29 June 2014 – United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today stood again in solidarity with Israelis after the recent abduction of three students, and decried the use of terrorism in countries in the Middle East and around the world. Speaking at the beginning of a meeting with President Shimon Peres of Israel at the UN Headquarters in New York, Mr. Ban said that the Organization takes the kidnapping very seriously and will do whatever it can to help, in close coordination with international partners. “Under any circumstances or any reasons this cannot be justified; it’s totally unacceptable and I’ve condemned…
Author: UN News
27 June 2014 – The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said today that up to 10,000 people from predominately Christian communities in northern Iraq have fled their homes this week amid the ongoing violence in Mosul. Those fleeing are from Qaraqosh – also known as Hamdaniya – a town of 50,000 people that is located 30 kilometres south-east of Mosul, where armed opposition groups seized control two weeks ago. UNHCR said many of them have fled to Iraq’s Kurdistan region, which is already hosting an estimated 300,000 people from Mosul and the surrounding areas. “They fled by bus,…
23 June 2014 – The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) announced today that it will provide technical assistance requested by the Government of Haiti and send a mission to the site of an underwater shipwreck, which may be that of the Santa Maria, the flagship of Christopher Columbus’s first voyage to America. In a letter dated 12 June, Haitian Culture Minister Monique Rocourt asked for the support of the Scientific and Technical Advisory Body of UNESCO’s 2001 Convention on the Protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage, requesting that a mission of experts be sent to the site. The…
20 June 2014 – A group of United Nations human rights experts on the African diaspora today called on the Government of the Dominican Republic to adopt the necessary legal measures to restore Dominican citizenship for all those born in the country, but not registered at birth. The Working Group of Experts of People of African Descent comes after the May adoption of a law to establish a special system for people born in the Dominican Republic and registered irregularly in the Dominican civil and naturalization registry. “This is an important step towards rectifying the situation by which tens of…
16 June 2014 – Following confirmation that President Juan Manuel Santos has been re-elected, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today said he looks forward to continuing to work with his Government in “efforts to promote peace, human rights and development” for all Colombians. In a statement from his spokesperson, Mr. Ban said that Colombia is closer than ever to ending the hemisphere’s longest armed conflict through negotiations between officials and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). “This is an historic opportunity that should not be missed,” he said, reiterating the UN’s support, as requested, to the conclusion of the…
15 June 2014 – As the Group of 77 Summit ends today with a focus on creating a new sustainable development framework, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stressed to the G77 and China the importance of cooperation and partnerships to reduce inequality, end poverty and fight climate change. “As the largest group of countries in the United Nations, you play a key role in ensuring a successful outcome to the efforts of the United Nations to formulate and effectively implement the post-2015 development agenda,” Mr. Ban told participants in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. “The fate of billions of poor people and…
27 June 2014 – Thousands of people are fleeing new violence and reprisal attacks in and around the town of Bambari in Central African Republic (CAR) that have already left at least 45 people dead and scores more wounded, the United Nations refugee agency reported today. Violence in the town, which lies some 380 kilometres north-east of the capital, Bangui, began early on Monday when armed elements attacked a camp just south of Bambari housing Muslims from the Peul ethnic group. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said the attack prompted retaliation inside Bambari against other armed elements and…
27 June 2014 – Expressing deep concern about growing restrictions on freedom of expression in Burundi, a senior United Nations rights official today called on the authorities there to ensure that human rights are fully protected ahead of next year’s presidential elections. “Special attention must be paid to the full respect for freedom of expression, including for journalists and human rights defenders,” Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights, Ivan Šimonovic, said in the Burundian capital, Bujumbura, as he wrapped up a three-day visit. He added that: “Violence linked to the electoral process must be prevented and harassment against perceived political adversaries…
26 June 2014 – The United Nations today condemned the assassination of Salwa Bugaighis, a prominent Libyan human rights advocate and member of the Preparatory Committee for National Dialogue. According to news reports, Ms. Bugaighis was shot and killed yesterday by hooded assailants when she returned home from voting in the country’s parliamentary elections. In a news release, the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) called on Libyan authorities to thoroughly investigate the assassination and bring the perpetrators to justice. It also offered its condolences to her family, as did the head of UN Women and Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. “Today…
26 June 2014 – The United Nations is proud to be a key partner with Africa, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told continental leaders gathered for a summit in Equatorial Guinea today, underscoring the Organization’s commitment to working with them to resolve and prevent conflict, as well as to enhance agricultural productivity, promote industrialization and ensure gender equality. “We are committed to your goal of ‘an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena’,” Mr. Ban told the 23rd African Union (AU) Summit in MalaboA transformed Africa will also need an…
26 June 2014 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today 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. UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric told reporters in New York that Mr. Ban is “appalled” by the attack, which also reportedly left at least 50 people injured. “The Secretary-General reiterates his unequivocal condemnation of such attacks. He remains deeply concerned about the escalation of violence in Nigeria,” said Mr. Dujarric. Mr. Ban offered his sincere condolences to the bereaved families and wished…
26 June 2014 – 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 today. Resolution 2139, adopted by the Council in February, demanded action by parties to the conflict in a number of areas including ceasing attacks against civilians and doing everything in their power to facilitate rapid, saI cannot describe to the Council the frustration felt by experienced aid workers who…
26 June 2014 – The United Nations human rights chief today 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. “The imminent execution of Razieh Ebrahimi has once again brought into stark focus the unacceptable use of the death penalty against juvenile offenders in Iran,” said High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay. Ms. Ebrahimi was convicted of killing her husband when she was 17 years old, according to a news release issued by…
25 June 2014 – 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. “The most vulnerable and poorest families have already experienced their share of tragedy over the last few years,” said WFP Executive Director Ertharin Cousin in a press release summing up her time in Iraq, were she…
25 June 2014 – The Security Council today 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. Expressing its ongoing concern over the fragile security situation in the North of mali and the continuing activities in the Sahel region of terrorist organizations, the Council extended for one year the mandate of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission (MINUSMA) through 30 June 2015. It maintained the Mission’s mandate of stabilizing, security and protecting civilians; supporting national political dialogue and reconciliation;…
25 June 2014 – The United Nations will help Equatorial Guinea to reduce poverty and inequality, and promote food security, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon pledged today as he arrived in the country on the eve of his address to the African Union Summit.“The United Nations stands ready to do more for the people of Equatorial Guinea,” Mr. Ban said as he inaugurated UN House, a state-of-the-art building in the capital, Malabo, which will bring the various UN bodies working in the country under one roof.“We will assist in ensuring universal education, achieving gender equality and empowering women. We will help advance…
25 June 2014 – The United Nations envoy in Libya today 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. The election of the 200-member Council of Representatives that will succeed the General National Congress is an important step in the democratic transition underway in Libya, and takes place against the backdrop of recent political tensions and security developments, particularly in the country’s east. Tarek Mitri, the Secretary-Libya needs political institutions that people trust. Libya needs…
25 June 2014 – 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 today, appealing also for financial resources to aid the already-overstretched UN relief effort there. “We have consistently urged for the need for national dialogue, for unity, and, very importantly, for the full participation of the Sunni community in the political process, without whom that process will not be complete,” said Nickolay Mladenov, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative in Iraq as he briefed journalists in…
25 June 2014 – The independent United Nations experts dealing with torture and the right to health today urged the Israeli parliament not to authorize the force-feeding and medical treatment of prisoners on hunger strike against their will. The call by the Special Rapporteurs on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, Juan Méndez, and on the right to health, Anand Grover, comes as the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, delayed its second vote on a bill to amend the Prisons Act to allow force-feeding of prisoners. Hundreds of Palestinian prisoners have been on hunger strike since 24…
24 June 2014 – While there have been several steps recently to help de-escalate tensions in Ukraine, including a ceasefire that seems to be holding and the start of peace talks, the situation on the ground remains deeply worrying, senior United Nations officials reported to the Security Council today. “There are encouraging signs towards de-escalation of the conflict in Ukraine, and political and diplomatic steps are beginning to emerge towards the resolution of the crisis,” Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs Tayé-Brook Zerihoun said in his briefing. He said this is due in large part to the initiative taken by President…