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How can we strengthen democratic resilience around the world by leveraging engagement with UN human rights mechanisms? The Kofi Annan Foundation, the Permanent Mission of Costa Rica, the Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy | Geneva Graduate Institute, and the Permanent Mission of Switzerland hosted a high-level Policy Dialogue at the Palais des…
Multilateralism, Democracy and Human Rights
How can we strengthen democratic resilience around the world by leveraging engagement with UN human rights mechanisms? The Kofi Annan Foundation, the Permanent Mission of Costa Rica, the Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy | Geneva Graduate Institute, and the Permanent Mission of Switzerland hosted a high-level Policy Dialogue at the Palais des Nations on 14 May, ahead of the 59th session of the UN Human Rights Council. We were delighted that more than 100 participants from Permanent Missions, civil society, and the UN joined us for this important discussion. 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝟭: 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗰𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗲𝘀Through concrete examples, states illustrated how they…
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Brussels, 6 June 2024. On 5 June, the Kofi Annan Foundation (KAF), the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) and Reporters without Borders (RSF) organized a roundtable discussion at the Brussels Press Club on the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA), which came into force on 7 May. Opening remarks were provided by Corinne Momal-Vanian, Executive Director of Kofi Annan Foundation, Renate Schroeder, Director…
Communiqué | From the European Media Freedom Act to the right to information: The challenges ahead
Brussels, 6 June 2024. On 5 June, the Kofi Annan Foundation (KAF), the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) and Reporters without Borders (RSF) organized a roundtable discussion at the Brussels Press Club on the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA), which came into force on 7 May. Opening remarks were provided by Corinne Momal-Vanian, Executive Director of Kofi Annan Foundation, Renate Schroeder, Director of EFJ, and Antoine Bernard, Director of Advocacy at RSF, followed by a keynote speech from Vice-President of the European Commission, Věra Jourová. Sébastien Brack, the Kofi Annan Foundation’s representative in Brussels, moderated a panel discussion with Renate Nikolay, Deputy Director-General of DG Connect, Frederic Bokobza, Deputy Director-General of the French media regulator,…
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In episode 6 of Kofi Time, our special guest is Zeid Raad Al Hussein. Zeid discusses his friendship with Kofi Annan and how they worked together to protect human dignity and promote human rights. Through the creation of the Human Rights Council and the International Criminal Court, Kofi Annan played a critical…
Human Rights: Then & Now | Kofi Time with Zeid Raad Al Hussein | Episode 6
In episode 6 of Kofi Time, our special guest is Zeid Raad Al Hussein. Zeid discusses his friendship with Kofi Annan and how they worked together to protect human dignity and promote human rights. Through the creation of the Human Rights Council and the International Criminal Court, Kofi Annan played a critical role in establishing […]
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This news release originally appeared on the website of the Elders. The Elders today condemned the decision of the United States to withdraw from the United Nations Human Rights Council as an alarming act of isolationism that will make it harder to defend the rights and dignity of vulnerable people worldwide. Kofi…
The Elders condemn US withdrawal from UN Human Rights Council
This news release originally appeared on the website of the Elders. The Elders today condemned the decision of the United States to withdraw from the United Nations Human Rights Council as an alarming act of isolationism that will make it harder to defend the rights and dignity of vulnerable people worldwide. Kofi Annan, Chair of The Elders and former UN Secretary-General, said: “The Human Rights Council is an integral part of the international system that helps protect fundamental rights and values. I deplore the US withdrawal, which stands at odds with its historic traditions and sends a signal to others…
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The Elders have urged the United States to recommit funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) to prevent a drastic cut in its essential services such as healthcare and education to those in need across the Middle East. In a letter to the US Secretary of…
The Elders urge US to recommit funding for UN Palestinian refugee agency
The Elders have urged the United States to recommit funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) to prevent a drastic cut in its essential services such as healthcare and education to those in need across the Middle East. In a letter to the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, the Chair of The Elders, Kofi Annan, wrote: “UNRWA is an essential bulwark against further instability and radicalisation in a Middle East that is wracked by strife. My fellow Elders join me in this urgent appeal to you to continue the vital support that the…
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I am deeply concerned by the recent anti-immigration poster campaign launched in Hungary. Rather than addressing migration’s very real challenges, the campaign plays on xenophobic sentiments and direct personal attacks against the founder of the Open Society Foundations, George Soros. I urge Prime Minister Orban and the Hungarian Government to listen to…
Statement on Hungarian Anti-immigration Campaign
I am deeply concerned by the recent anti-immigration poster campaign launched in Hungary. Rather than addressing migration’s very real challenges, the campaign plays on xenophobic sentiments and direct personal attacks against the founder of the Open Society Foundations, George Soros. I urge Prime Minister Orban and the Hungarian Government to listen to the numerous Hungarian citizens voicing concerns with its latest campaign and with the many anti-Semitic slurs that have appeared following the display of the posters. Beyond stopping the campaign, it is essential to have an open debate on xenophobia, antisemitism and above all on the indispensable role of independent…
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Remarks by Kofi Annan at the Human Rights Watch’s Annual Dinner Ladies and Gentlemen, let me start by saying how pleased I am to be with you today. I want to thank the Human Rights Watch both for my invitation and, more importantly, for having been and continuing to be an essential…
Voices for Justice
Remarks by Kofi Annan at the Human Rights Watch’s Annual Dinner Ladies and Gentlemen, let me start by saying how pleased I am to be with you today. I want to thank the Human Rights Watch both for my invitation and, more importantly, for having been and continuing to be an essential partner in the quest towards a fairer, more peaceful world. Alongside Peace and inclusive development, Human Rights are the fundamental pillar without which any society is certain to run into serious difficulties, if not chaos, sooner or later. Yet today certain governments of the more authoritarian type, have…
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As Honorary President of Cartooning for Peace, Kofi Annan presented this year’s award celebrating the International Day of Freedom of the Press to laureates Hani Abbas of Syria and Doaa Eladl of Egypt, at a ceremony at the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, Geneva on 3 May. The exhibition “Every State of War”…
Cartooning For Peace
As Honorary President of Cartooning for Peace, Kofi Annan presented this year’s award celebrating the International Day of Freedom of the Press to laureates Hani Abbas of Syria and Doaa Eladl of Egypt, at a ceremony at the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, Geneva on 3 May. The exhibition “Every State of War” was opened after the event and displayed along Quai Wilson throughout the month of May.
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Sustainable peace requires more than agreements be-tween leaders: it requires institutions that are worthy of trust and respect human rights.
Can truth commissions strengthen peace processes?
Sustainable peace requires more than agreements be-tween leaders: it requires institutions that are worthy of trust and respect human rights.
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New York Times http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/09/opinion/justice-for-kenya.html?_r=0 ON Tuesday, the eyes of Kenya will be firmly fixed on The Hague, where the trial of the country’s deputy president, William Ruto, and his co-defendant, Joshua arap Sang, an influential radio executive, is set to begin before the International Criminal Court. ON Tuesday, the eyes of Kenya…
Justice for Kenya
New York Times http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/09/opinion/justice-for-kenya.html?_r=0 ON Tuesday, the eyes of Kenya will be firmly fixed on The Hague, where the trial of the country’s deputy president, William Ruto, and his co-defendant, Joshua arap Sang, an influential radio executive, is set to begin before the International Criminal Court. ON Tuesday, the eyes of Kenya will be firmly fixed on The Hague, where the trial of the country’s deputy president, William Ruto, and his co-defendant, Joshua arap Sang, an influential radio executive, is set to begin before the International Criminal Court. September 9, 2013 GENEVA — ON Tuesday, the eyes of Kenya…
