To pay tribute to those who have disappeared, as well to their families and friends, the United Nations proclaimed 30 August as the UN International Day of the Disappeared.

“The deterioration of the overall security situation in North Kivu following the M23 mutiny and related ruthless attacks against civilians is extremely alarming,” said Special Representative for the UN Secretary-General (SRSG) Roger Meece.

An alarming number of women living with HIV around the world are still subjected to forced and coerced sterilization or abortion because of their HIV status.

Experts’ panel at the United Nations in Geneva discuss historical, cultural and legal aspects of the promotion and protection human rights in a multicultural context.

A memorial ceremony is held at the UN Human Rights office in Geneva to honour colleagues who lost their lives in the line of duty.

Despite UN and civil society efforts to strengthen the safety of journalists covering conflict, their job remains dangerous.

“The right to language and education for all should be guaranteed,” says Husam Abdullah Ali, a 28-year-old human rights activist who participated in the UN Human Rights office Minorities Fellowship Programme in Geneva.

Globally the prevalence of different manifestations of killings targeting women is increasing and a lack of accountability for such crimes remains a concern.