KATHMANDU, Nov 25 (IPS) - Human rights defenders are alarmed at what appears to be a new process permitting countries to keep confidential their responses to UN experts about allegations of human rights abuses.

Read the full story, “Countries Hiding Responses Sent to UN Experts Over Allegations of Human Rights Abuses”, on globalissues.org →

Violence against women and girls (VAWG) is not only one of the worst forms of discrimination but also remains the most widespread and pervasive human rights violations in the world, 11 UN entities said on Friday, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

Read the full story, “Eliminate violence against women, most widespread, pervasive human rights violation”, on globalissues.org →

The latest actions by Taliban de facto authorities targeting women and girls “should be investigated as gender persecution” eleven UN-appointed independent human rights experts said on Friday.

Read the full story, “Taliban’s draconian violations against women may amount to crimes against humanity”, on globalissues.org →

Amidst recent allegations of war prisoners being summarily executed in Ukraine, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk expressed his shock on Friday over unabated human suffering as Russian missile and drone strikes against critical infrastructure continue on a broad scale.

Read the full story, “Ukraine: Missile strikes, summary executions highlight importance of international law”, on globalissues.org →

Inspector Muna Meah is a Commander in the Liberia National Police Force, and the county coordinator for the Women and Children’s Social Protection Centre in Sanniquille, north-central Liberia. For the past seven years, she has investigated cases of violence against women and children and supported survivors to access the help they need.

Read the full story, “First Person: The Liberian police inspector working to end sexual and gender-based violence”, on globalissues.org →

UNITED NATIONS, Nov 25 (IPS) - Five years ago, the global #MeToo movement brought new urgency and visibility to the extent of violence against women and girls. Millions of survivors came forward to share their experience. They forced the world to recognise a reality that shames every one of us. Their courage and voice led to a powerful collective activism and a sea-change in awareness.

Read the full story, “Push Forward Act Now to End Violence Against Women and Girls”, on globalissues.org →

SULAYMANIYAH, Iraq, Nov 25 (IPS) - It's mostly people in their twenties sitting on a terrace in the shade of a beautiful grove of trees: black clothes, piercings, tattoos and some purple streaks in their hair.

Read the full story, “LGBTI in Iraq: Defending Identity in the Face of Harassment, Stigma and Death”, on globalissues.org →