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
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News and Updates

Report 2012: No longer business as usual for tyranny and injustice

24 May 2012

Amnesty International releases its flagship yearly report documenting the state of the world's human rights.

Civilians must be protected amid escalating violence in eastern DRC

2 May 2012

Violent clashes in the North Kivu region of DR Congo have caused at least three deaths and prompted thousands of civilians to flee the area.

Detained Syrian human rights defenders report torture

27 April 2012

Concern is growing for three human rights defenders being held at a military base near Damascus, amid reports they may be facing ongoing torture.

Human rights in Guatemala under scrutiny by UN

16 March 2012

Serious concerns remain in Guatemala as the UN Human Rights Committee is due to evaluate the country's human rights performance.

Arms trade talks: Political chess games at UN risk millions of lives

17 February 2012

A small group of countries wants to effectively secure a veto over any global Arms Trade Treaty, while others are attempting to water down human rights safeguards.

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.