Peru: UN experts call for end to violence during demonstrations

Peru: UN experts call for end to violence during demonstrations

In an appeal for “genuine dialogue” to resolve the crisis, the experts expressed deep concern about the reported repression, arbitrary killings, arrests, detention and enforced disappearances of demonstrators in Peru. The situation stems from Congress’s removal of then president, Pedro Castillo on 7 December, after he was accused of trying to dissolve it. Mr. Castillo remains in…

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UN officials call for Security Council’s support for post-quake Syria

UN officials call for Security Council’s support for post-quake Syria

The UN Emergency Coordinator and the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Syria called for robust support for ongoing emergency efforts and a “bold” plan for paving a political path towards lasting recovery and reconciliation. Race against time Briefing the 15-member body on the severity of humanitarian needs, Rasha Muhrez, Response Director at the international non-governmental organization…

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Celebrating the world’s rich ‘linguistic tapestry’, UN officials call for realizing multilingual education on Mother Language Day

Celebrating the world’s rich ‘linguistic tapestry’, UN officials call for realizing multilingual education on Mother Language Day

Commemorating the world’s languages – all 6,700 of them – since 1999, the Day aims at celebrating ways of showcasing the world’s linguistic tapestry, committing to the preservation of the diversity of languages as a common heritage, and working for quality education – in mother tongues – for all, said Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of the…

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Amid ‘ominous’ surge in Israeli-Palestinian violence, top UN officials call on parties to swiftly reduce tensions

Amid ‘ominous’ surge in Israeli-Palestinian violence, top UN officials call on parties to swiftly reduce tensions

“We are witnessing a surge in violence, including some of the deadliest incidents in nearly 20 years,” said Tor Wennesland, Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process (UNSCO). “We have seen ominous signs of what awaits if we fail to address the current instability.” Raising concerns that developments on the ground are continuing along…

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78 million children don’t go to school at all, warns UN chief in call for action

78 million children don’t go to school at all, warns UN chief in call for action

Lending his support to a call for more funding for education in emergencies spearheaded by the UN global fund Education Cannot Wait (ECW) the UN chief insisted in a video message that no-one should be denied their chance to learn. A full 222 million children today experience blighted education today, Mr. Guterres noted. To help them, 18…

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UN General Assembly hears call for worldwide pandemic warning system

UN General Assembly hears call for worldwide pandemic warning system

Participants in a panel headlined, Challenges and Opportunities in Creating an Early Warning System for Global Pandemics, on Tuesday warned that we are witnessing the dismantling of essential infectious disease monitoring programmes, at a time when climate change is driving greater risks to public health. “Any platform will need to include data from outside of traditional…

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China has rejected a request for a phone call from the US defense secretary

China has rejected a request for a phone call from the US defense secretary

November 2022: Chinese and US defense ministers shake hands during a meeting in Cambodia. A spokesman for the US Defense Department said China had declined a request for a phone call from Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. Spokesman Brigadier General Pete Ryder said the defense secretary had requested to speak with his Chinese counterpart, Wei Fenghe,…

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Spain: Rights experts call for probe into claim Catalan leaders were spied on

Spain: Rights experts call for probe into claim Catalan leaders were spied on

“Spanish authorities must conduct a full, fair, and effective investigation into these allegations, publish the findings and stop any unlawful interference into the fundamental rights of the Catalan minority activists in Spain,” they said in a statement.  Top leaders arrested  Following the October 2017 independence referendum, Spain arrested leaders of the Catalonian independence movement on charges…

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