rights

Two United Nations human rights bodies have found violations of international treaties dealing with civil and political rights and the prohibition against torture in eight countries.

Children have a right to be heard in decisions that affect them, and giving young people a constructive role is essential to both their development and the creation of a more cohesive, peaceful world, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) says in its annual report launched today in Mexico City.

A United Nations human rights expert today hailed the adoption by Timor-Leste of a global treaty protecting migrant workers and their families, a move that gave the accord the force of international law.

One of the most outstanding legacies of the last century has been the development of a body of international law that can protect the individual from injustice, arbitrary treatment and assaults on fundamental security, Secretary-General Kofi Annan said today as the United Nations observed Human Rights Day.

The United Nations missions in Timor-Leste and Afghanistan helped those countries observe Human Rights Day today, pledging support for the two nations' effort in promoting basic civil liberties in every day life.

Countries have an obligation to fight international terrorism, but in the process they must also protect human rights, Sergio Vieira de Mello, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, said today in an interview with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).

A United Nations expert on the rights of indigenous peoples today announced plans to head to the Philippines on Monday to assess the situation there.

The top United Nations officials for human rights and peacekeeping today signed a cooperative agreement that stresses respect for civil liberties as fundamental to the promotion of peace and security.

The United Nations human rights expert on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography will visit France next week at the invitation of the Government.

Saudi Arabia is achieving progress in the legal arena, but more must be done to ensure the application of due process in the country, a United Nations expert said following a weeklong mission to the country.