International Network for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
Working together to make human rights a reality for all.
Activities and Actions
The activities and actions of ESCR-Net are carried out by Members and active participants working from different countries in a coordinated, collective way through a Working Group or Initiative. ESCR-Net also undertakes urgent actions or Membership-wide activities. ESCR-Net seeks to strengthen economic, social and cultural rights by working with activists and practitioners worldwide to facilitate mutual learning and strategy exchange, to develop new tools and resources, and to engage in joint advocacy.
Featured Activities and Actions
International Strategy Meeting on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and ESCR-Net General Assembly: Nairobi, Kenya
Nairobi, Kenya: December 1-4, 2008
View Reports from the meeting, the plenary and working sessions, the ESCR-Net General Assembly, and the Social Movements and Grassroots Gathering.
JUSTICE NOW! RATIFY TO PROTECT ALL HUMAN RIGHTS
NEW ANNOUNCEMENT: Ecuador Ratifies OP-ICESCR on June 11, 2010
ESCR-Net and the NGO Coalition for an OP-ICESCR congratulate Ecuador on being the first country to undertake all steps to ratify the OP-ICESCR. Ratification of the instrument symbolizes Ecuador's commitment to upholding its international human rights obligations and realizing economic, social and cultural rights.
To access the list of countries that have signed and/or ratified the Protocol, visit http://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=IV-3-a&chapter=4&lang=en
September 2009: Update on Urgent Action calling for the release of ESCR-Net Member Golden Misabiko
On August 19, 2009 the first hearing took place and Mr. Golden Misabiko was released on bail by the Court of Lubumbashi/Kamalondo. Misabiko remains on conditional bail pending further hearings. ESCR-Net will keep Members informed should further action be needed.
Call for Action on the Elections of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
The International Coaltion of NGO for an Optional Protocol has issued a call addressed to civil society to draw its attention to the upcoming elections of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (Committee) and urges it to get involved to ensure the election of independent members with strong ESCR expertise.
Participer à un questionnaire portant sur les réponses de votre gouvernement face à la crise
Cela fait maintenant plus de deux ans, qu'est survenue la plus grande crise financière et récession économique mondiale depuis plus de cinquante ans. Et pourtant, il reste à analyser comment nos gouvernements ont réagi à cette crise de manière à respecter la dignité fondamentale des peuples et droits de l'homme. Participer à un questionnaire portant sur les réponses de votre gouvernement face à la crise La politique financière nous concerne tous - Votre voix doit être entendue!
Bringing Human Rights to Bear in Times of Crisis: A human rights analysis of government responses to the economic crisis
It has been more than two years now since the start of the largest financial meltdown and global economic recession in over fifty years. And yet, how have our governments responded to this crisis in such a way as to uphold people's fundamental dignity and human rights? ESCR-Net--together with AWID, CESR, Center of Concern and the Center for Women's Global Leadership--present this joint report analyzing government responses to the crisis from a human rights perspective.
May 4th, 2010: Urgent Action: Attack against convoy of international human rights observers in Oaxaca, México
In response to a request by an ESCR-Net member, we have written an urgent action letter (attached and below) urging to Mexican authorities to take all necessary measures to clarify the assassination of rights activists Beatriz Alberta Cariño, head of ESCR-Net member CACTUS (Community Working Together Support Center), and Jiry Antero Jaakkola, a citizen of Finland, who was killed this past April 27th, identify and punish all those responsible, and provide immediate and effective protection for his family and colleagues.
Joint Statement - Business and Human Rights at the Human Rights Council - 2010
Read our June 2010 joint statement on business and human rights at the Human Rights Council.
Statement by Navanethem Pillay, United Nation High Commissioner for Human Rights
Statement by Navanethem Pillay, United Nation High Commissioner for Human Rights during the signing ceremony of the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, held in New York on September 29, 2009.
Statement by Navanethem Pillay, United Nation High Commissioner for Human Rights (234K)
[download]
Reader to read PDF files.
Collective Statement on the Financial Crisis and Global Economic Recession: Towards a Human Rights Response
June 2009 - Read ESCR-Net's Statement on the Financial Crisis and Global Economic Recession: Towards a Human Rights Response.
CALL for HUMAN RIGHTS REPORTS: The Business and Human Rights Documentation (B-HRD.org) Project
July 2010 - Please consider sharing your reports documenting business-related human rights abuse
Follow-up: Video footage from Peoples' Voices on the Crisis event
On June 20, 2009 ESCR-Net coordinated a gathering of underrepresented groups to talk about how the economic crisis is affecting them.
Call For Photos - The Business & Human Rights Documentation Project (B-HRD)
Do you have photos that show the effects businesses have on human rights? Consider donating them to the Business and Human Rights Documentation (B-HRD) Project!
Call for Action on the Elections of the Members of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights by ECOSOC
The Coalition of NGO-s for an OP-ICESCR calls upon civil society to influence ECOSOC Member States to vote only for independent and capable members to the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The elections of 9 new members will take place in New York (28-29 April 2010.)
April 19, 2010: Rights Groups Report to UN on US Human Rights Failure to Hold Corporations Accountable for Human Trafficking, Child Labor, Torture, Murder, Indigenous Rights' Violations
Human Rights organizations submitted a report to the United Nations in Geneva today on the United States failure to hold corporations, including private government contractors, accountable for human rights abuses ranging from human trafficking to murder.
April 19, 2010: Macroeconomics:Towards a Human Rights-Centered Macro-Economic and Financial Policy in the US
Read this joint submission on the human rights implications of the financial crisis and subsequent domestic policy responses in the USA. In particular, it focuses on the human rights obligation to protect and fulfill economic and social rights as well as the need for transparency, accountability and participation in the making of macroeconomic policy.