Category: Human Rights

“We are deeply concerned by the continuing escalation of the conflict in Yemen. Overnight, air strikes by the Saudi-led coalition on the capital, Sana’a, are reported to have left at least five civilians dead,” said OHCHR spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani. “According to preliminary information, those killed were five members of the same family, including two women and a child, when a… Read More

Spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani said the human rights situation in Sudan continues to be of serious concern, with peaceful protestors killed or injured on a near-daily basis, as well as an intensifying clampdown on critics and independent journalists.  🇸🇩 #Sudan continues to be of serious concern, with peaceful protesters killed or injured on a near-daily basis by security forces, as well… Read More

Spokesperson Liz Throssell said OHCHR was deeply concerned by recent incidents in both countries which saw individuals glorify atrocity crimes and convicted war criminals, target certain communities with hate speech, and, in some cases, directly incite violence.  The fear is that such acts – fuelled by continued inflammatory, nationalistic rhetoric and hate speech of some politicians – will increase this… Read More

The man, known as Anwar R, was charged with complicity in the torture of thousands of people between 2011 and 2012 in the Al-Khatib Branch of Syrian General Intelligence in the capital, Damascus.   Renewed spotlight on atrocities  UN Human Rights High Commissioner, Michelle Bachelet said his trial cast a much-needed renewed spotlight on the torture and inhuman treatment countless Syrians… Read More

The explosive remnant of war that detonated near a school on Monday also left four other children injured who had been attending class. All twelve were boys. UNICEF’s acting representative in the country, Alice Akunga, described the incident as underlining the importance of the international community providing more support for Afghanistan, so authorities can “clear explosive ordnance and remnants of… Read More

The detention camp, sited within a US naval base on the island, was set up in 2002 to house prisoners captured in Afghanistan, and at its peak housed some 780 people, most of whom were detained without trial. Of the 39 detainees still held at Guantánamo , only nine have been charged, or convicted of crimes. Between 2002 and 2021, nine… Read More

Impunity is “alarmingly widespread”, said the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).  “Once again in 2021, far too many journalists paid the ultimate price to bring truth to light”, said UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay.   “Right now, the world needs independent, factual information more than ever. We must do more to ensure that those who work tirelessly to provide this can do so without fear.”  Although the number of victims stands at its lowest for a… Read More

Braille is a tactile language used by blind and partially sighted people. Combinations of raised dots represent each letter and number, and even musical, mathematical and scientific symbols, so that books and periodicals can be read through touch.     There is no substitute for the ability to read. On #WorldBrailleDay, let’s recognize the contribution of Braille as a tool… Read More

During a protest rally supporting Belarus’ opposition leader Maria Kolesnikova, local women resist police attempts to detain them., by © EPA/Yauhen Yerchak Photography4Humanity, a UN-supported initiative, calls on amateur and professional photographers from around the world to bring to life the power of human rights through their images, and inspire people to get involved and take a stand. Yauhen Yerchak’s… Read More