Peace and Security

© UNICEF/Masoud Hasen

‘Put Syrians first…finally’, UN rights investigators urge after deadly decade of conflict

18 February 2021
Middle East

Along with an end to the “instrumentalization” of humanitarian aid, victims of Syria’s decade-long civil war and their families need justice to help rebuild their lives, Human Rights Council-appointed investigators said on Thursday.  

UNICEF

UN chief condemns attack on school in Nigeria

18 February 2021
Africa

The United Nations Secretary-General has strongly condemned Wednesday’s attack on a boarding school in north-central Nigeria in which one student was killed and several students, as well as relatives and staff, abducted. 

WFP/Hussam Al Saleh

Food insecurity in Syria reaches record levels: WFP

17 February 2021
Middle East

The number of Syrians who lack access to sufficient food has reached a record 12.4 million, or nearly 60 per cent of the population, the World Food Programme (WFP) reported on Wednesday, citing “alarming” new national data. 

RDIF/Stas Zalesov-Nakashidze

COVID-19 vaccination ‘wildly uneven and unfair’: UN Secretary-General

17 February 2021
Global

International partners working to achieve equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines appealed on Wednesday for the UN Security Council to ensure people caught in conflict have access to these lifesaving treatments.  

Unsplash/Kyle Petzer

Myanmar crisis: ‘Terrified’ UN rights expert sounds alarm ahead of expected protests

17 February 2021
Asia Pacific

The UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar has warned of the potential for a sharp uptick in violence on Wednesday, as protests continue against the 1 February military takeover of the government. 

UNEP/Duncan Moore

UN, African Union urge Somali leaders to resume talks to overcome political impasse

16 February 2021
Africa

The United Nations Secretary-General and the Chairperson of the African Union Commission called on Somali leaders, on Tuesday, to resume dialogue to resolve outstanding differences concerning elections in the country. 

UNAMI/Salar Brifkani

Transparency must rule Iraqi elections, ‘loyalties cannot be for sale’, Security Council hears

16 February 2021
Middle East

A deadly rocket attack on Monday night in Erbil drew condemnation from the UN envoy in Iraq, who told the Security Council on Tuesday that “such reckless attempts to inflame tensions pose grave threats” to the country’s security. 

FAO/Luis Tato

Secretary-General underscores need for peace and stability in Africa’s Sahel region

16 February 2021
Africa

The UN Secretary-General has underlined his concern for Africa’s Sahel region, where deteriorating security and violence are aggravating an already difficult humanitarian situation that is unfolding amid the COVID-19 pandemic and climate emergency. 

Unsplash/Anjani Kumar

Myanmar: ‘World is watching’, UN Special Envoy urges military to refrain from violence

16 February 2021
Asia Pacific

Amidst ongoing protests against a military takeover on 1 February, the UN Special Envoy on Myanmar has called on the country’s military leadership to refrain from violence and fully respect human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law. 

UNAMA/Freshta Dunia

Afghanistan: 65 media workers, rights defenders killed since 2018

15 February 2021
Asia Pacific

Sixty-five journalists, media professionals and human rights defenders were killed in Afghanistan between 1 January 2018 and 31 January 2021, with 11 losing their lives since the start of peace negotiations last September, the UN Mission in the country said on Monday.