The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, established by the United Nations Human Rights Council, has released a comprehensive report detailing the extensive human rights violations and war crimes committed by Russian authorities during the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The report sheds light on the widespread use of torture, wilful killings, sexual violence, and the alarming issue of children being kidnapped and transferred from Ukraine to Russia.

In a recent statement, Javaid Rehman, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran, has brought attention to the ongoing human rights issues in the country. Rehman’s work focuses on investigating and reporting on the state of human rights in Iran, and his latest findings paint a concerning picture.

Attention Required: Drone Attacks on Amhara and Escalating Humanitarian Crisis

CAP LC’s statement highlights the longstanding issue of marginalization and conflict experienced by various ethnic groups in Ethiopia, with a particular focus on the recent alleged massacre of civilians in the Amhara region. The organization reports on the Ethiopian government’s use of drone strikes in the region following the declaration of a state of emergency in August 2023, resulting in numerous civilian casualties.

Ethiopia’s Amhara region has been the target of over 100 drone attacks from August 2023 to January 2024. These attacks, acknowledged by Ethiopian Defence Chief FM Berhahu Jula, have resulted in significant civilian casualties and infrastructure damage. The use of drones, reportedly sponsored by the UAE and originating from various countries, including Turkey, Iran, and China, has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in the region. The attacks have targeted civilian areas, including residences, schools, hospitals, marketplaces, and religious sites, resulting in the tragic loss of hundreds of innocent lives and widespread injuries. Despite Ethiopia’s international commitments to protect civilians during times of conflict, the government’s actions have blatantly violated these agreements and exacerbated the already dire situation in the Amhara region.

The report includes Germany’s responses to various human rights challenges, including efforts to combat racism, antisemitism, and discrimination, as well as measures to protect the rights of LGBTIQ+ persons, migrants, and other vulnerable groups.

The written statement submitted to the Human Rights Council by Coordination des Associations et des Particuliers pour la Liberté de Conscience highlights the issue of discrimination against religious and spiritual groups through the misuse of tax laws in several countries. It points out that tax exemptions, which should be universally available to such groups, are instead used as tools of discrimination, particularly against movements deemed unpopular or labeled as “cults.” The statement references specific instances in France and Japan where religious groups faced such discrimination.

“The children have told their father that they no longer wish to eat pork, presumably having adopted the Jewish religion, Jewish religion with their mother, and that they perform ablutions and recite prayers in Arabic, in Arabic during visits to their mother’s home.”

At a time when the fabric of global society is increasingly strained by divisions, the report on hatred based on religion or belief by Nazila Ghanea, the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, emerges as a beacon of insight and guidance. This comprehensive document, to be presented at the 55th session of the Human Rights Council, not only examines the diverse manifestations of religious hatred, but also proposes a way forward for nations and societies grappling with this pervasive problem.

Discrimination against Young Cleaners, Caretakers, Educators, Marketers, Engineers, Architects, Printers and Others Who Are Believers of Scientology, in Bavaria, Germany

[Minghui.com, February 8, 2024] (Reported by Minghui Swiss Correspondent Station) On January 22, 2024, two non-governmental organizations – the European “CAP Freedom of Conscience” and “Doctors International” The Organization Against Forced Organ Harvesting (DAFOH) held a briefing on the Chinese Communist Party’s persecution of Falun Gong and organ harvesting from Falun Gong practitioners at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland.

[Voice of Hope January 26, 2024] (reported by our reporter Wen Simin) The 45th session of the fourth round of the Universal Periodic Review (Universal Periodic Review) of the United Nations Human Rights Council was held on January 22. It begins at the Palais des Nations (Palais des Nations) in Geneva, the European headquarters of the United Nations. The day before the review of human rights in China, a conference titled “China’s Deprivation of Universal Human Rights “, focusing on the persecution of Falun Gong and organ harvesting from living persons, was also held at the Palais des Nations . On the 22nd and 23rd, some Falun Gong practitioners from the Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, France, the German-speaking and French-speaking areas of Switzerland held truth-clarification activities at the Place des Nations opposite the Palais des Nations.

The day before the United Nations Human Rights Council held the fourth round of the Universal Periodic Review ( UPR ) of human rights in China, a non-governmental organization with United Nations consultative status – “Association for Freedom of Conscience and Individual Collaboration” (French abbreviation CAP LC) organized , together with the organization “Doctors Against Forced Organ Harvesting ” (DAFOH), held an information meeting titled “China’s Deprivation of Universal Human Rights ” on January 22, specifically focusing on the ongoing persecution of Falun Gong practitioners and organ harvesting. question.

The Coordination of associations and individuals for Freedom of Conscience (CAP LC in French), a non-governmental organization with consultative status with the United Nations , together with Doctors Against Forced Organ Harvesting ( DAFOH ), held a meeting in On January 22, the day before the fourth round of the Universal Periodic Review ( UPR ) of China’s human rights by the United Nations Human Rights Council, a message titled “China’s Deprivation of Universal Human Rights ” was held at the United Nations Palais des Nations. Meeting.

1. This joint submission addresses the state of freedom of religion or belief and freedom of opinion and expression in Nigeria. In particular, it presents an overview of the country’s domestic legal framework and draws attention to specific concerns related to the criminalization of blasphemy. Additionally, the report examines the rise in acts of terrorism and mob violence against Christians and religious minorities, including Muslim minorities, and the related climate of impunity over the reporting period.

We are pleased to extend an invitation to you for a crucial conference addressing pressing human rights issues in China. The focus of this event revolves around the impending Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of China, with particular attention to the ongoing persecution and forced organ harvesting of Falun Gong practitioners.

The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a unique mechanism of the Human Rights Council that requires each UN Member State to undergo a peer review of its human rights record every 4.5 years. The UPR provides an opportunity for each state to regularly
Report on the measures it has taken to improve the human rights situation in its country and to address challenges to the enjoyment of human rights; and
Receive recommendations for continuous improvement from UN Member States, based on input from various stakeholders and pre-session reports.
The aim of this side-event we are organising today is to highlight points 203 and 204 of Azerbaijan’s national report on landmines.

With an estimated 26,000 people a year becoming landmine victims, this indiscriminate weaponry poses one of the most challenging threats to human life and dignity and thus affects inalienable fundamental human rights.
The UN human rights machinery has a key role in addressing the negative impact of landmines, explosive remnants of war and other improvised explosive devices on the enjoyment of human rights of mine victims in the context of humanitarian mine action. It can also be instrumental in bringing to the fore the utmost importance of providing international assistance in mine action including protection and restoration of inalienable human rights of mine victims.
The side event intends to discuss humanitarian mine actions in light of this very role of the UN human rights machinery. It also aims to raise awareness on the importance of full and effective protection of fundamental human rights when related to humanitarian mine action. Other objectives of the event include exploring effective ways to address the humanitarian, socio-economic and environmental impact of landmines, explosive remnants of war and other IEDs; highlighting the importance of international cooperation and assistance in mine action which aims at eliminating the threat posed by mine contamination to the security of States and safety of their populations, facilitating post-conflict rehabilitation, including the return of refugees and IDPs to their homes, and contributing to sustainable peace and development.

UPHOLDING UNIVERSAL COMMITMENTS:

Addressing the damaging impact of landmines on the enjoyment of human rights

Side event within the 44 session of  the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review

Room XXII, E building, Palais des Nations, Geneva  13 November 2023 / 14.30-16.00

We, together with Human Rights Without Frontiers are deeply concerned about thousands of Ukrainian children who were taken away against their will from the Ukrainian occupied territories to Russia.

We live in an era where journalism transcends boundaries and sparks positive change, and a remarkable example of this has emerged through the ground-breaking reporting by The Punjab Feed, a fresh start-up. Their insightful coverage on the Sikhs of France has ignited a wave of European solidarity for the right to turban, fostering change on an international scale.

This remarkable journey began when The Punjab Feed’s ground report shed light on the challenges faced by Sikh individuals in France due to the 2004 law prohibiting conspicuous religious symbols in state schools. The story reached the hearts of many, resonating with the fundamental principles of human rights and freedom of expression.

Geneva, Sep 29 — The United Nations Human Rights Council Friday heard a joint statement by UNITED SIKHS and CAP Freedom of Conscience, a European nonprofit, regarding Sikh turban rights in France.

Both organisations collaborated on this significant endeavour as co-signatories to the oral statement presented by CAP Freedom of Conscience in Geneva, Switzerland.

The incorporation of the France turban issue in the joint statement, representing both UNITED SIKHS and CAP Freedom of Conscience, underscores the imperative nature of addressing this matter on the international stage.

68. JS2, JS5,JS9 and JS20 expressed concerns about discrimination, persecution, and limited access to justice faced by marginalized communities.115
JS2 highlighted the  discrimination and stigma experienced by Dalits, recommending immediate action through the enactment of an Anti-discrimination Act, representation, access to social services, and addressing discrimination in education and employment. JS5 focused on the persecution  of Ahmadi Muslims and called for stronger legislative and institutional responses, protecting religious practices, ensuring access to justice, and addressing violence and discrimination.  JS9 and JS16 were concerns about the limited justice access, violent attacks, and religious intolerance affecting various religious minorities.

Thousands  of Ahmadi  Muslims  in  Germany who  have fled  severe  religious persecution in Pakistan are awaiting a decision on their asylum  applications. They   belong   to  a religiously  and  politically  persecuted   minority  – the Ahmadiyya Muslim  Community. It  is  recognized   around  the  world   by  human   rights  groups  that Ahmadi Muslims  are  constantly,  ruthlessly  persecuted.

As the case of the 101 detained members of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light in Turkey continues to gain momentum on the international level, their case is being brought  to EU government delegations at the United Nations Human  Rights Council.