UNSC condemns temporary detention of peacekeepers, looting in Golan
Members of the Security Council have ‘strongly condemned’ the looting of a UN observation post in the Golan Heights and the temporary detention of three peacekeepers, the third such incident in the past two months.
Nigerian rebels could face war crimes charges for ‘population cleansing’
Members of Boko Haram and other extremist groups in Nigeria could face war crimes charges for deliberate acts leading to ethnic and religious cleansing, the top United Nations human rights official said today.
UN chief appoints head of peacekeeping mission in Mali
Ban Ki-moon today appointed Albert Gerard Koenders of the Netherlands as the head of the recently approved United Nations peacekeeping mission in Mali.
UN envoy urges Security Council to bolster security
A neutral security force is urgently needed to help restore the stability and counter the absence of law and order in the Central African Republic (CAR), a United Nations envoy told the Security Council, while also calling on the body to consider sanctions against rebel groups for gross violations of human rights.
UN, EU urge Lebanon to form new gov't
UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Derek Plumbly, and EU Ambassador to Lebanon Angelina Eichhorst on Friday urged Lebanon to form a new government as soon as possible.
Putin urges int'l community to unite around UN
Russian President Vladimir Putin Friday called on the international community to unite around the United Nations to secure peace in the world, the Kremlin press service reported.
In FOCUS
Togo leader slams rich countries over aid cuts
The president of Togo, one of the world's poorest countries, on Monday slammed rich nations who have cut development aid saying it contributes to the spread of terrorism.
Amid growing threats across Africa, Ban urges ‘holistic approach’ to fight terrorism
From the Horn of Africa in the east and across the Sahel to the west, terrorism continues to pose a threat to the continent’s peace, security and development, Ban Ki-moon said today as he warned that Africa was facing a rise in the presence of extremist groups and terrorist entities.
No consensus on visiting Syrian refugee camps in Jordan
The United Nations Security Council has failed to reach a consensus on a Jordanian proposal to send a delegation to inspect the Syrian refugee camps in Jordan, the President of the United Nations Security Council announced Monday.
UN experts urge Iranian authorities to free jailed Baha’i community leaders
A group of independent United Nations experts today reiterated its call on Iranian authorities for the immediate release of seven Baha’i community leaders imprisoned five years ago this month with 20-year sentences – the longest of any current prisoners of conscience.
Political dialogue vital to enable peaceful, credible polls
A senior United Nations official today stressed the urgent need for more meaningful and constructive political dialogue in Bangladesh to create conducive conditions for the holding of peaceful and credible parliamentary elections that are scheduled for later this year.
Pillay welcomes ‘historic’ genocide conviction of former military leader
The top United Nations human rights official today welcomed the conviction of José Efraín Ríos Montt, Guatemala’s former de facto head of State, to 80 years in prison for genocide and crimes against humanity.
