UNESCO chief denounces the murder of Mexican journalist
New York, May 13 (IBNS): While stressing the need to end impunity of crimes against media workers, the head of the United Nations agency charged with promoting press freedom urged on Tuesday a full inquiry into the killing of journalist Armando Saldaña Morales in Mexico.
Ahead of humanitarian pause, Yemen sees deadliest week of fighting: UN
New York, May 13 (IBNS): Nearly 200 civilians have died in Yemen in the past week, as the country has seen its deadliest period of fighting since violence broke out on 26 March this year, according to figures released on Tuesday by the United Nations human rights office.
Geneva: UN envoy continues Syria consultations with national and regional stakeholders
New York, May 13 (IBNS):The United Nations Special Envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, is continuing his meetings in Geneva aimed at bringing a political solution to the ongoing crisis in the Middle Eastern country, a spokesperson for the Organization confirmed on Tuesday.
Bosnia and Herzegovina must take 'fresh chance' it has been given: Security Council
New York, May 13 (IBNS): As Bosnia and Herzegovina readies to mark the 20th anniversary of the end of the bloodiest conflict in Europe since the Second World War, it must seize the opportunity to “finally say farewell to the politics of the past†and decisively commit to a new way of doing politics that puts the interests of citizens firmly in first place, the United Nations Security Council heard on Tuesday.
UN calls on Greek Government to ‘implement’ anti-racism measures
New York, May 13 (IBNS): The Government of Greece must implement stronger measures in order to effectively address hate speech and verbal abuse against vulnerable groups including irregular migrants and minorities such as the Roma people, according to a United Nations human rights expert.
WHO draws lessons from Ebola to prepare roadmap for future epidemics
New York, May 13 (IBNS): The World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday concluded a meeting on Ebola research and development to look at lessons learned from the outbreak and develop a roadmap for future epidemics so that “we can be better prepared, faster, and more effective†in the next global health emergency.
International community must be proactive in helping Libya restore peace: ICC Prosecutor
New York, May 13 (IBNS): With the security situation in Libya quickly deteriorating, the international community must be more proactive in exploring solutions in order to tangibly help the North African nation restore stability and strengthen accountability, the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) told the United Nations Security Council on Tuesday.
UN urges Southeast Asian countries to make efforts to combat people smuggling
New York, May 13 (IBNS): Amid continuing reports that thousands of people are stranded on smugglers’ boats in Southeast Asian waters, the United Nations refugee agency on Tuesday called on governments in the region to ramp up search-and-rescue operations between the Andaman Sea and the Straits of Malacca.
UN mission deplores deteriorating tensions in Sudan’s Darfur region
New York, May 13 (IBNS): The joint United Nations-African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) has strongly deplored “the rapid deterioration of tensions†between the Rezeigat and Ma’alia tribes as both parties continue to engage each other in a series of armed confrontations which have resulted in dozens of casualties.
Ban ‘alarmed’ by outbreak of violence in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
New York, May 12 (IBNS): Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has expressed alarm over the recent outbreak of violence in the city of Kumanovo in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and extended his condolences to the families of those killed and injured.
Afghanistan: UN condemns Taliban’s attack on judges and prosecutors
New York, May 12 (IBNS): The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has strongly condemned Sunday's suicide attack against a civilian bus transporting employees of the Attorney General's Office in Kabul, which killed five prosecutors, including three women prosecutors and injured 19 other civilians.
Yemen humanitarian pause ‘a lifeline’ for civilians trapped by fighting: UN official
New York, May 12 (IBNS): The top United Nations relief official on Monday welcomed the announcement of a humanitarian pause in Yemen, set to start tomorrow, as aid operations resume in the embattled country following the arrival of two World Food Programme (WFP) cargo ships in Hudaydah over the weekend carrying fuel, food, water, and nutritional supplies.
South Sudan: Heavy fighting in northeast force, UN to evacuate staff
New York, May 12 (IBNS): The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has expressed growing concern about “continuing and consistent reports†emanating from two north-eastern counties regarding a surge in kidnappings and rapes and an overall uptick in violence, which has forced the UN and other aid agencies to withdraw staff from the region.
Syria: UN resumes aid distribution to civilians displaced from Yarmouk
New York, May 12 (IBNS): The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has resumed the provision of assistance to people displaced from Yarmouk camp in Syria, a spokesperson for the agency confirmed.
Mediterranean crisis demands ‘intensive dialogue’: Security Council
New York, May 12 (IBNS): The Mediterranean migrant crisis calls for collective action focused on the immediate need to save lives or else it will represent “a moral failure of the first order,†one that undermines international law and security, a top United Nations migration official warned on Monday.