International Privacy Day 2017

            Yesterday, 28th January, all the world celebrated the right to privacy. We must all fight for this right, because with its violation many others rights are also violated. If you want to have an idea about its importance, imagine your life without your privacy. All dimensions of a person's life is harmed, his relationships, his employability, his socialization, his entrepreneurship, his health, his anonymity, at last, there is not one aspect of the person that is not affected. And it is not only the individual that suffers, the democracy, the rule of law, and the trust in the institutions are also damaged.  One more reason we need combat the human rights violations, when they are broken, the violators could think that they are able to do more and more. This is why can not have impunity in so serious violations, like privacy`s violations. Everybody should understand why we all need to fight against violations of human rights. And when they happened, we all must fight for reparation to the victims.   This post is a summary of three articles. The first was published at. https://www.cute-calendar.com/event/data-privacy-day/19820.htm. The second was published at http://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/data-privacy-day-january-28/. The third was published at https://www.accessnow.org/international-data-privacy-day-we-remind-the-european-council-of-our-rights/

               Privacy Day is celebrated on January 28. Data Privacy Day is an international holiday, which purpose it is to raise awareness and promote privacy education. It is celebrated in the U.S. Canada, and 27 European countries. Privacy Day's education initiative originally focused on raising awareness among teens and young adults about the importance of protecting the privacy of their personal information. The education focus has expanded over the past four years to include families, consumers and businesses. In addition to its educational initiative, Privacy Day promotes events and activities that stimulate the development of technology tools that promote individual control over personally identifiable information; encourage compliance with privacy laws; and create dialogues among stakeholders interested in advancing data protection and privacy. The international celebration offers many opportunities for collaboration among governments, industry, academia, NGOs, privacy professionals and educators. Data privacy is the relationship between collection and dissemination of data, technology, the public expectation of privacy, and the legal and political issues surrounding them. Privacy concerns exist wherever personally identifiable information is collected and stored - in digital form or otherwise. Improper or non-existent disclosure control can be the root cause for privacy issues. Privacy issues can rise in response to information from a wide range of sources, such as healthcare records, criminal justice investigations and proceedings, financial institutions and transactions, biological traits, such as genetic material, residence and geographic records.                                                                Cyber security is a growing concern. Data Privacy Day is observed every January 28 as a reminder to protect and safeguard private data. Privacy Day was first initiated by the council in Europe in 2007. In 2009, the U.S. house of representatives recognized National Data Privacy Day and the U.S. senate in 2010. It has continued through the efforts of various groups and organizations since.

             Yesterday we celebrated the International Privacy Day by reminding the members of the Council of the E.U. representatives of their obligation to protect the rights of citizens. We sent a letter, signed by several international NGOs, outlining the importance of the rights to privacy and data protection and urging them to reach a conclusion on the General Data Protection Regulation without any further delay. Yesterday, January 28th, marks the anniversary of the signature of the European Union's Convention for the Protection of Individuals with regards to Processing of Personal Data. The convention was the first international treaty to recognise the protection of personal data as a right, and its purpose remain as relevant today as when it was first draft in 1981: "To secure for very individual, whatever his nationality or residence, respect for his rights and fundamental freedoms, and in particular his right to privacy, with regard to automatic processing data relating to him." For more than thirty years, this convention has been a cornestone of privacy legislation and data protection in Europe and beyond. Yet, it is not an adequate guarantee: In today's digital era, the rights of citizens need support in the form of binding law. The mass surveillance revelation of 2013 highlighted how inadequate current data protections really are. In order to provide citizens with control over their personal information, laws must be up to date, comprehensive, and provide for the rights of users. In 2012, the European Commission released a proposal intended to update and modernise the data protection framework. The 2012 Regulation would update the directive for tech advances, increase protection for users rights, and replace these 28 different legal regimes with one strong, universal standard. While the passage of the Data Protection Regulation is not the ultimate or only solution, it is critical part of the broad reform required to achieve better protections of fundamental rights. As we said many times, privacy is a key building block for free and democrstic societies. It is an enabling right, without which we can not enjoy freedom of expression or other rights. Without privacy, we self-censor, limit our associations, and are unable to fully exercise our freedom of conscience. For these reasons we must safeguard the privacy of out communications, whether on or offline. but privacy is about more than protecting the communications. We must have trust in the systems upon which we build our open and democratic societies. Our growing dependence on technology amplifies the threat to human rights when users, and businesses lose trust in these systems. The past few years have been hard on privacy, and damaging to overall levels of citizen trust in public and private institutions. Giving citizens more control over their personal data will be key to rebuilding this trust. This control includes being informed about how your data is being processed (collected, stored, and used), guaranteeing that your data is being processed and with your consent. Finally, you should have the right to access and correct data that has been collected about you. E.U. institutions are now more than ever before accountable for its policies and choices regarding the right to privacy and protection of personal data.

Addressing Injustice

                           This post is a summary of two article. The first with the title above was published in June of 2003 at http://www.beyondintractability.org/essay/address-injustice. The second was published in September of 2003 at http://www.beyondintractability.org/essay/compensation

              While it is difficult to give a complete and adequate definition of justice, most observers can recognize clear examples of serious injustice when they arise. Such injustice comes in various forms, wherever the norms of distributive justice, procedural justice, or human rights are violated. There are systemic forms of injustice that may persist in a society. These structures give rise to profound injustices that can be difficult to recognize. In some cases, these unfair conditions are imposed by those in power that sometimes use the state' legal and political systems to violate the political and social rights of subordinate groups. Political injustice involves the violation of individual liberties, including the denial of voting rights, infringements on rights to freedom of speech, and inadequate protection from cruel punishment. Such injustice often stems from unfair procedures, and involves political systems in which some but not others are allowed to have voice and representation in decisions that affect them. Even more serious than the injustices discussed above are war crimes and crimes against humanity. These crimes violate individuals' most basic rights. Many scholars and activists note that in order to truly address injustice, we must strive to understand its underlying causes. Indeed, the roots of injustice stem from deeper and more complex political, social and economic problems. It is only by understanding and ameliorating these roots causes and strengthening civil society that we can truly protect human rights. Addressing political injustice is often a matter of developing institutions of fair governance. Such measures are sometimes a matter of reforming institutions or revising state constitutions. In cases where some groups are excluded from political participation, the state can remedy violations of political rights by promoting political inclusion and empowering subordinate groups. Public decision-making should respond to the will of the citizens. A culture of political involvement and public participation should be fostered. In addition, there are various structural changes that might give groups more social and political power. This is often accomplished through the strengthening of the civil society in conjunction with democratization efforts. In some cases, countries requires outside assistance for election monitoring. Addressing systematic economic injustice is often a matter of reforms that give groups better access to jobs, health care, and education. In many cases, lack of access to basic services stems from inequalities in resource distribution. There are various institutional and economic reforms that might be put in place to raise living standards and boost economic growth. For example, develpment of programs that provide assistance for the poor, pension for the elderly, and education for workers help remedy injustice. Severe violations of basic rights and physical safety are sometimes enacted through government policies or inflicted during the course of warfare. It is commonly recognized that government leaders and soldiers, as well as civilians, must be held accountable for perpetrating such injustices. International law has been enacted to preserve humanity in all ciscumstances. Various international committees are in place to monitor compliance with human rights standards and report any violation. In some cases, human rights violations may form part of national policy. In those cases, government officials should be held accountable for policies of apartheid, forced disappearance, torture or genocide. Punishment is to reinforce the international law and to deny those who have violated rules any unfair advantages. In addition, that punishment deters other would-be offenders from committing similar crimes in the future. Some maintain that the vigilant observance of the international community is necessary to ensure justice. Various NGOs, including Amnesty International and the International Commission of Jurists are devoted to bring injustice to light and pressuring governments to address the injustice. Historically, the U.N. has likewise played a central role in dealing with international justice issues. Restorative justice is concerned with healing wounds of victims and repairing harm done to interpersonal relationships and in the community. It can play a crucial role in responding to severe human rights violations. Huge advances are made when governments tell the truth about past atrocities carried out by the state. It is thought that true healing requires remembering the atrocities committed. Restoration often becomes a matter of restitution or reparations. In cases where clear acts of injustice have taken place, some type of compensation package can help to meet the material and emotional needs of victims and remedy the injustice.

                  There is a growing awareness that addressing injustice is a crucial part of the process of healing and reconciliation. In order to move towards a peaceful future, governments must acknowledge and respond to the wrong and injuries of the past, especially human rights violation. Doing so takes various forms. One way is through compensation programs and reparations for the victims of injustice. Many note that issues of compensation and rehabilitation of victims should be incorporated into plans of reconstruction and economic revitalization. To commit human rights injustice is to violate or suppress people's rights or fundamental freedoms as recognized by international law. Unfortunately, many instances of injustices can be tied to policies condoned or consciously chosen by governments. These state-sponsored human rights violations cause serious damage to the physical and moral integrity of individuals. Although these harms are often irreparable, international and national courts have required states to pay victims compensation for both material and psycholigical injury sustained as a direct result of their policies. This serve both to acknowledge the violation and to sanction the state in question. A society that once tolerated human rights abuses must come to terms with the past, accept responsibility, and try to make amends. Customary international law provides the legal foundation for victims' right to compensation. Various international treaties have recognized that victims of human rights violations have a right to compensation and rehabilitation. And the obligation to compensation for victims of injustice has become part of international law. Compensation serves a variety of important functions. First, it helps victims to manage the material aspect of their loss. Individual financial grants helps to bring economic relief to the victims and allow them to fulfill survival needs. Monetary compensation may also deter the state from future abuses by imposing a financial cost in such misdeeds. However, many note that such reparations are not primarily about money, but rather about making crucial repairs to individuals' psyches, and social and political institutions. Compensation serve to acknowledge wrongdoing, restore victims' dignity, and raise public awareness about the harms victims have suffered. For this reason, reparations for victims and their families are often a psychologically necessary component of the healing process.This can help former victims to come to terms with the traumatic events that have occurred. Indeed, compensation programs are a crucial part of restorative justice and serve as focal points in the healing process. They can help victims move beyond the desire for revenge and make possible to repair relationships that have been damaged by acts of injustice. Reparations also serve to expose victims' grievances and redirect blame towards those who are truly responsible. Lastly, compensation serve to promote and protect human rights. They aim to recognize the harms victims have suffered, correct these abuses, and prevent the reocurrences of such acts. In addition, states must carry out various initiatives to ensure that justice is served and guarantee that abuses will not be repeated. Truth commission and war crime tribunals to investigate human rights violations and expose the truth of what happened are crucial. An accurate record of cases should be included in educational materials. In order to ensure that human rights violations will not reoccur, states must work to provide better access to health care, education and jobs. They must also provide human rights training to military forces and law enforcement officials, protect rights of workers, and strengthen the judiciary. Financial assistance is inadequate to address the psychological and social needs of the individuals involved. In addition to suffering physical injury, victims of human rights violations typically suffer psychological injury and emotional distress. Compensation that simply pay out financial grants are not sufficient to help individuals to overcome this psychological trauma. This is because the amount of distress, injustice, and anger that survivors typically struggle with is immeasurable. It is impossible to compensate for years of abuses. Substantial material assistance can not ameliorate all the pain that victims have suffered.  

Citizenship for the 21st Century

            This post is a summary of a report with the incomplete title above published at  http://www.p21.org/storage/documents/Reimagining_Citizenship_for_21st_Century_webversion.pdf

           At every turn, 21st century readiness applies equally to citizenship. Like the demands of school and work, the demands of civic life are constantly escalating. We all now live and work in a global society. The civic challenge of our day are significant and complex. At the same time, the ways in which we engage in the world are changing and expanding. We lead active lives online, where we can immerse ourselves in vast amounts of information from sources around the world. Anyone can learn, debate, educate, advocate and organize on the go around causes that inspire them. Citizenship today means more than understanding the roles of government and voting in elections. It means making sense of local, national, and global events, trends and information, and acting safely, responsibly and ethically online. Citizenship requires a wide range of knowledge, 21st century skills and experiences for effective and productive participation in the democratic process. These new realities of citizenship are not broadly reflected in the expectations set for students. Revitalizing citizenship education is long overdue. Just as preparing all students for the 21st century workplace is critical to our economic competitiveness, equipping all young people to be savvy, productive citizens in a complex, interdependent, digital world is crucial to the vibrancy and sustainability of democracy. An increasingly international, interdependent and diverse world rewards people with global competencies and understanding, such as the ability to make local-to-global connections, recognize divergent perspectives, think critically about global challenges, and collaborate respectfully online. Globalization, accelerated by advances in technology has altered our civic, economic and social lives. Local events in any corner of the world can ripple in a flash into international repercussions. Global citizenship is an element of citizenship readiness that requires a global skills set, including social and cross-cultural skills, proficiency in English, and an understanding of economic and political forces that affect societies. The trends that are changing and expanding the nature of citizenship present both significant challenges and opportunities for citizens who are prepared to participate. We believe that 21st century citizenship encompasses three distinct dimensions and three research-based practices: 1) Civic literacy encompasses knowledge of government and the role of citizens, as well as the motivation, disposition and skills for civic participation. 2) Global citizenship encompasses global competencies required to contribute in a varied society and make sense of significant, global issues. 3) Digital citizenship encompasses the knowledge and skills to use technology appropriately to navigate the digital world, manage the risks and take advantage of the participatory opportunities it offers. A "holistic and positive approach". The Internet has opened up a vast world of information for students, yet their digital literacy skills have yet to catch up. Citizenship readiness is as vital to our nation's future as college and career readiness and must be purposefully cultivated. As former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra O'connor, founder of  'iCivics,' has eloquently observed, "The better educated our citizens are, the better equipped they will be to preserve the system of government we have. And we have to start with the education of our nation's young people. Knowledge about government is not handed down through the gene pool. Every generation has to learn it, and we have work to do". A definition of 21st century citizenship is: informed, engaged and active. Literate in civics. Proficient in core academics subjects and interdisciplinary knowledge, such as environmental literacy, financial, economic, and entrepreneurial literacy, and health literacy. Empowered with global competencies and 21st century skills. Capable of participating safely, intelligently, productively and responsibily in the digital world. Recommendations for policymakers and educators: 1) Policymakers and Leaders - Amend all programs and references to college to include 21st century citizenship and integrate citizenship into the school mission statement. Develop a multi-agency task force to explore and provide students and teacherss greater means to interact with peers domestically and around the globe in civic issues. Explore ways to utilize citizenship for cross disciplinary themes and project learning and to expand learning beyond school's walls. Work together across content ares ( global awareness, civics, digital literacy) to promote a broadened vision of citizenship. Encourage and support teachers' professional development in citizenship, including facilitating exchanges, partnerships and internships with people around the country and world. Educate and empower parents so they can enable their children to be digital and media literate, and competent in their civic and global engagement. Make the expanded definition of citizenship, a professional development goal for educators. 2) Parents - Inquire about what local program are available to provide students opportunities for service learning and civic participation. Encourage your school to make 21st century citizenship part of its core mission. Encourage students to be civic savvy by helping them be safe and responsible online, and aware of the civic and global issues around them. Find out what your school is doing and how they can support your efforts. Seek out beyond school activities in your community that encourage effectively citizenship and service learning opportunities for students.

Human Rights Day 2016

              Almost one month ago, precisely on 10th of December, all the world celebrated the Human Rights Day. This post is a summary of five articles. The first was published at http://www.un.org/en/events/humanrightsday/ . The second was published at http://www.ifes.org/news/celebrating-human-rights-day-2016. The third was published at ://www.state.gov/secretary/remarks/2016/12/265040.htm. The fourth was published at http://www.standup4humanrights.org/en/about.html. The fifth was published at http://freeassembly.net/news/human-rights-day-2016/

                Human Rights Day is observed every year on 10 December. It commemorates the day on which, in 1948, the U.N. General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In 1950, the assembly passed resolution 423 inviting all states to observe 10 December of each year as Human Rights Day. This year, Human Rights Day calls on everyone to stand up for someone's rights! Disrespect for basic human rights continues to be wide-spread in all parts of the globe. Messages of intolerance and hatred prey on our fears. Humane values are under attack. Wherever we are, we can make a real difference. In the street, in school, at work, in the voting booth, on social media. The time for this is now. "We the people" can take a stand for rights. And together, we can take a stand for more humanity. It starts with each of us. "Upholding human rights is in the interest of all. Respect for human rights advances well-being for every individual, stability for every society, and harmony for our interconnected world" said U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

                Human Rights Day is observed in December 10th. On this occasion, the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) affirms its commitment to support all citizens' rights to participate in free, fair and inclusive elections. At IFES, we believe the right to vote is a fundamental political and human right and that true democracy allows each citizen to fully participate in the political and democratic processes of their country. We inform and encourage all individuals to add their voice to the democratic process. IFES has advanced good governance by empowering citizens to participate in the political process. IFES's inclusion programming is always targeted to achieve impact to increase participation and influence in political and electoral activities for all people.

                 The U.N. General Assembly adopted the U.D.H.R. 68 years ago to recognize  the inherent dignity and inalienable rights of all individuals. On this International Human Rights Day, we recommit ourselves to upholding universal respect for fundamental freedoms of all humankind. The U.D.H.R. holds the promises of hope for the civilians who are caught in the crossfire of conflict, the citizens who fight against repressive governments, the families that are driven out of their homes and displaced by conflict, and the workers who are exploited for the profit of others. We stand in solidarity with those working to secure better and brighter futures, and commit to safeguarding their inalienable human rights in the pursuit of freedom, justice and peace.  

                 Many of us are fearful about the way the world is heading. Extremist movements subject people to horrific violence. Conflicts and deprivations are forcing families from their homes. Everywhere, it seems, anxieties are deepening. Humanes values are under attack, and we feel overwhelmed, unsure what to do or where to turn. Messages of intolerance prey on our faces. They are spread by people who seek power, deploying twisted logic and false promises, and fabricating outright lies. Their narratives speak to selfishness, separatism, a distorting, narrow view of the world. Little by little, this toxic tide of hatred is rising, and the vital principles that safeguard peaceful societies risk being swept away. We must draw the line, and we can. The U.N. Human Rights Office upholds values that are the roots of peace and inclusion. We advocate practical solutions to fear and injustice, so governments protect the rights of all their people in line with international law. Join us. Help break the toxic patterns of a fearful world and embark on a more peaceful and sustainable future. Wherever we are, we can make a real difference. We can step forward to help safeguard someone's right to live free from abuse. We can raise our voices for decent values. We can join others to publicly lobby for better leadership, better laws and greater respect for human dignity. The time for this is now. Let us know what you are doing, and we will gather your stories, and amplify your voice. And together, we can take a stand for more humanity. It starts with each of us.

                  Independent experts of the U.N. Human Rights System urges all governments aroind the world to stand up for human rights. "The greatest achievement of the international community since the end of World War II has been the construction of an international human rights system based upon the U.D.H.R. which was adopted 68 years ago. Since that time, enormous strides have been made in establishing universal standards, encouraging widespread domestic adoption of those standards, and in effectively defending the rights of groups and individuals who are under threat in their own societies. But today, a chill wind is blowing. Hate speech aiming to incite violence, hostility, and discrimination is dramatic on the rise. Democratic institutions are being systematically undermined. More and more governments are turning to increasingly intrusive technologies which systematically embed and exploit means of mass surveillance which threaten a whole range of fundamental human rights. In many parts of the world these assaults on human rights are being reinforced by attacks on the human rights movement. The space for civil society, without which there can be no enduring and meaningful respect for rights, has been effectively closed down by many governments. Funding for human rights bodies is shrinking, attacks on the integrity of monitoring mechanisms are increasing, and any form of international solidarity is rejected as a threat to national interests. Human Rights Day 2016 represents a watershed moment when all of us will need to stand up and be counted if the huge achievements of the past 68 years are to be protected and advanced.