The freedom of expression rapporteurs of the United Nations, the OSCE, the Organization of American States (OAS), and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) released a joint declaration today on defamation of religions, and anti-terrorism and anti-extremism legislation.
After meting on 9 December in Athens, the four media freedom ‘watchdogs’ adopted their annual [...]

Tags: Global

Leave a comment »

Today is the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The team at Witness’ Hub put together the video above and invite you to add your video or post a comment on what image opened your eyes to Human Rights at http://hub.witness.org/udhr60

I’ll never forget the first images that opened my eyes to human rights.
I [...]

Tags: Global, Nigeria, UDHR60, War

Leave a comment »

Amnesty International today called on governments to make the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) a time for action not just for celebration.
“The senseless killings in Mumbai, thousands of people fleeing the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo, hundreds of thousands more trapped in dire conditions in Darfur, Gaza and [...]

Tags: Global

Leave a comment »

The British Red Cross has warmly welcomed today’s signing of the Oslo Convention on Cluster Munitions by the United Kingdom and over a hundred other nations.
Cluster munitions have been a persistent humanitarian problem for decades, their unreliability leading to huge numbers of unexploded sub-munitions remaining on the ground long after hostilities have ceased.
These weapons have [...]

Tags: Global, War

Leave a comment »

A new report entitled ‘Children and AIDS: Third Stocktaking Report, 2008’ is advocating for increased HIV testing for newborns as young as six-weeks-old.
“The prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV is not only effective, but also a human right,” said UNAIDS Executive Director Dr. Peter Piot.
The report jointly prepared by UNICEF, the World Health Organization, UNAIDS [...]

Tags: Global, World AIDS Day

Leave a comment »

Global facts and figures on AIDS

An estimated 33.0 million [30.3 – 36.1 million] people living with HIV worldwide.
2.7 million [2.2 million to 3.2 million] people newly infected in 2007.
2.0 million [1.8 million – 2.3 million] people died of AIDS in 2007.

A new report, ‘AIDS Outlook‘, by UNAIDS calls on countries to realign HIV prevention programmes [...]

Tags: Global, World AIDS Day

Leave a comment »

Governments around the world should adopt and expand needle and syringe exchange programs and effective drug dependency treatment as part of their efforts to address HIV among people who use drugs, Human Rights Watch said , ahead of World AIDS Day on December 1.
“HIV epidemics around the world are being driven by lack of access [...]

Tags: Global, World AIDS Day

1 Comment »

Amnesty International welcomes today’s adoption by the General Assembly’s Third Committee of a second resolution calling for a worldwide moratorium on the use of the death penalty. More countries voted for the resolution and less voted against it this year compared to last year, and the resolution attracted more co-sponsors.
“The increased support for this year’s [...]

Tags: Global, UN

Leave a comment »

U.S. Humanitarian Aid is average in generosity, poor in addressing Human Rights.
Sweden, Norway and Denmark Receive Top Ranking.
Austria, Portugal and Greece Rank Last.
The world’s wealthiest countries do not apply recognized best practices for humanitarian aid, according to the “Humanitarian Response Index 2008,” a new report released today by the international non-profit organization DARA (Development Assistance [...]

Tags: Global

Leave a comment »

Amnesty International welcomed today’s adoption of the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, by the UN General Assembly’s Third Committee in New York.
“Many of those who have suffered violations of their rights, including rights to adequate housing, food, water and sanitation, health, education and decent work, are denied the [...]

Tags: Global, UN

Leave a comment »