Asia Pacific

UN rights expert calls on Singapore not to execute convicted drug trafficker

15 November 2005
A United Nations human rights expert today called on the Government of Singapore not to execute a man sentenced to death for attempting to traffic heroin, declaring that the execution violate international legal standards.

UN human rights chief voices concern over convictions in Uzbek unrest trial

15 November 2005
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour has voiced concern over the conviction in Uzbekistan of 15 men accused of crimes in connection with unrest in the city of Andijan in May, saying the trial had been marred by allegations of irregularities and serious questions remained about its fairness.
A 'Quake Jumper' in the Kaghan valley

Pakistan: from ‘Quake Jumpers’ to relay trucks, UN rushes in relief as snows fall

15 November 2005
From Chinook helicopters to four-wheel-drive relay trucks to specialized teams of ‘Quake Jumpers,’ the United Nations is pulling out all the stops to rush in aid to the victims of Pakistan’s devastating earthquake as the winter snow line drops by the day and rain at lower elevations makes life cold and miserable.

UN rights expert on Belarus calls for investigation of murder of journalists

15 November 2005
A United Nations human rights expert has urged the Government of Belarus to bring to justice those responsible for the recent murders of two journalists and to put an end to the persecution of non-State media in the country.

UNDP chief holds talks in Bangkok on Thailand's move from aid recipient to donor

15 November 2005
The new head the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is in Thailand to discuss with senior Thai officials the country's status as an emerging donor.
Kofi Annan

Annan condemns suicide bombings against international forces in Afghanistan

14 November 2005
Reacting with concern to the upsurge in violence in Afghanistan, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan strongly condemned the suicide bombing attacks carried out against the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Kabul today.

Pakistan: UN launches shelter initiative for quake victims at high altitudes

14 November 2005
Continuing its relief efforts for the victims of last month's devastating earthquake in Pakistan, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) launched an initiative this week to help 30,000 families in high altitude areas to build locally designed winterized shelters from the rubble of their homes and locally available materials.
UN helicopter delivers food aid

Pakistan: with winter raising disease risk, UN quake appeal faces huge shortfall

11 November 2005
With freezing rains speeding up the race against winter and disease among hundreds of thousands of survivors of Pakistan's devastating earthquake, the United Nations has so far received in contributions and commitments less than a fifth of the $550 million it needs to aid up to 3 million people left homeless by the disaster.

Nepal: UN rights official urges Government to repeal code for social groups

10 November 2005
In the latest United Nations expression of concern over events in Nepal, a senior human rights official today called on the Government to withdraw a draft code of conduct for all national and international ‘social organizations,’ declaring it would violate the Himalayan kingdom’s international obligations.
Vitit Muntarbhorn

UN expert urges DPR Korea to take a range of measures on human rights

10 November 2005
In the effort to improve the human rights situation in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), a rights expert today urged Pyongyang to invite him and other United Nations-mandated personnel to visit the country.