Women attend a seminar at the Sana'a University

To celebrate Human Rights Day the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) Sana’a together with the Sana'a University organized a seminar titled, "Human Rights: Challenges and Responsibili- ties.” University professors, members of the UN Family and students took part during the seminar.

Dr. Mohammed Al-Fagih, Head of Human Rights Centre, explained how the seminar was aimed to create awareness and practice of human rights. He explained how the Human Rights Centre intends to include in the future the principles of human rights in educational syllables.

Dr. Hatem Al-Sabahi, Deputy President of Sana'a University, encouraged students of the university to participate in Human Rights discussions and to benefit from the seminars. He finished his address by explaining how Yemen should be committed to applying the principles of Human Rights and how democracy is one of the main pillars that guarantees the rights of people.

The event concluded with a question and answer session.

Questions were asked from both male and female students of the University that dealt with the Universal Human Rights Declaration and the different International Conventions related to civil and political rights as well as economic, social and cultural rights.

During the thematic workgroup of the Conference in Tsaghkadzor Writers’ Union House

A three-day international conference on “Perspectives to reach gender equality in Armenia: political and legal aspects” opened on 21 December in Tsaghkadzor Writers’ Union House. It was jointly organized by the Association of Women with University Education (AWUE), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and Open Society Institute Assistance Foundation-Armenia.

The conference is conducted under the auspices of the RoA National Assembly, the UN Armenia and OSCE Yerevan offices.

At the opening of the conference, Ms. Arevik Petrosyan, the Vice-Chairman of the RoA National Assembly, Ms. Laylee Moshiri, the UN Resident Coordinator a.i., Ambassador Sergey Kapinos, Head of OSCE Office in Yerevan, Mr. Filaret Berikyan, Deputy Minister  of the  RoA Ministry of Labor  and Social issues,  as well as Ms. Jemma Hasratyan, the President of AWUE welcomed the participants.

The conference featured participation of parliamentarians, representatives of the RoA Government, political parties, and the civil society, as well as prominent scientists, experts and public figures from Armenia and other CIS countries.

Human Rights day in Yemen was observed with a renewed commitment and a call to rally around the message of “Embrace Diversity, End Discrimination”. Organized by the Ministry of Human Rights with the support of the United Nations System in Yemen, the even was largely attended officials from government agencies.

Children's presentation

A group of young people made a powerful and compassionated presentation on the challenges that face Yemen and underscored the urgent need to build on an agenda for action to fulfill human rights in letter and spirit. The Minister of Foreign Affairs presented the key-note address reaffirming the Government of Yemen’s serious commitment to honour human rights and to strive harder for uniting government efforts with individual and social responsibility.

The UN Resident Coordinator, Pratibha Mehta, acknowledged that while Yemen has ratified all the major conventions surrounding the full gamut of human rights, much remains to be done to make the promise of these conventions a reality for children, women, disadvantaged groups and those caught in the middle of a conflict. Emergencies can have an impact on the respect for human rights, in particular in terms of protection for remote and impoverished communities, disabled people, and indigenous populations.

(R to L) Pratibha Mehta, UN Resident Coordinator, Dr. Abu Bakr Al-Qirbi, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr, Huda Al-Ban, Minister of Human Rights

Ms. Mehta underlined the importance of the implem- entation of an effective system to combat and to put an end to all forms of discrimination in order to protect human rights. Foreign Minister Abu Bakr al-Qirbi said that protection and respect for human rights requires joint efforts to counter threats against democracy, human rights and peace in the world.

The Foreign Minister stated that Yemen ratified 56 international agreements related to human rights and is making serious efforts to bring several national laws in harmony with the vision enshrined in the human rights declaration. Human Rights Minister Huda al-Ban highlighted the observance of the day and remarked that national and global commitments are key in measuring the level of respect for human rights.

The Minister also pointed out the difficulties facing Yemen in the domain of human rights, including the level of knowledge among citizens about their rights. The UNDP Resident Representative to Yemen indicated the importance of ending all forms of discrimination in order to protect human rights. She called for raising awareness about human rights among people.

On the sidelines of the ceremony, a photo exhibition was arranged, displaying artwork by children and young people reflecting the challenges facing human rights in Yemen.

Performers dance during Human Rights Day celebration in Khartoum

With the aim of stimulating debate and to discuss actions or strategies that could encourage diversity and reduce intoler- ance, the United Nation Information Centre in Khartoum (UNIC Khartoum), in collabor- ation with the United Nations Association in Sudan (UNA-Sudan), organized a colorful event to celebrate the Human Rights Day on 13 December 2009. Hosted by the Rashid Diab Arts Centre, the event attracted more than 800 attendees, particularly women and youth.

Guest speakers from the Rashid Diab Arts Centre, NGOs, the UNA, UN Country Team, and academia addressed the forum offering interesting statements that provoked questions and encouraged participation from the audience.

The commemoration ceremony included an exhibition of arts from across the country, with live music and folklore performances. Audience members joined in during the celebrations by dancing and singing during the performance by Mulook Al-Nil (Kings of the Nile), a Sudanese band.