News

Wednesday, 14th May 2014

Times York New The 10
Profle
Demand justice rights against
humanity.
Demand corporate accountabil-
ity where companies have abused
human rights.
Aim in the Middle East:
Amnesty Internationals aim is to
address human rights issues in
the Middle East, which is being
driven by various campaigns. Teir
campaigns target specifc human
rights that are being violated in the
Middle East and North African
areas.
Campaigns:
Security with human rights cam-
paign- Exposing all who unlawful-
ly detain innocent civilians and ad-
vocating for the protection of the
rights of the victims of terrorism
and violence.
International justice campaign-
Campaign of truth and compensa-
tion for crimes under international
law: genocide, crimes against
humanity, war crimes, torture,
executions and enforced disap-
pearances.
Red Cross
Te International Committee of
the Red Cross (ICRC) is a neutral
and independent organisation,
whose humanitarian mission is
to protect the lives and dignity
of victims armed in confict and
other situations of violence, and
to provide them with assistance.
Established in 1863 the ICRC
headquarters are situated in
Geneva, Switzerland, and is
governed by Swiss law.
Te ICRC is held by an
assembly, members include:
Assembly Council Chair- Peter
Maurer.
Vice President- Christine Beeril
Director General Yves Dac-
cord.
Together these bodies create
policies and future directions for
the ICRC.
History:
Te ICRC supports the
initiatives that encourage the
development of International
Humanitarian law via imple-
mentations of the obligation to
exercise universal jurisdiction
when dealing with grave breach-
es of war crimes.
United Nations Relief and
Works Agency
Te United Nations Relief
and Work Agency was formed
in December of 1949, but didnt
commence operations on May
1st 1950. Commissioner General
of the UNRWA is Pierre Kra-
henbuhl.
Te UNRWA is a secondary
structure of the United Nations.
Its objective is to provide
assistance and protection for
registered Palestinian refugees.
Te charity was set up to help
achieve human development.
Te United Nations Relief and
Work Agency primarily focuses
on the Middle East.
Te UNRWA mandate is to:
Carry out direct relief work,
and programs in accordance
with local governments.
To consult Eastern govern-
ments concerning measures of
international assistance for relief
and work projects are no longer
available.
SO what happens to those that
are lef behind amongst the chaos and war
of the Middle East?
Tey end up in the hands of the hard
working Non-Government Organisations
(NGOs) found throughout the region;
Tese organisations work around the
clock to provide help and relief to those
in need.
Te most prominent organisations in
the east are: Amnesty International, In-
ternational Committee of the Red Cross,
and the United Nations Relief and Works
Agency.
Here is a dummies guide to the NGOs
and the work they do in the Middle East.
Amnesty International
Who are they?
Amnesty International is a global
movement of over 3 million individuals
and volunteers. Since their establishment
in 1961, their aim under the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights is to end
the abuse of human rights. At the head of
the NGO is Sectary General Salil Shetty.
Amnesty International campaigns to:
Defend freedom of speech and expression.
Abolish the death penalty.
Perfect womens rights.
In accordance with the International Bill
of Rights, the UNRWA is committed to
the development of Palestinian refugees,
especially enabling children and youths
to have access to appropriate skills and
knowledge by making sure that they
all have access to universal primary
education.
A part from education, the UNRWA is
highly dedicated to improving the health
of all refugees in the region; emergency
relief is also a major part of the UNRWAs
aid responsibilities.
Te UNRWA also works closely with
other NGOs:
Te World Health Or
ganisations (WHO)
United Nations Educational Scientifc
and Cultural Organisations (UNESCO)
UNICEF, United Nations Hospital and
the World Bank.
As a non-proft government organi-
sation the UNRWA receives a majority
of its funding from donors and interest-
ed parties. Its biggest contributors are
that of the United States and European
Commissions.
By Katherine Cannon
A
Guide
To
The Middle
Easts
NGOs
Te New York Times Team
Editor: Kris Wall
Sub-Editors:
Landy Ruming
Rachel Ferrett
Katherine Cannon
Reporters: Kris Wall, Landy
Ruming, Rachel Ferrett,
Katherine Cannon, Ruby
Gallop, Sarah Connor, Tom
Handley, Ellie Parker, Emma
Ryan, Leila Safari, & Jess
Nagal.
Layout & Design:
Entire New York Times team.