Human Rights

OHCHR

INTERVIEW: ‘Defend the people, not the States’, says outgoing UN human rights chief

15 August 2018
Global

For four years, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, has been taking governments across the world to task, exposing human rights violations and robustly advocating for the rights of victims.

UN Photo / Sabir Olad

Somalia: UN urges steps to ensure future elections not ‘marred’ by rights abuses seen in recent polls

13 August 2018
Africa

In a report released on Monday, the United Nations urged Somalia to take steps to ensure future elections are not marred by the human rights violations and abuses committed during the 2016-2017 electoral process.

World Bank/Roxana Bravo

Safe spaces offer security and dignity for youth, and help make the world ‘better for all’: Guterres

10 August 2018
Global

The world’s young people need safe spaces – both physical and digital - where they can “freely express their views” and “pursue their dreams” was the core message of United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres to mark this year’s International Youth Day.

UN Photo/Jean-Marc Ferre

‘Pioneering’ former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet officially appointed new UN human rights chief

10 August 2018
Global

The United Nations General Assembly in New York on Friday approved the nomination of former two-time President of Chile, Michelle Bachelet, as the next UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, effective from 1 September.

Giles Clarke/OCHA

Yemen bus attack just the latest outrage against civilians: UN agencies

10 August 2018
Middle East

An air strike on a busy market area in Yemen that reportedly killed scores of people including more than 20 children on a bus, is likely the worst attack on youngsters in the conflict so far, and the latest in a recent spate of violence targeting civilians, UN agencies said on Friday.

UN News/Elizabeth Scaffidi

UN underscores the need to celebrate indigenous peoples, not confine them

10 August 2018
Global

Celebrating some 370 million indigenous people across 90 countries; marches, ceremonies and a host of other initiatives took place across the world, as the United Nations marked on Thursday the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples.

UNICEF/Clarke for UNOCHA

UN chief condemns air strike that hit school bus in northern Yemen, killing scores of children

9 August 2018
Middle East

UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Thursday condemned an air strike by pro-Yemini Government coalition forces, which killed scores of children who were on board a bus travelling through a busy market area in the northern province of Saada. 

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Nicaragua must end 'witch-hunt' against dissenting voices – UN human rights experts

9 August 2018
Americas

Following weeks of civil unrest in Nicaragua, a group of 11 UN independent human rights experts urged the Government on Thursday to stop the violent repression of protestors, which has left at least 317 people dead and 1,830 injured, stressing that "no one should be detained for the exercise of their human rights”.

SGP-GEF-UNDP Peru/Enrique Castro-Mendívil

UN urges protection of indigenous peoples’ rights during migration

8 August 2018
Global

Marking the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, UN Secretary-General António Guterres put a spotlight on the factors pushing indigenous people to migrate “within their countries and across international borders” despite their “profound spiritual connection to their lands and resources”.

UN Photo/Jean-Marc Ferre

Former Chilean President Bachelet put forward by UN chief as next High Commissioner for Human Rights

8 August 2018

She has twice been President of Chile, and on Wednesday, ground-breaking politician and women’s rights champion, Michelle Bachelet was nominated by the United Nations chief António Guterres for the key post of High Commissioner for Human Rights.