Category: Human Rights

UN Peacekeeping turns 75: ‘Peace begins with me’

1 May 2023 A new photo exhibit on UN Peacekeeping opened at Headquarters on Monday, honouring the service and sacrifice of uniformed and civilian peacekeepers as it marks its 75th anniversary. “For 75 years, UN Peacekeeping has helped to end conflict, protect civilians, advance political solutions, and secure sustainable peace,” said Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the UN Under-Secretary-General […]

Afghanistan: UN predicts restrictions on women’s rights will worsen economic catastrophe

UNAMA/Farzana Zeba Kalam/An Afghan girl snatches a moment away from her watermelon selling duties to work on her homework The draconian restrictions on women’s ability to study and work have contributed to the calamitous socio-economic situation in Afghanistan, with devastating consequences for the population, according to a UN report released on Tuesday. The Afghanistan Socio-Economic Outlook […]

Guterres delivers message of ‘hope and renewal’ for Somalia

12 April 2023 UN chief António Guterres on Wednesday reaffirmed the world body’s commitment to supporting the Horn of Africa country as it continues on its path to establishing lasting peace and stability. “Somalia faces many challenges, but in the spirit of Ramadan, I also bring a message of hope and renewal – the United Nations stands in solidarity […]

Libya: Crimes against humanity committed since 2016 – rights probe

27 March 2023 UN-appointed independent human rights investigators on Monday said there are grounds to believe that Libyan authorities and armed militia groups have been responsible for “a wide array” of war crimes, and crimes against humanity in recent years. In the case of State security forces, human rights violations were committed to quash dissent and exploit […]

Equality drive launched by African women leaders at landmark conference

UN Women/Ryan | Brown African women leaders are playing a key role in transforming the continent. 14 February 2023 Women Women leaders called for swift, concerted action to advance gender rights at the first International Conference on Women’s Transformational Leadership, in Juba, South Sudan on Tuesday. Almost 400 women leaders from 15 African countries joined the UN-backed […]

Holocaust remembrance: beware ‘siren songs of hate’ – UN chief

Holocaust remembrance: beware ‘siren songs of hate’ – UN chief Unsplash/Jean Carlo Emer | A memorial at the former Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp in Poland. 27 January 2023 | Human Rights At a UN ceremony to mark the Holocaust on Friday, Secretary-General António Guterres warned that antisemitism, hate speech, and misinformation are ever-present, 90 years on […]