Asia Pacific

Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers Gabriela Knaul.
UN Photo/Jean-Marc Ferré

Bangladesh: UN human rights experts appeal for end to violence linked to court decisions

29 March 2013
A group of United Nations independent human rights experts today called for an immediate stop to violence in Bangladesh and a return to peaceful demonstrations following reported large-scale protests since early February.
Nuon Chea appears before the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia on 21 November 2011

Cambodia: UN-backed genocide court rules Nuon Chea fit for trial

29 March 2013
The trial chamber of the United Nations-backed court in Cambodia that is trying those accused of genocide and crimes against humanity today ruled that Nuon Chea, also knows as “Brother Number Two” to Khmer Rouge leader Pol Pot, is fit for trial.
Special Rapporteur Christof Heyns.
UN Photo/Jean-Marc Ferré

Independent UN human rights expert urges Indonesia to halt executions

28 March 2013
An independent United Nations human rights expert today urged the Indonesian Government to restrict the use of the death penalty, following the recent reported execution of a man convicted on drug charges.
IDPs register at the Jalozai Camp, Pakistan.
IRIN/Tim Irvin

After deadly attack, UN expert urges greater safety for Pakistan’s internally displaced

28 March 2013
Humanitarian camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs) must provide safe environments for those living and working there, a United Nations independent expert has stressed, adding that attacks such as the recent one on the Jalozai camp in Pakistan were “prohibited under all circumstances.”
OCHA Operations Director John Ging.
UN Photo/Evan Schneider

Myanmar: UN warns of humanitarian crisis amid continued inter-communal tensions

28 March 2013
Ahead of the monsoon season set to start in Myanmar in May, a senior United Nations humanitarian official today called for urgent help for more than 125,000 people displaced by inter-communal fighting in Rakhine state, a region he had just visited.
School children attending class at Noor Model School in Shamshatoo, Pakistan.
IRIN/Sumaira Jajja

Ban urges ‘redoubled’ safety measures amid increasing violence against teachers

28 March 2013
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today condemned the recent spate of fatal attacks on teachers in Pakistan, while voicing great concern about the growing trend of violence against educators around the world.
A woman rides a bicycle to work in Myanmar’s second city, Mandalay
IRIN/Jason Gutierrez

Myanmar authorities must do more to stop spread of violence – UN independent expert

28 March 2013
An independent United Nations human rights expert today called on the Government of Myanmar to take urgent steps to tackle the prejudice and discrimination fuelling violence and destruction between Muslim and Buddhist communities.

Ban honours late Bangladeshi President for his role in advancing country’s democracy

26 March 2013
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today paid tribute in the United Nations General Assembly to the late president of Bangladesh, Zillur Rahman, praising his political contributions to the country’s democratic transition.
UNHCR staff speak with refugees from Myanmar in a shelter for women and children in Songkhla, southern Thailand.
UNHCR/V. Tan

UN agency and partners aid Thai refugee camp after deadly fire

25 March 2013
The United Nations refugee agency and its partners are rushing aid to north-western Thailand, where a fire killed more than 30 people, wounded several others and destroyed thatched homes leaving thousands of people homeless in a remote refugee camp in Mae Hong Son province.
Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide Adama Dieng.
UN Photo/Rick Bajornas

Myanmar: UN official voices concern at reports of increased sectarian violence

25 March 2013
The United Nations Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide today voiced deep concern at reports of increased violence between Muslim and Buddhist communities in Myanmar, and called on leaders to promote respect for diversity and peaceful coexistence.