UN RIGHTS CHIEF
A Taliban delegation attends a UN-led meeting in Qatar on Afghanistan, with women excluded
The Taliban were not invited to the first meeting, and U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said they set unacceptable conditions for attending the second one in February, including demands that Afghan civil society members be excluded from the talks and that the Taliban be treated as the country's legitimate rulers. The Taliban seized power in August 2021 as U.S. and NATO forces were in the final weeks of their pullout from the country following two decades of war.
UN unveils principles for fighting online disinformation
The United Nations on Monday published principles for fighting online disinformation, including an overhaul of the advertising model of social media networks. After consultations with a variety of actors in the field, the United Nations has now published broad principles -- although with no enforcement mechanisms.
UN chief tells consumer tech firms: own the harm your products cause
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres demands accountability from tech giants for the harm caused by their products and social media platforms. He launches U.N. global principles for information integrity to combat misinformation and hate speech.
US and allies clash with Tehran and Moscow over Iranian nuclear programme at UN Security Council
The United States and key European allies clashed with Iran and Russia over Tehran's expanding nuclear program The US vowed to prevent a nuclear-armed Iran in a UN Security Council meeting. The US and its allies accused Iran of escalating nuclear activities beyond limits agreed upon in a 2015 deal. Iran and Russia defended Tehran's nuclear program oversight and blamed the US for sanctions.
UN probe accuses Israel of crimes against humanity, Hamas of war crimes
A UN investigation found that Israel committed crimes against humanity, including "extermination", during the Gaza war, with both Israeli and Palestinian armed groups committing war crimes. The report detailed atrocities, including murder, torture, and gender persecution. Israel rejected the findings, accusing the UN of bias. The report calls for accountability and cessation of hostilities.
UN says Israeli forces and Palestinian armed groups may have committed war crimes in a deadly raid
Office spokesman Jeremy Laurence expressed concerns about possible violations of rules of proportionality, distinction and precaution by the Israeli forces in Saturday's raid at the urban Nuseirat refugee camp. Palestinian health officials say at least 274 Palestinians, including dozens of women and children, were killed in the operation.
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UN chief 'strongly condemns' Myanmar military attacks on civilians
UN chief Antonio Guterres condemns recent attacks by Myanmar's military in Rakhine state, calls for an end to Rohingya persecution and restoration of communication services. The Arakan Army clashed with junta forces, ending a ceasefire since the 2021 coup. Around 2.7 million people displaced due to the conflict.
Israel bombs Gaza as mediators to discuss truce-hostage plan
Israel's military intensified air strikes in central Gaza while US, Qatari, and Egyptian mediators prepared for truce and hostage release talks. The situation remained tense in east Jerusalem due to Israel's "flag March," which has previously led to clashes. The ongoing Gaza conflict, triggered by Hamas's October 7 attack on southern Israel, has resulted in significant casualties and destruction. Amid renewed fighting, the US proposed a three-phase plan to exchange hostages for Palestinian prisoners and increase aid, but Hamas demands a permanent truce and full Israeli withdrawal.
North Korea flies trash balloons over the South as leader Kim doubles down on satellite ambitions
North Korea launched hundreds of trash-filled balloons into South Korea, prompting chemical and explosive response teams to recover the debris. This act follows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's push to overcome a failed satellite launch and develop reconnaissance capabilities. Kim criticized South Korea's military exercises and warned of "stern" actions.
UN chief Antonio Guterres condemns Israeli strike in Rafah, says 'horror must stop'
UN Secretary-General and High Commissioner for Human Rights condemn Israeli strike in Rafah. 45 killed in Gaza camp. IDF targeted Hamas officials. Netanyahu acknowledges 'tragic mistake.' Paramedics, firefighters respond in safe zones. Sirens in Tel Aviv.
EU foreign chief says Israel must respect UN court, control settler violence in the West Bank
Borrell insisted Israel had driven the Palestinians to the edge of a catastrophe because "the situation in Gaza is beyond words. The occupied West Bank is on the brink, risking an explosion any time." While most of the global attention is centered on Gaza, Borrell said that "we should not forget what's happening in the West Bank," where the seat of the Palestinian Authority is based.
India benefiting from more investments coming into the country as less foreign investment going into China: UN expert
The UN highlighted India's 'very robust' economic growth, positioning it as an alternative investment destination for western companies. With less foreign investment going into China, India is attracting more western investments, solidifying its position as a key investment source.
Full-scale Rafah offensive 'cannot take place': UN rights chief
UN human rights chief criticizes a potential Israeli assault on Rafah, highlighting violations of international law and the impact on civilians. The situation in Gaza remains dire with concerns over displacement, atrocity crimes, and the need for a ceasefire.
Israel says it reopened a key Gaza crossing after a rocket attack but the UN says no aid has entered
The Israeli military reopened the Kerem Shalom crossing into Gaza after days of closure, but no humanitarian aid has entered yet, and there is no one to receive it on the Palestinian side after workers fled during Israel's military incursion. The closure, prompted by a Hamas rocket attack that killed four Israeli soldiers, has raised concerns about aid operations in Gaza. The U.S. paused a bomb shipment to Israel last week over fears of a full-scale assault on Rafah, further straining U.S.-Israel relations.
China accused of influencing votes at UN to serve its interests, whistleblower claims
A former employee of the UN's Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has submitted evidence alleging that China is attempting to reshape the international order by influencing multilateral institutions like the UN. The evidence suggests that Beijing is using its influence to silence discussions on sensitive topics and manipulate reports to align with its priorities, including downplaying issues related to human rights and democracy. The UK Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee is investigating these allegations as part of its inquiry into international relations in the multilateral system.
World cannot afford another war: UN chief Guterres on Iran's attack on Israel
The UN chief urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint to avoid any action that could lead to major military confrontations on multiple fronts in the Middle East.
Middle East, world cannot 'afford more war,' says UN chief Guterres
"The Middle East is on the brink," he told the Security Council. "The people of the region are confronting a real danger of a devastating full-scale conflict. Now is the time to defuse and de-escalate," he added, calling for "maximum restraint." Late on Saturday, Iran launched a direct attack on its long-time arch-foe Israel for the first time, firing a wave of more than 300 missiles and drones.
U.N. climate chief says two years to save the planet
Governments, business leaders and development banks have two years to take action to avert far worse climate change, the U.N.'s climate chief said on Wednesday, in a speech that warned global warming is slipping down politicians' agendas.
UN climate chief presses for faster action, says humans have 2 years left 'to save the world'
Humanity has only two years left "to save the world" by making dramatic changes in the way it spews heat-trapping emissions and it has even less time to act to get the finances behind such a massive shift, the head of the United Nations climate agency said on Wednesday. With governments of the world facing a 2025 deadline for new and stronger plans to curb carbon pollution, nearly half of the world's populations voting in elections this year, and crucial global finance meetings later this month in Washington, United Nations.
Hope that in India 'everyone's rights' are 'protected', people are able to vote in 'free & fair' atmosphere: UN Spokesperson
"What we very much hope that in India, as in any country that is having elections, that everyone's rights are protected, including political and civil rights, and everyone is able to vote in an atmosphere that is free and fair," Dujarric said at the daily press briefing Thursday.
Haiti now needs up to 5,000 police to help tackle 'catastrophic' gang violence , UN expert says
Last July, William O'Neill said Haiti needed between 1,000 and 2,000 international police trained to deal with gangs. Today, he said the situation is so much worse that double that number and more are needed to help the Haitian National Police regain control of security and curb human rights abuses.
UN chief to visit Gaza border as Israel vows to go ahead with Rafah attack
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is set to visit Egypt's border with Gaza on Saturday, following Israel's announcement that it would send troops to fight Hamas in Rafah, even without US support. Despite warnings that such an invasion would cause mass civilian casualties and worsen the humanitarian crisis, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he must press ahead with the attack.
Israeli settlements expand by record amount, UN rights chief says
Israeli settlements expand in the occupied Palestinian territories, risking a viable Palestinian state. Transfer of population is a war crime. Settlement-related violence reaches shocking levels after deadly Hamas attacks. UN monitoring shows increase in settler and state violence. Israeli counter-terrorism operations threaten Palestinian statehood.
Humanitarian crises demand lasting solutions, says EAM Jaishankar
Addressing the 55th session of the UN Human Rights Council via video link on Monday night, external affairs minister S Jaishankar said it must be clear, at the same time, that terrorism and hostage-taking are unacceptable and that international humanitarian law must always be respected.
UN's secretary general warns the world is becoming 'less safe by the day'
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed concern over combatants in regions like Congo, Gaza, Myanmar, Ukraine, and Sudan ignoring international law. He called for greater respect for human rights and peace worldwide, emphasizing that the world is becoming "less safe by the day." Guterres highlighted the importance of human rights amidst increasing conflicts, advocating for debt relief for the poorest countries and increased spending to combat climate change. The UN's top human rights body, the Human Rights Council, opened its latest session amidst these challenges.
Security Council 'perhaps fatally' undermined by Gaza, Ukraine deadlock, says UN chief
Speaking at the opening of the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva, Guterres said the U.N. Security Council often found itself deadlocked and "unable to act on the most significant peace and security issues of our time". "The Council's lack of unity on Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and on Israel's military operations in Gaza following the horrific terror attacks by Hamas on 7 October, has severely - perhaps fatally - undermined its authority," he said.
Mizoram body urges Centre to reconsider decision to fence India-Myanmar border, suspend FRM
The Mizoram NGO Coordination Committee (NGOCC) has requested the Indian government to reconsider its decision to fence the India-Myanmar border and suspend the Free Movement Regime (FMR) between the two countries. The NGOCC expressed concerns that these actions would disrupt ethnic and cultural connections between the Mizo communities on both sides of the border. The FMR allows people to travel within 16 km of each other's territory without a visa.
'Horrendous events' in Gaza in past days 'beggar belief': UN rights chief
"The horrendous events of the past 48 hours in Gaza beggar belief," United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk said in a statement.
UN warns of 'potential for thousands more to die' in Gaza
Israel unleashed its bombing campaign after Hamas gunmen stormed across the Gaza border on October 7, killing 1,400 people, mostly civilians, and seizing more than 220 hostages, according to Israeli officials. "Given the manner in which military operations have been conducted until now, in the context of the 56-year-old occupation, I am raising alarm about the possibly catastrophic consequences of large-scale ground operations in Gaza and the potential for thousands more civilians to die," Turk said.
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