“The Riddle”: What exists in every corner of the world but remains illegal in more than 70 countries?
“The Riddle”, a video produced by the UN Human Rights Office and released to coincide with the International Day against Homophobia, draws attention to the impact of homophobia and transphobia on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people around the world.
17-05-2013

UN disability rights body confirms that equal access to banking services should be granted to all
The UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities issues an unprecedented decision on a case involving two visually impaired complainants against Hungary.
16-05-2013

The politics of exclusion continue in and around Rome
Roma migrants and their defenders describe the living conditions in camps, and forced evictions by the local authorities in Rome, Italy.
10-05-2013

An end to mob justice in Haiti
Perceived as an acceptable form of retributive justice, lynching is alarmingly recurrent in Haiti.
08-05-2013

Secure housing for millions remains a global challenge
“Millions of people around the world still face the threat of eviction or displacement,” says the Special Rapporteur on adequate housing, Raquel Rolnik, in her latest report, which was presented during the 22nd Session of the UN Human Rights Council.
07-05-2013

UN Human Rights Prize 2013
The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights is seeking nominations for the 2013 UN Prize in the Field of Human Rights. Nominations can be sent from a variety of sources: Member States, SA, NGOs and from other appropriate sources.
03-05-2013

Between tradition and exclusion: struggling for the right to pitch a trailer
Candy Sheridan advocates for the rights of the Irish Travellers who were evicted from Dale Farm in Basildon, United Kingdom, over a year ago.
01-05-2013

“A little bit of money makes a real difference”
Romani human rights activist, Valeriu Nicolae, runs and funds from his own resources a project aimed at giving young people in a Bucharest ghetto a future free of drugs and crime through education and sports.
01-05-2013

Innovative grassroots projects for Roma integration in the Czech Republic
The UN Human Rights Office has welcomed projects for the integration of the Roma population launched by the local authorities in Ostrava, Czech Republic. Regrettably, critical civil society voices were excluded in the process.
01-05-2013

Ending abusive practices against people with mental disabilities in Moldova
Procedures that deprive people with mental or intellectual disabilities of their legal capacity put them in a situation of excessive vulnerability to abuse, according to a study on the guardianship system in Moldova.
29-04-2013

Empowering Roma in rural Hungary
UN and civil society are making efforts to empower the Roma in Cserehát region in their struggle against socio-economic exclusion and racial discrimination.
25-04-2013

In difficult economic times, human rights should not be expendable
Human rights experts call on national and international financial institutions to integrate human rights considerations when trying to mitigate the impacts of financial and economic crises.
22-04-2013

Equality in family relations: recognizing women’s rights to property
During its 54th session, the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) adopted a General Recommendation on how to protect women’s equal rights to property in or after the dissolution of marriage or similar relationships.
19-04-2013

Breaking barriers to equal access to work for persons with disabilities
“The right to work is a fundamental human right that is inseparable from human dignity”, said UN Human Rights Chief Navi Pillay at the annual interactive panel on human rights and persons of disabilities.
16-04-2013

Combating child sex tourism
By 2030 the number of international tourists will reach an estimated 1.8 billion. Tourism, however, has a dark side and can be a potential vehicle for child abuse. Child sex tourism (CST) is a growing trend affecting millions of children around the globe.
10-04-2013

Bringing inclusion to Roma communities in Moldova’s rural areas
In Moldova, efforts to improve access to basic services of Roma living in some of the most excluded rural communities contribute to support their integration.
08-04-2013

Governance and accountability for global development post-2015
The final meeting of the Global Consultation on Governance and the Post-2015 Development Agenda identifies priority areas of governance and accountability for the framework that will replace the MDGs.
05-04-2013

The right to peace
An intergovernmental working group has begun what is expected to be a long and complex negotiation aimed at drafting a UN Declaration on the Right to Peace. A first report is to be presented to the June 2013 session of the Human Rights Council.
04-04-2013

Providing victims of enforced disappearances adequate reparation
States´ obligation to provide reparation to victims of enforced disappearances is not limited to monetary compensation, stressed a UN report on enforced disappearances.
03-04-2013

The Human Rights Case Against Corruption
Implementing human rights is the most effective means to fight corruption, said UN Human Rights Chief Navi Pillay.
27-03-2013

Fear of reprisals in the aftermath of Mali occupation
The UN Human Rights Office presents its report to the Human Rights Council on the crisis in Mali, amidst allegations of human rights violations committed by the Malian Army.
25-03-2013

Women and the Arab spring: an ongoing struggle for equal rights
Women human rights defenders, at the forefront of the uprisings in the Middle East and North Africa, now say they face ongoing discrimination in their efforts to achieve lasting reforms.
22-03-2013

Time to kick racism out of football
“Sport at its best is inclusive, generous-hearted and fundamentally multicultural, based on values such as teamwork, loyalty, merit and self-control”, said the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, at a panel discussion on racism in sport.
22-03-2013

A move to raise a healthier generation of kids
Human rights and health experts participated in an interactive dialogue on the challenges in achieving the full realization of the right of the child to health during the full-day meeting on the Rights of the Child.
21-03-2013

Misusing the law to clamp down on human rights defenders
The UN expert on human rights defenders says governments are continuing to restrict and even criminalize human rights work in different countries.
19-03-2013

Mistreatment in healthcare settings: when a carer becomes a torturer
The Special Rapporteur on torture, Juan Méndez, analyses forms of abuse in healthcare settings which could constitute torture.
13-03-2013

Ending gender-based violence and discrimination: Youth as agents of change
UN Human Rights Chief recognizes the crucial role of youth to effect positive transformative change by addressing stereotypes that perpetuate violence against women and girls, at an interactive event with youth activists.
12-03-2013

Discrimination faced by rural women impacts negatively food security
The UN independent expert on the right to food deplores the negative impact of discrimination faced by rural women on food security, in his new report to the Human Rights Council.
12-03-2013

Women are powerful drivers of progress when free to claim their rights
Inspiring women leaders share their personal experience on the enabling factors that have allowed them to assume positions of leadership at the 22nd session of the Human Rights Council.
05-03-2013

20 years working for human rights
Two decades on from the World Conference on Human Rights in Vienna, the international community recalls it as a ‘milestone’ in the development of the global human rights movement.
28-02-2013

Human rights in Africa: progress and challenges
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay highlights the progress and challenges faced in promoting human rights across Africa at Oxford University.
28-02-2013

Stéphane Hessel – human rights champion dies at 95
The Human Rights Council meeting in Geneva pauses and observes a minute’s silence for Stéphane Hessel, a man acknowledged as one of the world’s great proponents of human rights.
27-02-2013

The 22nd Session of the Human Rights Council opens in Geneva
At the opening of the 22nd Session of the Human Rights Council, the UN Human Rights Chief, Navi Pillay, evokes the 20th anniversary of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, and acknowledges achievements and challenges ahead.
25-02-2013

The Equality Imperative
UN Human Rights Chief, Navi Pillay, speaks on addressing inequalities in the future framework for development post-2015, the target date for the UN Millennium Development Goals.
22-02-2013

Between Free Speech and Hate Speech: The Rabat Plan of Action, a practical tool to combat incitement to hatred
The Rabat Plan of Action to combat incitement to hatred, discrimination and violence, which was presented by internationally recognized experts, provides practical tools to States, the UN system, political and religious leaders, the civil society and the
21-02-2013

Beyond bars: a chance for a meaningful life
Under the UN initiative “Delivering as One,” United Nations agencies in Uruguay bring together their expertise to support a far reaching reform of the prison system, designed to give inmates skills and prepare them for the outside world.
15-02-2013

Pillay renews call to refer Syria to world criminal court
UN human right chief, Navi Pillay, tells UN Security Council that referring the situation in Syria to the International Criminal Court could help stem human rights violations.
13-02-2013

Fighting incitement to crimes against humanity
A multi-layered approach is needed to counter hate speech that could incite genocide and other crimes against humanity, says Adama Dieng, UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide.
11-02-2013

Fighting FGM: Girls’ right to education versus traditional practices
One county in Liberia has succeeded in stopping Female Genital Mutilation practices by ensuring girls are not being pulled out of formal studies during the school year to attend ”bush schools".
07-02-2013

Justice for victims of economic, social and cultural rights violations
UN agreement empowering victims of economic, social and cultural rights violations to seek justice set to enter into force.
06-02-2013

High Commissioner pays tribute to civil rights activist Rosa Parks
On the 100th anniversary of the birth of civil rights activist, Rosa Parks, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay says her spirit will continue to inspire collective efforts to realize our fundamental rights.
05-02-2013

Ending corporal punishment of children
Child rights experts review global progress and challenges in achieving global prohibition of corporal punishment of children.
31-01-2013

Eliminating human trafficking from the global business landscape
Private sector businesses should take appropriate measures to prevent any risks of trafficking in their supply chains.
29-01-2013

Philippines passes landmark law criminalizing enforced disappearances
Philippines becomes the first country in Asia to criminalize enforced disappearances.
25-01-2013

Manal Al-Sharif: a driving force for change
Manal Al-Sharif, a women’s rights activist in Saudi Arabia, participated in the UN Social Forum in Geneva on a panel discussion on the role of social media and activism.
13-01-2013

A case of domestic violence in Mexico: Grettel’s quest for justice
The Mexican Supreme Court orders a local tribunal to reinstate attempted murder charges against a man who almost killed a young woman.
08-01-2013

Helping Nepal achieve lasting peace
“Peace will only be achieved through the pursuit of justice and the ending of impunity,” says UN Human Rights Chief Navi Pillay referring to an ordinance recently proposed by the Government of Nepal.
04-01-2013