rights

Human rights must not be sacrificed in fight against terror, Annan tells UN’s rights body

12 April 2002
Reaffirming the duty of countries to protect their citizens, especially in the aftermath of last year’s terror attacks against the United States, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today warned that such protection must not come at the expense of human rights.

Human Rights Committee finishes 'most productive' session, chairman says

5 April 2002
By dealing with two dozen communications on human rights and three reports of States during a three-week period, the United Nations Human Rights Committee has completed its most fruitful session yet, its Chairman said today.

Fighting terror must not encroach on human rights, Robinson tells UN rights body

20 March 2002
The suggestion that the need to fight terrorism makes respect for human rights impossible is “fundamentally flawed,” United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson said today, as she introduced her annual report to the UN Human Rights Commission in Geneva.

UN’s principal human rights body opens session in Geneva

18 March 2002
The United Nations Human Rights Commission opened its fifty-eight session in Geneva today, with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson, describing the gathering as the forum at which the most comprehensive debate on the state of human rights around the world takes place.

UN mission chief hails Indonesia's trial of 18 accused of rights abuses in East Timor

14 March 2002
The head of the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) today welcomed the start in Jakarta of a human rights trial to prosecute 18 suspects accused of perpetrating a wave of violence during the territory's 1999 popular consultation.
Secretary-General Kofi Annan

Annan backs new report calling for protection of civilians in armed conflict

15 February 2002
The United Nations Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, today voiced his strong backing for a new report on the protection of civilians in armed conflict – an endeavour he called “critical to the credibility and authority of the international community.”

Robinson advises East Timor constitutional assembly on human rights

4 January 2002
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson, has made a number of recommendations aimed at strengthening and clarifying human rights aspects of the constitution now under debate in East Timor, the UN Transitional Administration (UNTAET) said today.

UN expert says anti-terror measures could bring human rights violations

24 December 2001
New anti-terrorism measures in some States could violate human rights, a senior UN official has warned the Security Council, according to a document released today at UN Headquarters in New York.

UN announces new funding for small human rights projects in over 20 countries

24 December 2001
Seeking to support community human rights initiatives, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights today announced new small grants to help 21 countries in this effort.

Marking Human Rights Day, UN warns against infringement of basic freedoms

10 December 2001
Marking International Human Rights Day, United Nations officials and experts today warned that in the aftermath of the 11 September attacks against the United States, countries must be careful not to infringe on the fundamental freedoms of individuals.