INFRASTRUCTURE AND HUMAN RIGHTS

DIETRICH-BONHOEFFER-HAUS, BERLIN, 4. MAY 2010, 6 PM

Organizer: ECCHR, GegenStrömung, Urgewald

Infrastructure projects such as Dams provide opportunities for regional economic development but they pose significant risks to local populations. Development in regions with an inadequate democratic authority can lead to forced displacement, the destruction of natural resources and cultural repatriation without adequate compensation, and consequently, grave human rights violations. Our upcoming event "Infrastructure and Human Rights" will focus on three case studies, and addresses the legal and political roles and responsibilities of European corporations, banks and governments that participate in projects that violate human rights abroad.

GUANTÁNAMO AND THE PROSECUTION OF TORTURE AFTER ONE YEAR OBAMA

ECCHR-OFFICE, 26 April 2010, 7pm

WITH THE AMERICAN ATTORNEY MICHAEL RATNER

With an introduction of General Secretary Wolfgang Kaleck to the current cases of ECCHR: the complaint against Lidl and the case Kundus.
Michael Ratner is President of the Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR), a non-profit legal organization dedicated to advancing and protecting the rights guaranteed by the United States Constitution and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Michael Ratner was co-counsel in representing Guantanamo Bay detainees in the United States Supreme Court in 2004. He is the author of many books and articles, including The Trial of Donald Rumsfeld A Prosecution by Book, Guantanamo: What the World Should Know and the textbook, International Human Rights Litigation in U. S. Courts.

CIA-'EXTRAORDINARY RENDITION' PROGRAM

WHAT´S NEXT FOR LITHUANIA?

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON 22 MARCH 2010 IN VILNIUS

Organized by Human Rights Monitoring Institute (HRMI), Law School of Vilnius University and European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR)

In August 2009 the existence of a secret prison close to Vilnius came to light. The prison was to be used in the CIA's 'Extraordinary Rendition' Programme. Although an investigative committee from the Lithuanian parliament was able to confirm its existence, it was not able to clarify whether or not CIA prisoners were interrogated on Lithuanian soil. Taking into consideration the European involvement in the CIA secret programme, this conference will ask which legal steps can be taken to further illuminate the facts of this case, and which might be employed to prosecute those responsible, should this become necessary.

FEMICIDE IN OAXACA, MEXICO - IMPUNITY AND COUNTERSTRATEGIES

ECCHR-OFFICE, 31 January 2010

WITH YESICA SÁNCHEZ, advocate and human rights defender from Oaxaca

Yesica Sánchez is a human rights lawyer who works with the NGO Consorcio against the impunity of the ever increasing incidents of violence against women and femicide in Oaxaca, Mexico. Impunity has been committed at all levels of government: by prosecutors, legislators and judicial officials. During the event Ms Sánchez will explain the factors that allow for the increase in violence against women that has been recorded over the last years. She will also talk about strategies that a civil society can develop to counteract this phenomenon.

Organized by: ECCHR, German Human Rights Coordination Mexico and Ecumenical Office, Munich.

CURRENT CHALLENGES IN REFUGEE PROTECTION

ECCHR-OFFICE, 21 January 2010

WITH DR. TILLMANN LÖHR, Advisor to the parliamentary faction of the SPD

The discussion gives an overview of current problems of international, european and German protection of refugees. We will also talk about prospective and legal political action.