U.N. study shows 'horrifying' violence against women
About 30% of all women worldwide have been subjected to physical or sexual violence at least once during their lives, U.N. agencies found in a survey.
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 work to protect and promote these rights globally.
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Media group accuses Saudis in 35 reporter cases
Reporters Without Borders filed a criminal complaint against the Saudi crown prince over Jamal Khashoggi's murder and the detention of 34 other journalists.
U.N. experts urge probe of Navalny poisoning
Two U.N. human rights experts called for an international and independent investigation into the poisoning of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny.
U.S. seeks to rejoin Human Rights Council
The United States will campaign for a seat on the world's top human rights body, in another reversal of the former Trump administration's foreign policy.
U.N. panel documents decade of war crimes
Syria's combatants have taken advantage of the international community's disastrous failures, the chair of a panel of U.N. investigators said.
Human Rights Council 'deplores' Myanmar coup
Myanmar's military coup drew broad criticism by the U.N. Human Rights Council, which demanded Aung San Suu Kyi's release and civilian rule restored.
U.S. to 're-engage' with Human Rights Council
The Biden-Harris administration will seek U.S. 'observer' status with the U.N. Human Rights Council at Geneva in a reversal of former Trump-era policy.
Days after election, U.S. rights under inspection
With U.S. elections just barely decided, the U.N. Human Rights Council finished putting America's human rights record under a microscope.
Groups cite high number of land mine casualties
At least 5,554 people were killed or wounded last year because they stepped on a land mine or other unexploded devices from war, a new report found.
China, Russia join U.N. Human Rights Council
Despite criticism from the U.S. and human rights groups, China, Cuba and Russia were among 15 nations that won seats on the U.N. Human Rights Council.
Mixed progress cited with 1995 gender goals
Leaders at a high-level U.N. meeting lamented the world's slow progress over the past quarter-century for advancing the rights of women and girls.
India forces closure of Amnesty rights office
Amnesty International announced it must cease its human rights work in India because Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government froze its bank accounts.
U.N. panel cites Venezuela 'crimes against humanity'
A report to the U.N. Human Rights Council raised allegations of crimes against humanity in Venezuela by President Nicolás Maduro’s administration.
U.N. rights chief censures virus-fueled hotspots
The U.N. human rights chief denounced violence in Belarus and systemic racism in the U.S. among hotspots of global turmoil compounded by the pandemic.
New evidence of Syrian war crimes found
U.N. experts unveiled fresh evidence of Syrian war crimes and possible crimes against humanity in opposition-held Idlib province since November.
Pandemic fueled by 'profound inequalities'
The U.N. human rights chief says the challenge of preventing abuses is rising sharply as racism and social inequalities accelerate the coronavirus pandemic.