democracy

UN Photo/Eric Kanalstein

Democracy ‘showing greater strain’ than at any time in decades, UN chief

14 September 2018
Human Rights

Tackling economic and political inequality is at the root of strengthening democratic institutions at a time when they are under huge strain, said United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Saturday, marking the official International Day of Democracy.

Jean-Marc Ferré

UN human rights experts urge Viet Nam not to stifle dissenting voices

12 April 2018
Human Rights

United Nations experts have urged Viet Nam not to crackdown on civil society or stifle dissent, after the authorities jailed several human rights defenders for “conducting activities to overthrow the people’s government” – a charge that carries the possibility of the death sentence or life imprisonment.

UN Photo/Rick Bajornas

Ethiopia: UN welcomes steps towards governance reforms and increased political participation

23 February 2018
UN Affairs

The United Nations on Friday took note of the recent decision by the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Hailemariam Desalegn, to resign, to ‘allow further political reforms to take place in the country aimed at widening democratic space,’ and welcomed the Government’s expressed intention to follow through with governance reforms.

World Bank/Dana Smillie

UN rights office urges Tunisian authorities to ensure freedom of peaceful assembly

12 January 2018
The United Nations human rights office on Friday called on the authorities in Tunisia to ensure that protestors are not arrested in an arbitrary manner, and that all those detained are treated with full respect for their due process rights and other fundamental guarantees.
UN News

Peaceful conduct of elections 'historic moment' for Nepal, says UN chief

9 December 2017
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has welcomed the holding of the two-phased State and Federal elections and congratulates the people of Nepal for the peaceful conduct of the polls.
UNESCO

UN rights chief voices concern about Cambodia election after opposition ban

17 November 2017
The United Nations human rights chief voiced grave concerns Friday about the conduct of credible, free and fair elections in Cambodia next year following the decision by the Supreme Court to dissolve the main opposition party.
UN Photo/Pierre Albouy

UN rights chief urges DRC authorities to allow peaceful expression of dissent at protests

15 November 2017
The United Nations human rights chief on Wednesday called on the authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to lawfully handle demonstrations organized by those protesting the updated electoral calendar for general elections.
UN Photo/Staton Winter

UN, African Union pledge to help Kenya ensure credible rerun of presidential poll

23 October 2017
The heads of the United Nations and the African Union have expressed their organizations' commitment to assist Kenya in ensuring a credible and transparent process in the forthcoming rerun of the recent presidential election.
Secretary General António Guterres speaks to the media about his upcoming trip to Central African Republic.
UN Photo/Mark Garten

News in Brief 18 October 2017 (PM)

18 October 2017
News in Brief

UN chief heads for CAR “to strengthen international support for peace”

Against a backdrop of growing violence and communal tension, the UN chief announced on Wednesday that he’s heading to the Central African Republic “to strengthen international support for peace”.

Audio -
UN Women Cambodia/Mariken B. Harbitz

Silencing opposition voices threatens Cambodian democracy – UN rights expert

12 October 2017
Civil and political rights in Cambodia are “under threat” as the main opposition party is being dissolved in the parliament, a United Nations human rights expert warned Thursday, also voicing concern that the dissolution may affect upcoming elections in the country.