Millions impacted by ‘catastrophic and massive floods’ in Bangladesh
The destruction has prompted the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) to rush humanitarian relief items from its stockpiles in the country to help those in need. Over 18 million people in Bangladesh have been affected by these severe monsoon conditions, with more…
Asia-Pacific nations commit to ‘visionary blueprint’ for inclusive digital world
The Astana Ministerial Declaration, named after the conference host city in Kazakhstan, is particularly significant for the region marked by stark disparities in digital access and usage. While an estimated 96 per cent of the population in Asia and the…
Yemen: UN appeals for immediate release of staff held by de facto authorities
Issuing the appeal in Geneva on his behalf, Chief Spokesperson for his Office OHCHR, Ravina Shamdasani, “unequivocally” rejected the “false allegations” for which one staff member appeared to have been made to confess under duress. “These are completely made-up allegations,”…
Afghanistan: UN will ‘continue to engage’ with Taliban, following threat to withdraw cooperation
According to media reports, the Taliban “morality police” said earlier in the day that they would no longer cooperate with the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) because of criticism of the law adopted last week. UNAMA – alongside other…
In battle for development ‘you can count on us’, Guterres tells Timor-Leste, marking 25 years of self-determination
In a surprise move, legislators made the UN chief an honorary citizen of their southeast Asian island nation during the celebrations in the capital Dili, prompting the UN chief to declare he was proud to now be part of such…
Guterres highlights Timor-Leste’s ‘growing international influence’
António Guterres is there to take part in celebrations to mark 25 years on Friday since the country’s vote for independence, which was organised by the UN mission in what was then East Timor. Independence duly came in 2002 following…
Floods, landslides wreak havoc across South Asia
The worst affected regions are Chattogram and Sylhet, where major rivers are “flowing well above danger levels”, further aggravating the situation, according to the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF). Initial estimates suggest that around five million people – including two million…
In Timor-Leste, Guterres celebrates past unity and looks to the future
The UN chief was met at the airport by Timorese President José Ramos-Horta and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão with a musical celebration and full military honors. Public welcome Thousands lined the streets of the capital Dili as children greeted Mr….
Afghanistan: Condemnation for new Taliban ‘virtue and vice’ order targeting women
The “Law on the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice” silences women’s voices and deprives them of their autonomy, “effectively attempting to render them into faceless, voiceless shadows”, said Ravina Shamdasani, OHCHR’s Chief Spokesperson. “This is utterly intolerable,”…
China: UN rights office reiterates need to review national security framework
The 31 August 2022 report stated that violations had taken place in the context of the Government’s assertion that it was targeting terrorists among the Uyghur minority with a counter-extremism strategy, involving the use of so-called Vocational Educational and Training…