Upcoming national elections important for Iraq: Ban
New York, Apr 30 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has highlighted the importance of Wednesday's national elections for peace and stability in Iraq and called for creating the necessary conditions to enable all citizens to participate in the polls.
UN urges ratification of chemical weapons convention
New York, Apr 30 (IBNS): Marking the Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and General Assembly President John Ashe on Tuesday urged the six reticent Member States to sign and/or ratify the Chemical Weapons Convention which aims to eliminate an entire category of weapons of mass destruction.
UN deplores Egypt's mass death sentences
New York, Apr 30 (IBNS): The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on Tuesday strongly condemned the imposition of the death penalty on hundreds of people in Egypt, after mass trials that she said clearly breached international human rights law.
After deadly attack, UN urges safety for displaced in CAR
New York, Apr 30 (IBNS): At least two people were killed and six others injured in the Central African Republic (CAR) after an attack on an 18-truck humanitarian convoy relocating 1,300 Muslims to safety in the country's north, a spokesperson for the United Nations refugee agency on Tuesday confirmed, renewing calls for protection of displaced people.
South Sudan: UN provides aid to displaced civilians ahead of rains
New York, Apr 30 (IBNS): The United Nations refugee agency is preparing to airlift relief supplies to South Sudan on Tuesday for 100,000 displaced people ahead of the rainy season, while the top UN relief official there is calling for a month-long truce to enable people to move around safely and cultivate their fields.
UN urges Maldives to repeal regulation on death penalty
New York, Apr 30 (IBNS): The United Nations human rights office on Tuesday voiced deep concern about a new regulation in the Maldives that effectively overturns a 60-year moratorium on the use of capital punishment in the country and allows for children as young as seven to be sentenced to death for certain crimes.
UNSC extends mandate of Western Sahara mission
New York, Apr 30 (IBNS): The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Tuesday extended for another year the mandate of the United Nations mission tasked with monitoring the ceasefire in Western Sahara and organizing a referendum on self-determination for the people of the territory.
UN urges Mid-east parties to salvage peace efforts
New York, Apr 30 (IBNS): In the wake of Israel's decision to break off talks with the Palestinians after a Fatah-Hamas unity deal, and amid a "volatile" situation on the ground with negative trends in the West Bank and a fragile calm in Gaza, a United Nations envoy on Tuesday challenged the parties to use this "moment of truth" to reflect on the hard choices required to keep peace from slipping further away.
Chemical watchdog to probe chlorine gas attacks in Syria
New York, Apr 30 (IBNS): The head of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) said on Tuesday it will seek to "establish the facts" surrounding allegations of the use of chlorine in Syria, where it is already working jointly with the United Nations to rid the country of its chemical weapons.
Cote d'Ivoire: UNSC lifts diamond ban, tweaks arms embargo
New York, Apr 30 (IBNS): The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Tuesday voted unanimously to lift a ban on importing rough diamonds from Cote d'Ivoire and to partially lift the arms embargo, differentiating between lethal and non-lethal arms.
Maryland man sentenced for attempted sex trafficking
Minneapolis, Apr 30 (IBNS) United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Maryland man convicted of attempted trafficking with respect to involuntary servitude and forced labor was sentenced on April 22, 2014, by Chief Judge Jeffrey L. Viken, U.S. District Court.
Ukraine: UN urges efforts to achieve stability, peace
New York, Apr 30 (IBNS): Describing "alarming" developments in Ukraine - from the capture of European observers and the violent takeover of Government buildings by separatist groups, to the shooting of the mayor of a major eastern city - a senior United Nations official this evening appealed to all sides to "work expeditiously" at putting the crisis-torn country on the path to stability.
UN urges control of harmful chemicals in workplace
New York, Apr 29 (IBNS): While chemicals can be useful, necessary steps should be taken to prevent and control potential risks for workers, workplaces, communities and the environment, the United Nations labour agency reported, marking the World Day for Safety and Health at Work.
UN seeks high-level participation in conference on LLDC
New York, Apr 29 (IBNS): United Nations Under Secretary-General Gyan Chandra Acharya has welcomed the adoption of resolution calling for the active participation of all Member States in the Second UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC), set to take place from 3-5 November 2014, in Vienna.
Kosovo: UN seeks justice for perpetrators of attack on European mission
New York, Apr 29 (IBNS): A senior United Nations official on Monday condemned a recent attack on two vehicles belonging to the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX) and called for ensuring that the perpetrators are brought to justice.