Concludes Debate on Use of Mercenaries, Economic Reform Policies and Foreign Debt, and Right to Education The Human Rights Council this afternoon heard the presentation of a report by Santiago Corcuera Cabezut, the Chairperson/Rapporteur of the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary…

Also Hears Statement by Sri Lanka, as Incoming President of Conference The Conference on Disarmament today heard a statement from Sri Lanka, as incoming President of the Conference, as well as speeches from Canada, Ukraine, Switzerland and Nigeria on general issues of disarmament, including an…

The Human Rights Council this morning discussed reports presented by its mandate-holders on protecting and promoting the human rights of minorities, migrants and indigenous peoples. Gay McDougall, the Independent Expert on minorities issues, said her report made recommendations to States and…

Concludes Debate on Human Rights of Minorities, Migrants and Indigenous People The Human Rights Council this afternoon heard the presentation of reports by the Representative of the Secretary-General on the human rights of internally displaced persons, Walter Kalin, the Special Rapporteur on…

Marie Heuzé, the Director of the United Nations Information Service in Geneva, chaired the briefing, which was also addressed by Spokespersons for the World Food Programme, the United Nations Refugee Agency and the International Organization for Migration. Spokespersons for the World Health…

The Human Rights Council this afternoon held a special event on violence against children that focused on follow-up to the study by Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, the Independent Expert on violence against children. Mr. Pinheiro said the study, which was presented at the General Assembly last year,…

The Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, Leandro Despouy, issued the following statement today: “Following the recent dismissal of the appeal by Taha Yassin Ramadan against the death sentence imposed by the Iraqi High Tribunal, the Special Rapporteur on the independence of…

Sweden, Venezuela and Tunisia Commend Spain's Peace Efforts The Conference on Disarmament today heard statements from the Under-Secretary for Human Rights and Multilateral Affairs of Mexico, stressing the need for a renewed commitment from the international community to the obligations and rights…

The Human Rights Council this morning discussed the report of its high-level mission on the situation of human rights in Darfur as it started its debate on the follow-up to the decisions and resolutions adopted by the Council. Jody Williams, Head of the high-level mission, presenting the report,…

Marie Heuzé, the Director of the United Nations Information Service in Geneva, chaired the briefing which was also addressed by Spokespersons for the World Health Organization, The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the World Food Programme, the United Nations Refugee Agency, the…