protests

Elizabeth Throssell, Spokesperson for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
UN News/Daniel Johnson

UN voices deep concern over reported deaths of protesters in Kingdom of Eswatini

6 July 2021
Human Rights

The eruption of violence in the Kingdom of Eswatini in recent days is “deeply concerning”, amid reports that dozens of people have been killed or injured during protests calling for democratic reforms, the UN human rights office, OHCHR, said on Tuesday. In a statement later in the day, the UN chief called for "inclusive and meaningful dialogue", to end the violence. 

Children at an IDP camp in Cabo Delgado, Mozambique.
UNICEF/Mauricio Bisol

News in Brief 6 July 2021

6 July 2021
News in Brief
  • Displacement crisis driving up hunger in northern Mozambique: WFP
  • OHCHR voices ‘deep concern’ over protesters’ deaths in Eswatini
  • Iran urged to end long-term detention to ‘silence’ rights defenders
Audio -
2'33"
A Ryanair plane approaches an airport for landing. (file)
Unsplash/Fotis Christopoulos

Guterres deeply concerned over ‘forced landing’ and arrest of Belarus opposition journalist, as condemnation grows

24 May 2021
Peace and Security

The UN Secretary-General said on Monday he was “deeply concerned” over the apparent forced landing of a commercial passenger jet over Belarus, and the subsequent detention of a prominent dissident and journalist by authorities there.

Anti-racism protesters in Brooklyn, New York, demonstrate demanding justice for the killing of African American, George Floyd.
UN News/Shirin Yaseen

USA: Rights expert decries wave of anti-protest laws ‘spreading through the country’

5 May 2021
Human Rights

A UN independent human rights expert has slammed new laws in several American states aimed at suppressing racial justice protests and the Black Lives Matter movement, according to a statement on Wednesday. 

A COVID-19 public awareness campaign takes place in Chad’s capital city, N’Djamena.
© UNICEF/Martina Palazzo

Chad: UN rights office profoundly disturbed over violence against protesters

30 April 2021
Human Rights

The UN rights office, OHCHR, said on Friday that it is deeply disturbed by security forces in Chad's use of live ammunition during recent protests after the death of former President Idriss Déby, on 19 April.

Protestors at the March of Peace and Independence in Minsk, Belarus.
Unsplash/Andrew Keymaster

News in Brief 4 December 2020

4 December 2020
News in Brief
  • Bachelet says 'no improvement' in rights violations across Belarus
  • UN working at 'full speed' to provide aid to Ethiopia's Tigray
  • New Nigeria yellow fever outbreak causes 'many deaths'
Audio -
3'27"
A sign reads 'stop hurting us' as protesters take to the streets in the Belarusian capital, Minsk, over the disputed presidential election.
Kseniya Halubovich

Belarus: End ongoing human rights violations, UN rights chief urges

4 December 2020
Human Rights

The human rights situation in Belarus continues to deteriorate, particularly with respect to peaceful assembly, the UN rights chief said on Friday, urging the government to put an end to ongoing violations and “take steps towards a genuine, respectful and inclusive national dialogue”. 

Protestors at the March of Peace and Independence in Minsk, Belarus.
Unsplash/Andrew Keymaster

Belarus targets women human rights defenders after disputed August elections 

3 November 2020
Human Rights

Independent UN experts criticized Belarus on Tuesday for persecuting women human rights defenders, who have been involved in the mass protests underway in the country since August’s controversial presidential election. 

A demonstration takes place on the streets of Bangkok, Thailand.
Unsplash/Kitthitorn Chaiyuthapoo

Independent UN rights experts urge Thai government to allow peaceful protests 

22 October 2020
Human Rights

Calling the latest imposition of a state of emergency in Thailand, a “draconian measure”,  UN-appointed human rights experts on Thursday urged the Government there to guarantee the fundamental rights of peaceful assembly and free speech.  

Protesters demonstrate against police brutality and racial injustice in Brooklyn, New York.
© Sarah Scaffidi

Journalism under fire: UNESCO raises alarm over surge of attacks on media workers covering protests

14 September 2020
Human Rights

Clampdowns on the media have increased sharply in 2020, the UN cultural agency said on Monday, highlighting 21 protests around the world this year in which State security forces have violated journalists’ rights.