Thai law on defaming monarchy has 'chilling effect' on free expression: UN rights office
Aug 20, 2014, at 06:28 pm
New York , Aug 20 (IBNS) The United Nations rights office on Tuesday expressed serious concern over the prosecution and harsh sentencing of individuals in Thailand under the country’s so called lèse majesté law and its “chilling effects†on freedom of expression.
As South Sudan crisis grows, Ethiopia becomes Africa's largest refugee host
Aug 20, 2014, at 06:09 pm
New York, Aug 20 (IBNS) Ethiopia has surpassed Kenya in hosting the most refugees in Africa, sheltering 629,000 refugees as of the end of July, the United Nations refugee agency announced on Tuesday.
Amid unprecedented destruction, Gaza needs 'new deal'-style recovery plan: UN official
Aug 20, 2014, at 05:56 pm
New York, Aug 20 (IBNS) Concerned by the many civilian casualties and the unprecedented scale of destruction in the latest military conflict between Israel and Palestinian militants, a senior United Nations official urged on Tuesday the international community to "rethink the Gaza paradigm."
Iraq: UN refugee agency launches major humanitarian aid push for displaced people
Aug 20, 2014, at 03:38 pm
New York, Aug 20 (IBNS) The United Nations refugee agency said on Tuesday that it is launching one of its largest humanitarian aid pushes in response to the deteriorating situation in Iraq, aiming to help close to a half million people who had been forced to flee their homes.
UN mission in South Sudan condemns 'sustained gunfire' near Bentiu base
Aug 20, 2014, at 03:36 pm
New York, Aug 20 (IBNS) The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) on Tuesday condemned the live gunfire by Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) soldiers near the UN base in Bentiu, that wounded a child.
Briefing Security Council, UN deputy chief urges protection for frontline 'humanitarian heroes'
Aug 20, 2014, at 03:31 pm
New York, Aug 20 (IBNS)United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson had one main message – "we must protect humanitarian workers" – as he marked World Humanitarian Day with a special briefing to the Security Council, addressing a subject critical to people caught in conflict.
World Humanitarian Day: UN honours sacrifices, celebrates spirit of aid workers
Aug 20, 2014, at 03:27 pm
New York, Aug 20 (IBNS) The United Nations is marking World Humanitarian Day on Tuesday by paying tribute to aid workers who carry out life-saving activities around the world, often in dangerous and difficult circumstances, while celebrating the spirit of humanitarian work worldwide.
UN humanitarian agencies scaling up efforts as Iraq’s displacement crisis deepens
Aug 19, 2014, at 03:26 pm
New York, Aug 19 (IBNS): Amidst an expanding displacement crisis in Iraq, several United Nations humanitarian organizations are scaling up efforts to get food and water to people fleeing attacks by the Islamic State (IS).
Top UN envoy pledges to step up support for peace, progress in Somaliland
Aug 19, 2014, at 03:24 pm
New York, Aug 19 (IBNS) The top United Nations envoy in Somalia on Monday pledged to step up the world body’s support for peace and progress in Somaliland during a visit to the region, which declared itself independent in 1991.
Ban 'deeply disturbed' by reported attack on refugee convoy in eastern Ukraine
Aug 19, 2014, at 03:23 pm
New York, Aug 19 (IBNS)Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is deeply disturbed by on Monday's alarming reports regarding an attack on a column of internally displaced persons (IDPs) attempting to leave the Luhansk region of eastern Ukraine.
Amid Missouri protests, Ban urges restraint, respect for right to peaceful assembly
Aug 19, 2014, at 03:21 pm
New York, Aug 19 (IBNS): As protests intensify over the killing of an American teenager in Missouri, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday urged all parties to exercise restraint and for authorities to respect the right to peaceful assembly.
Middle East: UN envoy urges parties to break 'deadlock of violence and retaliation'
Aug 19, 2014, at 05:37 am
New York, Aug 18 (IBNS) With the latest Gaza ceasefire due to expire at midnight, the United Nations special envoy for the Middle East urged all parties to reach an understanding on a durable truce which addresses underlying issues and breaks the deadlock of violence and retaliation.
Cross-border aid reaches civilians displaced by ongoing violence in Libya: UN
Aug 19, 2014, at 04:45 am
New York, Aug 18 (IBNS) The United Nations refugee agency said on Monday it has, for the first time, begun sending aid into western Libya from Tunisia to help some of the tens of thousands of people displaced by weeks of fighting in Tripoli.
MDG Momentum: UN launches 500 days of action to build a better world
Aug 19, 2014, at 04:44 am
New York, Aug 18 (IBNS) With Malala Yousafzai by his side, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday marked 500 days of action until the deadline to reach the Millennium Development Goals, known worldwide as the "MDGs."
Julian Assange to leave Ecuadorian embassy 'soon'
Aug 18, 2014, at 08:17 pm
London, Aug 18 (IBNS) Wikileaks founder Julian Assange on Monday said he will bne leaving the embassy of Ecuador in London after taking refuge in it for two years.
Indonesia boat capsize: 18 foreign tourists rescued
Aug 18, 2014, at 06:10 pm
Mataram, Aug 18 (IBNS) The rescue team and local fishermen have rescued at least 18 of 20 foreign tourists who went missing in the sea off Bima following the sinking of the boat in which they were traveling on Sunday, media reports said on Monday.
Libya: UN mission condemns 'grave escalation' in fighting, urges ceasefire
Aug 18, 2014, at 05:47 pm
New York, Aug 18 (IBNS) The United Nations mission assisting Libya on Sunday condemned the "grave escalation" in the fighting in the capital, Tripoli and its suburbs and urged all parties to work to put an end to the security deterioration, which forebodes serious consequences on the humanitarian level.
Somalia: Marking one year in Puntland, UN pledges state-building support
Aug 18, 2014, at 05:42 pm
New York, Aug 18 (IBNS) At a ceremony marking its first year in Puntland, the United Nations mission in Somalia on Sunday pledged its continued support as the country looks ahead to beginning the process of federalism aimed at building a stronger, more united Somalia.
In Iran, UN relief chief urges cooperation to deal with region's 'unprecedented' crises
Aug 18, 2014, at 05:40 pm
New York, Aug 18 (IBNS) On a visit to Iran, the United Nations humanitarian chief on Sunday stressed the importance of regional cooperation in dealing with the myriad of “unprecedented†and “unravelling†crises in the Middle East.
Attack in clinic, more than 20 Ebola suspect flee
Aug 18, 2014, at 04:34 am
Monrovia, Aug 17 (IBNS) At least 20 suspected Ebola patients fled from a clinic in which they were undergoing treatment in Liberia as it was attacked and looted by protesters, media reports said.
Iraq: US air strikes kill 15 militants
Aug 17, 2014, at 05:38 am
Baghdad, Aug 16 (IBNS) At least 15 Sunni militants were killed as US aircraft launched air strikes in north Iraq on Saturday, media reports said.
In China, Ban urges young people to drive global action, promote UN ideals
Aug 17, 2014, at 03:25 am
New York, Aug 16 (IBNS): At a special event on the occasion of the Summer Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Saturday urged young people everywhere to get involved and engaged in driving global action at this critical time in history.
Adopting resolution, Security Council approves sanctions against militants in Iraq, Syria
Aug 16, 2014, at 04:51 pm
New York, Aug 16 (IBNS) Expressing its "gravest concern" that parts of Iraq and Syria are now under the control of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and Al-Nusra Front, the United Nations Security Council on Friday placed six individuals affiliated with the terrorist groups on its Al-Qaida sanctions list and threatened measures against those who finance, recruit or supply weapons to them.
UN expert calls for immediate release of political detainees in Sudan
Aug 16, 2014, at 04:50 pm
New York, Aug 16 (IBNS) A United Nations human rights expert on Friday denounced the arrest and sentencing of political activists in Sudan, reiterating his call on the Government to free all the political detainees to enable an inclusive national dialogue.
Senior UN officials commend decision of Iraq's al-Maliki to back his successor
Aug 16, 2014, at 04:48 pm
New York, Aug 16 (IBNS)United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and his envoy in Iraq welcomed Nouri al-Maliki's decision to step aside as Prime Minister and urged national political leaders to build consensus on how to address security threats and other challenges facing the country.
South Sudan: UN mission condemns Bentiu clashes, takes swift action to protect people
Aug 16, 2014, at 04:47 pm
New York, Aug 16 (IBNS) The United Nations mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has condemned this morning’s outbreak of violence in Bentiu which caused hundreds of people to seek shelter at the nearest airport.
UN, humanitarian partners launch health plan in crisis-torn eastern Ukraine
Aug 16, 2014, at 04:46 pm
New York, Aug 16 (IBNS) Conflict in eastern Ukraine, mainly in the areas in and around the cities of Donetsk and Luhansk, has affected nearly four million people, including 156,000 internally displaced people, many of whom lack access to healthcare, a United Nations health official said on Friday as he appealed for funds to help address the situation.
Ban appoints Spanish national as head of UN support mission in Libya
Aug 15, 2014, at 05:16 pm
New York, Aug 15 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced on Thursday the appointment of Bernardino León of Spain as his Special Representative for Libya.
In phone call with President, Ban expresses 'increasing concern' about Ukraine crisis
Aug 15, 2014, at 04:58 pm
New York, Aug 15 (IBNS) UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has spoken with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, reiterating his urgent call to redouble political and diplomatic efforts towards a peaceful resolution in the crisis-torn country.
DR Congo: UN envoy condemns murder of family in eastern town
Aug 15, 2014, at 04:54 pm
New York, Aug 15 (IBNS) A senior United Nations official on Thursday condemned the murder of six members of the same family in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and urged those living in the town of Mutarule to practice restraint to avoid further escalation.