Special issue 60th Anniversary of the Universal ... - UN Russia

UN№5 (60)Special issue60 th Anniversaryof the Universal Declarationof Human RightsIN RUSSIATranslating economic growth into sustainable humandevelopment with human rightsPublished bythe United Nations Officein the Russian Federation1948. Alexei Pavlov, left,presents the USSR's viewson the Universal Declaration of Human RightsUNICEF / 6"When I first saw Marina, she seemed to be a verywarm and kind-hearted person,” Tatiana Kozlova,Child Rights Ombudsperson in the Samararegion, said. "I was shocked by her sad story andall the misfortune, and hardships that she had togo through. I sincerely wanted to help her in sucha difficult situation."WFP / 7Having become a new donor to the World FoodProgramme in 2003, Russia allocated US $62million for the implementation of its humanitarianoperations worldwide. Russia’s contributionshelped WFP mobilize 91,000 MT of foodaid to assist vulnerable populations around theglobeUNIC / 12More than 130 states have signed the UNConvention on the Rights of Persons withDisabilities and over 40 – have ratified it. Russiasigned the Convention in September 2008, but itis by no means the end of the road, AlexandreGorelik, Director of the UN Information Centrein Moscow, notes

ContentsUNMessageof the UN Secretary-General on Human Rights Day 2OHCHRThe Universal Declaration of Human Rights Turns 60! 3Do You Know Your Rights? 4Human Rights Is an Important Areaof Cooperation between UN and Russia 4UNICEFThe Last Resort 6WFPRussia Saves Millions from Hunger 7ILOILO and Human Rights at Work 9UNA Right to Charity 11UNICICT Accessibility to Disabled: Working In-depth 12UNDPWhat is Family for Russian Students? 13UNAIDS‘Stars against AIDS’ in Rostov-on-Don 15UNHCREveryone Hasthe Right to Seek Asylum… 17WHOA Long Road to Safe Injection 19UNESCOBioethics and Human Rights 20UNA RussiaYouth Pondering over ‘Foundation of the World’ 22United NationsOn this Human Rights Day, we alsocelebrate the 60th anniversary of theUniversal Declaration of Human Rights.Drafted amid utter destruction anddestitution following the Second WorldWar, the Declaration reflects humanity’saspirations for a future of prosperity,dignity and peaceful coexistence.Its adoption was a landmark. Today,the Declaration remains a core part of the UN’s veryidentity.The challenges we face today are as daunting as thosethat confronted the Declaration’s drafters.We face a food emergency and a global financialcrisis.Humankind’s assault on the natural environmentcontinues.There is political repression in too many countries.Messageof the UN Secretary-Generalon Human Rights DayAnd as ever, the most vulnerablecontinue to be on the frontlines ofhardship and abuse.The luckiest among us, those who arespared the most negative effects ofdisaster, poverty or instability, cannotturn a blind eye. The cascading effectsof abuse and indifference caneventually engulf the entire planet.Rights, and especially their violation, must hold thewhole world in solidarity.On this Human Rights Day, it is my hope that we willall act on our collective responsibility to uphold therights enshrined in the Universal Declaration.We can only honour the towering vision of thatinspiring document when its principles are fullyapplied everywhere, for everyone.Ban Ki-moonUN in RussiaPublished once in two monthsCirculation: 2,000 copieswww.unrussia.ruwww.undp.ruFounder:United Nations Officein the Russian FederationEditor-in-Chief: Victoria ZotikovaEditor: Vladimir SadakovAddress:119034, Moscow,Ostozhenka St., 28Tel. 787-21-00Fax: 787-21-01E-mail: vladimir.sadakov@undp.ruUN in RUSSIA No.5 (60)The cover photo provided by OHCHR

United NationsHuman RightsOffice of High Commissionerfor Human RightsThe Universal Declarationof Human Rights Turns 60!On 10 December 2008, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) turns 60. The Declarationwas adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 10 December 1948. The date has since servedto mark Human Rights Day worldwide.The Declaration consists of a preambleand 30 articles, setting out a broadrange of fundamental human rights andfreedoms, to which all men and womeneverywhere in the world are entitled,without any distinction.The UDHR is the first internationalrecognition that fundamental rightsand freedoms are inalienableand inherent to allhuman beings, that everyone of us is born free andequal. The UDHR is a livingdocument that mattersnot only in times ofconflict and in societiessuffering repression, butalso in addressing socialinjustice and achievinghuman dignity in times ofpeace in establisheddemocracies.N on-discrimination,equality and fairness– key components of justiceform the foundationof the UDHR. And nomatter where you live,how much money youhave, what faith youpractice or political views you hold, all thehuman rights in the Declaration apply toyou everywhere and always.Indeed, the UDHR has inspired morethan 80 international human rightstreaties and declarations, a great numberof regional human rights conventions,domestic human rights bills, andconstitutional provisions, which togetherconstitute a comprehensive legallybinding system for the promotion andprotection of human rights. Building onthe achievements of the UDHR, theInternational Covenant on Civil andPolitical Rights and the InternationalCovenant on Economic, Social andCultural Rights entered into force in1976. Together with the UDHR, theCovenants comprise the InternationalBill of Human Rights.Today, all United Nations memberstates have ratified at least one ofthe nine core international humanrights treaties, and 80 percent have ratifiedfour or more, giving concreteexpression to the universality of theUDHR and international human rights.The UDHR is the most translated documentin the world. It was translatedinto more than 330 languages: from thesix UN official languages -Arabic, Chinese,English, French, Russian, and Spanish spokenby billions of people, to Pipil, spokenby some 50 people in El Salvador andHonduras.The anniversary campaign is symbolizedby the UDHR60 logo,which depicts a human shape standingwith arms wide open. The yellowand red symbol represents liberationand equality. The yellow is a sign ofpeace and warmth. The symbol is seton a solid block which represents thefoundation of human rights. Theearthy red colour of the block reinforceshuman rights as a foundationstone and as humankind’s commonheritage. The UDHR60 logo comeswith words thatencapsulate the promiseof the Declaration:“Dignity andjustice for all of us”.It reinforces thevision of the UDHRas the first internationalrecognitionthat fundamentalrights and freedomsare inalienable andinherent to all humanbeings, thatevery one of us isborn free and equal.The phrase alsoserves as a rallyingcall, for the promiseof dignity and justiceis far from realizedfor everyone.Professor Vladimir M. Koretsky, USSR representative(left), greets Dr. Charles Malik,Rapporteur of the Drafting Committee ofUDHRUN in RUSSIA No.5 (60) 3

Do You Know Your Rights?1. Non-discrimination.2. Life.3. Liberty and security of the person.4. Protection against slaveryand servitude.5. Protection against torture.6. Legal personality.7. Equal protection of the law.8. Legal remedy.9. Protection against arbitrary arrest,detention, or exile.10. Access to independentand impartial tribunal.11. Presumption of innocence.12. Protection againstex post facto laws.13. Privacy, family, homeand correspondence.14. Freedom of movementand residence.15. Nationality.16. Marry and found a family.17. Protection and assistanceof families.18. Marriage only with freeconsent of spouses.19. Equal rights of men andwomen in marriage.20. Freedom of thought,conscience and religion.21. Freedom of opinionand expression.22. Freedom of the press.23. Freedom of assembly.24. Freedom of association.25. Participation in government.26. Social security.27. Work.28. No compulsory or forced labour.29. Just and favourable conditionsof work.30. Trade unions.31. Rest, leisure and paid holidays.32. Adequate standard of living.33. Education.34. Participation in cultural life.35. Self-determination.36. Protection of andassistance to children.37. Freedom from hunger.38. Health.39. Asylum.40. Property.41. Compulsory primary education.42. Humane treatment whendeprived of liberty.43. Protection againstimprisonment for debt.44. Expulsion of aliens only by law.45. Prohibition of war propagandaand incitement to discrimination.46. Minority culture.47. No imprisonment for breachof civil obligations.48. Protection of children.49. Access to public service.50. Democracy.51. Participation in culturaland scientific life.52. Protection of intellectualproperty rights.53. International and social orderfor realizing rights.54. Political self-determination.55. Economic self-determination.56. Women’s rights.57. Prohibition of the death penalty.58. Prohibition of apartheid.Human Rights Is an Important Areaof Cooperation between UN and RussiaOn the eve of the 60-th anniversary ofthe Universal Declaration of HumanRights, Dirk Hebecker, Senior HumanRights Adviser of the UN Country teamin RF, Representative of the UnitedNations High Commissioner forHuman Rights, gave an exclusive interviewto UN in Russia.– Mr. Hebecker, let us introduce the organizationyou work for to our readers.– The Office of the United Nations HighCommissioner for Human Rights(OHCHR) helps protect and promote allhuman rights around the world. TheOffice, with headquarters in Geneva, isalso present in over 40 countries.OHCHR works to ensure the enforcementof universally recognized humanrights norms, including through promotingboth the universal ratificationand implementation of human rightstreaties and respect for the rule of law. Italso aims to remove obstacles to the fullrealization of all human rights and toprevent or stop human rights abuses.You can learn much more about it onwww.ohchr.org– The OHCHR Office has started working inRussia rather recently. How did this comeabout?– Following the agreement between theOffice of the United Nations HighCommissioner for Human Rights(OHCHR) and the Government of theRussian Federation, a human rights presencewas established within the UnitedNations Country Team (UNCT) in theRussian Federation in January 2006. TheHigh Commissioner's two visits to theRussian Federation in 2005 and 2006 providedopportunities for the consolidationand strengthening of cooperation withnational partners. Throughout the year2007, comprehensive consultations concerningthe content and forms of longer-4UN in RUSSIA No.5 (60)

term cooperation to promote humanrights in the Russian Federation tookplace with OHCHR’s counterparts inMoscow. As a result, a “Framework forCooperation with the Russian Federationfor 2007 and beyond” was elaborated andapproved through an exchange of lettersbetween the High Commissioner and theMinister of Foreign Affairs in August 2007.Finally, the Senior Human Rights Advisorto represent OHCHR in the UN CountryTeam and in the Russian Federationarrived in Moscow in March 2008.– Could you say a few words about thisdocument, please. And what is the overallpurpose of the OHCHR’s presence inRussia?– The Framework for Cooperation clustersaround four areas:• rule of law;• equality and tolerance;• education and information on humanrights;• and mainstreaming human rightswithin the UN Country Team in theRussian Federation.Based on the Framework of Cooperation,OHCHR’s presence in Moscow is aimed atproviding an added value to the efforts ofdifferent stakeholders in the promotionof human rights at the national level, witha particular view to ensure coherence,sustainability, creativity, and effectiveness,through better articulation ofhuman rights dimensions, complementarities,and coordination with variousUN agencies, government institutions,and civil society.– You started working in Moscow in March2008. What has been achieved since then?– We have managed to establish closeworking relations and partnerships withgovernment institutions at the federaland regional levels, UN agencies, and withthe civil society, including NGOs, academiaand other parties interested in puttingthe Framework of Cooperation intopractice. We have studied the situation inthe field and presented our work duringour multiple s trips to Russia’s regions. Inaddition, we have participated in manyevents dedicated to human rights, whichwere organized by government bodies,United Nations, and the civil society. Forexample, a lot of efforts have beenexerted into the promotion of the UNConvention on the Rights of Persons withDisabilities, which the Russian FederationThe Moscow International Book Fair – 2008: the materials on human rightsat the UN expositionsigned last September. We have also dealtwith issues related to the rights of indigenouscommunities; education in the areaof human rights; preparations for the60-th anniversary of the UniversalDeclaration of Human Rights; andstrengthening of the institute of theOmbudsman on human rights at thefederal and regional levels.– Could you, please, tell us about yourplans for the nearest future?– We have planned a lot for the next twoyears:We are going to assist in the establishmentof a human rights internet resourcefor judges. It will be intended for a widedissemination of human rights informationand exchange of experience and bestpractices among national judges.An important priority for us is the promotionof administrative justice through,inter alia, an international seminar on therole of administrative justice in the protectionof human rights.We intend to support, together with otherUN agencies, national efforts aimed atstrengthening the administration of justicetowards juvenile offenders, in accordancewith the concluding observationsof the Committee on the Rights of theChild relating to juvenile justice.We will work with higher education andacademic institutions for the support ofthe Russian-speaking component of theOHCHR fellowship programme for representativesof indigenous peoples toenhance their knowledge of humanrights, particularly in relation to indigenouspeoples, and of the work of UNhuman rights protection mechanisms.We welcome the fact that the RussianFederation signed the UN Convention onthe Rights of Persons with Disabilities lastSeptember, and we will support thenational efforts aimed at promoting andbuilding consensus around the eventualratification of this Convention.Promotion of a culture of tolerance andnon-discrimination to prevent xenophobiaand related intolerance, gender discrimination,and violence against womenis also among our priorities.We have already started working towardsimproving the education of human rightsprofessionals by facilitating the establishmentof a human rights master’sprogramme (M.A.) in partnership withleading Russian universities.Through dissemination of documents oninternational human rights mechanismsand procedures we hope to promoteaccess to human rights information.And finally, we will contribute to themainstreaming of human rights andpromotion of a human-rights basedapproach to programming within theUN Country Team in the RussianFederation.OHCHRTel.: (7 495) 787–21–00Fax: (7 495) 787–21–01E-mail: ohchr.russia@undp.ruWeb site: www.unrussia.ruUN in RUSSIA No.5 (60) 5

Tatiana and her colleagues pay regularvisits to the Zhigulevsk juvenile correctionalfacility to meet with young peopleserving their term and provide whateverhelp is needed. The assistance is notnecessarily of a legal or administrativenature; it may be just offering a helpinghand. “Recently, one of young people atthe facility turned to us with a request tofind his brother, and, just imagine, wehave indeed found him!” Tatiana recallswith a smile.Ombudspersons for children have alot of work to do, and their workloadis unlikely to decrease in the nearfuture. These highly-skilled expertsmanage to address issues that sometimesseem impossible to resolve; theyhelp children to grow up and develop ina more friendly and supportive socialenvironment. It is for this reason thatUNICEF has no intention to give up itssupport for the institution of children’sombudspersons in Russia and intends tofurther promote the development oftheir network.Yelena Andreeva, Anna KochinevaMore information is availableat www.unicef.ruand www.ombudsmandeti.ruUNICEFTel.: (7 495) 933–88–18Fax: (7 495) 933–88–19www.unicef.ruWorld Food ProgrammeRussia Saves Millionsfrom Hunger"Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security and is entitled to realization, throughnational effort and international co-operation and in accordance with the organization and resourcesof each State, of the economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity and the freedevelopment of his personality."(Article 22 of Universal Declaration of Human Rights)Over fifty years after the adoption ofthe Universal Declaration of HumanRights, 923 million people on the planetsuffer from hunger, including 820 millionin the developing world, 25 million incountries in transition, and 9 million indeveloped states. Today, death fromhunger threatens every seventh person inthe world, which makes hunger and malnutritiona major threat to people, moredangerous than AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis.The mankind does not turn a coldshoulder on those starving – they gethelp from individuals, NGOs, privatecompanies, and most of all from states.For several years now, the RussianArrival of the Russian donation to WFP for humanitarian aid to Azerbaijan.December 2007.Federation has been in this honourablelist of donors.In 2008, the Federal Law on the StateBudget for 2008 and for the PlannedPeriod of 2009 and 2010 stipulated aUS $11 million contribution to theWorld Food Programme (WFP) in2008, US $15 million – in 2009, and US$15 million – in 2010.relationship between WFP and“Tthe Russian Federation has grownever stronger over the past few years, andI would like to thank Russia for thegenerous support,” said Ms JosetteSheeran, WFP Executive Director, afterlearning about Russia’s planned contributionsfor the next three years.he role of Russia as a donor is“Tincreasing in view of food pricesgrowth that entails a global food crisis,”said Ms Inge Breuer, WFPRepresentative and Country Directorin the Russian Federation, whoparticipated in the work of a group ofexperts on developing UN strategies inresponse to the global food crisis inNew York in June.According to recent forecasts, thenumber of people in the world inneed of food aid will increase by 100,000UN in RUSSIA No.5 (60) 7

InternationalLabourOrganizationILOand Human Rights at WorkDeclaration on Fundamental Principlesand Rights at Work, which states thatMembers of the ILO, even if they have notratified the relevant Conventions, have anobligation arising from their very membershipto respect, promote, and realizethe principles of freedom of associationand the effective recognition of the rightto collective bargaining; the eliminationof all forms of forced or compulsorylabour; the effective abolition of childinstrument, as it mainly provides for theprotection of that freedom against potentialrestrictions or infringements by theState. It equally protects the right of bothworkers and employers to set up and joinorganizations of their own choosing, aswell as the right of these organizations tofreely decide on their internal matterswithout interference from public authorities.It was supplemented one year laterby the Right to Organize and CollectiveWe tend nowadays to take it forgranted that human rights are atthe core of the mandate of theInternational Labour Organization, butthe very notion had not yet found its wayinto positive international law, when theorganization was founded in 1919 with aview to develop international regulationof conditions of employment and work.Instead, its Constitution referred to thepursuit of social justice as its driving principle.This does not prevent ILO standardsfrom being closely related to the universalvalues of freedom, equality, and dignitylaid down in the Universal Declaration ofHuman Rights, and many provisions ofthe subsequently adopted InternationalCovenant on Economic, Social andCultural Rights coincide with ILO standardsin the same areas that had alreadybeen adopted.The year of the 50th anniversary of theUniversal Declaration of HumanRights also saw the adoption by theInternational Labour Conference of thelabour; and the elimination of discriminationin respect of employment and occupation.These four principles areexpressed and developed in the form ofspecific rights and obligations in eightConventions recognized as fundamentalboth inside and outside the ILO.Adopted a few months before theUniversal Declaration proclaimed theright to freedom of association and toform and join trade unions, the Freedomof Association and Protection of the Rightto Organize Convention, 1948 (No. 87),can be seen as a ‘classic’ human rightsBargaining Convention, 1949 (No. 98),which is a more typical ILO instrumentaddressing relations between employersand workers. Convention No. 98 aims atensuring the protection of workersagainst anti-union discrimination andthe independence of workers’ andemployers’ organizations against interferenceby each other. It also provides forthe promotion of collective bargaining.The fundamental principle of eliminationof forced or compulsory labour isset out in two different Conventions, whichwere adopted in different contexts. TheUN in RUSSIA No.5 (60) 9

adoption of the Forced Labour Convention,1930 (No. 29) followed the 1926 SlaveryConvention of the League of Nations, withthe main purpose at that time of putting anend to the practice of compulsory labourused by colonial powers in their colonies.However, it remains fully valid for independentcountries. The Convention providesin particular a definition of forcedlabour, which needs to be suppressed as “allwork or service, which is exacted from anyperson under the menace of any penaltyand for which the said person has notoffered himself voluntarily”. It includes alimitative list of circumstances in whichwork can nonetheless be imposed, such ascompulsory military service, as a consequenceof conviction in a court of law or incases of emergency.The Abolition of the Forced LabourConvention, 1957 (No. 105), does notrevise but supplement Convention No. 29.Following the experience of massiverecourse to forced labour during WorldWar II, it was adopted in 1957 to combatemerging new forms of forced or compulsorylabour that were witnessed at thattime. In particular, it further protects theright to freedom of opinion and expressionconsecrated in the UniversalDeclaration by prohibiting the use of anyform of forced labour “as a means of politicalcoercion or education, or as apunishment for holding or expressingpolitical views, or views ideologicallyopposed to the established political,social or economic system.” It also prohibitsforced labour as a method of labourmobilisation for economic development.Equality of opportunity and treatmentat work is also supported by two conventions.The Equal RemunerationConvention, 1951 (No. 100), has thelimited although important objective ofachieving equal remuneration betweenmen and women for work of equal value.It is worth noting that the principle doesnot only apply to the salary or wage butalso to any additional payment in cash orkind arising from the worker’s employmentand also that it refers to work ofequal value rather than equal work.The Discrimination (Employment andOccupation) Convention, 1958 (No.111) was adopted with the broader objectiveof elimination of all discriminationsin all aspects of employment and occupation.It defines discrimination as any distinction,exclusion or preference made oncertain grounds, which has the effect ofnullifying or impairing equality of opportunity,or treatment. The Convention listsseven grounds of prohibited discrimination– race, colour, sex, religion, politicalopinion, national extraction, and socialorigin – but leaves the possibility to ratifyingStates of extending the protectionafforded by the Convention to othergrounds of discrimination.The Minimum Age Convention, 1973(No. 138), is a consolidation of previousinstruments adopted by the ILO since 1919to regulate minimum age of admission toemployment or work in various sectors,and it applies to all sectors of economicactivity, whether or not children areemployed for wages. It requires a minimumage to be specified and raised progressively,which cannot be less than the age of compulsoryschooling and normally 15 years ofage. A higher minimum age of no less than18 years must be set for employment orwork likely to jeopardize the health, safety,or morals of young persons while lightwork of children of 13 to 15 years can beauthorized provided such work does notprejudice their schooling.The Worst Forms of Child LabourConvention, 1999 (No. 182), does notrevise or replace in any way ConventionNo. 138. It was adopted in recognition ofthe fact that, if the ultimate objective ofthe effective elimination of child labourdepends on economic factors and maytake time to be accomplished, there arecertain forms of child labour that cannotbe tolerated and subject to progressiveelimination. Therefore, Convention No.182 calls for immediate action to securethe prohibition and elimination of theworst forms of child labour, irrespectiveof the level of development or economicsituation of the country. These worstforms against which all persons under theage of 18 must be protected comprise: allforms of slavery or similar practices, suchas sale and trafficking, debt bondage,serfdom and forced or compulsorylabour, including the use of children inarmed conflicts; the use of a child forprostitution or pornography; the use of achild for illicit activities such as drugtrafficking; and work likely to harm thehealth, safety or morals of children, asdetermined at the national level.Universal ratification of these fundamentalconventions is now withinreach, as suggested by a current globalratification rate of about 90% amongILO Member States. For these countries,this does not only mean a legal commitmentto ensure full respect for humanrights in the world of work, but alsoaccepting that their compliance be subjectto the scrutiny by tripartite bodieswith participation of governments,employers, and workers representatives.This will allow the ILO unique structureand procedures to continue assisting theinternational community in overcomingthe ever renewed challenges to theeffective observance of rights proclaimedsixty years ago.Alain PELCE,Senior InternationalLabour Standards SpecialistILO Subregional Officefor Eastern Europe and Central AsiaILO Moscow15 Petrovka St., office 23,tel.: +7 (495) 933-58-93Fax: +7 (495) 933-08-20Web site: www.ilo.org10ООН В РОССИИ №5 (60)

United NationsA Right to Charity“Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself andof his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and theright to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lackof livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.”(Article 25 of Universal Declaration of Human Rights)On 13 October 2008 in the PushkinState Museum of Fine Arts, theaward ceremony of the ‘CorporateDonor of Russia 2008’ competition tookplace. The Donors Forum organized thiscompetition for businesses, involved incharitable and social responsibility projectsfor the third time in a row. A representativeteam of organizers includedboth government structures and civilsociety institutions. For the first time,the United Nations Office in the RussianFederation joined them, proposing thenomination, ‘Best programme, contributingto the creation of favourableenvironment for life and work of disabledpeople – support to people withdisabilities to ensure their equal participationin the life of the society’.Two years ago, the United NationsGeneral Assembly adopted the UNConvention on the Rights of Persons withDisabilities. The document determinednew approaches to this large issue,Alexandre Gorelik, Director of the UNInformation Centre in Moscow, remindedthe participants. “This approach meansthat disabled people are no longer perceivedas an object of care, protection,and social help alone,” Mr. Gorelikexplained. “The focus is on viewing themas members of the society the same alleverybody else and on the promotion oftheir full integration through the implementationof their rights. The good newswas that Russia signed the Convention atthe end of September.”Ensuring equal rights and opportunitiesfor people with disabilities in theRussian Federation is a major issue today.According to official data, over 14 millionpeople in Russia have a disability, and lessthan 15 percent of disabled people have apermanent job. Their access to educationis limited, too.nclusive Education’ project presented‘Iby Amway company met all criteriafor the award and became the winner inthe United Nations nomination. Thistrading company organized the collectionof charity funds among its customers,employees, and distributors. The moneywas raised to create inclusive schools inUlan-Ude, in which children with disabilitieswould study together with theirmates. The initiators aimed at attractingthe society’s attention to the problems ofchildren with disabilities, to give them achance to get education, to overcomesocial isolation, and to become equalmembers of the society.Amway’s partners in the project werethe UN Children Fund (UNICEF) andthe regional public organization of thedisabled, ‘Perspektiva’, which wereresponsible for creating the inclusiveschools. Meanwhile the company startedcollecting money, as the first stage of theproject. Thanks to donations and sales ofsome special goods, 2.5 million roubleswere raised during seven months of 2007.The second stage included preparation ofa social environment – the pupils, theirparents, and teachers – for the inclusiveeducation. The third stage of the programmerequires the establishment of anon-barrier environment at schools. In2008, the installation of special equipmenthas started, including ramps andelevators.As a result, the schools No. 4 and No. 65of Ulan-Ude welcomed the childrenwith disabilities in September 2008.he UN Office plans to support this“Tnomination in the future as well,”Alexandre Gorelik underlined at the endof his remarks, “and we do hope that thenumber of philanthropists and do-gooders,who will compete for it, will increase.”These hopes have some real grounds,judging from the general results of the‘Corporate Donor of Russia 2008’ competition.This year, the competition broughttogether 26 companies with their jointexpenditures for charity accounting for13.8 billion roubles. According to expertestimates, some 70% of companies inRussia donate money for charity purposes,and their number grows steadily.UN RussiaTel.: (7 495) 787–21–00Fax: (7 495) 787–21–01E-mail: office@undp.ruWeb site: www.unrussia.ruООН В РОССИИ №5 (60) 11

UN Information CentreICT Accessibilityto Disabled: Working In-depthAs is known, the Convention on therights of the disabled was adoptedby the UN General Assembly inDecember 2006. By now, more than 130countries have signed it, and over 40states have ratified it. On 24 September,Russia signed the Convention, althoughthis is by no means, the end of the road.Now, a complex process of inter-agencycoordination lays ahead, which precedesthe ratification of the Conventionby the Duma. The civil society organizations,UN representatives, and all theadvocates of the full inclusion of thedisabled people need to put into it a lotof energy and persistent efforts.One of the innovative elements inthe Convention are its provisionsrelating to information and communicationstechnologies (ICT) – bothfrom the point of view of the “digitalaccess” and assistive technologicalsolutions. As a matter of fact, it is forthe first time ever, that the access toICT has been declared a human right,along with the access to physical environmentand means of transportation.Not surprisingly, 14 of 32 substantiveprovisions of the Convention dealwith the states’ obligations in the field ofICT. The cross-cutting theme in the documentis the cost-related availability ofpossible technological solutions, so thatthese would not be beyond the reach ofmany people, first of all, in poor countriesor lower social strata in the industrializedstates.In implementing the provisions of theConvention, the member states willneed to amend their domestic legislation,instructions, and programs of action inthree large areas:1. Norms, specifically, in such areas as“electronic government,” employment,education, mass media and Internet,trade and services, freedom of speech,mobility, standards of living, cultureand leisure.2. Introduction of assistive technologies,including in the field of education,designed to assist the disabledpeople in emergency situations andprovide for their mobility andautonomy.3. Support of R&D and efforts by industrialand commercial entities promotingICT, including through state–privatepartnerships.The UN endeavors to play the role of alocomotive in raising the issue at thepolitical level. The General Assemblyreferred to this theme in a number of itsresolutions. An ever greater number ofUN websites are becoming fully accessibleto disabled people, in line with theglobally recognized standard, “WebContent Accessibility Guidelines”(WCAG-1).In addition, the UN has been doing alot to bring together governmentauthorities, business and the civilsociety. Thus, the Global Alliance forICT and Development, created by theUN jointly with the Secretariat of theConvention, has launched ‘The GlobalInitiative for Inclusive ICT’ or G3ict.This effort aims at achieving the followingobjectives: promoting optimalpractical solutions, implementing thebest standards, evaluating theachievements of individual countriesin the field of ICT availability usingspecial “digital accessibility and inclusionindex,” and developing interactiveinstruments for officials andpoliticians.Aprototype set of instruments hasalready been developed. It includesdetailed statistics that describe the situationin the field of ICT accessibility, evaluationof progress in the elaboration ofadvanced products, government procurementpolicies, promotion of assistivetechnologies, international cooperation,the role of local authorities, etc. All theseaspects are reflected in the aforementioned“digital accessibility and inclusionindex.”An online set of tools is expected tobe launched in March 2009. Itsinteractive nature will enable all thestakehol-ders to take part in the discussionand improve this original and timelydeveloped “barometer” of ICT accessibility.This year, surveys (defining the index)are expected to be prepared for 37countries, which have already ratified theConvention, as well as for three countries,which have gained significant progress ontheir way to ensuring ICT accessibility.The reason for the latter is that the mostadvanced countries, from the point of12UN in RUSSIA No.5 (60)

view of accessibility, have not necessarilybeen among the first to join theConvention.It is clear that, at this stage, Russia isnot well placed to become one of theleaders in the field of accessibility andinclusion. And, obviously, one cannotsit back and wait for good laws andmodern state programmes to be adopted,and entrepreneurs sensitive to theneeds of the disabled to emerge. Workis already under way on many fronts,albeit not as fast and concerted as onemay wish.The UN Office in Russia, in partnershipwith UsabilityLab, has succeededin adapting its website(http://www.unrussia.ru), which nowcomplies with the strictest accessibilitystandard AAA.At the same time, there has been noprogress in establishing an interdepartmentalworking group on this issueunder the auspices of the Ministry ofTelecommunications. The efforts to builda thematic portal embracing the majorprojects and events in the field of ICTaccessibility have not yet bear resulteither.We should be ready for more challengesin 2009. One of them is towork to ensure that the websites of theRussian ministries and other governmentagencies are more accessible for peoplewith disabilities.Alexandre Gorelik,DirectorUNIC MoscowUNICTel.: (7 495) 241–28–01 (Library),241–28–94Fax (7 495) 695–21–38E–mail: dpi–moscow@unic.ruWeb site: www.unic.ruUN Development ProgrammeIn November 2008, the UN ThemeGroup on Gender in the RF announcedthe outcomes of the study entitled ‘FamilyStrategies of Today’s Students in Russia’.The Gender Theme group brings togethera number of UN agencies and supportsthe initiatives of the Russian Governmentand civil society aimed at improvement ofthe situation of women and attainment ofgender equality.The Russian government proclaimed2008 as The Year of Family. A lot is saidtoday about family issues not only byexperts, but also by politicians and governmentofficials. This demonstrates theneed for a wide public discussion of thenotion of family in modern Russia, itsstructure, and prospects. This comprehensivediscussion will help form a newmodality of relations between family,state, and society.Experts in the area of population, lecturersof Russian Public ServiceAcademy under the President of the RF,What is Familyfor Russian Students?“The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by societyand the State.”(Article 16.3 of Universal Declaration of Human Rights)and journalists took part in the discussionof the results of the study. According tothe authors, a study of family behaviourstrategies among young people in generaland students in particular has gainedimportance because of the aggravatingdemographic situation in the country, aswell as the role of young people in replacingolder generations and the socialstructure of the society as a whole. Theresearch initiated by the UN can beviewed as one of the first steps in thisdirection following the adoption byRussia in 2007 of a new Concept ofUN in RUSSIA No.5 (60) 13

Demographic Development and theintroduction by the government of anumber of legislative measures aimed atincreasing the birth rate.This work does not represent a completedportrait of students; it is rathera sketch that will help see a full picture. Atthe same time, it includes several sections,which provide an insight into variousaspects of the subject. They include familymodels in the developing Russian society,family in the Soviet and post-Sovietperiods; gender aspects of research in thefield; a review of studies on variousaspects of family, birth rate, and demographicissues conducted with suppor ofthe United Nations DevelopmentProgramme in Russia; a study of familystrategies among students on the basis ofpilot projects implemented in Moscowand Irkutsk; results of the Internet surveyconducted by FINAM investment holding.The study is focused on students inRussia, their attitude to family, demographicproblems, marriage, and statedemographic policy, development offamily strategies in society, personalvalues, and motivations in the implementationof their plans in life.Some of their quotes read: “In the marketeconomy, to be able to sell yourselfat the labour market one should be singleand have no family commitments inorder to take risks”. “We should find aplace in life to be able to provide for ourselvesin future, however, making a careerand having children should not beopposed, it is really important to have anopportunity to combine family and work.Although at the moment I do not see any.”At the presentation of the study,Moscow State University lecturer, Dr.Natalia Grigorieva, noted among otherconclusions that students have a difficultyin giving a definition of a family. There areconsiderable variations in their understandingof a family. Also, speaking aboutsuccess in life students mostly mentioncareer and money related factors. Today,having a family and children is not amongsocially significant priorities in their valuessystem. Although it is still there, it haslost its prominence.It is important for the state to view studentsas an active subject of demographicbehaviour and to take it intoaccount in a demographic policy.Education and further employment areviewed by the majority of students asan indicator of current situation and thebasis for further career growth. Studentsare important for the state as subjects ofthe demographic policy. They count onthemselves in family strategies and considereducation to be essential for an interestingand well paid job in future, as wellas a prerequisite for providing for themselves.However this position is supportedmainly by students of leading educationalestablishments, who are in high demandin the Russian labour market today.The majority of students would like toreceive housing support from the government.At the same time, there is nodependency attitude as they do notexpect to get free housing. The main conclusionon the basis of their answers isthat it is essential for the state to implementeffective housing policy for youngfamilies to help them acquire housing atan early stage. Therefore, the developmentof mechanisms stipulating guaranteedallocation of loans and allowances,as well as favourable mortgages withoutcomplicated bureaucratic procedures forstudents, young professionals and futureyoung parents should become a priority.Results of pilot surveys conducted inthe framework of the United NationsDevelopment Programme (UNDP), WorldHealth Organization (WHO), UnitedNations Population Fund (UNFPA),International Labour Organization (ILO)and UNICEF projects, as well as otherrecent studies and reports by Russianexperts were used in the project. In particular,outcomes of the pilot projectsimplemented in Moscow and Irkutsk, aswell as results of an Internet survey, werepresented at the event.Full text of the study is availableon the website:http://www.undp.ru/index.phtml?iso=RU&lid=2&cmd=news&id=523UNDPTel.: (7 495) 787–21–00Fax: (7 495) 787–21–01E–mail: office@undp.ruWeb site: www.undp.ru14UN in RUSSIA No.5 (60)

The UNAIDS project Stars againstAIDS was launched in early spring2008. The goal of the initiative is toattract attention to HIV-related issues,in particular the stigma of and discriminationagainst people living withHIV. Famous Russian and Ukrainianactresses, television anchors, Olympicchampions, State Duma deputies,members of the Public Chamber, andother well-known women took part inthe project. An exhibition of 25panoramic portraits by SergeGolovach, a celebrated photographer,was open to the public for one and ahalf months from September to theend of October at Don State PublicLibrary in Rostov-on-Don.‘Stars against AIDS’in Rostov-on-Don“All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law.All are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination in violation of this Declaration andagainst any incitement to such discrimination.”(Article 7 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights)The Don State Public Library is thelargest book repository in theRostov Oblast, as well as the most visited.The overwhelming majority oflibrary patrons are young people.Hundreds of students from local institutionsof higher education and publicschools come here every day. Guidedtours of the library are arranged forfirst-year students and their seniorclassmates from institutes and universitiesin Rostov-on-Don. The exhibition,therefore, was attended by thousandsof young men and women, forwhom knowledge about the HIV epidemic,prevention of HIV infection,and the need for tolerance towardspeople living with HIV is critical.Fortunately, many girls and boys inRostov-on-Don moved from understandingthe problem to action. One ofthem, Roman Polikarpov, is head of theregional social organisation ‘YoungDoctors of Don’. This alliance becameone of the primary UNAIDS partnersinvolved in organizing the exhibitionin Rostov-on-Don.has changed the world,”“HIVRoman explains. “Theyouth are in grave danger; however,information and some elementaryrules can help anyone stay safe. The‘Stars against AIDS’ project attractsattention to the HIV problem andhighlights the importance of universalinvolvement in combatting theepidemic. This is a good example forfans of famous people to follow. The‘Stars Against AIDS’ photo exhibitionis a unique project for Rostov-on-Don.For the first time, celebrities openlydemonstrate their concern for theHIV/AIDS problem. Everybody needsto listen to and think about what theyhave to say.”oung Doctors of Don’ uses a‘Ywide variety of means to combatthe epidemic. Volunteers conduct lecturesand trainings. During the exhibition,members of the organisationpresented the ‘Dance for Life’ projectto students from Rostov-on-Don.Tatyana Bykovskaya, Minister ofHealthcare for the Rostov Oblast,addressed the youth, in particularyoung women, during the opening ofthe exhibition: “It is very importantfor us to speak openly about the problemof HIV infection, and particularlynow, when the number of womeninfected with HIV is growing. We areActress Dina KorzunUN in RUSSIA No.5 (60) 15

TV anchor Elena Khangafaced with the feminization of the epidemic,and must therefore considerthis new situation by updating ourapproach.” Bykovskaya noted thatover the past few years, the funds allocatedfor HIV prevention andprogrammes aimed at addressing thisissue increased considerably in theRostov Oblast.The issue brought up by TatyanaBykovskaya was further developedby Elena Beketova, head doctor of theCentre for Combating and PreventingAIDS and Communicable Diseases inthe Rostov Oblast, at the round table‘Feminization of the HIV Epidemic’.ifty one percent of those living“Fwith HIV in the Rostov Oblast arewomen,” Elena Beketova explains. “Themajority of them are young and includefuture mothers. We provide them witheverything they need for treatment andcare. The prevention of HIV infectionremains a critically important part ofour work. In the area of prevention, wework together with mass media andnon-commercial organisations. It isobvious that we can ensure competentand effective measures to combat theepidemic only through comprehensiveand close partnership.”Irina Moiseeva, chair of the‘Nadezhda’ club for women, and IvanDmitriev, head of the Prosperity ofGenerations Foundation for SocialInitiatives, took part in the discussion.Irina Moiseeva works with HIVinfectedwomen and children, aswell as infants born to HIV-positivemothers. One of the principal goals of‘Nadezhda’ is to provide continualpsychological support to people livingwith HIV. Sessions are organized atweekly meetings and over the telephone.The advice given to people livingwith HIV is practical; ‘Nadezhda’employees know the issues from personalexperience, and are called ‘peerconsultants’.eer consultants play a central“Prole in our work,” Irina Moiseevaemphasizes. “They help people copewith psychological burden, and adjustand get accustomed to normal lifeunder new circumstances. Observationsshow that it is considerably moredifficult for women to cope with theemotional and psychological aspects ofthe issue than for men. Specifically, it isassociated with giving birth and takingcare of children. This is why we are currentlyplanning to open a kid’s room inour club. Our club is a friendly placeand is specially intended for peoplewho do not always feel confident andfear not to be accepted as equal membersof society.”Vadim Izvozchikov, student of DonState Technical University, likedalmost everything about the exhibition.“The project is very bright, but onecould argue about the title, ‘Starsagainst AIDS.’ We should fight for something,not against. Only then we will seeresults.”Elena Bezdeleva, student ofSouthern Federal University, hadher own opi-nion: “The exhibit drawsattention to the problem. And at theround table, I learned firsthand fromdoctors and people living with HIV.”One of the organizers, MikhailMun, Deputy Director of the DonState Public Library, shares his impressions:“We organize a lot of exhibitions;however, the project ‘StarsAgainst AIDS’ has attracted moreattention because of the importanceof this topic and the efforts of ouryoung people to stay on the right path.We often hear visitors ask for directionsto the exhibition upon enteringthe library, which is why we havedecided to extend it.”Towards the end of the year, theexhibition will travel to the All-Russia State Library for ForeignLiterature. Its opening is scheduled for1 December, World AIDS Day.UNAIDSTel.: (7 495) 232 55 99Fax: (7 495)232 92 45Web site: www.unaids.ruAnna Chernyakhovskaya16UN in RUSSIA No.5 (60)

Everyone Hasthe Right to Seek Asylum…"Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution."(Article 14 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights)On 10 December2008, the worldwill celebrate the60th anniversaryof the UniversalDeclaration ofHuman Rights.The DeclarationDietrun Gunther originated fromthe recognitionof the dignity and worth of ahuman being and in a determinationto promote justice, socialprogress and peace. The philosophyand standards of theUniversal Declaration are integralto international protectionefforts on behalf of refugees.Human rights considerationshelp to explain internationalconcern as well as to find solutionsto refugee problems.Sixty years ago, the UniversalDeclaration of Human Rights offered acode of individual rights, against whichthe conduct of a government towards itscitizens could be measured. Today, it hasbecome clear that the strength of theUniversal Declaration extends far beyondits strict legal form and proves its value asan authoritative statement of inalienablerights.The safeguarding of refugee rights is anon-ideological and non-politicalundertaking, equally applicable in allregions and all countries of asylum. It isalso a very pragmatic and operationalactivity, ranging from the issuance oftravel documents, in one instance, to theprevention of rape and violence againstwomen and children in small boats onthe high seas, in another. Internationalmonitoring of respect for the basicrights of refugees is a direct, day-to-dayactivity for UNHCR. In this respect, theincreasing preparedness of governmentsto implement restrictive or discriminatorymeasures, which underminethe institution of asylum, a cornerstoneof international protection effortson behalf of refugees and specificallyprovided for in Article 14 of theUniversal Declaration, is a fundamentalchallenge to the established responsibilitiesof UNHCR.Registration and provision of documentation(1951 Convention,Articles 27 and 28) remain key tools forsecuring the enjoyment of asylum, includingaccess to rights and services and tofamily reunification, identifying those atrisk, quantifying and assessing needs, andimplementing solutions. In the RussianFederation today, the authorities issuecertificates to all asylum-seekers ensuringtheir legal status as their claims areassessed.The Declaration’s core principles offreedom, equality and non-discrimination(UDHR, Articles 1 and 2)are universal, indivisible, interdependent,mutually reinforcing. The rightto seek asylum is also linked to theright to leave any country includingone’s own (UDHR, Article 13(2)).Theright to life, liberty and security of person(UDHR, Article 3) is central to theenjoyment of asylum. In searching fora definition of ‘persecution’, it isimportant to start with the humanrights standards contained in the threeinstruments known collectively as theUN Bill of Human Rights – theUniversal Declaration, the 1966International Covenant on Civil andPolitical Rights (and its two OptionalProtocols), and the 1966 InternationalCovenant on Economic, Social andCultural Rights. Freedom form persecutionand the right not to be discriminatedon the grounds of race, religion,nationality, social origin or politicalopinion are not only basic tenetsof the Universal Declaration (UDHRArticle 7, Art. 26 (2)), but are also theessence of the refugee definition. Inaddition, UNHCR also works to protectpersons of concern from becoming victimsof trafficking. Many women andgirls are often exposed to rape, attack,abduction, honor killings, female genitalmutilation, child marriage, and sexualharassment. The right not to besubjected to torture or to cruel, inhumanor degrading treatment or punishment(UDHR Art. 5), the right not to besubjected to arbitrary arrest, detentionor exile (UDHR Art. 9), and the right toan effective remedy and impartial tribunal(UDHR, Article 6-8, Article 10)are also important. Continuing difficultiesin securing access to the right towork for asylum-seekers and refugees(UDHR, Article 23; 1951 Convention,Articles 17–19), reflects many States’reluctance to allow foreigners access tonational labour markets. The right toadequate food (UDHR, Article 25) iscritical to the enjoyment of all otherhuman rights. Securing durable solutionsfor displaced persons of concerninvolves States, UNHCR and its partners.This has traditionally involvedvoluntary repatriation, thus exercisingthe right to return to one’s country(UDHR, Article 13(2)), local integrationor resettlement.Violations of internationally recognizedhuman rights, including inarmed conflict situations, are among theprincipal causes of refugee movements,whether people flee persecution directedat them as individuals, or they flee enmasse. Violations of basic economic,social and cultural rights often lead topolitical instability and violence, which inturn, can cause forced displacement. Thevoluntary return of refugees in conditionsof safety and dignity to countries of originis increasingly recognized as the mostdesirable, long-term solution to anyrefugee problem. Restoration of acceptablehuman rights standards in countriesof origin is, therefore, in many refugeesituations, the key to any successful reso-UN in RUSSIA No.5 (60) 17

World Health OrganizationThe glass syringe was first used in 1853for administration of pain killers, –opioids. This led to a common belief thatinjected drugs are much faster and moreeffective than pills. First syringes had multipleuses and were sterilized with animminent risk of transmission of bloodbornepathogens. Only a century later, thefirst disposable syringe was invented, andthis substantially reduced the risk oftransmission.Safe injection relates to the safety of apatient/recipient, medical professional,and the community at large, andensures the right to the highest attainablestandard of health. With some 16 billioninjections administered in developingand transitional countries, the issue has alarge global scale. In some countries, useof injections by far exceeds the real needs(up to 70% of medications are administeredwithout indications or could begiven as an oral formulation). A break inthe infection control practices can resultin the transmission of hepatitis B virus(HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), andA Long Roadto Safe Injection“Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself andof his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and theright to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lackof livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.”(Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights)human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).Because infection with these viruses initiallypresents no symptoms, it is oftenreferred to as ‘a silent epidemic’. However,they can cause chronic infections leadingto disease, disability, and death. A recentstudy indicated that each year, unsafeinjections cause an estimated 1.3 millionearly deaths, a loss of 26 million years oflife, and an annual burden of US$ 535 millionin direct medical costs (WHO bulletin77/no.10).Other unsafe practices, such as poorcollection and disposal of used injectionequipment, expose healthcare workersand the community to the risk ofneedle stick injuries. Numerous injectionsare administered at home, and then theused syringes are disposed off into regulargarbage. Injecting drug users throw awayused syringes without any control, posingthe risk to general population and childrenin particular.Unsafe injection practices are oftenviewed as a chronic problem withno easy solution. However, safe andappropriate use of injections can beachieved through changing behaviourof health care workers and patients.HIV awareness among patients andhealth care workers drives consumerdemand for safe injection equipmentand substantially improves injectionpractices. Availability of safe injectionequipment, including special containersfor collection and disposal of usedsyringes and needles, determines theability of healthcare system to ensurethe safety standards. Safe injectiontechnique (avoiding recapping of theneedle and manipulations after theinjection) is critical for minimizing therisk of occupational needle stickinjuries. Waste disposal is one of themost complex issues in the safety ofinjections and is often overlooked inhealth care planning. It requires anational policy and a comprehensivesystem of implementation. Most countriesstruggle to find appropriate andaffordable local solutions for themanagement of sharp waste.UN in RUSSIA No.5 (60) 19

The implementation of safe injectionstrategies requires an inter-sectoralapproach and involvement of the civilsociety. The Safe Injection GlobalNetwork (SIGN) was established in 1999with a view to facilitate the coordinationand collaboration of various stakeholders.SIGN is a voluntary coalition ofstakeholders aiming to achieve safe andappropriate use of injections throughoutthe world that includes UN agencies(WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA), governments,ministries of health and manufacturers.WHO provides the secretariat for thenetwork.The annual SIGN meeting held inMoscow on 13-15 October aimed toreview common progress and to decideon action points for the members of theSIGN alliance. It gathered some 120 participantsfrom all over the world. At theopening ceremony of the meeting, DrNata Menabde, WHO EURO DeputyRegional Director, noted that injectionsafety needs coordinated interventionsbridging together various technical programmesand multiple stakeholders. Onlyintegrated approach within the healthsystem framework can result in the sustainablechange.Reducing the overall number of injectionsrequires combined efforts oftreatment and prevention services ofthe health sector. A video story of ayoung woman from Uzbekistan, whereshe spoke about wide spread of injectionsas home-based treatment, spurredintense discussions. She sincerelybelieved that every woman should betaught to make injections to save thecosts of visit to a doctor. Presentationsat the meeting touched upon variousaspects of injection safety – from therights of patient and care providers tonew technologies on medical wastemanagement. The Russian Federationconducted three studies on injectionsafety and health care waste management;the results suggested almost negligiblerisk to patients, and limited risk tohealth care workers and the population.National guidelines on injection safetyhave recently been changed with amajor shift from chemical disinfectionto disposal in microwaves and high temperatureincineration. The participantsof the meeting come up with a numberof recommendations that are to beimplemented before the next SIGNmeeting, which will mark ten years ofthe establishment of the network.More information on injection safetyand SIGN is available at the WHOwebsite:www.who.int/injection_safety/sign/en/Chinara Aidyralieva,Advisor,WHO Office in the Russian FederationWHO RussiaTel.: (7 495) 787–21–17Fax: (7 495) 787–21–19E-mail: whorus@who.org.ruWeb sites:www.who.int and www.who.dkIn the modern world, scientific andtechnical progress creates new potentialthreats to this fundamental right.According to UNESCO Director-General,KoХchiro Matsuura, “with such a rapidscientific development come reflectionand often concern about the proper useof the results.” UNESCO's specific mandatein the area of ethics, unique withinthe UN system, has gained significance inlight of recent scientific developmentsand their far-reaching implications forthe society.Bioethics andHuman Rights“Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.”(Article 3 of Universal Declaration of Human Rights)Bioethics is an interdisciplinaryknowledge area, covering a widerange of ethical and philosophicalissues, which are brought about by theadvances in medicine, biology, andhealthcare. They include the ethicalquestions that arise in relation to abortion;contraception and new reproductivetechnologies (e.g. artificial insemination,in vitro fertilization, surrogatemotherhood); animals and human testing;ensuring patients’ rights (includingthose of children and people withmental disorders); criteria of death;suicide; euthanasia; attitude to terminalpatients; vaccination; HIV and AIDS;demographic policy and family planning;genetic engineering and genomeresearch; transplantology; social justiceand healthcare; ecology, etc. This definitionof bioethics demonstrates its clearconnection with human rights.Various bioethical issues wereaddressed at a major event held inSeptember 2008 in Kazan with the supportof the UNESCO Moscow Office.‘Bioethics and Human Rights’, the first20UN in RUSSIA No.5 (60)

Mr. Henk ten Have addresses the CongressRussian Congress with internationalparticipation, was organized by KazanMedical State University in cooperationwith the Russian NationalBioethics Committee of the Commissionof the Russian Federation forUNESCO and the Secretariat of theForum for Ethics Committees in theCIS (FECCIS).In the framework of the congress, thegeneral assembly of the Forum forEthics Committees in the CIS States washeld. One of the key issues on the agendawas enlargement of the scope ofactivities of national ethics committeesat all levels, national, regional,local or institutional. Mr.Henk ten Have, Director ofthe Department of Ethics ofScience and Technology,UNESCO, stressed that “thepurpose of these committeesis to foster the exchange ofideas and information, supportdecision-making, developtools for standard-setting,and strengthen coordinationand contacts amongexperts and institutions (e.g.through databases).”Discussions held at plenarysessions and roundtables touched upon variousissues including principles ofthe UNESCO UniversalDeclaration on Bioethics andHuman Rights and its implementationin Russia and CIS;the role of national bioethicscommittees in execution of UNESCOnormative documents on bioethics;bioethics issues in mass media and theneed to encourage public debate;bioethics, sports and doping; social justiceand equal access to quality medicalcare; education in the field of bioethics…Answering the question of who andwhen should be taught bioethics, Mr.Bannih from Kemerovo State MedicalAcademy noted that “bioethics educationshould start as early as school education,with elements of bioethics incorporatedinto school curriculum.” In his opinion,the importance of teaching bioethics inmedical schools is obvious. CIS countriesdemonstrate different attitudes to theissue: bioethics is included in the statestandard for medicine graduate studiesprogramme only in Russia andUzbekistan while there are neither postgraduate,nor doctoral courses in thisarea, and related theses are presentedwithin different professional specializations.In general, there is no continuity ofbioethics education within medicinestudies, pointed out a report presented bya group of experts, which included Ms.Mikirtichan, Ms. Nikitina, and Ms. Koubarfrom the Forum for Ethics Committees inthe CIS.The UNESCO Moscow Office supporteda series of events devoted to raisingawareness on human rights as partof the year-long celebration of the 60thanniversary of the Universal Declarationof Human Rights. In particular, in May,Moscow hosted the Subregional Experts'Meeting on Human Rights withinUNESCO’s Competence (see the previousissue of UN in Russia). In October, atraining workshop and a series of roundtables entitled ’Bioethics, Human Rightsand Mass Media’ were held in Armenia,one of the cluster countries of theUNESCO Moscow Office. It has been ayear rich in events – the way a yeardedicated to the 60th anniversary of theUniversal Declaration of Human Rightsshould be.UNESCOTel.: (7 495) 637-28-75Fax: (7 495) 637-39-60Web site: www.unesco.ruUN in RUSSIA No.5 (60) 21

United Nations Association of RussiaYouth Ponderingover ‘Foundation of the World’"Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengtheningof respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, toleranceand friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of theUnited Nations for the maintenance of peace."(Article 26 of Universal Declaration of Human Rights)It has been already several years sincethe United Nations Association ofRussia, jointly with the UNESCO departmentof Moscow State Institute ofInternational Relations (University), heldthe first all-Russia essay contest, wherethousands of school students from allover the country have participated. Topicsof these essays, which are free in form andgenre, vary from year to year alwaysreflecting current foreign affairs or socialissues. It seems, conditions and requirementsof the civil society development,such as legal literacy, and equal civil participationin a political process - turn usback to the fundamental question of abalance of private and civil freedoms,rights and obligations to the state.Russian academician Sakharov calledhuman rights “a foundation of the world”:“Recognition and observation of humanrights is a foundation of security, stablerelations, both in individual countriesand in the world; therefore, human rightsare a foundation of the world.” In 2008,the young participants were offered atopic related to foundations of democracy’Ensuring human rights – myth orreality’.The competition participants wereinvited to give their opinion on betterways to ensure human rights in Russiaexpressing their thoughts in a form of aletter to the President of the RussianFederation. Authors of the best essayswere invited to Moscow to present theirwork.The contest participants generallygave their views on what should bedone in the country and in the frameworkof international cooperation toAuthors of the best essays were invited to Moscow to present their workprevent violations of human rights, butthe subjects varied from the right toeducation – close to students - tolabour rights. In the context of developmentsin Kosovo, a nation's right toself-determination – one of the cornerstones of international law – was puton the agenda. Answering the key questionof the contest young people underlinedthat the perception of humanrights as mythical actually serves as anall-clear signal for extremist organizations.UNA-Russia office received over 400works from various, even most distantcorners of Russia. Competent expertsfrom MGIMO University and members ofthe UNA Russia commissions, such as professorAslan Abashidze from InternationalLaw Department, professor PavelSavaskov and Alexei Borisov, Head ofUNESCO Department, examined them.Authors of some essays, received in thefirst round of the competition, interpretedensuring human rights as anabstract utopia, but it was the originality oftheir approach, that won them the jury'sattention. Later, during oral discussions, theparticipants and members of the juryagreed on a more pragmatic approach tothe human rights issue viewing it not as amyth or reality, but as a “vector towardsestablishing a democratic state in Russian.”In the last round of the competition, anoral presentation, that took place on 27June 2008 at MGIMO premises, the competentjury decided on three winners. Anexpert commission chaired by academicianAnatoly Torkunov, noted a high level ofinterest and profound knowledge ofhuman rights-related material by most ofthe participants. Works of DimitryYasnovsky, Sandra Zhernovaya and DimitryNovikov were awarded special recognition.Deputy head of the jury, AlexeiBogaturov, MGIMO Pro-Rector forProgramme Development, congratulatedthe winners and thanked everyone whoexpressed their interest in this competition.Three winners won the right to enterMoscow State International RelationsUniversity on privileged terms.The Russian UN Association hopes thatthe human rights discussion provokedby this year competition willspread beyond its framework, and thistopic will remain interesting to the younggeneration of Russians.Yulia TaranovaUNA RussiaTel.: (7 495) 200-4250,280-8067, 434-9413Fax: (7 495) 280-3358, 434-9452Web site: www.una.ru22UN in RUSSIA No.5 (60)

SummaryYou can find the full version of the UN in Russia Bulletin in English at www.undp.ruor www.unrussia.ru (Documents)UN / The Secretary General Messageon Human Rights DayIn his message, the Secretary-General speaks about the 60th anniversaryof the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and calls on allcountries to act on collective responsibility to uphold the rightsenshrined in the Universal Declaration.OHCHR / Universal Declarationof Human Rights Turns 60!On this Human Rights Day, we also celebrate the 60th anniversary ofthe Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the UNGeneral Assembly on 10 December 1948. The Declaration is the foundationof international human rights law, the first universal statementon the basic principles of inalienable human rights.OHCHR / Do You Know Your Rights?UN in Russia presents a list of 58 human rights referring to varioussides of human life.OHCHR / Human Rights Is an Important Areaof Cooperation between UN and RussiaDirk Hebecker, Senior Human Rights Adviser of the UN Country Teamin RF, Representative of United Nations High Commissioner for HumanRights, gave an exclusive interview to UN in Russia on the current prioritiesof his office’s work in the country and plans for the future.UNICEF / The Last ResortA Network of Ombudsmen for Children, which is successfully developingin Russia with the support of the United Nations Children’sFund (UNICEF), is aimed at helping children from families, livingbelow poverty line, or who are deprived of parental care.WFP / Russia Saves Millions from HungerRussia is one of important donors of the World Food Programme:since 2003, it has provided US $62 million for the implementation ofWFP humanitarian operations worldwide. Russia plans to make contributionsto WFP programmes in the amount US $11 million in 2008,US $15 million in 2009, and US $15 million in 2010.ILO / ILO and Human Rights at WorkWhen International Labour Organization was founded in 1919 witha view to develop international regulation of conditions of employmentand work, the notion of human rights was not in place yet andits Constitution referred to the pursuit of social justice as its drivingprinciple. However, ILO standards are closely related to universal valuesof freedom, equality and dignity established by the UniversalDeclaration of Human Rights.UN / A Right to CharityOn 13 October 2008 in the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts, theaward ceremony of the ‘Corporate Donor of Russia 2008’ competitiontook place. The Donors Forum organised this competition forbusinesses, involved in charitable and social responsibility projects.For the first time, on the initiative of the UN Office in the RF, it includeda nomination for the ‘Best programme, contributing to the creationof favourable environment for life and work of disabled people –support to people with disabilities to ensure their equal participationin the life of the society’.UNIC / ICT Accessibility to Disabled:Working In-depthOne of the novelties of the UN Convention on the Rights of Peoplewith Disabilities are its provisions referring to ICT – information andcommunication technologies – from the angle of their accessibility todisabled people. This has become particularly important for theRussian Federation, which signed the Convention in September 2008.UNDP / What Is Family for Russian StudentsIn November 2008, the UN Theme Group on Gender in the RF publishedthe results of the survey entitled ‘Family Strategies of Studentsin Russia’. The research looks at the attitude of Russian students tothe issues of child birth and marriage, demographic policy of the government,development of personal family strategies, identifyingvalues and motivations for their future.UNAIDS / ‘Stars against AIDS’ in Rostov-on-DonThe UNAIDS project ‘Stars against AIDS’ is designed to attractattention to HIV-related issues, in particular discrimination againstpeople living with HIV. The project launched in early spring 2008,features photographic portraits of famous women from Russiaand Ukraine by a well-known photographer Serge Golovach.In September- October 2008, the exhibition was successfully heldin Rostov-on-Don.UNHCR / Everyone Has the Right to Seek Asylum…Dietrun Gunther, UNHCR Senior Protection Officer in Russia, writesabout the work of the agency aimed at implementing values establishedby the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The refugeeagency is committed to human rights, which are an inherent part ofits mandate of ensuring that refugees, stateless persons and othersof concern to the organization have all of their rights respected, protectedand fulfilled.WHO/ A Long Road to Safe InjectionSafe injection relates to the safety of patient/recipient, medicalprofessional, and the community at large and ensures the right to thehighest attainable standard of health. With some 16 billion injectionsadministered in developing and transitional countries, the issue has alarge global scale. Implementation of the safe injection strategies requiresan inter-sectoral approach and involvement of the civil society.UNESCO / Bioethics and Human RightsUNESCO's ethical watch mandate, unique within the UN system, hasbecome increasingly important in the light of recent scientific developmentsand their broad implications for the society. Issues relatedto bioethics were discussed at the first Russian congress ‘Bioethicsand Human Rights’ organized in Kazan in September.UNA Russia / Youth Ponderingover ‘Foundation of the World’In this year’s essay contest held jointly by the United NationsAssociation of Russia and the UNESCO Department of Moscow StateInstitute of International Relations (MGIMO), young participantswere invited to give their thoughts on the topic ‘Ensuring HumanRights – Myth or Reality’. Authors of the best essays came to Moscowto present their work, and the winners received the right to enterMGIMO on privileged terms.UN in RUSSIA No.5 (60)