Category: Human Rights

“Some demonstrators have resorted to using violence to express their grievances, and security forces have responded, at times, with unnecessary or disproportionate use of force”, rights office (OHCHR) Spokesperson, Marta Hurtado, told journalists on Tuesday in Geneva. “We call on actors to do their utmost to de-escalate the situation and upon authorities to deploy efforts to establish a meaningful and… Read More

The historic ruling marks the first decision by a UN human rights treaty body based on a complaint filed by an individual seeking protection from the effects of climate change.  Ioane Teitota from the Pacific island nation of Kiribati lodged the complaint in 2015 after being deported from New Zealand when his asylum application was denied.  Mr. Teitota argued that his right to life had been violated, as rising sea levels and other destructive effects of… Read More

The findings come in the latest report by the UN Commission of Inquiry on Syria, released on Thursday.  “I am appalled by the flagrant disregard for the laws of war and the Convention on the Rights of the Child by all parties involved in the conflict”, said Commission chair Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro.   “While the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic has the primary responsibility for the protection of… Read More

“The single most targeted group was human rights defenders advocating on behalf of community-based and specific ethnic groups such as indigenous peoples and Afro-Colombians”, Marta Hurtado told reporters in Geneva, adding that the number of women human rights defenders killed increased “by almost 50 per cent in 2019 compared to 2018”. According to OHCHR, 107 activists were killed last year.… Read More

An investigation carried out by the UN Joint Human Rights Office (UNJHRO) in the DRC, found that at least 701 people have been killed and 168 injured following attacks involving the Hema and Lendu communities in the country’s northeast province of Ituri, between December 2017 and September last year.  “In addition, at least 142 people have been subjected to acts of sexual violence” the… Read More

The legislation, which was passed by a resounding majority in El Salvador’s National Assembly on Thursday, also protects, aids and offers durable solutions to people who may be either at risk or who have already been internally displaced, due to violence perpetrated criminal gangs.  And for the first time ever, the law also provides for the establishment of a comprehensive national system of State institutions… Read More

Stop escalation, urges UN chief, as geopolitical tensions reach ‘highest level this century’ UN Secretary-General António Guterres called on world leaders to de-escalate geopolitical tensions on Monday, which he described as being “at their highest level this century” as the new decade dawns. The New Year has begun with our world in turmoil. We are living in dangerous times”, said the UN chief, noting… Read More

Dana Cormier manages the Best Stop Supermarket in Scott, Louisiana. Her business specializes in Cajun cuisine including boudin (a type of sausage) and cracklins (deep fried pork rind). Her father established the supermarket 33 years ago, and she has been working there for 24 years. The Cajun people settled in southern Louisiana after being exiled from Canada in the mid-1700s. … Read More