General News

The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has categorically denied any plan to place the country under international protection.

Media reports had suggested that the move was imminent due to a break-down in peace talks.

South Sudan continues to suffer instability as a result of fighting between the government and rebels.

Around two million people have fled their homes.

Gabriel Shadar has been speaking to the UNMISS spokesperson, Joe Contreras.

Duration: 4'18"

Men have failed to govern Somalia properly, so women should be given the opportunity to lead.

That’s according to a young Somali woman who has been participating in the UN’s “16 days of activism” campaign to end violence against women.

The Horn of Africa country has endured  more than two decades of political instability and poor governance and continues to battle extremists on its territory.

Daniel Dickinson reports.

Duration:  2'37"

Human rights should be guaranteed for all people 365 days a year, according to the United Nations.

As the global community marks Human Right Day on 10 December, the UN is reminding governments that they have an obligation to protect people all year round.

The day commemorates the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Righty by the UN General Assembly in 1948.

Stephanie Castro reports.

Fighting for human rights is a daily duty that we can never give up, according to the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations.

Jan Eliasson was at the Schomburg Centre for Research in Black Culture, located in Harlem, New York, where he spoke at an event to mark Human Right Day.

On 10 December, the UN is also launching the International Decade for People of African Descent, to promote respect and protection of the fundamental freedoms and rights of people with African ties.

An annual 16-day campaign to end gender violence was this year very active, picking up momentum as each day passed, according to the leader of the UN’s global campaign to end violence against women.

Aldijana Sisic explains that from 25 November—the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, to 10 December—Human Rights Day, the goal was to galvanize action to end violence against women and girls.

Careless public statements based on ignorance made in Zambia for political gain, result in violent persecution of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex or LGBTI community, according to a Zambian activist.

Chalwe Mwansa says that dialogue and understanding are  very important in addressing the issue of homophobia not only in Zambia but around the world.

Stephanie Castro asked Mr Mwansa about the challenges the LGBTI community faces in Zambia.

Duration: 3’23”

Women in Taiwan are being forced into marrying men, even if they are from the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex or LGBTI community.

That’s according to an activist from a Taiwanese LGBTI support group.

Jennifer Lu, says that many women are forced into heterosexual marriage due to pressure from their families.

Stephanie Castro asked Ms Lu about the challenges she faces, as an openly gay woman, in Taiwan.

Duration: 4’54”

The law in Turkey does not recognize the existence of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex community, otherwise known as LGBTI, leaving them vulnerable to violence, discrimination and oppression, according to a Turkish rights activist.

Sedef Cakmak, spoke passionately about the current situation in the country for the LGBTI community, ahead of a meeting at the United Nations on Human Rights Day.

Stephanie Castro has been speaking to Ms Cakmak.

Duration: 3’46”

One of the most insidious forms of corruption and criminality in the world today is the illegal wildlife trade, according to Prince William, the second in line to the British throne.

Prince William was at the World Bank in Washington DC to speak with corruption hunters from more than 120 countries at the third annual conference on international corruption and wildlife trafficking.

On Tuesday the global community is marking the International Anti-Corruption Day.

Education is a human right, and in Kosovo, it is mandatory for children between the ages of six and fifteen. But there are kids who are not going to school. Some were never enrolled. Others dropped out.

To address the issue, UNICEF is working closely with authorities in Kosovo - to address the factors that are keeping children out of school, and to get them back into the classroom.

According to UNICEF, getting every child into school is essential to reducing global poverty, improving health, fostering peace and bolstering democracy.

David Meadows reports.