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UN experts urge China to stop ill-treatment of imprisoned hunger striker
Expressing deep concern about the critical health condition of a prisoner on hunger strike for three months, a group of United Nations independent human rights experts today called on the Government of China to stop all forms of ill-treatment and urgently provide him with specialized medical care, based on his full and informed consent.
South Sudan's government forces committed widespread violations in July fighting – UN
Preliminary United Nations investigations into the recent fighting in South Sudan reveal Government security forces carried out killings and rapes, and looted and destroyed properties, the UN human rights chief said today, calling on the Security Council to take stronger action.
Colombia peace accord offers chance to ‘close chapter of war once and for all’ — UN envoy
The head of the new United Nations political mission in Colombia today pledged the world body’s steadfast support for the full implementation of the accord reached by the Colombian Government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia - People’s Army (FARC-EP), which seeks to bring an end the longest-running conflict in the Western Hemisphere.
South Sudan: UN Mission condemns ‘unspeakable acts’ of abuse, sexual violence
The United Nations in South Sudan today condemned unequivocally reports of widespread sexual violence, including rape and gang rape, of women and young girls, by soldiers and unidentified armed men, stressing that such acts constitute grave violations of international human rights law and may be regarded as war crimes and crimes against humanity.
South Sudan: Security Council approves two-week extension of UN Mission
The Security Council today extended for two weeks the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), allowing time for its membership to consider options on adapting the operation’s mandate amid renewed violence in the world’s youngest country.
At Security Council, Ban cites shared responsibility to ‘nurture seeds of peace and prosperity’ in Africa
Citing persisting instability in number of African countries — from South Sudan to Mali and Libya, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today stressed that building peace and restoring institutions in post-conflict settings are long-term processes that must be rooted in a country’s historical, political, social, cultural and economic contexts.
UN appeals for halting imminent execution of prisoners in Indonesia
United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon and a group of UN rights experts today appealed to the Government of Indonesia to stop the reportedly imminent execution of a number of prisoners for alleged drug-related crimes.
FEATURE SERIES: What is UN peacebuilding and its role in preventing conflicts?
In conflicts, the United Nations is commonly associated with peacekeeping and UN ‘blue helmets,’ but increasingly the international community’s focus is on «peacebuilding» — the idea of supporting a country throughout all stages of a conflict, including post-conflict recovery and socio-economic development, and on preventing the outbreak of fighting.
FEATURE: ’We all have to do what we can’ to prevent sexual exploitation and abuse — Jane Holl Lute
The United Nations has a «zero tolerance» policy towards sexual abuse by anyone working under the blue flag.
The matter is one of such weight for the Organization that earlier this year, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon appointed Jane Holl Lute as the Special Coordinator on improving the UN response to sexual exploitation and abuse.
Somalia: UN condemns terrorist attack near Mogadishu airport
The United Nations chief and his envoy for Somalia have denounced today's terrorist attack in the vicinity of Mogadishu International Airport that killed at least a dozen people.
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