Lost childhoods: Ukraine's most innocent victims in Putin's war
The global demands for peace grow as humanitarian aid workers emphasize the war's devastating effect on children.
Human Rights
The United Nations says human rights are inherent to all human beings, regardless of race, sex, nationality, ethnicity, language, religion, or any other status. Human rights include the right to life and liberty, freedom from slavery and torture, freedom of opinion and expression, the right to work and education, and many more. Everyone is entitled to these rights, without discrimination. International human rights law sets out the obligations of governments to promote and protect human rights.
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In a world of human rights abuses, some 'extraordinary potential' too
The global snapshot that Human Rights Watch provides of the past year points to a "litany of human rights crises" but also a silver lining – some "cracks" emerged in authoritarian regimes where brave protesters took great risks demanding freedom.
A rallying cry for human rights at the heart of social media platforms
Alarmed at a sharp increase in the use of the racist “N” word on Twitter, the experts said all the major social media corporations must immediately show greater accountability for online hatred spewed at people of African descent.
U.N. says Myanmar's mass pardons include some 300 political prisoners
Though the release of political prisoners in Myanmar is a relief to those unfairly detained and their families, the U.N. human rights office notes the military junta is still holding thousands of others in detention for opposing military rule.
Iran expelled from U.N. women's commission in U.S.-led vote
The 29-8 vote in ECOSOC on Wednesday, with 16 abstentions, immediately expelled Iran from the U.N. Commission on the Status of Women, based on a U.S. resolution.
IFJ reports 67 journalists, media workers killed on job this year
IFJ says the killings point to an "urgent" need for an international treaty on the safety and independence of journalists and other media professionals.
Now in its fourth decade, campaign fights most pervasive rights violation
The 16-day campaign involves thousands of organizations in 187 nations and runs until Human Rights Day on Dec. 10.
U.N. condemns Iranian crackdown, sets up probe of rights abuses
A U.N. special session responded to Tehran's violence and widespread protests over 22-year-old Mahsa Amini's death.
G-7 condemns Russian 'war crime' in Ukraine
G-7 nations pledged to "stand firmly with Ukraine for as long as it takes" while promising more military aid and demanding Russia's immediate withdrawal.
U.N. appoints human rights investigator for Russia
The U.N. appointed a special rapporteur to examine Russia's human rights records in light of its crackdowns on dissent over its war in Ukraine.
Nations refuse U.N. debate over Xinjiang
China notched a diplomatic win with the U.N. Human Rights Council's rejection of a debate on evidence of abuses in China’s remote Xinjiang region.
U.N. experts point to evidence of Russian war crimes
A panel of U.N. human rights investigators concluded that war crimes have been committed in Ukraine during Russia's almost 7-month-old invasion.
Austria's Türk wins approval to lead top U.N. human rights body
U.N. career diplomat Volker Türk of Austria won approval from the U.N. General Assembly to replace former U.N. human rights chief Michelle Bachelet.
Showdown over U.N. report on alleged China abuses in Xinjiang
A closely watched U.N. report finds China's persecution of Muslim Uyghurs may constitute crimes against humanity.
Widespread racism in focus at U.N. review of U.S. racial justice record
Entrenched racism, white nationalism, aggressive policing and xenophobia stifle the rights of Americans nationwide.
Syrian war kills 1.5% of civilian population
At least 306,887 civilians were killed in the first decade of Syria's conflict "as a direct result of war operations," the U.N. human rights office estimated.