Americas

Photo: UNODC
A gavel in a courtroom.

UN expert condemns new sentence for jailed Venezuelan judge as ‘another instance of reprisal’

26 March 2019
Human Rights

Maria Lourdes Afiuni, a jailed Venezuelan judge arrested ten years ago, has been slapped with a further five-year sentence, prompting a UN human rights expert to express his “grave concern”, describing the further punishment as an act of “reprisal against her”. 

UN officials at the closing ceremony of the 2nd High Level Conference on South-South Cooperation in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
UNOSSC/Rodrigo Atanes

UN conference agrees better ways for Global South countries to work together on sustainable development

22 March 2019
Economic Development

The Second High-Level UN Conference on South-South Cooperation, known as BAPA+40, concluded on Friday in Buenos Aires, Argentina, with a political declaration agreed by more than 160 Member States renewing the global commitment in the promotion and investment in this type of collaboration between countries.

A prison cell. (file)
UNICEF/Rajat Madhok

United States: UN human rights office welcomes California moratorium on death penalty

14 March 2019
Human Rights

The UN human rights office (OHCHR) has welcomed the signing of an executive order by the Governor of California, in the United States, to impose a moratorium on carrying out the death penalty, which grants a reprieve to 737 inmates, up to end of his term in office.

Venezuelan refugees and migrants cross the Simon Bolivar Bridge into Colombia, one of seven legal entry points on the Colombia-Venezuela border.
© UNHCR/Siegfried Modola

UN rights team heading to Venezuela may pave way for official mission led by Bachelet

8 March 2019
Human Rights

A United Nations human rights team is to begin an official visit to Venezuela on Monday at the invitation of the Government, potentially paving the way for an official mission to Caracas by the UN’s top rights official, Michelle Bachelet.

Venezuelan refugees and migrants near the Colombia-Venezuela border crossing queue for a meal at the Communal Kitchen Casa de Paso La Divina Providencia, supported by the UN refugee agency (UNHCR), where approximately 5,000 free meals are served to vulnerable Venezuelans on a daily basis
© UNHCR/Siegfried Modola

Venezuela must guarantee judicial impartiality - UN human rights expert

1 March 2019
Human Rights

As political tensions continue to escalate in Venezuela, a United Nations independent human rights expert has called on the Government to “take all necessary measures to guarantee judicial independence,” following concerns that some pressure may have been placed on the country’s justice system “to act against the political opposition”.