Domestic abuse rises with virus lockdowns due to the pandemic
An upsurge in domestic violence has been reported in all regions as many people grapple with stay-at-home orders.
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.
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U.N. reboots 1995 plan for gender equality
A U.N.-led global commission recommitted the world to achieving gender equality, in a relaunch and update of a quarter-century old landmark agreement.
U.N. issues 'call to action' on human rights
U.N. leaders challenged nations, businesses and citizens to respond to a "call to action" for greater efforts to withstand a rising tide of human rights abuses.
U.N. panel's first report on Syrian children at war details agonies
Children have been killed, maimed, tortured, sexually abused and forced into military training in almost nine years of war.
HRW warns China is undermining human rights and institutions
Experts cautioned that China has been using its economic muscle to silence critics at home and increasingly abroad.
Decade of sharp rise in attacks globally on children in conflicts
The number of grave violations against children in conflicts more than doubled in the past decade from a decade earlier.
Progress and worry as children's rights treaty enters fourth decade
A human rights treaty helped make children healthier, but they still face threats like climate change and online abuse.
White Helmets ally, humanitarian leader found dead in Turkey
Police are investigating the death of James Le Mesurier, whose organization founded and supported White Helmets in Syria.
U.N. expert says world of social media is 'failing' to deter hate speech
Nations and companies are required to ensure their policies on hate speech comply with international human rights law.
U.N. mission to probe suspected human rights abuses in Venezuela
The Human Rights Council created a mission to investigate cases in the beleaguered country from the past five years.
As temperatures rise, climate gains status as top threat to human rights
The U.N. human rights chief says the climate crisis is a top threat and U.S. detention of migrant children is alarming.
U.N. panel ties Western nations to human rights abuses in Yemen
Human rights experts cited a 'pervasive lack of accountability' in the Saudi-led alliance backed by Western governments.
U.N. calls for peace and justice in Yemen after airstrikes hit compound
First responders struggled to reach the scene where some survivors were believed to still be trapped under the rubble.
New accord to protect defenders of environment and human rights
The aim is to better support advocates and to hold perpetrators of violence and intimidation accountable.
U.N. experts conclude U.S. racism is a complicit factor in mass shootings
A U.N. working group called on U.S. leaders to recommit to human rights, including equal protection under the law.
Experts say Myanmar's foreign arms trade fuels human rights abuses
A U.N. fact-finding mission urged the international community to sever ties with Myanmar’s military.