Earthquake disaster: ‘We must put people first’ urges Guterres in race to save lives

Earthquake disaster: ‘We must put people first’ urges Guterres in race to save lives

In a heartfelt appeal based on his years of visiting the devastated area, as Secretary-General and previously as head of the UN refugee agency UNHCR, Antonio Guterres said that what had been a “centre of solidarity is now an epicentre of suffering.” ‘Nightmare on top of nightmare’ “People are facing nightmare on top of nightmare. The…

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Rights expert urges Italy to stop criminalizing activists saving migrant lives at sea

Rights expert urges Italy to stop criminalizing activists saving migrant lives at sea

Preliminary criminal proceedings opened last May in Sicily against 21 people charged with aiding and abetting illegal immigration in connection with several search-and-rescue missions conducted between 2016 and 2017.  Those accused include four crew members of the Iuventa, a former fishing trawler credited with saving some 14,000 migrant lives in the Mediterranean Sea, and human…

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Deny legitimacy of Myanmar’s military junta, UN expert urges

Deny legitimacy of Myanmar’s military junta, UN expert urges

The State Administration Council (SAC) is illegal and illegitimate, Special Rapporteur Thomas Andrews said at the launch, co-hosted by the democracy and electoral assistance body, International IDEA. He called on the international community to stand firm against military rule, create a coalition of Member States to enforce strong, coordinated sanctions, and support the democratic National…

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Iraq protests: 'De-escalate’ urges UN chief, rise above differences

Iraq protests: ‘De-escalate’ urges UN chief, rise above differences

In a statement issued late Saturday night, the UN chief appealed to all relevant actors “to take immediate steps to de-escalate the situation, avoid any further violence, and ensure the protection of peaceful protesters and State institutions”.  Freedom of expression and peaceful assembly are fundamental rights – UN chief For the second time in a week,…

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