Human Rights 

New Iraqi law ‘major step’ in assisting ISIL’s female victims but more must be done

The Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons, Cecilia Jimenez-Damary, welcomed the adoption on 1 March of The Law on Yazidi Survivors, which recognizes ISIL’s violations against women and girls from the Yazidi, Turkman, Christian and Shabaks minorities – including kidnapping, sexual enslavement, forced marriage, pregnancy and abortion – as genocide and crimes against humanity.  “This is… Read More
Human Rights 

USA: Shackling of aged and infirmed inmate, Mumia Abu-Jamal, ‘deplorable’ say UN rights experts

Mumia Abu-Jamal, who has been incarcerated for 40 years in the United States, had also been shackled to his bed during a previous four-day hospitalization in late February, while being treated for heart failure. The political activist and journalist, was convicted of killing police officer Daniel Faulkner, in Philadelphia, in 1981. He denies the charges.  Since being admitted for surgery… Read More
Human Rights 

Human rights experts demand UAE provide ‘meaningful information’ on Sheikha Latifa

Sheikha Latifa, the daughter of the Emir of Dubai, and Prime Minister of the UAE, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, was reportedly abducted while attempting to flee the country in 2018. In February, footage was released that reportedly showed her being deprived of her liberty against her will. Independent rights experts, including the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women… Read More
Human Rights 

UN chief to Indigenous Forum: ‘Prioritize inclusion and sustainable development’

And as their languages and cultures remain under constant threat, indigenous peoples have taken a major blow from the COVID-19 pandemic.   “An already vulnerable group risks being left even further behind”, warned Secretary-General António Guterres.   Moreover, their lack of participation in decision-making has often meant their specific needs are overlooked or ignored.   “As we work to recover from the pandemic,… Read More
Human Rights 

Settler violence is rising in Occupied Palestinian Territory, warn experts

Highlighting more than 210 incidents already this year and one Palestinian fatality, the Special Rapporteurs urged the Israeli authorities to investigate thoroughly, maintaining that the Israeli military were present “in many cases”. Children traumatized In southern Hebron on 13 March, they described how a Palestinian family was attacked by 10 Israeli settlers, some of them armed. Violence by Israeli settlers… Read More
Human Rights 

Prevention is ‘only cure’ to end sexual violence in conflict, Security Council hears

“We meet at a moment when this crime, which should have been consigned to a closed chapter of history, is once again in the headlines”, said Pramila Patten, Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, affirming that now was the time to “take stock of both the persistent and entrenched, as well as new and emerging, challenges…to eradicate the scourge”. ‘Chasm between… Read More
Human Rights 

UN experts urge US to align anti-terrorism programme with international law

Operated by the US State Department, the anti-terrorism programme offers money for information on people outside the country, who the Government has designated as being associated with terrorism, although they have not been charged with any crimes.   It also offers financial incentives to foreigners who claim to have terrorist ties, if they cooperate with US authorities.  USA: “Rewards for Justice”… Read More
Human Rights 

UK armed forces bill would limit war crimes accountability: UN rights chief

In a statement, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, urged Parliament to heed warnings that the proposed new Overseas Operations Bill risks undermining key human rights obligations that lawmakers have previously agreed to. “As currently drafted, the Bill would make it substantially less likely that UK service members on overseas operations would be held accountable for serious human rights violations amounting to… Read More
Human Rights 

Libya violated rights of ‘targeted’ woman activist, says anti-discrimination committee

Magdulein Abaida fled Libya in 2012 after being harassed, tortured and forced to close down her women’s rights organisation, Hakki, or “My Right”. “She was targeted and threatened because of her activism for women’s rights. But the Libyan government failed to investigate, prosecute, punish and provide reparations for the torture and harassment inflicted on her,” Nahla Haidar, a member of CEDAW. Interrogated… Read More
Human Rights 

Hate speech and violence still rising against Roma despite recognition gains, says rights expert

Ahead of International Roma Day on Thursday 8 April, Fernand de Varennes called for more work to be done to control the spread of inflammatory comments on social media. “Those forms of online hate speech violate international human rights obligations and can lead to violence against Sinti, Roma and other minorities”, he said. The birth of the World Roma Congress The first World Roma Congress was held in 1971 near London,… Read More
Social media & sharing icons powered by UltimatelySocial