Invitation to Participate
The International Peoples Tribunal on Human Rights and the Environment will hold its second session on April 26 and 27, 1998, during the annual session of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD). The Tribunal will hear up to six new cases at that session. Limitations of time determine the number of cases that can be heard.
The Organizing Committee of the Tribunal invites cases from people who do not have a forum in their own country, either because their judicial system will not recognize their claims or, because the local remedies have been exhausted and yet the human rights violations and environmental destruction continue.
The cases submitted should demonstrate the interlinkage between human rights violations and environmental destruction, in the context of globalization. In addition, they should exemplify and make real the themes being addressed during the April 1998 CSD meetings: poverty, unsustainable consumption and production patterns, fresh water, and industry.
Since the Tribunal is international and a common language is needed, the Tribunal will be conducted in English. Case Presenters can appear with translators and additional time will be allowed for the time required for translation.
Case summaries (up to six pages of 250 words per page) submitted to the Organizing Committee within the deadline for review, will be reviewed by members of the Organizing Committee to determine if the criteria for selection are met so that the case can be heard by the Tribunal.
Cases that appear to be best representative of the causes of poor people in struggle, considered to be cases that would best advance similar struggles, present a case from a region of the world not yet examined, or, considered most urgent because of violence or impending disaster will be given priority in selection.
The deadline for case submission is February 13, 1998. Guidelines for Case Presenters are available for those considering presenting a case.
Please call 1-212-628-0404 or 1-718-349-1841 if you need more information about submitting a case to the Tribunal, if you would like a copy of the Tribunal's statement, or if you wish to be associated with the organization or activities of the Tribunal.
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