Afghanistan: Shameful failure of UNHRC special session to address escalating human rights and humanitarian crisis

The UN Human Rights Council today failed the people of Afghanistan after neglecting to establish an independent mechanism to monitor ongoing crimes under international law and human rights violations and abuses, Amnesty International said today.  At the opening of today’s UNHRC special session, the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, …

Belarus: UN Human Rights Council must take strong action on escalating human rights crisis in the country

In response to the escalating human rights crisis in Belarus, Amnesty International will address the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) on 18 September and demand that it take strong and decisive action to investigate the ongoing repression of post-election protests in the country and hold perpetrators of mass violations to account.  Amnesty International will also …

Australia: Vote at UNHRC for justice for the Rohingya, accountability of Myanmar military, welcome

Following the Australian Government’s vote at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva overnight in support of creating a new evidence-collection and case-building body to hold the Myanmar military accountable for crimes against the Rohingya population, Diana Sayed, Amnesty International Australia’s Rohingya Rights Campaigner, said: “We welcome the Australian Government’s vote in support of …

United Nations: Haley’s hostility towards human rights organisations a sad moment for United States

In response to a letter sent by the United States Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley to human rights groups, accusing them of blocking reform at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), Salil Shetty, Amnesty International’s Secretary General, said: “Following the USA’s showy departure from the Human Rights Council, Nikki Haley’s letter is another sign …

UN / Rohingya apartheid: Australia must support robust resolution

Ahead of tomorrow’s United Nations Human Rights Council “special session” on the situation of the Rohingya and other minorities in Myanmar, Amnesty International Australia’s Crisis Campaigns Coordinator Diana Sayed said: “Australia must show leadership in guiding the Human Rights Council towards a robust resolution on the Rohingya crisis. Any resolution passed must send a strong …