Justice officer from DR Congo mission wins UN Trailblazer award
First awarded in 2022, it acknowledges the exceptional contributions made by women justice and corrections officers serving from Member States across the world, who challenge gender stereotypes and barriers. In an interview with UN News, Major Bouzi said she was…
Rights chief urges Russia to end crackdown as journalist detentions reach all-time high
Volker Türk said he was concerned by the increasing number of journalists charged, convicted and jailed for their independent reporting, in what appears to be an intensification of a crackdown on dissenting voices. He described the continuous attacks on free speech and the criminalization…
Journey into the unknown: Thousands of Gazan families flee Rafah
Stranded, their homes demolished, loved ones killed and repeatedly displaced on their land, they had sought refuge in Rafah in the far southern reaches of the Strip to escape death and destruction and to find a safe place that does…
Unexploded ordnance leaves dark legacy for Gaza, warn mine action experts
Briefing reporters late last month, UN Mine Action Service officers said the war has already left behind around 37 million tonnes of debris, and it could take 14 years to make Gaza safe from unexploded bombs. The development comes amid…
UN and partners issue urgent funding appeal for Yemen
Nine years of war have left over half the population – 18.2 million people, mainly women and children – in need of assistance and protection services. The humanitarian response in Yemen is among the largest in the world, yet a…
UN pledges to stand with Gazans amid reports Hamas has accepted ceasefire deal
Multiple news outlets have reported that Hamas’s supreme leader, Ismail Haniyeh, had confirmed the militant group’s acceptance of what it stated were Israel’s ceasefire terms in a phone call with Qatar’s Prime Minister and a senior Egyptian minister. The two…
Trafficking in the Sahel: Cracking down on illicit drugs
In this feature, part of a series exploring trafficking in the Sahel, UN News focuses on the illicit drug trade. According to a new report from the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), drug trafficking in the Sahel continues to hinder…
First Person: Women in Madagascar too ashamed to seek help giving birth
The predominantly rural region of Androy has been beset by a series of humanitarian crises which have affected the most vulnerable people there, including mothers-to-be, however the delivery of simple, inexpensive maternity kits is encouraging more women to access a…
‘Our voices need to be included’: Trinidadian youth make case for strong role in climate negotiations
Small island developing States are particularly vulnerable to climate change consequences, such as rising sea levels and heavy rains that cause flooding, increasing ocean temperatures that affect coral reefs and fishing and frequent hurricanes destroying homes and livelihoods. These countries…
Pillay: Israel is helped by ‘powerful States’ in violation of Palestinians’ rights
When tensions erupted in East Jerusalem in April 2021 at the beginning of the holy Muslim month of Ramadan, daily clashes involving Palestinians, Israeli settlers and Israeli forces led to spiraling violence and death. In response, the Human Rights Council…