The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has expressed concern in connection with the death of a prominent Russian journalist in Dagestan last week. The United Nations agency warned Russian authorities Tuesday that the killing of Khadzhimurad Kamalov will send a “chilling message” to journalists, in particular those seeking to cover human rights […]
UN Calls for Justice in Russian Journalist Murder
Amnesty Says UN Failed to Prevent Exodus From Southern Sudan
An international rights group says United Nations peacekeepers failed to stop Sudanese troops from driving more than 100,000 people from their homes in the country’s southern border region last May. Amnesty International says the U.N. troops took no meaningful action to prevent Sudanese forces and allied militia from attacking people’s homes in the town of […]
North Korean Heir Apparent an Enigma
Kim Jong Il’s heir apparent — his third son Kim Jong Un — has risen to power swiftly in North Korea since being made a four-star general one year ago. But he is even more of an enigma than his late father. Kim Jong Un is believed to be around 28 years old. His birth […]
UN Appeals for $1.5 Billion in Aid for Somalia
The United Nations is seeking $1.5 billion to assist Somalis affected by severe drought and chronic war. The U.N.’s annual appeal aims to fund 350 different projects in the troubled country. The U.N. humanitarian coordinator for Somalia, Mark Bowden, says the aid will support life-saving activities such as keeping food prices reasonable. Bowden described Somalia’s […]
UN Chief Urges Somalia to “Seize Moment”
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is urging Somali leaders to “seize the moment” and finally restore stability and hope to the troubled east African nation. During a historic visit to the capital, Mogadishu, on Friday, Mr. Ban warned Somalia has “a very limited window of opportunity” to turn around its state of affairs. He stressed Somalia […]
UN Chief Makes Landmark Visit to Somalia
United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon says the U.N. will move its Somalia office to the capital, Mogadishu, next month. On Friday, Mr. Ban made the first visit to Somalia by a U.N. secretary-general since 1993, two years after the government collapsed. Mr. Ban said he was honored to be in Somalia and to show […]
UN Urges Iraq not to Close Camp Ashraf
The United Nations’ top envoy for Iraq has urged the government in Baghdad not to close Camp Ashraf — housing more than 3,000 Iranian dissidents — by the end of this year. Martin Kobler told the U.N. Security Council Tuesday the world body is working with the Iraqi government to find a satisfactory solution to […]
Ban Ki-Moon Urges Action on Climate Change
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is calling for concrete action to combat climate change and its increasing global impact. Addressing the U.N. climate change conference in Durban, South Africa Tuesday, Mr. Ban said that a binding worldwide agreement to fight climate change is likely out of reach for now. But he urged nations to take at […]
Eritrea Rejects New U.N. Sanctions
Eritrea has rejected a new U.N. Security Council resolution that tightens sanctions against the country for supporting insurgents in Somalia. A statement from Eritrea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Tuesday said the resolution will heighten tensions and “stoke an already explosive situation in the Horn of Africa.” On Monday, the Security Council voted 13-0 in favor […]
UN Council Tightens Sanctions Against Eritrea
The U.N. Security Council has tightened sanctions against Eritrea after African nations appealed to the world body for more action. The council Monday voted 13-0 in favor of the resolution with China and Russia abstaining. The resolution condemns Eritrea for violating sanctions imposed in 2009 by continuing to provide support to Islamist militants in Somalia, […]