United States

UN Photo/Evan Schneider

USA: Rights experts call for reforms to end police brutality, systemic racism

26 February 2021
Human Rights

Independent UN human rights experts appealed on Friday for the new United States Government to adopt wide ranging reforms to end police violence and address systemic racism and racial discrimination. 

UNICEF/César Amador

UN agencies begin registering asylum seekers at US-Mexico border

25 February 2021
Migrants and Refugees

UN agencies have begun preparing individuals and families at the Matamoros informal camp, near the United States-Mexico border, for entry into the US, following the termination of a policy that forced asylum seekers to wait for immigration hearings in Mexico. 

Unsplash/David Everett Strickler

UN rights experts call for US to address ongoing violations at ‘Kafkaesque’ Guantánamo military prison

23 February 2021
Human Rights

In response to the Biden Administration’s announced review into closing the infamous Guantánamo Bay detention centre in Cuba, independent UN human rights experts on Tuesday said it was vital to also address ongoing violations being committed against the 40 or so inmates still incarcerated there.

Unsplash/Matthew T. Rader

UN hails ‘day of hope’ as US officially rejoins Paris climate accord

19 February 2021
Climate and Environment

The official return of the United States to the Paris Agreement on Climate Change represents good news for the country and the world, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said on Friday during a virtual event to mark the occasion. 

UN Photo/Jean-Marc Ferré

Guterres welcomes US decision to re-engage with the Human Rights Council 

8 February 2021
Human Rights

The UN Secretary-General has welcomed a commitment from the new US administration to “re-engage immediately and robustly” with the Human Rights Council, following the withdrawal of the United States from the multilateral body nearly three years ago. 

UN News/Elizabeth Scaffidi

US should end use of private ‘for profit’ detention centres, urge human rights experts

4 February 2021
Law and Crime Prevention

A group of UN independent human rights experts on Thursday welcomed the United States’ decision to stop using privately run federal prisons, and urged the Government to also end the outsourcing of all detention centres, including those holding migrants and asylum seekers.

© UNICEF/Beth Murphy

US plan to reform asylum, reunite families, reflects ‘authentic humanitarian values’ 

3 February 2021
Migrants and Refugees

The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) has said it is “heartened” by the United States’ president’s signing of executive orders on Tuesday which aim to provide safety and solutions for those seeking asylum, on the grounds that they need protection from violence and persecution at home. 

UNFPA Nepal/Santosh Chhetri

Guterres welcomes US decision to restore funding to UNFPA

29 January 2021
Women

The United Nations Secretary-General, on Thursday, welcomed the United States administration’s announcement to restore funding to the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), calling it a “powerful message” for women and girls globally. 

WHO

Fauci announces US intention to resume major role in global health

21 January 2021
Health

The United States’ top medical official said on Thursday that the US will now join the World Health Organization’s global initiative to help poorer nations overcome COVID-19, in addition to a raft of new measures in support of access to universal healthcare, such as abortion services. 

WHO/P. Virot

Guterres urges world to ‘work together in solidarity’ as US moves to rejoin WHO

21 January 2021
Health

The United Nations Secretary-General on Wednesday welcomed the announcement by President Joe Biden that the United States will re-engage with the World Health Organization (WHO) and play a full role in advancing global health and health security.