International Network for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
Working together to make human rights a reality for all.
Solidarity Actions
June 1, 2011: Urgent Action- ESCR-Net condemns ongoing threats and acts of violence against member the Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF)
On 1 June, 2011, the International Network on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights sent a letter to senior members of the government of Pakistan to express concern regarding ongoing threats and acts of violence against leaders of ESCR-Net member Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF) who have mobilized in response to the clearing of mangroves and associated land grabbing activities.
February 3, 2011: Statement condemning the violence against protesters in Egypt by pro-Mubarak agents and the targeting of journalists and human rights activists
On February 3, 2011 ESCR-Net issued a statement condemning the arrest of a number of human rights activists, the attacks against journalists, and isolation of Tahrir Square as well as the failure of the Egyptian military to provide protection to pro-democracy protesters. The Network urged both the Egyptian and US governments, as well as the International Community, to condemn such violence and repression, to support pro-democratic movements and to defend the protection of human rights.
December 20, 2010: Urgent Action - harassment and threats faced by workers seeking to unionize in La Sierrita, Mexico
In response to reports of threats to and harassment of workers by Excellon authorities regarding the workers’ right to unionize, ESCR-Net urged the Mexican government and representatives of Excellon to ensure an honest, transparent, and participatory negotiation process with the owners of the communal lands of La Sierrita, to cease all threats or harassment of workers choosing to join a union and to respect and uphold the workers’ human rights to integrity, to security, and freedom of association in the La Platosa mine.
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.
March 2010: Haiti NGO Letter on Human Rights and International Assistance
Prior to the International Donor Conference for Haiti in March of 2010, ESCR-Net drafted a letter to the states attending to urge them to follow a human rights-based approach to international assistance to Haiti.
June 17, 2011: Urgent Action - planned forced land acquisitions and repression of dissent in Jagatsinghpur
On June 17, 2011 The International Network on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights sent a letter calling on the Government of India to refrain from proceeding with the forcible entry and seizure of the lands in and around the village of Govindpur to make way for an integrated steel plant; desist from all acts of intimidation and the filing of baseless criminal charges against human rights defenders and undertake to respect the human rights of the affected community, including the right to liberty and security of person, peaceful assembly, food, water and adequate housing and prohibitions against forced evictions and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.
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.
November 8, 2007: Solidarity with the ejido co-owners of La Sierrita in Mexico
ESCR-Net requested that President Felipe Calderon Hinojosa urge EXCELLON RESOURCES INC mining company of Canada to attend the dialogue table held with the ejido co-owners of the communal land known as "La Sierrita" in the municipality of Tlahualilo, Durango State, Mexico to discuss how to improve the living conditions of the La Sierrita ejido community and to realize their right to decide on the use of their land.
November 5, 2007: Solidarity with Brazilian farmers in Paraná
ESCR-Net requested that the Brazilian government take steps in response to the violence and tension that broke out at Sygenta Seeds farm in Paraná, Brazil. It was called on to secure the safety and protect the human rights of the members of MST and Via Campesina, the two groups involved, and to take measures to disband the private security company that caused the violence.
January 31, 2008: ESCR-Net Members Stand in Solidarity with the Kenyan People
ESCR-Net stands in solidarity with the Kenya people during this trying time and asks that a resolution to the unstable elections and turmoil be sought.
April 20, 2009: Solidarity with HR defenders in Kenya
ESCR-Net stands in solidarity with human rights defenders in Kenya, who suffer violence at the hands of security forces and other violations of human rights.
May 2007: Urgent Action - Support MOSOP!
ESCR-Net asks the government of Nigeria to protect the members of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP), an ESCR-Net member organization. Member homes have been invaded and their lives have been threatened. ESCR-Net also encourages other organizations to send their own letters of solidarity to the Nigerian government.
July 21, 2006: Solidarity with the Palestinian population on the Gaza Strip
ESCR-Net and its members called for the Israeli government to honor international laws and the rights of the Palestinian population on the Gaza Strip, especially the right to health services.
June 2006: Solidarity with CEDAL and civil society organizations in Peru
ESCR-Net stands in solidarity with Peruvian civil society organizations and Centro de Asesoría Laboral del Perú (CEDAL) in maintaining their right to freedom of speech.
November 2005: Solidarity with the CCP in Peru
ESCR-Net announces its solidarity with the 10th Congress of the Confederación Campesina del Perú (CCP) and supports its fight to prevent Peruvian agriculture from being a victim of free commerce practices that infringe upon essential rights, to protect biodiversity and public health, and promote alimentary sovereignty.
June 2005: Solidarity with Evicted Zimbabweans
ESCR-Net and Habitat International Coalition-Housing and Land Rights Network (HIC-HLRN) expressed their solidarity for displaced Zimbabweans who were evicted by their government.
April 22, 2005: Solidarity with Indigenous Populations of Toribio and Jambalo in Cauca, Colombia
ESCR-Net expresses its solidarity with the indigenous populations of Toribio and Jambalo in Cauca, Colombia, who are pacifists in the ongoing war against the guerilla forces. ESCR-Net asks that attacks and confrontations cease in the urban areas of Toribio and other places with peaceful, indigenous populations.
March 30, 2004: Solidarity with CONAIE in Ecuador
ESCR-Net called on the President of Ecuador to protect the human right to life and physical integrity of Mr. Leonidas Iza, president of the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities in Ecuador (CONAIE) and his family members.