Indigenous protesters block access to COP30 and demand action from the Brazilian government

The Munduruku, who live mainly in the Amazon states of Amazonas, Mato Grosso and Pará, are demanding an end to projects and extraction activities that threaten indigenous territories, especially in the Tapajós and Xingu river basins. ‘Legitimate’ protests and government response COP30 director Ana Toni described the demonstrations as “legitimate” and confirmed that the government […]

The Security Council is laying the groundwork for the race for the next Secretary General

Governments will soon submit letters nominating candidates to lead the 80-year-old organization, whose top position is traditionally rotated between geographic regions — although all U.N. chiefs until now have been men. The Secretary-General is appointed by the General Assembly, the most representative body of the UN, on the recommendation of the fifteen members of the […]

Tanzania: Reports of hundreds of deaths and arrests as a result of deadly election violence

Tanzanians took to the streets on October 29 against the re-election of President Samia Suluhu Hassan, in a protest that quickly escalated in violence and death. Distressing reports have appeared about “families desperately searching for their loved ones everywhere, visiting one police station after another and one hospital after another”, the UN human rights chief […]

There continue to be ‘worrying reports’ of kidnappings and disappearances in Syria

“Eleven months after the fall of the former government in Syria, we continue to receive worrying reports of dozens of kidnappings and enforced disappearances”, Spokesperson Thameaen Al-Keetan said during a press conference in Geneva. Syria is undergoing a political transition following the overthrow of the Assad regime in December 2024 and 13 years of brutal […]

Brief world news: violations of Russian rights in Ukraine, US does not show up for rights review, Orlando Blooms highlights the plight of the Rohingya

During their mission from November 2 to 6, the three members of the Council for Human Rights-mandated Commission of Inquiry met with survivors, families of victims and human rights organizations in Kiev. “People spoke of unimaginable suffering – homes destroyed, loved ones murdered and lives turned upside down,” said chairman Erik Møse. The investigators – […]

Human rights chief warns ‘horrendous atrocities’ likely to continue in Sudan’s El Fasher

“Today, Traumatized civilians are still trapped in El Fasher and are not allowed to leave,” UN human rights chief Volker Türk said in a speech statement released Friday. “I fear that horrific atrocities such as summary executions, rape and ethnically motivated violence will continue within the city.” The statement comes amid increasing reports from UN […]

The hunger crisis in DR Congo is worsening due to fighting and lack of aid funding

UN aid agencies are struggling to access provinces overrun by Rwanda-backed M23 rebel fighters early this year, although dramatic funding shortfalls for humanitarian work have also contributed to the dire situation. Kigali has consistently denied providing military support to the group. Aid would be easier to deliver if air access were restored, WFP stressed that […]