UN human rights experts urge US to increase efforts to address water contamination
New York, Mar 4 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The situation of lead-contaminated water in Flint, Michigan, is fundamentally about human rights, a group of United Nations experts Thursday said, urging the United States to protect the rights of children and others who are most at risk from pollution and toxic chemicals.
Darfur: top UN and African Union officials call for free movement of peacekeepers and aid workers
New York, Mar 4 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Expressing deep concern about the upsurge in fighting between the Sudanese Government forces and a rebel group in Darfur, United Nations Secretary-General ban Ki-moon on Thursday called for freedom of movement for UN peacekeepers and humanitarian actors in their continued efforts to protect and support the affected civilians.
Ukraine: growing despair among over three million civilians in conflict zone - UN report
New York, Mar 4 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Despite a decrease in the number of civilian casualties in the east of Ukraine over the past few months, a new United Nations report shows that the conflict is severely impacting on the daily life of civilians, with a growing sense of despair and isolation affecting those living in the conflict zone, especially in the areas controlled by the armed groups.
N. Korea launches short-range missiles toward East Sea
Seoul, Mar 3 (IBNS) North Korea on Thursday fired several short-range missiles toward the East Sea, media reports said.
Twice as many girls as boys will never start school – UNESCO report
New York, Mar 3 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Almost 16 million girls between the ages six and 11 will never get the chance to learn to read or write in primary school compared to about eight million boys if current trends continue, according to a new report from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Institute for Statistics (UIS).
DPR Korea: Ban welcomes Security Council measure tightening and expanding sanctions
New York, Mar 3 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The United Nations Security Council on Wednesday unanimously adopted a resolution that imposes new sanctions and tightens some of its existing measures against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), due to the country's ongoing nuclear and ballistic missile-related activities that “threaten international peace and security.â€
Amid signs of hope in Syria, UNICEF chief sees 'harsh evidence' of war's toll on children
New York, Mar 3 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Wrapping up his visit to Syria, the head of the United Nations children's agency has urged both the Government and armed opposition groups to facilitate access to all children in need, especially so the UN and its partners can implement a nationwide immunization programme.
Libya 'needs to move ahead now, or risk division and collapse,' UN envoy tells Security Council
New York, Mar 3 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Libya needs to move ahead now or risk division and collapse, the top United Nations official in the country warned the UN Security Council on Wednesday, while presenting the latest report on political and humanitarian developments.
Drug treaties' aim is health, not 'war on drugs,' says UN expert report
New York, Mar 3 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The ultimate goal of the international drug control treaties is to ensure the health and welfare of mankind, according to a United Nations-backed report, which this year underscored that the objectives of the conventions are often misinterpreted as mandating a “war on drugs.â€
Ban appoints long-serving UN tribunal jurist to head up courts' residual mechanism
New York, Mar 3 (Just Earth News/IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has appointed Judge Theodor Meron of the United States as President of the international body that will carry out the residual functions of the UN war crimes tribunals for Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia, for a new term that began on Tuesday.
NATO Secretary General welcomes change of command in Afghanistan
Kabul, Mar 2 (IBNS) General John “Mick†Nicholson assumed command of NATO’s Resolute Support mission from General John F. Campbell on Wednesday, a NATO press release said.
New York, Mar 2 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Marking 50 years since the unanimous adoption of two United Nations human rights treaties – respectively promoting respect for civil and political, and economic, social and cultural rights – a top UN official on Tuesday said the landmark covenants have helped extend rights to people crushed by tyranny and discrimination for generations.
UN hails launch of 'Day of School Feeding' as vital to Africa's development efforts
New York, Mar 2 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The United Nations joined the African Union Tuesday in hailing African countries on the inaugural "Africa Day of School Feeding," as part of a key strategy to address the continent's development challenges through home-grown school meal programmes.
Senior UN relief official calls for end to discrimination against displaced Muslims in Myanmar
New York, Mar 2 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Many of the Muslims displaced by inter-communal violence in Myanmar are still prevented from moving freely and often denied access to local hospitals, a senior United Nations humanitarian official said on Tuesday, calling for an end to such discriminatory practices.
Iraq: UN reports more than 400 civilians killed in February; cites 'viciousness' of attacks
New York, Mar 2 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Acts of terrorism, violence and armed conflict in Iraq claimed the lives of 670 people, including 410 civilians, in February 2016, the United Nations political mission in that country has reported.