Nicaragua: UN expert urges to improve protection of environmental rights defenders
GENEVA (1 February 2021) – A UN human rights expert has condemned the murder of indigenous environmental defender Nacilio Macario on Nicaragua s northern Caribbean coast, urging the Government to investigate his killing and bring those responsible to justice.
Mr. Macario, an indigenous Mayangna, was originally from the Autonomous Region of the Northern Caribbean Coast and campaigned against illegal gold mining and logging taking place in his community. He was allegedly killed by settlers on 14 November 2020 while taking water and food to members of communities protecting their land. The Government has a duty to ensure a safe and supportive environment for those who defend the environment and the rights of indigenous peoples in Nicaragua,” said Lawlor. This time it was Mr. Macario who stood up for his land against the illegal exploitation of people associated with the extractive industry
Nagorno-Karabakh: captives must be released – UN experts
GENEVA (1 February 2021) – UN human rights experts today called for the prompt release of prisoners of war and other captives from the recent Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and for the return of bodies to families for burial with due respect for cultural customs.
“Everyone deprived of their liberty for reasons related to the conflict should be returned to their homes, and relatives of those killed must be able to receive the mortal remains of their loved ones, in line with the ceasefire agreement signed on 9 November 2020,” the experts said.
“Failure to disclose information on the fate and whereabouts of missing persons and refusal to hand over the remains of the deceased may amount to enforced disappearance, which both Azerbaijan and Armenia have committed to preventing.”
Nicaragua: UN expert urges to improve protection of environmental rights defenders
GENEVA (1 February 2021) – A UN human rights expert has condemned the murder of indigenous environmental defender Nacilio Macario on Nicaragua s northern Caribbean coast, urging the Government to investigate his killing and bring those responsible to justice.
Mr. Macario, an indigenous Mayangna, was originally from the Autonomous Region of the Northern Caribbean Coast and campaigned against illegal gold mining and logging taking place in his community. He was allegedly killed by settlers on 14 November 2020 while taking water and food to members of communities protecting their land. The Government has a duty to ensure a safe and supportive environment for those who defend the environment and the rights of indigenous peoples in Nicaragua,” said Lawlor. This time it was Mr. Macario who stood up for his land against the illegal exploitation of people associated with the extractive industry
GENEVA (1 February 2021) – UN human rights experts today called on Russia to ensure historian and human rights defender Yuri Alexeevich Dmitriev has a fair trial amid concerns the proceedings against him are politically motivated after a court ordered he stop using his own lawyer and engage a state appointed counsel.
“We are seriously concerned that this is a violation of his right to a fair trial, in ongoing legal proceedings which appear to be aimed at silencing him and delegitimizing his work,” the experts said. Mr. Dmitriev has dedicated his life to the search for truth about, and the commemoration of, victims of Stalin’s Great Purge of the 1930s, including identifying the locations of execution sites and mass graves, and naming the people buried in them. He has received international recognition and awards for his work.
Myanmar coup: UN expert calls for strong international response including sanctions and arms embargo
GENEVA (1 February 2021) – A UN human rights expert today condemned the military coup in Myanmar, urging a strong and unequivocal condemnation and action by the international community.
“I call for the immediate, unconditional release of everyone who has been detained, the restoration of communications and an end to this outrageous and unlawful action,” said Tom Andrews, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar.
“The ‘state of emergency’ in Myanmar is the military itself. They are guilty of an assault on an emerging democracy and the people of Myanmar. Human rights and democracy champions are in detention and under siege. They need and they deserve the world to be standing with them, which makes a strong international response imperative.”