Thulani Maseko, who was also a pro-democracy activist, was shot dead in his home in the city of Mbabane on Saturday. Mr. Türk issued a statement condemning his murder. ‘Stalwart of human rights’ “Thulani Maseko was a stalwart of human rights who, at great risk to himself, spoke up for...
“Lawyers, judges, prosecutors and other actors involved with the legal system in Afghanistan face grave risks to their safety, and those still practicing must navigate a deeply challenging, non-independent legal system”, Special Rapporteurs Margaret Satterthwaite, on the independence of judges and lawyers, and Richard Bennett, on the situation of human...
“The violent trends that dominated the last months of 2022 continue to take a devastating human toll,” said Tor Wennesland, Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process. Citing rising political tensions and the long-stalled peace process, he said preventing more loss of life must go hand-in-hand with the international community’s...
Rosemary DiCarlo reiterated the view of the Secretary-General, in reminding that Russia’s invasion of 24 February, was a violation of the UN Charter and international law. “It has created a humanitarian and human rights catastrophe, traumatized a generation of children, and accelerated the global food and energy crises”, she told...
Thomas Andrews, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, acknowledged as “notable” that the Council crafted and advanced a draft that managed to avoid a veto, but “with all due respect”, said that the resolution adopted yesterday was not enough. “‘Demanding that certain actions be taken without any...
“Like many countries, Iran has environmental issues. The sanctions not only prevent the Iranian Government from addressing them effectively; they contribute to making the challenges worse,” the group of Special Rapporteurs and the Independent Expert on international solidarity, said in a statement. Tehran pollution, ‘no surprise’ Air pollution is a...
The annual commemoration celebrates the UN General Assembly’s adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on 10 December 1948. “Human rights are the foundation for human dignity, and the cornerstone of peaceful, inclusive, fair, equal and prosperous societies,” said Mr. Guterres. “They are a unifying force and a rallying...
In a statement kicking off the “UNiTE! Activism to End Violence against Women and Girls campaign”, they reminded that an estimated one in three women experience gender-based violence during her lifetime. Moreover, that last year, nearly one in five 20- to 24-year-old women had been married before turning 18 and...
The Council, meeting in special session in response to the crisis that was sparked by the death in September in police custody of 22-year-old Jina Mahsa Amini, heard Mr. Türk criticize “the fortress mentality of those who wield power” in Iran. The “unnecessary and disproportionate use of force” must end,...
According to latest UN figures, at least 613 civilians have been killed and 948 injured so far this year – the highest number since 2017 and nearly a third more than 2021. Most of the casualties, 315 killed and 686 injured, have been due to Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), nearly all...
Speaking at the 12th ASEAN-UN Summit, Secretary-General António Guterres painted a picture of many in the Global South, “battered” by COVID and the climate crisis – restricting access to food, energy, and finance – and global insecurity triggering new conflicts while making it increasingly difficult to end old ones. He...
“The present climate of irresponsible business practices provides profit for companies but does little for people”, members of the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights said in a statement marking the conclusion of their first visit to the country. “A sustainable and stable peace calls for accountability, transparency,...