Topic: Navi Pillay

Why Zimbabwe's President Mugabe was named UN 'tourism envoy'

Zimbabwe's President Mugabe, who signed an agreement to co-host a UN tourism conference, now has an honorary position as envoy, despite a long record of human rights abuses.

Is Assad scared of a war crimes trial? Assault on Homs suggests not. (+video)

Diplomats critical of Syria are using terms such as 'crimes against humanity' and 'war criminal.' But the Homs assault suggests Assad sees defeating the rebels as more vital for his survival.

Deadlock on Syria: Likely crimes against humanity, but no plan of action

Turkey's foreign minister discussed Syria for hours with US officials Monday, but no 'road map' for action resulted, even as the top UN human rights official warned of crimes against humanity.

UN human rights chief: UN inaction emboldened Syria in violent dissident crackdown

Navi Pillay expressed serious concern that the deliberate stirring of sectarian tensions may plunge Syria into civil war. She again appealed for President Bashar Assad's government to be referred to the International Criminal Court.

Syrian Army defector: We were given killing quotas by Assad regime

Two new human rights reports detail abuses by the Assad regime, but also show a growing use of violence by the opposition.

As Syria death toll soars, so does US frustration with Russia

The death toll from the crackdown in Syria has topped 5,000, the top UN human rights official told the Security Council. With Russia blocking action, the US and others are voicing increasing frustration.

As US Ambassador Ford returns, Syria deteriorates

US Ambassador to Syria Robert Ford is returning to Damascus, as the death toll surges and Syria lurches ever closer to civil war.

Children increasingly the victims of Syria crackdown, UN report finds

November was the deadliest month of the revolt for children, with 56 killed, says the report. The UN rights council named a new Syria investigator but declined to refer the country to the Security Council.

Why Royal Dutch Shell oil is pulling out of Syria

Royal Dutch Shell said Friday that it will shut down all oil operations in Syria. On Friday, Syrian troops fired at anti-Assad demonstrators near Homs, Syria.

Syria now in a civil war with 4,000 dead: United Nations

Civil war has been the worst-case scenario in Syria since the revolt against Assad began eight months ago. Damascus has a web of allegiances that extends to Lebanon's powerful Hezbollah movement and Iran's Shiite theocracy, raising fears of a regional conflagration.

UN warns of civil war as Syrian Army deaths climb

Concerns are mounting that Syria's uprising could descend into civil war as clashes between Syrian Army soldiers and protesters intensify.

Russia dooms Western hopes for tough UN action against Syria

Western countries including the US say the United Nations needs to get tough on Syria for its crackdown on pro-democracy protesters. But Russia appeared to block those plans Monday.

US, UN poised for diplomatic assault on Syria's Assad

The US is expected to call for Bashar al-Assad to step down and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon will push for International Criminal Court action against the Syrian president.

Fleeing violence, Syrian refugees warn of potential massacre

As thousands of Syrians crossed into Turkey with tales of violence, many described troops amassing outside Jisr al-Shughur to take revenge for the deaths of 120 security and police forces.

Bahrain indifferent to international criticism

In just one example, Bahrain's government failed to respond to a scathing report accusing authorities of detaining wounded protesters rather than allowing them to get treatment.

Beaten BBC journalists reveal details of Qaddafi's torture apparatus

Three BBC journalists detained outside Zawiyah said they were beaten and subjected to 'mock executions.' The UN is investigating separate allegations of torture.

Libya: US closes embassy in Tripoli, sanctions loom

Libya death toll could be in the thousands. The international community is responding in several ways, including at a meeting Friday of the UN Human Rights Council, which set up a commission of inquiry into the violence.

Qaddafi vows to stay or die as 'a martyr'; world weighs limited options

Diplomats gathered in the UN Security Council Tuesday to consider events in Libya. But the international community is likely to think twice before pushing the martyr-talking Qaddafi to the brink.

Why Russia's Medvedev can't seem to deliver

While Russian President Dmitry Medvedev came into office advocating political and cultural reforms, so far he hasn't delivered significant change.

As Ivory Coast stalemate worsens, so do the chances of military intervention

Although the West African regional body, ECOWAS, has threatened to use force to remove incumbent President Laurent Gbabgo, nobody wants to ignite a second civil war in Ivory Coast.

Death squads reemerge in Ivory Coast as president contests election results

So-called 'death squads' have reappeared in the Ivory Coast, terrorizing neighborhoods that voted for Alassane Ouattara over incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo.

US treatment of Liu Xiaobo's Nobel Peace Prize angers China

China is leading a 19-nation boycott of Friday's ceremony awarding jailed Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo the Nobel Peace Prize. It says calls to free Liu amount to meddling in its internal affairs.

What China is doing to quell Uighur-Han unrest

Police established a curfew Tuesday, as 20,000 security forces roamed the streets. Internet connections have also been cut to prevent the violence from 'spreading.'

Why the UN racism conference 'finished' early

Why the US will boycott global racism conference

A meeting to judge progress on racism is likely to be captive to Israeli-Palestinian and Islamic defamation issues.