PHM-Exch> Optional Protocol economic, social and cultural rights

[Claudio Schuftan]

Preparing for September 24, signature ceremony of the Optional Protocol to
the ICESCR

Dear colleagues of the NGO Coalition for an OP-ICESCR,

As we shared in our latest communication, now that the OP-ICESCR has been
adopted, the NGO Coalition has launched a new phase of its campaign: Justice
NOW! Ratify to Protect all Human Rights.  The focus of the Campaign is to
ensure widespread ratification and implementation of the OP-ICESCR.
September 24, 2009 represents an important landmark for the Optional
Protocol. A signature ceremony organized by the United Nations will take
place in New York at which time the OP will be opened for signature and
ratification or accession to State parties of the International Covenant on
Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The involvement of partners working
domestically is key to ensure that a significant number of countries sign
the OP on September 24, move promptly to ratify or accede to this treaty and
ensure its prompt entry into force.  In this email, we are including:

A)    Proposals to National Level Organizations to get involved and Support
the OP IN PREPARATION FOR SEPTEMBER 24

B)     Update on Actions taken Until Now

C)    News About Changes in the Coordination of the Campaign and Updated
Contact information

A)    Proposals to National Level Organizations to get involved and Support
the OP IN PREPARATION FOR SEPTEMBER 24

The Coalition wishes to propose that a series of actions in preparation for
the UN Signature Ceremony is undertaken by groups interested in supporting
the OP. This will inform and build the substance of a larger NGO Event that
will take place in New York close to September 24.  Possibilities to get
involved include:

1.      SUPPORT THE COALITION’S GLOBAL ADVOCACY ACTION ON THE OP-ICESCR
2.      ORGANIZE A NATIONAL LEVEL EVENT PREPARING FOR THE OPENING FOR
SIGNATURES OF THE OP
3.      LOBBY YOUR COUNTRY’S AUTHORITIES TO ENSURE SIGNATURE ON SEPTEMBER
24, FOLLOWED BY PROMPT RATIFICATION OR ACCESSION
4.      SEND US YOUR STORY, TESTIMONY OR THOUGHTS ON HOW A MECHANISM LIKE
THE OPTIONAL PROTOCOL COULD MAKE A DIFFERENCE ON THE LIFE OF MILLIONS OF
PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD
To learn more about the specific actions and how to get involved please
click here.

B)    Update on Actions taken Until Now

As part of our initial efforts to ensure that as many possible countries
sign the OP on September 24, the Coalition has written letters to capitals
and country representatives participating in different intergovernmental
events.  Up to now, we have directed efforts at the Human Rights Council
Sessions both in March and May; the MERCOSUR’s High Level Human Rights
Authorities Gathering, the Summit of the Americas as well at the African
Commission for Human and People's Rights.  We also raised the OP issue
during the last Sessions of the ESCR Committee.  In general terms, the
communications have urged countries to make a statement in support of the OP
in those gatherings and to seek the support of other states to ensure that
the Optional Protocol enters into force at the earliest opportunity. For the
Human Rights Council in particular, we have asked States to include in the
recommendations, made to other countries under the Universal Periodic
Review, to give serious consideration to signing and ratifying this Optional
Protocol.  During the ESCR Committee Sessions, NGOs of some of the countries
under review recommended the inclusion of the prompt ratification of the OP
by their particular states.

For sample letters or for a calendar of relevant events that could be
targeted for the OP, please follow the links provided.


C)    News About Changes in the Coordination of the Campaign and Updated
Contact information

During ESCR-Net’s General Assembly in Kenya, the International Network for
Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ESCR-Net) received a proposal from the
NGO Coalition to undertake the coordination of this new phase of the
Campaign which will continue to be lead by the Coalition and it Steering
Committee. The proposal was supported by a Statement presented by ESCR-Net’s
membership for the Network to undertake a larger role in the OP process.
The Secretariat and the Board feel that ESCR-Net is well positioned to
undertake this challenge and, considering the relevance of the OP as a tool
to strengthen protection of ESCR both at the domestic level and
internationally, the Network has now become the coordinator of the OP
Campaign.

Contact us:
To learn more about the Campaign or for any questions or comment, including
the position of your country in relation to the OP, please contact us
op-coalition at escr-net.org
Phone:  +1(212) 6811236 Ext. 26
Fax:   +1(212) 6811241
Skype: suadelias

Sincerely,
The Steering Committee of the International NGO Coalition for an Optional
Protocol to the ICESCR:

Amnesty International, International Secretariat, UK; Community Law Centre,
South Africa; Centre on Housing Rights and Evictions (COHRE), Switzerland;
International Network for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ESCR-Net),
USA; Food First Information and Action Network (FIAN) International
Secretariat, Germany; International Commission of Jurists (ICJ),
Switzerland; International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), France;
International Women’s Rights Action Watch Asia-Pacific (IWRAW Asia-Pacific),
Malaysia; Inter-American Platform of Human Rights, Democracy and Development
(PIDHDD), Paraguay;  Social Rights Action Centre, (SRAC), Canada
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