Organization of American States (OAS) [to 28 November 2015]
http://www.oas.org/en/media_center/press_releases.asp

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OAS Council Highlights Value of the Social Charter of the Americas and Commemorates Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women
FNE-18683
November 24, 2015

Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) [to 28 November 2015]
http://www.oic-oci.org/oicv2/news/
Selected Press Releases

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Encouraging Tourism to Al-Quds will Protect Al-Aqsa
Encouraging tourism to Al-Quds Al-Sharif (Jerusalem) would support the Holy City, empower its people, and convey their sufferings and demands to the Muslim World in particular and to the international community in general, said OIC Secretary General Iyad Ameen Madani in a speech delivered on his behalf by Ambassador Hameed A. Opeloyeru, Assistant Secretary General for Economic Affairs, at a workshop entitled “Exploring Tourism Potential of Al-Quds Al-Sharif City” on 24-25 November 2015 in Istanbul, Turkey….
25/11/2015

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OIC Human Rights Commission Holds Intensive Debate To Draw Lines Between Hate Speech and Freedom of Speech
The Eigth Regular Session of the OIC Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission (IPHRC), held at the OIC headquarters in Jeddah on Monday 23rd November, 2015, witnessed intense deliberations on its pivotal theme “Freedom of expression Versus Hate Speech”….
23/11/2015

UNCTAD [to 28 November 2015]
http://unctad.org/en/Pages/AllPressRelease.aspx

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25 Nov 2015 – What are “Least Developed Countries”?

25 Nov 2015 – Report proposes solution to failure of rural development behind poverty-driven migration from world’s poorest countries

24 Nov 2015 – Africa’s oil, gas and mining sectors must create more direct and indirect jobs to drive prosperity

24 Nov 2015 – Tackling high levels of joblessness among young people, UNCTAD and the commonwealth launch guide to youth entrepreneurship

23 Nov 2015 – Ireland’s President calls for reform of global debt architecture in light of new development agenda

World Bank [to 28 November 2015]
http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/all
[We generally limit coverage to regional and global level initiatives, recognizing that a number of country-level announcements are added each week]

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World Bank Group unveils $16 Billion Africa Climate Business Plan to Tackle Urgent Climate Challenges
One third of funds expected to come from Bank’s fund for the poorest countries
Date: November 24, 2015 Type: Press Release

IPU Inter-Parliamentary Union [to 28 November 2015]
http://www.ipu.org/english/news.htm

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IPU President seeks more strategic partnership with Latin America region
27 NOVEMBER 2015
IPU President Saber Chowdhury is seeking to strengthen the partnership between IPU and the parliaments of the Latin American region during a visit to Panama on 25-28 November. Addressing the 31st General Assembly of the Latin American and Caribbean Parliament (Parlatino) on 27 November, President Chowdhury urged the representatives of 23 national parliaments from the region to work more closely with IPU in dealing with the global issues of the day, and on the impact of political violence on the safety of citizens, a major concern for Latin America. Parlatino is one of the 10 regional parliaments that have Associate Membership with IPU. The President, who held meetings with the Speaker of Parlatino, Blanca Alcala and Deputy Foreign Minister María Lusia Navarro during his visit, also discussed strengthening the Panamanian Parliament’s engagement on international affairs with the Speaker of Parliament Rubén de León Sanchez. With the adoption of the new global sustainable development agenda in September, including one on strong, inclusive and effective institutions to implement the Sustainable Development Goals, there were discussions on the need to interlock and integrate action on sustainable development, climate change and disaster risk reduction in national development plans. Partnerships at national and international levels would be key to success.

International Criminal Court (ICC) [to 28 November 2015]
http://www.icc-cpi.int/en_menus/icc/Pages/default.aspx

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Launch of new treatise on the Rome Statute by ICC Judge Sylvia Steiner
26/11/2015
On 25 November 2015, a new treatise on the Rome Statute was launched at a side event, as a part of the Assembly of States Parties (“ASP”) meeting in The Hague. The book, “O Tribunal Penal Internacional – Comentários ao Estatuto de Roma”, edited by Judge Sylvia Steiner of the International Criminal Court (“ICC” or the “Court”) and Prof. Leonardo Brandt, is the first fully comprehensive commentary on the Rome Statute published in Portuguese. Renan Villacis, Director of the Secretariat of the ASP, Judge Steiner, the longest serving Judge at the ICC, and Sidiki Kaba, President of the ASP, all stressed the importance of disseminating the jurisprudence of the Court in languages that practitioners understand, in order to achieve the Court’s goal of universal ratification. Following the remarks, ASP delegates, ICC officials, staff, and practitioners enjoyed a brief reception, celebrating the creation of such an important text.
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Statement of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Fatou Bensouda, marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
25/11/2015
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ICC President Silvia Fernández welcomes establishment of independent Africa Group for Justice and Accountability
25/11/2015
The President of the International Criminal Court, Judge Silvia Fernández de Gurmendi, met on Tuesday, 24 November 2015, with members of the Africa Group for Justice and Accountability, a newly formed independent group consisting of senior African experts on international criminal law and human rights. The Group’s objective is to support efforts to strengthen justice and accountability measures in Africa through domestic and regional capacity building, advice and outreach, and enhancing cooperation between Africa and the ICC…
The current members of the Africa Group for Justice and Accountability include Richard Goldstone (South Africa), Hassan Bubacar Jallow (Gambia), Athaliah Molokomme (Botswana), Betty Murungi (Kenya), Navi Pillay (South Africa), Fatiha Serour (Algeria), Femi Falana (Nigeria), Abdul Tejan-Cole (Sierra Leone), and Mohamed Chande Othman (Tanzania).

Amref Health Africa [to 28 November 2015]
http://amref.org/news/news/

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AMREF Flying Doctors Ambulance on Standby During Pope’s Visit to Kenya
Published: 26 November 2015 Carolyne Khamala
AMREF Flying Doctors ground ambulance is currently on standby at State House Nairobi as one of the official ambulances covering Pope Francis’ three days event in Kenya.
Our Ambulances are Mercedes Transit vans retrofitted by BINZ of Germany and equipped with High-tech medical equipment to handle critical care transfers, major trauma and resuscitation and advanced life support, crewed by professional, well trained critical care nurses and doctors who undergo rigorous and continuous education…

Handicap International [to 28 November 2015]
http://www.handicap-international.us/press_releases

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Landmine Monitor 2015: Mine-free world in a decade? States must keep their promise
Posted on November 26, 2015 4:00 AM
Silver Spring, MD—Handicap International is urging countries contaminated by landmines, and those home to victims of these barbaric weapons, to redouble their efforts to protect civilians. Landmine casualties rose 12% in 2014, according to the Landmine Monitor 2015[1] , an annual report that measures how States are meeting their obligations under the Ottawa Convention[2]. The report was released today in Geneva.

The 17th annual Landmine Monitor, coordinated in part by Handicap International, finds that demining operations are moving at a slow pace in several countries. Indeed, 27 of the 33 States Parties contaminated by mines have been granted extensions on their clearance deadlines. This throws into doubt the political will of certain States to meet their obligations.

“In 2014, States Parties to the Ottawa treaty committed themselves to ridding the world of mines by 2025,” explains Anne Héry, Advocacy director at Handicap International. “They have ten years to complete their demining programs, destroy existing stockpiles and provide victims with assistance. We are calling on States Parties whose territories are contaminated to be particularly unstinting in their efforts. We’re also asking funding bodies to stay fully engaged, and to reverse the loss of impetus in terms of funding for anti-mines action.”

More than 3,600 casualties in 2014
According to the Landmine Monitor 2015, mines or explosive remnants of war killed or injured 3,678 people in 2014, up 12% compared with 2013. The report also underlines a steady rise in the use of improvised explosive devices by non-State armed groups….

HelpAge International [to 28 November 2015]
http://www.helpage.org/newsroom/press-room/press-releases/

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Overstretched and underfunded refugee camps put over 110,000 Burundians in Tanzania at risk, as potential influx and heavy rains loom large, aid agencies warn
Health and shelter for Burundian refugees in Tanzania are poised to get worse in already overstretched camps, the aid agencies Oxfam, Help Age International, Plan International, Save the Children, International Rescue Committee (IRC) and the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) warned today, if there is an increased influx of refugees across the border.
Posted: 23 November 2015

IRC International Rescue Committee [to 28 November 2015]
http://www.rescue.org/press-release-index

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27 Nov 2015
Central African Republic: Papal Visit Sheds Light on Security, Humanitarian Access Challenges in War-Torn Country
:: Pope’s visit to war-torn country amid continuing tensions symbol of much-needed reconciliation between communities.
:: International and local humanitarian agencies still working at limited capacity because of volatile and unpredictable security, both in and out of the capital.
:: Pope should support the International Rescue Committee’s call to condemn attacks against humanitarian actors, ask warring parties to cease hostilities and grant access to most vulnerable, specifically PK5 in Bangui.
:: International spotlight on CAR should not be limited to the pope’s visit; donors should redouble funding essential social services until the government is able to take over.

ICRC [to 28 November 2015]
https://www.icrc.org/en/whats-new

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Kazakhstan: Round-table on the humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons
Astana (ICRC) – The Kazakh Humanitarian Law University will host a round-table on 30 November on the cost in human terms of nuclear weapons.
27-11-2015 | News release

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European Microfinance Award. Speech by ICRC president Peter Maurer.
Sixth European Microfinance Award.
25-11-2015 | Statement

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Niger: Seminar on Islamic law and humanitarianism
Niamey (ICRC) – A seminar on Islam, humanitarian action and protecting victims of armed conflict is bringing together 30 intellectuals and academics from Islamic and Arabic-speaking universities from across Africa.
25-11-2015 | News release

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Kuwait: Authorities share health-care expertise with visiting Algerian team
Kuwait (ICRC) –The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), together with the health and interior ministries of Kuwait, facilitated a study trip to Kuwait from 22 to 25 November for a team of Algerian officials.
25-11-2015 | News release

IRCT [to 28 November 2015]
http://www.irct.org/

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News
Human Rights Council tells Georgia, Lebanon and Nepal to enhance fight against torture and ensure rehabilitation for victims
27 November 2015

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News
IRCT calls on States to reject move at UN General Assembly to restrict protection of human rights defenders
25 November 2015

Islamic Relief [to 28 November 2015]
http://www.islamic-relief.org/category/news/

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Putting an end to early and forced marriage
November 25, 2015
The right of girls to a childhood free of early and forced marriage is the subject of an interfaith conference being held today in Zambia.
Organised by Islamic Relief and the World YWCA in collaboration with World Vision International, the two-hour discussion will centre on faith responses to child, early and forced marriage…

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Campaigning for climate justice
November 24, 2015
Islamic Relief is launching a toolkit to help Muslim communities around the world share the messages of the Islamic Declaration on Climate Change and join a fast-growing international community of faith groups that are actively working to tackle climate change ahead of COP21.

The Islamic Climate Change Declaration Toolkit will equip individuals and groups with ideas on how to use the Islamic Climate Change Declaration to mobilise for change and will provide a platform for them to deliver climate justice in their local communities, helping them to live up to Allah’s responsibility bestowed upon humankind as: “stewards placed on this earth”…

MSF/Médecins Sans Frontières [to 28 November 2015]
http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/news-stories/press/press-releases

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Press release
Missiles Hit MSF-Supported Hospital Near Damascus
November 21, 2015
BRUSSELS—A Damascus area hospital supported by the international medical humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) was struck by missiles on November 19, during an attack on a town in a besieged area east of the Syrian capital.

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Field News
MSF Initial Reaction to US Military Investigation into Kunduz Attack
November 25, 2015
The US version of events presented today leaves MSF with more questions than answers. It is shocking that an attack can be carried out when US forces have neither eyes on a target nor access to a no-strike list, and have malfunctioning communications systems. It appears that 30 people were killed and hundreds of thousands of people are denied lifesaving care in Kunduz simply because the MSF hospital was the closest large building to an open field and “roughly matched” a description of an intended target.

The frightening catalogue of errors outlined today illustrates gross negligence on the part of US forces and violations of the rules of war. The destruction of a protected facility without verifying the target—in this case a functioning hospital full of medical staff and patients—cannot only be dismissed as individual human error or breaches of the US rules of engagement. MSF reiterates its call for an independent and impartial investigation into the attack on our hospital in Kunduz. Investigations of this incident cannot be left solely to parties to the conflict in Afghanistan.

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Field news
Key MSF Articles, Statements, and Reports on Kunduz
November 24, 2015

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Field news
In Memoriam: MSF Colleagues Killed in the Kunduz Trauma Hospital Attack
November 23, 2015

OXFAM [to 28 November 2015]
http://www.oxfam.org/en/pressroom/pressreleases

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Delays in cutting emissions set to cost developing countries hundreds of billions of dollars more
25 November 2015
Climate change alert: Oxfam report reveals spiralling costs of 3 degree compared to 2 degrees warming.

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Huge majority of public call for new laws to clamp down on tax havens – Pan-European poll
24 November 2015
Eight of ten Europeans say laws need to change to clamp down on the use of tax havens, a poll published on Tuesday shows.

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Overstretched and underfunded refugee camps in Tanzania put over 110,000 Burundian refugees at risk
23 November 2015
Health and shelter for Burundian refugees in Tanzania are poised to get worse in already overstretched camps, the aid agencies Oxfam, HelpAge International, Plan International, Save the Children, International Rescue Committee (IRC) and the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) warned today, if there is an increased influx of refugees across the border.

Norwegian Refugee Council [to 28 November 2015]
http://www.nrc.no/

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Mediterranean
More deaths at sea likely as winter looms
Tiril Skarstein (27.11.2015)
Friday six children drowned off the Turkish coast. The Norwegian Refugee Council fears that more children will die in the Mediterranean in the coming months as the sea gets rougher and refugees and migrants continue to come.

“The EU and its Member States must prioritise the saving of lives at sea as the weather gets worse and people continue to cross the sea from Turkey to Greece,” said Secretary General of the Norwegian Refugee Council Jan Egeland. “Today’s tragic accidents outside Turkey’s coast highlight the need for more and better rescue capacity between Turkey and Greece, and for alternative safe and legal routes to Europe”.

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News
Verdict in court case against NRC
Tuva Raanes Bogsnes (25.11.2015)
NRC has received the verdict in the court case related to the attack and kidnapping in Dadaab, Kenya in June 2012.
Oslo District Court has awarded Steve Dennis compensation for financial and non-financial loss of NOK 4.4 million. The court found that NRC was grossly negligent in regards to the safe-guarding of staff during the visit of the Secretary General in Dadaab in 2012.

“We will now need time to evaluate all the aspects of the verdict before we decide whether to appeal the ruling,” said NRC Deputy Secretary General, Geir Olav Lisle.

On 29 June 2012, a group of armed men opened fire on an NRC convoy in the IFO II Dadaab Refugee Camp in Kenya. Several people suffered gunshot wounds and one driver was fatally injured. Four NRC staff were abducted and taken across the border into Somalia. NRC’s then Secretary General, the Regional Director for the Horn of Africa and the Area Manager for Dadaab managed to escape the scene unharmed. The abducted staff were rescued and returned to Kenya four days later.

Steve Dennis was one of the NRC staff abducted in Dadaab. He filed a claim against NRC seeking financial and non-financial damages on the basis that the kidnapping and subsequent loss of work ability was directly caused by negligence and gross negligence on NRC’s part in Dadaab in 2012.The court case took place in Oslo in late October this year.

“It is important to underline that the Dadaab attack profoundly impacted the entire organisation and that NRC deeply regrets the loss and the traumatic experience suffered by all NRC staff in Dadaab in June 2012. It has been important for us to learn from the incident and we will continue to learn from this in the time to come, Lisle said…

Plan International [to 28 November 2015]
http://plan-international.org/about-plan/resources/media-centre
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Publications & Research
Young, Woman and Unemployed: The Triple Challenge – Youth Economic Empowerment in developing and emerging countries
26 November 2015
Young women are the first victims of economic instability throughout the world. They represent the majority of the 628 million young people aged 15-24 who have neither a job nor an education.
This report highlights situations experienced by the most vulnerable young women in terms of accessing decent employment or self-employment in developing countries. Working from a grid analysis and field experiences, it also shows how to mainstream gender at all stages of youth economic empowerment programmes…

Save The Children [to 28 November 2015]
http://www.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.6150563/k.D0E9/Newsroom.htm

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Overstretched and Underfunded Refugee Camps Put over 110,000 Burundians in Tanzania at Risk, as Potential Influx and Heavy Rains Loom Large, Warn Aid Agencies
FAIRFIELD, Conn. (Nov. 23, 2015) — Health and shelter for Burundian refugees in Tanzania are poised to get worse in already overstretched camps, if there is an increased influx of refugees across the border, the aid agencies Oxfam, HelpAge International, Plan International, Save the Children, International Rescue Committee (IRC) and the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) warned today. Reports of escalating political instability inside Burundi have prompted fears of a new exodus of refugees into neighboring countries, which would push the current limits of the camps in western Tanzania to breaking point. Nyarugusu, where Burundians began arriving in April this year, is now the world’s third largest refugee camp…

Tostan [to 28 November 2015]
http://www.tostan.org/latest-news

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November 24, 2015
Communities in Senegal Embrace Positive Parental Practices
…The RPP program—implemented in communities that have already taken part in Tostan’s Community Empowerment Program (CEP)—equips parents with the knowledge and tools to improve the quality of their interactions with children, stimulating brain development and preparing them for school. Since the pilot phase in 2012, the program has been implemented in 342 communities, and has reached many more as a result of communities spreading their new knowledge within their social networks. The program includes class sessions tailored to the local context and delivered in three national languages—Wolof, Pulaar and Mandinka—by a trained facilitator who lives in the community throughout the one-year program. Parents are also given a set of illustrated storybooks written in national languages to encourage reading with children…

CONCORD [to 28 November 2015]
http://www.concordeurope.org/news-room
European NGO confederation for relief and development
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EU misses its own target for development aid: A false start for the EU Agenda 2030 ambitions
(Brussels 24/11/2015) Action remains well short of ambition in the European Union, a new report by CONCORD, the European NGO confederation for relief and development shows.
Despite repeated promises, the EU as a whole did not deliver on its commitment to spend 0.7% of Gross National Income (GNI) as aid by 2015. More worryingly, there is an emerging trend in EU countries to divert aid budgets from sustainable development to domestic costs associated with hosting refugees and asylum seekers.