‘Time is working against us’, UN chief says, calling for action to end clashes, restore credible Israeli-Palestinian political horizon

PNP DeskFebruary 22, 2023September 10, 202404 mins

“Our immediate priority must be to prevent further escalation, reduce tensions, and restore calm,” UN Secretary-General António Guterres said at a meeting of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People. Against a backdrop of deadly accelerating surges of violence, “sky high” tensions, and a stalled peace process, the Secretary-General…

Israel’s new legal proposals pose ‘serious risks’, UN rights chief warns

PNP DeskFebruary 22, 2023September 10, 202403 mins

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk raised a range of concerns that several sets of proposed legislative changes that Israel’s parliament is considering would pose serious risks to the effectiveness of the judiciary to defend the rule of law, human rights, and judicial independence. Human rights at risk “If passed, these changes risk…

UN humanitarian delegation visits northwest Syria as earthquake response continues

PNP DeskFebruary 22, 2023September 10, 202403 mins

Seventeen trucks arrived in the region that day via two crossings – Bab Al-Hawa and Bab Al-Salaam – carrying aid provided by the UN refugee agency, UNHCR; the World Food Programme (WFP) and the World Health Organization (WHO). Health sector hard hit A UN humanitarian delegation was in Idlib governorate and visited a displacement camp…

Somalia: UN official underlines need to advance women’s participation in public life

PNP DeskFebruary 22, 2023September 10, 202406 mins

Ms. Gbeho said she has welcomed the Federal Government’s continued commitment to implementing the women, peace, and security agenda, as demonstrated by the launch of a new national action plan on Security Council resolution 1325. The landmark document, adopted more than 20 years ago, reaffirms women’s role in peacebuilding and conflict prevention and resolution. Action…

Ukraine: General Assembly resumes emergency special session, taking up new text to end war

PNP DeskFebruary 22, 2023September 10, 2024011 mins

Assembly President Csaba Kőrösi said that, for almost a full year, the world body, UN Secretary-General, and international community have been consistent and vocal in calls to end this war, and to adhere to the UN Charter and international law. “Let this anniversary and the anguish of millions before our eyes over the last year…

Celebrating the world’s rich ‘linguistic tapestry’, UN officials call for realizing multilingual education on Mother Language Day

PNP DeskFebruary 21, 2023September 10, 202407 mins

Commemorating the world’s languages – all 6,700 of them – since 1999, the Day aims at celebrating ways of showcasing the world’s linguistic tapestry, committing to the preservation of the diversity of languages as a common heritage, and working for quality education – in mother tongues – for all, said Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of the…

UN rights chief deplores Ukraine death toll one year after Russian invasion

PNP DeskFebruary 21, 2023September 10, 2024010 mins

Matilda Bogner, Head of the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU), told journalists in Geneva that the civilian death toll in the southern city of Mariupol – besieged and bombarded by Russian missiles – had been particularly high. “My colleagues interviewed a former prisoner of war, and he was from Mariupol and he…

Mali: Three UN peacekeepers killed in explosive attack

PNP DeskFebruary 21, 2023September 10, 202402 mins

The incident took place that morning near the village of Songobia, in central Mali, as their supply convoy was heading to its base in Sévaré. El-Ghassim Wane, the head of MINUSMA, condemned the attack and offered his deepest condolences to the families and colleagues of the deceased peacekeepers. “This is another tragic illustration of the…

Independent UN experts laud Spain for enacting new feminist laws

PNP DeskFebruary 21, 2023September 10, 202405 mins

Describing the new laws as a “fundamental feminist achievement”, they said the move was part of an ambitious agenda for social progress. The legislation guarantees and facilitates access to sexual and reproductive rights in the country. New menstrual leave, abortion laws The new overarching measures ensure safe and accessible abortions provided by national health agencies….

UN Security Council debates Nord Stream pipeline incidents

PNP DeskFebruary 21, 2023September 10, 202407 mins

“We are not here to set up a trial in the Security Council”, Russian ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said during discussions. He said Moscow was presenting a request for an independent investigation in light of doubts about the integrity and transparency of Denmark, Germany and Sweden in their ongoing inquiries. Instead, he said, the UN Secretary-General…