Geneva: The UN human rights chief called on the United States on Friday to close down the Guantanamo prison camp, saying the indefinite imprisonment of many detainees without charge or trial violated international law.
Navi Pillay said the hunger strike being staged by some inmates at the Guantanamo Bay US Naval Base in southeastern Cuba was a "desperate act" but "scarcely surprising".
"We must be clear about this: the United States is in clear breach not just of its own commitments but also of international laws and standards that it is obliged to uphold," the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights said in a statement.
US President Barack Obama pledged four years ago to close the controversial facility, opened by the Bush administration in January 2002 to hold men captured in counter-terrorism operations after the deadly September 11 attacks on America....
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06:57 AM, Apr 06, 2013
Deeply concerned about allegations of violations of international humanitarian law and human rights in Sri Lanka, the US on Tuesday said that it plans to introduce its own resolution on the issue at the Human Rights Council meeting in Geneva. ...
10:21 AM, Feb 20, 2013
Sri Lanka is failing to investigate alleged atrocities committed by government forces in defeating a Tamil insurgency and activists and opposition politicians are still being killed or abducted, the United Nations said on February 13. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, called on authorities to allow international experts in criminal and forensic investigations to help resolve outstanding wartime crimes and end impunity. ...
10:30 AM, Feb 15, 2013
The death toll in Syria is likely approaching 70,000 - up almost 10,000 from the start of the year, and civilians are paying the price for the UN Security Council's lack of action to end the conflict, the UN human rights chief said on February 12. Navi Pillay, the UN high commissioner for human rights, repeated her call for the 15-member council to refer Syria to the International Criminal Court...
10:55 AM, Feb 13, 2013
Expressing "deep sadness" at the death of 23-year-old Delhi gang-rape victim, UN human rights chief Navi Pillay asked the Indian government to strengthen the country's legal regime to get rid of the "terrible scourge". The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said rape is a "national problem" in India, affecting women of all classes and castes and requires national solutions. ...
11:17 AM, Jan 01, 2013
Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Monday directed the government to produce the order, if any, to lease out Halcyon Castle, popularly known as the Kovalam Palace, to Ravi Pillai (RP) Group of Companies. A Division Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Manjula Chellur and Justice A M Shaffique issued the directive on a petition filed by K Dasan, secretary, Jana Samparka Samiti, Ernakulam, seeking to quash the order to hand...
12:41 PM, Sep 18, 2012
Here comes another thrilling period drama, this time a leaf from the history of Venad. The movie titled Veerakal Daivangal chronicles the life of Eravikutti Pillai, the commander-in-chief of Veera Ravi Varma Kulashekhara Perumal who ruled Venad in the early decades of the 16th century. Along with the main threat the film also portrays the patriotism and self-sacrifice of Kali Nair, the brave warrior who was dearer to Eravikutti Pillai....
03:32 PM, Jul 30, 2012
Geneva: There needs to be an immediate humanitarian cease-fire in Syria, the UN human rights chief declared on Tuesday, saying the situation has deteriorated rapidly as the Assad regime steps up its onslaught against the opposition. Navi Pillay, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said the world has to take action to prevent Syrian security forces from continuing their bombardments and other attacks against civilians, which she said had...
08:33 PM, Feb 28, 2012
United Nations: Over 5000 people have been killed in Syria's violent crackdown against protesters, the UN rights chief has told the Security Council, recommending that the regime of President Bashar-al Assad be referred to the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay briefed the Security Council on Tuesday in a closed door meeting about the "rather shocking" human rights violations and continued...
11:27 AM, Dec 13, 2011
United Nations: More than 5,000 people have died in the nine-month-long Syrian uprising, UN human rights chief Navi Pillay said on Monday. Pillay, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, told on Monday that she told Security Council members of the dramatic increase in deaths during an afternoon briefing. The death toll used by the UN in recent weeks has been around 4,000. Pillay said she recommended that the council...
05:13 AM, Dec 13, 2011
Geneva: More than 2,200 people have been killed in Syria's crackdown on anti-government protesters since mid-March, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay said on Monday. The previous United Nations toll had been between 1,900 and 2,000. "As of today, over 2,200 people have been killed since mass protests began in mid-March, with more than 350 people reportedly killed across Syria since the beginning of Ramadan," she told the...
07:37 PM, Aug 22, 2011
