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.
Concerned by security raids on Darfur camps, UN-African Union mission takes mitigating measures
Aug 15, 2014, at 04:52 pm
New York, Aug 15 (IBNS) The African Union-United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) on Thursday expressed deep concern over security raids, recently conducted by the Sudanese Government, in several camps for displaced people in the city of Nyala and the surrounding towns in South Darfur.
UN rights experts urge halt to Sri Lanka's deportations of Pakistani asylum seekers
Aug 15, 2014, at 04:51 pm
New York, Aug 15 (IBNS) United Nations human rights experts on Thursday expressed their grave concern over the detentions and forced deportations of Pakistani asylum seekers in Sri Lanka back to their homeland where violent attacks against religious minorities have spiked in recent years.
Pakistan: Imran leads Azadi March
Aug 15, 2014, at 02:34 am
Lahore, Aug 14 (IBNS) Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief head Imran Khan commenced his Azadi March (independence march) from Lahore to Islamabad on Thursday.
Ban appoints Irish national as new deputy envoy for Guinea-Bissau
Aug 14, 2014, at 06:26 pm
New York, Aug 14 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday announced the appointment of Maria do Valle Ribeiro of Ireland as his Deputy Special Representative for Guinea-Bissau.
Security Council encouraged by appointment of Iraqi Prime Minister-elect
Aug 14, 2014, at 06:23 pm
New York, Aug 14 (IBNS) As Iraqi Prime Minister-designate Haider al-Abadi continues to form a new Government, the United Nations Security Council on Wednesday urged all political parties and their supporters to remain calm and respect the country’s Constitution.
'Barbaric' sexual violence perpetrated by Islamic State militants in Iraq : UN
Aug 14, 2014, at 06:16 pm
New York, Aug 14 (IBNS) Two senior United Nations officials on Wednesday condemned in the strongest terms the “barbaric acts†of sexual violence and “savage rapes†the armed group Islamic State (IS) has perpetrated on minorities in areas under its control.
On landmark Somalia visit, Security Council pledges support toward political reforms
Aug 14, 2014, at 06:12 pm
New York, Aug 14 (IBNS) Members of the United Nations Security Council arrived in Mogadishu this morning on a landmark visit to Somalia to review progress made by the Federal Government and to demonstrate their continued support for the country’s efforts to ensure a sustainable peace.
Brazilian Presidential candidate Eduardo Campos dies in plane crash
Aug 14, 2014, at 06:18 am
Santos, Aig 13 (IBNS): Brazilian Presidential candidate Eduardo Campos was killed in a plane crash in Santos city on Wednesday, media reports said.
UN rights experts concerned by last-minute derailment of visit to The Gambia
Aug 13, 2014, at 02:15 pm
New York, Aug 13 (IBNS) The Gambia postponed a visit at the last minute by two United Nations independent experts, a move they find "extremely worrying" and which casts doubt on the West African country’s commitment to human rights.
In South Sudan, Security Council warns sanctions possible against 'spoilers'
Aug 13, 2014, at 02:14 pm
New York, Aug 13 (IBNS)On a visit to South Sudan, the United Nations Security Council on Tuesday reiterated that it is ready to impose sanctions against anyone who undermines the ongoing peace talks to stop the conflict which has uprooted some 1.5 million people and placed more than 7 million at risk of hunger and disease.
UN Refugee Agency alarmed as Sri Lanka deports families seeking asylum
Aug 13, 2014, at 02:10 pm
New York, Aug 13 (IBNS) The United Nations refugee agency on Tuesday expressed alarm that recent deportations of asylum-seekers from Sri Lanka back to Pakistan were growing in size and scope despite international calls to stop sending them back to a place where their lives could be in danger.
Amid spread of 'hatred and brutality,' Ban urges countries to do more to help Iraqi civilians
Aug 13, 2014, at 02:09 pm
New York, Aug 13 (IBNS) United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday urged Iraqi security forces against intervening in the country’s political process where heightened tensions, coupled with the current security threat from the armed group, the Islamic State, could lead the country into even deeper crisis.
Libya: UN Mission condemns ongoing fighting despite repeated calls for ceasefire
Aug 13, 2014, at 01:56 pm
New York, Aug 13 (IBNS) The United Nations mission assisting Libya on Tuesday condemned the battles in the capital, Tripoli, which continue despite repeated international calls for an immediate ceasefire and appeals to refrain from the use of force to resolve political differences.
UN Rights Council notes one member unavailable to serve on Gaza Commission
Aug 13, 2014, at 01:54 pm
New York, Aug 13 (IBNS) In a statement released on Tuesday, the President of the Human Rights Council, Baudelaire Ndog Ella said he "regrets" that the Commission, which is now operational, will not benefit from Amal Alamuddin's expertise in the field.
Northern Iraq: UN rights experts urge action to avoid mass atrocity, potential genocide
Aug 13, 2014, at 01:52 pm
New York, Aug 13 (IBNS) A group of United Nations human rights experts on Tuesday expressed grave concern at the imminent danger of massacre faced by the Yazidi population forced to flee Sinjar in northern Iraq and other minority communities currently exposed to attacks by members of the armed group, Islamic State (IS).
As latest ceasefire holds in Gaza, Ban urges both sides to address root causes of conflict
Aug 13, 2014, at 01:50 pm
New York, Aug 13 (IBNS) The most recent ceasefire in Gaza appears to be holding but unless the underlying causes of the conflict are addressed, another round of violence and vengeance is almost guaranteed, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday warned.
Inter-communal violence, banditry in Darfur threaten civilians – African Union-UN envoy
Aug 12, 2014, at 05:41 pm
New York, Aug 12 (IBNS) While fighting between Government forces and armed movements ebbed considerably during the past months, inter-communal violence and acts of banditry continue to be a challenge for the people of Darfur, the African Union-United Nations envoy on the region said on Monday.
First UN female force commander takes reigns in Cyprus
Aug 12, 2014, at 05:37 pm
New York Aug 12 (IBNS) Major General Kristin Lund on Monday officially assumed her duties as Force Commander of the United Nations peacekeeping force in Cyprus where the top UN official, Lisa Buttenheim, is also a woman. That UN operation is now the first in the world to have a dual female leadership.
World Humanitarian Day: More people than ever need help
Aug 12, 2014, at 05:34 pm
New York, Aug 12 (IBNS) Spotlighting humanitarians who often take great risks to help communities in need, World Humanitarian Day 2014 will feature events ranging from a 5K run/walk in Mogadishu, a wreath-laying ceremony at London’s Westminster Abbey, a radio talk show with disaster management experts in Papua New Guinea, and the launch of a postage stamp honouring the late United Nations humanitarian veteran Sergio Vieira de Mello.
Following Argentina 'Grandmother' reunion, UN experts urge support for families of disappeared
Aug 12, 2014, at 05:30 pm
New York, Aug 12 (IBNS): A group of United Nations human rights experts on Monday urged Governments around the world to fully support the families of disappeared people and organizations working on their behalf in the search for their loved ones.
Iraq: UN officials urge respect for constitution as Prime Minister-designate named
Aug 12, 2014, at 05:28 pm
New York, Aug 12 (IBNS) Amidst ongoing insecurity in northern Iraq, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and his representative in the country expressed support on Monday for President Fouad Masoum's office, as politicians are working towards creating a new Government, and warned that heightened political tensions could lead Iraq into even deeper crisis.
UN Rights Council appoints members of commission to investigate purported Gaza violations
Aug 12, 2014, at 05:26 pm
New York, Aug 12 (IBNS)The United Nations Human Rights Council announced on Monday the appointment of three members to its independent Commission of Inquiry to investigate purported violations of international humanitarian and human rights laws in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and particularly in the Gaza Strip since the conflict began on 13 June.
"Israel crossing into Gaza had to close due to deliberate and continuous rocket fire"
Aug 12, 2014, at 05:04 am
New Delhi,Aug 11 (IBNS) Israel on Monday said several rockets were intentionally fired at the Kerem Shalom Crossing between Israel and Gaza, hitting working areas of the crossing, since Sunday.
The news coming from Iraq pains me: Pope Francis
Aug 11, 2014, at 03:53 am
Vatican City, Aug 10 (IBNS) Pope Francis on Sunday said the ongoing violence in conflict-hit Iraq 'pains' him.