Americas

13.5.2013
Guatemala

Pillay welcomes ‘historic’ genocide conviction of former military leader

The top United Nations human rights official today welcomed the conviction of José Efraín Ríos Montt, Guatemala’s former de facto head of State, to 80 years in prison for genocide and crimes against humanity.

3.5.2013
Violence

Mexico must strengthen its protection of human rights, reduce use of military

A United Nations independent expert today urged the Mexican Government to strengthen the national structures that protect human rights, in particular the right to life, and reduce the involvement of the military in policing to reduce the use of force in the country.

23.4.2013
Guatemala

Adama Dieng calls on judges to ensure accountability for atrocities

A senior United Nations official today urged judicial authorities in Guatemala to ensure that legal proceedings continue without interference against the country’s former head of State and former head of intelligence who stand accused of atrocities committed in the Central American nation over 30 years ago.

5.4.2013
Human Rights

Pillay urges U.S. to close Guantanamo detention center

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay on Friday urged the United States government to close the Guantanamo detention center, as "the continuing indefinite incarceration of many of the detainees is in clear breach of international law."

12.3.2013
Law 348

UN welcomes new Bolivian law broadening protection of women from violence

The United Nations human rights office today welcomed a new law in Bolivia which broadens the protection of women against various forms of violence.

8.3.2013
Sovereignty

Falklanders to go for referendum

The Falkland Islands will vote in a referendum on Sunday and Monday which residents hope will send a crystal-clear message to Argentina and the world about their strong desire to stay British.

6.3.2013
Venezuela

UN chief saddened by death of President Hugo Chávez

Ban Ki-moon said he was saddened by the death of Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez, who died yesterday after struggling with cancer for almost two years.

25.2.2013
Human rights violations

UN human rights experts urge greater oversight of private security firms in Honduras

A group of United Nations independent experts back from Honduras today urged that Government to tighten oversight of the increasing number of private security companies, as well as to strengthen the judicial system to properly investigate and prosecute potential human rights violations stemming from land-rights disputes.

17.12.2012
Newtown

Ban expresses deepest condolences to Connecticut Governor

Ban Ki-moon has written to the Governor of Connecticut in the United States to express his deepest condolences at the murders which took place on Friday at an elementary school there, according to his spokesperson.

14.12.2012
Confirmation battle

Rice withdraws from consideration for Secretary of State

L'ambassadrice des Etats-Unis à l'ONU Susan Rice a renoncé à briguer le poste de secrétaire d'Etat, alors que son éventuelle nomination par le président Barack Obama avait provoqué une levée de boucliers de parlementaires républicains, a annoncé jeudi la Maison Blanche.