## **BIANCA JAGGER HUMAN RIGHTS FOUNDATION** ## **ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS** ## **2022-2023 Registered Charity No. 1117142** ## **TABLE OF CONTENTS** 1 - I. LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS - II. STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT - III. OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES - IV. RESOLUTION ADOPTED BY THE TRUSTEES - V. BJHRF EXECUTIVE SUMMARY - VI. NICARAGUA SUMMARY - VII. VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS - VIII. CLIMATE EMERGENCY - IX. BJHRF CALL TO ABOLISH DEATH PENALTY - X. SOCIAL AND DIGITAL MEDIA - XI. ACTIVITIES OF THE PRESIDENT - XII. TIMELINE - XIII. BIANCA JAGGER INTERVIEWS, ARTICLES AND SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS - XIV. BJHRF PROPOSALS FOR 2022/23 - XV. FINANCE ## **I. LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS YEAR ENDED 05 APRIL 2023** **Bianca Jagger,** _Founder, President and Chief Executive of the Bianca Jagger Human Rights Foundation and Council of Europe Goodwill Ambassador for the Abolition of the Death Penalty since 2003._ ## **TRUSTEES** **Mark Howard Stephens CBE,** _Senior Partner, International Human Rights Lawyer, Howard Kennedy LLP; President of the Commonwealth Lawyers Association, Chair of Board of Governors of the University of East London._ 2 **Erik Berglof,** _Chief Economist at the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), Director of the Institute of Global Affairs, London School of Economics._ **Dr Maritta Rogalla von Bieberstein Koch-Weser** , _Founder and President Earth3000._ **Thaddaeus Ropac,** _**Légion d'honneur** , Founder of Galerie Thaddaeus Ropac._ **Professor William Schabas OC MRIA,** _Professor of International Law, School of Law, Middlesex University._ **Peter Bennett,** _Executive Director and Founder of Rainforest Concern, Trustee for Amazon Charitable Trust._ ## **PRINCIPAL OFFICE** 8 Iverna Gardens, Kensington, London, W8 6TN ## **BANKERS** Coutts & Co 440 Strand London WC2R 0QS ## **ACCOUNTANTS** Graeme Boagey Dominic Demoily Chipchase Manners Chartered Accountants & Registered Auditors T: +44 1642 813771 M: +44 7812 128178 E: graeme@chipchasemanners.co.uk E: dom@chipchasemanners.co.uk W: www.chipchasemanners.co.uk 384 LINTHORPE ROAD, MIDDLESBROUGH, TS5 6HA ## **II. STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT** STATUS AND ADMINISTRATION The Bianca Jagger Human Rights Foundation was founded by trust deed dated 12 May 2005. It is registered as a Charity, number 1117142. 3 The Foundation was founded by Bianca Jagger and Trustees are appointed by resolution of the Trustees. The Foundation is governed by the Board of Trustees and Ms Jagger. ## **BOARD OF ADVISORS:** **John Annetts,** Partner at Howard Kennedy LLP **Ross Bleckner,** Artist; United Nations Goodwill Ambassador; Former President AIDS Community Research Initiative of America. **Thomas F. Burke,** MD, Chief, Division of Global Health and Human Rights at Massachusetts General Hospital; Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine at Harvard Medical University. **Eleonora Kennedy,** Philanthropist; Co-director, Shana Alexander Foundation. **Jeff Madrick,** Author, Editor of Challenge Magazine; Visiting Professor of Humanities, Cooper Union; Director of the Bernard L. Schwartz Rediscovering Government Initiative at the Roosevelt Institute; Senior Fellow at The Century Foundation **Yadvinder Malhi,** Professor of Ecosystem Science, University of Oxford; Programme Leader of the Ecosystems Group at the Environmental Change Institute and Jackson Senior Research Fellow at Oriel College, Oxford. **Bill McKibben,** He serves as the Schumann Distinguished Scholar in Environmental Studies at Middlebury College, as a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and he has won the Gandhi Peace Prize as well as - honorary degrees from 20 colleges and universities.Author; Environmentalist; Co Founder, 350.org. **Gillian McVey,** Public Relations Director, Gillian McVey UK. **Dr Kaarin Taipale** , Member, Board of Governors, HOK-Elanto, Board Member Arkadia-seura (Association of Parlamentarians and representatives of arts and culture) Council Member, Academic Technician at TEK, Urban researcher, columnist, editor and expert adviser. **Mark Plotkin,** Author, Amazon Conservation Team; Renowned Ethnobotanist; Plant Explorer in the Neotropics; Advocate for Tropical Rainforest Conservation. 4 **Beate Weber** , former Mayor of Heidelberg, Germany; former Member of the European Parliament (MEP); specialists in the special taskforce on ecological civilisation and urbanisation of the China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development (CCICED) (co-chair), Member of Jury Guangzhou International Award for Urban Innovation (Guangzhou Award China. **Dr Marc A. Weiss** , Chairman and CEO of Global Urban Development (GUD), Lead Partner of the UN-Habitat World Urban Campaign, Board Member of IHC Global, and International Visiting Professor at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) in Porto Alegre, Brazil, coordinator at the Porto Alegre Sustainable Innovation Zone (ZISPOA). **Patrick Mcghee,** Assistant Vice Chancellor at the University of Bolton, Chartered Health Psychologist, Former Vice Chancellor for the University of East London. The Foundation’s Board of Advisors are appointed by BJHRF Founder, President and Chief Executive Bianca Jagger. The Board serves as a source of information and guidance. They are experts in their fields. Bianca Jagger regularly seeks their advice and is in regular communication with many of them. ## **III. OBJECTIVES** The objectives of the Bianca Jagger Human Rights Foundation (BJHRF), as set out in its governing instrument are: ## **1. To promote human rights (as set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, subsequent United Nations conventions and declarations) throughout the world by all or any of the following means:** - Monitoring abuses of human rights - Obtaining justice for the victims of human rights abuse - Relieving need among the victims of human rights abuse - Research into human rights issues - Educating the public about human rights - Providing technical advice to government and others on human rights matters - Contributing to the sound administration of human rights law - Commenting on proposed human rights legislation - Raising awareness of human rights issues - Promoting public support for human rights - Promoting respect for human rights by individuals and corporations 5 - Raising awareness of the trafficking of humans in particular the trafficking of women and children for sexual exploitation and their exposure to HIV/AIDS - International advocacy of human rights - Eliminating infringements of the prohibitions on torture, slavery, extrajudicial killing, arbitrary detention, and disappearance - Carrying out or promoting research into the maintenance and observance of human rights in places or areas where there may have been an impact on the human rights of the inhabitants of such places and areas as a consequence of environmental damage or change and publishing or otherwise disseminating the useful results of such research. ## **2. The relief of poverty, distress or suffering in any part of the world by appropriate charitable assistance (whether medical, rehabilitative, financial or other assistance) to victims of:** - Breaches of human rights - Any public calamity (including famine, earthquake or pestilence) - War or civil disturbance - The immediate or continuing effects of lack of natural or other resources, or - Any other cause of poverty distress or suffering ## **3. Such exclusively charitable objects and purposes in any part of the world as the Trustees may in their discretion think fit.** ## **IV. RESOLUTION ADOPTED BY THE TRUSTEES** _‘The Trustees consider the primary purpose_ [of the BJHRF] _as protecting and promoting human rights. They recognise the devastating impact of climate change on present and future generations, according to the United Nations Human Rights Council Resolution 7/23._ _The Trustees consider that human rights and climate change are inextricably connected and the Bianca Jagger Human Rights Foundation is ideally placed to highlight this relationship in furtherance of its object of promoting human rights._ _The Trustees resolve that they will use their powers to highlight the impact on human rights as a consequence of climate change and promote the human rights of the individuals concerned by placing them prominently before governments,_ 6 _policymakers, international institutions, non-governmental organisations, corporations and the general public._ _We have been advised that adopting an approach of this kind falls not only in the primary purpose of the charity under clause 2 but also in the wider Charitable Objects that we may pursue at our discretion under clause 2.2.3 of the Trust Deed.’_ ## **V. BJHRF EXECUTIVE SUMMARY** **Throughout 2022 - 2023** the BJHRF has carried out the following activities to further its charitable purposes as set out in the BJHRF: ## **VI. NICARAGUA:** _“No-one shall be subjected to torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment"_ in the name of justice, as stipulated in **Article Five of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights** . [2] This report documents and highlights the systematic persecution of the Catholic Church in Nicaragua, with particular emphasis on the case of Monsignor Rolando José Álvarez, Bishop of the Diocese of Matagalpa, which exemplifies the broader pattern of religious persecution under the Ortega-Murillo regime. ## **I. DOCUMENTED VIOLATIONS:** ## 1.1 **Extrajudicial Executions, Arbitrary Detentions, Torture, Forced Exile and Arbitrary Deprivation of Citizenship** Bishop Rolando Jose Álvarez has been subjected to arbitrary detention, subsequently sentenced to 26 years and 4 months of imprisonment through proceedings that failed to meet international standards for a fair trial. The detention and sentencing constitute clear violations of Articles 9 and 14 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. [3] ## 1.2 **Conditions of Detention** Political prisoners, including religious leaders, are being subjected to systematic torture, prolonged isolation, denial of adequate medical care. All conditions that constitute cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment under international law. The penitentiary and judicial authorities of the Ortega and Murillo regime are in breach of the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of 7 Prisoners [4], also known as the Nelson Mandela Rules. In the case of Bishop Rolando Álvarez, the regime failed to comply with their obligation to report his fate and whereabouts, and to allow him to communicate with his family. ## **II. LEGAL ANALYSIS:** The documented patterns of persecution constitute crimes against humanity under Article 7 of the Rome Statute, characterized by: - Systematic nature of attacks against religious institutions - Widespread targeting of religious leaders and the faithful - State policy of suppression of religious freedom ## **III. BROADER CONTEXT:** The persecution of the Catholic Church occurs within a broader campaign of repression, including: - Systematic dismantling of independent institutions - Suppression of civil society organizations - Targeted persecution of journalists and peaceful opposition - Creation of a climate of fear and intimidation ## **IV. RECOMMENDATIONS:** The international community is called upon to: - Demand the immediate and unconditional release of Bishop Rolando Jose Álvarez and all political prisoners - Implement targeted sanctions against individuals and institutions responsible for these violations - Establish international monitoring mechanisms - Support documentation efforts of human rights violations - Maintain diplomatic pressure for the restoration of fundamental rights ## **POLITICAL REPRESSION IN NICARAGUA** Between April 2022 - April 2023, the escalating political repression in Nicaragua remained one of the central focuses of the BJHRF. We raised awareness about the serious, systematic human-rights violations, which amount to crimes against 8 humanity. The BJHRF documented crimes perpetrated by the Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo regime. Acording to the report by the **UN Group of Human Rights Experts on Nicaragua (GHREN)** [5] , “Widespread human rights violations that amount to crimes against humanity are being committed against civilians by Nicaragua’s Government for political reasons" in this report [5] the GHREN, calls for the international community to impose sanctions on institutions or individuals involved; they found that alleged abuses – which include “extrajudicial executions, arbitrary detentions, torture, arbitrary deprivation of nationality and of the right to remain in one's own country – are not an isolated phenomenon but the product of the deliberate dismantling of democratic institutions and destruction of civic and democratic space.” "These violations and abuses are being perpetrated in a widespread and systematic manner for political reasons, constituting the crimes against humanity of murder, imprisonment, torture, including sexual violence, deportation, and politically motivated persecution” said Jan-Michael Simon, Chair of GHREN. “The Nicaraguan population lives in fear of the actions that the Government itself may take against them.” The objective of the BJHRF is to build a case against the despotic tyranny of Ortega and Murillo, to make them accountable for their widespread and systematic violations of human rights, amounting to crimes against humanity, before an international court of justice. That is why the reports of the GHREN [5] , Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR)[6] , Interdisciplinary Group of Independent Experts for Nicaragua (GIEI)[7] , Amnesty International[8] , Human Rights Watch [9] and other reputable organisations have been invaluable to the work of the BJHRF. The GHREN has extensively documented and concluded that widespread and systematic human rights violations - amounting to crimes against humanity - are being committed against civilians by Ortega and Murillo. One of their main objectives is to build a case to hold them accountable before an international court of justice. _"These violations and abuses are being perpetrated in a widespread and systematic manner for political reasons, constituting the crimes against humanity of murder, imprisonment, torture, including sexual violence, deportation, and politically motivated persecution… “The Nicaraguan population lives in fear of the actions that the Government itself may take against them”_ - **Jan-Michael Simon, Chair of GHREN** ## **HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL 52[ND] SESSION** 9 The UN Group of Human Rights Experts on Nicaragua (GHREN) presented their detailed conclusion [10] , which documented crimes against humanity in their report[10] . Their findings were summarised in a press release [11] presented at the Human Rights Council 52[nd] Session on 2 March 2023. _"The high authorities of the Government [of Nicaragua] have managed to instrumentalise the Executive, Legislative, Judicial, and Electoral Branches to develop and implement a legal framework aimed at repressing the exercise of fundamental freedoms and persecuting opposing persons. The objective is to eliminate, by different means, any opposition in the country”_ - **Jan Michael Simon, Chair of GHREN** The report “identified a pattern of extrajudicial executions carried out by agents of the National Police and members of pro-government armed groups who acted in a joint and coordinated manner during protests that took place between 18 April and 23 September 2018. The Government obstructed any investigation regarding these and other deaths.” The report also said “agents of the police and the National Penitentiary System and members of pro-government armed groups committed acts of physical and psychological torture, including sexual and gender-based violence (GBV) in the context of the apprehension, interrogation, and detention of opponents.” In addition, the report found that “the Government has used arbitrary detention as a tool to silence critics. Many arrests were characterised by excessive use of force by the police and violence at the hands of pro-government armed groups; many people were detained without warrants and held incommunicado” PRESS RELEASE - Nicaragua: Crimes against humanity being committed against civilians for political reasons, investigation says | OHCHR [12] ## **Documented Crimes Against Humanity:** - Arbitrary detentions and extrajudicial executions - Over 355 protesters killed since 2018 - Systematic repression and persecution of dissidents - Forced mass exodus (10% of population) "The Ortega-Murillo regime has orchestrated the systematic killing of over 355 protesters since 2018, demonstrating a calculated pattern of brutality that meets the threshold for crimes against humanity under international law." **On State Power Abuse:** "Through the deliberate centralisation of state powers, President Ortega and Vice President Murillo have transformed Nicaragua's 10 institutions into instruments of repression, creating a machinery of persecution where judicial independence has been completely dismantled." "The regime's brutality has forced an unprecedented 10% of Nicaragua's population to flee their homeland - a mass exodus that represents not just statistics, but shattered families, lost livelihoods, and broken communities." **Current State of Affairs:** - Centralisation of state powers under President Ortega and Vice-President Murillo - Judicial impunity - Targeting of family members of opponents - Dismantling of autonomous institutions "The targeted assault on the Catholic Church represents a systematic attempt to silence any independent voice of moral authority in Nicaragua, with clergy members facing persecution, imprisonment, and forced exile." **International Response:** - UN Human Rights Expert Group (GHREN) called for judicial investigation - The international community was urged to hold Nicaragua accountable - Need for increased refugee protection - Support for independent media **The Judiciary Branch: “** The lack of independence of the judicial system, which includes both the jurisdictional bodies and the auxiliary bodies of the Judiciary, constitutes one of the structural factors that have contributed to the human rights violations and abuses identified by the GHREN. The misuse of the justice system to prosecute the exercise of fundamental freedoms and the prevailing impunity for serious human rights violations not only constitute violations of the right to access to justice but have also facilitated the perpetuation and escalation of other violations and abuses.” ## **Religious Persecution Documentation** - Presented detailed evidence of systematic persecution of the Catholic Church - Highlighted the specific case of Monsignor Rolando Jose Álvarez's arbitrary detention - Documented patterns of repressive measures against religious institutions ## **Systemic Human Rights Violations** 11 - Detailed the methodical dismantling of civil society organizations - Presented evidence of intensified repression against dissenting voices - Documented patterns of arbitrary detentions and political imprisonments ## **International Response Mechanisms** - Implementation of targeted diplomatic measures - Enhanced multilateral sanctions frameworks - Immediate release of political prisoners - Protection mechanisms for religious freedom ## **Recommended Actions** - Implementation of robust monitoring mechanisms - Enhanced documentation of ongoing violations - Establishment of protection measures for at-risk individuals - Strengthened support for civil society actors ## **GHREN Report** Report of the Group of Human Rights Experts on Nicaragua [5] ## **GHREN Detailed Conclusion** Detailed conclusions of the Group of Human Rights Experts on Nicaragua (GHREN) [10] ## **GHREN Press Release** - Nicaragua Crimes against humanity are being committed by the Ortega Murillo regime against civillians for political reasons, investigation says. [12] ## **VII. VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS** _“Violence against women is one of the most prevalent human rights violations in the world. It happens in every country, at every level of society. Until recently, most governments have considered violence against women to be a relatively minor social problem. Today… violence against women is recognized as a global concern. One of the most pervasive violations of human rights in all societies, it exists on a continuum from violence perpetrated by an_ 12 _intimate partner to violence as a weapon of war. Violence against women is a major threat to social and economic development”._ - **Bianca Jagger, Longford Trust, 21st November 2013** [24] Since the establishment of the BJHRF in 2005, ending violence against women and girls and addressing the pervasive culture of impunity has been a cornerstone of our mission. We have focused our attention on the most egregious manifestations of **genderbased violence (GBV)** and its systemic underpinnings, particularly those rooted in widespread gender discrimination and violations of international human rights law. We have denounced in both public and private spheres violence against women and girls including acts of physical, sexual, and psychological abuse, as well as structural issues such as gender inequality, pay disparities, and institutional misogyny. We have given special attention to how these violations impact other rights, such as the right to safety, health, education, and equal participation in society. The broader societal impacts of GBV, including its perpetuation through media, justice systems and economic inequities, were also documented as part of a comprehensive approach to understanding and addressing this pressing issue. **Between April 2022 and April 2023, the global landscape for women’s rights experienced both advancements and setbacks, particularly concerning domestic violence and discrimination. While some nations implemented progressive legislation and initiatives, systemic challenges and underfunding continued to hinder significant progress.** ## **Progress and Positive Developments** ## **1. Legislative Reforms** Several countries enacted laws to protect women from domestic violence and sexual harassment: - In 2023, **Lesotho** , **Togo** , and **Uzbekistan** introduced legislation addressing various forms of domestic violence. - **Armenia** , **Equatorial Guinea** , **Jordan** , **Moldova** , and **Suriname** enacted laws targeting sexual harassment in employment. 13 However, it is important to note that: - Over 60% of countries still lack rape laws [25] based on the principle of consent. - Less than half of the global female population [26] is protected by laws against cyber harassment. ## **2. Political Representation** Women’s participation in politics saw modest gains: - As of 1 January 2024, women held 26.9% of seats in national parliaments [ 27], an increase of 4.6%, up from 22.3% in 2015. - Six countries achieved or surpassed 50% representation of women in their lower or single parliamentary chambers [28],: **Rwanda** , **Cuba** , **Mexico** , **Namibia** , **Andorra** , and the **United Arab Emirates (UAE)** . ## **3. Economic Participation** Women’s involvement in the workforce showed some improvement: - In 2023, women occupied 28.2% of managerial positions [29], . - globally - **International Equal Pay Day** - World Economic Forum [30] published 4 charts showing how women’s economic participation has regressed. In her 2023 Global Gender Gap Report [31], World Economic Forum Managing Director Saadia Zahidi concluded that “women’s economic participation has regressed rather than recovered” since the pandemic. - As reported by UN Women [32], In sub-Saharan Africa, there are 27% of women legislators [33], followed by Eastern and South-Eastern Asia with 23.5%, Oceania with 20%, Northern Africa and Western Asia with 19% and Central and Southern Asia with 17% of women Members of Parliament. - Sub-Saharan Africa demonstrated notable progress, achieving a 38% representation of women in managerial roles in 2022. 14 ## **Ongoing Challenges and Setbacks** ## **1. Prevalence of Violence Against Women** Violence against women and girls remains a widespread and alarming issue. “The harm cost to victims and society by violence against women and girls (VAWG) in all of its forms – including but not limited to harassment, stalking, rape, soul, murder, owner – based abuse, coercive control – is immensurable“. https://www.npcc.police.uk/our-work/violence-against-women-and-girls/ [34] - In 2022, nearly 89,000 women and girls were murdered [35], the highest annual figure recorded in the past two decades. - Approximately 55% of these killings [36] were perpetrated by intimate partners or family members. - A women is killed by a man every three days in the UK. In the year ending March 2023, police recorded 103,135 rape and serious sexual offences (Femicide Census)[37]. ## **2. Underfunding of Prevention Efforts** Financial commitments to prevent violence against women are insufficient: - Less than 0.2% of Official Development Assistance (ODA)[38] is directed towards the prevention of violence against women and girls. - Only 27 countries [39] have comprehensive systems to track and allocate budgets for gender equality and women’s empowerment. ## **3. Discriminatory Laws and Practices** Many countries maintain laws and social norms that discriminate against women: - Over 60% of countries [40] lack rape laws based on consent. - 139 countries [41]do not have adequate legislation prohibiting child marriage. ## **4. Economic Inequality** 15 Women continue to face economic disparities: - Globally, women earn 23% less [42] than men. UN News [43] - Women perform 2.5 times more [44] unpaid domestic and care work than men, limiting their economic opportunities. ## **Conclusion** While there have been strides in legislative reforms and increased political participation for women globally between 2022 and 2023, significant obstacles persist. The prevalence of violence against women and girls, underfunding of prevention initiatives, and enduring discriminatory laws underscore the need for sustained and comprehensive efforts to advance gender equality. _“Although conditions for women… have improved… gender equality is far from achieved. We have almost achieved equal pay in some countries… but we still face unconscionable levels of discrimination and violence against women.” -_ Bianca Jagger, Longford Trust, London, 21 November 2013. [45] To support the BJHRF’s campaign towards ending Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and the culture of impunity, we have: - Partnered with United Nations agencies, NGOs and think tanks - Documented violations of women’s rights - Engaged with government officials to advocate for systemic change - Participated in conferences, seminars, and global events - Published essays, articles, and opinion pieces on women’s rights issues - Conducted interviews with national and international media - Raised awareness of GBV on social media platforms and through digital media ## **VIII. Climate Emergency** Our planet is facing unprecedented challenges requiring immediate and decisive action. Climate change is not just an environmental issue - it has become an existential threat that endangers lives, livelihoods, and ecosystems across the globe. Addressing climate justice remains a paramount concern for us at the BJHRF, as climate change is inextricably linked to human rights. Millions of people, particularly the most vulnerable, face devastating consequences if this crisis continues to be ignored. ## **Climate Justice** 16 _“We need to keep fossil fuels in the ground and embark upon radical reforms to our model of development, encompassing principles of justice, respect for human rights, good governance, accountability, and environmental protection. Climate change is the overriding moral imperative of our time. It is not just an environmental threat but also a critical human-rights issue that impacts every aspect of our lives: peace, security, poverty, hunger, health, mass migration, and economics” -_ **Bianca Jagger, The Guardian.** The BJHRF holds companies involved in fossil-fuel extraction to account for their role in exacerbating the climate crisis and governments and policy makers for failing to meet their climate commitments. ## **Recommendations from the Bianca Jagger Human Rights Foundation - Climate Justice, Renewable Energy, and Indigenous Rights (2022–2023)** _“There is no time to debate half-measures any longer. The period in which they may have been effective has long passed. We have experienced an industrial revolution. We have experienced a technological revolution. It will take a global renewable energy revolution, similar in scale and consequence to those two, to avert catastrophe.”_ - **Bianca Jagger Climate Change ‘ - Speech at the US Congress Blowing in the Wind: Renewable Energy as the Answer to an Economy Adrift’ (2008)** ## **1. Declare the Climate Crisis a Human Rights Emergency and:** - Call on governments worldwide to adopt the Climate Emergency Declaration. - Call on the UN Human Rights Council and member states to officially recognise the climate crisis as a global human rights emergency, requiring urgent and coordinated action. - Advocate for legal recognition of the climate crisis as a violation of fundamental human rights, including the right to life, health, housing, food, and cultural survival, especially for marginalised communities and indigenous people - a critical step towards effective climate action and global justice. - Call on all signatories to the Paris Agreement to submit new and more ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) in line with their obligations under the Paris Agreement so as to ensure that the goal of limiting global warming to no more than 1.5°C can be met. As the UN says: “Current commitments fall far short of what is needed to limit the global 17 temperature rise to 1.5° degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and avoid the worst impacts of climate change. It is critical that countries deliver more ambitious NDCs to ensure a safer future for people everywhere.” ## **2. Advance Climate Justice through a Legally Binding Mechanism** Support and amplify climate-litigation efforts that hold governments and fossilfuel companies accountable for climate harms, such as: - The case of _Shell_ in the Netherlands. - The Youth-led lawsuits (e.g. Held v. Montana, USA). ## **3. Support a Just and Equitable Transition to Renewable Energy** We urge governments to: - Phase out fossil-fuel subsidies and redirect them to renewable infrastructure, green jobs, and frontline communities. - Prioritize community-owned renewable energy projects, especially in lowincome regions. - Endorse a global renewable-energy target that guarantees energy sovereignty. ## **4. Protect Indigenous Peoples and their Right to Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC)** - Demand that all climate policies and projects respect the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), particularly Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC). - " - Oppose extractive industries, including those related to renewable projects" like lithium or cobalt mining that violate land rights or spiritual practices of Indigenous peoples. _“Indigenous Peoples do not seek to exploit their environment, but live in harmony with it. They are the natural custodians of the land they live in, eat, work and pray on. We in the developed world should take note of their wisdom.”_ - **Bianca Jagger** ## **5. Establish a Global Climate-Reparations Fund.** Call for a “loss and damage” financing mechanism to compensate countries and communities disproportionately affected by climate disasters (as agreed at COP27). Advocate that this fund be financed by: 18 - Historic polluters. - Fossil fuel corporations. - Wealthy nations with the highest cumulative emissions. ## **6. Guarantee the Right to Participation, Information and Environmental Justice** - Urge full implementation of the Escazú Agreement in Latin America and the Caribbean, to protect environmental defenders and ensure access to environmental information and justice. - Call for similar legal frameworks in Africa and Asia. ## **The Rights of Present and Future Generations** The BJHRF aims to bring the rights of present and future generations to the centre of policy-making, and to develop a legal binding mechanism that will hold CEOs, and management of companies accountable for grave human-rights abuses and irreparable environmental destruction. - Multinationals are failing to live up to their responsibility. They operate in a culture of corporate impunity. - There is also collusion between companies and nations in the developed world: incestuous relationships between multinational corporations and governments which undermine the commitment of states to protect their citizens and the environment. - We need to set global standards of accountability for corporations and legal mechanisms to enforce them. If we believe in justice and human rights, we need to set global standards of accountability for corporations and we need legal mechanisms to enforce them. There are a wealth of international agreements protecting multinational corporations’ business interests, but there are very few instruments which seek to protect local communities and the environment from the potentially harmful consequences of multinational corporation’s activities. At the BJHRF, we documented the latest government’s policies and their impacts on global warming, the developments in climate science, with the objective of informing the general public of the scale of the climate crisis and its implications. We utilised digital and social media through platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn, to mobilise public support and advocate for environmental justice. 19 ## **THE BONN CHALLENGE** _"I can’t emphasise enough that the Bonn Challenge has great power to effect change at every level of society. By restoring degraded and deforested landscapes, governments, companies, organisations, and private landowners are providing a cornucopia of benefits and contributing to achieving diverse national and international objectives. It will benefit people everywhere, including the world’s poorest and most vulnerable, by creating jobs, stable water supplies, and more climate-resilient crops. With the Bonn Challenge, we can plant the seeds for a healthier planet. Seeds that will grow, save lives, and inject billions into the world’s economies.”_ - **Bianca Jagger, Bonn Challenge** Bianca Jagger has been an ardent supporter of the **Bonn Challenge** , a global goal aimed at restoring **350 million hectares** of degraded and deforested landscapes by 2030. She became Ambassador of the Bonn Challenge in 2012 and has tirelessly championed its vision, emphasizing its potential to bring transformative benefits to societies and ecosystems worldwide. In September 2011, world leaders launched the Bonn Challenge, to restore **150 million hectares** of degraded landscapes and forestlands worldwide by 2020. Three years later, the New York Declaration on Forests (NYDF) adopted a new global goal and extended it to restore an additional 200 million hectares by 2030. Together, these initiatives represent a ‘goal continuum’ of **350 million hectares** . Ms. Jagger has highlighted that the Bonn Challenge has the power to: - Restore degraded land, thus creating jobs and bolstering climate resilience. - Strengthen water supplies and promote food security by supporting stable and climate-resilient crops. - Provide wide-reaching economic benefits, particularly to the world’s poorest communities. Through this initiative, the BJHRF advocates for global cooperation and concrete action to mitigate the effects of climate change and ensure a sustainable future. ## **IX. BJHRF Call to Abolish Death Penalty** _“I have witnessed the State machinery of death at work, selectively killing people because they are poor, a minority and cannot afford adequate legal counsel. The death penalty is unfair, arbitrary and capricious often based on jurisprudence fraught with racial discrimination and judicial bias. Clemency should have a proper role in correcting legal mistakes in an imperfect system.”_ - **Bianca Jagger, The Huffington Post** 20 A central mission of the BJHRF has been to advocate for the **worldwide abolition of capital punishment** . We have produced **detailed reports** and **infographics** denouncing the barbaric application of capital punishment in **the United States** , in **Iran,** among many other countries. The reports exposes: The death penalty is not just a legal issue; it’s a profound moral failing. It disproportionately affects marginalized communities, lacks deterrent value, and, once carried out, is irreversible. The arbitrary and unjust application of the death penalty, selectively killing people because they are poor, a member of a minority and cannot afford adequate legal counsel. The inhumane nature of **capital punishment** is incompatibility with international human-rights standards. In 2022-2023, a number of nations continued the barbaric and inhuman practice of executing their citizens: China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, US, Iraq, Yemen, Egypt, Bangladesh, Kuwait, Singapore, Indonesia, Afghanistan, North Korea, Syria, Somalia, Pakistan, India, Nigeria and Vietnam. Executions Around the World | Death Penalty Information Center According to Amnesty International, the global use of capital punishment surged alarmingly between 2022 and 2023. In 2023 alone, at least 1,153 people were executed in 16 countries, marking a 31% increase over the previous year. Iran was responsible for the majority, with 853 executions—many for non-lethal drug offenses and disproportionately targeting ethnic minorities such as the Baluch. Saudi Arabia executed at least 172 people, while Somalia recorded a sixfold increase. In the United States, 24 people were executed in 2023, up from 18 in 2022. Some states reintroduced firing squads and nitrogen gas - methods that reflect a regressive and barbaric approach to justice. The U.S. remains the only country in the Americas still carrying out executions, a stark outlier among democratic nations. The BJHRF, has exposed the systemic injustice inherent to capital-punishment justice systems in the US, Iran, and has raised public attention about egregious cases of prisoners facing execution in other countries. ## **The Death Penalty in the United States** The death penalty is a ‘cruel and unusual’ punishment that violates the Eighth Amendment of the US Constitution. 21 The US remains one of the few Western democracies that continues to employ the death penalty. In 2023, executions were carried out and several states introduced or expanded methods of execution, including firing squads and nitrogen gas. This persistence is deeply concerning, especially given the documented cases of wrongful convictions. Since 1973, at least 200 individuals have been exonerated from death row in the U.S., underscoring the fallibility of the justice system. “The death penalty carries the inherent risk of executing an innocent person. Since 1973, at least 200 people who were wrongly convicted and sentenced to death in the US have been exonerated” - **Death Penalty Information Center** According to the Death Penalty Information Centre, only 5 states conducted executions in the US: Texas (8), Florida (6), Missouri (4), Oklahoma (4), and Alabama (2), and 7 states - Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Louisiana, North Carolina, and Texas imposed new death sentences in 2023, the lowest number of states in 20 years. For the first time, more Americans believe the death penalty is administered unfairly than fairly. The Death Penalty in 2023: Year End Report ## **Death Penalty in Iran** **2022: Political Executions and Continued Drug-Related Deaths in Iran** In 2022, political prisoners were increasingly targeted by the death penalty. The regime continued to execute individuals accused of anti-government activities. **April 2022:** There were reports of Iran executing more than 300 people during 2022, with a significant number for non-political crimes, including drug trafficking. Iran's use of the death penalty for drug-related offenses continued despite reforms in 2017 aimed at curbing such executions. Amnesty International, 2022 **2023:** Execution of Protesters and Repression Intensified. In 2023, Iran saw a sharp uptick in executions, particularly for individuals accused of involvement in the protests that erupted in September 2022 after the death of Mahsa Amini. **September 2023:** Amid the one-year anniversary of the protests, Iran executed more than 20 individuals, including several young men who had participated in the protests. Many were accused of crimes that were politically motivated, such as spreading corruption on earth. Human Rights Watch, 2023 22 ## **Key Events:** - **January 2023:** Iran executed Mohammad Mehdi Karami and Mohammad Hosseini, both involved in the protests, bringing international condemnation. These executions were part of a broader crackdown on those accused of protest-related offenses. They were executed on charges including corruption on earth and enmity against God. - **February 2023:** In February, Iran executed Javad Rouhi, another individual linked to the 2022 protests, and other detainees connected to protest movements. His execution, alongside others, drew condemnation from both the EU and human rights organizations, who condemned Iran’s use of capital punishment to quell dissent. Amnesty International, 2023 - **March 2023:** By the first quarter of 2023, Iran had executed over 100 people, with an increasing proportion related to protest activities. The execution of protesters was condemned as a violation of international human rights standards. United Nations Human Rights Office, 2023 ## **Conclusion** From 2020 to 2025, Iran has maintained a high rate of executions, particularly targeting political dissidents, individuals involved in protests, and those accused of serious criminal offenses like drug trafficking. Despite some reform in drugrelated laws, the death penalty remains a key tool used by the government to suppress political opposition and dissent. References: - Human Rights Watch - Amnesty International - BBC News - United Nations Human Rights Office ## **BJHRF Infographics on the Death Penalty** 23 ## **Link to death penalty infographics:** Gary Graham infographic: https://www.instagram.com/p/CQlVRSNnJpC/?igsh=MWo0cGFybWoyN251bA= = ‘We Must Abolish the Death Penalty’: https://www.instagram.com/p/CO07E1arieA/?igsh=emtoOWZ5amZjdjZ2 Iran Human Rights Monitor infographic: https://www.instagram.com/p/DA7aJlqoTQb/?igsh=MWw0cXdqa3Z0ZGoyYQ== 24 Targeting of ethnic minority groups: https://www.instagram.com/p/DA7aJlqoTQb/?igsh=MWw0cXdqa3Z0ZGoyYQ== ## **Bianca Jagger - Council of Europe Goodwill Ambassador for the Abolition of the Death Penalty** In addition to her role as President of the **BJHRF** , Ms. Jagger serves as **Council of Europe Goodwill Ambassador for the Abolition of the Death Penalty** . She has been a lifelong advocate for human rights, the rule of law and has spent decades campaigning for justice throughout the world, calling for the worldwide abolition of the death penalty. She has long echoed the words of the Council of Europe (COE) that: - “ - As stated in the Preamble to Protocol No. 13 to the European Convention - on Human Rights, concerning the abolition of the death penalty in all circumstances, ‘everyone’s right to life is a basic value in a democratic society and […] the abolition of the death penalty is essential for the protection of this right and for the full recognition of the inherent dignity of all human beings’” “ - We must double down on our efforts to eradicate the death penalty, - which is a relic of the past, a barbaric and inhuman practice that has no place in modern society.” Let us be clear - capital punishment does not deter crime. What it does is perpetuate injustice, selectively killing people because they are poor, a minority and cannot afford adequate legal counsel. It is time for the international community to demand abolition, not reform, not reduction, but abolition of the death penalty, once and for all. The death penalty is a violation of the most fundamental human right - the right to life. It is irrevocable, and no justice system is free from error. The death penalty is a cruel, inhuman, and degrading punishment, incompatible with human rights and human dignity. The world must say, with one voice: No more killing in our name. _“The death penalty is an affront to human dignity. It constitutes cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment and is contrary to the right to life. The death penalty has no established deterrent effect and it makes judicial errors irreversible.”_ – **Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland (2009 - 2019) and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini (2014 - 2019).** 25 ## **I Witnessed the Execution of an Innocent Man - The Case of Gary Graham** **22 June 2000** - Ms. Jagger witnessed the execution of Gary Graham, who wanted to be known as Shaka Sankofa. He was 17, a minor, when he was sentenced to death. He spent 19 years on death row for a crime that time and time again, he denied committing. Graham was sentenced to death for the murder of Bobby Lambert. The prosecutors based the case solely on the strength of Bernardine Skillern’s eyewitness testimony, who claimed to have seen Graham “for a matter of 1.5 minutes” at night, in a dark parking lot, from behind the windshield of her car, 30 – 40 meters away. There were many disturbing doubts about Graham's alleged crime and no compelling evidence that linked him to the murder. There was no physical or circumstantial evidence, no fingerprints or weapons linking him to the murder of Bobby Lambert. Ms. Jagger believed that he was innocent. _“Gazing through a Plexiglas window, I could see Gary Graham minutes before he was executed by lethal injection. He was handcuffed to a hospital trolley and his body was covered by a sheet, with bruises evident on his upper arm. It reminded me of a modern-day cross. I was terrified at the thought of witnessing an execution. His forehead was restrained by a leather strap and he had to strain his head to look at us. His look was intense. Suddenly, he began to speak. He knew they would be his last words on earth: "I'm an innocent black man that is being murdered. What is happening here is an outrage for any civilised country". It was at that point that I broke down and I put my hands and face on the glass. I was just four feet away. This was a traumatising experience that I will never forget.”_ - **Bianca Jagger** His last words were a chilling reminder of the racial prejudice and bitter injustice that pervades the American judicial system. It is a place where life, liberty and happiness are all too often replaced by the pursuit of death, imprisonment and hatred. 26 There is no such thing as a humane execution. Every execution, no matter the method, is an act of premeditated and cold-blooded state sanctioned murder ## **Prominent Individuals that Condemned the Death Penalty Throughout History** ## **1. Justice Harry A. Blackmun (USA, 1994)** _**“From this day forward, I shall no longer tinker with the machinery of death.”**_ In his dissenting opinion in _Callins v. Collins_ , Justice Blackmun, a former death penalty supporter, declared he would no longer participate in capital cases, recognizing systemic flaws in its application. _(Callins v. Collins, 510 U.S. 1141, 1994)_ ## **2. Justice Thurgood Marshall (USA, 1972)** ## _**“The death penalty, I concluded, is a cruel and unusual punishment prohibited by the Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments.”**_ Justice Marshall concurring opinion in Furman v. Georgia (1972) - Furman v. Georgia, 408 U.S. 238, 153 (1972) ## **3. Pope John Paul II (USA, 1999)** ## _**“The dignity of human life must never be taken away, even in the case of someone who has done great evil.”**_ Pope John Paul II Homily at the Papal Mass in the Trans World Dome, St. Louis, Missouri, January 27, 1999 ## **4. Victor Hugo (France, 1848)** ## _**“The death penalty is the special and eternal sign of barbarism.”**_ 27 ## _**“Wherever the death penalty is used, barbarism prevails; wherever the death penalty is rare, civilisation reigns.”**_ Victor Hugo was a fervent opponent of the death penalty. These are quotes from the speech he delivered to France’s Assemblée Nationale Constituante on 15 September 1848. He campaigned vigorously against executions in France and abroad. ## **5. Voltaire (France, 1747)** _**“It is better to risk saving a guilty person than to condemn an innocent one.” -**_ Voltaire, _Zadig_ , 1747 Voltaire was an Enlightenment writer and philosopher who used his literary work to critique society and explore themes such as liberty, progress, equality, science and religious tolerance. ## **6. Albert Camus (France, 1957)** ## _**“The death penalty is the most premeditated of murders.”**_ From his 1957 essay _Reflections on the Guillotine_ , Camus criticized capital punishment as a moral contradiction of state justice. ## **7. Robert Badinter (France, 1981)** _**“Tomorrow, thanks to you, France’s justice will no longer be a justice that kills.”**_ Spoken at the Assemblée Nationale before the vote to abolish the death penalty. Robert Badinter, then Minister of Justice, led the abolition reform under President Mitterrand. (September 17, 1981) ## **Conclusion: Progress and Hope** Despite these setbacks, there is hope. The number of countries abolishing the death penalty continues to grow. By the end of 2023, 112 countries had abolished it in law, and 144 were abolitionist in law or practice . The resurgence of the death penalty in 2022 and 2023 is a clarion call for renewed global commitment to its abolition. We must recognize that the death penalty is not a tool of justice but a symptom of a flawed system. 28 Let us honor the memory of those wrongfully executed and work tirelessly to ensure that no more lives are unjustly taken. The time to abolish the death penalty is now. ## **X. SOCIAL AND DIGITAL MEDIA** Between **April 2022 - April 2023** , the BJHRF harnessed the power of social media and digital media to raise awareness about critical issues, including human rights, women’s and children’s rights, climate change, environmental justice, and the death penalty. The BJHRF has long recognized the invaluable role of social media and digital media for documenting and exposing human rights abuses and holding perpetrators accountable for genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. The BJHRF uses social media networks such as Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram as key tools to inform, mobilize, and motivate action among global audiences. By using these social media platforms strategically, the BJHRF has expanded its outreach, built awareness, and fostered international solidarity on issues ranging from political repression to the climate emergency, ensuring that human rights and environmental justice remain at the forefront of global discourse. Through our multifaceted campaigns on social media, the BJHRF continues to promote human rights, champion the rights of women and girls, the climate crisis and social justice - leveraging our voice to hold governments, corporations, and non-governmental organisations accountable and advocate for the abolition of the death penalty. ## **XI. ACTIVITIES OF THE PRESIDENT** ## **Bianca Jagger’s Travels on Behalf of the BJHRF** Ms. Jagger, on behalf of the BJHRF, engaged with politicians, diplomats, members of civil society and media to draw urgent attention to the escalating political repression and the human-rights crisis in Nicaragua, under the Ortega-Murillo regime. Ms. Jagger's efforts focused on exposing the regime's brutal repression, the persecution of the Catholic Church and advocating for the release of all political prisoners, and mobilising international action to hold Nicaragua's leadership accountable. 29 Ms. Jagger, on behalf of the BJHRF, traveled to the US and various European countries including France, Switzerland and Belgium to raise awareness about the deteriorating human rights situation in Nicaragua. During her visits, she testified before two US Congressional hearings, met with members of Congress, politicians, diplomats, UN officials, members of civil society, and the international media. In Europe, she testified before the European Parliament, met with MEPs, politicians, members of civil society and the international media. Advocating for Change: Bianca Jagger's Plea for Support from Paris Mayor Anne Hildago and Councilor Genevive Garrigos [13] **28 September 2022** - Ms. Jagger, representing the Bianca Jagger Human Rights Foundation (BJHRF), met with Mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo and Paris Councillor Genevieve Garrigos. The objective of the visit was to seek the Mayor's support for the Nicaraguan people, the political prisoners and the Catholic Church. During her meeting, she highlighted the systematic and grave human rights violations, amounting to crimes against humanity, being perpetrated by the tyrannical Ortega-Murillo regime in Nicaragua. Ms. Jagger highlighted the regime's virulent persecution of opposition leaders, members of the private sector, human rights defenders, students, poor farmers (campesinos) and the regime’s crackdown of civil society institutions and independent media organisations. Ms. Jagger also provided evidence of the regime's persecution of the Catholic Church and clergy members; she expressed her deep concern for the case of Bishop Rolando Jose Álvarez, who at the time was subjected to arbitrary detention, abduction and placed under house arrest for 56 days. 30 She emphasised the necessity for robust, effective and coordinated international sanctions to formally condemn the crimes against humanity and systematic and grave human rights violations being perpetrated by the Ortega-Murillo regime. **25 November - 10 December 2022 -** Ms. Jagger supported Care International [14] on their social media campaign for the ‘16 Days of Activism’. She published on her social media platforms posts recommending people to read Margaret Atwood’s _The Handmaid’s Tale_ , as an “example of the abuse of women happening somewhere in the world”. **27 November - 1 December 2022** – Ms. Jagger visited Paris to garner support for political Prisoners in Nicaragua. During her visit, Ms. Jagger conducted a series of strategic meetings with prominent French politicians and members of the French National Assembly. Throughout these engagements, she presented compelling evidence of the grave human rights violations, amounting to crimes against humanity, perpetrated by the dictatorial Ortega-Murillo regime. She urged members of the French government and the national assembly to demand that the Ortega-Murillo regime: Release, immediately and unconditionally, all political prisoners, including 2 French citizens, Jeaninne Horvilleur and her daughter Ana Alvarez who were detained and charged with false allegations of conspiracy and spreading fake news. End repression, allow free elections, freedom of the press, religion or belief and restore democracy and the rule of law in Nicaragua. 31 ## **List of Bianca Jagger’s Meetings During Paris Visit:** **28 November 2022: Michèle Ramis** , Director of the Americas and the Caribbean, and Frédéric de Touchet, Chief of Mission for Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean, at the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs. **29 November - Yaël Braun-Pivet** , President of the National Assembly, **Manuel Valls,** former Prime Minister and **Carlos Fernado Chamorro** , Founder and Editor of Confidencial **29 November 2022: Éléonore Caroit,** Vice-President for the Commission on Foreign Affairs **and Éric Woerth** , Member of the National Assembly, State Secretary for State Reform, and former Minister of the Budget. **30 November 2023:** Ms Jagger met with Former **President François Hollande** and former **Prime Minister Manuel Valls** , both of whom expressed concern about the escalating crisis in Nicaragua. ## **Descriptions of the Paris Meetings** **28 November 2022** – Ms. Jagger met with French government officials **Michèle Ramis** , Director of the Americas and the Caribbean, and **Frédéric de Touchet** , Chief of Mission for Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean, at the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs. **28 November 2022** - Ms. Jagger attended a ceremony at the Sorbonne Nouvelle University in Paris, where imprisoned political leader **Dora Maria Tellez** was conferred a Doctorate Honoris Causa in absentia. Ms. Jagger used this platform to advocate for her immediate release and that of all political prisoners subjected to inhumane conditions of detention in Nicaragua. 32 **29 November 2022** - Ms. Jagger met with **Yaël Braun-Pivet** , President of the National Assembly, **Manuel Valls** , Former Prime Minister of France and **Carlos Carlos Fernando Chamorro** , Founder and Editor of Confidencial. 33 **29 November 2022** - She also met with **Éléonore Caroit** , Vice-President for the Commission on Foreign Affairs, **Éric Woerth** , Member of the National Assembly, State Secretary for State Reform and former Minister of the Budget, **Antoine Joly** , Former Ambassador to Nicaragua and Founder and Editor of Confidencial, **Carlos Fernando Chamorro** . Ms. Jagger appealed for their support [15] in denouncing the Ortega-Murillo regime’s **relentless persecution of the Catholic Church** and efforts to silence religious leaders, in particular **Bishop Rolando Jose Álvarez.** Ms. Jagger urged them to advocate for the release of all political prisoners in Nicaragua. 34 **----- Start of picture text -----**
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**29 November 2022** - Bianca Jagger was interviewed by **Marc Perelman** for France 24 [16] in English, Spanish and French. “The human rights defender Ms. Jagger continues her battle against the political repression of the Ortega regime in Nicaragua, where she was born. Several bishops and priests are incarcerated in Nicaragua, where the Catholic Church is suspected of supporting the opposition”. During her interview Ms. Jagger appealed to Pope Francis, urging him to “condemn” the acts of President Daniel Ortega and Vice President Rosario Murillo. She accused them of committing “crimes against humanity” and urged 35 the international community to “impose robust, effective and coordinated **----- Start of picture text -----**
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**30 November 2022** - Ms. Jagger met with Former **President François Hollande** and former **Prime Minister Manuel Valls** , both of whom expressed concern about the escalating crisis in Nicaragua. Also present was **Carlos Fernando Chamarro** , founder and editor of Confidencial. 36 **15 December 2022 - Bianca Jagger Testifies at the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission** [17] Ms. Jagger addressed the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission at a hearing titled “The Perilous State of Religious Freedom in Nicaragua” [18] .The session 37 was chaired by Rep. **Chris Smith** and Rep. **James McGovern** , co-chairs of the Commission, who emphasized the critical importance of addressing the escalating persecution in Nicaragua. In her testimony, Ms. Jagger presented a stark picture of the Ortega-Murillo regime’s systematic assault on religious freedoms. She outlined the targeting of Catholic bishops, priests, seminarians, Sisters of Charity and laity, describing it as an unprecedented attack on freedom of religion and freedom of conscience. Special focus was given to the plight of Bishop Rolando José Álvarez, whose imprisonment and mistreatment symbolise the regime’s hostility toward the Catholic Church. Ms. Jagger drew attention to the regime’s broader campaign of repression, including the imprisonment of over 200 political prisoners and their forced exile from Nicaragua. She reiterated the BJHRF’s documentation of these abuses and highlighted Ortega and Murillo’s war against civil society, which led them to arbitrarily cancel the legal status of more than 3,000 NGOs in a sweeping purge of civil society, human rights and humanitarian organisations, including several religious organisations that provided support to the most impoverished sections of the population. Ms. Jagger’s recommendations to the Commission included: - Pressuring international organizations such as the United Nations and the Organization of American States (OAS) to hold the Ortega-Murillo regime accountable. - Implementing targeted sanctions against regime leaders responsible for crimes against humanity. - Amplifying the voices of Nicaraguan victims to ensure their suffering is not ignored. Ms. Jagger’s testimony underscored the urgent need of the international community’s support for the Nicaraguan people, the protection of religious freedoms, and to challenge the regime’s brutal authoritarianism. “The Perilous State of Religious Freedom in Nicaragua”[18] ## **Bianca Jagger Attends UN Human Rights Council in Geneva** **26 February - 3 March 2023 -** Ms Jagger travelled to Geneva, where she attended the 52nd session of the UN Human Rights Council [19] . During her visit, she addressed the alarming human rights situation in Nicaragua, exposing the regime’s systematic persecution of political opposition, crackdown on the independent media and civil society, and the escalating attacks on religious 38 leaders. She urged members of the European Union and European Parliament to take robust, decisive, effective and coordinated actions and to intensify diplomatic and economic pressure on the Ortega-Murillo regime - including imposing sanctions against officials responsible for human rights violations amounting to crimes against humanity. Ms. Jagger stressed the importance of EU leadership in holding the Nicaraguan regime accountable and in mobilizing international support for political prisoners and exiled dissidents. **1 March 2023:** Ms Jagger met with Canadian Ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva **Leslie E. Norton** . 39 **1 March 2023:** Ms. Jagger addressed the side event hosted by **Ambassador Leslie Norton** , on behalf of the Canadian government, and sponsored by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) as part of the 52nd session of the UN Human Rights Council. The panel discussion examined violence against women and the LGBTQ+ community, and the alarming human rights situation in Nicaragua. 40 VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND LGBTIQ+: ANO SIDE OF THE NICARAGUAN CRISIS WSDM55D*Y .4PMCET SNTHQOM XXIV S L*ESNaTIOIlS 52NO 5E5510N OFTNE UPI HUHAN RIGNTSCOUNCIL MODERATOR: MR. ALBERTO BRUNORI, OHCHR REPAESENTAnvE FOR CÉNTRAL AMÉRICA PANSLISTS MS. BIANCA JAGGER, FOUNDER AND PAÉSIDÉNT OF THE BIANCA JAGGER HVMAN RIGHTS FOUNDATION MS. CARIN BENNINGER-BUDEL, WORLD ORGAN15ATIQN AGAINST TORTURE MS. LETICIA BONIFAZ. CEDAW COMMirrEE TESTIMONIES OF NICARAGUAN LGBno+ AND WOMEKS RIGHTS DEFENDERS ••* Iv￿1, . . 41 **2 March 2023** : Ms. Jagger met with EU Ambassador and Head of the EU Delegation to the United Nations in Geneva **Lotte Knudsen** [20] . She underscored the importance of EU leadership in holding the Nicaraguan government accountable and in mobilizing international support for political prisoners and exiled dissidents. 42 **2 March 2023** : Ms Jagger met with the French Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office in Geneva **Jérôme Bonnafont** . 43 **2 March 2023:** Ms Jagger met with **Jan-Michael Simon Chair** of the Group of Human Rights Experts on Nicaragua (GHREN) and **Ángela Maria Buitrago** . **2 March 2023:** Ms. Jagger met with **Ilze Brands Kehris** [21], Assistant SecretaryGeneral for Human Rights at the United Nations. 44 **3 March 2023** : Ms. Jagger met with **Volker Türk** , UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), to discuss the alarming human rights situation in Nicaragua. She expressed her concerns about the systematic persecution of the Catholic Church and in particular her fear for Bishop Rolando Jose Alvarez’ life. She denounced the arbitrary detention of political opponents and the crackdown of the independent media. Ms. Jagger stressed the urgency of international intervention to hold the Ortega-Murillo regime accountable. She thanked Mr Türk for his invaluable support of the Nicaraguan people during this harrowing period. ## **Bianca Jagger Testifies Before U.S. House of Foreign Affairs Committee’s Subcommittee** **22 March 2023:** Ms. Jagger testified before the House Foreign Affairs Committee’s Subcommittee Hearing titled _**“The Ortega-Murillo Regime’s War Against the Catholic Church and Civil Society in Nicaragua: Bishop Álvarez, Political Prisoners, and Prisoners of Conscience”**_ , chaired by **Rep. Chris Smith** , a long-time advocate for human rights in Latin America, and **Rep. Maria Salazar** , both of whom expressed deep concern about the Nicaraguan regime’s violent authoritarian rule. In her testimony, Ms. Jagger denounced the brutal repression and **crimes against humanity** perpetrated by the Ortega-Murillo regime in Nicaragua. She highlighted the regime's persecution of opposition leaders and members of civil society. Ms. Jagger addressed the regime's **relentless persecution of the Catholic Church** , with a particular focus on **Monsignor Rolando José Álvarez** , Bishop of the Diocese of Matagalpa, who was abducted, arbitrarily detained, imprisoned and sentenced to **26 years and 4 months in prison** . She demanded a “ **proof of life”** for Bishop Álvarez. Ms Jagger described the plight of political 45 prisoners languishing in inhuman conditions - suffering from **torture, isolation and lack of medical care** - as a **crime against humanity** under international law. She demanded their **immediate release** . ‘ ’ - The Ortega Murillo Regime s War Against the Catholic Church and Civil Society ’ in Nicaragua: Bishop Alvarez, Political Prisoners, and Prisoners of Conscience . [22] Ms. Jagger urged the U.S. Congress and the international community to implement robust, effective, and coordinated sanctions against the regime. She also: **Demanded the immediate release** of all political prisoners, including Bishop Rolando Jose Álvarez. Called for **international sanctions** against individuals and institutions complicit in the regime's atrocities. Supported the restoration of **human rights and democracy** in Nicaragua. "The international community's response must match the gravity of these crimes. We cannot stand idle while a nation's democratic fabric is torn apart and its citizens are forced to choose between silence and exile." Ms Jagger’s testimony resonated with urgency, detailing how the Ortega-Murillo regime has waged an all-out war on civil society, systematically dismantling independent institutions, silencing journalists, and repressing peaceful opposition. ‘ ’ - The Ortega Murillo Regime s War Against the Catholic Church and Civil Society ’ in Nicaragua: Bishop Alvarez, Political Prisoners, and Prisoners of Conscience . [22] ## **27 March 2023 – Club de Madrid Roundtable Discussion** Ms. Jagger participated in a roundtable organized by the **Club de Madrid** , a global forum of former democratic presidents and prime ministers, to discuss for proting democracies against rising authoritarianism. She joined other civil rights defenders to discuss ways of _**‘Protecting Democracies from the Seeds of Authoritarianism**_ **’.** Engaging with other democracy advocates, she spoke of the Ortega-Murillo regime’s systematic dismantling of democratic institutions, the suppression of opposition voices, and the persecution of civil society. She highlighted the regime’s authoritarian consolidation of power and called for robust and effective international measures to defend democratic principles and 46 institutions, including targeted sanctions and diplomatic isolation, to counter the spread of authoritarian tactics. Ms. Jagger also called for greater collaboration between democratic governments and human rights organizations to reinforce democratic resilience and prevent further erosion of fundamental freedoms in Nicaragua and beyond. Club de Madrid and democracy defenders call for greater solidarity amongst democracies against the disquieting rise of authoritarianism [23] "Democracy is at stake in the world right now. Human rights violations in Nicaragua are relentless and systematic. The regime remains in power by repressing the entire population, without exception", explained Bianca Jagger, who described the Ortega-Murillo regime's brutal repression as “state terrorism”. 47 ## **- XII. BJHRF Timeline 2022 2023** _BJHRF President and Chief Executive Bianca Jagger travelled across the US and European countries (including France, Switzerland, and Belgium) on behalf of the BJHRF to raise awareness about Nicaragua’s deteriorating human rights conditions. During these trips, Ms. Jagger testified before two US Congressional hearings and before the European Parliament, meeting with politicians, diplomats, civil society representatives, and the media._ ## **28 September 2022** Representing the BJHRF, Ms. Jagger met with Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo and Councillor Geneviève Garrigos to seek support for the Nicaraguan people, political prisoners, and the Catholic Church in light of systematic human rights abuses by the Ortega-Murillo regime. ## **25 November – 10 December 2022** Ms. Jagger supported CARE International’s ‘16 Days of Activism’ social media campaign. During this period, she encourages her followers to read **Margaret Atwood** ’s _The Handmaid’s Tale_ as an example of the abuse of women occurring globally. 48 ## **28 November 2022** Representing the BJHRF, Ms. Jagger met with Paris Mayor **Anne Hidalgo** and Councillor **Genevieve Garrigos** . The purpose of the meeting was to seek support for the Nicaraguan people, political prisoners, and the Catholic Church in light of systematic human rights abuses by the OrtegaMurillo regime. ## **28 November 2022** Ms. Jagger met with French government officials **Michèle Ramis** and **Frédéric de Touchet** at the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs. ## **29 November 2022** Ms. Jagger attended a ceremony at Sorbonne Nouvelle University in Paris, where imprisoned political leader **Dora María Téllez** was awarded a Doctorate Honoris Causa. Read the presentation and tribute here She also held meetings with: - **Yaël Braun-Pivet** , President of the National Assembly - Former Prime Minister **Manuel Valls** - **Éléonore Caroit** , Vice-President for the Commission on Foreign Affairs - **Éric Woerth** , State Secretary for State Reform and former Minister of the - Budget - **Antoine Joly** , former Ambassador to Nicaragua - **Carlos Fernando Chamorro** , Founder and Editor of _Confidencial_ ## **29 November 2022** Ms. Jagger was interviewed by **Marc Perelman** for France 24 in English, Spanish and French. She urged Pope Francis and the international community to denounce the regime’s crimes against humanity. ## **30 November 2022** Ms. Jagger met with former President **François Hollande** and former Prime Minister **Manuel Valls** to discuss the escalating crisis in Nicaragua. ## **15 December 2022** Ms. Jagger testified before the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission in a hearing titled _“The Perilous State of Religious Freedom in Nicaragua.”_ ## **19 December 2022** Ms. Jagger was interviewed by Confidencial about her testimony before the Tom Lantos Commission and the criminalization of **Bishop Rolando Álvarez** by the Ortega-Murillo regime. 49 ## **26 February – 3 March 2023** in Ms. Jagger attended the 52nd session of the UN Human Rights Council Geneva, raising awareness of serious human rights violations in Nicaragua. ## **1 March 2023** - Ms. Jagger met with Canadian Ambassador to the UN in Geneva, **Leslie Norton** • Ms. Jagger spoke at a side event on violence against women and LGBTQ+ individuals in Nicaragua ## **2 March 2023** - Ms. Jagger met with **Lotte Knudsen** , EU Ambassador to the UN in Geneva • Ms. Jagger met with **Jérôme Bonnafont** , French Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva - Met with **Ilze Brands Kehris** , UN Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights - Met with **Jan-Michael Simon** and **Ángela María Buitrago** of the Group of Human Rights Experts on Nicaragua (GHREN) ## **3 March 2023** Ms. Jagger met with UN High Commissioner **Volker Türk** to express grave concern about persecution of the Catholic Church and political prisoners in Nicaragua. She called for urgent international accountability measures. ## **22 March 2023** Ms. Jagger testified before the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee _“ ’ -_ during a hearing titled _The Ortega Murillo Regime s War Against the Catholic Church and Civil Society in Nicaragua.”_ ## **27 March 2023** Ms. Jagger participated in a roundtable hosted by the Club de Madrid, joining civil rights defenders to discuss “Protecting Democracies from the Seeds of Authoritarianism.” ## **Media Outlets that Covered or Interviewed Ms. Jagger During this Period Includes:** 🇬🇧 _BBC World Service, The Times, The Independent, Daily Mail, You Magazine, The Tablet, Catholic Herald._ 🇬🇧 🇫🇷 _France 24, Libération._ 🇪🇸 _El Pais_ 50 🇳🇮 _Confidencial, La Prensa, Nicaragua Actual TV, Café con Voz, The Tablet._ 🇺🇸 CNN, NBC _Top Story with Tom Llamas, NPR, Catholic News Agency, Crux._ Between April 2022 - April 2023, Ms. Bianca Jagger actively engaged in various initiatives to promote human rights, environmental conservation, and social justice. Below is an expanded overview of her activities during this period: ## **August 2022: Advocacy for the Amazon Rainforest** In August 2022, Ms. Jagger raised awareness about the devastating fires in the Amazon rainforest. She called for global intervention to protect indigenous lands and preserve biodiversity. Ms. Jagger emphasized the critical role of the Amazon in regulating the global climate and the urgent need to address the environmental crisis threatening this vital ecosystem. ## **XIII. BIANCA JAGGER INTERVIEWS, ARTICLES AND SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS** Ms. Jagger published articles, conducted numerous interviews with international newspapers, broadcasting networks to denounce the Ortega-Murillo regime’s relentless persecution of the Catholic Church, opposition leaders, the private sector, NGO’s, human rights defenders, academics, students, independent media and poor farmers (campesinos) in Nicaragua. Through these platforms, she highlighted the Ortega-Murillo regime’s systematic persecution, arbitrary detention and exile of religious leaders, the clergy and laypeople, including bishops, priests, seminarians and Sisters of Charity - targeting religious institutions as part of a broader campaign to suppress freedom of religion and belief, in order to consolidate their power. Ms. Jagger is a leading voice, advocating for justice and human rights in Nicaragua. She continues to urge the international community to take decisive action to restore democracy and the rule of law in her native country. She draws attention to: - The systematic persecution of the Nicaraguan Catholic Church as a means to silence dissent. - The Ortega-Murillo regime’s relentless persecution and arbitrary detention of political and religious leaders, most notably Bishop Rolando Jose Álvarez. - The need for the international community to impose forceful, effective and coordinated sanctions against the Ortega-Murillo despotic tyranny. 51 - The broader geopolitical implications of Russia's influence and support of the Ortega-Murillo regime in Nicaragua. ## **Interviews** ## **2 August 2022 –** _**Cafe Con Voz with Luis Galeano**_ In this interview, Ms. Jagger denounced the Ortega-Murillo regime for its escalating authoritarianism and systematic persecution of political opponents in Nicaragua. She highlighted the regime’s persecution of political dissidents, suppression of civil liberties, and its use of violence to silence opposition. Her call for international action underscored the urgent need for sanctions in addressing these human rights violations. - Ms Jagger denounces Ortego Murillo regime in Cafe Con Voz interview with Luis Galeano ## **10 August 2022 –** _**Nicaragua Actual TV**_ Ms. Jagger made an urgent appeal to **Pope Francis** , urging him “not to abandon" **Bishop Rolando Jose Álvarez** , who was unjustly persecuted, held hostage and detained under house arrest by the regime. Her appeal underscored the Church’s critical role in denouncing human rights abuses in Nicaragua. ‘Bianca Jaggers’ urgent plea to Pope Francis "not to abandon" Monsignor Rolando Álvarez’ on Nicaragua Actual TV ## **16 August 2022 –** _**Crux**_ **Interview with Inés San Martin** In her interview with Inés San Martín for _Crux_ , Ms. Jagger accused the Nicaraguan regime of waging a “war” against the Catholic Church, citing the closure of religious institutions and the systematic targeting and harassment of Catholic prelates and clergy, as part of a broader campaign to suppress dissent. Ms. Jagger accuses Nicaraguan Regime of Declaring War on Catholic Church in Crux Interview with Ines San Martin ## **16 August 2022 –** _**The Tablet**_ In her interview titled ‘Bianca Jagger Steps to the Forefront in Defence of Nicaraguan Bishop’, she detailed the Ortega-Murillo regime’s repressive measures against the Catholic Church, framing these actions as a calculated 52 attempt to silence one of the last remaining institutions advocating for justice and democracy. Bianca Jagger Steps to the Forefront in Defence of Nicaraguan Bishop - The Tablet ## **19 August 2022 –** _**NBC Top Story with Tom Llamas**_ On _Top Story with Tom Llamas_ , Ms. Jagger issued an urgent plea, on behalf of the BJHRF, to Pope Francis and the Ortega-Murillo regime to stop the persecution of Catholic bishops, priests, and civil society leaders. She emphasised the need for immediate international intervention to halt the regime’s repressive tactics and protect the fundamental rights of its citizens.. An urgent plea from Bianca Jagger on behalf of the BJHRF to Pope Francis and the Nicaraguan Regime on Top Story with Tom Llamas ## **21 August 2022 –** _**The Times**_ In an interview with _The Times_ , Ms. Jagger implored Pope Francis to take a stronger stance against what he described as an “unhinged dictatorship” that has escalated its persecution of Catholic leaders, including Bishop Rolando Jose Álvarez. She stressed the moral responsibility of religious and political leaders worldwide to stand against the regime’s abuses, warned of the regime’s growing instability and its devastating impact on the Nicaraguan people. Bianca Jagger asks Pope to intervene in ‘unhinged’ Nicaragua ## **1 September 2022 -** _**El Pais**_ From April 2022, Ms. Jagger intensified her efforts to bring international attention to the plight of political prisoners in Nicaragua. She gave an interview to _El Pais_ to highlight Political repression and persecution of clergy in Nicaragua and the cases of many individual subjected to torture during their imprisonment. Ms. Jagger emphasized the severity of the situation, noting that many political prisoners faced life-threatening conditions, and called for their immediate release. Bianca Jagger’s contentious summer: ‘These have not been the quietest months of ’ my life | International | EL PAÍS English. ## **14 October 2022 -** _**Catholic Herald**_ Ms. Jagger published an article in the _Catholic Herald_ titled ‘ _Standing with the Oppressed: My Appeal to End the Persecution of the Catholic Church in Nicaragua_ .’ In this powerful piece, she detailed the Ortega-Murillo regime’s escalating hostility toward the Catholic Church, including: 53 - The unjust imprisonment and persecution of Bishop Rolando Jose Álvarez, who is a symbol of resistance against the regime’s repression. - The closure of religious institutions, expulsions of Sisters of Charity and the silencing of Catholic media, as part of a calculated effort to eliminate one of the last bastions of justice, truth, and democracy in Nicaragua. Ms. Jagger’s article emphasised the moral obligation of the international community to take a firm stance in defence of the Catholic Church and the Nicaraguan people. This plea echoed her consistent message across multiple interviews. Standing with the Oppressed: Ms Jagger's article in the Catholic Herald. My appeal to end the persecution of the Catholic Church in Nicaragua ## **14 October 2022 –** _**Deutsche Welle (DW)**_ **News with Carolina Guerrero** During her interview with Carol Guerrero on _DW News_ , Ms. Jagger addressed the global geopolitical implications of Russian influence in Nicaragua and other Latin American countries. She said that Russia’s geopolitical strategy has strengthened authoritarian regimes like Ortega’s, exacerbating regional instability. She also highlighted how the regime’s alignment with authoritarian regimes has emboldened its suppression of civil society and democratic voices. Unmasking Global Concerns: Ms Jagger on behalf of the BJHRF discusses Russian Influence in Nicaragua and Beyond with Carol Guerrero on DW News ## **22 November 2022 – Plea to Pope Francis in The** _**Catholic Herald**_ Ms. Jagger reiterated her urgent appeal for Pope Francis to act decisively against the Ortega-Murillo regime. She emphasised the moral obligation of the Catholic Church to stand in solidarity with Nicaraguans suffering under state violence and repression. Ms Jagger’s plea to Pope Francis for action against the Ortega Murillo Regime ## **29 November 2022 –** _**France 24 with Mr. Pelerman**_ During this interview, Ms. Jagger appealed to Pope Francis and urged the international community to impose forceful, decisive and effective sanctions against the Ortega-Murillo regime and to hold the regime accountable. Ms. Jagger denounced the regime's brutal repression and assault on democracy in the 54 country. She also called for coordinated global measures to isolate the dictatorship. Ms Jagger’s TV interview with Mr Pelerman on France 24 urging Pope Francis and the International Community to act against the repressive Ortega-Murillo regime in Nicaragua ## **11 December 2022 –** _**La Prensa**_ **, Nicaragua** Ms. Jagger emphasized the need to “look for ways to weaken this bloodthirsty regime.” She called on the international community to impose forceful effective and coordinated sanctions; and support efforts to bring justice to the Nicaraguan people, while also demanding the release of political prisoners. Seeking Justice and International Attention. Ms Jagger’s interview with La Prensa, Nicaragua on confronting the repressive regime. ‘We have to look for all the ways to weaken this bloodthirsty regime’ Bianca Jagger: “Tenemos que buscar todas las formas para debilitar a este régimen sanguinario” ## **13 December 2022 –** _**Cafe Con Voz with Luis Galeano**_ Ms. Jagger talked about her address to the CASLA Institute in Brussels, where she denounced the brutal repression of the Ortega-Murillo regime and the plight of Nicaraguan political prisoners, including Bishop Rolando Jose Álvarez. She reiterated the need for the international community to impose forceful, effective and coordinated sanctions to hold the Ortega-Murillo regime accountable. Ms Jagger discusses the plight of the Nicaraguan Political prisoner Bishop Rolando Alvarez in ‘Cafe Con Voz with Luis Galeano.’ ## **Violence Against Women and Girls** Ms. Jagger, on behalf of the BJHRF, uses social media as a tool to combat genderbased violence (GBV), raise public awareness, and galvanise action: **4 November 2022** : In a series of posts titled _Unveiling the Truth: Bravery in Exposing Systemic Exploitation_ , Ms Jagger highlighted the courage of whistleblowers Helen Evans, Rose McGowan, and Katherine Gun, showcasing their fight against exploitation and injustice. Link to posts 55 **2 December 2022:** As part of CARE International’s _#_ ChangeTheStory social media campaign, Ms. Jagger recommended Margaret Atwood’s seminal ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’. https://www.instagram.com/p/ClrckyMLX3f/?igsh=MXJieWRtajlodXN5 **4 December 2022** : As part of the _16 Days of Activism_ campaign, the BJHRF shared an infographic on Instagram describing violence against women as "one of the most prevalent human rights violations in the world." The post called for collective action to end this pervasive injustice. https://www.instagram.com/p/ClwzdJoLBdF/?igsh=cDZ4czAyOXV5OHdm ## **Abolition of the Death Penalty** **10 December 2022** : On Human Rights Day, Ms Jagger posted a powerful plea condemning the Islamic Republic of Iran’s executions of innocent protesters. The post called for global solidarity against state-sponsored brutality. **11 December 2022** : On behalf of the BJHRF, Ms Jagger shared a scathing condemnation of the Iranian government’s human rights abuses on X (formerly Twitter), urging the international community to take decisive action to protect those facing execution. ## **XIV. BJHRF PROPOSALS FOR THE FUTURE** ## **1. Arts for Human Rights** After the success of the 2011 and 2014 ‘Arts for Human Rights' Benefit Gala, the BJHRF has plans to host the next Benefit Gala, Thaddeus Ropac and Christian Dior have committed to sponsor the event and Simon de Pury, have pledged to be again the auctioneer. ## **2. BJHRF Website and Funding** 56 The BJHRF is scheduled to launch an updated website. The website will provide a platform for the BJHRF's campaigns and will allow us to keep the public informed about the progress of our projects, fact-finding missions, reports, articles and speeches. In addition the website will bring together all the currently used social media platforms (twitter, FaceBook, LinkedIn and Instagram etc), and critically it will allow the Foundation to receive donations online. ## **3. Podcast Launch** BJHRF intends to launch a podcast, presented by Ms Jagger, featuring interviews with trailblazing women who have made a positive difference to society. ## 4. **Campaigns to be allowed to visit Nicaraguan Bishop Rolando Jose Álvarez.** The BJHRF launched a campaign, requesting Daniel Ortega to allow Ms Jagger to go to Nicaragua to visit Bishop Rolando Álvarez Lagos in La Modelo prison. The objective of this campaign is to assess his physical and psychological state, and report on any human rights violations that are taking place inside the penitentiary. ## **5. Crimes Against Present and Future Generations - Bianca Jagger** _See below for the full proposal._ ## **Concepts for Legal and Institutional Reforms: ‘Crimes against Present and Future Generations’** _“For more than four decades I have campaigned for human rights, social justice, and environmental protection throughout the world. I have witnessed the human cost and environmental destruction that resulted from the irrational exploitation of our natural resources. Some of the most powerful corporations among the oil, gas, biotechnology, agriculture, and chemical companies are responsible for some of the most egregious human rights abuses and environmental disasters happening in our_ ## _world”_ - **Bianca Jagger** When we consider justice and accountability, we also need to think about the irreparable damage that irresponsible corporations do to the environment. We 57 need to think about the current failure of the international and national legal systems to hold them accountable — not only the corporations, but also the CEOs and management who make decisions. We know that corporations wield immense power in today’s world. When multinationals violate human rights, damage the environment and accelerate climate change, there is little scope for legal redress. Just as governments are often reluctant to confront the issue of climate change and its implications for justice and human rights, so are governments and the legal community reluctant to hold accountable these corporations in national and international law. And this is also a profound injustice. “For more than four decades I have campaigned for human rights, social justice, and environmental protection throughout the world. I have witnessed the human cost and environmental destruction that resulted from the irrational exploitation of our natural resources. Some of the most powerful corporations among the oil, gas, biotechnology, agriculture, and chemical companies are responsible for some of the most egregious human rights abuses and environmental disasters happening in our world”. Of the total carbon emissions produced by the 500 largest companies in the world, just 100 companies account for 71% of global industrial emissions since 1988, according to the Climate Accountability Institute’s latest report (2023). The top emitters include fossil fuel companies such as Saudi Aramco, Chevron, Gazprom, and ExxonMobil. The energy sector remains the largest contributor, and cumulative emissions have only increased despite pledges under the Paris Agreement to reduce greenhouse gases. (Climate Accountability Institute, 2023) And yet, for these large multinational corporations, it’s business as usual. Walmart, which employs over 2.3 million people worldwide (making it the largest private employer globally), continues to have a significant environmental footprint. A 2022 Greenpeace report criticized Walmart for contributing to deforestation and high carbon emissions through its supply chain, despite commitments to sustainability. (Greenpeace, 2022) Many multinationals are failing to live up to their commitments, operating in a culture of corporate impunity. It’s not just about carbon emissions. Some corporations commit grave human rights violations and irrevocable environmental destruction in the developing world, where they can lure governments into permitting the abuse of their natural resources with promises of profit and development. The 2021 United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report revisited Shell’s operations in Nigeria, emphasizing ongoing environmental and social damage despite legal challenges. It reported widespread water contamination with hydrocarbons, including benzene, which threatens local communities’ 58 health and livelihoods. The clean-up and restoration efforts in Ogoniland are ongoing but have been painfully slow. (UNEP Ogoniland Report, 2021) Chevron’s legacy in Ecuador remains a global case of environmental injustice. The Inter-American Court of Human Rights reaffirmed in 2022 that Ecuador must enforce environmental remediation in the affected Amazonian regions. Meanwhile, water sources around Bhopal, India, remain dangerously contaminated decades after the 1984 gas disaster, with ongoing health impacts to this day. (IACHR, 2022; The Guardian, 2024) There is also collusion between companies and nations in the developed world: incestuous relationships between multinational corporations and governments undermine states’ commitments to protect their citizens and the environment. ## **Corporate Accountability** BP’s safety record remains deeply troubling. Since the Deepwater Horizon disaster of 2010, BP has faced numerous incidents and legal actions. In 2022, BP agreed to a $2 billion settlement in a US case involving safety violations and environmental damage at its Texas City refinery. Despite ongoing regulatory scrutiny, critics argue that corporate accountability remains weak and enforcement inconsistent. (Source: Reuters, 2022) If we believe in justice and human rights, we need to set global standards of accountability for corporations and legal mechanisms to enforce them. There is a wealth of international agreements protecting multinational corporations’ business interests, but very few instruments that seek to protect local communities and the environment from the potentially harmful consequences of multinational corporations’ activities. ## **Crimes against Present and Future Generations** It is critical to establish new instruments to hold CEOs, management, and corporations accountable for the harm they cause to individuals and communities, and for the irreparable damage done to the environment by their reckless actions. Since 2005, the Bianca Jagger Human Rights Foundation (BJHRF) has been advocating for the recognition of Crimes against Present and Future Generations and for the International Criminal Court (ICC) to extend its jurisdiction to cover such crimes (beyond those already prescribed by the ICC’s Rome Statute. The late Professor Otto Triffterer, author of the Commentary on the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, suggested the following definition for Crimes Against Present and Future Generations: "Crimes against future generations of life" are acts or conduct, when committed with knowledge of their severe consequences on the health, 59 safety, or means of survival of future generations of humans, or of their threat to the survival of entire species or ecosystems: military, economic, cultural or scientific activities, or the regulatory approval or authorisation of such activities which: a. cause widespread, long-term and severe damage to the natural environment; b. gravely or irreparably imperil the health, means of survival or safety of a given human population; c. gravely or irreparably imperil the conditions of survival of a given species or ecosystem.” The BJHRF aims to bring the rights of present and future generations to the centre of policy making and to develop a legal framework that will hold CEOs and management of companies accountable for grave human rights abuses and irreparable environmental destruction. There is an urgent need to establish legally binding mechanisms in collaboration with governments, academic institutions, think tanks, and NGOs. ## **Existing Mechanisms** To give you an idea of how insufficient existing mechanisms in international and national law are, I’ll outline them briefly. ## **International Binding Mechanisms** Chief among these is the UN human rights system, founded on both UN treaties and the UN Charter. Treaty-based mechanisms are based on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and nine core treaties each of which protects specific rights. Each treaty provides for a Committee to implement it and monitor compliance through reports and an inter-state complaint mechanism. But it’s under-used and it’s not enforceable. As the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) states, “So far these mechanisms have been under-utilised for invoking the responsibility of states when business enterprises operating on their territory commit human rights violations. These mechanisms are unable to issue enforceable sanctions on either states or companies; they can only show states in a shameful light.” The main UN regional human rights protection mechanisms are based on human rights treaties, and implemented by: 1. European Convention on Human Rights 60 2. European Court of Human Rights 3. American Convention on Human Rights 4. Inter-American Court of Human Rights 5. African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights 6. African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights Each of these systems has its weaknesses. The European system only applies to member states’ territory and the European Court doesn’t have jurisdiction over abuses committed by corporations based in those countries but operating and committing abuses abroad. The African and Inter-American systems’ weakness lies in the lack of enforceability of findings of human rights abuses — enforcement relies on the state’s goodwill. A drawback common to all these systems is that corporate accountability is dependent on a state’s willingness to act and comply with the court’s decision. ## **International Non-binding Mechanisms** The protection of corporate interest is endemic in many countries, often at the expense of vulnerable groups and indigenous peoples. According to the Vale Center at Columbia University, “The great majority of international investment agreements (IIAs) have been formulated with a view toward protecting investors and facilitating their operations, and to attracting capital that can contribute to the economic growth and development of host countries. Aside from a number of voluntary provisions and initiatives, there are few non-binding international instruments. The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development Guidelines (OECD) for Multinational Enterprises remains the only comprehensive, multilaterally endorsed code of conduct for MNEs, spanning human rights and the environment. Unfortunately, they lack binding effect and enforceability. A 2021 OECD Watch study found that only 6 out of 100 cases filed by NGOs had resulted in real improvements in corporate behavior. The report concludes that “lack of political will, lack of sanctioning powers, and lack of coherent implementation have significantly diminished the potential value of the instrument... they are inadequate as a global mechanism to improve the operations of multinationals. Without the threat of effective 61 sanctions, there is little incentive for companies to ensure compliance.” (Source: OECD Watch, 2021) ## **National Law** ## **The US – Civil and Criminal Liability: Civil Liability** BP is currently facing ongoing litigation from the US Justice Department seeking full liability under the Oil Pollution Act for removal costs and damages related to the Deepwater Horizon disaster. The case highlights the difficulty in assigning clear liability for corporate environmental disasters. (Source: US DOJ, 2024) ## **Criminal Liability** Companies have sometimes faced criminal prosecution for environmental crimes, such as the $4.5 billion settlement BP reached in 2016. However, such criminal prosecutions of companies are rare, and usually apply to the corporation itself, not individuals who hold decision-making power. A recent example is the criminal prosecution of Volkswagen executives over the “Dieselgate” emissions scandal. In 2024, several senior managers were sentenced in Germany for fraud and deception related to manipulating emissions tests. Yet, in many countries, executives remain insulated from criminal liability for corporate wrongdoing. (Source: Deutsche Welle, 2024) ## **Conclusion** The current legal landscape is failing to ensure accountability and justice. Governments and the international community must urgently develop binding international legal frameworks to hold corporations and their executives criminally responsible for crimes against present and future generations. Such crimes — which gravely threaten human rights, the environment, and our very survival — must be recognized under international criminal law. We need stronger mechanisms that can enforce accountability — so that those responsible for causing irreversible harm face meaningful consequences, not just fines or settlements that amount to the cost of doing business. The future of humanity and the planet depends on us acting now to close these legal gaps and build a just system of accountability. ## **XV. FINANCE 2022/23** 62 Already approved by all BJHRF trustees. B JHRF 2022-2023 - Approved accounts ## **References** [1] Newsroom _Infobae_ (2023), ‘Bianca Jagger pide a la ue ‘no olvidar a Nicaragua’ ni a los presos Político Encarcelados’, _Infobae_ . Available at: - - - https://www.infobae.com/america/agencias/2023/12/06/bianca jagger pide a-la-ue-no-olvidar-a-nicaragua-ni-a-los-presos-politico-encarcelados (Last accessed: 10 April 2025). [2] United Nations (1948), ‘ _Universal Declaration of Human Rights_ , Available at: https://www.un.org/en/about-us/universal-declaration-of-human-rights (Last accessed: 14 June 2025). [3] United Nations Office of the High Commissioner (1966), _International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,_ OHCHR. Available at: - https://www.ohchr.org/en/instruments mechanisms/instruments/international-covenant-civil-and-political-rights ( accessed: 14 June 2025). [4] United Nations (2015) _The United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (the Nelson Mandela Rules)_ . Available at: https://www.unodc.org/documents/justice-and-prisonreform/Nelson_Mandela_Rules-E-ebook.pdf (accessed: 14 June 2025). 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Available at: https://x.com/BiancaJagger/status/1598988959626932224, (accessed 14 June 2025). [16] France 24 (2022), ‘Human rights defender Bianca Jagger asks Pope Francis to ‘condemn’ regime in Nicaragua , Human rights defender Bianca Jagger asks Pope Francis to ‘condemn’ regime in Nicaragua’. Available at: - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XS1tl 9Xy8M (accessed: 14 June 2025). [17] Bianca Jagger, U.S. House of Representatives (2022), _Bianca Jagger Testimony Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission_ , 15 December 2022. Available at: 64 https://chrissmith.house.gov/uploadedfiles/bianca_jagger_testimony_final_.pdf, (accessed: 14 June 2025). [18] Bianca Jagger (2022), ‘Bianca Jagger: The Perilous State of Religious Freedom in Nicaragua’. Available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IT4u6YDlMQE (accessed: 14 June 2025). [19] United Nations Human Rights Council (2023), _52nd regular session of the Human Rights Council (27 February – 4 April 2023)_ . Available at: - - - https://www.ohchr.org/en/hr bodies/hrc/regular sessions/session52/regular session (accessed: 14 June 2025). [20] Bianca Jagger (2022), _Twitter_ , posted 2 March 2023. Available at: https://x.com/BiancaJagger/status/1631399732126928896 (accessed: 14 June 2025). [21] Bianca Jagger (2022), _Twitter_ , posted 13 March 2023. Available at: https://x.com/BiancaJagger/status/1635009745978556416 (accessed: 14 June 2025). [22] Bianca Jagger, U.S. House of Representatives, ‘Testimony Before House Foreign Affairs Committee, Subcommittee Hearing’. Available at: HHRG-118FA06-Wstate-JaggerB-20230322.pdf (accessed: 14 June 2025). [23] Club de Madrid (2023), ‘Club de Madrid and Democracy Defenders Call for Greater Solidarity Amongst Democracies Against the Disquieting Rise of Authoritarianism’. Available at: https://clubmadrid.org/club-de-madrid-anddemocracy-defenders-call-for-greater-solidarity-amongst-democracies-againstthe-disquieting-rise-of-authoritarianism/ (accessed: 14 June 2025). [24]Bianca Jagger (2013) ‘Ending violence against women and girls, and the culture of impunity: Achieving the missing millennium development goal target’, _The Longford Trust_ . Available at: https://www.longfordtrust.org/longfordlecture/past-lectures/bianca-jagger-ending-violence-against-women-and-girlsand-the-culture-of-impunity-achieving-the-missing-millennium-development- goal target/ (accessed: 14 June 2025). [25] UN Women (2024), ‘Facts and figures: ending violence against women’. Available at: https://www.unwomen.org/en/articles/facts-and-figures/factsand-figures-ending-violence-againstwomen#:~:text=Over%2060%20per%20cent%20of,adequate%20legislation%2 0prohibiting%20child%20marriage (accessed: 14 June 2025). [26] UN Women (2024), ‘Facts and figures: ending violence against women’. Available at: https://www.unwomen.org/en/articles/facts-and-figures/factsand-figures-ending-violence-against- 65 women#:~:text=Over%2060%20per%20cent%20of,adequate%20legislation%2 0prohibiting%20child%20marriage (accessed: 14 June 2025). [27] UN Sustainable Development Goals (2023), ‘Gender equality and women's empowerment’. Available at: ~ https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal5#: :text=As%20of%20January%201%2C%202 024,as%20of%201%20January%202023 (accessed: 14 June 2025). [28] Inter-Parliamentary Union. IPU Report Parliamentary gender gap narrowed over past 30 years but progress stalled in 2024. Available at: - - - - - https://www.ipu.org/news/press releases/2025 03/ipu report parliamentary gender-gap-narrowed-over-past-30-years-progress-stalled-in2024?utm_source=chatgpt.com [29] UN Women (N/A), ‘Forecasting Women in Leadership Positions’. Available at: https://www.unwomen.org/sites/default/files/2023-11/forecasting-womenin-leadership-positions.pdf (accessed: 14 June 2025). [30] World Economic Forum (2023), ‘International Equal Pay Day: These 4 charts show women’s economic participation has regressed’. Available at: https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2023/09/equal-pay-day-global-gender-gapat-work/?utm_source (accessed: 14 June 2025). [31] World Economic Forum (2023), ‘Global gender gap report 2023, World Economic Forum’. Available at: https://www.weforum.org/publications/global- - - gender gap report 2023/ (accessed: 14 June 2025). [32] UN Women (2024), ‘Facts and figures: ending violence against women’. Available at: https://www.unwomen.org/en/articles/facts-and-figures/factsand-figures-ending-violence-againstwomen#:~:text=Over%2060%20per%20cent%20of,adequate%20legislation%2 0prohibiting%20child%20marriage (accessed: 14 June 2025). [33] UN Women (2024), ‘Facts and figures: ending violence against women’. Available at: https://www.unwomen.org/en/articles/facts-and-figures/factsand-figures-ending-violence-againstwomen#:~:text=Over%2060%20per%20cent%20of,adequate%20legislation%2 0prohibiting%20child%20marriage (accessed: 14 June 2025). [34] National Police Chiefs' Council (N/A), ‘Violence Against Women and Girls’. Available at: https://www.npcc.police.uk/our-work/violence-against-womenand-girls/ (accessed: 14 June 2025). [35] UN Women, ‘Press Release: More women and girls killed in 2022 even as overall homicide numbers fall, says new research from UNODC and UN Women’. Available at: https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/press- 66 release/2023/11/press-release-more-women-and-girls-killed-in-2022-even-asoverall-homicide-numbers-fall-says-new-research-from-unodc-and-un-women (accessed: 14 June 2025). [36] UN Women, ‘Press Release: More women and girls killed in 2022 even as overall homicide numbers fall, says new research from UNODC and UN Women’. Available at: https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/pressrelease/2023/11/press-release-more-women-and-girls-killed-in-2022-even-asoverall-homicide-numbers-fall-says-new-research-from-unodc-and-un-women (accessed: 14 June 2025). [37] Femicide Census, ‘Femicide Census – Profiles of women killed by men’. Available at: https://www.femicidecensus.org (accessed: 14 June 2025). [38] UN Women (2024), ‘Less than 1 per cent of aid spending targets genderbased violence, according to new reports’. Available at: https://www.unwomen.org/en/articles/explainer/less-than-1-per-cent-of-aid-spendingtargets-gender-based-violence-according-to-new~ - reports#: :text=Explainer ,Less%20than%201%20per%20cent%20of%20aid%20spending% 20targets%20gender,violence%2C%20according%20to%20new%20reports&text=In%202022 %2C%20countries%20around%20the,That%27s%20according%20to%20%E2%80%9CWhat %20Counts%3F (accessed: 14 June 2025). [39] UN Women, ‘Asia and the Pacific. Facts and Figures: Ending violence against women - Funding to end violence against women and girls’. Available at;https://asiapacific.unwomen.org/en/stories/news/2024/11/facts-andfigures-ending-violence-againstwomen#:~:text=prohibiting%20child%20marriage.-,Funding%20to%20end%2 0violence%20against%20women%20and%20girls,gender%20equality%20and %20women%27s%20empowerment.> [40] UN Women (2024), ‘Facts and figures: ending violence against women’. Available at: https://www.unwomen.org/en/articles/facts-and-figures/factsand-figures-ending-violence-against- women#:~:text=Over%2060%20per%20cent%20of,adequate%20legislation%2 0prohibiting%20child%20marriage (accessed: 14 June 2025). [41] World Bank Blogs (2024), _‘A threat to their future: Protecting girls from the consequences of child marriage’_ . Available at: https://blogs.worldbank.org/en/developmenttalk/a-threat-to-their-future-protecting-girls-from-the-consequences (accessed: 14 June 2025). [42] UN Women (N/A), ‘Equal pay for work of equal value’. Available at: - - https://www.unwomen.org/en/news/in focus/csw61/equal pay (accessed: 14 June 2025). 67 [43] United Nations (2022), ‘Global perspective Human stories’, _UN News_ . Available at: https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/09/1126901?utm (accessed: 14 June 2025). [44] UN Women (2024), ‘Care: A critical investment for gender equality and the - rights of women and girls’. Available at: https://www.unwomen.org/en/news stories/statement/2024/10/care-a-critical-investment-for-gender-equality-andthe-rights-of-women-and-girls (accessed: 14 June 2025). [45] Bianca Jagger (2013) _‘_ Ending violence against women and girls, and the culture of impunity: Achieving the missing millennium development goal target’, _The Longford Trust_ . Available at: https://www.longfordtrust.org/longfordlecture/past-lectures/bianca-jagger-ending-violence-against-women-and-girlsand-the-culture-of-impunity-achieving-the-missing-millennium-development- goal target/ (accessed: 14 June 2025). [46] Bianca Jagger (2015), _The Guardian_ . ‘Fossil fuel industry: Bianca Jagger renewable energy revolution’. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/apr/24/fossil-fuelindustry-bianca-jagger-renewable-energy-revolution 68 **CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 1117142** **The Bianca Jagger Human Rights Foundation Unaudited Financial Statements** **5 April 2023** **The Bianca Jagger Human Rights Foundation** ## **Financial Statements** ## **Year ended 5 April 2023** ||**Page**| |---|---| |Trustees' annual report|**1**| |Independent examiner's report to the trustees|**4**| |Statement of financial activities|**5**| |Statement of financial position|**6**| |Notes to the financial statements|**7**| **The Bianca Jagger Human Rights Foundation** ## **Trustees' Annual Report** ## **Year ended 5 April 2023** The trustees present their report and the unaudited financial statements of the charity for the year ended 5 April 2023. ## **Reference and administrative details** **Registered charity name** The Bianca Jagger Human Rights Foundation **Charity registration number** 1117142 **Principal office** Unit 246 272 Kensington High Street London W8 6ND ## **The trustees** B Jagger E Berglof T Ropac W Schabas M H Stephens CBE M Koch-Weser P J Bennett ## **Structure, governance and management** The charity is unincorporated and is governed by the Trust deed dated 12 May 2005. ## **Objectives and activities** The charity's objectives include:  researching and raising awareness on issues of human rights and civil liberties, social and economic justice, climate change, indigenous people's rights and environmental protection; - calling for worldwide abolition of the death penalty; - developing legal definition and framework of crimes against present and future generations; - raising awareness on violence against women and girls. ## **Achievements and performance** During the year, the charity provided human resources, advocacy, advice and information services in a number of countries. The charity has also continued to sponsor and undertake its own research in order to achieve the objectives and activities set out above. **1** ## **The Bianca Jagger Human Rights Foundation** **Trustees' Annual Report** _**(continued)**_ ## **Year ended 5 April 2023** ## **Financial review** During the year, the charity received donations of £49,083 (2022 - £92,538) and had total resources expended of £34,628 (2022 - £78,191). This resulted in a net expenditure for the year of £14,588 (2022 - income of £14,347). The charity holds unrestricted funds of £62,462 at the year-end (2022 - £47,874). The charity holds no restricted funds at the year-end. The trustees have assessed the major financial risks to which the charity is exposed and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to such risks. ## **Trustees' responsibilities statement** The trustees are responsible for preparing the trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the charity trustees to prepare financial statements for each year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to: - select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; - observe the methods and principles in the applicable Charities SORP; - make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent; - state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; - prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business. The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charity's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the applicable Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations, and the provisions of the Trust Deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. **2** ## **The Bianca Jagger Human Rights Foundation** **Trustees' Annual Report** _**(continued)**_ ## **Year ended 5 April 2023** The trustees' annual report was approved on 20 May 2025 and signed on behalf of the board of trustees by: M H Stephens CBE Trustee **3** ## **The Bianca Jagger Human Rights Foundation** ## **Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of The Bianca Jagger Human Rights Foundation** ## **Year ended 5 April 2023** I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of The Bianca Jagger Human Rights Foundation ('the charity') for the year ended 5 April 2023. ## **Responsibilities and basis of report** As the trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’). I report in respect of my examination of the charity's financial statements carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. ## **Independent examiner's statement** I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect: 1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or 2. the financial statements do not accord with those records; or 3. the financial statements do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair' view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. G R Boagey BA FCA CTA Independent Examiner 384 Linthorpe Road Middlesbrough United Kingdom TS5 6HA **4** **The Bianca Jagger Human Rights Foundation** ## **Statement of Financial Activities** ## **Year ended 5 April 2023** |||**2023**|**2023**|2022| |---|---|---|---|---| |||Unrestricted||| |||funds|**Total funds**|Total funds| ||**Note**|**£**|**£**|£| |**Income and endowments**||||| |Donations and legacies|**4**|49,083|49,083|92,538| |Investment income|**5**|133|133|–| |||ৄৄৄৄৄৄৄৄ|ৄৄৄৄৄৄৄৄ|ৄৄৄৄৄৄৄৄ| |**Total income**||49,216|49,216|92,538| |||৶৶৶৶৶৶৶৶|৶৶৶৶৶৶৶৶|৶৶৶৶৶৶৶৶| |**Expenditure**||||| |Expenditure on charitable activities|**6,7**|(34,628)|(34,628)|(78,191)| |||ৄৄৄৄৄৄৄৄ|ৄৄৄৄৄৄৄৄ|ৄৄৄৄৄৄৄৄ| |**Total expenditure**||(34,628)|(34,628)|(78,191)| |||৶৶৶৶৶৶৶৶|৶৶৶৶৶৶৶৶|৶৶৶৶৶৶৶৶| |||ৄৄৄৄৄৄৄৄ|ৄৄৄৄৄৄৄৄ|ৄৄৄৄৄৄৄৄ| |**Net income**||14,588|14,588|14,347| |||৶৶৶৶৶৶৶৶|৶৶৶৶৶৶৶৶|৶৶৶৶৶৶৶৶| |**Other recognised gains and losses**||||| |Other gains/(losses)||–|–|29,622| |||ৄৄৄৄৄৄৄৄ|ৄৄৄৄৄৄৄৄ|ৄৄৄৄৄৄৄৄ| |**Net movement in funds**||14,588|14,588|43,969| |**Reconciliation of funds**||||| |Total funds brought forward||47,874|47,874|3,905| |||ৄৄৄৄৄৄৄৄ|ৄৄৄৄৄৄৄৄ|ৄৄৄৄৄৄৄৄ| |**Total funds carried forward**||62,462|62,462|47,874| |||৶৶৶৶৶৶৶৶|৶৶৶৶৶৶৶৶|৶৶৶৶৶৶৶৶| The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities. **The notes on pages 7 to 13 form part of these financial statements.** **5** **The Bianca Jagger Human Rights Foundation** ## **Statement of Financial Position** ## **5 April 2023** |||**2023**|2022| |---|---|---|---| ||**Note**|**£**|£| |**Fixed assets**|||| |Tangible fixed assets|**12**|–|519| |**Current assets**|||| |Cash at bank and in hand||77,571|50,355| |**Creditors: amounts falling due within one year**|**13**|(15,109)|(3,000)| |||ৄৄৄৄৄৄৄৄ|ৄৄৄৄৄৄৄৄ| |**Net current assets**||62,462|47,355| |||ৄৄৄৄৄৄৄৄ|ৄৄৄৄৄৄৄৄ| |**Total assets less current liabilities**||62,462|47,874| |||ৄৄৄৄৄৄৄৄ|ৄৄৄৄৄৄৄৄ| |**Net assets**||62,462|47,874| |||৶৶৶৶৶৶৶৶|৶৶৶৶৶৶৶৶| |**Funds of the charity**|||| |Unrestricted funds||62,462|47,874| |||ৄৄৄৄৄৄৄৄ|ৄৄৄৄৄৄৄৄ| |**Total charity funds**|**14**|62,462
৶৶৶৶৶৶৶৶|47,874
৶৶৶৶৶৶৶৶| These financial statements were approved by the board of trustees and authorised for issue on 20 May 2025, and are signed on behalf of the board by: M H Stephens CBE Trustee **The notes on pages 7 to 13 form part of these financial statements.** **6** **The Bianca Jagger Human Rights Foundation** ## **Notes to the Financial Statements** ## **Year ended 5 April 2023** ## **1. General information** The charity is a public benefit entity and a registered charity in England and Wales and is unincorporated. The address of the principal office is Unit 246, 272 Kensington High Street, London, W8 6ND. ## **2. Statement of compliance** These financial statements have been prepared in compliance with FRS 102, 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland', the Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (Charities SORP (FRS 102)) and the Charities Act 2011. ## **3. Accounting policies** ## **Basis of preparation** The financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis, as modified by the revaluation of certain financial assets and liabilities and investment properties measured at fair value through income or expenditure. The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the entity. ## **Going concern** There are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue. ## **Judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty** The preparation of the financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported. These estimates and judgements are continually reviewed and are based on experience and other factors. ## **Foreign currencies** Foreign currency transactions are initially recorded in the functional currency, by applying the spot exchange rate as at the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated at the exchange rate ruling at the reporting date, with any gains or losses being taken to the statement of financial activities. ## **Fund accounting** Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees to further any of the charity's purposes. Designated funds are unrestricted funds earmarked by the trustees for particular future project or commitment. Restricted funds are subjected to restrictions on their expenditure declared by the donor or through the terms of an appeal, and fall into one of two sub-classes: restricted income funds or endowment funds. **7** **The Bianca Jagger Human Rights Foundation** **Notes to the Financial Statements** _**(continued)**_ ## **Year ended 5 April 2023** **3. Accounting policies** _**(continued)**_ ## **Incoming resources** All incoming resources are included in the statement of financial activities when entitlement has passed to the charity; it is probable that the economic benefits associated with the transaction will flow to the charity and the amount can be reliably measured. The following specific policies are applied to particular categories of income: - income from donations or grants is recognised when there is evidence of entitlement to the gift, receipt is probable and its amount can be measured reliably. - legacy income is recognised when receipt is probable and entitlement is established. - income from donated goods is measured at the fair value of the goods unless this is impractical to measure reliably, in which case the value is derived from the cost to the donor or the estimated resale value. Donated facilities and services are recognised in the accounts when received if the value can be reliably measured. No amounts are included for the contribution of general volunteers. - income from contracts for the supply of services is recognised with the delivery of the contracted service. This is classified as unrestricted funds unless there is a contractual requirement for it to be spent on a particular purpose and returned if unspent, in which case it may be regarded as restricted. ## **Resources expended** Expenditure is recognised on an accruals basis as a liability is incurred. Expenditure includes any VAT which cannot be fully recovered, and is classified under headings of the statement of financial activities to which it relates: - expenditure on raising funds includes the costs of all fundraising activities, events, noncharitable trading activities, and the sale of donated goods. - expenditure on charitable activities includes all costs incurred by a charity in undertaking activities that further its charitable aims for the benefit of its beneficiaries, including those support costs and costs relating to the governance of the charity apportioned to charitable activities. - other expenditure includes all expenditure that is neither related to raising funds for the charity nor part of its expenditure on charitable activities. All costs are allocated to expenditure categories reflecting the use of the resource. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs are apportioned between the activities they contribute to on a reasonable, justifiable and consistent basis. ## **Tangible assets** Tangible assets are initially recorded at cost, and subsequently stated at cost less any accumulated depreciation and impairment losses. Any tangible assets carried at revalued amounts are recorded at the fair value at the date of revaluation less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and subsequent accumulated impairment losses. **8** **The Bianca Jagger Human Rights Foundation** **Notes to the Financial Statements** _**(continued)**_ ## **Year ended 5 April 2023** ## **3. Accounting policies** _**(continued)**_ ## **Tangible assets** _**(continued)**_ An increase in the carrying amount of an asset as a result of a revaluation, is recognised in other recognised gains and losses, unless it reverses a charge for impairment that has previously been recognised as expenditure within the statement of financial activities. A decrease in the carrying amount of an asset as a result of revaluation, is recognised in other recognised gains and losses, except to which it offsets any previous revaluation gain, in which case the loss is shown within other recognised gains and losses on the statement of financial activities. ## **Depreciation** Depreciation is calculated so as to write off the cost or valuation of an asset, less its residual value, over the useful economic life of that asset as follows: Equipment - 20% straight line ## **Impairment of fixed assets** A review for indicators of impairment is carried out at each reporting date, with the recoverable amount being estimated where such indicators exist. Where the carrying value exceeds the recoverable amount, the asset is impaired accordingly. Prior impairments are also reviewed for possible reversal at each reporting date. For the purposes of impairment testing, when it is not possible to estimate the recoverable amount of an individual asset, an estimate is made of the recoverable amount of the cashgenerating unit to which the asset belongs. The cash-generating unit is the smallest identifiable group of assets that includes the asset and generates cash inflows that largely independent of the cash inflows from other assets or groups of assets. For impairment testing of goodwill, the goodwill acquired in a business combination is, from the acquisition date, allocated to each of the cash-generating units that are expected to benefit from the synergies of the combination, irrespective of whether other assets or liabilities of the charity are assigned to those units. ## **Financial instruments** A financial asset or a financial liability is recognised only when the charity becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at the amount receivable or payable including any related transaction costs. Current assets and current liabilities are subsequently measured at the cash or other consideration expected to be paid or received and not discounted. Debt instruments are subsequently measured at amortised cost. Where investments in shares are publicly traded or their fair value can otherwise be measured reliably, the investment is subsequently measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognised in income and expenditure. All other such investments are subsequently measured at cost less impairment. **9** **The Bianca Jagger Human Rights Foundation** **Notes to the Financial Statements** _**(continued)**_ ## **Year ended 5 April 2023** ## **3. Accounting policies** _**(continued)**_ ## **Financial instruments** _**(continued)**_ Other financial instruments, including derivatives, are initially recognised at fair value, unless payment for an asset is deferred beyond normal business terms or financed at a rate of interest that is not a market rate, in which case the asset is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest for a similar debt instrument. Other financial instruments are subsequently measured at fair value, with any changes recognised in the statement of financial activities, with the exception of hedging instruments in a designated hedging relationship. Financial assets that are measured at cost or amortised cost are reviewed for objective evidence of impairment at the end of each reporting date. If there is objective evidence of impairment, an impairment loss is recognised under the appropriate heading in the statement of financial activities in which the initial gain was recognised. For all equity instruments regardless of significance, and other financial assets that are individually significant, these are assessed individually for impairment. Other financial assets are either assessed individually or grouped on the basis of similar credit risk characteristics. Any reversals of impairment are recognised immediately, to the extent that the reversal does not result in a carrying amount of the financial asset that exceeds what the carrying amount would have been had the impairment not previously been recognised. ## **4. Donations and legacies** |||Unrestricted|**Total Funds**|Unrestricted|Total Funds| |---|---|---|---|---|---| |||Funds|**2023**|Funds|2022| |||£|**£**|£|£| ||**Donations**||||| ||Donations received|49,083|49,083|92,538|92,538| |||৶৶৶৶৶৶৶৶|৶৶৶৶৶৶৶৶|৶৶৶৶৶৶৶৶|৶৶৶৶৶৶৶৶| |**5.**|**Investment income**||||| |||Unrestricted|**Total Funds**|Unrestricted|Total Funds| |||Funds|**2023**|Funds|2022| |||£|**£**|£|£| ||Bank interest receivable|133|133|–|–| |||৶৶৶৶|৶৶৶৶|৶৶৶৶|৶৶৶৶| |**6.**|**Expenditure on charitable activities by fund type**||||| |||Unrestricted|**Total Funds**|Unrestricted|Total Funds| |||Funds|**2023**|Funds|2022| |||£|**£**|£|£| ||Direct charitable activities|31,820|31,820|50,055|50,055| ||Support costs|2,808|2,808|28,136|28,136| |||ৄৄৄৄৄৄৄৄ|ৄৄৄৄৄৄৄৄ|ৄৄৄৄৄৄৄৄ|ৄৄৄৄৄৄৄৄ| |||34,628|34,628|78,191|78,191| |||৶৶৶৶৶৶৶৶|৶৶৶৶৶৶৶৶|৶৶৶৶৶৶৶৶|৶৶৶৶৶৶৶৶| **10** **The Bianca Jagger Human Rights Foundation** **Notes to the Financial Statements** _**(continued)**_ ## **Year ended 5 April 2023** ## **7. Expenditure on charitable activities by activity type** ||Activities|||| |---|---|---|---|---| ||undertaken||**Total funds**|Total fund| ||directly Support costs||**2023**|2022| ||£|£|**£**|£| |Direct charitable activities|31,820|–|31,820|50,055| |Governance costs|–|2,808|2,808|28,136| ||ৄৄৄৄৄৄৄৄ|ৄৄৄৄৄৄৄ|ৄৄৄৄৄৄৄৄ|ৄৄৄৄৄৄৄৄ| ||31,820|2,808|34,628|78,191| ||৶৶৶৶৶৶৶৶|৶৶৶৶৶৶৶|৶৶৶৶৶৶৶৶|৶৶৶৶৶৶৶৶| ## **8. Net income** Net income is stated after charging/(crediting): |||**2023**|2022| |---|---|---|---| |||**£**|£| ||Depreciation of tangible fixed assets|519|–| ||Foreign exchange differences|(559)|221| |||৶৶৶৶|৶৶৶৶| |**9.**|**Independent examination fees**||| |||**2023**|2022| |||**£**|£| ||Fees payable to the independent examiner for:||| ||Independent examination of the financial statements|900|150| |||৶৶৶৶|৶৶৶৶| |**10.**|**Staff costs**||| ||The total staff costs and employee benefits for the reporting period are analysed as||follows:| |||**2023**|2022| |||**£**|£| ||Wages and salaries|–
৶৶৶৶|40,812
৶৶৶৶৶৶৶৶| The average head count of employees during the year was Nil (2022: Nil). No employee received employee benefits of more than £60,000 during the year (2022: Nil). ## **11. Trustee remuneration and expenses** During the period, no trustees received any remuneration from the charity. No trustees were reimbursed any expenses relating to the charity's work. **11** ## **The Bianca Jagger Human Rights Foundation** ## **Notes to the Financial Statements** _**(continued)**_ ## **Year ended 5 April 2023** ## **12. Tangible fixed assets** ||**Equipment**| |---|---| ||**£**| |**Cost**|| |At 6 April 2022|519| |Disposals|(519)| ||ৄৄৄৄ| |**At 5 April 2023**|–| ||৶৶৶৶| |**Depreciation**|| |At 6 April 2022|–| |Charge for the year|519| |Disposals|(519)| ||ৄৄৄৄ| |**At 5 April 2023**|–| ||৶৶৶৶| |**Carrying amount**|| |**At 5 April 2023**|–| ||৶৶৶৶| |At 5 April 2022|519| ||৶৶৶৶| ## **13. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year** ||**2023**|2022| |---|---|---| ||**£**|£| |Accruals and deferred income|900|–| |Other loans|11,750|3,000| |Other creditors|2,459|–| ||ৄৄৄৄৄৄৄৄ|ৄৄৄৄৄৄৄ| ||15,109|3,000| ||৶৶৶৶৶৶৶৶|৶৶৶৶৶৶৶| 'Other loans' represents funds advanced by Bianca Jagger to the charity. ## **14. Analysis of charitable funds** ## **Unrestricted funds** |**Unrestricted funds**||||||| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |||At|||Gains and|**At**| ||6|April 2022|Income|Expenditure|losses|**5 April 2023**| |||£|£|£|£|£| |General funds||47,874|49,216|(34,628)|–|62,462| |||৶৶৶৶৶৶৶৶|৶৶৶৶৶৶৶৶|৶৶৶৶৶৶৶৶|৶৶৶৶|৶৶৶৶৶৶৶৶| |||At|||Gains and|At| ||6|April 2021|Income|Expenditure|losses|5 April 2022| |||£|£|£|£|£| |General funds||3,905|92,538|(78,191)|29,622|47,874| |||৶৶৶৶৶৶৶|৶৶৶৶৶৶৶৶|৶৶৶৶৶৶৶৶|৶৶৶৶৶৶৶৶|৶৶৶৶৶৶৶৶| **12** **The Bianca Jagger Human Rights Foundation** ## **Notes to the Financial Statements** _**(continued)**_ ## **Year ended 5 April 2023** ## **15. Analysis of net assets between funds** ||Unrestricted|**Total Funds**| |---|---|---| ||Funds|**2023**| ||£|**£**| |Tangible fixed assets|–|–| |Current assets|77,571|77,571| |Creditors less than 1 year|(15,109)|(15,109)| ||ৄৄৄৄৄৄৄৄ|ৄৄৄৄৄৄৄৄ| |**Net assets**|62,462|62,462| ||৶৶৶৶৶৶৶৶|৶৶৶৶৶৶৶৶| ||Unrestricted|Total Funds| ||Funds|2022| ||£|£| |Tangible fixed assets|519|519| |Current assets|50,355|50,355| |Creditors less than 1 year|(3,000)|(3,000)| ||ৄৄৄৄৄৄৄৄ|ৄৄৄৄৄৄৄৄ| |**Net assets**|47,874|47,874| ||৶৶৶৶৶৶৶৶|৶৶৶৶৶৶৶৶| **13** The Bianca Jagger Human Rights Foundation Independent Examiner's Report lo the Trustees of The Bianca Jagger Human Rights Foundation Year ended 5 April 2023 I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements ol The Bianca Jagger Human Rights Foundation I the charily'l lor the year ended 5 April 2023. Responsibilities and basis of report As the Iruslees ol the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the financial slalemenls in accordance with the requirements ol the Charities Act 2011 I'the Act'l. I report in respect of my examination ol the charity's financial slalemenls carried out under section 145 ol the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 14515llbl of the Act. Independent examlner's statement I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my allenlion in connection with the examination giving me cause lo believe that in any material respect= accounting records were not kept in respect ol the charity as required by section 130 01 the Act., or the financial statements do not accord with those re¢ords', or the financial statements do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and eonlènt ol accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Règulations 2008 other than any requirèment that the accounts give a 'true and lair, view which is not a matter considered as part ol an independent examination. I have no concerns and have come across no other mallers in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding ol the accounts lo be reached. G R Boagey BA FCA CTA Independent Examiner 384 Linlhorpe Road Middlesbrough United Kingdom TS5 6HA