Americas

UN applauds decision of United States to join landmark disability pact

31 July 2009
The United Nations has welcomed the signing by the United States of the landmark treaty to protect and promote the rights of the world’s estimated 650 million people with disabilities.

Political interference mars justice in Venezuela, says UN rights expert

30 July 2009
An independent United Nations human rights expert today described the situation of justice in Venezuela as “worrying,” citing political interference with the work of judges and prosecutors in the South American nation.

Rule of law focus of UN-backed training in Caribbean

21 July 2009
The United Nations has helped train nearly 90 officials of Caribbean Community (CARICOM) nations on the consolidation and advancement of the rule of law, a top priority of Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

UN mourns passing of US television anchorman committed to press freedom

20 July 2009
The head of the United Nations Department of Public Information (DPI) today paid tribute to the United States journalist Walter Cronkite, best renowned for his work as a television anchorman, who has died aged 92.

Constraints on press freedom must be lifted in Honduras, says UNESCO chief

15 July 2009
The head of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) today called for restrictions on press freedom to be lifted in Honduras, where President José Manuel Zelaya Rosales was ousted by the military last month.

Honduras: Ban voices support for efforts to end political crisis

14 July 2009
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has expressed his support for the Costa Rican leader’s mediation efforts to resolve the political crisis in Honduras, where President José Manuel Zelaya Rosales was ousted by the military last month.

Costa Rican boats allowed to travel along border river after UN World Court ruling

13 July 2009
Costa Rican tourist and commercial boats have the right to travel along the river that defines part of its border with Nicaragua, but Nicaragua has the right to regulate the river traffic, the United Nations’ top court ruled today.

UN expert criticizes actions of authorities, Supreme Court in Honduras

10 July 2009
An independent United Nations human rights expert has criticized the actions of the de facto authorities in Honduras, and the behaviour of the Supreme Court, and called for an immediate return to the rule of law following the recent coup d’état.

Bill Clinton wraps up first visit to Haiti as UN special envoy

8 July 2009
Former United States President Bill Clinton is wrapping up a three-day visit to Haiti today, his first since being appointed United Nations Special Envoy for the impoverished Caribbean nation.

In Haiti, UN envoy Bill Clinton visits city devastated by hurricane

7 July 2009
The United Nations Special Envoy to Haiti, the former United States president Bill Clinton, today visited the city of Gonaïves – which was devastated by floods last year – as part of his efforts to boost hurricane preparedness and job creation in the impoverished Caribbean nation.