human-rights-international-relations13.32 min read
"Gaza's Looming Famine Crisis: Children Starving to Death"
1 year ago•Source: Human Rights Watch
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2.805 min•1 year ago
"UN Experts Condemn Russia's Torture of Ukrainian POWs as Widespread War Crime"
UN-backed human rights experts have uncovered new evidence of widespread and systematic torture of Ukrainian prisoners of war by Russian authorities, potentially amounting to war crimes. The Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine reported "horrific treatment" of POWs in Russia, including beatings, electric shocks, and limited access to food and water. The report also highlighted incidents of rape and sexual violence against women as war crimes, and raised concerns about the relocation of children from Ukraine to Russian-occupied Crimea. The commission noted a lack of cooperation from Russian authorities and emphasized the ongoing civilian suffering resulting from the war in Ukraine.
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UN Probe Finds Iran Guilty of Crimes Against Humanity in 2022 Crackdown
ABC News•1 year ago
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UN Probe Finds Iran Committed Crimes Against Humanity During Protest Crackdown
The Guardian•1 year ago
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"Humanitarian Crisis: The Impact of Starvation and Agricultural Terrorism on Palestinians in Gaza"
The UN's leading expert on the right to food accuses Israel of deliberately starving Palestinians, leading to widespread hunger and severe malnutrition in the Gaza Strip. Israel's destruction of food supplies and severe restrictions on humanitarian aid have exacerbated the crisis, with children, pregnant women, and the elderly being the most vulnerable. The expert asserts that intentionally depriving people of food is a war crime and suggests that Israel should be held accountable for genocide. The situation is dire, with almost 16% of children under two acutely malnourished in northern Gaza, and 95% of households restricting meals. The UNRWA, which provides essential services for Palestinian refugees, has had its funding suspended by several countries, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
"UN Experts Call for Investigation into Alleged Israeli Forces' Abuses of Palestinian Women and Girls"
UN experts are urging an investigation into alleged human rights abuses by Israeli forces against Palestinian women and girls in Gaza and the West Bank, including extrajudicial killings, arbitrary detention, rape, and sexual violence. The Israel Defense Forces deny the accusations, stating they adhere to international law and require precise details or proof for examination. The UN experts expressed concerns over the treatment and detention of Palestinian women and girls, calling for Israel to uphold their rights and dignity. The UN and human rights organizations have been criticized for their response to reports of gender-based violence by Hamas fighters against Israelis.
"UN Criticizes China's Human Rights Record and Treatment of Uighurs"
China faced rare scrutiny of its human rights record at the United Nations, with the UK and US criticizing its treatment of Uyghurs, Tibetans, and Hong Kong activists, and calling for the repeal of the national security law. China's ambassador dismissed concerns as based on "misunderstanding or misinformation," while smaller countries praised China's poverty alleviation efforts. The review comes after a UN report found "serious human rights violations" against Uyghurs in Xinjiang, prompting increased international scrutiny of China's policies.
"Global Decline in Human Rights: 2023-2024 Report Highlights Authoritarian Weaponization"
The human rights system is facing significant challenges in 2024, with governments showing selective outrage and engaging in transactional diplomacy that undermines the universal principles of international human rights and the rule of law. Despite ongoing human rights and humanitarian crises in various regions, there have been some positive developments, such as the adoption of a political declaration to protect civilians from the use of explosive weapons in armed conflict and advancements in the rights of marginalized communities in countries like Japan, Nepal, and Mexico. However, the lack of consistent and principled human rights leadership from governments, coupled with transactional diplomacy, continues to perpetuate human rights abuses and erode the legitimacy of the international human rights framework.