Un Human Rights Council

World Human Rights Day 2024: History, significance, theme, quotes and more

Human Rights Day 2024: Every year, the world observes Human Rights Day on December 10, to spread awareness worldwide of basic liberties and rights

Biden govt opts out of running for re-election on UN Human Rights Council

The Biden administration has decided not to seek a second consecutive term on the much-maligned UN Human Rights Council, the State Department said Monday. The administration had made US membership on the Geneva-based council a priority when it took office in 2021 after former President Donald Trump had withdrawn from the body, citing anti-Israel bias. Since returning to the council, the administration has frequently taken issue with its votes on the Middle East and other issues. "We decided not to seek another (term) on the Human Rights Council at this time because we are engaged with our allies about the best way to move forward," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters. Elections for the 47-member council are held by the UN General Assembly with candidate countries coming from various geographic groups. The three other candidates -- Iceland, Spain and Switzerland -- from the US geographic group known as Western Hemisphere and Others, or WEOG, would be able to ...

Israel may have breached obligations under international law: US report

Despite those rising tensions, US officials have long pushed back against accusations that Israel may have committed war crimes or violations of international humanitarian law in Gaza

Iraqi govt requests UN to end its political mission in country by 2025

The Iraqi government has requested that the United Nations end a mission set up to promote governance and human rights reforms in the country by the end of 2025, the latest in a series of international bodies operating in the nation that Iraq has sought to wind down. The letter sent Wednesday by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres declared that there is no need for the continuation of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI). Sudani said Iraq's government has been able to achieve a number of important steps in areas that fall under the body's mandate. rendering it redundant. Typically, the mission is extended annually by the UN Security Council, with the current term expiring at the end of this month. Sudani's letter did not oppose a one-year extension but said the mission should focus on wrapping up its tasks to ensure a permanent closure and transfer of its responsibilities by the end of 2025. Established in 2003 in the w

India abstains from UN Human Rights Council Resolution on Gaza ceasefire

India backs resolution affirming the rights of the Palestinian people to self-determination

UN calls for halt to weapons shipments to Israel on Gaza war concerns

The UN's top human rights body called on countries to stop selling or shipping weapons to Israel in a resolution passed on Friday that aims to help prevent rights violations against Palestinians amid Israel's blistering military campaign in Gaza. The 47-member-country Human Rights Council voted 28-6 in favour of the resolution, with 13 abstentions. The sweeping measure, which takes aim at an array of Israeli actions such as impeding access to water and limiting shipments of humanitarian aid into Palestinian areas, also calls on UN-backed independent investigators to report on shipments of weapons, munitions and dual use items for both civilian and military purposes that could be used by Israel against Palestinians. It is not binding. Western countries were divided, with the US, Germany and others opposing the resolution, several abstaining and some European countries voting in favour. Israel at times joined by the United States has regularly and roundly criticised the council f

CBI searches premises of Harsh Mander's NGO for financial irregularities

The CBI has registered a case of alleged violation of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act against an NGO established by writer and human rights activist Harsh Mander and conducted searches at its premises on Friday, officials said. Mander, a former member of the Sonia Gandhi-led National Advisory Council during the erstwhile UPA government, is the founder of the NGO Aman Biradari. The FIR has been registered against Aman Biradari for alleged violation of various provisions of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act following a complaint by the Union Home Ministry.

Indian envoy to UN highlights ongoing situation in Myanmar at HRC session

Pandey on Tuesday highlighted the ongoing situation in Myanmar and said that the displacement of people has led to an influx of Myanmar nationals into India

China's repressive policies in Tibet and Xinjiang exposed at UNHRC

Aaron Magunna, a research analyst at European Foundation for South Asian Studies (EFSAS), told the Council that Uighurs in Xinjiang face even more severe repression

Iran in a 'full-fledged human rights crisis,' says UN rights chief Turk

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Chief Volker Turk on Thursday said that a "full-fledged" crisis is underway in Iran amid a crackdown on protesters.He said that Iran is in a "full-fledged human rights crisis" as authorities clamp down on anti-regime dissidents, reported CNN.The Islamic Republic has been gripped by a wave of anti-government protests sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish-Iranian woman detained by the morality police in September allegedly for not wearing her hijab properly.Turk called for "independent, impartial and transparent investigative processes" into violations of human rights in Iran during a special session of the UN Human Rights Council, reported CNN.Authorities have unleashed a deadly crackdown on demonstrators, with reports of forced detentions and physical abuse being used to target the country's Kurdish minority group.In a recent CNN investigation, covert testimony revealed sexual violence against protesters, ...

LIVE: ED raids multiple locations in Delhi in connection with excise policy

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Career UN official Volker Turk appointed to top human rights position

Within hours of his nomination by Guterres on Thursday, he received the Assembly's approval to succeed Michelle Bachelet, who left after completing her term last month

Uyghurs abuse: Why UN is accusing China for 'crimes against humanity'

The extent of arbitrary and discriminatory detention of members of Uyghur may constitute international crimes, in particular crimes against humanity, the UN said

UN human rights chief asks China to rethink Uyghur policies in Xinjiang

Michelle Bachelet, who visited Xinjiang as part of a six-day trip to China, said the visit was not an investigation but an opportunity to raise concerns with senior Chinese leaders

UN rights chief decries Taliban's move to dissolve Human Rights Commission

Rights activists said the AIHRC that was abolished by the Taliban was not perfect but it mattered enormously to have a place to demand justice

Biden applauds UN vote to suspend Russia from Human Rights Council

US President Joe Biden has applauded the General Assembly of the United Nations' vote to suspend Russia from the Human Rights Council (HRC) in response to Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

US seeking Russia's suspension from UN Human Rights Council: Official

The United States is going to seek Russia's suspension from the UN Human Rights Council in close coordination with Ukraine, European countries and other partners at the United Nations

India gets re-elected to UN Human Rights Council for 2022-24 term

India was re-elected to the UN Human Rights Council for the 2022-24 term on Thursday and vowed to continue to work for the promotion and protection of Human Rights through "Samman, Samvad and Sahyog."

Families of activists who flee China's Xinjiang pay a heavy price

Members of the Uyghur diaspora who speak publicly about the arbitrary detention of their family members or criticize human rights violations, face vague charges of terrorism by Chinese authorities

UN: Guterres welcomes US decision to re-engage with Human Rights Council

"The United Nations looks forward to hearing the crucial voice of the United States across the Council's urgent work," the statement said