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Category: World

World Countries

Europe 

Belarus must stop torturing protesters and prevent enforced disappearances

Village Reporter
Thousands have been detained in the eastern European country, where largely peaceful rallies to demand the resignation of longtime authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko – whose recent re-election to a sixth term opposition leaders believe was rigged – have prompted a heavy crackdown by security forces.  “We are extremely alarmed at the hundreds of allegations of torture and other ill-treatment in… Read More
Europe 

UN agencies call for urgent disembarkation of hundreds of refugees and migrants rescued in Central Mediterranean

Village Reporter
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the UN refugee agency, UNHCR,  also underlined the need  for regional agreement on safe disembarkation amid the COVID-19 pandemic and reduced search and rescue capacity. “The humanitarian imperative of saving lives should not be penalized or stigmatized, especially in the absence of dedicated state-led efforts,” they said in a joint statement. IOM and… Read More
Pacific 

The key to Viet Nam’s successful COVID-19 response: A UN Resident Coordinator blog

Village Reporter
“Despite a new wave which began on 25 July which Viet Nam is now also in the process of bringing under effective control, it is globally recognized that Viet Nam demonstrated one of the world’s most successful responses to the COVID-19 pandemic between January  and April 16. After that date, no cases of local transmission were recorded for 99 consecutive… Read More
Pacific 

Myanmar: Upcoming elections an opportunity to take a new inclusive democratic path

Village Reporter
According to James Rodehaver, Senior Human Rights Officer based in the OHCHR South-East Asia Regional Office, three years after the violence that forced over 700,000 Rohingyas from their homes in northern Myanmar into neighbouring Bangladesh, “conditions inside the country have deteriorated and little has been done to create viable conditions for their safe return.”  Meanwhile, a new conflict has flared… Read More
Pacific 

Address root causes of the Rohingya refugee crisis, urges UN chief

Village Reporter
In a statement issued by his spokesperson, the Secretary-General said the UN will continue to stand in solidarity with all those affected by the crisis, and that it is committed to working with all stakeholders, including regional actors, towards a future of sustainable development, human rights and peace in Myanmar.  Mr. Guterres called for greater urgency to the crisis by… Read More
Pacific 

Three years after exodus, Rohingya refugees ‘more vulnerable than ever’

Village Reporter
According to the UN World Food Programme (WFP), almost all refugees remain entirely dependent on food assistance to survive.   “The availability of foods in camps, outside of WFP assistance, has been shrinking and prices rising,” Elisabeth Byrs, a spokesperson for the UN agency, told a media briefing on Tuesday.  Disrupted supply chains due to COVID-19 lockdown measures are also affecting… Read More
Pacific 

First Person: Tourism in Hawaii grounded during pandemic

Village Reporter
Eli Hobbs is the Chief Pilot for Jack Harter Helicopters based on the Hawaiian island of Kauai. He spoke to UN News as part of the International Labour Organization’s photography project “Dignity at Work: The American Experience”. “When Hawaii went into lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the middle of March, our activities were totally shut down. Obviously, tourists… Read More
Pacific 

First Person: Fighting anti-vaccination rumours in Pakistan

Village Reporter
Dennis Chimenya In an interview with UN News, Mr. Chimenya, who leads UNICEF’s communications activities, outlines the problems that he and his colleagues face in raising awareness of the crucial health benefits of polio vaccinations during the COVID-19 pandemic. “As a young boy growing up in Malawi, I remember being impressed by the positive impact and influence that radio had… Read More
Pacific 

Rohingya crisis needs lasting solutions, renewed commitment amid COVID-19 pandemic, UN refugee agency

Village Reporter
“The COVID-19 pandemic has added additional complexities,” UNHCR spokesperson Andrej Mahecic told journalists the regular news briefing in Geneva. 3️⃣ years of exile 3️⃣ years of resilience 3️⃣ years of generosity from their hosts The world must not forget the Rohingya people. We must protect their dignity and their hope. pic.twitter.com/hxEmld2atH — UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency (@Refugees) August 21,… Read More
Pacific 

UN rights office ‘appalled’ at violence against human rights defenders in the Philippines

Village Reporter
“We are saddened and appalled by the ongoing violence and threats against human rights defenders in the Philippines, including the killing of two human rights defenders over the past two weeks,” Liz Throssell, a spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), said at a regular media briefing.  Randall “Randy” Echanis, an agrarian reform advocate… Read More
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