Addressing poverty in a post-growth era and preparing for future Development Goals

Presented by Olimpia Guidi

Brazil’s departure from sole reliance on GDP is a testament to its commitment to capturing a more comprehensive understanding of societal advancement. i

Brazil’s departure from sole reliance on GDP is a testament to its commitment to capturing a more comprehensive understanding of societal advancement. iii Brazil’s commitment to inclusive economic growth is exemplified through a multi-pronged approach. The cornerstone of these efforts is the implementation of social programs, with Bolsa Família standing out as a pivotal initiative. xiv

In addition to direct financial assistance, Brazil employs a progressive tax system to ensure that the burden of public finances is proportionally distributed. xvii

Brazil’s vast geographical expanse presents both opportunities and challenges. Regional disparities in development, compounded by infrastructural challenges, demand targeted policies to address specific needs. xxiv

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References

i Johnston, M., Kelly, R.C., Eichler, R. (2023). Brazil’s Economy: GDP vs. GDP per capita.

Available at: https://www.investopedia.com/articles/investing/050815/fundamentals-how-brazil-makes-its-money.asp

iii Instrumentos Internacionales de Derechos Humanos

https://docstore.ohchr.org/SelfServices/FilesHandler.ashx?enc=FhOD6sgqgzAhFXD9F%2FeKaFMm83LbFY75RhkIFGrig%2B5tjJs7gNQ6DJ5nZWpXZd3j3%2FbzfHokh%2FYie0vOljuL1pqVaADOcumbEqxBg%2BM1XfxZlOSr%2BlGopYZdvLKsURIX

xiv Sugiyama, N. B., & Hunter, W. (2013). Whither clientelism? Good governance and Brazil’s Bolsa Família program. Comparative Politics, 46(1), 43-62.

Available at: https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/cuny/cp/2013/00000046/00000001/art00004

xvii Immervoll, H., Levy, H., Nogueira, J. R., O’Donoghue, C., & de Siqueira, R. B. (2006). The impact of Brazil’s tax-benefit system on inequality and poverty.

Available at: https://www.scielo.br/j/rep/a/XHRzZh33LNS9rYJBXd5wRPC/

xxiv Griesse, M. A. (2007). The geographic, political, and economic context for corporate social responsibility in Brazil. Journal of business ethics, 73, 21-37.

Available at: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10551-006-9194-2

Consequences of US economic sanctions in the Middle East

Presented by Caren Thomas and Maria Samantha Orozco

This report was drafted by Broken Chalk to contribute to the call for inputs to analyze the consequences of US economic sanctions in the Middle East. Broken Chalk is an organisation that fights against violations of Human Rights and improving the quality of education around the globe.

For several decades, the United States has wielded economic sanctions as a tool against hostile state actors, seeking to influence global regimes deemed in opposition to US values and interests. Despite the intention of these measures to curb governmental injustices and foster peace, sanctions in the Middle East have become a significant and controversial feature of US foreign policy.1 As of 2023, the United States actively enforces sanctions on countries such as Iran and Syria, with far-reaching repercussions extending to Iraq, Lebanon, and Yemen.2 While these measures often receive international support, concerns persist regarding their impact on the general population, the hindrance to accessing basic services, and the undermining of educational and academic development.

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References

1 Niblock, T. (2001). Pariah states & sanctions in the Middle East: Iraq, Libya, Sudan. Lynne Rienner Publishers.

2 Ibid.

Efforts to combat racism in the Asia Pacific region

Presented by Alexia Kapsampeli

This report was drafted by Broken Chalk to contribute to the call for inputs to analyze the status of the rights situation of Africans and people of African descent in the Asia Pacific region. Broken Chalk is an organisation that fights against violations of Human Rights and improving the quality of education around the globe.

Article 4 of the Constitution of China states, “All ethnic groups in the People’s Republic of China are equal. The State protects the legitimate rights and interests of all ethnic minorities and maintains and develops relationships of equality, unity, and mutual assistance among all ethnic groups. Discrimination and oppression of any ethnic group is prohibited. Behaviours that undermine national unity and create national divisions are prohibited”.1

China applied to the United Nations for the International Convention on All Forms of Racial Discrimination (with reservation to Article 23) on November 29, 1981. It was adopted on January 28, 1982. It is one of the earliest United Nations human rights conventions ratified by China.

Chinese officials denied the existence of racial discrimination in the country.2

However, according to the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, China lacks an anti-racial discrimination law and a national human rights institution in line with the Paris Principles. 3

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References

1 在中国种族歧视会犯法吗？(Is racial discrimination illegal in China?) https://www.sohu.com/a/139339006_244250#google_vignette May 9, 2017, Last accessed on December 6, 2023 

2 国际公约和文书中有关消除种族歧视背景知识 50 问答 (Background knowledge on the elimination of racial discrimination in international conventions and instruments 50 Q&A) https://www.nchrd.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/%E5%9B%BD%E9%99%85%E5%85%AC%E7%BA%A6%E5%92%8C%E6%96%87%E4%B9%A6%E4%B8%AD%E6%9C%89%E5%85%B3%E6%B6%88%E9%99%A4%E7%A7%8D%E6%97%8F%E6%AD%A7%E8%A7%86%E8%83%8C%E6%99%AF%E7%9F%A5%E8%AF%8650%E9%97%AE%E7%AD%94.pdf Last accessed December 7, 2023

3 Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination reviews the report of China, https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2018/08/committee-elimination-racial-discrimination-reviews-report-china, August 13, 2018, Last accessed on December 11, 2023

Current status on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

Presented by Caren Thomas, Francisca Rosales and Samantha Orozco

This report was drafted by Broken Chalk to contribute to the call for inputs to analyze the status of the rights of Indigenous Peoples worldwide in the achievement of the ends of the Declaration, focusing on one or more interrelated articles of the Declaration. Broken Chalk is an organisation that fights against violations of Human Rights and improving the quality of education around the globe.

Despite the efforts, a significant gap persists in the obligations of different regional human rights systems to establish binding bodies and enforce their resolutions, hindering the effective safeguarding of indigenous rights. While regional bodies acknowledge the binding nature of the ILO 169 convention, shortcomings, particularly in Latin America, where domestic laws lack regulation of procedures, impede policy implementation.

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Current issues in Turkish prisons submitted to the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture

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By
Carolina Silvestre, Dimitrios Chasouras, María Núñez Fontán, Olimpia Guidi, Samantha Orozco, Vahit Uzunlar

Through this report, our organisation aims to address current issues and promote good practices in prison management, focusing on Turkey. In alignment with the objectives set forth by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), this thematic report endeavours to shed light on the prevailing challenges and commendable practices within the Turkish prison system. The report considers the OHCHR’s delineation of eight crucial focus areas, which serves as the foundational framework for our comprehensive assessment of Turkey’s prison management practices through “Call 9.” As a critical contribution to the discourse on human rights and prison conditions, this report aims to offer valuable insights and recommendations for enhancing the well-being and dignity of detainees within Turkey’s correctional facilities, thereby advancing the cause of human rights on a global scale.


For the comprehensive evaluation of prison management in Turkey, “Broken Chalk” has laid down ten critical points of focus that underpin the core objectives of this report. These ten key areas encompass issues of profound importance in understanding prison conditions and human rights in the Turkish correctional system. These points are as follows:

  1. Babies in Turkish Prisons: The presence of infants in correctional facilities raises concerns about the rights and well-being of both the child and the incarcerated parent.
  2. Sick Prisoners in Turkey: Ensuring adequate healthcare and treatment for ill inmates is fundamental to their human rights.
  3. Pregnant Women in Turkish Prisons: The unique needs of expectant mothers behind bars require special attention and care.
  4. Deaths Due to COVID-19 in Turkish Prisons: In light of the global pandemic, examining the impact of COVID-19 on prison populations is of utmost importance.
  5. Deaths Due to Sickness in Turkish Prisons: Understanding the circumstances leading to deaths within prisons is essential to addressing systemic issues.
  6. Parole Right Violations in Turkish Prisons: Ensuring prisoners’ rights to parole are respected and upheld is critical in fair and just incarceration.
  7. Allegations of Torture and Ill-Treatment in Turkish Prisons: Investigating claims of torture and ill-treatment is critical for upholding human rights and international standards.
  8. Exceeding Capacity in Turkish Prisons: Overcrowding poses significant challenges to the well-being of inmates, and its implications are central to this report.
  9. Denial of the Right to Defence in Turkish Prisons: Ensuring access to legal representation and due process is pivotal in safeguarding the rights of those incarcerated.
  10. Access to Health Services in Turkish Prisons: Adequate healthcare services are a fundamental human right for those within the prison system.

    Each of these points has been included in the report to shed light on specific areas of concern within the Turkish prison system, with the ultimate goal of improving conditions, safeguarding human rights, and contributing to international discourse on the subject.
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