Commission of Inquiry on Syria Delivers Damning Human Rights Report

The U.N. General Assembly convened  Monday to hear a report by Paulo Pinheiro, Chairperson of the Commission of Inquiry on Syria. Pinheiro exhorted to the international community that there is no military solution to the conflict, and that the war has been "a chronicle of missed opportunities."

UNICEF Launches New Program to End Violence Against Children

The U.N. Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Wednesday  launched a new initiative to curb violence against children around the world.

UNAMID’s Mandate in Darfur Renewed until August 2014

The 15-member U.N. Security Council voted unanimously in favour of renewing the mandate of the joint African Union – U.N. Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) for 13 additional months.

Alarming Rise of Rapes in Eastern DRC

Increasing numbers of men, women and children are being raped in North Kivu Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) as recurrent conflict continues to displace citizens.

Syrian Opposition Coalition Seeks International Support at U.N.

The National Coalition of the Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces informally met Friday with U.N. delegates and members of the Security Council to discuss changes on the ground and political transition in the country.

Recent Clashes in DRC Cast Doubt on U.N. Initiatives

“Will they come to life, or are they only going to be destined to live on paper?” asked U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry during a meeting of the U.N. Security Council last week. He was referring to  resolution 2098 on Peace, Security and Cooperation (PSC) relating to the multi-level Peace framework adopted by the U.N. in March 2013.

Human Rights Office Launches Global Campaign for LGBT Equality

Although the 193-member U.N. General Assembly remains sharply divided over gay and lesbian rights, the U.N. human rights office Friday launched an unprecedented global public education campaign for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) equality.

Extreme Floods Hit North Korea

Heavy seasonal rains over the past two weeks has caused extreme flooding and consecutive landslides across large areas of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK).

Industry in Argentina Going Strong, But More Is Needed

Industry in Argentina has seen a sustained rise in production, exports and employment since 2003. But in order for this trend to become a structural change, greater import substitution is needed, analysts say.

New Bid for Mideast Talks after Five-Year Hiatus

There is a real opportunity for peacemaking between Israel and the Palestinians, even though the obstacles are more formidable than in the past. That was the assessment of former U.S. president Jimmy Carter, speaking Monday at a public event which posed the question “Can the Two-State Solution Be Saved?”

Indonesia Comes under Fire for Fires

With a propensity to devour everything in their path and spiral quickly out of control, leaving behind swathes of scorched earth, forest fires are considered a hazard in most parts of the world. In Indonesia, however, fires are the preferred method for clearing large areas of land for massive plantations of commercial crops.

A Generation of Illiterate Children in Syria?

The ongoing conflict in Syria will have dire consequences for future generations, United Nations Special Representative for Armed Conflict Leila Zerrougui told the Security Council Monday.

First Steps to Save Burkina Faso’s Forests

Burkina Faso has just received a grant of 30 million dollars from the Forest Investment Programme to help protect the country’s forests and reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with deforestation.

When Israelis Boycott a Settlement

As the European Union delegitimises the settlement enterprise further by officially announcing that, effective Jul. 30, its 28 member states are required to differentiate between pre-1967 Israel and Israeli-occupied territories, Israelis supportive of a two-state solution vigorously lead their own boycott campaign against Ariel, a settlement town of 20,000.

Unclear Scope for Media Law in Ecuador

Ecuador’s new media law introduces guarantees to democratise communications. But it has come under fire from critics who say it could set limits on investigative journalism. Many doubts will only be answered once its regulations are passed.

World Leaders Celebrate Mandela Day

“As we extend our best wishes to President Mandela on his 95^th birthday, let us also give tangible meaning to our feelings of concern by taking action on behalf of others.”

Haitian Women Still Waiting for a Seat at the Table

More than two years ago, Haiti’s parliament approved a landmark amendment to the country’s 1987 constitution to ensure that women fill at least 30 percent of elected and appointed positions at the national level.

Journalism: A Profession Worth Dying For?

Seventy-two journalists were killed in 2012, an increase of 49 percent since 2011, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

Promises to Gas Victims Only ‘Hot Air’

Ismaela Muhamadu was six years old when he lost his parents and siblings in a poisonous gas explosion at northern Cameroon’s Lake Nyos. The blast killed more than 1,800 people, and 3,000 cattle and wildlife over a 25-km radius.

Fight Against Gender-Based Violence Finds a Technological Touch

The use of technology to fight gender-related violence is encapsulated in the “four Ps”: prevention, protection, prosecution and provision of multi-sector services, according to Lakshmi Puri, assistant secretary-general of the United Nations and acting head of U.N. Women.

Caribbean Launches New Tool to Deal with Climate Change

If the studies conducted by the International Code Council (ICC) are true, then by 2025, Caribbean countries will witness a significant increase in Category 4 and 5 hurricanes from the present level of 1.4 annually to four.