Category: Human Rights

This week the 78th Session of the General Assembly in New York began

Senator the Hon Penny Wong, Minister for Foreign Affairs, attends the opening the High- level General Debate of the 78th Session of the UN General Assembly. The Minister was joined by Assistant Minister McAllister, DFAT Secretary Jan Adams, Ambassador James Larsen, Mr Rob Mitchell MP Member for McEwen, Mr Andrew Wallace MP Member for Fisher […]

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 […]