UN Watch

Walk of shame: Sweden’s “first feminist government” don hijabs in Iran

GENEVA, Feb. 13, 2017 -- In a statement that has gone viral on Twitter and Facebook, UN Watch, a non-governmental human rights NGO in Geneva, expressed disappointment that Sweden's self-declared "first feminist government in the world" sacrificed its principles and betrayed the rights of Iranian women as Trade Minister Ann Linde and other female members walked before Iranian President Rouhani on Saturday wearing Hijabs, Chadors, and long coats, in deference to Iran's oppressive and unjust modesty laws which make the Hijab compulsory — despite Stockholm's promise to promote "a gender equality perspective" internationally, and to adopt a "feminist foreign policy" in which "equality between women and men is a fundamental aim."

Time to Take Action on the UN is Now

U.S. contributions to the UN for 2015 = $9,917,000,000 Ask: Why is the U.S. still on the UN Human Rights Council? Ask: Why has Congress not adopted a single bill stopping any funding to the UN since Security Council 2334?

130-page report: UNRWA teachers incite terrorism & antisemitism

“We need to see zero tolerance in the U.N. for terrorism and antisemitism"

UN holds third revolting tribute to brutal dictator & rights abuser Fidel Castro

GENEVA - Human rights activists are outraged that the UN General Assembly Hall in New York today hosted yet another tribute to brutal dictator Fidel Castro, with the participation of UNGA president Peter Thomson.

Iran is "state sponsor of terrorism," 11 Arab countries tell UN

GENEVA, Nov. 14 -- UN Watch welcomed a letter by 11 Arab countries to the UN which accuses Iran of being "a State sponsor of terrorism" throughout the entire Middle East, and of only increasing "aggression in the region and the continuation of support for terrorist groups" since the signing of the nuclear deal. See full text below.

UN condemns Israel 10 times, 3 for rest of world combined

GENEVA, Nov. 8, 2016 – The U.N. General Assembly nearly completed voting today on 10 resolutions against Israel, compared to three for the rest of the world combined, with one each slated for Syria, Iran, and Crimea. See full list here.

U.N. Clash: Syria, Russia, Venezuela Fail to Silence Victim Testimony

GENEVA— Prominent Syrian activist and former political prisoner Mohamad Kamal Allabwani took the floor at the U.N. Human Rights Council this morning to decry the atrocities committed against his people by the Assad regime and its allies. He was invited by Geneva-based human rights organization UN Watch.

Egyptian envoy boycotts UN’s new monitor on anti-gay violence

GENEVA– A 5-member UN human rights committee announced that a Thai law professor is its choice to be the UN’s first monitor against anti-gay violence, yet an Egyptian diplomat on the panel is boycotting the mandate.

UN chief should protest Turkey's arrest of journalist who addressed UN

GENEVA, UN chief Ban Ki-moon and human rights commissioner Zeid should urgently protest Turkey's arrest today of journalist and human rights defender Orhan Kemal Cengiz, a possible act of reprisal for his human rights advocacy including his recent visit to the UN Human Rights Council to testify about human rights violations by the Turkish government, said UN Watch, a Geneva based non-governmental human rights group.

UN Rights Chief Must Oppose Erdogan's Purge of Judges, Defend Rule of Law

GENEVA, — A Geneva-based human rights group today called on the UN's top human rights official and the world body's experts on arbitrary detention and independence of judges to speak out against Turkish President Erdogan's "unprecendented" purge of thousands of judges and other officials.

Today: UNHRC to confirm nominees of Egyptian-led panel

GENEVA, July 8, 2016--A representative of the Egyptian regime of President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has replaced the delegate of Saudi Arabia as chair of the UN Human Rights Council panel which nominates global investigators, which this week will include the new UN expert on summary executions--even though Egyptian forces summarily killed an estimated 1,000 protesters in a single day less than three years ago.

All States Should Freeze North Korean Regime Assets

GENEVA, -- UN Watch today called on all countries to follow the U.S. announcement and impose personal sanctions targeting North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un. Although the international community already applies a range of sanctions against Pyongyang, Washington's decision on Wednesday marks the first time that government officials have been targeted personally.

UN Elects China, Russia, UAE, Venezuela to Key Body Overseeing Human Rights Commissions & NGO

GENEVA, — UN Watch, a Geneva-based non-governmental organization, condemned today’s election of serial human rights abusers China, Russia, UAE and Venezuela to the 54-member Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), a top UN body that regulates human rights groups, shapes the composition of UN women’s rights bodies, and adopts resolutions on subjects ranging from internet freedom to the treatment of prisoners.

Whistleblower quits UN human rights office

GENEVA, — UN Watch called on UN chief Ban Ki-moon to investigate the UN human rights office (OHCHR) in wake of today’s announcement by its top whistleblower Anders Kompass—the director of field operations at OHCHR, who was famously punished for exposing the rape of children by peacekeepers—is to resign in protest over “what he sees as the organization’s failure to hold its senior officials to account,” as reported by IRIN.

Testimony to U.S. Congress: Has UNHRC Turned into Frankenstein?

GENEVA, — In testimony today before the U.S. Congress, at a packed hearing concerning the UN Human Rights Council's 10th anniversary next month, UN Watch executive director Hillel Neuer noted that Geneva will at the same time be marking the 200th anniversary of the publication of Frankenstein, the product of Mary Shelley's June 1816 nightmare, when she visited Lord Byron's villa directly across the lake from where the UNHRC is today.

UN reviews Sudan's human rights record

GENEVA, May 4, 2016 -- Countries "fell over themselves" to praise Sudan at this morning's mandatory UN review of Sudan's human rights record, according to watchdog organization UN Watch.

UN Taps Radical UK Prof to be Investigator of Israel

GENEVA, -- The UN Human Rights Council's vetting committee has shortlisted a UK professor for a 6-year term as the world body's investigator of "Israel's violations," even though she campaigns for the boycott of what she calls "apartheid Israel" and a "criminal government," revealed UN Watch in a new report published today, which was submitted to the president of the 47-nation UNHRC, and to all UN member states.

Exposed: UNRWA USA Spox Shuts Down Twitter Account Over Anti-Israel Posts

GENEVA, — UN Watch today called on America’s envoy to the UN Samantha Power to end her silence over continued anti-Israeli incitement from UNRWA as their U.S. branch’s spokeswoman Laila Mokhiber shut down her Twitter account under widespread criticism for her public endorsement of “Israeli Apartheid Week.”

UPDATE: UN Elects Syria & Venezuela Regimes to Leadership on Committee Against "Subjugation of Peoples"

GENEVA, -- A UN watchdog group is criticizing Ban Ki-moon for his blessings delivered today before an anachronistic UN committee charged with "decolonizing" the Falkland Islands and Gibraltar — at the same time as the 24-nation group elected mass murdering Syria and human rights abusing Venezuela to leadership posts. "I commend the leadership of all those committed to bringing new energy to its work," said Mr. Ban.

The UN Siren Call: The Lessons of 2015

The siren’s call of UN-led multilateralism beckons for the year ahead. Before succumbing yet again to the UN Charter’s endearing promise “to take effective collective measures for the prevention and removal of threats to the peace,” a look back at the devastating record of 2015 is in order.