Americas

Colonial jewel in Peru’s capital to be restored with UN help

31 December 2009
As part of a United Nations-backed plan to restore historical architectural gems that have deteriorated into slums, residents of Rimac, one of the poorest neighbourhoods in Peru’s capital, Lima, will start registering property titles as of 2010 in an effort to restore the priceless landmarks.

UN-backed container-profiling project leads to seizure of drugs, counterfeit goods

29 December 2009
Latin American port authorities are seizing more drug consignments and counterfeit goods along container routes thanks to a United Nations-backed initiative that is showing growing success after its inception six years ago.

UN blue helmets bring Christmas cheer to Haitian orphans

28 December 2009
United Nations peacekeepers have been playing the role of Santa Claus in Haiti during this holiday season, bringing gifts, warm meals and a little cheer to the least privileged children in orphanages and schools in the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere.

Haiti: UN-backed road construction aids impoverished residents

22 December 2009
A cracked, flood-prone and sewage-infested stretch of road in a quarter of Port-au-Prince, the Haitian capital, has been transformed into a resurfaced, smooth and clean highway for cars and pedestrians, improving both the health and image of the area, thanks to a United Nations-backed works programme.

Climate of fear leads to impunity for criminals in Colombia, UN expert warns

17 December 2009
Despite important steps taken by the Colombian Government, a climate of fear pervades the country’s judicial system due to attacks and threats against the judiciary, victims and witnesses, a United Nations independent human rights expert warned today, calling for greater transparency, independence and more equal access to justice.
UN Photo/Susan Markisz

Venezuelan leader violates independence of judiciary – UN rights experts

16 December 2009
Decrying what they termed “a blow by President Hugo Chávez to the independence of judges and lawyers in the country,” three independent United Nations human rights experts today called for the immediate release of a Venezuelan judge arrested after ordering the conditional release of a prisoner held for almost three years without trial.

Joblessness plagues better educated youth in Latin America – UN report

11 December 2009
Even though young people aged 15 to 29 in the so-called Mercosur countries of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay are better educated than ever before they are more likely to be unemployed, while a Latin American youth is 30 times more likely to be murdered than one in Europe, according to a United Nations report released today.

Economic recovery in Latin America and Caribbean to be faster than expected – UN

10 December 2009
Latin America and the Caribbean will bounce back faster than expected from the global financial crisis, with growth projected at over 4 per cent next year, a regional United Nations agency for economic development announced today.
UNESCO

UNESCO chief speaks out at murder of another Mexican journalist

8 December 2009
The head of the United Nations agency tasked with defending press freedom has condemned the murder of Mexican journalist José Emilio Galindo Robles, the second such killing in less than one month.
UN Photo/Mark Garten

Singer-songwriter Stevie Wonder designated UN Messenger of Peace

1 December 2009
United States singer-songwriter Stevie Wonder is joining the prestigious roster of United Nations Messengers of Peace to advocate for the Organization’s work, with the artist – blind since birth – championing people with disabilities.