Haiti: UN chief ‘deeply concerned’ as agreed upon election deadline goes unmet

New York, Apr 26 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Deeply concerned that the agreed upon date for holding elections in Haiti was not met over the weekend and that no alternate electoral calendar was announced, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday reiterated his strong support for the completion, “without delay,” of the 2015 polls.

Yemen: Security Council calls for parties in talks to develop road map for security measures

New York, Apr 26 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The United Nations Security Council on Monday called on all parties involved in the intra-Yemeni peace talks to develop a road map for the implementation of interim security measures as they work towards a comprehensive agreement that will bring a permanent end to the political crisis in the country.

UN chief condemns murder of Burundian General and his family in Bujumbura

New York, Apr 26 (Just Earth News/IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned the assassination of Brigadier General Athanase Kararuza, his wife and daughter on Monday in the crisis-torn country’s capital, Bujumbura.

Legal framework key to realizing right to food for the most vulnerable in Poland – UN expert

New York, Apr 26 (Just Earth News/IBNS): An overall legislative framework is critical to ensure accessibility and affordability to food in Poland, an independent United Nations human rights expert said on Monday, urging the Government to strengthen the protection of the right to food especially for small farmers.

Ecuador: UN agency to scale up emergency operation to reach 260,000 in earthquake zone

New York, Apr 26 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) announced on Monday the start of an emergency operation to assist 260,000 vulnerable and food insecure people seriously affected by the earthquake in Ecuador and in desperate need of food and other basic necessities.

Equality and justice ‘not luxuries’ but crucial foundations of Iraq’s stability – deputy UN rights chief

New York, Apr 26 (Just Earth News/IBNS):Iraq must immediately take concrete steps to plan for “the day after” the defeat of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), a senior United Nations human rights official urged on Monday, calling for measures grounded in equality, the rule of law and a vision that has earned the confidence of all the country’s diverse communities.

Somalia: sexual violence must be subject to criminal justice, says UN expert

New York, Apr 26 (Just Earth News/IBNS): A United Nations human rights expert on Monday called on the Government of Somalia to enhance the capacity of the judiciary and police force in handling cases of sexual and gender-based violence, and to prohibit the handling of such cases by traditional clan elders.

Yemen: UN envoy says 'significant differences' remain in talks, but notes consensus on peace

New York, Apr 25 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The fourth day of the United Nations-brokered peace negotiations among Yemeni parties in Kuwait included extensive discussions on security, political and humanitarian issues in meetings in joint sessions as wells as bilateral sessions with each delegation, the UN envoy for Yemen has said on Sunday.

Syria peace talks to continue ‘as planned’ into next week – UN envoy

New York, Apr 23 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The UN envoy mediating a resolution to the crisis in Syria on Friday announced that the latest round of peace talks will continue as planned through Wednesday, despite reports that the opposition delegation could suspend its official participation due to the lack of progress on the humanitarian front.

Ban welcomes South Sudan Government’s decision to accept proposal on return of Riek Machar

New York, Apr 23 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Welcoming the decision of the Government of South Sudan to accept the compromise proposal on the arrangements for the return of First Vice President-designate Riek Machar to the country, United Nations Secretary-general Ban Ki-moon on Friday expressed the hope the deal would enable the swift formation of the transitional unity government.

Yemen stands ‘closer than ever to peace,’ says UN envoy, as talks continue in Kuwait

New York, Apr 23 (Just Earth News/IBNS):The United Nations envoy for Yemen said that on Friday’s sessions of the UN-brokered peace negotiations among Yemeni parties were “positive and promising,” as both sides continue to work towards achieving an agreement on ending the violence and devastation in the country.

Right to adequate housing in India a matter of ‘urgency’ – UN expert

New York, Apr 23 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Expressing grave concern over a number of issues regarding the right to housing in India, an independent United Nations human rights expert on Friday called on the Government for immediate attention and implementation of the right to ensure adequate housing for the most disadvantaged.

Somalia: Security Council ‘gravely concerned’ over fragile security situation

New York, Apr 23 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Expressing ‘grave concern’ at the fragility of the security situation in Somalia, the United Nations Security Council has called for progress on the constitutional review process in the country, and for the completion of the Federal State formation process to be accelerated.

Ecuador: Government and UN launch emergency appeal to kick-start post-quake assistance

New York, Apr 23 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The Government of Ecuador and the United Nations on Friday launched an urgent $72.7 million appeal to respond to the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck coastal provinces of north-west of the country less than a week ago, aiming to kick-start life-saving assistance, protection services and early recovery support to assist approximately 350,000 people over the next three months.

‘We are in a race against time,’ says Ban, as leaders sign landmark Paris climate accord

New York, Apr 23 (Just Earth News/IBNS): With their signatures of the landmark Paris climate accord, “governments made a covenant with the future,” Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said at the end of a United Nations ceremony that saw the largest single-day turn-out for such an event, and which puts the world on a path towards low-carbon growth and a more sustainable future.