Europe

The remains of houses in a village that were destroyed in the armed conflict in Ukraine's Luhanks region.
IOM/Konstantin Skomorokh

Exercise ‘utmost restraint’ in eastern Ukraine to safeguard civilian life, top UN official urges fighters on the ground

30 October 2018
Peace and Security

After a lull in fighting in Ukraine over the summer, the last few weeks have seen a sharp rise in civilian deaths, more than half of which are due to landmines and explosive remnants of war, the United Nations top political official said on Tuesday.

The niqab is a full-body Islamic piece of clothing, worn by some women in some devout Muslim communities, and which covers the whole body, leaving only a narrow slit for the eyes. Yemen, 2007.
© UNICEF/Giacomo Pirozzi

French full-body veil ban, violated women’s freedom of religion: UN Human Rights Committee

23 October 2018
Human Rights

Following complaints by two French Muslim women, fined for wearing a full-body veil or niqab, a UN Committee of independent human rights experts ruled in their favour on Tuesday, stating that their freedom to practice their religion had been infringed.

A video journalist covers a news event.
Public Domain

Killing and rape of Bulgarian investigative reporter is an ‘outrage’ - UNESCO chief

9 October 2018
Culture and Education

The head of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), has condemned the “brutal” killing of investigative reporter Victoria Marinova, whose body was found on Saturday in the Bulgarian city of Ruse, bearing signs of suffocation and sexual assault.

Bernard Duhaime, Chair of the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances at a press conference at UN Headquarters on 20 October 2017.
UN Photo/Rick Bajornas

Independent inquiry needed into suspected ‘enforced disappearance’ of Saudi journalist: UN rights office

9 October 2018
Human Rights

The “apparent enforced disappearance” of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi who was last seen reportedly visiting his country’s consulate in Istanbul last week, requires a full investigation involving both Turkey and Saudi Arabia, the UN human rights office, OHCHR, said on Tuesday.

Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights Karima Bennoune.
UN Photo/Jean-Marc Ferré

Idea of ‘homogenous’ Polish culture is a myth: UN human rights expert

5 October 2018
Human Rights

An independent UN rights expert has accused the Polish Government of  disseminating the “myth” of a “homogenous” Polish culture, in a statement released on Friday.

Olof Skoog, Chair of Delegation and Permanent Representative of Sweden to the UN, addresses the seventy-third session of the United Nations General Assembly.
UN Photo/Cia Pak

Work together, act on promises made collectively, Sweden urges at UN Assembly

1 October 2018
UN Affairs

Addressing the United Nations General Assembly, the Swedish head of delegation underscored the importance of international cooperation and called on world leaders to work together to deliver on the promise of peace and prosperity for everyone everywhere.

Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei of the Republic of Belarus addresses the seventy-third session of the United Nations General Assembly.
UN Photo/Cia Pak

Global Goals promise to ‘leave no one behind’ is key for middle-income countries, Belarusian minister tells UN Assembly

1 October 2018
SDGs

In spite of the criticism levelled against the United Nations, there is no other such platform for cooperation or a multilateral mechanism based on “equal and respectful attitude towards each and every country and their needs,” the foreign minister of Belarus told the General Assembly.