Back to top of Page
Please contact the Webmaster with comments and suggestions.
© Copyright 2000 ngos.net. All rights reserved.
To return to the ngos.net Home Page at any time,
just click on the icon
at the bottom of each page.
The Organizing Committee of
the International Peoples Tribunal on Human Rights and the Environment (IPT)
Date: January 6, 1998
To: Non-Governmental Organizations, Grassroots, Community and Victims' Organizations
From: The Organizing Committee of the International Peoples Tribunal on Human Rights and the Environment (IPT)
Re: Call for Co-Partners and NGO Solidarity and Support of Peoples bringing Cases to the Second Session of the IPT
The Organizing Committee of the International Peoples Tribunal on Human Rights and the Environment is working to increase the solidarity between NGOs and peoples around the world who are suffering human rights abuses and environmental destruction in their communities and homelands. We also seek to strengthen the CSD process.
The IPT is a forum for people and communities suffering from human rights violations and environmental destruction as a result of unsustainable development practices, which are being increasingly globalized. The Tribunal seeks to address issues such as militarization and the global arms trade, weapons of mass and indiscriminate destruction, and corporate accountability, which the UNCSD process is unwilling or unable to address. At its next session, during the April 1998 meeting of the CSD, the Tribunal will address new cases focusing on the major themes being discussed at the CSD session, namely poverty, unsustainable consumption and production patterns, industrialization and fresh water. The Tribunal will also finalize the twelve cases presented at the first session of the Tribunal. The cases heard at the Tribunal will therefore make real the human and environmental impacts that are abstract themes being discussed at the CSD.
The Tribunal provides a forum for people who have no where else to present their situations, to identify alleged violators and to present their demands for relief, redress and justice. The people before the Tribunal are victims of growing trends of lawlessness and the lack of corporate accountability world wide. The Tribunal seeks to restore the rule of law and hold all those responsible for the human and environmental consequences of unsustainable development.
The Tribunal process provides a bridge to strengthen ties between NGOs and people in struggle and to help make new ties where none exist. The people who come before the Tribunal are involved in continuing struggles, which require solidarity before, during and after the sessions of the Tribunal. Therefore, we invite and encourage the NGOs to identify with any of the particular cases that will be heard at the second session of the IPT and take up any of the particular causes of the peoples bringing cases. Contact the case presenters to learn about their case and how your organization can share in the struggle. Make their case your case!
Try to send people from your organization to the place of struggle to learn more about the situation and how your organization can help the people there. Connect with solidarity groups around the world that are already working on your case. Learn the strategy of these groups, or help develop one for unity in action.
Identify the intergovernmental bodies within the United Nations system that have responsibility with respect to your case and pressure the officials to take action. Identify the national officials with responsibility and the private corporations and individuals who are profiting from the abuses so that public pressure can be applied.
Help the case presenters by paying for the expenses involved in coming to New York, including accommodations, meals and local transportation. Act as their hosts while they are in New York. Arrange for security passes for them so that they may attend some of the CSD meetings while they are in New York. Assist them in preparing leaflets about the case and photographs or other visual evidence that can be displayed during the tribunal, for the media, and public attending the Tribunal.
As you know, media attention has helped in the saving of lives. Develop contacts in the media and persuade them to report on the case of your choice The case presenters need media attention in their own countries, as well, including coverage about the fact that their case was selected to be heard by the Tribunal. In your country, seek out the regional and small presses, including the campus newspapers, radios, and cable networks. When you get coverage, bring it to the major media and try to get the story onto the wire services.
Work with the case presenters to prepare press kits and set up interviews for the case presenters in New York. Arrange a press conference for them.
Try to arrange interviews with any governmental or agency offices in New York that have influence or may help. Report back to your solidarity network.
Call for Co-Partners
The members of the Human Rights Caucus and the Peace Caucus formed the Organizing Committee and found co-partners i.e., non-governmental organizations that wanted to contribute to and help with the work involved in organizing the first session of the International Peoples Tribunal on Human Rights and the Environment. NGO co-partners are welcome and needed, to help the groups that are bringing cases, and to support the work of the Tribunal and the Organizing Committee.
Please call (212) 628-0404 or (718) 349-1841 if you would like a copy of the Tribunal's published statement and a copy of the prospectus, or if you would like to be associated with the organization or activities of the Tribunal.
at the bottom of each page.