"SLAVERY"

The second Permanent Forum on People of African Descent started Tuesday in New York. The theme of the session is "Realizing the dream: A United Nations Declaration on the promotion, protection and full respect of the human rights of people of African descent". UNIFEED

The UN General Assembly marked today the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, highlighting the importance of education. UNIFEED

The UN Independent Fact-Finding Mission on Libya expressed deep concern in its final report about the country’s deteriorating human rights situation. The human rights investigators said that there are grounds to believe that Libyan authorities and armed militia groups have been responsible for “a wide array of war crimes, and crimes against humanity” in recent years. UNTV CH

The UN General Assembly marked today the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination with a ceremony with different personalities, including the Secretary-General and the Mayor of New York City. UNIFEED

In observance of the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, an exhibition entitled Slavery: Ten True Stories of Dutch Colonial Slavery opened Tuesday at United Nations Headquarters. UNIFEED

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk today concluded his official visit to Haiti. At a press conference in Port-au-Prince, he spoke of how, at a time when multiple crises around the world are competing for attention, he fears that the situation in Haiti is not receiving the urgent spotlight that it deserves. OHCHR

Rural reform critical to building ‘more peaceful, prosperous Colombia’, Special Representative tells Security Council.

Security Council highlights sanctions in tackling Haitian gangs, but underscores need for dialogue, effective police, in resolving country’s crises.

UN senior official Christian Ritscher said, “one of our key goals is to support Iraq in playing a leading role in holding ISIL members accountable for international crimes,” adding that “UNITAD is committed to building capacities of the judiciary in Iraq to work towards fair and just trials in accordance with applicable standards of the United Nations.” UNIFEED

Noon briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.