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What are the types of fraud in Ohio?
Know what you're up against with identity theft, counterfeiting and mail fraud
If you're face any type of fraud charges, it's critical to be extremely careful about what you say or write, to document everything and, most importantly, to follow the advice of an experienced Columbus criminal attorney.
Identity theft happens when someone takes and uses someone else's personal information, such as credit card numbers, bank account numbers, insurance information or Social Security number, to purchase goods or services illegally. It's also considered fraud when someone creates, uses, takes or possesses someone else's personal information in order to help someone else commit a crime.
Penalties for identity theft.
Depending on who the victim is and the value of the money or goods taken, identity fraud charges can range from a fifth– to first–degree felony. This means penalties can be as low as probation or six to 12 months in prison and $2,500 in fines, or even up to 11 years in prison and $20,000 in fines. Courts can also order that the person convicted pay restitution to the victim if he or she suffered a financial loss. This sum depends on how much the victim lost.
In addition, Ohio imposes higher penalties when the victim of identity fraud is a disabled adult or an elderly person.
What is counterfeiting?
Counterfeiting is said to be one of the oldest tricks in the book. Even our forefathers saw the threat of counterfeit currency and included a clause in the Constitution to protect the U.S. currency's integrity. Today, counterfeiting has even expanded into the drug world, with dealers selling look-alike drugs to customers.
Types of counterfeiting
Documents: Government, financial documents, securities and foreign currency (all considered a federal offense).
Trademarks: Goods can also be altered by copying a brand's trademark (think "Louis Vuitton").
Controlled substances: A counterfeit controlled substance is any substance other than a controlled substance that a reasonable person would believe to be a controlled substance because of similarities in appearances or price.
Penalties for counterfeiting
The power to punish the act of counterfeiting itself lies with the United States Congress. Conditions in the federal counterfeiting law provide for penalties including:
A fine of up to $250,000 and a prison sentence of up to 20 years for the counterfeiting of U.S. obligations and securities.
You could go to jail for up to six months for possessing counterfeit controlled substances. For making, selling or advertising a counterfeit controlled substance, you could go to prison for up to one year, and if you make, sell or advertise the substance within the vicinity of a juvenile or a school, you could go to prison for up to 18 months.
What is mail fraud?
Mail and wire fraud (an attempt to use the Internet, telephone or fax to take money from someone) is considered a federal offense, regardless of whether the mail ever left Ohio. Any scheme to intentionally take property or honest services from someone through mail or wire communication fall under this category. Just deceiving someone does not amount to fraud—there must be intent to take money or services.
Someone charged with mail fraud may also find themselves charged with:
Bank fraud: Bank fraud applies to someone who intentionally defrauds or attempts to defraud a financial institution to obtain money, securities or other property under that institution's control.
Health care fraud: Someone who defrauds or attempts to defraud any healthcare benefit program using false or fraudulent pretenses can be prosecuted in federal court.
Securities and commodities fraud: Securities and commodities fraud refers to any attempt to defraud someone involving items such as stocks, derivatives and commodities. Many different types of financial swindles can be prosecuted in federal court as a result.
Penalties for mail and wire fraud
Similar to counterfeiting, mail and wire fraud is prosecuted on a federal level. Penalties can include:
Imprisonment for not more than 20 years (five years per offense)
Fine of not more than $250,000 (not more than $500,000 for organizations)
An order to pay victim restitution
Confiscation of any property realized from the offense.
Contact Yavitch & Palmer today
If you have been charged with any of these types of fraud, you need an Ohio criminal defense attorney.
Call us today at 614-224-6142 or fill out our online quick contact form and we will contact you to schedule an initial consultation. You can't face this battle alone and you shouldn't. Yavitch & Palmer will stand by your side.
Read Stephen's bio to lean about his 19 years of experience as a Columbus criminal defense lawyer.
Photo Credit: Jack Spades via Compfight cc
Photo Credit: SCFiasco via Compfight cc


Track 1: A deep relaxation program Track 2: From deeper within us we have sometimes felt a prompting, an urge, or a feeling of intuitive guidance when we are about to do something. This meditation is a way to enhance that intutive ability to open communication with this inner guiding awareness in a way that is special to you. Let feelings and dream-like images come to you and listen...intuitively.


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Accelera Solutions, Inc. Hires Steven H. Weiss as the President and Chief Operating Officer
November 15, 2016By: Accelera Admin Comments are off for this post. in: News
FAIRFAX, Va., Nov. 14, 2016 — Accelera Solutions, Inc., an industry leader in Cloud, Mobility, and Virtualization solutions, announced today that Steven H. Weiss will be joining Accelera as the President and Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Weiss will be supporting Accelera in its mission to empower people to improve their quality of life – and their business – through market leading technology solutions that have earned distinguished recognition from industry partners.
Mr. Weiss brings more than 30 years of proven senior-level operations and acquisition management experience to Accelera Solutions, Inc. He served as the Executive Vice President for Government Business Operations at CACI International Inc. for the past 10 years. During his tenure at CACI, he played an integral role growing revenue from approximately $1.5 billion to $4.4 billion in 2016.
At CACI he was a member of the senior management Team and was valued for his teambuilding, problem solving and negotiation skills. Mr. Weiss is a recognized expert in the Government Contracting Industry and has helped both small and large businesses grow and operate efficiently. He takes great pride in workforce development and building a culture based on ethics, integrity and good character. Mr. Weiss also served as CACI's Corporate Ombudsman, where he was a designated neutral third party and champion of ethical business practices, helping managers and employees resolve workplace disputes. "We couldn't be more excited to have Steve on our team. His tremendous experience and people-first attitude will serve Accelera's valued customers, partners, and employees exceptionally well", said Terrill Andrews, Executive Vice President of Accelera Solutions.
Prior to joining CACI, Steve served 18 years at Science Applications International Corporation
(SAIC), rising to the level of Senior Vice President. Additionally, Mr. Weiss spent a total of 20 years on Active Duty and in the Air Force Reserves. He also serves on the Board of Directors for Linden Resources, a non-profit corporation providing meaningful employment for Veterans and people with disabilities.
"We are very honored to have Mr. Weiss join the Accelera Solutions team. His extensive experience and leadership skills will enable Accelera to continue to expand our business, formalize our business processes and serve our important customers. Mr. Weiss will also help develop and expand our valued employee base and ensure our loyal customers and partners continue to receive the same excellent service they've come to expect from Accelera solutions." – L.C. Yi Chairman/ C.E.O
Mr. Weiss holds a BS in Business Management from the University of Florida and a MS Degree in Public Administration from Troy State University.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Hans Thoolen on Human Rights Defenders
share information on human rights defenders, comment on events, support the HRDs
Posts Tagged 'Human Rights Defenders World Summit 2018'
One year after the 2018 Human Rights Defenders World Summit
One year after the event, the Convening Group of the Summit are sharing the summary of the 2018 Human Rights Defenders World Summit and the Action Plan (https://protectdefenders.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=9aa81f2f4c2a51b302fe6d634&id=7ea733deea&e=7dd7df85bc). The Action Plan, in particular, is a key document that was adopted by hundreds of HRDs and organizations attending the Paris Summit, with a series of recommendations that need to be put into practice urgently. For more on this summit see: https://humanrightsdefenders.blog/tag/human-rights-defenders-world-summit-2018/.
"As we all know, HRDs continue to be discriminated, intimidated, harassed, criminalized and killed on an alarming scale and those suffering intersecting forms of discrimination are at an even higher risk. Action to tackle this scourge needs to be taken urgently and this is a powerful tool to address those with power: States, businesses, financial institutions, donors and intergovernmental organizations. Since the action plan was adopted, this document has already been presented to the United Nations General Assembly and has been regularly referred to in our advocacy work at the national level and in our work as international civil society organizations. We hope you agree that we need to keep this document alive and use it in our everyday activism and ensure that the right to defend human rights is upheld.
So, in this context, we urge you to for example:
Use it in your campaigns;
Refer to it in your interactions with State officials, companies, financial institutions, donors, INGOs;
Share it with other organizations, groups, and individuals who could not attend the Paris Summit;
Promote it in the media… "
Posted in Human Rights Defenders | Leave a Comment »
Tags: Civil society, follow up, Human Rights Defenders, Human Rights Defenders World Summit 2018, NGOs, plan of action
Follow up on HRD summit during RightsCon Tunis 2019
On 12 June 2019, ProtectDefenders.eu participated at the RightsCon Tunis 2019 panel on the Human Rights Defenders World Summit 2018. A delegation of human rights defenders presented their experience of taking action to defend human rights and the consequences they had to face because of these actions. They have also mentioned the significance of the Summit 2018 had for them and what states, businesses and donors must do to ensure their fundamental role is protected and recognised in the digital sphere and beyond. In relation to this, they have called on the Tech community to join them in the struggle for human rights. See also: https://humanrightsdefenders.blog/2018/12/18/premiere-powerful-video-summarizes-human-rights-defenders-world-summit-2018/
At the end of the HRD World Summit 2018 in Paris, all defenders agreed on a landmark Action Plan, which was presented to the UN General Assembly in December 2018. As participants to the Paris Summit continue to spread this message around the world, this panel was an opportunity to remind the world of the essential work they do and the need to create a safe and enabling environment for all those who actively defend human rights.
The Action Plan calls on Governments, corporations, international financial institutions, donors and others to take practical steps to ensure human rights defenders are recognised and protected, including by adopting national governmental action plans and legislation, and protecting defenders as a key priority in foreign policy, particularly women human rights defenders, LGBT+, indigenous rights defenders and other marginalized defenders who face the most risk and exclusion.
https://www.protectdefenders.eu/en/newsletter/october-2019_44#the-human-rights-defenders-world-summit-at-rightscon-tunis-2019-298
Posted in human rights, Human Rights Defenders | Leave a Comment »
Tags: follow up, Human Rights Defenders, Human Rights Defenders World Summit 2018, NGOs, panel, ProtectDefenders.eu, Rightscon, Tunis
Premiere: powerful video summarizes Human Rights Defenders World Summit 2018
Today, on the occasion of the presentation of the Action Plan at the plenary session of the General Assembly of the United Nations in New York, the NGOs who organized the World Summit 2018 (Paris October 2018) make public a powerful 8-mn video that summarizes The Human Rights Defenders World Summit 2018 and the highlights of this historic event in Paris. Click on play and meet the defenders, inspiring and courageous individuals and representatives of communities that advance and protect human rights, every day, in the most difficult places around the world. Film made by True Heroes Films (THF – www.trueheroesfilms.org).
Change the world. Protect human rights defenders! #WeAreAllDefenders
https://hrdworldsummit.org
Posted in films, Human Rights Defenders | 2 Comments »
Tags: film, General Assembly, Human Rights Defenders, Human Rights Defenders World Summit 2018, New York, THF, True Heroes Films, UN
Tuesday 18 December: first time a human rights defender addresses UN General Assembly
On Tuesday 18 December, on behalf of the @HRDWorldSummit delegates, @mogwe_alice will become the first civil-society representative ever to address the @UN General Assembly. She will present the final action plan of the 2nd Human Rights Defenders World Summit which took place in Paris at the end of October 2018. [https://hrdworldsummit.org/action-plan/]. The film above – produced by True Heroes Films – gives an impression of the variety of HRDs and issues at that event, in just 2:30 minutes.
Posted in films, Human Rights Defenders, THF, UN | 1 Comment »
Tags: Alice Mwonge, General Assembly, Human Rights Defenders World Summit 2018, Paris, True Heroes Films, World Human Rights Defenders Summit, You Tube
Human Rights Day 2018 – anthology part II
Yesterday I published a small selection of events related to International Human Rights Day [https://humanrightsdefenders.blog/2018/12/10/human-rights-day-2018-just-an-anthology/] but things keep coming in so here is the follow-up with another 10 items:
in the UN family: ReliefWeb published an overview of how the UN family has been making sure that this year's Human Rights Day succeeds in raising awareness of the principles enshrined in the document, which are as important and relevant today, as they were in 1948. It refers to SG António Guterres and UN High Commissioner Michelle Bachelet in Marrakesh for global migration pact on Monday…..
A group of Japanese women look at the Universal Declaration of Human Rights during a visit to the UN's interim headquarters in Lake Success in February 1950. © UN Photo
Threats to human rights were also being highlighted at UN headquarters in New York on Monday, where charities, non-governmental organizations and members of civil society were joined by Andrew Gilmour, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights, for a discussion about the ways that modern challenges, unforeseen 70 years ago, are impacting rights. The talk covered digital technologies, which have led to many benefits, but also brought about new risks which could replicate, and even exacerbate existing threats to human rights; and climate change, which risks making much of the planet uninhabitable.
Defending human rights in conflict zones:
..In Afghanistan, the UN Assistance Mission (UNAMA) renewed its call for human rights and fundamental freedoms to be respected in the country, welcoming breakthroughs such as the work of the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission, new laws empowering the media, a new Penal Code reflecting the country's commitment to promote fundamental freedoms, and the presence of women in civil service positions and in the private sector. Meanwhile, in South Sudan, commuters in the capital, Juba, got the chance to see their military in a different light on Monday: as athletes. Hundreds of military personnel – as well as police and prison officers, fire-fighters and members of the wildlife services – took part in a 10-kilometre race around the streets of the capital, organized by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), to promote awareness of human rights and the need for peace in the conflict-affected country. Speaking on Monday, David Shearer, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of UNMISS, said that "the only way that South Sudan is going to recover is by having peace and respect for human rights. If respect for human rights is there, then there is peace. If there is peace, it involves respect for human rights and people's ethnicity and political persuasion. The two things go hand in hand."
2. The Phnom Penh Post of 10 December (Niem Chheng) reports that the Cambodian authorities used the occasion to a ban march for Human Rights Day
Phnom Penh authorities have banned a planned march as local NGOs and workers' unions gear up to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on Monday, with a youth group leader saying they would march nonetheless….In a letter issued on Saturday, Mean Chanyada, Phnom Penh's deputy governor, said the NGOs concerned had been told that they could celebrate the anniversary at Freedom Park but marching was prohibited. "If [you] gather at a location outside the permitted area and continue to march on the street, which would affect security, safety and public order, the representatives will face the law," Chanyada said. Sar Mory, the deputy chief of the Cambodian Youth Network (CYN) said on Sunday that he was concerned that important messages would not reach the public if they were to celebrate the anniversary without marching. "The reason we want to march is that we want to get our messages heard, ……
3. The winners of the "Kids for Human Rights" international drawing competition were announced on 10 December 2018. Nine young, creative artists from Australia, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Canada, Iran, Portugal, Thailand and the United States have won the top prizes in the "Kids for Human Rights" international drawing competition, launched earlier this year by the United Nations and the Gabarron Foundation. The call generated more than 17,000 entries. The full list winners is available here. The international jury was presided by internationally known Spanish artist Cristóbal Gabarrón and included Hani Abbas, a Syrian-Palestinian cartoonist who won the 2014 Editorial Cartoon International Prize awarded by Cartooning for Peace, Kate Gilmore, United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, Susanna Griso, Spanish journalist and television presenter, Jenna Ortega, a young American actress, Tomas Paredes, President of the Spanish chapter of the International Association of Art Critics, and Jayathma Wickramanayake, the United Nations Secretary-General's Special Envoy on Youth.
4. The International Policy Digest used the occasion to draw attention to another international document that celebrates its 70th anniversary: the Genocide Convention which was signed into life a day before the UDHR, 9 December.,, It was the Polish-Jewish lawyer, Raphael Lemkin, who advocated for an international law for the crime of genocide. Before 1944, there was no law. However, in the wake of the Holocaust, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 260 (III) A on December 9, 1948 outlawing genocide. On January 12, 1951, the Convention came into force. …The UN's High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, has argued that genocide continues to remain a "threat and reality." She urged nations to act based on the "warning signs" often preceding genocide. She added that the crime of genocide is as real today as it was at the time of its signing. There are still 45 UN Member States who yet to ratify or agree to the Convention...
5. In Zimbabwe, a prominent human rights defender reminded Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa that he had termed the abduction of journalist activist Itai Dzamara "barbaric" and called on him to follow his words with actions to prevent and punish rights abuses. [Dzamara has been missing since March 2015]. Zimbabwe Peace Project director Jestina Mukoko said: "With all due respect, I call upon the President to return to the words and show that it is barbaric. Such things are not expected from civilised people, inflicting pain on another person and the constitution clearly states that."….Lawyer Jeremiah Bhamu, who has represented many abduction victims, called on the Zimbabwean government to ratify the convention on torture…The Zimbabwe Human Rights Association said while the adoption of the new constitution with a modern Declaration of Rights, enshrined in chapter four, in 2013 has been an important milestone, a lot needed to be done to align laws, respect its provisions and establish a culture of constitutionalism. [see also: https://humanrightsdefenders.blog/2018/10/08/jestina-mukokos-150-000-triumph-in-zimbabwe-gives-hope-to-all-torture-victims/]
6. "As human rights declaration turns 70, development banks have a way to go to respect and protect rights defenders" writes Olexi Pasyuk in Bankwatch. To coincide with this milestone, Bankwatch together with more than 200 organisations globally has called on international financiers to ensure that these institutions support the realisation of human rights, avoid causing or contributing to rights abuses, promote an enabling environment for public participation, and safeguard rights defenders.
Today, on the occasion of the Human Rights Day – 20 years on from the first UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders and on the 70th anniversary of the UN Universal Declaration on Human Rights – The Human Rights Defenders World Summit 2018 published the final document of the action plan for the protection and the promotion of the work of human rights defenders. This action plan proposes a concrete set of measures and calls for a lasting commitment from States and other key actors to act to protect human rights defenders and to take concrete actions to offer better protection and create a more enabling environment for their work. We trust that this document will become a key reference for advocacy work at national, regional and international levels for the years to come. The action plan is available to download in five languages on the Summit's website https://hrdworldsummit.org/action-plan/ It will be presented at the United Nations in New York on December 18th during the high level panel of experts on the situation of HRDs at the initiative of Norway. More information soon on the summit facebook page and website. See also Summit's Facebook page, and on the website. [see also: https://humanrightsdefenders.blog/2018/07/24/announcement-of-the-human-rights-defenders-world-summit-in-paris-october-2018/]
8. Democracy without Borders writes on the occasion that Human rights defenders continue to face onerous challenges. In response to these challenges, Democracy Without Borders joined more than 900 other civil society organizations from across the world in supporting a global statement that urges governments "to create an enabling environment for HRDs to operate in line with regional and international human rights obligations and standards."
Supporters of the Yellow Umbrella human rights and democracy movement in Hong Kong face state persecution. Source: Studio Incendo/Flickr
…..Unfortunately, as is evident from the monitoring of the situation of HRDs, those at the forefront of defending, promoting and protecting human rights are prime targets of attacks perpetrated by state and non-state actors. HRDs are often victims of physical assaults, and arbitrary and unlawful detention is the number one tactic of repression used by states. It is the increasingly threatening situation for HRDs that motivates the current global statement. [CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation,. [see: https://humanrightsdefenders.blog/2018/12/07/global-statement-on-the-20th-anniversary-of-the-un-declaration-on-human-rights-defenders/]
9. In the Philippines, in line with the country's celebration of Human Rights Day, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) opened on Monday a freedom park to honor those who fought against human rights violation. Dubbed as the Liwasang Diokno, the CHR commemorated the heroic act of late Senator Jose 'Ka Pepe' Diokno, whom the agency tagged as a "symbol of freedom, democracy, and human rights." Diokno was one of those individuals who fought to attain democracy in the country during the Martial Law era under the Marcos administration. a statue of Diokno was also installed inside the park with the approval of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines.With the opening of the Liwasang Diokno at the central office of CHR in Quezon City, the human rights group urged the public to continue to be more active in defending the human rights. The freedom park has a 30-tier fountain in its center, symbolizing the 30 articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).
10. A lights projection showing the faces of imprisoned, threatened and at-risk human rights defenders (HRDs) from around the world will shine at Dublin City Hall to mark the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The faces will be projected on December 10th and 11th during a public reception, hosted by the Lord Mayor of Dublin Nial Ring with Front Line Defenders, Dublin City Council and the Department of Foreign Affairs.
https://reliefweb.int/report/world/worldwide-un-family-celebrates-enduring-universal-values-human-rights
https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/phnom-penh-authorities-ban-march-human-rights-day
https://www.unog.ch/unog/website/news_media.nsf/(httpNewsByYear_en)/7C0D10EB243EC1FEC125835F003D589B?OpenDocument
https://intpolicydigest.org/2018/12/10/two-important-days-on-the-un-calendar-warranting-greater-attention/
https://citizen.co.za/news/news-africa/2048178/human-rights-defenders-urge-mnangagwa-to-walk-the-talk-on-rights-abuses/
https://bankwatch.org/blog/as-human-rights-declaration-turns-70-development-banks-have-a-ways-to-go-to-respect-and-protect-rights-defenders?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Bankwatch-blog+%28Bankwatch+blog%29
https://www.democracywithoutborders.org/6627/global-statement-human-rights-defenders-need-more-support-and-protection/
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1061665/chr-opens-freedom-park-to-honor-human-rights-defenders
Posted in human rights, Human Rights Defenders, UN | 2 Comments »
Tags: 70th anniversary UDHR, anthology, Bankwatch, Cambodia, Democracy without Borders, drawings, Dublin City Hall, genocide convention, Human Rights Day, Human Rights Defenders World Summit 2018, international human rights day, Jestina Mukoko, Kids for Human Rights, Pepe Diokno, Philippines, Reliefweb, UN, Zimbabwe
Meet Eva Lewis, the sole human rights defender from the USA at the HRD Summit in Paris
Eva Lewis, founder of the I Project. Photo Credit: Provided by Eva Lewis
Katherine Newman in the Chicago Citizen proudly profiles the young woman from Chicago Eva Lewis who – as only HRD from the USA almost represented "the United States At Human Rights Defenders World Summit" [https://humanrightsdefenders.blog/2018/07/24/announcement-of-the-human-rights-defenders-world-summit-in-paris-october-2018/].
A young activist, Eva Lewis, who grew up on the south side of Chicago recently traveled to Paris to participate in the Human Rights Defenders World Summit 2018. Lewis spoke on the Americas panel, alongside activists from Latin America, and discussed youth-led movements in the United States as well as the state of black and brown people in the country. "What the Summit aims to do is bring together representatives from each country to talk about the state of human rights defenders and to brainstorm ways that we can elevate our fight for human rights and create a direct action plan that can be implemented to protect human rights defenders internationally," said Lewis.
Lewis was one representative in a diverse group of 150 human rights defenders from around the world that came to Paris for the three-day Summit. "I was on the Americas panel and I was the only US representative and also the youngest delegate at the Summit and I was the only English speaker on my panel. Everyone on the panel talked about their own fight for human rights and how it pertains to their country and the people that they were there to represent," said Lewis.
"I set my self up to fulfill a specific agenda which was to bring human rights of black and brown folks in the U.S. to an international platform because we don't talk about human rights violations against black and brown people in the US as a human rights issue. This was the first time anyone had that conversation at the Summit and I was happy to be able to be the one to present that conversation."
Nineteen-year-old Lewis is an award-winning student, activist, and artist. She is also known for founding the I Project, a non-profit organization aiming to create equitable communities in Chicago.
"I really liked hearing about how people structure their organizations so what I think I gained the most from the Summit is good information about how to make the infrastructure of my own organization more sustainable. The I Project is relatively new and we've only had a fiscal sponsorship for about a year and we are not sustainable at all and I'm comfortable admitting that because the journey is important and part of the process," said Lewis.
http://thechicagocitizen.com/news/2018/nov/14/young-chicagoan-represents-united-states-human-rig/
Posted in human rights | 1 Comment »
Tags: Chicago, equality, Eva Lewis, Human rights defender, Human Rights Defenders World Summit 2018, I Project, profile, USA, woman human rights defender, youth
General Assembly 2018: Human Rights Defenders were a main dish on 23 October
On 26 October 2018, the ISHR reported on how the General Assembly addressed the 20th anniversary of the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders. Special Rapporteur Michel Forst delivered a detailed reflection and assessment of global protection efforts in his report to the General Assembly this week.
On 23/24 October, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, Michel Forst, called the international community to action, urging open and frank dialogue and solidarity to address oppression. He addressed the UN General Assembly's Third Committee and engaged in a dialogue on his report to the General Assembly.
In light of the 20th anniversary of the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, his report focused on effective implementation strategies, incorporating both a reflection of progress made over the past two decades and an overview of recommendations on how to improve systems and mechanisms moving forward. 'The past 20 years have been an era of struggle for human rights. Victories have been hard fought and challenges have proliferated,' the Special Rapporteur said in his report. 'The celebration of this milestone must be tempered by a recognition of the sacrifices of human rights defenders, their families and their communities.'
After surveying 140 States, the Special Rapporteur addressed the following key matters: the evolution of the use of the term 'human rights defenders', mechanisms and practices to support them and legal/ administrative frameworks to protect them. "20 years ago, the Declaration laid the groundwork for the protection of human rights defenders and amplified the importance of their inclusion as a stakeholder in human rights initiatives, but there is still work to be done," said ISHR's Legal Counsel Tess McEvoy.
Several States voiced their support for the report and the mandate, including Spain, Iceland, Canada, Australia, EU, Poland, Ireland, Switzerland, Mexico, Liechtenstein, Estonia, Czech Republic, Colombia, France, Slovenia, Norway, US, Belgium and the United Arab Emirates.
The United States referenced the Secretary General's report on reprisals highlighting attacks and intimidation against defenders in more than 38 countries, saying they are 'alarmed and monitoring all allegations.' The US then proceeded to list over 20 specific names of individuals from 14 different countries who are victims of such reprisals. These include:
Both China and Iran criticised the report on the basis that defenders, activists and social leaders do not deserve 'special treatment' regardless of the risks these individuals face. Cuba rejected any attempts to paint political prisoners as human rights defenders. The Russian Federation challenged the notion of 'State obligation' on the basis that the Declaration of Human Rights Defenders is a non-binding document. In response to the Russian Federation's point on the non-obligatory nature of the Declaration of Human Rights, the Special Rapporteur swiftly reminded States that while the Declaration is non-binding it reaffirms other legally binding human rights obligations.
The Special Rapporteur concluded with a call to action at the upcoming Human Rights Defenders World Summit in Paris, where a statement will be prepared, including for presentation at the upcoming high-level event on defenders at the General Assembly.
The Special Rapporteur also referenced a document—outlining the results of his global survey on defenders in 140 countries—which he hoped would be published on the OHCHR website without further delay. He invited supporters of the mandate to inform OHCHR of the need to disseminate the report via the OHCHR website.
The Special Rapporteur referenced the study being prepared by the UN Secretary-General in efforts to protect global defenders. The report of this study will be shared with States in the coming weeks. The Special Rapporteur also voiced concern about the lack of NGO access to the UN and asked members of the Committee on NGOs to invite him in to engage with the Committee.
The Special Rapporteur concluded by saying that his report to the Human Rights Council in March 2019 will focus on the situation of women defenders.
https://www.ishr.ch/news/ga73-un-expert-defenders-reflects-20-years-struggle-progress-and-remaining-challenges
For earlier posts on the anniversary: https://humanrightsdefenders.blog/tag/20th-anniversary-un-declaration-on-hrds/
Posted in Human Rights Defenders, ISHR, UN | Leave a Comment »
Tags: 20th anniversary UN Declaration on HRDs, Human Rights Defenders World Summit 2018, ISHR, Michel Forst, reprisals, survey, UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, United Nations General Assembly, USA
Forst in UN New York: 'more concerned than ever for human rights defenders'
Michel Forst, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, expressed in New York "grave concern" on Tuesday 23 October 2018 regarding the treatment of human rights defenders, as more than 1,000 have been killed between 2015 and 2017. See also the latest report on the situation of human rights defenders issued earlier this year (http://undocs.org/en/A/73/215 – 23 July 2018).
2018 marks the twentieth anniversary of the UN mandate of the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders. In a speech made to the UN General Assembly, Forst explained how the program's very existence is in jeopardy but the anniversary presents an "opportunity not only to review the situation of human rights defenders but also to set out a vision for the human rights movement for the coming years."
Forst praised the work that has been done but fears for the safety of human rights defenders. "The Declaration has become a milestone in the human rights project and resources have been provided for the promotion and protection of human rights defenders. However, I am more concerned than ever. … We are facing an alarming panorama for human rights defenders. Their situation is deteriorating all over the world despite States' obligations to ensure the protection of human rights defenders."
In honor of the anniversary, a number of events are scheduled in the upcoming months intended to draw attention to the issue of human rights defenders: From October 29-31, the second Human Rights Defenders World Summit will take place in Paris [see: https://humanrightsdefenders.blog/2018/07/24/announcement-of-the-human-rights-defenders-world-summit-in-paris-october-2018/ ]. A UN "high-level plenary meeting" in New York will take place in mid-December tasked with addressing good practices and new opportunities in the Declaration's implementation.
https://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=23755&LangID=E
https://www.jurist.org/news/2018/10/un-rights-expert-more-concerned-than-ever-for-human-rights-defenders/
Posted in Human Rights Defenders, UN | Leave a Comment »
Tags: 20th anniversary UN Declaration on HRDs, General Assembly, Human Rights Defenders, Human Rights Defenders World Summit 2018, Michel Forst, New York, UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders
Announcement of the Human Rights Defenders World Summit in Paris, October 2018
ProtectDefenders.eu, the EU Human Rights Defenders mechanism, is organising the HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS WORLD SUMMIT 2018 – to be held in Paris, October 29-31 2018 at Palais de Chaillot (Espace Niemeyer). The event is organised with a coalition of international NGOs and human rights defenders networks – including Amnesty International, AWID, the International Service for Human Rights, and ProtectDefenders.eu' board members FIDH, Front Line Defenders, OMCT, and RSF -, with the support of the European Union.
On the occasion of the 20th Anniversary of the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, the Human Rights Defenders World Summit 2018 will constitute an opportunity to review the progress made in the defence of human rights and in the protection of all those that defend these rights in all their diversity since the adoption of the Declaration. By creating a unique platform for the human rights defenders' voices to be heard, this Summit will also call for the international community to reinforce its commitments to protect human rights defenders, celebrate the essential work HRDs carry out in the most difficult environments, and raise awareness about the threats, obstacles and restrictions HRD are constantly confronted with. The Summit intends to shape the upcoming human rights defenders' agenda, showing the way forward to the international community engaged in the protection of human rights defenders and the promotion of a safer and more enabling environment.
To learn more about the Human Rights Defenders World Summit 2018, and meet the HRDs who are confirming their participation, check for updates at the Summit's website.
Open call for human rights defenders
The Human Rights Defenders World Summit 2018 will bring together a diverse group of over 150 HRDs, from around the world, for three days of meetings, panel discussions, networking and workshopping. These HRDS who are at the forefront of the struggles for social, political and environmental changes will have the opportunity to connect, work and debate together and engage with regional and international human rights organisations, global leaders from governments, the United Nations, and the private sector. In addition to a focus on those HRDs who are most vulnerable and at risk, the Summit will be a unique space to convene marginalised groups, including ethnic and religious minorities, diverse gender identity activists, indigenous peoples and other defenders who are geographically remote from centres of power, media and international attention.
For achieving this goal, the World Summit is launching an open call for human rights defenders to present their candidacies. The aim of this call is to reach out to the most isolated and less connected defenders, traditionally underrepresented, members of less visible categories and groups or profiles of special concern. This call is, thus, very important to ensure and reinforce the representativeness, inclusiveness and diversity of the Summit's participants.
This call will be open until 1st September, and is available in the HRD World Summit website, in English, French, Spanish, Arabic, and Russian. Please, share it widely within your network!
Communication and coordination
Louise Levayer – llevayer@amnesty.fr
Javier Roura – jroura@protectdefenders.eu
https://www.facebook.com/hrdworldsummit2018
https://twitter.com/HRDWorldSummit
https://www.protectdefenders.eu/en/newsfeed.html
Posted in EU, Human Rights Defenders | 3 Comments »
Tags: call for applications, EU, Human Rights Defenders, Human Rights Defenders World Summit 2018, meeting, Paris, ProtectDefenders.eu
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