Burundi: Curbs on free expression ahead of elections draw concern of senior UN rights official
Jun 28, 2014, at 02:16 pm
New York, June 28 (IBNS) Expressing deep concern about growing restrictions on freedom of expression in Burundi, a senior United Nations rights official on Friday called on the authorities there to ensure that human rights are fully protected ahead of next year's presidential elections.
Ban announces start of 'UN70', worldwide celebration of Organization's anniversary
Jun 27, 2014, at 08:06 pm
New York, June 27 (IBNS): Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Thursday announced the start of the global celebration of the 70th anniversary of the United Nations, which will aim to honour the historic breadth of the Organization’s development, security and human rights work, and ultimately, unite the international community in common cause to enable a strong UN to realize a better world.
UN strongly condemns assassination of Libyan human rights advocate
Jun 27, 2014, at 08:03 pm
New York, June 27 (IBNS): The United Nations Thursday condemned the assassination of Salwa Bugaighis, a prominent Libyan human rights advocate and member of the Preparatory Committee for National Dialogue.
UN gender equality campaign to take centre stage at legendary Apollo Theatre
Jun 27, 2014, at 07:41 pm
New York, June 27 (IBNS): Around the world, a "pandemic of violence" and repression threatens to push back hard-won human rights for women and girls, the head of UN Women said Thursday as she declared that the United Nations is taking its campaign to promote gender equality “outside our offices to the community and people, where it will always belong.â€
Ban calls for accelerating efforts towards mine-free world
Jun 27, 2014, at 07:24 pm
New York, June 27 (IBNS): Reiterating the commitment of the United Nations to ridding the world of anti-personnel landmines, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Thursday called for accelerating efforts towards achieving this goal and strengthening adherence to the global treaty dealing with the issue.
Amid clashes between Afghan forces, Taliban, UN mission urges civilian protection
Jun 27, 2014, at 07:18 pm
New York, June 27 (IBNS): Deeply concerned by the rising number of civilian casualties in ongoing military operations in the southern Afghan province of Helmand, the head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in the country (UNAMA) Thursday urged all parties to take precautions to ensure civilian protection.
Ban 'appalled' by deadly bombing near shopping centre in Nigeria's capital
Jun 27, 2014, at 07:15 pm
New York, June 27 (IBNS): Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Thursday voiced his condemnation of the bomb attack that took place yesterday near a shopping centre in the Nigerian capital, Abuja, which reportedly resulted in the death of at least 21 people.
Humanitarian needs outpacing response amid ongoing obstacles to aid delivery in Syria: UN
Jun 27, 2014, at 07:11 pm
New York, June 27 (IBNS): Four months after the Security Council adopted a resolution demanding unimpeded access to people in need of assistance in Syria, relief agencies continue to face obstacles to aid delivery while the needs continue to grow and are now outpacing response efforts, the United Nations humanitarian chief reported Thursday.
UN human rights chief urges Iran to halt imminent execution of juvenile offender
Jun 27, 2014, at 07:08 pm
New York, June 27 (IBNS): The United Nations human rights chief Thursday called on authorities in Iran to halt the imminent execution of a juvenile offender, while also voicing concern about the excessive use of the death penalty in the country since the start of the year.
Showing little change, global number of children out of school stalls at 58 million – UNESCO
Jun 27, 2014, at 07:00 pm
New York, June 27 (IBNS): The global number of out-of-school children aged 6 to 11 is still as high as 58 million, showing little overall improvement since 2007, according to a new United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) report, which also reveals that positive change is possible, spotlighting success in 17 countries that have reversed that trend over the past decade.
Global drug use stable, but nearly 200,000 deaths still recorded : UN
Jun 27, 2014, at 06:57 pm
New York, June 27 (IBNS): Global drug use has stabilized, but some 200,000 people are still victims of drug-related deaths, according to the latest World Drug Report from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
'Prohibition of torture is absolute,' says Ban on International Day in support of victims
Jun 27, 2014, at 06:49 pm
New York, June 27 (IBNS): Reiterating their pledge that every victim of torture will one day gain his or her right to acknowledgement, senior United Nations officials marked the International Day in Support of those victims by calling on the international community to strengthen efforts “to eradicate this heinous practice.â€
Security Council updates mandate of UN mission in Mali, extends two other operations
Jun 27, 2014, at 03:45 am
New York, June 26 (IBNS): The Security Council Wednesday extended the mandates of United Nations peacekeeping forces in Mali, Cote d’Ivoire and the Golan, in separate meetings, as part of its efforts to maintenance of international peace and security.
UN agencies 'surging' staff, funds to meet urgent humanitarian needs in Iraq
Jun 27, 2014, at 03:42 am
New York, June 26 (IBNS): Yet again, another humanitarian crisis has hit war-torn Iraq, disproportionately and negatively impacting the hungry poor, the head of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) said today, wrapping up a two-day visit to the country, which has in recent weeks, seen violent armed groups sweep through a number of provinces sending massive numbers of desperate people fleeing for safety.
UN resolved to help Equatorial Guinea build better future: Ban
Jun 27, 2014, at 03:37 am
Malabo, June 26 (IBNS): The United Nations will help Equatorial Guinea to reduce poverty and inequality, and promote food security, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon pledged Wednesday as he arrived in the country on the eve of his address to the African Union Summit.
More Governments now online but greater effort needed to boost e-services: UN
Jun 27, 2014, at 03:34 am
New York, June 26 (IBNS): With all United Nations Member States now online, more Governments are expanding electronic participation and using more mobile and social media tools to reach people, the world body reported today as part of an e-government survey that also highlighted a lack of resources and a continued digital divide.
Cambodia: UN rights expert calls for a widening of democratic space, other reforms
Jun 27, 2014, at 03:30 am
New York, June 25 (IBNS): Having ended his eleventh fact-finding mission, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia Wednesday noted progress in key areas, but expressed concern at seeing that the democratic space in the country shrink.
Libya: UN envoy hopes parliamentary polls will lead to greater political stability
Jun 26, 2014, at 07:13 am
New York, June 25 (IBNS): The United Nations envoy in Libya on Wednesday commended the authorities on the organization of the parliamentary elections and urged all citizens to take part in the polls, which he hoped will pave the way for greater stability in the country.
Afghanistan needs statesmanship, not brinksmanship: UN envoy
Jun 26, 2014, at 07:10 am
New York, June 25 (IBNS): Amidst challenges that are testing Afghanistan’s electoral, institutional and legal frameworks, together with the maturity of its political leaders, the top United Nations official in the country underscored on Wednesday the vital need for the Afghan political class to act decisively to manage these events and "avoid any slippery slope to civil disorder and instability."
Military effort to quell insurgency must be backed by political process, UN envoy says on Iraq
Jun 26, 2014, at 07:08 am
New York, June 25 (IBNS): The “grave†situation in Iraq requires a solution based on military, political and social processes that will address the concerns of all communities, the top United Nations official in the crisis-torn country said on Wednesday, appealing also for financial resources to aid the already-overstretched UN relief effort there.
UN human rights experts urge Israel not to legalize force-feeding
Jun 26, 2014, at 07:06 am
New York, June 25 (IBNS): The independent United Nations experts dealing with torture and the right to health on Wednesday urged the Israeli parliament not to authorize the force-feeding and medical treatment of prisoners on hunger strike against their will.
3 international experts tapped to assist with UN-mandated SL conflict probe
Jun 26, 2014, at 07:05 am
New York, June 25 (IBNS): Three distinguished experts have agreed to advise the United Nations-mandated investigation into alleged human rights violations committed during the final stages of the armed conflict in Sri Lanka.
UN officials spotlight vital role of seafarers in global trade, transport
Jun 26, 2014, at 07:04 am
New York, June 25 (IBNS) Seaborne trade is the engine room of the global economy, senior United Nations officials declared on Wednesday, marking the Day of the Seafarer by calling on people everywhere to recognize the seafarers who, with quiet dedication, keep the wheels of the world in motion.
Central African Republic: UN official urges strong action to protect women, girls
Jun 25, 2014, at 08:52 pm
New York, June 25 (IBNS): With women and girls in Central African Republic (CAR) falling prey to a raft of “terrifying†violations ¬perpetrated by armed groups – from rape to sexual slavery and forced marriage ¬– the head of UN Women Tuesday urged the Security Council to take strong action to help restore the rule of law in the country and bolster women’s participation, leadership and protection.
UN envoy denounces latest attack on Lebanese security forces
Jun 25, 2014, at 08:49 pm
New York, June 25 (IBNS): The United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon has strongly condemned the suicide bombing that took place Monday at the entrance to the southern suburbs of Beirut in which a member of the security forces was killed and a number of people were injured.
UN reports FDI hit $1.4 trillion in 2013, upward trend to continue
Jun 25, 2014, at 08:47 pm
New York, June 24 (IBNS): Global foreign direct investment is up and expected to rise over the next three years, driven mainly by stronger economies in developed countries, according to a new United Nations report which highlights the key role that transnational corporations and foreign investment could play in accelerating progress on sustainable development.
Illegal trade in wildlife, timber products funding armed groups: UN report
Jun 25, 2014, at 08:44 pm
New York, June 25 (IBNS): Global environmental crime, possibly worth more than $200 billion annually, is helping finance criminal, militia and terrorist groups and threatening the security and sustainable development of many nations, notably in sub-Saharan Africa, according to a new joint United Nations-INTERPOL report.
In Windhoek, Ban inaugurates UN House, hails cooperation with Namibia
Jun 25, 2014, at 08:39 pm
New York, June 25 (IBNS): Hailing the valuable history between the United Nations and the Namibian people, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon arrived Tuesday in Windhoek to “write another chapter in our cooperation,†as he inaugurated the UN House there, which will help enhance the coordination of the world body’s activities and agencies working in the country.
Peshawar: One killed in PIA plane firing
Jun 25, 2014, at 04:35 pm
Peshawar, June 25 (IBNS) A woman was killed and two others were injured when unidentified gunmen fired at a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) plane at the Bacha Khan International Airport in Peshawar city of Pakistan, said reports on Wednesday.
Deputy UN chief urges generous support for Peacebuilding Fund
Jun 25, 2014, at 06:10 am
New York, June 24 (IBNS): Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson on Tuesday appealed to Member States for continued support towards meeting the annual $100 million target of a United Nations fund that helps post-conflict countries build lasting peace.