High-level event to map future of human security approach
UN Trust Fund for Human Security – 08 May 2013
Today (Wednesday 8 May), UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon and other dignitaries will take part in an event that will chart a future course for human security, an approach that integrates peace and security, development, and human rights. Far away from the event, communities in dozens of countries around the world can attest to the value of this approach.
South Sudan: UN official urges key role for women in drafting new constitution
UN News Centre – 07 May 2013
Women must play a greater role in South Sudan’s political life, from drawing up the country’s constitution to translating it into law, a United Nations official has urged, as the African nation prepares to draft its first legal framework.
Human Rights Council President appoints Michael Kirby of Australia as Chair of Commission on DPRK
OHCHR – 07 May 2013
The President of the Human Rights Council, Ambassador Remigiusz A. Henczel (Poland), announced today the appointment of Michael Donald Kirby of Australia and Sonja Biserko of Serbia who will join Marzuki Darusman, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, to serve as the members of the commission of inquiry to investigate human rights violations in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, mandated by the Council at its last session. Mr. Kirby will serve as Chair of the three-person commission.
UN rights chief hails new treaty protecting economic, social, cultural rights
UN News Centre – 06 May 2013
The United Nations human rights chief today welcomed the birth of a new mechanism which will empower individuals to seek out justice when their rights to food, adequate housing, education or health are violated.
Security Council condemns Abyei killing of tribal chief, UN peacekeeper
UN News Centre – 06 May 2013
The Security Council has strongly condemned the attack on a United Nations convoy in Abyei, during which a top tribal chief and a peacekeeper from the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) were killed amid growing ethnic tensions.
Syria: UN human rights Inquiry has ‘no conclusive findings’ on use of chemical weapons
UN News Centre – 06 May 2013
With its investigation continuing into violations of human rights in Syria, an independent United Nations panel today said it has “no conclusive findings” regarding the use of chemical weapons by any of the parties to the conflict in the country.
UN’s Ban urges accelerated action on health-related MDGs for women, children
UN News Centre – 06 May 2013
The planet’s social and economic inequalities must be addressed if women and children are to “survive and thrive,” Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged today, calling for accelerated action on achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) ahead of the 2015 deadline.
Ban ‘strongly condemns’ killings of top tribal chief, UN peacekeeper in Abyei
UN News Centre – 05 May 2013
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called for calm in Abyei, an area contested by Sudan and South Sudan, following the killing of a top tribal chief and a UN peacekeeper from the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), as tensions in the area reportedly remain high today.
UN chief calls for maximum calm and restraint after reported Israeli air strikes in Syria
UN News Centre – 05 May 2013
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is gravely concerned about reports of air strikes in Syria by the Israeli Air Force, according to a statement from his spokesperson, which stressed that the United Nations does not have details of the reported incidents nor is in a position to independently verify that they took place.
Persons with albinism must not be treated as “ghosts”, UN experts stress
UN News Centre – 04 May 2013
A United Nations group of independent experts today drew attention to discrimination against persons with albinism in Tanzania, where they are the victims of ritual attacks and are routinely mistreated.
2013 United Nations Human Rights Prize
OHCHR – 03 May 2013
The United Nations Prize in the Field of Human Rights is an honorary award given to individuals and organizations in recognition of outstanding achievement in human rights. The Prize was established by the General Assembly in 1966 and was awarded for the first time on 10 December 1968, the twentieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Prize has since been awarded in 1973, 1978, 1988, 1993, 1998, 2003 and 2008.
On World Press Freedom Day, UN officials issue call to protect journalists’ safety
UN News Centre – 02 May 2013
United Nations officials today issued a call to action to ensure the safety of journalists in every country, echoing Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon who declared; “When it is safe to speak, the whole world benefits”.
US faces gaps in protecting human rights in business activities – UN experts
UN News Centre – 02 May 2013
Despite progress and innovation in key sectors of the United States’ economy, too many loopholes remain to adequately protect human rights from adverse business practices, a group of United Nations independent experts today warned.
Pillay concerned about persistent violence and abuses in Papua (Indonesia)
OHCHR – 02 May 2013
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay on Thursday expressed serious concerns over the crackdown on mass demonstrations across Papua since 30 April, with police reportedly using excessive force and arresting people for raising pro-independence flags.
Pacific nations seek solutions to laws and policies that block access to HIV services
UNAIDS – 02 May 2013
For activist and community leader Kapul Robert* from Papua New Guinea (PNG) accessing HIV services is a constant challenge. “Papua New Guinea has a law that says sodomy is illegal and this law is contributing to the high-levels of stigma existing in society for both men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender people.”
Asia-Pacific governments adopt development agenda for inclusive and resilient growth
UN ESCAP – 02 May 2013
Representatives of governments from across Asia and the Pacific have wrapped up a three-day development policy forum at the regional United Nations headquarters here endorsing an agenda to lay the foundations of a future of equitable, resilient and sustainable prosperity for all.
Preparedness is key to resilience, say top Asia-Pacific crisis managers
UN ESCAP – 01 May 2013
Preparedness for multiple shocks, particularly natural disasters and economic crises, must be central to development planning in Asia and the Pacific which confronts the growing threat of increasingly severe natural calamities and economic crises, top disaster managers told countries from the region gathered at a United Nations forum here this week.
ILO report shows why social protection is crucial to tackle child labour
ILO – 29 April 2013
Measures such as cash transfers or health insurance programmes can sometimes determine whether a child spends the day studying and playing, or working and being deprived of a fair chance at a decent future.
Syrian refugees straining health services in region, UN warns in new report
UN News Centre – 26 April 2013
The refugee crisis sparked by the conflict in Syria is increasingly straining health services in surrounding countries, while refugees are finding it harder to access the quality treatment they need, the United Nations refugee agency warns in report released today.
Kyrgyzstan must uphold its vows to protect children from sexual abuse, UN expert urges
UN News Centre – 26 April 2013
Alcohol abuse and domestic violence, early and forced marriages and bride kidnappings are among the factors making children in Kyrgyzstan more vulnerable to sexual exploitation and forced labour, warned a United Nations independent expert at the end of her recent visit to the country.