UN’s Bachelet concerned over Ukraine orphans ‘deported’ to Russia for adoption — Global Issues

UN’s Bachelet concerned over Ukraine orphans ‘deported’ to Russia for adoption — Global Issues

Michelle Bachelet told the Human Rights Council that her Office, OHCHR, has been looking into the allegations that youngsters have been taken from orphanages in Donbas, where Russia has steadily gained ground amidst intense fighting in recent weeks. “OHCHR cannot yet confirm these allegations or the number of children who could be…

WHO to determine if Monkeypox should be declared ‘Emergency of International Concern’; rights expert warns of COVID ‘vaccine apartheid’

WHO to determine if Monkeypox should be declared ‘Emergency of International Concern’; rights expert warns of COVID ‘vaccine apartheid’

The experts will meet on June 23 to assess whether the continuing outbreak represents a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, the highest level of global alert, which currently applies only to the COVID-19 pandemic and polio. So far this year, more than 1,600 confirmed cases and almost 1,500 suspected…

Disabilities convention supports ‘inclusive, accessible, and sustainable world’ — Global Issues

Disabilities convention supports ‘inclusive, accessible, and sustainable world’ — Global Issues

“Together, we can make sure that every person…can fully participate in every aspect of life – social, economic, cultural, and political”, said Secretary-General António Guterres, adding that “we can, and we will, advance our common future.” Forward motion He hailed the progress driven by the disability convention as being “broad, swift, and…

Cycle of ‘human rights violations and abuses’ continues, warns Bachelet — Global Issues

Cycle of ‘human rights violations and abuses’ continues, warns Bachelet — Global Issues

“What we are witnessing today is the systematic and widespread use of tactics against civilians, in respect of which there are reasonable grounds to believe the commission of crimes against humanity and war crimes”, High Commissioner Michelle Bachelet told the Human Rights Council. ‘Dire situation’ Since last year’s coup, at…

Ukraine and rising global insecurity, test for us all, says UN rights chief — Global Issues

Ukraine and rising global insecurity, test for us all, says UN rights chief — Global Issues

Nearly four months since the Russian invasion, Michelle Bachelet used her final keynote address to the Geneva forum, to urge Member States not to give up on the post-COVID-19 plan “to recover better”, and not repeat the kind of devastating global financial meltdown which took place in 2008. Failure to…

UN calls on militants in eastern DR Congo to ‘immediately cease’ civilian attacks — Global Issues

UN calls on militants in eastern DR Congo to ‘immediately cease’ civilian attacks — Global Issues

Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said the UN was “concerned over the deteriorating security situation…and the increase of attacks against civilians by the Cooperative for Development of the Congo (CODECO) and the M23 as well as the on-going presence of other foreign armed groups, including the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), Red Tabara and the…

UN human rights experts urge China to allow them ‘full access’ — Global Issues

UN human rights experts urge China to allow them ‘full access’ — Global Issues

“Strengthening engagement with independent human rights experts and Human Rights Council mechanisms is crucial to full and transparent enforcement of China’s human rights obligations,” the group of more than 40 experts said, ahead of the Council’s landmark 50th session, which begins on Monday.   Systemic violations  In a statement, they recalled…

Death sentences ‘vile attempt at instilling fear’, rights experts charge — Global Issues

Death sentences ‘vile attempt at instilling fear’, rights experts charge — Global Issues

Special Rapporteurs Thomas Andrews and Morris Tidball-Binz, fear the development could signal the start of a spate of executions in a country which has not carried out capital punishment in more than 30 years.  Disregard for human rights  “The illegitimate military junta is providing the international community with further evidence…