Latest News

The prosecutor of the world’s first permanent court set up to try those accused of genocide and war crimes today voiced her deep concern about the worsening security situation in the Central African Republic (CAR) and reports of serious crimes being committed there.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has appointed Miguel de Serpa Soares of Portugal as Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs and United Nations Legal Counsel.

The release of 14 officials from the former government headed by Laurent Gbagbo in Côte d’Ivoire represents “a major step” on the path toward equitable justice and reconciliation in the country, a United Nations independent expert said today.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon underscored that the United Nations looked forward to continuing to work closely with the Government of South Sudan, including with the new members of President Salva Kiir’s cabinet once they are confirmed.

A group of United Nations independent experts today warned that the rule of law in the Central African Republic (CAR) is “almost non-existent” as abuses of power and human rights violations have become pervasive in the country.

The United Nations human rights office today said it is concerned about a recommendation to toughen punishments in Bahrain, including revoking the citizenship of anyone convicted of terrorist offenses.

Regional organizations must find ways to expand their cooperation and dialogue to address increasingly interconnected global challenges, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told a high-level debate in the Security Council today.

Two senior United Nations relief officials today called on the Government of Sudan to renew the work permits for international aid workers based in Darfur so they can resume protection and assistance to hundreds of thousands of displaced civilians in the region.

A record number of refugees and migrants arrived in Yemen during the first half of this year, the United Nations reported today, while also warning that it is increasingly dangerous for people to make the trip by boat from the Horn of Africa, and once in the country, they face many challenges such as sexual abuse and exploitation.

The United Nations human rights office today voiced concern at an amnesty bill being discussed this week in Thailand’s Parliament that, if adopted, could pardon people involved in serious rights violations during the political violence that occurred in April and May 2010.