Americas

Photo: UNESCO
UNESCO

UN human rights office concerned about killing of journalists in Mexico

30 September 2011
The United Nations human rights office today expressed concern over the increase in the number of killings of journalists in Mexico this year, and urged the country’s authorities to launch immediate investigations to punish the perpetrators.
Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Valerie Amos (right) meets residents of Accra camp in Haiti

Haitian camp populations decline, but residents still in need – UN official

30 September 2011
The number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) still in camps in Haiti after their homes were destroyed by last year’s catastrophic earthquake has declined from 1.5 million to 600,000, but hardship in the settlements has not eased, the United Nations humanitarian chief said today at end of her three-day visit to the country.
UNODC Executive Director Yury Fedotov.
UN Photo/Evan Schneider

Only global action will halt deadly drug gangs, UN narcotics chief tells Mexico

29 September 2011
Warning that the solution to narcotics trafficking must be global in scale, the chief United Nations anti-crime official today began a two-day official visit to Mexico, where tens of thousands of people have been murdered and mutilated in drug wars over the past five years.
Valerie Amos, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, on a visit to Haiti

Humanitarian assistance must continue in Haiti – UN aid chief

29 September 2011
The United Nations relief chief today stressed the need for continued humanitarian assistance in Haiti, alongside development and reconstruction work, saying that the 600,000 people still living in camps following last year’s massive earthquake remain in need of basic services.
UNODC Executive Director Yury Fedotov (left) on his first visit to Colombia

Head of UN office against drugs and crime praises Colombia’s anti-narcotics efforts

28 September 2011
The head of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has praised Colombia’s political commitment to fighting narcotics production and related crimes and financial support of the office’s technical assistance projects against the scourge in the region.
Foreign Minister Surujrattan Rambachan of Trinidad and Tobago

Social justice and political inclusion can prevent unrest, Trinidad and Tobago tells UN

27 September 2011
An equitable distribution of resources and greater political participation could ease some of the discontent that many young people feel across the world and prevent popular uprisings such as those seen in North Africa and the Middle East, Trinidad and Tobago has told the United Nations.
UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova

UN urges stronger protection of Mexican journalists after another three murders

27 September 2011
Condemning the murders of three women journalists in Mexico over the past month, the United Nations agency that defends press freedom today pressed for stronger measures to halt the frequent violence against reporters in the Latin American country.
Special Rapporteur James Anaya.
UN Photo/Jean-Marc Ferré

As tensions mount over proposed highway in Bolivia, UN expert calls for dialogue

27 September 2011
A United Nations human rights expert called for negotiations between indigenous people and Bolivian authorities today after protests against the construction of a highway in the Amazon turned violent last Sunday.
Deputy Foreign Minister Francisco Alvarez de Soto of Panama

Panama proposes to host regional hub for UN agencies

27 September 2011
Panama has proposed setting up a regional logistics hub for the United Nations that will serve as a base to allow the quick distribution of humanitarian assistance to those in need across Latin America and the Caribbean.
Amb. Francisco Carrión Mena of Ecuador

Environmental and economic reforms needed for Latin American development, UN hears

27 September 2011
Four Latin American countries have called for environmental and economic reforms to ensure growth in their region during the General Assembly’s annual general debate.