The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is a proclamation by the United Nations (proclaimed December 10, 1948) intended to create a worldwide benchmark for Human Rights by laying out every right and freedom a person is inherently entitled to – regardless of race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth, or any other status.
Posts Tagged ‘United Nations’
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is…
Wednesday, October 6th, 2010Report On Congo Conflict Identifies Neighbors As Villians
Friday, October 1st, 2010In one of the world’s most violent and tragic conflicts, it appears that no one’s hands are clean.
- The UN just released a controversial report about the conflict in Congo from 1993 – 2003, and the picture it paints of certain foreign governments is causing political conflict.
- The report accuses several African nations of committing serious crimes during the conflict. Rwanda in particular has expressed outrage that its military forces were accused of committing genocide.
- In response, Rwanda and Uganda have both threatened to remove their peacekeeping forces from neighboring countries like Darfur and Somalia, where they are helping to maintain order.
Facts & Figures
The report accuses several nations of committing war crimes with their military forces:
- Uganda – torturing civilians
- Rwanda – hunting down refugees
- Angola – raping women, looting hospitals
- Zimbabwe – conducting deadly air raids
- Chad – setting fire to homes
Best Quote
“The systematic and widespread attacks described in this report reveal a number of damning elements that, if proven before a competent court, could be classified as crimes of genocide.” – Excerpt from the 566-page report issued by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
Pakistan Still Suffering From Flood
Thursday, August 19th, 2010Despite international aid, the flood in Pakistan continues to take an enormous toll on the country.
- Though the flood began to recede in parts of Pakistan the waters were still rising in the southern Sindh Province.
- The United Nations announced that the situation in Pakistan remains very serious and that growing numbers of people need shelter, food and drinking water.
- American officials worry that the floods will strengthen the position of Islamic extremists.
- A recent conference in Islamabad discussed that the current relief operations were not sufficient to cope with the millions of people in need of immediate care.
Facts & Figures
- The World Health Organization said 200 cases of skin infections had been reported across Pakistan, as well as more than 200 cases of diarrhea and more than 300 cases of respiratory diseases.
- The United Nations raised the number people left homeless by the floods to 4.6 million.
- Senator John Kerry said the United States would increase its flood aid to $150 million.
Best Quote
“People are using boats and tubes to supply food to their families. Our children are in very miserable conditions and we have to take every risk for them.” – Hafiz Basher, flood victim.