World News in Brief: Sustainable tourism boost, record Antarctic sea ice melt

World News in Brief: Sustainable tourism boost, record Antarctic sea ice melt

That’s the message from UN chief António Guterres on World Tourism Day observed on Wednesday. According to the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), tourism employs one in every 10 people on Earth.  To protect tourism jobs, Mr. Guterres said that governments and businesses must invest in sustainable and resilient practices, embrace renewable energy, and better…

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World News in Brief: Crisis deepens for Mali’s children, human rights updates from Brazil, Montenegro

World News in Brief: Crisis deepens for Mali’s children, human rights updates from Brazil, Montenegro

UNICEF Representative in Mali, Pierre Ngom, told reporters in Geneva that dozens of children have been killed this month alone by non-State armed groups in the north and centre of the country.  An attack on a boat on the Gao-Timbuktu axis on 7 September claimed the lives of at least 24 youngsters. Mr. Ngom called…

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UNHCR increasingly concerned for refugees fleeing Karabakh region

UNHCR increasingly concerned for refugees fleeing Karabakh region

Some 19,000 refugees have reportedly left the Karabakh Economic Region of the Republic of Azerbaijan, including many elderly people, women and children.   UNHCR Spokesperson Shabia Mantoo called on all sides to protect civilians and to fully respect international humanitarian refugee law allowing them safe passage. All parties must “refrain from actions that would cause displacement…

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Keep pressuring Afghanistan amid ‘unparalleled assault’ on women’s rights

Engagement key to reform of Taliban decrees restricting women’s rights

Roza Otunbayeva, who also heads the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), called for a “reframed engagement strategy”, expressing concern over the “lack of positive direction” in current efforts. “The lack of trust on all sides is a serious impediment to building confidence but the doors to dialogue are still open,” she said. “This moment,…

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UNODC joins regional crime fighters to tackle scams and human trafficking in SE Asia

UNODC joins regional crime fighters to tackle scams and human trafficking in SE Asia

The focus of the plan is on criminal activity associated with casinos in the region, and other scams including money laundering and cybercrime. The plan of action was announced in the Thai capital by officials from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) together with partner China, and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)….

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Myanmar: ‘Inhumanity in its vilest form’ continues, warns Türk

Myanmar: ‘Inhumanity in its vilest form’ continues, warns Türk

“Each day, the people of Myanmar are enduring horrifying attacks, flagrant human rights violations and the crumbling of their livelihoods and hopes,” said Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. He was briefing the Human Rights Council – the UN’s primary body for the protection and promotion of rights globally, including findings since his…

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Rights experts warn against forced separation of Uyghur children in China

Rights experts warn against forced separation of Uyghur children in China

Classroom teaching at these institutions is almost exclusively in Mandarin, with little or no use of the Uyghur language, they said in a statement. They warned that separating the children from their families “could lead to their forced assimilation into the majority Mandarin language and the adoption of Han cultural practices.”  ‘Orphans’ with families  The…

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Syrian minister denounces ‘American chaos’, says States must respect the UN Charter

Syrian minister denounces ‘American chaos’, says States must respect the UN Charter

“The policies of creative chaos adopted by successive American Administrations in our region to serve their geopolitical and selfish interests have led to destabilization and insecurity,” he said in his remarks on the final day of the Assembly’s general debate. He said United States has spent billions of dollars to demolish and destroy development achievements…

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