On December 5, celebrating the World Dignity Day, Amnesty International India is launching its publication, 'Human Rights for Human Dignity: A Primer on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights', in English and Hindi. We take the pleasure of inviting you to our book release program and a panel discussion thereafter on December 5 2006 (Tuesday), 2.00pm – 4.00 pm at Gandhi Peace Foundation, Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg, near ITO, New Delhi.

'Human Rights for Human Dignity' presents an overview of economic, social and cultural rights, outlines their scope and content, and gives examples of violations and what can be done to address them. This primer highlights not only the obligations of the governments within their own countries but also their international obligations, and the human rights responsibilities of a wider orbit of actors including international organizations and corporations.

Amnesty International (AI) has also planned its next global campaign on the theme of 'Human Rights and Human Dignity'. As the international community has repeatedly recognized, all human rights are universal, indivisible, inter-dependent and interrelated. Human dignity requires respect for all human rights of all people: there can be no higher priority than the right to live with dignity. Amnesty International joins local communities and activists worldwide in campaigning for economic, social and cultural rights of the marginalised people.

Sixty years after the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the aspiration for “a world free from want as well as fear” is unrealised for millions. A massive shift in mindset is needed so that poverty is understood and addressed as a condition driven and perpetuated by a web of indivisible human rights violations. Bringing a human rights based approach and global activism, through the lens of health & housing, and grounded in individuals' experience, is the need of the hour.

The full realization of economic, social and cultural rights – including rights to food, housing, health, education and work – requires significant human, , technological and variety of other resources. Yet limited resources can not be accepted as the principal cause of widespread violations of these rights, and cannot be used as an excuse to deny them to specific individuals and groups. Ethnic minorities, indigenous peoples, women, members of opposition or religious groups, people living with HIV/AIDS or mental disabilities and many others risk injustice as a result of such discriminations and deprivations.

The Governments that are keen to encourage investments have often failed to ensure that the big business respects its human rights responsibilities as well. Moreover, they have exposed the population to exploitation through the denial of the right to fair wages and decent working conditions. Functioning independently or through international financial institutions, the governments have often disregarded the rights of people elsewhere, supporting large-scale development projects which have resulted in widespread homelessness and defiance of indigenous peoples' rights. Violations of economic, social and cultural rights are not just a matter of inadequate resources or policy; but a matter of dignity.

AI wishes to join the mobilisation for concrete changes in policy and practice to help create space for the marginalised to claim their rights and dignity.

We, therefore, invite you to join us for the book release and the panel discussion, and express your solidarity for our campaign for the cause of economic, social and cultural rights of all people.

Thanking you.

Sincerely

Mukul Sharma, Director - 9810801919        
Joe Athialy, Campaigns and Communication Coordinator - 9868114470
Soumya Bhaumik, Human Rights Education Coordinator - 9811472549

Contacts:
Hitesh Gogia: 9811283747
Sundera Babu: 9811744919
Monami Banerjee: 9818448041

 

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Joe Athialy
Campaigns and Communication Coordinator
Amnesty International India

Email: jathialy@... / joeathialy@...