'Things are about to change,' UN expert urges Malta to prepare for migrants
Dec 14, 2014, at 02:16 am
New York, Dec 11 (IBNS) Malta, a key entry point into Europe, needs to step up its preparation for migrants and asylum-seekers crossing the Mediterranean Sea and arriving at its external borders, United Nations human rights expert François Crépeau warned today.
As number of seafaring migrants surges, UN calls for better global protection efforts
Dec 14, 2014, at 02:14 am
New York, Dec 11 (IBNS) Amid record high numbers of global migrant arrivals by sea, the international community is steadily losing focus on saving lives and intensifying its efforts to deny foreigners access to asylum, the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) has warned ahead of a Geneva-based forum devoted to protecting sea-bound migrants.
UN report on ‘interpersonal violence’ shows urgent need to scale up prevention
Dec 14, 2014, at 02:12 am
New York, Dec 11 (IBNS) One in four children has been physically abused, one in five girls has been sexually abused and one in three women has been a victim of physical violence at some point in her lifetime, according to the first report of its kind on violence prevent by three United Nations agencies released today.
Ban welcomes Lesotho elections, reaffirms commitment to peace in the Kingdom
Dec 14, 2014, at 02:07 am
New York, Dec 11 (IBNS) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has noted the recent announcement of national elections in Lesotho to be held on 28 February next year.
Marking international observance, UN declares 'Every day is Human Rights Day'
Dec 14, 2014, at 02:06 am
New York, Dec 11 (IBNS) The universal reach of human rights should not be restricted to one day alone but extended to every day of the year, top United Nations officials declared on Wednesdayas they marked Human Rights Day – an annual UN-backed event commemorating the date on which the General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Dec 10, 2014, at 03:25 pm
New York, Dec 10 (IBNS) On the eve of the worldwide commemoration of Human Rights Day, United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Jan Eliasson, on Tuesday led in New York’s historic Harlem neighborhood, a public reading of the landmark Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
UN expert calls for prosecution of CIA, US officials for crimes committed during interrogations
Dec 10, 2014, at 03:24 pm
New York, Dec 10 (IBNS): A United States Senate report has confirmed what the international community has long believed – that there was a clear policy orchestrated at a high level within the Bush Administration which allowed to commit gross violations of international human rights law, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on counter terrorism and human rights said on Tuesday.
UN refugee agency posts largest-ever budget as funding pledges drop by a quarter
Dec 10, 2014, at 03:23 pm
New York, Dec 10 (IBNS) Faced with multiple large-scale emergencies in the Middle East and Africa, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees on Tuesday warned donors at the agency’s annual pledging conference that the world’s humanitarian financing system was "close to bankruptcy."
UN agency requests $400 million 'lifeline' for Palestinian refugees
Dec 10, 2014, at 03:21 pm
New York, Dec 10 (IBNS) The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has on Tuesday launched an emergency appeal for $414 million to support those living in the occupied Palestinian territory, where demands for “lifeline†services continue to grow.
Central African Republic in 'critical phase' of transition – UN peacekeeping chief
Dec 10, 2014, at 03:20 pm
New York, Dec 10 (IBNS): Despite a volatile security situation and ongoing fighting throughout the country, the Central African Republic (CAR) is now entering “a critical phase†in its transition to stability and democracy, the top United Nations peacekeeping official told the Security Council on Tuesday, as he urged the international community to remain engaged in the war-torn country.
Genocide begins with 'dehumanization;' no single country is immune from risk, warns UN official
Dec 10, 2014, at 03:20 pm
New York, Dec 10 (IBNS) Not a single country is immune to the risk of genocide, said the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on Prevention of Genocide on Tuesday as he marked the 66th anniversary of the signing of the 1948 Genocide Convention.
South Sudan: UN mission destroys weapons seized from displaced persons camps
Dec 10, 2014, at 03:17 pm
New York, Nov 10 (IBNS): The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has destroyed a deadly assortment of weapons confiscated from internally displaced persons (IDPs) living at its civilian protection sites, the Mission has announced, amid broader efforts to defuse tensions in the young country.
Thailand: Murders of human rights defenders underline need for protection, says UN
Dec 10, 2014, at 04:33 am
New York, Dec 9 (IBNS) The murders of two human rights defenders working on land and natural resource issues in the south of Thailand underscore the need for authorities in the country to take urgent measures to ensure the safety and protection of such people, United Nations said on Tuesday.
Surpassing fundraising goal, UN agency restarts urgent food aid for Syrian refugees
Dec 10, 2014, at 04:33 am
New York, Dec 9 (IBNS) A week after launching its social media campaign to raise emergency funding for food assistance aimed at Syrian refugees, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) announced on Tuesday that it had not only reached its initial goal of $64 million, but also exceeded it thanks to a “massive expression†of support from the public, the private sector and donor countries.
Dramatic fall in malaria deaths show fight against disease can be won – UN
Dec 10, 2014, at 04:32 am
New York, Dec 9 (IBNS) A newly-released United Nations health agency report reveals that the number of people dying from malaria globally has fallen dramatically with more and more countries moving towards its elimination, but the findings also note that gains made were at particular risk in Ebola-affected countries.
On International Day, UN urges all to 'break the corruption chain'
Dec 10, 2014, at 04:30 am
New York, Dec 9 (IBNS) The fight against corruption is a global concern requiring the broadest possible response to “dismantle its high wallsâ€, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Tuesday in a message marking International Anti-Corruption Day.
Two hostages killed during Yemen rescue bid
Dec 06, 2014, at 11:45 pm
Washington, Dec 6 (IBNS) A US journalist and a South African teacher, who were held by Al Qaeda militants in Yemen, have been killed during a failed rescue attempt by the joint US and Yemeni special forces on Friday, officials said on Saturday.
US condemns J&K militant attack
Dec 06, 2014, at 05:29 pm
Washington, Dec 6 (IBNS): The United States condemned the terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir on Friday ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s poll rally on Monday, media reports said.
DR Congo: UN refugee agency concerned at sudden closure of displaced persons camp
Dec 06, 2014, at 02:24 pm
New York, Dec 6 (IBNS) The United Nations refugee agency voiced concern on Fridayover the sudden closure of a camp for internally displaced people, or IDPs, located in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), exposing some 2,000 to potential lawlessness, banditry and sexual violence against women perpetrated by militia groups still operating in the area.
'Dark day for justice' says ICC Prosecutor, dropping charges against Kenyan President
Dec 06, 2014, at 02:21 pm
New York, Dec 6 (IBNS) The Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) announced Friday that she has decided to drop the charges against the President of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta, two days after the judges refused to postpone the trial as she had requested.
'Turning blind eye not a solution' to Mediterranean migrant crisis – UN rights expert
Dec 06, 2014, at 02:16 pm
New York, Dec 6 (IBNS) The rise of migrants and asylum seekers crossing the Mediterranean Sea in the last few months has resulted in a global crisis that calls for a global humanitarian response, a United Nations human rights expert urged on Friday.
UN relief agencies prepare emergency response as typhoon approaches Philippines
Dec 06, 2014, at 02:13 pm
New York, Dec 6 (IBNS) More than 30 million people risk feeling the brunt of Typhoon Hagupit as it barrels down on the Philippines, United Nations emergency and humanitarian officials warned on Fridayas they outlined the Organization-wide preparations being made before the massive storm makes landfall this weekend.
'Humane impulse to assist' leads to enriched life, UN chief says on global Volunteer Day
Dec 06, 2014, at 01:56 pm
New York, Dec 6 (IBNS) Volunteers are people who act with a spirit of giving, selflessly serving their communities all the while inspiring others to follow by example, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said on Fridayas the world body marked International Volunteer Day, and paid special tribute to those who have made a difference.
Central African Republic: UN chief says security fragile, calls for vote by August 2015
Dec 06, 2014, at 01:55 pm
New York, Dec 6 (IBNS) The United Nations Secretary-General met on Fridaywith the Head of State of the Transition of the Central African Republic, Catherine Samba-Panza, noting that the security situation in the country remained fragile, and agreeing on the need for urgent progress to establish an inclusive political process.
Eric Garner, Michael Brown cases spark 'legitimate concerns' about US policing – UN experts
Dec 06, 2014, at 01:52 pm
New York, Dec 6 (IBNS) Grand jury verdicts in the United States which resulted in the decisions to not bring to trial the cases of two unarmed African-American men killed by police forces have sparked “legitimate concerns†regarding policing practices across the country, a group of United Nations human rights experts said on Friday.
Ban appoints new Under-Secretary General for Communications and Public Information
Dec 05, 2014, at 04:25 pm
New York, Dec 5 (IBNS) United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced on Thursday the appointment of Cristina Gallach of Spain as Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information, the UN Spokesperson’s office announced on Thursday.
Amid fresh violence in Libya, UN mission urges all parties to give dialogue chance to succeed
Dec 05, 2014, at 04:23 pm
New York, Dec 5 (IBNS) Strongly condemning the spiralling violence in Libya, including a recent round of air raids in the western part of the country, the United Nations Support Mission (UNSMIL) on Thursday noted with deep concern the "disastrous impact" the attacks have on civilians and infrastructure, and warned that the violence is also endangering the political process.
US should respond to public demands for greater police accountability – Ban
Dec 05, 2014, at 04:17 pm
New York, Dec 5 (IBNS) In the wake of a grand jury decision in New York on Wednesdaynot to indict a police officer in the chokehold death of Eric Garner, an unarmed man, in July, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has urged the United States to do "anything possible to respond to demands of greater accountability."
Ban condemns deadly terrorist attacks in Grozny
Dec 05, 2014, at 04:16 pm
New York, Dec 5 (IBNS) United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday strongly condemned last night’s terrorist attacks in Grozny, Russia, reiterating that there can be no justification for acts of terror.
Senior UN relief official describes "bleak" situation in South Sudan after a year of conflict
Dec 05, 2014, at 04:07 pm
New York, Dec 5 (IBNS) A year of conflict has "devastated" South Sudan, the United Nations Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator, Kyung-wha Kang, said at UN Headquarters on Thursday, as she briefed journalists on her recent visit to that crisis-torn country and to Ethiopia.