Edmund Rice International

On November 1st 2010, the human rights situation in Liberia was put under the microscope by its peers as part of the country’s first Universal Periodic Review. (UPR) Liberia has recently emerged from a long history of instability, turmoil and conflict, including two violent civil wars. Out of a pre-war population of 3,000,000 an estimated [...]

In a landmark statement issued in Geneva on 30th Sep, fourteen major intergovernmental organizations urged respect for the rights and protection of the tens of millions of irregular migrants worldwide. Signatories to the statement included the World Bank, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, UNICEF, UNESCO, the UN Development Programme, the International Labour Organization, the [...]

Young people representing over 30 countries held their 7th International Summit at the United Nations in Geneva. ERI had the privilege of participating with these dynamic young minds. Professional inputs were provided by a series of individuals whose job was to motivate the youth to discussion of relevant Human Rights topics. This was very well [...]

Speaking in the General Debate at the recent Session of the Human Rights Council In Geneva, the Vatican representative Archbishop Tomasi addressed the issue of the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health. Drawing upon the experience of the Catholic Church as a major provider of [...]

As a contribution to the Universal Periodic Review of the Human Rights record of the United States, due to take place in November, Edmund Rice International has made a submission about the US guest-worker program. One driver for this effort has been the 2008 Edmund Rice Christian Brothers North America (ERCBNA) chapter statement, “encouraging the [...]

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has expressed concerns that the global economic slump, which is causing increased joblessness, could see an increase in human trafficking. This is particularly the case in the Philippines. Traffickers are taking advantage of joblessness. There is no official government data on trafficking but Visayan Forum, a [...]

The following article was recently posted on the Catholic Religious Australia website. CRA is the peak body representing all Religious Congregations in Australia:- Australian Catholic Religious Against Trafficking in Humans (ACRATH) has received a $250,000 windfall from the Federal Government by being named as one of four NGOs to share $1 million to support their [...]

Reports are coming out of the Philippines concerning the presence of child soldiers with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). Humanitarian law proscribes the recruitment, whether voluntary or forced, of young people under the age of 15 into military units. Currently, the MILF is locked in conflict with government forces on the island of Mindanao. [...]

Right now Franciscans International is hosting a week-long training session for people involved in the prevention of trafficking around the world. Coincidentally, the United Nations itself hosted at thematic event on the issue in New York. Two Irish religious sisters are attending the event, Sr. Mary Mangan SHJM and Sr. Mary Ryan RSM, both representing [...]