Part of the appeal of human rights is their supposed universality. In practice, however, the rights of certain groups which have been continuous targets of discrimination have required specific articulation. Persons with disabilities have been described as one of these groups in human rights law. In many countries of the world, they 'are still primarily viewed as "objects" of welfare or medical treatment rather than "holders" of rights.' (OHCHR et al. 2007: 4). Institutionalised, stigmatised and hidden by their families, the plight of persons with disabilities

Gender equality is an essential component of sustainable economic growth and poverty reduction. Equitable access to more and better jobs in rural areas enable rural women to become effective economic actors and engines of growth; as well as to produce or aquire the food, water, fuel and social services their families need. Indeed, the quality of the care mothers are able to give to their children and other household members contributes to the health and productivity of whole families and communities and improves prospects for future generations.

With displacement lasting 20 years on average, displaced children's education cannot wait until solutions are found. All people have the right to education, including IDPs in emergency settings, in protracted displacement, or in the course of finding durable solutions.

This paper introduces a series of case studies looking at education for IDPs. It examines the international human rights law framework for guaranteeing education to IDPs, focusing on issues such as non-discrimination and documentation that are particularly likely to arise in this context.

This Report on International Religious Freedom is part of the United States' support for religious freedom and tolerance throughout the world. The front cover of this report shows a Hindu temple in Guyana and a mosque in Tokyo, examples of the diversity of religious expression globally. Today many governments and societies grapple with rising religious diversity even as they are called upon to protect the fundamental rights of individuals in all communities who seek to practice their cherished religious beliefs.

Given the importance of religious freedom

Despite unquestionable achievements over the past 25 years, the Inter-American, European, African, and UN systems all face tremendous obstacles in translating their verdicts into change on the ground. In many cases, landmark decisions have not yielded meaningful reform.

This report by the Open Society Justice Initiative reviews the implementation of judgments across the world's four human rights systems. Working from empirical data as well as interviews conducted with court personnel, human rights advocates, and academics,

For nearly three decades, HIV and AIDS have been devastating individuals and families with the tragedy of untimely death and medical, financial and social burdens. Although children's concerns have always been present within the great spectrum of need associated with HIV, they have to some extent been overshadowed by the very scale of the epidemic in the adult population.

Thanks to improved evidence and accelerated action,however, the story of how the AIDS epidemic is affecting children is being rewritten. No longer a sidebar crowded out by the broader compelling

Prosecute Past Political Violence; Stop Intimidation of Media

(Kampala, November 1, 2010) - The Ugandan government should ensure that in the lead-in to the forthcoming election, those responsible for any violence are held accountable and that the media can operate free of harassment, Human Rights Watch said today, as the campaign for the 2011 presidential election kicks off. Politically motivated violence and intimidation of the news media have characterized the campaign periods in the past two presidential elections, with new episodes of violence against

Ref: 82/2010

Date: 1 November 2010

From 22 - 26 November 2010, the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights will examine several States Parties' reports concerning implementation of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR). Of particular concern are the measures "adopted and the progress made in achieving the observance" and fulfilment of the entire spectrum of economic, social and cultural rights.

During this session, the Committee will examine Israel's third periodic report; this report covers the intervening