Category: Human Rights

That is according to the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Fatou Bensouda, who said she had a “clear message to convey: now is the time to act. Now is the time for the people of Sudan to choose law, over impunity, and ensure that the ICC suspects in the Darfur situation, finally face justice in a court of… Read More

In a 100-page report to be presented to the Human Rights Council next week, Special Rapporteur Agnès Callamard discusses the circumstances leading up to Mr. Khashoggi’s death and considers steps that might have prevented his murder.  The prominent United States-based writer was last seen alive entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, on 2 October last year.  Citing graphic audio recordings obtained… Read More

Calling the scourge “a tactic of war, to terrorize people and to destabilize societies”, he underscored that its effect can echo across generations through trauma, stigma, poverty, long-term health issues and unwanted pregnancy. He urged that survivors should be heard and their needs recognized.  “They are mostly women and girls, but also men and boys, calling for our support to… Read More

“There is no denying the facts”, he stated. Mark Lowcock, also the UN Humanitarian Affairs chief, painted a grim picture of continuing violence involving Syrian Government forces and their allies, armed opposition forces, and the Security Council-listed terrorist organization Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). “Over the last six weeks, the conduct of hostilities has resulted in more than 230 civilian deaths,… Read More

Hate speech ‘on notice’ as UN chief launches new plan to ‘identify, prevent and confront’ growing scourge United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has declared war on hate speech, telling Member States on Tuesday, that we all need to “do better at looking out for each other”. “Hate speech may have gained a foothold, but it is now on notice”, Mr.… Read More

“Hate speech may have gained a foothold, but it is now on notice”, Mr. Guterres said, launching the UN Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech. “We will never stop confronting it”. Secretary-General António Guterres makes remarks at the Launch of the United Nations Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech meeting. (18 June 2019), by UN Photo/Manuel… Read More

Briefing the Security Council on Friday, UN Peacekeeping chief, Jean Pierre Lacroix, said that the bloody 3 June military crackdown in the capital Khartoum, had highlighted the central role of the Darfur-linked Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which are reportedly made up largely of former Janjaweed militia, which has been accused of serious human rights abuses. During the Darfur conflict between… Read More

According to her Office, despite restrictions on communications in Sudan, reports of serious human rights violations have emerged since the beginning of the month. These include reported rapes and gang rapes of protesters, women’s human rights defenders and women medical personnel working in hospitals near the sit-in perpetrated by the “Rapid Support Forces” or RSF – a paramilitary group run… Read More

Recognize, celebrate and ‘stand in solidarity’ with persons with albinism International Albinism Awareness Day is a time to “recognize, celebrate and stand in solidarity with persons with albinism around the world”, the United Nations urged on THURSDAY, taking place this year under the banner, “Still Standing Strong”. Each 13 June, the world is reminded that people with albinism deserve to… Read More

In a statement issued ahead of presenting his latest report to the Human Rights Council later this month, Victor Madrigal-Borloz urged States to collect more data in an effort to understand the root causes of violence which is often routinely directed towards Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) people in societies across the world.  Policymakers are taking decisions in the dark, left only with personal preconceptions… Read More