New “excision” law does not relieve Australia of its responsibilities.
UNHCR – 22 May 2013
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on Wednesday reiterated its concerns about the treatment of asylum-seekers arriving by sea to Australia.
Nominations Open for the ESCAP-Sasakawa Award for Disability-Inclusive Business in Asia-Pacific
UN ESCAP – 21 May 2013
Businesses that recognize the added value of diversity are now eligible for the pioneering ESCAP-Sasakawa Award for Disability-Inclusive Business in Asia and the Pacific. The Award, developed in partnership by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), the Nippon Foundation (TNF), and the Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD), recognizes the leadership of companies that provide enabling working environments, deliver inclusive products and services, and are innovative in their disability-inclusive approach.
UNRWA health programme hard hit in Syria but the UN agency’s work is having an impact
UNRWA – 21 May 2013
Today, during the World Health Organization’s sixty sixth’s Annual World Health Summit, UNRWA released its Health Department 2012 Annual Report. The publication reflects on the operational challenges, the Agency has faced with rolling out an ongoing health reform and managing regular services during times of conflict.
Statement on the Recent Development in the Syrian Conflict
WFUNA – 20 May 2013
The Executive Committee of the World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA), elected by non-partisan civil society organizations in over 100 countries, continues to be gravely concerned over the recent developments in the Syrian conflict and expresses deep solidarity with the people of Syria who are confronting serious atrocities.
General Assembly adds French Polynesia to UN decolonization list
UN News Centre – 18 May 2013
The United Nations General Assembly voted on Friday to place French Polynesia back on the UN list of territories that should be decolonized and requested the French Government to “facilitate rapid progress […] towards a self-determination process.”
Number of Syrian refugees tops 1.5 million mark with many more expected
UNHCR – 17 May 2013
The UN refugee agency announced on Friday that the number of Syrian civilians who have fled their country to escape conflict has passed the 1.5 million mark. "The Syrian conflict continues to have a devastating impact on the lives of those who are forced to flee," added UNHCR spokesman Dan McNorton in Geneva.
Putting a stop to homophobic bullying: a year of action
UNESCO – 17 May 2013
“My grades fell dramatically. I started skipping school. I often stayed in bed and cried.” This testimony is typical of the experience of many lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students around the world. These young people are often denied their right to education because of discrimination and violence based on real or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.
Yemen’s humanitarian crisis could threaten political gains, warns UN relief official
UN News Centre – 16 May 2013
Yemen is facing a worsening humanitarian situation which could destabilize the country’s gains on the political front, a senior United Nations relief official warned today, noting that half of the country’s 24 million people are in need of assistance.
South Sudan: UN reinforces peacekeeping presence in Pibor town amid violence
UN News Centre – 16 May 2013
Additional United Nations peacekeepers are on alert to protect civilians in the town of Pibor in South Sudan’s Jonglei state where the situation remains tense amid recent violence, looting and displacement, the Secretary-General’s spokesperson today said.
Bringing the “fair” back into play - World conference of sports ministers
UNESCO – 13 May 2013
Fighting corruption and manipulation in sport, increasing public investment, and with it the impact and standards of mega events and the provision of equal access to physical education and sport for all, will be the focus of the International Conference of Ministers and Senior Officials Responsible for Physical Education and Sport (MINEPS V), to be held in Berlin (Germany) from 28 to 30 May.
General Assembly reviews efforts to combat human trafficking
UNODC – 13 May 2013
Policy-makers put human trafficking on center stage today at a High Level Meeting of the General Assembly chaired by the President of the GA Vuk Jeremić and in the presence of the Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. The event was attended by 85 states, UNODC Goodwill Ambassador to Combat Trafficking in Persons, Mira Sorvino, as well as representatives from civil society.
Ban welcomes release of peacekeepers detained in Golan, appreciates assistance of Qatar, others
UN News Centre – 12 May 2013
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has welcomed the safe release of the four United Nations peacekeepers captured last week while on patrol in the Golan Heights.
Security Council: Counter-terrorism committees focus on Mali, the Sahel and Somalia
UN News Centre – 10 May 2013
The United Nations counter-terrorism panel dealing with Al-Qaida strengthened its work and cooperation with related UN bodies to more urgently address the evolving threats posed by the network in Mali, the Sahel and Somalia, the chairmen of the group today told the UN Security Council.
Syria: UN agencies assist thousands displaced by recent deadly violence in Baniyas area
UN News Centre – 10 May 2013
United Nations agencies today said they have begun distribution of emergency assistance to thousands of Syrians who were recently displaced by alleged massacres in Baniyas and its surrounding areas.
Ban recommends adjustment in UN mission in Guinea-Bissau to help restore order, stability
UN News Centre – 09 May 2013
The mandate of the United Nations political mission in Guinea-Bissau should be adjusted to support a two-phase process towards full restoration of constitutional order and medium-term stability in the country, which last year faced a military coup, according to a report by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon presented to the Security Council today.
UN honours work of three Iraqi women journalists
UN News Centre – 09 May 2013
Three Iraqi women journalists have been selected as the winners of a United Nations contest which seeks to highlight the everyday challenges faced by women living in the Middle Eastern country.
Syria: Ban and Special Representative welcome US-Russia accord to spur political solution
UN News Centre – 08 May 2013
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the Joint Special Representative of the United Nations and the Arab League for Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi, today welcomed the statements by Russia and the United States that they would work together to achieve a political solution to end a conflict that has claimed more than 70,000 lives over the past two years.
Security Council: Libyan trials could be ‘Nuremberg moment,’ ICC prosecutor says
UN News Centre – 08 May 2013
The prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) today said that if Libya can conduct fair trials of alleged perpetrators during the pro-democracy uprising in 2011, the proceedings could equal the lasting impact of the Nuremberg trials.
UN report confirms nearly 200 women and girls raped by Congolese troops, rebels
UN News Centre – 08 May 2013
Congolese armed forces, known by the French acronym FARDC, raped more than 102 women and 33 girls, some as young as six years old, as they fled the advance M23 rebels in country’s restive eastern region in November 2012, according to a joint UN report released today.
Clothing brands must work with Bangladesh to prevent another disaster – UN experts
UN News Centre – 08 May 2013
A United Nations expert group today urged global clothing brands to work with Bangladesh, international organizations and civil society to improve working conditions in the country’s garment sector, following the collapse last month of a factory that left hundreds dead and wounded.