Skip to content

|

The World of International Organizations

Sign In Subscribe

Human Rights

Human rights are the fundamental rights and freedoms inherent to every person. Their modern legal foundation is the International Bill of Human Rights, which consists of three key documents: the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The U.N. and its agencies, along with other international organizations, work to protect and promote these rights globally.

Enjoy our Free+ stories and our weekly newsletter

Start your free access

Already have an account? Log in

RightsCon was scheduled to be held at Zambia's biggest conference center, where construction of a new China-funded wing was completed in 2022.

Human Rights

Organizers say RightsCon canceled in Zambia over Chinese pressure

3 min read

Free+

Access Now says foreign interference over Taiwenese activists forced cancellation days before leading human rights summit.

Ghanian President John Dramani Mahama addresses the U.N.

Human Rights

U.N. vote elevates slavery to ‘gravest crime,’ advances reparations push

3 min read

Paid

The General Assembly resolution reflects growing debate over legal claims tied to injustices of the transatlantic slave trade.

Iran's Golestan Palace, a UNESCO heritage site that dates to 1404, is one of the oldest structures in Tehran and was the seat of the Qajar dynasty.

Human Rights

Strikes near Iranian landmarks test protections for cultural heritage

2 min read

Paid

UNESCO said it gave all sides coordinates of protected sites so they could 'take all feasible precautions to avoid damage.'

Interpol says no continent is 'untouched' by human trafficking.

Human Rights

U.N. report details global trafficking into cyber-scam compounds

2 min read

Paid

Hundreds of thousands forced into online fraud operations marked by violence, surveillance and coercion.

A new House of Representatives in the Netherlands meets in the plenary hall at The Hague in December 2023.

Human Rights

IPU reports most lawmakers face intimidation, online abuse dominant

2 min read

Paid

Survey of parliamentarians points to widespread public hostility; women and minority lawmakers report higher risk.

Some 2,900 athletes from over 90 countries are expected to compete on the ice and snow at Milan-Cortina 2026.

Human Rights

Dispute grows over planned ICE presence in Europe before Olympics

2 min read

Paid

Concerns over human rights and jurisdiction surface as Washington seeks security role at Milano-Cortina 2026.

HRW says global rights under strain and warns of U.S. ‘authoritarianism’

Human Rights

HRW says global rights under strain and warns of U.S. ‘authoritarianism’

2 min read

Paid

Human Rights Watch urges rights-respecting democracies to coordinate as U.S. and other powers weaken global norms.

Members of the U.N. commission investigating Gaza — Chris Sidoti, Srinivasan Muralidhar and Florence Mumba, from left to right — meet with reporters in Geneva.

Human Rights

U.N. Gaza rights commission calls for access amid deadly winter toll

2 min read

Paid

New leadership confronts genocide findings and a humanitarian crisis as nine children die from exposure

U.N. human rights chief Volker Türk addresses reporters in Geneva.

Human Rights

U.N. rights chief warns of system-wide collapse due to funding crisis

3 min read

Paid

OHCHR is in 'survival mode' as it is forced to make wide-ranging cuts to programs and investigative mandates.

Survey finds online violence against women on the rise boosted by AI

Human Rights

Survey finds online violence against women on the rise boosted by AI

2 min read

Paid

Seven-in-10 of women in 119 nations who are human rights defenders, activists or journalists experienced online violence.

At the Pentagon, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faces pushback from media organizations over attempts to restrict press freedoms.

Human Rights

U.S. media crackdown spurs global concern as agencies target critics

2 min read

Paid

The latest escalation came with Committee to Protect Journalists demanding regulators stop targeting broadcasters.

A traffic warden marshals the Pyongyang Marathon.

Human Rights

Forced child labor and TV-linked executions in North Korea report

3 min read

Paid

The U.N. human rights report titled "Blocking People's Eyes and Ears" shows a pronounced tightening of state control.

U.N. human rights chief Volker Türk, left, and U.N. Human Rights Council President Jürg Lauber, the Swiss U.N. ambassador, right, preside over a new council session.

Human Rights

U.N. rights chief condemns Israel over Gaza, cites evidence for case

3 min read

Paid

He also warned against a 'glorification of violence' as some nations become an 'extension of their ruler's personal power.'

Congo, with a population of over 109 million that makes it the world's 14th most populous nation, has long dealt with armed conflict and a severe humanitarian crisis.

Human Rights

U.N. rights office says Congo conflict abuses may amount to war crimes

3 min read

Paid

The U.N. human rights chief said Congo's violence has reached “alarming levels” from the parties' brutal tactics.

A sign of austerity at the U.N.'s European headquarters in Geneva.

Human Rights

Budget cuts, U.S. disengagement to challenge Human Rights Council

2 min read

Paid

A major point of contention is the unprecedented decision by the United States to boycott its human rights review.