UN expert urges Somalia to guarantee free expression and to suspend death penalty
Jun 03, 2015, at 02:11 pm
New York, Jun 3 (IBNS): Somalia must put in place a legal framework that guarantees freedom of expression in the country, as well as a moratorium on capital punishment, a United Nations independent expert recommended on Tuesday, while commending progress accomplished so far.
UN agency remains ‘stabilizing factor’ for Palestine refugees in Middle East: Ban
Jun 03, 2015, at 02:09 pm
New York, Jun 3 (IBNS): Marking 65 years since the inception of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday called it more than just an agency but a “lifeline,†as he paid tribute to its staff especially those who have lost their lives trying to serve others.
Ban to convene international Ebola recovery conference in New York
Jun 03, 2015, at 02:08 pm
New York, Jun 3 (IBNS): To help mobilize needed resources “in the last mile of the response†against the Ebola outbreak and to start the affected West African countries on the path of early recovery, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday announced that he will convene an international conference next month.
UN agency aims to reach 2.5 million in Yemen with food aid by July
Jun 03, 2015, at 02:07 pm
New York, Jun 3 (IBNS): Amid a worsening crisis and growing number of hungry people in Yemen, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) announced on Tuesday that it is scaling-up its operations to get emergency food aid to 2.5 million people by July.
Humanitarian appeal for Iraq vital to meet health needs among displaced: UN
Jun 03, 2015, at 02:05 pm
New York, Jun 3 (IBNS): If the upcoming launch of the 2015 humanitarian response plan for Iraq by the United Nations and partners fails to raise the required $500 million, the people of the country, especially those internally displaced by fighting, will face even greater hardship, a World Health Organization (WHO) official warned on Tuesday.
Ban saddened by passenger ship accident in China
Jun 03, 2015, at 02:04 pm
New York, Jun 3 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday expressed his sadness over a ship accident that occurred last night in China, reportedly resulting in major casualties.
UN expert urges Azerbaijan to free rights defenders ahead of Baku Games
Jun 03, 2015, at 02:03 pm
New York, Jun 3 (IBNS): United Nations Special Rapporteur Michel Forst on Tuesday criticized the “relentless prosecution and repression of prominent rights activists in Azerbaijan†and called for their immediate release – before the inaugural European Games begin in Baku on 12 June.
Burundi: UN urges return to political dialogue amid ongoing tensions
Jun 03, 2015, at 02:02 pm
New York, Jun 3 (IBNS): The United Nations is continuing its efforts to facilitate a dialogue among Burundian stakeholders amid the country’s ongoing political deadlock and a burgeoning humanitarian crisis, a spokesperson for the Organization announced on Tuesday.
Afghanistan: Outgoing official at UN pledges commitment to advancing women’s rights
Jun 03, 2015, at 01:59 pm
New York, Jun 3 (IBNS): While the outgoing senior United Nations rights official in Afghanistan said she expected the human rights advances made “will be sustained, will not be rolled back, and will not be sacrificed,†she lamented the high level of violence against women and the need for the Government to do “much more†for women’s rights.
UN expert urges Greece to reach debt deal that respects human rights
Jun 03, 2015, at 01:58 pm
New York, Jun 3 (IBNS): Noting that challenges remain to curb Greek debt crisis while addressing human rights, a United Nations expert on Tuesday urged international institutions and Greece to redouble their efforts to “maximum available resources†for financial obligations and ensure the enjoyment of human rights.
Security Council urges Yemeni stakeholders to 'accelerate' political dialogue
Jun 03, 2015, at 01:56 pm
New York, Jun 3 (IBNS): The Security Council on Tuesday voiced deep concern about the “grave situation†in Yemen and urged the country's stakeholders to engage as soon as possible in United Nations-brokered inclusive political consultations.
In Iraq, UN reports insecurity and violence taking 'terrible toll' on civilians from all communities
Jun 02, 2015, at 08:19 pm
New York, Jun 2 (IBNS): At least 1,031 Iraqis were killed in May 2015 and another 1,684 injured in acts of terrorism, violence and armed conflict, according to the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI), which said the actions of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant’s (ISIL) were to blame for the growing number of casualties.
At Geneva jobs summit, UN labour chief urges a global debate on the future of work
Jun 02, 2015, at 08:17 pm
New York, Jun 2 (IBNS): Addressing some 4,000 government, worker and employer representatives, the head of the United Nations International Labour Organization (ILO) called for a global debate on the future of work at the 104th International Labour Conference in Geneva today.
At first-ever conference, UN takes aim at cyber-threats against nuclear safety
Jun 02, 2015, at 08:14 pm
New York, Jun 2 (IBNS): The international community must intensify efforts to protect the world’s nuclear facilities from cyberattacks, the head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog declared today as he opened the Organization’s first-ever conference on the issue at the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) headquarters in Vienna.
Give young people decent jobs and they will create a better future–UN chief
Jun 02, 2015, at 08:13 pm
New York, Jun 2 (IBNS): When young people have decent jobs, political weight, negotiating muscle and real influence in the world, they will create a better future, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today as he kicked off a Headquarters event on empowering youth through employment.
'Persistent and grave' human rights violations in eastern Ukraine-UN report
Jun 02, 2015, at 08:12 pm
New York, Jun 2 (IBNS): Serious human rights violations and abuses persist in eastern Ukraine, including shelling, executions, arbitrary and illegal detentions, torture, ill-treatment, human trafficking and the lack of justice and accountability, as well as deprivation of economic and social rights, deeply affecting the 5 million people living in the conflict-affected areas, a new United Nations report said today.
Amid reports of fighting, UN ship with vital food aid for Yemen diverted from Aden
Jun 02, 2015, at 08:09 pm
New York, Jun 2 (IBNS): A United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) chartered ship carrying vital food assistance destined for the Yemeni port of Aden was diverted yesterday to the port of Hudaydah following reports of ongoing fighting and security threats.
Chinese cruise sinks in Yangtze, hundreds feared dead
Jun 02, 2015, at 07:18 pm
Beijing, June 2 (IBNS) Hundreds of people are feared dead when a cruise carrying 458 people capsized in the Yangtze River in China's Hubei province.
Ban condemns South Sudan's decision to expel UN humanitarian coordinator
Jun 02, 2015, at 06:54 pm
New York, Jun 2 (IBNS): Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday condemned the Government of South Sudan's decision to expel his Deputy Special Representative and the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator in the country, Toby Lanzer.
UN relief wing boosts emergency support to refugees fleeing Burundi crisis
Jun 02, 2015, at 06:53 pm
New York, Jun 2 (IBNS): The new head of the United Nations relief arm on Monday released a fresh tranche of crisis funding from the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) in order to support life-saving relief work for thousands of Burundian refugees dispersed between Rwanda and Tanzania, the Organization has announced.
UN report presents recommendations on protecting LGBT rights
Jun 02, 2015, at 06:52 pm
New York, Jun 2 (IBNS): While some progress has been made since the first study four years ago spotlighting discrimination and violence against people based on their sexual orientation and gender identity, the overall picture remains one of pervasive, violent abuse, harassment and discrimination affecting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBT/I) persons in all regions, according to a new United Nations report issued on Monday.
Ending statelessness in Europe is realistic goal by 2024: UN refugee agency
Jun 02, 2015, at 06:50 pm
New York, Jun 2 (IBNS): The United Nations refugee agency, which has launched a campaign, #IBelong, to end the suffering of some 10 million stateless people across the world by the year 2024, said on Monday that addressing the plight for 600,000 people at the margins of society in Europe "is doable" in that timeframe.
UN rights chief urges inquiry into violations by international forces in Central Africa
Jun 01, 2015, at 02:32 pm
New York, Jun 1 (IBNS): The United Nations human rights chief has urged several States to intensify their efforts to investigate long-standing allegations that soldiers in their forces sent to keep the peace in the Central African Republic (CAR) may have committed very serious violations, including killing of civilians and sexual exploitation of local women.
Syria: UN envoy condemns death of at least 70 civilians in Aleppo
Jun 01, 2015, at 02:29 pm
New York, Jun 1 (IBNS): The United Nations Special Envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, has strongly condemned the death of at least 70 civilians in Syria's northern Aleppo province by barrel bombs dropped from government helicopters.
Burundi: UN Special Adviser urges all parties to engage in talks to calm tensions
Jun 01, 2015, at 02:24 pm
New York, Jun 1 (IBNS): At the conclusion of his two-day visit to Burundi, Adama Dieng, the United Nations Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, warned of increased tensions and the risk of further violence, unless all parties engage in open dialogue to resolve the crisis and calm tensions.
No Tobacco Day: UN launches fight against illicit tobacco trade to save lives
Jun 01, 2015, at 02:23 pm
New York, Jun 1 (IBNS): The elimination of the world's illicit tobacco trade will not only save millions of lives but also generate billions of dollars in windfall for governments, the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) announced on Sunday as it marked the 2015 edition of World No Tobacco Day.
May 30, 2015, at 11:33 pm
Tokyo, May 30 (IBNS): A massive earthquake hit Japan on Saturday, shaking buildings and triggering panic in the country, media reports said.
South Sudan: UN officials call for international engagement to de-escalate country's conflict
May 30, 2015, at 08:24 pm
New York, May 30 (IBNS): As South Sudan's civil conflict continues to escalate, five senior United Nations officials have urged all stakeholders in the country to reach a sustainable solution to the crisis through inclusive dialogue and foster a lasting peace based on accountability and reconciliation.
UN 'deeply concerned' by desperate situation facing thousands of Iraqis fleeing Ramadi
May 30, 2015, at 08:23 pm
New York, May 30 (IBNS): Some 85,000 Iraqis have fled fighting in the central city of Ramadi but as temperatures in the region soar, thousands more still on the move are facing obstacles in reaching safety such as lack of proper shelter and "onerous requirements" for documentation, the United Nations refugee agency warned Friday.
UN honours fallen peacekeepers; looks to past, present and future of 'invaluable' operations
May 30, 2015, at 08:21 pm
New York, May 30 (IBNS): On the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stressed the “invaluable contribution†of peacekeeping to the history of the Organization and reaffirmed his commitment to improving the effectiveness of ‘blue helmets’ in the coming years.