'Prevent hepatitis; Act now,' declares UN targeting hepatitis B and C
New York, Jul 29 (IBNS): Marking World Hepatitis Day 2015, which falls on 28 July in honour of the birthday of the scientist who discovered the hepatitis B virus and its first vaccine, the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) and its partners are urging policy-makers, health workers and the public to act now to prevent infection and death from the infectious disease.
Dominic: UN experts warn against racial profiling of people of Haitian descent
New York, Jul 29 (IBNS): United Nations human rights experts on Tuesday called on the Government of the Dominican Republic to take steps to prevent arbitrary deportations and to adopt measures to address allegations of racial profiling during deportations of people of Haitian descent.
Security Council condemns Boko Haram violence, backs regional efforts
New York, Jul 29 (IBNS): While acknowledging progress made against Boko Haram following joint regional military efforts in recent months, the United Nations Security Council on Tuesday encouraged increased regional cooperation to stamp out the terrorist group, which the Council strongly condemned for its ongoing deadly violence, human rights abuses and mass abductions in the Lake Chad Basin.
UN officials seriously concerned by verdicts in trial of former members of Qadhafi regime
New York, Jul 29 (IBNS): The verdicts in the trial of 37 Qadhafi regime officials, including against the former leader’s son, Saif al-Islam Qadhafi, handed down today by the Tripoli Court of Assize, has drawn serous concern from senior United Nations human rights officials in Libya, as well as in Geneva, amid fears the trial did not meet international standards on a number of fronts.
Middle East’s largest camp turns three as Syrian refugees top four million: UN agency
New York, Jul 29 (IBNS): Living conditions for more than half a million refugees living in Jordan is becoming increasingly tough, the United Nations refugee agency warned on Tuesday on the eve of the third anniversary of the establishment of Za’atari camp, which has grown into the largest refugee camp in the Middle East.
Durable ceasefire needed as millions suffering in Yemen: UN relief chief
New York, Jul 29 (IBNS): The conflict in Yemen has brought “appalling damage†on an already suffering people, the top United Nations humanitarian official told the Security Council on Tuesday, pressing the international community to redouble its efforts to secure a pause in the fighting respected by all parties, thus providing space for relief workers to reach desperate civilians and for the warring sides to agree a durable ceasefire and, ultimately, a political solution.
Violent attacks reported against civilians fleeing ISIL-controlled areas of Iraq: UN
New York, Jul 29 (IBNS): An increasing number of people in Iraq, including families with children and the elderly, have encountered deadly ambushes as they try to escape areas controlled the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levan (ISIL) by risking their lives on a treacherous mountain journey to safety, the United Nations human rights office reported on Tuesday.
Syria’s grim statistics speak for themselves: Security Council
New York, Jul 29 (IBNS): A political solution is more urgent than ever to end the “futile, hopeless†cycle of brutality and violence in Syria, the top United Nations humanitarian official said on Tuesday, urging the Security Council to consider its options through “the eyes of the beleaguered, now long-suffering†civilians.
UN agencies and partners warn of ‘acute shortage’ of meningitis vaccines
New York, Jul 29 (IBNS): West Africa is at risk of a large meningitis outbreak unless drug manufacturers increase vaccine production by 5 million doses before the 2016 meningitis season starts in January, the United Nations and leading public health organizations warned on Tuesday.
Security Council authorizes ongoing African Union deployment in Somalia
New York, Jul 29 (IBNS): The Security Council on Tuesday authorized the Member States of the African Union to maintain the deployment of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) for an additional 10 months, until 30 May 2016.
Muammar Gaddafi's son sentenced to death
Tripoli, July 28 (IBNS) Saif al-Islam Gaddafi has been sentenced to death by a Libyan court over war crimes linked to the 2011 revolution.
Parties continue progressing towards ‘vision’ of united Cyprus: UN envoy
New York, Jul 28 (IBNS): The positive and results-oriented climate of the talks between the Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot leaders continues to foster the progress required towards conclusion of a settlement as soon as possible, the United Nations Special Adviser on Cyprus, Espen Barth Eide, confirmed on Monday.
Ban welcomes UN’s endorsement of action plan on post-2015 development financing
New York, Jul 28 (IBNS): The United Nations General Assembly on Monday endorsed the new global action agenda for financing sustainable development adopted two weeks ago by a major UN conference, and Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed the move as a major step that firmly puts the world “on the path to a more prosperous, just and sustainable world for this and future generations.â€
Burundi: UN mission finds environment ‘not conducive’ to credible election process
New York, Jul 28 (IBNS): While the 21 July election in Burundi that won President Pierre Nkurunziza a controversial third term was relatively peaceful and conducted adequately, the overall environment was ‘not conducive’ for an inclusive, free and credible electoral process, the United Nations Electoral Observation Mission in the country (MENUB) announced on Monday.
UN chief condemns deadly Al Shabaab attack against hotel in Mogadishu
New York, Jul 28 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has strongly condemned the attack perpetrated by Al Shabaab on Sunday on the Al-Jazeera Hotel in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu.