United Nations

Campaigning to put human rights at the heart of the United Nations

Human rights diplomacy is everybody’s business. Make your voice count at the UN: join Amnesty International’s UN campaigns!

The UN is essential to ensuring accountability by member states for their human rights obligations and commitments. The UN is also a key platform for the development of international human rights laws and standards.

Amnesty International campaigns to put human rights violations on the UN agenda and makes recommendations for action by member states and UN institutions to protect human rights in all countries. Amnesty International also works to strengthen the effectiveness of the UN human rights machinery.

News and Updates
Appeals for action
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Blog

News and Updates

Message from the front line: Adopt a strong arms treaty ‘before millions more die’

6 March 2013

No one knows the global arms trade’s devastating effects more vividly than those who live and work on the front lines of armed conflict and in areas ravaged by small arms violence.

New route to justice for poorest being denied to millions

5 February 2013

Uruguay today provided the crucial 10th ratification of a new UN Protocol which will allow individuals and groups to seek justice if their rights are trampled on.

Dozens of UN members urge immediate ICC referral of ‘desperate’ situation in Syria

14 January 2013

The UN Security Council must immediately refer the situation in Syria to the Prosecutor of the ICC in line with a request made this morning by dozens of UN member states

Armed intervention in Mali risks worsening the crisis

21 December 2012

The newly-approved international armed intervention is likely to increase the scale of human rights violations already happening.

Palestine UN status upgrade should open door to justice

30 November 2012

The vote at the UN General Assembly in New York on Thursday was decided by 138 votes in favour, 41 abstentions, and 9 against.

Appeals for action

Call for governments to sign up to defend economic, social and cultural rights

13 August 2009

Hunger, homelessness and preventable diseases are not inevitable social problems or simply the result of natural disasters – they are a violation of people’s economic, social and cultural rights.