GENEVA (24 November 2023) – The international community must redouble its efforts to ensure the full protection of women and girls in times of armed conflict, UN experts* said today. In advance of the...

NEW YORK (31 October 2023) – The United Nations and the international community have failed to focus efforts where they are most needed: on preventing conflict and ensuring equal protection of the...

GENEVA (12 October 2023) – UN independent experts* today unequivocally condemned targeted and deadly violence directed at civilians in Israel and violent and indiscriminate attacks against Palestinian...

GENEVA (6 October 2023) – The UN Special Rapporteur on minority issues, Fernand de Varennes, will visit Tajikistan from 9 to 20 October 2023. During his visit, the expert will examine legislation...

GENEVA (26 September 2023) – UN experts* today expressed grave concern over allegations of a significant expansion of Xinjiang's State-run boarding school system, which fails to provide education in...

GENEVA (20 September 2023) – The serious adverse impacts of the unsound management of chemicals and wastes are fuelling an unprecedented global toxic emergency, UN experts* said today. On the occasion...

GENEVA (19 September 2023) – Iran has escalated its crackdown on dissent to prevent public commemoration of Jina Mahsa Amini’s death in police custody last year, UN experts* warned today, after...

GENEVA (12 September 2023) – UN human rights experts* today called for an urgent change of course to accelerate progress to achieve the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals as world...

GENEVA (4 September 2023) – UN experts* today raised the alarm about reports of serious human rights violations and abuses in the Northeast State of Manipur in India, including alleged acts of sexual...

In the present report, the Special Rapporteur on minority issues, Fernand de Varennes, provides a summary at the end of his six years at the helm of the United Nations mandate on minority issues. In the report, he highlights noteworthy accomplishments and developments, but also the daunting global challenges related to promoting and protecting the human rights of minorities. He also summarizes his country visits, communications and other mandate-related activities during the period 2022–2023.