law – Career Meaning

Explainer: What is international humanitarian law?

But, what exactly are the rules of war and what happens when they are broken? To find out more about international humanitarian law, known by its acronym IHL, UN News spoke with Eric Mongelard at the UN human rights office, OHCHR. Here’s what you need to know: Rules of war International humanitarian law is as…

On UNGA margins, world leaders bolster bedrock of international law

Heads of State, Foreign Ministers, and other top representatives are converging to endorse multilateral treaties which form the bedrock of international legal frameworks. “Multilateral treaties are essential tools for Member States to achieve the objectives of the UN Charter,” emphasized David Nanopoulos, Chief of the Treaty Section at the UN Office for Legal Affairs (OLA).…

Iran: Draft hijab law tantamount to ‘gender apartheid’ say rights experts

“The draft law could be described as a form of gender apartheid, as authorities appear to be governing through systemic discrimination with the intention of suppressing women and girls into total submission,” the independent experts said. They stressed that the proposed parliamentary Bill to Support the Family by Promoting the Culture of Chastity and Hijab…

Draft NY state law a ‘golden opportunity’ to ensure fair debt relief

Olivier de Schutter, Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, and Attiya Waris, Independent Expert on foreign debt and human rights, have welcomed the proposed New York Taxpayer and International Debt Crises Prevention Act, which is currently under discussion. They urged lawmakers to adopt the draft bill, which compels private creditors to participate in…

Uganda: Guterres voices deep concern as Anti-Homosexuality Act signed into law

The draconian law foresees the application of the death penalty and long prison sentences for consensual sex between adults. Non-discrimination principle Mr. Guterres called on Uganda to fully respect its international human rights obligations, “in particular the principle of non-discrimination and the respect for personal privacy”, irrespective of sexual orientation and gender identity. He also…

New UK law curtails key civil and political rights: UN rights chief

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, called the Public Order Bill “deeply troubling legislation”, after it completed its passage through parliament on Wednesday. “It is especially worrying that the law expands the powers of the police to stop and search individuals, including without suspicion; defines some of the new criminal offences in a…

Rule of law stands between peace and ‘brutal struggle for power’ – Guterres

“From the smallest village to the global stage, the rule of law (ROL) is all that stands between peace and stability, and a brutal struggle for power and resources”, he said, arguing that it protects the vulnerable; prevents discrimination; bolsters trust in institutions; supports inclusive economies and societies; and is the first line of defence…

Honduras: new internal displacement law ‘much-needed step’ towards restoring hope and dignity

The action taken by the National Congress will help with the more than 247,000 Hondurans who have been displaced by violence, 55 per cent of whom are women and 43 per cent children and adolescents. “This law on internal displacement is a much-needed step towards restoring their dignity, hope and rights,” said UN High Commissioner…

With ocean in ‘dire straits’, Law of the Sea more relevant than ever

“The ocean is life. The ocean is livelihoods and the ocean binds humanity together across history and cultures”, said the Secretary-General, at a major General Assembly meeting marking the 40th anniversary of the adoption of the Convention. He highlighted the breadth of the accord, spanning from “the air we breathe, to the atmosphere that sustains all life, to…

Ukraine: Missile strikes, summary executions highlight importance of international law

“Millions are being plunged into extreme hardship and appalling conditions of life by these strikes”, he said. “Taken as a whole, this raises serious problems under international humanitarian law, which requires a concrete and direct military advantage for each object attacked”. Racking up casualties According to the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU),…