Latin America united in defence of the rights

Author: 
Francisco Yofre

More than 25 civil society organisations from Latin America participated in the programme on economic, social and cultural rights (ESCR) organised by Social Watch and Dignity International and held in Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay from 7 to 15 November 2005.

The rich exchange of work experiences and the analysis of concrete study cases through varied methodologies provided the participants with an important set of tools for the diagnosis of the present human rights situation in the continent. Current mechanisms to defend and make all human rights exigible were also addressed.

In the summing up session, voices coincided in the need of replicating the course among grassroots organisations in order to strengthen the lobbying of governments for the adoption of policies aiming at integrating human rights when it comes to tackle poverty and to centre these policies in dignity for all persons.

During the course the use of judicial and extrajudicial mechanisms provided in International Covenants and Treaties as well as in national Constitutions was stressed for the defence of human rights. The access to land and adequate housing, discrimination based on sex, social or ethnic reasons, access to social security, to health, to an environment, to water and food security were some of the issues especially addressed during the course. States have the inevitable obligation to respect, protect and fulfil human rights.

The programme counted with the priceless collaboration of facilitators from COHRE (Centre on Housing Rights and Evictions) Americas Programme and DECA Equipo Pueblo, Mexico. The participants highlighted the “excellent” organisation of the event and the wide and varied bibliography that complemented the work of the coordinators.

More information available at:

LINKING & LEARNING PROGRAMME ON ESC RIGHTS FOR THE LATIN AMERICA REGION

Dignity International
http://www.dignityinternational.org/

Radio Comunitaria la Tribu
Buenos Aires, Argentina
http://www.fmlatribu.com