New guidance to protect children from ‘aggressive’ food marketing

New guidance to protect children from ‘aggressive’ food marketing

“Aggressive and pervasive marketing of foods and beverages high in fats, sugars, and salt to children is responsible for unhealthy dietary choices,” said Dr. Francesco Branca, Director of the UN health agency’s Department of Nutrition and Food Safety. “Calls to responsible marketing practices have not had a meaningful impact.” As such, he said governments should…

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First Person: A Thai police trainer’s ‘passion’ for fighting the SE Asia drug trade

First Person: A Thai police trainer’s ‘passion’ for fighting the SE Asia drug trade

The trainee police officers are part of a network of law enforcement specialists in Thailand, but also across the region, who are cooperating across borders to stem trafficking operations by international crime syndicates. They are collaborating under the border liaison office (BLO) network, supported by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). Lt. Colonel…

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‘Generations of Haitians’ at risk, warns Guterres, calling for international force to help quell gang violence

‘Generations of Haitians’ at risk, warns Guterres, calling for international force to help quell gang violence

The UN chief expressed deep concern at the extreme vulnerability faced by the Haitian people – especially women and girls – because of brutally violent and “predatory” armed gangs, like those encircling the capital, blocking main roads and controlling access to water, food, health care.  “I condemn in the strongest possible terms the widespread sexual violence…

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Myanmar: Military’s obstruction of humanitarian aid could be international crime

Myanmar: Military’s obstruction of humanitarian aid could be international crime

The chief of OHCHR’s Myanmar team, James Rodehaver, explained that since their February 2021 coup, the country’s military rulers have been instilling a “climate of fear” to subjugate the civilian population, restricting aid access and using “all means” at their disposal to clamp down on civil society. Brutal tactics He said the military’s tactics had…

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Time to end gender-based violence, boost role of women in politics, public life

Time to end gender-based violence, boost role of women in politics, public life

Speaking to the Council’s annual meeting in Geneva on protecting the rights of women and girls, the UN High Commissioner said it was an urgent task, and there needed to be zero-tolerance of gender-based violence.  He highlighted the alarming reality that female human rights defenders, women journalists, and those in public office and political decision-making…

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UN Security Council terminates Mali peacekeeping mission

UN Security Council terminates Mali peacekeeping mission

Security Council members reiterated strong support for the full withdrawal of the decade-old UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), and the transfer of security responsibilities to the country’s transitional Government, which has been in power since a coup in 2021. Commending the peacekeeping operation and its staff, UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for the…

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