Statement of the South Centre at the Sixth Intersessional Meeting of the Human Rights Council on Human Rights and the 2030 Agenda
18 January 2024
Leveraging human rights in the fight against illicit financial flows and corruption through greater international tax cooperation and fiscal transparency
Identifying Legal Challenges for Farmers’ Innovation
By Saurav Ghimire
On 9 October 2023, an expert workshop on “Identifying Legal Challenges for Farmers’ Innovation” was organised at the Centre for Private and Economic Law, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, in collaboration with the South Centre and Université Catholique de Louvain. The hybrid event gathered experts to discuss the challenges for farmers’ innovation, particularly those emerging from regulatory regimes. The workshop brainstormed policy and regulatory hindrances to farmers’ involvement in plant breeding, namely, in access to breeding materials, access to the market and reward/protection for the innovation.
The expert workshop was organised as a part of a joint research project, “Farmers as Plant Breeders: Legal Mechanisms to Foster Farmers’ Innovation”, led by Prof. Christine Frison (Université Catholique de Louvain), Prof. Kim Van der Borght (Vrije Universiteit Brussel), and Prof. Carlos Correa (South Centre). The research project is funded by the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO).
Corte Interamericana de Derechos Humanos
Solicitud de Opinión Consultiva presentada por la República de Chile y la República de Colombia
Observaciones remitidas por el Centro Sur
Diciembre de 2023
In reference to the invitation extended by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights to submit amicus briefs in the matter of the Request for Advisory Opinion submitted by the Republic of Colombia and the Republic of Chile to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACtHR or the Court) regarding the Climate Emergency and Human Rights. The South Center, an intergovernmental organization of developing countries, respectfully submits to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights the following amicus brief at the request of the Advisory Opinion submitted by the Republic of Chile and the Republic of Colombia.
These observations consider how the definition of shared and differentiated obligations and responsibilities in the legal regime related to climate change is linked to the obligations to cooperate and make reparations arising from the American Convention on Human Rights and the need to consider the right to life and survival of the most affected regions and populations in the various countries and in the region.
Panel During the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) e-Week
“Digital health at the crossroads of human rights, AI governance and digital trade”
Co-organized by the South Centre (SC) and the Brazilian Institute for Consumer Protection (Idec)
6 December 2023
Geneva, Switzerland
Harnessing Digital Technologies for Education in Developing Countries: Need for a Judicious Approach
By Kishore Singh
Digital technologies are transforming the landscape of education. New models and ways of learning, digitally supported and virtual, are emerging with rapid pace, multiplying learning pathways and diversifying learning approaches. Digital technologies are impacting education at all levels and in all its forms, and renewal of education by dint of what is termed ‘edu-tech’ has become a buzz word. Harnessing digital technologies for education is enticing for developing countries.
However, the gaze on the dazzles of digitalization must not lose sight of their down side. Considering what has been termed as ‘platform imperialism’, a cautious and critical approach is needed. “Digital divide’ is a crushing blow to the fundamental principle of equality of opportunity in education. Safeguarding education from forces of privatization and ‘edu-business’, fortified by digitalization in education, is also a daunting challenge. We must ward off against deleterious, even dehumanizing effect of digital technologies, as they can be pernicious if they are not properly controlled and regulated.
STATEMENT TO THE NINTH SESSION OF THE OPEN-ENDED INTERGOVERNMENTAL WORKING GROUP ON TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATIONS AND OTHER BUSINESS ENTERPRISES
23 October 2023
The 9th Session of the OEIGWG on TNCs & OBEs began today at UN Geneva, with all eyes on the negotiations of the binding treaty to regulate corporations and promote access to justice for victims of human rights abuses.
Submission to the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights for its report on Investors, Environmental, Social and Governance and Human Rights
South Centre
October 2023
The South Centre has contributed to an upcoming report by the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights on Investors, Environmental, Social and Governance and Human Rights which will be presented to the Human Rights Council at its 56th Session in 2024. Greater uptake in ESG reporting must be accompanied by mandatory corporate due diligence, accountability & remedies.
Expert Workshop on “Identifying Legal Challenges for Farmers’ Innovation”
Co-organized by the South Centre and the Université Catholique de Louvain
9 October 2023
Ixelles, Belgium
Venue: Centre for Private and Economic Law, Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Open Consultation on
The Process to negotiate a Legally Binding Instrument on Business and Human Rights
18 Oct 2023, 15:30-17:00 CEST
This open consultation is an opportunity for participants representing developing countries, civil society and academia to exchange views and discuss the ongoing process to negotiate an international instrument to regulate the human rights impacts of transnational corporations and other business enterprises.
The Right to Development: Principles, Realization and Challenges
By H.E. Mr. Ali Bahreini
The main theme of the 54th session of the Human Rights Council revolves around economic, social, and cultural rights, with a particular focus on the right to development. This article addresses the importance of the right to development, the Iranian perspective on it, and the impact of various challenges on its full and effective realization.
Statement
General Debate – Item 3
54th regular session of the Human Rights Council
South Centre
21 September 2023
The South Centre appreciates the presentation of the thematic reports, and the reports of the Working Groups on the Right to Development and Private Military and Security Companies.
The South Centre will continue supporting developing countries for the achievement of these objectives and the provision of innovative solutions for tackling the unique challenges faced by developing and least developed countries.
Statement during the Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the Right to Development
54th regular session of the Human Rights Council
South Centre
20 September 2023
The South Centre, as an intergovernmental organization of developing countries, welcomes the report prepared by the Special Rapporteur on the Right to Development on his vision for reinvigorating the right to development.
We thank the Special Rapporteur once again for considering the research undertaken and inputs provided by the South Centre in his report, and would like to reiterate our strong support for his important work and mandate.
