UN marks Human Rights Day with call to end all forms of discrimination
10 December 2009 – The United Nations marked Human Rights Day today, the 61st anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, by stressing the enduring need to eliminate all forms of discrimination, with officials in the world’s most crisis-plagued regions – from Iraq to Afghanistan to Somalia – appealing for tolerance in the interests of peace.
Empowering people with disabilities vital for development targets – Ban
03 December 2009 – Efforts to achieve global development targets must include improving living standards and quality of life for everyone, including the world’s 800 million people with disabilities, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said, marking the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
UN report condemns trial in DR Congo military court over killing of journalist
17 November 2009 – A United Nations report released today criticizes the judicial process in a Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) military court in connection with the trial of a murdered Congolese journalist, including the alleged bribery of the presiding judges.
Afro-Brazilians and indigenous groups face serious bias, says UN rights chief
13 November 2009 – While Brazil has an “impressive” set of laws and policies to promote human rights and improve socio-economic well-being, indigenous groups and Afro-Brazilians face serious discrimination, injustice and violence, the United Nations human rights chief said today.
Council must do more to protect civilians in armed conflict – UN rights chief
11 November 2009 – The United Nations human rights chief today called on the Security Council to put more muscle into protecting civilians in armed conflict, citing Israel’s war in Gaza and the situations in Darfur, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Afghanistan as examples of the need to end impunity.
Ban announces members of commission to look into bloody Guinean crackdown
30 October 2009 – Three prominent jurists will form the international commission of inquiry to probe last month’s violent crackdown on unarmed demonstrators in Guinea that led to the deaths of at least 150 people and the rape of many others, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced today.
Secretary-General encouraged by deal resolving political crisis in Honduras
30 October 2009 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today said that he is encouraged by news that an agreement has been reached to resolve the political crisis in Honduras that began when President José Manuel Zelaya was ousted from power in June.
Ban expresses disappointment that Zimbabwe blocks UN torture expert
29 October 2009 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has voiced his disappointment that the invitation extended by the Zimbabwean Government to the United Nations independent expert on torture was suddenly revoked yesterday.
