Category: Human Rights

Terrorism ‘spreading and destabilizing’ entire regions, Guterres warns States, at key Kenya conference “Trauma from terrorism” hurts families, communities and destabilizes entire regions, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said on Wednesday, as he expressed solidarity with victims of extremist attacks in Africa. Speaking in Nairobi at the opening of a conference on counter-terrorism, Mr. Guterres recalled how attackers had laid siege… Read More

“Over several months we have communicated to the Iranian Government our deep concerns about the physical and mental integrity of detainees,” the experts said in a statement.  “Despite Government assurances, we are frustrated to still receive reports of denial of medical treatment, including in life-threatening situations”.  The experts said the denial of medical treatment for human rights activist Arash Sadeghi,… Read More

Speaking in Nairobi at the opening of a conference on counter-terrorism, Mr. Guterres recalled how attackers had laid siege to a hotel complex in the capital in January, killing 21 people. Africans on ‘front line’ against terror The deteriorating situation in the Sahel and “increasing risks” in West Africa are also deeply concerning, the UN chief continued, amid ongoing attacks… Read More

Now is the time to seize ‘unprecedented opportunity’ of the Sustainable Development Forum, says ECOSOC President Nations across the world now have an “unprecedented opportunity to talk to each other and learn from each other”, Inga Rhonda King, President of the UN Economic and Social Council (ESOSOC), said on Tuesday, kicking off the annual High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development… Read More

Civilian casualties in Kashmir likely highest in over a decade, says UN report, noting lack of ‘concrete steps’ by both India and Pakistan Civilian casualties sustained in both India-Administered Kashmir, and Pakistan-Administered Kashmir for the year up to the end of April, “are believed to be the highest number in over a decade”, according to a new report published by… Read More

“As a pediatrician, but also as a mother and a former head of State, I am deeply shocked that children are forced to sleep on the floor in overcrowded facilities, without access to adequate healthcare or food, and with poor sanitation conditions”, said High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet. She stated that according to several UN human rights bodies,… Read More

The report, published by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), was mandated by the Human Rights Council, in response to longstanding concerns by Member States.  In her statement, Ms. Bachelet said that her team had conducted a “technical visit” to Venezuela in March; and made nine visits to interview Venezuelan refugees and migrants based in several… Read More

Deadly ‘war crime’ airstrike on migrant centre in Libya: UN calls for inquiry  An airstrike on a detention centre in Tripoli that killed scores of migrants and refugees “deserves more than condemnation”, UN agencies said on Wednesday, as both the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and the head of the UN mission in Libya (UNSMIL), insisted that it may amount to a war crime.  In… Read More

Addressing the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Yanghee Lee warned that the international community is “beginning to overlook” the plight of hundreds of thousands of people who fled the country amid violence described as ethnic cleansing.  “So long as impunity for alleged atrocity crimes prevails, we will continue to bear witness to flagrant violations of rights perpetrated against ethnic minority populations in… Read More

“I am shocked by the alleged torture of Captain Acosta Arévalo, and that his treatment in custody may have been the cause of his death,” said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet in a statement on Monday. “I remind the Venezuelan authorities that they are responsible for the life, and the physical and psychological integrity of all people… Read More