Series of seminars 2010:
Transitional Justice – the Path from Human Rights Abuses to Sustainable Peace, Reconciliation and Democracy.
During the course of 2010, the Swedish Foundation of Human Rights is holding a series of seminars on the role of transitional justice in democratic transition. The purpose of these seminars is to focus on the importance of human rights and the role of civil society in countries in transition from armed conflict or dictatorship to democracy, and how to resolve the issue of impunity in such processes.
Visit the Calendar >>
17 May
The Foundation is now on Facebook!
Support the Foundation by visiting our Facebook-page and become a fan.
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16 March
Earthquake Reaction: A Human Rights Perspective on Haiti
A report produced by RNDDH (the national network for human rights on Haiti) concerning the situation on Haiti after the earthquake.
2010-03-02 English >>
2 Februrary
UPDATE: Sexual Violence in DR Congo - Final versions of report
These are the Final versions, in English and French, of the Foundation's mission report ”Justice, Impunity and Sexual Violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo” / "Justice, impunité et violences sexuelles à l'Est de la République Démocratique du Congo". The report was presented at a side event in Geneva during the September session of the UN Human Rights Council.
Click here for the English version.
Cliquez ici pour la version française du rapport.
18 September
REPORT: Sexual Violence in DR Congo
Today, the Foundation presents its mission report ”Justice Impunity and Sexual Violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo”. The report is presented at a side event in Geneva during the current session of the UN Human Rights Council.
The report is presented by three of the mission delegates: Per Bjälkander (the Swedish Foundation for Human Rights), Alpha Fall (human rights lawyer, Senegal) and member of Parliament Cecilia Wigström (Sweden).
The report can be downloaded here.
1 July
THE FOUNDATION WILL NOT CLOSE
After a year of uncertainty and a decision in November to close down the Foundation, things changed rapidly in the last couple of months. A new pricipal was elected 30 June, replacing those who had decided to leave the Foundation. It was the leaving of the previous principals which was the main reason for the closing down the Foundation.
The new pricipal is Sensus, a Swedish education association with an aim to develop and strengthen their work on global issues through the relationship with the Foundation.
More information about Sensus is available at their website. --->
December 10
Colombia Mission Report
 In April 2007, the Foundation organised a mission to Colombia in order to investigate how victims’ right to truth, justice and compensation is provided for in the process that follows the demobilisation of paramilitary groups. The mission focussed on the situation for women victims and on the Antioquia region. The Foundation has carried out a number of follow-up activities and will continue to do so in 2008. The Spanish version of the report can be downloaded here, and an English version will be available later this month. Printed copies can be ordered from the Foundation.
Colombia mission report, Spanish version >>
December 10 CHANGES AT THE FOUNDATION
-New Management and Close-down
By the end of 2008, the Foundation will close down. Anita Klum, Secretary General at the Foundation since 1997, is leaving her position by the end of 2007 and will be replaced by Jesper Hansén, who has been working at the Foundation since 1998 .
More info >>
August 17 New issue of the Foundation's NewsletterRead about visibility and recognition of women as victims missing in Colombia, a look in the Turkish human rights movement and sexual and reproductive health and rights in Nigeria and more in the latest issue of Newsletter.
August 17 Capacity-building seminar
 By the end of April, the Swedish Foundation co-organised a capacity-building seminar together with La Voix des Sans Voix and ADHUC, from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the Republic of Congo (Brazzaville) respectively, as well as the International Service for Human Rights, based in Geneva. The seminar was held in the DRC and dealt with the regional African system for human rights. Both initiatives are part of a South-South exchange which aims at strengthening the knowledge and use of the various international and regional regulations and mechanisms for human rights. Read more about the seminar >>
May 31 New publication on a rights-based approachThe Swedish Foundation for Human Rights now launches “In the right direction” - a training material on rights-based development work. The publication presents basic knowledge on what the term human rights means as well as suggests how practical links between these and the planning and implementation of an activity can be made. The publication also contains several cases studies and exercises which can be used for both group discussions as well as for individual work.
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The training material has been written for those working on development cooperation in non-governmental organisations and was produced by the Swedish NGO Foundation for Human Rights, Diakonia and the Raoul Wallenberg Institute.
The publication can be downloaded here or be requested from the Swedish NGO Foundation for Human Rights, info@humanrights.se or +46 8 5454 9970
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April 2007
Investigative delegation to Colombia
 Colombia, 30 April: People are waiting outside the Attorney General’s office where the former paramilitary leader Ramón Isaza is up for questioning.
An estimated 80 percent of the surviving Colombian victims of human rights violations in the protracted (or drawn-out) internal conflict ravaging the country are women. Still, victims’ voices and rights have largely been left out in the formal processes of the Government’s Justice and Peace Bill from 2005 (Ley 975) which sets out the legal framework for the demobilisation and reintegration of former paramilitaries. In April, the Swedish Foundation for Human Rights sent an investigative delegation to Colombia to further study how victims´ rights to truth, justice and reparation and their demands for recognition are guaranteed in the process generated by the Bill. More information about the delegation >>Or contact Ulrika Strand Programme Officer Latin America, the Swedish Foundation for Human Rights
March 21
Two UN reports about missions to Sweden presented at the Human Rights Council
UN Special Rapporteur on the right to the highest attainable standard of health, Paul Hunt and the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences, Yakin Ertürk, both made missions to Sweden last year. Their reports will be represented at the on going Human Rights Council in Geneva.
March 7
Reinforce the status of the Special Rapporteurs in the UN Human Rights Council
In the capacity of its consultative status at the UN, and with the support of the Swedish section of Amnesty International, The Swedish UN Association, Church of Sweden and Save the Children in Sweden, the Swedish NGO Foundation for Human Rights has submitted recommendations to the UN Human Rights Council. The Human Rights Council convenes in Geneva between March 12 and 30 and particular emphasis will be accorded to the review of the special mechanisms and procedures. The submitted recommendations specifically point out the importance of strengthening the independent and impartial expertise role of the Special Rapporteurs as well as of ensuring follow-up mechanisms of the recommendations in order to reinforce implementation. The recommendations further call for transparency and accessibility in the relations between NGO’s and the Council and the special procedures.
The Swedish NGO Foundation for Human Rights will monitor some parts of the 4th session of the Human Rights Council on site in Geneva. Contact person: Jesper Hansén
February 7 The new Human Rights Council- challenges and questions at issue
In June 2006 the first session of the new Human Rights Council that replaced the former Human Rights Commission was held. As stated in the resolution that established the Council, its working procedures shall be decided upon within a year from its establishment. On February 1, 2007,  the Foundation together with the Swedish Church, the Swedish UN Association and Save the Children Sweden held a seminar to follow up the developments of the new Human Rights Council. Participated did Elinor Hammarskjöld, Assistant Undersecretary at the Foreign Ministry, Salpy E Weiderud, Senior Adviser to Church of Sweden, Norwegian Church Aid and Dan Church Aid on Security, Development and Justice and Aleksander Gabelic, Chairman of the Swedish UN Association. Read a report from the seminar here >>
February 6
New issue of the Foundation's Newsletter
Read about women's full enjoyment of human rights, the new UN core convention, pilot project demonstrations in Nigeria and safe and legal abortions and more in the latest issue of Newsletter.
Newsletter no. 1, 2007
30 januari
Human Rights defender receives the Olof Palme Prize 2006
The Olof Palme Prize for 2006 goes to KOFI ANNAN, Secretary General of the United Nations between 1997 - 2006, and to MOSSAAD MOHAMED ALI, lawyer and defender of human rights in Nyala, South Darfur, in the Sudan. They are awarded the prize because both of them have carried out energetic and dedicated work for human rights, peace and security. Mossaad Mohamed Ali is coordinator of ’The Amel Centre for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Victims of Torture in South Darfur’, which gives legal help and medical and psycho-social assistance to victims of torture and sexual violence, and to those risking cruel, inhuman and debasing treatment, including the death penalty and amputations. His involvement has concerned hundreds of thousands of war victims in the camps surrounding Nyala since the escalation of the war.
Read the Press Release >>
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