New UN report warns against ‘dehumanizing’ migrants looking for work — Global Issues

New UN report warns against ‘dehumanizing’ migrants looking for work — Global Issues

The report, We wanted workers, but human beings came, published just ahead of International Migrants Day, zeroes-in on schemes in operation across the Asia-Pacific region – the largest single migrant-producing region in the world.  “Migrant workers are often dehumanized”, said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, reminding that…

UN launches 10-year survival plan for endangered indigenous languages — Global Issues

UN launches 10-year survival plan for endangered indigenous languages — Global Issues

On Friday, the UN launched the International Decade of Indigenous Languages to help them survive, and protect them from extinction.  The Organization has long advocated for indigenous peoples, who are the inheritors and practitioners of unique cultures and ways of relating to people and the environment.  A benefit for all …

Scottish Parliament urged to adopt gender recognition reform — Global Issues

Scottish Parliament urged to adopt gender recognition reform — Global Issues

Victor Madrigal-Borloz, the UN Special Rapporteur on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, said in a statement that he was worried that stigma and prejudice against trans women could be behind efforts to postpone consideration of the Bill – which has one remaining stage to…

Help make 2023 the year of ‘free and fair elections’, Security Council urged — Global Issues

Help make 2023 the year of ‘free and fair elections’, Security Council urged — Global Issues

Since his briefing last month, Mr. Bathily has continued working to advance the political process and revive the electoral track.  In Türkiye, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Tunisia, he told ambassadors he had been seeking coordinated support for the UN Mission, UNSMIL, to help political leaders overcome their differences,…

New UN report warns against ‘dehumanizing’ migrants looking for work — Global Issues

Taliban urged to halt public floggings and executions — Global Issues

These punishments began after Taliban Supreme Leader Haibatullah Akhundzada last month ordered judges to uphold aspects of Islamic law.  “We call on the de facto authorities to immediately establish a moratorium on the death penalty, prohibit flogging and other physical punishments that constitute torture, or other cruel, inhuman or degrading…

New UN report warns against ‘dehumanizing’ migrants looking for work — Global Issues

Global cholera surge likely accelerated by climate change, warns WHO — Global Issues

“The map is under threat (from cholera) everywhere,” said Dr. Philippe Barboza, from the World Health Organization, speaking in Geneva, via Zoom. Available data points to cases of infection in around 30 countries, whereas in the previous five years, fewer than 20 countries reported infections, on average. Reversing recent successes “The…

UN emergency relief chief ends Ukraine visit, pledging solidarity — Global Issues

UN emergency relief chief ends Ukraine visit, pledging solidarity — Global Issues

Speaking in Kyiv, at the end of a four-day official visit, Martin Griffiths described the deadly threat from daily artillery attacks on the southern port city of Kherson. Today, more than 18 million people in Ukraine need humanitarian aid, according to UN humanitarians. Some 7.83 million have fled the country…

Irish peacekeeper killed, three others injured — Global Issues

Irish peacekeeper killed, three others injured — Global Issues

UNIFIL said the incident took place in Al-Aqbieh, “just outside” the mission’s area of operations in south Lebanon. The mission has been in place since 1978, shortly after Israel withdrew from Lebanon, and monitors the cessation of hostilities along the Lebanon-Israel border, following the conflict of 2006, and ensures humanitarian…

Security Council examines rising terrorism threat globally — Global Issues

Security Council examines rising terrorism threat globally — Global Issues

India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, who chaired the meeting, invited participants to stand and observe a minute of silence for victims worldwide.  They include an Irish peacekeeper serving at the UN’s mission in Lebanon, UNIFIL, shot and killed in an attack the previous night. Three other blue helmets…

UN rights chief reports on intensified ‘climate of oppression’ in Nicaragua — Global Issues

UN rights chief reports on intensified ‘climate of oppression’ in Nicaragua — Global Issues

Addressing the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Mr. Türk reported that the number of people arbitrarily detained – either for expressing their political views, or for being perceived as critics of the Government – rose from 195 in September to 225 today.  “This includes relatives of detained political opponents,…