Ban hails Tunisian vote as critical step as country continues transition to democracy
Oct 28, 2014, at 09:35 pm
New York, Oct 28 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday congratulated the Tunisian people on the legislative elections held in the North African country on 26 October, welcoming the polls as a “crucial step for the country’s future†and a “decisive milestone in the transition to democracy.â€
Blackwater convictions spotlight need for treaty on private security UN experts
Oct 28, 2014, at 09:32 pm
New York, Oct 28 (IBNS): The United Nations working group on the use of mercenaries today appealed for stronger global regulations of private security, saying last week’s conviction of Blackwater contractors shows the need for all private security personnel to be held accountable for international human rights and humanitarian law violations.
Young people in 'driver's seat' from very beginning of policy process a must UN experts
Oct 28, 2014, at 09:28 pm
New York, Oct 28 (IBNS): Rather than merely being consulted on policy matters, young people must be in the driver’s seat with all the other stakeholders from the very beginning of the process and throughout, a Youth Specialist of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) stressed ahead of the Global Forum on Youth Policies, kicking off tomorrow in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Greater resources needed for Iraqis ahead of harsh winter, UN, regional officials warn
Oct 28, 2014, at 09:18 pm
New York, Oct 28 (IBNS): Senior officials from the United Nations and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) warned today that an “immense†humanitarian crisis is unfolding in Iraq and called for greater resources from the international community to help with the upcoming winter season, as they concluded a four-day mission to conflict-riven areas in the country.
UN envoy leads call for action, resources to ensure meaningful role for youths in policy talks
Oct 28, 2014, at 09:07 pm
Baku, Oct 28 (IBNS): Meeting for the first time since arriving in Azerbaijan for the United Nations-backed Global Forum on Youth Policies, dozens of youth experts and activists today deliberated a "common narrative" that will best engage other stakeholders and help transform youth policy rhetoric into solid reality.
UN agriculture chief lauds 'key' role of family farmers in food secure future
Oct 28, 2014, at 09:00 pm
Rome, Oct 28 (IBNS): Praising family farmers for their key role in meeting the needs of a growing world population, the head of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) stressed the need to seize global momentum to improve the widespread food insecurity still haunting many rural areas around the world.
Ukrainians vote in country's parliamentary election
Oct 26, 2014, at 08:00 pm
Kiev, Oct 26 (IBNS): Ukrainians are on Sunday casting their votes in the country's first parliamentary polls.
Egypt: Ban, Security Council condemn deadly terrorist attacks in Sinai
Oct 26, 2014, at 03:42 am
New York, Oct 25 (IBNS) UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the United Nations Security Council have strongly condemned two terrorist attacks that targeted military checkpoints in the Sinai Peninsula.
Libya: UN 'deeply concerned' by reported threats against national rights institution
Oct 25, 2014, at 04:22 pm
New York, Oct 25 (IBNS) The United Nations human rights office expressed "deep concern" on Friday at reports of threats and intimidation directed against Libya’s national human rights institution, the National Council for Civil Liberties and Human Rights (NCCLHR), based in Tripoli.
More respect, less criminalization for migrant workers, UN rights expert urges
Oct 25, 2014, at 04:21 pm
New York, Oct 25 (IBNS) The lack of political will to stand up for migrant workers' rights remains the greatest challenge to the protection of this "very vulnerable" group of human beings, an independent United Nations expert affirmed on Friday.
DR Congo: UN, African Union urge eastern town to support operations to end rebel threat
Oct 25, 2014, at 04:20 pm
New York, Oct 25 (IBNS) Visiting the site of a recent flare-up of deadly violence in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), United Nations and African Union (AU) envoys met with the Mayor of the town of Beni, Congolese military officials and local leaders, urging a united front to "put an end to the terror imposed on the population by armed groups," including Ugandan-based rebels operating in the area.
Mexico: UN rights office urges authorities to 'step up' efforts to find missing students
Oct 25, 2014, at 04:19 pm
New York, Oct 25 (IBNS) The United Nations human rights office has voiced concern about the continued enforced disappearance of students in the Mexican town of Iguala and urged local authorities to step up their efforts in finding them.
Amid uneasy ceasefire, Ukraine risks becoming 'protracted' conflict, UN officials warn
Oct 25, 2014, at 04:18 pm
New York, Oct 25 (IBNS) The simmering conflict in Ukraine continues to take lives and exacerbate already precarious humanitarian conditions in the country’s Eastern regions, two senior United Nations officials told the Security Council on Friday, as they warned that the situation risks turning into a "protracted low-intensity conflict."
UN-backed forum: World's youth to demand seat at policy table
Oct 25, 2014, at 04:16 pm
New York, Oct 25 (IBNS) Set to kick-off next week in Azerbaijan's capital of Baku, a United Nations-backed Global Forum on Youth Policies will, for the first time, amplify voices passionate about developing and implementing national policies tailored to the specific needs, aspirations and demands of on Friday's young people.
Kyrgyzstan: UN urges country to scrap draft law violating rights of LGBT people
Oct 25, 2014, at 04:15 pm
New York, Oct 25 (IBNS) The United Nations human rights office on Friday called on the Kyrgyz Parliament to refrain from passing draft legislation that would discriminate against people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) people.
On UN Day, Ban celebrates Organization's continuing commitment for a better world
Oct 25, 2014, at 04:13 pm
New York, Oct 25 (IBNS) As multiple crises – ranging from poverty and disease to terrorism and climate change – continue to afflict the world, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon marked the 69th anniversary of the United Nations on Friday, declaring that the Organization is needed now "more than ever."
UN expert urges Member States to consider justice as pillar of development
Oct 24, 2014, at 04:36 pm
New York, Oct 24 (IBNS) The pursuit of development must expand beyond economic gains and include claims of justice, non-discrimination and opportunities, an independent United Nations expert told the General Assembly on Thursday .
Right to online privacy at risk as governments engage in mass surveillance – UN expert
Oct 24, 2014, at 04:33 pm
New York, Oct 24 (IBNS) States must be transparent about the nature of their electronic mass surveillance programmes, an independent United Nations counter-terrorism expert said on Thursday as he warned about the impact such measures might have on individuals’ right to privacy.
Far greater effort needed to eradicate extreme poverty in world's poorest nations – UN report
Oct 24, 2014, at 04:19 pm
New York, Oct 24 (IBNS)While the world's 48 most vulnerable nations continue to make in-roads into poverty reduction, a far greater effort is needed if these countries are to eradicate extreme poverty by 2020, according to a new report launched at the United Nations on Thursday .
As winter closes in, UN launches humanitarian appeal for Iraqis in need
Oct 24, 2014, at 04:17 pm
New York, Oct 24 (IBNS) An estimated 2.8 million Iraqis lack food assistance while another 800,000 are in urgent need of emergency shelter, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warned on Thursday as it launched an appeal for greater financial support to bolster its operations on the ground.
UN panel pays out over $1 billion in reparations for Iraq's invasion of Kuwait
Oct 24, 2014, at 03:42 pm
New York, Oct 24 (IBNS) The United Nations Compensation Commission (UNCC), which settles the damage claims of those who suffered losses in the 1990 Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, on Thursday made $1.06 billion available to the Government of Kuwait.
We will not be intimidated: Canada PM
Oct 23, 2014, at 05:15 pm
Ottawa, Oct 23 (IBNS) With the Canadian parliament coming under attack along with the national capital's war memorial on Wednesday, Prime Minister Stephen Harper has said the nation will not be 'intimidated' by such incidents.
Growing use of drones in law enforcement may violate human rights, warns UN expert
Oct 23, 2014, at 04:45 pm
New York, Oct 23 (IBNS) The increasing use of armed drones within domestic law enforcement risks depersonalizing the use of force and infringing upon the rights of individual citizens, a United Nations independent human rights expert warned on Wednesday.
'Complex web' of crises requires human rights-based solutions – UN rights chief
Oct 23, 2014, at 04:43 pm
New York, Oct 23 (IBNS) At the root of crises confronted by the United Nations usually lies a “complex web†of violations of economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights requiring solutions that can only come from more emphatic and comprehensive protections, the Organization’s top human rights official said on Wednesday.
At General Assembly, UN experts urged global action on enforced disappearances
Oct 23, 2014, at 04:40 pm
New York, Oct 23 (IBNS) States must take full responsibility to solve all aspects of the issue of enforced disappearances: prevention; search for the disappeared; punishment of the perpetrators; and reparation for the victims, the Chairs of two United Nations expert bodies addressing the General Assembly on the issue declared on Wednesday.
DR Congo: UN Mission comes under attack, steps up security
Oct 23, 2014, at 04:36 pm
New York, Oct 23 (IBNS) The United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo, known as MONUSCO, has stepped up its security following several attacks on its bases in North Kivu, including one this morning, when a large number of youths converged on the premises, and another on Tuesday which required the evacuation of 12 staff members.
Sustained response to Somalia piracy requires effective State governance – UN political chief
Oct 23, 2014, at 04:34 pm
New York, Oct 23 (IBNS): While noting the progress made to combat piracy off the coast of Somalia, the United Nations political chief on Wednesday said that a sustained long-term solution must include the presence of effective Government and State institutions that provide basic services and alternative ways for people to make a living.
'No alternative to silencing the guns,' UN South Sudan envoy tells Security Council
Oct 23, 2014, at 04:32 pm
New York, Oct 23 (IBNS): There is no alternative to silencing the guns and immediately agreeing a comprehensive peace deal so South Sudan can return to the path of peace and stability, the United Nations envoy for the strife-riven country said on Wednesday, urging the Security Council and regional leaders to help bring the warring parties to the negotiating table.
'Immediate action' needed to support olive farmers in occupied Palestinian territory – UN
Oct 23, 2014, at 04:31 pm
New Delhi, Oct 23 (IBNS) Nearly half of all cultivated land in the occupied Palestinian Territories is planted with olive trees making them a major driving force of the economy, said a senior United Nations official on Thursday as he travelled to two Palestinian olive-producing communities in the central West Bank.
Cambodia: UN-backed report reveals scope of violence against children
Oct 23, 2014, at 04:30 pm
New York, Oct 23 (IBNS): Over half of Cambodian children have experienced at least one form of violence before the age of 18 while roughly a quarter have been emotionally abused, a new United Nations-backed survey has revealed, exploring the magnitude and nature of violence against children in the Southeast Asian country.