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 Updates

Yemen transition tainted by ‘immunity’ deal

24 November 2011

By granting immunity, Yemen's power-transfer deal delivers a hammer blow to accountability for human rights violations.

UN: States urged to act over enforced disappearances

8 November 2011

The first meeting of the UN Committee on Enforced Disappearances is taking place in Geneva from 8-11 November.

Israel ramps up settlement construction plans after Palestine UNESCO bid

3 November 2011

Government urged to halt plans to expand construction in illegal West Bank settlements and suspend the transfer of taxes to the Palestinian Authority.

UN Security Council resolution on Yemen falls short

22 October 2011

The UN Security Council's endorsement of a deal urging the Yemeni president to step down must not be interpreted as backing immunity.

Iran must acknowledge abuses before UN Committee

17 October 2011

Iran must acknowledge current and past human rights abuses during UN committee hearing.

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.

Video and Audio

Video: The Price of Silence global musical mosaic

10 December 2008

The Price of Silence is a global musical mosaic that powerfully delivers on the message that human rights begin at home and that people world-wide are united in figh

Video: Sixty years of human rights failure

27 May 2008

Amnesty International has challenged world leaders to apologize for six decades of human rights failure and re-commit themselves to deliver concrete improvements.

Video: How things could change

24 October 2008

How things could change if those who suffered violations of their Economic, Social and Cultural rights could get redress.