Press Releases - Olivier De Schutter

2024

7 October: UN experts call for end of violence and accountability after year of human loss and suffering and blatant disregard for international law (7 October 2024)

Lebanon: UN experts deplore Israel’s increasing disregard for international law (4 October 2024)

Indonesia: UN experts warn of irreparable harm to Indigenous Peoples’ rights ahead of AIIB loan disbursement and MotoGP race (24 September 2024)

UN experts warn international order on a knife’s edge, urge States to comply with ICJ Advisory Opinion (18 September 2024)

There will be no peace in Colombia while social segregation exists: UN poverty expert (4 September 2024)

UN poverty expert to visit Colombia (22 August 2024)

Ecuador must respect the will of the people and halt oil drilling in Yasuní Park: Independent experts (20 August 2024)

UN experts commend launch of Women Parliamentarians Council (13 August 2024)

Experts hail ICJ declaration on illegality of Israel’s presence in the occupied Palestinian territory as “historic” for Palestinians and international law (30 July 2024)

End dangerous fixation with GDP as way to eradicate global poverty: UN expert (2 July 2024)

Governments must urgently scrap unfair laws criminalising homelessness and poverty: UN experts (25 June 2024)

UN experts condemn outrageous disregard for Palestinian civilians during Israel’s military operation in Nuseirat (14 June 2024)

UN experts urge all States to recognise State of Palestine (3 June 2024)

UN experts outraged by Israeli strikes on civilians sheltering in Rafah camps (29 May 2024)

Small Island Developing States summit: UN experts urge States and development banks to support endangered islands (23 May 2024)

Relief agency UNRWA targeted politically over partiality claims, funding must resume: UN experts (17 May 2024)

UN experts call for redoubling efforts to end discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity (17 May 2024)

Israel’s Rafah invasion must stop now, say UN experts (10 May 2024)

Israel/Gaza: Threats against the ICC promote a culture of impunity, say UN experts (10 May 2024)

Arms exports to Israel must stop immediately: UN experts (23 February 2024)

Sudan: 25 million people in dire humanitarian need, say UN experts (5 February 2024)

States must reinstate and strengthen support to UNRWA amid unfolding genocide in Gaza: UN experts (2 February 2024)

Gaza: ICJ ruling offers hope for protection of civilians enduring apocalyptic conditions, say UN experts (31 January 2024)

2023

UN experts urge States to unite for peace and push for ceasefire in Gaza (8 December 2023)

UN experts urge shift towards human rights economy to prevent contemporary forms of slavery (1 December 2023)

Fossils fuels at the heart of the planetary environmental crisis: UN experts (30 November 2023)

Gaza: UN experts call on international community to prevent genocide against the Palestinian people (16 November 2023)

Amazon, DoorDash and Walmart are trapping workers in poverty: UN poverty expert (31 October 2023)

Wages should reflect contribution to society, not just ability to generate profit: UN poverty expert (20 October 2023)

Ecuador: Surging violence must be wake-up call to urgently address poverty, says UN expert (8 September 2023) – KICHWA

UN poverty expert to visit Ecuador (24 August 2023)

International community must act to end Israel’s annexation of occupied West Bank, including east Jerusalem, and defend international law: UN experts (26 July 2023)

UN experts welcome first Latin American and Caribbean Tax Summit (25 July 2023)

“Job guarantee” could address biggest employment challenges of our time: UN expert (30 June 2023)

UN experts back draft New York bill to ensure effective and fair debt relief: UN experts (8 June 2023)

Bangladesh must suspend pilot project to return Rohingya refugees to Myanmar: UN expert (8 June 2023)

United States: Abortion bans put millions of women and girls at risk, UN experts say (2 June 2023)

Bangladesh: UN experts decry devastating second round of rations cuts for Rohingya refugees (1 June 2023)

Bangladesh: Economic growth cannot justify keeping workers in poverty, says UN expert (29 May 2023) – BANGLA

States must tackle racism and stigma against LGBT persons (16 May 2023)

UN expert to visit Bangladesh to assess impact of poverty on human rights (10 May 2023) – BANGLA

Singapore: UN experts condemn continued use of death penalty for drug-related crimes (28 April 2023)

UN experts concerned over delay in Zambia’s debt restructuring (17 April 2023)

Water is a common good not a commodity: UN experts (22 March 2023)

Indonesia: UN experts alarmed by reports of increased militarisation and intimidation around Mandalika project (1 March 2023)

Genuine solidarity with earthquake survivors calls for lifting of sanction-induced restrictions: UN experts (10 February 2023)

UN experts intervene in toxic legacy class action against lead pollution (19 January 2023)

2022

Afghanistan: Taliban’s outrageous exclusion of women and girls from universities is disastrous for everyone, say UN experts (21 December 2022)

UN Declaration on the Rights of Peasants: UN experts call for action ahead of anniversary (16 December 2022)

Morocco: Visit by UN expert postponed (8 December 2022) – ARABIC

Comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation must be a priority, say UN experts ahead of Universal Declaration anniversary (7 December 2022)

UN expert to visit Morocco to assess the impact of poverty on human rights (29 November 2022) – ARABIC

Human rights experts support call for UN tax treaty (29 November 2022)

Ban “povertyism” in the same way as racism and sexism: UN expert (28 October 2022)

Increase benefits and wages in line with inflation or lives will be lost: UN poverty expert (17 October 2022)

UN experts condemn Israeli suppression of Palestinian human rights organisations (24 August 2022)

UN experts call for international investigation into 2020 Beirut explosion (3 August 2022)

Singapore: UN experts call for immediate moratorium on executions for drug offences (29 July 2022)

Lao dam disaster: UN experts decry lack of progress for survivors four years on (22 July 2022)

Millions failing to access social protection entitlements (24 June 2022)

Tanzania: UN experts warn of escalating violence amidst plans to forcibly evict Maasai from ancestral lands (15 June 2022)

Kyrgyzstan: Invest in people to reduce human capital flight, says UN expert (3 June 2022) – RUSSIAN / KYRGYZ

UN experts urge action to address alarming increase of child labour in agriculture sector (30 May 2022)

Negotiations for international instrument on pandemic preparedness must be guided by human rights: UN experts (20 May 2022)

UN human rights expert to visit Kyrgyzstan to assess poverty (18 May 2022) – RUSSIAN / KYRGYZ

Forcibly displaced LGBT persons face major challenges in search of safe haven (16 May 2022)

Lebanon: UN expert warns of ‘failing State’ amid widespread poverty (11 May 2022) – ARABIC

Afghanistan: UN experts call on US Government to unblock foreign assets of central bank to ease humanitarian impact (25 April 2022)

UN experts call for end to Russian aggression against Ukraine and urgent protection of human rights (28 February 2022)

Afghanistan: Taliban attempting to steadily erase women and girls from public life – UN experts (17 January 2022)

2021

Afghanistan: UN experts call for immediate action to stop escalating humanitarian catastrophe (23 December 2021)

Nepal must now deliver on promise of social justice – UN human rights expert (9 December 2021) – NEPALI

Statement by Professor Olivier De Schutter, United Nations Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, on his visit to Nepal (8 December 2021) – NEPALI

35th anniversary UN Declaration on the Right to Development (3 December 2021)

Myanmar: Halt evictions, cease intimidation of residents – UN experts (2 December 2021)

States must prioritize health and equality over profits and vaccine hoarding, UN experts say (29 November 2021)

UN human rights expert to visit Nepal to assess poverty (24 November 2021) – NEPALI

Lebanon – UN poverty expert says Government fails population (12 November 2021) – ARABIC

Statement by Professor Olivier De Schutter, United Nations Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, on his visit to Lebanon (12 November 2021)

G7 Trade Ministers’ strong stance against forced labour in supply chains is welcome, but must be followed by concrete action on forced labour and other human rights abuses says UN expert group (2 November 2021)

UN human rights expert to visit Lebanon to assess poverty (27 October 2021) – ARABIC

Entrenched inequality condemns the poor for generations, UN expert says (20 October 2021)

Experts send pharma companies, States, EU and WTO letters calling for urgent action on COVID-19 vaccines (19 October 2021)

Joint Statement by independent United Nations human rights experts warning of the threat that financial speculation poses to the enjoyment of a range of human rights (19 October 2021)

UN human rights experts urge States to create a global level playing field for responsible business conduct (19 October 2021)

UN Food Systems Summit marginalizes human rights and disappoints, say experts (22 September 2021)

Zambia must treat children suffering from lead poisoning, clean up former mine area – UN experts (29 July 2021)

India must halt mass eviction that threatens to leave 100,000 homeless – UN experts (16 July 2021)

Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty Calls for the Creation of a Global Fund for Social Protection during Interactive Dialogue with the Human Rights Council (30 June 2021)

World needs to prepare for next crisis by setting up Global Fund for Social Protection now – UN expert (30 June 2021)

Pakistan: UN experts demand halt to mass evictions along Karachi’s watercourses (25 June 2021)

UN experts: G7 Governments must ensure vaccines’ access in developing countries (9 June 2021)

Chile: Nearly 40 years on, still no remedy for victims of Swedish toxic waste – UN experts (7 June 2021)

Pandemic recovery: Digital rights key to inclusive and resilient world (4 June 2021)

Joint Statement by UN human rights experts for World Environment Day (4 June 2021)

European Union: UN expert calls for an ambitious social Europe, says COVID must spark rethink (3 May 2021)

Indonesia: UN experts flag rights concerns over $3bln tourism project (31 March 2021)

Turkey: Withdrawal from Istanbul Convention is a pushback against women’s rights, say human rights experts (23 March 2021)

USA: UN experts urge far-reaching reforms on policing and racism (26 February 2021)

EU needs to reinvent itself to win fight against poverty – UN expert (29 January 2021)

Statement by Professor Olivier De Schutter, United Nations Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, on his visit to the European Union (29 January 2021)

Disability is not a reason to sanction medically assisted dying – UN experts (25 January 2021)

2020

Spain: Power outages put children’s lives at risk in informal settlement (22 December 2020)

34th anniversary of UN Declaration on the Right to Development (4 December 2020)

UN experts call for clemency for Lisa Montgomery after US Government reschedules execution (3 December 2020)

Building back better: People with disabilities have vital role (1 December 2020)

Governments must do more to prevent slavery and exploitation during COVID-19 pandemic (20 November 2020)

UN human rights expert to assess impact of EU policy on poverty (18 November 2020)

Joint statement by UN Special Procedures mandate-holders on World Toilet Day (16 November 2020)

UN experts hail landmark environmental treaty in Latin America and the Caribbean (9 November 2020)

No one is secure until all of us are secure: UN experts decry COVID vaccine hoarding (9 November 2020)

Statement by UN Human Rights Experts: Universal access to vaccines is essential for prevention and containment of COVID-19 around the world (9 November 2020)

States must combine fight against poverty with drive for green economy – UN expert (21 October 2020)

UN human rights forum to focus on poverty and inequalities (6 October 2020)

COVID-19: UN poverty expert says social protection measures “full of holes”, urges global rethink (11 September 2020)

UN human rights experts call for justice and accountability in response to Beirut explosion (13 August 2020)

Lives at risk unless conditions for Spain’s seasonal migrant workers are rapidly improved, UN expert warns (24 July 2020)

Ending poverty by 2030 now a fading dream, says UN expert (7 July 2020)

Oral Statement by Mr. Olivier De Schutter Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights: 44th session of the Human Rights Council (7 July 2020)

Human Rights Council holds interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights (7 July 2020)

Spain: Passing the buck on exploited migrant workers must end, says UN expert (26 June 2020)

UN experts call for decisive measures to protect fundamental freedoms in China (26 June 2020)

Philippines: UN human rights experts renew call for an on-the-ground independent, impartial investigation (25 June 2020)

Israeli annexation of parts of the Palestinian West Bank would break international law – UN experts call on the international community to ensure accountability (16 June 2020)

UN experts condemn modern-day racial terror lynchings in US and call for systemic reform and justice (5 June 2020)

Statement on the Protests against Systemic Racism in the United States (5 June 2020)

COVID-19: Urgent help for India’s forgotten migrant workers must follow Supreme Court ruling, say UN experts (4 June 2020)

UN expert urges Spain to expand coverage and eligibility for minimum i ncome scheme (3 June 2020)

“Every worker is essential and must be protected from COVID-19, no matter what” – UN rights experts (18 May 2020)

COVID-19: The suffering and resilience of LGBT persons must be visible and inform the actions of States (14 May 2020)

Venezuela must offer concrete steps to end humanitarian crisis, say UN experts (6 May 2020)

COVID-19 crisis highlights urgent need to transform global economy, says new UN poverty expert (1 May 2020)

Philip Alston (2014-2020)

2020

COVID-19: Brazil’s irresponsible economic and social policies put millions of lives at risk, UN experts say (April 29, 2020)

Lao dam disaster: UN rights experts call for justice two years on (April 29, 2020)

“Responses to COVID-19 are failing people in poverty worldwide” – UN human rights expert (April 22, 2020)

Ireland’s Public Services Card discriminates against the marginalised, warns UN rights expert (April 21, 2020)

US COVID-19 strategy failing the poor, says UN expert (April 16, 2020)

Landmark ruling by Dutch court stops government attempts to spy on the poor – UN expert (February 5, 2020)

2019

Lebanon: UN experts decry incidents of excessive force against protesters (November, 26 2019)

World stumbling zombie-like into a digital welfare dystopia, warns UN human rights expert (October 17, 2019)

The Netherlands is building a surveillance state for the poor, says UN rights expert (October 16, 2019)

Thailand/Lao PDR: UN experts concerned by disappearance of Lao human rights defender (October 1, 2019)

China: Harassment of human rights lawyer Jiang Tianyong must stop, say UN experts (September 24, 2019)

Our addiction to fossil fuels causes climate emergency, say human rights experts (September 17, 2019)

Malaysia vastly undercounting poverty, says UN rights expert (August 23, 2019)

Malaysia: UN human rights expert visits to assess poverty (August 8, 2019)

UN expert condemns failure to address impact of climate change on poverty (June 25, 2019)

UN expert calls for reform of poverty-driving policies in Lao PDR (June 19, 2019)

UN expert laments UK’s ‘doubling down on failed anti-poor policies’ (May 22, 2019)

Zimbabwe policies hitting poor hardest, say UN rights experts (April 4, 2019)

UN expert: Lao PDR’s economic strategy entrenches poverty (March 28, 2019)

Laos: UN human rights expert visits to assess poverty (March 12, 2019)

2018

UN poverty expert says UK policies inflict unnecessary misery (November 16, 2018)

UN human rights expert to visit UK to assess poverty (November 1, 2018)

UN poverty expert warns against tsunami of unchecked privatisation (October 19, 2018)

Saudi Arabia must immediately free women human rights defenders held in crackdown, say UN experts (27 June 2018)

Ghana’s main economic initiatives will do little to reduce poverty, warns UN expert (20 June 2018)

IMF has large brain and tiny conscience, says UN poverty expert calling for urgent change (19 June 2018)

“Contempt for the poor in US drives cruel policies,” says UN expert (4 June 2018)

Japan: Benefit cuts threaten social protection of the poor, UN rights experts warn (24 May 2018)

Ghana must prioritise social protection to achieve Sustainable Development Goals, says UN poverty expert (14 April 2018)

UN expert on extreme poverty to visit Ghana from April 9-18 (3 April 2018)

Brazil: UN experts alarmed by killing of Rio human rights defender who decried military intervention (26 March 2018)

Venezuela: Dire living conditions worsening by the day, UN human rights experts warn (9 February 2018)

2017

“American Dream is rapidly becoming American Illusion,” warns UN rights expert on poverty (15 December 2017)

UN expert on extreme poverty and human rights to visit USA, one of the wealthiest countries in the world (20 November 2017)

Put human rights at heart of development, Zeid urges Peru (25 October 2017)

International Day for the Eradication of Poverty – Tuesday 17 October 2017 (16 October 2017)

Death penalty disproportionately affects the poor, UN rights experts warn (6 October 2017)

End to Saudi driving ban for women should be just the first step – UN experts (28 September 2017)

UN experts urge China to release lawyer Jiang Tianyong currently on trial for subversion (6 September 2017)

Power shortages in Gaza deepening the humanitarian crisis, say UN rights experts (12 July 2017)

Saudi Arabia’s use of force and demolitions in the Al-Masora neighborhood violates human rights (24 May 2017)

Embrace diversity and protect trans and gender diverse children and adolescents (16 May 2017)

Ahead of referendum, UN experts warn Turkey about impact of purge on economic, social and cultural rights (13 April 2017)

UN experts urge Saudi Arabia to halt forced evictions and demolitions of the Al-Masora neighborhood in Awamia (5 April 2017)

“Saudi Vision 2030 could be a catalyst for realizing women’s rights” – UN expert (19 January 2017)

2016

UN expert on extreme poverty and human rights to visit Saudi Arabia (29 December 2016)

Human rights under increasing attack worldwide (9 December 2016)

Brazil 20-year public expenditure cap will breach human rights, UN expert warns (9 December 2016)

UN experts urge China to investigate disappearance of human rights lawyer Jiang Tianyong (6 December 2016)

China: “Poverty alleviation needs to be accompanied by accountability” – UN expert on extreme poverty and human rights (23 August 2016)

UN expert on extreme poverty and human rights to visit China (10 August 2016)

2030 Development Goals: “No one should be left behind, and no human right ignored” – UN experts (12 July 2016)

“Who is it for?” – UN experts call for a New Urban Agenda based on human rights for every one (29 June 2016)

Inter-American Commission on Human Rights financial crisis (3 June 2016)

“AIDS epidemic still being driven by human rights violations” – UN experts warn (3 June 2016)

Human rights protection must gain new momentum at World Humanitarian Summit – UN experts (20 May 2016)

“Pathologization – Being lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or trans is not an illness” For International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia – Tuesday 17 May 2016 (12 May 2016)

Mauritania risks instability if its wealth is not better shared: UN expert on extreme poverty (11 May 2016)

Flint: “Not just about water, but human rights” – UN experts remind ahead of President Obama’s visit (3 May 2016)

First official visit to Mauritania by the UN Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights (27 April 2016)

Zika virus: “Improved water and sanitation services are the best answer” – UN experts note (11 March 2016)

Counter-terrorism measures threaten money sent home by Somali diaspora, UN rights experts warn (18 January 2016)

2015

“As the Covenants turn 50, it is time to turn norms into action” – UN experts (9 December 2015)

Romania “in denial about extent of poverty, UN human rights expert says (11 November 2015)

Roma, children and people with disabilities to be focus of UN expert’s visit to Romania (28 October 2015)

UN experts urge Latin America and the Caribbean to adopt trend-setting agreement on environmental democracy (22 October 2015)

“The World Bank is a Human Rights-Free Zone” – UN expert on extreme poverty expresses deep concern (29 September 2015)

Human Rights Council holds interactive dialogue on extreme poverty and on counter-terrorism (22 June 2015)

Discriminated and made vulnerable: Young LGBT and intersex people need recognition and protection of their rights International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia – Sunday 17 May 2015 (13 May 2015)

UN experts warn over Council of Europe mixed messages on homelessness in the Netherlands (16 April 2015)

Poverty in Chile risks being overlooked, says UN human rights expert (24 March 2015)

UN expert on extreme poverty and human rights visits Chile at crucial crossroads (12 March 2015)

Guatemala new low minimum wage “setback on sustainable development” – UN rights experts (17 February 2015)

Dutch decision to fund emergency assistance for homeless migrants “welcome change of position” – UN experts (28 January 2015)

2014

World Bank should recognize importance of human rights in its new environmental and social policies (17 December 2014)

Urgent Appeal: UN experts call on the Netherlands to give homeless migrants emergency help before Christmas (16 December 2014)

Human rights impact must be addressed in vulture fund litigation – UN experts (27 November 2014)

Far more than charity needed to lift 2.2 billion people out of poverty for good (17 October 2014)

Detroit: Disconnecting water from people who cannot pay – an affront to human rights, say UN experts (25 June 2014)

Council holds dialogue with Special Rapporteurs on violence against women and on extreme poverty and human rights (12 June 2014)