Reflecting on genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, Guterres urges all nations to stand firm against rising hate, intolerance

Reflecting on genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, Guterres urges all nations to stand firm against rising hate, intolerance

“We mourn the more than one million children, women, and men who perished in one hundred days of horror 29 years ago,” António Guterres said in his annual commemorative message on the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda. He went on to say that: “We honour the memory…

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Türkiye quake aftermath: Funding needed to stave off risks to millions of children

Türkiye quake aftermath: Funding needed to stave off risks to millions of children

UNICEF Representative in Türkiye, Regina De Dominicis, said that while the humanitarian response to the disaster was swift, “immediate futures of millions of children remain uncertain”.   Urgent health and protection needs To cover the most pressing needs, UNICEF has reached more than 390,000 people with hygiene kits, winter clothes, electrical heaters and blankets. The…

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‘The world cannot abandon the people’: Top humanitarian official in Afghanistan

‘The world cannot abandon the people’: Top humanitarian official in Afghanistan

Dr. Ramiz Alakbarov, UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Afghanistan, said that amid severe underfunding, the move would “further undermine humanitarian partners’ ability to support the population, especially the most vulnerable such as women and girls”. “The world cannot abandon the people of Afghanistan at this precarious moment,” Dr. Alakbarov insisted, before urging the international community “not…

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‘Green industrial age’ can be sustainable development breakthrough

‘Green industrial age’ can be sustainable development breakthrough

Amid growing food and energy crises stoked by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, an uncertain global economic outlook, and the escalating impacts of climate change, the 2023 Financing for Sustainable Development Report: Financing Sustainable Transformations, says that “urgent, massive investment” is needed to accelerate positive transformation of the electricity supply industry, farming, transportation and construction. There are signs of…

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Israel-Palestine: UN calls for restraint following violence at Al-Aqsa mosque

Israel-Palestine: UN calls for restraint following violence at Al-Aqsa mosque

Israeli forces stormed Al-Aqsa mosque, also commonly known as al-Qibli mosque, overnight, arresting more than 350 people, according to media reports.    The raids continued into Wednesday morning. In response, Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip fired rockets at Israel.  Appalling violence  Mr. Wennesland issued a statement saying he was appalled by the images of…

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Top officials strongly condemn Taliban ban on Afghan women working for UN

Top officials strongly condemn Taliban ban on Afghan women working for UN

In statements on Wednesday, Secretary-General António Guterres was joined by deputy chief Amina Mohammed, in describing the latest escalation of the de facto authorities’ suppression of women, as a violation of their inalienable fundamental human rights. “It also violates Afghanistan’s obligations under international human rights law, and infringes on the principle of non-discrimination, which is a core tenet…

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Rights expert denounces interference in Beirut explosion probe

Rights expert denounces interference in Beirut explosion probe

Special Rapporteur Margaret Satterthwaite expressed grave concern over interference in the investigation, including threats against Judge Tarek Bitar, who has been leading the process since February 2021.  “Judges should never be threatened or subjected to criminal or disciplinary action simply for doing their job,” she said.  Justice delayed  More than 200 people died as a…

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