December 21, 2012 coincides with the end of the Mayan calendar and many have speculated that that means the end of the world is upon us. But that vision actually contradicts the beliefs of the indigenous people, said Mayan elders who recently visited the UN in New York. Gerry Adams reports. Thousands of years ago, [...]
The Special Adviser of the Secretary-General on the Prevention of Genocide has warned of the increasing risk of sectarian violence in Syria. Adama Dieng said he was "deeply concerned that entire communities risk paying the price for crimes committed by the Syrian Government". Mr. Dieng is concerned that civilian communities, including Alawite and other minorities [...]
1. ICC prosecutor briefs SC, says victims of Darfur can hardly wait 2. UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs says women's participation in decision-making process far from adequate 3. 500,000 Syrians seeking refuge in neighbouring countries : UNHCR 4. ILO : Women facing higher level of unemployment than men 5. CERF helps the most [...]
1. Ban Ki-moon applauds work of volunteers on International Volunteers Day 2. Leadership encouraged by UN Climate Change Coference in Doha, Qatar 3. Northern Mali security situation needs urgent attention, says UN official 4. UNHCR : Civilians victims of ongoing conflict in Syria 5. OCHA says Somalis will need 3.8 million in 2013 6. Eastern DR [...]
The Security Council has authorized the deployment of a mission in Mali which is plagued by political instability since a military coup in March. In addition to this, armed rebels now control the northern parts of the country. The African-led International Support Mission in Mali (AFISMA), will help the authorities in Mali to recover rebel-held [...]
With an estimated 84 percent of the Haitian population still living in camps, there is an urgent need to end Haiti's displacement crisis, says the International Organization for Migration ( IOM). Newly published reports from IOM Haiti and its partners say almost 360,000 Haitians are still living in 496 sites throughout the country. Gerry Adams [...]
"The plight and suffering of Somali boat people must stop," says the UN independent expert on the situation of human rights in Somalia, Shamsul Bari. His call follows a recent boat disaster in the Gulf of Aden, which claimed the lives of 55 Somali refugees and migrants. He says "This tragic incident shows the level [...]
Australia's aboriginal female community experiences much higher rates of abuse than the rest of the population, says Cathy Eatock, a senior policy officer in state government. Ms. Eatock, an aborigine herself, spoke at a recent meeting at the United Nations on strategies for ending violence against women. She explained to Gerry Adams some of [...]
Palestinian refugees are among the scores of people who have been affected by the ongoing crisis in Syria. The Yarmouk camp in the capital, Damascus, is home to the largest Palestinian refugee community in the country. However, violent clashes this week resulted in nearly 100,000 Palestinians fleeing the area. The World Food Programme (WFP) is [...]
UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict Zainab Bangura is just back from the Central African Republic, the first country she has visited since taking up her mandate in June. Ms. Bangura says it was important to travel to the country, not only to engage with the authorities and partners but also [...]
Any attack on health workers is unacceptable, the World Health Organization (WHO) said Friday, responding to the killing of health workers conducting a polio vaccination campaign in Pakistan. WHO Spokesperson Tarik Jasarevic says the provision of health services must be neutral in any conflict or situation. “ At the end, it’s the children and the affected [...]
An investigation carried out by the United Nations has revealed wide-ranging human rights violations committed by Congolese army soldiers and the fighters belonging to the M23 rebel group in the aftermath of the clashes for the control of Goma town in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. The atrocities are reported to have been carried [...]
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is to start providing emergency food assistance to thousands of Palestinian refugees caught up in fighting around the Yarmouk refugee camp in Damascus. WFP hopes to reach over 125,000 Palestinians and displaced Syrians with ready-to-eat food. The Yarmouk camp, which is home to the largest Palestinian refugee community [...]
