Human Rights

Photo: UNAMI/Sanaa Kareem

Iraq protests: UN calls for national talks to break ‘vicious cycle’ of violence

30 October 2019
Middle East

The UN’s most senior official in Iraq, visited protesters in central Baghdad on Wednesday, calling for “a national dialogue to identify prompt, meaningful responses to break the vicious cycle of violence” which has roiled the country during the past five days.

UNICEF/Syed Altaf Ahmad

India should ‘unlock’ freedom curbs in disputed Kashmir, urges UN human rights chief

29 October 2019
Asia Pacific

The people of Indian-administered Kashmir continue to be deprived of numerous basic freedoms, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said on Tuesday, before urging the Indian authorities “to unlock the situation”.

UNDP Green Commodities Programme

Monday’s Daily Brief: Israeli-Palestinian conflict, gender gap in Latin America, Syria talks in Geneva, human rights in Egypt, the future of digital telecommunications

28 October 2019

A recap of Monday’s top stories: ‘Multi-generational tragedy’ in Israel and Palestine demands viable two-State solution; gender gap persists in Latin America’s workforce; Syria envoy urges prisoner release ahead of talks in Geneva; Egypt urged to end repression of protesters and rights defenders; future of digital communications discussed at  world conference. 

UN Bolivia/Patricia Cusicanqui

Protests around the world: Politicians must address ‘growing deficit of trust’, urges Guterres

25 October 2019

Protests in cities across the world in recent days show that “people are hurting and want to be heard” by political leaders who must now address a “growing deficit of trust”, said the UN chief on Friday. 

World Bank/Natalia Cieslik

Decisive international action needed to end Israeli occupation: UN rights expert

23 October 2019
Middle East

The international community has a responsibility and legal obligation to compel Israel to end its 52 year-long “occu-annexation” of Palestinian territory and remove barriers preventing Palestinian self-determination, a UN independent human rights expert told the General Assembly on Wednesday.

© UNICEF/Ashley Gilbertson

Monday’s Daily Brief: Online hate, gender equality in Africa, Chile protests, African migrants in Europe, Security Council in South Sudan

21 October 2019

A recap of Monday’s main stories: companies ‘failing’ to address offline harm incited by online hate; gender equality ‘precursor’ to sustaining peace; UN rights chief urges ‘immediate dialogue’ to resolve Chile crisis; African migrants would make perilous Europe journey again; Security Council visits South Sudan. 

Unsplash/Priscilla du Preez

Companies ‘failing’ to address offline harm incited by online hate: UN expert

21 October 2019
Global

 States and companies are “failing” when it comes to combating online hate, the UN independent rights expert, or Special Rapporteur, on freedom of speech and expression said on Monday, ahead of the launch of a landmark report to reinforce legal standards for internet spaces. 

Diana Leal

UN rights chief urges ‘immediate dialogue’ to end Chile unrest

21 October 2019
Americas

The top UN human rights official is calling for politicians and civil society in Chile to engage in “immediate dialogue” to resolve the deadly crisis which has gripped the nation in recent days.

© UNICEF/Ashley Gilbertson

More than 90 per cent of Africa migrants would make perilous Europe journey again, despite the risks

21 October 2019

A landmark UN migration study published on Monday shows that 93 per cent of Africans making the journey to European countries along irregular routes, would do it again, despite facing often life-threatening danger. 

UN Multimedia

UN human rights office urges Egypt to immediately release detained protestors

18 October 2019
Africa

Authorities in Egypt are being urged by the UN human rights office, OHCHR,  to immediately release scores of citizens who have been arrested in connection with recent anti-government demonstrations in several cities.