Gazans ‘stalked by hunger, disease and death’ warns UN’s top aid official

Gaza ‘buffer zone’ possible war crime: UN human rights chief

The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) are reportedly destroying all buildings in the Gaza Strip that are within one kilometre of the Israel-Gaza fence and “clearing the area” to achieve this objective, he said in a statement. Mr. Türk stressed to the Israeli authorities that the Fourth Geneva Convention prohibits the occupying Power from destroying property…

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UN rights office voices concern ahead of elections in Pakistan

UN rights office voices concern ahead of elections in Pakistan

OHCHR denounced all acts of violence against political parties and candidates in the lead-up to Thursday’s vote. Spokesperson Liz Throssell said there have been no less than 24 reported instances in which armed groups have staged attacks against members of political parties. Harassment, arrests and detentions  OHCHR also voiced concern over the pattern of harassment,…

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US must uphold judges’ right to speak freely about race and gender bias: rights expert

US must uphold judges’ right to speak freely about race and gender bias: rights expert

Special Rapporteur Margaret Satterthwaite voiced serious concerns that a Supreme Court Justice in the state of North Carolina, Anita Earls, was investigated for comments made regarding the potential role that implicit biases based on race, gender, and political affiliation can play in the Court’s decision-making. “Like other citizens, judges are entitled to freedom of expression, provided they conduct themselves…

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Gaza: UN rights experts condemn ‘killing and silencing’ of journalists

Gaza: UN rights experts condemn ‘killing and silencing’ of journalists

Expressing deep concern, the Human Rights Council-appointed experts highlighted the alarming toll on journalists and media workers in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, particularly in Gaza. “We are alarmed at the extraordinarily high numbers of journalists and media workers who have been killed, attacked, injured and detained in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, particularly in Gaza, in…

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USA: Rights experts slam ‘outrageous’ execution of inmate by nitrogen gas suffocation

USA: Rights experts slam ‘outrageous’ execution of inmate by nitrogen gas suffocation

Kenneth Eugene Smith, 58, was executed in the southern state of Alabama on 25 January.  He had been convicted of murder in 1988.  “Alabama’s use of Kenneth Smith as a human guinea pig to test a new method of execution amounted to unethical human experimentation and was nothing short of State-sanctioned torture,” the experts said…

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Gaza: UN rights office condemns ‘chaotic’ Israeli mass evacuation orders

Gaza: UN rights office condemns ‘chaotic’ Israeli mass evacuation orders

The OHCHR warning came nearly four months into the war which has seen widespread Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip, in response to Hamas-led attacks on Israeli communities beginning 7 October in which some 1,200 people were massacred and more than 250 taken hostage. “Attacks on hospitals, schools, and other places of refuge have repeatedly…

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Bangladesh: Citing ‘dangerous decline’ of human rights, experts urge key reforms

Bangladesh: Citing ‘dangerous decline’ of human rights, experts urge key reforms

The Human Rights Council-appointed experts’ call follows on from the election victory of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina earlier this month, who secured a controversial fourth term with the main opposition party deciding to boycott the poll. Ms. Hasina and her Awami League party won 223 of the 300 parliamentary seats being contested amid violent protests…

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