemic occurs. Under international human rights law, States are required to create conditions that would assure medical service and medical attention to all in the event of sickness. Yet, what COVID-19 has shown is how dangerous and irresponsible the disregard for, and lack of investment in, public health systems are in general, and in these situations in particular. Similarly, the absence of broad health coverage and access to health services and goods have dire consequences in societies. The cuts to and dismantling of public hospitals and health care in the State of New York is only one of many examples.⁴ Overall, the structural lack of capacity of public health systems in many countries implies that the extra burden generated by COVID-19 will deprive patients with other conditions and health issues of the care they need.

The impact of the pandemic on other human rights such as freedom of movement, freedom of assembly, and the right to work and labor rights, is also clear across the world. Many COVID-19 related restrictions on freedoms and rights make the work of journalists and human rights defenders worldwide even more difficult and dangerous. The situation of persons at risk of domestic violence, in particular women and girls, is another issue of great concern in these times of confinement of populations, coupled with the paralysis of many administrative and other authorities. Sometimes this occurs with the complaisance or even complicity of the highest power of the State, like in Uganda, where President Museveni explained twice in a press conference that authorities would not respond to cases where a husband beats his wife, as “emergencies” requiring a response would be limited to health and child birth.⁵

Additionally, in States like China, Taiwan, Israel and the USA, the right to privacy is at risk when cell phone location data is used to check compliance with restrictions on movement and social distancing, or to divulge the location of infected people and warn others in their surroundings. In that regard, we should remember that States explicitly recognized in 2016 the duty to protect the rights of people online just as they shall do offline.⁶

We will continue to assess State responses, and to what degree States are able and willing to protect these rights as much as the situation allows, and how proportionate the limitations on these rights and emergency laws are. In the Philippines, for example, our Franciscan partners shared with us the declaration of President Duterte, which avowed that people who break the quarantine should be shot dead by police or military; President Duterte is already infamous for the numerous extrajudicial killings conducted during his so-called ‘war on drugs.’ While international law permits the limitation of rights in extraordinary situations such as public health emergencies, such limitations must respect certain standards. Among others, these measures should be provided for and implemented in compliance with the law, should not be imposed arbitrarily, nor be discriminatory.

In that regard, many stories and testimonies across the world show how, while the virus can infect anyone, the impact of the pandemic and the responses to it are not affecting everyone in the same manner. Some measures taken in response to the pandemic may disproportionately affect the people and communities who are already discriminated, disadvantaged, and marginalized; people who do not benefit from the same capacities and means to cope with the hardships and restrictions that the situation brings.

This is undoubtedly true for millions of refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants in camps and detention centers who regularly lack access to clean water and food. We have also seen images of homeless people in California, USA, being directed to sleep on a parking lot after their shelter closed. Even in the highly challenging circumstances we are facing, human rights compliant measures can be taken including those that aim to rectify past human rights abuses. For example, France has requisitioned hotel rooms to ensure that homeless people who are not ill can be safe and abide by confinement measures. In Detroit, USA, where the UN had heavily criticized the disconnection of poor people from water services for inability to pay their bills and deemed it a violation of the right to water, the government reinstalled water to homes that had shutoffs so that basic measures like washing hands can be followed. The large gaps in access to clean water worldwide are posing an enormous challenge to the fight against the virus, and underscoring the need for States to respect, protect, and fulfill the right to water.

For millions of self-employed and workers in the informal sector who do not have access to social protection, the lockdowns imposed across the world means no income. Franciscans partners in the Philippines shared with us their despair of not knowing how they can satisfy the needs of all the poor families who turn to them for food to eat. The same Franciscans ask how, in this situation, they can ensure safe sanitary conditions for the families and for themselves.

In India, one of our Franciscans partners conveyed to us how the inadequate time between the announcement and the actual lockdown – just 4 hours – created the conditions for a tragedy, with millions of workers in cities trying to reach their villages of origin while public transportation was halted. Some of these migrant workers have since died on the way. Our partner also warned that many more people will likely die of hunger and of other causes related to the lack of timely and effective aid and support by the government. Relatedly, Baskut Tuncak, a UN expert on human rights and the use of toxics, has denounced the anti-infection practice, as reported in India, of hosing migrant workers with bleach as inhumane.⁷

Overall, UN experts warn of a surge in racism and xenophobia, not least against migrants and asylum seekers who face a range of additional hardships and issues due to the pandemic. As we heard from our Franciscan network and other colleagues between the USA and Central America, migrants and asylum seekers are often left without information, access to tests and health care, or food. They lack the means to attend to their basic needs as shelters cannot host them and most administrative authorities are paralyzed. They continue to be deported en masse from the USA or are left stranded in Mexico or Guatemala. Thousands have been stopped in their journey with little capacity to cope with unplanned long transits, ending up on the street. Entire families who depend on the money that migrants normally send back are left without this vital support. At the same time, some States have showed that positive measures can be taken to support human rights and public health. Portugal temporarily granted the same status as residents to all foreigners, including migrants and asylum seekers with pending requests, until at least July 2020, which provides them with access to the national health service and welfare benefits, allows them to open bank accounts, and enter into work and rental contracts.

… through the fact that some are always gaining from catastrophes but not those whom you may optimistically think of…

While poor and other marginalized groups are paying the highest price, not everyone is losing in this situation. You may think of the reportedly positive aspects of the lockdowns, at least for nature and climate. However, what has actually become clear is how some businesses are continuing undisturbed or are even profiting from the crisis. As our Franciscan partners in Brazil alerted us, President Bolsonaro declared mining an essential activity that should continue during the lockdown; however, any protest by communities affected by mining is rendered impossible.

Also there is an increasing number of reports according to which not only pharmaceutical companies, but also some supermarkets and discounters in Europe are seeing their valuations and profits rise due to the surge in consumers buying food reserves, while imposing lower prices on their suppliers and on small producers.

Now that millions of people are working from home and even more are relying on social media and on online communication for work and social interactions, the issue of our right to privacy and of the safety and use of our data, not least by powerful private actors, is of an unprecedented concern.

… to the uncertainty of the long-term effects of the COVID-19 “crisis” and the consequences that the international community may or may not draw.

While the increase in online activities also requires more energy, the pollution generated by the use of cars, planes, and public transportation have significantly decreased with the lockdowns. However, it remains unclear how transport and industries will attempt to ‘bring back’ their business once this crisis is over, and whether we will not witness massive increases in greenhouse gas emissions again in the near future due to economic recovery plans boosting key sectors. What is already clear, though, is that the next international climate conference, COP 26, that was supposed to take place in Glasgow in the UK this year, has been postponed to 2021. Our climate and our common home may thus not benefit as much as we would hope from this break.

As some critical voices8 have started to say, we should not wish a return to normality, as long as normality equates environmental destruction and egregious inequalities. Instead, we should draw lessons from past failures; build on some good practices that States came up with during the pandemic; push for a change in our model of development; shield social services and rights from business interests and greed and, last but not least, cultivate the fraternity and solidarity within and across communities that we are seeing amid the global governance crisis.

In that regard, this statement is also a tribute to the contribution of our Franciscan and other partners to the upholding of human dignity and lives in these challenging times.

[1] UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, General Comment 14 on article 12, 2000, para.16.
[2] Global Preparedness Monitoring Board, A world at risk: annual report on global preparedness for health emergencies, Geneva, World Health Organization, 2019.
[3] See for instance: www.scientificamerican.com/article/destroyed-habitat-creates-the-perfect-conditions-for-coronavirus-to-emerge/; or revistaanfibia.com/cronica/las-nuevas-pandemias-del-planeta-devastado/
[4] See for instance: https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/covid-ny-hospital-medicaid/; or https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/03/30/corporate-media-ignores-how-privatization-us-hospitals-explains-lack-beds
[5] See full Presidential declaration at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=veq6Lbi4Mok. Specific statement between 59:40 – 1:00:20.
[6] Resolution adopted by the UN Human Rights Council on 1 July 2016, The promotion, protection and enjoyment of human rights on the Internet, UN Doc. A/HRC/RES/32/13, page 2.
[7] Read the UN Special Rapporteur´s comments on twitter at https://twitter.com/SRtoxics/status/1244747265811664896?s=20
[8] Statements have been made by various international leaders and activists, including UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterrez; or Journalist Naomi Klein.

Two years before his death, Francis of Assisi wrote the ‘Canticle of the Creation’, praying tribute to the diversity yet interconnectedness he had come to see in the world around him. This song, which would inspire Pope Francis’ Laudato Si, praises water as “so useful, lowly, precious and pure.” In this contradiction he recognized water as a resource that is both a daily commodity and fundamental to sustain all life which must be protected and preserved.

The year 2020 present a milestone in international efforts reflecting this realization. Ten years ago, the UN General Assembly affirmed access to safe water and sanitation as a “human right that is essential for the full enjoyment of life.” To mark this anniversary, the Special Rapporteur on water and sanitation has launched a campaign to share challenges and achievements, but also to offer avenues of action for those who want to help promote the right to water.

On World Water Day 2020, the fulfillment of the right to water remains a distant reality for many, as over 2 billion people worldwide still rely on polluted sources. With the climate crisis taking its toll, half of the world’s population could be living under water-stressed conditions in just five years. In the spirit of Francis as the patron saint of ecology and his deep concern for the marginalized in society, promoting water as not merely a natural resource or commodity but as a fundamental human right to which all people are entitled without discrimination has been a core element of Franciscans International’s advocacy work for decades.

When the United Nations set out to formulate the Sustainable Development Goals, FI was one of the leading civil society voices promoting the inclusion of a specific goal on water. Since the adoption of the SDGs in 2015, we have continued to connect the dots between human rights and sustainable development, and we have urged States to address inequality and discrimination when developing water policies.

On this issue, FI has also served as a bridge between experiences and challenges at the grassroots and international efforts at the United Nations. For example, elaborating on the General Assembly’s declaration, we published a practical guide in 2011 that helps Franciscans and others working at the grassroots to address the challenges of poverty and access to water.

Similarly, FI has worked closely with the Special Rapporteur on water since the mandate was established, capitalizing on its deep roots in local communities. Throughout the years, FI has made sure that grassroot voices are heard by facilitating access, meetings, and sharing first-hand information of those whose right to water are being infringed. Together, we have also brought experts and activists to UN forums in Geneva and New York to speak on specific regional challenges and propose sustainable strategies to realize the right to water.

On World Water Day, FI reiterates its call to realize access to safe water for everyone. We look forward to continuing to support the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on water as we work to ensure that nobody is left behind in these efforts.

Throughout the session, we’ll publish our statements as they become available. So far, Franciscans International has delivered statements on the human rights situation in Sri Lanka, Guatemala, Brazil, and El Salvador as well as on climate change and business and human rights.

On 13 March 2020, the Human Rights Council suspended its 43rd session due to concerns over the spread of Covid-19. The session resumed on 15 June.

Item 10: Technical assistance and capacity building – Democratic Republic of the Congo (17 June)

Despite its vast mineral wealth, the DRC remains at the bottom of the Human Development Index, ranking 179th out of 189 in 2019. Mining laws remain vague on how revenue can benefit community interests. Although women make up a significant part of the workforce, their participation and gender-based issues are not taken into account in the regulation of the mining sector. In a joint statement, Franciscans International urged the government to ensure good governance of the mining sector and asked the Council to support this process.

• Full statement (French)

Item 6: Universal Periodic Review – Climate Change (15 June)

The effects of climate change have an impact on all human rights. In a joint statement, Franciscans International called on all States to scale up their engagement on this urgent issues. In particular, we recommended that climate change should become an integral part of the Universal Period Review, which examines the human rights record of all UN Member States on a rotating basis.

• Full statement (English)

Item 6: Universal Periodic Review – El Salvador (12 March)

El Salvador is facing a persistent water crisis, with over 90% of its surface water sources contaminated. Despite some positive steps, such as the adoption of a 2017 law which bans all metal-mining as a major source of pollution, authorities have not effectively implemented this law or taken steps toward environmental remediation. During El Salvador’s examination under the UPR, Franciscans International called on the government to create a legal framework that recognizes the human right to safe drinking water and engage in efforts with neighboring countries to responsibly govern shared natural resources and transboundary waters.

• Full statement (Spanish)

Item 4: Human rights situations that require the Council’s attention – Brazil (10 March)

During its first year in office, the Bolsonaro administration has taken a range of measures affecting wide segments of society, including indigenous peoples, minority groups, and marginalized and poor communities. In a joint statement, 87 civil society organizations including Franciscans International expressed their deep concern about the deteriorating human rights situation in Brazil and called on the Council to take decisive action to counter these trends.

• Full statement (Portuguese, English, and Spanish)

Item 4: Human rights situations that require the Council’s attention – Climate Change (10 March)

During the 25th UN climate conference in December 2019 (COP25) the President of the Marshall Islands called for the creation of a dedicated Special Rapporteur on climate change. The establishment of this mandate would, among other things, create a focal point for dialogue between different stakeholders working to address one of the most pressing issues of our time. In a joint statement 12 faith-based organizations supported this initiative as an opportunity the Council cannot afford to miss.

• Full statement (English)

Item 4: Human rights situations that require the Council’s attention – West Papua (10 March)

A report published in February 2020 by the International Coalition for Papua showed how the human rights situation on the islands has become characterized by stagnant, recurring patterns of violations. Franciscans International hosted human rights lawyer Anum Siregar in Geneva, where she called attention to the rise of political prisoners jailed and charged with draconian treason articles in Indonesia’s penal code.

• Full statement (English)

Item 3: Report by the open-ended intergovernmental working group on transnational corporations (5 March)

In a joint statement after the presentation of the report on the 5th session of the open-ended intergovernmental working group on transnational corporations, Franciscans International called on states to actively participate in the informal consultations ahead of the next session in October 2020. We also stressed the important role played in the process by civil society and the need to maintain and respect this space in future negotiations.

• Full statement (Spanish)

Item 3: Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion and belief – Sri Lanka (3 March)

In a joined statement, Franciscans International voiced its concern over increased hostility and discrimination against Muslims after the Easter Sunday attacks in Sri Lanka. We also supported the Special Rapporteur’s recommendations that the government reviews Article 9 of the Constitution, which grants Buddhism ‘the foremost place’, and has led discrimination and violence by extremists against other religious minorities.

• Full statement (English)

Item 3: Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on human rights and the environment – Brazil (2 March 2020)

Despite catastrophic dam breaches in Marina (2015) and Brumadhino (2019), the government of Brazil has so far failed to take action to impunity for the corporate negligence that led to these disasters and to prevent future tragedies. Today, at least 40 other dams in Minas Gerais state are at risk of collapse, presenting ever-present danger to nearby communities and the environment.

Bishop Vincente Ferreira joined Franciscans International at the Human Rights Council share testimony from his diocese which includes Brumadhino, call for redress for the victims, and urge Brazil to meaningfully involve local communities in the process of licensing new mega-projects.

• Full statement (English and Portuguese); Video (English)

Item 2: General Debate on the report of the High Commissioner – Sri Lanka (28 February 2020)

In a joint statement, Franciscans International expressed its deep concern over the recent decision by the government of Sri Lanka to withdraw its support from Human Rights Council resolution 30/1. Adopted in September 2015 with support of the government, the resolution set out a process of transitional justice for crimes committed during the country’s 26-year civil war. Noting the failure of previous domestic efforts toward accountability and reconciliation, as well as the ongoing deterioration of the rule of law in the country, we call on the Council to establish an international accountability mechanism for Sri Lanka.

• Full statement (English )

Item 2: General Debate on the report of the High Commissioner – Guatemala (28 February 2020)

FI called on the Council to renew the mandate of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Guatemala, noting several worrying trends. Although the government signed an Asylum Cooperative Agreement with the United States, the policies and conditions to implement this agreement are lacking, putting migrants in Guatemala at risk. Meanwhile, recent reforms to the NGO law restrict the work of civil society in violation of international treaties and the Guatemalan constitution.

• Full statement (Spanish)

At 12:28 on 25 January 2019, a tailing dam near Brumadinho, holding back leftover products from a nearby iron mine, suffered a catastrophic breach. Seconds later, over 18 million cubic meters of mud and debris tore downstream, killing 272 people. The alarm meant to warn nearby workers and communities of the danger never sounded – it had been installed just below the dam and was instantly destroyed.

A year later, as the victims gather to commemorate the disaster, they are not only grieving but also still seeking justice. The dam in Brumadinho was not the first to collapse in Brazil’s Minas Gerais State. Four years earlier, a similar tragedy in Mariana killed eleven people, caused extensive environmental damage, and displaced hundreds. With as much as forty other dams in the state at high risk of collapse, the danger of recurrence is a daily reality for people.

These tragedies have become emblematic of the consequences of corporate negligence. It soon emerged that the mining company Vale, which owned the dam, had repeatedly ignored warnings that it was unstable. Meanwhile, the German company TÜV Süd had issued a safety certification, despite internal concerns the dam was at risk of liquefaction. Although several individuals working for these companies have recently been charged over their involvement, little has been done to bring about systemic change for corporate accountability or make reparations for the victims.

As a member of the mining Commission of the Brazilian Bishops, Brother Rodrigo Péret, OFM, has been an outspoken advocate on behalf of the Brumadinho community and worked with Franciscans International to draw attention to the case in different international forums. In May 2019, he joined survivor Dari Pereira in Rome where they presented Pope Francis with the photos and names of the 270 victims, after which the Pope blessed the photos and expressed his solidarity with the families.

He also joined FI in Geneva just a few weeks after the disaster, where he took the floor addressing all States at the UN Human Rights Council to call for an effective remedy, including reparation, for the victims. There, he showed how fighting impunity, through legal actions in national courts and stronger international norms on business accountability, could prevent similar tragedies both in Brazil and worldwide.

Today, as he and Franciscans International’s Americas Program Coordinator join the commemoration in Brumadinho, Brother Rodrigo again voiced his concern about the lack of progress in ensuring accountability.

“Unfortunately, considering the current policies in Brazil, the freedom of Vale to continue operating with impunity, the lack of full compensation for victims and the lack of guarantees of non-repetition, full redress for the human rights violations linked to the disaster is still to be obtained,” said Brother Rodrigo ahead of his visit.

In 8 years, the Franciscan “La 72” shelter in Mexico has welcomed over 90.000 migrant feet. Fr René Flores OFM reflects on the uniqueness of all those who visited to find reprieve and a safe haven.

“Feet of tired and trembling migrants, exhausted after a long journey,
Feet of migrants with blisters and blood,
Feet of migrants with shoes torn apart,
Feet of persecuted migrants fleeing to save their lives,
Feet of migrants criminalized by the State,
Feet of migrants who dropped out of school or university,
Feet of migrants eager to reach the North,
Feet of migrants seeking to achieve some rest,
Feet of migrants on the move for the sake of their beloved ones,
Feet of migrants traveling with their families,
Feet of migrants journeying together with other walking feet,
Feet of migrant men, women, children, LGBT community,
Feet of migrants with names and backgrounds,
Feet of migrants ready to walk again and go forward tirelessly,
Feet of migrants, weatherworn, overexposed to the sun and the rain,
Migrant feet of unaccompanied minors,
Migrant feet in need of arriving in a safer place,

Migrant barefoot feet, having nothing else to wear,
Feet of migrants who run and jump to get on the train,
Feet of flesh and bone,
Feet of deported migrants,
Feet of migrants who are walking full of hope,
Feet of Honduran, Salvadoran and Guatemalan migrants,

In 8 years, about 90 thousand migrant feet have stopped at “la 72” before moving on.”

“Pies de migrante cansados, tembloroso y desgastados por el camino
Pies de migrante llagado y sangrando,
Pies de migrante con zapatos destrozados,
Pies de migrante perseguido que huye salvando la vida,
Pies de migrante criminalizado por el Estado,
Pies de migrante que dejaron la escuela y la universidad,
Pies de migrante con prisa de llegar al norte,
Pies de migrante buscando descansar,
Pies de migrante movido por amor a sus seres queridos,
Pies de migrante caminando en familia,
Pies de migrante caminando con otros pies caminantes,
Pies de migrante de hombres, mujeres, menores, de la comunidad LGTB,
Pies de migrante con nombre e historia,
Pies de migrante dispuesto a caminar y seguir sin tregua,
Pies de migrante asoleados y mojados por la lluvia,
Pies de migrante de menores no acompañados,
Pies de migrante necesitado de alcanzar un lugar seguro,
Pies de migrante descalzo por no tener nada más que llevar,
Pies de migrante que corre y salta para subir al tren,
Pies de migrante de carne y hueso,
Pies de migrante deportado,
Pies de migrante caminando con esperanza,
Pies de migrante hondureño, salvadoreño y guatemalteco,

Por “la 72” en 8 años, han pasado unos 90 mil pies migrantes.”

Fr René Arturo Flores, OFM (Tenosique, December 2018)

On 8 November, Franciscans International (FI) hosted the last in a series of celebratory gatherings to mark the three decades that have passed since the organization was officially recognized by the United Nations (UN).

The keynote address of the meeting was given by Ms. Helena Yánez Loza, the Deputy Permanent Representative of Ecuador to the UN. She focused on the importance of states and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) cooperating to bring about positive changes in international policies – for example the work Ecuador’s delegation and FI have done together on business and human rights. Ms. Yánez Loza also highlighted St. Francis’ love and respect for nature as an inspiration to combat the current climate crises.

The meeting was also attended by some of the sisters and brothers who originally helped establish and develop FI as a respected influence at the UN, including Br. Kevin Smith, OSF, Sr. Kathie Uhler, OSF, and Br. Ignatius Harding, OFM. They shared some of their memories and experiences of the early years of FI and emphasized that, although the working methods of the organization have evolved over the years, its mission has never changed.

“For us, the most important thing was – and still is – that people don’t have a voice. That people who are most affected, like now with climate change, are the ones who never get to speak up,” said Br. Ignatius. “From the first moment we were not talking about ‘being the voice of the people’ at FI, but about ‘giving the people a voice.’”

Although the idea to establish a Franciscan presence at the UN had already been suggested in 1982 by Br. Dionysius Mintoff, OFM and the late Sr. Elisabeth Cameron, OSF, it was not until seven years later that FI was officially recognized by the UN’s Department of Public Information. In 1995, the organization became one the few NGOs in General Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council, acknowledging FI’s representation of major segments of society worldwide.

Before the celebration, FI’s International Board of Directors and representatives from our staff visited the UN headquarters in New York, where they met with Secretary-General António Guterres.

Find out more about the events in Geneva and Rome.

The International Board of Directors (IBD) of Franciscans International and representatives of our staff recently met with Secretary-General António Guterres in New York, marking 30 years since the organization was officially recognized by the United Nations.

During the meeting Mr. Guterres expressed his appreciation for the work of Franciscans International, noting the overlap of United Nations and Franciscan values in their aim to eradicate poverty, combat climate change, and promote peace. He also stressed the important role of civil society in an international context where multilateral cooperation is increasingly under threat.

The IBD used the opportunity to highlight the work done by Franciscans International to connect the dots between advocacy at the UN level and the challenges faced by people at the grassroots. This included a toolbox by UNICEF, which recently cited our work with Franciscains-Benin to fight ritual infanticide as a best practice.

The board also expressed its concern about reprisals against Franciscan sisters and brothers in Central America and the Philippines, who have been repeatedly threatened because of their human rights work.

The meeting closed with Mr. Guterres expressing his support for the future work of Franciscans International.

On 18 October 2019, States gathered in a working group concluded their annual week of negotiations at the United Nations in Geneva towards the elaboration of a future treaty. Such an international human rights agreement will contribute to a better protection of human rights of individuals and communities affected by business activities, including those of powerful transnational companies such as in the mining sector.

As there are strong political and economic interests against such a future treaty, the way towards its adoption is still long. Nevertheless, at this year ‘s session, States engaged for the first time in technical and substantial discussions on the content of the future treaty. Elaborating on the work in past years, Franciscans International set out to actively engage in the session by providing input, commentary, and analysis together with other civil society partners. Our aim is to ensure that any future international agreement will address the gaps and obstacles that victims of human rights abuses face.

We supported a public event at the margin of the session highlighting the importance of including a gender-perspective in a future treaty to ensure the protection of the rights of women, which are particularly vulnerable to abuses committed by corporations. During a second event, Franciscans International and its partners provided a platform for testimonies from the Amazon region. Based on cases presented by human rights defenders from Bolivia and Brazil, Professor Olivier de Schutter explored how the current draft text of the treaty could be applied to obtain justice for the victims.

Although Franciscans International welcomed the progress made during the session of the working group this year, we also voiced our concern about the limited time available for negotiations. We therefore called on the working group to continue its work, including through intersessional negotiations and consultations ahead of the 6th session in October 2020.

Franciscans International is very proud that two of its partners have been elevated to Cardinals by Pope Francis.

Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu OFM Cap, Archbishop of Kinshasa started working with FI when he was President of the Commission for Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation of the Capuchin order. Later, when he became Bishop and President of the Justice and Peace Commission of the Episcopal Conference of DR Congo, he continued working with FI especially with a focus on the exploitation of minerals in his country. He sees his elevation to Cardinal as a recognition by the Pope of efforts to give voice to the suffering people.

Cardinal Alvaro Ramazzini, Bishop of the Diocese of Huehuetenango recently worked together with FI at the United Nations and testified how people in Guatemala have been negatively affected by the impact of extractive industries.

Franciscans International wishes God’s blessings on these two new Cardinals and hopes that their elevation may strengthen their voice to defend the rights and dignity of those who are excluded.

FI delivered statements on the right to water and enforced disappearances, as well as on the human rights situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Philippines, and West Papua.

Item 3: Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the rights to water and sanitation (9 September 2019)

Franciscans International raised the situation of the Rosario Champerico Retalhuleu community in Guatemala. Here, large scale agricultural and industrial projects have depleted traditional wells, affecting hospitals, schools, and other public spaces.

• Full statement here (Spanish)

Item 2: General Debate on the Oral Update by the High Commissioner (10 September 2019)

Franciscans International voiced its concern on the increased attacks against civil society, journalists, and indigenous and religious leaders in the Philippines since the Human Rights Council adopted Resolution 41/2, which asks the High Commissioner to report on the human rights situation in the country.

• Full statement

Item 3: Interactive Dialogue with the Working Group on enforced or involuntary disappearances and the Special Rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence (11 September 2019)

Sri Lanka failed to submit its initial report to the Committee on Enforced Disappearances in June 2018 and thereby missed an opportunity to share its own assessment on the progress in addressing this issue. Franciscans International and IMADR call on the Council to hold the government accountable to the commitments toward transitional justice it made in Resolution 30/1.

• Full statement

Item 4: Human rights situations that require the Council’s attention (17 September 2019)

Since 19 August 2019, violent protests have been ranging across the provinces of Papua and West Papua, sparked by video footage of Indonesian security officials calling indigenous students derogatory and racists names. Instead of engaging in a dialogue, authorities have responded by deploying over 6,000 troops and shutting down internet access in the area. In an joint oral statement, Franciscans International urges the Indonesian government to respect the rights of protestors and human rights defenders and engage in a political dialogue to allow for a non-violent and sustainable solution to the long lasting conflict in the provinces.

• Full statement

Item 6: Universal Periodic Review (19 September 2019)

Under the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), the human rights situation in each of the 193 UN member states is reviewed every five years. These reviews are based on a national report prepared by the state, a compilation of UN information by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and a summary of information received from other stakeholders. During the adoption of the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s review, FI raised issues concerning good governance, management of natural resources, and women’s and girls’ rights.

• Full statement (French)