communications, Author at Franciscans International

Franciscans International has been made aware of the allegations against Brother Tomás González Castillo, founder and former coordinator of the migrant shelter La 72, in Tenosique, Mexico, concerning abuse, harassment, and physical and psychological violence. These allegations were published on 27 March by a former female volunteer of the shelter, who received support on 29 March in a letter from other former volunteers.

The shelter is one of the institutions that FI has been working with on the issue of human rights of migrants in the region. FI takes these allegations seriously and is therefore monitoring the situation.

As a human rights organization, we want the right of victims of human rights violations to an effective remedy to be guaranteed, in particular in cases of gender-based violence. This includes first the right to an independent, impartial, and appropriate investigation.

The report focusses on issues related to the right to water, mining, and transboundary waters. It was prepared in collaboration with the Central American Network on Transboundary Waters from El Salvador (Red Centro Americana por la Defensa de las Aguas Transfronterizas – El Salvador Red-CAT). This network was founded in 2014 with different chapters in Central American countries and the participation of various civil society actors, indigenous communities, women, religious representatives, and environmental human right defenders.

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.

Download the report here (in Spanish)

Franciscans International delivered oral statements on Brazil, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Guatemala, Indonesia (including West-Papua), Malaysia, and Sri Lanka.

Item 3: Interactive Dialogue – Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights while countering terrorism (1 March 2019)

Based on his July 2017 country visit, the Special Rapporteur on terrorism found that Sri Lanka’s Prevention of Terrorism Act (1976) “provides for an overly broad and vague definition of terrorism, lengthy administrative detention and ineffective judicial review, and extremely broad rules concerning the admission of confessions.” Despite commitments made by the government in 2015, efforts to replace the Act have been slow. In a joint oral statement, Franciscans International voiced its concern that current drafts for the new Counter Terrorism Act still contains several flaws that contradict international human rights laws and standards. •

• Full statement

Item 3: Interactive Dialogue – Special Rapporteur on adequate housing as a component of the right to an adequate standard of living, and on the right to non-discrimination in this context (4 March 2019)

On 25 January 2019, a tailing dam in Brumadinho breached, flooding a large area with toxic mud, destroying homes, and killing at least 179 people. This has not been the only mining disaster in Brazil’s recent history: the Mariana community continues to experience harmful environmental effects after a 2015 dam collapse. In the state of Minas Gerais alone, another 40 dams are at risk. Franciscans International called on States to realize the right to an effective remedy and reparations for those who had their right to housing violated, including the implementation of effective measures to prevent similar disasters from happening in the future.

• Full statement or video

Item 4: General Debate (13 March 2019)

In February 2019, Franciscans International joined an ecumenical mission to Indonesia, including the provinces of Papua and West-Papua, where delegates met with, among others, government representatives, civil society, and church leaders. While acknowledging positive efforts by the Indonesian government, Franciscan International raised its concern about the high levels of violence and other human rights violations that continue to be reported in West Papua.

• Full statement

Item 6: Universal Periodic Review (14 March 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 Malaysia’s UPR, Franciscans International delivered two joint oral statements, highlighting concerns about freedom of religion, the rights of indigenous communities, and the rights of migrants.

Item 10: Enhanced Interactive Dialogue on Democratic Republic of the Congo (19 March 2019)

In January 2019, the Democratic Republic of the Congo saw the first peaceful transition of power since the country gained independence in 1960. However, in the face of credible suspicions about the results, it is essential that urgent measures are taken to ensure the establishment of good governance. Franciscans International called on the new government to guarantee the rule of law, engage in a public dialogue to reduce tensions, and ensure that local communities can have a meaningful participation in decisions that affect them.

• Full statement

Item 2: Annual report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (20 March 2019)

In her latest activity report on Guatemala, the High Commissioner for Human rights voiced her concern about proposed amendments to the National Reconciliation Act, which would grant general amnesty for crimes committed during the country’s civil war that ended in 1996. In a joint oral statement Franciscans International stressed the importance of access to justice as a means to end impunity, and called for free participation of indigenous peoples in Guatemala’s upcoming elections.

• Full statement (in Spanish and English)

Item 2: Interactive dialogue on the OHCHR report on Sri Lanka (20 March 2019)

Since 2015, Sri Lanka’s government has made slow progress in implementing the transitional justice mechanisms agreed in resolution 30/1. In a statement to the Council, Franciscans International highlighted a number of recent human rights violations that were committed with impunity, and stressed the importance of accountability as a key element toward peace and reconciliation.

• Full statement

Throughout the 40th session of the Human Rights Council, we will organize and co-sponsor a number of side-events where experts and human rights defenders discuss key thematic and country specific issues.

Reconciliation, Accountability and Human Rights in Sri Lanka
• 28 February 2019 • 13.30 – 14.30 • Room XXIV, Palais des Nations

In September 2015, following the adoption of resolution 30/1 by the Human Rights Council, the Government of Sri Lanka agreed to implement a number of recommendations made by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. These included the establishment of a commission for truth, justice, reconciliation and non-recurrence, an office of missing persons, and an office for reparations.

However, since then national and international civil society organizations have repeatedly voiced concerns about the government’s slow progress. This side-event will be used to provide an update on the implementation of resolution 30/1 and offer proposals for future action by the Council.

Fishing for Social Justice: Sailing between poverty and human rights
• 1 March 2019 • 13.30 – 14.30 • Room XXIII, Palais des Nations

The consumption of fish is an essential source of protein for many people, especially in densely populated countries where the overall intake is low. Beyond their contribution to food and nutritional security, fisheries are also a source of income and livelihood for 59.6 million people. In 2018, the UN General Assembly adopted the Declaration on the Rights of Peasants and other People Working in Rural Areas, which specifically includes fisherfolks among its rights-holders. Nevertheless, small-scale fishers and their communities remain invisible in the debates within the UN Human Rights System and in many States.

This side-event will provide an opportunity to explore common strategies States and UN entities can take towards the realization of small-scale fishers’ and fishworkers’ rights, and tools that the rights holders themselves could use to hold their governments accountable.

Violence against women human rights defenders in Brazil
• 1 March 2019 • 15.00 – 16.00 • Room XXIV, Palais des Nations

Human rights defenders in Brazil face extreme risk, working in a context where they are increasingly exposed to violence and criminalization. Since 2015, 145 defenders have been killed in the country – the highest number worldwide. Women human rights defenders are particularly vulnerable, being subject to gender-specific threats and attacks in addition to the risk they already face.

This side-event will provide a platform for defenders and human rights experts to share their testimonies, discuss strategies to mitigate risk, and explore options to confront a context where violence against women happens with impunity.

Exploring the economic and social dimensions of the rights to life
• 6 March 2019 • 13.30 – 15.00 • Room XXIV, Palais des Nations

The Human Rights Committee’s adoption of a new General Comment on Article 6 of the ICCPR – the right to life – expands the understanding of this ‘supreme’ right, and acknowledges its strong interdependence and indivisibility with economic and social rights.

The event will explore the economic and social dimensions of the right to life and how the concept of a ‘life with dignity’ has influenced legal developments at the regional, national, and international levels. Panelists will critically examine whether recent developments have the potential to advance economic and social rights, including by providing a stepping stone towards full access to justice for persons living in poverty.

Mining disasters: Testimonies from Brazil and the Democratic Republic of the Congo
• 6 March 2019 • 15.00 – 16.00 • Room XXIV, Palais des Nations

In January 2019, a tailing dam in the Brazilian state Minas Gerais breached, killing over 166 people. This is not the first time such a disaster occurred in the country: in 2015, the collapse of the Fundão dam in Mariana left 19 dead. The environmental impact is felt to this day.

Issues of unsafe business practices, state negligence, and impunity are not confined to Brazil. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, mining has left the population exposed to harmful metals. Human rights issues extend to working conditions, destruction of livelihoods, and gender-based violence.

This side-event will provide a platform for human rights defenders with first-hand experience of the damage caused by extractive industries. Based on their testimonies, experts will discuss key developments in human rights law, including those pertaining to business accountability for human rights abuses and environmental damage.

You can also watch a recording of the side-event.

The human rights situation in Indonesia
• 7 March 2019 • 14.30 – 15.30 • Room XXV, Palais des Nations

In February 2019, the Pilgrimage of Justice and Peace delegation of the World Council of Churches visited the Provinces of Papua and West Papua, which was the first high-level civil society mission to do so in almost a decade.

Delegates met with a wide-range of stakeholders, including representatives of the government, security forces, and civil society actors. Persistent human rights issues continue to plague the territories, including the failure to implement the 2001 Law on Special Autonomy and to provide accountability for past abuses. The displacement of the indigenous populations is of particular concern: numbers provided by the Indonesian Center of Statistics in 2010 indicate that 52% of the population is now non-Papuan, compared to only 4% in 1970.

During the side-event, panelists will present the findings of the recent mission to Papua, discuss ongoing human rights violations and explore how the future of indigenous Papuans can be protected within existing international human rights frameworks.

You can also watch a recording of the side-event.

Francis of Assisi’s transformation from a wealthy merchant’s son, soldier, and prisoner of war into an advocate for human dignity and the preservation of nature closely mirrors the experience of many Franciscans in the 20th century. Their work in communities affected by poverty, conflict, and environmental degradation inspired them to establish Franciscans International 30 years ago, as a Franciscan voice at the United Nations advocating for global change.

“I think we felt an affinity. But not just an affinity – a responsibility. Because if the United Nations is the place where the actors who make decisions that have an impact on every human person and the planet gather, we need to be there: as a presence to build bridges, to bring people together, and to bring our experience from the grassroots, “ said Michael Perry, Minister General of the Order of Friars Minor and President of the Conference of the Franciscan Family.

In that spirit, FI hosted a reception at its Geneva office on 15 March, which brought together many of our NGO partners, diplomats, and Franciscans from all over the world. This was not just a celebration: many of the guests have worked together for years in different human rights forums on issues close to their hearts. Coming together also provided an opportunity to reflect on the past, and explore new strategies going forward.

The reception was followed by a Mass on Saturday 16 March, presided over by Archbishop Ivan Jurkovič, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations. In his homily, Brother Michael Perry again empathized the strong relation between Franciscans and human rights:

“Love of enemy; prayer for those who persecute you. I believe that these biblical words find an echo in the Founding Charter of the UN. The invitation to all nations and peoples is to pursue a path where enemies are progressively transformed into potential friends – or at least potential allies – in the search to promote conditions for the fulfillment of human life: peace, security, mutual respect, and collaboration in promoting conditions for the integral advancement of all people.”

At the end of the Mass, he also presented FI’s International Board of Directors with a plaque commemorating St. Francis’ encounter with sultan Malek al-Kamil, as a reminder of the importance of continued dialogue and mutual respect.

Throughout 2019, FI is hosting a number of events to celebrate the accomplishments of the past three decades, call attention to the many challenges we still face, and share the roots of our organization.

Following resolution 37/24, the Human Rights Council met on 16 January for an intersessional meeting for dialogue and cooperation on human rights and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development – a plan of action that includes 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with 169 associated targets.

Respect and promotion of human rights and the SDGs are inextricably linked. However, three years after coming into force, insufficient financing by States to realize the 2030 Agenda has led to a tendency to turn to the private sector to fill these gaps, creating the risk that the economic, social and cultural rights of vulnerable groups are neglected.

Providing social services cannot be left to the vagaries of the market or to charity alone. Together with its partners, Franciscans International called on States who rely on private actors to establish a framework that regulates, monitors, and holds them accountable to ensure compliance with human rights.

The statement also highlighted our concern that the lack of action to address the causes and effects of climate change has already undermined decades of human rights and development gains. We urged states to prioritize rights-respecting climate action and rapid transition to rights-respecting, decarbonized sustainable development pathways.

The full statements is available here.

“What about those who remain home?”

Dear Brothers and Sisters, dear friends, As we celebrate Christmas, we are reminded that the Holy Family itself found safety in Egypt after fleeing the threat of Herold the Great. Today, their experiences are shared by over 68 million people who have been displaced worldwide, often seeking safety from violence and poverty.

While the Holy Family found refuge, those that remained suffered greatly. Today, migrants and refugees take great risks as they traverse borders and seas. They do so to escape a fate much worse. Many of their friends and families are unable, or unwilling, to leave their homes.

Celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, let us not only welcome our migrant and refugee brothers and sisters, but also work toward making the world a safer place for all.

On behalf of Franciscans International,

Markus Heinze OFM
Executive Director

70 years ago, following the horrors of the second world war, members of the newly founded United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Since then, its 30 articles have laid the foundation for international treaties, human rights instruments, and other laws.

While being a unique document, the Declaration enshrined values that were already core beliefs for many. 800 years ago, in his Letter to the Rulers of the People, St. Francis called on the powerful to respect human dignity, creation, and be unwavering in their commitment to peace. Following this long Franciscan tradition, Franciscans International advocates on behalf of victims of human rights abuses, to ensure that their voices are heard by today’s leaders at the United Nations.

2019 will mark Franciscans International’s 30th anniversary, and throughout the year we will be organizing a number of events to celebrate our achievements and reflect on the many challenges we still face. We invite you to follow us on Twitter, Facebook, or subscribe to our newsletter (in English, French, Spanish, German, or Italian) to stay informed about all our upcoming activities.

Despite unprecedented levels of global prosperity, too many are still left by the wayside, adding to an ever-growing class of excluded people. Large scale industrial projects disproportionately affect those at the bottom of global production chains, with the consequences often invisible to those at the top. Addressing the impact business activities on human rights is one of the most challenging and topical issues for organizations like Franciscans International (FI).

The demand for new international binding rules to hold transnational corporations that commit human rights violations to account as they operate in an increasingly globalized and complex economic system dates back to at least the 1990s. However, these efforts have so far only resulted in non-binding agreements and guidelines that have failed to adequately protect the rights of victims.

A significant step was taken in 2014, when Human Rights Council resolution 26/9 established an open ended Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG) to elaborate a treaty to prevent and remedy the negative impact on human rights caused by business activities. In October 2018, the IGWG convened in Geneva for its 4th session, where delegates discussed a zero draft – the first proposed text of a future treaty.

The protection of marginalized and economically vulnerable communities is deeply ingrained in the Franciscan tradition and Franciscans International (FI) has actively engaged the IGWG since its establishment by providing technical expertise and facilitating access to guests from affected communities to share their testimony and work toward a treaty that reflects the needs of victims, rather than that of commercial interests.

This year, FI hosted three high level religious leaders to show faith-based support for the future treaty for more business accountability. Mrg. André de Witte (Brazil), Mgr. Alvaro Ramazzini (Guatemala), and Rev. Ralf Häussler (Germany) met with diplomats and other stakeholders to share testimonies on how their parishioners have been negatively affected by the impact of large-scale industrial projects.

During a side event, the two Bishops and the Reverend elaborated on the challenges of seeking redress through existing non-binding mechanisms, and their inadequacies in preventing human rights abuses. “Experience has shown that guiding principles need to be complimented by strict laws,” said Mgr. Ramazzini, who has been an outspoken defender of indigenous communities in Guatemala and has repeatedly received death threats because of his advocacy.

During the formal deliberations focused on the zero-draft, FI’s International Advocacy Director was among those invited to share their insights on the scope and definitions of the treaty. Ms. Epal Ratjen elaborated on FI’s expectation that the future treaty will address the specific challenges posed by transnational businesses, operating across national borders, without undermining responsibilities that all businesses have to respect human rights.

Despite the urgent need to prevent, and provide redress for, human rights abuses committed by transnational corporations, progress toward adopting a legally binding instrument remains slow with many economically powerful States only nominally engaging in the deliberations or boycotting the process altogether. Nevertheless, FI will continue to engage all stakeholders ahead of the IGWG’s 5th session in October 2019.

“Ultimately, this treaty is not against the economy or against transnational corporations,” said Mgr. de Witte, after highlighting issues of land grabbing by mining companies in his diocese, during the side event. “It is in the service of the lives of victims. It in the service of all of us.”

Franciscans International in the Media

La semana pasada, del 5 al 7 de Noviembre, representantes de la familia franciscana de Brasil, Guatemala, El Salvador, México y Paraguay se reunieron en la Ciudad de México para discutir los retos y las causas de la migración en las Américas, particularmente con la situación de las caravanas, la migración en Sudamérica y la movilidad de los pueblos indígenas. Al finalizar el encuentro, se hizo un reconocimiento al derecho de las personas a no migrar y a que se les garantice los derechos de los migrantes en los países de origen, tránsito y destino. Pueden consultar el llamado y las recomendaciones finales del encuentro en la siguiente declaración

Nosotros, los representantes de las instituciones y organizaciones de diversos países de Latinoamérica que participaron en el taller de migración, organizado por Franciscans International y;

Considerando las causales que dan como efecto la movilidad humana en nuestro continente;

Motivados por la exhortación del papa Francisco a acoger, proteger, promover e integrar a los hermanos y hermanas que migran;

Reconociendo el carácter fundacional de la Familia Franciscana en el cuidado de la creación, desarrollo humano y la promoción de la justicia;

Tomando en cuenta la situación actual de migración, como las caravanas centroamericanas y la migración en Sudamérica, así como la migración de grupos indígenas dentro y fuera de sus territorios, que afectan principalmente a los grupos en situación de vulnerabilidad como: mujeres, niñez, adolescencia, comunidad LGBT, personas con discapacidad, entre otros;

Preocupados por la criminalización y persecución del trabajo de los defensores de los derechos de los migrantes;

Hemos identificado las siguientes causas:

La pobreza y extrema pobreza que viven las poblaciones;
El efecto de políticas de gobierno que limitan el derecho a migrar;
La corrupción como factor que coopta las instituciones públicas y privadas;
La deficiencia de las políticas estatales en atender las necesidades de la población de forma más integral para el pleno goce de los derechos humanos;
El aumento de mega proyectos que derivan en el desplazamiento forzado interno e internacional;
La agudización de la violencia y la inseguridad.

Por ello:

Demandamos a los Estados que generen las medidas necesarias para garantizar el derecho que tienen las personas a no migrar y a quedarse en sus países de origen;

Demandamos, además:

Que los países de transito y destino proporcionen las medidas necesarias para proteger y garantizar los derechos humanos de los migrantes;

Que se garantice la protección de los defensores de derechos humanos;

Que se analice el fenómeno de la migración con una perspectiva de género;

Que se fomente el trabajo en red de la familia franciscana, interreligioso y ecuménico, con la sociedad civil en general, financiadoras y organizaciones internacionales;

Que se desarrollen procesos de sensibilización y formación de la sociedad para erradicar los patrones de xenofobia;

Que se fomenten proyectos que promueven la sociedad civil para la defensoría de los derechos de los migrantes, acogida, acompañamiento, formación y seguimiento, sin olvidar que el Estado debería ser el garante y responsable principal de estas acciones;

Que se utilizen en la medida de lo posible mecanismos internacionales para la promoción, visibilización y protección de derechos humanos.