UN concerned over conflict-related sexual violence
Apr 26, 2014, at 05:18 pm
New York, Apr 26 (IBNS): Despite the current unprecedented political will to eliminate sexual violence in conflict, hold perpetrators to account and support victims, the reality is that raping a woman, child or man is still a largely "cost-free" crime, United Nations officials warned on Friday, appealing to all States to strengthen their cooperation to end impunity and protect the vulnerable.
UN urges Bahrain to stop persecuting Shi'a Muslims
Apr 25, 2014, at 05:33 pm
New York, Apr 25 (IBNS): An independent United Nations human rights expert on Thursday urged the Government of Bahrain to stop the harassment and persecution of a Shi'a Muslim leader who was reportedly forced to leave the country following threats from State security agents to arrest him and his son.
UN reaffirms support to peacebuilding in Somalia
Apr 24, 2014, at 05:38 pm
New York, Apr 24 (IBNS): The top United Nations envoy in Somalia on Wednesday called on the country's international partners to boost support to aid peacebuilding and humanitarian efforts there, while reaffirming that the world body has no plans to withdraw amid attacks by Al-Shabaab militants.
UN urges respect for rights of persons with disabilities
Apr 23, 2014, at 05:18 pm
New York, Apr 23 (IBNS): People with disabilities have the same rights as everyone to make decisions about their lives, including the right to take risks and make mistakes, a United Nations committee has stressed in new guidelines.
UN condemns murder of Somali parliamentarian
Apr 22, 2014, at 05:02 pm
New York, Apr 22 (IBNS): The top United Nations envoy in Somalia on Monday condemned the murder of parliamentarian Isaak Mohamed Rino and called for the perpetrators of the attack to be brought to justice.
UN seeks emergency funds to aid civilians fleeing CAR
Apr 17, 2014, at 05:31 pm
New York, Apr 17 (IBNS): United Nations humanitarian agencies and their partners on Wednesday launched a joint appeal to donors to fund emergency operations in support of the growing number of people who have been fleeing the conflict in the Central African Republic (CAR) since last December.
UN urges Israel to prevent takeover of West Bank building
Apr 16, 2014, at 06:18 pm
New York, Apr 16 (IBNS): An independent United Nations human rights expert on Tuesday urged Israel to prevent settlers from taking over Al-Rajabi House, a building in the West Bank city of Hebron that was built by Palestinian families but whose ownership was granted to the settlers after a protracted legal battle.
UN condemns ongoing violence in South Sudan
Apr 16, 2014, at 06:14 pm
New York, Apr 16 (IBNS): The number of people seeking shelter at the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) base in the Unity state capital, Bentiu, has doubled over the past few days, UN Humanitarian Coordinator Toby Lanzer said in Juba on Tuesday.
UN lauds Bulgaria's effort to improve conditions of asylum-seekers
Apr 16, 2014, at 06:11 pm
New York, Apr 16 (IBNS): The United Nations refugee agency applauded on Tuesday the "significant efforts" made recently by the Bulgarian authorities and their partners to improve living conditions for asylum seekers in the country.
Pepsi joins Coke in support to protect rights of poor: UN
Apr 16, 2014, at 06:08 pm
New York, Apr 16 (IBNS): The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) announced on Tuesday that PepsiCo has joined the Coca-Cola Company in giving its official support to a set of global guidelines that protect the rights of poor and vulnerable people to land, livelihoods and food security.
UN launches guide to mobilizing action for disarmament
Apr 16, 2014, at 05:58 pm
New York, Apr 16 (IBNS): "Your deeds will have an impact...be the new leaders of change," United Nations Messenger of Peace Michael Douglas urged on Tuesday during an event launching the book, 'Action for Disarmament: 10 Things You Can Do!'.
UN hails treaty allowing children to lodge complaints
Apr 15, 2014, at 08:49 pm
New York, Apr 15 (IBNS): United Nations child rights experts on Monday hailed a new treaty that allows children to complain directly to the world body about alleged violations of their rights.
UN condemns rampant use of torture by Syrian forces
Apr 15, 2014, at 07:14 pm
New York, Apr 15 (IBNS): The United Nations human rights chief on Monday condemned the rampant use of torture, including allegedly of children, in detention facilities across Syria by Government forces and some armed opposition groups.
UN urges financing for sustainable development
Apr 15, 2014, at 06:32 pm
New York, Apr 15 (IBNS): Even with a slow recovery from the economic and financial crisis underway, severe effects of the upheaval linger and serious risks remain, United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson warned a high-level gathering of global finance institutions on Monday, urging measures to channel financial investment into vital areas that can help secure sustainable development for all.
UN deplores execution of Mexican national by US authorities
Apr 12, 2014, at 06:58 pm
New York, Apr 12 (IBNS): The United Nations human rights office on Friday voiced deep regret at the execution of Mexican national Ramiro Hernandez Llanas in Texas on Wednesday, noting that the United States is in breach of international law since Llanas was not allowed access to consular services.
Sudan: UN urges support to prevent further food crisis
Apr 11, 2014, at 06:59 pm
New York, Apr 11 (IBNS): The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) on Thursday called for urgent support for farmers and herders in Sudan in order to help prevent a further worsening of the food security situation in the country.
Iran: UN appeals for medical care of political prisoners
Apr 11, 2014, at 06:51 pm
New York, Apr 11 (IBNS): A group of independent United Nations human rights experts on Thursday voiced alarm at the denial of medical care to two political prisoners in Iran who are at risk of dying in detention due to worsening health conditions, and urged the authorities to provide them with treatment.
UN concerned over eviction of indigenous group in Cameroon
Apr 11, 2014, at 06:42 pm
New York, Apr 11 (IBNS): The independent United Nations experts dealing with the rights of minorities and of indigenous peoples on Thursday voiced their concern about the eviction and demolition of houses of the Mbororo pastoralist community in Cameroon, and urged a solution to their plight.
UN concerned by political violence in Burundi
Apr 11, 2014, at 06:32 pm
New York, Apr 11 (IBNS): The United Nations on Thursday called on the Government of Burundi to address ongoing political violence and restrictions on human rights, saying it is receiving "troubling" information about recent developments in the country.
UN provides aid to besieged Syrians in eastern Aleppo
Apr 10, 2014, at 05:21 pm
New York, Apr 10 (IBNS): The United Nations refugee agency and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) said on Wednesday it managed to bring humanitarian aid to a besieged neighbourhood in eastern Aleppo, an area that had been cut off from assistance since last June.
UN urges DR Congo to end impunity for sexual violence
Apr 10, 2014, at 05:18 pm
New York, Apr 10 (IBNS): United Nations officials on Wednesday called on the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to step up the fight against impunity for rape and sexual violence, which remain widespread and largely unpunished despite some progress in holding perpetrators accountable.
UN launches joint talks on development partnerships
Apr 10, 2014, at 05:13 pm
New York, Apr 10 (IBNS): The United Nations took a major step on the road towards crafting a new, sustainability-focused agenda, as two of the Organization's main bodies - the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) - brought Member States together to weigh action-oriented solutions for mobilizing new and existing development partnerships.
UN urges Lithuania to reverse political ban on ex-president
Apr 10, 2014, at 04:56 pm
New York, Apr 10 (IBNS): The United Nations expert body monitoring civil and political rights found on Wednesday that Lithuania violated the rights of its ex-president, Rolandas Paksas, by introducing a rule banning impeached officials from holding high office - just weeks after he had been removed from his post for abuse of power.
UN condemns deadly attack in southern Afghanistan
Apr 09, 2014, at 05:15 pm
New York, Apr 9 (IBNS): The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has strongly condemned an attack in the southern province of Kandahar which killed 15 civilians and injured another five.
UN assists Syrians amidst fears of drought impact
Apr 09, 2014, at 04:57 pm
New York, Apr 9 (IBNS): While noting that the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) provided assistance to a record 4 million Syrians in March, a new report out on Tuesday highlights that, with only one month left in the rainy season, a potential drought may strain the country's already fragile food security situation.
UN condemns killing of two consultants in Somalia
Apr 08, 2014, at 07:15 pm
New York, Apr 8 (IBNS): Senior United Nations officials on Monday voiced outrage at the killing of two consultants working for the world body's arm dealing with drugs and crime who were shot by unknown gunmen in Somalia's Puntland region.
UN forum to address challenges faced by world population
Apr 08, 2014, at 06:55 pm
New York, Apr 8 (IBNS): Member States on Monday kicked off a week-long assessment at United Nations Headquarters of action taken over the past 20 years to improve people's lives and address population issues amid changes in ageing, fertility, mortality, migration and urbanization.
UN urges states to sign treaty on migrant workers' rights
Apr 08, 2014, at 06:51 pm
New York, Apr 8 (IBNS): The expert members of the United Nations panel dealing with the rights of migrant workers and their families renewed on Monday their appeal to all countries to sign the international treaty on the rights of those workers, which went into effect almost 11 years ago.
UN launches response for flood-affected Solomon islands
Apr 08, 2014, at 06:47 pm
New York, Apr 8 (IBNS): The United Nations and its partners in the Pacific have begun deployments to Honiara on Monday in support of the Solomon Islands' Government response to what is considered to be "the worst floods ever seen in the country," killing at least 23 people and affecting another 50,000 across the country.
UN deplores attack on journalists in Afghanistan
Apr 05, 2014, at 06:06 pm
New York, Apr 5 (IBNS): The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) strongly condemned the "abhorrent" attack on two international journalists working for the Associated Press on Friday which left one dead and the other wounded.