ICO:
International Communities Organisation (ICO) is a London-based international organisation with UN consultative status and working for peace and reconciliation in divided conflict affected areas with a specific focus on minority rights.
ICO is independent, neutral and dedicated to the protection of human rights and giving a voice to those who need it. Through the belief that communities can come together and achieve peace, based not on one group’s views prevailing over another, but by constructing a shared vision for a better future. In order to achieve these goals, we know that they cannot be imposed from above and that only communities themselves can determine what peace looks like to them.
General Assembly:
The ICO General Assembly provides leaders, activists, civil society organisations and minority group representatives a platform to raise issues that are being faced by their people. These primarily include matters related to self-determination which is often associated with cultural rights, the right to political participation, equality and non-discrimination, adequate standards of living, right to resources and property or other human rights concerns.
Once key issues are raised at the General Assembly, ICO will then work with minority group representatives to have their voices heard on the global stage, primarily at the United Nations.
Together, we set the agenda for the year and discuss key dates in the UN calendar, such as Human Rights Council sessions or Universal Periodic Review (UPR) submissions. Minority rights groups will access practical tools to share their inputs with a range of regional experts at the ICO on submissions to the UN to address these issues raised at the Assembly and propose recommendations.