China: UN experts demand information on nine imprisoned human rights defenders
UN-appointed independent rights experts have called on the Chinese Government to provide information about nine Tibetan human rights defenders serving prisoner sentences of up to 11 years.
UN refugee agency concerned about situation at Mexico-US border
New York: The UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR, voiced concern on Tuesday over the situation in Mexico, where refugees and migrants aspiring to get to the United States find themselves in cramped shelters, exposed to multiple risks.
UK Bill ‘significantly erodes’ human rights and refugee protections, UN agencies warn
New York: The United Kingdom parliament has passed a bill inconsistent with the country’s obligations under international human rights and refugee law that could have profound consequences for people seeking international protection, warned the UN rights chief and the head of refugee agency UNHCR on Tuesday.
Kashmore/Pakistan: In two separate incidents of vandalism targeted Hindu places of worship in Sindh province, Pakistan, raising alarm among the affected communities and human rights advocates.
Health data, women’s and LGBT rights in spotlight at Human Rights Council
New York: The right to keep personal health data private is increasingly under threat in our digital world, with potentially devastating consequences for already vulnerable people, a UN-appointed independent rights expert told the Human Rights Council on Thursday.
‘Vital’ human rights cooperation must be above fray of politics: Türk
New York: A lack of strong cooperation with the international human rights system leaves States “adrift”, UN human rights chief Volker Türk said on Monday, as he addressed rights emergencies in dozens of countries including Iran, Mali and Russia.
Human rights for all, still ‘work in progress’ warns Türk
New York: The full realization of human rights for all is a “work in progress”, and the world must now adapt and update its thinking to respond to current “dramatic rollbacks”, the UN human rights chief said on Tuesday, marking the 30th anniversary of both his office and the global agreement that created it.
Human rights experts alarmed over ‘imminent executions’ in Saudi Arabia
New York: On Wednesday, a large group of UN-appointed independent human rights experts expressed concern over the possibly imminent execution of three members of the Howeitat tribe in Saudi Arabia, urging authorities to stop the process.
China's corruption, poor human rights practices spread to Africa, says Washington Post column
The Chinese government's exploitative intentions and the "China model" involving serious human rights abuses and corruption will undermine the dignity and freedom of Africans as the Asian giant led by Xi Jinping helmed Communist Party of China makes deep inroads in the African continent, according to an opinion piece in The Washington Post.
UN upholds fight for a fairer world on anti-racism day
New York: With xenophobia, prejudice, and hate speech on the rise, the UN community gathered in the General Assembly Hall on Wednesday to call for action to root out racism and discrimination across the world.
Governments must do more to protect human rights defenders: Expert
New York: Officials in many countries “vilify and target” human rights defenders instead of recognizing the crucial work they do to help build fairer societies, a UN-appointed independent expert said on Wednesday.
Too many nations failing to investigate torture cases, UN expert says
New York: States must be “primary responders” in torture cases, to end impunity and bring justice on behalf of victims, a UN independent expert told the Human Rights Council on Tuesday.
Rising humanitarian needs require political will, increased funding: UN relief chief
New York: As humanitarian needs spiral across the world, political will and funding are required to address war, climate change and other drivers, the UN relief chief said on Monday.
Power of sport to counter violent extremism amplified at UN
New York: Sport can change the world, famous footballers and grassroots gamechangers alike said at a roundtable discussion on Monday, highlighting a new UN podcast series to mark the first International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism, as and when Conducive to Terrorism.
Systemic racism within UK criminal justice system a serious concern: UN human rights experts
Racism in the United Kingdom is “structural, institutional and systemic”, independent UN human rights experts said on Friday, warning that people of African descent in the country continue to encounter discrimination and erosion of their fundamental rights.