chief Archives - Page 13 of 19

‘All sides need to think about the future they want for Venezuela’, says UN human rights chief

·January 29, 2023·4 min read

“Following my meeting with President [Nicolás] Maduro, he publicly expressed his readiness to work towards improving the justice system. This is a key area for reform, and I offer the support and expertise of my Office to pursue this,” Volker Türk told reporters in Caracas at the end of his three-day visit. ...

We must not simply remember, ‘but speak out and stand up’: UN chief Guterres

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·January 29, 2023·4 min read

“The Holocaust did not happen as a ‘lesson’ for humanity, but it did happen. And because it happened, it may happen again,” Mr. Guterres told the annual ceremony held at the historic Park East Synagogue in New York to commemorate the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp. “We must never...

UN rights chief condemns ‘cold-blooded killing’ of Eswatini human rights lawyer

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·January 24, 2023·1 min read

Thulani Maseko, who was also a pro-democracy activist, was shot dead in his home in the city of Mbabane on Saturday. Mr. Türk issued a statement condemning his murder. ‘Stalwart of human rights’ “Thulani Maseko was a stalwart of human rights who, at great risk to himself, spoke up for...

‘Let’s all become the champions the ocean needs’ – UN chief Guterres

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·January 24, 2023·6 min read

“And by working as one, it’s a race we can win. Let’s all become the champions the ocean needs. Let’s end the ocean emergency and preserve this precious blue gift for our children and grandchildren,” urged the UN chief. The Secretary-General was speaking from the Ocean Science Centre Mindelo, in...

In drought-stricken Cabo Verde, UN chief finds hope for creating sustainable oasis

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·January 23, 2023·10 min read

For hours, António Guterres’ car had moved along a sinuous road, which opened against an arid landscape, but then one last curve, and a few hundred feet up a hill, the view outside his window bursts into myriad shades of green, as small terraces supported by stone walls filled with banana...

UN refugee chief praises Moldova for opening the country to Ukrainians fleeing war

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·January 22, 2023·1 min read

“The Moldovan people and Government have shown remarkable solidarity with refugees since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began nearly one year ago”, Filippo Grandi told the media during his visit to the country. “This support was visible from the first days and weeks of the war, when tens of thousands...

Ukraine war: No chance for serious peace negotiations yet, says UN chief

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·January 19, 2023·6 min read

Following that sobering assessment, António Guterres also told the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland, that he remained committed to alleviating the suffering of Ukrainians and vulnerable people in the wider world, still reeling from the conflict’s “dramatic, devastating impacts” on the global economy. “There will be an end…there...

UN chief calls for renewable energy ‘revolution’ for a brighter global future

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·January 14, 2023·4 min read

“Only renewables can safeguard our future, close the energy access gap, stabilize prices and ensure energy security,” he said in a video message to the 13th Session of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Assembly, taking place this weekend in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. “Together, let’s jumpstart a renewables...

Iran: UN rights chief Türk warns against further ‘State-sanctioned killing’

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·January 11, 2023·2 min read

Volker Türk’s allegation that criminal proceedings and the death penalty had been weaponized to stamp out dissent, follows the execution in the last months of four people involved in nationwide protests, that were sparked by the death in police custody of Mahsa Amini, in September. “The weaponization of criminal procedures to punish...

Investigation into 28 killed in Burkina Faso must be transparent: UN rights chief

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·January 8, 2023·1 min read

In a statement released on Friday, Mr. Türk said that the decision by the authorities to investigate the deaths was encouraging, but he added that it should be “prompt, thorough, impartial and transparent”. “I have sent a letter to the Minister of Foreign Affairs underlining this exact message”, declared the...

UN rights chief appeals for end to arbitrary detention

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·January 4, 2023·1 min read

“At the start of this year – the 75th anniversary year of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights – I call on governments and all detaining authorities, globally, to amnesty, pardon or simply release all those detained for exercising their rights,” he said in a statement. “Reach into your hearts, review their cases,...

UN chief ‘deeply saddened’ at deaths from South Africa gas tanker explosion

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·January 3, 2023·1 min read

The blast in Boksburg severely damaged the roof of the emergency department at the Tambo Memorial hospital there, killing and injuring dozens while also reportedly destroying houses and cars. Initial reports estimated around 27 deaths, but that figure had risen to 34 by the past weekend, according to regional health...