World Organisation Against Torture

OMCT Action Files on Economic Social & Cultural Rights

INFORMATION…

A MEANS TO PREVENT TORTURE AND OTHER FORMS OF

VIOLENCE

World Organisation Against Torture

Action files: What is their purpose?

expose and address violations of economic, social and cultural rights that generate – or risk generating – acts of torture and other forms of violence;

mobilise support for victims of torture and other forms of violence;

exert pressure on the competent authorities;

call for corrective action.

World Organisation Against Torture

Action files: To whom are they addressed?

OMCT SOS-Torture Network members (294 around the world);

Governments; the United Nations; development and financial agencies;

private actors;

media.

World Organisation Against Torture

Action files: What do they contain?

1-page concise summary;

detailed description of the issue;

analysis of the context – economic, social, cultural, political and legal;

requested actions;

contact addresses.

World Organisation Against Torture

Action files: How are they compiled?

reliable partners provide timely and accurate information on a given situation;

OMCT and partners work together to prepare file;

checking and cross-checking

Follow-up to monitor corrective action

Action Files

The effectiveness of the action files depends upon the validity

and accuracy

of the information they contain

Action Files

India: Violence against and harassment of Dalit villagers involved in peaceful protest (IND041007.ESCR)

Bangladesh: Risk of violent supression of public opposition to the Phulbari Coal Mine Project (BGD211207.ESCR

Philippines: Military action seriously affecting safety and wellbeing of rural communities in Surigao del Sur (PHL031207.ESCR)

Action Files

Sudan: Ongoing violence against communities resisting dam construction in the Northern Nile Valley (SDN301107)

India: Another forced eviction by police in Kolkata, West Bengal (IND141207.ESCR)

Philippines: Mining activity on Subuyan Island must be halted to prevent further killings and violence (PHL121207.ESCR)

Kenya: Military action involves serious human rights violations against civilians (KEN060608.ESCR)

Action Files

India: act to stop the imminent forced eviction of 5000 people in Howrah, West Bengal (IND 150109.ESCR)

Bangladesh: arson attack on indigenous Jumma community in Sajek Union, Chittagong Hill Tracts - Bengali settlers, with military support, torch houses of indigenous community (BGD 290808.ESCR)

Bulgaria: call on the Parliament to adopt effective legislation to protect persons with mental disabilities from social exclusion and severe human rights violations including inhuman and degrading treatment (BUL 031208.ESCR)

Action Files

Getting results

A proposed open-pit coal mine at Phulbari in Bangladesh that risks seriously affecting the lives of between 50,000 and 500,000 people, including a number of indigenous communities. Many of these affected will be forced to leave their homes and land. The mine has been planned without those directly concerned having been fully informed or adequately consulted and public protests have been met with violence. (BGD211207.ESCR)

Action file and letters sent to:Government of Bangladesh;GCM, the mining company involved;Financial interests supporting the mine (UBS, Rab Capital, Barclays)Asian Development Bank (providing US$ 100 million loan and US$ 200 million political risk guarantee)

Action Files

“Plans by UK-quoted mining firm GCM Resources to develop a huge open-cast mine in northern Bangladesh have been thrown into doubt after the Asian Development Bank (ADB) pulled a $300m loan agreement this weekend.„

In a statement, the ADB said: 'We think it is premature to continue dialogue with the private sector under current circumstances. So, at this stage we are open to suggestions of the government of Bangladesh, civil society and other stakeholders and prepared to review our engagement in this project to ensure that all sensitivities, including concerns relating to safeguard issues, are fully considered.'

« Asian bank scuppers UK mine project in Bangladesh »The Observer newspaper (UK), Sunday April 6 2008

The World Organisation Against Torture

Do you know of a case of this kind that should be brought to the attention of the international community?