Category: Human Rights

Already a “cruel tactic of war, torture, terror and repression”, Secretary-General António Guterres pointed to the turmoil caused by the COVID-19 pandemic that “has made it even more difficult to hold perpetrators of sexual violence to account”. “Even as we respond to the pandemic, we must investigate every case, and maintain essential services for every survivor”, he said. Tackle the… Read More

The 10th anniversary of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights represents a milestone, they added, and an opportunity for countries and corporations to gear up for a new decade of action.  Framework for demanding accountability  The UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights has issued a stocktaking report on progress made since the Guiding Principles were endorsed unanimously by the UN… Read More

“Distressing reports from care homes in different parts of the world showed neglect, isolation and lack of adequate services, including healthcare, social and legal services”, said Claudia Mahler, independent expert on the enjoyment of all human rights of older persons, in her message for the day, marked annually on 15 June.  “Violence, abuse and neglect of older persons have been… Read More

Albinism, a rare, non-contagious, genetically inherited condition found in both men and women, presents as a lack of melanin pigmentation in hair, skin and eyes, causing vulnerability to the sun and bright light.  As a result` almost all people with albinism are visually impaired and are prone to developing skin cancer.  Secretary-General António Guterres said that this year’s theme, Strength… Read More

The report, Child Labour: Global estimates 2020, trends and the road forward, published by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), urges governments and international development banks, said UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore, “to prioritize investments in programmes that can get children out of the workforce and back into school”.  Tackle root causes  She also called for… Read More

They called on the authorities to probe “the circumstances and responsibilities surrounding these deaths, including forensic examinations of the remains found, and to proceed to the identification and registration of the missing children”.   “The judiciary should conduct criminal investigations into all suspicious death and allegations of torture and sexual violence against children, hosted in residential schools, and prosecute and sanction… Read More

They stressed that “digital rights” must be a top priority as countries rebuild civic space both during and after the crisis.  “Despite the instrumental role of the internet and digital technologies, which have provided new avenues for the exercise of public freedoms and access to health and related information and care in particular during the COVID-19 pandemic, States continue to… Read More

“Nicaragua must not criminalise legitimate practices such as participation in peaceful protests”, said Mary Lawlor, UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders.   A new rash of attacks and arrests have followed the third anniversary of widespread protests that broke out in April 2018, over planned social security reforms, and a lack of State response to a fire… Read More

The bicycle’s role as a simple, affordable and clean means of transportation is championed by the UN every year on World Bicycle Day, marked on 3 June. However, as we grow older, our eyes, legs and general physical condition start to limit our ability to cycle. Elderly persons, often reluctantly, stop cycling for fear of getting injured, giving up the… Read More