Security Council demands immediate end to hostilities in Mali
New York, May 2 (IBNS): The United Nations Security Council Friday expressed its deep concern at the outbreak of violence that has occurred in Mali this past week, which “threatens to undermine the peace process, and demanded that the hostilities cease immediately.â€
Burundi: UN human rights office reiterates call for free and fair elections
New York, May 2 (IBNS): The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has expressed its deep concern about measures taken this week by Burundian authorities to seriously curtail rights to freedom of expression and assembly, urging measures to ensure the space necessary for the conduct of free and fair elections in the country.
Central Africa: UN investigation into sexual abuse allegations continues
New York, May 2 (IBNS): The United Nations is proceeding with its investigation of the events surrounding the release to a third party of an internal report on allegations of sexual misconduct by French military personnel in the Central African Republic (CAR), a spokesperson for the Organization has confirmed.
Islamabad, May 1 (IBNS): Security forces in Pakistan have killed 27 militants in the country's Khyber Agency areas in the past 24 hours, officials said.
International Jazz Day: UN spotlights power of music to build bridges
New York, May 1 (IBNS): The top United Nations cultural official said on Thursday that artists across the globe have been drawn to the spontaneity and freedom of expression of jazz for over a century, as musicians and music lovers the world over celebrate International Jazz Day.
UNESCO chief condemns killing of journalist in Democratic Republic of the Congo
New York, May 1 (IBNS): The head of the United Nations body mandated to defend freedom of expression and press freedom called on Thursday for an investigation into the killing of a journalist in the Democratic Republic of the Congo on 16 April.
Nepal earthquake's impact on food security likely to be very high: UN
New York, May 1 (IBNS): Some eight million dollars is urgently needed to help disaster-struck Nepalese farmers rapidly recover lost agricultural inputs and resume preparations for the imminent rice sowing season, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said on Thursday.
Gaza: UN envoy urges Palestinian unity, end to Israeli blockade
New Year, May 1 (IBNS): On his first visit to Gaza, the new United Nations envoy on the Middle East peace process pledged on Thursday the Organization’s ongoing support for efforts to reconstruct the war-ravaged enclave, lift Israel’s years-long blockade there and help strengthen Palestinian unity.
One in three Europeans potentially exposed to asbestos: UN study
New York, May 1 (IBNS): A high-level meeting on environment and health in Europe on Thursday appealed urgently to all European countries to eliminate asbestos-related diseases, as a new United Nations report showed that one third of the 900 million people living in the region are potentially exposed to asbestos at work and in the environment.
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.