UN human rights chief welcomes lifting of state of emergency in Fiji High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay The United Nations human rights chief today welcomed the lifting of a state of emergency in Fiji, more than two years after it was imposed, calling it a “step in the right direction” for the Pacific […]

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No amnesty for gross human rights violations in Yemen, top UN official says High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay The United Nations human rights chief today warned that there must be no amnesty for gross rights violations in Yemen, stressing that the victims of the worst abuses during the country’s protracted crisis must have […]

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Bahrain must address lack of trust in Government, says UN rights chief Protesters in Manama, Bahrain. Photo: Al Jazeera English The United Nations human rights chief today called on Bahraini authorities to address the “deepening mistrust” between the Government and civil society, including by releasing those detained for participating in peaceful protests. “The Bahraini authorities […]

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UN rights chief welcomes new measure to stop violence against children High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay The United Nations rights chief today added her voice to the chorus of UN officials welcoming the decision by Member States to adopt a new protocol aimed at protecting children from abuse and violence. The Optional Protocol […]

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Egypt: UN human rights chief condemns brutality against protesters Protesters in Cairo, Egypt The United Nations human rights chief today strongly condemned what she described as the “brutal suppression” of demonstrations by the military and security forces in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, saying the violence reportedly left at least 11 people dead and more than […]

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Somalia: UN expert urges greater efforts to tackle violence against women A displaced woman with two children after fleeing their home in southern Somalia. Photo: UNHCR/B.Bannon An independent United Nations human rights expert today called for greater efforts to improve the plight of women in Somalia, thousands of whom remain extremely vulnerable to discrimination and […]

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UN issues first report on human rights of gay and lesbian people An activist waves a rainbow flag, an international symbol for the rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people. Photo: Flickr/See-ming Lee The first ever United Nations report on the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people details how around […]

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Human Rights Day 2011 This year, millions of people decided the time had come to claim their rights. They took to the streets and demanded change. Many found their voices using the internet and instant messaging to inform, inspire and mobilize supporters to seek their basic human rights. Social media helped activists organize peaceful protest […]

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UN officials call for building on momentum to promote human rights everywhere Building on the momentum for change triggered by the Arab Spring, top United Nations officials have urged everyone, everywhere to join in the Internet and social media campaign launched on the occasion of Human Rights Day to help more people know, demand and defend their rights. “In […]

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Condemning violence in Yemen, UN rights chief urges protection of civilians Children in Al-Mazrak IDP camp in Haradh, northern Yemen. Photo: OCHA The United Nations human rights chief today condemned the killing of unarmed civilians in Yemen in recent days, and stressed that lethal force and heavy weapons must not be used against peaceful protesters. […]

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