The United Nations Security Council today reiterated its condemnation of and demand for an end to all external support being provided to armed groups – in particular the group known as the March 23 Movement (M23) – which have been destabilizing the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) over recent months.
A new project launched today by the United Nations, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the German Government will seek to eradicate hunger in West Africa by increasing engagement and political commitment in the region.
The United Nations General Assembly has elected Argentina, Australia, Luxembourg, the Republic of Korea and Rwanda to serve as non-permanent members on the Security Council for two-year terms beginning on 1 January 2013.
Despite the growing number of nature reserves, national parks and other protected areas around the world, half of the globe’s richest biodiversity zones remain entirely unprotected, according to a United Nations report presented today.
A United Nations group of independent experts today urged countries to eliminate laws that classify adultery as a criminal offence, noting that they give rise to punishments that range from fines to flogging and death by stoning or hanging.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today paid tribute to a key figure in the formation of the United Nations, United States wartime President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who died just months before seeing his dream come true 67 years ago but whose global vision surmounting national boundaries still guides the world body.
The Middle East and North Africa will continue to present major human rights challenges – and opportunities – for “many years to come,” the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, said today, stressing in particular the need to do more to end the ongoing conflict in Syria.
The elimination of sexual violence in conflict is not impossible, a United Nations senior official said today, stressing that to fully eradicate this scourge there needs to be a stronger political will from governments as well as adequate legal frameworks in place to prosecute perpetrators.
Africa’s rise may see a decline in strong-man attitudes during electoral processes, according to a senior United Nations official who stressed that although elections have become more regular on the continent, their quality and credibility are increasingly being called to question.