The right to non-discrimination is a fundamental human right. The legal and institutional framework as well as public discourse influence and reflect discriminatory structures.
Such structures infringe the human right to non-discrimination just like inadequate support of victims of discrimination. Migrants, members of ethnic or religious minorities, refugees but also other marginalized groups have to be granted equal and secure access to justice which is an essential element in the enforcement of the individual’s right to non-discrimination. Anti-discrimination is understood as a cross-cutting issue, which should be taken into account when developing policies affecting different areas of life, in order to achieve equality and social inclusion for all.
The right to seek and enjoy asylum is of fundamental importance to persons who were affected by serious human rights violations in their countries of origin or who fear persecution in the case of return. They require adequate protection in the reception state in order to be in a position to conduct a life in dignity. Even though today approx. four fifths of all persons affected by forced migration remain within their regions of origin (i.e. in developing countries), access to asylum in Europe becomes more and more difficult: To begin with, EU external borders become evermore “secure” but lack adequate measures aiming at the identification of persons in need of protection. Further, despite harmonisation efforts diverging qualification criteria, reception conditions and asylum procedures of varying quality are in place. Apart from that, asylum seekers and refugees often face legal and factual barriers (including racism and discrimination) in the reception countries making everyday life and participation in the reception society difficult.
"CSR - HR = PR" This formula highlights the relevance of sensible human resource management for a comprehensive CSR strategy. Therefore, CSR and human resources is one of the key topics of the Austrian UN Global Compact network for this year, and it will be the motto of the 1st Global Compact General Meeting on 20 February 2013; featuring a keynote adress by Elaine Cohen (international expert on the subject), and smaller group discussions on certain issue areas including "Human Resources and Human Rights", conducted by Astrid Steinkellner (BIM).
Editor: International Ombudsman Institute
Author: Michael Frahm
Australasia and Pacific Ombudsman Institutions
Mandates, Competences and Good Practice
Springer, 2013
Commissioned by the International Ombudsman Institute (IOI), the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute of Human Rights (BIM) in Vienna conducted a comparative study on Ombuds-Institutions in the Australasia and Pacific region between January 2011 and April 2012.
The recently published book provides in part 1 an analytical comparison of
GRAPES OF WRATH tells the story of the Joads, an Oklahoma farmers family, who lose their farm during the Great Depression and a severe drought in the 1930s. With little work potential on the horizon of the Oklahoma dust bowls, the entire family packs up and heads for the promised land - California. But the arduous trip and harsh living conditions they encounter offer little hope, and family unity proves as daunting a challenge as any other they face. The movie is based on a novel by John Steinbeck.
The event takes place in English!
Press Release - 07/20/2012
Judgment of the German Federal Constitutional Court on asylum seekers should prompt significant increase of financial assistance for asylum seekers in Austria, urges the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute of Human Rights (BIM).
The conference on "Human Rights, Environmental Change, Migration and Displacement" is organised by the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute of Human Rights in cooperation with the Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI), Paris.
It takes place in the context of the ClimMig project, a research project funded by the Austrian Climate and Energy Fund. For details regarding the conference programme and the project visit: www.humanrights.at/climmig.
Registration was possible until 14th September.
The seminar (held in German), which takes place on 23 April 2012 in the Wiener Justizpalast (Vienna Palace of Justice), aims at identifying practical problems of extradition cases in criminal proceedings and at showing how to avoid conflicts with asylum procedures.