‘Witchcraft’ beliefs trigger attacks against people with albinism, UN expert warns
New York, Mar 23 (Just Earth News/IBNS):People with albinism are being hunted for witchcraft rituals, their body parts hacked off with machetes, and even having their graves desecrated, a United Nations expert warned on Tuesday in her first report to the UN Human Rights Council.
World Water Day: UN calls for ‘better water and better jobs’
New York, Mar 23 (Just Earth News/IBNS):With nearly half of the world’s workers employed in water-related sectors, sustainable access to safe water can change lives and livelihoods, the United Nations on Tuesday said, underscoring the link between water and jobs, this year’s theme for World Water Day.
UN strongly condemns terrorist bombings in Brussels as 'an attack on us all'
New York, Mar 23 (Just Earth News/IBNS):The United Nations has strongly condemned on Tuesday's terrorist bombings in Brussels, extending condolences to the victims and their families while expressing solidarity with the people and Government of Belgium.
Zika: 'the more we know the worse things look,' UN health agency chief reports
New York, Mar 23 (Just Earth News/IBNS):The head of the United Nations health agency on Tuesday reported that in less than a year, the status of Zika has changed from “a mild medical curiosity†to a disease with severe public health implications, warning that “the more we know the worse things look.â€
New products and technologies needed to aid small farmers, UN agriculture chief says
New York, Mar 23 (Just Earth News/IBNS):The head of the United Nations agricultural agency on Tuesday called for great use of agroecology, biotechnology and other creative tools to eradicate hunger, fight malnutrition and achieve sustainable agriculture.
UN welcomes ICC's first conviction for rape as war crime
New York, Mar 23 (Just Earth News/IBNS):Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday welcomed the judgement issued by the International Criminal Court in the case of former Congolese vice-president Jean-Pierre Bemba.
Inclusive approach needed to embrace religious diversity in Denmark – UN expert
New York, Mar 23 (Just Earth News/IBNS):While appraising Denmark as a liberal country that values and respects freedom and religion, an independent United Nations human rights expert on Tuesday also addressed challenges Danish society faces, especially towards “an open, inclusive†identity and religious diversity.
Ukraine: UN experts urge accountability for human rights violations by foreign fighters
New York, Mar 23 (Just Earth News/IBNS):On Tuesday in Geneva, the United Nations Working Group on mercenaries called on the Government of Ukraine to ensure accountability for human rights violations committed by foreign armed actors during the conflict that has plagued the country since 2014.
‘Investing in forests is an insurance policy for the planet,’ says UN chief
New York, Mar 22 (Just Earth News/IBNS):On the International Day of Forests, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is calling on governments, businesses, civil society and other partners to adopt holistic policies and practices to protect, restore and sustain healthy forests.
Senior UN official condemns arson attack in occupied West Bank
New York, Mar 22 (Just Earth News/IBNS):A senior United Nations official has condemned an arson attack by suspected Jewish extremists on the home of a Palestinian family in the occupied West Bank village of Duma.
'The future is happening now,' warns UN, calling for urgent measures to cut carbon emissions
New York, Mar 22 (Just Earth News/IBNS):The Earth is already one degree Celsius hotter than at the start of the 20th century, halfway to the critical two-degree threshold, and national climate change plans adopted so far may not be enough to avoid a three-degree temperature rise, the UN weather agency warned on Monday upon the release of its 2015 annual report on the status of the climate.
Political transition 'mother of all issues' for Syria talks – UN mediator
New York, Mar 22 (Just Earth News/IBNS):The UN mediator for the intra-Syrian talks said on Monday that political transition is the “mother of all issues†in the ongoing peace negotiations involving the Government and the opposition.
#Climatechain: UN to launch campaign illustrating water-environment-climate change link
New York, Mar 22 (Just Earth News/IBNS):As the global community marked World Water Day during a special event at United Nations Headquarters, the UN Children's Fund reported that rapidly changing weather conditions are limiting access to safe drinking water for millions, and announced the launch of a new campaign on the link between water, the environment and climate change.
Marking the World Day, Ban celebrates potential of people with Down syndrome
New York, Mar 22 (Just Earth News/IBNS):The autonomy and independence of people with Down syndrome and other disabilities should be supported, so that they can be empowered to contribute to our common future, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday said marking World Down Syndrome Day.
Ban spotlights need for human, economic development in Africa's Great Lakes region
New York, Mar 22 (Just Earth News/IBNS):United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday stressed the importance of human and economic development in addressing peace and security challenges in Africa's Great Lakes region, calling for the use of natural resources there as a powerful driver of growth.