Reimagine justice and end child detentions: UNICEF
New York: More than 45,000 boys and girls were released from detention during the COVID-19 pandemic, proving that child-friendly justice solutions “are more than possible”, according to new data released on Monday by the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
Human Rights chief says climate action only way to ‘safeguard humanity’
New York: Ahead of the UN Climate Conference COP26, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said on Thursday it was time now to act, and put “empty speeches, broken promises, and unfulfilled pledges behind us”.
Human rights ‘catastrophe’ in Myanmar: UN calls for urgent action
New York: Urgent action is needed to prevent the situation in Myanmar from escalating into a “full-blown conflict”, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet warned on Thursday.
Bachelet calls for major re-think over impact of sanctions on human rights
New York: Unilateral and coercive sanctions imposed by governments can create severe and undue suffering for innocent people who bear no responsibility for alleged misconduct, the UN rights chief warned the Human Rights Council on Thursday.
Venezuela's justice system aiding repression: Human rights probe
New York: The independence of Venezuela’s justice system has been “deeply eroded”, to such an extent that it plays a significant role in the State’s repression of government opponents, UN-appointed independent rights experts said on Thursday.
Protect human rights defenders in Afghanistan, says UN rights expert
New Delhi: Afghanistan faces a “cultural disaster”, following the fall of Kabul to Taliban forces, a UN Special Rapporteur said on Tuesday, in a statement urging countries to provide urgent assistance to human rights defenders, including those working on women’s and cultural rights, as well as artists, trying to flee the country.
Human rights violations against women, girls in Afghanistan leaves Antonio Guterres deeply concerned
New Delhi: UN Secretary of State Antonio Guterres on Tuesday expressed concern over the accounts of human rights violations against women and girls of Afghanistan 'who fear a return to the darkest days'.
Dissident Pakistani exiles in UK may be 'targeted': Reports
Islamabad/London: Pakistani exiles, who are currently living in London and had once criticised the powerful military of the country, are now facing warnings that they might be targeted.
Civilians in southern Syria ‘under siege’ – UN human rights chief
New York: The top UN rights official once more sounded the alarm on Thursday over the plight of civilians in Syria, as intense fighting and indiscriminate shelling by Government forces and armed opposition groups paralyze neighbourhoods in and around the southern city of Daraa.
New UN report reveals impact of COVID on human trafficking
New York: A new study released on Thursday by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) illustrates the devastating impact of COVID-19 on victims and survivors of human trafficking and highlights the increased targeting and exploitation of children during the course of the pandemic.
Belarus: ‘Full-scale assault’ ongoing against civil society amid massive human rights violations
New York: Belarus has witnessed an unprecedented human rights crisis over the past year, the independent expert appointed to monitor the country said on Monday, calling on authorities to immediately end their policy of repression and fully respect the legitimate aspirations of their people.
Governments must protect those who help torture victims, say human rights experts
New York: Top UN rights experts appealed on Thursday for all governments to ensure that victims of torture receive the rehabilitation services they need, along with guarantees that those who help them do not suffer reprisals.
Thousands on the move after brutal attacks in northern Mozambique, UN office reports
New York: Thousands of people in Mozambique’s northern province of Cabo Delgado are on the move in search of safety, as the security situation remains volatile, after last week’s brutal attacks by armed groups in Palma district, according to the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
Countries lack commitment to banning torture, rights expert charges
New York: Governments have demonstrated a lack of credible commitment to banning torture and other cruel treatment, according to an independent expert mandated by the UN Human Rights Council to monitor the issue globally.
Iran: Human rights experts condemn execution of Baloch minority prisoner
New York: United Nations independent human rights experts on Thursday, condemned the hanging of a prisoner from the Baloch minority in Iran, voicing fear that a “disturbing” recent increase in executions of community members “will continue”.