3 March 2014 – After the intensification of United Nations support to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in joint operations against an armed group known as the Allied Democratic Forces, the world body’s envoy to the vast African nation today called on the rebels to lay down their weapons. On Saturday two UN attack helicopters fired on an ADF base in the Mbau region of the eastern province of North Kivu as part of operations with the DRC defence forces against the group, said Martin Kobler, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of the UN peacekeeping mission…
Author: UN News
3 March 2014 – Ensuring food security is one of the most pressing challenges in Africa, which is increasingly losing ground as a result of challenges from climate change to land degradation, the top United Nations environment official today said, urging a stronger emphasis on the continent’s transition to a ‘green economy.’ “From plugging into solar power in Algeria and Tunisia to investing in green funds in South Africa, diverse pathways to greener and more-inclusive economies are being pursued across the continent,” the Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), Achim Steiner, said in his message for Africa Environment…
4 March 2014 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned the bomb attack on Monday in the village of Daih, Bahrain, which led to the death of three policemen. Mr. Ban, in a statement issued by his spokesperson, conveyed his sympathies and condolences to the families of the victims and the Government of Bahrain. “Such acts of violence cannot be justified by any cause,” said the statement. “The Secretary-General strongly believes that a genuine and all-inclusive political dialogue is the only way forward,” it added. “He urges all Bahrainis to come together to create a conducive environment for promoting reconciliation.” Source: UN…
26 February 2014 – The United Nations Security Council today adopted a resolution expressing its strong support for the next steps in the political transition in Yemen, and establishing sanctions to be imposed on individuals or entities that seek to obstruct or undermine this process. Yemen has been undergoing a democratic transition, with a Government of National Unity, which came to power in an election in February 2012 following the resignation of former President Ali Abdullah Saleh. Recognizing that Yemen’s transition process requires “turning the page” from the Saleh presidency, the resolution unanimously adopted by the 15-member body sets up…
26 February 2014 – The Joint Mission of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and the United Nations confirmed today that a shipment of Syria’s stockpile of sulphur mustard, commonly known as “mustard gas,” has left its territory. Sigrid Kaag, the Special Coordinator of the Joint Mission, welcomed the shipment as an “important step” in the elimination of Syria’s chemical weapons programme. “The Joint Mission looks forward to the Syrian Arab Republic continuing its efforts to complete the removal of the remaining chemical materials in a safe, secure and timely manner, through systematic, predictable and high-volume movements,”…
26 February 2014 – Amid “unbelievable devastation,” the United Nations agency charged with ensuring the well-being of Palestinian refugees across the Middle East has today been able to deliver life-saving supplies to families in a camp on the outskirts of Damascus, where nearly every building is an empty shell and the war-weary, desperate people have suffered unparalleled deprivation. As massive crowds lined up with “row upon row of gaunt faces,” the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) distributed 450 food parcels in the Palestinian refugee camp of Yarmouk today, bringing to 7,493 the…
28 February 2014 – The United Nations human rights chief today condemned the recent violence in Venezuela, and urged the Government to ensure respect for freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. “The inflammatory rhetoric from all sides is utterly unhelpful and risks escalating the tense situation in the country,” High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay stressed. “It is time for all sides to move beyond verbal aggression and towards meaningful dialogue. This crisis will only be resolved if the human rights of all Venezuelans are respected.” In a news release issued by her office (OHCHR), Ms. Pillay also voiced…
26 February 2014 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today voiced his sadness at continuing reports of violence and loss of life amid protests in Venezuela, and urged that all efforts be urgently made to lower the tensions and prevent further violence. Mr. Ban has taken note of the calls for dialogue made by President Nicolas Maduro and other Venezuelans, the Secretary-General’s spokesperson said in a statement. “He hopes for concrete gestures by all parties to reduce polarization and create the necessary conditions to engage in a meaningful dialogue so that calm can be fully restored in the country as soon as…
25 February 2014 – An independent United Nations human rights expert today applauded the decision by a Haitian court to order further investigations into alleged abuses committed by former President Jean-Claude Duvalier during his 15-year rule. On 20 February, the Court of Appeals reversed a January 2012 decision that stated that the former leader could not be charged with crimes against humanity during his reign because the time for the prosecution of those offences had elapsed. Haitian and international human rights groups have extensively documented serious human rights violations, including torture, rape and extrajudicial killings, said to have occurred while…
3 March 2014 – The United Nations envoy in Somalia is closely monitoring developments in Baidoa, including the outcome of today’s federal state-building conference, and urged maximum restraint by all parties and a commitment to political dialogue. “This year is critical for consolidating a united and stable federal Somalia. The country has overcome many recent challenges through compromise and dialogue,” Nicholas Kay, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative and head of the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), noted in a press statement. Amid the ongoing process to form a federal state in the region, Mr. Kay urged all parties to observe…