'Show unprecedented vision to make peace,' senior UN official tells Israeli, Palestinian leaders
New York, Dec 17 (Just Earth News/IBNS) Citing Palestinian attacks against Israelis, perceived impunity for settler violence against Palestinians and the impression of an endless occupation, a senior United Nations political official on Wednesday called for “unprecedented vision†by both sides to take the bold steps necessary for peace.
New York, Dec 17 (Just Earth News/IBNS) As 2015 draws to a close, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon summed up the "pivotal year" in which the Organization marked its 70th anniversary by highlighting landmark steps taken to advance sustainable development, climate action, conflict resolution and provision of humanitarian assistance.
New York, Dec 16 (Just Earth News/IBNS) The 193 Member States of the United Nations will for the first time be included "totally" in the selection of the next UN Secretary-General, the President of the General Assembly said on Tuesday, pledging to make the process as transparent and inclusive as possible.
Security Council renews UN peacekeeping force in Abyei for another five months
New York, Dec 16 (Just Earth News/IBNS) The United Nations Security Council on Tuesday extended for another five months its interim peacekeeping force in Abyei, a resource-rich area contested by Sudan and South Sudan, calling on both sides to swiftly resume regular meetings to resolve the oil-rich territory’s final status.
Amid escalating hate speech against Muslims, UN rights officials denounce intolerance, incitement
New York, Dec 16 (Just Earth News/IBNS) Expressing “grave concern†at the outpouring of intolerance and hate speech in public discourse and in the media in recent weeks, which focused particularly on Muslims, senior United Nations human rights officials have urgently called on those in positions of authority and political leadership to act responsibly and with respect for both international and national laws.
Despite progressive laws, gender-based violence ‘pervasive’ in South Africa, UN expert warns
New York, Dec 16 (Just Earth News/IBNS) Warning that deeply entrenched patriarchal attitudes make violence against women “an almost acceptable phenomenon†in South Africa, a United Nations human rights expert on Tuesday urged the Government to strengthen its fight against gender-based violence through awareness and education at all levels of society.
Two-year conflict has led to ‘unrelenting crisis’ for South Sudan’s children, UN agencies warn
New York, Dec 16 (Just Earth News/IBNS) The children of South Sudan are among the most vulnerable on the planet, two leading United Nations humanitarian agencies said on Tuesday, with a senior UN refugee official warning that the world’s newest nation cannot afford to lose a generation of children, “as in them lies the future and hope of the young nation.â€
New York, Dec 16 (Just Earth News/IBNS) The Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Tuesday chided the United Nations Security Council for its “empty promises†to bring Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir to trial for atrocities in Darfur, even as his victims cry out for justice amid indiscriminate killings and mass rape.
UN rights chief urges Cuba to halt harassment of activists and respect human rights
New York, Dec 16 (Just Earth News/IBNS) The top United Nations human rights official expressed concern today over the extremely high number of arbitrary arrests and short-term detentions of individuals, including human rights defenders and dissidents, in Cuba in recent weeks.
New York, Dec 16 (Just Earth News/IBNS) The United Nations nuclear watchdog on Tuesday closed the book on the possible military aspects of Iran’s nuclear programme, finding that they were limited to feasibility and scientific studies and did not proceed beyond 2009, bringing an international nuclear accord with Iran a step closer to implementation.
Yemen: UN-sponsored peace talks kick off as ceasefire goes into effect
New York, Dec 16 (Just Earth News/IBNS) After months of relentless violence in Yemen, consultations facilitated by the United Nations began on Tuesday in Switzerland aimed at finding a durable settlement to the crisis, including establishing a permanent ceasefire, securing improvements to the humanitarian situation and a returning to a peaceful and orderly political transition.
New York, Dec 16 (Just Earth News/IBNS) Although international attention has waned regarding the crisis in Israel and the Occupied Palestine Territory, the United Nations human rights office on Tuesday warned that the region is still rife with violence and the recent escalation in the fighting has claimed 117 Palestinian lives, along with two foreign nationals and injured thousands more.
Burundi: UN urges immediate action to stop 'senseless' violence
New York, Dec 16 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Amid the “deadly escalation†of violence in Burundi, the United Nations human rights chief on Tuesday sounded the alarm at the unfolding crisis in the country and urged all actors in the current crisis to take every step possible to stop the growing violence and engage in a meaningful and inclusive dialogue.
Los Angeles schools closed over 'threat': Report
Los Angeles, Dec 15 (IBNS) All Los Angeles Unified School District campuses have been closed down by officials following threats of violence, media reports said on Tuesday.
New York, Dec 15 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Ten years after the United Nations World Summit on the Information Society, delegates from Member States and observer entities are meeting at UN Headquarters starting on Mondayto identify emerging trends, fresh priorities and innovations for advancing information and communications technologies.