El Salvador: UN panel voices concern at arbitrary detention, prison overcrowding

A United Nations expert human rights panel has voiced concern about the right to security impinging on the right to be free from arbitrary detention in El Salvador, as well as extreme overcrowding in prisons and police facilities in the Central American nation.

Haiti: UN welcomes ratification of pact on economic and social rights

The United Nations peacekeeping force in Haiti (MINUSTAH) welcomed today the ratification by the Government of a pact on economic, social and cultural rights.

Former Haitian leader must face charges for human rights violations - UN expert

Former Haitian leader Jean-Claude Duvalier must face charges for human rights violations that occurred during his presidency, an independent United Nations rights expert said today, adding that failing to do so would represent a failure in the country’s judicial reform process.

Threatened by climate change, glaciers now under attack from ice thieves - UN

Criminal gangs are becoming a threat to the world’s glaciers, which are already receding as a result of climate change, the United Nations said today, citing a case in Chile where police are investigating the theft of some 5,000 kilograms of millennia-old ice from the Jorge Montt glacier.

Former Haitian leader must face charges for human rights abuses, says UN

The United Nations today voiced its concern at reports that former Haitian President Jean-Claude Duvalier may not face charges relating to the serious human rights violations that took place during his 15-year rule, while stressing that justice must be ensured for the victims.

Independent UN expert calls on Brazil to suspend São Paulo evictions

An independent United Nations human rights expert today urged Brazilian authorities to suspend evictions from the Pinheirinho settlement in São Paulo and find durable solutions with residents.

Haiti: UN opens probe into cases of alleged child sexual exploitation

The United Nations announced today that it is investigating two cases of sexual exploitation of children allegedly committed by its police personnel in Haiti.

UN rights chief speaks out against US failure to close Guantanamo detention facility

The United Nations human rights chief today spoke out against the failure by the United States to close the Guantanamo Bay detention facility and to ensure accountability for serious violations - including torture - that took place there.

El Salvador must address social inequality to consolidate its peace process - Ban

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called today on El Salvador to address its socio-economic inequalities and advance rule of law reform to ensure its citizens can experience positive and tangible results from the peace process that was initiated 20 years ago at the end of its civil war.

Guatemala ratifies UN-backed treaty banning nuclear tests

Guatemala has ratified the United Nations-backed international treaty banning nuclear tests, bringing the number of State parties to 156.