Belarus: Trial of Nobel laureate Ales Bialiatski ‘politically motivated’
Mr. Bialiatski, a veteran rights campaigner and founder of Viasna (or “spring”) civil society group, was arrested in July 2021 on tax evasion charges, along with two other activists, and…
Myanmar: Hundreds of political prisoners released, but thousands remain in jail
“The release of political prisoners in Myanmar is not only a relief to those unfairly detained, but also their families”, OHCHR Spokesperson Jeremy Laurence told journalists in Geneva. “Importantly, however,…
‘Urgent need’ for more accountability from social media giants to curb hate speech: UN experts
In a detailed statement, more than two dozen UN-appointed independent human rights experts – including representatives from three different working groups and multiple Special Rapporteurs – called out chief executives…
Food prices decline in December following ‘two very volatile years’: FAO
The UN agency has published its latest Food Price Index (FFPI) which tracks the monthly international prices of cereals, vegetable oil, dairy, meat and sugar. The FFPI averaged 132.4 points…
New US border measures ‘not in line with international standards’, warns UNHCR
According to reports, the reforms would deny migrants the chance to seek asylum in the US if they crossed from Mexico into the US without permission. But President Biden also…
Europe: Warm start to 2023 breaks records and skiers’ hearts, says WMO
And as a growing number of European ski resorts at lower altitudes struggle to provide adequate snow cover for their early-season visitors, the WMO pointed to widely accepted peer-reviewed scientific…
Syria: Chemical weapons pose unacceptable threat, and are a ‘danger to us all’
Speaking on behalf of High Representative Izumi Nakamitsu, her deputy, Adedeji Ebo, said that “the absence of accountability” for the previous use of chemical weapons by combatants in Syria’s long-running…
UN working to reduce tensions following Israel minister’s holy site visit
Ambassadors were briefed by Khalid Khiari, a UN Assistant Secretary-General, who expressed concern over the developments and the broader ongoing tensions and violence in the occupied West Bank. On Tuesday,…
Pakistan floods: 9 million more risk being pushed into poverty, warns UNDP
“We estimate that up to around nine million people – additional people – could be pushed into poverty due to the flood impact” said Knut Ostby, UNDP Resident Representative in…
UN rights chief appeals for end to arbitrary detention
“At the start of this year – the 75th anniversary year of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights – I call on governments and all detaining authorities, globally, to amnesty, pardon or…