UN rights experts welcome Iran prisoner releases
New York, Jan 20 (Just earth News/IBNS): United Nations human rights experts on Tuesday welcomed Iran’s weekend release of four Iranian-Americans in an apparent prisoner swap with the United States, and called on Tehran to pave the way for the freeing of all remaining unlawfully detained prisoners.
UN human rights experts welcome release of Egyptian journalist and rights defender
New York, Nov 12 (Just Earth News/IBNS): UN human rights experts on Wednesday welcomed the release of Egyptian journalist Hossam Bahgat but expressed their "grave concern" over the "very difficult environment" for journalists and human rights defenders in Egypt that deters reporting and intimidates writers and activists of all kinds.
UN rights experts urge Iran to stop silencing journalists' dissenting voices
New York, Nov 12 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Expressing concern over the detention, prosecution and intimidation of journalists and bloggers in Iran before the upcoming parliamentary elections, United Nations human rights experts on Wednesday called on the Government to stop "silencing dissenting voices" and to stand by its international obligation on freedom of expression.
UN rights expert urges reform of oppressive media governance in Belarus
New York, Nov 7 (Just Earth News/IBNS): In a report to the General Assembly, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus called on the country to start reforming its laws and practices that have for two decades stifled its citizens' right to freedom of expression.
More reliable data needed to combat racism and discrimination: UN rights expert
New York, Nov 4 (IBNS): Governments need to improve data collection as a mean to better assess the situation of vulnerable groups, a UN independent expert on racism said on Tuesday, noting that "the right to be free from discrimination includes the right to access information that could serve as evidence to prove discrimination."
UN rights experts call for release of Qatari poet jailed for writing and reciting poem
New York, Oct 21 (IBNS): United Nations human rights experts on Tuesday urged the Government of Qatar to release Mohammed al-Ajami, a poet who is currently serving a 15-year prison sentence for writing and reciting a poem at his home.
UN rights expert welcomes steps taken to combat torture in Ghana
New York, Oct 8 (IBNS): A United Nations expert on torture on Wednesday urged the Government of Ghana to step up its effort to implement recommendations issued after a mission to the country in November 2013, when deep concerns about the situation of overcrowding in prisons and other rights violations were voiced.
Security Council has 'obligation to act now' to protect civilians from ISIL - UN rights expert
New York, June 23 (IBNS): A United Nations expert appointed by the world body's Geneva-based Human Rights Council appealed today for the Security Council to take immediate action to enforce international law and protect civilians living “in daily fear for their lives" in areas controlled by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant group (ISIL) where "shocking crimes are being committed on an industrial scale."