Asia Pacific

UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe

UN chief condemns latest violence in Pakistan, calls for perpetrators to be brought to justice

31 December 2012
Appalled by the “escalating terrorist violence” in Pakistan, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has spoken out on the matter, calling for those responsible to be held accountable, according to his spokesperson.
UN Photo/Jean-Marc Ferré

UN independent expert concerned over reports of intimidation of judges in Sri Lanka

31 December 2012
Intimidation and attacks against judges and judicial officers in Sri Lanka are increasing in what may constitute a threat to the independence of the justice system in the Asian country, a United Nations independent expert warned today.
UN Photo/Martine Perret

UN peacekeeping mission ends operations as Timor-Leste continues on path to ‘brighter’ future

31 December 2012
The United Nations peacekeeping mission in Timor-Leste today ended its operations, in line with the expiration of its mandate and amidst significant progress made in establishing peace and security in the country.
UN Photo/Violaine Martin

UN human rights chief calls for profound change in India in wake of gang-rape tragedy

31 December 2012
Expressing deep sadness at the death of a 23-year-old woman whose gang-rape in India has sparked nationwide protests there, the top United Nations human rights official today called for “urgent and rational debate” aimed at ending violence against women in the country.
UN Photo/Mark Garten

Ban offers condolences over death of Delhi student, urges reforms to deter violence against women

30 December 2012
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expresses “deep sorrow” over the death of a young Indian woman who was gang-raped in a bus in the city of New Delhi earlier this month, according to his spokesperson.
UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe (file photo)

Secretary-General condemns deadly attack at political rally in Pakistan

22 December 2012
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Saturday strongly condemned the suicide bombing in north-western Pakistan that killed 10 people, including prominent politician Bashir Bilour, and wounded 17 others.
UN Photo/Jean-Marc Ferré

Laos: UN urges Government to ensure safe return of missing human rights defender

21 December 2012
The United Nations today urged the Government of Laos to do everything possible to ensure that a prominent human rights defender who went missing a week ago is found safe and unharmed.
UNHCR Myanmar

On Myanmar visit, UN envoy meets civilians uprooted by Rakhine violence

20 December 2012
A United Nations envoy, Vijay Nambiar, has wrapped up a visit to Myanmar during which he was able to meet with people displaced by the inter-communal violence this year in Rakhine state, as well as discuss with the Government how to address the problems facing the communities there.
UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe

Timor-Leste: Security Council commends country’s progress towards democracy

19 December 2012
As the United Nations winds down its peacekeeping operation in Timor-Leste, the Security Council today applauded the “remarkable achievements” made by the small south-east Asian country as it transitioned over the past decade from a colonial enclave to an independent and democratic State.
UN Photo/Mark Garten

UN chief congratulates Park Geun-hye on election as new president of Republic of Korea

19 December 2012
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today warmly congratulated Park Geun-hye on her election as the next President of the Republic of Korea, and voiced his readiness to work with the new Government, according to his spokesperson.