Peace and Security

UN News/Nyi Teza

Only ‘following orders’, no defence for any Myanmar atrocities: UN expert

10 February 2021
Asia Pacific

The UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar on Wednesday said that security forces in the country must “stand down before there are more casualties” among protesters, amid reports of use of lethal force against those demonstrating against last week’s military takeover. 

UN Photo/Violaine Martin

Libya: Security Council urges interim leadership to prepare for December polls

10 February 2021
Africa

The UN Security Council on Tuesday called on the new interim leadership of Libya to swiftly form an inclusive Government and make necessary preparations for December’s presidential and parliamentary elections. 

OCHA

Without ‘constructive international diplomacy’ Syria’s peace process will not move forward

9 February 2021
Middle East

 The UN Special Envoy for Syria said there had to be “constructive international diplomacy” if the peace process is to move forward in any way, appearing before the Security Council behind closed doors on Tuesday.  

Unsplash/Kyle Petzer

Myanmar: UN office expresses ‘strong concern’ at use of force against demonstrators

9 February 2021
Asia Pacific

The United Nations in Myanmar has voiced strong concerns over Tuesday’s reported use of force by security forces against demonstrators protesting the military takeover and arrests of elected leaders and politicians.

© UNICEF/Zerihun Sewunet

Ethiopia: Government approves ‘first step’ towards Tigray emergency assistance 

8 February 2021
Africa

UN agencies have received approval from the Ethiopian Government for 25 international staff to provide humanitarian assistance inside the country’s conflict-torn Tigray region, the UN Spokesperson said on Monday. 

© UNICEF/Delil Souleiman

‘Unknown number’ of foreign nationals have died in squalid Syrian camps, say rights experts

8 February 2021
Middle East

“An unknown number” of foreign nationals have died while being detained in squalid camps in Syria’s northeast, senior UN-appointed independent rights experts said on Monday.

OCHA/Mahmoud Fadel

US decision will provide ‘profound relief’ to millions in war-torn Yemen: UN spokesperson

7 February 2021
Middle East

The US announcement revoking the previous administration's terrorist designation of Yemen’s Houthi movement, formally known as Ansar Allah, will provide “profound relief” to millions in the country, who depend on international assistance and imports for their survival, the UN Spokesperson said on Saturday. 

Unsplash/Anjani Kumar

Myanmar: Respect right to peaceful assembly, UN human rights office says

6 February 2021
Asia Pacific

The United Nations human rights office (OHCHR) on Saturday called on the security forces in Myanmar to ensure that people’s right to peaceful assembly is fully respected and that demonstrations are not subjected to reprisals. 

UN Photo/Violaine Martin

Libya: ‘Historic moment’ as UN-led forum selects new interim leadership

5 February 2021
Africa

The 74-members of the UN-led Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF) have selected an interim Prime Minister and President of its new executive council, marking what the UN Special Representative called another “historic moment” on the road to unification of the war-torn country and national elections in December.

UN OCHA/Giles Clarke

UN welcomes US decision to ‘strengthen its diplomatic engagement’ towards Yemen peace deal 

5 February 2021
Middle East

The UN on Friday told journalists that it welcomed the decision by the United States “to strengthen it’s diplomatic engagement” and support efforts led by the UN Special Envoy for Yemen, to ends years of conflict there.