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Asia Pacific

Systemic gender oppression in Afghanistan may amount to crimes against humanity

The de facto authorities in Afghanistan, the Taliban, swept back into power in August 2021 and swiftly began curtailing women’s rights, including imposing stricter dress codes, banning higher education for girls, excluding women from the job market, and restricting freedom…

Taliban assault on women’s rights continues in Afghanistan

On Thursday, UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) spokesperson Liz Throssell revealed that in its latest act of disempowerment, de facto authorities have told women civil servants prohibited from working that despite qualifications or experience, their salaries will now be cut…

Life in DPR Korea still ‘daily struggle devoid of hope’ warns human rights chief

Ambassadors held an open meeting on human rights in the country, commonly known as North Korea, convened by Japan, the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States. China and Russia opposed the meeting and called for a…

UN chief condemns escalating violence and civilian attacks in Myanmar

UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said the Secretary-General “strongly condemns” recent attacks by the Myanmar military in Rakhine State and Sagaing Region that have reportedly claimed the lives of many civilians. “The Secretary-General is deeply concerned about the widening regional ramifications…

UN official urges DPR Korea to halt missile activities and return to dialogue

At 10:45 PM local time on 27 May, the DPRK, also known as North Korea, conducted what it described as “the launch of reconnaissance satellite Malligyong-1-1 aboard the new-type satellite carrier rocket” from the Sohae Satellite Launching Station. According to…

Human rights experts highlight threats to journalists covering Iran

The experts highlighted recent incidents targeting the Persian language news service Iran International, its journalists and staff, and its owner Volant Media UK Limited. Death threats and intimidation against the staff escalated into the violent stabbing of journalist Pouria Zeraati…

UN supports response as Cyclone Remal batters communities in Bangladesh, India

At least 16 people are reported to have been killed as the region was hit by Cyclone Remal on Sunday evening, local time, bringing gales of over 110 kilometres per hour (about 70 miles per hour), torrential rain and storm…

UN supports Papua New Guinea following deadly landslide

Six bodies have been recovered so far and the number is expected to increase, the UN Country Team (UNCT) said on Tuesday.  The total affected population, including those in need of possible evacuation and relocation, has been estimated at 7,849…

UN hub reaches remote Pacific islanders: A UN Resident Coordinator blog

“They do not want to leave their ancestral places, even if they go under,” said Jaap van Hierden. © Eunie Kim Jaap van Hierden, UN Resident Coordinator in Micronesia. Appointed by the Secretary-General as the first UN Resident Coordinator for the…

Papua New Guinea landslide: 670 feared dead, says UN migration agency

In a media interview, Mr. Aktoprak said that the community in Yambali village, situated at the foot of a mountain in the remote Enga Province, is buried under between six to eight metres of soil. 150 houses are believed to…