‘Radical change of direction’ needed in women, peace and security agenda

‘Radical change of direction’ needed in women, peace and security agenda

Sima Bahous, Executive Director of UN Women, was speaking during a Council meeting to reaffirm the importance of Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security,  adopted in October 2000, and to take stock of implementation since it turned 20 nearly three years ago.  “As we meet today at the mid-point between the 20th and 25th anniversaries, on…

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UN rights chief calls for fresh thinking to tackle global challenges

UN rights chief calls for fresh thinking to tackle global challenges

The current human rights landscape is compounded by conflict, discrimination, poverty, shrinking civic spaces, and the emergence of new human rights challenges such as the rise of artificial intelligence and surveillance, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk noted. “Fresh thinking, political leadership, renewed commitments, and dramatically scaled-up financing, with the centrality of human…

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LDC5: UN conference weighs building resilient agrifood systems in the face of risk and uncertainty

LDC5: UN conference weighs building resilient agrifood systems in the face of risk and uncertainty

Among the many challenges they face, the world’s least developed countries (LDCs) remain hotspots of chronic and acute food insecurity, with an average prevalence of chronic undernourishment of 22.1 per cent, and in some countries, reaching more than 50 per cent.  Despite some progress since 2020, the overall situation has worsened over the past decade due…

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Eritrea: human rights situation remains dire amid complete impunity

Eritrea: human rights situation remains dire amid complete impunity

Addressing the Human Rights Council, Nada Al-Nashif warned that serious violations of people’s basic freedoms in Eritrea have continued “and show no sign of improvement”. Military servitude In addition to the longstanding problem of indefinite military service – which intensified during the recent Tigray conflict in Ethiopia – Ms. Al-Nashif insisted that the agreed withdrawal of the Eritrean…

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UN’s commission on women opens amid vanishing progress on rights

UN’s commission on women opens amid vanishing progress on rights

Over the next two weeks, participants from across the world – including representatives from governments, the UN, civil society and youth groups, as well as activists – will examine how gender equality, empowerment and sustainable development can be achieved in the digital era.  The meeting, known as CSW67, will also highlight online violence and other…

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DR Congo: Guterres urges M23 rebels to respect Tuesday ceasefire agreement

DR Congo: Guterres urges M23 rebels to respect Tuesday ceasefire agreement

In a statement released by his Spokesperson, António Guterres welcomed the international and regional efforts which took place last week, led by the President of Angola and African Union (AU) Champion for Peace and Reconciliation, João Lourenço, with the Mouvement du 23 Mars (M23). Eastern DRC is home to multiple armed groups, including the rebel M23 force, which has been…

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Rights experts concerned over intimidation around mega tourism project in Indonesia

Rights experts concerned over intimidation around mega tourism project in Indonesia

The Mandalika project includes parks, resorts, hotels and a motorcycle racetrack hosting international sporting events. It is located on Lombok island, in impoverished West Nusa Tenggara Province.  The experts said they have received alarming accounts of alleged human rights violations committed by police and military forces, including excessive use of force to evict and restrict…

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