Why Kenya needs to ratify the ICESCR Optional Protocol

As Beth Simmons points out, three billion people survive on less than $2.50 per day. She states that if these facts are anything to go by, it is even harder to comprehend that economic rights have been codified as part of the international human rights system for the past 60 years.  According to Simmons, what is even more disturbing is the fact that over 85% of states have ratified one or two treaties that recognise economic rights. In Kenya, more than 58% of Kenyans live below the poverty line. Further, more than half of the Kenyan population is poor and over 7 million Kenyans live in extreme poverty, despite Kenya having ratified the International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) 41 years ago.

On 5 May 2013, the Optional Protocol to the ICESCR entered into force after receiving its tenth instrument of ratification. The purpose of the Optional Protocol is to address violations of socio-economic rights which have been loosely applied when compared to the civil and political rights. The Protocol achieves this by giving an individual locus standi before the Committee and hence asking directly whether a state violated the ICESCR.

 As much as there is scepticism about this Protocol, this paper wishes to submit that states, especially Kenya, should look beyond this scepticism and ratify the Protocol. This article will provide both arguments for and against ratification of the Optional Protocol.

The current on-going squabble between Kenya and the International Criminal Court (ICC) is a factor in deciding against ratification. 

The African Union (AU) at its special summit on 18 October 2013 passed a resolution that Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta should not attend hearings against him at the ICC as it is “uncivilised” to try as sitting president. This backlash against an international body has resulted in some governments, particularly the Kenyan government, reconsidering their commitments towards international bodies and, to some extent, regional bodies like the South African Development Community Tribunal.

Despite the above trend, several reasons can be advanced in support of the ratification of the Optional Protocol by the Kenyan government. Firstly, ratification would help clarify Kenya’s obligations under the ICESCR. This would help give “context” and meaning to rights such as education, housing, and work, in a developing economy like Kenya’s.

 Secondly, the ratification of the Optional Protocol would strengthen accountability in Kenyan. The Protocol offers an opportunity for governments to be thoroughly investigated on their obligations under ICESCR. It has been argued previously that the existence of a complaint based mechanism always acts as a warning device towards government. The Optional Protocol would allow Kenyans to raise concerns with government policies and practices that would otherwise not receive attention from parliament or the media

Kenya should ratify the Protocol as this would encourage other countries in the region to do the same. According to Beth, the ratification of treaties is “contagious”. Governments emulate others in what they do and a very good example of this would be the ratification of the Convention of the Rights of the Child (CRC). All countries, except for Somalia and the United States, have ratified the CRC.

Finally, under the 2010 Kenyan Constitution, international treaties form part of Kenya’s domestic law. Chief Justice Willy Mutunga was quoted saying the effects of Article 2(6) of the Constitution meant that the ICC is, arguably, part of the Kenyan judiciary. This is a powerful statement from the head of judiciary since it emphasises the point of accepting international judicial bodies as part of Kenyan law. Since the Committee, in terms of the Protocol, would have jurisdiction to examine (alleged) violations under the ICESCR, by ratifying the Protocol, Kenya would be subjecting itself to a body specifically mandated to deal with violations under the ICESCR.

In conclusion, the above reasons show how important it is for the Kenyan government to ratify the Optional Protocol to the ICESCR as it will not only be an important venture for its citizens of Kenya, but also to other governments that look up to Kenya for support.

from an email thread

Worship The Lord with Songs

Then Jonah prayed unto the Lord his God out of the fish’s belly (Jonah 2:1). 

A young lady had been sick for several years and had been given up to die. In that state, sick and in pains, she was carried to a crusade. During the time of worship, she joined in and had a wonderful time, ignoring her pains. She looked away from her pains and sickness unto God. Suddenly, as she sang and worshipped, she noticed her hands that hadn’t moved for years were lifted up. Then it dawned on her that she’d been healed of her disease. Overwhelmed with joy, she gave her testimony in tears. Hallelujah!

If you desire a miracle in your situation, then you have to take your attention away from the challenge you’re facing and worship the Lord with your songs and prayers. The Bible says Jonah prayed to the Lord out of the fish’s belly (Jonah 2:1). Right in the midst of trouble Jonah still prayed unto the Lord. He forgot about his situation and prayed. When you study the content of His prayer, you’ll discover it was all of worship and thanksgiving (Jonah 2:9). As he worshipped and thanked the Lord from the fish’s belly “The Lord spake unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land” (Jonah 2:10). What a mighty deliverance! What of Paul and Silas? The Bible says that, “And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake…and immediately all the doors were opened and every one’s bands were loosed” (Acts 16:25-26).

Solutions come when you worship the Lord in the midst of your trouble. The Lord Jesus didn’t respond to the woman whose daughter was vexed with an evil spirit until she worshipped Him (Matthew 15:22-28).  Someone has rightly said, “Those who look at the sun don’t see the shadows.” How true! So learn to subdue your pains, disease or financial condition and worship the Lord instead. Love Him with all your heart for He’s good and real; more real than whatever situation you’re going through. Finally, when you sing this month, do it with revelation. When you worship the God who raises the dead for instance, every situation that looked dead suddenly is vitalized with divine energy!

JOY

Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore (Psalm 16:11).

Joy is a product of the recreated human spirit. Some people haven’t understood the power of a joyful and merry heart; otherwise, they’ll always let the joy of the Lord that’s in their spirit gain the mastery. It’s possible to experience indescribable joy, everyday.

Our opening scripture says, “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore,” meaning that the divine influence of God upon your life—the presence of God in your spirit brings indescribable joy to your life. That’s what the Bible describes as joy unspeakable and full of glory (1 Peter 1:8).

The good thing about joy is that it never walks alone. When it comes into your spirit, it comes with songs, laughter, gladness, and happiness. It removes heaviness and gloom from you, such that when people see you, instead of asking, “What’s the problem?” they’ll say, “you’re looking radiant; share the good news with us so we can also sing.”

Choose always to be joyful! It’s your responsibility to keep the joy of the Spirit bubbling in your life. One way to achieve this is through songs. Whenever something tries to bother or depress you, don’t submit to it. Rather, consciously subdue it with the joy of the Lord from within your spirit by laughing and singing your way in victory.

Remember, laughter and singing are two of the characteristics of a joyful and merry heart. So, when the laughter and the songs of the Spirit well up in your heart like that, don’t try to stop it. Keep laughing and singing till you saturate your spirit with joy. That way, not only are you declaring your victory, the devil and his demons will be discomfited because they can’t stand an atmosphere of joy, love and gladness. So, spread the joy today by allowing songs of joy flow from within your spirit.

Called To Unending Success And Progress

Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the Lord blessed him. And the man waxed great, and went forward, and grew until he became very great: For he had possession of flocks, and possession of herds, and great store of servants: and the Philistines envied him (Genesis 26:12-14).

One of the many glorious benefits of the Christian life is that it’s a call to unending success and Progress. God’s dream for you is that you consistently make progress and heap success upon success. He expects you to be increasingly fruitful and productive in all your endeavours.
The Bible says the path of the just is as a shining light, that shines brighter and brighter unto the perfect day (Proverbs 4:18). This is your heritage when you become a child of God, having been born again. Your path in life becomes one of consistent growth, steady prosperity and unending success and progress.

The Lord Jesus said in John 15:1-8 NLT: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more… My true disciples produce much fruit. This brings great glory to my Father.” In other words, if you’re productive; if you’re fruitful and effective in your endeavours, the Lord prunes you so you can achieve even more. It’s the Father’s glory for you to be fruitful in life; He wants you to excel and consistently make progress. He’s more zealous and passionate about your success and progress than you could ever be.

Thus, you ought always to be success conscious. Note that progress is not necessarily measured at the tail end of one’s life; it can be measured at the different stages of your life. If you’re conscious of success at the level where you are today, that consciousness will take you to a higher level of success tomorrow. Never think failure, rather have the “progress mentality”. Your life will be an unending stream of victory and prosperity when you develop an attitude of success and progress.

Success mentality will keep you from mundanity and the average life, and help you imbibe a culture of excellence. Be excited about life today and every day, for God has already made you a success! You have in you what it takes to confront the crisis of life and win. You are a spirit of progress! You were created to consistently move forward no matter what you are faced with today. If you’ve achieved all that you set out this month to accomplish, then raise the bar and set new goals! Give yourself a new vision because your progress does not end and its still your month of Progress. Hallelujah!

Thank you for all your inspiring comments and testimonies. Keep sharing them because your world is changing as a result of those faith-inspired comments. If you have never posted a comment on this blog, remember, faith is the response of your spirit to the Word of God. Therefore, I urge today to take advantage of this platform to express the faith of God in your spirit. God bless you!

A TIME TO BE GRATEFUL

A Time To Be Grateful

By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name (Hebrews 13:15).  

As the month of Progress gradually winds to a close, it’s important for us to take stock of the month and profusely worship and thank the Lord for His great love, kindness and mighty blessings experienced in the outgoing month. We must recognize Him as the One by whose grace we’ve experienced a joyous, prosperous and fulfilling month, while thanking Him for the great blessings, miracles and fruitfulness of the coming month.
It’s not a time to whine, murmur, complain or grumble, but a time of gratitude, praise, joy and thanksgiving. A time to offer God true worship that’s not dependent on the external circumstances or conditions around you but emanating from deep within your spirit–worship from a grateful heart! The kind of worship described by Jesus in John 4:23-24: “But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”
Be a true worshipper in these remaining hours of the month of Progress! Celebrate the Lord for His goodness and wonderful works in your life.

Give Him the sacrifice of true worship; make confessions to His Name. In worshipping God, it’s not really what you do but what you say that counts. Even when you worship Him with an offering, you don’t just drop the offering, you’ve got to say something. It’s actually what you say that gives credibility to what you give to God. The words you utter in worship are very important, whether you’re singing them or you’re just speaking them.

So today, show the Lord your gratitude; express yourself to Him in worship; glorify His holy Name, for it’s a day to rejoice, and a time to be grateful. As you do this from your spirit, the anointing of God will be stirred up in your advantage and you’ll take with you a spirit of progress and victory into the coming month. Glory to God!

 Making Progress Despite Contrary Circumstances

In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good (Ecclesiastes 11:6).

There are people, who perhaps started out on a business venture that seemed profitable and were excited about it at the initial stage, however, two or three months down the line, challenges set in and it didn’t seem like the venture was making as much progress as they’d expected and as a result they gave up the business. They should have stayed with it!

Possibly, you’re in a similar situation today; you’re at the verge of giving up something you started. My counsel to you is, stay with it and believe in your progress! Keep at it, and don’t give up. The Bible says, “…whatsoever you do shall prosper” (Psalm 1:3). Notice it didn’t say “some of the things you do shall prosper”, but all! Praise God. The hand of God is upon that idea, job or business of yours and will cause it to make progress and move forward. If you believe this, then you won’t give up, irrespective of the seemingly unprofitable circumstances.

If you find yourself experiencing challenges in any area of your job or business for instance, go back to the Word of God. It says, “In all labour there is profit.”  Whatever the challenges are, the Word of God will show you what to do. Even if you had mismanaged the business, there’s the appropriate Word from God to teach you how to be a better manager. Remember, God’s Word remains the best book on success and prosperity.

Therefore, in everything you do, never give up hope. Only make certain to follow God’s Word and practise what it says. That way, your progress, advancement, success, and profiting will not only appear to all but will be unending.

Thought For Today: Making Progress Through The Wisdom of God!

For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16).
In this month of Progress, it is important that you understand how to achieve the type of progress that the Lord has planned for you. Someone might ask, “I desire to make progress in a particular situation but how do I begin?” This is where wisdom comes in. 

Wisdom is not putting two and two together to make four; that’s the wisdom of this world which isn’t bad, but it’s not good enough. True wisdom, which is God’s wisdom, teaches that sometimes, what you may consider the ideal may not necessarily be God’s choice. True wisdom is knowing and doing the will of the Father in love.

This reminds me of the story of a certain man who came back home from work one day and announced to his family, “I’m tendering my resignation.”

“Why?” they all asked in shock and disbelief. The fellow was just about to be given a major promotion in the multinational corporation where he worked, and now he said he was leaving. “Why?” everyone wondered! “I have to resign because I was praying and the Lord told me to”, he replied.
The man went ahead to resign and not long afterwards, the hitherto conglomerate from which he resigned went bankrupt and folded up. Following the wealth of experience he had garnered over time, he established his own company and started doing very well, and he’s still doing extremely well till date.
Notice that the man didn’t leave his former company because it appeared the organization was going down, for at the time, everything seemed okay with the company. He left because he knew the heart of God concerning the company. Knowing the heart of God concerning a matter is wisdom and this is where real progress begins.

By studying God’s Word, you become acquainted with the character of the Father; you receive insight into His will for your life, for His Word is His will expressed. Through prayer, your spirit is conditioned in such a way that you operate in God’s frequency; you’re in sync with Him and hence able to receive His thoughts, follow the guidance of His Spirit and achieve supernatural progress in life.
So, I urge you today, in this month of Progress, to spend time in prayer and in the study of the scriptures, because as you do this, you’ll find yourself functioning always in wisdom – the wisdom of God. Remember, you have the mind of Christ, which means you can know the heart of the Father concerning any situation. This is why progress for you is inevitable!

Thought For Today: Your Set Time for Progress and Advancement

“Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the Lord blessed him. And the man waxed great, and went forward, and grew until he became very great“ (Genesis 26:12-13).
This month of February is a month of months. The Lord told us at the February Global Communion Service that the month of February was our time in His calendar of Favour to make progress! As a child of God, you’ve been called to the upward and forward life. There are those who still say that life is full of ups and downs, but that’s not what the Word teaches.  I’ve never known the down life; I’ve only journeyed in one direction, upward and forward only; and there’s no option to that. That’s the life to which you’ve been called; a life of progress and advancement. This month is your set time to move forward and make progress in life!
The Bible says Isaac waxed great, went forward, and grew until he became very great. 
In other words, he made progress and became successful in every area of his life. There was famine in the land of Gerar and Isaac’s friends and neighbours had journeyed away to Egypt where there was plenty of corn and wine. It made sense to go there since Egypt’s economy was the best in the world at the time. But as Isaac was about to head for Egypt, God spoke out of heaven instructing him to stay in Gerar, where there was famine, and sow in that same land.

Isaac obeyed, and his obedience paid off as he “got richer and richer by the day until he was very wealthy. He accumulated flocks and herds and many, many servants, so much so that the Philistines began to envy him (Genesis 26:13-14 MSG). In this month of Progress, learn to listen to the Spirit of God for direction. Wherever He tells you to go is where you should go, and whatever He tells you to do is what you should do. Isaac became very great because he followed God’s instructions. It didn’t matter that there was famine in the land, his results turned out differently.

The set time for your advancement is now. It doesn’t matter how things may look around you; if you would let the Holy Spirit guide you in the affairs of your life, like Isaac, you’ll wax great, move forward and grow until you become very great! This month, your life will be a story of unending progress. This is the plan of God concerning you in this season of favour. Expect to make progress. See yourself taking giant strides and accomplishing supernatural feats this month, because the set time for your progress is now. 

 Walking in Super Abundant Grace

“For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:17).
The word “grace” is from the Greek word “Charis”, which means the bestowal of divine gifts. It also means to be endowed with the presence of God. That means God has given Himself to you, thereby giving you all that He has. Grace is that glory of God that works within you that causes you to achieve things ordinary men can’t achieve, and causes you to be divinely favoured everywhere you go.

The opening scripture lets us know that grace has been made available to you in superabundance; there’s a superfluity of grace upon your life. No wonder the Bible says, “And of his fullness have all we received, and grace for grace” (John 1:16). We’ve received grace heaped upon grace. This grace will favour you this year and open doors of blessings and opportunities for you and bring the beauty of the Spirit into your life. Amen!

In this year of Favour, you must learn to recognize and take advantage of the grace that’s in Christ Jesus, and your life will be an unending stream of the supernatural. The grace to excel, succeed and prosper in all you do has already been bestowed on you. Therefore, you ought to face life this year with the mentality of the champion that you are; go forth today, and win! Face the future with confidence, knowing that the Lord has encompassed you with favour, even as with a shield (Psalm 5:12).

As you step out today, say to yourself, “I’m the favoured of the Lord; the grace of God that causes increase, promotion, progress and advancement has been superabundantly bestowed upon me. 

Therefore, I walk in divine favour today!” Brothers and sisters, this is the year to recognize and take advantage of the grace of God that has been multiplied unto you. I declare that that shield of favour will cause the glory of God to be revealed in you and through you throughout 2013, in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, Amen! Hallelujah!

The Women's Lawyer

Welcome to The Women’s Lawyer

here is the link- http://www.thewomenslawyer.co.uk/

Camilla Choudhury-Khawaja LL.B (Hons) LL.M Barrister

Becoming the Women’s Lawyer has been my goal for several years. With the recent changes in the legal system and the imminent changes to legal aid, which affect women’s issues in the main, I decided this was the time to offer legal advice and support to those most in need.

I was called to the Bar of England and Wales in 1998 by The Honourable Society of Gray’s Inn, after graduating with a Masters in International and Comparative Law. I began lecturing Law at the University of London in 1999, and continue to do so as a Visiting Lecturer at the University of Westminster.
With over fifteen years experience of lecturing and advising clients on varying areas of law I have set up the legal consultancy, The Women’s Lawyer (TWL) in Watford, with the fundamental aim of assisting women with an affordable and approachable service. Speaking from both personal and professional experience, I am in a position to help those whom may otherwise not seek the advice or guidance of a lawyer.
It is my genuine belief with the right guidance women can avoid numerous problems such as with their employer/husband/partner/landlord/tenant. Indeed in this regard, I shall be giving a series of lectures designed to equip women with the legal know how in dealing with varying civil matters from divorce, property rights to planning and school appeals. I am also working with local groups such as the Mojomums, the Watford Women’s Centre charity and varying Watford Council and Community based associations with regards to the same.

Write It on My Heart

Write It on My Heart

Over time I’ve believed many things, and lost trust in just as many. But the one thing I have grown certain about is the love that God has for me. I look around and I see traces of Him, in all I do, in all I have accomplished, and in all I hope to be. But even though I’m fully aware of His presence, I’ve also had serious moments of doubt. My heart knows and believes that yes, God loves me and His plan for me is over and above my wildest dreams. My mind on the other hand, has battled with this truth time and time again. I have great admiration for people who have had a consistent walk with God- heroes of faith as I see them.  Some of them have walked with me and spoken truths that I was sometimes not ready nor willing to hear. I’ve often wished I could say that behind the make-up and glam is a woman who is totally secure in who she believes in. But the honest truth is, behind the veil is a girl who has had moments of fear, doubt, timidity, and yes, great insecurity.

I have faced life with zeal, rolled with the punches, but other times simply thrown in the towel; plain out given up.  I’ve questioned the value of life, and why people hold on even when it has been anything but kind to them.  My heart has gone out to families whose loved ones gave up on life, because a part of me understands only too well how it feels to be at the end of the line. You see the truth is unless God accords you the opportunity to see things from his perspective, you may find yourself so overwhelmed and cornered by life; it will seem as though there are no options, and a temporary situation will give the illusion of permanency.

There have been times when I have been so discouraged that I didn’t even want to get out of bed. And those are the times I’ve remember something or seen something that made me laugh so hard that tears rolled down my face, and all that remained was the sweetest tummy ache. God has a sense of humour.  Whenever I have found myself broke, busted, and disgusted He has reminded me that nothing is impossible with Him. God never allows me to stay down. He sings songs of deliverance and peace over me through the chaos of life. He remains faithful even through my faithlessness. I am so glad that He is nothing like me.  

There have also been times when I’ve had to stand on a stage or a pulpit to minister, and I’ve wondered whether I’d make it through the song without breaking down; I wondered whether anyone could see the struggle, or hear the pain in my voice. And in those times I learnt that in my weakness God’s strength knows no bounds. He covers me with His grace- the grace that He so liberally gives, and uses my pain to bring healing to another.

I revere God with all my heart, and yet I’ve grown in the understanding that He is a father who will never turn His back on me. When I’ve made a mess of my own life He still allows me to crawl on His lap and weep, and then ever so gently wipes my tears away reminding me that He is a God of second, third, countless chances.  My heavenly father not only hears the prayers that I whisper in the night, but also the unspoken ones…the ones I cannot form into words. The ones that are too intimate to share with anyone. He hears my heart and speaks right back to it.

Thank you God for never allowing me to give up. Thank you for giving me this moment, right here and now to pour my heart on paper…to tell someone who is about to let go that they can still try again. Remind them as you have reminded me over and over, that failure is just another opportunity to start again. May your peace steady their hearts in the midst of all that seems to be falling apart. May they find in you solid ground when all else is sinking. Remind them God that it’s not over for them until you say it is. May your promises and your truths be deeply etched on their hearts. Remind them that you shall never leave nor forsake them…that you are a friend who sticks closer than a brother…that you work all things together for their good…that you keep them in perfect peace whose hearts stay in you…that your grace is sufficient for them…that you will supply all of their needs…that you will never give them more than they can bear…that in you the old is gone and everything is made new…! Write it on their hearts God. So that in those times when their minds forget, their heart will still remember that it is written.

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