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 reports

News and reports

EU and India must work together at UN to protect human rights

5 November 2009

The European Union and India should work together at the United Nations to protect human rights in places of crisis, Amnesty International has said in a letter ahead of the EU India summit in New Delhi.
The rubble of the American School in Gaza, 19 January 2009

UN General Assembly must end war crimes whitewash

3 November 2009

Judge Richard Goldstone's report on war crimes committed in Gaza and southern Israel is to be debated by the General Assembly this week. Amnesty International has urged the UN to grasp the opportunity to address accountability.

World's biggest arms traders promise global arms treaty

30 October 2009

The vast majority of governments – 153 in total - agreed a timetable to establish a "strong and robust" Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) at the United Nations on Friday.
Barack Obama speaking in Mexico City on Friday, 17 April

Obama should follow UN lead on Cuba embargo

29 October 2009

In a record vote of the UN General Assembly, 187 countries said the US should end its embargo against Cuba
An Italian customs officer in the port of Gioia Tauro inspects a container after more than 8,000 Kalashnikovs were seized

Photo exhibition promotes Arms Trade Treaty at the UN

30 October 2009

A photo exhibition compiled and staged at the UN by the Control Arms Campaign aims to influence negotiations for an effective International Arms Trade Treaty.

Actions

Actions

Artwork by Aishah, aged 13, daughter of disappeared Masood Janjua, taken during a bus trip to Peshawar, Pakistan, 30 July 2005

Seven more ratifications needed for Enforced Disappearance Convention to enter into force

28 August 2009

Governments use enforced disappearance as a tool of repression to silence dissent and eliminate political opposition, as well as to persecute ethnic, religious and political groups. Seven more countries need to commit to the UN's Convention on Enforced Disappearance for it to come into force.
Kibera slum in Kenya

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.
A wrecked classroom in Gaza, 19 January 2009

Time for accountability for human rights abuses in Gaza and southern Israel

17 February 2009

With fragile ceasefires now in place in Gaza and southern Israel, the full extent of the devastation caused in the recent conflict is becoming increasingly clear.
A wrecked classroom in Gaza, 19 January 2009

Time for accountability in Gaza and southern Israel

26 January 2009

With fragile ceasefires now in place in Gaza and southern Israel, the full extent of the devastation caused in recent weeks is becoming increasingly clear.
United Nations assembly during the opening of the second session of the Human Rights Council, Geneva, Switzerland

Pressure is on to elect strong and effective Human Rights Council

30 April 2008

The UN General Assembly will elect, in direct and individual elections and by secret ballot, 15 new members of the Human Rights Council on 21 May 2008.

Press Release

Press Release

World's Biggest Arms Traders Promise Global Arms Treaty

30 October 2009

Today at the United Nation years of discussions and debates, the vast majority of governments – 153 in total - agreed a timetable to establish a "strong and robust" Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) with the "highest common standards" to control international transfers of conventional arms. There is currently no global Treaty on the conventional arms trade.

Israel/Occupied Palestinian Territories: Human Rights Council divisions must not obstruct Gaza accountability

16 October 2009

The political divisions surrounding the adoption of today’s Human Rights Council resolution on the human rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories must not become an obstacle to investigations into serious violations of international law reported during the conflict in Gaza and southern Israel, Amnesty International said.

US joins Arms Trade Treaty talks, but at high price

14 October 2009

Today's announcement by the US government at the United Nations of its support for beginning negotiations on the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) was welcomed by Oxfam International and Amnesty International. But the two international organisations also warned that Washington’s support comes at a very high price.

Israel/Occupied Palestinian Territories: UN must act now on Goldstone report

2 October 2009

As the Human Rights Council closes this week’s discussions on the Goldstone report, Amnesty International calls for the UN Secretary-General to refer the report to the UN Security Council without delay.

Israel-Gaza: Implementation of UN Fact finding mission recommendations crucial for justice

15 September 2009

All relevant UN bodies must act promptly and in coordination to implement the recommendations of the UN-mandated Goldstone report on violations of international law committed in Gaza and southern Israel in late December and January, Amnesty International said today.