UN human rights office warns Burundi crisis ‘spiralling out of control’
New York, Aug 15 (IBNS): The situation in Burundi continues to deteriorate amid ongoing killings, arrests and detentions in the latest post-election turmoil to afflict the country, the United Nations human rights office has reported.
South Sudan: Blockade of aid routes lifted, allowing UN to access conflict-torn areas
New York, Aug 15 (IBNS): The United Nations humanitarian wing has reported that the month-long restrictions on the movement of goods by air and river routes in South Sudan have been lifted, allowing delivery of aid supplies in crisis-torn Malakal, and has warned of a “dire situation†as fighting continues.
Syria: UN special envoy condemns indiscriminate shelling in civilian areas
New York, Aug 15 (IBNS): Condemning the continued use of indiscriminate weapons in civilian areas of Syria, the United Nations special envoy for the country has today renewed his call on the warring parties to immediately cease such attacks and focus on finding a political solution to the “unacceptable situation†in their homeland.
UN agency assists Nigeria’s neighbours as violence sparks waves of refugees
New York, Aug 15 (IBNS): The United Nations refugee agency on Friday expressed concern about the escalating violence in and around Nigeria and its impact on the situation of Nigerian refugees in surrounding host countries, including a shrinking humanitarian space in which they can seek asylum.
WHO kicks-off campaign honouring world’s health workers
New York, Aug 15 (IBNS): The World Health Organization (WHO) is preparing to launch a campaign aimed at honouring the sacrifices and efforts of thousands of international health workers deployed to the frontlines of the world’s most pressing crises, the United Nations agency has announced.
Mali: UN official urges support for relief efforts amid ongoing crisis
New York, Aug 15 (IBNS): Food insecurity in Mali will only grow if national parties fail to commit to peace and stability in the country, the United Nations relief official dealing with Africa’s Sahel region warned on Friday as he urged the international community to remain engaged with the country’s urgent humanitarian needs.
UN experts call on Iran to release journalist Jason Rezaian as he awaits verdict
New York, Aug 15 (IBNS): United Nations human rights experts on Friday urged the Iranian Government to immediately release the Washington Post’s correspondent in Tehran, Jason Rezaian, who now awaits verdict after his fourth and possible final hearing earlier this week.
Brazil must implement measures against torture: UN expert
New York, Aug 15 (IBNS): A United Nations human rights expert on Friday called on Brazilian Federal and State authorities to urgently address the issue of prison overcrowding in the country and show genuine commitment to implement measures against torture.
Ban appoints UN official as acting head of mission in Central Africa
New York, Aug 15 (IBNS): Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday announced the appointment of Parfait Onanga-Anyanga of Gabon as his Acting Special Representative for the Central African Republic and Head of the United Nations stabilization mission in the country, known as MINUSCA.
UN rights experts welcome release of Syrian human rights defenders
New York, Aug 15 (IBNS): Welcoming recent release of three human rights defenders from Syrian Government custody, the head of a United Nations-appointed human rights panel on Friday urged the authorities to grant an independent organization regular access to those allegedly detained.
UN chief 'deeply saddened' after deadly industrial explosions in northern China
New York, Aug 14 (IBNS) United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has been deeply saddened to learn of the loss of life and the injuries to scores of people as a result of deadly explosions in Tianjin, China.
Ban addresses top peacekeeping officials amid allegations of sexual abuse by UN 'blue helmets'
New York, Aug 14 (IBNS) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon conducted on Friday an urgent video conference with the heads of United Nations peacekeeping operations, Force Commanders, and Police Commissioners following a series of revelations alleging abuse by UN 'blue helmets' in the field, Including, most recently in the Central African Republic.
Head of UN food relief agency appeals for continued support to Syrian refugees
New York, Aug 14 (IBNS) The head of United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) called on Friday on the international community to continue supporting Syrian refugees displaced in neighboring countries, appealing to the world “not to forget†the crisis and to provide the agency the means to meet their needs.
Senior UN official in Iraq deplores 'cowardly' terrorist attack that kills dozens at Baghdad market
New York, Aug 14 (IBNS) The acting head of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq has strongly condemned on Friday ’s truck bomb attack on a market in east Baghdad, which initial reports say killed at least 45 people and for which the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) has claimed responsibility.
Ukraine: UN agency begins cash assistance programme to meet food needs in crisis-torn eastern areas
New York, Aug 14 (IBNS) Responding to the recurring food shortages created by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has begun cash distributions to some 60,000 people – mostly internally displaced – in Government-controlled areas of the Lugansk and Donetsk region.