Asia Pacific

Cambodia: Khmer Rouge couple selects lawyers for trial at UN-backed tribunal

13 November 2007
A former foreign minister of Cambodia and his wife have been brought before the United Nations-backed tribunal in the South-East Asian country that is trying Khmer Rouge leaders accused of mass killings and other crimes during their rule three decades ago.

Top UN human rights official to visit Afghanistan

13 November 2007
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour will visit Afghanistan from 15 to 21 November with the aim of engaging the country’s Government in its efforts to promote and protect human rights.
Ibrahim Gambari

Dialogue only way forward in resolving Myanmar crisis, says UN envoy

13 November 2007
The United Nations Special Envoy to Myanmar today urged the South-East Asian nation to immediately begin talks between the Government and the opposition, stressing that dialogue was the only way forward to address the country’s ongoing crisis.

Ban Ki-moon urges redoubling of efforts to resolve Myanmar crisis

12 November 2007
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today encouraged the Myanmar authorities and all relevant parties to redouble their efforts towards achieving national reconciliation, democracy and full respect for human rights.

Ex-foreign minister charged with war crimes by UN-backed Cambodia court

12 November 2007
The United Nations-backed tribunal in Cambodia trying Khmer Rouge leaders accused of mass killings and other crimes three decades ago announced today that a former foreign minister of the South-East Asian country and his wife have been arrested and charged.
UNHCR chief António Guterres

UN's top refugee official heads to Central Asia

9 November 2007
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees heads this weekend to Central Asia, where his agency is working to bring asylum procedures in line with international standards.

Pakistan must restore democratic rule, UN human rights experts urge

8 November 2007
Six United Nations human rights experts joined their voices today in a call for Pakistan to restore democratic rule and release leading judges, lawyers and others held in detention – including the UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, Asma Jahangir.

Timor-Leste: UN human rights report lauds progress but warns gains still fragile

8 November 2007
The United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) today released a report showing progress in promoting human rights in the nascent country while calling for further measures to help displaced persons and prevent impunity.
Louise Arbour

UN rights chief voices concern over Georgia's state of emergency

8 November 2007
Reacting with concern to the imposition of a state of emergency in Georgia, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights today said the independence of the country's Public Defender must be respected.

Terrorism cannot divert Afghanistan from path toward peace – Security Council

8 November 2007
The Security Council today strongly condemned the suicide attack which claimed the lives of numerous civilians in the northern Afghan town of Baghlan just days ago, reiterating that no act of terrorism can reverse the country’s path toward peace.