Pope Francis urges concrete action in global nutrition challenge at UN conference in Rome
Nov 21, 2014, at 04:14 pm
New York, Nov 21 (IBNS) Pope Francis on Thursday urged leaders attending a United Nations Food and Agriculture (FAO) nutrition conference in Rome to view food and nutrition and the environment as global public issues at a time when nations are more tightly linked with each other than ever before.
UN rights chief criticizes legal amendment in Gambia targeting homosexuals
Nov 21, 2014, at 04:10 pm
New York, Nov 21 (IBNS): The top United Nations human rights official on Thursday criticized a recent amendment to the criminal code of The Gambia that creates a broad and vague offence of “aggravated homosexuality†punishable by life imprisonment, and expressed alarm at reports of a wave of arbitrary arrests and detention of individuals perceived to be homosexual in the country.
In latest report, UN rights office says nearly 1,000 dead amid shaky Ukraine ceasefire
Nov 21, 2014, at 04:07 pm
New York, Nov 21 (IBNS):lmost 1,000 people have been killed in Ukraine since a tenuous ceasefire was established there in early September amid efforts to end the violence between armed rebel groups and the Government, the United Nations Human Rights Office (OHCHR) said on Thursday as it released its latest report on the situation in the country.
Leveraging innovation key to advancing progress on child rights – UNICEF
Nov 21, 2014, at 04:05 pm
New York, Nov 21 (IBNS) Despite progress in advancing child rights over the past 25 years, including a marked reduction in the number of children dying before the age of five and increased access to education and clean water, urgent action is needed to prevent millions of children from missing out on the benefits of innovation, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) said in a new report.
On World Philosophy Day, UN lauds role of dialogue, diversity in multicultural world
Nov 21, 2014, at 03:54 pm
New York, Nov 21 (IBNS) The head the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on Thursday marked the twelfth edition of World Philosophy Day with a widespread appeal for dialogue in diversity, adding that only by embracing the intellectual pluralism of our global society can the foundations of a truly global community be laid.
Security Council strongly condemns 'despicable terrorist attack' in Jerusalem synagogue
Nov 20, 2014, at 10:29 pm
New York, Nov 20 (IBNS): The United Nations Security Council has strongly condemned Tuesday's “despicable terrorist attack†in a synagogue in Jerusalem, resulting in the murder of four innocent civilians worshipping there and a police officer, as well as the injury of many more.
'Insecurity on the march again' in Africa's Sahel region, UN relief official warns
Nov 20, 2014, at 10:26 pm
New York, Nov 20 (IBNS): Insecurity is on the march again in the countries of Africa’s Sahel belt, where extremists have displaced 1.5 million people in Nigeria and the threat of Ebola is exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis, the United Nations humanitarian regional coordinator said Wednesday
UN spotlights children's rights as world gears up to mark 25th anniversary of landmark treaty
Nov 20, 2014, at 10:23 pm
New York, Nov 20 (IBNS): As the global human rights community readies to celebrate tomorrow the 25th anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the United Nations committee charged with monitoring its implementation highlighted the right of children to actively participate and not just be heard in discussions that affect their lives and communities.
Security Council calls for thorough investigation into alleged mass rape in North Darfur
Nov 20, 2014, at 10:16 pm
New York, Nov 20 (IBNS): Echoing calls from the wider United Nations community, the Security Council Weday expressed concern at allegations over the mass rape in late October of 200 women and girls in Tabit, North Darfur, calling on the Government of Sudan to conduct a thorough investigation.
Libya: UN mission brokers 'critical' 12-hour humanitarian truce in Benghazi
Nov 20, 2014, at 10:13 pm
New York, Nov 20 (IBNS): The head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) announced Wednesday that all parties to the conflict in Benghazi have agreed to an unconditional humanitarian truce to evacuate civilians and retrieve the bodies of the dead.
UN Asia-Pacific forum opens meeting to advance gender equality
Nov 20, 2014, at 10:08 pm
New York, Nov 20 (IBNS): More than 700 representatives from governments, inter-governmental organizations, UN bodies and civil society in Asia and the Pacific began meeting Wednesday to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment with the keynote speaker highlighting the urgency of eliminating violence against women and girls.
Somalia cannot afford to repeat 'pattern of division, paralysis'-UN political chief
Nov 20, 2014, at 10:05 pm
New York, Nov 20 (IBNS): Somalia’s positive strides do not mean “plain sailingâ€, the United Nations political chief stressed Wednesday, telling a high-level forum in Copenhagen that the international community must continue to support the Horn of Africa nation in its efforts to stabilize and build sustainable security.
At high-level debate, UN, Security Council renews pledge to counter foreign terrorist fighters
Nov 20, 2014, at 10:02 pm
New York, Nov 20 (IBNS): As foreign fighters continue to flood the world’s zones of conflict, exacerbating already tenuous security situations and further destabilizing States, the United Nations Security Council reiterated Wednesday its pledge to counter the global terrorist threat by adopting a statement reaffirming its commitment towards the preservation of international peace and security.
UN experts warn against release of former commander convicted in Srebrenica genocide
Nov 20, 2014, at 09:59 pm
New York, Nov 20 (IBNS): A group of United Nations human rights experts Wednesday voiced alarm over the potential imminent release of Milorad Trbic, who was convicted in 2009 by the Bosnian State Court of committing genocide in Srebrenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and sentenced to 30 years in prison.
At global food conference, UN officials sound the call for better global nutrition
Nov 20, 2014, at 09:56 pm
New York, Nov 20 (IBNS): The international community must intensify its efforts towards eradicating hunger and malnutrition, top United Nations officials declared today at the opening of a major global food conference held in Rome, Italy, as 170 Member States adopted a series of pledges aimed at ensuring that that all citizens around the world gain better access to healthier and more sustainable diets.
Ensuring women's access to safe toilets is 'moral' imperative: Ban
Nov 20, 2014, at 09:34 pm
New York, Nov 20 (IBNS): With one out of three women worldwide lacking access to safe toilets, it is a moral imperative to end open defecation to ensure women and girls are not at risk of assault and rape simply because they lack a sanitation facility, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged on World Toilet Day on Nov 19.
Man arrested after arms recovered near White House
Nov 20, 2014, at 08:15 pm
Washington, Nov 20 (IBNS): The U.S Secret Service arrested a man on Wednesday (EDT) after they recovered hunting rifle, dozens of rounds of ammunition and a knife inside his car, which was parked very near to White House, media reported.
UN agency starts relocation of 15,000 South Sudanese refugees in Ethiopia
Nov 19, 2014, at 03:18 pm
New York, Nov 19 (IBNS) The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) has begun relocating nearly 15,000 South Sudanese refugees who had been stranded for a few months at a way station in western Ethiopia after the refugee camp where they were due to live was flooded.
Yemen: UN voices deep concern over ongoing human rights violations, abuses
Nov 19, 2014, at 03:17 pm
New York, Nov 19 (IBNS):Voicing great concern over serious human rights abuses that have occurred in Yemen in recent months, the United Nations human rights office on Tuesday issued a strong call on parties of all sides to renounce violence and ensure immediate access to humanitarian assistance in conflict zones.
Amid 'monstrous' violence, ISIL aims to tear Iraq apart, build 'state of terror,' warn UN officials
Nov 19, 2014, at 03:15 pm
New York, Nov 19 (IBNS): The atrocious crimes perpetrated by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) risk plunging Iraq into catastrophe as the country reels from bitter sectarian tensions and a growing humanitarian crisis affecting over 5 million people, top United Nations officials warned on Tuesday, as they called on the international community to increase efforts in aiding Iraq’s full transition towards a stable democracy.
Nov 19, 2014, at 03:10 pm
New York, Nov 19 (IBNS) Deeply concerned about the "catastrophic" humanitarian situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo's Katanga province, the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) on Tuesday urged Congolese authorities and the UN stabilization mission to boost their respective capacities to stem the violence in the long-troubled, resource-rich area known as "the triangle of death."
Cambodia: UN expert voices concern over judicial independence amid 'arbitrary' arrests
Nov 19, 2014, at 03:08 pm
New York, Nov 19 (IBNS) The United Nations expert on the situation of human rights in Cambodia on Tuesday urged the Southeast Asian country's Government to respect the independence of its judiciary after a recent series of arrests and immediate convictions of land activists and opposition party members.
UN strongly condemns attack on Jerusalem synagogue
Nov 19, 2014, at 03:03 pm
New York, Nov 19 (IBNS) United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has strongly condemned on Tuesday’s attack on a synagogue in West Jerusalem that claimed four lives and injured several persons, calling for political leadership and courage on both sides to address the "very tense" situation in the region.
Human Rights Council president hails body’s success as duties increase, resources shrink
Nov 18, 2014, at 06:02 pm
New York, Nov 18 (IBNS) Presenting the annual report of the United Nations Human Rights Council, the body’s President, Baudelaire Ndong Ella, told the General Assembly on Monday that the Council has bolstered its reputation and credibility over the years through the work of its special experts and carrying out the Universal Periodic Review (UPR).
UN General Assembly, Security Council conclude elections for 'World Court' judges
Nov 18, 2014, at 05:59 pm
New York, Nov 18 (IBNS) The United Nations General Assembly and Security Council on Monday elected a fifth judge to a seat on the International Court of Justice (ICJ) – the principal judicial organ of the UN – following the election of four judges earlier this month.
Burkina Faso: Ban welcomes appointment of interim president, signing of transition framework
Nov 18, 2014, at 05:57 pm
New York, Nov 18 (IBNS) United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday congratulated the people of Burkina Faso on the signing of the Charter of the Transition and on the appointment of former foreign minister Michel Kafando as Transitional President.
UN-backed treaty, INTERPOL operation targets 'most wanted' environmental fugitives
Nov 18, 2014, at 05:54 pm
New York, Nov 18 (IBNS): Nine fugitives are being pursued as part of a United Nations-backed joint INTERPOL global operation targeting individuals wanted for serious environmental – including wildlife – crime.
'Deeply troubled' by Darfur rape allegations, Ban urges 'unfettered' access to town
Nov 18, 2014, at 05:53 pm
New York, Nov 18 (IBNS) United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Monday that he is deeply troubled about persistent allegations of mass rape in Tabit, North Darfur, and urged Government officials to grant unfettered access to the town so that investigators can verify these reports.
Drowning claims over 40 people every hour in 'needless loss of life' – UN report
Nov 18, 2014, at 05:16 pm
New York, Nov 18 (IBNS)The first United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) report on drowning released on Monday reveals that more than 370,000 people drown every year in bathtubs, buckets, ponds, rivers, ditches and pools as people go about their daily lives in a "serious and neglected public health threat."
Iraq: UN convoy hit by explosion in Baghdad, mission reports
Nov 18, 2014, at 05:13 pm
New York, Nov 18 (IBNS)A United Nations convoy of three vehicles proceeding from the Baghdad International Airport to the International Zone was hit with at least one explosion this morning, the Organization’s assistance mission in the country reported on Monday.