Category: Human Rights

According to the UN Commission of Inquiry on Syria, the country is not safe for refugees to return to, after a decade of war. The panel’s findings come amid an uptick in violence in the northwest, northeast and south of the country, where the Commissioners highlighted the chilling return of besiegement against civilian populations by pro-Government forces. “The parties to the conflict… Read More

Martin Reeve is a Regional Adviser for GLO.ACT a joint European Union-UNODC programme which focuses on Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. He spoke to UN News from his base in Baghdad, the Iraqi capital.  “As a UNODC Regional Adviser, I engage with police officers and other criminal justice officials to help them improve their responses to trafficking in persons… Read More

In a new report commissioned by the Human Rights Council into how the war has been waged over the last 12 months, the panel condemned the same “egregious” violations that have characterized their previous findings. These include airstrikes by the Saudi-led international coalition that supports the Yemeni Government, and “indiscriminate” shelling of civilians, “particularly by the Houthis but also by… Read More

Their appeal follows serious concerns that Heidar Ghorbani did not receive a fair trial and was tortured during pre-trial detention.  He was arrested in October 2016 in connection with the alleged killing of three men affiliated to Basij paramilitary forces and no information was provided to Mr. Ghorbani’s family on his whereabouts until three months later.   🇮🇷 UN experts appeal to #Iran to halt imminent execution of Iranian Kurdish prisoner… Read More

The UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT) drew particular attention to the provisions of the Convention and of its Optional Protocol (OPCAT). Noting that Afghanistan has entered into “a very challenging new chapter of power transition”, the SPT reminded in a statement that torture is “absolutely prohibited at all times and under all circumstances”. Torture or other cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment cannot be justified in… Read More

Speaking to UN News in July 2020, Andrew Young recounted his memories of Mr. Bunche, and explained why his influence continues to be felt, at the UN and in the broader fight against racism. “Ralph Bunche was one of my childhood heroes. I thought of him as my father, because he has already done everything that I was trying to… Read More

UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for a greater commitment to advance the promise of equality, justice and dignity for all, in his inaugural message.   The first-ever International Day for People of African Descent is a celebration of their enormous contributions to every field of human endeavour. It’s also a long overdue recognition of the profound injustices they continue to endure, and an urgent call… Read More

“New global challenges, such as COVID-19 and the effects of climate change, on top of persistent ones like rising forced displacement, showcase just how critical the right to a nationality is,” said Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees. “Having a nationality – and the protection of a government that nationality affords – can make a life-saving difference, even more… Read More

The UN chief made the appeal in his message to mark the International Day honouring victims of this serious human rights violation, observed on Monday. “Together, we can and we must end all enforced disappearances,” he said.  A global problem Enforced disappearance refers to the arrest, detention or abduction of persons by agents of the State, or those acting with State authorization or support,… Read More

After losing her right leg in a car accident as a Japanese high school student, Kaede Maegawa was grateful when her friends offered her support. Yet, she sometimes felt that she wouldn’t be capable of doing anything on her own. In order to regain her confidence, she asked her friends and teachers to let her try do things on her… Read More