Peace and Security

Elizabeth Throssell, Spokesperson for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
UN News/Daniel Johnson

UN voices deep concern over reported deaths of protesters in Kingdom of Eswatini

6 July 2021
Africa

The eruption of violence in the Kingdom of Eswatini in recent days is “deeply concerning”, amid reports that dozens of people have been killed or injured during protests calling for democratic reforms, the UN human rights office, OHCHR, said on Tuesday. In a statement later in the day, the UN chief called for "inclusive and meaningful dialogue", to end the violence. 

A child carries empty jerry cans to fill with water from a nearby tap providing untreated water from the Nile river in Juba, South Sudan.
© UNICEF/Phil Hatcher-Moore

South Sudan: UNICEF warns of ‘desperation and hopelessness’ for children 10 years after independence

6 July 2021
Africa

Ten years after South Sudan achieved independence, more children there are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance than ever before, the UN Children’s Fund, UNICEF, said on Tuesday. 

Yeshialem Gebreegziabher, 27, holds her daughter, Kalkidan Yeman, 6 months old, who is suffering from malnutrition at Aby Adi Health center in the Tigray region of northern Ethiopia
© UNICEF

400,000 in Tigray cross 'threshold into famine', with nearly 2 million on the brink, Security Council told

2 July 2021
Africa

Senior UN officials appealed on Friday for immediate and unrestricted humanitarian access to Tigray – and for an end to deadly attacks on aid workers - as the Security Council held its first open meeting on the conflict in the restive northern Ethiopian region.

The World Food Programme (WFP) resumed its operations in the Tigray region of Ethiopia after fighting had halted its emergency response.
WFP/Rein Skullerud

‘Free, unfettered access’ needed to assist millions in war-torn Tigray

2 July 2021
Africa

The World Food Programme (WFP) has resumed operations in Ethiopia’s Tigray region, after fighting halted the emergency response last week, although the agency warned on Friday that “serious challenges” continue to threaten the entire humanitarian response.
 

Mother and daughter injured during a terrorist attack. (file)
UN News

Terrorists become increasingly ‘innovative’, in a world shaken by COVID-19

30 June 2021
Global

Despite “significant progress” in the fight against terrorism, the UN counter-terrorism chief warned on Wednesday that amidst new and more diverse threats, COVID-19 has triggered increased activity throughout many countries.

The UN Mission in South Sudan, known as UNMISS, works with the South Sudanese to protect civilians and build durable peace.
UNMISS/Isaac Billy

‘Highest standards of conduct’ required for successful UN peacekeeping 

29 June 2021
Global

Successful peacekeeping requires the “highest standards of conduct” by civilian and uniformed peacekeepers, the UN chief told a High-Level Meeting this week on Strengthening the Conduct of Peacekeeping Personnel. 

In today's digital era, governments are increasingly relying on digital surveillance technology to support national security.
© UNICEF/Elias

‘Remain vigilant’ against malicious technologies that could imperil future generations

29 June 2021
Global

With over 4.6 billion internet users around the world, digital advances continue to revolutionize human life, but “we must remain vigilant” in the face of malicious technologies that “could imperil the security of future generations”, the head of the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs (ODA) told the Security Council on Tuesday. 

A UN Human Rights Officer investigates human rights violations in the Menaka region of Mali.
UN Photo/Marco Dormino

Malian authorities urged to ‘break the cycle of impunity’ for human rights violations

29 June 2021
Africa

Rampant impunity for human rights violations in Mali is posing serious risks for the protection of civilians in the West African country, UN rights chief Michelle Bachelet said on Tuesday. 

Displaced people in Adigrat town, in the Tigray region of northern Ethiopia.
© UNICEF/Zerihun Sewunet

Hospitals barely functioning, famine still looming in Ethiopia’s Tigray region

29 June 2021

UN humanitarians expressed concern on Tuesday at the uncertain situation in Ethiopia's conflict-ravaged Tigray region despite a ceasefire call from the Government, highlighting the ongoing famine-like conditions there and the potential for disease outbreaks.

Member States must prioritize human rights, gender equality and civil society engagement when countering terrorism.
UNODC

Despite advances, terrorist threats continues to persist and diversify

28 June 2021
Global

Although the fight against terrorism has made important advances in thwarting attacks across the world, the UN chief said on Monday that threats continue to persist and diversify.