Top UN officials urge comprehensive approach to Syria’s protracted crisis

Top UN officials urge comprehensive approach to Syria’s protracted crisis

Martin Griffiths, the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, highlighted the worsening humanitarian crisis, noting that 16.7 million people now require humanitarian assistance – the highest number since the conflict began 13 years ago.   He stressed that the situation is deteriorating year by year, with a particular emphasis on the ongoing protection crisis, as children continue…

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UN leaders urge ‘wholesale reform’ of global financial architecture

UN leaders urge ‘wholesale reform’ of global financial architecture

Addressing a high-level meeting of the General Assembly on debt sustainability, António Guterres outlined the crippling impact of debt on developing economies. “No example of the international financial architecture’s failure is more glaring than its handling of debt. The last four years have been nothing short of a debt disaster,” he said. He noted that…

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Bangladesh: Citing ‘dangerous decline’ of human rights, experts urge key reforms

Bangladesh: Citing ‘dangerous decline’ of human rights, experts urge key reforms

The Human Rights Council-appointed experts’ call follows on from the election victory of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina earlier this month, who secured a controversial fourth term with the main opposition party deciding to boycott the poll. Ms. Hasina and her Awami League party won 223 of the 300 parliamentary seats being contested amid violent protests…

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UN agencies urge action to safeguard maternal, child health amidst climate crisis

UN agencies urge action to safeguard maternal, child health amidst climate crisis

In Protecting maternal, newborn and child health from the impacts of climate change, the World Health Organization (WHO), UN Population Fund (UNFPA), and UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) jointly underscore the neglect, underreporting, and underestimation of climate events’ effects on maternal and child health.  It also draws attention to the importance of integrating maternal or child…

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Human rights experts urge Pakistan to stop planned mass deportation of Afghans

Human rights experts urge Pakistan to stop planned mass deportation of Afghans

The Government of Pakistan, which has hosted millions of Afghans for decades, recently announced that all “undocumented” foreign nationals must leave the country by 1 November or face deportation to their countries of origin. These plans would impact many Afghans who fled to Pakistan seeking safety and protection due to serious human rights concerns and…

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At UN, Horn of Africa nations urge global solidarity and real reform

At UN, Horn of Africa nations urge global solidarity and real reform

Leaders from Somalia, Ethiopia, Djibouti and Eritrea painted a grim picture of a planet marred by the unforgiving impacts of climate change. They left no room for equivocation: This is an existential crisis that demands immediate, collective action. They highlighted the upcoming COP-28 climate conference in the United Arab Emirates as an unparalleled opportunity for…

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Time to revoke death penalty for social media dissent, UN experts urge

Time to revoke death penalty for social media dissent, UN experts urge

Mr. Al Ghamdi was arrested by the Saudi security services on 11 June 2022 and charged with criminal offences for opinions he expressed on social media platforms X and YouTube. The charges included “betrayal of his religion, country, and rulers;” “spreading false rumours with intent to disrupt public order and destabilise security;” and “supporting terrorist…

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Record civilian cluster munitions victims as experts urge global ban

Record civilian cluster munitions victims as experts urge global ban

The CMC 2023 report indicates that 1,172 people were killed or injured in 2022, which is the highest number since regular reporting started in 2010.  Speaking to journalists in Geneva, Human Rights Arms Advocacy Director Mary Wareham, emphasised that 95 per cent of casualties reported were civilians. “It is unconscionable that civilians are still dying…

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