Afghanistan: Taliban ‘may be responsible for gender apartheid’ says rights expert

Afghanistan: Taliban ‘may be responsible for gender apartheid’ says rights expert

Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, expressed similar concerns on the opening day of the Council’s summer session, adding that the de facto authorities had “dismantled the most fundamental principles of human rights, particularly for women and girls”.  In a joint report presented to the Council by the Special Rapporteur for Afghanistan and…

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‘Vital’ human rights cooperation must be above fray of politics: Türk

‘Vital’ human rights cooperation must be above fray of politics: Türk

In his annual review presented to the Human Rights Council, which opened its 53rd regular session on Monday, Mr. Türk insisted that such cooperation was “vital” in a world plagued by conflict, climate disasters and development setbacks. Rights monitoring ‘in the interest of all Malians’ Human rights “must always be above the fray of politics”, Mr….

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Beyond borders: Why new 'high seas' treaty is critical for the world

Beyond borders: Why new ‘high seas’ treaty is critical for the world

1. Fresh protection beyond borders While countries are responsible for the conservation and sustainable use of waterways under their national jurisdiction, the high seas now have added protection from such destructive trends as pollution and unsustainable fishing activities. Adopted by the Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), the “high seas”…

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Europe warming twice as fast as other continents, warns WMO

Europe warming twice as fast as other continents, warns WMO

According to a report issued by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service, during 2022, multiple nations in the region had their warmest year on record but the expanded use of renewable energy provides a silver lining. Extreme heat, drought and wildfire, marine heatwaves, unprecedented glacier melt – the…

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Combatting hate speech is a shared responsibility: UN General Assembly President

Combatting hate speech is a shared responsibility: UN General Assembly President

Mr. Kőrösi was speaking at an event to commemorate the 2nd International Day for Countering Hate Speech, which is officially observed on 18 June.  “It would be my wish that we would not have to observe this day. It would be my wish that hate speech were a thing of the past,” he said.  Rising violence  Hate speech is most often…

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Libya: ‘Persistent disagreements’ must be overcome, Security Council hears

Libya: ‘Persistent disagreements’ must be overcome, Security Council hears

Abdoulaye Bathily, briefed the Security Council and acknowledged the recent efforts of the so-called “6+6” Committee working towards new elections, as an important step forward, though insufficient to resolve the most contested issues. He said the lack of agreement over eligibility criteria for the presidential poll, the link between that and parliamentary elections, and the issue…

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End ‘digital divide’ to support victims of sexual violence: Guterres

End ‘digital divide’ to support victims of sexual violence: Guterres

In his message marking the day, the Secretary-General condemned the use of sexual violence as a tactic of ‘war, torture, and repression’ in the conflicts that affect hundreds of millions of people around the world. “Harrowing reports from across the globe are a terrible reminder that this despicable crime persists despite international commitments to stamp…

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Kakhovka dam disaster a health crisis in the making: WHO

Report reveals war’s ‘stark impacts’ on Ukraine society

The Human Impact Assessment (HIA) provides comprehensive insights into how the February 2022 full-scale Russian invasion has affected areas such as living conditions, health, access to education, livelihoods, food security and gender equality. The UN Development Programme (UNDP) led the joint initiative, which was implemented at the request of the Office of the President and…

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Poverty, inequality and exclusion fuelling terrorism, warns UN chief

Poverty, inequality and exclusion fuelling terrorism, warns UN chief

The day also marked the start of the UN’s Third Counter-Terrorism week.  Addressing the delegates “at the forefront of a great global effort”, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stressed that terrorism affects every region of the world, while preying on local and national vulnerabilities. “Poverty, inequalities and social exclusion give terrorism fuel. Prejudice and discrimination targeting specific…

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