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ASTI and ASF-B at UN Council
GENEVA – The Women’s UN Report Network invited ASTI to participate in a specially convened United Nations Human Rights Council Panel Meeting at the Palais des Nations in Geneva on 15 – 16 September 2010.
ASTI’s presentation focused on two themes around support for and victimisation of survivors as well as the physical and mental heath of women and girls. A copy of the background paper delivered by ASTI’s founder and Chair is available here (add hyperlink to background paper).
ASTI’s partner Acid Survivors Foundation Bangladesh (ASF-B), was established in 1999. It has since pioneered an effective response to acid violence including legislative reform. ASF-B was represented by its Executive Director Ms Monira Rahman, and ASF-B Trustee Ms Fozilatun Nessa, an acid attack survivor. Ms Rahman told the audience, “In 2002 acid attacks had reached almost 500 a year. We started a prevention campaign and with the support of the government the number of attacks started to decline. In 2009 there were 140 attacks and the number of attacks continues to decline. This is a real success story.”
Other contributors to the special session on acid violence included the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture Mr Manfred Nowack, the UN Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women Ms Rashida Manjoo, representatives from the World Health Organisation and representatives from various NGOs including the Worldwide Organisation for Women and the Commission on Status of Women Right to Health Working Group.
The UK charity Islamic Help sponsored ASTI and ASFB in attending by providing financial support. Further support was made possible by Aerolex Travel. We would like to thank both Islamic Help and Aerolex Travel for their most generous support in making this very worthwhile trip possible.
Posted on September 21st 2010 by Office in ASTI news
