UN

UN Security Council Passes Resolution on Children and Armed Conflict; Urges Safe Access to Health Care

Thursday, March 20, 2014
On March 7 the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 2143 on children and armed conflict. The Safeguarding Health in Conflict Coalition makes particular note of paragraphs 16, 17, and 19. These contain language calling for children’s continued access to health care, condemning attacks on health facilities and health workers, and affirming children’s right to access services.

Council Holds Panel Discussion on Importance of Promotion and Protection of Civil Society Space

Tuesday, March 11, 2014
The Human Rights Council this afternoon held a panel discussion on the importance of the promotion and protection of civil society space. The discussion included a video message from Ban Ki-Moon, United Nations Secretary-General, and a statement from the Secretary-General of the United Nations and the Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights.

UN Humanitarian Chiefs Strongly Condemn Attacks on Medical Personnel and Facilities by All Parties to the Syria Conflict

Friday, December 6, 2013
Report from the World Health Organization, UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, and UN Children’s Fund We strongly condemn attacks on health and any other civilian facilities in Syria and are deeply concerned by the serious implications for patients, health personnel and provision of critical medical supplies.

UN: Act to End Attacks on Health Workers - Expert's Report Urges Expanding Monitoring, Ending Impunity

Thursday, October 24, 2013
The United Nations General Assembly and Human Rights Council should act on the report by the UN special rapporteur on the right to health about attacks against health workers and services, the Safeguarding Health in Conflict Coalition said today. The report, by Anand Grover, the special rapporteur, was presented to the General Assembly on October 24, 2013.

UN: End Impunity for Attacks on Health Workers

Friday, September 20, 2013
The United Nations Human Rights Council should strengthen documentation and accountability for the growing number of attacks on health workers, the Safeguarding Health in Conflict Coalition, a group of human rights, health professionals and other nongovernmental groups said today. At a side event of the Human Rights Council meeting in Geneva, speakers from Turkey, Bahrain, and Pakistan described attacks on healthcare workers for providing care to politically unpopular groups, or because the workers witnessed human rights violations.

Around the World, Health Workers under Attack

Friday, September 20, 2013
In Syria, doctors have fled in droves, fearful of adding to the casualties in the country’s bloody civil war. In Pakistan, vaccinators are gunned down by militants. In Bahrain, physicians who treat protesters are thrown in jail. Despite universally recognized international law protecting medical workers in conflict situations, increasingly, the people on the front line of health care are becoming targets. At a side event of the United Nations Human Rights Council meeting in Geneva today, speakers from Turkey, Bahrain, and Pakistan described attacks on healthcare workers for providing care to politically unpopular groups, or because the workers witnessed human rights violations. Other recent attacks have targeted vaccination teams and ambulances.

Human Rights Council Urges Protection of Children's Health during Armed Conflict

Monday, April 1, 2013
At the twenty-second session of the Human Rights Council in March, the council passed a resolution on children and the right to health (Rights of the child: the right of the child to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health). In a section on “Health issues relating to children requiring special attention,” the council included language on children affected by armed conflicts. Paragraphs 25 and 27 are of particular interest to the work of the Safeguarding Health in Conflict coalition:

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