UN News stories

11 stories found over the past 45 days
‘Outraged’ by rising death toll in Syria, General Assembly demands halt to all violence

15 May 2013 – Expressing grave concern at the continuing escalation of violence in Syria, the United Nations General Assembly today adopted a resolution reiterating its call for rapid progress on a political transition, “which represents the best opportunity to resolve the situation […] peacefully.”

UN human rights chief urges Syrian rebels to end abuses after gruesome video hits Internet

14 May 2013 – The mutilation of a Syrian soldier purportedly shown in an internet video is a “truly atrocious act” which should be investigated as a potential war crime, the United Nations human rights chief said today, urging the armed opposition to stop such gross crimes.

Security Council strongly condemns deadly attacks near Turkish-Syrian border

13 May 2013 – The United Nations Security Council today condemned ‘in the strongest terms’ the car bombs that killed at least 46 people and injured dozens of others near a Syrian refugee base in the southeastern town of Reyhanli, in Turkey's Hatay province.

Syria: UN agencies assist thousands displaced by recent deadly violence in Baniyas area

10 May 2013 – United Nations agencies today said they have begun distribution of emergency assistance to thousands of Syrians who were recently displaced by alleged massacres in Baniyas and its surrounding areas.

International community must not become 'numb' to atrocities in Syria – UN rights chief

10 May 2013 – The international community must act to stop the conflict in Syria and ensure those responsible for human rights violations are held accountable, the United Nations human rights chief said today following reports of massacres in Baniyas, as well as displacement of civilians due to military build-up in Qusayr.

Syria: UN human rights Inquiry has ‘no conclusive findings’ on use of chemical weapons

06 May 2013 – With its investigation continuing into violations of human rights in Syria, an independent United Nations panel today said it has “no conclusive findings” regarding the use of chemical weapons by any of the parties to the conflict in the country.

UN has key role in empowering women in post-revolutionary Middle East, experts say

17 April 2013 – Amid the reverberations from popular uprisings known as the “Arab Spring,” the United Nations has a key role to play in supporting women in the Middle East by convening disparate voices and identifying new modes of cooperation, experts on women’s rights said during a “Classroom Conversation” with university students from around the world.

Briefing media on world crisis flashpoints, Ban says political solution is only answer

17 April 2013 – Both in Syria where conditions are daily worsening, and in Mali where security has much improved, a political solution is the only answer for long-term stability, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today in a news briefing that touched on crisis flashpoints around the world.

Security Council, in day-long debate, urged to strengthen measures to end rape in war zones

17 April 2013 – Conflict-related sexual violence, horrific in itself, is also an impediment to national reconciliation and development, top United Nations officials told the Security Council at the start of a day-long debate, urging increased political and financial pressure on those who commit, command or condone sexual violence in war zones.

Turkish law on protection of foreigners wins UN praise

12 April 2013 – The United Nations refugee agency today welcomed a new Turkish law on foreigners as an important advancement for international protection and pledged continued backing to the authorities as they implement it.