Women's rights

​​​​​​​​The worldwide erosion and backlash against fundamental human rights threatens the health and well-being of all people, a UN high-level expert group on health and human rights said in a new report. For women, children and adolescents, the denial of human rights and poor health is acute, limiting opportunities and even life expectancy. “Good health not only depends on but is also the prerequisite for pursuing other rights. Human rights cannot be fully enjoyed without health, likewise, health cannot be fully enjoyed without the dignity that is upheld by all other human rights.” This conclusion comes from the High Level Working Group on Health and Human Rights’ new report on realizing human rights to health and through health. In the report, published this month, the Group urges governments to recognize and respect the integral relationship between upholding human rights and steadily improving health, particularly among women, children and adolescents. During an event publi...

​​​​​​​As a newcomer in Switzerland, Latif Alabdullah, 25, wants the usual things most new arrivals anywhere hope to find: decent housing, a good job, a chance to make a fresh start. Since arriving in Geneva 18 months ago, he has waited for an answer to his asylum application and worries about what could happen if his application is rejected. Alabdullah’s Syrian passport would leave him no option but to return to Syria, where he would be required to do military service, or pay an “army fee” he could not afford, or go to jail for failing to do either. While he waits for the decision of immigration authorities, Alabdullah has lived in a foyer, or boarding house, for migrants and asylum seekers and, more recently, in a studio apartment, with the assistance of Hospice Général , a social service assistance program of the City of Geneva. While he continues his job search, Latif works as a volunteer with Thrive, a local community organization that provides employment assistance to migrant...