UN Human Rights

An independent United Nations human rights group today called on Chinese authorities to report on the fate of some 300 Tibetan monks who reportedly were arrested in April, and to investigate "the ongoing practice of enforced disappearances" in the Asian country.

The United Nations today named rhythm and blues artist Melba Moore as a Goodwill Ambassador for the construction of a permanent memorial at UN Headquarters in New York to honour the victims of the transatlantic slave trade.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights today condemned the killing this week of civilian protestors in the occupied Golan Heights, and called for Israel and Syria to conduct "independent, impartial, transparent and thorough investigations" of the incidents.

The United Nations human rights office said today that the Government of Bahrain has agreed in principle to a UN mission to the country to look into the reported violations related to the recent pro-reform protests there, but a date for the visit has not been set.

A senior United Nations official has called on the Iraqi Government to do more to protect civilians from violence, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) reported today.

Significant challenges remain in the process towards full democratic governance in Cambodia, a United Nations independent human rights expert has said, while also recognizing the steps the country has taken towards democracy.

A major conference tasked with drafting a national action plan to improve human rights in Iraq offers a critical chance for the country&#39s citizens to ensure that their voices are heard, a senior United Nations official said today.

The forced return from Qatar to Libya of a woman who had made complaints about gang rapes in Tripoli and was later recognized as a refugee violates international law, the United Nations refugee agency said today.

Two high-ranking United Nations officials today said they were "alarmed at the apparently systematic and deliberate attacks" on civilians in Syria, and called for an investigation into possible violations of international human rights law.

A United Nations-ordered panel investigating human rights abuses in Libya says that both Government forces and the opposition have committed war crimes during the weeks of fighting following the uprising against the regime of Colonel Muammar al-Qadhafi.

Victims of human trafficking have the right to seek legal redress and compensation for the violation of their rights, a United Nations expert said today, voicing concern that those trafficked were often treated as "instruments" of criminal investigation, rather than people with rights.

An independent United Nations human rights expert has called on Sri Lankan authorities to thoroughly investigate the apparent execution of several men by Government soldiers, saying a disputed video of the incident seems to be authentic.

A United Nations human rights expert today unveiled a series of global benchmarks aimed at helping businesses and governments to act ethically and protect human rights.

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) today called on the Syrian Government to investigate reports of torture and killing of children and said all parties to the fighting in the Middle East country must "spare civilians, particularly children and women."

A United Nations human rights expert today urged Hungary to implement the international commitments and obligations that it has made towards tackling racism, xenophobia and intolerance.

The United Nations human rights office today voiced concern about the disproportionate use of force against anti-Government protesters in Tbilisi, Georgia, last week and called for a probe into the actions of the police.

The United Nations human rights office today sounded the alarm on the recent killings of public prosecutors in Guatemala and Honduras, as well as the increasing vulnerability of human rights defenders in the two Central American countries.

United Nations officials today spoke out against the excessive use of force against anti-Government protesters in Yemen, where more than 50 people have reportedly been killed since Sunday in the city of Taiz and hundreds more have been injured.

An independent United Nations human rights expert today commended the Government of Ghana on its commitment to realizing the right to health while underscoring key challenges regarding maternal mortality, mental health and adequate funding.

The top United Nations human rights official today stressed the need to ensure that the &#8220promising&#8221 first steps taken by some countries in the Middle East and North Africa in response to calls for reform are followed up with measures to ensure a sustainable transition to democracy.