human rights

Patients living in poverty in the Global South are being bankrupted by private healthcare corporations backed by multi-million-dollar investments from development finance institutions (DFIs) run by the UK, French, German and other rich country governments. DFIs like the World Bank’s International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the European Investment Bank (EIB) invest public funds via the private sector to help foster economic development in the Global South and tackle poverty. However, Oxfam published two investigations on DFI funding into private hospital chains and other for-profit healthcare corporations operating in low- and middle-income countries and found cases of them.   

In response to the decision by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in the Grand Chamber’s first-ever climate-related cases (Verein KlimaSeniorinnen Schweiz and Others v. Switzerland, Duarte Agostinho and Others v. Portugal and Others, and Carême v. France), Evelien van Roemburg, Head of Oxfam’s European Union office said: “European judges have ruled that a government’s failure to do enough to reduce national greenhouse gas emissions violates its population’s human rights. This is a positive step and allows people to require their governments to put in place effective climate regulations and carbon budgets. But the judges did not challenge Switzerland’s decision to give itself almost three more decades to reach net zero emissions, even though people around the world are being harmed now by the climate crisis.”   
 

Amongst the over 20 targets being discussed at the COP15 Biodiversity Summit is to set aside 30 percent of the world's lands and oceans for nature to protect biodiversity by 2030. However, states have so far failed to commit to protecting the rights of Indigenous Peoples and those of local communities living in these areas.

Oxfam expresses its profound sadness and condolences to Cecilia Mérida and the communities of Huehuetenango in Guatemala for the death of Rubén Herrera, a community leader, human rights defender, activist, and friend of many. 

The new Greek asylum law that entered into force on 1 January 2020 has significantly diminished protection for people seeking asylum. The law and its amendments increase asylum seekers’ vulnerabilities, while limiting access to their fundamental right to seek asylum and be protected from serious risks.

This serious—and likely irreversible— plan to acquire occupied territory by force is a violation of the most basic principles of international law. 

This isn’t the time to remain silent, silent ally, this is the time you should reach out to your neighbors, friends, colleagues of color and learn and educate yourself on their lived experiences in your country, because the truth of the matter is that racism is everywhere.

A study initiated by the European Commission and released today says that new EU due diligence rules could significantly improve respect for human rights in the supply chains of European companies, says Oxfam.

Poverty pay, harsh working conditions, and gender discrimination are commonplace on the farms and plantations that supply tea, fruit and vegetables to supermarkets such as Lidl, PLUS, and Whole Foods reveals new research published by Oxfam today.

Migrants, including children, at the French-Italian border have been illegally detained and pushed back to Italy by French border guards, testimonies gathered by a coalition of French NGOs, including Oxfam, show. THe organziations have submitted the accounts to a prosecutor in France who is looking into abuses of fundamental rights at the border with Italy.