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A draft law adopted today by Cambodia’s legislative wing “threatens the very existence of a free and independent civil society” and the crucial work that non-governmental organizations (NGOs) carry out in the country, the United Nations human rights office has warned.

The United Nations refugee agency today expressed great apprehension over the refugee situation in Greece – where more than 100,000 people have sought shelter so far in 2015 – saying that notwithstanding its difficulties, Greece, with assistance from wider Europe, has a duty to assist them.

With intensive bombardments and street fighting in Yemen forcing more than 3,600 schools across the country to close and disrupting education for some 1.8 million children, the top United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) official there appealed today to the warring parties to respect the safety of schools.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today welcomed the 70 winners of the United Nations-sponsored Many Languages, One World contest who wrote “inspired” essays in languages not their own about a new sustainable development path that will lead to an end to poverty and a life of dignity for all.

The United Nations General Assembly today marked Nelson Mandela International Day – which is observed on 18 July – by awarding the first-ever UN Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela Prize, recognizing the South African leader’s contributions to democracy, justice and reconciliation and his dedication to the service of humanity.

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned the twin suicide bombings that targeted the city of Maroua, the capital of Cameroon’s Extreme North province, on 22 July.

In retaliation for their activities in Venezuela and cooperation with United Nations and regional human rights bodies, a group of UN and Inter-American rights experts has underscored their condemnation at attempts by Venezuela’s State-controlled television to discredit and intimidate rights activists.

Mid-way through a four-day visit to assess the humanitarian situation in South Sudan, the United Nations Emergency Relief Coordinator reviewed aid operations in the warn-torn country today, stressing that “everything” should be done to protect civilians from violence.

Deeply concerned by escalating violence in southern Libya, the United Nations Support Mission in the crisis-torn country called for an immediate ceasefire today amid fighting that has claimed dozens of lives in recent weeks and is a “further reminder of the chaos engulfing Libya and the need for the main…actors to move quickly to reach a political settlement.”

The United Nations expert group on the use of mercenaries today convened a discussion at UN Headquarters in New York to address the issue of the increasing activity of foreign fighters – particularly towards understanding their motivations – and its impact on human rights.