News for 'Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights'

UN: Verdict against Sheikh Hasina 'important', but...

UN: Verdict against Sheikh Hasina 'important', but...

Rediff.com18 Nov 2025

The United Nations has said that the verdict against Bangladesh's ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina on charges of crimes against humanity is an 'important moment' for the victims, but expressed regret over the imposition of the death penalty.

UN voices concern over violence in B'desh, Hindu man's lynching

UN voices concern over violence in B'desh, Hindu man's lynching

Rediff.com23 Dec 2025

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has voiced concern over the violence in Bangladesh, including the lynching of a Hindu man. The UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk has also expressed concern over the killing of a protest leader.

Violence erupts during protest over Hadi's murder in B'desh; 50 hurt

Violence erupts during protest over Hadi's murder in B'desh; 50 hurt

Rediff.com6 Feb 2026

Witnesses said the police in riot gear turned tough as the protestors tried to break through security barricades in front of Jamuna from a nearby sit-in demonstration, defying the earlier announced ban on rallies adjacent to Jamuna.

India slams UN human rights body's remarks against Setalvad's arrest

India slams UN human rights body's remarks against Setalvad's arrest

Rediff.com29 Jun 2022

The UN's Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has voiced concern over the arrest and detention of social activist Setalvad and called for her immediate release.

In a first, India comments on human rights situation in China's Xinjiang

In a first, India comments on human rights situation in China's Xinjiang

Rediff.com7 Oct 2022

India on Friday said rights of people in China's Xinjiang region should be "respected and guaranteed".

Exercise maximum restraint: UN human rights body on farmers' stir

Exercise maximum restraint: UN human rights body on farmers' stir

Rediff.com6 Feb 2021

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, in a tweet said the rights to peaceful assembly and expression should be protected both offline and online.

India abstains from UN rights panel vote on Uyghurs in China's Xinjiang

India abstains from UN rights panel vote on Uyghurs in China's Xinjiang

Rediff.com6 Oct 2022

India on Thursday abstained from voting on a draft resolution in the UN Human Rights Council on holding a debate on the human rights situation in China's restive Xinjiang region.

No other fixes or solutions...: India on war in Gaza

No other fixes or solutions...: India on war in Gaza

Rediff.com24 Jul 2025

"Intermittent pauses in hostilities are not enough to address the scale of humanitarian challenges confronting the people, who grapple daily with acute shortages of food and fuel, inadequate medical services and lack of access to education," Harish said at the open debate on the 'Situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question'.

When country faces difficult time...: SC pulls up Rohingya petitioners

When country faces difficult time...: SC pulls up Rohingya petitioners

Rediff.com16 May 2025

A bench of Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh also questioned the authenticity of materials placed before it by petitioner Mohd Ismail and others and refused to stay any further deportation of Rohingyas saying similar relief was denied by the court.

Trump pulls US out of UNHRC, cuts funds for Palestinian refugees

Trump pulls US out of UNHRC, cuts funds for Palestinian refugees

Rediff.com5 Feb 2025

President Donald Trump signed an executive order withdrawing the US from the UN Human Rights Council and prohibiting any future funding for the UN agency for Palestinian refugees. Trump also directed the US to review its participation in UNESCO, citing concerns about anti-Semitism and anti-Israel sentiment within the organizations. The executive order argues that the UNHRC, UNESCO, and UNRWA have drifted from their missions and act contrary to US interests. Trump previously halted funds for UNRWA during his first term, and President Joe Biden put a block on US funds for UNRWA in January 2024 over allegations that staff for the agency participated in Hamas's October 7, 2023, attack against Israel.

Is this medicine harmful during pregnancy? Trump links it to autism

Is this medicine harmful during pregnancy? Trump links it to autism

Rediff.com23 Sep 2025

In contrast to Trump's strong warnings, the FDA's current position remains more measured. In a recent letter to physicians, the agency stated that "a causal relationship has not been established" between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and autism, and acknowledged the existence of "contrary studies in the scientific literature."

Nearly 650 people killed in Bangladesh violence: UN report

Nearly 650 people killed in Bangladesh violence: UN report

Rediff.com17 Aug 2024

Nearly 650 people have been killed in the recent unrest in Bangladesh between July 16 and August 11, the United Nations Human Rights Office has said in a preliminary report, suggesting a thorough, impartial and transparent investigation into reports of extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests and detentions.

UN: 'Crimes against humanity' in China's Xinjiang

UN: 'Crimes against humanity' in China's Xinjiang

Rediff.com1 Sep 2022

The UN report stated that the allegations of sexual and gender-based violence, including of rape, "appear credible and would in themselves amount to acts of torture or other forms of ill-treatment."

Anti-hijab protests in Iran: India skips voting on UN resolution

Anti-hijab protests in Iran: India skips voting on UN resolution

Rediff.com25 Nov 2022

Taking to Twitter, United Nations Human Right Council said, 'At its 35th special session, the @UN Human Rights Council decided to create a new fact-finding mission to investigate alleged #HumanRightsViolations in the Islamic Republic of #Iran related to the protests that began on 16 September 2022.'

India hits back at UN rights chief over Rohingya remark

India hits back at UN rights chief over Rohingya remark

Rediff.com12 Sep 2017

There appears to be inadequate appreciation of the freedoms and rights that are guaranteed and practised daily in a vibrant democracy, India says.

UN rights agency seeks probe into Gaddafi's death

UN rights agency seeks probe into Gaddafi's death

Rediff.com22 Oct 2011

The circumstances surrounding the former Libyan leader's death in his hometown of Sirte are unclear, with four or five different versions surfacing of how he died, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) said.

US envoy: 'Human rights, religious freedom are issues we are going to raise'

US envoy: 'Human rights, religious freedom are issues we are going to raise'

Rediff.com30 Mar 2015

'We are encouraged by what the prime minister said recently on these issues... We will keep a close eye on these issues. They are very important and as are other elements of our human rights and religious freedom.' 'So, absolutely, we'll keep a focus on them.'

After FIR, Himachal minister calls NHAI officials 'most corrupt'

After FIR, Himachal minister calls NHAI officials 'most corrupt'

Rediff.com2 Jul 2025

Singh said that about 150 people including women and forest, revenue and other officials were present at the time of the incident, and if the officials were assaulted, "why are there no eyewitnesses".

India abstains, UNHRC votes against Lanka's rights record

India abstains, UNHRC votes against Lanka's rights record

Rediff.com23 Mar 2021

The UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on Tuesday adopted a resolution against Sri Lanka's rights record, in a setback to Colombo, which made determined efforts to garner international support ahead of the voting.

Deeply concerned: UN rights chief on Kashmir

Deeply concerned: UN rights chief on Kashmir

Rediff.com9 Sep 2019

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, also asked India to ensure that the National Register of Citizens verification in Assam does not leave the people stateless.

Manipur is peaceful: India rejects UN experts' remark

Manipur is peaceful: India rejects UN experts' remark

Rediff.com5 Sep 2023

India has strongly rejected comments by United Nations experts on Manipur, terming them 'unwarranted, presumptive and misleading' and asserting that situation in the Northeast state is peaceful.

Pak is illegally occupying parts of J&K: India at UNHRC

Pak is illegally occupying parts of J&K: India at UNHRC

Rediff.com9 Mar 2017

The whole state of Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India. Pakistan remains in illegal occupation of a part of our territory Ajit Kumar, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of India to UN offices and other International Organisations said in a statement.

Sheikh Hasina's India stay will not hurt bilateral ties: Bangladesh

Sheikh Hasina's India stay will not hurt bilateral ties: Bangladesh

Rediff.com12 Aug 2024

Hossain said they will "always try to maintain good relations" with India.

Sri Lanka sabotaging war crimes probe: UNHRC

Sri Lanka sabotaging war crimes probe: UNHRC

Rediff.com8 Nov 2014

The United Nations Human Rights Council has accused Sri Lanka of sabotaging a UN-mandated probe into the country's nearly three decades-long brutal civil war, drawing a sharp reaction from Colombo as it dismissed the charges.

Atomic bomb survivors group gets Nobel Peace Prize

Atomic bomb survivors group gets Nobel Peace Prize

Rediff.com11 Oct 2024

The group has campaigned over the years for the abolition of nuclear weapons.

UNHCHR action on CAA is illegal, violates UN norms

UNHCHR action on CAA is illegal, violates UN norms

Rediff.com6 Mar 2020

Interestingly, India had objected to the establishment of a UNHCHR when it was proposed by the US at the Vienna Conference on Human Rights in July 1993 and the whole proposal was remitted to the General Assembly in New York because India and others said that the whole issue should be examined in detail, says Ambassador T P Sreenivasan, who had led the Indian delegation for negotiating the terms of the HCHR.

Hasina's dictatorship destroyed every Bangladeshi institution: Yunus

Hasina's dictatorship destroyed every Bangladeshi institution: Yunus

Rediff.com18 Aug 2024

The chief adviser alleged elections held under Hasina's regime were "rigged blatantly and generations of young people grew up without exercising their voting rights."

China terms crackdown in Xinjiang as 'counter terrorism'

China terms crackdown in Xinjiang as 'counter terrorism'

Rediff.com8 Oct 2022

China on Saturday maintained silence on India's abstention at the voting at the UNHRC on the human rights situation in Xinjiang

Interim govt is taking over: Bangladesh Army chief

Interim govt is taking over: Bangladesh Army chief

Rediff.com5 Aug 2024

"I'm taking all responsibility (of the country). Please cooperate," he said in a televised address amid reports that Hasina has left the country.

Complaint against Sheikh Hasina for genocide during students' stir

Complaint against Sheikh Hasina for genocide during students' stir

Rediff.com14 Aug 2024

Stating that an investigation team will work under the full supervision of the United Nations to ensure complete transparency and impartiality, he said, "None of the outgoing government involved in the murder will be exempted."

Newark rescinds sister-city agreement with 'United States of Kailasa'

Newark rescinds sister-city agreement with 'United States of Kailasa'

Rediff.com4 Mar 2023

The city of Newark in the United States state of New Jersey has rescinded a sister-city agreement with the so-called 'United States of Kailasa', founded by Indian fugitive Nithyananda, citing deceptive circumstances surrounding the fictional country and terming the incident as regrettable.

UN team meets Rohingyas in Jammu as BJP protests

UN team meets Rohingyas in Jammu as BJP protests

Rediff.com11 Dec 2024

A two-member team of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) met Rohingya Muslims at a slum in Jammu amid a heated debate whether the illegally settled immigrants be provided water and electricity.

'Irrelevant': UN rejects submissions by Kailasa representatives

'Irrelevant': UN rejects submissions by Kailasa representatives

Rediff.com3 Mar 2023

The United Nations human rights office on Thursday said any submissions made by representatives of the so-called 'United States of Kailasa (USK)', founded by Indian fugitive Nithyananda, at its public meetings in Geneva last week were 'irrelevant' and will not be considered in the final outcome drafts.

US-orchestrated UN report on Uygur Muslims illegal, null and void: China

US-orchestrated UN report on Uygur Muslims illegal, null and void: China

Rediff.com1 Sep 2022

The UN report stated that China has committed to "other predominantly Muslim communities" in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region

Displaced Lankan Tamils' woes continue, UN officials told

Displaced Lankan Tamils' woes continue, UN officials told

Rediff.com21 Sep 2012

Leaders of Sri Lanka's main Tamil party TNA on Friday told officials from the United Nations human rights body that the Tamils displaced in the LTTE war were facing problems with resettlement and discrimination at the hands of authorities

Ek Hasina Thi: End Of An Era In Bangladesh

Ek Hasina Thi: End Of An Era In Bangladesh

Rediff.com5 Aug 2024

As news of Hasina's departure spread, hundreds broke into Hasina's residence, vandalising and looting the interiors, providing dramatic expression to the anti-government protests that have killed more than 100 people in the last two days. At the centre of people anger is the Hasina government's controversial quota system reserving 30 per cent jobs for families of veterans who fought the 1971 liberation war. With volatile crowds taking to the streets -- some clambering on Hasina's father and Bangladesh founder Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's statue and smashing it with hammers in a lasting image underscoring the fickleness of history -- Army chief General Waqar-uz-Zaman announced that the 76-year-old prime minister has resigned.

Impartial probe into Sri Lanka war critical: UN

Impartial probe into Sri Lanka war critical: UN

Rediff.com9 Jan 2010

The UN human rights office has called on Colombo to allow a full independent inquiry into a controversial video tape depicting alleged "extra-judicial killings" of Tamils by Lankan troops and said that such an investigation would be in the country's "best interests".

UN body moves SC against CAA; India says no locus standi

UN body moves SC against CAA; India says no locus standi

Rediff.com3 Mar 2020

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has approached the Supreme Court seeking to intervene in the hearing on the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, saying there was a need to take into account the "international human rights law, norms and standards" in the proceedings.

Yunus dials Modi, assures protection of Hindus, minorities in B'desh

Yunus dials Modi, assures protection of Hindus, minorities in B'desh

Rediff.com16 Aug 2024

This is the first conversation between Modi and Yunus after he assumed the responsibility following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led government.