Human Rights Council

UN resolution recognises right to clean, healthy environment

The resolution, based on a similar text adopted last year by the Geneva-based Human Rights Council, calls on all nations, global groups and businesses to scale up efforts to ensure a healthy environment.

UK's anti-terrorism strategy has 'negative effect' on Muslim communities

A UN special rapporteur has criticised the UK's Prevent Strategy for targeting Muslim communities, highlighting that its implementation is "inconsistent" with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Czech Republic gets UN rights body seat after Russia's suspension

In a vote, 180 of the General Assembly’s 193 members deposited ballots, with 157 countries backing the Czech Republic and 23 abstaining.

UN: Iran executed at least 280 people in 2021

Iran's judiciary authority lashes out at UN special rapporteur, saying he has favoured a "biased and politically-motivated approach."

UN rights body calls for accountability over mass disappearances in Syria

UN Human Rights Council's resolution, adopted with 26 of the council's 47 members in favour, voiced particular concern about the fate of tens of thousands of people who have vanished in the war-ravaged country.

In rare oral rebuke, UN voices alarm at Egypt's use of terror law

Egypt responds with disapproval and shock after 31 countries, including US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, expressed concern on Cairo’s use of terror legislation against a broad range of critics, including rights activists and journalists.

Myanmar's protesters defiant as military accused of human rights abuses

UN human rights investigator for Myanmar says "growing reports, photographic evidence" show security forces used live ammunition against protesters in violation of international law.

Does France deserve to have a seat on the Human Rights Council?

From backing warlord Haftar in Libya, to enabling Islamophobic culture at home - President Macron’s administration has done a lot to undermine human rights.

Saudi-led coalition may have committed war crimes in Yemen – UN

In its first report to the UN Human Rights Council on the war in Yemen, the UN experts pointed to the killing of civilians, especially in coalition air strikes, as possible war crimes. The UN also referred to possible war crimes by Houthi rebels.

UN begins investigation of atrocities in DRC

UN rights chief Zeid Ra'ad al Hussein says a militia linked to the government has committed a string of ethnically-motivated attacks in recent months, including cutting off toddlers' limbs and stabbing pregnant women.

NGOs call UN to drop Russia from rights council over Syria

The call comes days before Human Rights Council elections in which Russia, Hungary and Croatia will be running for two seats representing Eastern Europe.