Human Rights 

Continued airstrikes in western Libya ‘utterly unacceptable’, says UN mission chief

Ghassan Salamé, head of the UN Support Mission in the country, UNSMIL, called for greater civilian protection following the incidents, which occurred in three locations in the west. “We have said it loud and clear that indiscriminate attacks against civilians not only constitute a grave violation of international humanitarian law and human rights law, but also further escalate the conflict… Read More
Human Rights 

FIRST PERSON: Louisiana alligator whisperer’s ‘dream job’

Tucker Friedman is known in the Louisiana swampland as the alligator whisperer. He set up his tour company Atchafalaya Basin Landing Airboat Tours 20 years ago and introduces visitors from around the world to the unique ecosystem of the swamps in the Mississippi River flood plain.  He entertains his customers by calling to the alligators in Cajun French, a Louisiana vernacular, and then tickles them on the chin.  “People call me Captain… Read More
Human Rights 

FIRST PERSON: Accordion maker has ‘never had so much fun’

Clarence Martin, the son of a crop-sharer and carpenter, opened Martin Accordions in Lafayette, Louisiana after giving up working as a building site contractor. The company, where his son and daughter also work, makes, repairs and tunes accordions.  ILO Photo/John Isaac Clarence Martin (left) talks to a customer whose accordion he has repaired. “I used to be a residential contractor and cabinet maker,… Read More
Human Rights 

UN refugee agency welcomes move to register all births in Kazakhstan

The country this month amended its Code on Marriage and Family to allow universal birth registration for all children regardless of the legal status of their parents.  We have seen tremendous progress halfway through our 10-year #IBelong campaign to end statelessness. But millions remain without a nationality and millions are still at risk of being stateless. pic.twitter.com/AUHDSWbkNb — UNHCR Central Asia… Read More
Human Rights 

FIRST PERSON: Wine still helping heal, post-Hurricane Katrina

Beth Ribblett is the owner of Swirl Wine Bar and Market in the New Orleans’ neighbourhood of Faubourg St. John. At college she studied costume design, and subsequently exercise physiology, but then decided she wanted to open a wine bar. Her business is now almost 14 years old and is focused on serving the local community.  “Swirl Wine Bar and Market is really a post-Hurricane Katrina story. I was interested in wine for a long time and it was in my 5-year plan to… Read More
Human Rights 

FIRST PERSON: Feeling the milliner’s vibe

Kai Bussant is a fashion designer and milliner in New Orleans. She refurbishes hats at the Goorin Bros store. She has multiple jobs including styling and tailoring, and is about to launch her own fashion brand. She sold her first piece of clothing when she was at elementary school.   “I became a designer as I understand and am very comfortable with materials, and let them lead me. There are not many… Read More
Human Rights 

UN chief stresses need for independent, ‘impartial investigation’ into Saudi journalist Khashoggi’s death

At a press conference at UN Headquarters in New York on Monday, UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, in response to a question, told journalists that an investigation was necessary “to ensure full examination of and accountability for human rights violations committed in the case”. Back in October 2018, the US-based columnist for the Washington Post went to the Saudi consulate in Turkey… Read More
Human Rights 

Much work needed to ‘target unacceptable levels’ of racism in Ecuador: UN experts

After visiting the country, the independent UN human rights experts concluded that the Government must step up efforts to enforce the law and implement plans to end racial discrimination suffered by Afro-Ecuadorians and people of African descent. “People are suffering particularly in their ability to access justice, security, land, clean water, education, healthcare, housing and economic opportunity,” said Ahmed Reid,… Read More
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