#StandUp4HumanRights
It’s been 70 years since the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was proclaimed by the United Nations. It is a landmark document that sets out fundamental human rights to be universally protected – from freedom of expression, to the presumption of innocence, … Continue reading →
Coventry Women’s Day 2017
For International Women’s Day 2017, the International Women’s Day website are asking people to “take groundbreaking action that truly drives the greatest change for women. “With women, men and non-binary people joining forces, each one of us can be a … Continue reading →
Declaration of the Rights of the Child
Adopted by UN General Assembly Resolution 1386 (XIV) of 10 December 1959 WHEREAS the peoples of the United Nations have, in the Charter, reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights and in the dignity and worth of the human … Continue reading →
Educational Resources
Human Rights Education In 2008, the United Nations initiated a year of human rights learning to mark the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In the UK, UNA-UK teamed up with UNESCO Associated Schools to produce materials … Continue reading →
Female Gential Mutilation (FGM)
Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a practice that involves altering or injuring the female genitalia for non-medical reasons, and it is internationally recognized as a human rights violation. Globally, it is estimated that 200 million girls and women alive today … Continue reading →
Gender Action for Peace and Security (GAPS)
Gender Action for Peace and Security (GAPS) is the UK’s only Women, Peace and Security civil society network. We are a membership organisation of 17 NGOs and experts in the field of development, human rights, humanitarian and peacebuilding. We were founded to … Continue reading →
Human Rights after Brexit
While most EU laws will be copied and pasted into UK law after Brexit (as stated in the EU Withdrawal Bill) there is one piece of legislation which will almost certainly not be included: the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. The Charter … Continue reading →
Human Rights and Sustainable Development – Videos of Mary Robinson’s Speeches
On 9 October 2018 she had made the following remarks highlighting the enduring relevance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in protecting the vulnerable against the effects of climate change as the UN marked the 70th Anniversary of the … Continue reading →
Human Rights Council
The Human Rights Council (UNHRC) is an inter-governmental body within the United Nations system responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights around the globe and for addressing situations of human rights violations and make recommendations on them. … Continue reading →
Human Rights in Action Application
Applications for this programme closed on 27 January 2019. The United Nations Association Coventry Branch are searching for a young person who is highly committed to human rights and is driven, creative, and well-organized. You will represent UNA Coventry on … Continue reading →
Human Rights in Action Selection Process
A selection panel are currently reviewing applications by young people who want to represent UNA Coventry on the Human Rights in Action program 2019. We were delighted to receive 9 applications from young people who live in or near Coventry … Continue reading →
Human Rights In Action Training Program
Note the following refers to the 2018 programme. Details of the 2019 programme have yet to be announced. Do you firmly believe that all human beings were born equal? Are you committed to assisting the international community in ensuring … Continue reading →
Human Rights up Front (HRuF)
The Human Rights up Front (HRuF) initiative was launched by the UN Secretary-General in late 2013. Its purpose is to ensure the UN system takes early and effective action, as mandated by the Charter and UN resolutions, to prevent or … Continue reading →
International Women’s Day 2016
International Women’s Day (held annually on March 8) is a time to reflect on progress made, to call for change and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in the history … Continue reading →
Kids Global Human Rights Art Competition
What do human rights mean to you? And why should they be respected and defended? If you are between 10 and 14 years old, express yourself by taking part in this global art competition to celebrate the 70th anniversary of … Continue reading →
New Human Rights Flag
Chinese artist and activist Ai Weiwei has designed a light blue flagwith a white footprint, to raise awareness about the importance of human rights. Designed to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the pale blue flag has a footprint … Continue reading →
OHCHR
The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) spearheads the United Nations’ human rights efforts. We offer leadership, work objectively, educate and take action to empower individuals and assist States in upholding human rights. Its goal is to … Continue reading →
Parliamentarians scrutinise UK’s human rights record ahead of UN review
The following article was published by UNA-UK on 3 April 2017 UNA-UK co-organised a parliamentary meeting on 27 March, examining whether the UK has lived up to its commitments on human rights ahead of a review by the United Nations next month. … Continue reading →
Rights of the Child
Declaration of the Rights of the Child The first Declaration of the Rights of the Child, sometimes known as the Geneva Declaration of the Rights of the Child, was an international document promoting child rights adopted by the League of Nations in … Continue reading →
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is a milestone document in the history of human rights. Drafted by representatives with different legal and cultural backgrounds from all regions of the world, the Declaration was proclaimed by the United Nations … Continue reading →
UN Human Rights Council Criticises “Prevent”
In his report submitted to the UN Human Rights Council in June 2017 regarding the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Special Rapporteur Maina Kiai criticised the “Prevent” strategy as … Continue reading →
UNHCR
Interview with António Guterres António Guterres, who served as UN High Commissioner for Refugees from June 2005 to December 2015, reflects on the dramatic acceleration of displacement around the world and calls for a surge in diplomacy for peace in … Continue reading →
Update on Campaign to find best UN Human Rights Commissioner
The new High Commissioner for Human Rights will begin their work on 1 September. UNA-UK are campaigning to find the best person for the job. Here is an update on their progress. The Job Description. Selection criteria for UN High … Continue reading →
What Rights Do Refugees Have?
Who is a Refugee? A refugee is a person who “owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality, … Continue reading →
Women, Peace and Security Agenda
This programme is organised by Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF). WILPF believes there are particular gendered dimensions to violence that have a disproportionate and differing impact on women. Although women are often active agents in peace and … Continue reading →
Women’s Day Resources
The following resources might be useful for anyone planning an event on International Women’s Day 8 March. United Nations Women’s Day Website www.un.org/en/events/womensday/ International Women’s Day Main Website International Women’s Day celebrates the social, economic, cultural and political achievement of … Continue reading →
Women’s Day Video 2016
Below is the speech by UN Women Goodwill Ambassador Emma Watson entitled “HeForShe” on International Women’s Day 2016. … Continue reading →
Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF)
More than 1200 delegates from 12 countries attended the International Congress of Women in the Hague in 1915, also known as the Women’s Peace Congress or just The Hague Congress, aimed at proposing how to end the First World War through negotiation. Two participants, Jane Addams and Emily Greene Balch, … Continue reading →
Yemen – The world’s biggest but forgotten humanitarian crisis
The UN’s Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mark Lowcock, writes: More than three years since the escalation of the armed conflict, civilians continue to suffer horribly in Yemen. More than 22 million people — or three quarters of the … Continue reading →