More than two years on, impact of Myanmar military coup ‘devastating’
Now in its third year, Noeleen Heyzer said that “the impact of the military takeover on the country and its people, has been devasting.” She thanked Member States for renewing…
Security Council: Despite progress on reforming global security, ‘our work is not done’
“Our work is not done,” said Aleksander Zouev, Assistant-Secretary-General in the Department of Peace Operations told the UN Security Council. Providing members with a progress report, he cited gains made…
Cocaine trafficking surges following COVID-19-related slowdown
“The surge in the global cocaine supply should put all of us on high alert,” UNODC Executive Director Ghada Waly said. “The potential for the cocaine market to expand in…
Urgent investment needed to improve conditions for key workers: ILO
“In a number of countries, key sectors are facing labour shortages, because people are increasingly reluctant to engage in work which is not properly, adequately, fairly valued by society and…
UN steps up support to Malawi following deadly cyclone
The storm – which has been raging since 6 February – made landfall for a second time on the African continent over the weekend, barreling into Malawi on Monday, and…
Attacks by armed groups displace more than 100,000 in DR Congo
Citing humanitarian sources, UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said more than 50,000 people displaced from the town of Rutshuru found safety in Kibirizi. Some 55,000 people from Masisisi territory fled to…
UN officials call for durable solution to end the war in Syria
For UN Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, this was an opportunity to remember the countless lives lost, and recall the abuses and suffering of millions, including those who have…
Governments must do more to protect human rights defenders: Expert
In a report to the Human Rights Council, Special Rapporteur Mary Lawlor, said that “States can and should do more to protect defenders”. She stressed that 25 years after States…
Diplomacy in Yemen reaches new pitch following year of relative calm, Security Council hears
“The truce can only be a stepping stone,” said Hans Grundberg, the UN’s Special Envoy for Yemen. Reiterating that short-term solutions and piecemeal approaches can only bring partial relief, he…
Counter-terrorism ‘rhetoric’ used to justify rise of surveillance technology: human rights expert
In a report to the latest session of the Human Rights Council, the UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights while countering terrorism, Fionnuala Ní Aoláin,…