[un] general

International: The Montréal Principles: as adopted at a meeting of experts in December 2002 in Montréal, Canada.

These principles guide the interpretation and implementation of the guarantees of non-discrimination and equal exercise and enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights, found in the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

Bangladesh: UN Special Rapporteur on Human Trafficking still unable to leave the country

UN officials are urging the authorities in Bangladesh to clarify the fate of a UN human rights expert prevented from leaving the country since mid-May.

UN: Asma Jahangir, UN Special Rapporteur on Religious Freedom or Belief

Jahangir's report states that a large number of the violations of the right to freedom of religion or belief are committed by non-state actors, whether members of religious groups themselves or others.

UN: Human rights violators must not be allowed to further weaken UN human rights protections

The UN Human Rights Council should vote to maintain all country-specific rapporteurs and should reject limits on the Council’s ability to address human rights abuses proposed by some of the world’s worst human rights violators, Freedom House said today.

UN: The 'Women’s Rights Architecture' - Strengthening a coherent approach to women’s rights in the United Nations

At a meeting of the Commission on the Status of Women in New York (February–March, 2007), 155 women’s NGOs submitted an open letter to the UN Member States and the UN Secretary General, welcoming the strong impetus for a specific women’s entity in the UN.

UN Study on the Status of Women & Freedom of Religion or Belief & Traditions

Working paper for Geneva-based NGO committee on freedom of religion or belief and NGO committee on the status of women

Statement on the International Day Against Female Genital Mutilation

Message from Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, Executive Director, UNFPA

International: Security Council open debate - women, peace and security

On 26 October 2006, the Japanese Presidency to the Security Council convened the Council's annual open debate on Women, Peace and Security. The theme of this year's discussion was the role of women in the consolidation of peace.