For the most part, the Swiss section of the International Society for Human Rights is involved quietly and discreetly in the cause of human rights. Experience has shown that this kind of quiet, solid human rights work bears well-deserved fruit. 

Deputy in the National Assembly of Ecuador
Representative of the 2nd district of Manabi
Party Alianza UNES
 
Member of the Transparency Commission, and the Commissions for Citizen Participation and Social Control 

How do you assess the current human rights situation in Ecuador?  

Historically, Ecuador has had great difficulties in guaranteeing social, economic and cultural rights. Income poverty worsened during the pandemic, reaching 25% of the Ecuadorian population by 2020. What aggravates this difficult situation is the government's announcement in 2021 of cuts in public spending, particularly on health and education services. 

However, the most worrying thing that happened in 2021 was the prison crisis, which arose from a series of riots that left 119 people deprived of their liberty dead and more than 80 injured at their most critical moment. The inadequacy of the „Servicio Nacional de Atención Integral a Personas Adultas Privadas de la Libertad“ (SNAI) to guarantee the most basic human rights standard, exacerbated by repeated budget cuts and increasing prison overcrowding in Ecuador, is being investigated by the Inter-American Commission for Human Rights (IACHR). 

Another worrying issue is the politicization of the judiciary, which has led to political persecution of left-wing leaders as well as officials. 

What human rights violations in countries other than Ecuador worry you the most? 

As a woman and as a mother, I am concerned about the pay gap and increasing restrictions on the right to education for girls and young women who, for religious or economic reasons, are forced to drop out of college or marry with violence.  

What could Swiss politicians do to help you with your most pressing human rights issues? 

It is essential to have an accompaniment of international counseling and training to address the human rights violations of persons deprived of their liberty in Ecuador and families who are victims of political persecution in dealing with legal cases, both legal and also to help in the psychological field. The implementation of a public agenda in which tax policies do not infringe on the rights of children, women, the elderly and the seriously ill and ensure the parameters for rights and address serious problems of social inequality. 

What do you expect from an organization like ours? 

For the major goal of fulfilling the human right to a non-violent and fulfilling life without violence and with equality, while maintaining equal opportunities for everyone, human rights commitment, professional competence and transparency in the administration of the funds received are expected. 

Project Assistant 

International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD)
Belgrade, Serbia

Ms. Jovic explains that this is her personal opinion and not an official position of the ICMPD.

What human rights issues is your organization involved in ? 

Our areas of responsibility include migration policy development, supporting reintegration of returnees and engagement of diaspora to various activities in the country of origin. 

Which human rights violations in the world are you most concerned with ? 

Migrant's right to work and educate during the period of migration is a central problem. Migrants should be fully supported during the period of travel to the final destination. 

What could Swiss politicians do to help you with your most pressing human rights issues? 

Swiss politicians could support with developing a proposal for a sustainable program for migration policy development and help other countries in developing a program for migration matter. 

What do you expect from an organization like ours? 

To follow up the issue of migration more actively as this brings potentially other human rights violations (such as human trafficking, labor exploitation…….)

Member of the European Parliament 
Representative of Germany, resident in Mannheim 
Group of the Greens / European Free Alliance 
 
Chairman of the delegation for relations with People's Republic of China 

How do you assess the current human rights situation in Europe?
 
Unfortunately, the current human rights situation in Europe has a lot of downsides. The human rights violations against refugees at Europe's borders are particularly shameful and completely unacceptable. Within the EU, I would like to highlight a transnational concern that has been largely underexposed: the situation of Sinti and Roma within Europe.
 
What human rights violations in other countries outside of Europe concern you most?
 
The situation of the Uyghurs in Xinjiang undoubtedly worries me the most. The Chinese authorities' systematic crackdown on them constitutes crimes against humanity.
 
What could Swiss politicians do to help you with your most pressing human rights issues?
 
Swiss politicians could join efforts in the US, Canada, UK and EU to block slave labor products from entering our markets. In addition, it is always important to remember the fate of individual victims of human rights abuses.
 
What do you expect from an organization like ours?
 
I hope that you will not shy away from consistently addressing the violation of human rights - regardless of where this happens. I hope that you will act as the human rights conscience of our societies.