United Nations
UN General Assembly

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

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.

Fight against Female Genital Mutilation wins UN backing

26 November 2012

The UN General Assembly’s human rights committee has given a major boost to civil society organizations fighting for an end to FGM.

UN: Global Arms Trade Treaty a step closer after resounding vote

7 November 2012

An overwhelming 157 UN member states have voted in favour of finalizing the global Arms Trade Treaty next March.

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.

Video and Audio

Video: The Price of Silence global musical mosaic

10 December 2008

The Price of Silence is a global musical mosaic that powerfully delivers on the message that human rights begin at home and that people world-wide are united in figh

Video: Sixty years of human rights failure

27 May 2008

Amnesty International has challenged world leaders to apologize for six decades of human rights failure and re-commit themselves to deliver concrete improvements.

Video: How things could change

24 October 2008

How things could change if those who suffered violations of their Economic, Social and Cultural rights could get redress.