Asia Pacific

Some of those risking their lives on high seas voyages set off from waterways like this one in Rakhine state, Myanmar.
UNHCR/V. Tan

UN voices concern at reports of shooting of Rohingya boat people by Thai Navy

15 March 2013
The United Nations human rights office today voiced concern at reports that the Thai Navy shot dead at least two Rohingya asylum-seekers who fled northern Myanmar by boat.
Special Rapporteur Ben Emmerson.
UN Photo/Jean-Marc Ferré

International community must heed Pakistan's concerns over drones, says UN expert

15 March 2013
The United States' ongoing drone campaign in Pakistan is a violation of the South Asian nation's sovereignty, as it is being conducted without the consent of its elected representatives or that of the legitimate Government, a United Nations independent expert has warned.
Children at a home in north eastern Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK).
UNICEF/Gopalan Balagopal

External aid essential for subsistence of millions in DPR Korea – UN official

15 March 2013
The well-being of millions of people in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) still depends on external assistance, a United Nations humanitarian official said today, warning that without aid, their health and food security would be seriously compromised.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
UN Photo/Rick Bajornas

UN chief congratulates Xi Jinping on election as President of China

15 March 2013
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today congratulated Xi Jinping on his election as President of the People's Republic of China by the National People's Congress.
Ieng Sary appears before the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia on 22 November 2011

Cambodia: UN-backed genocide court terminates charges after death of accused

14 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 terminated the proceedings against former foreign minister Ieng Sary, who died this morning after being hospitalized since 4 March.
Internally displaced people in Kachin state, Myanmar, receive aid.
UN Myanmar

Myanmar: Ban encourages parties to reach ceasefire to end conflict in Kachin

14 March 2013
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today welcomed the outcome of the recent discussions in China between Myanmar’s peacemaking committee and the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) and their agreement to work toward a lasting ceasefire.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
UN Photo/Mark Garten

Nepal: Ban welcomes appointment of interim body to end political stalemate

14 March 2013
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today welcomed the appointment of an interim electoral council in Nepal, which he said could end the political stalemate that has stalled implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement that ended a civil war in 2007.
A UNHCR-supported camp in northern Myanmar for people displaced by conflict in Kachin state.
UNHCR/A. Kirchhof

Independent UN expert warns of significant human rights shortcomings in Myanmar

11 March 2013
Ongoing reforms in Myanmar are improving the human rights situation in the country, but a large gap still remains between these efforts and their implementation on the ground, a United Nations independent expert said today.
Special Rapporteur Marzuki Darusman.
UN Photo/Jean-Marc Ferré

Rights abuses in DPR Korea may amount to crimes against humanity – UN expert

11 March 2013
Many of the systematic patterns of human rights violations documented in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) may constitute crimes against humanity, an independent United Nations expert said today.
UN Spokesperson Martin Nesirky.
UN Photo/Paulo Filgueiras

UN chief calls on DPR Korea to continue to abide by Korean War truce

11 March 2013
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) to continue to respect the terms of the 1953 Armistice Agreement that ended the Korean War, amid the country’s reported claims that the pact is nullified.