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Human Rights Forum



> Is there a way to get Free Burma on this agenda before it is too late?
> dawn star, paris
> 
> Asian Human Rights Commission wrote:
> >
> > Dear friends,
> >
> > Information on the APEC - Human Rights Forum held from November 20-21
> > in Vancouver, Canada. NGOs and human rights activist interested in participating - contact the organisers asap.
> >
> > Samydorai
> > Programme Co-ordinator
> > Asian Human Rights Commisssion
> > ************************************************************
> >
> > HUMAN RIGHTS FORUM
> >
> > at the 1997 People's Summit on APEC
> > November 20th and 21st, 1997
> > Plaza Theatre, Plaza of Nations
> > 750 Pacific Blvd. Vancouver, B.C., CANADA
> >
> > THE HUMAN RIGHTS FORUM COLLECTIVE:
> >
> > Amnesty International
> > Vancouver Society in Support of Democratic Movement
> > East Timor Alert Network
> > Canada Tibet Committee
> > Taiwanese Canadian Association
> > BC Federation of Labour
> >
> > WHAT IS APEC?
> >
> > Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) includes "economies" of 18 Asia
> > Pacific nations.  Each year, APEC leaders meet to discuss how to liberalize
> > trade in the Asia Pacific region.  Their goal is to create free and open
> > trade and investment in the Asia Pacific region by 2020 (2010 for the
> > industrialized countries).  In November 1997, Vancouver will host the 1997
> > APEC Leaders' Summit.
> >
> > WHAT IS THE PEOPLE'S SUMMIT ON APEC?
> >
> > The 1997 People's Summit on APEC is an open, public gathering of people from
> > around the Asia Pacific region who are concerned about the undemocratic
> > process of trade liberalization being promoted by the members of APEC.  The
> > People's Summit will run parallel to the 1997 meeting of leaders from APEC's
> > 18 member "economies", from November 17-24, 1997.
> >
> > APEC AND HUMAN RIGHTS
> >
> > Although flagrant human rights abuses are common within APEC countries, many
> > of their governments have not signed or ratified the most fundamental labour
> > conventions.  Economic liberalism and growth have deepened the
> > marginalization of poor and vulnerable groups in these countries and
> > contributed to further violations of their human rights.
> >  The Canadian government has publicly stated that human rights are not a
> > part of the APEC agenda.  The forces of globalization have drawn countries
> > into a relentless struggle for competitiveness, the result being downward
> > pressure on wages and workers' conditions in the interest of attracting
> > foreign investment.  In this context, many states see independent trade
> > union activity as a threat and go to great lengths to curb the legitimate
> > peaceful exercise by workers of basic freedoms of association and expression.
> >
> > WHAT IS THE HUMAN RIGHTS FORUM?
> >
> > The Human Rights Forum is made up of a collective of human rights groups led
> > by Amnesty International. It will focus on the current status of human
> > rights in APEC member economies. The forum aims to build pressure on APEC
> > member economies to adopt a human rights agenda based on the relationship
> > between human rights and development.
> > The Human Rights Forum, along with international and Canadian guest speakers
> > and a large representation of local youth, will examine political freedoms,
> > child labour, workers' rights, occupational situations, corporate codes of
> > conduct, and flagrant human rights violations in APEC countries.
> >
> > WHY TARGET APEC?
> >
> > - APEC represents the fastest growing economic region in the world, and is
> > of economic and trade importance globally.  APEC economies now account for
> > more than half of the world's GDP, nearly half of its exports, and a third
> > of its total trade.
> > - APEC's agenda is still at a formative stage; it is important that human
> > rights are not excluded from the agenda and debate.
> > - APEC members constitute 40% of the world's population.
> > - APEC includes among its members many major human rights violators e.g.
> > China, Indonesia.
> > - Increasingly decisions about common standards in the region related to
> > trade, investment and human resources will be made by APEC.
> >
> > P R O G R A M M E
> >
> > YOUTH AND HUMAN RIGHTS FORUM
> > November 20, 9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
> >
> > - Youth Candlelight Ceremony
> > - Keynote Address: José Ramos-Horta, 1996 Nobel Peace Prize Recipient
> > - Interactive Mock Trial Theatre Production by Glance Productions
> > - Youth Panel Debate
> >
> > HUMAN RIGHTS FORUM
> > November 21, 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
> >
> > - Candlelight Ceremony
> > - Welcome:  Pierre Sané, Amnesty International *
> > - Guest Speakers:
> > - Palden Gyatso, Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy
> > - Law Yuk Kai, Director, Hong Kong Human Rights Monitor
> > - Dr. Wan Yan Hai, Chinese Doctor, Gay Rights and Workers? Rights in   China
> > - Dr. Win Than, Canadian Friends of Burma
> > - Alex Currie, Coordinator of Business Contacts, Amnesty International
> > - Rolando Medina, Asia Pacific Program, Amnesty International*
> >
> > * To be confirmed.
> >
> > The schedule for the forum is still being finalized.  Please watch this
> > space for more updates.
> >
> > REGISTRATION AND INFORMATION
> >
> > Entry into the Human Rights Forum is by donation.  You do not have to be
> > registered at the People's Summit in order to attend the Human Rights Forum.
> > PLEASE NOTE THAT SEATING ON BOTH DAYS IS BY FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVED BASIS.
> > A limited number of seats will be made available for adult delegates at the
> > Youth Forum on the first day.  Every effort will be made to ensure that
> > seating is reserved for international delegates.
> >
> > HOW CAN I SUPPORT THE HUMAN RIGHTS FORUM?
> >
> > - Attend the Human Rights Forum on November 20-21, 1997.
> > - Make a donation to ensure the participation of delegates from all APEC
> > countries.
> > - Register to have a billet during the Summit if you live in Vancouver.
> > - Volunteer to assist before and during the Forum.
> >
> > FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT
> >
> > Kylie Hutchinson
> > Amnesty International
> > 44-1656 Adanac Street
> > Vancouver, BC   V5L 2C6
> > phone: (604) 255-2003
> > fax: (604) 255-2304
> > email: kylieh@xxxxxxxxxxxx
> >
> > Human Rights Information:
> >
> > Zoe Hunter
> > Amnesty International
> > 4537 Welwyn Street
> > Vancouver, B.C. V5N 3Z3
> > Phone: (604) 876-1452
> > email: zhunter@xxxxxxxx
> >
> > For general information on the People's Summit please contact:
> >
> > 1997 People's Summit on APEC,
> > 910-207 West Hastings Street,
> > Vancouver, BC V6B 1H7
> > tel: 604-682-1952 fax 604-682-1931
> >
> > "All human rights are universal, indivisible, interdependent, and
> > interrelated.  The international community must treat human rights globally
> > in a fair and equal manner, on the same footing and with the same emphasis."
> > World Conference on Human Rights in Vienna, 1993
> >
> > ************************************************************
> > AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
> > HUMAN RIGHTS FILM FESTIVAL
> >
> > November 20 - 22, 1997, 7 p.m.
> > SFU Harbour Centre, Room 1900
> > 515 West Hastings St., Vancouver
> > Tickets $5 - $10 at the door.
> > For more information contact:
> > Michael Zona: (604) 662-3909
> > ________________________________________________
> > Kylie Hutchinson
> > Community Solutions Planning & Evaluation
> > 44-1656 Adanac St.
> > Vancouver, BC   V5L 2C6
> > ph: (604)255-2003
> > fax: (604)255-2304