rights

Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom of peacful assembly and of association Maina Kiai.
UN Photo/Jean-Marc Ferré

UN independent expert: right of peaceful assembly is not an excuse to commit violence

19 September 2012
An independent United Nations human rights expert today condemned the violence that has been taking place in numerous cities across the world in response to an anti-Islamic film, and warned that protest demonstrations and rallies must be peaceful in order to be protected by international human rights law.
Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography, Najat Maalla M’jid.
UN Photo/Jean-Marc Ferré

UN expert calls on Honduras to step up efforts to protect children from sexual exploitation

10 September 2012
A United Nations independent expert today called on Honduras to increase its efforts to protect children from sexual exploitation, adding that the country still faces many challenges to ensure they are not victims of prostitution, pornography and abuse.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
UN Photo/JC McIlwaine

Secretary-General calls on States to abolish death penalty

3 July 2012
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called on Member States which use the death penalty to abolish this practice, stressing that the right to life lies at the heart of international human rights law.
High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay addresses the 20th Session of the Human Rights Council.
UN Photo/Jean-Marc Ferré

UN official highlights situation in Syria at opening of Human Rights Council session

18 June 2012
Warning of crimes against humanity and possible war crimes being committed, the United Nations human rights chief today called on the international community to overcome differences in order to end the violence and human rights violations in Syria.
Aerial view of Guantánamo Bay

UN rights chief speaks out against US failure to close Guantanamo detention facility

23 January 2012
The United Nations human rights chief today spoke out against the failure by the United States to close the Guantanamo Bay detention facility and to ensure accountability for serious violations – including torture – that took place there.