UN chief calls for new tool to find 100,000 ‘disappeared’ Syrians

UN chief calls for new tool to find 100,000 ‘disappeared’ Syrians

Entering its 13th year of brutal civil war and scrambling to recover from devastating earthquakes in February, Syria and its people “deserve peace” and to know the truth about the fate of their loved ones, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said. 100,000 Syrians missing “The whereabouts and fate of an estimated 100,000 Syrians remains unknown,” he…

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Libya: Crimes against humanity committed since 2016 – rights probe

Libya: Crimes against humanity committed since 2016 – rights probe

In the case of State security forces, human rights violations were committed to quash dissent and exploit vulnerable migrants, with no justice in sight, according to the latest report, from the Independent Fact-Finding Mission (FFM) on Libya. It documents the “widespread practice” of arbitrary detention, murder, torture, rape, enslavement and enforced disappearance in the country. In addition,…

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Holistic approach urgent for health of people, animals and environment

Holistic approach urgent for health of people, animals and environment

The heads of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the UN-backed World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) have come together in the face of multiple global emergencies – from COVID-19 to Ebola – continued threats of disease spillover between animals and humans, loss of…

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Dismantling racism today starts by understanding slavery’s ‘horrific’ past

Dismantling racism today starts by understanding slavery’s ‘horrific’ past

“It is incumbent on us to fight slavery’s legacy of racism,” the UN Secretary-General António Guterres said. “The most powerful weapon in our arsenal is education, the theme of this year’s commemoration.” Observed on 25 March, the international day commemorates the victims of one of history’s most horrific crimes against humanity that was legalized for…

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Ukraine: End war so children can ‘regain their childhoods’

Ukraine: End war so children can ‘regain their childhoods’

Some 13 months of often brutal fighting and attacks on civilians since Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine began, have left millions displaced, with key civilian infrastructure in need of urgent protection. Ensuring nuclear safety Touring the area around Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant, Rafael Mariano Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) met with…

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First Person: The Indonesian power ranger

First Person: The Indonesian power ranger

Known by her nickname, Ega was one of 15 women selected to participate in the UN Development Programme-supported Perempuan Inspiratif Mitra Polhut (Inspiring Women to Partner with Forest Rangers) initiative, which aims to protect the Bogani Nani Wartabone National Park and provide opportunities to nearby communities. © Bogani Nani Wartabone National Park Authority/CIWT Project Indonesia…

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Human rights in Ukraine still ‘dire’ amid wide-ranging violations: OHCHR

Human rights in Ukraine still ‘dire’ amid wide-ranging violations: OHCHR

“The international armed conflict has led to a wide range of human rights violations affecting both civilians and combatants”, the executive summary states, adding that the Office has “verified numerous allegations of arbitrary deprivation of life, arbitrary detention and enforced disappearance, torture and ill-treatment, and conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV).” During the reporting period, a total of 5,987 civilian…

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New agenda sets sail with bold action as UN Water Conference closes

New agenda sets sail with bold action as UN Water Conference closes

The Agenda sets out a series of action-oriented game changing commitments, from making smarter food choices to re-evaluating water as a powerful economic driver, and part of the Earth’s cultural heritage. Water-secure future for all The conference, and its 2,000 participants, forged an “ambitious vision”, the UN Secretary-General António Guterres said. “Your dedication to action…

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