Human rights champions from across the world receive top UN prize
Dec 19, 2018, at 09:09 am
New York, Dec 19 (IBNS): The “clear and profound” guidelines enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, “have made it the world’s most widely translated document”, the UN Secretary-General told the General Assembly on Tuesday at an event to commemorate the Declaration’s 70th Anniversary, marked 10 December.
Worldwide UN family celebrates enduring universal values of human rights
Dec 11, 2018, at 08:21 am
New York, Dec 11 (IBNS): Across the world, the UN family has been making sure that this year’s Human Rights Day – which falls on Monday, and marks 70 years since the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights – succeeds in raising awareness of the principles enshrined in the document, which are as important and relevant today, as they were in 1948.
UN calls on everyone to protect human rights in Afghanistan
Dec 10, 2018, at 04:10 pm
Kabul, Dec 10 (IBNS): Marking International Human Rights Day, the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) underscores the enduring importance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on its 70th anniversary and renews its call to protect and promote human rights and fundamental freedoms in Afghanistan.
Increasingly under attack, women human rights defenders need better back up
Nov 29, 2018, at 08:31 am
New York, Nov 28 (IBNS): A group of United Nations human rights experts issued a joint statement on Wednesday calling on States to live up to their commitments to protect women human rights defenders, as they come under increasing attack, and with inadequate protection.
China hails human rights progress amid calls to close detention camps
Nov 07, 2018, at 09:13 am
New York, Nov 7 (IBNS): China has pledged to eradicate poverty in rural areas by 2020 during a scheduled United Nations review of the country’s human rights record, amid concerns over the alleged arbitrary detention of religious and ethnic minorities there.
‘Deteriorating’ human rights in Belarus amounts to ‘wholescale oppression’: UN expert
Oct 26, 2018, at 07:38 am
New York, Oct 26 (IBNS): A crackdown on free speech is the latest worrying development amid the deteriorating, “wholescale oppression” of human rights in Belarus, an independent expert told the UN General Assembly, on Thursday.
Mali not fulfilling its ‘sovereign role’ in protecting its people: UN human rights expert
Oct 12, 2018, at 09:28 am
New York, Oct 12 (IBNS): In an effort to better protect people and their property throughout Mali, the international community must honour commitments to help reduce violent extremism, chronic insecurity and ineffective government, said the United Nations expert on human rights in the country, Alioune Tine, on Thursday.
Human rights ‘success stories’ shared at the UN to serve as example, and inspire others
Sep 28, 2018, at 09:04 am
New York, Sept 28 (IBNS): The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is 70 this year and since then, it’s helped improve the rights of vulnerable women, children and men worldwide. The “Good Human Rights Stories” initiative was launched by 14 countries and the European Union to highlight the strengthening of rights, and inspire nations worldwide to follow suit.
Sep 28, 2018, at 08:03 am
New York, Sept 28 (IBNS): What are the key events that have led the Central African Republic (CAR) to go from being a land-rich nation full of optimism at independence, in 1960, to an impoverished country facing multiple challenges, and the subject of a high-level meeting at UN Headquarters on Friday?
UN hails Human Rights Declaration as tool for conflict and poverty prevention
Sep 27, 2018, at 08:35 am
New York, Sept 27 (IBNS): As the world celebrates the 70th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) this year, the United Nations General Assembly dedicated a high-level event on Wednesday, to discussing how respect for human rights in societies can help advance peace and sustainable development.
Sep 20, 2018, at 08:53 am
New York, Sept 20 (IBNS): Progress that destroys traditional culture, language, land and human heritage “is not development, but willful destruction”, the UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights said on Wednesday, in defence of indigenous peoples everywhere.
Human Rights Council hears plea to protect victims of ‘brutal’ sexual violence in South Sudan
Sep 18, 2018, at 08:20 am
New York, Sept 18 (IBNS): The plight of South Sudan’s women and girls “should no longer be ignored”, UN investigators told the UN Human Rights Council on Monday, citing the disturbing testimonies of sexual abuse victims who have been treated by soldiers and militias as the “spoils” of the more than five-year conflict.
Nicaragua banishes UN human rights team for critical report
Sep 01, 2018, at 01:22 pm
Managua, Sept 1 (IBNS): The Nicaraguan government has ordered a team of United nations human rights to leave the country, after the latter submitted a report critical of President Daniel Ortega's administration.
Human rights experts denounce Trump’s attacks against media
Aug 03, 2018, at 08:17 am
New York, Aug 3 (IBNS): The United Nations expert on free expression has condemned President Donald Trump’s repeated attacks on the press, warning that the US leader’s rhetoric is eroding public trust in the media and could spark violence against journalists.
Jul 30, 2018, at 09:22 am
New York, July 30 (IBNS): The recent infringement of democratic rights and civil liberties in the Indian Ocean archipelago of the Comoros, ahead of a vote on constitutional reform, is a source of concern said United Nations chiefAntónio Guterres on Sunday.
UN human rights experts urge Egypt to release jailed poet who penned hit protest song
Jul 27, 2018, at 08:50 am
New York, July 27 (IBNS): Galal El Behairy has been held in detention since February after penning a song critical of Egypt’s policies, prompting United Nations human rights experts on Thursday to urge the government to release him immediately.
Iceland to take vacated US seat on Human Rights Council
Jul 14, 2018, at 07:59 am
New York, July 14 (IBNS): Iceland has for the first time been elected to the Human Rights Council, filling the seat vacated by the United States, which withdrew from the body last month, citing bias.
Mali facing ‘alarming’ rise in rights violations, warns UN expert
Jul 05, 2018, at 08:06 am
New York, July 5 (IBNS): In Mali, a senior United Nations rights expert on Wednesday described an “alarming” deterioration of the security, human rights and humanitarian situation in northern and eastern areas of the country.
'Bleakest period yet' in Occupied Palestinian Territory: UN human rights expert
Jun 30, 2018, at 08:27 am
New York, June 30 (IBNS): Reports of the indignities faced by people in the Occupied Palestinian Territory have “painted the bleakest picture yet” of the human rights situation there, a United Nations expert has said.
Saudi Arabia: UN experts push for prompt release of women human rights defenders
Jun 28, 2018, at 07:42 am
New York, June 28 (IBNS): A ban on women driving in Saudi Arabia may have officially ended at the weekend, but on Wednesday, nine United Nations experts called for the immediate release of a number of women’s rights defenders who were imprisoned following a government crackdown which began in mid-May.
US transgender woman removed from restaurant when she refuses to show ID to access bathroom
Jun 25, 2018, at 08:30 pm
Washington, June 25 (IBNS): A transgender woman in the US alleged that she was forcibly removed from a restaurant in Washington when she did not show her ID to use the women's bathroom.
Jun 20, 2018, at 10:10 am
New York, June 20 (IBNS): In response to the withdrawal of the United States on Tuesday from the United Nations body which is designed to promote and protect human rights around the globe, Secretary-General António Guterressaid that he would have “much preferred” the US remain.
Jun 19, 2018, at 12:52 am
As part of his final global update, the United Nations human rights chief on Monday voiced his deep concern over recently-adopted United States border protection policies that have seen hundreds of migrant children forcibly separated from their parents.
Human rights under attack, ‘no longer a priority; a pariah’ – UN rights chief
May 23, 2018, at 03:59 pm
New York, May 23 (IBNS): The world is sliding back on human rights and its principles are under attack in all corners of the globe, the top United Nations rights official warned on Tuesday, urging people everywhere to show “fierce and passionate commitment” in defending them.
UN warns of ‘deteriorating climate’ for human rights defenders in Guatemala
May 19, 2018, at 01:02 pm
New York, May 19 (IBNS): It’s becoming increasingly dangerous to defend the rights of indigenous people in Guatemala, the United Nations human rights office warned on Friday, following the murder of three activists over the past 10 days.
Visiting Ethiopia, UN human rights chief urges new Government to ‘keep positive momentum going’
Apr 27, 2018, at 01:00 pm
New York, Apr 27 (IBNS): The United Nations human rights chief on Thursday expressed hope that Ethiopia continues its economic development in which human rights are respected and people can freely speak their minds about public policies.
Jesse Jackson issues call at UN for ‘global coalition of conscience’ to cement human rights
Mar 27, 2018, at 02:21 pm
New York, Mar 27 (JEN): There needs to be a “massive global coalition of conscience” to enshrine the values of racial equality and human rights for all, declared civil rights icon Rev. Jesse Jackson, speaking at the United Nations.
Turkey’s 18-month state of emergency has led to profound human rights violations – UN report
Mar 21, 2018, at 02:21 pm
New York, Mar 21 (JEN): The United Nations on Tuesday called on Turkey to end its 18-month-old state of emergency, saying that the routine extension of emergency powers has resulted in “profound” human rights violations against hundreds of thousands of people and may have lasting impact on the country’s socio-economic fabric.
Mar 08, 2018, at 01:50 pm
New York, Mar 8 (JEN): In a scathing address to the Human Rights Council, the top United Nations rights official on Wednesday warned political leaders who stoke fear and intolerance among their followers for the sake of their own ambitions are merely copying the behaviour of previous generations of once strong, but ultimately catastrophic, leaders and politicians.
Mali human rights situation still a concern – UN report
Feb 02, 2018, at 02:07 pm
New York, Feb 2 (JEN): Despite the signing of a 2015 Peace Agreement, the human rights situation in Mali still remains a concern, according to a United Nations report published on Thursday.