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The human rights situation in the Syrian Arab Republic, para. 36
- Paragraph text
- 15. Calls upon the Syrian authorities and all other parties to the conflict to ensure the effective implementation of Security Council resolutions 2139 (2014) of 22 February 2014 and 2254 (2015), and, in particular, to end the arbitrary detention and torture of civilians in the Syrian Arab Republic, notably in prisons and detention facilities, as well as kidnappings, abductions and forced disappearances, as demanded by the Council in its resolution 2139 (2014);
- Body
- United Nations Human Rights Council
- Document type
- Resolution
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Humanitarian
- Movement
- Violence
- Year
- 2018
Paragraph
Situation of human rights in Myanmar, para. 23
- Paragraph text
- 7. Strongly condemns the reported widespread, systematic and gross human rights violations and abuses committed in Rakhine State since 25 August 2017 and, while reiterating its condemnation of attacks carried out by the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army and other militant groups, expresses its deepest concern about the disproportionate response of the military and the security forces and deplores the serious deterioration of the security, human rights and humanitarian situation, the exodus of almost 700,000 Rohingya into Bangladesh and the subsequent depopulation of northern Rakhine State, and calls upon the Myanmar authorities to ensure that those responsible for human rights violations and abuses are held accountable;
- Body
- United Nations Human Rights Council
- Document type
- Resolution
- Topic(s)
- Humanitarian
- Violence
- Year
- 2018
Paragraph
The human rights situation in the Syrian Arab Republic, para. 27
- Paragraph text
- 7. Also strongly condemns the terrorist acts and violence committed against civilians by the so-called Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (Daesh), Al-Nusrah Front and other terrorist organizations designated by the Security Council, and their continued gross, systematic and widespread abuses of international human rights law and violations of international humanitarian law, and reaffirms that terrorism, including the actions of the so-called Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (Daesh), cannot and should not be associated with any religion, nationality or civilization, and stresses the importance of the full implementation of Security Council resolution 2170 (2014) of 15 August 2014;
- Body
- United Nations Human Rights Council
- Document type
- Resolution
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Humanitarian
- Violence
- Year
- 2018
Paragraph
The human rights situation in the Syrian Arab Republic, para. 34
- Paragraph text
- 13. Also strongly condemns the widespread practice of enforced disappearance, arbitrary detention and the use of sexual violence, torture and ill-treatment, especially in detention facilities run by the Syrian authorities, including those acts referenced in the reports of the Commission of Inquiry and those depicted in the evidence presented by “Caesar” in January 2014, and notes that such acts may constitute violations and abuses of international human rights law or violations of international humanitarian law;
- Body
- United Nations Human Rights Council
- Document type
- Resolution
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Movement
- Violence
- Year
- 2018
Paragraph
Situation of human rights in Myanmar, para. 29
- Paragraph text
- 13. Recognizes the admission by the Myanmar military for the first time of the extrajudicial killing of 10 Rohingya villagers in Inn Din village, northern Rakhine State, while expressing concern that the Government of Myanmar has rejected credible reports of atrocities, reiterating grave concerns that reporters investigating the Inn Dinn killings have been jailed, and reiterating its calls upon the Myanmar authorities to cooperate with independent, credible and effective investigations into all allegations of human rights abuses and violations, including the gender dimension of such abuses and violations;
- Body
- United Nations Human Rights Council
- Document type
- Resolution
- Topic(s)
- Gender
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Violence
- Year
- 2018
Paragraph
The deteriorating situation of human rights in Eastern Ghouta, in the Syrian Arab Republic, para. 10
- Paragraph text
- 4. Calls upon all parties, in particular the Syrian authorities, to meet their responsibility to protect the Syrian population and to end immediately all attacks against civilians in Eastern Ghouta, while the growing number of civilian casualties in Damascus are also of concern, as delays in the implementation of the ceasefire cause more suffering on all sides;
- Body
- United Nations Human Rights Council
- Document type
- Resolution
- Topic(s)
- Humanitarian
- Violence
- Year
- 2018
Paragraph
Human rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, para. 26
- Paragraph text
- Convinced of the need for an international presence to monitor the situation, to contribute to ending the violence and protecting the Palestinian civilian population and to
- Body
- United Nations Human Rights Council
- Document type
- Resolution
- Topic(s)
- Humanitarian
- Violence
- Year
- 2018
Paragraph
Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory including East Jerusalem, and in the occupied Syrian Golan, para. 21
- Paragraph text
- Noting that the settlement enterprise and the impunity associated with its persistence, expansion and related violence continue to be a root cause of many violations of the Palestinians’ human rights, and constitute the main factors perpetuating Israel’s belligerent occupation of the Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, since 1967,
- Body
- United Nations Human Rights Council
- Document type
- Resolution
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Violence
- Year
- 2018
Paragraph
Extra-custodial use of force and the prohibition of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment 2017, para. 41
- Paragraph text
- The Court has also made numerous findings of inhuman or degrading treatment in cases involving the unnecessary or excessive use of force in the context of demonstrations. In Abdullah Yasa and Others v. Turkey, the Court found the launch of a tear gas grenade along a direct flat trajectory aimed towards protestors to be contrary to article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights because it was not “proportionate to the aim pursued, namely to disperse a non-peaceful gathering” and because the severity of the resulting injuries to the applicant’s head were not “commensurate with the strict use by the police officers of the force necessitated by his behaviour”.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Humanitarian
- Violence
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Extra-custodial use of force and the prohibition of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment 2017, para. 16
- Paragraph text
- It should be noted that the above-mentioned principles govern the use of force, not only in extra-custodial settings, but also where riots, unrest or other violent incidents occur within places of detention. Depending on the circumstances, they may also be relevant in determining the permissibility of invasive health and security procedures, such as the taking of bodily samples or a strip search. In their relations with persons deprived of their liberty, law enforcement officials may not use force, except when strictly necessary for the maintenance of security and order within the institution or when personal safety is threatened, and they may not use firearms, except in self-defence or in the defence of others against the immediate threat of death or serious injury or when strictly necessary to prevent the escape of an inmate presenting a threat of death or serious injury.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Violence
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
SRSG on children and armed conflict: Annual report 2017, para. 55
- Paragraph text
- Lastly, the Special Representative has been extensively involved throughout the reporting period in the Secretary-General's efforts to enhance the United Nations response to allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse. She has participated in the high-level steering committee on implementation of the recommendations of the report of the external independent review panel on sexual exploitation and abuse by international peacekeeping forces in the Central African Republic. The Office of the Special Representative has also taken part in various working groups, including on the implementation of Security Council resolution 2272 (2016), and was involved in the drafting of related documents on improving responses. For example, her Office was heavily involved in drafting the guidance on the preparation, deployment and repatriation of current or future United Nations peacekeeping operations.
- Body
- Special Representative of the Secretary-General for children and armed conflict
- Document type
- SRSG report
- Topic(s)
- Humanitarian
- Violence
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Diversity in humanity, humanity in diversity 2017, para. 49
- Paragraph text
- The role of civil society and non-governmental organizations and of concerned communities and individuals is critical for action against violence and discrimination. Their dedicated efforts and inputs were instrumental in helping to set up this mandate, and there is a wealth of information emanating from their work which inspires the work of the Independent Expert. They are part and parcel of much-needed cooperation at both the national and international levels and act as human rights defenders in the most sensitive situations. Assistance and protection for their work are at the heart of this mandate, which is impelled by the quest for an all-inclusive approach that is respectful of public participation in countering violence and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, worldwide. Indeed, this is living democracy in regard to sexual and gender diversity.
- Body
- Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Gender
- Violence
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Embrace diversity and energize humanity 2017, para. 59d
- Paragraph text
- States should explore more cooperation with independent national human rights institutions, such as national human rights commissions and ombudspersons, to interlink between international norms and national settings. Those institutions should be supported as part of the checks and balances to prevent and overcome abuses of power and human rights violations, as well to access justice and remedies. They should be paralleled by regional systems and initiatives to help to advance protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity;
- Body
- Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Gender
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Violence
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Extra-custodial use of force and the prohibition of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment 2017, para. 39
- Paragraph text
- Similarly, in the case of Rosendo Cantú et al. v. Mexico, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights considered “that rape may constitute torture even when it consists of a single act or takes place outside State facilities … because the objective and subjective elements that define an act as torture do not refer to the accumulation of acts or to the place where the act is committed, but rather to the intention, the severity of the suffering and the purpose of the act”. The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights also regarded as torture the intentional, violent beating of a person prior to arrest.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Violence
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Witchcraft and the human rights of persons with albinism 2017, para. 22
- Paragraph text
- Evans-Pritchard distinguishes between "witchcraft" and "sorcery". According to his definition, witches have supernatural powers and operate in secret, in order to harm victims by devouring their life essence. In contrast, a sorcerer is someone who does harm by using plant substances and rituals. The use of body parts of persons with albinism in amulets, charms, potions or other preparations could arguably fall under either category. Therefore, in the present report, the Independent Expert will use the term "witchcraft" to denote both concepts. She will not use the term "magic", which has been employed in some cases to describe attacks against persons with albinism, because it seems to have a dual quality of both benevolence and malevolence, and may therefore be misunderstood. Since the report intends to capture witchcraft in the broader sense and its negative impact on persons with albinism, the term "magic" - in its malevolent form - will be understood to be subsumed by the term "witchcraft".
- Body
- Independent Expert on the enjoyment of human rights by persons with albinism
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Harmful Practices
- Violence
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Witchcraft and the human rights of persons with albinism 2017, para. 91
- Paragraph text
- Witchcraft practice, in particular the use of body parts of persons with albinism for muti or juju, is undeniably one of the main root causes of attacks against persons with albinism. However, owing to challenges in conceptualizing "witchcraft" using objective elements, attempts at establishing clear legal boundaries around such practices - including to deter related harmful practices - have been elusive. One key exception is witchcraft accusations, an aspect of witchcraft practice that can be, and has been, legally captured with objective elements because there is no need to define "witchcraft" itself to achieve the purpose of preventing accusations and related violence.
- Body
- Independent Expert on the enjoyment of human rights by persons with albinism
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Harmful Practices
- Violence
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Witchcraft and the human rights of persons with albinism 2017, para. 82
- Paragraph text
- In the absence of specific legislation covering trafficking of body parts, some States have been confronted with a legal gap when they arrest persons for trafficking body parts of persons with albinism such as bones, hair and limbs. In response to this situation, in Malawi for example, the judiciary has made creative use of the Anatomy Act, which was not drafted with the horrendous crimes perpetrated against persons with albinism in mind. The Act, which was drafted for a medical context, carries relatively light penalties but was, until recent reforms, the only instrument available to prosecute cases of possession of body parts of persons with albinism.
- Body
- Independent Expert on the enjoyment of human rights by persons with albinism
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Health
- Violence
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Witchcraft and the human rights of persons with albinism 2017, para. 31
- Paragraph text
- Attacks against persons with albinism often involve three types of perpetrators: persons who hunt, attack, kill and dismember persons with albinism and transport their body parts; persons, often presenting themselves as witchdoctors, who prepare the muti or juju using the body parts; and persons who obtain or purchase the muti or juju. Each of these actions constitutes a crime and should therefore be investigated and prosecuted under relevant criminal law provisions, irrespective of whether they are connected to muti, juju or witchcraft.
- Body
- Independent Expert on the enjoyment of human rights by persons with albinism
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Violence
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Diversity in humanity, humanity in diversity 2017, para. 38
- Paragraph text
- Constructive dialogue is an imperative for the mandate, and the Independent Expert has endeavoured to initiate this from the very first days of his work. He recognizes that it is essential to build bridges — not only to those who already have plenty of awareness, understanding and knowledge but also to those who have less. In the quest for amicable discourse, there is the understanding that there can be no justification for crimes, such as killings, rapes and torture, nor for discrimination. The opportunity for dialogue, consultation and cooperation was exemplified by the public consultation held in Geneva in January 2017. The consultation was open to States, United Nations agencies and other interested stakeholders. This consultation was planned to help the Independent Expert to identify priority work areas in carrying out his mandate and to develop effective strategies to accomplish them. Major issues discussed included the situation of violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity and the various underpinnings referred to above and below. At the end of the consultation, the Independent Expert summarized key inputs from the various participants who advised him on his role and work in fulfilling the mandate as follows: • Analytical: The work of the mandate holder is based on independent and objective analysis of the situation drawn from a variety of information sources. • Pedagogical: The work has an educational role in raising awareness among the public and educating the public about the situation. • Intersectoral: The work invites the Independent Expert to cross-link with a variety of actors and stakeholders — governmental, non-governmental and intergovernmental. • Focal/vocal: The work is a focal point for those affected by transgressions, and it also helps them to vocalize their concerns, not simply as victims but also as survivors and experts on the subject. • Empirical: The work is an opportunity for encouraging and generating information and data, possibly disaggregated, to support a balanced evidence-based approach to address the issue.
- Body
- Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Gender
- Violence
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Strengthening voluntary standards for businesses on preventing and combating trafficking in persons and labour exploitation, especially in supply chains 2017, para. 59
- Paragraph text
- Diverse means of raising grievances and having them addressed were also debated, including examples of worker hotlines and innovations in the use of smartphone technology. However, it was noted that such efforts alone, not unlike social audits, cannot solve the complex problem of human trafficking, and must be reinforced through other means of awareness-raising, capacity-building, problem identification and access to remedy. Questions were raised about the role played by local authorities in the referral and follow-up of grievances, and about how best to coordinate with such authorities, when necessary. Good practices related to the rehabilitation of trafficking victims and their reintegration into communities and labour markets was also mentioned as a topic in need of urgent attention from all relevant stakeholders.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially in women and children
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Economic Rights
- Violence
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Witchcraft and the human rights of persons with albinism 2017, para. 39
- Paragraph text
- The question of whether to criminalize acts of witchcraft was examined by Philip Alston. After considering various arguments in favour of criminalization, including that local customs should be reflected in national law; that criminal law should protect against all types of violence, including violence committed by occult means; and that the failure of criminal law to address such acts leads individuals to take the law into their own hands to achieve what is popularly considered to be a just and fair result, he concluded that the weight of the arguments against criminalization was superior. Criminalization would reinforce the social stigmatization of those accused, and such a prohibition of witchcraft might be socially perceived as providing legitimacy to the killing and ill-treatment of alleged witches. In addition, the very subjective nature of witchcraft, illustrated by the difficulty of finding a clear definition of the concept and the impossibility of identifying objective factors as evidence to be weighed in a court of law were sufficient bases on which to conclude that acts of witchcraft as such should not be criminalized. This does not mean that criminal action becomes legitimate when committed for witchcraft purposes, but rather that a licit action should not be considered a criminal act because it is conducted for witchcraft purposes. Objective criminal acts should be prosecuted, regardless of their (mere or inextricable) link to witchcraft.
- Body
- Independent Expert on the enjoyment of human rights by persons with albinism
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Violence
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Witchcraft and the human rights of persons with albinism 2017, para. 68
- Paragraph text
- The repeal of the Sorcery Act followed a nationwide consultation and review by the Constitutional Law Reform Commission. The Commission found that the law, although rarely used, contained various contradictions and inconsistencies, and was difficult to enforce. The Commission also found that the Act used ambiguous terminology. For example, it referred to the difference between "innocent" and "forbidden" sorcery, but did not clearly specify what those acts constituted. The Commission also reflected on the technical difficulty of identifying the consequences of sorcery in a court procedure and on linking sorcery to a given consequence, as it was practically impossible to provide evidence that would prove its use. Further, the Commission found that the Act focused principally on the sorcerer as the perpetrator and did not adequately address violence perpetrated against persons accused of sorcery or of being a sorcerer. The Commission also found that the existence of the Act itself could perpetuate belief in sorcery as a means of harming or killing another person. Finally, the Commission found that sorcery as such was not a matter falling under the jurisdiction of courts and tribunals, but was to be dealt with by religious and spiritual leaders. However, any violence related to witchcraft, including murders and attacks, was a criminal offence that should be treated as such by the courts and tribunals (see A/HRC/23/49/Add.2, paras. 64-66).
- Body
- Independent Expert on the enjoyment of human rights by persons with albinism
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Violence
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Witchcraft and the human rights of persons with albinism 2017, para. 93
- Paragraph text
- Meanwhile, strategies such as action plans designed to address witchcraft and attacks against persons with albinism should encompass a variety of measures, inter alia, to reinforce the existing legal framework, enhance the protection of persons with albinism, ensure awareness-raising and strengthen research and data collection.
- Body
- Independent Expert on the enjoyment of human rights by persons with albinism
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Violence
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Witchcraft and the human rights of persons with albinism 2017, para. 77
- Paragraph text
- Attacks against persons with albinism are characterized by the hacking off of body parts. This appears to be the primary purpose of a majority of attacks. Body parts such as limbs are removed from the body and transported to alleged witchdoctors for the purpose of concocting muti or juju medicines and potions.
- Body
- Independent Expert on the enjoyment of human rights by persons with albinism
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Harmful Practices
- Health
- Violence
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Diversity in humanity, humanity in diversity 2017, para. 17
- Paragraph text
- The entry point for the mandate holder is action against violence and discrimination. This is based on existing international human rights law and its interrelationship with sexual orientation and gender identity; there is no advocacy of new rights for particular groups.
- Body
- Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Gender
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Violence
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Witchcraft and the human rights of persons with albinism 2017, para. 20
- Paragraph text
- In a 2011 report, HelpAge International reviewed legislation adopted to address accusations of witchcraft and related violence in nine countries and came to similar conclusions. One of the key findings of the study was the difficulty, both nationally and regionally, encountered by these countries in defining witchcraft.
- Body
- Independent Expert on the enjoyment of human rights by persons with albinism
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Violence
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Witchcraft and the human rights of persons with albinism 2017, para. 35
- Paragraph text
- Philip Alston has noted that reports from a surprisingly large number of countries in different regions of the world indicate that the intentional killing of individuals labelled as witches remains a significant and very troubling phenomenon; such killings are by no means a practice of the past.
- Body
- Independent Expert on the enjoyment of human rights by persons with albinism
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Violence
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Witchcraft and the human rights of persons with albinism 2017, para. 60
- Paragraph text
- Action plans and policies that are currently being used and developed in countries such as Malawi and Mozambique to address attacks against persons with albinism include tools for addressing the root causes of attacks, including witchcraft.
- Body
- Independent Expert on the enjoyment of human rights by persons with albinism
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Violence
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Witchcraft and the human rights of persons with albinism 2017, para. 96
- Paragraph text
- Further, in addressing the issue of attacks against persons with albinism, all initiatives are best taken using a dual or twin-track approach. Such an approach would, on the one hand, urgently deal with attacks and trafficking of body parts for muti and juju; on the other hand, measures employed should go beyond the emergency of attacks, inter alia, to address root causes of attacks including, and particularly, harmful practices linked to witchcraft.
- Body
- Independent Expert on the enjoyment of human rights by persons with albinism
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Harmful Practices
- Violence
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Study on illegal adoptions 2017, para. 92
- Paragraph text
- States have been reluctant to react adequately to illegal adoptions. The lack of accountability and redress for victims of illegal adoptions, in part due to a lack of comprehensive national legislation criminalizing illegal adoption as a separate offence, is a major concern. In addition, investigations and prosecutions are rarely targeted at criminal structures involved in the commission of systematic illegal adoptions, often with State complicity. Sanctions for acts related to illegal adoptions rarely reflect the gravity of the crimes.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the sale and sexual exploitation of children, including child prostitution, child pornography and other child sexual abuse material
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Movement
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Violence
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph