Ban welcomes Security Council action to combat sexual exploitation by UN peacekeepers

Mar 13, 2016, at 02:25 pm

New York, Mar 13 (Just Earth News/IBNS):United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed yesterday's adoption by the Security Council of special measures to prevent and combat sexual exploitation and abuse by UN peacekeepers, his spokesman said.

South Korea, United States warn North Korea

Mar 12, 2016, at 10:03 pm

Seoul, Mar 12 (IBNS): Warning against making any more provocations in defiance of the international community, South Korea and the United States said North Korea will face a "stronger and more grave" response.

Voices of survivors must be heard, UN chief says after meeting ‘comfort women’ victim

Mar 12, 2016, at 02:47 pm

New York, Mar 12 (Just Earth News/IBNS):Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday stressed the need to put the victims who were drafted by Japan as so-called “comfort women” during the Second World War at the centre of any resolution of the issue, following a meeting at United Nations Headquarters with one of the victims.

UN statistical body agrees to global indicators to measure sustainable development goals

Mar 12, 2016, at 02:45 pm

New York, Mar 12 (Just Earth News/IBNS):The United Nations Statistical Comion on Friday agreed on a set of global indicators that will measure success towards the new sustainable development agenda, which will lead anti-poverty efforts through 2030.

Security Council endorses steps to combat sexual exploitation by UN peacekeepers

Mar 12, 2016, at 02:45 pm

New York, Mar 12 (Just Earth News/IBNS):The United Nations Security Council on Friday endorsed special measures recommended by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to prevent and combat sexual exploitation and abuse by UN peacekeepers.

Libya: UN urges humanitarian ceasefires, safe exit of civilians trapped in Benghazi

Mar 12, 2016, at 02:11 pm

New York, Mar 12 (Just Earth News/IBNS):The top United Nations relief official for Libya on Friday called for humanitarian ceasefires and the safe exit of civilians trapped in fighting areas in Benghazi, following reports that many families, specifically in the Qanfouda and Qawarsha neighbourhoods, face shortages of electricity, food and medical supplies.

South Sudan: UN announces independent high-level probe into Malakal events

Mar 12, 2016, at 02:09 pm

New York, Mar 12 (Just Earth News/IBNS):The United Nations will convene an independent high-level board of inquiry to conduct an in-depth investigation into how the UN responded last month to deadly violence in the town of Malakal, in northern South Sudan.

UN aid officials, partners appeal for ‘real peace’ ahead of Syrian conflict anniversary

Mar 12, 2016, at 02:08 pm

New York, Mar 12 (Just Earth News/IBNS):Ahead of the fifth anniversary of the Syrian conflict, senior United Nations humanitarian officials and their partners on Friday made a joint appeal for a political solution to end the fighting and pledged to keep up pressure for access to all civilians in the country.

Education and reproductive health for girls key to sustainable development – UN

Mar 12, 2016, at 02:07 pm

New York, Mar 12 (Just Earth News/IBNS):Investing in adolescent girls – especially in their education and reproductive health and rights – will ensure sustainable development for all, according to United Nations officials, government representative, experts, and young women who gathered on Friday at an event at UN Headquarters.

UN refugee agency concerned about restrictions on Iraqis in displacement camps

Mar 12, 2016, at 02:05 pm

New York, Mar 12 (Just Earth News/IBNS):Concerned about hampering the rights of displaced Iraqis seeking shelter in camps, the United Nations refugee agency on Friday urged the Government to set up clear procedures and special facilities for screening people that are separate from camps established to provide shelter and humanitarian aid.

UN report highlights ‘searing’ account of killings, rapes by South Sudanese forces

Mar 12, 2016, at 02:04 pm

New York, Mar 12 (Just Earth News/IBNS):A new United Nations report on the human rights situation in South Sudan published on Friday describes a multitude of horrendous violations in “searing detail,” in particular by Government forces, including cases of civilians burned alive or cut to pieces and a teenage girl being raped by ten soldiers.

Pennsylvania: Gunmen kill six including a pregnant lady

Mar 11, 2016, at 04:16 pm

Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, Mar 11 (IBNS) A family cookout turned gory as two gunmen shot six people in their own backyard on Wednesday night, including an eight-month old pregnant lady, in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, according to reports.

UN: Cooperation among judges vital to counter-terrorism efforts, human rights protection

Mar 11, 2016, at 03:34 pm

New York, Mar 11 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Formal cooperation among judges is essential in bringing individuals charged with terrorism-related crimes to justice and ensuring that the rule of law is upheld throughout the process, according to officials at a United Nations event that for the first time brought together Supreme Court justices to discuss how terrorism cases are handled in their respective countries.

Upcoming UN forum to focus on women’s empowerment, sustainable development

Mar 11, 2016, at 03:32 pm

New York, Mar 11 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls, will be the focus of the United Nations Comion on the Status of Women (CSW), which begins its 60th session in New York next week.

Missile firing prompts UN chief to call on DPR Korea to stop ‘destabilising acts’

Mar 11, 2016, at 03:18 pm

New York, Mar 11 (Just Earth News/IBNS):United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon “remains gravely concerned” by the situation on the Korean Peninsula following on Thursday’s ile launch by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), his spokesman said.

UN and African Union condemn ambush on peacekeepers in Darfur

Mar 11, 2016, at 03:14 pm

New York, Mar 11 (Just Earth News/IBNS):The United Nations and the African Union have condemned Wednesday’s attack by an unknown armed group that killed one South African peacekeeper and injured another in Sudan’s Darfur region.

Following missile launch, Ban calls on Iran not to increase tensions through ‘hasty actions’

Mar 11, 2016, at 03:11 pm

New York, Mar 11 (Just Earth News/IBNS):Following Wednesday’s ballistic missile launch conducted by Iran, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday called on the Government “to act with moderation, caution and the good sense not to increase tensions through any hasty actions.”

UN expert urges Honduran Government to protect witness to Berta Cáceres killing

Mar 11, 2016, at 03:08 pm

New York, Mar 11 (Just Earth News/IBNS):In the wake of the assassination of human rights activist Berta Cáceres in Honduras, an independent United Nations human rights expert is calling on the Government in that country to ensure the safety and protection of a second activist who witnessed the killing and was injured during the attack.

UN rights chief calls on EU to adopt more ‘humane’ measures on migration

Mar 11, 2016, at 03:01 pm

New York, Mar 11 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The United Nations human rights chief today reiterated his profound concern about the situation faced by refugees and migrants “in extreme vulnerability,” and urged the European Union to adopt a more humane set of measures on migration at a summit next week.

UN chief presents Security Council with special measures to curb sexual exploitation

Mar 11, 2016, at 02:56 pm

New York, Mar 11 (Just Earth News/IBNS):Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday presented to the Security Council special measures aimed at ending impunity, helping and supporting victims, and strengthening accountability as part of a more effective collective response to sexual exploitation and abuse by United Nations personnel.

Tajik restrictions on opposition, civil society, media ‘eroding’ rights, says UN expert

Mar 11, 2016, at 02:53 pm

New York, Mar 11 (Just Earth News/IBNS):An independent United Nations human rights expert on Thursday voiced concern over the increasing Government restrictions on opposition parties, civil society and the media over the past year in Tajikistan.

Cultural goods remain economic driver in digital age – UNESCO report

Mar 11, 2016, at 02:50 pm

New York, Mar 11 (Just Earth News/IBNS):A United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) report launched on Thursday finds that the trade in cultural goods doubled from 2004 to 2013 despite a global recession and a massive shift among consumers of movies and music towards web-based services.

As 'most disaster-prone region,' Asia-Pacific needs risk-sensitive development, UN reports

Mar 11, 2016, at 02:47 pm

New York, Mar 11 (Just Earth News/IBNS):The Asia-Pacific region continued to be the world's most disaster-prone region in 2015, requiring a paradigm shift from a response-recovery governance to a risk-sensitive development approach, according to a new United Nations report.

Pakistan team to depart for India only after receiving security assurance, says Minister

Mar 11, 2016, at 01:31 am

Islamabad, Mar 10 (IBNS) Pakistan's Interior Minister, Chaudhry Nisar on Thursday ruled that the national side will not travel to India to participate in the ICC World T20 unless the government of the host nation provide public assurance to provide fool-proof security to the team.

Four-year-old boy accidentally shoots pro-gun activist mother in US

Mar 11, 2016, at 12:33 am

New York, Mar 10 (IBNS): A four-year-old boy has accidentally shot his mother, media reports said on Thursday.

Multiple attacks in Israel condemned by senior UN official

Mar 10, 2016, at 03:51 pm

New York, Mar 10(Just Earth News/IBNS):The United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process has condemned the multiple attacks which took place on Tuesday in Tel Aviv-Jaffa, Petah Tiqva and Jerusalem in which at least one person was killed and some 14 others injured.

UN: Syria talks to begin next week, as humanitarian aid reaches more besieged areas

Mar 10, 2016, at 03:23 pm

New York, Mar 10(Just Earth News/IBNS) The United Nations Special Envoy for Syria on Wednesday announced that ‘substantive’ UN-mediated peace talks will begin next Monday, as humanitarian aid convoys continue to reach more people in besieged and hard-to-reach areas following a nationwide cessation of hostilities that began on 27 February.

Freedoms of religion and expression ‘twin rights’ in fighting intolerance – UN report

Mar 10, 2016, at 03:18 pm

New York, Mar 10 (Just Earth News/IBNS):The freedoms of religion and of expression are not contradictory but complementary, as both rights are the twin tools in combating incitement to hatred, an independent United Nations human rights expert said on Wednesday.

UN chief appoints French national to head new political ion in Colombia

Mar 10, 2016, at 03:13 pm

New York, Mar 10 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday announced the appointment of Jean Arnault of France as the head of the United Nations political ion that will be deployed in Colombia.

UN experts suggest ways to avoid human rights violations during public protests

Mar 10, 2016, at 03:09 pm

New York, Mar 10 (Just Earth News/IBNS):A new report presented on Wednesday to the United Nations Human Rights Council offers recommendations on proper preparations and precautions to protect the rights of the demonstrators, bystanders and police during public gatherings.