Newsletter
International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition
The International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition was first initiated in 1998 by UNESCO. It is intended to inscribe the tragedy of the slave trade in the memory of all peoples. The date is of particular importance: In the night of 22 to 23 August 1791, an uprising began in today's Haiti that played a crucial role in the abolition of transatlantic slave trade. Every year, cultural activities are organized around the globe to remember this event. UNESCO's "Slave Route" project helps to understand the history of slave trade and therewith fills the silence of the past.
HR Treaty Bodies Newsletter
Check out the latest Human Rights Treaty Bodies Newsletter!
The Newsletter features analysis, interviews, reports from the field and ways to engage with the Human Rights Treaty division of OHCHR.
| Human Rights Issues |
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 Euthanasia, or mercy killing, has been subject to much moral, religious, philosophical, legal and human rights debate. The debate surrounds the suggestion that euthanasia be authorized by law. While some are 'in favor' of this, others seriously oppose it. That said, various countries have legalized the practice.  Human Rights and Sexual Exploitation Sexual exploitation is a serious violation of human rights. The most vulnerable, typically women and children, are frequently the victims of this practice. Usually, they are usually coerced into it, or, facing dire economic circumstances, must resort to it.  Export processing zones (sweatshops) is a work practice not unlike slavery, which typically entails factory workers in developing countries being forced to work in deplorable conditions for very little compensation. Generally, there is a lack of transparency on the part of the companies that use sweatshop-style working conditions and tactics. As such, there is an urgent need for global attention to be paid to this issue.
The Internet is a tool through which people can exercise freedom of speech and expression. Each and every person has the right to access an open Internet, which is neither censored nor filtered by government or business.
 In today's world, mercenaries and what are commonly known as Private Military Corporations (PMCs) have been outsourced in war settings and continue to grow in number. It is important to note that mercenaries have been involved in violations of human rights.  Terrorism and Human Rights Terrorism creates anenvironment that destroys the right of people to live in freedom from fear. States are challenged withthe obligation to promote and protect all human rights and freedoms, whilecombating terrorism in the manner they believe to be most effective. |
