Category: Human Rights

From Afghanistan to Yemen, and Syria to northern Ethiopia, UNICEF denounced grave violations against youngsters in both protracted and new conflicts.   ‘Dreadful disregard’  Last week, four children were reportedly among the victims of an attack that killed at least 35 people – including two Save the Children staff – in Kayah state in eastern Myanmar. In a statement, UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore said that, year after year, “parties to conflict continue to demonstrate a dreadful disregard for the rights and wellbeing… Read More

As the COVID-19 pandemic continued into a second year, many of the exceptional people we featured in 2021 were, unsurprisingly, health workers putting themselves at considerable personal risk to ensure members of their communities survived the pandemic. ‘We pray to God to save us from famine’ These risks are compounded in conflict zones where workers continue to provide health services… Read More

The UN chief was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of the anti-apartheid leader and human rights activist, who died in Cape Town, South Africa, earlier that day.  He was 90. I am deeply saddened by the passing of Archbishop Desmond Tutu – a towering global figure for peace & justice, voice of the voiceless & inspiration to people… Read More

“The recruitment agencies and employers treat us as if we are human commodities!”, says Adanesh Worko, an Ethiopian worker who works in a house in Beirut. “Sometimes I am beaten and denied food but, because of my contract, I cannot choose to work somewhere else, or go back home. My employer said ‘I bought you. Pay me $2,000 and then… Read More

Over a three-day period, prominent human rights defenders Trinh Ba Phoung, Nguyen Thi Tam, Do Nam Trung and independent author Pham Doan Trang, were sentenced to up to a decade in jail, and five years on probation.  Silence and intimidate  Spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani said OHCHR was “deeply troubled” by the harsh sentencing of the human rights and land rights defenders, who were charged under articles 88 and 117 of Viet Nam’s Criminal Code.  Meanwhile, journalist Le Trong Hung, who had… Read More

The report documents various instances of unnecessary or disproportionate use of force by police officers during widespread demonstrations that began on 28 April and continued for several weeks.  The protests were part of a national strike against the country’s long-standing economic and social equalities, many of which were worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic.   46 deaths verified  During the period… Read More

If he is made to return, human rights defender Yidiresi Aishan risks detention, enforced disappearance, or torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, the experts argue. Deep concern “We are deeply concerned by today’s decision by the Moroccan Court of Cassation allowing the extradition of Mr. Aishan to China, despite the credible risk of grave violations of… Read More

Special Rapporteur Mary Lawlor said Indonesia must immediately stop threatening and intimidating human rights defender Veronica Koman and her family.  Living in self-imposed exile in Australia, Ms. Koman, a lawyer specializing in human and minority rights, faces charges of incitement, displaying race-based hatred, spreading fake news and disseminating information aimed at inflicting ethnic-hatred.  The allegations were believed to have been brought against her in retaliation for providing reports to UN human rights mechanisms and attending UN meetings – for… Read More

In the decision, the Committee requested that Venezuela declare the criminal proceedings against Allan Brewer Carías null and void, and that he be awarded adequate compensation. It also called for the State to take steps to prevent the recurrence of such violations. Mr. Carías has been living in the United States since 2005, unable to return to his country for fear of being arrested… Read More

Briefing the UN Human Rights Council, Nada Al-Nashif detailed how the profound humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan is threatening basic rights, with women, girls, and civil society among those most affected.  Dignity or deprivation  “How the de facto authorities – indeed, and the international community – address the drastic economic and humanitarian crises in the country will determine Afghans’ enjoyment of human rights, now and into the future,” she said.  “They will mark… Read More