US lobbies UN rights council forsaken by Trump, diplomats say
Geneva, Switzerland Reuters Two months after President Donald Trump announced a halt to US engagement with the United Nations Human Rights Council, Washington is influencing its work by applying pressure publicly and behind the scenes, seven diplomats and rights workers said. The United States left its seat empty during a six-week session of the 47-member […]
Essay: Syria’s mass graves – accounting for the dead and disappeared is crucial for the nation to heal
In an article first published on The Conversation, STEFAN SCHMITT, an expert in forensic anthropology and mass casualties in conflict, says the task of seeking justice for the crimes Syrians suffered under Bashar al-Assad’s regime will be tough, but vital, work…
Israel’s reservists drop everything and rush home following Hamas bloodshed
New York, US/Dubai, United Arab Emirates Reuters Some were on their honeymoon, others were studying abroad, many were building new lives in foreign countries. But when Israel called up its reservists and declared war this week, the response was swift and overwhelming. “Everyone is coming. No-one is saying no,” said Yonatan Steiner, 24, who flew […]
Haiti still needs foreign strike force to confront gangs, official says
Washington DC, US Reuters The international community should send a strike force to Haiti to confront gangs even though police have ended a blockade of a fuel terminal that caused a humanitarian crisis, Haiti’s ambassador to the United States said on Monday. The UN Security Council in October discussed sending troops to confront gangs, but […]
Haiti to seek a foreign armed force to combat gangs, decree says
Reuters Haiti’s government has authorised Prime Minister Ariel Henry to ask the international community for a “specialised armed force” to address a crisis caused by a blockade of the country’s main fuel port that has led to crippling shortages, according to a decree circulating on Friday. Haiti has ground to a halt since a coalition […]
UK watchdog accuses aid groups of failing to tackle sexual misconduct
Thomson Reuters Foundation International aid groups are failing to tackle “horror” sexual abuse and harassment in the charity sector, Britain’s aid watchdog said on Tuesday after the revelation of sexual misconduct by aid workers sparked global outrage this year. The International Development Committee said the response by the humanitarian sector towards widespread sexual abuse was […]
Religious and secular groups unite to declare freedom of belief is a right
World Watch Monitor An alliance of religious and secular charities has launched an online campaign to raise awareness of the right to freedom of religion or belief. “Believe it or not, it’s my right!” is the slogan of the movement launched on Tuesday by the European Platform against Intolerance and Discrimination, whose members include Christian, Jewish, Bahai, […]
Religious freedom learning platform launched at UN
World Watch Monitor A new website to help promote understanding of freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) was launched yesterday in Geneva, Switzerland, at the 37th session of the Human Rights Council. The Sweden-based FoRB Learning Platform provides downloadable resources in 13 different languages, including quick guides to religious rights, movie clips, theological reflections, and links to other […]