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Sudan war: Children facing ‘unimaginable suffering’, warns UNICEF chief

·March 14, 2025·4 min read

“This is not just a crisis, it is a poly-crisis affecting every sector, from health and nutrition to water, education and protection,” Catherine Russell, UNICEF Executive Director, told ambassadors in the Security Council. Since war erupted between the former allies-turned-rivals, the Sudanese army (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and...

‘Furious kickback against equality’ must end, UN chief tells women activists, as conference adopts landmark declaration

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·March 12, 2025·3 min read

“A surge in misogyny, and a furious kickback against equality threaten to slam on the brakes, and push progress into reverse,” he said. “Let me be clear: This is unacceptable, immoral, and self-defeating. We must stop it – and we must stop it together.” The event, marking 30 years since...

UN rights chief raises alarm over escalating violence in Syria

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·March 9, 2025·1 min read

The killing of civilians in coastal areas in northwest Syria must cease immediately, the UN rights chief said on Sunday following a series of coordinated attacks reportedly launched by elements of the former government and other local armed men....

‘Humanity’s future depends on investing in the machinery of peace’: UN chief

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·March 6, 2025·1 min read

Celebrated on 5 March, it is an opportunity to reinforce global commitments to reducing arms and advancing peace. This year, the observance coincides with the 55th anniversary of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) – a landmark agreement aimed at preventing the spread of nuclear weapons while promoting...

‘A litany of human suffering’ in Myanmar, warns UN rights chief

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·March 3, 2025·3 min read

Addressing the Human Rights Council on Friday, he detailed the devastating toll of the ongoing conflict and economic collapse on civilians – many of whom have been displaced by the fighting. Earlier in the day the Council discussed the deteriorating situation in South Sudan, having heard a report from rights...

UN chief calls for peace and justice as Ramadan begins

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·February 28, 2025·1 min read

“In this Holy Month, let us all be uplifted by these values and embrace our common humanity to build a more just and peaceful world for all,” he said in a message. He also extended a special message of support to those experiencing hardship, displacement and violence. “I stand with...

Greatest threat to UN Peacekeeping is divisions between nations, says UN Peace Operations Chief

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·February 27, 2025·4 min read

The two-day event was an opportunity to highlight the importance of women in peacekeeping, and delegates also discussed the current challenges to peacekeeping, and how the UN and Member States can work together to adapt to the new realities of today’s geopolitical landscape. This interview has been edited for clarity...

UN rights chief decries substantial rise in death penalty executions

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·February 26, 2025·2 min read

“While a number of countries argue that it lies within their national sovereignty, from my perspective, it is incompatible with human dignity and the right to life,” the High Commissioner told Member States, during a discussion about the contribution of judiciaries to advancing human rights over the issue. The punishment had...

World’s ‘warmongers’ must end disdain for global order, UN chief insists

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·February 24, 2025·4 min read

On the opening day of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, the Secretary-General rounded on “warmongers who thumb their nose at international law, international humanitarian law and the UN Charter”. To date, Ukraine has seen more than 12,600 civilians killed, many more injured and entire communities reduced to rubble, Mr....

UN chief condemns ‘abhorrent and appalling’ treatment of hostages’ remains by Hamas

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·February 24, 2025·2 min read

Hamas militants said the bodies of the four people who were returned to Tel Aviv on Thursday morning were those of a mother and two children from the Bibas family, along with 84-year-old peace activist Oded Lifshitz. It is the first time that Hamas – which has controlled the Gaza...

Post-war order facing ‘greatest test since its creation’: UN relief chief

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·February 21, 2025·2 min read

Tom Fletcher was addressing the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) which was set up by the UN General Assembly in the early 1990s as a coordination forum for humanitarian aid worldwide. “The humanitarian community confronts a massive funding, morale, and legitimacy crisis,” he said, framing his remarks as personal reflections based...

UN chief welcomes continued Gaza ceasefire and hostage release

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·February 16, 2025·1 min read

A note to media correspondents was released by the UN on Sunday, a day after the release of three Israeli hostages from Gaza, in exchange for 369 Palestinians held in Israel’s jails. The exchange forms part of the first phase of a ceasefire deal between the two sides which came...