71 Journalists Killed in 2013

The Paris based Reporters Without Borders said the annual toll of journalists killed in connection with their work was again very high in 2013, although this year’s number, 71, was a slight fall (-20%) on last year’s.

As Malaysia rises to ‘high-income status’, it must focus on the most vulnerable, says UN expert

The UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, Olivier De Schutter, complimented Malaysia for its efforts to becoming a high-income country. But Malaysia should also “ ensure that growth is not achieved at the expense of the environment and the rights of vulnerable groups in society, such as the indigenous communities and migrant workers,” he cautioned.

Food Security Can Come in Tiny, Wiggly Packages

It is known as the land of copper to the outside world, but there’s another c-word that does a roaring trade in Zambia, albeit locally – caterpillars.

“Migrants are human beings with human rights”

UN experts have urged member states to ratify all  international and regional human rights treaties, including the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families, and to implement them fully.

World Urban Forum to Tackle Urbanization as Part of Sustainable Development

On 5 April 2014, the 7th World Urban Forum (WUF7) will descend on Medellin, Colombia on the theme ‘Urban equity in development’ — Cities for life.’ The focus of the weeklong conference , in the Latin American hub,  will be on practical and sustainable ways of creating more inclusive and compact cities that address complex issues like inequality, population and infrastructure.

Relentless Violence Against Children in Central African Republic an Affront to Humanity, Says UNICEF

More than half a million people have been displaced so far by the conflict in the Central African Republic, and latest reports show that an average of three people every hour have been killed in fighting during the last two weeks alone, says the UN children’s agency UNICEF.

Member States Urged to Collaborate in Efforts to Protect Journalists

Efforts to improve and implement international legal provisions for the protection of journalists across the globe was the main focus of a meeting held at the UN Security Council Friday.

When Nelson Mandela Addressed the UN…

Former Deputy Director-General of the UN Office in Vienna, Dr. Nandasiri Jasenthuliyana recalls listening to Nelson Mandela on his first visit to the UN shortly after his release from prison when a Special Session of the Committee on Apartheid was convened for him to address a UN gathering.

India Re-imposes Criminal Sanctions for Same-Sex Relationships

India takes two significant steps into backwardness and gives human rights a heavy blow by re-instating one of the rules in its Penal Code that has been over-turned since 2009, according to a United Nations press release.

“Birth Registration is More Than Just a Right” Says UNICEF

On the 67^th anniversary of the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) --   and in an effort to raise awareness around a growing problem-- the organisation released a new report  on the inequalities of birth registration. It is estimated that one in three children under the age of five might lose the right to celebrate their own birthdays because their birth was not recorded—and nearly 230 million children under five have not been registered. “Birth registration is more than just a right. It’s how societies first recognize and acknowledge a child’s identity and existence,” said Geeta Rao Gupta, UNICEF Deputy Executive Director. “Birth registration is also key to guaranteeing that children are not forgotten, denied their rights or hidden from the progress of their nations.” The report aptly titled Every Child’s Birth Right: Inequities and trends in birth registration, places importance around birth registration as a passport to protection. Without legal registration, children are excluded from accessing education, medical assistance, social security and are often more vulnerable to child labour, forced conscription, child marriage and trafficking. The registration rates vary significantly across regions with the lowest found in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. Among the 161 countries that were analysed in 2012 the 10 countries with the lowest birth registration levels were Somalia (3%), Liberia (4%), Ethiopia (7%), Zambia (14%), Chad (16%), United Republic of Tanzania (16%), Yemen (17%), Guinea-Bissau (24%), Pakistan (27%) and Democratic Republic of the Congo (28%).  India had the most unregistered children in 2012—71 million are living anonymously. According to the report, even when a child is registered this does not guarantee the accredited documents proving so—one in seven registered children do not have a valid birth certificate. The implications of not registering a child go far and beyond just having accredited documents because the social, educational and developmental future of the new-born are dependent on a valid record of birth. In Gambia, a father is primarily responsible for registering a child, and in Indonesia, a marriage certificate is a must for birth registration—which means that the children born to a single mother cannot hold the nationality of the country—a barrier to accessing education or any other social rights. There are many additional factors that prohibit a child from being registered at birth, for instance, being unaware of relevant laws and processes, not understanding cultural barriers to facing social discrimination are just a few challenges new parents face.  Natural disasters and on-going conflicts also hinder registration because given each respective crisis, registering children is the last thing on a health workers mind. In Chad, children from Muslim and Christian are more likely to be registered than religious minorities. The list goes on, warily hinting at the inequalities that both women and babies face after childbirth. As time changes and more and more people are turning to technology, organizations like UNICEF are able to tackle birth registration in an efficient way.  By embracing innovative approaches that support governments and grassroots communities in simplifying birth registration process and data collection, slowly, children are being counted. In Uganda, using mobile phone technology, parents can complete the registration procedures in minutes—a process that normally takes months. According to Gupta, “Societies will never be equitable and inclusive until all children are counted.” For the countries that have no data available or have issues registering children at birth, it’s the emphasis placed on technological support that really makes a difference, and which will eventually be one of the determining factors in a child’s future.

Mayor Unveils Final Gun Control Report at Briefing

In what was described as his last anti-gun press conference, outgoing New York city Mayor Mike Bloomberg criticized the sale of guns without background checks.

In Minimum Wage Debate, A Battle Over Inequality and Job Loss

In the midst of a nationwide movement for policymakers to raise minimum wages for millions of workers in the United States, experts here continue to debate the advantages and drawbacks of raising the federal rate.

Throwing the Tanzania-Zambia Railway a Lifeline

Some say it’s the journey, not the destination that matters. Hop aboard the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) line at Tanzania’s Dar es Salaam port and begin the 1,860-kilometre journey to Kapiri Mposhi, a small town in Zambia’s Central Province, and you may find yourself pondering this adage.

U.N. Strives for “Zero Corruption”

With some 40 billion dollars lost every year to corruption in the developing world alone, the United Nations has repeatedly called on member states to practice transparency and good governance. 

Zero Corruption Equals 100% Development

Progress in achieving some of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) have been hitting road blocks due to corruption and lack of good governance in many countries, according to the United Nations.

Climate Change & Agriculture in East Africa

A new book, published by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), and released by three research organizations, says population growth in East Africa is among the highest in the world and could worsen food insecurity, which is already severe.

Egypt’s religious minorities bear the brunt of renewed insecurity

In a new report released Tuesday, the London-based Minority Rights Group International (MRG) says Egypt’s January 25 Revolution was driven by a demand for greater liberty. But with the increase in insecurity and sectarian violence, the country’s religious minorities are bearing the brunt.

UNCA To Honour Michael Douglas & Stevie Wonder at Award Ceremony

At its annual award ceremony next week, the U.N. Correspondents’ Association (UNCA) will honour two internationally-known celebrities:  Hollywood movie star Michael Douglas and musician, singer and song writer Stevie Wonder.

State of Energy Report

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has set a target of achieving 5% of its energy mix from renewable energy by 2030 while also seeking to reduce energy intensity by 30%, according to a new 200-page report released Monday.  Like a number of countries in the Arab region, it seeks to place sustainable energy solutions at the centre of a new sustainable development pathway.

U.N. Security Council Greenlights CAR Peacekeeping Mission

Following on the heels of a deadly explosion in the town of Boali, about 100 kilometres northwest of the Central African Republic’s capital Bangui, which left 12 dead and 30 severely wounded, the United Nations Security Council Thursday approved an African-led peacekeeping mission in the strife-torn country.

ESCAP Pioneers Platform for Expanding Social Protection

The Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) last week launched a cutting-edge platform designed for expanding social protection in the region.