UN rights chief urges Mexico to end misery of enforced disappearances and torture
Oct 09, 2015, at 02:56 pm
New York, Oct 9 (IBNS): Despite significant progress towards building a solid human rights framework, the Mexican Government must nevertheless "bind itself to a new sense of urgency in solving the enormous human rights challenges it faces," Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, said today as he wrapped up an official visit to the country.
Nepal: Experts begin post-disaster work at damaged UNESCO heritage sites
Oct 09, 2015, at 02:54 pm
New York, Oct 9 (IBNS): International and national experts from the Nepalese Department of Archaeology and an archaeological team from Durham University have begun post-disaster excavation surveys and rescue excavations at earthquake damaged UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal.
Food prices are staying lower for longer periods: UN agency
Oct 09, 2015, at 02:53 pm
New York, Oct 9 (IBNS): Food prices are staying lower for longer periods, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reported on Thursday, saying lower food prices "seem to be a boon to food security and are indeed just that for households who spend a large share of their income on food purchases."
Haiti taking steps towards renewal of democracy and stability: UN envoy
Oct 09, 2015, at 02:52 pm
New York, Oct 9 (IBNS): With the holding its first round of elections 9 August this year, to renew the executive legislative and local leadership of the country, Haiti is taking "resolute" steps in renewing its democratic institutions, the top United Nations official for the country told the Security Council on Thursday.
Ban requests internal probe over claims against former Assembly President
Oct 09, 2015, at 02:50 pm
New York, Oct 9 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has requested that the Organization’s Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) launch an audit of the interaction between the UN and the Global Sustainability Foundation and the Sun Kian Ip Group, and the use of any funds received from these entities, according to a UN spokesperson.
No new cases of Ebola reported for first time since March 2014: WHO
Oct 09, 2015, at 02:49 pm
New York, Oct 9 (IBNS): There were no new cases of Ebola reported in West Africa in the week ending last Sunday, making it the first week since March 2014 with zero cases recorded in the three countries most affected by the outbreak, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), which cautioned that there remains a near-term risk of new cases.
Concerned by escalating West Bank violence, UN rights chief urges restraint
Oct 09, 2015, at 02:47 pm
New York, Oct 9 (IBNS): Voicing extreme concern over escalating tensions and rapidly-spreading violence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, the United Nations human rights chief on Thursday called for urgent action by both Israelis and Palestinians to halt the violence, while stressing the need to ensure security forces comply with international standards and respect for human rights.
Ban appoints new head of UN mission in DR Congo
Oct 09, 2015, at 02:44 pm
New York, Oct 9 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has appointed Maman S. Sidikou of Niger as his new Special Representative for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Head of the UN Mission in the country, known as MONUSCO.
UN report shows global youth unemployment rate still above financial crisis levels
Oct 09, 2015, at 02:41 pm
New York, Oct 9 (IBNS): Global youth unemployment rates have stabilized somewhat but remain well above pre-financial crisis levels, according to a new report released by the International Labour Organization (ILO) on Thursday.
UN official urges global compact on refugee and asylum matters
Oct 09, 2015, at 02:39 pm
New York, Oct 9 (IBNS): The top protection expert in the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on Thursday warned of a growing risk to people fleeing conflict and persecution and called for "an all-out effort to ensure that protection, and in particular the institution of asylum, remains life-saving, non-political, and fundamentally humanitarian."
Shahadat send to 3-day remand by Bangladesh court
Oct 08, 2015, at 08:47 pm
Dhaka, Oct 8 (IBNS): A Bangladesh court on Thursday sent cricketer Shahadat Hossain to three- day custody in connection with the case on torturing a domestic help.
UN refugee official calls for renewed international focus on Afghanistan
Oct 08, 2015, at 01:21 pm
New York, Oct 8 (IBNS): The United Nations’ most senior refugee official is appealing to the international community to refocus its attention on Afghanistan, warning that it would be dangerous to ignore the country, and praised Iran and Pakistan for hosting so many Afghan refugees.
Ban welcomes election of chief of UN-backed climate panel ahead of Paris conference
Oct 08, 2015, at 01:19 pm
New York, Oct 8 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has welcomed the election of Lee Hoesung of the Republic of Korea as Chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Hoesung will guide the Panel’s work of assessing the science related to climate change.
UN launches 'Nelson Mandela Rules' on improving treatment of prisoners
Oct 08, 2015, at 01:18 pm
New York, Oct 8 (IBNS): The United Nations on Wednesday launched the Revised Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, dubbed the 'Nelson Mandela Rules,' which Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed as "a great step forward" but also drew attention to three areas that could be strengthened from a human rights perspective.
Political tensions running high ahead of 2016 elections in DR Congo: UN officials
Oct 08, 2015, at 01:15 pm
New York, Oct 8 (IBNS): The top United Nations official in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) told the UN Security Council on Wednesday that he cannot say with certainty whether the progress attained in the country is sustainable, or whether violence will erupt again and reverse what has been achieved so far.
UN chief condemns killing of peacekeeper in Central African Republic
Oct 08, 2015, at 01:14 pm
New York, Oct 8 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned on Wednesday the killing of a 'blue helmet' from the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), which occurred on Tuesday in the capital, Bangui.
Rice genetics placed in global data pool to help develop sustainable crops: UN
Oct 08, 2015, at 01:12 pm
New York, Oct 8 (IBNS): The genome sequences of thousands of rice varieties have been placed with a United Nations-backed treaty on plant genetics by the world’s leading rice research institute to help boost plans to set up a global data exchange for crop genetic resources, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
UN envoy urges action to make roads safe for children
Oct 08, 2015, at 01:10 pm
New York, Oct 8 (IBNS): Marking International Walk to School Day, Jean Todt, the United Nations Special Envoy for Road Safety, has is calling for urgent action to halt road deaths and traffic accidents, which, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), kill some 500 children a day.
Houthis reaffirm acceptance of Security Council resolution to end violence in Yemen: UN
Oct 08, 2015, at 01:09 pm
New York, Oct 8 (IBNS): The United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, has welcomed the latest statements by the Houthis reaffirming their acceptance of a UN Security Council resolution aimed at ending the country’s months-long conflict, the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Wednesday.
UN rights expert welcomes steps taken to combat torture in Ghana
Oct 08, 2015, at 01:08 pm
New York, Oct 8 (IBNS): A United Nations expert on torture on Wednesday urged the Government of Ghana to step up its effort to implement recommendations issued after a mission to the country in November 2013, when deep concerns about the situation of overcrowding in prisons and other rights violations were voiced.
Ban welcomes US decision on early release of 6,000 prisoners
Oct 08, 2015, at 01:06 pm
New York, Oct 8 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed on Tuesday the decision by the United States Government to release 6,000 inmates from federal penitentiaries in an effort to ease overcrowding in prisons and provide a degree of redress for persons who received disproportionately long sentences for non-violent drug-related offences.
Russia fires 26 missiles on IS in Syria
Oct 08, 2015, at 05:03 am
Moscow/Damascus, Oct 7 (IBNS) Russian navy on Wednesday, launched 26 missiles from 4 warships on Islamic State captured Syria, confirmed Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.
Air strike on Afghanistan hospital was a mistake: US
Oct 07, 2015, at 02:57 pm
Washington, Oct 7 (IBNS): US Secretary of Defense Ash Carter has expressed his regret over the loss of lives in a U.S. military airstrike on a hospital in Afghanistan.
UN agencies launch new standards to improve adolescent care worldwide
Oct 07, 2015, at 02:17 pm
New York, Oct 7 (IBNS): Two United Nations agencies – the UN World Health Organization (WHO) and the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) – announced on Tuesday they have developed new standards for quality health-care services for adolescents, which aim to help countries improve services for people between the ages of 10 and 19.
Peace process in Mali 'back on track' but vigilance necessary: UN envoy
Oct 07, 2015, at 02:14 pm
New York, Oct 7 (IBNS): The road towards peace and the implementation of an accord to end instability and violence in Mali is full of obstacles, the United Nations envoy for the country on Tuesday told the Security Council, noting that these difficulties have been encountered sooner than he had expected.
Ban voices profound alarm at growing number of deadly incidents in West Bank
Oct 07, 2015, at 02:12 pm
New York, Oct 7 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon voiced "profound alarm" on Tuesday at the growing number of deadly incidents in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
Despite looting of aid agencies in Central Africa UN pledges continued support
Oct 07, 2015, at 02:08 pm
New York, Oct 7 (IBNS): Despite worsening security conditions and the recent looting of international aid offices in the Central African Republic (CAR), prompting the temporarily relocation of 200 personnel, the United Nations on Tuesday pledged to keep bringing aid into the war-torn country, where over half the population urgently needs assistance.
Foreign terrorist fighters pose significant and evolving global threat: UN report
Oct 07, 2015, at 02:05 pm
New York, Oct 7 (IBNS): In the wake of last week’s meeting of world leaders at United Nations Headquarters on countering violent extremism, a new UN report released on Tuesday throws into stark relief the growing threat posed by foreign terrorist fighters, especially in an era where extremist groups freely use social media and the Internet to disseminate their ideologies and even raise funds.
No humanitarian agencies left in Afghan city of Kunduz after bombing: UN
Oct 07, 2015, at 02:01 pm
New York, Oct 7 (IBNS): There are currently no humanitarian agencies left in Kunduz, the north-eastern Afghan city where an air strike hit the Médecins sans Frontières (MSF) hospital, causing the deaths and injuries of medical personnel, patients and other civilians, the United Nations said on Tuesday.
EU migration policy 'will fail' without human rights focus: UN rights chief
Oct 07, 2015, at 01:57 pm
New York, Oct 7 (IBNS): Warning that Europe's "narrow, exclusion-focused [migration] policies have clearly failed," the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on Tuesday urged the European Union to make certain that upcoming policy discussions undertaken in light of the region's refugee crisis are grounded firmly on the need to protect the human rights for all migrants.