Tag: United Nations

To strengthen digital security for human rights defenders, behavior matters

May 27, 2017

Published 9 May 2017 as part of the Data and Human Rights discussion at Open Global Rights, here. Most conversation about digital security for human rights defenders (HRDs) tends to focus on privacy and data protection. This is necessary, but what good is a strong passphrase or Virtual Private Network (VPN) when you are at risk … More To strengthen digital security for human rights defenders, behavior matters

Donald Trump’s proposal to slash UN funding: a threat to international peace and security

March 27, 2017

Published on 24 March 2017 at Open Democracy, here. On April first the United States assumes the rotating monthly presidency of the United Nations Security Council amid widespread alarm over talk from US President Donald Trump that his government is considering drastically reducing its financial contributions and involvement in the UN. This could pose a … More Donald Trump’s proposal to slash UN funding: a threat to international peace and security

Campaigning for a Woman UN Secretary-General: A Conversation With Shazia Rafi

May 29, 2016

I spoke with Shazia Rafi of the The Campaign to Elect a Woman UN Secretary-General, about the selection of a woman Secretary-General to take over for Ban Ki Moon. Below is the interview, originally published at the Fletcher Forum of World Affairs on 16 May. — Before joining The Campaign Rafi served as Secretary-General of Parliamentarians … More Campaigning for a Woman UN Secretary-General: A Conversation With Shazia Rafi

Taiwan: Can Tsai Ing-Wen Change the Politics of Death?

April 23, 2016

This article was originally published at the Diplomat on February 10, 2016. Following Tsai Ing-wen’s electoral victory last month, KMT lawmakers have been challenging Ms. Ing-wen, who will be inaugurated as Taiwan’s first female president on 20 May, and her Democratic Peoples Party on several issues. Among them, Ms. Ing-wen has been demanded to reveal … More Taiwan: Can Tsai Ing-Wen Change the Politics of Death?

In China: Rightful Resistance and the UN Human Rights Council

December 10, 2013

This article was originally published under the headline Internationalizing rights-based resistance in China: the UN Human Rights Council and the citizen at openDemocracy.net on 15 November 2013. But in light of today, UN Human Rights Day, it seems appropriate to share again. — On the morning of 22 October, special envoy Wu Hailong led Beijing’s … More In China: Rightful Resistance and the UN Human Rights Council

Fundamental Rights

September 7, 2013

The following list of fundamental human rights is taken from Jack Donnelly‘s book International Human Rights, 2007 p. 7. This compilation of fundamental rights is based on the key articles and substance of the three documents that make up what has become known as the International Bill of Human Rights. Namely, these are the Universal Declaration … More Fundamental Rights

The US and China on International Human Rights Instruments

August 2, 2013

China and the United States met on 30 and 31 July in the capital of Yunnan Province, Kunming, affectionately known as the city of eternal Spring, to hold the 18th US – China Human Rights Dialogue. The US press statement noted, ‘The Human Rights Dialogue provides an important opportunity to elaborate on our concerns about … More The US and China on International Human Rights Instruments