Bahrain must address lack of trust in Government, says UN rights chief Protesters in Manama, Bahrain. Photo: Al Jazeera English The United Nations human rights chief today called on Bahraini authorities to address the “deepening mistrust” between the Government and civil society, including by releasing those detained for participating in peaceful protests. “The Bahraini authorities […]

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UN book highlights benefits of Amazon plants and foods to improve livelihoods Amazon Rainforest A United Nations book released today aims to provide people in the developing world with accessible knowledge of Amazon plants and foods they can use to improve their livelihoods. The book, Fruit Trees and Useful Plants in Amazonian Life, is written in easy-to-grasp language […]

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UN reports improved access to safe drinking water, but poorest still lagging The internationally stated goal of improving access to safe drinking water across the globe is likely to be achieved well ahead of the 2015 deadline, but large numbers of people in the world’s least developed regions will still not benefit, according to a […]

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Philippines: UN agencies boost relief effort for storm survivors as death toll rises Residents of Mindanao, Philippines, survey damage caused by tropical storm Washi United Nations agencies stepped up relief efforts in the Philippines today to help survivors of tropical storm Washi, which the country’s authorities say has killed nearly 1,000 people and left hundreds […]

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UN rights chief welcomes new measure to stop violence against children High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay The United Nations rights chief today added her voice to the chorus of UN officials welcoming the decision by Member States to adopt a new protocol aimed at protecting children from abuse and violence. The Optional Protocol […]

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UN welcomes move enabling Arab League monitors to visit Syria Syrian women protesting in May 2011 The United Nations said today it is encouraged by the signing of a protocol paving the way for monitors from the League of Arab States to go to Syria as part of efforts to end the violence that began […]

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UN envoy welcomes new measure to stop violence against children Special Representative on Violence against Children Marta Santos Pais. UN Photo/Jean-Marc Ferre A United Nations envoy dealing with children’s rights today hailed the decision of Member States to adopt a new protocol aimed at protecting children from abuse and violence. The new protocol to the Convention on […]

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General Assembly urges Syria to implement Arab League plan to end violence United Nations Member States today called on Syrian authorities to immediately implement the plan of action proposed by the League of Arab States to resolve the crisis that has engulfed the country since a public uprising began near the start of the year. […]

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Philippines: UN officials mourn victims of storm tragedy A woman salvages belongings from her ruined village in Mindanao, Philippines, after Tropical Storm Washi struck on 16 December 2011 United Nations officials today sent their sympathies to the people of the Philippines after a tropical storm slammed the south of the country at the weekend, causing […]

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Egypt: UN human rights chief condemns brutality against protesters Protesters in Cairo, Egypt The United Nations human rights chief today strongly condemned what she described as the “brutal suppression” of demonstrations by the military and security forces in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, saying the violence reportedly left at least 11 people dead and more than […]

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