Mexico: Guterres calls for ‘thorough investigation’ into deadly migrant centre fire

Mexico: Guterres calls for ‘thorough investigation’ into deadly migrant centre fire

The blaze at the migrant centre which was reportedly run by Mexico’s National Migration Institute in Ciudad Juarez, began during a protest against imminent deportations on Monday night, according to local officials. There were 68 adult men in total staying at the facility, the Institute reported. News reports said that most of the victims are…

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Libya: Crimes against humanity committed since 2016 – rights probe

Libya: Crimes against humanity committed since 2016 – rights probe

In the case of State security forces, human rights violations were committed to quash dissent and exploit vulnerable migrants, with no justice in sight, according to the latest report, from the Independent Fact-Finding Mission (FFM) on Libya. It documents the “widespread practice” of arbitrary detention, murder, torture, rape, enslavement and enforced disappearance in the country. In addition,…

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Holistic approach urgent for health of people, animals and environment

Holistic approach urgent for health of people, animals and environment

The heads of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the UN-backed World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) have come together in the face of multiple global emergencies – from COVID-19 to Ebola – continued threats of disease spillover between animals and humans, loss of…

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Dismantling racism today starts by understanding slavery’s ‘horrific’ past

Dismantling racism today starts by understanding slavery’s ‘horrific’ past

“It is incumbent on us to fight slavery’s legacy of racism,” the UN Secretary-General António Guterres said. “The most powerful weapon in our arsenal is education, the theme of this year’s commemoration.” Observed on 25 March, the international day commemorates the victims of one of history’s most horrific crimes against humanity that was legalized for…

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Ukraine: End war so children can ‘regain their childhoods’

Ukraine: End war so children can ‘regain their childhoods’

Some 13 months of often brutal fighting and attacks on civilians since Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine began, have left millions displaced, with key civilian infrastructure in need of urgent protection. Ensuring nuclear safety Touring the area around Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant, Rafael Mariano Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) met with…

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First Person: The Indonesian power ranger

First Person: The Indonesian power ranger

Known by her nickname, Ega was one of 15 women selected to participate in the UN Development Programme-supported Perempuan Inspiratif Mitra Polhut (Inspiring Women to Partner with Forest Rangers) initiative, which aims to protect the Bogani Nani Wartabone National Park and provide opportunities to nearby communities. © Bogani Nani Wartabone National Park Authority/CIWT Project Indonesia…

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Rights expert urges India to stop crackdown on Kashmir activists

Rights expert urges India to stop crackdown on Kashmir activists

Her appeal follows the latest arrest of prominent rights defender Khurram Parvez, who has been in detention for more than a year on charges related to conspiracy and terrorism.   “Indian authorities appear to be intensifying the long-standing repression of Kashmiri civil society,” Ms. Lawlor said.  “The State must respect its human rights obligations and be…

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Human rights in Ukraine still ‘dire’ amid wide-ranging violations: OHCHR

Human rights in Ukraine still ‘dire’ amid wide-ranging violations: OHCHR

“The international armed conflict has led to a wide range of human rights violations affecting both civilians and combatants”, the executive summary states, adding that the Office has “verified numerous allegations of arbitrary deprivation of life, arbitrary detention and enforced disappearance, torture and ill-treatment, and conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV).” During the reporting period, a total of 5,987 civilian…

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