In Europe, UN chief praises Luxemburg's commitment on development issues
Jun 23, 2015, at 09:01 pm
New York, June 23 (IBNS): Currently in Europe, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon made an official visit to Luxembourg, where he met with a number of Government officials, including the Prime Minister, Xavier Bettel.
South Sudan: UN mission reports five people injured in shooting at Juba marketplace
Jun 23, 2015, at 08:57 pm
New York, June 23 (IBNS): The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has reported that five internally displaced persons (IDPs) – four women and one man – were shot during an incident early Saturday evening.
Central African Republic: Ban appoints panel to investigate UN response to sexual abuse allegations
Jun 23, 2015, at 08:55 pm
New York, June 20 (IBNS) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has appointed a panel to investigate the response of the United Nations to allegations of sexual abuse surrounding a deployment of foreign military forces in the Central African Republic (CAR), a spokesperson for the Organization has announced.
Security Council has 'obligation to act now' to protect civilians from ISIL - UN rights expert
Jun 23, 2015, at 08:49 pm
New York, June 23 (IBNS): A United Nations expert appointed by the world body's Geneva-based Human Rights Council appealed today for the Security Council to take immediate action to enforce international law and protect civilians living “in daily fear for their lives" in areas controlled by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant group (ISIL) where "shocking crimes are being committed on an industrial scale."
Jun 22, 2015, at 05:51 am
New York, June 21 (IBNS) The first International Day of Yoga is being celebrated around the world on Sundayfollowing recognition by the United Nations General Assembly that the holistic benefits of the ancient Indian practice and its inherent compatibility with the principles and values of the UN.
As elections draw near, Ban sends to Burundi a Special Envoy in support of regional efforts
Jun 22, 2015, at 05:49 am
New York, June 21 (IBNS) Concerned by the political crisis in Burundi, "which threatens to undo more than a decade of work to consolidate peace and reconciliation in the country", UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced on Sundaythe arrival in Bujumbura of his Special Representative and Head of the UN Regional Office for Central Africa, Abdoulaye Bathily.
Al Jazeera reporter detained in Germany
Jun 22, 2015, at 01:52 am
Berlin,June 21 (IBNS): Germany has detained a journalist Ahmed Mansour, working with Al Jazeera, at the request of the Egyptian authorities, media reports said on Sunday.
Mali: Ban welcomes the signature of the Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation by remaining parties
Jun 21, 2015, at 10:52 pm
New Delhi, June 21 (IBNS) UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed Saturday the signature, earlier today, of the Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in Mali by the Coordination coalition of armed groups in Bamako.
On World Refugee Day, UN chief appeals for hearts to be open to refugees everywhere
Jun 21, 2015, at 10:38 pm
New York, June 22 (IBNS): With one in every 122 human beings a refugee, internally displaced or seeking asylum United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is marking World Refugee Day by calling urgently on "governments and societies around the world to recommit to providing refuge and safety to those who have lost everything to conflict or persecution."
Palestinian life in West Bank constrained by Israeli policies – UN expert
Jun 20, 2015, at 09:57 pm
New York, June 20 (IBNS) The international community must ensure the promise of universal human rights no longer rings hollow to Palestinian “living under the 48-year-long Israeli occupation,†on Friday said a UN independent expert.
Maldives court decision undermines human rights protections in country, warns senior UN official
Jun 20, 2015, at 09:48 pm
New York, June 20 (IBNS) The United Nations human rights chief has voiced concern over a judgement issued by the Maldives Supreme Court in which the country’s human rights processes appear to be severely challenged.
Mali: UN welcomes announcement by armed groups of withdrawal from eastern town
Jun 20, 2015, at 09:41 pm
New York, June 20 (IBNS) The United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) has welcomed the announcement made last night by the armed groups of the so-called "Platform" to withdraw from the town of Menaka, in accordance with the arrangements for a cessation of hostilities.
Adopting resolution, UN creates International Day against Sexual Violence in Conflict
Jun 20, 2015, at 09:30 pm
New York, June 20 (IBNS) In an effort to boost the global fight against the horrors faced by women and girls in zones of conflict worldwide, the United Nations General Assembly on Friday approved by consensus a new resolution to commemorate 19 June as the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict.
Jun 20, 2015, at 09:25 pm
New York, June 20 (IBNS) Two United Nations agencies on Friday expressed strong concerns over Hungary’s plans to build a four-metre high fence along its border with Serbia, with the UN refugee agency saying the wall will "be a further obstacle for people who have fled from war zones like Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq and who desperately need safety and protection."
Thailand confirms first MERS case as outbreak spreads – UN health agency
Jun 20, 2015, at 09:22 pm
New York, June 20 (IBNS) Thailand has confirmed its first case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, or MERS, in a male traveller from Oman, and the World Health Organization (WHO) on Friday is urging countries in Southeast Asia to step up vigilance and review preparedness to respond to the disease.
Only 'limited window to act' to assist farmers in Nepal recovering from earthquakes – UN agency
Jun 20, 2015, at 09:21 pm
New York , June 20 (IBNS) With only 13 per cent of a United Nations emergency agricultural appeal met by donors, Nepal’s farmers trying to recover from this year’s twin earthquakes will not be able to plant rice seeds before the start of the monsoon rains expected in the coming days and replenish livestock, fertilizers, and tools lost in the disaster, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
UN launches new aid appeal as Yemen faces 'looming humanitarian catastrophe'
Jun 20, 2015, at 09:04 pm
New York, June 20 (IBNS) The United Nations relief arm has called for over one billion dollars in funding in order to lift Yemen from a devastating crisis that has plunged the country into severe food insecurity and left it on the brink of an all-out humanitarian disaster, the Organization on Friday confirmed, as national stakeholders from the Gulf state wrapped up UN-backed political consultations in Geneva, Switzerland.
UN agency urges Dominican Republic to refrain deporting stateless people
Jun 20, 2015, at 09:00 pm
New York, June 20 (IBNS) The Dominican Republic must ensure that people whose citizenship was thrown into question by a 2013 ruling of the Constitutional Court will not be deported, the UN refugee agency said on Friday.
UN warns of 'record high' 60 million displaced amid expanding global conflicts
Jun 19, 2015, at 02:08 pm
New York, Jun 19 (IBNS): The international community is experiencing a dramatic shift in the situation facing the world’s refugees as a global surge in war, conflict and persecution has caused a record number of people to flee their homes in search of safety, the United Nations refugee agency reported on Thursday.
Ban hails Papal Encyclical spotlighting climate change as critical ‘moral issue’
Jun 19, 2015, at 02:07 pm
New York, Jun 19 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday welcomed the release of Pope Francis’ Papal Encyclical in which the leader of the Catholic Church deplored climate change as one of the principal challenges facing humanity and called for a ‘new dialogue’ about shaping the future of our planet.
Yemen facing serious food insecurity as conflict deteriorates: UN study
Jun 19, 2015, at 02:06 pm
New York, Jun 19 (IBNS): Six million people in Yemen are slipping towards severe hunger and now need emergency food and life-saving assistance, “a sharp increase†from the last quarter of 2014, according to a new joint study by two United Nations organizations.
WHO ramps up efforts against Tanzania cholera outbreak
Jun 19, 2015, at 02:05 pm
New York, Jun 19 (IBNS): The cholera outbreak in Tanzania continues to spread among the populations in the country’s western Kigoma region amid an influx of refugees from neighbouring Burundi, the United Nations health agency warned on Thursday as it detailed its ongoing response aimed at stemming the epidemic.
Unspeakable violence against children in South Sudan must stop: UNICEF chief
Jun 19, 2015, at 02:04 pm
New York, Jun 19 (IBNS): The head of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has appealed “in the name of humanity and common decency†for a halt to the worsening violence against children in South Sudan that has seen boys reportedly castrated and left to bleed to death and girls as young as eight who have been gang raped and murdered.
Protecting children in war zones is a legal obligation: Security Council
Jun 19, 2015, at 02:03 pm
New York, Jun 19 (IBNS): “A moral imperative and a legal obligation,†protecting children should never be jeopardized by national interests, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Thursday, deploring that 2014 was one of the worst years in recent memory for children in countries affected by conflict.
Ukraine: UN warns number of displaced persons and refugees on the rise
Jun 19, 2015, at 02:01 pm
New York, Jun 19 (IBNS): The number of people fleeing their homes in Ukraine continues to rise, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
Security Council looks forward to signing of Mali peace accord by armed groups
Jun 19, 2015, at 02:00 pm
New York, Jun 19 (IBNS): The United Nations Security Council, reiterating on Thursday its support to the Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation in Mali, said it looked forward to the expected signing of the accord this weekend by the so-called ‘Coordination’ armed groups.
A justice system that fails children ultimately fails society: UN rights expert
Jun 19, 2015, at 01:59 pm
New York, Jun 19 (IBNS): The treatment of children in judicial proceedings around the world, both civil and criminal, is not satisfactory and often “unacceptable,†the UN human rights expert on the independence of judges and lawyers said on Thursday and called on countries to develop justice systems that are sensitive to the needs of children.
Yemen: Security Council condemns deadly terrorist attacks against mosques
Jun 19, 2015, at 01:57 pm
New York, Jun 19 (IBNs): The United Nations Security Council on Thursday condemned in the strongest terms the “horrific†series of terrorist attacks on mosques which left dozens dead and wounded in the Yemeni capital of Sana’a.
Charleston: Gunman kills 9 in African-American church
Jun 18, 2015, at 08:52 pm
Charleston, June 18 (IBNS): In an alleged incident of hate crime, nine people were shot to death at a historic black church in Charleston, South Carolina, on Wednesday night, police said on Thursday.
Palestinian refugee crisis a time bomb for Middle East region: UN official
Jun 18, 2015, at 01:54 pm
New York, Jun 18 (IBNS):The stark conditions afflicting millions of displaced Palestinians across the Middle East risk destabilizing the region and plunging it into a deeper humanitarian and security crisis, the head of the United Nations agency assisting Palestinian refugees has warned.