Asia Pacific

UN calls on Iraq to halt executions

6 May 2009
In the wake of this weekend’s executions of a dozen convicted criminals in Iraq, the United Nations urged the Government to stop the use of the death penalty, at least until fair trials can be guaranteed.

Top UN envoy voices concern about reported Afghan civilian casualties

6 May 2009
The top United Nations official in Afghanistan today expressed his serious concern about reports of civilian casualties and fighting that took place in the country’s western Farah province on Monday.
Basic Shelter: a displaced girl looks shyly from her family's tent at a camp in Pakistan's North West Frontier Province

UN refugee chief concerned at plight of displaced in north-west Pakistan

6 May 2009
The United Nations refugee chief today voiced his deep concern at the plight of tens of thousands of civilians uprooted by the ongoing conflict in north-western Pakistan, as his agency steps up its humanitarian assistance to the region.
Displaced Sri Lankan civilians at a special site near the town of Vavuniya

Sri Lanka's displaced now numbers over 192,000, UN reports

6 May 2009
The United Nations humanitarian wing said today that over 192,000 people have fled the conflict zone in northern Sri Lanka, where clashes continue between Government forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).
Raquel Rolnik, Special Rapporteur on adequate housing
UN Photo/Ryan Brown

Forced evictions contravene human rights standards, UN expert tells Cambodia

6 May 2009
Human Rights

An independent United Nations human rights expert today expressed her extreme concern about the threatened eviction of nearly 100 families in Phnom Penh, and called on the Cambodian authorities to halt this practice pending a review of current policies.

Civilians continue to flee fighting in the north of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka: UN launches $50 million appeal for growing mass of displaced

5 May 2009
The United Nations and Government of Sri Lanka today announced the launch of a $50 million appeal to meet the urgent humanitarian needs of the rising number of desperate civilians fleeing the fighting in the north between the army and Tamil separatist rebels.
The Republic of Maldives, one of the countries most affected by climate change

Maldives joins UN emissions scheme in drive to be first carbon neutral country

5 May 2009
The Maldives, one of the countries most affected by climate change, has joined a United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) initiative which promotes the global transition to low-carbon economies and societies.
In 2006, the Maoist rebels and Nepalese government signed an historic peace agreement

Climate of mistrust threatening Nepal's peace process, says top UN envoy

5 May 2009
All parties in Nepal must work urgently to rebuild trust and achieve consensus, the top United Nations official in the country said today, warning that the crisis sparked by the Prime Minister’s resignation threatens the gains made so far in the peace process.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

Ban regrets DPR Korea rocket launch, calls for dialogue

4 May 2009
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today expressed his regret that the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK) has, against strong international appeals, proceeded with its planned rocket launch, urging the resumption of diplomatic talks.
Voting in Nepal's Constituent Assembly elections

Nepal: Ban concerned over fallout from resignation of Prime Minister

4 May 2009
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has voiced sadness over the turn of events that led to the resignation today of the Prime Minister of Nepal, and has called on all concerned to resolve the crisis through dialogue and consensus.