Hong Kong: Rushed adoption of new security law a ‘regressive step’ - UN rights chief

Hong Kong: Rushed adoption of new security law a ‘regressive step’ – UN rights chief

“It is alarming that such consequential legislation was rushed through the legislature through an accelerated process, in spite of serious concerns raised about the incompatibility of many of its provisions with international human rights law,” Volker Türk said in a statement deploring the move in the former British colony which has been a Special Administrative…

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World News in Brief: Rights chief appalled at Nigeria mass abductions, ‘pervasive’ hunger in streets of Sudan, Syria child crisis

World News in Brief: Rights chief appalled at Nigeria mass abductions, ‘pervasive’ hunger in streets of Sudan, Syria child crisis

“I am appalled by the recurrent mass abductions of men, women and children in northern Nigeria. Children have been abducted from schools and women taken while searching for firewood. Such horrors must not become normalised,” he said. News reports indicate at least 564 people have been abducted since 7 March. More than 280 pupils were…

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UN chief calls for people-centered approach to combat drug stigma

UN chief calls for people-centered approach to combat drug stigma

In his message to the opening of the 67th session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs, Secretary-General António Guterres said the proliferation of powerful street drugs and pharmaceutical misuse needs to be addressed through balanced responses and collective action. He called for countering drug trafficking, investing in drug use prevention, and ensuring equal access to…

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‘The patriarchy may be pushing back, but so are we’, UN chief tells CSW68

‘The patriarchy may be pushing back, but so are we’, UN chief tells CSW68

“After decades of progress, women’s rights are being undermined and reversed,” said Secretary-General António Guterres. Pointing to several ominous examples, he said women’s rights are severely restricted in Afghanistan, sexual violence is being reported during the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict and the patriarchy is pushing back against hard-won rights women have striven to achieve. “The women…

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With internal displacement at a record high, aid chief backs action call

With internal displacement at a record high, aid chief backs action call

Martin Griffiths was speaking at a review of humanitarian efforts to help people uprooted by conflict, climate change or other emergencies. He echoed concerns that help for the world’s internally displaced isn’t being delivered quickly enough by the United Nations and its partners, as escalating conflicts, large-scale disasters, water scarcity and food insecurity continue to…

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