expert

Rights expert demands release of Russian doctor jailed for anti-war views

Dr. Nadezhda Buyanova was sentenced to five-and-a-half years in prison for allegedly making anti-war remarks concerning Russian troops fighting in Ukraine, during a private medical consultation. “It is appalling to sentence a doctor for unproven private comment in the course of her professional duties,” said Mariana Katzarova, UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human … Read moreRights expert demands release of Russian doctor jailed for anti-war views

US-Russia prisoner swap ‘an unprecedented diplomatic act’, rights expert says

More than 20 people were released, including journalists and dissidents. Among them were American Evan Gershkovich, a reporter with the Wall Street Journal;  Alsu Kurmasheva a Radio Liberty journalist who holds US citizenship, and recent Pulitzer Prize winner Vladimir Kara-Murza, a Russian-British activist and journalist, who were all freed from Russian prisons. The UN Special … Read moreUS-Russia prisoner swap ‘an unprecedented diplomatic act’, rights expert says

Belarus is not safe for anyone critical of authorities, warns rights expert

In her final, annual report to the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Special Rapporteur on the rights situation in Belarus, Anaïs Marin, echoed wider, longstanding concerns from the UN and the international community about a crackdown on democratic freedoms and other serious rights abuses in the country. President Lukashenko, 69, has been in power since 1994 and … Read moreBelarus is not safe for anyone critical of authorities, warns rights expert

Gaza at ‘most dangerous’ stage amid huge unexploded weapons risk, warns demining expert

“This is the most dangerous period; once people start returning to the north, that’s when most accidents will occur, because they won’t be familiar with where your unexploded ordnance is located,” said Mungo Birch, Chief of the UN Mine Action Programme (UNMAS) in the State of Palestine. “It’s important that once the returns start, we’re … Read moreGaza at ‘most dangerous’ stage amid huge unexploded weapons risk, warns demining expert

After Navalny death, independent expert on rights in Russia asks ‘who is next?’

Speaking exclusively to UN News, she said her office had raised repeated concerns over the past months, among them, over Mr. Navalny’s deteriorating health. Arrested in 2021, the 47-year-old anti-corruption activist was serving multiple sentences on charges, including extremism. “It’s very shocking that this happened today less than a month before the Russian presidential election, … Read moreAfter Navalny death, independent expert on rights in Russia asks ‘who is next?’

Russians not collectively to blame for Ukraine war: Human rights expert

In a recent interview conducted with UN News, she emphasised the significance of her report and its purpose, holding to account one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council. “It is unique that for the first time” one of the ‘P5’ permanent members of the Security Council has been subject to monitoring … Read moreRussians not collectively to blame for Ukraine war: Human rights expert

UN expert urges immediate review of discredited UK sentencing scheme

As of the end of 2022, close to 2,900 people were still being held under the scheme. Unresolved legacy Between 2005 and 2012, English and Welsh courts used the IPP legislation to issue indeterminate sentences to those deemed likely to cause serious public harm, “until they no longer represented such a risk”, said a press … Read moreUN expert urges immediate review of discredited UK sentencing scheme

UK: Keep calm and respect diversity, says UN expert

“I am deeply concerned about increased bias-motivated incidents of harassment, threats, and violence against LGBT people, including a rampant surge in hate crimes in the UK,” said Victor Madrigal-Borloz, the human rights expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, who completed an official visit to the country on … Read moreUK: Keep calm and respect diversity, says UN expert

Rights expert urges Denmark and Greenland to examine colonial legacy’s impact

The development would represent a key measure to tackle past injustices and create a more inclusive society, said UN Special Rapporteur on the rights of Indigenous Peoples, José Francisco Cali Tzay, in a statement at the end of a 10-day visit to the two countries.  Inuit people comprise nearly 90 per cent of the population … Read moreRights expert urges Denmark and Greenland to examine colonial legacy’s impact

Rights expert urges Italy to stop criminalizing activists saving migrant lives at sea

Preliminary criminal proceedings opened last May in Sicily against 21 people charged with aiding and abetting illegal immigration in connection with several search-and-rescue missions conducted between 2016 and 2017.  Those accused include four crew members of the Iuventa, a former fishing trawler credited with saving some 14,000 migrant lives in the Mediterranean Sea, and human … Read moreRights expert urges Italy to stop criminalizing activists saving migrant lives at sea