INTERVIEW: Building bridges between Afghanistan and the world because ‘isolation is not an option’

Afghanistan’s Taliban responsible for revenge killings, torture of former officials

A new publication from the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) presents “credible” reports that between 15 August 2021 and 30 June 2023, the country’s de facto authorities were responsible for 218 extrajudicial killings, 14 enforced disappearances, over 144 instances of torture and ill treatment, and 424 arbitrary arrests and detentions.  ‘Betrayal of trust’ UN human…

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Eastern DRC: UN food aid hangs in the balance amid severe funding crunch

Eastern DRC: UN food aid hangs in the balance amid severe funding crunch

The situation is particularly alarming in the east, where malnutrition has taken hold among 4.4 million people, exacerbated by compromised health services, lack of clean water, and an uptick in gender-based violence, highlighted Peter Musoko, WFP Country Director, during a press briefing in Geneva. “In my conversations with those displaced in eastern DRC, I was…

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Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh need urgent support as crises multiply: UNHCR

Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh need urgent support as crises multiply: UNHCR

This week marks six years since over 700,000 mostly-Muslim Rohingya men, women, and children joined the hundreds of thousands of others already sheltering in Bangladesh, following a brutal crackdown by security forces in Myanmar. As humanitarian conditions in the world’s largest refugee settlement worsen, however, the challenges surrounding this protracted crisis continue to increase.  Funds…

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UNFPA reveals winners of AccessAbility innovation challenge

UNFPA reveals winners of AccessAbility innovation challenge

Organized in partnership with the Global Disability Innovation Hub (GDI Hub) and the Global Network of Young Persons with Disabilities (GNYPWD), the competition offers financial support to social enterprises that craft innovative solutions aimed at dismantling inequalities and fostering empowerment among young individuals with disabilities.  The challenge prompted participants to submit innovative ideas to address topics such as…

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Rights expert urges India to release detained activist

Rights expert urges India to release detained activist

GN Saibaba, a former English professor at Delhi University, was arrested in 2014 and accused of links to banned Maoist groups, according to media reports. He was sentenced to life imprisonment three years later for multiple offences under the country’s Unlawful Activities Prevention Act. ‘Shameful’ detention “GN Saibaba is a long-standing defender of the rights…

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Water Action Agenda takes shape in Stockholm flowing on from landmark conference

Water Action Agenda takes shape in Stockholm flowing on from landmark conference

World Water Week is taking shape from Monday in Stockholm, Sweden. This is an annual gathering of thousands of organizations and individuals – Government experts, UN officials, scientists and academics – who come together to rethink how water is being managed. Serious challenges loom Among them is the President of the General Assembly, Csaba Kőrösi,…

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Stamp out hate speech, persecution based on faith: Guterres

Stamp out hate speech, persecution based on faith: Guterres

UN Secretary-General António Guterres was delivering his message marking the International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief and began by reiterating that freedom of belief is “an inalienable human right”. “Yet, around the world, people and communities, particularly minorities, face intolerance, discrimination and threats – to their places of…

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Israeli-Palestinian death toll highest since 2005: UN envoy

Israeli-Palestinian death toll highest since 2005: UN envoy

It represents the highest number of fatalities since 2005 and reflects “concerning trends” seen in recent months throughout the Occupied Palestinian Territory “Palestinians and Israelis are killed and injured in near daily violence – including just hours before this briefing when another fatal shooting attack killed an Israeli in the West Bank,” he said, speaking…

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