Human Rights 

USA: Rights expert decries wave of anti-protest laws ‘spreading through the country’

Special Rapporteur Clément Voule said the laws adopted in Florida and Oklahoma appear to be part of an ongoing effort to curtail demonstrations, such as those which took place following the killing of George Floyd last May.  ‘Snowball effect’  He feared they are part of a wave of legislation to restrict racial justice protests in the US, where more than… Read More
Human Rights 

UN human rights office urges calm, after bloodshed in Colombian city of Cali

Spokesperson Marta Hurtado said that the OHCHR office in Colombia is working to verify the exact number of casualties, and establish how the incident came about in Cali. “We express our profound shock at the events there and stress our solidarity with those who have lost their lives, as well as the injured and their families”, she said. Mr. Hurtado… Read More
Human Rights 

Free press ‘a cornerstone’ of democratic societies, UN says

In a message on World Press Freedom Day, marked annually on 3 May, Secretary-General António Guterres underscored the importance of reliable, verified and accessible information. . ???? The pen ?? is mightier ?? than the ?? sword ? ??? 3 May is #WorldPressFreedomDay. Stand up for #PressFreedom! — UNESCO ?️ #Education #Sciences #Culture ??? (@UNESCO) May 2, 2021 “During the… Read More
Human Rights 

Middle East coordinator calls for new and timely Palestinian election date 

UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Tor Wennesland, said that he understood the “disappointment of the many Palestinians” who had gone nearly 16 years without being able to cast their vote.   Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas announced the postponement of the planned parliamentary elections, amidst a dispute over voting rights in Israeli-annexed East Jerusalem, according to news reports.  #UN Envoy @TWennesland takes note of postponement… Read More
Human Rights 

FROM THE FIELD: Diversity of indigenous peoples highlighted in UN photo exhibit

The UN estimates there are some 476 million indigenous people in more than 90 countries around the world who have been denied the opportunity to control their own political, social, economic and cultural development.  Alexander Khimushin Adults (left to right) from the Omo River, Ethiopia, Lake Atitlán, Guatemala and Taimyr Peninsula, Russia feature in the photo exhibition. The images collected… Read More
Human Rights 

UN rights chief welcomes verdict in George Floyd murder case 

“This is a momentous verdict”, said the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, in a statement.  The white former Minneapolis police officer was convicted on Tuesday of murdering the 46-year-old African American man in May of last year.  Mr. Chauvin was filmed kneeling on Mr. Floyd’s neck for more than nine minutes, sparking mass protests globally against racism.  More… Read More
Human Rights 

New Iraqi law ‘major step’ in assisting ISIL’s female victims but more must be done

The Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons, Cecilia Jimenez-Damary, welcomed the adoption on 1 March of The Law on Yazidi Survivors, which recognizes ISIL’s violations against women and girls from the Yazidi, Turkman, Christian and Shabaks minorities – including kidnapping, sexual enslavement, forced marriage, pregnancy and abortion – as genocide and crimes against humanity.  “This is… Read More
Human Rights 

USA: Shackling of aged and infirmed inmate, Mumia Abu-Jamal, ‘deplorable’ say UN rights experts

Mumia Abu-Jamal, who has been incarcerated for 40 years in the United States, had also been shackled to his bed during a previous four-day hospitalization in late February, while being treated for heart failure. The political activist and journalist, was convicted of killing police officer Daniel Faulkner, in Philadelphia, in 1981. He denies the charges.  Since being admitted for surgery… Read More
Human Rights 

Human rights experts demand UAE provide ‘meaningful information’ on Sheikha Latifa

Sheikha Latifa, the daughter of the Emir of Dubai, and Prime Minister of the UAE, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, was reportedly abducted while attempting to flee the country in 2018. In February, footage was released that reportedly showed her being deprived of her liberty against her will. Independent rights experts, including the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women… Read More
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