The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights today said that he was concerned that innocent people have been — and may continue to be — executed in Iraq in reaction to the 3 July bombing in Baghdad. He said it is “all too easy to permit such atrocities to stoke the fires of vengeance. But, vengeance is not justice."
Noon Briefings
1 August 2016
29 July 2016
The Secretary-General today called for a worldwide cessation of hostilities in observance of the Olympic Truce during the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. “While such an ambitious vision may seem impossible to realize, the Olympic spirit calls on us to rise to the challenge,” he said.
28 July 2016
The Secretary-General appeals to the Government of Indonesia to stop the reportedly imminent execution of a number of prisoners for alleged drug-related crimes. He urges President Joko Widodo to consider declaring a moratorium on the use of the death penalty in the country and to move towards its abolition.
27 July 2016
The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) continues to receive deeply disturbing reports of sexual violence, including rape and gang rape, by soldiers in uniform and in plain clothes against civilians, including minors. Since the start of the current violence, the Mission has documented at least 120 such cases.
26 July 2016
The Secretary-General condemns today’s deadly terrorist attack in Mogadishu, Somalia. He reaffirms that such criminal acts will not diminish the strong resolve of the United Nations to continue supporting the people and Government of Somalia in their work to build peace and stability in the country.
25 July 2016
A United Nations report published today shows a record number of civilian casualties in Afghanistan, with 5,166 recorded killed or maimed in the first six months of 2016 — an increase of 4 per cent in total casualties compared to the first six months of 2015, and the highest half-year total since 2009.
22 July 2016
Following the declaration of the state of emergency in Turkey, the Secretary-General issued a statement late last night urging the Turkish authorities to fulfil their promise to ensure constitutional order and international human rights law are fully respected.
21 July 2016
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) warns that 2016 is on track to be the world’s hottest year on record. The organization says that that this trend underscores the need to approve and implement the Paris Agreement on climate change, and to speed up the shift to low carbon economies and renewable energy.
20 July 2016
The Secretary-General issued a statement earlier today that detailed how Security Council resolution 2231 (2015) heralded a fundamental shift in Iran’s relationship with the 15-member body. He commended the country for implementing its nuclear-related commitments, as verified by the International Atomic Energy Agency.
19 July 2016
The United Nations Mission in South Sudan reports harassment of its personnel and increased obstruction of its operations, including denial of flight clearances. It has also received deeply disturbing reports of sexual violence, including rape, by soldiers in uniform against civilians around UN House in the capital, Juba.
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