Category: Pacific

The six Special Rapporteurs were alarmed by the recent escalation of arbitrary arrests of teachers, labour activists, union leaders, lawyers, human rights defenders, and others.  Demonstrations have spread across Iran since early May, following the Government’s decision to cut subsidies on food items. At least five protesters have been killed as a result of excessive use of force by security… Read More

“In the wake of years of conflict, and since the takeover by the Taliban in August last year, the country has been plunged into a deep economic, social, humanitarian and human rights crisis,” said High Commissioner Michelle Bachelet. Systematic oppression She admired the courage of Afghan women in demanding their inalienable rights while facing a “critical” situation under increasingly repressive… Read More

“What we are witnessing today is the systematic and widespread use of tactics against civilians, in respect of which there are reasonable grounds to believe the commission of crimes against humanity and war crimes”, High Commissioner Michelle Bachelet told the Human Rights Council. ‘Dire situation’ Since last year’s coup, at least 1,900 killings by the military have been reported, the… Read More

Noeleen Heyzer said that since she took up the job six months ago, Myanmar has “continued to descend into profound and widespread conflict”. Already one of the world’s largest refugee emergencies, she reminded that multidimensional crises there have left over one million internally displaced people (IDPs) across the country with “serious regional and international ramifications”. Nearly one million mainly Muslim Rohingyas… Read More

Special Rapporteurs Thomas Andrews and Morris Tidball-Binz, fear the development could signal the start of a spate of executions in a country which has not carried out capital punishment in more than 30 years.  Disregard for human rights  “The illegitimate military junta is providing the international community with further evidence of its disregard for human rights as it prepares to… Read More

“Strengthening engagement with independent human rights experts and Human Rights Council mechanisms is crucial to full and transparent enforcement of China’s human rights obligations,” the group of more than 40 experts said, ahead of the Council’s landmark 50th session, which begins on Monday.   Systemic violations  In a statement, they recalled the Government’s high-level engagement with the High Commissioner during her recent… Read More

In response to the country’s request for UN-backed international assistance, the Organization and other partners launched a joint Humanitarian Needs and Priorities (HNP) Plan to aid 1.7 million people worst-hit by the economic crisis. Covering the period from June to September this year, it aims to address the most urgent needs – with a particular focus on healthcare and essential medicines,… Read More

ILO expressed its deep sadness over the loss of life, which included nine fire fighters, after chemical-filled containers combusted, one after another, around midnight on Saturday, at the BM Container Depot. According to news reports, the death toll was revised down after some bodies were counted twice, and hundreds are still listed as missing or injured, with the toll expected… Read More

“The Government of Iraq admittedly operates in a complex environment, including within the context of stalled government formation,” said the Update on Accountability in Iraq, jointly published by the UN Assistance Mission there (UNAMI) and the UN human rights office, OHCHR. “However, continued impunity for killings, disappearances, abduction and torture of activists, undermines the authority of State institutions.” Elections Between… Read More

Special Rapporteur Richard Bennett was speaking to journalists at the end of an 11-day visit to the country.  Mr. Bennett said Afghanistan is facing a plethora of human rights challenges that are having a severe impact on the country’s people. However, the Taliban have failed to acknowledge or address the magnitude and gravity of abuses, many of which were committed… Read More