Human Rights
"[R]ecognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world."
-Preamble to the United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948
Human Rights
Human Rights Overview
Headlines & Opinion
- New UN Human Rights Expert Outlines Priorities
- Basic Human Rights Still Missing from UN Sanctions Regime
- UN Investigator Finds the Current UN Counterterror Framework Chills Humanitarian Aid
- US Defends Human Rights Record Before UN
- UN and Experts Call for Uncreased Role of Civil Society in Countering Terror
- US First Report to UN Human Rights Council Admits Shortcomings
- State and Justice Officials: Respect for Human Rights Fundamental to Combat Terrorism
- US Nonprofits Highlighted in UN Human Rights Submission
- UN Will Investigate Human Right Record of US in Universal Periodic Review
Multimedia
Reports
New UN Human Rights Expert Outlines Priorities
Countering violent extremism must never be used as a pretext for abusing basic human rights, a United Nations expert said before the UN General Assembly on Oct. 20, 2011. Ben Emmerson, the newly appointed UN Special Rapporteur on counter-terrorism and human, rights outlined the top priorities for his tenure including working with governments to prevent violent extremism by addressing its root causes and respecting the rule of law, and continuing to improve the delisting process of sanctioned entities started by Security Council Resolution 1904.
U.S. Anti-Terror Policies Hurt Women and Girls Around the World
The Center for Human Rights and Global Justice has released the first study examining how US counterterrorism policies have affected the rights of women and sexual minorities. A Decade Lost: Locating Gender in U.S. Counter-Terrorism finds anti-terrorist finance laws deny resources from reaching women and LGBT organizations, development assistance aimed at reducing violent extremism is often exclusively directed toward men, and the securitization of the government’s relationship with Muslim communities can make women in those communities unsafe. Read more….
Listen: 5 minute interview from report co-author, Lama Fakih.
Expert: Basic Human Rights Still Missing from UN Sanctions Regime
On June 29, 2011, a United Nations (UN) expert on counterterrorism criticized two UN Security Council resolutions that separate the sanctions regimes for Taliban and al Qaeda members. In a statement, UN Special Rapporteur on human rights and counter-terrorism Martin Scheinin said the changes to the sanctions regime do not resolve fundamental deficiencies throughout the listing and de-listing process and exacerbates other human rights concerns. Many experts
Report: U.S. Anti-Terror Policies Hurt Women and Girls Around the World
A July 2011 report by the Center for Human Rights and Global Justice highlights the less publicized but serious problems for women and minority groups caused by the U.S. counterterrorism strategy. A Decade Lost: Locating Gender in U.S. Counter-Terrorism, finds that anti-terrorist finance laws prevent critical resources from reaching women and LGBT organizations, development assistance aimed at reducing violent extremism is often exclusively directed toward men, and the securitization of the government’s relationship with Muslim communities can make women in those communities unsafe.
UN Special Investigator Finds Its Counterterrorism Framework Chills Humanitarian Aid
On Oct. 26, 2010, an independent investigator hired by the United Nations said the UN Security Council’s counterterrorism framework is having a “chilling effect” on humanitarian aid, the charities that provide it, and is undermining the protection of human rights around the world. A report written by Martin Scheinin, the UN’s Special Rapporteur on counterterrorism and human rights, said two UN resolutions that sanction terrorist organizations have exceeded their original scope and violate basic human rights. Going forward, he called on using the UN Global Counter-terrorism Strategy as a model for future reforms.
US Defends Human Rights Record Before UN
On Nov. 9, 2010 the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) issued a report with 228 recommendations for the U.S. on improving its obligations to protect and promote human rights. The report was released on the same day the HRC finished its first ever Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of the U.S.’s human rights record. Recommendations included establishing a national human rights institution, improving the national watchlist system and eliminating racial profiling by law enforcement. Representatives of the Obama administration said it is a strong supporter of the UPR process and will consult with civil society groups before formally responding to the recommendations in a report due in March 2011.
UN and Experts Call for Increased Role of Civil Society in Countering Terror
On Sept. 8, 2010, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly reaffirmed its support for the UN anti-terror strategy that in part calls for increasing engagement with civil society groups. With the unanimous adoption of the resolution, the 192-member assembly said detecting and preventing terrorism requires more coordination and dialogue among its global partners. Concurrently, the UN’s Counterterrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF) held a multiday event at the International Peace Institute (IPI) analyzing the implementation of the UN’s Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. It included a panel of nonprofit experts that addressed the impact counterterrorism measures have on civil society groups and called for more collaboration and partnership with the CTITF.
U.S.’s First Report to UN Human Rights Council Admits Shortcomings
On Aug. 20, 2010, the U.S. government made public its report on its human rights record to the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights. The report is one step in the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process in which UN member-state’s human rights records is examined once every four years. This is the first time the U.S. has submitted a report on its human rights record, and its work drew mixed reviews from civil rights and liberty advocates who had hoped it would reflect more of the concerns and recommendations raised by the U.S. nonprofit sector. The U.S.’ review before the UN is scheduled for Nov. 5, 2010 in Geneva, Switzerland.
NGO Impartiality May Upset Some, But Is Important for All
The International Committee of the Red Cross is an impartial, neutral and independent organization whose exclusively humanitarian mission is to protect the lives and dignity of victims of armed conflict and other situations of violence and to provide them with assistance.
