UN Treaty Watch

UN Observers Criticize Italian Criminalization of Sea Rescues

July 26, 2019

A group of UN human rights mandate holders have condemned Italian policies aimed at discouraging migrants from undertaking the dangerous sea voyage between Africa and Europe by imposing criminal sanctions on civil society representatives who rescue migrants at sea.
UN Agent Disputes Hungary on Migration “Crisis”

July 26, 2019

UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants Felipe González Morales has disputed the Hungarian government’s characterization of its migration situation as a “crisis” and has called on Hungarian officials to adopt a human rights-focused approach toward migrants.
UN Agent: Israel Is “Bent on” Territorial Annexation

July 26, 2019

The UN Special Rapporteur charged with spotlighting Israel’s alleged human rights violations in “occupied” Palestinian territory, Michael Lynk, has characterized Israel as “an occupying power seemingly bent on further territorial annexation” and called for the global community “to hold Israel fully accountable for its actions.”
UN Body Demands Respect for Disability Rights in Climate Action

July 26, 2019

Human Rights Watch has published a press release applauding the UN Human Rights Council for passing a resolution calling on governments to take a “disability-inclusive approach” when considering policies to protect people from the catastrophic impacts of global warming.
UN Agents Weigh in on Indian Dispute over Forest Habitats

July 25, 2019

A group of UN human rights mandate holders have called on the Indian government to prevent the enforcement of eviction orders of indigenous peoples who live in the country’s forests in the face of legal action by wildlife organizations seeking to protect various regions from human encroachment.
UN Rights Bodies Review Countries on SDGs

July 24, 2019

According to data generated by the Danish Institute for Human Rights, UN human rights mechanisms are making a significant number of recommendations to governments encouraging their increased engagement with the comprehensive targets contained in the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
UN Office Accuses India of Rights Violations in Kashmir

July 24, 2019

The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has published a report accusing Indian authorities in the disputed territory of Kashmir of rights violations, including arbitrary detentions, and calling for the repeal of legislation that protects Indian troops in the region from prosecution.
UN Rights Chief Opines on US Detention of Migrant Children

July 10, 2019

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet has criticized the US government for its detention of migrant children and has signaled the view of her UN human rights apparatus that detaining children and separating them from their families violates international human rights law.
UN Rights Chief Links Climate Action to Women’s Rights

July 10, 2019

Opening a UN Human Rights Council discussion on climate change and women’s rights, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet warned that global warming is “stripping people of their rights and identity” and pointed to “a number of clear links” between the phenomenon and violations of women’s rights.
UN Body Seeks Government Role in Combating Gender Norms

July 03, 2019

A UN Working Group on discrimination against women has published a report calling on governments to combat “gendered social norms and stereotypes” to address women’s “deprivation of liberty,” including through lack of access to economic opportunities, in countries around the world.