Stephanie Nebehay

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UN Rights Expert Urges North Korea To Reopen To Aid, Food

A U.N. human rights investigator called on North Korea on Monday to reopen its borders to aid workers and food imports, saying that its further self-isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic may have left many facing "hunger and starvation." .

Mar 21, 2022

People wearing protective face masks walk amid concerns over the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Pyongyang, North Korea May 15, 2020, in this photo released by Kyodo. Mandatory credit Kyodo/via REUTERS

UN Expert Urges North Korea To Dismantle Political Prison Camps

A U.N. human rights expert called on North Korea on Monday to release tens of thousands of people believed to languish in political prison camps, while urging regional and world powers to raise such issues with Pyongyang alongside nuclear concerns.

Mar 21, 2022

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko addresses the media after casting his vote during the parliamentary election in Minsk, Belarus November 17, 2019.

U.N. Calls For Release Of Political Prisoners Held In Belarus

The U.N. human rights chief said on Thursday that nearly 1,100 activists, opposition members and journalists are being detained on "politically motivated charges" in Belarus and called for their release.

Mar 17, 2022

A woman walks with a bicycle next to a building damaged during Ukraine-Russia conflict in the separatist-controlled town of Volnovakha in the Donetsk region, Ukraine March 15, 2022.

Ninety Percent Of Ukrainian Population Could Face Poverty In Protracted War - UNDP

Nine out of 10 Ukrainians could face poverty and extreme economic vulnerability if the war drags on over the next year, wiping out two decades of economic gains, the U.N.

Mar 16, 2022

The flag of Saudi Arabia flies above the Saudi Arabia embassy near the Watergate Complex in Washington, U.S., February 26, 2021.

U.S. Urges Saudis To Review Cases Of 'Prisoners Of Conscience'

The United States urged ally Saudi Arabia on Tuesday to review cases of "prisoners of conscience" and lift travel bans and other restrictions imposed on women's rights activists previously released from jail.

Mar 08, 2022

U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet attends a news conference at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, December 5, 2018.

UN Rights Boss To Visit China In May, Including Xinjiang, But Activists Demand Report

U.N. human rights chief Michelle Bachelet said on Tuesday that she has reached an agreement with China for a visit, "foreseen" in May, and that she had raised with Beijing the arrests of activists to support their freedom of expression.

Mar 08, 2022

Russian ambassador Gennady Gatilov speaks at the opening of a session of the UN Human Rights Council, following the Russian invasion in Ukraine, in Geneva, Switzerland February 28, 2022. Fabrice Coffrini/Pool via REUTERS

Tens Of Millions At Risk In Ukraine, U.N. Says

The United Nations' human rights chief said on Thursday that tens of millions of lives were at risk in Ukraine as the conflict there intensified.

Mar 03, 2022

International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) President Peter Maurer visits a children's hospital, which is under reconstruction in the rebel-controlled town of Horlivka (Gorlovka) near Donetsk, Ukraine, November 6, 2020.

Red Cross Chief 'Cautiously Positive' About Possible Prisoner Visits In Ukraine

The head of the International Committee of the Red Cross told Reuters on Tuesday that he was "cautiously positive" the ICRC would gain access to Ukrainian and Russian prisoners held in the context of the conflict.

Mar 01, 2022

Red Cross President Says He Is Optimistic About Possible POW Visits In Ukraine

The head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) told Reuters on Tuesday that he was "cautiously positive" that the aid agency would gain access to Ukrainian and Russian troops detained in the context of the conflict.

Mar 01, 2022

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks during a news conference with Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba at the State Department in Washington, U.S., February 22, 2022. Carolyn Kaster/Pool via REUTERS

Blinken Says Russian 'Crimes' Mounting By Hour In Ukraine

U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said on Tuesday that Russian "crimes" in Ukraine are mounting by the hour, with strikes hitting hospitals, schools and homes, and called for holding perpetrators accountable.

Mar 01, 2022

Ambassadors and diplomats walkout in protest against Russia's invasion of Ukraine, while Russia's foreign minister Sergei Lavrov addresses the Conference on Disarmament with a pre-recorded video message in Geneva, Switzerland, March 1, 2022. Fabrice COFFR

Western Envoys, Allies Walk Out On Lavrov Speech To UN Rights Forum

More than 100 diplomats from some 40 Western countries and allies including Japan walked out of a speech by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to the top U.N.

Mar 01, 2022

Ukraine Seeks UN Investigation Into Alleged Russia War Crimes

Ukraine and its allies on Monday called for a United Nations inquiry into possible war crimes committed by Russia during its military actions in Ukraine.

Feb 28, 2022

Swiss President Ignazio Cassis addresses a news conference after a meeting of the Swiss government Bundesrat in Bern, Switzerland February 24, 2022.

Neutral Swiss Poised To Freeze Russian Assets - President

Swiss President Ignazio Cassis said on Sunday that it was "very probable" that neutral Switzerland would follow the European Union (EU) on Monday in sanctioning Russia and freezing Russian assets in the Alpine country.

Feb 27, 2022

People flee from Ukraine at the Hungarian-Ukrainian border after Russian President Vladimir Putin authorized a military operation, in Beregsurany, Hungary, February 24, 2022.

Invasion Could Drive 5 Million Ukrainians To Flee Abroad - U.N

Fuel, cash and medical supplies are running low in parts of Ukraine after Russia's invasion, which could drive up to 5 million people to flee abroad, U.N.

Feb 25, 2022

U.N., Red Cross Call For Protecting Civilians, Vital Structures In Ukraine

Civilians and critical infrastructure such as water and power systems in Ukraine must be protected from attacks in line with the rules of war, United Nations and Red Cross officials said on Thursday as aid agencies struggled to assess damage from Russia's attack.

Feb 24, 2022