Human Rights 

Mediterranean migrant shipwreck: Swift action needed to prevent new tragedy

Duty to rescue people in distress In a joint statement, refugee agency UNHCR and migration agency IOM, said that the duty to rescue people in distress at sea without delay was a “fundamental” rule of the international maritime law. They underscored that the current approach to Mediterranean Sea crossings – one of the world’s most dangerous and deadly migration routes… Read More
Human Rights 

UN chief insists on solidarity with people of Syria, with ‘no time to spare’

The UN was asking for $11.1 billion dollars – its largest appeal worldwide – to support Syrians inside the country and those displaced in the broader region, Mr. Guterres said.  By the end of the conference, donors announced €5.6 billion in grants, tweeted the UN refugee agency chief Filippo Grandi, reiterating that pledges must “translate into tangible contributions for Syrians… Read More
Human Rights 

Almost 3 million children ‘desperately need protection and support’ in Haiti

“Being a child in Haiti today is harsher and more dangerous than it ever has been in living memory.  The threats and hardships children face are simply unimaginable. They desperately need protection and support,” said UNICEF Haiti Representative Bruno Maes. Displacement and violence Children find themselves in the crossfire, or directly targeted, as armed groups terrorize the population in their… Read More
Human Rights 

‘Inclusion is strength’ stresses UN, marking Albinism Awareness Day

Persons with the condition – which is caused by a lack of melanin pigmentation, affecting skin, hair and eye colour – continue to face an uphill battle to attain a life with dignity and equality, said Muluka-Anne Miti-Drummond, the UN Independent Expert on albinism.  “My clarion call today is for Governments, UN counterparts, civil society organisations, influencers, community members and… Read More
Human Rights 

First Person: ‘We want to be included’

Nicholas Herd is a campaigner for L’Arche Canada, part of international non-profit organization working towards the inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities. He is participating in the UN Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities which is taking place at UN Headquarters in New York. “I have lived with discrimination for part of my life.… Read More
Human Rights 

Türk calls for action to enable ‘equal and meaningful’ participation of women in public life

“Patriarchy must be a thing of the past. Our future depends on women and girls being at the table everywhere when decisions are made,” said Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. Only 1 in 4 parliamentarians are women “It was only last year that for the first time in history women were represented in every functioning parliament… Read More
Human Rights 

Progress on disability rights risks going in reverse: Guterres

Addressing a conference to take stock of action since the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) 17 years ago, he urged countries to “do much, much better” to achieve greater inclusion and accessibility.  There are more than one billion persons with disabilities worldwide, most of whom are of working age and live in developing… Read More
Human Rights 

Initiative to enhance crucial role of women in countering hate speech launched

The bold new plan is being released a few days ahead of the second UN-stipulated International Day for Countering Hate Speech. The Plan of Action for Women in Communities to Counter Hate Speech and Prevent Incitement to Violence that Could Lead to Atrocity Crimes (otherwise known as The Napoli Women in Communities Plan of Action) is based on a year-long… Read More
Human Rights 

One in every 10 children works – instead of going to school

On Monday’s World Day against Child Labour, the International Labour Organization (ILO) shared these staggering numbers as a reminder of the urgent need to end this practice. ILO’s Director-General Gilbert Houngbo said that for the first time in 20 years, child labour is on the rise. “Child labour rarely happens because parents are bad, or do not care. Rather, it… Read More
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