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< Viewpoints
2006 Viewpoints
"Xenophobia: a shameful face of Europe"
[18/12/06] In his latest Viewpoint, the Commissioner discusses the increasing threat of Xenophobia in
Europe, drawing attention to the recent findings of the EU
Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia, of ODIHR and the
European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI).
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(.doc format)
"HIV
infected persons should be supported, not discriminated against"
[01/12/06] In his latest Viewpoint, the Commissioner
discusses the grave health crisis that the HIV/ AIDS epidemic
has triggered in some European countries. He also argues that
there is a serious human rights dimension to the pandemic, as
carriers often become victims of discrimination in the areas of
medical assistance, education, and labour market opportunities.
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(.doc format)
"Why domestic violence is not only a women’s issue”
[24/11/06] On the occasion of the
launch of the Council of Europe campaign aimed at stopping
domestic violence against women, Commissioner Thomas Hammarberg
draws attention to the many different aspects of life where
gender-based discrimination is still very alive.
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format)
"Human rights defenders must be able to criticise"
[13/11/06] In this Viewpoint, Commissioner Thomas Hammarberg
draws attention to the continuing dynamic of governmental
attacks on non-governmental human rights groups, journalists and
even ombudsmen, and reminds of the importance of the UN
declaration on human rights defenders.
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format)
“Seeking asylum is a human
right, not a crime”
[30/10/06] As immigration and asylum
policies are becoming stricter in Europe, Commissioner Hammarberg emphasises the
need to protect the right to political asylum, and stresses the importance of
continued discussion on refugee protection issues.
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"Social rights require adequate protection in
Europe too"
[16/10/06 16:00]
On the eve of the National Day for the Eradication of Poverty, the Commissioner
for Human Rights welcomes the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to the founder
of a bank which grants loans to the destitute in Bangladesh. He also explains
why it is of utmost importance to strengthen social rights in Europe.
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"It is
high time to make human rights a reality"
[03/10/06] In his Viewpoint, the Commissioner argues that
more energy should be directed toward the effective implementation of human
rights standards. Governments need to work out a more comprehensive strategy to ensure the full realization of the human rights
treaties – not least the European Convention on Human Rights and the Revised
Social Charter.
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"Ombudsmen are key defenders of human rights – their independence must be respected"
[18/09/06] The Commissioner for Human
Rights discusses the importance of guaranteeing the independence of ombudsman
institutions across the Council of Europe region.
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"Forced eviction of Roma families must stop"
[0409/06] Concerned over several forced evictions of Roma in Europe
during the summer, the Commissioner for Human Rights stresses the
need to respect the housing rights of Roma in effective consultation
with the Roma themselves.
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"Europe
should remain a death penalty-free zone"
[21/08/06] In this Viewpoint, the Commissioner for Human Rights reiterates that Europe must remain a death
penalty-free zone, and argues that the reference to the death
penalty in the European Convention on Human Rights has now become
redundant.
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"People with disabilities have the right to be fully-fledged members of
society"
[07/08/06] The Commissioner for Human Rights calls for an effective respect
for the rights of people with disabilities.
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"Gay
Prides marches should be allowed-and protected"
[24/07/06] Concerned over the
banning of the Gay Pride parade in Latvia's capital Riga, the
Commissioner for Human Rights stresses that state authorities have a
duty and a responsibility to protect peaceful demonstrations on
sexual minority rights.
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"The
Guantánamo scandal is also our concern"
[10/07/06] In this Viewpoint,
Thomas Hammarberg underlines the fact that the Guantánamo scandal is
also a European issue, not least because some of the inmates are
citizens of European countries but also because it has been difficult
for their governments to defend them.
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"Torture can never, ever be accepted"
[27/06/06] Since September
2001, international standards against torture have been sevely
undermined. Thomas Hammaberg firmly underlines
that torture is without exception a major human rights violation and
points out to the responsibility of the governments to enforce this
principle.
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"Every country should be
monitored – and should welcome that"
[12/06/06] The resolution
which created the UN Human Rights Council, which takes from the
Commission on Human Rights, requires a periodic, universal review of
the fulfilment of human rights obligations in all countries. In this
viewpoint, the
Commissioner for Human Rights comments on this newly-established body
and calls for a "genuine implementation" of countries' monitoring
principles.
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"Migrants should not be denied their human rights"
[30/05/06]
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"Religious leaders needed for rights cause"
[15/05/06]
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"Women are still abused, discriminated and denied fair
political influence"
[02/05/06]
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"The Council of Europe protocol against discrimination
is important"
[18/04/06]
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"Fight
terrorism by legal means"
[03/04/06]
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