Social Watch E-Newsletter - Issue 251 - March 25, 2016

Freedom of association is an enabling right that underpins inclusive development. The social movements that have flooded the streets of the Arab Spring have the potential to democratize the state and secure democratic transition. However, what Europe calls "Southern Neighbouring" countries are recording an alarming shrinking space for civil society, violations of freedom of association and peaceful assembly, coupled with restrictions of the right to access to information and challenges in mobilizing financial resources. Read more

The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied by Israel since 1967, Mr. Makarim Wibisono of Indonesia, has stressed the critical need for the international community to increase its protection of the Palestinian population.
Mr. Wibisono, who has resigned because of Israeli non-cooperation with his task, while presenting his final report to the Human Rights Council, recalled the well-documented violations related to the Israeli occupation policies and practices in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT), and appealed to the Government of Israel, as the occupying power, to take practical steps to implement protections under international law as it pertains to the Palestinian population living under occupation. Read more

Fiscal policy —that is the raising and spending of public resources— is one of the most important structural policies which determines the degree to which a State can ensure human rights for all, without discrimination. As evidenced in the first-ever thematic audience on fiscal policy and human rights held by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) this past October, who pays for what public services, and who truly benefits, are fundamental questions at the heart of any efforts to protect democracy and realize human rights.
Why is tax and fiscal policy essential to realizing economic, social, cultural and environmental human rights (ESCER) in the United States? Read more