Asia Pacific

Philippines: UN expert calls for more action to protect displaced people

13 November 2002
The Government of the Philippines has taken welcome strides in promoting democracy and human rights, but must be do more to protect the country's displaced people, a United Nations expert said today.
Kim Hak-Su, ESCAP

Use of modern technology for disaster management in Asia-Pacific focus of UN meeting

11 November 2002
Harnessing modern technology and increasing regional cooperation in disaster preparedness could save lives and help prevent some of the billions of dollars in property damage each year across Asia and the Pacific, United Nations officials stressed today at a meeting in Bangkok.

Afghanistan: UN welcomes release of 20 women prisoners

11 November 2002
The United Nations has welcomed a recent decree issued by Afghan President Hamid Karzai to pardon 20 women who were held in a Kabul prison on charges of committing minor crimes.

With international help, Timor-Leste making steady progress, Annan reports

11 November 2002
In the five months since independence, the people and leaders of Timor-Leste have continued to consolidate the foundations of their country, making steady progress with the help of the international community, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan says in a new report.

UN envoy to return to Myanmar to help national reconciliation process

8 November 2002
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan's Special Envoy for Myanmar is scheduled to travel next week to the country in his latest bid to help facilitate the national reconciliation process, a UN spokesman announced today.

UN development agency supports Afghanistan's efforts to draft constitution

7 November 2002
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) today provided Afghanistan's newly established Constitutional Commission with funds to cover its start-up operating costs.

'Micro-credit' pioneer named Goodwill Ambassador for UN AIDS agency

7 November 2002
The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) today announced the appointment of Mohammed Yunus, the pioneering founder of a "village bank," as a Goodwill Ambassador to help fight the epidemic around the world, especially among the poor.
Paulo Sergio Pinheiro

No talks yet on Myanmar's future, UN rights expert reports

7 November 2002
Sporadic talks between the Government of Myanmar and the leading opposition party have yet to result in the emergence of a structured political negotiation on the future of the country, a United Nations human rights expert said today.

Timor-Leste indicts militia members, Indonesian officers for 1999 crimes - UN mission

6 November 2002
The serious crimes unit in Timor-Leste today issued two new indictments, including the first-ever charges filed against Indonesian military officers for their conduct independent of their involvement with militia groups during the territory’s popular consultation in 1999, the United Nations Mission of Support in East Timor (UNMISET) announced today.
Special Rapporteur Kamal Hossain

Afghanistan needs financial support to prevent rights abuses: UN expert

6 November 2002
A United Nations human rights expert today made an urgent plea for international contributions to Afghanistan, arguing that without sufficient external support, the country will be unable to prevent abuses and secure civil liberties.