‘We must not allow protectors to become predators’ – UN field support chief
New York, Mar 5 (Just Earth News/IBNS): With 99 allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse uncovered by the United Nations in 2015 – 69 of these in countries where peacekeeping operations are deployed – the Organization is Friday presenting its latest report on special measures to protect people from these crimes.
UN refugee chief presents detailed plan to solve crisis in Europe, warning time is ‘running out’
New York, Mar 5 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Warning Europe is running out of time to solve the current refugee situation, the UN refugee chief Friday outlined a detailed six-point plan ahead of a key meeting of European Union leaders and Turkey in Brussels next week.
Tackling 'triple peril' facing the Sahel region is top priority for UN, Ban says in Mauritania
New York, Mar 5 (Just Earth News/IBNS): With a “triple peril†of environmental degradation, poverty and insecurity facing the Sahel, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Friday during a visit to Mauritania that improving the situation in the region is a top priority for the United Nations.
Fiji and UN appeal for $38 million to relieve 'catastrophic loss' after Cyclone Winston
New York, Mar 5 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The Government of Fiji and the United Nations on Friday launched an appeal for $38.6 million in critical emergency relief to 350,000 people in need after Cyclone Winston's fury left the island nation “a loss of catastrophic proportions.â€
UN joins partners in pledging support for President-elect of Central African Republic
New York, Mar 5 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The United Nations on Friday, in a joint statement with other multilateral organizations, welcomed the final results of the second round of the presidential elections in the Central African Republic (CAR) announced earlier this week, congratulating President-elect Faustin-Archange Touadéra.
Authorities in Apple-FBI case 'risk unlocking Pandora's Box' – UN human rights chief
New York, Mar 5 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The top United Nations human rights official on Friday urged United States authorities to proceed with great caution in their legal efforts to break the encryption on an iPhone linked to the investigation into the mass killings in San Bernardino, California, saying the case could have broader implications for digital security and human rights.
Civilians bear brunt of Yemen's unrest, UN human rights office warns
New York, Mar 5 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The number of civilians killed in Yemen continues to rise, almost doubling between January and February, the United Nations human rights office Friday announced.
Haiti must address prison overcrowding and prolonged pre-trial detention – UN report
New York, Mar 5 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Haiti has made important steps towards the promotion and protection of human rights but some challenges exist regarding the judicial system, the excessive use of force by state agents and the situation of people returned or deported to Haiti by the Dominican authorities, according to a United Nations report on the human rights situation in that country.
Women's participation rate in parliaments slows, even as more gain top seats – IPU
New York, Mar 5 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Despite an increase in the number of women Speakers of Parliament, the number of female parliamentarians across the world rose by only 0.5 percentage points in 2015, the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) on Friday reported, dashing hopes that gender parity in parliament could be achieved within a generation.
'When cultural heritage is under attack, human rights are under attack' – UN expert
New York, Mar 5 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The destruction of cultural heritage is a violation of human rights, a United Nations-appointed expert said on Friday, as the international criminal tribunal began a pre-trial procedure for the first-ever case in which charges were brought against the destruction of cultural and religious sites.
Former Brazil President detained over Petrobras scandal
Sao Paulo, Mar 4 (IBNS): Brazilian authorities have detained country's ex-President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in connection with huge fraud inquiry into the state oil company Petrobras.
NATO SG to meet Prime Minister of Turkey
New York, Mar 4 (IBNS) NATO Secretary Genera Jens Stoltenberg will meet with Prime Minister of Turkey Ahmet DavutoÄŸlu.
Yemen: UN humanitarian chief urges civilian protection, access to all parts of country
New York, Mar 4 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Protecting civilians amid the unabated conflict in Yemen is the most pressing concern today, the top United Nations relief official told the Security Council, calling on the international community to impress upon the actors their obligations to guard civilians and to facilitate unconditional and sustained access to all parts of the country.
In Burkina Faso, UN chief praises country's hard-won gains to consolidate democracy and development
New York, Mar 4 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Burkina Faso is making a solid comeback, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Thursday in the country's capital, Ouagadougou, where he praised the Burkinabe Government and people for their perseverance during a series of tests in recent years, and who with UN support, are firmly on a path to consolidated democratic gains and ensure sustainable development.
Governments must commit to eliminating homelessness by 2030, UN rights expert urges
New York, Mar 4 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Homelessness is found in every country in the world and is spreading with impunity, a United Nations human rights expert on Thursday warned, calling on governments to recognize homelessness as a human rights crisis and commit to its eradication by 2030, in line with the new UN Sustainable Development Goals.