Asia Pacific

Photo: UNAIDS
UNAIDS

Kyrgyzstan: UN rights experts urge Parliament to withdraw anti-gay bill

26 November 2014
A group of United Nations human rights experts have urged the Parliament of Kyrgyzstan to reject a bill that would introduce criminal and administrative sanctions for acts aimed at forming “a positive attitude towards non-traditional sexual orientation,” warning that the proposed law would go against the country’s human rights obligations and commitments.
Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers Gabriela Knaul.
UN Photo/Jean-Marc Ferré

Timor-Leste: UN expert warns dismissal of judicial officials may have ‘chilling effect’

25 November 2014
The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, Gabriela Knaul, today warned that the audit of the justice sector and the dismissal of all international judicial personnel from Timor-Leste puts at risk the independence of the judiciary in the country.
Nicholas Haysom, UN Special Representative for Afghanistan.
Fardin Waezi/UNAMA

Afghanistan: UN strongly condemns suicide bombing at volleyball match

24 November 2014
A brutal terrorist attack which killed at least 50 civilians in Afghanistan over the weekend is an “atrocity” and may amount to a war crime, the top United Nations envoy to the country declared today as he condemned the indiscriminate suicide bombing in “the strongest terms.”
Nukunonu Atoll seaside is one of the regions of the world vulnerable to the impact of the climate change.
UN Photo/Ariane Rummery (file photo)

UN warns Pacific islands of extreme weather risks during upcoming wet season

21 November 2014
Extreme weather conditions predicted for the Pacific Ocean pose a significant threat for island states' industry and infrastructure, warns a new advisory note from the United Nations, encouraging the establishment of a regional mechanism for better preparedness.
IAEA marine experts and Japanese scientists collect water samples in coastal waters near the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station.
IAEA/Petr Pavlicek

UN agency chief reports on Iran, DPR Korea nuclear files, measures to curb climate change

20 November 2014
The safe and limited use of nuclear energy can help reduce the impact global energy demand is having on our planet’s volatile climate, the head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog said today as he launched his agency’s latest report on the issue and discussed the nuclear programmes of Iran and the Democratic republic of Korea (DPRK).
Photo: UNESCAP/UN Women
UNESCAP/UN Women

UN Asia-Pacific forum opens meeting to advance gender equality

19 November 2014
More than 700 representatives from governments, inter-governmental organizations, UN bodies and civil society in Asia and the Pacific began meeting today to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment with the keynote speaker highlighting the urgency of eliminating violence against women and girls.
Cambodia’s landless: a community in the coastal town of Sihanoukville has been forced to live in a ditch after their homes were burnt down by a land developer.
IRIN/Rebecca Murray

Cambodia: UN expert voices concern over judicial independence amid ‘arbitrary’ arrests

18 November 2014
The United Nations expert on the situation of human rights in Cambodia today urged the Southeast Asian country’s Government to respect the independence of its judiciary after a recent series of arrests and immediate convictions of land activists and opposition party members.
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) pride march.
OHCHR/Joseph Smida

UN welcomes Malaysia’s court ruling to decriminalizes transgender women

14 November 2014
The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) today welcomed the recent judgment by the Court of Appeal of Malaysia that declared unconstitutional the criminalization of Muslim transgender women for cross-dressing.
Special Rapporteur on violence against women, Rashida Manjoo, addresses a press conference in Kabul, Afghanistan.
UNAMA/Fardin Waezi

Afghanistan: UN expert calls for sustainable measures to address violence against women

13 November 2014
The United Nations Special Rapporteur on violence against women, Rashida Manjoo, has called on the Government of Afghanistan and the international community to adopt sustainable measures to address the causes and consequences of gender-based violence in the country.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon meeting with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar in November 2014.
UN Photo/Rick Bajornas (file)

World will benefit greatly from more future-oriented, integrated Asia – Ban

13 November 2014
Asia – and indeed the world – will benefit greatly from a future-oriented Asian region that is ever more integrated, engaged and assuming greater responsibilities commensurate with its clout, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today, addressing a regional summit in Myanmar.