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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World News in Brief: Ukraine nuclear plant update, Sudan health crisis, reproductive rights

World News in Brief: Ukraine nuclear plant update, Sudan health crisis, reproductive rights

Addressing the opening of the IAEA’s General Conference in Vienna on Monday, Mr. Grossi said that 53 missions mobilizing more than 100 agency staff have been deployed as part of a continued presence inside Ukraine’s five nuclear power plants. These include the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant, or ZNPP, on the Dnipro River in southern Ukraine,…

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Ukraine: Rape and torture by Russian forces continuing, rights experts report

Ukraine: Rape and torture by Russian forces continuing, rights experts report

Members of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine told the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva that they have documented attacks with explosive weapons on residential buildings, civilian infrastructure and medical institutions, as well as torture and sexual and gender-based violence. Rape allegations Commission Chair Erik Møse provided harrowing details on the findings to the…

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Palestine: Rights experts call for stronger torture prevention measures

Palestine: Rights experts call for stronger torture prevention measures

The members of the UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT) issued the appeal after concluding their first visit to the State of Palestine, conducted from 10 to 21 September. Daniel Fink, who headed the delegation, said they received full cooperation from the Palestinian Authority to visit locations in the West Bank, “but we regret that, despite all…

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Venezuela continues crackdown on dissenters, UN rights experts warn

Venezuela continues crackdown on dissenters, UN rights experts warn

Marta Valiñas, Chair of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela, presented its latest report to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, which covers the period from January 2020 to August this year. The report, which was published last week, focused on two areas: the various “repression mechanisms” used by the State, and the…

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Only way to end nuclear risk ‘is to eliminate nuclear weapons’: Guterres

Only way to end nuclear risk ‘is to eliminate nuclear weapons’: Guterres

Secretary-General António Guterres issued his call in a statement marking the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons on Tuesday. He warned that hard-won progress over many decades to prevent the use, spread and testing of nuclear weapons is being undone, and called for nuclear disarmament and a strengthened regime of non-proliferation. Resurgent threat…

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‘It’s crunch time’ to reach the SDGs, Mohammed tells Global Citizen Festival

‘It’s crunch time’ to reach the SDGs, Mohammed tells Global Citizen Festival

“Come rain or shine, we’re here because we are committed to our planet”, said Amina Mohammed, addressing the Global Citizen Festival, against the backdrop of the UN General Assembly High Level Week, taking place down the road. All to play for at halftime She highlighted the race to reach the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),…

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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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