Ban calls for civilian protection in Yemen, urges ceasefire
New York, May 1 (IBNS): The United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, said on Thursday that he is gravely concerned about continued ground fighting and aerial bombardment in Yemen and the impact it has on innocent civilians.
Children in 15 of 26 industrial countries lack access to rights education: UN survey
New York, May 1 (IBNS): Education programmes in 15 industrialized countries fail to include child rights education in their schools, according to a new United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) report, which also highlights that a fundamental step towards exercising those rights is to know and understand them.
UN says unrest continues in Burundi, requests funds
New York, May 1 (IBNS): Civil unrest continued for a fourth day in areas of Burundi’s capital, Bujumbura, after current President Nkurunziza was nominated by the ruling National Council for the Defence of Democracy – Forces for the Defence of Democracy (CNDD-FDD) party as their candidate for upcoming presidential elections, the United Nations relief arm reported on Thursday.
UN rights expert advises Cambodian leaders to address democratic deficit
New York, May 1 (IBNS): The outgoing United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia on Thursday noted that the country has come a long way over the past six years, but advised Government and opposition leaders “to be principled in what they do†to make a liberal democracy a reality for all its people.
Four Pak Talibans sent to 25 years' jail for attack on Malala
Islamabad, Apr 30 (IBNS) A Pakistan court on Thursday sentenced four persons to 25 years in jail for the 2012 attack on Malala Yousafzai, the teenager who last year won the Nobel Peace Prize.
UN rights experts welcome US review of lethal drone attacks
New York, Apr 30 (IBNS): A group of United Nations independent experts on Wednesday welcomed the announcement by the United States Government of a review of two counter-terrorism operations involving the use of drones, while stressing the need for transparency and accountability.
Ban condemns attack on Yarmouk, as UN delivers relief to displaced in camp
New York, Apr 30 (IBNS): The Secretary-General has on Wednesday strongly condemned the shelling and aerial bombardment of the Yarmouk refugee camp in Damascus, which occurred despite assurances from the Syrian Government that the camp would not be targeted while civilians remained inside.
Somalia registers export of livestock in 2014 due to trade boost with Gulf States
New York, Apr 30 (IBNS): Somalia in 2014 exported a record five million livestock to markets in the Gulf of Arabia thanks to heavy investments in animal disease prevention backed by the European Union and the United Kingdom, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said on Wednesday.
UN and partners launch $415 million appeal to aid quake-stricken Nepal
New York, Apr 30 (IBNS): The United Nations on Wednesday launched a $415 million emergency appeal to provide vital relief to people affected by the devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck the densely populated Kathmandu Valley in Nepal on Saturday, killing at least 5,000, injuring at least 10,000 more.
World has learned too little from past: Ban
New York, Apr 30 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has marked the Day of Remembrance for All Victims of Chemical Warfare with a strong appeal for a new future without such weapons, saying 'the world has learned too little from the past at the expense of innocent people whose lives have been destroyed by chemical attacks."
Christiane Amanpour named UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Freedom of Expression
New York, Apr 30 (IBNS): The United Nations agency mandated to promote and protect press freedom worldwide has named renowned journalist and CNN Chief International Correspondent Christiane Amanpour its Goodwill Ambassador for Freedom of Expression and Journalist Safety.
Ban expresses 'deep regret' about executions of eight people in Indonesia
New York, Apr 30 (IBNS): The United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday expressed his deep regret over executions carried out in Indonesia on April 29 despite numerous calls in the country and abroad for a reprieve.
Draft political deal for Libyan parties is work in progress: UN envoy
New York, Apr 30 (IBNS): Announcing on Wednesday that he had outlined for the Security Council his draft proposal for a political agreement among Libya’s opposing factions, the United Nations envoy for the country warned that ongoing “chaos†there has sparked a series of dire events in the wider region – forcing thousands of desperate civilians to seek unsafe passage across the Mediterranean and a spate of recent bomb attacks against embassies in Tripoli.
Paris: Ban discusses Mediterranean crisis with President Hollande
New York, Apr 30 (IBNS): During his visit to Paris, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday met with French President François Hollande, to discuss, among other issues the crisis in the Mediterranean, climate change and sustainable development.
Gordon Brown welcomes release of Nigerian girls held captive by Boko Haram
New York, Apr 30 (IBNS): The United Nations Special Envoy for Global Education, Gordon Brown, has welcomed the release of 200 girls from captivity by Boko Haram and called for the immediate release of all abducted girls, ahead of his meeting on Thursday with Nigerian President-Elect.