News for 'UN High Commissioner for Human Rights'

Why We Must Worry About India's Human Rights Record

Why We Must Worry About India's Human Rights Record

Rediff.com18 Oct 2025

In May, 40 Rohingyas were blindfolded and flown to the Andaman and Nicobar islands and then thrown into the sea and made to swim to an island in Myanmar. And after the Pahalgam attack, at least 300 Muslims were 'pushed back' to Bangladesh from Assam.

UN announces human rights awards

UN announces human rights awards

Rediff.com3 Dec 2003

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.

India wins election to UN Human Rights Council

India wins election to UN Human Rights Council

Rediff.com12 Oct 2018

The 18 new members were elected by absolute majority through a secret ballot.

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.

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.

Deplore India's current measures to deport Rohingyas: UN human rights chief

Deplore India's current measures to deport Rohingyas: UN human rights chief

Rediff.com11 Sep 2017

Some 40,000 Rohingyas have settled in India, and 16,000 of them have received refugee documentation, the UN estimates.

UN human rights chief criticises Iraq executions

UN human rights chief criticises Iraq executions

Rediff.com16 Jan 2007

The two men had been found guilty of crimes against the civilian population of the town of Dujail in 1982.

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.

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.

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".

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.

Indian-origin judge new UN human rights chief

Indian-origin judge new UN human rights chief

Rediff.com25 Jul 2008

Indian-origin International Criminal Court judge Navanethem Pillay has been named the United Nations' new human rights chief, despite some initial opposition from the United States. Pillay, 67, who is from South Africa, will succeed Louise Arbour of Canada who completed her term on June 30.

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."

Pak high commissioner extends moral support to Kashmiri separatists

Pak high commissioner extends moral support to Kashmiri separatists

Rediff.com14 Aug 2014

In yet another provocation just days ahead of the Indo-Pak foreign secretary level talks, the Pakistan High Commissioner on Thursday said his country extends "full diplomatic and moral support" for what he described as "legitimate struggle" of Kashmiris.

Need no lessons from terror sponsor: India slams Pak at UNHRC

Need no lessons from terror sponsor: India slams Pak at UNHRC

Rediff.com11 Sep 2025

India has strongly criticized Pakistan at the UN Human Rights Council, accusing it of sponsoring terrorism and providing safe haven to terrorist networks. India's representative highlighted past terror attacks and questioned Pakistan's credibility.

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 chief slams US top court's abortion ruling, says it's anti-women

UN rights chief slams US top court's abortion ruling, says it's anti-women

Rediff.com25 Jun 2022

In the historic ruling on Friday, the US Supreme Court decided by six votes to three to overturn the 50-year-old Roe v Wade judgement that guaranteed access to abortion across the country.

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.

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.

At UN Human Rights Council, India says it's secular, has no State religion

At UN Human Rights Council, India says it's secular, has no State religion

Rediff.com5 May 2017

AG Mukul Rohatgi led the Indian delegation at the UN Human Rights Council.

'UN alarmed in Sri Lanka'

'UN alarmed in Sri Lanka'

Rediff.com30 Jan 2009

United Nations' top human rights official has voiced serious concern over the deteriorating condition of some 250,000 civilians trapped in the war-torn northern Sri Lanka and increasing casualties, displacement and alleged human rights abuses. "The perilous situation of civilians after many months of fighting, multiple displacements, heavy rains and flooding is extremely worrying," UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay said.

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.

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".

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'.

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.

Delhi riots: Bhim Army chief seeks UN's intervention

Delhi riots: Bhim Army chief seeks UN's intervention

Rediff.com2 Mar 2020

Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad alleged that after the Citizenship (Amendment) Act was signed into a law in December, the socio-political situation in the country has been witnessing "new heights of state-sponsored atrocities".

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.

Nobel ceremony: NGOs appeal to UN rights chief

Nobel ceremony: NGOs appeal to UN rights chief

Rediff.com10 Dec 2010

"We urge the High Commissioner to go to Oslo, attend the award ceremony, and convene a press conference that will spotlight the plight of the 1.3 billion Chinese citizens who are systematically denied the basic guarantees of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights," they said in a statement.

India rejects criticism over handling of Stan Swamy's case

India rejects criticism over handling of Stan Swamy's case

Rediff.com6 Jul 2021

The ministry of external affairs said India remains committed to the promotion and protection of the human rights of all its citizens and that the country's democratic polity is complemented by an independent judiciary and a range of national and state-level human rights commissions.

Uzbek men being tortured in Kyrgyzstan: UN

Uzbek men being tortured in Kyrgyzstan: UN

Rediff.com21 Jul 2010

United Nations Human Rights chief on Tuesday said she has information that that security forces in southern Kyrgyzstan are using torture against young Uzbek men, who are also being subjected to beatings, arbitrary detentions and forced confessions.

UN rights chief expresses 'great concern' over CAA

UN rights chief expresses 'great concern' over CAA

Rediff.com27 Feb 2020

She said the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) adopted last year by India's Parliament was of 'great concern'.

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.

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.

UN rights official seeks Suu Kyi's release

UN rights official seeks Suu Kyi's release

Rediff.com22 May 2007

Suu Kyi, the general-secretary of the National League for Democracy, has been held for 11 years without charge or trial since her party and its allies won the 1990 election with over 80 percent of the parliamentary seats.

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.

'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.

India-Pak to fight it out over Kashmir at UNHRC today

India-Pak to fight it out over Kashmir at UNHRC today

Rediff.com10 Sep 2019

Both the countries have deployed their big guns for the 'diplomatic offensive'.