Rights expert welcomes Vatican’s rejection of ‘Doctrine of Discovery’

Rights expert welcomes Vatican’s rejection of ‘Doctrine of Discovery’

José Francisco Calí Tzay, UN Special Rapporteur on the rights of Indigenous Peoples, expressed hope that governments will follow the Holy See’s lead, noting that its impact is still being felt today.  ‘Open wound’  “The doctrine of discovery is still an open wound for many Indigenous Peoples around the world,” he said. “It must be…

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Reflecting on genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, Guterres urges all nations to stand firm against rising hate, intolerance

Reflecting on genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, Guterres urges all nations to stand firm against rising hate, intolerance

“We mourn the more than one million children, women, and men who perished in one hundred days of horror 29 years ago,” António Guterres said in his annual commemorative message on the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda. He went on to say that: “We honour the memory…

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Malawi: Rights experts offer ‘heartfelt support and solidarity’, in wake of Cyclone Freddy

Malawi: Rights experts offer ‘heartfelt support and solidarity’, in wake of Cyclone Freddy

“We extend our heartfelt support and solidarity to the hundreds of thousands affected by Freddy, the longest-lasting tropical cyclone ever recorded in the southern hemisphere,” the UN-appointed human rights experts said in a statement. “The cyclone has had a devastating toll on people across 14 districts – nearly half the country – causing loss of lives,…

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General Assembly votes to seek world court’s opinion, in quest for ‘bolder’ climate action

General Assembly votes to seek world court’s opinion, in quest for ‘bolder’ climate action

The resolution was put forward by the cyclone-battered Pacific Island nation of Vanuatu, supported by a “core group” of 17 countries from various regions, and is focused on the adverse impacts of climate change on small island developing States as well as climate justice.  The ICJ, also known as the world court, is the UN’s…

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UN underlines support for Africa’s fight against terrorism

UN underlines support for Africa’s fight against terrorism

Leaders from across the continent joined ambassadors in examining how to counter terrorism and better prevent violent extremism through stronger cooperation between the UN and regional organizations.  The debate was chaired by President Filipe Nyusi of Mozambique. The country, which holds the rotating Security Council presidency this month, has been battling a deadly insurgency in…

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Holistic approach urgent for health of people, animals and environment

Holistic approach urgent for health of people, animals and environment

The heads of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the UN-backed World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) have come together in the face of multiple global emergencies – from COVID-19 to Ebola – continued threats of disease spillover between animals and humans, loss of…

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First Person: The Indonesian power ranger

First Person: The Indonesian power ranger

Known by her nickname, Ega was one of 15 women selected to participate in the UN Development Programme-supported Perempuan Inspiratif Mitra Polhut (Inspiring Women to Partner with Forest Rangers) initiative, which aims to protect the Bogani Nani Wartabone National Park and provide opportunities to nearby communities. © Bogani Nani Wartabone National Park Authority/CIWT Project Indonesia…

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