Tag Archives: UN
21 October 2013
On the occasion of the European Anti-Trafficking Day, the importance of partnerships was called the ‘backbone’ of global efforts to tackle the scourge of human trafficking by the human rights experts from the United Nations, the Council of Europe and the Organization for Co-operation and Security in Europe. It was emphasised that ‘Cooperation between origin, transit and destination countries, but also with regional and international mechanisms, as well as private stakeholders such as multi-national corporations and civil society organizations, is essential for comprehensive responses to trafficking in persons.’
Source: OHCHR | Victims of trafficking: “Human beings with human rights that must be protected” European Anti-Trafficking Day, Friday 18 October 2013
16 October 2013
On 11 October 2013, the UN Security Council authorised the establishment of a Joint Mission of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and the United Nations (UN) to oversee the destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons. The Council endorsed the proposal formulated by Ban Ki-moon in a letter to the Council of 7 October (S/2013/591), pursuant to a request by the Security Council in Resolution 2118 (2013).
While all attention now focusses on the completion of the Joint Mission’s goal (the elimination of Syrian chemical weapons), it is not too early to plan for contingencies. The destruction of the chemical weapons will entail significant risks for the environment and human health. (more…)
9 October 2013
Lawyers for Haitian victims of a cholera outbreak announced they were filling a suit against the United Nations (UN) in a Federal District Court in New York. The suit calls on the UN to compensate victims of the epidemic.
It is believed that the outbreak began after MINUSTAH peacekeepers from Nepal brought the bacteria, and spread quickly due to negligence in the sanitation of the UN base.
Last summer, researchers from the Yale University published a report arguing that the UN caused the outbreak and should pay compensation to the victims.
Lawyers for the victims have not communicated on the arguments they would present against the immunity of the UN.
Source: The New York Times | Rights Advocates Suing U.N. Over the Spread of Cholera in Haiti
Source: BBC | UN sued over Haiti cholera epidemic
9 October 2013
Besides the almost 100 United Nations and chemical weapons experts that will be deployed over the coming months in a joint mission (with the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons), to oversee the destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons stockpiles, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon noted that a staging area and support base will be established in Cyprus (due to the dangers on the ground in Syria), and that the UN contribution will primarily be for logistics, security, liaison, medical support, communications and administration.
Ban Ki-moon called upon UN member states ‘to offer their full support to the work of the Joint Mission including through the provision of financial, material, technical and operational assistance’ to carry out last month’s Security Council resolution on the elimination of Syria’s chemical weapons material and equipment. In phase three (from 1 November to 30 June 2014), the joint mission will be expected to support, monitor and verify the destruction of a ‘complex chemical weapons programme involving multiple sites.’ In this phase, ‘it is highly probable that assistance by other Member States will be required in the areas of the provision of both technical and operational advice, support and equipment, as well as security and possibly other areas in order to successfully complete the destruction and/or removal activities within the allotted time’, according to the Secretary-General.
Source: UN News Centre | Ban seeks 100-member joint mission to oversee destruction of Syrian chemical weapons
27 September 2013
In his speech to the UN General Assembly, Prime Minister of the Central African Republic (CAR) Nicolas Tiangaye addressed the planned AU-led force to restore peace and stability in his country. He called on the UN to play an increased role and accord the mandate, and the international community to provide the necessary financial, material and logistic support, since ‘the international community has the obligation to provide it with financial, material and logistical means to confront the numerous challenges that my country faces.’
Source: UN News Centre | Central African Republic premier at UN calls for urgent action to end violent conflict