Category: Human Rights

Mr. Trump explained that freedom of religion is enshrined in the US Constitution and protected under the Bill of Rights, the name given to the first 10 amendments to the Constitution. “Regrettably, the religious freedom enjoyed by American citizens is rare in the world. Approximately 80 per cent of the world’s population live in countries where religious liberty is threatened,… Read More

“Their use is also critical to ensuring access to information and services, including during emergencies, and to realizing the human rights of the more than 70 million deaf people around the globe”, he continued. According to the World Federation of the Deaf, there are approximately 72 million deaf people worldwide, more than 80 per cent of whom live in developing… Read More

The study documents incidents from nearly 50 countries, such as the detention and imprisonment of activists, and the filming of participants at meetings, including on UN premises, without their consent.  Andrew Gilmour, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights, said there are also cases of authorities threatening and harassing relatives of activists. “Some governments seem prepared to go to almost any… Read More

Justice for Myanmar generals is coming, rights experts insist  Human rights violations against Myanmar’s ethnic minorities are continuing, top UN-appointed independent experts said on Tuesday, insisting that those responsible for abuses would face justice.  Briefing journalists in Geneva, UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar, Yanghee Lee, cited the involvement of the Myanmar military in operations against Rohingya communities in… Read More

Progress has been made in consolidating democracy in West Africa and the Sahel, according to the United Nation’s Special Representative in the region on Wednesday, who cited successful elections and “political dialogues” as part of the advances made. Read More

Michael Lynk issued a statement on Thursday denouncing comments by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said that he would implement the decision if re-elected. According to news reports, Mr. Netanyahu announced on Tuesday he would annex all Israeli settlements in the West Bank, if he wins on 17 September, and move immediately to annex the Jordan Valley, which is a… Read More

“Religious sites are powerful symbols of our collective consciousness”, said the UN chief. “When people are attacked because of their religion or beliefs, all of society is diminished”.  Mr. Guterres underscored that houses of worship must be “safe havens for reflection and peace, not sites of bloodshed and terror” and all people “must be allowed to observe and practice their… Read More

UN report on Syria conflict highlights inhumane detention of women and children As the people of north-west Syria face intensifying violence, tens of thousands of women and children continue to be kept in “inhumane conditions” in a remote camp on the other side of the country, UN-appointed independent investigators said on Wednesday. Describing the situation at Al Hol camp as… Read More

In her address to the Human Rights Council, Michelle Bachelet said that abuses have continued against activists who opposed social security reforms in the Central American state, more than 100 of whom are still in prison. Last year, the High Commissioner’s Office highlighted reports of repression against protesters and “a climate of fear” that left hundreds dead and thousands injured.… Read More

The Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery, Urmila Bhoola, explained that over 40 million people are enslaved around the world, a quarter of them children. Due to problems of environmental degradation, migration and shifting demographics, the scourge of modern-day slavery is expected to grow. Over 60 percent of those in forced labour work in the private sector, Ms. Bhoola… Read More