Feed aggregator
UN independent experts ‘appalled’ by deportation of migrants to Myanmar, in defiance of court order
Independent UN human rights experts castigated Malaysia on Wednesday over its decision to deport more than1,000 detained migrants back to crisis-ridden Myanmar – despite a court order to suspend their return, pending a judicial review.
British actor Gugu Mbatha-Raw named latest UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador
British actor Gugu Mbatha-Raw was on Wednesday appointed a global Goodwill Ambassador with the UN refugee agency, UNHCR.
Climate crisis and economic shocks leave millions food insecure across Central America
Reporting that hunger has increased almost fourfold in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua in the past two years, the World Food Programme (WFP) on Tuesday warned that 1.7 million people are in the ‘emergency’ category of food insecurity, calling for $47.3 million now, to provide urgent food assistance.
World risks ‘collapse of everything’ without strong climate action, Attenborough warns Security Council
More collective action is needed to address the risks climate change poses to global peace and security, the UN Secretary-General told a high-level Security Council debate on Tuesday, as renowned natural historian David Attenborough warned countries that the planet faces total ‘collapse’.
FROM THE FIELD: Poor and vulnerable bear brunt of climate change
People living in low-income countries are at least four times more likely to be displaced by extreme weather compared to people in rich countries, despite being the least responsible for climate change, that’s according to the UN’s humanitarian office, OCHA.
Avoid ‘risky winner-take-all tactics’ in Somalia, UN Security Council hears
Increased “brinkmanship, pressure tactics, and tests of strength” are threatening progress in Somalia, the country’s UN envoy told the Security Council on Monday, warning that they must be resolved “through dialogue and compromise”.
2021: Critical year to ‘reset our relationship with nature’ – UN chief
During this time of “crisis and fragility”, the UN chief told the United Nations Environment Assembly on Monday that human well-being and prosperity can be vastly improved by prioritizing nature-based solutions.
Rohingya refugees: UN agency urges immediate rescue to prevent ‘tragedy’ on Andaman Sea
The UN refugee agency (UNHCR), on Monday, called for immediate efforts to search and rescue a group of Rohingya refugees, who have been adrift on the Andaman Sea for over a week.
UN hails ‘day of hope’ as US officially rejoins Paris climate accord
The official return of the United States to the Paris Agreement on Climate Change represents good news for the country and the world, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said on Friday during a virtual event to mark the occasion.
Probes on extrajudicial killings, ‘important step’ in fighting impunity in Colombia – UN rights office
The UN human rights office, OHCHR, welcomed on Friday, progress on the investigation in Colombia of people falsely presented as having been killed in combat as "an important step in fighting impunity".
UN chief to security meeting: ‘2021 must be the year to get back on track’
By exposing deep fissures and fragilities, “COVID-19 has x-rayed the world”, the UN chief told the Munich Security Conference on Friday, while acknowledging that today’s vulnerabilities go “well beyond” pandemics and public health.
Loss of autonomy in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir threatens minorities’ rights – UN independent experts
India’s decision to end autonomy in Jammu and Kashmir and restrict the participation of minorities in political and other activities sparked the concern of two UN-appointed independent human rights experts, on Thursday.
UN offers science-based blueprint to tackle climate crisis, biodiversity loss and pollution
Without nature’s help, “we will not thrive or even survive”, the UN chief said on Thursday, launching a major report on the environment.
First Person: ‘The world is in your hands and begins at your door’.
British celebrity gardener Monty Don, a UN advocate for plant health, is raising awareness of the links between human health, plant health and the well-being of the planet.
Stop criminalizing civil society, UN rights experts urge Venezuelan authorities
United Nations independent human rights experts called on Thursday for the authorities in Venezuela to stop “continuous and increasing” attacks and intimidation against civil society organizations and journalists in the country.
Make ‘every effort’ to save COVID-19 response from corruption, UN Assembly President urges
Every effort must be taken to ensure that corrupt and unscrupulous practices do not prevent or impede the equitable availability and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, the President of the United Nations General Assembly said on Wednesday.
FROM THE FIELD: Life after conflict in the Central African Republic
Behind each case brought to the International Criminal Court (ICC), lie countless personal stories of horror, trauma and, sometimes, hope. “Life after conflict”, a photo-led series published by the ICC, shows the devastating impact that war crimes have on people’s lives.
Burundi: UN refugee agency appeals for over $220 million in ‘crucial’ support
An urgent appeal for $222.6 million was made on Tuesday by the UN refugee agency and partners to assist more than 315,000 Burundian refugees this year.
Transparency must rule Iraqi elections, ‘loyalties cannot be for sale’, Security Council hears
A deadly rocket attack on Monday night in Erbil drew condemnation from the UN envoy in Iraq, who told the Security Council on Tuesday that “such reckless attempts to inflame tensions pose grave threats” to the country’s security.
Armed group atrocities creating havoc in eastern DR Congo: UN refugee agency
Atrocities committed by armed groups in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have become part of a systematic pattern to disrupt lives, instill fear and create havoc, the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, said on Tuesday, expressing alarm over the ongoing situation.
