Category: Human Rights

“The killing of Ali Ayman Abu Aliya by the Israeli Defense Forces – in circumstances where there was no threat of death or serious injury to the Israeli Security Forces – is a grave violation of international law,” special rapporteurs Michael Lynk and Agnès Callamard said in a statement.  “Intentional lethal force is justified only when the security personnel are… Read More

The urgent action procedure allows families, relatives and representatives of disappeared persons to submit a request to CED after having reported the disappearance to relevant national authorities.  Nearly half of the requests, or 49 per cent, concern disappearances in Iraq, while 42 per cent are cases in Mexico.  A human tragedy  “Behind each urgent action request, there is a human… Read More

High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet called on Colombia’s Government to take concrete actions to protect the population from the surge in violence inflicted on peasants, indigenous and Afro-Colombian people by non-State armed groups, criminal groups and other armed elements.  “It is the State’s duty to be present throughout the country, implementing a whole range of comprehensive public policies, not only to… Read More

Nicholas Tilsen, human rights defender of the Oglala-Lakȟóta Sioux Nation and president of the indigenous-led NDN Collective, is due in court on 18 December, charged with four felonies and three misdemeanours after he and others blocked a road leading to a fireworks celebration event, led by President Donald Trump, which was held on 4 July at the South Dakota site… Read More

“I am appalled at the execution in Iran on 12 December of Ruhollah Zam, activist and founder of the AmadNews Telegram channel”, Ms Bachelet said in a statement.  ‘Emblematic of a pattern’  “His death sentence and execution by hanging are emblematic of a pattern of forced confessions extracted under torture and broadcast on state media being used as a basis to convict people.… Read More

Many refugees, migrants and their host communities now face multiple challenges that have worsened their already precarious situation, the agencies said. “Lockdowns, loss of livelihoods and impoverishment are forcing many to become increasingly dependent on emergency humanitarian assistance for their health, shelter, food, protection and education needs”, and these needs will be targeted in 17 countries thanks to the appeal… Read More

In a message on the international day to commemorate the victims of genocide and affirm their dignity, on Wednesday, Secretary-General António Guterres also highlighted the key responsibility of governments.  “Governments need to guarantee civic space for human rights institutions and defenders to do their essential work, and they need to protect the rights of those at risk,” he said.  ‘Warning… Read More

The UN chief made the appeal in his message for Human Rights Day, observed on Thursday.  “People and their rights must be front and centre of response and recovery. We need universal, rights-based frameworks like health coverage for all, to beat this pandemic and protect us for the future”, he said.  Violations hurt us all  The pandemic has reinforced two… Read More

In a wide-ranging press conference to mark Human Rights Day, Ms. Bachelet said it was astounding that some political leaders were continuing to play down of COVID-19 and dismissing simple prevention measures such as wearing masks and avoiding large gatherings.  Repairing the frayed system of multilateralism will be essential to #RecoverBetter. Leaders need to recognize that, more than ever, our world… Read More

Speaking at a meeting of the Human Rights Council, High Commissioner Michelle Bachelet shared reports of more than 27,000 arrests since 9 August, when protesters began contesting the result of presidential elections.  “In the last month, hundreds of people continued to be arrested each week during the demonstrations – with reportedly around 1,000 people on 8 November and 700 on… Read More