UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

GENEVA (24 January 2020) – Hundreds of thousands of women and children affected by leprosy suffer from informal segregation and institutionalized neglect and governments must put an end to it, a UN human rights expert said in comments marking World Leprosy Day on 26 January 2020. Too many women and children affected by leprosy – […]

GENEVA (21 January 2020) – In its first ruling on a complaint by an individual seeking asylum from the effects of climate change, the UN Human Rights Committee* has stated that countries may not deport individuals who face climate change-induced conditions that violate the right to life. In 2015, Ioane Teitiota’s asylum application in New […]

GENEVA (17 January 2020) – The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet today condemned the continued killing and displacement of civilians in north-western Syria despite the announcement of a ceasefire nearly a week ago. Bachelet called for the immediate cessation of hostilities in and around the ‘de-escalation’ zone of Idlib, and the protection […]

GENEVA, Nov. 11, 2019 – The international community must prioritise women’s rights to meet the promisesand commitments on sexual and reproductive health made at a historic global conference 25 years ago, a group of United Nations human rights experts* has said. A tremendous amount of work remains to be done to fulfil the ambitious commitments […]

GENEVA November 8, 2019 – UN human rights experts have condemned the excessive use of force by security forces in Chile during the recent weeks of protests. At least 20 people are reported to have been killed and about 1600 hurt, including police officers, during protests that began in early October over rising transport costs, […]

GENEVA October 29, 2019 – UN human rights experts* today urged the Iraqi authorities to prevent and cease violence immediately against protesters, and ensure that those responsible for unlawful use of force are investigated and prosecuted. The experts said it was of paramount importance that Iraqi authorities take additional steps to prevent violence and enable […]

GENEVA October 21, 2019 – The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet on Monday urged all political and civil society actors in Chile to engage in immediate dialogue and to avoid further polarizing the situation with words or deeds, following the violence and unrest that have gripped the country over the past few […]

GENEVA September 27, 2019 – The United Nations Committee which monitors implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child on Friday welcomed children campaigning on climate change, and stressed they have a legal right “to have their views listened to and taken into account.” “The children have told us that they see the […]

“The murder of Emrya Wajãpi, leader of the indigenous Wajãpi people, is tragic and reprehensible in its own right. It is also a disturbing symptom of the growing problem of encroachment on indigenous land – especially forests – by miners, loggers and farmers in Brazil. The Brazilian Government’s proposed policy to open up more areas […]

GENEVA July 26, 2019 – The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet rang the alarm Friday at the apparent international indifference to the rising civilian death toll caused by a succession of airstrikes in Idlib and other parts of north-western Syria. “Despite repeated calls by the United Nations to respect the principle of […]

GENEVA April 24, 2019 – UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet on Wednesday strongly condemned the beheading of 37 men in spite of repeated appeals by the UN human rights system about the lack of due process and fair trial guarantees, allegations that confessions were obtained through torture – and the ages of […]

GENEVA April 9, 2019 – UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet on Tuesday reminded all parties to the conflict in Libya of their obligations under international law to ensure the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure, urging them to take measures to ensure civilians do not – once again – bear the brunt […]

Geneva, March 8, 2019 – As we celebrate International Women’s Day, I would like to honour the generations of women and girls who have transformed our societies by defending human rights and demanding equality – often in the face of daunting challenges and great personal sacrifice. Thanks to the tireless work of such human rights […]

GENEVA March 4, 2019 – States cannot put themselves forward as human rights leaders while leaving increasing numbers of residents to live and die on their streets, with no means to hold their Governments accountable and with no access to effective remedies, a UN human rights expert said today. “The time for excuses, justifications and […]

GENEVA February 25, 2019 – UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet on Monday called for “courage and vision” from State leaders to advance both the interests of humanity and the national interest of their own countries, stressing that human rights-based policies deliver better outcomes across the social and economic spectrum – and beyond […]

GENEVA February 22, 2019 – UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet warned Friday that if the arrests and convictions of people expressing dissenting opinions continue in Nicaragua, current efforts to start dialogue to solve the political and social unrest in the country could be seriously undermined. Over the last six months, several hundred […]