UN rights experts concerned by last-minute derailment of visit to The Gambia
Aug 13, 2014, at 02:15 pm
New York, Aug 13 (IBNS) The Gambia postponed a visit at the last minute by two United Nations independent experts, a move they find "extremely worrying" and which casts doubt on the West African country’s commitment to human rights.
In South Sudan, Security Council warns sanctions possible against 'spoilers'
Aug 13, 2014, at 02:14 pm
New York, Aug 13 (IBNS)On a visit to South Sudan, the United Nations Security Council on Tuesday reiterated that it is ready to impose sanctions against anyone who undermines the ongoing peace talks to stop the conflict which has uprooted some 1.5 million people and placed more than 7 million at risk of hunger and disease.
UN Refugee Agency alarmed as Sri Lanka deports families seeking asylum
Aug 13, 2014, at 02:10 pm
New York, Aug 13 (IBNS) The United Nations refugee agency on Tuesday expressed alarm that recent deportations of asylum-seekers from Sri Lanka back to Pakistan were growing in size and scope despite international calls to stop sending them back to a place where their lives could be in danger.
Amid spread of 'hatred and brutality,' Ban urges countries to do more to help Iraqi civilians
Aug 13, 2014, at 02:09 pm
New York, Aug 13 (IBNS) United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday urged Iraqi security forces against intervening in the country’s political process where heightened tensions, coupled with the current security threat from the armed group, the Islamic State, could lead the country into even deeper crisis.
Libya: UN Mission condemns ongoing fighting despite repeated calls for ceasefire
Aug 13, 2014, at 01:56 pm
New York, Aug 13 (IBNS) The United Nations mission assisting Libya on Tuesday condemned the battles in the capital, Tripoli, which continue despite repeated international calls for an immediate ceasefire and appeals to refrain from the use of force to resolve political differences.
UN Rights Council notes one member unavailable to serve on Gaza Commission
Aug 13, 2014, at 01:54 pm
New York, Aug 13 (IBNS) In a statement released on Tuesday, the President of the Human Rights Council, Baudelaire Ndog Ella said he "regrets" that the Commission, which is now operational, will not benefit from Amal Alamuddin's expertise in the field.
Northern Iraq: UN rights experts urge action to avoid mass atrocity, potential genocide
Aug 13, 2014, at 01:52 pm
New York, Aug 13 (IBNS) A group of United Nations human rights experts on Tuesday expressed grave concern at the imminent danger of massacre faced by the Yazidi population forced to flee Sinjar in northern Iraq and other minority communities currently exposed to attacks by members of the armed group, Islamic State (IS).
As latest ceasefire holds in Gaza, Ban urges both sides to address root causes of conflict
Aug 13, 2014, at 01:50 pm
New York, Aug 13 (IBNS) The most recent ceasefire in Gaza appears to be holding but unless the underlying causes of the conflict are addressed, another round of violence and vengeance is almost guaranteed, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday warned.
Inter-communal violence, banditry in Darfur threaten civilians – African Union-UN envoy
Aug 12, 2014, at 05:41 pm
New York, Aug 12 (IBNS) While fighting between Government forces and armed movements ebbed considerably during the past months, inter-communal violence and acts of banditry continue to be a challenge for the people of Darfur, the African Union-United Nations envoy on the region said on Monday.
First UN female force commander takes reigns in Cyprus
Aug 12, 2014, at 05:37 pm
New York Aug 12 (IBNS) Major General Kristin Lund on Monday officially assumed her duties as Force Commander of the United Nations peacekeeping force in Cyprus where the top UN official, Lisa Buttenheim, is also a woman. That UN operation is now the first in the world to have a dual female leadership.
World Humanitarian Day: More people than ever need help
Aug 12, 2014, at 05:34 pm
New York, Aug 12 (IBNS) Spotlighting humanitarians who often take great risks to help communities in need, World Humanitarian Day 2014 will feature events ranging from a 5K run/walk in Mogadishu, a wreath-laying ceremony at London’s Westminster Abbey, a radio talk show with disaster management experts in Papua New Guinea, and the launch of a postage stamp honouring the late United Nations humanitarian veteran Sergio Vieira de Mello.
Following Argentina 'Grandmother' reunion, UN experts urge support for families of disappeared
Aug 12, 2014, at 05:30 pm
New York, Aug 12 (IBNS): A group of United Nations human rights experts on Monday urged Governments around the world to fully support the families of disappeared people and organizations working on their behalf in the search for their loved ones.
Iraq: UN officials urge respect for constitution as Prime Minister-designate named
Aug 12, 2014, at 05:28 pm
New York, Aug 12 (IBNS) Amidst ongoing insecurity in northern Iraq, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and his representative in the country expressed support on Monday for President Fouad Masoum's office, as politicians are working towards creating a new Government, and warned that heightened political tensions could lead Iraq into even deeper crisis.
UN Rights Council appoints members of commission to investigate purported Gaza violations
Aug 12, 2014, at 05:26 pm
New York, Aug 12 (IBNS)The United Nations Human Rights Council announced on Monday the appointment of three members to its independent Commission of Inquiry to investigate purported violations of international humanitarian and human rights laws in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and particularly in the Gaza Strip since the conflict began on 13 June.
"Israel crossing into Gaza had to close due to deliberate and continuous rocket fire"
Aug 12, 2014, at 05:04 am
New Delhi,Aug 11 (IBNS) Israel on Monday said several rockets were intentionally fired at the Kerem Shalom Crossing between Israel and Gaza, hitting working areas of the crossing, since Sunday.
The news coming from Iraq pains me: Pope Francis
Aug 11, 2014, at 03:53 am
Vatican City, Aug 10 (IBNS) Pope Francis on Sunday said the ongoing violence in conflict-hit Iraq 'pains' him.
All 40 passengers feared dead in Iran plane crash
Aug 10, 2014, at 07:21 pm
Tehran, Aug 10 (IBNS): All 40 passengers, including seven children, are feared dead after a passenger plane crashed in northwest region of the Iranian capital Tehran on Sunday, media reports said.
Tea-seller's son can head a country only in India: Hagel
Aug 10, 2014, at 07:37 am
New Delhi, Aug 9 (IBNS): United States Secretary of Defence Chuck Hagel on Saturday said both India and the US were the two nations where even a tea seller's son can become the Prime Minister or a Kenyan's child can become the President of the country.
Airstrikes against ISIS successful: Obama
Aug 10, 2014, at 07:09 am
Washington, Aug 9 (IBNS): US President Barack Obama on Saturday said airstrikes have successfully destroyed arms and equipment that ISIL terrorists could have used against Erbil in conflict-hit Iraq.
On International Day, Ban says indigenous peoples can be 'powerful agents of progress'
Aug 10, 2014, at 06:55 am
New York, Aug 9 (IBNS): Marking the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples today, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said indigenous peoples have a central interest in development and can act as "powerful agents of progress."
Northern Iraq: UN voices concern about civilians' safety, need for humanitarian aid
Aug 09, 2014, at 04:38 pm
New York, Aug 9 (IBNS) Gravely concerned for the physical safety of civilians in northern Iraq and the humanitarian situation in areas now controlled by the group, Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), the United Nations human rights office on Friday called on the international community and the Governments of Iraq and the Kurdistan region to protect people affected by the fighting.
'[World must act now' to avert repeat of devastating famine in Somalia – UN expert
Aug 09, 2014, at 04:37 pm
New York, Aug 9 (IBNS)A United Nations human rights expert on Friday urged the international community to "act now" to avert a humanitarian disaster in Somalia, where a widening hunger crisis has sparked fears of a repeat of the 2011 famine that devastated the war-ravaged country.
UN experts condemn wave of arrest, sentencing of activists in Iran
Aug 09, 2014, at 04:36 pm
New York, Aug 9 (IBNS) A group of independent United Nations human rights experts on Friday voiced grave concern over the escalating trend of arresting and sentencing people exercising their rights of freedom of expression and opinion, peaceful assembly and association.
Gaza: As hostilities resume, Ban urges 'swift' return to ceasefire, negotiations
Aug 09, 2014, at 04:33 pm
New York, Aug 9 (IBNS) Amid renewed hostilities in Gaza, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called firmly on the parties to the conflict not to resort to further military action but "swiftly find a way back to respect of the humanitarian ceasefire and continue negotiations in Cairo."
Ukraine: UN alarmed by intensifying clashes, mounting casualties in country's east
Aug 09, 2014, at 04:32 pm
New York, Aug 9 (IBNS) A senior United Nations human rights official on Friday declared the situation in Eastern Ukraine "extremely alarming" with intensifying fighting, mounting casualties and serious damage to infrastructure.
Civilian conditions in Libya 'steadily deteriorating,' warns UN rights office
Aug 09, 2014, at 04:24 pm
New York, Aug 9 (IBNS) The United Nations human rights office on Friday expressed deep concern over the situation in Libya, where a conflict between multiple armed groups has been raging primarily in Benghazi and Tripoli.
Clashes in north-western Central African Republic cause renewed displacement – UN
Aug 09, 2014, at 04:23 pm
New York, Aug 9 (IBNS) Fighting from 30 to 31 July in Batangafo, Central African Republic (CAR) has caused renewed displacement, according to Jens Laerke of the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
Ahead of International Day, UN spotlights rights of indigenous peoples
Aug 09, 2014, at 04:22 pm
New York, Aug 9 (IBNS)Kicking off its observance of the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, the United Nations on Friday highlighted the importance of advancing the rights those people and communities to bridge the development gap.
Aug 09, 2014, at 04:21 pm
New York, Aug 9 (IBNS) Expressing "grave alarm and concern" about the deteriorating security situation and looming humanitarian catastrophe and South Sudan, the United Nations Security Council on Friday urged President Salva Kiir and political rival Riek Machar to engage fully and inclusively in ongoing peace talks, and uphold their commitment to establish a transitional government.
UN agency provides assistance for hundreds fleeing town near Lebanon's border with Syria
Aug 09, 2014, at 04:16 pm
New York, Aug 9 (IBNS) As violence escalates in Lebanon, the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) and its partners are distributing humanitarian supplies in the north-eastern Bekaa Valley to both Lebanese and Syrian refugees who had fled the town of Arsal, close to the Syrian border.