Asia Pacific

OHCHR spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani.
UN Multimedia

Maldives should repeal new regulation providing for death penalty, says UN rights office

29 April 2014
The United Nations human rights office today voiced deep concern about a new regulation in the Maldives that effectively overturns a 60-year moratorium on the use of capital punishment in the country and allows for children as young as seven to be sentenced to death for certain crimes.
Afghan voters at a polling centre in the capital, Kabul, on 5 April 2014.
UNAMA/Fardin Waezi

Senior UN official welcomes release of full preliminary results in Afghan vote

26 April 2014
The top United Nations official in Afghanistan is urging all presidential candidates and their supporters to display respect for the electoral process and the national electoral institutions after today's release of the full preliminary results from the 5 April poll.
Special Representative and Head of the UN Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) Ján Kubiš.
UN Photo/Paulo Filgueiras

Afghanistan: UN mission condemns deadly attack at Kabul hospital

25 April 2014
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has condemned the killing of three civilians by a gunman yesterday at a private hospital in Kabul.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe (file photo)

Myanmar continues to need global support during critical transition phase – Ban

25 April 2014
Continued international support for the efforts of the Government of Myanmar in the areas of democratization, socio-economic development and national reconciliation will be vital, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said, noting that despite positive changes, the country faces a number of serious challenges.
Garment workers at a factory in Bangladesh. Source: Screen capture from ILO video

Bangladesh: one year on, UN welcomes initial payments to survivors of factory collapse

23 April 2014
One year after the global garment industry’s worst industrial accident, the fund chaired by the United Nations to compensate victims of Bangladesh’s Rana Plaza factory collapse has begun issuing its initial round of payments, as efforts to address the root causes of the disaster continue.
Children living at the Market 3 IDP camp in the centre of Laiza town, Kachin state, Myanmar.
OCHA/Eva Modvig

Myanmar: UNICEF warns children of Kachin face growing threats due to recent fighting

22 April 2014
Recent fighting between Government forces and Kachin rebels in Myanmar, and the resulting displacement of thousands of people, has significantly increased the risks to young people, including possible recruitment, limited access to basic services and the threat of landmines, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) warned today.
UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova.
UN Photo/Amanda Voisard

UNESCO chief denounces killing of journalist in the Philippines

22 April 2014
The head of the United Nations agency tasked with defending press freedom has denounced the killing of journalist Rubylita Garcia and called on authorities in the Philippines to investigate the case.

UN welcomes safe return of two abducted staffers in Pakistan

21 April 2014
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) confirmed today that two of its national staff who were abducted last Thursday in the Pakistani port city of Karachi are now safe and well.
Women in line to vote during the 5 April 2014 elections in Afghanistan.
UNAMA/Zachary Golestani

Senior UN official calls for women to remain engaged in Afghan political life

21 April 2014
With the results still being counted from Afghanistan's recent presidential election, the top United Nations official in the country today urged efforts to ensure that women remain meaningfully engaged in the political process and improve political life there.
Sendai, Japan, which will host the Third World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in 2015.
UNISDR

Ahead of Sendai conference, Ban pushes for 2015 global agreement on disaster risk

16 April 2014
Disaster risk reduction and climate change are closely linked, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today stressed, reiterating to the world community his key priorities through the next year as preparations continue for the 2015 world conference on reducing risk from natural disasters.