How we make a difference 2011
Putting people at the centre of development
At a panel discussion to mark the 25th anniversary of the UN Declaration on the Right to Development, experts discuss ways to better integrate human rights in economics and development.
Human rights are not a matter of charity
Calling on all States to ratify the Convention on Migrant Workers, UN Human Rights chief Navi Pillay says human rights are not a matter of charity or a reward for obeying immigration rules.
Human trafficking: a rights-based approach
States should recognize trafficked persons’ right to an effective remedy. Experts, meeting in New York to address this global problem, examine appropriate compensation and assistance for the millions world-wide who have been trafficked.
20 years of fighting modern slavery
Over 27 million people, including boys and girls, live their lives every day in slavery or slavery-like conditions despite continued efforts to end slavery.
Call for States to tackle homophobic bullying
Homophobic bullying of children and young people constitutes a serious human rights challenge that States have a legal obligation as well as moral responsibility to address.
A universal emblem for human rights
The Government of Germany spearheads a worldwide competition for the creation of a universally recognized human rights logo. Here is the winner.
A World without Arbitrary Detention
“Arbitrary detention has become endemic and is more and more, in the context of recent protests around the world, used as a weapon to silence and eliminate all opposition,” says Bacre Ndiaye, Director of the Human Rights Council and SP Division.
Internet must be free but handled with care
A free and uncensored internet is important for democracy and human rights but there are dangers and challenges which must be accepted and managed according to panelists at a special event to commemorate Human Rights Day in Geneva.
The youth of Yemen in the Arab spring
“The revolution gave us the opportunity to get out and speak about human rights and demand them,” says Hend Nasiri, a 21-year-old human rights activist from Yemen.
Make a wish for Human Rights
What would you wish for? The UN Human Rights office launches its very own Mash Up video as part of its social media campaign launched to celebrate Human Rights on its 10 December birthday. The Mash Up video is there to inspire and help you make a choice.
Human Rights based approach to trafficking
The human rights- based approach to trafficking places the victim at the centre of any credible action to this problem through addressing the root causes and the factors increasing vulnerabilities.
For children on the streets there are no soft pillows
The UN Human Rights office convenes experts from many countries in the search for the most effective ways to help children living on the streets whose voices are seldom heard and whose rights are regularly abused with impunity.
“I commit to end caste discrimination and untouchability”
Campaigning for an end to caste-based discrimination – the Human Rights Office in Nepal and the National Dalit Commission of Nepal call for personal pledges and the implementation of a new law to end the deep-seated practice of caste discrimination.
Children of Parents in Prison
The UN Human Rights Office holds the first-ever international discussion on the impact of parental imprisonment on children.
Tackling poverty in a world of 7 billion
The world’s population will hit the seven billion mark on 31 October 2011, according to UN estimates. As the number of people increases, so do the challenges – among them poverty and inequality.
Human Rights on the record
A milestone achieved - the Human Rights Council completes, for the first time ever, a review of the human rights record of all Member States of the United Nations.
The people of Tunisia cast their votes
UN Human Rights chief Navi Pillay urges the people of Tunisia to make their voices heard by casting their votes in Sunday’s i first free elections.
Concern for the rights of thousands being held in detention in Libya - a senior human rights delegation returns from Libya expressing concern at conditions in the makeshift prisons.
The right to development – who decides
The Social Forum of the Human Rights Council meets to explore many and varied views on the way forward in making the right to development a reality for all.
The Nobel Peace Prize: its youngest-ever winner
“We work for freedom and dignity.” Tawakkul Karman, joint winner of this year’s Nobel Peace Prize explains the principles that underpin the peaceful struggle for democracy in Yemen.
Let’s fight racism!
On the occasion of the commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, UN Human Rights Chief Navi Pillay reflects on the persistence of racism in the world and on the legacy of the past.
Renewed hope for victims of racism
UN Human Rights Chief Navi Pillay urges world leaders to eliminate the scourge of racism, ten years after the landmark adoption of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action.
Breaking point in Somalia
The drought in Somalia takes the local people to breaking point: the Independent Expert on Somalia says the funds must be found to deal with the country’s famine and ongoing conflict.
Freedom of expression and new media
For the first time the UN Human Rights Committee considers new media in the context of the rights to freedom of opinion and expression, stressing that access must be protected.
New impetus to eradicate enforced disappearances
A disappearance has a doubly paralysing impact: on the victims, frequently tortured and in constant fear for their lives, and on their families, ignorant of the fate of their loved ones.
The UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders says that in many countries it is still very dangerous to be a human rights defender.
Realizing the rights of victims of terrorism
Victims of terrorism require immediate assistance and long term medical and psycho-social support, as well as financial assistance to rebuild their lives, says UN Human Rights chief Navi Pillay.
‘Human rights don’t stop at 60’
Human rights experts call for dedicated efforts to pinpoint, stop and prevent discrimination against older persons.
Using social media to promote human rights
The Internet Freedom Fellows, a group of bloggers and journalists, gathered at the UN to talk about the importance of a free Internet for the promotion of human rights and freedom of expression.
Protecting women’s rights in war
Prevention is a key element in protecting women’s human rights during and after conflict, the UN women’s rights committee was advised.
Breakthrough in North Africa
UN Human Rights Chief, Navi Pillay, opens the first ever UN human rights office in a Mediterranean North African country, Tunisia.
Measuring justice and rule of law
As the UN launches tools to measure progress in strengthening the rule of law, a new study shows that justice systems continue to rule women out.
Haitians must lead on human rights
The realization of economic and social rights is key to long-term stability in Haiti, says UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Working for results in 2010
UN Human Rights Chief Navi Pillay presents her Office’s report on results in 2010 to representatives of UN Member States in Geneva
A torture victim’s fight for justice
Farrukh Gapirov says the police in Kyrgyzstan tortured him. The UN Human Rights office in the country and a local NGO are assisting him in his quest for justice.
Winds of Change in Tunisia
Collaboration between the UN Human Rights Office and the Tunisian Transitional Government is paving the way for the improvement of the human rights situation in the country.
Human rights crucial for development
Human rights, including the right to development, are crucial for achieving inclusive, equitable and sustainable development in the Least Developed Countries
Religion, belief and women’s rights
UN human rights chief Navi Pillay warns against the reassertion of discriminatory practices against women amid political transition in the Middle East and North Africa.
Guinea torture victims thirst for justice
UN Human Rights chief Navi Pillay visits Guinea and Senegal in her first mission to West Africa. UN says urgent judicial reforms in Guinea need to be in place to pave the way for ending the culture of impunity.
International Women’s Day
UN human rights chief Navi Pillay urges solidarity with women in every corner of the world working for positive change in their communities.
Development is a human right for all
Seize the opportunity of the 25th anniversary of the UN Declaration on the Right to Development to make this right a reality for all, says High Commissioner Navi Pillay.
Human Rights defender in Mozambique finds a voice
Danilo de Silva Mussagy, a human rights defender from Mozambique, says his own experience motivated him to work to end discrimination against individuals on the basis of their sex or sexual orientation.
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