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Egyptians hold their national flags and images of victims of the revolution
Social media tools, such as Facebook, Twitter and Flickr, played a major role during the protests in the Middle East and North Africa
© EPA/ ANDRE PAIN

Social media in Egypt: a powerful tool for political change

“Through social networks we were able to convince people of the importance of our demands and mobilize them to stand up for their rights,” says Sondos Asem, a young woman from Egypt,  who peacefully protested for 18 days in Tahrir Square – the symbol of the Egyptian uprising.
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An Afghan man carries an injured child © John Wendle

Afghan civilians continue to die in record numbers

The number of civilians being killed in the conflict in Afghanistan increases in 2011 for the fifth year in a row. New and more deadly tactics by the Taliban are largely to blame says the UN.
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Bahraini opposition supporters take part in a rally outside the UN House in the Bahraini capital Manama 14 December © EPA/MAZEN MAHDI

Human Rights in Bahrain

A UN Human Rights team recently visited Bahrain after the release of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry report on the human rights situation in the country, and emphasizes the need for accountability.
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Human Rights in the news 

Pillay / Senegal elections
UN Human Rights chief Navi Pillay urged the Government, candidates and supporters to renounce violence and expressed concern about possible use of excessive force by authorities in Senegal.
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“Risk of backtracking”
UN Special Rapporteur on Myanmar, Tomás Ojea Quintana, hails reforms, but warns that serious human rights and political challenges remain to be addressed.
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Ethiopia / Freedom of expression
A number of UN human rights experts on Thursday expressed their dismay at the continuing abuse of anti-terrorism legislation to curb freedom of expression in Ethiopia.
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Mission to Georgia
The UN Special Rapporteur on the freedom of peaceful assembly and association, Maina Kiai, will visit Georgia from 6 to 13 February to look in depth at the issues on the ground.
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El Salvador / detention
The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention* urged the Government of El Salvador to ensure that the right to security does not override the right to be free from arbitrary detention.
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Meetings and events

CEDAW - WG Communications / 22nd session
From : 07-02-2012 To : 10-02-2012
PN XVI
CEDAW / 51 session
From : 13-02-2012 To : 02-03-2012
PN XVI
Human Rights Council / 19th session
From : 27-02-2012 To : 23-03-2012
PN XX
Pre-Session Working Group CEDAW / 53rd session
From : 05-03-2012 To : 09-03-2012
PN XVI
Pre-Session WG on Communications - Human Rights Committee / 104th session
From : 05-03-2012 To : 09-03-2012
New York
WG on the use of mercenaries / 15th session
From : 12-03-2012 To : 16-03-2012
PWG
Human Rights Committee / 104th session
From : 12-03-2012 To : 30-03-2012
New York
International Coordinating Committee of National Institutions (ICC) / 25th session
From : 20-03-2012 To : 22-03-2012
PN XIX
Ad Hoc Committee on the elaboration of complementary standards to ICERD / 4th session
From : 10-04-2012 To : 20-04-2012
PN XXI
WG on the Right to Development / 13th session
From : 23-04-2012 To : 27-04-2012
PN XXI
WG on communications / 10th session
From : 23-04-2012 To : 27-04-2012
WG on Arbitrary Detention / 63rd session
From : 30-04-2012 To : 04-05-2012
PW1
Committee against Torture (CAT) / 48th session
From : 07-05-2012 To : 01-06-2012
PW1
Pre-sessional WG - CESCR / 48th session
From : 21-05-2012 To : 25-05-2012
PWG
UPR Working Group / 13th session
From : 21-05-2012 To : 04-06-2012
PN XX
Committee on the Rights of Child (CRC) / 60th session
From : 29-05-2012 To : 15-06-2012
PWG
Meeting of Special Rapporteurs /Representatives /Independent Experts and Chairpersons of WG of the HRC / 19th session
From : 11-06-2012 To : 15-06-2012
PW1
Pre-sessional WG – CRC / 61st session
From : 18-06-2012 To : 22-06-2012
PWG
WG on Situations (HRC Complaint Procedures) / 10ème session
From : 18-06-2012 To : 22-06-2012
Human Rights Council / 20th session
From : 18-06-2012 To : 06-07-2012
PN XX
State parties meeting to CEDAW / 17th session
From : 26-06-2012 To : 26-06-2012
New York
Human Rights Committee / 105th session
From : 09-07-2012 To : 27-07-2012
PWG
CEDAW / 52nd session
From : 09-07-2012 To : 27-07-2012
New York
WG on the use of mercenaries / 16th session
From : 30-07-2012 To : 03-08-2012
New York
WG on Arbitrary Detention / 64th session
From : 27-08-2012 To : 30-08-2012
PN XI
WG on communications / 11th session
From : 27-08-2012 To : 31-08-2012
PW1
States parties meeting - CRPD / 8th session
From : 05-09-2012 To : 07-09-2012
New York
State parties meeting - ICCPR / 31st session
From : 06-09-2012 To : 06-09-2012
New York
Human Rights Council / 21st session
From : 10-09-2012 To : 28-09-2012
PN XX
Committee on the Rights of Child (CRC) / 61st session
From : 17-09-2012 To : 05-10-2012
PWG
Social Forum / 5th session
From : 01-10-2012 To : 03-10-2012
PN XVIII
CEDAW / 53rd session
From : 01-10-2012 To : 19-10-2012
PN XVI
Pre-sessional WG - CRC / 62nd session
From : 08-10-2012 To : 12-10-2012
PWG
Human Rights Committee / 106th session
From : 15-10-2012 To : 02-11-2012
PWG
Universal Periodic Review
From : 22-10-2012 To : 05-11-2012
PN XX
States Parties meeting - OPCAT / 4th session
From : 25-10-2012 To : 25-10-2012
PN XIX
Committee against Torture (CAT) / 49th session
From : 29-10-2012 To : 23-11-2012
PW1
WG on Arbitrary Detention / 65th session
From : 14-11-2012 To : 23-11-2012
PN IX
Forum on Minorities Issues / 5th session
From : 27-11-2012 To : 28-11-2012
PN XX
WG on the use of mercenaries / 17th session
From : 03-12-2012 To : 07-12-2012
PW1
Pre-sessional WG - CESCR / 49th session
From : 03-12-2012 To : 07-12-2012
PWG
State Parties meeting - CRC / 14th session
From : 18-12-2012 To : 18-12-2012
New York
 
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