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Syria camp bombing "despicable"
High Commissioner Zeid strongly condemns the bombing of two camps for displaced people in Sarmada, in north-western Syria. "It is extremely unlikely that these murderous attacks were an accident. It is far more likely they were deliberate and amount to a war crime,” he says.
“The hallmarks of a war crime”
UN expert Chaloka Beyani condemns air strikes on a camp for the internally displaced in Syria: “This grievous attack against highly vulnerable civilians has all the hallmarks of a war crime.”
Press briefing: Mozambique and Nigeria
We are concerned about ongoing armed clashes in Mozambique between national security forces and members of Renamo. We have also received reports of a deadly attack against farming communities in the south of Nigeria by armed Fulani herdsmen and associated militia.
China / Foreign NGO Law
China’s newly adopted Foreign NGO Law should be repealed – UN rights experts warn it can be used to intimidate, and even suppress, dissenting views and opinions in the country.
Greece / Migrant crisis
UN expert François Crépeau will visit Greece to gather information on the complex management of the Greek border and its impact on the human rights of migrants (12-16 May).
A ‘perfect excuse’
Countering violent extremism, a ‘perfect excuse’ to restrict free speech and control the media, UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of expression, David Kaye, warns on World Press Freedom Day.
Flint: “Not just about water”
UN experts call for immediate action to address the serious human rights concerns triggered by the contamination of Flint’s water supply and its devastating consequences.
Trade unions under attack
UN human rights experts raise alarm at the growing persecution against trade unionists in Somalia, and urge the Government to stop interfering in the unions’ internal affairs and activities.
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Syria camp bombing "despicable"
High Commissioner Zeid strongly condemns the bombing of two camps for displaced people in Sarmada, in north-western Syria. "It is extremely unlikely that these murderous attacks were an accident. It is far more likely they were deliberate and amount to a war crime,” he says.
Syria: Monstrous disregard for life
High Commissioner Zeid says reports of civilian deaths and injuries, including bombings of marketplaces and medical facilities, reveal a “monstrous disregard for civilian lives by all parties to the conflict,” urging them to step back from return to all-out war.
Press briefing: Mozambique and Nigeria
We are concerned about ongoing armed clashes in Mozambique between national security forces and members of Renamo. We have also received reports of a deadly attack against farming communities in the south of Nigeria by armed Fulani herdsmen and associated militia.
Burundi assassinations
High Commissioner Zeid condemns the increasing number of attacks against high level officials in Burundi and fears that they will exacerbate the already extremely dangerous spiral of violence and unrest in the country.
Iraq: The day after ISIL
The existence of armed conflict in certain regions does not excuse or justify the absence of the rule of law in the broader Iraq, Deputy High Commissioner Kate Gilmore says, calling on Iraq to take concrete to plan for “the day after” the defeat of ISIL.
Female Genital Mutilation in Guinea
A new UN report says that, despite being forbidden by national and international law, female genital mutilation shows no sign of abating in Guinea.
Military role in Thailand
High Commissioner Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein expresses growing concern about the military’s deepening role in Thailand’s civilian administration, as well as tight curbs on dissent, as the Kingdom prepares to vote on a final draft Constitution.
Torture in Burundi
High Commissioner Zeid expresses concerns about a sharp increase in the use of torture in Burundi, and about worrying reports of the existence of illegal detention facilities.
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Enforced disappearances
The UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances will examine close to 800 cases from 40 different countries during it upcoming session in Geneva (9-18 May).
“The hallmarks of a war crime”
UN expert Chaloka Beyani condemns air strikes on a camp for the internally displaced in Syria: “This grievous attack against highly vulnerable civilians has all the hallmarks of a war crime.”
Water and sanitation
UN expert Léo Heller will visit El Salvador during the current water shortage crisis to assess the compliance with the human rights to water and sanitation in the country (11-18 May).
Trade unions under attack
UN human rights experts raise alarm at the growing persecution against trade unionists in Somalia, and urge the Government to stop interfering in the unions’ internal affairs and activities.
Mission to Costa Rica
UN Independent Expert Rosa Kornfeld-Matte will carry out her first official visit to Costa Rica from 9 to 18 May 2016 to assess the human rights situation of older persons in the country.
China / Foreign NGO Law
China’s newly adopted Foreign NGO Law should be repealed – UN rights experts warn it can be used to intimidate, and even suppress, dissenting views and opinions in the country.
Flint: “Not just about water”
UN experts call for immediate action to address the serious human rights concerns triggered by the contamination of Flint’s water supply and its devastating consequences.
A ‘perfect excuse’
Countering violent extremism, a ‘perfect excuse’ to restrict free speech and control the media, UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of expression, David Kaye, warns on World Press Freedom Day.
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Human Rights Council concludes thirty-first session
The Human Rights Council concluded its thirty-first regular session after adopting 40 texts. The Council also adopted the outcome of the Universal Periodic Review of 14 countries and filled four vacancies of Special Procedures mandate holders.
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Greece / Migrant crisis
UN expert François Crépeau will visit Greece to gather information on the complex management of the Greek border and its impact on the human rights of migrants (12-16 May).
Namibia reviewed
UN experts held talks with a Namibian delegation on 4 and 6 May in Geneva to review the country's record on tackling racial discrimination.
Israel reviewed
Israel's record on implementing the Convention against Torture was reviewed by UN experts during meetings in Geneva on 3 and 4 May.
Azerbaijan reviewed
The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination held meetings with a delegation from Azerbaijan on 3 and 4 May in Geneva to review the country's record on tackling racism.
Georgia reviewed
Georgia's record on tackling racial discrimination and xenophobia was reviewed by UN experts meeting in Geneva on 2 and 3 May.
Rwanda reviewed
UN experts met a Rwandan delegation on 28 and 29 April in Geneva to discuss the country's record in tackling racial discrimination.
Philippines reviewed
The record of the Philippines in implementing the Convention against Torture was reviewed by UN experts during meetings in Geneva on 27 and 28 April.
Oman reviewed
Oman's record on tackling racial discrimination was reviewed by UN experts who met a delegation from Oman in Geneva on 27 and 28 April.
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Migration: Why Human Rights Matter
In an important speech at Austria's Ministry for Science and Research, the High Commissioner argued strongly for a shift in European policies toward migrants.
Israeli occupation
Statement of the United Nations Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices at the end of its annual fact-finding mission to Amman from 2 to 5 May 2016
The Future of the Human Rights Council
The High Commissioner said many human rights declarations by world leaders "are part smokescreen, part lip-service". He outlined some key measures to ensure better implementation of human rights commitments.
The Road to Violence
Accepting a award for Global Justice at the Cox International Law School in Cleveland, High Commissioner spoke out on hatred and incitement to violence by "overripe bullies". "There is a road to violence," he said. "And hate speech is on that road."
People of African Descent
Opening the 18th session of the Working Group of Experts on People of African descent, the Deputy High Commissioner said only when the past is acknowledged can there be justice and a fair share of development for people of African descent.
Statement by Mr. Ivan Šimonović
Statement by Mr. Ivan Šimonović, United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights at the Regional consultation on enhancing cooperation in the Americas
Torture of children
The torture of children is an "unbearable reality", and it is vital to assist them to recover, the High Commissioner told an event marking the 35th anniversary of the UN Torture Fund.
Preventing Violent Extremism
Violent extremism is not invincible," the High Commissioner told a major conference of member states. "To fight violence, we must move beyond violence.
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UN Treaty Bodies DatabaseSearch for documents and information pertaining to the nine core international human rights treaties. UN Charter Body DatabaseSearch for documents and information pertaining to UN Charter-based human rights bodies, including the Human Rights Council and Special Procedures. Universal Human Rights IndexAccess country-specific human rights recommendations and information emanating from international human rights mechanisms in the UN system: the Treaty Bodies, the Special Procedures and the Universal Periodic Review (UPR). Anti-discrimination DatabaseSearch for information, policies and measures taken at the international, regional and national levels to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. Jurisprudence DatabaseAccess jurisprudence emanating from the United Nations Treaty Bodies that receive and consider complaints from individuals. Special Procedures DatabaseSearch for documents and information pertaining to the mandates and country visits of the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. |
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