UN experts call for end to harassment of human rights defenders — Global Issues

UN experts call for end to harassment of human rights defenders — Global Issues

“We have documented many cases where counter-terrorism legislation and other criminal provisions have been used to harass, arrest, detain and convict civil society actors in Türkiye, including Dr. Fincancı, on spurious grounds”, the experts said in a statement. Blurred charges On 26 October, Ms. Fincancı, who helped develop UN reference…

Threats against journalists harm us all, warns UN chief — Global Issues

Threats against journalists harm us all, warns UN chief — Global Issues

This year also marks the 10th anniversary of the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity.    The Secretary-General underscored the importance of a free press, which he said is vital to a functioning democracy, exposing wrongdoing, navigating our complex world, and advancing…

Opium cultivation up nearly a third, warns UNODC — Global Issues

Opium cultivation up nearly a third, warns UNODC — Global Issues

Opium cultivation in Afghanistan – latest findings and emerging threats, is the first report on the illicit opium trade since the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021. The authorities banned all cultivation of opium poppy and all narcotics under strict new laws, in April 2022. Opium is the essential…

UN counter-terrorism body backs innovations to fight digital terror — Global Issues

UN counter-terrorism body backs innovations to fight digital terror — Global Issues

Ahead of the two-day meeting, the Committee Chair, Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj of India, spoke to UN News about how terrorists are exploiting social media, mobile payment systems, 3D printing, and other technological developments.  Highlighting the impact on society, she said their “easy accessibility, affordability and almost universal outreach, have unlocked…

Nearly half of world’s terror victims are African, with organised crime increasingly entrenched — Global Issues

Nearly half of world’s terror victims are African, with organised crime increasingly entrenched — Global Issues

UNODC chief Ghada Waly said there were around 3,500 victims of terrorist acts in sub-Saharan Africa last year, nearly half of those recorded worldwide. The vast Sahel region in particular has become home to some of the most active and deadly terrorist groups, and it is essential to gain more…

UN Special Adviser welcomes start of trial against top Rwanda genocide suspect — Global Issues

UN Special Adviser welcomes start of trial against top Rwanda genocide suspect — Global Issues

Opening statements in the case against Félicien Kabuga are set for Thursday and Friday at the UN’s International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT), located in The Hague.  According to his indictment, Mr. Kabuga was a founder of the radio station Radio Télévision Libre des Mille Collines, whose broadcasts furthered…

UN pledges support for justice and accountability, as stadium massacre trial begins — Global Issues

UN pledges support for justice and accountability, as stadium massacre trial begins — Global Issues

Alongside the deaths, during the opposition rally protesting military rule on 28 September, women and girls were raped, after security forces blocked off exits to the stadium in Conakry, before opening fire. Some protesters were shot dead, or brutally attacked with knives, while others were trampled to death. #ICC Prosecutor…

Burundi must engage in ‘credible and inclusive’ move towards democratic rule — Global Issues

Burundi must engage in ‘credible and inclusive’ move towards democratic rule — Global Issues

Despite commitments and measures taken by the government, the human rights situation there has not changed in a substantial and sustainable way, said Fortuné Gaétan Zongo, who was appointed on 1 April as Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Burundi. “It is crucial and urgent to initiate reforms and a…

Trial of Janjaweed leader must not be ‘a false dawn’ for justice, Security Council hears — Global Issues

Trial of Janjaweed leader must not be ‘a false dawn’ for justice, Security Council hears — Global Issues

Briefing from Khartoum, ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan updated the ambassadors on a landmark moment for both justice in the restive region and the ICC-UN Security Council relationship. “We must collectively ensure it is the beginning of true accountability and not a false dawn,” he said on the proceedings, which commenced…

UN rights chief welcomes repeal of colonial-era law banning sex between men — Global Issues

UN rights chief welcomes repeal of colonial-era law banning sex between men — Global Issues

“This colonial era law has more broadly impacted and stigmatised the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ+) people as a whole”, said High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet. She stressed that everyone was entitled to the equal protection, respect and fulfilment of their human rights, including all in the LGBTIQ+…