40 stories found
The UN human rights chief, Volker Türk, has again expressed deep concern over the significant increase in executions in Iran, with at least 56 people reportedly executed since March.
Nicaragua's parliament is planning to eliminate elections, effectively codifying President Ortega's declaration and solidifying his power. This move has drawn strong condemnation from the UN human rights chief, who criticized the decision to abolish democratic processes.
The city of El Obeid in Sudan faces a humanitarian catastrophe, with the UN rights chief issuing a 'red alert' and criticizing governments for failing to challenge those sustaining the war.
The United Nations human rights chief has called on Israel to repeal a newly established special military tribunal designed to try Palestinians accused of involvement in hostilities.
The UN rights chief expressed dismay over a surge in executions in Iran and called for an end to the internet blackout in the country.
Myanmar's military junta announced a mass amnesty, releasing over 4,000 prisoners, including former President U Win Myint, and reducing the sentence of ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi. The move comes as the country's new 'elected' president takes office.
Amina Bouayach, President of Morocco’s National Human Rights Council (CNDH), held a bilateral meeting with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk in Geneva to discuss boosting the role of national human rights institutions.
Iran has rejected a US ceasefire proposal and dismissed claims of ongoing negotiations, dampening hopes for de-escalation, though markets like the S&P 500 still reacted positively to initial hopes for peace talks, with oil prices falling.
UN human rights chief Volker Türk has expressed 'concern' over China's newly adopted 'ethnic unity' law, warning it could 'limit religious and cultural freedom' and endanger minority rights.
The UN rights chief on Friday decried mounting threats to women's rights worldwide, highlighting rampant femicide and horrific abuse exposed in cases like that of US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The post UN says violence against women ‘a global emergency’ appeared first on Vanguard News.
The UN human rights chief has expressed extreme alarm over the risk of regional escalation around Iran, urging de-escalation efforts.
“I am horrified by reports that at least eight people, including two children, have been sentenced to death in connection with the protests,” Volker Turk said
The UN human rights chief has stated that the Taliban's recent decrees are expanding executions and deepening repression in Afghanistan, including severe restrictions on women's movements and education.
• Pakistan asks international community to reject provocative decision allowing takeover of occupied land as state property • EU calls annexation illegal, Arab nations denounce ‘threat to peace efforts’ • Israel imposes restrictions, deploys police around Al-Aqsa JERUSALEM / ISLAMABAD: As Pakistan denounced the latest Israeli move to convert areas of the West Bank into “state property”, the UN chief called upon Tel Aviv to reverse its new, “unlawful” policy allowing registration of the occupied land in the occupied territory as state property. Israel’s foreign ministry claimed the measure, approved late on Sunday, would enable “transparent and thorough clarification of rights to resolve legal disputes” but the move drew strong condemnations from across the globe for its violation of international law. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said this new measure was destabilising and unlawful, according to a statement by his spokesman Stephane Dujarric. Pakistan also denounced the step as a clear violation of international law as well as relevant United Nations Security Council and General Assembly resolutions. Islamabad urged the international community to reject the decision, said a statement issued by the Foreign Office spokesperson. It added that the occupying power continued to disregard international law and its provocative actions undermined the prospects for a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace in the region. “Pakistan calls on the international community to take concrete measures to end Israeli impunity, and ensure respect for international law,” the spokesperson added. ‘Undermine peace efforts’ Arab nations Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar and Jordan also criticised the move as illegal. The measure is “aimed at imposing a new legal and administrative reality in the occupied West Bank” that would undermine peace efforts in the region, Saudi Arabia’s foreign affairs ministry said in a statement. Jordan’s King Abdullah II said the actions “undermine efforts to restore calm and threaten to exacerbate the conflict,” according to a statement released by the royal court. The European Union called on Israel to reverse the move. “This constitutes a new escalation after recent measures already aimed at extending Israeli control,” EU foreign affairs spokesman Anouar El Anouni said. “We reiterate that annexation is illegal under international law.” The Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority called for international intervention to prevent the “de facto beginning of the annexation process and the undermining of the foundations of the Palestinian state”. Israeli anti-settlement watchdog Peace Now called the measure a “mega land grab”. Jonathan Mizrachi, the NGO’s co-director, told AFP that the move would attribute new resources for land registration. “There was a lot of ambiguity regarding the land, and Israel decided now to deal with it,” Mizrachi said, adding that the grey area over Area C land ownership was likely to be used against Palestinians. “A lot of land that Palestinians consider theirs, they will find out it’s not theirs under this new registration process,” he said, believing the move would further the Israeli right’s annexation agenda. Changing demography Palestinians see the West Bank as foundational to any future Palestinian state, but many on Israel’s religious right want to take over the land. The latest Israeli initiatives come in the wider context of increasing attacks by Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank, according to rights groups. “We are witnessing rapid steps to change permanently the demography of the occupied Palestinian territory, stripping its people of their lands and forcing them to leave,” UN rights chief Volker Turk said in a recent statement. US President Donald Trump has opposed Israel’s annexation of the West Bank, saying stability in the territory helps keep Israel secure. However, he has held off from directly criticising the new Israeli measures, despite the international outrage. Excluding Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem, more than 500,000 Israelis live in West Bank settlements and outposts, which are illegal under international law. Around three million Palestinians live in the territory, which Israel has occupied since 1967. Al-Aqsa restrictions Israeli police said Monday that they would deploy in force around the Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramazan, as Palestinian officials accused Israel of imposing restrictions at the compound. Over the course of the month of fasting and prayer, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians traditionally attend prayers at Islam’s third-holiest site. Arad Braverman, a senior Jerusalem police officer, said forces would be deployed “day and night” across the compound, adding that thousands of police would also be on duty for Friday prayers. Braverman said police had recommended issuing 10,000 permits for Palestinians from the occupied West Bank, who require special permission to enter Jerusalem. The Palestinian Jerusalem Governorate said it had been informed that permits would again be restricted to men over 55. Published in Dawn, February 17th, 2026
Hopes for de-escalation in US-Iran hostilities have increased following reports of ongoing talks and a meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Trump, where Iran was a primary agenda item, leading to a drop in oil prices.
The UN Human Rights Chief, Türk, expressed concern over the ban on the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), internet restrictions, and protest deaths in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, calling for calm and dialogue.
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk stated to RFI that international law serves as a compass in global conflicts, highlighting that civilians bear the highest cost, citing repression in Iran and drone warfare and sexual violence in Sudan.
The United Nations' human rights chief has called on Tunisia to immediately cease its repression against civil society organizations and journalists. The statement highlights concerns over the shrinking space for free expression in the country.
Following a visit to Mexico, the UN human rights chief has called for tougher action to address the widespread issue of disappearances and impunity in the country. The official emphasized the urgent need for greater accountability and justice.
UN rights chief: Scale of killing in Lebanon 'horrific' Dhaka Tribune
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has predicted the war with Iran could conclude within weeks, not months, as America anticipates Iran's response 'any moment' after strikes on nuclear and metal processing facilities. G7 foreign ministers have urged a halt to attacks on civilians in the Middle East and called on Iran to immediately restore shipping freedom in the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Rubio reiterated his prediction after meeting G7 counterparts in France.
The UN human rights chief has warned that global progress in combating racism is reaching a critical juncture, with the rise of hate speech reversing anti-discrimination efforts worldwide.
UN human rights chief Volker Turk has called on warring parties in the Middle East to 'give peace a chance,' expressing particular concern over the escalating situation in Lebanon.
The UN rights chief on Friday decried mounting threats to women's rights worldwide, highlighting rampant femicide and horrific abuse exposed in cases like that of US sex offender Jefferey Epstein.
UN rights chief ‘extremely alarmed’ by regional escalation risk around Iran The Straits Times
The UN rights chief has urged the world not to 'revert to violence as an organizing principle,' emphasizing the need for peaceful resolution of conflicts.
The UN human rights chief stated that the Taliban's decrees have expanded executions and deepened repression, particularly by restricting women's movements and barring girls from education beyond primary school since their 2021 takeover.
Volker Türk has been reappointed for a second term as the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, despite opposition from the United States, Russia, and Israel. His mandate has been extended for another four years.
The UN has lamented an uptick in fighting in South Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo, with the UN rights chief calling for an urgent end to the conflict in the eastern region. The renewed violence is causing significant humanitarian concern.
The UN human rights chief has called for prompt investigations into the deaths of migrants in US immigration custody. This appeal highlights concerns over conditions and accountability within detention centers.
The United Nations has issued a stark warning that the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, particularly involving Iran, could push over 30 million people into poverty. This humanitarian concern was highlighted amidst various discussions at the UN.
Four individuals have officially put forward their candidacies to become the next Secretary-General of the United Nations, aiming to succeed Antonio Guterres. The selection process for the global body's top leadership position is now underway.
Investors bet approximately $950 million on falling oil prices just hours before the US and Iran announced a ceasefire, Reuters has learned.
Iran-linked hackers have publicly claimed responsibility for breaching the personal email of FBI Director Kash Patel, publishing photographs, a resume, and other personal documents. A Justice Department official has confirmed the breach, which has been widely reported by international media, with the Handala hack team specifically claiming responsibility for the attack on Friday.
UN rights chief Volker Turk voiced concerns Friday about China’s so-called “ethnic unity” law, saying it could restrict freedom of religion and culture.
The UN rights chief has criticized China for its lack of follow-up on recommendations to improve the human rights situation in the Xinjiang region, four years after a damning report.
The UN rights chief has issued a warning that armed conflicts worldwide have almost doubled since 2010, urging global leaders to refrain from normalizing the use of force to resolve disputes.
UN rights chief: World must not normalize use of force Dhaka Tribune
UN rights chief Volker Turk reported that Israel’s actions in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip appear to be aimed at creating “permanent demographic change” in the region.
The United Nations’ top human rights official says Gaza remains in a state of catastrophe, warning that limited aid deliveries and a fragile cease-fire have failed to halt preventa...