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United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has today expressed support for and solidarity with the victims of torture and their families throughout the world, and underscored that torture must never be used under any circumstances, including during conflict or when national security is under threat.

Marking the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, United Nations Secretary-General today called for “a global response that is simultaneously effective, compassionate and humane,” to the challenges posed by the world drug problem.

In Kuwait today, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed concern over the situation in Yemen, urging the delegations involved in the UN-supported Yemeni peace talks to prevent a further deterioration of the situation and arrive at a comprehensive agreement ending the conflict.

Marking the Day of the Seafarer, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon highlighted the role of the shipping industry in moving forward the international agenda on sustainable development and climate change.

In Paris today, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on the countries of Europe as well as the international community at large to work towards a compassionate and humane solution to the problem of refugees and migrants, emphasizing that he counts on the European Union and Britain to continue as strong partners of the UN on development and humanitarian issues.

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he is deeply concerned about the current escalation of violence between the Sudan's People Liberation Army (SPLA) and armed groups, in Wau town and surrounding areas, in South Sudan.

The acting United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator in Libya, Dr. Syed Jaffar Hussain expressed deep concerns at recent attacks in Benghazi that put medical facilities at risk and urged all parties to take all feasible precautions to prevent casualties among patients and medical personnel.

Closer collaboration between the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and the UN Peacebuilding Commission is imperative in order to move forward on commitments in the sustainable development agenda and effectively address the specific challenges and needs of countries emerging from conflict, the President of ECOSOC said today.

Three United Nations human rights experts today urged Israeli lawmakers not to approve the bill that would, in effect, target non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that are critical of Government policy.

UN human rights experts on cultural rights and on freedom of expression have expressed concern at the imprisonment and imposition of heavy fines against three artists in the Islamic Republic of Iran earlier this month and have called for their immediate release.