LOC16:26
13:26 GMT
GENEVA, Feb 24 (KUNA) -- United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres has affirmed that human rights are facing mounting challenges.
Addressing the 43rd session of the UN Human Rights Council, Guterres called for a task plan to protect human rights, citing as examples siege of civilians in war-torn regions, human trade, women maltreatment, abuses against civil society activists and persecution of minorities.
Alluding to other cases of human rights breaches, he has mentioned recurring assassination of journalists, muzzling the press, assailing refugees and immigrants, in addition to mounting hunger and unemployment.
Moreover, there have been emerging hazards such as climatic change, demographic changes that have led to decline of birth rates in some communities, as compared to rise of births in others.
Elaborating, the UN chief complained of "receding sovereignty of the laws," and spreading uncertainties, being exploited by some leading politicians. (end)
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