Civilian situation in Syria’s east Ghouta ‘spiraling out of control,’ warns UN aid official
The humanitarian situation of civilians in Syria’s east Ghouta is spiraling out of control, a senior United Nation aid official has warned in the wake of escalating conflict which resulted in more than 40 civilian deaths on Monday alone. “I am deeply alarmed by the extreme escalation in hostilities in east Ghouta,” Panos Moumtzis, UN Regional Humanitarian […]
Hailing regional efforts, senior UN official urges Latin America and the Caribbean to continue to protect people on the move
Recognizing Latin American and Caribbean countries as “pioneers” in the protection of refugees and asylum seekers, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees urged the region to bolster its standards even further given the global increase in number of people being driven from their homes. “I encourage those States who have not yet done so, […]
United States: Planned execution of seriously ill man may amount to torture, warn UN experts
Two United Nations human rights experts have urged the Government of the United States to halt the execution a seriously ill person stressing that given his health condition, the use of lethal injection could possibly amount to torture. In a news release, Agnes Callamard, the UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions; and Nils Melzer, […]
Ahead of Social Justice Day, UN agency calls for fair labour migration governance
Many migrant workers end up trapped in low-pay, unsafe and unhealthy jobs, the head of the United Nations labour agency warned Monday, calling for the adoption of fair labour migration governance frameworks at the global, regional and national levels. “Most migration today is linked, directly or indirectly, to the search for decent work opportunities,” said […]
More than 1,000 highly vulnerable refugees have been evacuated out of Libya since November by the UN refugee agency, which is searching for “durable solutions” for these people in third countries. The agency reported that the latest flights left the capital, Tripoli, this week, carrying 128 refugees to Niger on Tuesday while a second plane […]
At donor conference, UN chief launches two-year plan to fast-track Iraq reconstruction
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Wednesday launched a reconstruction programme for Iraq, urging the global community to support Iraqis as they embark on the journey to rebuild their country and make sure that it is committed to unity and inclusivity. “Reconstruction and development programmes must go hand-in-hand with a strategy to prevent the recurrence of violent […]