Human rights in Russia: ‘Significant deterioration’

Human rights in Russia: ‘Significant deterioration’

The UN’s Special Rapporteur for Russia, Mariana Katzarova, sounded the alarm on what she says is a pattern of suppression of civil and political rights there.  Addressing the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Ms. Katzarova voiced grave concerns over mass arbitrary arrests and the “persistent use of torture and ill-treatment.” Clear evidence Citing almost 200…

Read More
At UN, Salva Kiir calls for support to help restore peace, ease humanitarian crisis in neighboring Sudan

At UN, Salva Kiir calls for support to help restore peace, ease humanitarian crisis in neighboring Sudan

“I am appealing to the international community to avail resources to help refugees and displaced persons who crossed into South Sudan,” Mr. Kiir told world leaders attending the UN General Assembly’s annual debate.  He added: “While the world is dealing with multiple crisis, we call for a provision of sustained support to these displaced persons…

Read More
Armenia-Azerbaijan: UN calls for ‘credible and durable’ end to fighting in flashpoint region

Armenia-Azerbaijan: UN calls for ‘credible and durable’ end to fighting in flashpoint region

Miroslav Jenča told ambassadors that Azerbaijan had announced, in their words, “local counter-terrorism activities in the Karabakh economic region” two days ago, in response to the tragic deaths of two civilians and four police officers in incidents that allegedly involved landmines placed by the Armenian military. He noted that Azerbaijan had notified the Russian peacekeeping…

Read More
Strong multilateralism key to international cooperation, says China’s Vice-President

Strong multilateralism key to international cooperation, says China’s Vice-President

“China is firm in supporting the international system with the UN at its core,” and opposes hegemony, power politics, unilateralism, and a Cold War mentality, Han Zheng reiterated. He stressed that China “will never practise hegemony,” and that “a small number of countries have arbitrarily imposed illegal and unilateral sanctions,” severely undermining the harmony and…

Read More
Funding woes continue to plague UN Palestine refugee agency

Funding woes continue to plague UN Palestine refugee agency

UNRWA Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini was speaking at UN Headquarters alongside the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Jordan, Ayman Safadi, following a meeting to support its lifesaving work, which is almost entirely funded by donor contributions. “It has become absolutely unbearable to deal with a situation where the needs of the Palestine refugees…

Read More
European Council President says it’s time to put multilateralism back solid ground

European Council President says it’s time to put multilateralism back solid ground

“Today, the United Nations system is sclerotic and hobbled by hostile forces. We must assume our responsibility. That means being engaged to put multilateral cooperation back on solid ground. For that, we need to: Restore trust. Resolve the most pressing problems. Repair the United Nations system.  Protecting the Charter  Trust and confidence between Member States…

Read More
Central African Republic leader slams West for looting Africa’s wealth, sparking today’s migrant crisis

Central African Republic leader slams West for looting Africa’s wealth, sparking today’s migrant crisis

“This escalation of the migrant crisis is one of the appalling consequences of the plundering of natural resources of countries made poor by slavery, colonization and Western imperialism, terrorism and internal armed conflicts,” said Faustin-Archange Touadéra during his speech to the annual debate of the UN General Assembly. Continuing his rebuke by referencing the recent…

Read More