United Nations

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.

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News and Updates

Secrecy surrounds death penalty

15 April 2008

At least 1,200 people were executed in 2007 and many more were killed by the state, in secret, in countries including China, Mongolia and Viet Nam.

UN examines human rights in member countries

7 April 2008

All UN member states are facing a rigorous examination of their human rights records.

Tibet off the Human Rights Council's agenda

26 March 2008

Discussion of the situation in Tibet was stifled at the UN Human Rights Council meeting in Geneva on Tuesday.

Open Letter to the United Nations

17 March 2008

Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch call on the UN Secretary-General to implement a transparent process for selecting a strong and outspoken High Commissioner

Carnage and despair in Iraq

17 March 2008

Five years after the US-led invasion of Iraq, the country is still in disarray.

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.