Perspectivas / Perspectives

United Nations, May 23.– It's been six months since the start of the protests in Iran which shook the foundations of the country's ruling theocracy. Calling for women’s rights, freedom, and democracy, protestors continue to be met with senseless violence from the Islamic Republic. According to a recent briefing by the UN, the scale and severity of such violence carries evidence of crimes against humanity. The allegation arrives amidst news that the Islamic Republic plans to enforce mandatory hijab, a “divine decree” at the origin of the protests.

Nevertheless, Iranian resilience remains steadfast. "The people have made their decision to topple the Islamic Republic and they will not back down from their goal," asserted human rights champion Masih Alinejad. On her twiter account, she is showing a testimonial video of two brave girls:

Según el último Informe sobre el Estado de los Derechos Sociales en la isla, realizado por el Observatorio Cubano de Derechos Humanos (OCDH), la inseguridad es el séptimo problema social en el país.

«De hecho, esa preocupación aumentó del año 2021 al 2022», explicó a Radio y Televisión Martí, Yaxys Cires, Director de Estrategias del OCDH. «Las informaciones que nos llegan todos los días de Cuba van en la línea de que esa percepción se corresponde con la realidad», puntualizó.

«Obviamente hay un factor económico, pero ni es el único ni el determinante. El aumento de la violencia se debe principalmente a causas más profundas y sistémicas, relacionadas, por ejemplo, con el sistema educativo comunista en el que ha primado el adoctrinamiento y no el cultivo de valores; con el ataque constante a la familia como institución; y con un sistema político que ha visto al discrepante como un "gusano" al cual hay que destruir, marginar, incluso empleando la violencia extrema», consideró Cires.

Cires señaló, por otra parte, que «aunque el régimen cubano mantiene intacto su aparato represivo estatal y jurídico, para responder a quien ejerce sus derechos humanos, está teniendo problemas para manejar administrativamente el país y enfrentar problemas como el aumento de la marginalidad o la delincuencia común».

Strasbourg, May 6.– Serious concerns persist regarding the human rights situation in the areas affected by the armed conflict between the Russian Federation and Georgia in August 2008, according to a report by Secretary-General Marija Pejčinović Burić presented to the Committee of Ministers and published on April 19.

The bi-annual report (covering the period November 2022–March 2023) on the conflict in Georgia highlighted that core issues concerning the human rights and humanitarian situation in the conflict-affected areas continue to see little progress. Various restrictions on freedom of movement and access to education and healthcare remain of serious concern, including in terms of their impact on vulnerable groups.

United Nations, Apr.30.– On April 26, 2023, women leaders from Afghanistan sent a letter to the UN Secretary-General expressing their concern regarding the statement made by the UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed on April 17, 2023. Ms. Mohammed announced that the UN would convene a conference of Special Envoys for Afghanistan in Doha on May 1 and 2 to provide an opportunity to “find baby steps to put us back on the pathway to recognition” of the Taliban.

The undersigned women leaders, human rights defenders, peacebuilders, and civil society representatives restated that Afghan women have unequivocally advised against granting formal recognition or legitimacy to the Taliban since August 2021. In the letter, Afghan women leaders urged the UN Secretary-General to ensure that all UN leadership and staff are clear and consistent with their messaging that human rights, including women’s rights and gender equality, must be front and center in all efforts to engender peace and security in Afghanistan.

The letter was sent five days in advance of the 1-2 May meeting of Special Envoys on Afghanistan in Doha.