UN Human Rights

The imposition of harsh penalties under national security legislation in Hong Kong and Macao SARs is deeply concerning.

The second heavy jail sentence handed down to democracy activist Joshua Wong yesterday in HK translates to 16 years in detention for his exercise of fundamental rights and freedoms.

In the first known case under Macao’s national security law, the court sentenced former legislator Au Kam San to 12.5 years imprisonment following closed-door hearings, in which Au was not represented by counsel of his choice.

@volker_turk reiterates his call for convictions and sentences on national security grounds – in Hong Kong and Macao SARs and elsewhere in China – to be carefully reviewed against their international human rights obligations.

Preventing conflict starts with identifying risks early and protecting people before crises escalate. Our new partnership with @_AfricanUnion puts human rights at the heart of efforts to sustain peace and advance development across Africa: ohchr.org/en/stories/202…

South Sudan is preparing for its first national elections since independence, amid ongoing violence and political tensions. For many South Sudanese, the prospect of elections brings hope for a more peaceful future.

But credible elections require more than a vote. Protecting fundamental freedoms and ensuring people can participate freely in political life are essential to building public trust.

UN Human Rights continues to call for accountability and respect for human rights as South Sudan works towards a peaceful democratic transition.

Learn more: ohchr.org/en/stories/202…

Lasting peace requires addressing the grievances that fuel conflict. By bringing together @_AfricanUnion conflict prevention tools & our human rights expertise, we can help countries recognize when patterns of violations and unresolved grievances are increasing the risk of violence. - @Dabokunda lnkd.in/p/eg-aPeaS

In Peru, journalist Paola Ugaz helped expose abuses within a powerful Catholic organisation. Years of criminal complaints and investigations followed. Her case illustrates how legal proceedings can themselves become a form of punishment.

UN Human Rights documented the pattern of harassment and helped secure Ugaz's inclusion as the first journalist in Peru's national protection mechanism for human rights defenders. This gave her formal protection guarantees.

On 2 November, the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, we reaffirm the importance of protecting journalists from reprisals for their work.

Learn more: ohchr.org/en/stories/202…