U.N. finds abuses with some lockdowns
The U.N. human rights chief warned some governments are abusing emergency powers to fight the pandemic by resorting to police brutality and other tactics.
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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Domestic abuse rises with virus lockdowns due to the pandemic
An upsurge in domestic violence has been reported in all regions as many people grapple with stay-at-home orders.
U.N. reboots 1995 plan for gender equality
A U.N.-led global commission recommitted the world to achieving gender equality, in a relaunch and update of a quarter-century old landmark agreement.
U.N. issues 'call to action' on human rights
U.N. leaders challenged nations, businesses and citizens to respond to a "call to action" for greater efforts to withstand a rising tide of human rights abuses.
U.N. reports on war agonies for Syrian kids
Syria's civil war has stolen the childhoods of 5 million boys and girls including many killed or suffering grave abuses of their rights, U.N. experts said.
HRW warns China attacking global rights
Human Rights Watch cautioned that China is using its economic muscle to silence critics at home and increasingly abroad through organizations and treaties.
Decade of rising attacks on kids in conflicts
Conflict-fueled attacks on children that authorities could verify tripled worldwide in the past decade to an average of 45 per day, UNICEF said.
Progress and worry as kids' treaty turns 30
A human rights treaty that is 30 years old helped make children healthier but they still face threats like climate change and online abuse, UNICEF said.
White Helmets ally found dead in Turkey
James Le Mesurier, whose organization founded and supported White Helmets' efforts in Syria, was found dead in Istanbul, prompting a police investigation.
U.N. expert says world of social media is 'failing' to deter hate speech
Nations and companies are required to ensure their policies on hate speech comply with international human rights law.
U.N. mission to probe suspected human rights abuses in Venezuela
The Human Rights Council created a mission to investigate cases in the beleaguered country from the past five years.
As temperatures rise, climate gains status as top threat to human rights
The U.N. human rights chief says the climate crisis is a top threat and U.S. detention of migrant children is alarming.
U.N. panel ties Western nations to human rights abuses in Yemen
Human rights experts cited a 'pervasive lack of accountability' in the Saudi-led alliance backed by Western governments.
U.N. calls for peace and justice in Yemen after airstrikes hit compound
First responders struggled to reach the scene where some survivors were believed to still be trapped under the rubble.
New accord to protect defenders of environment and human rights
The aim is to better support advocates and to hold perpetrators of violence and intimidation accountable.
U.N. experts conclude U.S. racism is a complicit factor in mass shootings
A U.N. working group called on U.S. leaders to recommit to human rights, including equal protection under the law.