UN Watch

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.

Top 10 Worst U.N. Moments of 2015

GENEVA, – UN Watch has just published its annual list of Top 10 Worst U.N. Moments of 2015:

UN rights council must rescind “absurd” election of Burundi

GENEVA, – About to speak at today’s special UN Human Rights Council session on Burundi, UN Watch, the Geneva-based NGO, will deliver the following oral statement before the UNHRC plenary this afternoon:

Report: Despite UNRWA Promises, Teachers Again Inciting to Violence Against “Jewish Apes and Pigs”

GENEVA, – Though the UN is fighting climate change this week in Paris, a major climate change is desperately needed at UNRWA, whose teachers continue — despite vague UNRWA claims of suspensions and other disciplinary action, as reported by the Sunday Times — to incite on social media to the murder of “Jewish apes and pigs,” according to a new report issued today by UN Watch, the Geneva-based non-governmental organization that monitors the world body’s compliance with its charter.

UN: Trudeau Votes No on 16 Anti-Israel Resolutions

GENEVA--UN Watch applauded Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government for voting yesterday at the UN General Assembly to join the U.S. in opposing 6 resolutions singling out Israel, and for being on track to continue without change Canada's policy of firmly opposing repetitive, disproportionate and one-sided resolutions -- all drafted by the Palestinians except for two by Syria -- that are designed to delegitimize Israel, the Middle East's only democracy. So far, with final plenary or initial committee votes on 19 of the 20 annual anti-Israel resolutions, Canada's voting record is entirely unchanged from last year. This upholds the UN Charter's principle of equal treatment of all nations, and prejudice to none.

Surreal: UN Condemns Israel in 6 resolutions, 0 mention of Palestinian Knife Attacks & Incitement

NEW YORK, – The UN General Assembly yesterday adopted six non-binding resolutions -- five drafted by the Palestinians, and one by Syria on the Golan -- singling out and criticizing Israel, without any of mention of the spate of Palestinian knife attacks, shooting, car-rammings, and incitement, nor were any resolutions adopted on Russia, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, or any other human rights situation. (Click here for texts and voting results.)

Outrage: UN rights council grants Maduro special forum ahead of Venezuela election

GENEVA, November 9, 2015 -- One month before Venezuela holds parliamentary elections, the UN agreed to hold a special assembly for Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro this Thursday, November 12, at its Human Rights Council in Geneva, prompting concerns by diplomats and human rights activists. UN Watch, a non-governmental human rights group based in Geneva, demanded equal time after the speech to invite Lilian Tintori, wife of jailed opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez. "While standard UNHRC meetings allow debate, the format of the Maduro meeting will be a "monologue, with no dissenting voices," noted UN Watch.

Venezuela, Burundi, UAE win UNHRC seats; Pakistan defeated

NEW YORK, — Despite widespread criticism of their human rights records in a report presented yesterday at the UN, Venezuela, UAE, Burundi, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Kyrgyzstan, and Togo easily won election today to 3-year terms on the 47-nation UN Human Rights Council. (See full chart and voting results below.)

Today: Oppressive regimes to sweep UNHRC seats

NEW YORK, — Human rights groups released a report urging UN member states to oppose the election today of Venezuela, Pakistan and UAE to the UN Human Rights Council, as well as Burundi, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, and Togo, due to widespread criticism of these governments for egregious human rights violations.

UNRWA "very regrettably" suspends employees after UN Watch report exposing incitement to anti-Semitic violence

GENEVAThe spokesman for United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon quietly announced on the UN website that UNRWA employees have "in a number of cases" been subjected to disciplinary action, including "suspension and loss of pay," following an investigation that verified evidence published by UN Watch -- in one report last week, and another in September -- of incitement to anti-Semitic violence committed by at least 22 UNRWA employees. UNRWA added that it "condemns and will not tolerate anti-Semitism or racism in any form."

Outrage as Venezuela, Pakistan, UAE, Ethiopia, Slated to Win UN Rights Council Seats at Wednesday Vote

GENEVA, -- UN Watch today urged member states of the UN General Assembly to oppose the re-election on Wednesday of egregious human rights abusers Venezuela, Pakistan and UAE to the UN Human Rights Council, as well as Burundi, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Kyrgyzstan, Lao, and Togo, due to widespread criticism of these governments' violations of fundamental freedoms.