Amid 'monstrous' violence, ISIL aims to tear Iraq apart, build 'state of terror,' warn UN officials
Nov 19, 2014, at 03:15 pm
New York, Nov 19 (IBNS): The atrocious crimes perpetrated by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) risk plunging Iraq into catastrophe as the country reels from bitter sectarian tensions and a growing humanitarian crisis affecting over 5 million people, top United Nations officials warned on Tuesday, as they called on the international community to increase efforts in aiding Iraq’s full transition towards a stable democracy.
Nov 19, 2014, at 03:10 pm
New York, Nov 19 (IBNS) Deeply concerned about the "catastrophic" humanitarian situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo's Katanga province, the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) on Tuesday urged Congolese authorities and the UN stabilization mission to boost their respective capacities to stem the violence in the long-troubled, resource-rich area known as "the triangle of death."
Cambodia: UN expert voices concern over judicial independence amid 'arbitrary' arrests
Nov 19, 2014, at 03:08 pm
New York, Nov 19 (IBNS) The United Nations expert on the situation of human rights in Cambodia on Tuesday urged the Southeast Asian country's Government to respect the independence of its judiciary after a recent series of arrests and immediate convictions of land activists and opposition party members.
UN strongly condemns attack on Jerusalem synagogue
Nov 19, 2014, at 03:03 pm
New York, Nov 19 (IBNS) United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has strongly condemned on Tuesday’s attack on a synagogue in West Jerusalem that claimed four lives and injured several persons, calling for political leadership and courage on both sides to address the "very tense" situation in the region.
Human Rights Council president hails body’s success as duties increase, resources shrink
Nov 18, 2014, at 06:02 pm
New York, Nov 18 (IBNS) Presenting the annual report of the United Nations Human Rights Council, the body’s President, Baudelaire Ndong Ella, told the General Assembly on Monday that the Council has bolstered its reputation and credibility over the years through the work of its special experts and carrying out the Universal Periodic Review (UPR).
UN General Assembly, Security Council conclude elections for 'World Court' judges
Nov 18, 2014, at 05:59 pm
New York, Nov 18 (IBNS) The United Nations General Assembly and Security Council on Monday elected a fifth judge to a seat on the International Court of Justice (ICJ) – the principal judicial organ of the UN – following the election of four judges earlier this month.
Burkina Faso: Ban welcomes appointment of interim president, signing of transition framework
Nov 18, 2014, at 05:57 pm
New York, Nov 18 (IBNS) United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday congratulated the people of Burkina Faso on the signing of the Charter of the Transition and on the appointment of former foreign minister Michel Kafando as Transitional President.
UN-backed treaty, INTERPOL operation targets 'most wanted' environmental fugitives
Nov 18, 2014, at 05:54 pm
New York, Nov 18 (IBNS): Nine fugitives are being pursued as part of a United Nations-backed joint INTERPOL global operation targeting individuals wanted for serious environmental – including wildlife – crime.
'Deeply troubled' by Darfur rape allegations, Ban urges 'unfettered' access to town
Nov 18, 2014, at 05:53 pm
New York, Nov 18 (IBNS) United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Monday that he is deeply troubled about persistent allegations of mass rape in Tabit, North Darfur, and urged Government officials to grant unfettered access to the town so that investigators can verify these reports.
Drowning claims over 40 people every hour in 'needless loss of life' – UN report
Nov 18, 2014, at 05:16 pm
New York, Nov 18 (IBNS)The first United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) report on drowning released on Monday reveals that more than 370,000 people drown every year in bathtubs, buckets, ponds, rivers, ditches and pools as people go about their daily lives in a "serious and neglected public health threat."
Iraq: UN convoy hit by explosion in Baghdad, mission reports
Nov 18, 2014, at 05:13 pm
New York, Nov 18 (IBNS)A United Nations convoy of three vehicles proceeding from the Baghdad International Airport to the International Zone was hit with at least one explosion this morning, the Organization’s assistance mission in the country reported on Monday.
UN official calls on Israeli, Palestinian leaders to make 'difficult compromises' for peace
Nov 18, 2014, at 05:12 pm
New York, Nov 18 (IBNS) Preventing a further escalation of tensions in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and returning to negotiations has never been more important, a senior United Nations political official told the Security Council on Monday, calling on leaders from both sides to make the "difficult compromises" that will promote stability and ensure long-term security in the region.
Developing countries opting for social protection over fiscal consolidation – UN report
Nov 18, 2014, at 04:55 pm
New York, Nov 18 (IBNS) While the majority of countries around the world are expected to cut public expenditures in 2015 and beyond, others will be moving in the opposite direction to expand social protection measures, says a new policy paper released by the International Labour Organization (ILO) on Monday.
On World Prematurity Day, UN stresses importance of improving children's health
Nov 18, 2014, at 04:51 pm
New York, Nov 18 (IBNS) Marking the fourth World Prematurity Day, the United Nations has underscored that the complications of preterm birth outrank all other causes as the world’s number one killer of young children.
On International Day of Tolerance, Ban urges leaders to protect people from persecution
Nov 17, 2014, at 06:17 pm
New York, Nov 17 (IBNS) Making International Day of Tolerance, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Sunday urged world leaders to protect people from persecution and to encourage tolerance for all regardless of nationality, religion, language, race, sexuality or any other distinction that obscures our common humanity.
On margin of G20 Summit, UN chief meets with world leaders to discuss pressing issues
Nov 17, 2014, at 06:17 pm
New York, Nov 17 (IBNS) On the margins of the G20 Summit in Brisbane, Australia, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Sunday met with senior European officials as well as Turkey's Prime Minister to discuss the ongoing Ukraine crisis, the Ebola outbreak, climate change, and combating the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).
On World Day for Road Traffic Victims, Ban calls for recommitment to road safety
Nov 17, 2014, at 06:16 pm
New York, Nov 17 (IBNS) United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called for a recommitment to make roads safer for all who use them, as countries around the world marked the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims on Sunday.
UN Envoy to Somalia concerned over violence, urges restraint in Somaliland
Nov 17, 2014, at 06:15 pm
New York, Nov 17 (IBNS) The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General (SRSG) for Somalia, Nicholas Kay, has expressed concern over on Saturday's outbreak of violence during preparations for the parliamentary elections in Somaliland.
Nov 17, 2014, at 05:52 pm
Beijing, Nov 17 (IBNS): At least 18 people were killed in east China's Shandong Province after a food company caught fire caught fire on Sunday, media reports said on Monday.
Nov 16, 2014, at 05:36 am
Jakarta, Nov 15 (IBNS) An earthquake measuring 7.3 on the Richter scale hit North Maluku Province of Indonesia on Saturday.
'Highly fragile' humanitarian situation in Mali demands urgent assistance-UN officials
Nov 15, 2014, at 08:20 pm
New York, Nov 15 (IBNS) Mali is at a critical humanitarian crossroads and failure to act immediately in response to the country’s urgent needs may ultimately jeopardize its path towards peace and stability, three senior United Nations relief officials warned on Fridayfollowing a three-day visit to the country.
Burkina Faso: UN chief welcomes adoption of framework for civilian-led transition
Nov 15, 2014, at 08:12 pm
New York, Nov 15 (IBNS) United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Fridaycongratulated the people of Burkina Faso on the consensus adoption of a Charter of the Transition, which will provide the legal framework for a civilian-led transition culminating in elections in November 2015.
Number of Eritrean asylum-seekers in Europe soars from past year-UN
Nov 15, 2014, at 08:03 pm
New York, Nov 15 (IBNS)The number of asylum-seekers in Europe from Eritrea during the first 10 months of 2014 has tripled compared with last year, with large numbers of refugees from the country also fleeing to neighbouring Ethiopia and Sudan, the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) said today.
UN welcomes Malaysia's court ruling to decriminalizes transgender women
Nov 15, 2014, at 08:00 pm
New York, Nov 15 (IBNS) The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on Fridaywelcomed the recent judgment by the Court of Appeal of Malaysia that declared unconstitutional the criminalization of Muslim transgender women for cross-dressing.
Amid surging violence in Libya, UN warns of potential displacement crisis
Nov 15, 2014, at 07:51 pm
New York, Nov 15 (IBNS) In the wake of car bombings in Tripoli and deadly clashes between rival armed groups in cities across long-troubled Libya, the United Nations human rights office on Fridayvoiced alarm over escalating violence in the long-troubled country, while the Organization’s refugee agency warned that mounting insecurity is taking a toll on humanitarian operations.
Mexico: UN rights office notes 'deep concerns' over case of missing students
Nov 15, 2014, at 07:48 pm
New York, Nov 15 (IBNS) The United Nations Human Rights Office (OHCHR) on Fridaycautioned against jumping to conclusions regarding the “complex and ongoing†investigation into the disappearance of 43 students in Mexico, amid reports that a number badly burned bodies have been recovered from sites in Guerrero state.
UN mission continues investigation into alleged mass rape in North Darfur town
Nov 15, 2014, at 07:46 pm
New York, Nov 15 (IBNS) Allegations of the mass rape of 200 women and girls in a town in North Darfur continue raise concerns in the war-torn Sudanese region as the African Union-United Nations hybrid mission there presses ahead with its efforts “to shed further light†on the reports.
New UN report depicts 'relentless assault' on civilians inside ISIL controlled Syria
Nov 15, 2014, at 07:43 pm
New York, Nov 15 (IBNS) Shocking accounts of the use of terror by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) to subjugate Syrians living under its control were revealed by United Nations human rights investigators on Fridaywho said the group’s “calculated use of public brutality†to spread fear routinely includes public beheading, shooting and stoning of civilians and captured fighters.
Lacking funds, UN agency turns to 'last resort,' cuts food rations for refugees in Kenya
Nov 15, 2014, at 07:35 pm
New York, Nov 15 (IBNS) Starting on Saturday, about half a million refugees, mainly from Somalia and South Sudan, living in the Dadaab and Kakuma camps in remote areas in northern Kenya will receive reduced rations from the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) as a result of insufficient funding.
ISIS declares to start own currency
Nov 14, 2014, at 11:32 pm
Cairo, Nov 14 (IBNS): The Islamic State in Iraq and Levante (ISIL), which is also known as ISIS has revealed plans to start its own currency, media reported.