This article is brought to you in association with the United Nations. Refugees should never be pressured to decide if they should return to their home countries, a senior UN official has said. Volker Türk, Assistant High Commissioner for Protection with the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, on Thursday completed a four-day visit to Tanzania, which is […]In Tanzania visit, UNHCR official stresses freedom of choice is crucial for refugee returns
August 17, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the United Nations. Refugees should never be pressured to decide if they should return to their home countries, a senior UN official has said. Volker Türk, Assistant High Commissioner for Protection with the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, on Thursday completed a four-day visit to Tanzania, which is […]Terror attacks strike people ‘from all walks of life, the UN included’
August 17, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the United Nations. The terrorist attack on UN headquarters in Iraq in 2003 that claimed the lives of 22 people should serve as a reminder that the organization’s locally recruited staff often face the greatest dangers in the world’s most hostile places, amid increasing attacks on humanitarians, […]UN experts cite ‘possible exploitation’ of workers hired to clean up toxic Japanese nuclear plant
August 17, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the United Nations. A group of United Nations rights experts are urging the Japanese government to urgently protect tens of thousands or workers hired to help decontaminate the Fukushima nuclear plant, who are reportedly being exploited and exposed to toxic nuclear radiation. “Workers hired to decontaminate Fukushima […]‘Passport to dignity’ that schools represent may expire fast, without emergency funding warns UN Palestine refugee agency
August 17, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the United Nations. A lack of funds means that the new school term for over half a million Palestinian students could be cut short after just one month, says UNRWA, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refuge The agency’s 711 schools, providing free basic […]UN condemns ‘heinous’ suicide attack on education centre in Afghanistan
August 17, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the United Nations. The perpetrators of Wednesday’s “heinous” suicide bombing that killed students at an education centre in Afghanistan’s capital, Kabul, must be brought to justice, the UN Secretary-General has said. Nearly 50 people were killed in the attack which António Guterres has condemned in the strongest […]Using ‘leprosy’ metaphors in political rhetoric ‘fuels public stigma’ and discrimination: UN rights expert
August 17, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the United Nations. Recent incidents where high-level politicians have used the word ‘leprosy’ in discriminatory remarks against rivals only contributes to harmful stereotypes surrounding the disease. That’s the view expressed by a UN human rights expert who is calling for the word to be abandoned as a […]US and Mexico child deportations drive extreme violence and trauma: UNICEF
August 16, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the United Nations. The many life-threatening dangers faced by children from Central America who are being deported from the United States of America and Mexico, are highlighted in a new report from United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) on Thursday, which also draws attention to the traumatic consequences […]UN chief welcomes re-opening of key Gaza border crossing
August 16, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the United Nations. The decision by Israel to reopen the only functional commercial crossing point into Gaza which has been closed to most deliveries for weeks, has been welcomed by the United Nations Secretary-General. UN humanitarians expect some 400 truckloads of goods will now be able to […]UN rights experts call on Russia to release Ukrainian film-maker whose life is in ‘imminent danger’
August 16, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the United Nations. A Ukrainian film-maker whose outspoken criticism of Russia’s continued annexation of Crimea has landed him in jail, prompted United Nations human rights experts to call on Russian authorities for his immediate and unconditional release on Wednesday. “We urge Russian authorities to unconditionally release him […]Monsanto lawsuit ruling a ‘significant recognition’ of victims’ human rights, say UN rights experts
August 16, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the United Nations. The court decision to award nearly $290 million to a terminally-ill man from the United States who claimed his cancer was caused by a herbicide in a commercial weed killer, has been welcomed by two United Nations human rights experts as a “significant recognition” […]Afghanistan: top UN official denounces ‘extreme’ suffering of civilians in Ghazni
August 16, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the United Nations. With the death toll rising after days of intense fighting for the Afghan city of Ghazni, south-west of Kabul, the Head of the United Nations mission in the country (UNAMA) said on Wednesday that the situation was “unacceptable” and called on warring parties to lay […]INTERVIEW: ‘Defend the people, not the States’, says outgoing UN human rights chief
August 16, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the United Nations. For four years, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, has been taking governments across the world to task, exposing human rights violations and robustly advocating for the rights of victims. His appointment by the Secretary-General back in 2014 was a […]Caspian Sea deal an invaluable step towards easing regional tensions, says UN Chief
August 16, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the United Nations. António Guterres, the UN Secretary-General, has welcomed the historic signing of the Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea, which took place on Sunday, marked by a ceremony which brought together the leaders of the five countries bordering its coastline. The region has been a subject […]Multilateralism: The only path to address the world’s troubles, signals Guterres
August 16, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the United Nations. As the world’s problems grow, multilateralism represents to best path to meet the challenges that lie ahead, said United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Tuesday, launching his annual report. The Report of the Secretary-General on the Work of the Organization for 2018, also tracks […]Ebola in DR Congo: conflict zones could constitute ‘hiding places’ for the deadly virus – WHO chief
August 16, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the United Nations. Following a two-day mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Head of the World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday repeated his call for warring parties in conflict-riven North Kivu to stop fighting, and allow health teams access to areas affected by the recent […]Fears for food security and the future of farming families, as Fall Armyworm spreads to Asia
August 16, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the United Nations. An “invasive pest” that devours more than 80 different plant species, including many staple crops, could threaten the food security and livelihoods of millions of small-scale farmers in Asia, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warned on Tuesday. The UN agency is offering its […]Militias force nearly 2,000 to leave Libyan capital’s largest shelter for internally-displaced: UNHCR
August 16, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the United Nations. Libyan militias have forced nearly 2,000 people from an ethnic minority likely targeted for their alleged links to the former Gadaffi Government, to flee long-established shelters in the capital Tripoli, the UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR, said on Tuesday. In an appeal for the human […]UN chief appeals for calm as Mali presidential election draws to a close
August 16, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the United Nations. Following the conclusion of the second round of presidential elections in Mali, political leaders in the West African country are being encouraged by the UN Secretary-General to promote a peaceful atmosphere and avoid incendiary rhetoric. António Guterres’s request came in a statement congratulating the […]UNICEF appeals for end to ‘war on children’ in Syria and Yemen
August 14, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the United Nations. Attacks against children caught in the conflicts in Syria and Yemen must stop, the UN children’s agency, UNICEF, appealed on Monday. In a tightly worded statement, UNICEF pointed out that since Sunday, 28 children were reported killed in Idlib and western Aleppo, located in […]Somalia: UN urges steps to ensure future elections not ‘marred’ by rights abuses seen in recent polls
August 14, 2018 by 1 Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the United Nations. In a report released on Monday, the United Nations urged Somalia to take steps to ensure future elections are not marred by the human rights violations and abuses committed during the 2016-2017 electoral process. “Insecurity, weak justice institutions, and an insufficient human rights protection […]To beat hunger and combat climate change, world must ‘scale-up’ soil health – UN
August 14, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the United Nations. Healthy soils are essential to achieve ‘Zero Hunger’ – and other Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – peace and prosperity, the United Nations agriculture agency chief underscored in Brazil at the World Congress of Soil Science. On Sunday, more than 2,000 scientists gathered in Rio de […]Free and secure access needed in DR Congo conflict zone to tackle Ebola – WHO
August 13, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the United Nations. After seeing first-hand the complexities of the Ebola response in the conflict-affected region of North Kivu in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the Head of the World Health Organization (WHO) called for “free and secure” access to the disease-affected people. “All of […]FROM THE FIELD: Sailing a traditional and sustainable path in Fiji’s tropical waters
August 13, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the United Nations. Young people in Fiji are helping to revive indigenous cultural practices of the Pacific Ocean island while learning about sustainable transport thanks to an initiative supported by the UN Development Programme (UNDP). They are sailing the traditional 72-foot long Fijian boat, Uto ni Yalo, which […]Safe spaces offer security and dignity for youth, and help make the world ‘better for all’: Guterres
August 13, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the United Nations. The world’s young people need safe spaces – both physical and digital – where they can “freely express their views” and “pursue their dreams” was the core message of United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres to mark this year’s International Youth Day. “The hopes of the […]Central Africa: Security Council concerned by ‘grave security situation’, calls for better agency cooperation
August 13, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the United Nations. With Central African countries beset by ongoing terrorist activity, instability and the effects of climate change, the Security Council has asked the United Nations Secretary-General to review the work of the UN Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA), and recommend areas for improvement. In […]‘Pioneering’ former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet officially appointed new UN human rights chief
August 13, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the United Nations. After a vote on Friday by the United Nations General Assembly in New York, former two-time President of Chile, Michelle Bachelet, hailed a “pioneer” by the UN Secretary-General, has officially been appointed as High Commissioner for Human Rights, effective from 1 September. Minutes after […]UN chief welcomes DR Congo President’s promise to stand down
August 13, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the United Nations. The United Nations Secretary-General has commended the President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Joseph Kabila’s decision on Thursday, not to stand in elections scheduled to take place on 23 December. In line with constitutional rules, Mr. Kabila was due to end […]Venezuelan exodus to Ecuador reaches record levels: UN refugee agency steps up aid
August 13, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the United Nations. One of the largest population movements in Latin American history is under way from Venezuela, according to the UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR, which on Friday confirmed that it is increasing assistance to neighbouring Ecuador, where more and more Venezuelans are arriving each week. Amid […]Yemen bus attack just the latest outrage against civilians: UN agencies
August 13, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the United Nations. An air strike on a busy market area in Yemen that reportedly killed scores of people including more than 20 children on a bus, is likely the worst attack on youngsters in the conflict so far, and the latest in a recent spate of […]UN underscores the need to celebrate indigenous peoples, not confine them
August 10, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the United Nations. Celebrating some 370 million indigenous people across 90 countries; marches, ceremonies and a host of other initiatives took place across the world, as the United Nations marked on Thursday the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. “They form about 5,000 distinct indigenous groups, […]UN Envoy urges Burundi leaders to ‘seize opportunities for national unity and peace’
August 10, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the United Nations. The Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Burundi, Michel Kafando, has called on the country’s leaders to “seize the opportunity” offered by the recent adoption of a new constitution, to create a new political environment that is “conducive to the consolidation of national unity and peace”. […]UN chief condemns air strike that hit school bus in northern Yemen, killing scores of children
August 10, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the United Nations. UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Thursday condemned an air strike by pro-Yemini Government coalition forces, which killed scores of children who were on board a bus travelling through a busy market area in the northern province of Saada. While the exact death toll remains to be confirmed, initial news reports indicate that the […]Thai citizenship means ‘dream of a brighter future’ for cave rescue boys, says UN Refugee Agency
August 10, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the United Nations. The decision of the Thai Government to grant citizenship to three of the boys recently rescued after being trapped in a flooded cave, along with their football coach, has been welcomed by UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR. Following global media coverage of the rescue, it emerged […]
