🛑 Children of British Couple Detained by Taliban Issue Urgent Plea Ahead of UN Statement

On 21 July 2025, the children of Barbie Reynolds (76) and Peter Reynolds (80)—a British couple detained by the Taliban in Afghanistan—issued a renewed public appeal for their parents’ release, warning they may “die in custody” if urgent action is not taken. 🕊️ Background and Detention ⚠️ Health Concerns 🗣️ Family and Diplomatic Efforts 🌍 […]

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UN-backed labour standards at risk as tariff uncertainty grows

Threatened or actual tariff increases are largely focused on taxing imports into the United States and will make the products made by factories outside the country more expensive – a situation which may drive down demand. The ILO’s Better Work programme, a partnership with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), has supported garment factories, many of […]

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Standing Firm on Women’s Right to Live Free of Violence

There’s no question about it–we are in the midst of a destructive global backlash against women’s rights. Against this regressive backdrop, the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women held its 91st Session in June and July. In addition to reviewing countries’ compliance with the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms […]

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First Person: How many more children must die before the world acts?

Juliette Touma, the director of communications for the UN agency for Palestine refugees, UNRWA, has visited Gaza several times during and before the war and has been reflecting on the children she has met there and in other conflict zones. “Adam has been on my mind lately, more so than usual. I met Adam years […]

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Angola: Police Use Excessive Force Against Peaceful Protesters

(Johannesburg) – Angolan police used excessive force and carried out arbitrary arrests while dispersing peaceful protesters in Luanda, the capital, on July 12, 2025, Human Rights Watch said today. Police unnecessarily fired tear gas and rubber bullets and assaulted protesters, injuring several people. They also detained 17 protesters, some of whom were released only after legal […]

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Enhanced preparedness and emergency response: Strengthening the EU Civil Protection Mechanism combined with ambitious health funding

Today, the European Commission proposed to update the Regulation of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM), integrating the financing for health emergency preparedness and response, to ensure a comprehensive and integrated EU response to crises. As one of the first deliverables under the EU Preparedness Union Strategy, the new Regulation will enhance EU support and […]

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Syria crisis: Hundreds killed in ongoing violence, hospitals overwhelmed

Briefing reporters in Geneva, UN human rights office, OHCHR, spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani highlighted “credible” reports of “widespread violations and abuses, including summary executions and arbitrary killings, kidnappings, destruction of private property and looting of homes” in the city of Suweida. “Among the reported perpetrators were members of the security forces and individuals affiliated with the […]

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UN Experts Demand Investigations into Deaths of Political Prisoners in Belarusian Custody

On July 16, 2025, a group of independent UN human rights experts called for immediate and impartial investigations into the deaths of political detainees in Belarus, citing a disturbing pattern of ill-treatment, medical neglect, and retaliation against dissent. ⚖️ Custodial Deaths Under Scrutiny The experts highlighted three emblematic cases: The experts warned that these deaths […]

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Amnesty International Urges Pakistan to Release Detained Baloch Activists

On July 16, 2025, Amnesty International issued a formal appeal to Pakistani authorities demanding the immediate release of six prominent Baloch activists detained under the Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance (MPO). The organization condemned the detentions as arbitrary and unlawful, citing a broader pattern of repression in Balochistan targeting peaceful protest and free expression. 🛑 […]

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UN Human Rights Office Calls for Immediate Ceasefire Following Deadly Russian Strikes in Ukraine

On July 15, 2025, the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) issued an urgent appeal for a ceasefire in Ukraine after a surge in Russian missile and drone attacks killed at least 139 civilians and injured 791 in the first half of July. The strikes targeted densely populated urban areas far […]

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